We all know what beef steak is. But did you know there was actually a Filipino version of it? It is called bistek Tagalog.

Bistek is comprised of sliced beef cooked in soy sauce and lemon juice and then garnished with caramelized onion rings.

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Bistek is loved by every Filipino, and one of the reasons for it is  it does not require much ingredients and it is very easy to cook. Just have all of the condiments and other ingredients present, add a little love to it, and voila, you have your beef steak ready already.

How to Cook Bistek Tagalog (Beef Steak)

Cooking bistek Tagalog is quite easy, much easier than you think. Just follow the procedure indicated below and you should be able to produce a dish that your family will surely love. Is it important to note, however, that the beef should be marinated in soy sauce and lemon juice for an hour or more. This is to let the meat absorb the flavor prior to cooking.

Another thing to pay attention to is how you cut the beef into pieces. The manner in which you cut the beef will affect the texture of the dish and the length of time it will take to cook it. Tender cuts are recommended for shorter cooking time. If the cut of beef that you have is tough, try cooking it in a pressure cooker for 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 pieces lemon or 6 pieces calamansi
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 large onion, sliced into rings
• 6 tbsp cooking oil
• salt

Instructions

1. First, mix the soy sauce, lemon or calamansi, and ground black pepper. Then marinate the beef in the mix for at least an hour.
2. Put the cooking oil in the pan, heat it, then add the onion rings. Stir-fry the onion until the texture turns soft. Set aside.
3. Using the same pan where the onions were fried, fry the marinated beef (with the marinade removed). Wait until the color turns brown. Set aside.
4. Add the garlic and saute for a few minutes.
5. Pour the marinade and bring to a boil.
6. Put in the fried beef and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until meat is tender. Add water as needed.
7. Add the stir-fried onions and some salt to taste.
8. Serve hot.

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When revamping your home, you should never forget your walls. It’s the biggest part of the house, after all. And what better way to give it a makeover than a good ol’ wallpaper!

This year, wallpaper trends are all about going natural, bold patterns, and warm colors. Check out our list of the key wallpaper trends that are taking over 2020 below.

The Top Wallpaper Trends This 2020

1. Tapestry

This 2020, tapestry-inspired wallpapers are in. According to Cole & Sons’ creative director, Carley Bean, ‘Tapestry-like designs are a perfect focal point for a room. Often inspired by idyllic landscapes, they bring the beautiful colours of the outdoors inside of the home. Their muted palette of greens, blues and neutrals can provide the colour inspiration and textures of the entire room.’

This wallpaper trend will see a rise in popularity this year, with many people loving the idea of having a form of art gracing their walls. 

2. Natural Touch

As mentioned, 2020’s wallpaper trend will be about going natural. And by natural, we mean opting for materials that are made from nature. A few good examples include wicker, grass, straw, and silk. 

Parisian showroom Atelier Vime has one of the most covetable naturally made web claddings on the market. NLXL and Studio Roderick Vos, on the other hand, also boasts a stunning cane-web-like wallpaper that is up for grabs for those who want to give their walls an elegant makeover.

3. Geometric

Geometry plays a huge role when it comes to building houses, but do you know that this mathematical field can also be an inspiration for that much-wanted eye-catching wallpaper design? At the 2020 Surface Design Show, King Kong Design displayed a geometric wallpaper that are made of natural cement powder. They have also released panels made of Canson paper. These geometric patterns are the structure we have been aiming for amid the chaos this year has brought us.

4. The 50s

This year, wallpaper trends jump from one era to another, even taking a leap of time as far back as he 50s and 60s.

According to Guillaume Tregouet, Zuber’s director, ‘From Art Deco style to the trends of the 50s and 60s via Impressionist movement, designs are reborn in lively tones and adorn walls as works of art.’

5. 3D

When it comes to wallpaper trends, 3-D-like designs are not lagging far behind this year. The latest this 2020 are wall coverings that scream, “Touch me!” Some of these are printed cork, beaded papers, and 3D geometric designs. If you have any of these on your walls, your guests will surely never get enough of them.

Some examples are Arte’s Velveteen collection, Phillip Jeffries’ newly released panels, and Pernille Lind’s collection of wall coverings.

There’s no better way to start the morning than having a cup of warm coffee on the terrace. The taste of coffee beans in your tongue added with a wonderful view your rooftop terrace offers is something nothing can beat. But if you have a badly designed terrace, would you still want to spend your mornings there?

Designing a rooftop terrace is no easy task, so we understand the frustration. But you don’t have to endure spening every morning on a plain, monochromatic terrace if you have the tools to make it look more elegant. If you are lacking design ideas, we got you. 

Below are some rooftop terrace design ideas we gathered just for you.

