Happy Birthday, Lola Mommy

 Because my mom was working nung bata pa kami, all four of us squids grew up with our grandmother, whom we call Mommy. Nung seaman pa si Daddy, ako laging katabi niya pagtulog. Certified Tondo Girl. Sobrang Hitler na lola, isang sutsot lang pag 6pm, kandarapa na kami umuwi para magAngelus. Lagi kami napapalo ni Kuya kasi ayaw matulog sa tanghali. Harap dun, she'd tell him. Ikaw, sa kabila, sasabihin naman sa akin. Unless magkatalikod kami, hindi kami makakatulog kasi. 

Siya rin dahilan kung bakit Holy Monday pa lang, tahimik na kami. Linggo na uli ang kulitan. Kung bakit kahit may helper/s kami noon, marunong kami ng household chores. Kanya-kanyang turn maghugas ng pinggan, magfloorwax at bunot (yes, bunot!), mag-set ng table, etc. Gumawa ng assignment, magreview. Maligo nang maaga, maghilod 😂Magsimba nang sabay-sabay. Yung pagdibay-dibay ng ulam, pag chicken, may kanya-kanya kaming parts. Laging ganun. Hindi pwedeng magsalita much while eating, kumanta, magsayaw, mag-inat, magpatong ng siko sa mesa, mag-inarte na hindi ka gutom o hindi ka sasabay, basta pag tinawag ka, punta na sa pwesto mo. Hindi pwede sumagot pag pinagagalitan, or umiyak nang malakas, hirap kaya ngumoyngoy nang tahimik. Hihiram ka ng mukha sa aso. Hindi pwedeng umalis ng walang paalam or lumayo man lang (kahit sa loob ng village). Makuha ka sa tingin. 

Sabi nila, grandparents tend to spoil more. Hindi namin naramdaman yun kasi sobrang higpit nga ni Mommy sa amin. Yung iniiwan na pera ni Mama for merienda, enough lang para sa isang Prima (or any biscuit o bread) at softdrink (PopCola or Sunta orange). Or pamasahe sa jeep o train (yes, train nung araw!), enough lang din. Walang damutan. Kaya kaming apat, sanay kami ng hating-kapatid. And doing everything together. Nung malalaki na kami, and nasa US na sila ni Daddy, hindi sya nakakalimot ng birthday. Laging may card na may lamang one dollar (oo, uso pa yun nun). Hanggang naging Lola Mommy na siya nina Cae. 

Looking back now, if spoiling us meant paghihigpit and pagtuturo ng tama, then hindi nagkulang si Mommy sa amin. If that was her way of spoiling us, then I prefer her ways after all. I'd like to believe na napalaki kami nang maayos. And that we are proud of being #LakingLola

Happy Birthday in heaven, Mommy. Thank you for everything. Love from The Squids

Chili con carne

Ingredients
1 pack red kidney beans (soak in water overnight)
1 kilo ground beef
Tomato paste (optional)
McCormick chili con carne mix (dissolved in water) - amount depends on how spicy you want it or any chili powder
1 pc big bell peppeer, strips sliced thinly
Garlic, onions - minced
Oil
Salt, pepper, sugar

Boil kidney beans until tender. Drain, rinse. Set aside. (You can do this ahead)

Saute onions, garlic. Add ground beef until brown. Add chili con carne mix (or chili powder). Simmer (until sauce thickens, if you used McCormick). Add beans. Add tomato paste if you want it thicker and sweeter. Mix well with the ground beef. Simmer. Optional only. Otherwise, add salt, pepper, sugar to taste, and bell pepper (if you don't want it soggy, add after turning off fire). Serve with grated cheese on top.

Spaghetti Bolognese

1 kilo ground beef
1 pack regular bacon
1 pc carrot, minced
1 pc white onion, minced
Garlic, minced
Extra virgin olive oil
1 small can tomato paste
1 pack Nestle Cream
1 can Sprite
1/4 stick butter
1 pack Maggi seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese and parsley or basil leaf as garnish

Saute onions, then garlic. Add butter and carrot. Pag caramelized and kinda soft na, add bacon. Cook it lang, wag crispy. Add ground beef until brown. Add seasonings to taste. If you want to put a little sugar, pwede rin, optional.

Add tomato paste, stir. Then Sprite. Stir lang. Add the cream, halo lang hanggang kumulo. Ready na ilagay sa cooked noodles.