11/11/13
We got some scary news last night. My wife's hometown (Patong bliss in Alongalong, Leyte, Philippines) was flattened by the typhoon. only 3 houses remain standing. Still no word from any family members.
That is where these pics were taken. The people in these pics are all missing at this time:
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12/3/13
A lot has happened since I updated. The family is alive and OK. Her grandma was air lifted out of Manila and even got herself on TV.
Her family in the house she was born in (15 ppl, ages 5 month to adult) all evacuated to the school with the rest of the town. they had a bag of uncooked rice with them. The town washed away and they were 50+ miles from the relief efforts in Tacloban. After the storm they returned to their property and built a lean-to from the rubble. Everything in the school got wet during the typhoon and the rice turned brown and stinky. it was all they had and they lived on it for a week. Mary (My wife) funded two expeditions to go get them out. one planned to rent a motorcycle and take a boat to the island. he failed from the start because all the rental bikes were already gone. the other group was 5 ppl who all had family in that area and they took the bus (2 day ride) to the island and walked in. Her sister was in that group and she went in with $400 in her pocket. She made it in, got them and another sister two towns over and they all went to Tacloban for the free air lift to Manila. After they got there, they found out that only govt employees and family of employees were allowed on the planes. the food was selling at crazy prices and about this time the money ran out. they got on the bus (packed to the gills with refugees) and took the 2 day ride to Manila. By the time they got to family in Manila, the first thing that was begged for was underwear. picture getting soaked with sea water and sand and not having anything else to wear for 2 weeks. We haven't decided if we rebuild that house or move to a nicer place.
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This cookout was a two weeks ago at our house in the Phillipines. Enjoy!!
Lechon (BBQ) Baboy (pig)
We sent over $350 for a quadruple birthday party. They bought a $110 piggy, a $115 camera and the rest of the money went into Tuba (homemade wine, described later), San Miguel (beer) and sides.
This is my brother-in-law, Marlon. He's the Pit Master for this cookout! I told them to name the pig and I was informed that they "don't name their food!"
They boiled a pot of water to de-hair the piggy
Bamboo enema. They are surounded by jungle so coconuts and bamboo are everywhere.
Coconut shells for fuel
Seasoning
Now thats food pictures!
Poncit. (rice noodles, cabbage, carrots, yard long green beans, Soy sauce, veggie oil)
Menudo. (potatoes, carrots, red pepper, garlic, pork)
Chicken Curry (chicken, potatoes, carrots, red pepper, curry powder)
Dinuguan (intestines, blood, peppers)
White Rice
the two gallon jugs are Tuba. They climb coconut trees and spike into the coconuts and add the ingredients. they then plug the hole and let it ferment in the tree. they then pick the coconut and drain the tuba. you have to have your own container and you go and get it filled. Because of that, there was no way to take any home on my visits. It tastes like apple wine and has a pretty good kick. Poor mans moonshine.
I just noticed the fly trying out the birthday cake! I tried to flick it off my screen! Whoever got the cake left off Bulakak's name. there were 4 birthdays this month. Mary has 4 brothers and 6 sisters and a bunch of nieces and nephews.
Plated up! (& family pics)
The picture taker, Melody. My sister-in-law. (in college for "Hotel, Restaurant Management")
The Kitchen. they have mud/dirt boxes on the wood counter and they make a fire using all
hose sticks, then place 3 rocks to hold pots and pans. They sell food out in front on the street and cook everything here.