Revamping Your Rooftop Terrace? Here Are Design Ideas

1. Let a fire bowl pit and glass railings do the magic.

If you want a rooftop oasis that you and your friends can hang out in at midnight with cups of coffee on the side, then this rooftop design is the one for you. Let wooden furniture, a fire bowl pit area, and glass railings do the trick. With these, not only will you have something to warm you up as you enjoy the breeze, but you will also have the glass railings to add to the elegance and safety of the area.

2. Make it cozy.

Of course, why else would you have a rooftop terrace if you are not determined to make it cozy! To do it, place some cushions around so you have a good place to lounge. Make sure the cushions’ color complements the whole theme of the terrace. You can add a little table and place some plants on it. 

3. Design it like it’s your living room.

Here’s the key to making your rooftop terrace look cozier: design it like it’s your sala. Place a coffee table at the center and add some contemporary furnishings. Add chairs around and potted plants in the corner. Make it look like it is where you take your friends for a talk after you had your lunch in the dining room because it really is. Green cushions are the best things to place to complement the greenish look of the area, which is created by your floras. 

4. Give it a luxurious touch.

If you have a big terrace, take advantage of it. You can place beds around, aside from a big sofa and chairs. Place some planters around the area to take it a step closer to nature. You can add some lamps that exude a calming vibe. You can place an outdoor TV too and make it your favorite place for that much-wanted movie marathon. Do not forget to add tables and barstools, which you can have custom-designed for a very low price.

5. Make the most out of the space you have.

Big or small, just make sure you make the most of the area. You can add a dining table on the side, complete with six chairs at most, or whatever you prefer. Then on the other side, you can create a lounge area, which you can do by placing a sofa with pillows and a coffee table at the center. Don’t forget to place some plants and make sure your fence complements with the whole theme of the area.

Father’s Day is just around the corner. Come June 21 and your Facebook newsfeed will be flooded again with tributes to the world’s best men—fathers. But while a heartfelt message will surely take him by surprise—in a  good way—and will melt his heart, there are other ways to celebrate the day more than just penning a heartwarming letter.

But since there is a deadly virus spreading around, celebrating Father’s Day this year will have to be different from the last. There’s no checking off travel bucket list; nor is there an evening date at a famous restaurant. Because of the worldwide-imposed quarantine, most stores are closed, and travels are restricted. 

But that does not mean there’s no celebration this year. There’s a lot you can do to celebrate your dad’s existence without taking the risk of going outside and catching the virus. Even at home, the day can be celebrated. Here’s how.

Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day at Home

1. Serve him a hearty meal.

Start by serving him a breakfast prepared with love. May it be a bacon with egg ensemble, or a steak meal with fine wine on the side, have him eat a bountiful meal that he will surely enjoy. Let loose the chef in you and cook up something that will make him hug you in gratitude. 

2. Organize a backyard picnic.

Since camping off the grid is not a choice this time, then pitch a tent backyard. You can start a story-telling session with the whole family and have your dad tell his scariest, spine-tingling experiences with ghouls. If that is too nightmare-inducing for you, then you can just revisit fairy tales you used to love reading when you were a little younger. Have your dad read them for you and relive the times he used to do it for you years ago, when you were still unable to utter some words. If it gets too cold outside, you can always head in and enjoy the rest of the night listening to more of his stories. 

3. Play games with him.

Is your father the playful type? Then organizing a game night may be the best gift for him. Let him choose which game you should start with. If he’s into board games, then spend the rest of the night playing chess, Monopoly, or Scrabble. If it gets a little boring, then you can always switch to trivia games and test his knowledge on history or any topic he seems to be most interested in. You can invite the whole family to play for a more fun activity. 

4. Have a movie date night.

Is your dad a movie buff? Then preparing a movie marathon is the best thing to do on Father’s Day. Aside from it’s an activity that you can do at home, having a movie date night will get you closer to knowing which genre your father is more inclined to and you can take it into consideration as you organize more movie date nights with him. You can watch his favorite action movie, or you can put up a family movie that the whole bunch would love. A comedy film like The Longest Yard will always do the trick, but drama films like Miracles from Heaven makes a good choice too!

5. Bake him a Father’s Day cake.

To really celebrate the day, how about baking him a Father’s Day cake? You can seek help from Mom and ask her for guidance as you create the best cake the whole household can enjoy. Make a cake of his favorite flavor and decorate it according to his likes and interests. You can make a sports-themed cake if your dad is into sports, or an Adam Sandler movie-themed one if he is his favorite actor. Either way, as long as you bake it with love, he will surely love it.

On June 12, people are free to do anything. It’s a holiday, after all. There’s no work, and there’s no class. But to a patriot, there are way more reasons to celebrate this day aside from it being a double-pay workday for those who choose to report to work. It’s Indepence Day, a day to commemorate the freedom we gained a few centuries back.

