I remember when my parents made us sit at the dinner table whenever they dined at home. It didn’t matter whether you were going to eat or not, your physical presence was required. All of us grudgingly obeyed, whether one was on a starvation diet or still quarreling with the current boyfriend on the phone, or just wanted peace and quiet from the rest, which is to say from the family.

Unfortunately, this traditional home life practice has been long gone like the gesture of “mano po” when you meet your elders.

The parents of Paref Woodrose School are aware of this and have done something about it. They have come out with a cookbook—The Woodrose Family Cookbook, whose purpose is the revival of the tradition of the family meal. It is a collection of family recipes, cooking tips and parenting suggestions. All of these were taken from Woodrose students, parents, grandparents, alumnae, faculty and staff, plus of course from friends who believe in their cause.

In this book of recipes, you don’t just find a good one to please the palates of your hungry brood, you also find stories to feed your heart. There is the one about the Espina family that survived Typhoon Milenyo with leftovers from a defrosted refrigerator and a wilted basil plant. Favorite family recipes, passed from one generation to another, are also shared.

This product of family love was launched recently on the occasion of another school tradition, when floral carpets are spread throughout the school by the children to prepare for the annual Eucharistic procession.

The book was designed and prepared by Aldwin Aspillera, with photo contributions from Woodrose students and parents—Stephanie Cabańes, Deric Gamboa, Tino Ley, and Tony and Marlyn Lilles. Art direction and food styling is by the multitalented Frieda Lim, and assisting her with graphics layout is Pat Collantes. The culinary consultant was Marina Reyes.

Remember, the family that prays together, stays together—and it helps when they eat together as well. Amen!

For those interested, the book sells for P450 with a special baker’s dozen promotion: buy 12 and get one free. Please call Menchie Gamboa at 0920-9102972 or the PAREF Woodrose School bookstore at 850-6380

Urban Monologues: A Fusion of Form and Function 

ONE of my dreams is to be a National Artist. I dream to be named one not because of the fame that comes along with the title, but because of significant national and cultural contributions that one needs to make in order to be called one. Being an architect, I dream of a cultural contribution that would represent the Philippine civilization as it is today.

A Family Affair

I remember when my parents made us sit at the dinner table whenever they dined at home. It didn’t matter whether you were going to eat or not, your physical presence was required. All of us grudgingly obeyed, whether one was on a starvation diet or still quarreling with the current boyfriend on the phone, or just wanted peace and quiet from the rest, which is to say from the family.

From Kitchen to Art

THE name is one of the most trusted brands in kitchenware that you grew up with. The brightly colored durable material with airtight-lid containers held your snacks in place, kept your lunch intact, and practically contained every meal that could be brought to school or those annual company outings. But who would have thought that your favorite containers could be fashioned to works of art?

Reeling: She calls this her solitary voice

THE other day, I received an e-mail from a cousin, presently based in the US. In the Philippines she was a pediatrician and a poet, sharing a generation with writers like Susan Lara and Geraldine Maayo, individuals noted for their own elegant approach to the craft of fiction. My favorite memory of this cousin is that she opted to attend the Silliman Writers’ Worskhop one summer and decided to forgo her medical internship.