Some weeks ago I was wandering the streets of Budapest, and I bumped into this small hut, where they were busy with making some world famous Hungarian old fashioned bread lángos.
Bread lángos is basically a fried flat bread made of dough with flour, yeast and salt.
According to some sources it originates from the 16-17th century, when the Turkish troops invaded the country, and occupied almost half of it for over a century. Some food historians say that it has close links with the Turkish pita bread.
Traditionally - when people still used brick ovens for baking - on the day when the new bread was made, there always remained some pieces which were baked close to the flames, or on the stone, and they were served for breakfast with onion, sour cream or marmalade. That was lángos for the old times.
In modern times, we no longer bake them in ovens, instead it is cooked in deep fried oil and later it is served with different toppings.
The most popular type of it is with sour cream, cheese and some garlic, called the Sajtos-tejfölös lángos. It is very popular at times of summer festivals, or on the beach next to lake Balaton for lunchtime. Other types of lángos can be served with mushroom, meat, quark cheese, cabbage, bacon or even with sausage.
Cebu Pacific is
an airline in the Philippines considered to be one of the few who offers cheap
promotion tickets for international and domestic flights. It is the Philippines’
second flag carrier with flights around Asia.
So for anyone considering a holiday to Philippines or around
Asia anytime soon, might as well take your chance. The promotion is on until November
9. Travel period for international flights is January 1 to April 30, 2013 while domestic flights should be December 1 to February 28, 2013.
Philippine
Destinations
Breakdown
Cagayan de Oro to Bacolod or Zamboanga NEW!
Davao to Butuan or Dipolog NEW!
Iloilo to General
Santos,
Puerto Princesa or Tacloban NEW!
*Travel Period: Nov. 15, 2012 – Feb. 28, 2013
P88*
Base Fare
P88
Admin Fee
P100
ASF
P15
12% VAT
P24.36
One Way Fare
227.36*
*Exclusive of Fuel
Surcharge ranging from
Php 200 – Php 400 and Terminal Fee.
Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan),
Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tacloban or Busuanga NEW!
Davao to Puerto Princesa or Kalibo NEW!
P288
Base Fare
P288
Admin Fee
P100
ASF
P15
12% VAT
P48.36
One Way Fare
P451.36*
*Exclusive of Fuel
Surcharge ranging from
Php 200 – Php 400 and Terminal Fee.
Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Cebu,
Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tacloban or Tagbilaran
P488
Base Fare
P488
Admin Fee
P100
12% VAT
P70.56
Terminal Fee
P200
One Way Fare
P858.56*
*only for guests
traveling from Manila. Exclusive of Fuel Surcharge ranging from Php 200 -
Php 400.
Sale Period: Up to Nov. 9, 2012 or until seats last | Travel
Period: Dec. 1, 2012 – Feb. 28, 2013
Regional
Destinations
Breakdown
Manila to Kota Kinabalu or Siem Reap NEW!
P88
Base Fare:
P88
Admin Fee:
P100
One Way Fare
P188*
Manila to Brunei, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh
or Kuala Lumpur
P688
Base Fare:
P688
Admin Fee:
P100
One Way Fare
P788*
Manila to Bangkok, Jakarta or Singapore
P1,488
Base Fare:
P1,488
Admin Fee:
P100
One Way Fare
1,588*
*Exclusive
of Php 550 terminal fee, fuel surcharge ranging from Php 410 - Php 2,100, Php
1,620 PH Travel Tax and Country Specific Taxes ranging from Php 400 - Php
1,515.
Sale Period: Up to Nov. 9, 2012 or until seats last | Travel
Period: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30, 2013
Rock and roll originated in America, developed in the 1950s and lived its golden age in the 1960s, while rapidly spread throughout US and UK. The rhythm has developed and was heavily influenced by Rhythm and Blues and Country music.
Rock and Roll wasn’t just a style of music, it served as an instrument for social and cultural movements. It was a tool for public diplomacy when the West and the East was separated from each other. It played an important role in political changes in the 1950s and 1960s. Taking an example, in 1958 NATO published a report speculating on the intentional use of rock music for subversive purposes.
