Chocolate Revel Bars Using local Chocolate

Hi everyone! I have been on an extended hiatus for the last four months. Yeah, I know, way too long.  This is my first post since October. But I'm back with a time tested recipe I whip up every time the kids need to put on some extra weight. Kidding!

This is my no fail Revel Bars recipe. Why no-fail? Because I've tried it several times and made several revisions to make them as pleasing to the budget conscious as well as the health buff. I've made changes to the preparation procedure to make it less tedious, because believe me, the first time I tried it, I almost gave up! (Slicing the bars and getting them on another tray is most challenging). But of course because the end-product is always delicious, I simply had to make adjustments, lucky you!

Several years back I tried everything to get my hands on a recipe like this. Believe me, I've scoured the net some years back and the recipe was nowhere to be found. So, once while I was visiting a salon for a hair appointment, lo and behold! the magazine I was reading had it and then some. Needless to say, the recipe alone was priceless, the hairstyle didn't even matter anymore.

Anyhow, I've always used local unrefined chocolate coins ( Tableya ) because it is the epitome of dark chocolate. Tableya  is locally available in wet markets and supermarkets. They are best served as Sikwate, a rich, thick chocolate drink that most Filipinos love to have for breakfast paired with Puto Maya,  glutinous rice dessert cooked with coconut milk and ginger in Mindanao. In Luzon, the chocolate concoction is known as Tsokolate. 

probably homemade Tableya "coins"

Commercial version bearing the same name

Its most common appearance

Trivia: in olden times, Tsokolate is prepared  as Tsokolate-Eh or Tsokolate-Ah. The difference between the two? In Spanish times, and based on the novel " Noli Me Tangere" ( Touch Me Not by Jose Rizal, national hero); Tsokolate-eh is to be served rich, thick and luxurious for esteemed guests. But for unwelcome visitors, a watered-down, diluted version as a non-verbal expression of 'go away.'

Pure Tsokolate or Sikwate without cream, ( the banana wrapped parcel is puto maya)

Sikwate with milk served with Tapul ( red, speckled) puto maya

Sikwate/Tsokolate served with white Puto Maya

You can, of course substitute with milk chocolate or semi-sweet or bittersweet or dark chocolate. You can even use cocoa powder. Ready to wow them?

My Revel Bars seconds before they disappeared into the mouths of the kids

 Sorry, I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of the whole batch, the pieces kept getting snatched even as I was slicing, lol!

CHOCOLATE REVEL BARS

INGREDIENTS: 

Preparation Time: 20-25 minutes

Baking time : 30-45 minutes

Yield: 2 dozen bars

1 cup butter

2 cups packed brown sugar ( you can reduce to just 1)

2 eggs

2 tsps. vanilla

2-1/2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 tsp baking soda

3 cups rolled oats  ( for extra fiber!)

3/4 -1 can condensed milk

6 Tableya coins or 300 grams dark chocolate or 1 cup cocoa powder

2 Tbsp butter

PROCEDURE:

1. In a bowl, cream the butter until soft and add the sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

2. Combine the flour  and baking soda then add to the mixture together with the oatmeal. Blend well.

3. In a saucepan, combine the milk, chocolate and the 2 Tbsp. butter.Heat until melted. Remove from heat and cool slightly while you spread the batter on the pan.

4. Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with aluminum foil or non-stick baking paper  on the bottom and sides and spread 2/3 of the batter. Spread the chocolate mixture on top of the batter using a spatula, making sure everything is covered in chocolate. Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the oatmeal batter on top.

5. Bake in a preheated oven 350 F for 30 to 45 minutes or until set. Cool slightly before cutting into bars. ( Use a non-stick or plastic knife to facilitate cutting or you'll be sweating like mad ).

These bars are as attractive as they are deliciously chewy, a different take from the usual brownies and blondies. Serve it to kids and kids at heart at parties and celebrations because it is going to get noticed. Why not whip up some for Valentines?

