With barely three weeks lead time, “Requiem” by Khervin Gallandez is currently up at Samtoy Books til the end of the month before it proceeds to Arte Luna, Paoay, for a 2-day (All Saints’ Day-All Souls’ Day) feature. A Halloween art exhibit, the show, according to the growing Ilocano artist, is all about mysticism and surrealism. “Physically exhausted but happy” is his state of mind.

Pandora’s Box, among the acrylic artworks, struck my eye first. Passion and youth are distinctly Gallandez’s strength. The control of brush strokes makes a Gallandez grand and crisp at the same time.

Requiem to Catholics  is mass for for the dead.

“I’d like to thank, my younger brother, my partner in almost all the hardest part, Ms. Gee, the curator of Samtoy, Maribeth Macayanan, the assistant, and Sirib Youth organization,” Khervin wishes to say.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Grabbed these gorgeous photos of Ericke’s recent wanderlusting from her timeline. Her purple hair turns muted against the gleaming cascades of Niagara Falls.

My younger sister, Nikko (left), Ericke and her boyfriend King, who’s helped me with the new BlauEarth watermark, btw.

Photos grabbed from Ericke, Veronica E. and King’s FB timelines
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

I hear this song constantly in the last few years. My neighbor, a huge grocery store, plays it the whole day everyday. I’ve really never fixed my ears on the lyrics. The melody is catchy, I thought it was just another pageant background music. For a festival, it needs some “boom”, imao. I am a visual person. My thoughts turn radical once I read the lyrics on this video. This is an outstanding song. I gathered it was composed by Nhick Ramiro Pacis.

Update: Nothing to do with the music, noticed some photos in the video are my photos, but were credited to blackhowling78 on multiply.

Laoagueño Moro Virgilio Mandac Lazo was appointed new chief of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), the elite force that’s been grabbing the headlines for the operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that left 44 commandos dead.

Moro, the Citizen’s Army Training (CAT) corps commander of Divine Word High School of Laoag Class ’78  and a 1984 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), according to his high school batchmate, Hans Ajero, is a born leader.

The screenshot of a Rappler post where Chief Superintendent Moro Lazo is in a photo gives me goose bumps. (Rappler story here.) The face I remember when we were little is still the one and he deserves looking so honorable and handsome in a police uniform. He was a member of the Presidential Security Group during the Fidel Ramos administration. He assumed posts like chief of PNP Cagayan Valley and acting chief of the Ilocos Region for a very brief time.

I bumped into him a couple of years ago and asked what he does in the police department. Now I understand  what he said — I head firearms and explosives. Congratulations, sir!

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

A blog post entitled “Understanding the Philippine’s Power Supply Chain, at Bakit wala kaming kuryente eh hindi naman binagyo ang poste sa (tapat ng bahay) namin” wins Ivon Claire Domingo the Philippine Quill Award for Excellence, under Communication Skills (Writing) Division. Given by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, Quill is the Philippines’ most prestigious and relevant award for business communicators.

Ivon takes very good photos, in fact, her photos have been published in publications, took up journalism at UP, and according to her blog blurb, has lived alone and nomadic since 16, has had 9 home addresses, made permanent residence in 6 cities and had 6 legit jobs in less than 4 years of catapulting from one industry to another.

BlauEarth asks Ivon, how does it feel winning a Quill for a blog post that was steered to answer basic ranting about “basic” kuryente on social media? “(Uhm), well first, it came as a surprise to me, being that I did not really write it to win an award. It was not my goal. I just wanted to enlighten people in the way that I can (writing), using the resources or channels available to me (my blog), at a time when information was direly needed. I guess it also was, to me, an affirmation that people do read what I write afterall (ha ha!), and that blogging is not just a form of vanity but it can actually be utilized to inform, educate and enlighten, as long as the intent is sincere.”

Congratulations, Ivon!

Photos courtesy of ViewFinders Keepers
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

Father Robert Reyes. He was noisy, yes. Not so visible like he was before very recent years, the running priest is back. Still noisy, yes.