Rock music from the very beginning has been linked with political activism, with changes in social attitudes to race, sex, and drug use, and was often seen as an expression of youth revolt against conservatism, consumerism and conformity. In its lyrics dealt with a much broader range of topics than its predecessors; such as sex, social concerns, and the rebellion against the Establishment. Rock and roll is rebellious, its the existence of free spirit breaking out from long-term restrictions and lashing, and breaking down the rules and obligations of society, thus can be a product and symbol of a changing society.
The Beatles was a powerful example of how rock music induced political change in society. In the 1960s The Beatlesdisseminated the love of rock and roll within the Eastern bloc. Their music was smuggled into the Soviet Union, it embodied protest against communism. The youth started to imitate their styles, lifestyles and their feeling of freedom, it changed people’s thoughts and the way of their living. People listening to tunes about love and peace has stopped regarding the English-speakers as enemies. It was an important step towards the later implemented political transition.
But how about China’s rock generation?
Chinese rock music has emerged in the early 1980s, when economic reforms started taking their place. Chinese rock music is originating in the Northwest Wind style of music. Northwest Wind was a style of mainland China, it had strong beats, fast tempo and heavy bass lines, and included some traditional and folk-style beats, however was different from the well-known Cantopop.
Xintianyou was one of the most well-known song of this type:
Cui Jian is believed to be the father of Chinese rock music. He grew up in a musician family, and got introduced to rock and roll by smuggled recordings from Hong Kong. At first he created his band Qi He Ban, but later decided to pursue a solo career. His first solo album called Rock ’N’ Roll on the New Long March was the first ever Chinese rock album. It included the famous song Nothing to My Name, which is known by everybody in China. In its lyrics often parodied the Communist Party, and brought something fresh in its genre, still including some folk motives. In the spring of 1989, "Nothing To My Name" became the de facto anthem of the student protestors at Tiananmen Square.”
With this song the Chinese rock generation has kick started, later some songs also included idealistic and political messeges as well. The music embodied the dissatisfaction of the Chinese youth and the growing effect of the Western-style culture.
At the same time another branch of rock music has started to emerge, initiated by Chi Zhiqiang, who was an actor, and was sentenced to prison for four years for hooliganism (non-conventional sexual life) and created music from the time he was sentenced to jail. The Prison Songs became popular in the late 1980s, they were a bit different from the Northwast Wind style in terms of lyrics, it often used vulgar language, and expressed more negativity, but still included some folk elements.
The main hub for rock music was the capital, Beijing. In the 1980s it was still marginal, there were only live perfomances in small bars and hotels. The new style was popular mainly between university students and underground circles.
In the 1990s rock has become part of the urban youth culture, in 1990 the largest rock concert was organized in the Capital Gymnasium with the participation of Cui Jian, and other rock bands. The rock culture underwent a change, in type there was a shift from the original Northwest Wind style into western-style rock. It also came along with the change of style and adapting to the new attitude. Chinese rock has separated itself from the pride of the northwest rural culture.
In 1993, Beijing Midi School of Music, the first school was established which offered classes for jazz and rock music. It ensured a platform for young artist to develope their proficiency in rock music.
Today Rock and Roll is widely popular among Chinese young people, there are several clubs and bars organizing rock concerts weekly, and big concerts are also frequent. Underground places are also popular between the youth. There are many new bands, some of them are even touring in the United States with great success. One of the most popular rock band in China nowadays are Carsick Cars and PK14. They are also well-known in the Western media.
Rock in China is not anymore about protesting or being rebellious, but about staying different from others, and having a unique lifestyle.
Living in China as an expat, I do miss Filipino food sometimes. Cooking a genuine Filipino food requires of course Filipino ingredients which
apparently can only be found in Philippines and sadly I forgot to pack. And due
to some visa issues, I was lucky to be in Manila
for a week after my holiday in Hongkong. I guess it was somewhat a meant of
fate. And this time, I made sure I packed everything.
Being in Manila
for a week was enough to get my Filipino buds back to shape. From our famous
Adobo to Halo-halo dessert, yes I certainly didn’t skip any of them despite my
self-proclaimed healthy gym freak. Anyway, it is just a week of Filipino heaven
delights.
Usually whenever I meet new friends in Shanghai, they would
ask me to explain what Filipino food
is like. And most of the time, I find it hard to explain. For me, it is a bit
more about experiencing it than just talking about it. But in any case, it
actually gave me an idea on writing an overview about Filipino food since many
people were asking about it. And who else would be better to write an article
about it but a person who comes from the country with 7,107 magnificent islands.
