Simbang Gabi @ St. Joe

In a neighborhood on busy Mission Boulevard, off Washington, in Fremont, sits a nondescript one-level structure, next to the historic Old Mission San Jose. It is known as St. Joseph Church, and this is my parish.

St. Joseph is about a 15-minute drive from where me and my family live. Mind you, there are a couple of churches closer to home and a few more within the same driving time. But we continue to go to St. Joseph, as we have done for the last 8 years or so, because there is just something about this community. And this includes the small but growing Filipino population. By the way, my son also goes to St. Joseph School.


Personally, what sets this parish apart from all the others in the area is how nice and closely-knit the people are. You'll be surprised, but the Fil-Ams here are (very) refined. You'll never meet a friendlier, more accommodating, and more welcoming bunch of Pinoys this side of the East Bay. Yes, I am biased, and I am not sorry about it because it is true. Wait till you see the others and you'll know what I mean.

Anyway......

The Filipino community at St. Joseph has been active in the parish for many years. It has participated in numerous parish events and has contributed significantly to the growth of the community. In recent years, the Filipino community began showcasing Philippine culture and liturgical events in this predominantly white parish.

These events include the Feast of the Santo Nino (Feast of the Child Jesus) that is celebrated in January. A major celebration in spring is Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) and Santacruzan, wherein children offer flowers to the Virgin Mary during Sunday masses throughout the month of May. The festivities culminate with the Santacruzan, a parade of religious characters honoring St. Helena in her search for Jesus' cross.


In September, the feast of the first Filipino saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, is celebrated. Wrapping up the year is Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass), which is one of the anticipated events of the parish.

Simbang Gabi at St. Joseph is quite unique. It is not just a mass, but a fiesta (feast) of sorts. Unlike the traditional 9-day novena masses at 4:00 in the morning, this Simbang Gabi is a one-day
event, typically, held on the last Saturday before Christmas, and celebrated a little later in the morning, at 6:00 o'clock. And unlike Simbang Gabi back in the Motherland, there are also no puto-bungbong and bibingka (delicacies associated with these dawn masses) sold outside the church courtyard.

But we try to replicate as much as we can, and sometimes, even more. Popular traditional and well-loved contemporary Filipino liturgical songs and Christmas carols fill the nearby Old Mission San Jose church as worshipers brave the chilly, December morning. After the mass, everyone partakes of a sumptuous Filipino breakfast at the Parish Hall. In between bites of daing na bangus, adobo, and sinangag, parishioners are treated to some entertainment that include cultural dances and songs, and performances from talents within the community.

A lot of work goes into the preparation for Simbang Gabi. Music is selected, and the ragtag Filipino Choir does a first pass before a final selection is made. What follow are 5-Friday rehearsals, led by St. Joe's music director, who happens to be white. Meanwhile, a set of volunteers is responsible for promoting the event and securing benefactors to adequately fund the celebration. On the eve of the event, another group of volunteers design, decorate, and set up the Parish Hall for the morning reception. Then, there are those who are responsible for entertainment and ensuring the smooth flow of activities on D-day. After the festivities, everyone pitches in to clean up.

And did I mention about the priest? Well, searching for one, at times, has become an ordeal. Filipino priests are in demand during the holiday season because of the growing number of parishes that celebrate Simbang Gabi that you have to book them way in advance.

Simbang Gabi at St. Joseph is a one-of-a-kind experience. A truly Pinoy event in America.

Partake in the Eucharist, be regaled with the music, savor the fare, and welcome the birth of Jesus Christ.

Come and join the celebration on December 19, 2009, Saturday, 6:00 in the morning, at the Old Mission San Jose church.

By the way, have you ever been to the Old Mission at 6:00 in the morning during winter? It's a BLAST !!!!


Author's Note: The Old Mission San Jose church is located at 43300 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94539. The Filipino group is called The Filipino Community of St. Joseph/Mission San Jose-TFCSJ, and St. Joseph's music director is Ron McKean.)

Games We Used To Play

Whenever we go out with our son, James, he always brings with him a favorite gadget. One day it's a PSP. The next day, it's a Nintendo DS. If he had his way, he would probably be lugging an iTouch, or the new Ipod Nano with video and FM radio. And on long trips, he makes sure we bring along a laptop.

As I look around, I noticed that my son isn't the only one. Other kids around his age do basically the same thing.