He looks 2 decades younger than his actual age of 60 years. I presume his natural beauty and youth come from his being a true people person and living by his faith.

He says, “The roads are my pulpit. The trees are my altar. My church is the universe.”

Father Robert Reyes joined local environmentalists, journalists, a broadcaster, students and educators of the Northwestern University; and the lone representative of the provincial government, Board Member Joel Garcia, who was gentleman enough to stand up for his personal beliefs, government’s position and the economic gains on the other side of the coin — at a forum, facilitated by the school’s KWAGO Society. PENRO de los Reyes, like in last year’s NWU environment forum was a no show.

Social and environment advocate and researcher Shermon Cruz says, “The forum was aimed to provide key actors the space to discuss the issue and to collaborate in exploring alternatives and options to prevent the killing of 1, 200 trees covering around 60 hectares of forest land in Currimao. The purpose is to get the real score from proponents, advocates and governmental authorities on the issue and to engage concerned citizens and communities by increasing awareness on the tree cutting controversy in the province of Ilocos Norte.”

A memorandum of partnership between the NWU-College of Arts and Sciences and the Ilocos Times (the oldest running community newspaper in Ilocos) was also signed to advance good governance, transparency and accountability in local development and environment management projects in the province Ilocos Norte through the KWAGO Governance Forum. “Like a watchdog, it hopes to impact the different aspects of policy-making and project development in the province of Ilocos Norte,” adds Shermon Cruz.

Ilocos Times editor-in-chief and a barangay captain of Laoag City Jay Ramos.

“Who are willing to die for a tree?” Father Reyes asked.

I raised my hand. Who is afraid of dying for the life and strength of a tree? How many lives, how many thousands of trees have been murdered in the last 5 years or so?

Happy to meet speaker Bombo Bernard Ver in person

Madonna Rabang Peta of DEFEND Ilocos comments about the just-concluded environment forum, “Nagpapakita lamang ito na dumadami na ang mamamayan ng Ilocos Norte na nagtatanggol sa kalikasan sa hanay ng mga kabataang estudyante, mula sa akademiya at kasama na rito ang mga taong simbahan. Patunay lamang ito na lumalawak na ang naabot na kampanya ng mamamayan ng Ilocos Norte kasama na ang mga na ang mga komunidad kung saan sila ang direktang apektado sa epekto ng pagkasira ng kalikasan.”

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

Opposite poles attract, I hit it off right away with Edmar Guquib, the blogger from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. We had the honor to tape (guest) for FoodPrints with Chef Sandy Daza in Ilocos Sur (still to be aired this May on the Lifestyle Network). Of course, an Ilocos Sur experience is not the same without the Vigan empanada, just like Ilocos Norte is not complete without the Batac, or Laoag, empanada. According to Bigueños, the yellow Vigan empanada traces its roots to tacos, introduced by the Mexicans during the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, while the Batac empanada, according to Nana Glory Cocson of Glory’s Empanada, her very own empanada creation inspired all the other orange empanandas in Ilocos Norte. Edmar and I both agree, each empanada is different from the other.

BlauEarth deconstructs Edmar Guquib aka Edmaration.

What is Edmaration all about?
Edmaration is a fusion for Edmar and admiration, a name coined by an old friend of mine when I was in college. I thought the name is cool and unique, so I used it to watermark my then photos uploaded on the now defunct social networking site Friendster. College friends started to call me Edmaration. I also used it to name my first ever blog, Edmaration. No longer about my college life, the name Edmaration is all about my blog now. Everytime people call me Edmaration, they are referring to the blogger in me and the blog they read. Edmaration is a travel blog I created to pen down my first motorbike adventures with my brother. However, I discovered later on that travel is a very broad realm, so it was hard to ignore the other wonderful experiences traveling could give like culture, heritage, food and people to name a few. Through Edmaration, I am able to share my stories, insights and my take on anything related to traveling.

