Ang Mga Lanta o Pinatuyong Gulay at Minatamis o Pinatuyong Prutas

Ang Mga Lanta o Pinatuyong Gulay

At Minatamis o Pinatuyong Prutas

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Hindi nangangahulugan na dahil ang gulay ay lanta na, ito ay hindi na masustansiya. May mga gulay na kailangang palantain nang kahit bahagya upang maihanda bilang isang uri ng pagkain, o di kaya ay patuyuin upang mapatagal sa pagkakatabi o pagkaimbak.

Sa paghanda ng “laing” (ginataang dahon ng gabi), ang dahon ay kailangang palantain ng bahagya, pero ang original na ganitong lutuin na nagsimula sa mga probinsiya ng Bicol, ang dahon ay kailangng tuyong-tuyo bago iluto sa gata. Kailangan namang patuyuin ng bahagya ang labanos at mustasa bago magawang “binuro”. Kung panahon ng sili, halos ipamigay na ng mga tindera ito dahil sa napakamurang halaga, subalit kung panahong bihira ito, ang presyo ay lumalampas sa isandaang piso ang kilo. Ganoon din ang nangyayari sa luya at sibuyas. Hindi naisip ng iba sa atin, na maaari silang patuyuin o buruhin sa tubig na may asin o suka upang magamit kung hindi na nila panahon. Ang masama, naging ugali na ng Pilipino na ngumalngal ng todo sa pagreklamo kapag sumirit na ang mga presyo, sabay sisi sa gobyerno!

Ang mga bansang India at Pakistan ay may mga bahagi kung saan, ang mga katutubo ay nagpapatuyo ng gulay upang maimbak at magamit pagdating ng panahong “tag-lamig”. Sa Italy, kung saan ang mga katutubo ay mahilig sa ispageti na ang pinakamahalagang sangkap ay kamatis, isa sa kanilang produkto ay “sun-dried tomato” na dinidelata o ginagarapon bago i-export sa ibang bansa. Ang Alemanya naman ay may tinatawag na “sauerkraut” na ang ibig lang sabihin ay binurong repolyo na maaari rin namang gamiting panghalo sa kahit anong klaseng lutuin. Sagana tayo sa mga nasabing gulay subalit ang gusto lang natin ay palaging sariwa, at kung panahong nagmahal sila, nagtitiis tayo sa mataas na presyo o di kaya ay nag-iingay tayo sa pagreklamo.

Dito sa minamahal nating bansang Pilipinas, malanta lang ng bahagya ang gulay, ay tinatapon na. Sa palengke, nilalangaw ang mga bulok na kamatis at lantang gulay na maaari sanang patuyuin. Nakakalungkot isipin na ang alam lang ng karamihan sa ating mga Pilipino, ay nasa sariwang gulay lamang ang sustansiya, kaya kapag naistak lang ng dalawa o tatlong araw sa ref ay sa basurahan na bumabagsak. Ang masama, ayaw pala ng iba sa atin ng nalalantang gulay, bakit bumibili ng marami at iniistak sa ref? Dahil kaya takot na baka biglang magdilubyo o di kaya ay lulubog sa baha o masunog ang palengke?

Sa prutas naman, ang ugali ng iba sa atin ay ganoon din, sa pagturing na ang sobrang hinog o overripe na prutas ay hindi na pwedeng kainin o di kaya ay para lamang sa mga mahihirap o naghihirap – yong mga namumulot sa basurahan. Hindi man lang naisip ng iba na ito ay pwedeng matamisin upang magamit na palaman sa tinapay o pamutat pagkatapos kumain. Ang mga prutas na sobrang hinog o may kaunting sira ay tinatapon na, ganoong pwede namang tapyasin ang bahaging sira at ang natirang maayos ay maaaring matamisin tulad ng nabanggit.

Para sa ibang kababayan natin, dapat ang prutas ay “maganda” ang kulay, wala maski bahagyang kulubot na tanda ng kalumaan dahil ang alam lang gawin ng ilan sa atin ay kainin ito na sariwa, at ang mga minatamis na jelly o jam ay dapat bilhing naka-garapon o naka-lata mula sa supermarket o grocery, at lalong okey kung imported pa!

