Valentine’s day is in two weeks time! Have you thought of any flowers to give your special someone? Here are some of the flowers you can give them and their scientific names:
1. Rose (Rosa sp.)
2. Tulip (Tulipa sp.)
3. Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)
4. Orchid (Order Orchidaceae)
5. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
6. Lily Stargazer (Lilium sp.)
7. Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
8. Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)
9. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
10. Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
11. Daisy (Bellis perennis)
12. Iris (Iris sp.)
13. Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
14. Geranium (Pelargonium sp.)
You can also mix and match these flowers or get a mixture of this into a bouquet. Or, if you are on a budget, try out paper flowers with a personalized note in there. Surely, someone special in your hear will appreciate the flower you gave them as long as you make them feel loved.
Love season is just sitting around the corner. Have you ever thought where to bring your date, bf, gf, mom, dad, sibling or yourself (cos *insert Miley Cyrus’ Flowers* I can date myself)? Here are some places where you can bring that special someone:
1. Park
2. Beach
3. Mountain
4. Cinema
5. Restaurant
6. Cave
7. Amusement Park
8. February Fair
9. Concert
10. Light Show
11. Zoo
12. Arcade
13. Botanical Garden
14. Lake
Or, if you are both home buddies, you can set your date night at home with home-made food watching TV or playing video games!
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained (you can also chop based on your desired size)
1/2 cup frozen spinach or sautéed in olive oil and drained fresh spinach
1/2 cup greek plain yogurt or sour cream
1/2 cup garlic or plain mayonnaise
8 ounces of cream cheese in room temperature
1/2 tbsp minced fresh garlic
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup powdered or grated parmesan for toppings (optional)
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 350 deg F.
2. You can mix everything all together in one go but I prefer mixing everything except the artichoke and spinach and mix them after. This allowed me to easily distribute the flavor evenly.
3. You can grease your baking dish before putting the mixture but I did not and it still worked.
4. Put the remaining powdered or grated cheese all over the top.
5. Bake for about 23 minutes in the preheated oven.
I am a rice eater and we all know that the price of it has increased. But, do we know the top 5 provinces that produce rice? Below are the top 5 provinces and regions that produce rice in the Philippines.
Sometimes we want to travel but no one available to accompany us so why not travel alone? But, it is not easy to travel alone because aside from the cost and planning alone, we have to be extra careful when you are new to a place. Below are 5 places in the Philippines that you can go for your first solo backpacking:
1. Boracay, Aklan, Coron Palawan or any famous tourist destinations
I haven’t been here but famous tourists destinations would have lots of people from different parts of the world and will feel safe since you are not literally alone roaming around.
2. Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo
Spots to visit: Tanke Saltwater Lagoon, Cabugao Gamay
Food to try: P1 per piece fresh scallops, fresh crabs
3. Sagada, Mountain Province
Spots to visit: Spelunking Cave, Sea of Clouds
Food to try: Pinikpikan, Lemon Pie, Pastries, Wine
4. Guinobatan, Albay, Bicol
Spots to visit: Cagsawa Ruins, Sumlang Lake
Food to try: Sili ice cream, Pinangat
5. Sipalay, Negros Occidental
Spots to visit: Sugar Beach, Islets
Food to try: Oysters and fresh seafood
Take this with caution. We still have to take extra care. Try to go to places with many people. Do not give in to the pressure of ambulant vendors or people selling services. I am confident to say that traveling anywhere in the world is safe for solo travelers but we have to prepare, plan well and be aware of their cultures and respect that.
I grew up thinking I was not beautiful. Error 404: no confidence found. Until I found acceptance and love within myself through the people I met and experiences I had.
What is beauty standard? For me, it is the physical appearance perceived by the general public in the community as beautiful. In the Philippines, I grew up thinking that you have to have the following main traits to be considered as a ‘beautiful’ woman (very Western look):
Slim or small nose with high bridge
White Skin
Straight teeth
Slim body
Light brown eyes or other color than dark brown/black
Straight hair
Even skin-tone from head to toe
Guess what? I have straight hair. That’s it! LOL!
Slim and tall nose and white skin are the main traits that make you look beautiful. And I have a fat with non-existent bridge nose, dark skin tone, crooked teeth, black eyes and uneven skin tone. There was also a time in my life that I got fat and was borderline obese. And, that swallowed my confidence at presenting myself to people.
There was even a TV show back then called “Bakekang” that depicted these traits as ugly and unattractive. I hated that show because it made me anxious that my classmates or other random people would tease me as that Bakekang girl. And, not long enough, voila! My fear came in the form of a kid that lived in the alleyway where I had to walked by everyday going to school. And that was the time I lost the last ounce of confidence.
When I started working, I used my extra savings to conform to the beauty standard: I used whitening products and it lightened my skin! I had braces and I got straightened teeth! I exercised and lost 20lbs! I even thought of saving money to get a rhinoplasty but this never happened. But, the other successful stuff made me gain confidence! Although the white skin didn’t last because I love my job as an agronomist and we had to do field works making my skin dark every summer season.
I did those things mainly for me to gain back my confidence and I believe there is nothing wrong on wanting to improve the traits that you think bad especially when you are doing it for yourself and not to please other people.
