Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant

Who never love chinese foods?  For those haters of this cuisine... I tell you now, you miss half of your life.   Honestly speaking aside from Italian cuisine as the top of my list, chinese cuisine is next to it.  We are surrounded with Chinese cultures and many of Chinese people already settled here for good.  If Chinese people is everywhere, Chinese foods too. :)

 Since I was a kid I love siopao, pancit and chicken feet.  Those are Chinese foods, before I thought it was our own foods.  As what they've said, Philippine cuisine is a gastronomic feast from different countries and cultures from east to west.

Going to Quaipo is an adventure for me because shopping and "gala" have been the easiest way of de-stressing myself.  Walking through the Quiapo church, Raun and Sta.Cruz...  I even got myself far until Ongpin, Binondo wherein you could see different Chinese Restaurants.  I've tried many restaurants around that part but still my most favorite one is the Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant.  My fiancee's Chinese pal told us about this restaurant and guess what we've been a fan since 2006.  Then, my fiancee is working abroad and i'm in the province, we haven't had a choice to visit it anymore as often as we would love to.  But, when he's here in the Philippines and if i'm here in Manila, we never let our vacation pass, of not visiting it.    

Last week, we visited it again and we ordered Chicken Feet, Taro Siomai (i forgot the real name), rice rolls, and mini-pot Seafood and Meat Combination (Shabu-Shabu).  So far, I love their shabu-shabu.  It's tasty and the veggies are fresh.  Their one mini pot which is good for one person, according to their menu is actually good for 2-3 persons.  Very reasonable prices especially when you go in their PROMO time (Please refer to my photo for the time of their promo).  They have another branch which is located in Kalaw.  I've never been there and i hope I could visit there too.

Writing this blog is making me crave for dimsums and hot pot (shabu-shabu).  I will visit there again this week.  :)

FYI:  They have Facebook Fanpage, just add them (for inquiries and more infos)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-Fortune-Seafood-Restaurant/167232599958555

Mini-pot Seafood and Meat Combi

Fresh mango shake 

Madness Promo of 30% off

My fave Humba

This is one of my favorite dish since I've had tasted it.  Humba is very popular in the Visayas, specifically in Cebu.  But, I've had first seen and tasted it in Ormoc City.  Since, Ormoc City is near Cebu, so I think they've been influenced by them. :)

This is how i do it on my own way and recipe...  I don't have the exact measurements of my ingredients because when I cook, i just pour them all accdg. to my taste without measuring it.  Maybe next time, I can do that for an easier recipe. :)

Ingredients:
pork belly, pork hocks or pork ham (chop in medium size)
garlic/onions minced
soy sauce
vinegar
calamansi juice extract
brown sugar
bay leaves
peppercorns
black beans (tausi)
dried banana blossoms
pineapple tidbits and juice
sili labuyo (optional)


1.  Heat the pan then add water.  Submerge the pork in the water and add a pinch of salt.  When it's out of water and a little bit of oil from the pork's fat is left (if none, add 1tsb. of oil), add the minced garlic and onions.  Sautee it until brown.
2.  Add water, soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi extract and pineapple juice.  You just add more water if you want the pork to be more tender and just add the other mixtures upon your preferred taste.  Let it boil.  When it boils, add peppercorns and bay leaves.  Let it simmer until the pork is tender. 
3.  Add sugar and then the black beans.  Let it simmer for 5minutes.
4.  Add banana blossoms and simmer for 5 minutes.
5.  Add the pineapple tidbits and simmer for 3 minutes.
*** You can simmer it more if you want the pork to be more tender.  Just add more water and the other mixtures upon your preferred taste.

6.  Serve while hot and enjoy!

Mango Float

I was given a 3 kilos of mangoes from Pangasinan by my fiancee's mother.  I was delighted with its taste so, it made me think of making a mango float.  And, since my fiancee haven't tasted my own made mango float. :)

Mango Float or others may call it Refrigerator Cake and Sandstorm Cake.  It is one of the favorite desserts of Filipinos since mangoes in our country is everywhere.  The best mangoes come from Guimaras Island and Pangasinan.  It has been exported around the world so, i think our mangoes here is very popular.  

