For the Coffee Table Book - Issue #13

Hanging rice or puso are fist-sized pouches of young (or yellow) coconut palm leaves containing cooked rice.

The yellow coconut leaves are woven into pouches where grains of rice are placed and boiled. For lack of a direct translation, they were called "hanging rice" because they are often seen dangling or "hanging" from a bamboo stand. And along with this distinguishing quality, puso are best for mobile meals.

Puso is also a means of livelihood for poor Cebuanos. Walking through alleys in major public markets in Cebu, one would always see puso delivered smoking hot to food stalls along the streets selling barbecue and other grilled food, although puso are not limited to this kind of food selection. They also go well with a selection of stews.

Puso is an integral part of the culture of the Cebuanos. Through the years, it has become a symbol of the life and living of the Cebuano - always on the move and highly adaptable.

(Featured here is a lady preparing the yellow fist-sized pouches, in Olango Island, Cebu.)

For the Coffee Table Book - Issue #4

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. - John Buchan

Along the shores of Olango Island in Cebu, locals can be seen catching fish trapped in shallow waters during low tide.

For the Coffee Table Book - Issue #1

For years now, I have captured many, many images on film during my short travels. Some of them, while not well within my standards, have this factor of amusingness. Some do convey something about the Filipino culture. Some do declare issues.

Every picture has a story to tell, but there are pictures that narrate more worthwhile stories. Let's allow them to do so... So, from time to time, I'll be posting images that fit into this category.

For the maiden issue, I present Gaisano Sta. Rosa...



Gaisano is one of the largest chain of stores and malls in the country. Sta. Rosa is a baranggay in the bird sanctuary island of Olango, Cebu. I was surprised and delighted that a branch of this large store chain sprouted in this part of the island.

 

Special thanks to DFish for the idea on this series.