During that transition from my past “ugly” self to the new “beautiful” self, I advanced my education, found true friends with variety of personality, got to travel to different places, met a lot of people from different parts of the world, and had my share of good and the bad in life, and that’s how I slowly changed my perspective about my physical appearance. I came to the realization that I was born to be different and not conform to the standard that the society has set.
I still have my big fat nose and dark skin and I am also gaining weight lately because I am stressed. LOL. But, those didn’t lessen my love for my physical appearance because my appearance have never defined my core values. My will never depend on what others think about my appearance. My worth is based on how I define it which are based on how I feel within myself and how I made other people’s well-being better by doing my best work.
It is fine to do all those physical changes that you perceive will help you but make sure you are not stepping on other people’s feet. To feel beautiful is part of self-care that you should not deprive yourself with.
It’s cliché to say that do not settle for less than what you deserve but it is not that easy. When your brain is wired of thinking that you are ugly or too bad for something it is easy to give in to things with low standards. But, I hope you weigh the pros and cons and learn from it. And one day, I hope you wake up thinking that you deserve just the best things in the world not because you impressed or pleased other people but because you are you.
Are you someone who are nuts about nuts? Here are some ‘nuts’ that we know and their scientific names. Although some of them are botanically speaking not nuts they may be legumes or drupes.
The supermarket is full of vegetable of all kinds. However, there are a lot of vegetables I like that I do not see often in the market. These vegetables have distinct flavor that you may either get from your backyard for free or at your neighbors for free as well but make sure to ask for their permission. I list these veggies below.
Here are the Filipino name – English name – Scientific name of these vegetables:
1. Dahon ng ampalaya – Ampalaya leaves – Momordica charantia
2. Bunga ng malunggay – Malunggay fruit – Moringa oleifera
I was born 30-minute drive away from the University of the Philippines Los Baños or UPLB but my parents have been working in the university since I first got my awareness of the world. I went to a high school that was a 5-minute jeepney ride from the feb fair area. I finished college and worked for 7 years in UPLB. and I have been going there since I was a kid. So, I guess I am credible enough to share my thoughts about it. LOL.
What is UPLB Feb Fair?
– it is an annual tradition in UPLB that started as a martial law protest in the 70s. It is an event every February in UPLB during around Valentine’s week in which you, your friends, family or date can walk around to see different tents of different UPLB organizations, variety of stores, and food vendors of all sorts. At night, there are local bands that play songs and operational mini carnival with darts, throw coins games, Ferris wheel and other kids’ rides.
What are the main activities there?
– I personally like street food crawling of all kinds like grilled corn, meat, innards, and sometimes if they have Ilocos empanada. Usually there are fruit shake stand selling all sorts of fruit shakes. You can also do a little shopping or support local craft and plant stores. There is also wall climbing. Henna tattoo looks fun to do but I haven’t. UPLB organizations have some fun activities as well if you will walk around and stop by their tents. At night, the main event would be to jam with the local bands until midnight.
How to go to UPLB from Manila?
– since I grew up in Laguna and a proud from the province, the only way I know by public transportation would be to find a bus or van station that has a route going to Sta. Cruz or Calamba, Laguna. If you happen to ride the route to Sta. Cruz, you will have to drop off at Olivarez Plaza and ride a jeepney that has a sign board saying UP COLLEGE and tell the driver to drop you off there which is a 10-20 minutes ride depending on the traffic. But, if the last stop of the bus or van was in Calamba, you will have to ride a jeepney with the same signage but it will be 50 minutes to 1 hour jeepney ride. When you rode the one that says UP GATE or the jeepney won’t go inside, they will drop you by the gate and not to the exact location, don’t worry you will just have to walk from there using your map or follow the crowd.
– if you have a car it will be easier, you just use an online app. You can park close to the venue so it won’t be too difficult to go out. You can park before the campus gate as well and just walk to go to the fair. The car has to have a UPLB sticker pass to get inside or you will need to leave your driver’s license at the gate. Make sure to find a safe place to park.
Is there entrance fee in the UPLB Feb fair?
– no. It is free. Unlike the UP Diliman fair, this one is free to enter. At least the ground with all the tents where the stage will be. Although there are events that you will have to pay to enter.
How much money do I need to prepare for the UPLB Feb fair?
– it depends on the activities you will try. Excluding the transportation cost, if you will just eat and jam with the band, I will recommend P500. Your P1000 will already allow you to eat, jam with the band, do henna tattoo, ride the Ferris wheel, and buy few stuff.
Will there still be jeepneys after midnight in the UPLB Feb Fair?
– although few, there will still be jeepneys but usually you will not find them inside the campus and you will have to walk outside to go at least to the gate.
Are there bars selling alcohol inside the fair?
– no. Selling of alcohol is not allowed inside the fair so do not expect to see bars selling one. Although, there are lots of bars outside the campus you can go first. But, drink responsibly and do not bring chaos to the fun fair.
Are there public C.R. or restrooms?
-the closest one I know would be at the Student Union building. Although, they may put portable toilets outside.
The UPLB Feb Fair is one of the fun activities to do during February. It is not expensive but full of activities for people of all ages. You can enjoy it alone or with people. Make sure to be responsible especially with your behavior. Have fun but respect others that are enjoying the event and please put your trash in the bins.
Agriwanderist PH 