Monthly ezine for April 2011

Editorial

This has been another busy month for us here at Able Ads. Problems with a bug in the Angeles Xtra free classified ads software meant we started March well behind our project work schedule. Then, after another couple of weeks of beating our heads against a wall, we managed to track down and contact the original software designer himself. Through combining our efforts, we finally traced the problem to just three corrupted words I the program; that’s three little word in one line of code, in just one file of the hundreds of files that make up our free classified ads program. This whole episode made me so glad I went into writing instead of IT. Tracing and fixing this bug to a computer illiterate like me was like looking for the proverbial rocking horse droppings. If I actually had any hair left, I would have been tugging it out.

Anyway, with the software glitch in our free classified ads sorted out, we were free to finally move forward with other projects. Just this week we released out e-book, The Philippines: Expat Survival Guide. This 118–page book covers a host of information, with local knowledge and tips to help new expats make the move to live in the Philippines while avoiding many of the problems that dog most expats on their arrival. At just $14.99 we think this is a bargain buy, one that will pay for itself hundreds of times over. If you want more information, and maybe to see some sample pages, go to www.expat-survival-guide.info.

Although we have not yet caught up on our projects, after all, the transition to the new software format for this website took up a full 3 months of work hours, (2 months longer than we had scheduled), but we are getting there. Watch this space next month for news of the release of Lina’s Kitchen recipe book.

This month we have the usual mix of regular items, another delicious recipe from Lina’s Kitchen, trivia quiz, and a number of local and international topic articles – including a tribute to our departed friend, Fred Smith.

Expat Gossip

Chatting at the bar…

…we discussed the terrible events that have befallen Japan over the last month. We all admitted that none of us will ever forget the surrealism we felt watching live as that tsunami wave slowly moved inexplicably forward, seeming to swallow all in its path. Its seemingly unstoppable momentum was all the more frightening for its slow, menacing progress, much more so that any crash bang Hollywood movie special effect.

While here in Angeles City we may feel insulated from such events, one of the guys at the table pointed out there is a wide river, and San Fernando is only 2 feet above sea level. So if God forbid a tsunami of any size crashed into Manila Bay, we may all feel the consequences – especially as many of us remembered the scarcity of planning and help following Pinatubo’s eruption.

Food in Angeles City

We started chatting about how things had changed since Pinatubo’s eruption, and then, in the usual way of bar chats, somehow the conversation changed course and we ended up talking about how getting good food in Angeles City has become easier over the years. Not only do the new large supermarkets stock more imported foodstuffs, but the number of restaurants around Angeles City and Subic is growing all the time. Of course, we still have lots of our little expat comfort foods ala greasy spoon café’s, great for morning breakfast or lunch, but there are now more decent restaurants and a much more comprehensive food choice available.

The consensus of opinion was that the reason we had less choice ‘back in the day’ was that Filipinos didn’t seem to like trying ‘new foods. This made it rather hard for any new restaurant to get off the ground, (that is, any restaurant serving food that Filipinos were not used to), as there simply was not enough customers willing to try something new. But today things seem to have changed.

Maybe it is because of better education, the rise in the number of Filipino middle class households, or maybe just the rise in popularity of good food due to TV programs like Top Chef, Master Chef, etc. Whatever the reason, we all seem to be reaping the benefits with new restaurants specializing in different national cuisines popping up all the time, and chefs around town now willing to extend themselves with new menu ideas and concepts. A new restaurant just opened (Piccolo Padre on Perimeter Road) and that is looking good (and we hope to have a restaurant review in next months Angeles Xtra), and we hear that there are even plans underway to open a full blown top culinary school and restaurant, something like Jamie Oliver’s ‘15’, in Angeles in 2012.

One very new food idea for Angeles is being tried out by Yats international this month. Each Sunday through April they are holding special Cuban nights, with lashings of authentic Cuban food and classic Cuban cocktails - and of course, how could you have a Cuban night without decent Cuban cigars. When telling us about this, Pedro, who I think is the only actual Cuban in Angeles, had our mouths watering explaining some of the dishes he planned to have available, like Ropa Vieja (Shredded beef on red creole sauce) Moors and Christians (Black beans and rice mix), Varadero fish fillet, Fried smash plantains w/ aioli sauce, Lamb fricassee and Hemingway seafood and fish pot  to name just a few. Should be some great nights dining. (For more details call (045) 599-5600 or 0917-520-4401or visit Yats International after 6 p.m. every Sunday through April).

More expat gossip from Angeles City in next month’s Angeles Xtra ezine - If you have some expat gossip you think we should publish, please contact us.

Restaurant Review

One of the great things about living full time in Angeles City is that you have the time to search out, and sample the tasty fares available in the little, out-of-the-way places so often overlooked by tourists. One such dining establishment is the Wanjai Thai Restaurant, our choice for this month’s restaurant review.

The Wanjai sits relatively unnoticed, off the beaten track about 300-meters along New York Street, off Don Juian (Perimeter Road). From the outside, the building is nothing special and in fact looks rather drab. The inside décor is not much more inspiring; although pristinely clean, it has no fancy wall hangings or up-market tableware. But having eaten here many times over the years, I know it is not fancy surroundings that keep bringing people back – it’s the deliciously fresh, flavorful and authentic Thai food.