If you find that two cups of brown sugar is too sweet for your comfort, ( I know, right? ) simply adjust to your preferences next time.

excuse the backdrop I was trying to capture the gooey chocolate

Let me know if you tried this. I'll be posting more Valentine sweets and treats before the day, watch for the next posts!

Wealth Affirmations for Christians

Hi, everyone! I would like to share the Wealth Affirmations spoken of by Constance Arnold in her podcast on Youtube.  I stumbled upon this a few days ago, and it has profoundly touched me in ways I cannot even begin to describe. If you would like to hear her yourself, you may listen to her podcast HERE.

Constance Arnold, Success Coach

It's about 49 minutes long and she expounds a little bit on the meaning of some of the affirmations she speaks of.

For the past 5 days, I have been replaying this podcast over and over again to program my mind to thinking prosperity and abundance. And my, did it help! 

I am also grateful that I found a Christian success coach delivering sound Christian wealth affirmations on Youtube. As you well all know, there are hundreds of videos on Youtube on wealth affirmations that include some narcissistic desires, which I shy away from.

For your convenience, you may simply copy and paste these affirmations on to your pc and print away. I intend to recite these daily to completely program my mind to thinking wealth, and abundance without guilt.

I don't know your background on, or whether you have encountered The Law of Attraction, or the Science of Getting Rich or the Think and Grow Rich books. But I have some issues with some practitioners of the Law of Attraction until I found this success coach.

book by Wallace D. Wattles

book by Napoleon Hill

Right now, I am studying financial literacy  through Robert Kiyosaki's website, and am thinking of signing up with Bob Proctor's Results that Stick Program. I firmly believe that wealth truly doesn't come from outside forces, but that our results are in direct proportion to our thoughts and mindset on money.

Robert Kiyosaki, best-selling author and Success Coach

Bob Proctor, Success Coach

I'm no expert on the matter, of course, but the more I learn about these fundamental laws, the more convinced I am that wealth is a level playing field for everyone. 

As a start, feel free to read through these affirmations and pick out those that resonate with you and recite them to yourself until it begins to feel like a part of you. I cannot guarantee anything but I do feel more hopeful and more positive each day as I go about my work expectant of only good things coming my way.

Watching the movie 'The Secret' is also one way of understanding these time-tested principles of Wealth and the Law of Attraction.

