Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

I never enjoyed waiting.

Jess Paul and I arrived in a radio station along EDSA Avenue at a quarter past one in the afternoon. We were supposed to meet with a group working for good governance and clean election. The meeting was scheduled at one thirty in the afternoon.

They arrived at almost three p.m.

It is just a sad state -- to see people work and labor to demand the government and other institutions to abide to high standards of leadership. Yet we find ourselves lacking and almost a slack in simple standards of living -- i.e., punctuality.

So, when and where does change begin? I can only re-echo what a Bishop said, "it is character change." But, this would be a long wait. I think it would take longer than the institutional reforms we are demanding from our leaders.

Food Trip

Abé... where good friends dine
serving an unlimited rice

Over the weekend, I, together with Bhong and Koko, were taken to a food trip by my mom and sister in Abé. It is located on the ground level of Serendra Circle at the Fort. Vanessa Escano writes of the resto,

The founder and president of the LJC Group of Restaurants (Café Adriatico, Café Havana, Bollywood), Mr. Larry J. Cruz (LJC), pays homage to his father, Abe Cruz, and his works through the founding of Abe restaurant. Respected writer and artist Emilio Aguilar “Abe” Cruz (1915-1991) was considered a bon vivant and gastronome in his time. This Manila-born Capampangan has literally eaten his way around the world, a result of his position as ambassador for UNESCO in the 70’s. Abe’s menu reflects a selection of his Filipino favorites, from old Binondo to his favorite Capampangan dishes and other regional recipes as well. In addition, Abe’s foodie artist and writer friends have shared their favorite recipes with the restaurant, such as Thelma San Juan with her mother’s Rellenong Mais.

The establishment itself is worth a visit because it is the only circular structure in Serendra, offering its guests with a wide and panning view of pedestrian and commercial activity – perfect for Sunday afternoon people watching. Additionally, Abe’s art works, drawings and memorabilia, can be found throughout the restaurant, along with vintage photographs and rare Philippine wood and panels. The contemporary feel and well-selected background music completes the dining experience for everyone in the family.

SERVED WITH LOVE

Offering a wide variety of dishes, Abe restaurant presents its clients with sophisticated, elegant and traditional Capampangan food, in addition to its old Binondo, Filipino and World dishes. Mr. LJC himself vets every dish on the menu to make sure that each one has been prepared carefully and served with love.

The must tries are the Paco Fern and Tomato Salad (P130.00, appetizing greens with salted egg, tomato and vinaigrette dressing); Spicy Sisig Pampanga(P155.00, minced pork jowl and chicken livers sautéed in garlic that’s great with rice); Cassoulet (P375.00, a French-style duck stew that captivated the ambassador during his diplomatic stint); Pastel de Lengua (P295.00,. tender and savory ox tongue cooked to perfection and matches flawlessly with its tasty pie crust topping). Match these dishes with a Tamarind Shake(P110.00) or Ambassador Cooler (P99.00, mango, dayap & guava with fizz). For rice lovers out there, unlimited servings are to be had for only P45.00. Most dishes are good for 2 to 3 people.

Job Vacancy

Society of Jesus Social Apostolate (SJSA) Secretariat
ISO Annex, Social Development Complex
Ateneo de Manila University Campus
Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

The Society of Jesus Social Apostolate (SJSA) is, a network of 27 Jesuit-Lay social apostolate units in the Philippines doing various development programs and projects for the empowerment of the Filipino poor and marginalized sectors of society. SJSA was established in 1989 to facilitate networking, information exchange and dialogue, pooling of resources and to consolidate the gains of the various Jesuit social apostolates nationwide. The SJSA Secretariat provides network assistance for its partner institutes engaged in research, policy formulation, lobbying and advocacy. Our partner institutes are also in the business of awareness building, capability building, grassroots mobilization and resource accessing. Our partnership shares in the heritage of the Ignatian Spirituality and the four-fold thrust of faith-justice-inculturation-dialogue.

Position Title: Program Assistant (full-time)

Tasks:

Program Documentation

• Transcription of workshop proceedings, minutes of meetings
• Summarization and synthesis of proceedings of meetings, workshops, fora

Data gathering and compilation, including field work

Information Networking

Website review and update

Crafting of Communications Plan

Project Proposal Review

Events Organizing (meetings, workshops, conferences)

Qualifications:

• College graduate
• Any four-year course
• 1-2 years of work experience
• Proficiency in oral and written English
• Organizing and planning skills
• High degree of service orientation
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good team player
• Good moral character

Interested applicants may submit their résumé at the above address or email them to sjsasec@admu.edu.ph.

For more information, please call Rina Garcia at 426-5991 or at 426-6001 loc. 4867.