Media Log #5: Happy Fiesta!

I already posted four media logs; three of them are mainly about the Korean culture – from tourism to music and even cuisine. Now, it is time to create something about my nationalism and it will be about Philippine culture to be exact. Here in Philippines, under the cluster of town or cities, we have what we call barangay. In these places, they have their own patron saint and they even name other barangays under the name of these saints - for example, I live in Barangay San Antonio or St. Anthony. Once a year, the community celebrates the feast of their patron saint and this is what Filipinos call “Fiesta”.

“Happy Fiesta” – the word a person usually hear from their neighborhood as they visit the house of one another to share food. Most of the people prepare traditional Filipino foods for their visitors. Most of the schools and works are suspended at that day to participate in the programs of the government officials. Inside the video is the different traditional celebrations used by Filipinos to commemorate their patron saint. Others were made famous because of the culture and its history – an example would be the Sinulog and Panagbenga celebrated in Cebu and Baguio respectively. The video showed how rich is the Philippine culture by presenting unique colorful festivals and the banderitas (banners) hanging along the streets.

Although most of us are more attracted in the culture of other countries, a Filipino like me will always be proud of his or her nationality. I will admit that I appreciate the culture of Korea, with my previous blogs, but it does not mean that I hate being a Filipino. Perhaps, I would not be like this without growing in our own culture. Who knows, if I were not born as a Filipino, maybe I would have not been a Catholic nor did I celebrated Fiestas.

Panagbenga Festival in Baguio

Media Log #4: It's Not Chili, It's Ddeokbokki!

Jaws Food (South Korea)

In relation with my previous blogs, this one also focuses on the Korean culture. This time, I will be talking about one of their famous food. It was a very cold spring in Seoul, as additional description from my second blog, and I realized that it has been three days yet I never released a sweat from my body due to their climate. Entering my mind was a great idea – I need to eat spicy food. A fast food chain stood out in front of me selling various Korean street foods. The store’s name is “Jaws Food” as shown in the photo above.

“Jaws Food”, with a logo of a shark, is a very famous fast food store in South Korea and their best seller in the menu is Ddeokbokki or spicy rice cake. Instead of sauced pasta, it is composed of cylindrical shaped rice cakes. At first you will think that it is just a tomato sauce but as early as now, I am telling you it is not. This spicy rice cake is in a hot pepper paste, known in South Korea as gochujang, topped with anchovies. This food has a very unique taste of spiciness that it will challenge you to eat them all. This spicy rice cake is good to eat together with sundae (blood sausage) and cider. Truly “Jaws Food” offers and sells Seoul’s trademark foods.

At that time, I failed to eat all the spicy rice cakes even though I have two sodas to help me reduce the spiciness. I was also shocked that their complimentary soup has a real whole chili pepper floating above. Yet I am glad that I had already released my sweats even though it was because of the spiciness. When you are in Seoul and you are trying to eat their food, beware because it is like eating chili pepper. Check out the video below to learn how to cook spicy rice cakes.

How To Cook Ddeokbokki or Spicy Rice Cakes

Media Log #3: This Is K-Pop!

I do not know why other people like Korean Pop music, also known as K-Pop, even though they cannot understand the lyrics of the song but for me, I know the reasons why I listen to K-Pop music. The reasons are because of its catchy rhythm, the dance steps and most especially, the artists itself. The music video I shared to you is my most favorite video because it is the first song album I anticipated since I become a K-Pop fan.

The video entitled “I Got A Boy” was released on this year’s New Year Day. Many fans all over the world waited for this day mainly because it was sung and performed by Girls’ Generation – the most famous and renowned K-Pop group. Since I am a male fan, I do not focus on the lyrics of the song because it is about a love story of a girl until the story of her break up. The video also shows the girls as stunningly amazing with a style different from their previous songs. The group’s comeback even placed a new record online.

As years go by, there are increasing numbers of K-Pop fan. At this exact date, it will be five months since the K-Pop Concert here in Manila that includes Girls’ Generation. That was the most memorable time of my life - the moment when I saw them personally instead of just watching it in front of the screen. This song was still fresh at that time and I remembered it was the last song they performed. All the fans’ eyes were teary yet amazed during that last song as they sing along with the fan chant. I hope this blog will also serve as a petition for them to have a solo concert tour here in Manila.

Riding on Cloud Nine: My Pilgrimage to the Seoul ’2013 Girls & Peace’ Solo Concert

Media Log #2: Infinitely Yours, Seoul

It has been almost two months since me and my family went to South Korea. I remembered how excited I was at the day of our flight. I woke up early in the morning and quickly turned on the television and I was shocked on what I saw. It was a music video of two Korean groups singing for the tourism of Seoul. I thought it was a sign of what happiness we will have since that song is rarely aired or maybe it was the first time they played it.

It was shown in the video the love stories of different famous Idols (the name referring to Korean singers) in different famous places in Seoul. Tourist spots from ancient palaces to places where Korean dramas shoot. You will be struck with large buildings surrounding you as well as the nature you will see. When you travelled to Seoul and saw a spot from the music video, you will tell to yourself “Wow! This is the place where they shot the video and maybe they are also standing at this exact place”.

The lyric of the song is very inspiring although it is in Korean language. It tells you how Seoul itself can make your feelings light or some sort of less worry. I felt I do not want to go home when I saw their environment – an 8.4 kilometers river at the middle of the city and even the Cherry Blossom trees during spring season. If you are a K-Pop fan like me and you saw this music video, surely you will tell yourself that you must go there as soon as possible. That music video is hardly the main reason why you should try to go to Seoul and why I want to go back.

Gwanghwamun, Seoul

Media Log #1: Where Are The Kids?

Children Playing Outside

As I was walking along the street from school towards home, I saw children playing outside and I suddenly remembered my childhood routine after going to school; quickly change my clothes, rush outside and wait for my friends to see me. I wonder why there are few kids nowadays playing outside. Where are they? I thought maybe they are sleeping or others are preparing for homework yet the first thing that entered my mind is maybe they are playing computer games, game consoles or others might be into social sites at their very young age.

What I know is that there is a high birth rate in this generation. In fact, last year’s birthrate is 19.15 out of 1,000 population (The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency). The reason for this incident is because of the modern technologies. Kids tend to choose staying at home with computers and other games over socializing and playing with fellow kids. Kids might lose social life and even the need to exercise in a day. This can increase the rate that 1 out of 3 kids is overweight or obese. Kids will also lose the chance to learn how to have a social life with others. Yet there are positive results for this; they will be away for some bad influences and will not get used to going outside.

In my opinion, a balance for these two – playing outside and staying at home – can make a kid better. Stay at home to relax and study. Go outside at a right time to have a bond with others. The answer for the question “Where are the Kids?” – they are the situation where the parents need to balance their young life. Enjoy the young life kiddos.