It was on June 12, 1898, when Filipino revolutionary forces declared independence of the Philppine islands from the colonial rule of Spain. After 333 years of colonization, which took lives and enslaved millions, the Philippines was finally declared free.

With this said, it is only right that we celebrate the 12th of June like how Uncle Sam gives importance to the 4th of July. If you don’t know where or how to do it, we prepared a list of ways on how you can celebrate Philippine Independence Day.

How to Celebrate Independence Day 2020

1. Visit nearby museums.

One of the best ways to celebrate Independence Day is to be where the past is fully represented, and what better place to be than a museum, right? At a museum, you will get to see artifacts and memorabilia that hold a special place in our history. If you are in the metro, visit museums like the National Museum Complex, Museum of the Katipunan, or Museo ni Jose Rizal, if you can.

2. Pay a visit to historical places near you.

After visiting museums, make sure to drop by historical places too. Revisit the past by being where most historic events happened. If you are near Intramuros, you can spend a few minutes or an hour marveling at the relics from the past in the area. A few other places to consider include Rizal PArk, Corregidor Island. Fort Santiago, Fort San Pedro, or Calle Crisologo.

3. Watch Filipino movies.

If you can’t go out, no worries, there’s still a way to celebrate the day, and that is by watching Tatak Pinoy movies. Not only will you be able to entertain yourself without having to go outside, you will also get to learn a lot about our history. Film recommendations include Heneral Luna, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, Jose Rizal, and Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo.

4. Organize a staycation.

Make the most out of your stay at home by gathering your family around to have a staycation. Since traveling is still restricted for the most part, this is one of the best ways to spend Independence Day 2020. Aside from watching movies on Netflix, you can play trivia games to test everyone’s knowledge on Philippine history or play a game of charades with names of different national heroes to guess.

5. Watch an online benefit concert.

You can also watch an online benefit concert with your fam. Not only will you get to sing and dance with the performers, you will also help whatever foundation they decide to give their proceeds to. What better way to spend the night, right?

Since most of the places in the country are still under quarantine, make sure to visit only those that are currently open and visit places where you are allowed to be. It’s better to be careful than to spend the rest of the day detained.

As the world evolves, so does the field of architecture. In a Filipino setting, our bahay kubos have gone from being made entirely of indigenous materials to adopting a foreign style and foreign materials. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it loses that Filipino touch that we all want in our homes. Not only that, the use of foreign pieces and the operation costs that go into these homes are higher. So if you want to revamp your own house, why not opt for local materials? You get a real-Pinoy house and you get to cut down expenses. 

If you are not sure where to start, here is a list of indigenous materials you can use in your own home.

5 Indigenous Materials to Use in Your Filipino Home

1. Abaca

Also called Manila hemp, abaca is more often used as a material for ropes and even money. But now it is also very noticeable as one of the top indigenous materials used in Filipino houses. It can be used in furniture and also in decorative pieces. Sofa, dining table, and chair are just three of the many pieces of furniture that can be made with the use of abaca.

2. Narra

Hailed as our national tree, narra makes a sturdy piece of wood that can be used in houses. Narra is mainly used in cabinetwork, as aside from its reddish or rosy color that easily complements other pieces of furniture, it is weather- and termite-resistant, which means it can basically stand the test of time. Narra furniture pieces can be expensive, but it is a worthy investment. 

3. Capiz Shells

As they are abundant in the Philippines, it comes as no surprise that capiz shells are used everywhere, even in Filipino homes. Also known as windowpane oyster, capiz shells can easily be found in the coastal waters of the Philippines. Its use started way back the colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards. During that time, windows were made of capiz shells instead of the usual glass panes we see today. At that time, windows that were made of capiz shells were considered a distinct and exceptional piece of architecture. 

Today, capiz shells are used to make lamp shades, chandeliers, picture frame, table lamps, candle holders, handbags, bathroom accessories, and many others. 

4. Coconut Shells

This list won’t be complete without the presence of the tree of life. Coconut isn’t called so for no reason. Every part of it can be used anywhere, from housing to decorative pieces. Coconut flesh is a nutritious piece that offers a number of nutrients for the body, but its leftover, the coconut shell has its uses too. Coconut shells can be made into candle holders, containers for small items, plant holders, baskets, lampshades, jewelleries, and many others. With its color and simplicity, it can add elegance to your house without burning a hole in your pocket.

5.Rattan

Last but not the least, the rattan. Lightweight and durable, rattan makes one of the popular indigenous materials for Filipino houses. It can be made into rattan chairs, rattan baskets, and many others. Its weather resistance makes it one of the sought-after materials when it comes to decorative and furniture pieces. Rattan is one of the materials used by acclaimed designers Kenneth Cobonpue and Ito Kish in their creations.