Christian detachment and the digital world

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WHAT a very good deal Christ is giving us! When Peter told him, “We have given up everything and followed you,” Christ immediately reassured him—and us—“Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers…” (Mk 10,28-30)

It’s good that we keep these words very much in mind so that we can protect ourselves from our strong tendency to get attached to the things of this world, making them irresistible instruments for self-indulgence instead of being powerful instruments of love for God and for everybody else.

In today’s digital world where we are provided with tremendous facilities and advantages, let’s see to it that everytime we use them, we have the proper intention. And that is none other than to love and glorify God and to help and serve the others. We need to have the relevant practices that would help us keep that proper intention.

The advances and progress in our sciences and technologies should challenge us to develop the attitudes and practices proper of a person who needs to be in constant relation with others, let alone, of a child of God who needs to always be with God.

We cannot deny that nowadays we are seeing a lot of people sinking in their self-indulgence, completely deceived by the pleasures these powerful facilities and technologies give them, not knowing that these pleasures have no other purpose than to trap them in their own world and bubble, and to cause cases of obsessions and addictions, etc.

We need to have a massive campaign to educate everyone on how to properly use these new technologies. This has to start in the families where the little children should be taught how to use them. It’s not to prevent them from using these tools, but rather to instill in them the proper attitude and practices.

Everyone should be taught that these new technologies should be used primarily and constantly to give glory to God and to help others. The pleasures, fulfillment and satisfaction we can derive from these tools should be the effect, first of all, of such love for God and for others. Otherwise, these pleasures can only turn into sweet poison for us.

Definitely, a considerable amount of sacrifice and self-denial would be involved here. But if things are also taught properly, everyone should be made to see that whatever sacrifice and self-denial would be involved would only lead to a certain joy that is most proper to us. The teaching method should be such that it is always done in a positive, constructive and attractive way, instead of in a negative, off-putting way.

This is a big challenge since many young people nowadays are easily turned off whenever some sacrifice would be involved. Thus, a lot of patience and creativity in teaching is a must. And more than just giving classes and modules, to carry out this duty of teaching people about the proper use of the new technologies undeniably requires accompaniment.

We have to know how to deal with the danger of self-indulgence, self-absorption and self-centeredness that these new technologies can cause. Christian detachment has to be taught and lived properly.

Kidapawan tourism office defends concrete slabs on Mount Apo trail

 BY KEITH BACONGCO

  

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DAVAO CITY – The Kidapawan City Tourism Office has defended the installation of concrete slabs on the existing damaged trail of Mount Apo, particularly that linking Lake Venado and the summit, after netizens criticized the city government’s effort to restore it for the safety of climbers.

Tourism officer Gillan Ray Lonzaga blamed the degradation of the trail to the influx of climbers as well as heavy rains.

“Aside from being damaged due to heavy rains, the trails have also widened to about three meters because of the influx of climbers going down to the Kidapawan side of Mount Apo,” she disclosed over the phone.

A CLIMBER navigates the muddy trail in Mount Apo. (Kidapawan Tourism Office)

The country's highest peak sits between the boundary of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato.

Recently, pictures and videos of concrete slabs on the trail of Mount Apo made rounds on social media.  Some netizens slammed the city government, saying that the concrete steps, which are less than a meter long, are not the solution to the problem.

For some seasoned mountaineers, the solution is to let the mountain rest and let the trail recover by itself.

But the Kidapawan tourism officer said that since opening a new trail is not an option, the city government had no other means but to repair the existing damaged trail.

She disclosed that the installation of concrete steps have yet to be completed in five different portions of the trail. “In total, there are only about a hundred meters of trail that needs to be restored.”

The longest portion of the restored trail is about 30 meters only, Lonzaga added.

Environment advocate and former executive director of Mount Apo Foundation Inc. (IMAFI) Ermelo Libre commended the project as it could help ensure the safety of climbers.