Here's my way of making this dessert...

                   Ingredients
3 mangoes
1 pack of whole graham crackers
1 pack of crushed graham crackers
2 Nestle All Purpose Cream
1 condensed milk
 (See photos for reference of the ingredients)

 1.  Slice the mangoes thinly according to your preferred size.  Set aside.
 2.  Prepare your pan.

3.  Mix the condense milk with the 2 all purpose cream.  Set aside.
4.  Place the whole graham crackers inside the pan.  Then, pour the crushed one for the left open spaces.
5.  Pour the mixture of condense milk and cream evenly on top of the graham crackers.
6.  Add mangoes slices on top of it.
7.  Then, pour the mixture again of condense milk and cream.
8.  Repeat again from the step no.1 until your desired layers.
Reminder:  For the last layer, use only crushed graham crackers and then pour the mixture of condense milk and cream.  Top it with mango slices.
9.  Keep in the freezer for 1 hour.  And, it's ready to be served. Enjoy eating! 

RN Heals Project Registration or Application

I just applied in the new project of the government for registered nurses for local service.  This new project is similar to NARS (Nurses Assigned to Rural Service) that was implemented by former Pres. Gloria Arroyo last February of 2009.  I was then a NARS Project Trainee and i completed the said contract for 6 months wherein I was deployed in our hometown in Lezo, Aklan.

RNheals or Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service is the new project by the Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the cooperation of DOLE, PRC, PNA and the LGU.  Unlike NARS Project, RN Heals is a 1 year deployment with public and clinical service.  The successful nurses will be given an allowance of 8,000 pesos per month.  As on the website of DOH, in the article regarding RN Heals, it said that "While on deployment, the nurses will be given an allowance of P8,000 a month by the DOH while the local government unit (LGU) where they are assigned shall supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging. Likewise, LGUs are encouraged to provide additional allowances and benefits worth at least P2,000 for these nurses."  So, it should be a total of 10,000 pesos per month of allowance.

These are the qualifications for the RN Heals Project according to their website.  Unemployed registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit and willing to serve in their hometowns and who meet the following requirements may qualify for the training cum deployment under RNheals:

• With valid nurse license issued by the PRC
• Resident of the identified CCT area/s
• Medical certificate issued by government hospital starting that the applicant is fir to work
• NARS Project drop-outs will not be considered

Earlier yesterday, I was having difficulties to get into the website of DOLE.  As they've said, it is where the applicant can register or send his/her application.  So, I've waited for the whole day of January 17 just to register myself.  But to my dismay, I successfully registered myself at past 2 in the morning today of Jan.18.  Well, that time was better because most of the applicants were sleeping already. So, the website for registration was not busy.  Lucky me!

Here's my application:

Online Application Confirmation

You have successfully submitted your online application for the RNheals Project!

Control no.	NARS1-06-11293
Applicant name	BALDERAS, GRACE BARRETTO
Birthdate	11/30/1981
PRC license no.	0383559
Provincial address	Lezo, Aklan
Preferred city/municipality of assignment	Malinao, Aklan
Registration date	1/18/2011 2:51:47 AM

Print this confirmation slip and wait for the advice from DOLE regional office shown below for interview and/or submission of Medical and NBI clearances, if necessary.

DOLE - RO6 Swan-Rose Bldg., Commission Civil St., Jaro, Iloilo Tel. no. (033) 320-8026

Also, please visit http://rnheals.dole.gov.ph/ every once in a while to view the status of your application and to check the latest advisories about the project.