Dahil sa “imported mentality” naman nating mga Pilipino, naiisahan tayo ng ibang bansa, lalo na ng Tsina. Umaangkat sila mula sa atin ng mga prutas upang tanggalan ng katas o di kaya ay patuyuin, at binebenta sa atin pagkatapos – imported nga naman! Kaya ngayon, sa mga grocery, naglipana ang mga pinatuyong iba’t ibang prutas galing Tsina, na galing din pala sa Pilipinas, tulad ng sampalok, mangga, pinya, buko, kundol, at saging. Marami ring mga fruit juice na dinelata, na ang pinanggalingang sariwang prutas ay galing sa atin. Sarap na sarap tayo sa pagkain ng mga minatamis na tuyong mga prutas na ang plastic na balot ay may tatak na “manufactured in the People’s Republic of China”, at pag-inom ng mga fruit juice na ang lata ay may ganoon ding tatak, na ibinalik lang pala sa atin bilang finished product!

Kaylan kaya tayo matututo upang maging maging mapamaraan o resourceful, hindi yong magaling lang magreklamo kung mataas na ang mga presyo? Siguro ay kung nasa ilalim na tayo ng Tsina, na gustong mangyari yata ng isang nagkakandidatong presidente…

Ang Diskarte

Ang Diskarte

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ang salitang “diskarte” ay isa sa pinakapalasak na salita sa diksyonaryo ng Pilipino. Maaaring ito ay mangangahuhulugan ng “paraan”, “ginagawa”, “gawin”, at kung anu-ano pa na pandugtong ng mga salita, tulad din ng “kung saan”. Sa mga ayaw magsabi ng maraming bagay tungkol sa kanyang ginawa, sasabihin lang niyang “diskarte lang yan”, tapos na ang usapan. Kung baga, “mayamang” salita, literally din, dahil marami ang yumaman sa napakasimpleng salita na yan.

Sa lahat ng panig ng mundo, kailangang dumiskarte upang mabuhay, maski sa pamamagitan man lamang sa pagkain isang beses isang araw, kesehodang ang kapirasong pagkaing isinubo upang mapawi ang gutom ay galing sa tambakan ng basura. Sa Afrika, ang isa sa mga paraan upang mapawi ang uhaw ng mga katutubo ay sa pamamagitan ng paghiwa ng maliit na bahagi ng leeg ng alaga nilang hayop upang tagasan ng dugo na kanilang iniinom. Pagkatapos mapaampat ang dugo ay pinapakawalan uli ang hayop, na parang walang nangyari. Sa Pilipinas, ang mahirap na mga Pilipino ay para na ring hayop kung ituring, sinisipsipan din pero hindi lang ng dugo kundi kapirasong buhay – ng mga gahamang opisyal sa gobyerno at mga pulitiko. Pagkatapos ng “ritwal”, bibigyan kunwari ang mga Pilipino ng “tulong” upang madugtungan ang buhay, na parang walang nangyari.

Maraming tao ang dumidiskarte upang makapasok sa trabaho. Mayroong nagpapa-impress sa interview pa lang na sila ay graduate ng mga kilalang university o college, sinasabayan pa ng pa-“wers wers” na English. Ang iba, pa-emotional, sabay banggit ng kahirapan nila sa buhay kaya kailangang kumita. At, ang iba pa ay binabanggit si “uncle” o “auntie” na malimit ka-lunch ni presidente, ni senador, ni congressman, at iba pang opisyal.

Malaking bagay ang may tiwala sa sarili pagdating sa interview. Ang isa kong kaibigan, naging tapat sa pagsabi na graduate siya sa isang hindi kilalang college at ang natapos niya ay simpleng kursong Bachelor of Arts, subali’t pinagdiinan niyang hindi dapat limitahan ng kurso niya ang iba pa niyang kaalaman na mahahasa kapag nakuha niya ang trabaho. Nang matapos ang pagsulit, pang-apat siya. Ang trabaho sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM), malayo sa kanyang kurso subali’t hindi naging hadlang sa kanyang tuluy-tuloy na promotion. Ang nangyari sa kanya ay nangyari sa akin dahil sa kabila ng kurso kong Bachelor of Arts din, ay napasabak sa sales and marketing nang mapasok sa isang airline. Ang isa pa naming kaibigan na ganoon din ang kurso ay naging Assistant Secretary ng Department of Social Welfare (DSW). 