What do you do apart from blogging?
I am a full-time nurse assigned to the Emergency Room and Outpatient Department. I also work in the Operating Room though it is not a part of my official designation. If I’m not in the hospital, you’ll see me singing videoke, traveling leisurely or eating empanada in Plaza Burgos.

I’m also a nurse. You’re The Town Explorer, how many miles have you traveled on your bike?
I measure qualitatively how far I’ve traveled. The travel memorabilia and souvenir shirts in my closet, as well as the scars, sun burn and skin abrasions I’ve earned show how far I’ve traveled in the name of adventure. The countless memories and thousands of photographs I’ve taken remind me that I’ve walked, trekked, ran, hiked, flew, sailed and road-tripped far and beyond.

How often do you post?
I don’t maintain a regular set of posts within a time period. There were months that I can publish 13-16 entries in 4 weeks time. Sometimes I don’t write at all. October 2014 to February 2015 was a major blogging hiatus of mine when I didn’t publish new articles due to personal reasons. However, I’m more than happy that I’m back in the blogosphere and I am aiming to post a minimum of two articles weekly. So help me God.

Travel or food?
I consider travel to be very broad, so it can be narrowed down to subcategories. I don’t find traveling complete without trying and discovering the local food. It can represent a culture, a group of people or the destination itself.

Describe your hometown of Vigan
My hometown is indescribable. Though not perfect, it is a place that nurtures its citizens through culture and heritage, both the seen and the unseen. We Bigueños take pride in our culture and heritage. It is also culture and heritage that binds as together. While trying to preserve our heritage, the city, in return, has given us the opportunity to live, grow and succeed in a peaceful, culturally-rich community that stays strong and intact. The well-preserved ancestral houses are living testimonies that the citizens of Vigan care so much of the wisdom of our ancestors and the good values they wanted us and the next generations to have.

What to you is the best part of blogging?
The best part of blogging is when one day you wake up and your family, friends and your community are already very proud of you, regardless of your social status, and they realize you are a kickass blogger using your influence to spread hope, inspiration and… wait, uhm, world peace!

FoodPrints BTS photos by Edmar Guquib, Alina Co-Calleja, Melanie de Leon and BlauEarth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

Happy 60th to my dear sister-in-law Jerry!

The blog’s message for you :)

Photographed by BlauEarth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

Indigenous abel weaver Magdalena Gamayo was awarded a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award in 2012. Torrents of rain poured down from dark skies before we reach her village in Pinili. A tiny structure made of concrete blocks with a signage came into view when I made up my mind to head home to Laoag and visit the weaver some other time.

She had attended Sunday service at a church. Took the opportunity to ask about her from her students and apprentices, including her 11 year-old granddaughter, Arabella. Turning 92 in August, Nana Dalen, as they call her, goes to the center everyday and persists on teaching newer generations everything about the craft she has mastered, against the shriveling popularity of locally handmade textiles.

Awarded by no less than President Aquino in 2012.

I had visited various abel loom weaving communities in Ilocos and Abra. Most of Nana Dalen’s designs I’ve never seen before. Inubon a sabong (string of flower) best illustrates her masterful art. At the age of 16, her skills on the loom were honed by her aunt.

Tawa-tawa, binalbalatong, sinukitan are among her designs.

The rains stop. Nana Dalen arrives. The unassuming lady obliges for a photo-op. She smiles as she recalls the days when she fashioned her own fabric into a pandiling (long skirt). She brings out a collection of various antique skirts that look not quite too old.

Her students wish for their own cotton tree farm, a wider space perhaps and more pagablan for others.

More essential than the recognition that was bestowed upon her, she has inspired others to preserve a threatened tradition.

To reach Mrs. Magdalena Gamayo or the Manlilikha ng Bayan Weaving Center, text or call: 0909 7596885.

Photographed by BlauEarth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

It all started on a rainy afternoon in a chilly room where junk crafted into art were up for exhibition. A photographer friend introduces a millennial artist on Instagram. I am not on Instagram like I am notorious for not owning a cellphone, but there’s a mutual interest that will make the self-confessed self-taught photographer and me oblivious to time. His unfeigned laughter calls out to be dissected.