When my wife and I went for lunch to conduct this review, we knew what to expect, and happily were not disappointed. Service was friendly, quick, and attentive, and while the waitresses may not be overly knowledgeable about a dish, the owner and head cook, Porntip, is always happy to come out and explain the ingredients and how the dish is cooked.

Owned and operated by Victor and Porntip Gomez, the atmosphere in the Wanjai is light and friendly. As said, the head cook, Porntip, (who is lovely older Thai lady) is happy to explain what each dish contains and how hot and spicy it is. And another  welcome change from many restaurants in Angeles is that Porntip is also willing to reduce the spice heat if (like my wife) you prefer a milder dish. But she takes the time to explain that when chilies must be used for the flavor, she can cook them whole and makes sure you know about them so can put them on the side of the plate.

After ordering, we kicked back and relaxed while waiting for the food to be cooked - , without the usual annoying waitress hovering over us so common now in Angeles. While the view is nothing spectacular, it is nice to enjoy anticipating you meal while looking out over the central garden and its lime trees, whose fresh fruit and leaves are used by the cooks to enhance the fresh flavor of a number of Thai dishes.

For our review lunch, we started with the small spring rolls, which were moist and tasty – especially with the fresh and piquant dipping sauce. For main dishes we had the Pad Thai, (rice noodles with chicken, shrimps, bean sprouts, scallions, egg and ground peanuts), Som Tum (a deliciously fresh and spicy ‘wet’ papaya salad), and Thai mixed fried rice. These were accompanied by dishes of Chicken and cashew, and Spicy Beef – both with tasty fresh ingredients and the flavors of Thai herbs and spices that make Thai dining such a pleasant experience.

I have and will continue to recommend the Wanjai as having sampled the food at other Thai establishments around town, I feel Wanjai’s cuisine is the freshest and most authentic. Also, as I am unashamedly old fashioned, when I go out for a meal I like to feel I am a valued customer. And treating you as such, ensuring you enjoy your dining experience is one of the many things the Wanjai does well.

Wanjai Thai Cuisine, New York Street, Villasol Subdivision. Tel: 893-0830 / 322-4940

April Trivia Quiz

Because you liked last month’s special 20-question quiz so much, we have decided that from now on we will have 20-questions in each month’s trivia quiz. Ok, its time to test your brain power – or at least your trivia power again, good luck.

This Month's Funnies

Remember, He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

A young man hired by a supermarket reported for his first day of work. The manager greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile, gave him a broom, and said, "Your first job will be to sweep out the store." "But I'm a college graduate," the young man replied indignantly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that," said the manager. "Here, give me the broom -- I'll show you how."

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

Rednecks, Bubba and Billy Bob, were walking through a pasture. Bubba sees a sheep caught up in a fence and says to Billy Bob "I'm gonna get me some of that"! Bubba goes over and sticks the sheep's back feet in his rubber boots, unzips his pants and starts to have sex with the sheep. He looks over his shoulder at Billy Bob and says "Do you want some of this"? Billy Bob replies "yes let me see if I can get my shirt caught up in the fence".

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

Bubba and Junior were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.

A woman walked by and asked what they were doing. "We're supposed to find the height of the flagpole," said Bubba, "but we don't have a ladder."

The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a few bolts, and laid the pole down. Then she took a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement and announced, "Eighteen feet, six inches," and walked away.

Junior shook his head and laughed. "Ain't that just like a dumb blonde! We ask for the height, and she gives us the length!"

Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries. 

A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. "Now class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury or illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!" A smart ass guy in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, "What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?" The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence is restored, the teacher smiles knowingly at the student, shakes her head and sweetly says "Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand."

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

A farmhand is driving around the farm, checking the fences. After a few minutes he radios his boss and says, "Boss, I've got a problem. I hit a pig on the road and he's stuck in the bull-bars of my truck. He's still wriggling. What should I do?"

"In the back of your truck there's a shotgun. Shoot the pig in the head and when it stops wriggling you can pull it out and throw it in a bush." The farm worker says okay and signs off. About 10 minutes later he radios back. "Boss I did what you said, I shot the pig and dragged it out and threw it in a bush."

"So what's the problem now?" his Boss snapped.

"The blue light on his motorcycle is still flashing!"

A good flush beats a full house every time!

A bird was flying south for Winter, but he had left it too late and was frozen solid in a storm.

He dropped down into a pasture of cows. The biggest, fattest cow was doing a crap there, and the bird landed in it. At first he was disgusted, until he realised the poo was thawing him out!

He started crying out for joy as the ice melted. A cat that was nearby heard the cries, walked over, saw the bird and ate it

There are three morals to this story:

1. Not everyone who gets you into shit is your enemy

2. Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend

3. If you are in shit, keep your mouth shut

More funnies in next month’s Angeles Xtra ezine - If you have any funnies you think we should publish, please contact us.

Trivia Quiz Answers

Come back next month for more from the Angeles Xtra magazine from Angeles City, Balibago, Subic, and Barrio Barretto, Philippines.

“If you like what you see, tell others, if you find a problem, tell us”

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