Philippines has a glut of freshwater fish that Filipinos tend to invent new fish recipes so they don’t surfeit on it. They make sinugno, tinapa, or inun-unan, all having very different taste you wouldn’t even realize you have been eating the same kind of fish for a week.

Regardless, every fish recipe tastes just as good as the rest. Here’s another Pinoy recipe that’s packed with flavors and nutrients—the sarciadong isda.

How to Prepare Sarciadong Isda

Sarciadong isda is yet another fish cuisine that derives its name from the Tagalog word sarsa, meaning sauce. Essentially, it’s a fried-fish recipe that’s garnished with sauce.

Scroll down for video

It’s an authentic Filipino recipe that’s super easy and affordable to make. If you have some fish, tomatoes, eggs, and condiments at home, you are all set to create this delicious dish for the family.

Here’s a list of the ingredients you will need:

• 1 kilo of fish (any kind you like)
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 tomatoes, chopped
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 cups of water
• 2 teaspoons of soy sauce
• black pepper and salt
• scallions, chopped (optional)

Procedure

1. First, rub black pepper and salt all over the fish. Grab a pan and fry the fishes. Once done, set them aside.
2. Use the same frying pan to sauté the onions and garlic cloves together. When the onion turns translucent and garlic is light brown, add the tomatoes until they have a soft texture.
3. Next, pour the 4 cups of water into the pan and season it with pepper, salt, and soy sauce. Grab a teaspoon and taste the recipe as you add the seasoning until its taste satisfies you. Bring the recipe to boil.
4. Add the beaten eggs and simmer the recipe until the eggs are thoroughly cooked. Also make sure to stir the recipe to evenly distribute the eggs when they thicken. Maintain a low heat as you do this.
5. Lastly, add the fried fishes into the recipe. Simmer it for another 5 minutes.
6. Place the fish on a serving dish and pour the sauce on top. You can also relish it with chopped scallions or spring onions.

Filipino foods are delicious; they are also very simple and affordable, just like this sarciadong isda. It’s a great recipe for midday meals, especially if you pair it fresh hot rice.

Watch the video below

The Philippines is a tropical country, which means that a wooden house that offers a cool resting area makes the perfect abode, given the climate. Plus, the abundance of timber in the country makes wooden house designs affordable and achievable.

Planning to build one? Here are some suggestions.

10 Wooden House Designs Perfect for Those in Tropical Regions

Whether you are constructing a new house or doing a home-remodeling, this list of wooden house designs will surely give you fresh ideas for your home.

1. Dome Home

Dome wooden house designs have circular bases with round wooden exteriors extending to the roof. The house can be made with two or more stories, depending on the dome’s size. Don’t forget to carve out windows to let some natural light in.

Scroll down for the video

2. Gabled-Roof House

A gabled house is a classic favorite that never goes out of style. This house design is perfect for those who like to maximize the space; the gabled part can be used as an attic, a bedroom, or a storage area.

3. Cordwood Exterior

A stack of cordwood or firewood, cut in equal sizes, makes a great exterior. With few transparent windows and warm lighting, any house will look like a gigantic fireplace, especially at night.

4. Modern Tree House

Relive the sweet childhood memories inside this modern tree house. Place transom door windows in at least two walls so you get the best view of nature from above. It’s also the perfect They are also the perfect spot to add a nature-inspired bathroom.

5. Staggered Blocks

Block-like wooden structures are assembled with overlapping designs. These wooden house designs show off a modern vibe, even more so when they are painted with monochromatic colors.

6. Black-Painted Wooden Home

Ordinary wooden houses can always be revamped to achieve a modern look with just a slight modification: coat the exteriors with black paint. Also, use tinted casement windows to add more sophistication to the design.

7. A-Frame House

It is easy to achieve a pyramid-shaped wooden house design; it doesn’t use a lot of materials to build the body frame and exteriors. However, this design will surely leave a limited indoor space, which makes it an unsuitable design for larger families.

8. Quonset Hut House

Quonset huts are wooden semicircular structures that resemble dome houses, except they have parallel flat surfaces. With warm lighting, light-colored paint, and parquet flooring, Quonset huts can turn into modern abodes.