May isang magandang sekretarya akong nakilala, na ang ama ay ginawan ko ng talambuhay, ang hindi nahiyang nagsabing nakatulong ang maganda niyang mukha at seksing katawan upang matanggap sa inaplayan. Walang sekswal na nangyari, kundi dahil sa pangangailangan ng kumpanya ng isang talagang magandang sekretarya para humarap sa mga dayuhan nilang kliyente, siya ay tinanggap. Ang babae ay hindi lang maganda kundi magaling din magsalita ng English at may kusa sa ibang gawain, kaya ang mga kasama niya sa opisina ay bilib sa kanya. Ibig sabihin, ang diskarte niya ay tumulong sa mga kasama niya sa opisina at hindi siya mayabang.

Yong mga batang nakatira malapit sa Divisoria, ang diskarte ay pamumulot ng mga itinapong gulay ng mga biyahero madaling araw pa lang. Ang mga gulay ay  hindi naman bulok, kundi mga lamog at lanta lamang. Binibenta nila ito pagkatapos tanggalan ng mga lamog o lantang bahagi. Tumpuk-tumpok kung ibenta nila ito sa bangketa at ang kita nila ay ginagamit pangbaon sa eskwela at pambili ng mga gamit. Ang iba ay inuuwi upang pang-ulam.  Ang mga nanay naman nila, nagtatalop ng mga reject na sibuyas upang matanggal ang mga bulok na balat, at ang mga tatay ay nagkakargador sa Divisoria, at nangangalkal sa mga tambakan ng basura upang makakuha ng mga mabebentang mga bagay.

Sa mga naging kaibigan ko na kapos sa buhay at nakatira sa depressed areas, nagsa-suggest ako na haluan ng tinadtad na kamote o saging na saba ang sinaing. Maliban sa nakakapagparami sa sinaing, masustansiya pa. Upang makatipid sa oras ng pagluto at kahoy, ipinapasapaw ko sa painin na sinaing ang mga gulay na malimit gamitin sa pinakbet, pati kamatis at sibuyas. Isasawsaw na lamang sa bagoong kung kakainin na.

Nang minsang naimbita ako sa tanghalian ng isa kong pinasyalan, napansin kong kulang ang pinggan, baso, tasa, at mangkok, kaya ang kumpare ko, takip ng kaldero ang ginawang pinggan. Nag-suggest ako na huwag ibenta, sa halip ay gamitin na lamang nila ang mga mapulot na dating ice cream container para magamit na mangkok at pinggan, ang mga garapon lalo na yong may takip ay gamiting baso, at ang iba pang plastic container na maliit ay pwedeng baso at gamitin sa kape. Ang mga dating ice cream container, maliit na espasyo ang magagamit kung itatabi dahil pwedeng salansanin o pagpatung-patungin, ligtas pa ang tirang pagkain dahil may mga takip na. Ang mga garapon, ligtas din sa mga ipis dahil may mga takip din. Pero, paalala ko hugasang mabuti bago gamitin. Ang mapulot na buo pang  kahon na gawang kahoy o crate ay  pwedeng gamiting mesa. Nang mamasyal uli ako sa kanila, nakita kong may bagong mesa (dalawang crate na pinagtabi) na may cover na tarpaulin may mukha nga lang ng natalong kandidato, mga nakasalansan na mga dating  ice cream container, mga garapong may takip na nakasalansan din, mga dating cup ng instant noodles para magamit na coffee mug, at may flower base pa na dating porselanang garapang nilagyan ng burong black beans, galing Tsina.

 Huwag maliiting ang mga lantang gulay. May mga gulay na sadyang pinapalanta bago buruhin tulad ng labanos at mustasa. Sa Italya, isa sa mga produkto nila ay kamatis na pinatuyo sa araw o “sun dried”. Sa Thailand, Tsina at iba pang bansa sa Asya, pinapatuyo ang kalabasa, singkamas, gabi, kamote, talong. Sa India, ang langka na panggulay, pinapatuyo din. Ang pagpapatuyo ng sili ay hindi maikakailang ginagawa ng halos lahat ng bansa na meron nito. Iyan ang paliwanag ko sa mga kaibigan kong nais makinig.

