Monday, March 29, 2010

Celebrity Lookalikes, Part 3 ( Ka Facemuks?)

As promised, here are more celebrity lookalikes:

My pretty friend, Maricel looks like my pretty Hollywood idol, Charlize Theron, don't you agree?  Both have pretty faces, sexy bods.  They gain and lose weight at will, grabe.


Wonder woman Lynda Carter is the lookalike of my sweet friend, May, o di ba?  Look at their sweet smiles and beautiful eyes.


I have several lookalike fantasies, like Gloria Diaz, Marilou Diaz Abaya (di ba say mo yan Maritz)  and Joyce Jimenez ( o di ba, Monissima and Rina, you told me so), but this actress turned director is my favorite lookalike.  I didn' t know her until my  Dutch photography client showed me a magazine with this actress on the cover.  My client asked  me if I have a twin in China.   Even our hairstyles jibe although I have not seen many of her pictures until recently,  She is Joan Chen, born Chinese, former Hollywood actress,  now  sought after Hollywood director.  Any violent reaction? 

And the last for now, look at Ed's lookalike - Richard Gere.  Tama ba,  Monissima?  If you noticed,  us girls in the above pics have Filipina noses and our celebrity lookalikes have Caucasian noses.  In Ed's case, his nose is more patrician than Richard Gere's.  Panalo!
 

And how about you? Tell me your celebrity lookalike! 

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Sagada Rocks

Have you been to Sagada?  Sagada is one of the towns in the Mountain Province, Philippines.  It is known for its caves, underground rivers, hanging coffins and rocks!  On the side of the roads, there are spectacular and curious rock formations.  It is believed that Sagada was once underwater thousands of years ago.  In fact some say that the whole Philippines was part of the lost Atlantis civilization. 

Here's one of those rock formations my hubby is fond of. 

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Celebrity Lookalikes, Part 2

This is getting to be fun.  Friends whispered another friend's lookalike, the husband's lookalike, the boyfriend's lookalike.

Let's start first with Ann, the one who started this discussion (see Celebrity Lookalike, Part 1)  Here's Ann's celebrity lookalike:


Do you agree that Andrea Del Rosario is Ann's lookalike?

Here's Olive,  the original topic of  lookalike discussion :)


Do you agree with Ann that Olive looks like Alicia Mayer?

Here's another friend, Shiela Marie:


Some say that she looks like Christine Reyes.  I say that Iza Calzado is closer.  Don't you agree?

Lastly for now, here's another friend, Marie.  I can't find a local movie star for Marie's lookalike, I find Natalie Portman close, though. :

How about you, who's your celebrity lookalike?  I wonder who's mine.....

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Celebrity Lookalikes, Part 1

We were in our favorite bar one night when I heard Anne telling Olive that she looks like a movie star,whose  name  escaped her at the time.  I looked at Olive and mentally looked for the images in the folders inside my head.  Hmmmmmnnnn, esep esep.......

Later, Anne remembered,  "the name is Alicia Mayer!". 

I looked at Olive in a different light (hindi na flourescent, spotlight na in my mind).  Oh yeah, "you're right", I agreed with Anne. 

I would have liked to post here the pictures comparing them but I have to look for for more pictures of Alicia Mayer.  So, expect Celebrity Lookalikes 2 in this blog, alright?

For now, let's compare some celebrities and their lookalikes:

Here's our local Pokwang and Lucy Liu.  In ferness, those who have seen Pokwang swear she's prettier in person and isn't she sexy too? 

Later that night at the bar, I told Anne, she has a movie star lookalike too,  Andrea del Rosario.  I thought of posting their pictures here too, but I still have to comple the their pictures, so expect Celebrities Lookalikes no. 3, alright?

Here's another friend with a celebrity lookalike, Emy and Carlene Aguilar -  do you agree? 

How about you, who is your celebrity lookalike, or do you have a friend who has a celebrity lookalike?  Email me, marilousilverman@ymail.com or send me a message in FB.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Thailand's Celebration of Chinese New Year

We were in Thailand during  the celebration of the commencement of  Chinese New Year( Year of the Metal tiger)  last Feb. 14.  Of course we also celebrated the V day :)  The hubby bought me the beautiful red necklace I am wearing (below) and fancy rings - not one but four :))

We went to Chinatown in Bangkok, across the river where we stayed.   We rode in a tuktuk, then on a boat to Chinatown.  As expected the place was jammed - tourists and locals equal in number.  Music was blasting from the Cotton Club Bar with Thailand's version of Jazz.  The songs played were mostly in  English but the Besa Me Mucho was played over and over.  I am not complaining, I like the song, but after a while, for those who are not into jazzed up songs, it gets into your nerves.  Look at the boy below, lol.  Okay, I think he's actually afraid of going deaf from the firecrackers. 
We wanted the see the dragon dance. We have seen some, at the side of the Cotton Club bar, but we thought we'd be able to see more dancers.  I think most of the people do too. Everyone anticipated  to see moreactivities other than the vendors' wares sold at the side of the streets.  I guess we came to early or too late.  Everyone was having feasts from eating street food, out of boredom I guess (speaking for myself, hahaha), and the food looked colorful and delicious too.  And yes, like Paris, there are tables on the side of the streets.  We ordered a pitcher of beer and we got adventurous too - we ordered spicy Thai Salad.  The waitress was a little incredulous when we ordered it. "Are you sure, it's spicy", she asked.   We laughed, "we'll try it".  Here it is:
It came with this 'side dish':
 
