Looking for a Chef de Partie

An upscale restaurant chain is looking for a Chef de Partie.

If you are:

• Male or Female, 25 -35 years old
• With a degree in Culinary Arts
• Experienced in planning, organizing and directing kitchen operations
• Knowledgeable in the food and beverage cycle
• A team player
• Willing to join a reality show

Send your resume, with 2x2, face and full body pictures to:

Hired!
GMA Network Center
EDSA corner Timog Avenue
Quezon City

Or email us at hired@gmanetwork.com.

For inquiries, please call 982-7777 loc. 3025 or 926-4523.
Deadline of submission of applications is on 08 December 2008.

Goodbye, Maxi!

He was always very special. Not just because he grew up in our care, but also because Maximo Oliveros was a sweet and happy dog, always in a great disposition and friendly even to strangers.

When he joined the family, everyone was instantly in love with the doe-eyed furry creature that he was.

He grew up roaming freely around the house and within the gates of the apartment.

Maxi was hyperactive and would always play chase with me and my brothers and sister.

I would even let him sleep sometimes on the bed with me.

Early this year, my younger brother and sister moved in to the new house in Bulacan. Maxi moved in with them. He had the whole lawn to himself and could move about freely, but often, they had to keep him leashed to keep him out of the house.

And then last week, the accident happened. My sister, Mikee, was tying him to his leash when he tried to break free and bit her on the hand. She managed to break free but was left with a couple of small gashes on her fingers. The next day, Maxi died for still unknown reasons.

Out of fear, we had his cadaver checked. Thank God the results came out negative for rabies. We will never know how Maxi died. But he will always be remembered.

Maxi was the family dog.

He was my dog. And he will be missed.

Ballet Manila's Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang

Found this through Mr. Joey Ayala's Facebook status and it got me very excited over Ballet Manila's newest show.

I got first-hand experience watching and working with Ballet Manila when Hired did the company's search for a ballerina. (Fifteen-year old Kim Mendoza won and is now one of Ballet Manila's company scholars.)

I worked very closely with the Philippines' prima ballerina, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, and principal danseur and BM's Artistic Associate, Osias "Shaz" Barroso throughout the filming of the search.

I tell you, it was quite an eye-opener. It was very inspiring to watch real, professional ballerinas and danseurs rehearsing and performing on stage. These are artists in the truest sense of the word. It made me wonder how and why I could have missed out on this classic art form!

At the shoot, I was able to watch the company's Hi-Skul Musikahan at the Star Theatre, which was the setting for the final task of our Top 2 applicants.

I was also able to catch the Dress-Technical Rehearsal (DTR) of the show they were performing in Korea. It was spectacular! It is no wonder that Ballet Manila has grown so much in reputation not just in the Philippines but worldwide. It is truly a world class dance company.

As you would see in the video, there is much to expect, especially since the show involves the aristry of some very established names in the fields of dance and music, including Tony Fabella, Mon Faustino, Joey Ayala, and Ryan Cayabyab.

(Incidentally, it was Joey Ayala who read my poem, Alay sa Choc-Nut, at the book launch of Bubot at Tatlong Dosenang Sundot ng Damdamin some time in 2000, and it was through him that I found the video and learned more about BM's Lola Basyang.)

Catch the world premiere of Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang on December 5, 6, 7, 13, and 14 at the Aliw Theatre. For ticket reservations and schedule of tours and performances, visit Ballet Manila's website, balletmanila.ph.

(Photos courtesy of Hired segment producer, Redge Estrada.)