WEALTH AFFIRMATIONS

by |Constance Arnold 

      1. All that is mine by divine right is now released and reaches me in great avalanches of abundance under grace, in miraculous ways.
2.       God daily loads me with His abundant benefits.
3.       I am faithful and I abound with blessings.
4.       I am the rich child of a loving Father, I now accept and claim His rich good for me in every phase of my life.
5.       Because the Lord is with me; all that I do prospers greatly.
6.       God loves me, blesses me and multiplies me abundantly.
7.       Unexpected door s fly open, unexpected channels are free,  and endless avalanches of abundance are poured upon me under grace in perfect ways.
8.       Because I seek the Lord, I do not lack for any good thing.
9.       I recognize and embrace my ability to manifest my desires.
10.   I have unlimited abundance.
11.   I am abundantly blessed because I trust in the Lord.
12.   God is lavish, unfailing abundance, the rich, omnipresent substance of the Universe. This all-providing source of infinite prosperity , individualized in me, the reality of me.
13.   God has brought me into my wealthy place.
14.   God is downloading knowledge, wisdom and insights in my life today that will bring solutions to the world, and make me wealthy.
15.   The universe is conspiring to get my good to me.
16.   I give thanks that the millions that is mine by divine right now pour in and pile up.
17.   Everything and everybody prospers me NOW and I prosper everything and everybody NOW.
18.   Every day in every way, I am becoming financially free with the help of God.
19.   God has given me the Power to get Wealth.
20.   Because I seek the Lord, I do not lack any good thing.
21.   My good is seeking me, it cannot be kept from me. It will find me.
22.   I am abundantly blessed.
23.   I am faithful and I abound with blessings.
24.   I put my trust in the Lord and I am blessed and enriched. God is my source.
25.   I think like a powerful magnet and I attract my desires in great abundance.
26.   I am conscious of the inner presence as my lavish abundance. I am conscious of the constant activity of my imminent prosperity therefore my consciousness is filled with the light of truth.
27.   I am committed to becoming wealthy.
28.   God has chosen this day for me and I delight in His abundance.
29.   I am strong and courageous, I turn not to the right or to the left, I prosper wherever I go.
30.   My supply is endless, inexhaustible and immediate, and comes to me under grace in perfect ways.
31.   All doors are free, and all doors fly open for me, immediately and I am divinely designed to receive my supply.
32.   The Lord makes my way prosperous and makes me abundantly successful.
33.   I am wealthy beyond my wildest dreams.
34.   The Lord makes me abundantly rich and lifts me up.
35.   I seek the Lord and I prosper in all I do.
36.   Wisdom and knowledge is granted to me and God gives me riches, wealth and honor in abundance.
37.   I am open and receptive to unexpected financial bonuses.
38.   There is gold dust in the air for me through definite, deliberate, prosperous thinking. I now begin assimilating that gold dust and even NOW, I am experiencing gold dust experiences.
39.   Through my consciousness of my god-self, Christ within as my source, I draw into my mind; infilling nature the very substance of Sprit. This substance is my supply, thus my consciousness of the presence of God in me is my supply.
40.   There is nothing for me to fear, God’s spirit is at work and divine results come forth quickly NOW.
41.   God has prospered me and given me a hope and a future.
42.   All things are mine , NOW!
43.   I am successful,  rich , happy , and healthy.
44.   I prosper and I am in good health even as my soul prospers.
45.   I am open to receiving the abundance of the universe.
46.   God has enriched me with the multitude of His riches and His merchandise.
47.   My income is constantly increasing.
48.   I spend money under  direct inspiration wisely and fearlessly knowing that my supply is endless and immediate
49.   God is my supply and my unlimited abundance of everything NOW!
50.   The universe naturally and freely provides for all of my needs including that of my children.
51.   I expect and welcome good fortune abundantly in every moment of my life.
52.   I am fearless in letting money go out knowing that God is my immediate and abundant supply.
53.   The Lord blesses me and His favor surrounds me like a shield
54.   I give thanks that I am NOW rich, happy, and healthy knowing that my financial affairs are in divine order.
55.   Every day in every way I am growing richer and richer.
56.   Money, money, money, manifest thyself here and NOW in rich abundance.
57.   The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want, I am walking in abundance.
58.   I am surrounded by divine substance and this divine substance now manifests for me in rich, appropriate form.
59.   The more money I have, the more money I give..
60.   As long as I seek the Lord, He makes me prosper.
61.   I  lay up gold and thus I have plenty of silver. I have delighted myself in the Lord and He has given me the desires of my heart.
62.   I am instantly, openly and freely accepting abundance NOW.
63.   I receive unmatchable abundant supply in my life daily.
64.   I obey and serve God and I spend my days in prosperity, and my years in pleasure.
65.   I am a generous giver and an excellent receiver.
66.   I am truly grateful for all the money I have NOW.
67.   Lucrative opportunities always come my way.
68.   My capacity to EARN, HOLD AND GROW money expands daily.
69.   I am blessed because I fear the Lord and walk in His ways.
70.   I eat the labor of my hands and it is well with me and I am happy.
71.   I keep my mind and thoughts off of this world, and I place my entire focus on God within as the only cause of my prosperity. I acknowledge this inner presence as the only activity in my financial affairs as the substance of a things visible. I place faith in the principle of abundance in action within me ( inside job)
72.   I exude passion, purpose and prosperity.
73.   I am in control of my finances.
74.   I rejoice in the bounties of the God constantly manifesting and overflowing supply here and NOW!
75.   With prayer and thanksgiving, I receive the riches of God to guide, govern, protect and prosper me. All things needful are NOW provided. My rich good becomes visible TODAY.
76.   God causes me to inherit substance and He fills my treasures.
77.   God is my supply and my unlimited abundance in everything NOW!
78.   My consciousness of the Spirit within me as my unlimited source is the divine power to restore the years that the locusts have eaten; to make all things new, to lift me up to the high road of abundant prosperity. This awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Spirit appears as every visible form and experiences that I can possibly desire.
79.   Goodness and mercy follows me ALL the days of my life.
80.   I hold prosperous thoughts. The thoughts of the diligent lead only to plenteousness. ( think plenty!)
81.   I NOW draw from the abundance of the Spirit as my immediate and endless supply.
82.   I now release the goldmine within me. I am laden with the golden, endless prosperity which comes to me under grace in perfect ways.
83.   God had made all grace ( unmerited favor) abound towards me so that I have an all-sufficiency in all things to abound in every good work.
84.   I have been made rich in every way so that I can be generous in every occasion and through this, God gets the glory.
85.   I enjoy lavish abundance in every way in my life and affairs.
86.   Now unto His who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all things according to the power at work within me.
87.   My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
88.   Prosperity surrounds me, fills me, Prosperity flows to me and through me.
89.   With God’s help, I now deliberately and joyously radiate divine love to myself, to my world and to all humankind, attracting wealth to me.
90.   As my commitment to help others grow, so does my wealth.
91.   Let the Lord be magnified who takes pleasure in my abundant prosperity.
92.   I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart.
93.   Money is not my supply, no person,  place or condition is my supply. My awareness, understanding and knowledge of the all-providing activity of the divine mind within me is my supply.
94.   Wealth is pouring into my life NOW!
95.   God causes me to inherit substance and He fills my treasures.
96.   The blessings of the Lord makes me rich and He adds no sorrow ( or stress) to it.
97.   I give thanks that my financial income now increases mightily through the direct influence of God’s rich abundance NOW.
98.   I give thanks for the complete, immediate payment of all financial obligations in God’s own wonderful ways.
99.   I’ve given and it’s going to be given unto me, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto my bossom. Cause the same measure I give, it is given back to me in an overflowing abundance.
100.                        My connection with God  blesses me with vast amounts of money.