However, Libre said that environmental and cultural architecture must be incorporated in project construction to reflect the spirit of the natural surrounding environment.  “And as an expression of the cultural tradition and aspirations of the indigenous community that was there before us.”

“Why not use natural materials like logs? Or anything that’s natural should be considered so that it will not destroy its natural beauty,” Libre, a lawyer and a known advocate for the conservation of Mount Apo Natural Park, told Manila Bulletin over the phone.

Lonzaga said that while logs may look good on the trail, its longevity must be considered given the conditions in the mountain.

She belied reports that the project did not undergo consultation among the indigenous peoples living in the foothills of the country’s highest peak. “The city government has informed the Lumad leaders in the areas because we understand that Mount Apo is a sacred place for them. They even held a ritual prior to the start of the project.”

Mount Apo is one of the most popular climbing destinations not just in the region but also in the country.

For years, the influx of mountaineers during the climbing season had eventually damaged the trail, particularly the lone path that links Lake Venado and the summit.

Lonzaga appealed to her fellow tourism officers in Davao del Sur towns to help them regulate the climbers going down to the Kidapawan side of the mountain.

She disclosed that the carrying capacity of the Kidapawan trail is only 50 climbers at a time and 30 from each trail in towns of Santa Cruz, Bansalan, and Digos City in Davao del Sur.

“When these climbers would go down to Kidapawan trail, this would exceed the carrying capacity on our side. We are hoping that the other LGUs would help us in regulating the climbers.” 

DoT Medical Tourism program partner with global leader

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is positioning the country as an emerging medical and wellness tourism destination in Asia with the recent tie-up with a global leader in the medical and wellness industry.

Witnessing signing ceremony were (from left) DoT Assistant Secretary Verna Covar-Buensuceso, Office of Product and Market Development (OPMD) Director Paulo Benito Tugbang, Agora Group Philippine Representative Angel Bognot and Eugenio Jose Ramos, MD, MBA, president and COO of The Medical City.

Witnessing signing ceremony were (from left) DoT Assistant Secretary Verna Covar-Buensuceso, Office of Product and Market Development (OPMD) Director Paulo Benito Tugbang, Agora Group Philippine Representative Angel Bognot and Eugenio Jose Ramos, MD, MBA, president and COO of The Medical City.

DoT formally inked an agreement with Dubai-based Agora Group, the "pioneer and leader in providing business solutions and productivity in the health and wellness tourism,""o be a partner for the prestigious and high-level gathering of tourism stakeholders and medical professionals at the First International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress (IHWTC) 2023. The event is slated for June 8 to 9 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The agreement was formalized by Secretary Cristina Garcia- Frasco and Agora co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hadi Malaeb, at one of the country's leading medical facilities, The Medical City in Pasig.

In its initial presentation to the DoT, Agora Group Dubai estimated the global health and wellness tourism to be worth $45.5 to $72 billion, with 14 to 16 million cross border patients and an average spend of $3,800 to $6,000 per visit.

Guiding PH companies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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Every business has a responsibility in climate change mitigation. Carbon neutrality, acquiring an equilibrium between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, is deemed as a beneficial approach. In the Philippines, Energy Development Corporation (EDC) strives to ensure that it absorbs more carbon than its entire operation emits. This is attributable to its renewable geothermal operations coupled with its forest management program.

Still, being a pure renewable energy company that maintains vast watersheds, while something to be proud of, is not enough to reverse our worsening climate – it cannot be done alone. This prompted EDC to convene businesses and form an alliance. The Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) is the first private sector-led initiative toward attaining net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or carbon neutrality by 2050.

Now in its second year, the NZCA continues to encourage local enterprises to commit to become carbon neutral and adhere to its strategy that is largely based on the proven approach of EDC – (1) avoiding and reducing emissions and (2) offsetting those that can no longer be reduced.

NZCA guides its partners in their journey toward carbon neutrality, which includes suggesting various strategies to lower their carbon emission such as shifting to renewable energy. 