9. Single-Story Wooden House with Flat Roof

Single-story flat-roofed homes exude a simple yet modern design, perfect for minimalists. Houses with this design use woods to form the base, walls, and roofing, and usually add full-view windows to achieve a panorama.

10. Gothic Arch

Gothic arch houses adopt a design that is quite similar to Quonset huts, with the exception of their pointed roof arches. They usually have matching arched windows or awning windows, but you can always be creative depending on the overall style you want to achieve.

Watch the video below

Whether you crave for some historical adventure or a dip in pristine waters, Cebu’s tourist spots got your back. From archaic houses and churches to white-sand beaches, name it! But if there’s one place you shouldn’t miss upon visiting Cebu, it’s the Bantayan Island.

5 Reasons to Visit Bantayan Island of Cebu

The island is situated in the west of the northern end of Cebu and covers three municipalities: Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan. It’s 164 miles away from the metropolis, which means that travel time would take approximately 5 hours. Yes, it’s a long ride, but the scenery along the way will make it worthwhile. And the island itself does not disappoint.

Scroll down for the video

Just in case you need more convincing, here are more reasons to visit Bantayan Island at least once in your lifetime.

1. Budget-friendly vacation trip

Bantayan Island is a budget-friendly tourist spot, where a thousand pesos is enough to live on for a few days. Local hotels are relatively cheap, especially when you’re checking in as a backpacker or with friends. The island is also small; you can walk to and from your destination and save on transit cost. Besides that, you can also feast on local cuisine without overspending.

2. A chance to experience authentic island life

The long distance from the city to the island has its perks, and one is the liberty to enjoy authentic island life away from the corporate culture. There are no big-name hotels or fast-food chains, but there are local hotels, resorts, bars, and restaurants that offer a laid-back experience. Here you’ll wake up to the crows of the roosters, get around on a bicycle or motorbike, and tiptoe on the island’s white sand.

3. High-speed internet

Most provinces don’t have a 3G connection, let alone a 4G LTE internet, but Bantayan is different! It may be a far-flung island, but it boasts strong cellular signal, which means that you don’t necessarily—and literally—need to disconnect from the world! Stay connected with your friends and family, upload pictures from your trip, and share stuff on your travel blog while you’re there. With a reliable internet connection, you can navigate through the island even without a tour guide.

4. Brokenhearted people’s camp town

You can also go camping at Kota Beach Resort, referred to as Camp Sawi, which means it’s a camp for the miserable in love. It gained popularity after the resort became a film site for a blockbuster rom-com featuring heartbroken Filipino women. Since then, the resort has become a retreat for the hopeless romantic. They say the place can help you heal! Whether that’s true or not, the island’s beauty is enough to make it one of the perfect romantic destinations to celebrate Valentine’s Day or any special day with your partner.

5. Serene beaches surround the island

Other than Camp Sawi, there are a few more resorts on the island that boast a serene view of the Pacific Sea. The island is still a budding ecotourism spot, so there’s not a lot of rules—at least not yet! Hence, you can go free-driving whenever you want. Just remember to take extra precautions.

The locals of the island are friendly and accommodating. You can trust that you’ll be treated nicely while you’re there. Also remember: “take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints!”

Watch the video below

With the summer sun gradually hovering over our roofs this March, it is best to steer clear of fire hazards. March happens to be one of the hottest months in the country. According to PAGASA, it is around this month when temperature and humidity begin to skyrocket, signaling the coming of the dry season. Incidentally, fire incidents in record numbers also occur this time of year, based on data from the Bureau of Fire Protection. With March being the Philippines’ Fire Prevention Month, it’s high time we give you tips to fireproof your home.

Fireproof Your Home with These Important Tips

Fire-resistant coating

One of the easiest ways to fireproof your home is to make use of a fire-resistant coating. Apply fire-resistant paint on interior walls and ceilings as a clear coating. The coating goes on quickly, and there’s absolutely no drilling or construction incurred in this fireproofing upgrade. Just make sure you hire a professional to do the application because it’s a specialized job.

Scroll down for the video

Flame-retardant fabrics

Majority of fire accidents are associated with the burning of textiles. It’s good to know that some fabrics out there that resist fire more than others. Opt for wool, silk, polyester, and heavy and tightly-knitted linen, cotton, lyocell, and rayon fabrics for draperies, upholstery, slipcovers, and rugs.