1.  

A 10 year Old's Courage and Cause

Allow me to share my daughter's story. 

Two weeks ago, September 4 at around 7:30 pm Manila time, my daughter Arianne slipped on the bathroom floor. she cried out for help and I rushed to find out what happened. Blood was dripping from her mouth, and it took me a while before I could make sense of what just happened to her. After she told me her story, I was now aware that something changed in her appearance; ( gasp!) she broke three of her permanent teeth!

minutes after the accident

After the bleeding stopped, I comforted her as she cried so hard, because of the pain and the jarring shock her face took. I was disoriented, worried and at a loss as to what to do. She had classes the following day, but her gums and lips were swollen. I was also concerned that she would be bullied in school because now she looked funny, and kids can be really cruel.

I texted her teacher informing her that I would be taking Arianne to the Dentist the following day and that she would be absent. The visit was unfruitful as the dentists could not repair her teeth as the gums were still tender and swollen and that the teeth could not be moved as yet. Several antibiotics and pain relievers later, I took her to another dentist who was only able to give her prophylaxis and a treatment plan for when the injury shall have fully recovered.

Her first day back in school, I was worried that the kids would bully her. I made her wear a surgical mask and I even instructed her to never show her teeth unless it was her teacher who wanted a look-see. I was anxious as to how her day went. When she finally came home, I was so relieved that none of her classmates bullied her. She was shown kindness and concern by all. I was touched, I didn't expect the kids to be mature enough to not make fun of her. Even her friends and neighbors at home took the matter like mature people. I was so wrong to think that of kids. This generation proved me wrong again.

Four days later, I wanted to make sure she was okay with what happened to her appearance and the answer I got surprised me. She brushed my question aside, and changed the topic altogether by saying; " Ma, I want to feed the kids...." taken aback, I said what kids? who? why? She then goes on to say " the beggars, those who usually don't have slippers and beg for food , I want to feed them."

