Your Fake Designer Bags Make Me Sick!

Don't you just hate it when people brag about their imitation purses thinking that they can fool you into believing that it's the real thing. I mean, come on people you might fool some people sometimes but you can't possibly fool everybody all the time. My advice to you, especially in this country where most are in-the-know, keep your fake bags at home well hidden in your closets 'coz people could tell the difference they're just polite enough not to blurt it out in your face. I don't get it why some of you out there would patronize counterfeit merchandise.What kind of twisted satisfaction do you get from it? Is it because you want to get attention from others , you want people to think you can afford it or that you wanna be considered part of the "in" crowd. Whatever your purpose is or whatever positive impression you expect to elicit from others, your means absolutely doesn't justify the end and it is also very pathetic. Do you feel elated and proud when people stare at your bag or talk about it, even if you know within yourself that you're carrying a fake one? If that's what you're after for buying replica purses, then you are totally sick. Deep inside you might be smiling and congratulating yourself because you seem to be getting away with it without people knowing, but in the process you're also letting the little devil inside you win. Just think of it this way, you are lying for the whole time that those bags are with you especially when you're trying to pass them as authentic ones. Let's say you went to the mall carrying your fake purse, your head up-high, enjoying the looks your imitation bag is getting, and going on with your act for hours.Doesn't that simply equate to lying for those hours, and that doesn't even count how many people you've "lied" to during that time. What's even worse are those folks who bring their knock-offs to church..tsk..tsk..tsk... . That's just when trying to fool total strangers, how about when some of you out there have even the audacity to lie and deceive your own friends with your phony designer purses? Well some kind of friend you are huh?!It's one thing when people buy imitations because they're totally unaware of such things as designer brands or authenticity.... sometimes ignorance is bliss . But for those of you who knows better..SHAME ON YOU !!!!And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

So you'll then say, not everybody can afford the real one right? But that's not an excuse to buy counterfeits. I personally, would rather carry a never-heard or no-name purse rather than be caught dead having a fake one. My conscience wouldn't simply put up with it. Sure I've heard of several places where one can purchase really very good imitations of designers purses for a very small fraction of the cost one pays for the authentic ones. Tempting yes but then again, as what people around me know by now, I would never brandish another person's suffering on my shoulders..or arm. What do I mean by that? Well replica bags are counterfeits right? These are categorically contrabands, they're illegal and are manufactured illegally. Your fake bags are made in well-hidden sweatshops by abused workers who labor for long hours in horrible working conditions, and to top it, some of them are minors. These illegal activities are found to be related to syndicates, international crime and terrorist funding. Need I say more? Just a simple FAKE bag to you but the implications are wide and worse than you can imagine. Remember, It's just like how that endangered-animals advocacy message goes "When the buying stops, the killings will too". Let the change start from you. If this still doesn't convince you to refrain from buying those awful fake designer purses I don't know what will. I just hope to God I don't see you carrying those illegal replicas out in the open or even hear you bragging about it. You know who you are and I know some of you too.

Sinanglay /Tilapia in Coconut Milk (Gata)

Tired of the usual fried tilapia? Here's an alternative way to cook your fish. Sinanglay as I've known is a dish from Bikol province, thus the gata (coconut milk) which is widely used in the region's cuisine. I've had a few variations of this dish some with souring agent, others salty with the incorporation of bagoong alamang and some delightfully spicy. The leaves used to wrap the fish also varies from pechay, to gabi, to pandan and even banana. To me it's just a matter of preference and sometimes to what ingredients you have on hand.

What's In It:

2 medium tilapia (you can cut it in half if it's large sized)
pechay leaves, choose the big ones since you're using it to wrap the fish with
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
ginger, sliced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
lemongrass
2 cups coconut milk
chillies
salt
1/2 tsp. sugar

Have the fish monger clean the tilapia thoroughly. Gutted, scales removed and the fins chopped off. Be sure to wash the fish at home especially the inside and the head to get rid of the slimey stuff. To lessen the fishy smell you can either spritz some lemon juice on your fish or immerse it in a bowl of cold water with grated ginger/ vinegar.

How It's done:
Rub the fish with salt all over. Mix the tomatoes, onion, ginger and garlic. Stuff half of this mixture inside the stomach cavity of the fish together with the lemongrass. Put the other half of the mixture at the bottom of your pan. Wrap each fish in pechay leaves, you might need to use 2 or more leaves if the tilapia is a bit big. Lay the fish on top of the tomato mixture. Add in the chillies. Pour in the coconut milk. Simmer for 20-30 min. over medium heat. Season wit sugar and salt. Serve with bagoong alamang or patis with calamansi on the side.

Crispy Anchovy Ukoy

Ukoy or Okoy are fried fritters consisting of a batter, vegetables, shrimp or anchovies. Often great as appetizers or even as snack. It is best eaten right away after cooking to fully appreciate the crisp ukoy.

What's In It:
1 lb. anchovies
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 onion sliced into strips
1 carrot sliced into strips
green onion cut diagonally into strips
1/2 c. flour
1 c. cornstarch
salt and pepper
1 egg, beaten
1 c. water



How It's Done:
Mix all ingredients to form a batter. Heat oil in pan. Spoon or ladle the batter into the pan and shallow fry until bottom turns brown. Flip and fry to a golden brown. Drain in paper towels. Serve immediately.

Chicken Miswa Soup

A very simple dish perfect for a rainy day or the colder months. This can be served any time of day as long as it's served hot. The miswa can also be substituted with sotanghon or lomi noodles just adjust the cooking time a bit longer.

What's in it:
Chicken pieces
1 carrot sliced into stripes/ diced
2 stalks of celery sliced thinly/diced
2 cloves garlic minced
half of a medium onion diced
thumb-size ginger sliced into quarters
miswa
water
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper

For garnish: toasted garlic and green onions

How It's Done:

Saute garlic and ginger then add in chicken pieces. Season with a little salt and pepper. Cover and cook until chicken is tender and the liquid in the pot is gone. Add in onion, carrots and celery. Saute until onion turns translucent. Add water and let simmer until the vegetables are fully cooked. Again season the soup with salt and pepper according to your desired taste. add in miswa simmer for 5 minutes. Add more water if necessary. Stir in eggs just before turning off the stove. Serve with or without garnish.