The Art of Seduction

Tsinelas Drive Season 4

It has been 4 years since I started my Tsinelas (slippers) Drive campaign. It started when I learned about a good friend, Jireh, who had been celebrating her birthdays with homeless children and in the home for the aged. I told her that what she was doing was awesome!

I got inspired to do something for my birthday too! Then my yearly Tsinelas drive was born. I would solicit for slippers or ask for donation to purchase slippers. I would pick a school in one of the haciendas in Victorias City. Why here? Because I grew up in this place. And I know that there are a lot of secluded schools in these places. I realized this when I was in high school since we would have outreach programs in these places.  Tsinelas Drive 2009

So this year, I was aiming for 27 people to donate or pledge. (I'll leave it to you why I chose 27.) And every year, I would text and email everyone about this. This year was something new. I posted my cause in Facebook hoping for donations and pledges to arrive and I was not wrong! A lot of people wanted to donate!

We went to Faith Christian School in Hacienda Luisa in Victorias City. The area is just in front of the Coliseum. I was with Jude and Soi. When we got to the place, the Head Teacher, Ms. Arlene, greeted us and welcomed us into their humble school. All the students followed and greeted us too. I told them our names and why we were there. I told them how grateful I was. And we started unpacking all the slippers that we brought. I could see the anticipation from everyone.

with Soi and Jude

On our way to the school

unpacking...

With Teachers Arlene (in blue) and Ailene (in white)

The students helped in unpacking everything and rounding them up at the center. They even formed A - C - E!!! I was smiling! We started with the preschoolers. Everyone else were excited while they waited for their turn. Everyone had a new pair and yet we still had a lot to give. We called the children who were watching the activity so they may choose theirs as well.

spell ACE?

Preschool students ready to fit a pair

Everyone was excited as they tried the slippers on to check which one would be a snug fit. We didn't stay long since we were expected in the meeting of our Rotarians in Bacolod. After everyone got their slippers, I still had 2 pairs of Dupe (I had 5 pairs courtesy of Mariel.) So we had a mini dance showdown! When we ended the activity, not everyone was there for the photo op but those who stayed behind, gathered for our group picture.

Dance showdown

Just a few of them who stayed for the group picture

I would like to thank my friends who helped out in this year's project:

Mariel Genito of Islandscape Inc, distributor of Ipanema and Dupe

Glady Tomulto of Experience Negros! 

Marvi Pioquinto

Sharon Flores

Mikay Manaloto

Cheryl Choresca

Valeen Solancho

Jen Valladolid

Soi Cañete

Jude Quingco

and to anonymous donors

Thank you so much!

To go to album

5 Things to do this month

Here is my list:

1. Visit Intramuros with Carlos Celdran as the Tour Guide 

2. Try authentic Chinese food in Binondo

3. Tour UP Diliman

4. Learn how to use a gun

5. Book a flight to Manila for a friend's wedding next month (although am having second thoughts because of the price)

What's your Top 5 for this month?

50 Festivals Challenge: #1 - 14th Adobo Festival in Silay

Silay City, Negros Occidental
November 5, 2011

I've heard of the Adobo Festival a few years back but it's just last Saturday that I was able to experience it.

     "Adobo is the name of a popular dish and cooking process in Philippine cuisine that involves meat or seafood marinated in a sauce of vinegar and garlic, browned in oil, and simmered in the marinade." - Wikipedia.org

I asked Jincky to have lunch at Balay Negrense where the festival was held since she's also from Silay. I arrived just in time for the judges to try the dishes prepared by different culinary schools. We had to exchange our cash with the money chits that the organizers prepared at the gate. We were also given Free Tasting tickets to experience the food created by the culinary students/chefs.

An array of Adobo inspired food were served for lunch aside from the food for prepared for tasting. We just had to choose. There were Puso ng Saging Adobo, Takway na Adobo, Adobong Tahong, Spicy Shrimp Adobo, and the chicken, and pork Adobo. 

We didn't have a hard to choosing what to eat since we were hungry!

With Patricia Monfort

Jincky and I

Since there were not a lot of tables to accommodate all the guests, we shared our table with a family of 8. I guess they were also from Silay since they knew some people who were there too.  I met Patricia Monfort in the event with Jakey. I also met Mrs. Villar. Ms. Maricar Dabao and Ms. Glady Tumolto were also present. 

I got a chance to have a photo op with Chef JP Anglo of Mushu who currently is one of the judges in Junior Masterchef Philippines. 

  with Chef JP Anglo

Mayor Oti Montelibano, the Mayor of the City also graced the occasion and passed by our table to ask us if we were enjoying.(In fact we were!) We can't but notice all of the wealthy men and women of Silay City  present to enjoy. 

hmmm... I am not sure what this is called...  

Mayor Oti Montelibano thanking everyone who came

This is my first entry for my 50 Festivals Challenge too!