Of reunions and homecomings

By Chef Ed Dychauco, RN

Thursday, February 24, 2011

I HAVE noticed and realized for the past several years that there is an increase in the number of gatherings and coming together with old friends and classmates, both here and abroad.

Although I know for a fact that this has been going on for so long but it is just recently that everybody's making a big deal out of these activities and I really find it very interesting and fun, connecting and being with old (no pun intended) acquaintances in special events and activities.

After graduating my basic education at the Fatima College of Camiguin, high school from Philippine Chin Hwa School (Academy) and college from Liceo de Cagayan and Xavier University, I find myself longing and looking for former classmates to "bond" with again from time to time. And I am quite sure most of us do.

Thanks to cell phones, email adds, Friendster, Multiply, tweeter, Facebook and all these great social networking on the web, we get to connect with most of them. Although we don't really get to see them personally, we can chat through YM, Skype and others using webcams and see for ourselves how our friends look like now.

Since Mambajao, Camiguin is a small town, practically everybody knows everyone. So, it was quite easy to reconnect with my elementary classmates unless they have migrated somewhere else without leaving a trace. A lot of my classmates and friends have left this lovely laid-back town and transferred somewhere else, like the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and many parts of Europe, seeking greener pastures. Most of them had married people from those places and settled down there with their families.

High school was different. I was enrolled in a school where we had a mixture of students from all over the Philippines and a handful of people from Hong Kong. And there were few pictures to look at. And I cannot even say I was close to all my classmates then. Good thing I have a crude "autograph" where most of my classmates were able to sign it, except for a few. Addresses are no longer accurate because of some changes while phone numbers are now totally different.

College was not as bad because again, Cagayan de Oro City used to be a "small" city and everybody seems to know everyone, except for those who are not from here. But chances are, a friend would know someone you know. So there is this connection in some way, although it might take some time.

With all these social networking, it is easier to re-establish communications with friends unless again, their names had been changed due to marriages. It is therefore, easy to find a guy's name than a lady's name unless they had their maiden names listed, too.

Speaking through experience, I am overwhelmed with the fact that I get to find friends through this and at the same time, they also got to find me. Isn't that amazing?

However, coming together as one, as in, reunions or homecomings, has to be planned ahead (usually, a year or more!) because of tight schedules and work. Not to forget also the financial capabilities of those concerned. Yes, we do get to meet our friends from time to time, but it is always just a handful. Even our families, we don't even get to see them every day because most of us have families of their own.

But thanks to Christmas, New Years, weddings and birthdays, we would always have to chance to spend time together on these special occasions, aside from other holidays and special occasions that comes once a year or once a lifetime.

Recently I got connected to a few former high school classmates through the net. And I should say it was really unbelievable. After more than 35 years without communications! I just hope that one day, we will get to see each other and have fun reminiscing the past. That's what we all got right now, don't we?

Then just recently, I also had the opportunity of meeting my high school "barkada" when he came over. The chance of seeing him was almost impossible, if not for his son who works in a restaurant in Manila. I was having dinner with another friend when this "waiter" spoke in the Visayan dialect. Curious enough, I asked several questions and found out he was the son of my classmate. The rest, as they say, is history.

Elementary, high school, Nursing and Biology classmates, (even my former medical school classmates) and former students of mine (a lot of them very successful in their fields now, in almost all parts of the world) had reconnected and we are still trying to reconnect with those who are not yet in our circle of friends. It is also very interesting to note that I was also able to get in touch with former teachers and instructors, even former owners/administrators of the schools I went to.

Calling those who are not and have not connected, please do so. Wouldn't it be nice to see each other again after all these years?

Try to attend class reunions and school homecomings. It will be worth all your time. It is a small world, after all! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on February 25, 2011.

Amazing two days adventure

By Chef Ed Dychauco

TWO weeks ago, I have several friends who came over to visit. Actually, their dad, the late Daniel Sacupayo, was a former high school classmate of my mom at Camiguin Institute (now Fatima College of Camiguin). And they are Pamela, Tony and Megan Mendoza from Chicago, Leah and Tony Abarrientos of California, Glothelda "Gigi" Rivera from Tarlac and Patricia Danna Lariba (daughter of Iralyn) from Quezon City.

The first time I get to meet Tony, Pamela and Megan was almost 20 years ago in Chicago. I was there to attend a two to three-day Nursing Seminar and stayed with them. Megan was like only four or five years old then. But instead of getting around Chicago, it was hit with a huge snow storm and I ended up spending the rest of the week at their home. The snow was like four to five inches high. And there was no place to go. Well, except for one place that I had the chance to "peep" because it was the weekend and the store was closed. It was a heaven for cake enthusiasts and decorator, the Wilton Cake Decorating Company.