As I was in Manila, I decided to meet my best friends in a
Filipino restaurant called Romulo’s. Despite
my friends having Filipino food almost every day, they were very excited about
the idea of a get-together and my article about Filipino food.
Romulo’swas taken from the name
of the former eighth president of the Philippines, Carlos P. Romulo. The owner of the restaurant Sandie Squillantini is
the granddaughter of the late president and was inspired to put up a restaurant
focusing on Filipino comfort food.
The place was an old house renovated into a restaurant. The
exterior looks quite simple with lightings as their major accent. The interior
is very modern with black and white wall ensembles and furniture giving it a
sleek and sophisticated style. This modern type of restaurant seemed to be the
“in” thing in Manila right now. Menus are in Tagalog with an English
description and their servers can speak in both languages (quite normal in
Philippines) fluently.
The food was impressively good. Despite the fact that every
house in the city can have the same dishes, they made it quite special that
people keep coming back. A distinguished taste can be well identified on each
dish making you appreciate the food more. My personal favorite is the Lola
Virginia’s Chicken Relleno. I am in love with it, it is definitely a must-try!
Their servings are good for 3-4 people. Though the desserts are not so good, better
go to a dessert bar somewhere close.
Here are some of the foods we ordered.
Lola Virginia’s Chicken Relleno (1/2
Chicken) Description: Roasted Chicken stuffed with
ground pork, raisins, chorizo and peas Price: 250PHP
Bangus Belly in Banana Leaves Description: Milkfish belly served in
banana leaves with special sauce Price: 295PHP
Ginataang Sigarillas with Tinapa Description: Vegetable with coconut milk
and slices of dried fish Price: 180PHP
Address: 32 Scout Tuason corner Dr. Lazcano
Tomas Morato, Quezon City Contact number: +632 332-7275 Website: http://romulocafe.com Opening hours: Monday - Sunday Lunch - 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Dinner - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Catherine Valencia
Hongkong’s Floating Restaurant
JUMBO KINGDOM Cuisine:
Cantonese and Seafood Price range:
130-500HKD
Traveling to a foreign country for the first time, we are
all expected to be googling the top restaurants and bars existing in the
country or probably had asked a friend or two on whereabouts to eat based on
their own travel experience. Better yet if you are lucky enough, a friend living in town
for years would even be a better source. But most of the time we find ourselves
in the same restaurants as other tourists are, which ends up with long queues
during holidays. But anyway, it would be quite an interesting story for the
next dinner with your friends. And you know that yeah-I’ve-been-there-It’s-cool
when you talk to the first timers? Yeah..makes you feel like a pro.
Jumbo Kingdom is
no different; it has been in Hongkong for 36 years. But with regards to
restaurants, you know it’s good when it stayed in the mainstream for years. It
is a fine-dining Cantonese and Seafood restaurant
that took four years and millions of dollars to be designed and
built. The style is of a gorgeous, exquisite ancient Chinese imperial palace
you would think you are entering a Chinese palace and even inside, it really
does look like one.
Mainly, our dining table was set with a heavy black stone carved with
ancient Chinese writing as a placemat with a nicely folded embroidered cloth as our table napkin. There was a mini statue of Buddha as a
centerpiece, which they put away when the dishes are to be served.
The food was impeccably Chinese but Cantonese, which is totally
different from many other Chinese food I should say.
But it was quite an experience. I found myself having a Cantonese dinner with 7 Kazakhs in Hongkong.
Talking about global fusion in this blog is certainly well applied in my
personal life as well.
Here are a few of what we have tried. My personal favorite was the Peking Duck.
Roasted Peking Duck Price: 470 HKD
Sauteed Yellow Fungus with Fresh Black
Mushroom and Sweet Pea
Price: 148HKD
Stewed Brocolli and Enoki Mushroom
Price: 148HKD
Sweet and Sour Pork with Red Date, Lily
Bulb and Assorted Fruit Price: 160HKD
Sauteed Potato Garoupa Fillet with Chili Price: 228HKD
Fried Rice with Wagyu Beef and Sea Urchin Price: 330HKD
