Bayanihan Community Pantry opens in Angeles City, Pampanga

Bayanihan Community Pantry organizers have recently opened another community pantry in Angeles City, Pampanga province.

Side Grill Community pantry- Angeles City, Pampanga province

Bayanihan Community Pantry

The community pantry opened last May 2, 2021 in Side Grill within Barangay Lourdes, Mc Arthur Highway, Angeles City. The donation were given by kind hearten individuals from within the community and even as far as Metro Manila residents.

long queues at the community pantry

According to the organizers the Side Grill community pantry will serve resident every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 pm to 5:00pm. While the community pantry within Barangay Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga is open every Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

The organizers are also requires people who queue at the community pantry to observe proper social distancing and wearing of face mask, face shield.

fresh vegetables, rice, canned goods, eggs are some of the items at the pantry

One of the organizer is behind the highly successful Kingspoint Community Pantry last month in ( Yarda Food Hub) within Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Among other projects are community outreach project like Medical Mission, Feeding Program, Gift Giving among indigents ,out of school youth and Katutubo Doon sa kabundokan.

Those who wanted to help, Please try to contact: Engineer Aldrin Pangan 09054855128 for details. There are also other community pantries in which he is actively involve like those in Quiapo, Makati, West Avenue, Kingspoint Subdivision within Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.

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Stately Dracena multiflora

Dracena multiflora Warb. ex P. Sarasin & Sarasin is known by different common names like false yucca, flowering yucca, yucca,flowering green dragon among others.

This species is found in Melanesia, Caroline islands, Palau, Celebes, Sulawesi and the Philippines. This is found in limestone cliffs in many parts of the country. It is one of the native plants found in many provinces like Batanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Nueva Ecija, Polilio islands, Quezon, Mindoro, Palawan, Ticao, Masbate, Sorsogon, Samar, Leyte, Sulu Archipelago among other areas.

Dracena multilfora growing on an outdoor garden with mounted orchids within a gated subdivision in Novaliches, Quezon City

Specimen sized plants looked stately and serves as focal point in many houses with large manicured garden.

Dracaena L., a member of the family Ruscaceae, was first founded by Sprengei in 1826.

Genus Dracena

The genus name “Dracena” is derived from the Greek word “drakaina“, which means “dragon” referring to the sap or juice of the stems which resembles blood.

Dracaena means Dragon Goddess or a female Dragon. The first named species, Dracaena draco has been used as a medicinal plant in Europe and China. The species is also the symbol of Canary Islands.

This had 120 species which is mostly found in the old world with dozens of hybrids and cultivar varieties.  Some of the popular indoor plants are found in this genus and grown extensively in many parts of the world were Dracaena fragrans, D. goldiana, D. surculosa, D. sanderiana and D. ellenbeckiana have variegated forms used as indoor plants.

Sanseviera is a historically recognized genus of flowering plants, native to Africa, Madagascar and parts of southern Asia on the basis of molecular studies were officially included as part of the genus just about two decades ago, but it is only few years ago that horticulturist began reclassifying the genus.

Economic Uses

Dracena multiflora is fairy popular in horticultural, ornamental plant industry where this plant was planted in large estate, focal point in landscape, big terracotta pots, subdivision, parks and schools. Some old plants can be spotted growing in Ayala -Alabang in Muntinlupa, BF Homes Parañaque,Greenhills in San Juan,Forbes Park, Urdaneta Village, Bel-Air, Dasmariñas Village in Makati City, Batasan Hills, Corinthian Garden, White Plains, La Vista, Teacher’s Village, Project 6, 7 and 8, Kingspoint Subdivision within Novaliches, Quezon City among others.

This became popular in the late 1960’s, mid- 1970’s, early 1980’s, mid-1990’s and few years ago. This plant can grow as tall as 5 to 6 meters if not disturbed.

Some backyard hobbyist would mount ferns, orchids, hoyas, dischidias and tillandsia on mature stems of the plant. Which add beauty to the bare stems.

This species had naturalized in many parts of tropical Asia, Latin America, Australia and the United States.

Small Dracena multiflora would cost between Php 350 to as much as Php 600 in some garden centers in Metro Manila, While bigger ones would cost a few thousand bucks depending on the height and growth.