“Avoiding and reducing emissions can happen when businesses shift to renewable energy sources. To support this, other energy efficiency and conservation measures may be implemented; the idea is to reduce the overall reliance on fossil fuels. Simple organizational lifestyle and operational changes like food waste reduction, telecommuting have great impact,” explains Allan V. Barcena, Executive Director of NZCA. He is concurrently EDC’s assistant vice president and head of Corporate Relations and Communications.

For processes where reduction of emissions is no longer feasible, offsetting is seen as the solution. “Businesses can look into carbon sequestration, which is basically capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. This can be done through forest protection, conservation, and restoration.”

NZCA abides by its conceptual framework which involves the cycle of commitment, measurement, planning, action, tracking, and validation.

The Net Zero Carbon Alliance held their first quarter assembly on March 8, 2023, where they highlighted the importance of their collaborative efforts in combating the ongoing challenge of climate change. Through their joint work, the NZCA and its partners are striving toward a sustainable and regenerative future, with a focus on achieving carbon neutrality for all.

“The first step after making a commitment to carbon neutrality is to assess their readiness and ability, as well as the extent of their commitment to go through net zero emissions. Then they should have the quantitative data of their greenhouse emissions, carbon footprint. Knowing these will allow them to measure how much emission they need to reduce.”

In the planning stage, NZCA partners could identify and plan the solutions based on the two main strategies – avoidance/reduction and offsetting. “Businesses will identify how much emission should be avoided, how can these be avoided, and if avoidance and reduction would be impossible, how could they offset.”

As they implement their avoidance/reduction and offsetting strategies, they should also be able to track their progress. “To know if the actions in place are working, businesses should be able to measure its actual emissions and compare the results based on their target. While internal assessments are helpful, validation from independent/third-party validators can aid in the authenticity of the implementation.”

With more companies abiding by this framework, NZCA hopes to achieve carbon neutrality for the country by 2050. “The Philippine government has committed to the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce emissions by as much as 75% by 2030. And with more local enterprises working towards carbon neutrality through NZCA, we hope to contribute to this commitment.”

The pioneering partners of NCZA include Arthaland, First Balfour, Drink, Silliman University in Dumaguete, Knowles Electronics, and Unilever. Seven more companies have joined the alliance: Cemex, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Ecolab, INAEC Aviation Corporation, Menarco Development Corporation, SGV & CO., and The Linden Suites.

Angelica Lopez, Anna Valencia Lakrini win Binibining Pilipinas 2023

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

May 29, 2023 00:01 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Members of the board of judges were award-winning actors Dolly de Leon and Piolo Pascual, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, social media influencer Small Laude, William Vincent Marcos, son of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.; SB19 member Josh Cullen, Tattler Editor-In-Chief Anton San Diego, Miss International 2022 Jasmin Salberg, and Peter Zwiener (Wolfgang Steakhouse).

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The winners of Binibining Pilipinas 2023 pose after they were crowned during the grand coronation held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on May 28. (Images courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas Facebook)

Two beauty queens - Angelica Lopez and Anna Valencia Lakrini - were crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2023 during a televised competition held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday, May 28.

Lopez was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2023 while Lakrini won Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023.

Reigning Miss International Jasmin Seberg crowned Lopez at the end of the competition.

First runner-up honors went to Katrina Anne Johnson while Atasha Reign Parani was second runner-up.

Forty candidates competed in the 59th edition of Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant.

Members of the board of judges were award-winning actors Dolly de Leon and Piolo Pascual, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, social media influencer Small Laude, William Vincent Marcos, son of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.; SB19 member Josh Cullen, Tattler Editor-In-Chief Anton San Diego, Miss International 2022 Jasmin Salberg, and Peter Zwiener (Wolfgang Steakhouse).