Alay sa Choc-Nut

Ang sarap-sarap ng Choc-Nut na ‘to
binubuksan ko pa lang
naglalaway na ‘ko.
‘Di nga magkanda-ugaga
sa pagpunit ng papel na balot e.
Hayun, sa pagkahayok,
tuloy, Choc-Nut muntik nang
malapirot.
Leche!
Kapag lumabas na
ang balot mong palara –
ayan na, malapit na –
alam kong matitikman na rin kita
lasa mong kakaiba.
Diyos ko, salamat talaga!
Dahan-dahan kong bubuksan
makikita ang ‘yong kahubaran.
Haaaay! Langit!
Anong kasiyahan!
Iningatan kong huwag madurog
hinawakang parang itlog
saka inilapit sa bibig ko
ang kaaya-ayang bisyo.
Tangina!
Nalaglag pa’ng isang piraso!
Sayang.
Pupulutin ko na lang.
Aba, grasya rin ‘to ‘no.
Kaya bago pa mangalaglag,
Please lang huwag!
Isinubo ko lahat
buong Choc-Nut!
Kaaakh! Kwaaakh!
Aaakh!
Tuloy, ako'y napaubo,
sa lakas ng pagkakasubo.
Tubig! Tubig!
Dali-dali akong tumakbo
sa kusina para uminom
ng tubig na malamig,
Glug… glug… glug.
Aaaaaah…
Glug… glug…
Uhmmm…
Putang Choc-Nut ‘to
Papatayin pa ‘ko!

- written some time in 1998, published in the anthology called Bubot at Tatlong Dosenang Sundot ng Damdamin, by Finkomarts

This was one of my earliest poems. I've lost all copies of the book and the poem, and I only recently encountered it online when I googled my name. I came across a blog with this poem. Thanks to Ellysa Sy of Caloocan City, who posted it. You can find her post and her blog here.

Who knows, one day this might just become a song. Hahaha!

Incidentally, I think it's worth mentioning that the book, Bubot at Tatlong Dosenang Sundot ng Damdamin, is catalogued in the Ateneo Libraries Union Catalog, archived in Ateneo's Rizal Library. Good to know somebody still has a copy.

Salt and Pepper Sirloin Steak with Buttered String Beans and Potatoes Topped with Mushroom Gravy

Had me a feast today with this Salt and Pepper Sirloin Steak, which I cooked in olive oil in a pan. I sided it with buttered baguio beans (string beans) and potato sticks, and smothered everything with mushroom gravy. Mmmmmm.

Guinataang Sitaw at Kalabasa, Crispy-Fried Tilapia, and Oven-Baked Chicken Pandan

Had some friends over for dinner after the holidays soon as I recovered and got back to cooking. Thought I'd do something Filipino and whipped up a smashing combo: guinataang sitaw at kalabasa, crispy-fried tilapia, and oven-baked chicken pandan.

This is the guinataan dish, which is stringbeans and squash, sauteed with ground beef, and cooked in coconut milk. Guinataan, of course, means cooked in coconut milk, or gata in Filipino. Very flavorful.

Crispy-fried tilapia. Crunchy and tasteful.

Got this from the grocery ready to cook. It's marinated chicken thigh meat wrapped in pandan leaves, which I cooked in an oven toaster for about 20 minutes. It turned out really tender and juicy, not to mention yummy.

I was originally intending to consume all these by myself, but I thought, hey, this is too good not to share, so I called on friends, Jay and JM.

They swear, of course, to the very pleasant gastronomic experience we all shared. 'Til the next dinner!

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Salad with Caesar's Dressing Topped with Shaved Parmesan

Was sick over the holidays but I mustered some strength to whip up a classic. Wanted to feel a little healthier so I tossed me a BLT salad with Caesar's dressing. Topped it off with some shaved Parmesan cheese to taste.

It was, needless to say, yummy.

Bucket List

Okay, this is so I don't forget. The list just keeps getting longer so I'm putting some of the things down while they're fresh on my mind.

• Be a travel writer - get paid to go places and write about them.
• Put my music out so it's heard by many.
• Sing and play music on stage and TV - be a kick-ass rockista.
• Act on film and TV - and eventually go international.
• Host a show on TV - a travel show, maybe, or a cooking or music show.
• Cook and invent more and more dishes.
• Write books.
• Have a great body.
• Own a house by the beach.

That's it for now. I think. Will just add and subtract as I go along.