Have a break! (aka Philippine Holidays 2012)

Image from SeoPinay

Mid-year and I'm just having this post... guess it's better late than never --and there are a lot of remaining holidays left!

Plot your vacation wisely and use these breaks as a means to recharge and catch up on those things you said you planned to do but never had the time.

Below is a list of Philippine holidays and special non-working days as posted on the Philippine government's Official Gazette.

Crossing the street is more fun in the Philippines!

Accidents do happen because pedestrians ignore traffic rules. If they don't and they decide to cross the street properly, it's still sad as some pedestrian lanes have faded over time, worsening the drivers' ped xing-blindness.


With the increasing pedestrian related accidents, the city of Pasig, in collaboration with IdeasXMachina (IXM), came up with a very ingenious idea -- the not so pedestrian lanes!

Their solution: Create quirky pedestrian lane designs to make crossing fun and conspicuous to oncoming traffic.

For more info, here's a video clip featuring IXM taken from 24 Oras aired last July 13, 2012 by GMA 7:

Always With A Farter? There's A Reason To Rejoice!

Image from Instructables

This isn't a joke. 


Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found out that hydrogen sulfide, which is a component of fart, can actually help regulate blood pressure.


Check out what LiveScience has to say about this.

Anti-Carjacking 101

Thanks to Philippine National Police and GMA News TV for making good use of social media. They've recently come up with an anti-carjacking poster to make as many people as possible aware of this operation. Please spread the word too! Be safe everyone! =D

Baked Armadillo Eggs

Sorry, it was a bit oily! =p

No, this recipe doesn't include any armadillo at all. Why they named it such, no idea. Perhaps some versions look similar?


Anyway, armadillo eggs (the food) include sausages, jalapeno and cheese. The taste is really arresting, making it a potent appetizer.


Here's how we did it:

Easy Basil Pesto Recipe

Presto pesto

Sometimes, you just want to eat pasta with this thick creamy white sauce (or probably red sauce with meatballs on top) but you think about all those calories you've consumed for the day. Well, you don't have to completely deprive yourself of the cravings. You may still eat pasta, but to reduce that nagging guilt, try this healthier alternative: Pesto!

Creamy Mushroom Burger Steak

One time, due to oversleeping and not eating much the night before, you wake up so hungry. Worse, there's no leftover food to eat. You open your fridge, nothing to cook in sight, well... just a couple of burger patties, but what you want is a full meal with rice! The solution -- creamy mushroom burger steak.

This creamy mushroom sauce is very versatile. It
can even be used for carbonara!