I drooled over their cake accessories. But that was it. Fast forward to this day. Thanks to the modern technology and FB, I got to get in touch with them, especially Megan, who became my constant "chat mate." To make the story short, I ordered some Wilton products which they brought with them when they came over. And to my surprise, they gave those great items to me instead! I was ecstatic over those items, but of course, seeing them after 20 years or so was more than enough.

There are four sisters in the family, two nurses, a lawyer and a doctor. Both nurses, Pamela (or Gingging) and Leah lives in the US with their families. Gigi is a very successful Ob-Gyn in Tarlac while Iralyn is a lawyer who now resides in Quezon City.

I was late in picking them up in the airport because of the ongoing construction and rerouting of the major roads. But it gave the chance to take more photos. Showing to our Cagayan de Oro's famous hospitality and tourist spots, I also had the chance of my life enjoying these spectacular places, too.

First stop was Dahilayan Adventure Park. It was awesome and amazing. The weather was really good, cool and breezy. Feels like spring time in New York! My friends enjoyed the ride compared to the one they had in Subic. I guess it is also because of the scenery, the lush pine trees and the view in particular. On our way, we also took pictures of the pineapple plantation in Camp Phillips and had our late lunch/early dinner there, savoring their famous steak and of course, pure pineapple juice!

The following day was spent in the rapids. The white-water rafting was fantastic! According to them, this was their highlight during their trip here. The water was crystal clear and we can see the rocks and stones. The sun was hiding beneath those clouds so we didn't get sunburned. It was one thing they said they would do again if they get to come back. But this time, they'd go for the more advanced rafting. Not that the beginners was not exciting, but it would be more thrilling. Besides, it's pretty safe. The sceneries were incredibly different and amazing. We got to see some wild animals along the way, too, which was a big plus factor!

The guides were very good and we had fun with the "picture-picture" by their kayaking photographer. What we missed was asking them for a video instead. That would have captured the moment, the fun, the shrieks, the shouting and the splashes of water! Thanks to the Domingos and their guides of 1st River Rafting Adventure. Personally, I have to really say "Thank you" to them myself because I get to try this, for the very first time and it was free!

It took about four hours but it was worth it. The end point was at a restaurant owned by a friend. But instead of having lunch there, we have to leave because a lunch date was waiting in Bulua. A former classmate of Leah and Gingging invited us for lunch. A feast of sea foods was what we had. And of course, the bonding time. Later in the afternoon was spent shopping.

Finally we had a late dinner at Sentro 1850 Restaurant. They enjoyed the food as well. It was a sharing of the different menus they have.

After two exciting and fun-filled days, it was time for them to leave. They were supposed to go to Cantilan, Surigao but I understand they were not able to push through because of the typhoon. In fact, the airport in Butuan City was flooded so they have to go to Davao City to take the flight for Manila.

As of this writing, they are now back in their home places and what we have now are just memories. Good memories which will linger forever. (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com; email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on February 17, 2011.

Love is in the air

By Chef Ed Dychauco, RN

Thursday, February 10, 2011

CUPIDS and heart-shaped cut-outs, bows and arrows, stuffed toys, red-colored dresses, shirts and what-nots, red roses and other red flowers. What do all these tell us? It means it is Valentine's Day once again.

That's what I love when the year is ending and when the year is starting. It is an unending celebration of love, sweetness, togetherness and of course, gift-giving!

Last year we had the chance of celebrating Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day in one day, which comes like one in many, many, many years. It was such an enormous merriment having to give someone we love with a present, coupled with much love and care.

This year, just like any other years before, malls, stores, shops, restaurants and other establishments have started decorating and beautifying their areas with "something red, something heart and cupidy, which ushers the start of the heart month. Sometimes I wish all our love can be found all year round, all 365 days and there will be peace. World Peace!

In the tradition that Pots & Pans has started 35 years ago, we are again offering a wide array of sinful, rich, elegant desserts, cakes and pastries for your love ones, which is very affordable to all walks of life.

Our best-selling heart-shaped cookies now come in three sizes and are decorated with red-colored candy icing. Wrapped in a plastic bag or boxed and ribboned, these buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookies are sure to bring sparkle in the receiver's eyes! Price ranges from P15 and up.

We have also included Heart-shaped cookies on a stick for that special touch. Given a day's notice, we can personalize your message to be written in the cookie(s). Some famous lines include: Happy Valentine, Be Mine, I Love You, Truly, Always, Love Me, Take Care, I do, Happy Hearts Day.

What is Valentine's Day without chocolates? This year we have also expanded our repertoire on our chocolate lines. We continue to make and sell our much-loved chocolate candy lollipops that ranges from P10 and up. We only use high grade quality imported dark luscious chocolate that is very smooth and velvety in texture and feel. With advance notice, we can also incorporate rice crispies into the chocolate for that extra crunch and bite. We have also chocolate candies in paper cups that comes in 8's, 10's or 12's packed in a see-through plastic container and ribboned that can cost about P35 and up.