Fire-retardant plants

Another way to fireproof your home from fire is to create a border around your house that is essentially fire-resistant. Plant small fire-retardant plants that grow close to the ground. Fire-resistant plants include kakawate (Gliricidia sepium), banana (Musa), abaca (Musa textilis), malunggay (Moringa oleifera), and cassava (Manihot esculenta). Look for plants that are low-resin and high in moisture content.

Fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers

More than half of fatal home fires happen at night when people are asleep. Fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinklers cut your family’s risk of dying in a fire in their sleep by half. You should have them in every bedroom, as well as one on each floor of your house. If you don’t already, keep at least one fire extinguisher in your house. A good place to keep one is in the kitchen as that is where many fires start. Make sure everyone who is old enough knows how to use it.

Practice safety tips

Everyone in your home should be fire smart! Unplug all electrical equipment when not in use. Routinely check for gas leaks and maintenance issues. Keep flammable objects out of the children’s reach. Be careful where you smoke. If you do smoke, put your butts out completely before tossing them. Flickering lights, sparking switches, and the smell of something burning when plugging in appliances should be considered as warning signs.

The moment you catch sight of something burning, call 911 immediately. Tell the emergency operator of your location right away. Fire incidents are deadly, but if you fireproof your home and follow these safety precautions, you can prevent untoward incidents from happening.

Watch the video below

In the busy streets, archaic public vehicles rush their way through private cars, taxicabs, and motorcycles. Most of the time, they come with barkers who slickly call for passengers. They’re brightly painted, usually with images of famous celebs, and decorated with tacky accessories. They’re the Philippine jeepneys—a post-war relic, a national trademark, and the real “Kings of the Road.”

Kings of the Road: Origin and Evolution of Philippines’ Jeepneys

Over the decades, jeepneys have become a common sight in the street since they are the cheapest means of transportation in the country. Each one can accommodate up to 25 people in one go, making it a more convenient option compared to other pub rides.

They’re also everywhere, that’s why jeepneys come labeled with designated routes, typically painted on the sides or displayed on the windscreens, so commuters can easily spot the right transits. Plus, these vehicles have open windows for natural ventilation and open backdoor for easy on- and off-loading of passengers.

Once, Sarao-manufactured jeepneys even made it to the 1964 New York World’s Fair, exhibited as a cultural symbol for the Philippines. There, the origin and development of the creative reinvention became known to world.

Scroll down for the video

Etymology

The jeepney, or simply jeep, is actually a portmanteau. It’s a combination of old popular lingos: jeep, an American taxicab, and jitney, a type of military vehicle. Other scholarly sources also favor the combination of jeep and knee since commuters sit close to each other.

Origin

At the end of World War II, the American soldiers decided to dispose their military surplus, including hundreds of unused jeeps. Some were sold, while other jeeps were given to the locals.

Later on, Filipinos reconfigured the military jeeps. They replaced the back seats with two long parallel benches and added metal roofs for shade. They also repainted the exteriors with vibrant colors. In 1950s, they began to fill the streets and replaced the old-fashioned kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage used in the Philippines.

The ingenious innovation instantly became a popular and inexpensive public utility vehicle. Consequently, the size and length of jeeps gradually stretched to accommodate the increasing number of commuters.

Car manufactures emerged at this time too, one of them was Sarao Motors. In 1953, they rapidly peaked the production ranks as they manufactured high-quality jeeps. They also contributed in making the vehicles a cultural symbol.

Jeepneys as a National Trademark

The jeepneys as public transportation vehicles are distinct to the Philippines and proudly made by Pinoys. Considering their history, jeeps have also become a representation of the Filipinos’ grit—resilient, ingenious, and hopeful.

Besides that, the jeep is also often considered a symbol of Philippine culture, a tag promoted mainly by Sarao Motors. In 1964, the company took the vehicle to the New York World’s Fair and presented it as such. That year, Sarao produced a fleet of jeepney, transported them abroad, and exhibited them as a Philippine icon at the event. In 1971, Sarao sent a jeepney to travel from Manila to London and all around Europe as part of a roadshow aimed at promoting local tourism and industry to European countries.

At present, the jeepneys are not just another transit system in the Philippines, they also fill the shelves of souvenir stores as miniature figures.

