The Backpack Adventures

Although it is Spanish in origin, the Maja Blanca or coconut pudding/ coconut cake as it is often called is a thick  white  gelatinous substance with a sweet flavor and is commonly made from coconut milk and cornstarch. However, if corn kernels are used in preparing the dessert, the dish would be called maja blanca con maiz , maja maiz , or maja blanca maiz . Maja Blanca Tracing back its history, I found out that the Maja Blanca was adapted from the dish called  Manjar Blanco  which is related to the dessert called  Blancmange  which is a French word meaning "white delicacy".  My wife's version of Maja Blanca and Maja Blanca Maiz Maja Blanca is prepared during special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, and fiestas. Th is dessert has since been fossilized into the Filipino culture, tradition, and stomach. So what do we need in order for us to make our own Maja Blanca?  Maja Blanca Ingredients:  Here are some of the ingredien...

Located at Francisco Mercado Street corner Jose P. Rizal Street, Barangay 5 Poblacion, Calamba City in the province of Laguna, Jose Rizal Shrine  ( Dambana ni Rizal ) is the birthplace of Dr. Jose P. Rizal -the National Hero of the Philippines. Jose Rizal Shrine (Calamba) Jose Rizal Shrine History Jose Rizal Shrine is probably well known as the ancestral house of Rizal's family. The house serves as a museum that contains furniture and items that belong to the Rizal family. Jose Rizal Shrine - Calamba City, Laguna Young Jose Rizal with his dog I wonder what Young Rizal had in mind Rizal Shrine NHI Marker For those who don't know, the house that stood in the lot is actually only a replica of the old ancestral house which was destroyed during the Second World War. The replica was constructed right after the war. The construction was supervised by the late National Artist Juan Nakpil. It was inaugurated in 1950. The entrance to Jose Rizal Shrine...

Located in Malate, Manila, Malate Church is one of the remaining Spanish Era churches found in the capital of the Philippines. The church also houses the miraculous image of Nuestra Senora de los Remedios . Malate Church Also known as the Our Lady of Remedies Parish , Malate church was constructed under the supervision of the Augustinians sometime in 1588. It was destroyed in 1661 upon orders of Governor-general Sabiniano Manrique de Lara over fears that the Chinese pirates led by Li Ma Hong might be tempted to plunder the church and the community near it. Church facade An adobe image of the Our Lady of Remedies The church was later rebuilt in 1677 and was finished in 1679. The church was then occupied and used by the invading British forces as headquarters in 1762. Church interior NHI Marker 1 NHI Marker 2 Church altar The church was destroyed again, this time by The Great Earthquake of 1863 which destroyed most structures in Manila. The chur...

10 Wheeler Truck Mindanao Road Trip: Day 2 and 3 Day 2 After a semi-sleepless night (Due to the fact that I feel like I was on guard for the group), we packed up at around 5AM and then drove a few kilometers to one of the nearest food stalls in Gingoog City for our breakfast. All I can say is - "Nothing beats a warm cup of coffee and a sandwich on a cold morning." Good morning from Gingoog City. Early morning coffee before we continue on our way! Road to Cagayan De Oro City Talisayan Beach That's my father-in-law and my brother-in-law skinny dipping Check out how beautiful this beach is. Time's up! Time to go! Our next stop was in Talisayan, Misamis Oriental were my father-in-law and brother-in-law enjoyed their early morning dip in Talisayan's brown sand beach. I was so engrossed in documenting the trip, that I skipped the chance of joining them. Aside from the mentioned reasons, it also dawned on me (just recently) that I had...