 Hindi kailangang maraming pera upang makaraos sa buhay. Ang kailangan lang ay simpleng diskarte. 

The Hopeless Saving Effort of the Poor Filipinos

The Hopeless Saving Effort of the Poor Filipinos
By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippines as a country that belongs to the third world, has nothing to be proud of when it comes to the self-sufficiency of its people. There are strong indications that the Filipinos are far from gaining just a foothold on the edge of this aspiration. While there is an effort on the part of some hardworking Filipinos to become self-made entrepreneur even of the lowest category, external factors are just not on their side. The best investment that a few thousand pesos can give to the aspirant is a round and flat bamboo tray (bilao) of girlie accessories. The aspiring entrepreneur is also constantly haunted by sidewalk clearing agents of the government who drive him away from roadsides and street corners, and whose effort is enhanced by the threat of fine or arrest. The few pesos earned for the day is not even enough to buy three decent meals for a family of four which is the standard size of the Filipino family.

With small-time entrepreneurship out of question, here comes the encouragement of the government to save money in the bank. Some banks even entice kids to start their own savings purportedly, for a “bright future”. In advertisement, the call is very attractive, full of promises. The banks also zero-in to the sector of retirees to-be because of their separation pays in lump sum that sometimes amount to millions of pesos. Lucky are those who bit the bait five or more years ago due to sufficient return in interest , because, today, such topic does not deserve any serious discussion for lack of financial luster.

Today, if one puts a million pesos in a time deposit scheme of five years, it will not even earn one thousand pesos per month. As if the dismal interest is not enough, bank managers, exert much effort in selling the insurance programs of “sister” insurance companies which do not allow approration of dividend. The client must wait until the placement matures after three years or five years or whatever length of coverage.

For the retirees who have been looking forward to live on their savings’ interest in the bank,it is as if the world has closed in on them. A retiree cannot even rely on the interest of a five- million peso time deposit that was long-planned to be used to buy health supplements and regular physical check- ups.Worst, the social security pension, especially, of those who belong to the minimum level is barely enough to cover monthly household expenses.

The poor retiree is left with no recourse, but to spend the hard-earned savings with much cautious calculation so that they will last until the dayhe draws his last breath.

Scrimping For Survival

SCRIMPING FOR SURVIVAL

                                                By:  Apolinario B. Villalobos

Nowadays, it needs resourcefulness to survive on a meager income.  Whether one is a struggling entrepreneur or a wage earner, the dictum is supposed to be living on what one can afford.  Foremost in this effort is resisting the temptation of the current trends – fastfoods, trendy trappings, cellular phones,  electronics contraptions, etc.

Blame the effective advertisements of fast food joints for inculcating in the minds of even the growing tots their seemingly necessity in our lives.  Imagine a mother using either the familiar golden arch of a popular burger chain or the bumblebee that symbolizes another, in teaching her child in identifying objects  instead of  other relevant things instead.

Another ill effect of what we call modernity of our time is the “must have” attitude for things that enhance one’s social status such as a cellular phone.  Not only once or twice have I encountered incidents of students being stabbed for this electronic contraption by not parting with it when snatched by a robber. Or, teenagers who run away from home just because their parents will not buy them a cell phone. It seems that for most of us, the much- coveted gadget spells high social status even for those whose take home pay is less than a quarter of the minimum pay.

Then, there’s the proliferation of electronics that give birth to the CDs, computer games, high-tech tv’s and syndicates with various talents in forgery. Suckers dole out hard-earned money for counterfeit CDs and appliances.   At the end, they bring home a fake status symbol instead of a kilo of fish  or  worst, they spoil their budget for the week.

The salaried grumble about the reluctance of employers to increase their pay, complaining that their wage is barely enough to cover their family budget.  But, have they ever thought of adjusting their spending capability to what they earn? Or have they ever tried to observe their attitude – leaving potions of food on the plate, throwing leftovers that can still be kept for recycling, and spoiling their children with junk foods?

Personally, it pains me to see big portions of food left on the plates every time I enter a fast food joint or restaurants.  Those who do this sinful act even look proud to show the world that they can afford to do such a thing. Imagine a half-eaten steak, untouched portions of viands or whole serving of rice on their plates collected by busboys to be thrown away.  But looking at them closely, I could surmise that these arrogant people are minimum pay earners who strut around with their cell phones bought after months of scrimping or through installments, thanks to the credit card or office loans.

