Life Loved and Lost

This morning was a very sad for most of the people in our neighborhood because of the untimely death of the matriarch of the MEDINA clan. They have been our neighbors for a long time and I grew up seeing her taking care of her sons, daughters and grandchildren. A couple of her kids were also close friends of mine. They own a bakeshop just across the street from our home so it was obviously a factor that we often see each other everyday.

Being a little overweight, she had a great chance to have heart ailments because of her diabetes. She was rushed to the hospital one day because she suffered a stroke. Confined in the intensive care unit, it was really a whole lot to bear just with their family business as a source of livelihood. They even got her to the best and advanced hospital in the Philippines which is St. Luke's Medical Hospital and the bills just piled up to about 7 Million Pesos which is roughly around US$150,000. It was a really huge amount to bear and she did not have life insurance to pay for it. Her family tried to get help through public government offices, but they could only help much. She passed away this morning and we all mourn her death. We were all worried about the family she left behind because they will be the ones who is going to pay for it too. We helped financially as much as we could but that would only amount to a couple of thousand pesos. It was still huge because she did not have her own Term Life Insurance. Things would have been easier for the family if they got one.

It is a good thing that we all have life insurance and paying for it was easy enough in terms. With this as a lesson, I am sure most of you will consider getting life insurance.

The Day is Tiring...

Today was a little hectic, not because I just received news that University of the Philippines Maroons just beat the unbeatable Ateneo Blue Eagles... but because I had to do a lot of editing from this week's shoot. We went back to Intramuros and climbed its walls so we can shoot at a part sky part cityscape type of surroundings. I was very eager to shoot on plants because those are the ones you can easily pop out in a photograph. It was a nice day out with the D60KREW again and I learned a lot of things. Well not there exactly, but I had a small talk with Sir Andy Rodriguez.

I got a few tips to maximize the camera I have and learned that I have not been doing some things that I didn't know it could possibly do. What is it you ask? well, lets just say I haven't chosen some of the options on the post processing part for the camera. One that I should have chosen to do in the last 4 months of its existence! hahah... well we just figured it out how to have crisp pictures than normal ones so you will eventually be looking at better pictures from hereon heheh.

Actually this was a picture that was part of that shoot and I already used it on one of my posts. You'll see a better resolution when you click it so ENJOY!

Handmade is Better!

It was nice to know people care. Have you ever had one of those mass produced products that seem so cold no particular care or attention to detail was given to it? I have experienced it a lot and I just got another one this morning. It was sad because a friend just had given it to me like throwing pillows on a slumber party. It did not have that extra special touch I expected from her. I wanted more.

This afternoon I will be attending a wedding and I was frantic finding a gift for them since it only happens once (ideally and I hope it will be). I will be also shooting a couple since I wanted to cover this special event, she is a good friend. These are times where you want to treat her right, give the best things she wants so she feels special on this day. Coming from a traumatic morning I was hoping to find her something special. Handmade products made with love are perfect for this occasion. I will try to order some on line so I can get them what they really deserve. It's just the right thing to make someone happy and keeping it intimate. This just makes it more special. Fantastic!

Check out AMBER STORE for the best hand made products you can get! It's the best thing since sliced bread! It's a new discovery so if you want to give her the best, get on the site and check them out!

KUMAGCOW FOOD REVIEWS: Dinner at PHO' HOA

It was already 6PM and we were trying to get a fix on where exactly we would eat. We did not agree on anything so I roamed around the the streets of Morato and Timog. I was really urging for something soupy since I was a little tired of eating a lot of meat and starchy food every time. We passed by this restaurant and agreed we need to be comforted by the Vietnamese chain Pho' Hoa.

Photo just outside PHO HOA =)

I've gone to Pho Hoa a couple of times in the SM City North branch and did not enjoy the soup because of the flat leaf parsley (which tastes horrible in my books) but I did not think it was possible to have it removed by just asking them. Well what do you know, it was perfect broth for the beef dish I ordered.

Flank Brisket Tendon Meatballs aka Pho Hoa Soup

Every meal that they serve also have these condiments and additional veggies with it. A bottle of Hoisin Sauce and Chili Sauce was available in every table. Though I didn't opt for that because I wanted to taste the broth more if you know what I mean. Aside from that, I like basil a lot and this was part of the small veggies that came with this bowl of beefy goodness.

Hoisin, Chili, Basil, bean sprouts and a slice of lemon

It was nice to discover that the lemon made a huge difference when I added it to the soup. Mom and Dad liked it too. He even asked for seconds on the soup because he got this:

Chicken Noodle Soup yum o!

See what I mean? The servings of the noodle there was also huge, which was the reason why it was a hefty amount you also have to pay for. Well, whatever it is I think it was worth it. It could have cost a little cheaper and it would be more better. But at that time, I got comforted with it. I was not hungry and found this light meal. It was great, and to top it all here is the one my Dad liked a lot. Feast your eyes on this!

Tofu Steak with Mushroom Sauce

Service a little off, the drink (house iced tea) was nice, parking was ample enough, ambiance was okay but the food was very comforting. I'm rating this 3 out of 5 kumags for getting me there! My chopsticks rested and I could have eaten them all in one sitting though. Until the next food adventure! I'm gonna make this a regular thing so stay tuned!

KUMAGCOW eats PHO HOA!