I wanted to test if she was just off-topic or serious about her ideas so I got a pen and paper and asked her questions. Two answers later, I figured she had a pretty good plan. That very night, a cause was formed. I made suggestions as to the things she would need to do, like get support from friends, funding, etc. To be perfectly honest, I felt really proud of her. I could not get past the fact that she thought less of herself and embraced other kids in her world, despite her recent mishap.

The following day, I helped her present the idea to her friends and neighbors and they immediately backed her up. Before the day ended, they have already put up a Facebook page for their campaign. I took a snapshot of the partial members of her inner circle of organizers last Saturday, September 14, shy as they were for their profile picture. Please visit and like their page here:Feed the Little Ones                       

the young people behind Feed the Little Ones aged 10-14, Arianne in pink

They plan to feed at least 70 kids from less fortunate families in the coastal slum areas in one afternoon of fun and games on November 23rd, a Saturday, 11 weeks from now. As a campaign to raise funds, she and her inner circle of friends will be collecting and selling pet bottles and ask for donations from family and friends to raise the funds they will need. She was already able to collect PhP 300  about $7  in one week and deposited them in a bamboo piggy bank.

I suggested that maybe they can write letters to establishment owners to ask for donations of toys and loot bags and prizes. I also reminded her that this event should never put anyone in a spotlight, not politicians, not tv networks, not even her. but I secretly wished that Facebook netizens took the time to look them up and like their page. Some people could not open her page though, being the minor that she is, although I have recently tweaked her privacy settings for Feed the Little Ones to be searched by all. Please give us feedback if the link opens or not.

I accompanied her yesterday during lunch break to their school principal and one other school, as she presented her letter and asked for support from school officials to allow her to put a mini poster and piggy banks for donations in those schools as she could not open a short term savings account solely for this activity.

As per our computation, a delicious, nutritious, filling meal that kids will appreciate can be had at a cost of PhP 50/kid or around $ 1.20 to put her budget close to $100 plus prizes and loot bags. The Barangay Captain or Community Chairman has given his nod to the project and gave us permission to use the community hall on that date. All that they need is the numbers for Facebook page likes and donations.

I am not going to ask you guys for anything except to visit and like her page and maybe leave encouraging words to my little charitable girl and maybe share her page to others as well. That, will be more than a big boost to the group. I am acting as their adviser and page admin and I know that the kids will be more than delighted to see that people from other parts of the world appreciate what they are doing. So, thank you in advance.

Arianne's teeth still need a major dental work, but after she got busy with Feed the Little Ones, I told her she was even more beautiful now, than before her accident. What a beautiful soul she has, and humbled as I was to be her mom, can't be prouder of the size of her heart.

Lechon Manok ( Roast Chicken)

Howdy, howdy!? The last two weeks was action-packed for me: I had to choreograph a Subli dance ( Filipino folk dance ) at the last minute ( as in, the night before the presentation, August 30th) and sew my daughter a costume for that dance on the same night until the wee hours of the morning, and then bring the entire team to the school venue the following day, jittery and nervous, until the presentation was over. If you are wondering what a Subli dance would look like, watch THIS!

the Subli dance group, my daughter at the extreme far right

Arianne wearing the instant costume made overnight with the floral hat, with Marlie

Last week, my schedule was upset by my youngest daughter's  freak accident on the bathroom floor face-first, where she chipped three of her permanent teeth. I was distraught as I brought her to the dentist and sought for solutions to her swollen gums, lips and face. The issues I faced ultimately resolved itself by weekend and things are getting back to normal again.

I am super-excited to share our Filipino favorite street food of all time; the Lechon Manok or roast chicken. These are found ubiquitously in every main thoroughfare and provides fast, easy dinner on the go for employees rushing home to their families to share the evening meal, or to celebrate a no-time to prepare instant party.