Yes, this is raw cabbage and string beans.  Raw cabbage, I have eaten,  but raw string beans?  It was actually not that bad, especially after a spoonful of spicy Thai salad. But you  have to drink beer too or your tongue and esophagus and stomach would burn from the HOT spices!  Here's a recipe for the Spicy Thai Squid Salad:
Thailand recipe: Thai Squid salad – Yum pla myk
Ingredients:
200 g squid
1 tomato
1/2 onion
one hand full of celery leaves
1-2 spring onion
4-5 Thai chilies prik kee noo
juice from 3 limes
1 teaspoon golden syrup (sugar syrup)
1 1/2 tablespoons fishsauce
1/2 teaspon Umami MSG Monosodiumglutamat

Preparation:
Cut the tomato into small pieces,
cut Thai chilies, spring onion and onion in fine rings
and add together with celery leaves to a bowl.
Clean, wash and cut the squid into small pieces
and cook the squid pieces in boiling water for about 2 min,
then put them into the bowl.
Add lime juice, fishsauce, golden syrup and Umami MSG
and mix well. Garnish on a plate and serve the Thai salad while still warm.


Here are also some general forecasts in this year of the Metal tiger (http://www.onlinechineseastrology.com/horoscope-2010-Year-Of-The-Tiger.aspx):

Hot passion meets cold steel with the arrival of the year of the Metal Tiger. This combined sign signifies both the energy to begin activity and the determination to follow it through to the end. Forget about last year’s slow plodding. Events set in motion now will pick up speed and continue until either the objective is attained or the whole endeavor crashes and burns.

Bold, cold Metal rules in contrast to last year’s pragmatic, calculating Earth. This difference will be all the more dramatic as 2010 is a dynamic, Yang year. Metal’s Yang aspect is extremely aggressive and does not tolerate opposition.

Unfortunately Metal has a destructive relationship with the Tiger’s fixed element, Wood. In fact this is the fifth in a run of six years governed by an unlucky conflict of elements. This should come as no surprise given the recent history of US and world financial markets, massive numbers of foreclosures in the housing sector, and the terrible tragedy that is Iraq today.

The combination of Metal and Tiger is not, however, a totally negative one. Together they represent the kind of force necessary to accomplish the most difficult tasks. The impossible just might be possible during this exciting time.

Things that have needed to get done but were not due to some blockage will be done or at least see significant progress being made. On the other hand, some that probably should never even have been attempted will also go to completion. This is because the Metal Tiger is associated with a lemming mentality. The Norwegian story goes that, once a group of them starts moving across the fields, they will charge ahead and unthinkingly run straight off a cliff to their doom.

The point is now is the time to attack the most difficult issues you face. You have one of your best chances of achieving a breakthrough. On the other hand, if you still run into stiff opposition, you would do well to consider postponing your attempt to another time. You see, the same force that propels you forward is also with those opposing your efforts. Thinkers can prosper, but lemmings could experience serious setbacks.

Since this is a Metal year, those people born in an Earth one will generally fare better than others of their animal sign, while those born in a Wood one are likely to do worse. It’s also slightly negative for those born in a Fire year and mildly positive for Water sign people. Finally, those born in a Metal year will be in their element and do well if their animal sign is compatible with the Tiger but could run into lots of confrontations if not.

The only thing we can say for sure is the year 2010 will be a tumultuous one. This is true for individuals, societies and the human race in general. It’s perhaps a better time for knocking down walls than building them. People who thirst for adventure and can reign in their emotions could experience a thrilling and rewarding year. Those who seek peace and harmony might find themselves running for cover more than a few times.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Fish and Chips

An order of fish and chips in one of our favorite places at Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City.  It's a Dory fish or Pangasius.  Just recently this fish had a bad review from internet, stating that this fish comes from Vietnam, and is a dirty one.  



But aren't shrimps the same?


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Burritos

Delicious Burritos at Flannagans, Angeles city, Pampanga, Philippines. 
How do you cook burritos?  Here's a recipe from http://www.thatsmyhome.com/texmex/main/burrsup.htm:

Burrito Supreme
1 pound lean ground beef

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Dash garlic powder

1/2 cup water

1 16-ounce can refried beans

8 10-inch flour tortillas

1/2 cup enchilada sauce

3/4 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 medium tomato, diced

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

In medium bowl, combine ground beef with flour, chili powder, salt, minced onion, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder. Use your hands to thoroughly mix ingredients into ground beef. Add seasoned beef mixture to water in a skillet over medium heat. Mix well, and break up meat as it cooks.

Heat for 5 to 6 minutes or until browned. The finished product should be very smooth, somewhat pasty, with no large chunks of beef remaining. Heat up refried beans in covered container in microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

Place flour tortillas on microwave-safe plate and heat for 30 to 45 seconds. Build each burrito by first spreading about ¼ cup of refried beans on center of heated tortilla. Spread 1/8 of the meat mixture over beans, then pour about a tablespoon of the enchilada sauce over meat. Stir sour cream well, then spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons onto burrito. Arrange some of the lettuce, cheese, tomato and onion onto the tortilla. Fold end of tortilla closest to you over the filling.

Fold either the left or right end over next. Then fold the top edge over the filling. Serve immediately.