Russel Villena, 22, says, “I shapeshift between mobile and DSLR photography. I’m a visual person, so photography holds a very special place in my heart. My camera phone which I use now is a prize from a Twitter caption making contest sponsored by Nokia (Microsoft). An average income family has other priorities. Baby steps are the hardest. I want to know and learn more, so that I could share more to people, but for me to do that, I need to be able to stand on my own first.”

Q&A

What is your occupation?
I am a nurse by profession. It might seem incongruent with photography, but I originally wanted to go to art school. Unfortunately my parents couldn’t send me, so I took nursing in my hopes I could earn and save money when I become a nurse, and I’ll be able to send myself again to school to take up what I really want. As of now, my degree can’t even financially secure me, not even enough to feed myself. But I needed to channel out my aspiration for art and creativity, hence the photos. Presently, I do volunteer nursing work at our Rural Health Unit in Batac. And every Saturday, along with other artists, we do an Art Show and Tell where I show some of my photos and encourage kids to grow their art especially to do mobile photography.

Yes, I think it’s true, once an artist, always an artist. I heard you have more than 10,000 followers on Instagram, congrats! What is on your feed?
Most of my photos are generally taken around my hometown [Batac] or during a bike ride. It focuses on everyday scenery and things that people usually neglect. In my own little way, I try to give life to them. I started my Instagram with my chasing the sun series. As I said in a previous Instagram post, “Anything fancy that fits in a square is in my gram. But most of the time the only thing fancy in our place is the sun and the sky.” As an aspiring artist, I always have the urge to grow and be diverse. And I usually don’t confine myself into a box or a style. And then the Double Exposure and Magnifying Glass photos came. On a side note, I don’t want people thinking that follower count or likes matter. What matters is that every artist should express himself.

What is it about the social network that you love?
It is a community. It’s supportive and evaluative, and the people are so encouraging. And uploading photos in the app doesn’t require much complexity and data usage. It only uploads a light file of the original resolution which fits well the budget because we didn’t have WiFi connection when I was new.

What is your most used app?
The Camera app. Being into mobile photography eats 80% of my battery. Next on the list is OneNote… Instagram.

What is inside your bag now?
This is my little bag [a crossbody bag] which I usually bring especially when I go out taking photos. Inside are 2 phones (but sometimes I have 3), a magnifying glass, a portable tripod, a water tumbler (so costly to buy and to reduce usage of plastic), an umbrella, a wallet for IDs, a coin purse, and headphones (just in case I’ll need my own space).

The outdoors or swanky rooms?
The outdoors please. I’m the person who is usually out and about itching for adventures. Some of my favorite hashtags include #NatureAddict #ExploreEverything #WildernessCulture. But I wouldn’t mind swanky rooms, hahaha, googling swanky. Hmm… if something requires being inside then why not.

Your best photography moment?
Being featured in your blog. That’s worthy of a mention. Mmmm, I guess other than that, I’ll always treasure what happened last year. I was given the opportunity to do a photo exhibit. The curator came to discover my Instagram account. As someone who doesn’t have the means to do an exhibit, I actually asked some of my Instagram friends for financial support. Did a crowdfunding campaign. It was overwhelming that people believed in me, my photos, my goals. These are people whom Ive never met personally. Some were not able to help financially, but they helped with the campaign. It moved me as a person and as an artist.

Thank you. Do you get inspired by other photographers?
We are all influenced and inspired by a lot of things. And we are all products of it all. That actually explains my bio on Instagram, “Instagram taught, Internet raised.” I owe a lot of inspiration dusts to the creative people on Instagram. That’s why I’ve been sharing to everyone the app, so they could be inspired there the way I was. I also want to return the favor to my fellow people, perhaps inspire them, especially the youth and those who do not have access to the internet.