They're hunched in one corner, focused on the task at hand, unmindful of the chaos and noise that surrounds them. They see nothing but the play of lights and colors on a glaring screen no bigger than a business card, nor do they hear anyone except the irritating sounds of car crashes, firing spaceships, and karate kicks. For a moment, they're alone in their own world of cyber make believe.

What did I do when I was his age?

Well, for one, we didn't have all these gizmos and contraptions. We had to make do with what we had and what we could find. The games back then were ingenious and creative. And one thing's for sure, we didn't do things alone. We always had someone to play with. Let's stroll down memory lane and see how much of these games do you still remember. I am not even going to attempt to describe the games in detail because some are so convoluted that you'll need a book to talk about it.

Studying in an all-boys school, we played a lot of different games. There was TEX -- a comic card, that was smaller than a credit card, with a number on the bottom right corner. The object was to get as many cards from your opponent as you can, by "betting" a stack of cards (yours) using the numbers on the comic card or by tossing 3 cards in the air. HOLEN (marbles; also called JOLENS) was another popular game. It tested ones finger dexterity and aim, which involved rolling marbles on holes bored on the ground, or by striking

marbles off a circle drawn on the ground.

TURUMPO (top) showed flexibility of the wrist in spinning the wooden top with a long string, while SIPA (meaning "to kick"), made of metal screw washers and shredded plastic strings (called straw) resembling a badminton's shuttlecock, exhibited ones

balance and foot control. Then, there was SIYATO (pronounced as SHATO). This game involved hitting a small stick, about 7-8 inches long, with another stick trice as long, replicating someone pitching a slow softball and while the other batted, minus the diamond, and at a much, much smaller scale.

Growing up, me and my neighbors looked forward to playing street games on weekends. Some of these games are still being played today, not just in the Philippines, but in other parts of the world as well. KICK BALL, an adaptation of baseball, was probably one of the most popular ones, played by both boys and girls. PIKO (hopscotch) and LALANG BALL (dodge ball) are 2 other universal games that we all grew up with. Of course, who can forget TAGUAN (hide and seek).

PATINTERO tested ones speed (and strategy) by not allowing the opponent from crossing the line being guarded. Combining accuracy and speed, TUMBANG PRESO's goal was to knock off

an empty can using a player's slippers, and retrieve the same

slippers without getting caught by the "it." LUKSONG TINIK ("thorn" hurdles) displayed a player's jumping ability, as 2 other kids use their hands and feet to create the hurdle.

Then, there were table games, like DAMA (checkers), using tansan (bottle caps) as game pieces, and SUNGKA (Philippine mancala game). And the favorite games of the girls -- JACKSTONE (both regular and Chinese versions), PICK-UP STICKS, and CHINESE GARTER, to name a few more.

These were the game we used to play. There were others we played growing up, far too many to even mention. These games of my generation were all interactive. Simple and inexpensive as they were, we surely had a great time playing them.

Will our kids ever get a chance to play these games? Maybe. But only if they're available in Wii or Play Station 3.

What American Sisig?

To the quintessential drinker, an ice cold beer is best enjoyed with a good, savory

"pulutan" (appetizer). And the "pulutan" of choice is SISIG. There are a hundred and one variations of this dish, and it has gained popularity in the last 20 or so years (maybe more). Some say, it has even surpassed the adobo as the Philippines' national dish.

Sisig is native to the province of Pampanga. Actually, sisig is a Kapampangan term which means "to snack on something sour." Early recording of the dish date back to the 1700s, by an Augustinian friar. Back then, sisig was a salad, with a dressing of salt, pepper, garlic, and vinegar. Over the years, the dish has evolved from being a salad to a main dish, with the introduction of meat, particularly pig's ears and cheeks.

Aling Lucing is probably THE name most associated with this famous dish. She revolutionized sisig by grilling (or broiling) the pork meat and pig's parts after boiling them, then sauteing them with onions, peppers, and chiles, before serving it on a sizzling plate. This innovation has become the standard by which sisig is served.

In the early 1990s, I had a chance to taste this delectable dish, as prepared by Aling Lucing. With my adventurous ham radio friends, we drove about 45 minutes north of Quezon City to Angleles City, Pampanga to explore what this town is known for. We didn't exactly know where we were going. All we were told was to look for eateries along a railroad track and we'll find Aling Lucing's place. True enough, there it was, with a big red sign bearing her name, standing next to an active railroad track.