These are also the very same people who cover their bodies with clothing and jewelry that they get on installment basis.  I know this because I have worked in several companies myself and have encountered the same situations.  Some would even skip meals just so they can pay for this extravagance every end of the week or every pay day.

Some still would regularly not report to work feigning sickness due to unavailability of money for fare.  Yet, they can  find ways and means to purchase cellular cards or spend for weekend jaunts with friends.

If only we can change our attitude, living affordably may not be difficult.  The following are suggested ways that can be done, though with difficulty at the start:

Try switching to less expensive meals consisting of more vegetables, just enough of fish, less meat, and you’ll see the difference. Suggested is a Sunday for meat, Tuesday and Thursday for fish, with the rest of the days for vegetables.  It takes discipline to muster this kind of routine until it becomes a regular and normal practice for the family. While still young, the children must be made to appreciate vegetables and fish not only for their nutritional value, but also for financial reason .  Most importantly, too, learn how to recycle leftover foods.

Bring a home-cooked lunch to work.  Do not ruin your budgeton pork chops, bacons, corned beef and other “show” food that you are trying hard to afford. While you may succeed in showing your friends that you have a richey lunch, such show-offness can make you suffer in the long run because it could definitely affect your finances. Be honest about yourself. In the office, do not show a kind of a person that is not the real you as they know your financial status anyway, by your take home pay .

Get rid of that cellular phone if you do not have an urgent use for it.  Accept the fact that you flaunt it just for status symbol.  The extra savings from not buying cellphone cards can go a long way in stretching your budget. It has been observed, that those who really can afford to have one do not flaunt it.  Ironically, those who really do not have the practical  use for it, are the ones who are showing it off. As an alibi they say it is for emergency to call people at home, when in  reality,  those at home do not have a single unit, because they cannot even afford pay the rent on time!

Avoid buying branded clothes.  Take note that most of the popular brands are being forged nowadays making it hard to detect which is the original brand or the fake one. It is funny to note that some try hard to play rich by wearing branded clothes even if they do not go well with their built or complexion.  It is suggested that when buying clothes in department stores, try the bargain section first.  If you cannot find one that suits you,  try the regular section, but pay attention on what you  select that mustfit you well.  Remember that it is how you carry the attire well and comfortably that others will admire you. You do not expect others to peek at your collar to check if what you are wearing is from a popular house of fashion!

Be honest to your children about your financial capability.  It will help them realize that some things that they want are not really necessary after knowing that you cannot afford them in the first place.  The happiness derived from giving in to the demand of your children for things which are very difficult to have is temporary, and has a greater effect on your family budget.  Try to think of the savings that you can set aside if  unnecessary purchases can be avoided. Parents should refrain from voluntarily giving money to their children to be splurged in internet games.

Forget about burger joints for family weekend lunch outs.  Instead, for weekend jaunts bring home-cooked lunch and juice  to  the nearest  public park for a happy bonding.  This way, you save electricity for not viewing TV or switching on the electric fan while staying at home the whole day.

Get rid of that credit card!  I used to have credit cards supposedly for emergency use.  I realized, however, that they just ate up a big portion of my budget so that I gave them up altogether. I had been a fool for so many years maintaining those cards during which I did not realize that I was actually paying up only their monthly interests and very little of the principal amounts. Not having a credit card will force you not to buy anything if you do not have cash.  That is what living affordably really means.  However, if the credit cards are charged against your company due to their official nature, it is another story.

Try to commute on regular buses or jeepneys by waking up early to catch up with them in the coolness of the early morning.  In this way you do not give yourself the alibi of comfort in taking an air-conditioned bus or shuttle van late in the morning.  Think of the several pesos that you can save daily that could add up to several hundreds at the end of the month.  If you have a car, you can help nature very much if you use it only when very necessary.  Leaving home early for the office to avoid the traffic is comfortable enough.

There are other things that we can do in order to live comfortably without spending so much, although it needs sacrifice and discipline.   The way we live our life depends on us.  If we live a dismal life, we have ourselves to blame because we refuse to do the simple and practical things that could be of great help to us.