Mary, Mother of God and our Mother

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

MAY 29 is dedicated liturgically to the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. This Marian title was defined sometime ago due to the fact that if Mary is the Mother of Christ who is God, then she can rightly be called as Mother of God. This was defined in 431 AD in the Council of Ephesus.

And since Christ is the pattern and savior of humanity, then she who is the Mother of Christ can also be rightly called as our Mother, the Mother of the People of God which is what the Church is. Thus, she can be referred to also as the Mother of the Church. This was defined in the Second Vatican Council.

This truth of faith about Our Lady can somehow be gleaned from that part of the gospel when Christ, before he died on the cross, entrusted his mother to the apostle, John. “Woman, behold, your son,” he said to his mother. And to St. John, he said: “Behold, your mother.” (Jn 19,26-27)

Like St. John who took Mary to his home, we too should take Our Lady, Our Mother, to the home of our heart. It is important that we develop a strong, deep and intimate relation and devotion to Mary our Mother for, as one saint put it, she is the “shortest, surest and safest way to God.” With her we are assured of being with God.

We have to be wary of giving this very crucial truth of our faith just a lick-and-a-promise attitude. Given the way things are rapidly developing these days when they are constantly being pushed and pulled every which way, we need to deliberately pause and give time to develop this relation and devotion to Our Lady.

We need to reach that point where we can truly say that we feel something special about Our Lady in an abiding way, and that we are quite aware of what she is telling and directing us.

When the world and the Church are undergoing many challenges, when we notice that the things that God created are being wantonly redefined according to human ideologies, we need to be truly close to Our Lady so we can remain faithful to Christ, our “way, truth and life.”

Mary has always been deeply concerned for the life of the Church. Since the time of Christ and the apostles, to the different stages of human and Church history when several Marian apparitions and interventions took place, like the apparitions in Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, etc., she has been around to help us.

We, who are the People of God, the Family of God, the Church, should always have recourse to Our Lady. Thanks to God, in our country, we can still observe a great Marian popular piety, with every Marian feast vastly celebrated in many places. But just like anything else, these popular celebrations should trigger in us another conversion, a step further in deepening our Christian life, etc.

We should never be content with just materially and physically joining the Marian festivities which are actually meant to nourish our faith and spiritual life. With each Marian celebration, there should also be some growth and progress in our devotion to her.

When we pray the Rosary or make a Marian pilgrimage, we should be able to feel that we are getting close to Mary and through her, to our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Celine Dion cancels 2023–2024 shows over health

Canadian singer Celine Dion performs on the opening night of her new world tour ‘Courage’ at the Videotron Center in Quebec City, Quebec province, eastern Canada on Sept. 18, 2019. AFP FILE PHOTO

By Agence France-Presse

PARIS: Pop icon Celine Dion on Friday canceled all her remaining shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024, saying she was not strong enough to tour as she battles a rare neurological disorder.

The 55-year-old Canadian revealed last year that her condition, Stiff-Person Syndrome, was affecting her singing.

"I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again... and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything until I'm really ready to be back on stage," the "My Heart Will Go On" singer tweeted.

"I'm not giving up... and I can't wait to see you again!" she added.

A statement released by her tour said: "With a sense of tremendous disappointment, Celine Dion's Courage World Tour today announced the cancellation of all remaining dates currently on sale for 2023 and 2024."

"I'm working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you're 100 percent," Dion said in her statement, which was also posted on Instagram.

One of the world's top female singers with an octave-busting voice, Dion is the vocalist behind hits like "Because You Loved Me," "My Heart Will Go On" and "Think Twice."

Last December, she posted a tearful video on Instagram to say she had recently been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome and would not be ready to start her European tour in February as planned.

She said the disorder was causing muscle spasms and was "not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to."

Sufferers commonly experience stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs, with noise or emotional distress known to trigger spasms.

The cancellations will affect her 16-country tour in Europe, which was due to start in the Netherlands' capital Amsterdam in August and conclude with two dates at the O2 arena in the United Kingdom's capital London in April next year.