What hours of the day do you work best for your photography?
I prefer the early morning hours. I usually pretend I live somewhere else and there’s fog everywhere even if there’s none. But when in comes to brainstorming, sorting stuff out or getting things done, late afternoon and evening are usually the best.

The moment you click the shutter, you own copyright to your work, how do you protect your work?
Digital age has made everything faster, including stealing someone else’s work. Others might be able to steal, but it is the photographer who owns the essence of the work. I think creators and viewers alike should uplift a culture of respect among each other. People will only be able to understand if they put themselves in a situation where — you create something and another person takes the credit for it.

Where do you think creativity ends?
I think creativity ends when people become close-minded. When they start limiting themselves.

What’s the most outrageous thing you ever captured?
That’s a bit hard to answer. Can we revise the question to What’s the most outrageous thing I’ve ever done for a photo? Hahaha! There was this one themed photo project on Instagram and the theme that week was glitter. I glittered a lot of stuff from fruits, to my magnifying glass and even both of my hands. Transferring helium balloons all the way from Batac poblacion area to far farm areas with a Korean bike. Bringing a rubber ducky to Anuplig Falls, does that count?

Hahaha! What’s your dream project?
Oh, I think underwater photography with some models wearing fancy dresses would be so dope. Shoot something with a drone, shoot for a cover of a magazine or if not have my own little book with some of my photos and my thoughts on art and photography.

All images courtesy of Russel Andrew Villena @rahrarussel +63 926 9336868

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

Not all weekends are spent with Ericke, but when she’s not attending festivals or out on camping trips, we go to places we both enjoy like dessert shops and flea markets. LA is big, but on our first stop last Saturday, the Arts District Co-op in DTLA, we found Laoagueña Lala Dudley, daughter of fashion designer Lulu Raval and granddaughter of former Ilocos Norte OIC-Governor Castor Raval. There she was at her own space in the warehouse turned flea market that’s actually cozier than a Sunday flea market. I just knew it was her when I saw the very current kimono robes on display. Call it intuition.

After hearing about the designing family when I was still in Laoag, I tried googling them once and their flowy kimono robes stuck in my head.

The meeting was kinda funny. She looked surprised when I started talking in Ilocano.

Lala’s one-of-a-kind creations range from vintagey with lace inserts to embroidered gauzy cover ups, tasseled bohemian prints, and heavy poncho coats. I had to have two (a maroon with leaf embroidery and the blue in photo below). Ericke bought a sweet number in antique white and another in summery washed out pastel as.

A sewing machine stands atop her desk. She says she’s been stationed at the Arts District Co-op for a year now. “How many kimono robes have you sold? 500?” I asked.  “More. I’ve sent to countries like the Middle East.”

“Would you believe I started with zero? I first sold my own things,” she tells about her humble beginnings. In my head — #inspiring #lifegoal.

The meeting was serendipity at its finest. I felt pride for a kababayan.

The vegan bags at the other store are made with vinyl tarps. I’m not sure if they were repurposed from used tarps. Independent and local are accurate words for the vendors.

In the block…

Photographed by Tina and Ericke Tan
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

Starting to miss Miriam now! Nothing will ever compare to pure wit, inherent interestingness and fearless spontaneity. A prayer for her soul and of gratitude for inspiring a generation deficient of substantive icons.

I join the country in mourning the loss, and honoring the colorful lady, an unshakable leader and true public servant.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2016

I’m pretty sure Lala won’t mind if I say she took after the OG, fashion designer Luthgarda, more known as Lulu Raval in Ilocos. Tita Lulu was already doing boho-chic way before the term was even coined. Not your ordinary hippie look with shredded tie-dyed tees and elephant pants, but glam hippie pieces worthy of festivals in this day and age. Two of my vivid fashion images were dresses I wore in 6th grade, one “kulambo” mumu, with crocheted details, dyed in sunflower yellow, and the other an ethereal midi in layers of flimsy dusty rose gauze by her, which my dressmaker mom scored from her boutique at the Cubao Farmer’s Market.