Aling Lucing's had the biggest stall. She had tables and benches literally on the street (adjacent to the railroad tracks). Patrons would park on any spot they could find, and walk up to a vacant table to be served. No reservations were taken, and there was absolutely no special treatment. You can find yourself eating next to a group of tricycle drivers having a few beers, or a bunch of teenagers enjoying a hearty meal. The night we were there, the local police had a spot inspection for loose firearms. They frisked all the male patrons in each table along the railroad track, except for us. I guess they figured out that we weren't locals and all we had with us were a few Tupperwares to take home some sisig back to Manila.

That Friday night was busy and Aling Lucing's servers could be seen crossing the relatively busy street, carrying sizzling plates of sisig to eager patrons. For P50.00 (a steal back then), one could enjoy a heaping plate of sizzling goodness. And what's enjoyable about it is hearing the crackling of the pork fat and pig's parts on the hot platter it is served on. With a sprinkling of calamansi and a dash of Knorr Seasoning, you're is cholesterol heaven.

Earlier on, you can only find sisig served in beer gardens and ihaw-ihaw joints in and around Metro Manila. As it grew in popularity, this beer lover's dish slowly found itself being served in airconditioned jazz bars, music lounges, and videoke houses. Filipino restaurants took note and started serving the dish as well. It was no longer an appetizer. It was now a main dish. Each of these places had its own version. Each one unique. Each one distinct.

I've tried many versions of sisig. Aside from the traditional base ingredients, variations include topping it with fresh eggs. When mixed, the heat from the sizzling plate slightly cooks the eggs to a creamy, rich consistency. In a small "ihaw-ihaw" along Esteban Abada (and Xavierville), I had a sisig topped with mayonaise. It surely was an unusual mix that I never ever craved for. And at another joint along Katipunan Extension in Blue Ridge, their sisig was topped with pork cracklings (or chicharon). But the most flavorful I've tried is one mixed with chicken liver and cow's brain. The taste is sooooo divine. A definite artery-clogger.

In America, sisig has found its way to the Fil-Am palette. However, it isn't exactly the same sisig Aling Lucing made popular. The "American" sisig that I've tried is basically marinated grilled lean pork, finely chopped. It is served on the side with chopped onions and jalapenos, and a sweet soy-based sauce. Most are not served on sizzling plates because the meat burns easily. Variations are limited, which include sauteing the pork with onions and jalapenos (and even fresh ginger), and some pork skin for that crunchy texture. Like in Manila, the Filipino restaurants in California have introduced sisig as a main dish, next to the equally popular adobo and crispy pata. A creative restauranteur has even coined the term, California Sisig, to describe this version of the famous dish.

Which is better? You don't have to ask.

Well, I'm a purist. Nothing beats the real, authentic sizzling pork sisig, espcially that of Aling Lucing. Her version has been my barometer for determining what a really good sisig should taste like. Alot have tried. Unfortunately, very (very) few have come close. In the last few years, other meats have been used to replicate the dish in order to cater to non-pork lovers. These include chicken, bangus (milk fish), tuna, and even tofu, to name a few. Of course, it's not the same.

The chicken variety is basically diced dark meat that's dry and bland. The bangus sisig is fish meat picked from the bone, which looks more like rellenong bangus, while the trying-to-be-exotic tuna sisig is similar to the Hawaiian Poki, that's bathe in mayonaise, minus the sambal, chiles, and sesame seeds. And the tofu sisig, well, it's more like dry tokwa, minus the baboy, on a sizzling plate, gone bad.

No matter how much you envision the taste in your mind, a bangus or tuna sisig just doesn't make the cut. Nothing beats the gelatinous pig's cheeks, crunchy cartilages of pig's ears, and crackling of pork skin and fat on a hot sizzling plate.

American sisig??? What are you talking about?!?

A Cathedral In My Midst

When I was growing up, I would spend a couple of weeks each summer with my aunts and uncles in Orani, Bataan. The ancestral home stood in the middle of town. The public market was literally across the street, while the Municipal Hall and town plaza was just 150 feet away. Down the end of the street, across the old national highway, was the historic Catholic church of Orani.

Just before four o'clock each morning, I would be awaken by the ringing of church bells signaling worshipers to the first mass of the day. Like clockwork, my three spinster aunts would have already been dressed and were on their way out to hear mass. I thought it was cool to have a church that's close to home so you didn't have to drive or take public transportation to get there. But the 4 o'clock mass was a little too early for me.