Tickets purchased for the canceled dates will be refunded via their original point of sale, her website said.

Her "Courage World Tour" began in 2019, and Dion completed 52 shows before the coronavirus pandemic put the remainder on hold.

She later canceled the North American section of the tour due to her health problems.

The dates in Europe were to have been the Grammy-winning singer's first global concert tour in a decade and the first without her husband-manager Rene Angelil, who died of cancer in 2016.

Fans online reacted with disappointment, but wished Dion well.

"Not surprising, but no less sad. Courage to you Celine, we are with you," wrote fan information account @LesRedHeads.

"You don't have to apologize queen! Take care of yourself. Your health should take number one priority," wrote @notaerz.

Dion had sparked hopes of a recovery when she released a new album "Love Again" last month, the soundtrack for a film of the same name, which contained five new songs, as well as past hits.

The youngest of 14 children, Dion was born in Quebec province, eastern Canada, and got her start at 12, when her mother sent a recording of her to Angelil, who mortgaged his own home to finance her first album.

She began singing in French, but started bellowing out hits in English after taking English lessons in the 1980s.

She gained worldwide fame in 1997 with "My Heart Will Go On," the theme to James Cameron's epic film "Titanic".

She parlayed that success into a regular gig at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, playing for audiences night after night for 16 years, with only a few breaks.

Beautéderm CEO Rhea Tan awards Miss Blanc Beauté at Binibining Pilipinas 2023

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

  

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AT A GLANCE

• In a statement, the skincare executive said, “Binibini Bataan is a beautiful woman who exuded grace and confidence with humility. She fits the title Miss Blanc Beauté so perfectly - Anna glows inside and out.”

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Beautéderm President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan presents the Miss Blanc Beaute' special award to Anna Valencia from Bataan

As part of her partnership with Binibining Pilipinas, Beautéderm President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan named Anna Valencia from Bataan as Miss Blanc Beauté at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City last May 18.

In a statement, the skincare executive said, “Binibini Bataan is a beautiful woman who exuded grace and confidence with humility. She fits the title Miss Blanc Beauté so perfectly - Anna glows inside and out.”

Anicoche-Tan added, “We’re thrilled to have her as our ambassador. She is a great addition to Beautéderm because of her advocacy, wit, charm, and true beauty. She simply radiates from within!”

As she took home the Beautéderm title, Valencia also received P100,000 cash and P500,000 worth of Beautéderm products. The beauty queen wrote, “A dream come true! What really makes me even happier is that I got to see the kind, humble, and intelligent Miss Rhea Tan again.”

During the preliminaries, the business magnate served as one of the panel judges and shared her beautiful experience, “It is such an honor to be part of the longest-running beauty pageant that celebrates women and beauty in different ways. I’ve been an advocate for women in entrepreneurship and self-care for so many years and this partnership is one for the books. My company aims to live up to its commitment to help women embrace their beauty and practice authenticity.”

Beautéderm is the official skincare partner of the Binibining Pilipinas. 

Anicoche-Tan ended, “May we all support women who work hard to live the lives they dream of. Being a true beauty queen means sharing the crown with others by uplifting them every chance you get.”

Binibining Pilipinas ready to crown new queens

A total of 40 candidates will vie for two titles this weekend. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

By Carmela I. Huelar

Binibining Pilipinas is all set to crown two new queens come Sunday, May 26, 9:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. With hosts Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Grand International 2016 1st Runner Up Nicole Cordoves and Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa, the grand spectacle will choose the successors of Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez.

No less than 'the Unkabogable' Vice Ganda and the 'Total Performer' Darren Espanto will provide entertainment for the coronation night.

The pageant has also invited Miss International 2022 Jasmin Selberg to crown the new Bb. Pilipinas International titlist.Those who want to watch the event live may buy tickets via TicketNet outlets nationwide and www.ticketnet.com.ph.

The pageant will also have live telecast on A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel and Bb. Pilipinas' official YouTube channel.

