A letter from a teenage Filipino to the WHOLE WORLD

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao

Vigan Sinanglaw

VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR – Most people drink coffee to perk up their mornings but a bowl of steaming hotsinanglaw is just as potent for Ilocanos.

Sinanglaw (also spelled as “sinanglao”) literally means “steamed” in the local dialect. It tastes a lot likebulalo – I see bits of tripe and intestines – except it doesn’t have vegetables. The ginger-y taste also gives it a hint of papaitan-like texture.

I discovered sinanglaw during our recent roadtrip to Ilocos, arriving in Vigan in time to catch the sunset. Weary from taking photos, we headed for the empanaderia (located near Plaza Burgos) hoping to sample their empanadas.

The vendors told us empanadas won’t be cooked until ten o’clock so the sinanglaw caught our attention.

Bridgette Llanes, a Vigan local and RPE Sinanglaoan’s resident cook for five years now, proudly told us that sinanglaw is one dish that is identified with Ilocos Sur.

“Dito talaga nagsimula at kilala ang sinanglaw lalo pag umaga kasi ang empanada naman ay tuwing tanghali o hapon na nakikita ng mga tao sa mga tindahan (People here eat sinanglaw for breakfast because empanadas are usually eaten at lunch or as an afternoon snack),” says Manang Bridgette.

A bowl of sinanglaw costs P50. The authentic Ilocos sinanglaw has cow’s heart, large intestines, tenderloin, lungs and skin, kept boiling in water used to wash rice before cooking.

Sinanglaw is also complete meal if you order rice as well. But the secret to enjoying the meal would be adding sukang Iloco (Ilocos vinegar) and pepper. Its distinct smell will surely wake up your appetite.

For the less adventurous, Manang Bridgette also serves goto and mami. But when Vigan, the sinanglaw is a must-try you need to include in your Ilocos to-do list. Blogger Dackydoc raved about tasting sinanglaw made from recently butchered cow.

Sinanglaw is sometimes serve using goat spareribs as an alternative. The site All Meat Filipino Food Recipes also provides offers a sinanglaw recipe that uses vegetables.