Monday, February 29, 2016

Cebu, Philippines: Antique Photographs Pictures Cuenco, Carlock



I have written about Judge Lyman J. Carlock, the first American judge in Cebu, Philippines, in the early 1900s, soon after the US acquired the Philippines.  My great-grandfather, Mariano Albao Cuenco was the Court of Clerk and worked closely with Judge Carlock.  Please read my earlier and lengthy article about him.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Breakfast with L & A at The Terrace in Venice. CA

Friday, February 26, 2016

Cooking: Fifth Taste Umami Discovered!



I was with Food Experts recently, including Chef Gene Gonzalez, historian Felice Sta. Maria, another historian Bryan Koh, and two food writers: Amy Uy and Jenny Brillos.

Half in jest, I told them about the secret ingredient in my Beef Bouguignon -- and I will say it here --- soy sauce.  I expected them to laugh as people often do, but they took the information in thoughtfully then said, "Ah, umami."

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Chicken Soup: Arroz Caldo or Congee Recipe


Please check back.  I'm down with some kind of bug.

I'm thinking of making Chicken Soup -- recipe below:

ARROZ CALDO or CONGEE

Ingredients
1 small chicken cut into serving pieces
1 inch ginger, cut into strips
1 head garlic, macerated
1 onion, sliced thinly
2 tbsp oil
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 1/2 c rice
6-8 c water
2 spring onions, thinly sliced for ganish
3 calamansi or 1 lime
3 hard-boiled eggs for garnish 
Chicken stock if needed to thin out porridge.

Saute garlic in hot oil until brown. Reserve half of the garlic for garnish. Add the onion and ginger
Add the rest of the ingredients and cook simmering; stir once in a while.
When meat is tender and rice is cooked, serve with green onion leaves and fried garlic. Add hard-boiled eggs for garnish. Serve calamansi and fish sauce on the side.

If the porridge is too thick, you can thin out by adding some chicken stock.  

Read also
     Tags: sick, health, rice soup, arroz caldo, congee, soup

     This is all for now,
    Cecilia


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

My Cat Tesla Sad Over Harper Lee's Passing #catpics

Monday, February 22, 2016

Cats Sleeping on Laundry #catpics



"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, 
my cats sleep on a pile of laundry..."

(Quote courtesy of the movie, Casablanca"

Read also


Saturday, February 20, 2016

Homecoming with My Cats #pets

Thursday, February 18, 2016

UST's Picture Album of "Some Words with the Wild Woman" - Brainard Talk




l-r: Ailil Alvarez, Augusto Antonio Aguila, Joyce Arriola, John Jack Wigley, Cecilia Brainard, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, guest, guest, Chuckberry Pascual


I'm sharing pictures from the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies' Album of the literary event, Some Words with the Wild Woman. Please click on the picture to enlarge.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Pictures: Power of Pen Food Writing Workshop



Here are a few pictures taken at the Food Writing Workshop of the Power of Pen.  I'll add more pictures as they come in.

The picture shows Seated l-r: Amy Uy, Jenny Brillos, Chef Gene Gonzalez, Cecilia Brainard, Standing l-r: Felice Sta. Maria, and moderator Joie Barrios


There were 80 participants and 6 presenters at the February 13 literary event held at the Shangrila EDSA.

The event was highly successful, and the organizer Tetta Tirona looks forward to the next Workshop in two years.


After the workshop I had dinner with old friends Marily Orosa and Maribel Paraz.


Read also





Friday, February 12, 2016

Update Manila, Philippine Visit: F. Sionil Jose, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Jack Wigley



This will short, dear Readers, as internet is slow.

I had the privilege of having lunch with Philippine National Artist F. Sionil Jose and his wife Tessie.  I also had dinner with The Philippine Graphic Literary Editor, Alma Anonas-Carpio.

The bottom picture shows two commendations for my writings, a scholarly journal with an article by Dr. John Jack Wigley about my short stories, and a copy of The Philippine Graphic with my short short.

I'm feeling happy and grateful for this "literary largess."

Tomorrow we have the Food Writing Workshop, so stay tuned for more updates.









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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Philippines: University of Santo Tomas and Some Words with the Wild Woman

 University of Santo Tomas and Some Words with the Wild Woman

 l-r: John Jack Wigley, Joyce Arriola, Ailil Alvarez, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Cecilia Brainard, Ralph Semino Galan, Augusto Antonio A. Aguila



l-r: Joyce Arriola, Cecilia Brainard, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Augusto Antonio Aguila

l-r: Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Joyce Arriola, Augusto Antonio Aguila, John Jack Wigley


I spent yesterday at the University of Santo Tomas where I had the opportunity to visit the special collection of rare books at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library. I was thrilled to see the collection and observe where these antique books are restored, digitalized, and catalogued. Some of these precious books date to the 1500s.  

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Manila Philippines: UST Literary Forum Features Cecilia Manguerra Brainard


Philippine Inquirer News re my Talk/Dialogue tomorrow at the University of Santo Tomas. The event is free and open to the public. Call Anna Nicolas to reserve a seat: 4061611 local 8281.

I am sure you can walk in.



Tags: Philippines, Filipino, literature, author, writer, novelist, Cecilia Brainard

This is all for now,
Cecilia

Manila, Philippines: More Pictures of Cecilia Brainard with Friends in Makati




Here are some pictures with friends in Manila. The picture above shows some of my friends from St. Theresa's College, San Marcelino, show up for a spontaneous dinner in Makati, from l-r: Darn, Eyelet, Girlie, Mila, Rosalinda, and me.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

My Current Best Friends! #Zika, #insectrepellent








My current best friends!

I have three kinds of insect repellents:  Ultrathon Insect Repellent, Cutter Natural Insect Repellant. Aromacology Repellent Cream.

I prefer the Cutter Natural Insect Repellant. It's natural and has a pleasant scent.

Take care - the Zika virus is lurking around.  Use a repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and make sure there is no stagnant water around.

Read also
       Info re Zika 
       Tags: Zika, mosquitoes, virus, microcephaly, #Zika, #ZikaVirus, repellant, Deet

       This is all for now,
        Cecilia

Monday, February 1, 2016

Invitation: Conversation with Filipino-American Fictionist Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

AN INVITATION


The University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies Invites you to 

A Conversation with  Filipino-American Fictionist

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

February 9, 2016, Tuesday, 3:00-5:00 PM
Tangbalang TeresitaTomas, Espana, Manila

Open to the Public

~~~~

NOTE: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is also involved in The Food Writing Workshop sponsored by the Power of Pen on Feb. 13, Sat. at the Shangri-La Manila - please see link 
http://cbrainard.blogspot.com/2015/12/power-of-pen-how-to-turn-your-love-for.html

~~~

Tags: Philippines, Philippine, Filipino, literature, author, writer, books, UST, creative writing, University of Santo Tomas, novelist, lecture, literary, program




This is all for  now,