Shortages and surpluses in Pinoy produce

How to stop throwing tomatoes and mangoes away

BY SOL VANZI

  

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AT A GLANCE

• While everyone is complaining endlessly about food items we have to import, very little attention is focused on local produce that are flooding the market, literally being given away.

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Newspapers, TV, and radio carry daily news about the spiraling prices of agricultural produce, such as rice, sugar, garlic and onions. The situation is no different for sources of protein—pork, chicken, and fish.

Supply shortage has been pinpointed as the root cause of the price situation; importation was decided to be the immediate solution. To improve distribution and cut out the middle man, hundreds of Kadiwa stores have been set up nationwide, selling rice for ₱25 per kilo. Housewives patronize Kadiwa stores to stock up on government-subsidized food items.

Local produce aplenty
While everyone is complaining endlessly about food items we have to import, very little attention is focused on local produce that are flooding the market, literally being given away. At the top of this list are tomatoes and mangoes, which command very high prices when not in season. In summer, tomato farms harvest at the same time, causing prices to drop.

Highways in Ilocos are lined with mango trees under whose verdant trunks are yellow carpets of ripe mangoes ignored by local residents. Meanwhile, in many provinces, trucks of freshly harvested tomatoes are being thrown down cliffs and abandoned on farm roads. It costs more to plant, harvest, pack, ship, and sell the tomatoes to middlemen or at retail markets.

As mangoes and tomatoes have a short shelf life, it is important to know how to take full advantage of the glut.

Purchase tomatoes wholesale by the kilo and mangoes by the hundreds. Classify them according to degree of ripeness. Wash the fruits well in basins of water with soap or detergent. Rinse well with tap water and dry with clean towels.

At this point, the tomatoes can be packed in bags and stored in the freezer. Frozen tomatoes, given a quick rinse, are easy to peel, perfect for stews, soups, and sauces. My aunt used to cook gallons of sauces, which she froze in half-liter microwavable containers. The sauces, perfect for pasta or pizza, made life easier for the mother of five.

Another family breakfast and snack favorite is tomato jam, so easy to make from frozen tomatoes. Scoop seeds from one kilo frozen tomatoes, simmer with 450 grams sugar and juice of one lemon. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until thick.

Mango salads and spreads
The public market in Laoag, Ilocos Norte is my favorite stop in the north for one delicacy peculiar to the town—pickled green mango in all stages of ripeness, spiciness, and sweetness. Huge glass jars hold the pickles. Customers range from schoolchildren to senior citizens, all hooked on the addictive local specialty, which we buy a lot of to nibble on during the long drive back to the city.

Some of the ripened mangoes become jam or preserves to serve for breakfast with pancakes, toast, or waffles. Simply slice or scoop out ripe mango flesh and cook in a simple syrup of white sugar and pure mango juice. This goes well with cheese.

Instant sinigang
Sauté a little sliced onion with quartered frozen tomatoes. Add boiled mashed green mangoes to taste. Store in freezer until needed.

Many home cooks, and even professional chefs, are so hooked on store-bought mixes, which they have made a huge commercial success. A tip from some of them: frozen tomatoes improve sinigang made with commercial instant mixes.

For sinigang sa miso, frozen sauteed tomatoes, miso, and mashed green mangoes are stirred into sinigang made with or without store-bought mix.

Pinoy sawsawan
When the Thai food craze invaded the Philippines several decades ago, one of the major hits with Filipino diners was Green Mango Salad with Crispy Fried Catfish. Food reviewers were overwhelmed by the five-star setting at the Makati hotel that hosted the dinner. I guess that clouded our judgment.

It all came back to me last week when our labandera made Crispy Fried Tilapia on a sawsawan (dip or salad) of shredded green mango, chopped tomatoes, sliced salted eggs, topped with sautéed bagoong alamang. That Filipino sawsawan was much better than the imported Thai salad we all gushed about.