Lechon Manok

Stalls are usually found with roasting racks of trussed native or broiler chickens, stuffed with lemongrass and spring onions and roasted on an open pit with ashen charcoals virtually all over the country. Tourists cannot go wrong whenever they go for any Lechon Manok stall. They are always assured of fully-cooked, truly delicious, finger-licking experience. Expect the  whole chicken to be chopped to pieces by the cook before you and served on a platter with your hot, steamed rice, that's almost always served on a wooden plate lined with a banana leaf.

common nightly sight

just about everything you would expect to see from a lechon manok stall

close up

To fully enjoy the meal though, I will encourage you to try to eat with your washed, bare hands. This is because, you will be licking the meat and juices off the bones as well as dipping your pieces on soy sauce and kalamansi.

Without further ado; here's the recipe: Preheat oven to 170 C or prepare live coals and a roasting spit. By the way, this entails a day before prep.

INGREDIENTS:

1 whole Free-range Chicken about 800 g to 1 kg.
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup sugar or 1/4 cup Sprite
and water to cover for a brine-sugar solution. Brine for 30 minutes to 1 hour

Marinate overnight in 1/4 cup coconut vinegar and 1/4 cup kalamansi or lime juice and soy sauce. Drain. 

Then; stuff the cavity with :

3-4 stalks of lemon grass
2-3 stalks of spring onions

Truss on a spit or huge barbeque stick  and place over live coals, or place on a rack on a tray and broil in the oven for 45 minutes or until juices from the thigh run clear.

Lechon Manok Sauce:

500 g. of chicken liver ( fried )
2 medium sized onions
1/4 cup vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 T. bread crumbs
1 head garlic
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 c. chicken stock
salt to taste 
1/2 tsp allspice powder

PROCEDURE:
1. After frying the chicken livers, place all the ingredients except allspice powder in a blender and puree.

2. Transfer contents to a  saucepan and simmer 15 minutes over medium heat until the livers are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool. Sprinkle allspice powder and stir to incorporate. You can also buy bottled lechon manok sauce to cut on prep time. Popular brands include Mang Tomas, Andok's and Barrio Fiesta.

lechon manok sauce 

PRESENTATION:

Simply lay a fire-wilted banana leaf on a serving tray, and arrange your  chopped lechon manok pieces on it. Arrange slices of kalamansi on one side and spread some  Atchara  on the other side. Serve with a lechon manok sauce, and a dipping saucer with soy sauce and slices of bird's eye chili. Enjoy!

Lechon manok

Updates and Changes

        Hello, hello! I'm so glad to be back! No, I did not go on a vacation, but my allergies acted up after sun exposure during the Kadayawan and I was puffy and itchy all the way up to my ears and eyelids. I had to sleep in a couple of days, for the antihistamines to do their wonders against the itch, but my skin is still trying to recover. Good thing, a friend visited me and gave me a sample jar of her all-natural skin care products from Australia. We had been talking about it for some time and this time, she had finally taken the plunge, and went into business selling these products that she so loved.

SKIN CARE AND ALERGIES

       Anyway, to alleviate the itch, I lathered up with sulfur soap and dried my skin with a towel and immediately applied her Centella Gel  ( extract from Centella asiatica ) on my face, neck, arms, thighs and legs. It was light and non-sticky and yes, very soothing. Seconds later, I completely forgot I had allergies, and spent the rest of the day chatting with her. The next couple of days, I repeated the process twice a day and there is a marked improvement in my skin, the puffiness is gone, so has the thickened, scaly skin that formed. She laughed when I said that I felt like the crinkle cookie because smiling and speaking made me feel my skin was cracking up due to the thick scale that formed on my skin as a result of the allergy. All that is gone now, and I have observed a softer, moisturized feel on my skin. Finally, my skin is on its way to full recovery. Question is, has she found a convert to natural skin care in me? The answer is, YES! I actually tried to pluck stray eyebrow hairs so I could prove how Centella gel can soothe after plucking and shaving, and yes, though there was a temporary sting on contact, I completely forgot my eyelid areas were supposed to be sore for one whole day from plucking. I'm impressed.