Chocolate Cakes! Either filled with coffee filling, cream filling or chocolate filling and iced with chocolate fudge icing or boiled icing, we can also do personalization on what you want to be written on the cake(s). Size of the cakes can start at 4" to 7" or 8" to as big as 15"-16" which can feed a whole family!

Cupcakes can come in different flavors. But for this special time of the year, we would greatly advice our valued customers to go for either the chocolate chiffon or chocolate cupcakes. Filled with chocolate or mocha cream, these cupcakes will surely be remembered for a long, long time! These delicious cupcakes can also be iced with boiled icing, butter cream or chocolate fudge frosting and decorated with a single sugar rose flower (for that special touch!), or any other flower, sprinkles or anything edible or not. It can also be individually boxed and ribboned for that elegant touch. Price range? P20 and up.

We came out with something that many of our valued customers liked years ago. It's the sweet, crunchy buttered Popcorn. And for this occasion, we made it into heart shapes and colored it red, of course. But the difference is that, we put it on a stick, too. So that it would look like you are giving a bouquet of something edible yet sweet and colorful.

We also turned our delicious doughnut into what else? Heart-shaped doughnuts. Glazed with dark chocolate and topped with assorted valentine-themed sprinkles. A must-buy indeed!

For those who want something savory, we have also corned beef pie and chicken pie. All of these in "heart" shape in time for the season.

Well, the list can go on and on. But I guess these are the most sellable items on hand for now. Try to check out our new location. We have more products to offer. Visit us at Pots & Pans, 12th-16th streets, Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City (near Nazareth Tennis Court).

By the way, I would like to thank the hosts, staff and crew of "Pamahaw Espesyal" for inviting me and featuring our Valentine Sweets on February 9, 2011.

Have a great and memorable Valentine's Day with your love one this year! (Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com, email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on February 11, 2011.

Kung Hei Fat Choy

Kung Hei Fat Choi ! (Year of the Metal Rabbit)

Chef Ed Dychauco, RN

Being a Chinoy, I am always proud of my Chinese heritage. But having been born here and grew up in a Filipino community, I had the best of both worlds.

I get to celebrate both cultures and having spent years in a Chinese school, we get to observe many holidays and special occasions or both cultures.

Say, we get observe 2 new year celebrations. Today (February 3) being the first day of the year of the rabbit, we look forward again to a better life. Like what we always hope for year after year.

Looking back, we have incorporated a lot of both cultures into our lives. We go to school learning Filipino, English, Mandarin & Fookien dialect. Plus of course, Spanish in high school and college. I guess I shouldn’t complain because we can subtly call ourselves “linguists” in some way. The “workload” then being a student was quite a lot but not as much I can see in my kids today!

I only finished grade 6 in my Chinese school. I can still read basic Chinese characters in Mandarin and I can say I can still speak fluently the Fookien dialect (which is most of the Chinoys in the Philippines uses) and it does help in the business sector.

Preparing round fruits to be placed on the table on new year’s eve has been a practice in my family for so long. And I bet almost every family does the same thing. Pineapple is one fruit that should be present because when translated, pineapple in Chinese means “luck, come”. And of course, anything round (oranges), red (apples) or gold is said to bring good luck & prosperity.

Another food item that should always be around is “Tikoy”, now a favorite item for Filipinos as well. Tikoy is usually round and can come in different flavors (ube, mango, pandan, corn, etc.). It is made with rice flour, sugar, water & flavorings and steamed. When cooked, it is sticky and sweet and is used to represent a family that should remain close to each other, and sweetness among each other.

The new year is greeted with a Big Bang! Meaning, fireworks (to drive evil spirits away) and the very famous Chinese Dragon Dance. Normally, the dragon dancers will “eat” the red envelope (Ang Pao) containing money, using the dragon’s mouth. And they are supposed to do exhibitions with their martial arts skills combined with other steps in getting the red envelope. I have seen these dragon dancers one on top of the other going as high as 3-4 stories high (Chinatown in Manila has high buildings) just to get the money. It really needs a lot of dexterity & skills in performing such arts. And with the accompanying live music, how authentic can one get? I know I always have fun watching them while I was a kid and even until now. I miss the “long” dragon dance since what we usually have here in the city are the “shorter” dragon and they can’t be spinning and doing more acrobatic acts.

Wearing something red with round designs (representing money) is another favorite thing to do. Having money on their pockets would even be better.

But then again, I always believe that happiness, luck & prosperity entail hard work, honesty, integrity, unselfishness & lots of love. And of course, prayer.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Welcome, the Year of the Metal Rabbit!

Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com

Published at Sunstar cdo February 3, 2011