Reminder: Don't try this link because it's not yet working http://rnheals.dole.gov.ph/ .  If ever you can't get through the website of DOLE. www.dole.gov.ph.  Try this link:  http://www.nars.dole.gov.ph.  It is where I've had registered myself.  The website name they're using was the former website for NARS Project that they only updated the articles inside for rnheals project.  Registration or application period is from Jan.17 until Feb.4.  Goodluck RNs!!! :)

UPDATE on Jan. 28, 2011:  DOLE is now using new site for the RN Heals Project.  To apply for the project, pls. go to this link http://www.rnheals.dole.gov.ph

RN HEALS Project

DOH LAUNCHES ‘RN HEALS’ PROJECT TO DEPLOY NURSES TO POOR COMMUNITIES

Press Release/12 January 2011 

The Department of Health (DOH) today announced that applications can be filed starting next week, January 17, for its project where unemployed nurses will be deployed to poor communities in the country. 
“The project, billed RN HEALS, seeks to make essential health services available to all Filipinos by training and deploying 10,000 unemployed nurses in communities to be identified by the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD),” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said. 
RN HEALS, an acronym for Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement And Local Service, is expected to address the shortage of skilled and experienced nurses in 1,221 rural and unserved or underserved communities for one year. 
They will undergo learning and development in accordance with the roles and functions required by the project. A certificate of competency and employment will be given by the DOH, DSWD, and the Professional Regulation Commission to those who have satisfactorily completed their requirements. 
While on deployment, the nurses will be given an allowance of P8,000 a month by the DOH while the local government unit (LGU) where they are assigned shall supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging. Likewise, LGUs are encouraged to provide additional allowances and benefits worth at least P2,000 for these nurses.  
PhilHealth and the Government Service Insurance System will provide group insurance to the nurses while private corporations are encouraged to chip in through their available resources. 
The recruitment and selection of these nurses shall be under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Regional Offices. 

Registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit, and willing to serve in their municipalities may apply online at the DOLE website (www.dole.gov.ph) from January 17 to February 4 this year. Preference will be given to residents of the municipalities covered by the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of DOH and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the Conditional Cash Transfer of the DSWD. 

The list of successful applicants with their area of assignments shall be posted online at the DOLE website from February 7-10. An orientation shall be held on February 11-12 in their provincial centers of assignment by the regional DOH, DSWD, Professional Regulation Commission – Board of Nursing and the Philippine Nurses Association prior to deployment. 
“Eventually, these nurses will be part of the pool of competent nurses for later employment or absorption in health facilities, thus addressing the inadequate supply of skilled nurses and increasing the nurses’ employment rate,” the health chief concluded.

***Article taken from the Official Website of the Dept. of Health (DOH)
http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/2904.html

Puto Bumbong at Bibingka

One of the things that a Filipino loves to do during December is to eat.  December 16 is the 1st Christmas Novena or "Simbang Gabi" of the Catholics in the country.  

Simbang Gabi is a typical Filipino way of preparing for the great feast of Christmas. The tradition was brought to us by Spanish evangelizers from Mexico. Originally, it popularly came to be known as Misa Aguinaldo. De Aguinaldo means gift, gift, which is peculiar to Christmas. That is why, the faithful wake up early morning for nine days before Christmas to join in the celebration of the dawn Mass. The faithful make this their “Aguinaldo” to God for the great gift of Jesus. The practice can also be understood as the preparation of the faithful to receive from God the great gift or “Aguinaldo” of Christmas, which is Jesus, the Savior of the world.  But for Filipino Catholics, Simbang Gabi is above all an expression of their filial devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. For nine consecutive days, they join and accompany her, so to speak, as she awaits the birth of her Son. For this reason, the Masses on these days are celebrated as solemn votive Masses in her honor. (Simbang Gabi)

As the 1st night of Simbang Gabi many vendors can be found outside the catholic chapels or churches'.  This is the time where bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake, cooked using coal burners above and under); putò bumbóng (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat served as condiments); salabát (hot ginger tea); or tsokoláte (thick Spanish cocoa) can be found everywhere.  I really can say that Puto Bumbong and Bibingka are popular during Simbang Gabi Even if, now, some shops are selling these delicacies on the mall, it will never compare the delight of everyone having it after hearing the mass of Simbang Gabi.  

Well, I am not a Catholic but I love these delicacies.  I will drive in any nearest church just to have those delicacies.   In the photo posted here, I bought it outside the Catholic Church in Project 6, Quezon City.  If you can't wait for December, I suggest that you visit Ferino's Bibingka.  They have a small shop in SM North Edsa.