Is it really cool to have a church nearby? Well, I think it is, especially if it is the ultra modern, majestic edifice called, the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

Located in Oakland, California, this house of God sits across the scenic Lake Merritt, and is surrounded by commercial and residential high-rise buildings. If it weren't for the cross that stands atop the main entrance, one would have mistaken it as a contemporary office building.

The cathedral broke ground on May 21, 2005. For the next three years, construction of the cathedral was relentless. On September 25, 2008, it was dedicated by then Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron, in an elaborate and pompous ceremony in traditional Catholic church fashion.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light is the mother church of over half a million faithfuls under the Diocese of Oakland, which covers 85 parishes in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. It is also the new home of the former St. Francis de Sales parish, which was destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. This magnificent structure is the home of the current Bishop of Oakland, The Most Reverend Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, who was installed as the 4th Bishop of Oakland on May 5, 2009.

Aside from being a place of worship, the cathedral is adjacent to a public plaza and garden. It has a conference center (that is rented out to the public), a cafe, and souvenir shop. Aside from the Chancery Office and Rectory, the cathedral also has underground parking.

The design and layout of the cathedral has a purpose. From the underground mausoleum to the main church floor, each design element was carefully well-thought of. There are just too many to even mention.

So, why is it cool to have a church nearby? Well, personally, it is an opportunity for me to connect with my Creator more frequently. I can hear mass and receive the Holy Eucharist as often as I can, and I don't have to wait till Sunday to visit. For me, just sitting quietly inside the church gives me peace of mind, even for a short time. With everything that is going on around us, the quiet and calm inside the church is something that I wouldn't trade for anything. You should try it.

By the way, did I tell you that the Cathedral of Christ the Light stands right behind my office? Now that is really COOL !!!

Happy 1st Anniversary on your dedication....September 25, 2009.

Author's Note: The Cathedral of Christ the Light is located at 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612. One of the daily masses is at 12:10 pm, and a daily tour begins at 1:00 pm.

Cheers, Adonis!

September 21, 2009. Two events were celebrated.


September 21, 1972. What's important about this day? For my generation, it was the day former President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines. I was six years old and a first grader at Ateneo de Manila. Back then, I didn't remember a whole lot about what Martial Law meant and what transpired during those dark days. I had my own little world. I was so excited being a first grader because I was now out there with the larger grade school population, and no longer isolated in a small, gated area that housed the prep students. It was fun. A new beginning.

September 21, 1966. Something happened on this day. My best buddy was born. Like me, he, too was a Martial Law baby. He was also six years old when it happened. I didn't meet him at the Ateneo. As a matter of fact, I met him when we were both 17, during college at the University of Santo Tomas. Both of us were taking up Electronics & Communications Engineering. We were an odd pair. He was about six feet tall, and I barely made his shoulders. But somehow we hit it off and became good buddies ever since.

We pretty much shared things in common -- we hated loud-mouths, disliked going to discos, were passionate about jazz, loved cooking, and enjoyed ice cold beer and good "pulutan." As bachelors, all we were responsible for were ourselves. The only chore we did was to clean our cars. We didn't have any after-work activities because it interfered with our favorite past time -- a night with San Miguel.

Aside from enjoying our favorite beverage, we also indulged in good food. As foodies (in our own way), we visited different places around Metro Manila to sample the best "pulutan" one can find. Our passion for good food and cold beer has taken us to simple (and sometimes, extraordinary), yet fun places too many to remember and, some, too regrettable to even talk about.

We've known each other for more than 26 years. My parents treat him like their own. For many years, at the start of each year, we took weeklong trips to Baguio to recharge. All we did was eat, sleep, and get drunk. He was my best man at my wedding. He picked me up early to make sure I got to the church with lots of time to spare. He also made sure I had a shot of tequila before I marched down the aisle.

Earlier on, his dad was suspicious about me. He thought that I was up to no good and that I was a bad influence to his son. Little did he know, it was the other way around. During our second trip to Baguio, my buddy told his dad that we were taking the bus. But, actually, I drove. On our return trip, I had to drop him off at the end of his street so he can "walk" home, with matching walis tambo in hand. His dad changed his perception about me when I consulted him on something close to his heart -- technical training.

This buddy of mine is still an elusive bachelor. It's either he's enjoying his bachelorhood and has yet to find the right girl, or he is done looking and is resolved to a life of single-blessedness. But I have this feeling he's not going to be alone for long. I just hope I get to meet this special someone in this lifetime.

To my best friend, BENG, enjoy life....continue to share your graces....and be thankful. Happy Birthday !!!! Let's drink to that.