Fast-forward to today, you can catch Lulu at the Melrose Trading Post on weekends. Her one of a kind designs attract Hollywood celebs and stylish Angelenos. Her ever fashionable sister, Ditas, who I occasionally see in Palm Springs, showed me an influential fashion glossy highlighting Lulu’s creations. Naturally, I was very proud of a fellow Laoagueña.

Found these photos taken two summers ago. Bought the versatile original Luth Garde kimono I couldn’t part with.

It’s the passion for fashion that Lala shares with her mom Lulu. It was an exciting thing discovering her at the Arts District Co-op in Downtown LA (here).

Went shopping yesterday, and Lala was looking fabulous in her sexy-skinny newness. It’s still winter here (hahah, what winter?) but it can be oppressively hot during the day, so in Los Angeles, layering is the way to go though crazy weather. Found cute pieces that will still be summer-appropriate

At Lala Dudley, expect a curated mix of one of a kind pieces, cute tees, edgy basics, lots of boho stuff which include jewelry and purses. She also gets her share of celebrity clients.

Grabbed this very new photo from Ericke’s Facebook and she was wearing a kimono by Lala Dudley, from 2 years ago, to Nina Bonoan’s wedding to Luis de Peralta today.

The stories of mom and daughter Lulu and Lala in Los Angeles truly inspire.

Chevylle sounds like Chevy Chevelle, the car of choice of Baby Boomers, somewhat hinting at the age of the first woman mayor of the city of Laoag. The only daughter among the two children of Baby and the late Rudy Villanueva (not originally from Ilocos), Chevylle spent her formative years in Laoag. An honor student at the Holy Spirit Academy of Laoag, she had that kind of beauty that made the boys swoon. Her college years were at the Maryknoll (now Miriam College). As cupid would have it, Michael Fariñas, the first grandchild of the late Fariñas Trans patriarch, Don Federico, and nephew of then Laoag mayor Rudy, never let her go, and they tied the knot and had children. Michael worked in the family business while Chevylle was full-time mom, yet helped manage their own retail store, and later on they dabbled in politics (Chevylle always supported Michael, who was tasked to organize and manage his uncles’ election campaigns). When it was Michael’s turn to win the mayoralty in Laoag, Chevylle assumed the other essential posts like the barangay heads association chair.

Fellow-barangay heads helped her “walk” for the mayoralty post, with last-termer mayor Michael defying family wishes, which caused a split-up in the Fariñas family and supporters (the first time it happened to the close-knit family), and indeed she eventually won by more than 21K votes over reelectionist uncle, Roger. But that’s all water under the bridge. The passing away of cousin JR ( Rudy’s son) made Laoag’s most prominent political family whole again.

More low-key than the average Ilocano politician, her strength lies in her diligence and organizational skills. And I see that feisty streak in her, exactly what a woman leader should be born with.

Under her leadership, Laoag continues to reap awards, awards such as most livable and most business-friendly city, notwithstanding the controversial disappearance of former City Treasurer Elena V. Asuncion and 85 million from the coffers of the city, which political opponents of the Fariñases are trying to link to both the mayor and vice-mayor (husband Michael).

Fun Facts about Laoag City Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas

•  She sings very well. Very well means like a professional singer.

•  She’s a hands on mom, albeit her other duties. Now that her two older children, Jami and Mikee, are able to help serve her constituents, we can see how she has influenced them in their career paths — Jami is the City Administrator, after Perry Martinez vacated the post, and Mikee has followed her parents’ footsteps into politics.

•  Creativity is her middle name. She likes arts and crafts, she’s her own stylist, she loves makeup (like you and me, darling), and dressing up as seen in her fashion choices (well, her mom owns a clothing store). Her personal strong liking for happy colors extends to her office like Barbie pink and apple green are the official colors of her administration.

•  She drives like a man. She will drive to Manila alone if she has to. What are the Sampaloc and Divisoria streets to her?

• A city hall employee will attest to her exemplary work ethic. One more employee says she pushes them to think out of the box, and likes to hear innovations.