Dracena multiflora in bloom within Holy Child Academy Kindergarten section in Katipunan Avenue corner King Ferdinand street, Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City

Superstitious Beliefs

A homeowner from Greenhills, San Juan believe that whenever the plant bloom, There will be a distant relative who will get marry. Another grower from Novaliches told the author that dwarfs would come and play whenever the plant is in bloom.

Another old time grower from Quezon City also believe that having Dracena multiflora planted in front of their house attracts positive vibe or chi.

This plant came into limelight when Tiyang Amy or Ms. Amy Perez in her youtube recounted saving her yucca plant from the monsoon rains.

Propagation

The fastest way to propagate this plant is via stem cuttings or by seeds.

Care and Fertilization

For newly planted stem cuttings, part shade is recommended and moving gradually to higher intensity light is recommended.

Keep them hydrated by misting the leaves with water and keeping the soil lightly misted (never soggy) as well with good drainage. Always allow the top soil to dry out before watering. Do not over water.

One can start pruning the older stems just before on the onset of the rainy season to encourage branching.

Apply minimum amount of water soluble balance fertilizer 20N-20P-20K every other week, trace elements and organic fertilizer during growing season which also coincide with the rainy season.

20% loose soil, 60% loam soil and 10% organic compost, combination of 10% coco choir, aged cow dung and rice hull for the mixture.

References, Sources and Bibliographies

Personal communication among local growers and landscapers.

Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines

Dracaena multiflora Warb. ex Sarasin Reisen, Sulawesi 1 (1905) 136; –Pleomele multiflora (Warb.) Merr., EPFP 1 (1922) 205. Philippines, Sulawesi. BATANES, LUZON: Nueva Ecija, Quezon, POLILLO, MINDORO, PALAWAN, TICAO, MASBATE, SULU ARCHIPELAGO. Chiefly on coastal limestone formations.

Lu, Pei-Luen & Morden, Clifford W. (2014), “Phylogenetic Relationships among Dracaenoid Genera (Asparagaceae: Nolinoideae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Loci”, Systematic Botany, 39 (1): 90–104

Madulid, Domingo; Winner, National Book Award, Science, 1995. Revised Edition, 2000 with 388 pages. AGAVACEAE: Page 49, Bookmark, Makati, A Pictorial Cyclopedia of Philippine Ornamental Plants.

Philip, D; Kaleena, PK; Valivittan, K & Girish Kumar, CP (2011), “Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. and Schult. F.”, Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 10 (4): 512–8

Dracena multiflora: http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/pelserpb/r/Ruscaceae_Dracaena_multiflora

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Shaw, JMH. 2011. Miscellaneous nomenclatural and taxonomic notes mainly relating to cultivated plants. Hanburyana 5: 47-56. [Disporopsis]

Takawira-Nyenya, R, L Mucina, WM Cardinal-McTeague & KR Thiele. 2018. Sansevieria (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae) is a herbaceous clade within Dracaena: inference from non-coding plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data. Phytotaxa 376: 254-276.

Food Tasting at Hexagon Events Place by Old Swiss Inn

Hexagon Events Place is located at the along Quezon Avenue within Barangay West Triangle in Quezon City.

It is fastest growing event place within the the heart of the city. The event place is ideal for corporate function, wedding, debuts, corporate product launching and among others.

building directory

The grand food tasting event was held last October 12, 2019 from 11:00 am to past 2:00pm.

table setting by Old Swiss Inn

Old Swiss Inn Food Tasting

Old Swiss Inn had been in the business for over 70 years and specializes on European and Swiss cuisines.

participants

set-up

Hexagon events place had 5 accredited food catering companies and mobile cocktail bar. The venue is large and can accommodate up to 350 sitting capacity.

meat carving station

 They can also customize thematic parties and table setting. Some can be as small as 30 participants.

assorted sausages

Old Swiss Inn will also have their Belgian Beer and Grill Festival on November 8, 2019.

pasta and sauce

Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary within Barangay West Triangle is a suitable place for weddings is just located few kilometers away from the venue center.

fresh corned beef

It also have an ample parking space for those who will bring their car. The rates are very competitive and even non-tenants of the building can make reservations.

Don Simplicio Gamboa Sr. Hall

The venue hall is called Don Simplicio Gamboa Sr. founder of Hexagon group of companies.

fruits, marshmallows with chocolate fondue

desserts

The building site is in the immediate vicinity of major commercial and retail centers such as Fisher Mall, Trinoma, and Crossings Mall, and is just a few ticks away from SM City North Edsa. The building is a mixed-use facility with an aggregate floor area of more than 30,000 square meters.

Hexagon Building

Address: 17th Floor Hexagon Corporate Center, 1471 Quezon Ave. West Triangle, Q.C.

 Office Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Contact : (02) 515-1528 / (02) 692-5675/ (02) 692-5756

+63920 9278 849
+63917 8757 707

Old Swiss Inn :Makati Ave beside Peninsula Hotel and Ground Floor, Olympia Somerset, Makati Avenue, Makati City

Contact: 09209608670 | 8188251

 

10 Best Dishes and Things to Do at Zula-Makati

Zula- Makati just recently open its doors to the general public. For those unfamiliar with the hotel, It used to be the site of Fersal Hotel.

Zula -Makati facade with nice vertical garden and open space

The hostel features a nice Mediterranean style cuisine, party place, cocktail area,  nice ambiance and friendly staff for those who wanted to place to stay near the poblacion area or old Makati.

10 Best Dishes and Things to Do at Zula -Makati Restaurant

Colorful Machuca or Baldoza tiles

10.) Nice OOTD and Instagrammer paradise – One can enjoy the outdoor ambiance and place to take photos. I enjoyed their vertical garden, machuca tiles on walls, decor, industrial tables and their rustic ambiance.

9.) Labaneh – It soft, cream cheese made from strained yogurt, that is popular in Middle East and Mediterranean cuisine. It is quite healthy and goes well with any pita or baget bread.

Sabich salad ( Php 200) per serving

fried cauliflower with tahina and special zula sauce

7.)Appetizer – There are nice appetizer salad available, These are healthy and colorful. Another one is their fried cauliflower serve with Tahina and special zula sauce mixture ( Php 190 per serving ) ideal between 1 to 2 person sharing.

deep fried pita bread with spices

7.) Deep Fried Pita bread is highly recommended for those who wanted a light meal. It is specially made pita bread deep fried and topped with spices and Tahina. ( Php 75 per serving ) ideal between 1 to 2 person sharing. Highly Recommended.

6.) Lavash and Baget bread is soft, thin unleavened flatbread made in a tandoor and is eaten in many parts of the world.  This is best paired with their pickled lemon.

5.) Fool Proof Shakshouka – Fool Proof Shakshouka is a dish serve with eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic, commonly spiced with cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper,nutmeg and topped with green parsley in a hot sizzling plate. This cuisine varies from one town to another and found in many parts of  Middle east and Mediterranean regions.  If you are craving for this dish- One can order them at zula. This is best serve hot with their pickled lemon. ( Php 300) per serving.

4.) Arayes– delicious grilled pita bread sandwiches stuffed with meat (beef and lamb). This middle eastern dish is crispy in the outside and juicy in the inside. One can also add their dipping sauces depending on your taste buds. ( Php 350 ) per serving.

3.) Good Selection of coffee – Zula takes pride of sourcing their coffee beans from the farmers of Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.

Halva Parfait

2.) Good Desserts – If you are looking for dessert,Halva Parfait which had a mixture of cream, vanilla halva topped with roasted pistachios, dizzled with date syrup.  ( ( Php 200 per serving ) Highly recommended.

 Malabi is like a pudding with rose water syrup, desiccated coconut infused into this dessert topped with roasted pistachios ( Php 200 per serving ) Highly recommended.

Zula -Makati staff ( photo courtesy of Zula Makati)

1.) Friendly Staff– Their attentive staff and good in-house service make your stay worthwhile. You will feel the warm hospitality of the restaurant. There is also a booking area for traveler within the restaurant. They have local and international destination available for those interested to travel.