Centella asiatica

ACNE AND DENGUE
       

Acne

         I'm so impressed, I also let my 18 year old daughter try the product on her acne. After cleansing, she smoothed tiny amounts on her acne and all over her face. I really did not expect much because, my daughter has probably tried every natural treatment under the sun and within the internet. This time, her cystic acne dried up quickly, forming a dark, dry, scaly bump, and then falling off without a scar. Now, for an all-natural product, THAT is awesome. Don't you think? So, here's what I'm thinking; I'm planning to purchase a domain name and create a website to market and distribute these all-natural skincare products from Australia and see where it goes. I have been going the natural route for years and it is exciting to see that already, natural products have overtaken some of the more expensive, branded products in effectivity and reliability. Am also thinking of marketing some of my trusted natural products for health and vitality. Because, you see, though Dengue, a deadly mosquito borne disease has ravaged my country for the last five years, and victimized almost every one of my neighbors, NOT ONE of my family members have ever fallen victim. Five years, and no Dengue, not once,  is quite a feat in my country. Thanks to high-quality, and delicious, natural products which I will share with you really soon. However, if you cannot wait, or you know someone who needs help now, message me in Facebook, and I will respond to your query.

WEIGHT AND INCH LOSS

Don't you just love this inspiration?

        I also lost 2 kilos, roughly 5 pounds and two inches on my waist and hips, HOORAY! For the very first time since high school, my hips is 37 inches, YAY! You see, I have battled with the bulge in high school, went as far as having a 40 inch waistline after graduation, UGH! But, now, I am quite happy with my figure at 43. I have a very simple work-out routine, mainly targeting problem areas. Exercise moves that are so basic, so elementary, it might bore you. BUT! I have a breathing technique which multiplies the slimming effect some gazillion times over, so you can lose 2 inches or more in two weeks or less. How's that for a mom of 3?  I know I am camera-shy, that's why I haven't posted a profile picture even to this day, BUT! I am willing to have shots of me taken while doing my exercise routine so you can copy them, hopefully this week, how's that? I actually drafted that exercise post, I just needed the pics to illustrate, so am keeping my fingers crossed. Do not expect a hardcore abs type of a person, though,  I'm just happy to be slim and fit for now. hope this week turns out great for you and me guys!

        Thank you for visiting my blog, please leave your comments, questions or suggestions below.

Kadayawan 2013 Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan Festival Performances

Finally, it's here!  the YouTube Videos of performances during the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan.

Despite the near cancellation of the highlight activities, and the cancellation of bookings by tourists, those who trusted the capability of the City to protect its residents and guests to its festival did not get disappointed. Not only was the celebration festive as ever, but no untoward incident happened. Thank goodness to the intensified intelligence operations and force multipliers for the police force assigned to secure the city during this crucial event, the vigilance of the residents and of course, God's protection.

I am so excited to share with you this 4 hour video of the presentation of entries during the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan. There were two categories: Open and Davao-based categories. For the Open category: entries from neighboring provinces can join. While the second category is strictly for Davao participants. 

Action starts at 22 minutes after the video started, be patient with the inserted advertisements as a Telecom company put this together, but you will enjoy the performances, I guarantee that you will want to witness this in person next year! 

My personal favorite is Entry Number 7 or the third performer and also the winner of the Open Category. Performing after them is the Davao Based category winner. Without further ado: here's the link: Indak-Indak 2013 performances.

Winners for the open category are:

Champion: Panay National High School Hamugaway Performing Arts
1st runner up: Tribu sa Lalan from Polomolok, South Cotabato
2nd runner up: Tribu Talaingod
3rd runner up: Lumadnong Dibabawon: Sonlon National High School
4th runner up: Lemsnolon Elementary School - Madal Performing Arts Group

For the Davao-based category the winners are:

Champion - Holy Cross College of Calinan Davao
1st runner up -- Magallanes Elementary School
2nd runner up -- Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School Performing Arts Guild
3rd runner up -- Sta. Ana National High School Performing Arts Guild
4th runner up -- Crossing Bayabas National High School and Loyola Elementary School

And here are some of the action pics of the Kadayawan Indak-Indak: courtesy of Habagat Central