•  It is hard to imagine her in a different hairstyle. It might be a politician thing like Imelda has had that bouffant since time immemorial.

• Basically, between Michael and Chevylle, she is the more approachable one.

• As city mayor, despite her busy schedule, she has time for everyone, (this I experienced three times, to be precise, no cordon sanitaire).

All photos lifted from the Agserbi 24/7 Facebook page.

We like to Instagram everything, and the so-called breakfast photographers are now the influencers of the world. Yassss, bowls are the new plates! Next to rice, what about spooning our smoothies from a bowl?

According to Earth Bowls, set to launch a pop-up stall at the iconc La Paz Sand Dunes, in Laoag, at the start of summer, this coming March 30-31, a healthy eating lifestyle change should be fun and delicious. Barely out of college, Laoagueños Modesty Eugenio and Brandon Tan have partnered to introduce the smoothie bowl as well as promote nutrient-dense eating.

Q&A WITH MODESTY AND BRANDON

BlauEarth: I know you two are foodies, like always in the kitchen, or eating out, and now, you yourselves are making food a business. What made you fix on smoothie bowls?

Modesty: Bran and I always love eating, but for the past year, we started to eat clean as frequently as we can, and smoothie bowls are yummy healthy snack that we think everyone can actually enjoy.

Natural and/or organic are on average costly. Will an earth bowl be affordable?

M: Healthy eating has always been perceived as costly, but with great effort, we managed to source locally made ingredients to make every earth bowl affordable and healthy because we believe that these two can go hand in hand.

Brandon, were you also part of recipe development?

B: Yes, Modesty and I both gave our own list of recipes. We made a total of 12 recipes and cut it down to 5 with the help of family and friends. We spent two straight days tasting every recipe and there was no guilt eating through all those bowls of fruits.

What is your favorite earth bowl?

B: My favorite earth bowl would be the one with mango, spinach and strawberry (there’s no name yet). I never knew these three could go well together. Definitely, love at first taste.

Food preparation as a business can be very demanding, it is also an art that requires skills, how prepared are you trying your hand at something new?

B: I’m the type of person who loves trying new things. Being the first to introduce smoothie bowls in Ilocos is exciting, and to sustain the trend is challenging.

I see it’s a pop-up stall, do you imagine it as a brick-and-mortar business soon?

M: Yes, definitely, the original plan was a cafe-like establishment but we didn’t have much time to plan due to conflicting schedules. We are planning to launch it before the month of August. And once it’s put up, we have our fingers crossed that it’s going to be the go-to snack stop in Ilocos.

(Follow earthbowlsph on Instagram and Facebook)

COPYRIGHT © BLAUEARTH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

More potent than my current chemo pill, Philippine politics over the weekend sent me into dizzy spells.

As of yesterday, Sarah Duterte withdrew her reelection bid for Davao City mayor and filed her CoC for the second top national post instead. Long time Duterte aide Bong Go withdrew his VP candidacy, and is running for President under a different party. Another presidential dear friend Bato de la Rosa who filed his CoC for President said on Friday, he is withdrawing because he is withdrawing. On the last day of substitution, the older Duterte, through his representative, substituted for a candidate in Bong Go’s party. Party hopping time once again! Do you even remember the names of political parties?

A couple of minutes before the Commission on Elections’ cut-off for substitution on Monday, former Ilocos Norte first district representative Rodolfo “Rudy” Fariñas substituted for a certain Juner Daniega Jacinto, a gubernatorial candidate under the Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma. For governorship of Ilocos Norte, it is now the incumbent governor Matthew Marcos-Manotoc, son of Imee Marcos vs. veteran politician Rudy Fariñas.

Browsing through the comments section on social media, the feeling of invigoration among Ilocos Norteans after being given more candidates to choose from is perceptible. The pandemic has opened our eyes to a lot of things.

In the May 2022 elections, we hope to bring back the sanctity of the electoral process. Hope shapes the future.

COPYRIGHT © BLAUEARTH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED