Trece at Night 3

Trece at Night 2

Trece at night

Coffee Alamid

Coffee from Alamid droppings!!! Anyone?

Alamid or wild Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is a family of mongoose, it looks like a cat, lived in a forest and is carnivorous, but this creature loves to eat coffee cherries, the beans inside passes though its digestive tract and comes out with other fecal matters.

Mountain dwellers gathers these undigested coffee beans and washed them, sundry, roast for 7 hours, remove its shell and eventually grind them into powder which they call Coffee Alamid, Kupi luak as they call it in Indonesia or kafe laku in East Timur.



Coffee from Alamid droppings is rare, in fact it is a world's rarest brew. I only knew about it recently after 5 years staying in the coffee producing province of Cavite. No wonder why some considered it as one of the country's best keep secret.

Its taste and aroma is far better than coffee prepared in the usual way and that explains why it is so expensive. a kilo would cost you more or less US$500.

kuwachang Part 2

As a first timer in the country, he has positive impression about Philippines and Filipinos. Filipinos can speak English well and are not shy to talk in English among family members unlike Japanese. He thinks Filipinos are friendly and open to other culture.

He likes Filipino foods. When pressed how he felt when he tasted “Balut… (A duck eggs that have been incubated until the fetus is all feathery and beaky, and then boiled alive. The bones give the eggs a uniquely crunchy texture.) He said … it’s delicious!!!

He is very happy about the success of the CARP and related organizations in the Philippines.

Despite that, he also has some bad experiences of losing his camera in the bus and that some Filipinos have the tendency to take advantage of a foreigner like him.

When asked about his comment about the country, he said we should take care more about our environment, we should minimize pollution and garbage.

He thinks Japanese should come to Philippines and learn about the Filipino culture, English and friendship. His father thought more young generation Japanese should come to this country, after all Philippines is not that dangerous as commonly thought among Japanese.

This is not his first time to travel in a foreign land, he has been to Guam and China as part of their high school excursion. He also traveled to Korea.

If given much time he wants to see more Manila. He also wants to stay in Antipolo, Tagaytay or even in Tanay.

He wants to go back this summer if given a chance, and stay in IPLC (International Peace Leadership College) a school where he spent most of his time.

I asked him to say his final words to his fellow CARP members and friends... I think it is possible to create one family under God seeing Filipinos having flexible mind, thinking positively.... no border line.. and open to other culture.... Filipinos should just give more attention in caring for the environment... that's all...Thank You..

Kuwachang

On the night of September 14, 2009, I had a chance to interview Mr. Masataka Kuwada of Higashi, Osaka, Japan. He is 22 years old, he has been staying in the country for a month to learn English. He hopped from one place to the other in the neighboring town but he is based in Trece Martires City, Cavite. Masataka is a member of World CARP an International campus-based organization that raises young leaders of character who live for the greater good and build a culture of true love.

Masataka introduced himself as “Kuwachang”, a handsome young man with thin body structure but stands over 6 feet tall. He was born in Kanawaga prefecture. Later on, the family transferred to his father ‘s hometown in Hiroshima when he was about five year of age; while his father worked and stayed in Osaka . After graduating in high school, they moved to Osaka, obviously so the family could be together in one place.

He had experience working in a convenient store as staff. “It's like Seven Eleven he stressed..” He also worked on and off in a company which facilitates the house transfer services. He used to carry furniture, appliances and other things.

He studied Economics major in accounting. He shared interesting subjects integrated with his course where they study the most effective way of helping poorer countries. His evaluation is that education is the best help Japan could ever offer more than money. Money he said is not the solution. Since Japan has been a known donor to third world countries, education over charity has gain more success in their wide range of experiences.

He loves basketball, football, fishing, camping, play guitar, drums and singing. He surprised us in a videoke session when he sung modern English songs.

He had composed 10 songs so far and dreamed of making more. His messages are about family and his generation.

To be continued....

The many faces of Trece Martires City, Cavite Part7

Saint Joseph Homes (SJH)-People hunting for a haven in Trece would prefer this small neighborhood of 300 units in 4 different models of houses made by Ayala. Security wise it is generally safe, there were two guards round the clock securing this small area, it's clean, wind flows freely with minimal obstruction, green as well, 2 wide space to play. Peaceful but not so tranquil, some neighbors would sometime sing on the top of their voice singing along with their ever loud videoke. SJH is class B type of village with houses and lots ranging from 500k to 700k (Pph.) depending on your location. People from the class C subdivision just outside of the SJH gate would curiously take a peek at their "richer" neighbor how have they been doing?. Surprisingly weather in SJH area is a little bit different compared in downtown part, it's cooler, in most cases SJH area would experience rain showers but dry in downtown part or vise versa. Going Manila would be convenient, just walk around a 100 meters then you can ride a bus straight for Manila. Their are numerous villages that are better than SJH in Trece but average income earner would prefer an affordable, clean, green, air and with a clear blue sky to enjoy with their love ones.

The many faces of Trece Martires City, Cavite Part6

This is downtown Trece, most of the establishments you see just sprouted within the span of 5- year period. The tree in the picture is called Ilang ilang, the mayor aggressively pushed for the planting of this sweet smelling flower tree to amuse guest of the its' distinct aroma. Another picture shows the huge building with roofing of a brick like color at the background of Tesda office, that is usually mistaken as  government building or a school actually,  it is just a residential house of someone most of us didn't know. It was rumored to be owned by someone who is close to former President Marcos. At the bottom, are residential houses owned mostly by pioneers of the City.

The many faces of Trece Martires City, Cavite Part5

The First picture, a dome like structure with tower and a cross at the top is the catholic church, the second picture which is almost covered by trees is the City hall built in the 90's followed by a resto named Aguinaldo. Mercury drug was built in 2004, and the last one is the fire department office.

The many faces of Trece Martires City, Cavite Part4

St Jude academy is one of the pioneer private schools of Trece, St Jude is an elementary and high school owned by catholic church, bikers are usually seen in Trece and there's a lot of them mostly Sundays, Bikers from different parts of the nearby province passes by Trece before going up to Tagaytay.  The third scene is the busiest crossing, but fortunately I could take a shot of it empty. Tiangge as everyone called it has lots of very cheap items and last photo the Jeep terminal going Tanza.

The many faces of Trece Martires City, Cavite Part3

The many faces of Trece Martires City, Cavite Part2

Fountain inside the capitol park, long and winding road that leads to Aguinaldo resto, Bantayog of the Thirteen Martyrs, where the city got its name, Stage in front of Capitol and lastly the Capitol building of the province of Cavite.