Note : Prices quoted may be subject to change by the restaurant management

Zula Restaurant- Operations: Everyday

Operational Hours: Sunday to Thursday 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 6:00am to 1:00 am

Zula -Hostel for Wanderers

Address: 7840 Makati Avenue corner Guanzon street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City

Contact : (02) 573-1461

 

UAP Makati Chapter Visits Jotun Paint Plant

United Architects of the Philippines ( Makati chapter) members and officers had visited the Jotun Paint Plant located 27 Millennium Drive, Light Industry and Science Park III Barangay Santa Anastacia, Santo Tomas, Batangas province.

Jotun Paint Factory premises ( photo courtesy of Jotun FB page)

The group met in Makati- Greenbelt 1 between 6:30 am to 7:20 am. Traffic was surprisingly light in Makati and the van took the Skyway flyover which made our trip smooth and fast. The group manage to arrive shortly past 8:45 am.

Jotun (Philippines ) Paint Plant

Jotun Paint Factory

safety guidelines and security manual

Security protocol and details were tight. Everyone knows that there were chemical and combustible items within the premises. Our group had a short photo opportunity and briefing was held at the administration building.

briefing area- administration/ canteen area

UAP- Makati Chapter Presidents

The plant tour were attended by former presidents Architect Nanette Segovia, Architect Ludy Gonzales, Architect Victor Limdico, Architect Architect Miko Carandang and the current president Architect Klari Limdico.

Jotun Company Profile

administration building and water tower

Jotun is a Norwegian multinational privately owned paint company incorporated in 1926. Today it has established 40 production facilities, 63 companies and represented in over 100 countries across all continents. Jotun is ranked number 9 among the leading paint companies in the world. The company also hires 9,800 employees from all over the world.

Mr. Roberto Alonzo ( marketing )

Jotun (Philippines) employees, marketing and administration manager were on hand to personally welcome the group. The canteen/ briefing area had been decorated with festive buntings reflecting the fiesta culture of the province.

list of some local companies which Jotun had projects/ customers

In the Philippines, it started through an agent in 1987 then became a branch office of Singapore operation in 2004. Jotun Philippines Inc. became fully operational in 2011 with offices in Sucat, Parañaque and in Mandaue, Cebu.

certificate of recognition, appreciation and awards

In 2013, it made a bold decision to invest in a local production. In 2017 , the company opened its paint plant / factory in Batangas. Currently they also have 11 dealers of their paint nationwide.

Corporate Responsibility and Logo

 Penguin is a unique symbol for Jotun

The company ‘s logo had the same look used all over the world. The Penguin expresses the Jotun values: Loyalty, Care, Respect and Boldness.  It also expresses typical Jotun employees must embodied as: Cheer, Working, Inviting and Happy.

location map ( Jotun Philippines) 

The factory sits on a 7 hectares property, but only 2 hectares are fully utilized.

product familiarization and demonstration

Jotun -Jota Shield Anti fade paint which can reduces surface temperature up to 5 degrees Celsius

surface temperature testing device

safety signage

Safety and security were up to international levels. The company products had several international certification.

seafood sinigang, fried bangus

We got seafood sinigang, fried bangus, chicken inasal, fresh tomato, eggplant ensalada with bagoong, dinuguan and lechon with sauce ( Batangas style) with pineapple juice for lunch.

lechon, dinuguan and lechon sauce

Local Games / Palaro

pabitin

participants enjoyed the pabitin with lots of goodies are tied on a suspended bamboo frame  with lots of chocolates, candies and portable car usb charger as prizes.

hampas palayok

Architect Chris Aquino is blindfolded and was able to hit the traditional earthen clay pot called palayok which is  filled with goodies ( gummy candies,chocolates and kitkat ) the game is popular across the archipelago and is similar to Mexico’s piñata.

UAP-Makati chapter

UAP -Makati chapter officers and members pose for a souvenir shot, Mount Makiling serves as a backdrop for the group.

painting

Some of the participants were able to test their paints and learned some interesting tips on how to paint a wall surface.

UAP Makati chapter -group photo

The group enjoyed the plant tour, trivia games, food, product selection and traditional games prepared by Jotun Philippines.

Note: I would to “Thank” Architect Miko Carandang, Architect Klari Limdico members of UAP Makati Chapter and Jotun Philippines for the warm hospitality and accommodation.