Modern Jeepneys

The modern jeepneys take various forms and names. In Iloilo, for example, they’re known as passad and resemble sedans and pickup trucks. Davao City, on one hand, calls them uso-uso. The uso-uso flaunts a more contemporary design.

Jeepneys have endured several attempts of the government to phase them out. In hopes of modernizing the transport system in the country, officials have long planned to ditch the jeep and go for buses and trains. But after several decades, the jeepney is still here dominating the road.

Watch the video below

Thirty miles from inland Manila, Corregidor Island bears witness to a daunting past of the Philippines. It is strategically positioned at the entrance of Manila Bay, where commerce and trade flourished. Unfortunately, the skirmishes that plagued the country also gained entry through the island. Due to that, the island takes many nicknames—“The Rock,” “Fort Mills,” and “Gibraltar of the East”—to mark its historical roles, mainly as a bastion from enemies.

As early as 1570, the island became a support site for Spanish conquistadors during their rule. It became their fortress of defense, prison site, and tariff collection post, as well as a signal vanguard to alert Manila of incoming naval battle fleets. Even during the failed attempts of foreign invaders to steal the Philippines from the Spaniards, Corregidor Island became an obstacle to their quest.

Then came the American troops, who successfully took the island from the Spaniards. As a result, they organized Corregidor as their extended garrison in 1902. They constructed additional military structures including a movie theater, a hospital, and the infamous Malinta tunnel, an elaborate network of twenty-five laterals.

Scroll down for the video

Eventually, the U.S. Army lost its holding during the Battle of Corregidor in May 1942. The Japanese troops outnumbered Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his comrades, which made them leave the island. The 14th Japanese Imperial Army lieutenant general, Masaharu Homma, succeeded to power.

In 1945, Douglas returned to recapture the Philippines through Corregidor’s entrance. His arrival was also timely for the Pacific War, the branch of World War II in the Pacific and Asia. At this time, the island was heavily attacked, causing death to thousands of Americans, Japanese, and Filipinos.

War Relics and Memorial Places on the Island of Corregidor

After the war, all that’s left were war relics—the hospital, the batteries, the barracks, the lighthouse, and the tunnel. The government, along with foreign partners and locals, also touted The Pacific War Memorial, the Filipino Heroes Memorial, and the Japanese Garden of Peace to honor the soldiers who fought and died on the Island.

Gun batteries

Battery Way and Battery Geary are the two main gun emplacements on the island. They shot the most crippling offense during the Battle of Corregidor leading to the Pacific War. Besides these, Crockett and Grubbs also became pivotal bastions in the entire siege of the island.

Mile-Long Barracks (Ruins of Mile-Long)

One of the war relics left on the island is the Mile-Long Barracks, also known as the Topside barracks. It boasts a three-tier structure built from hurricane-proof materials back in the day. It also has a length of 1,520 feet, making it the world’s longest military barracks.

Spanish lighthouse

Established in 1853, the historic Corregidor Island Lighthouse guided ships to Manila Bay’s entrance en route to Manila. It boasts a cylindrical shape and 60-feet height, mounted on the island’s highest peak, the Topside. In the 1950s, locals restructured the lighthouse using some of its original stones. Today, the base serves as a souvenir store for tourists.

Malinta tunnel

The Malinta tunnel served as a strong fortress for the Filipino–American army. Japanese forces hid inside when the Allied forces returned to the Philippines. According to locals, Japanese troops performed harakiri, a ritual suicide by disembowelment, in the third lateral. Now, the Malinta tunnel is open to tourists who want a piece of the country’s history.

Pacific War Memorial

The Pacific War Memorial stands on Corregidor Island’s Topside, near the Spanish lighthouse. Costing $3 million, the memorial was completed in 1968 and was built to honor the Filipino and American soldiers who engaged in World War II.

Filipino Heroes Memorial

Built in 1992, The 6 km² Filipino Heroes Memorial is a recent addition in Corregidor. It showcases fourteen murals imitating the battles fought by Filipinos until the Second World War.

Japanese Garden of Peace

The Garden of Peace is reserved for the Japanese who fought and died on the island during the war. The park also includes shrines, a memorabilia pavilion, and a praying area.

Locals say they still hear the souls of those who died in Corregidor asking for help, which left the island unpopular to many tourists. What they don’t realize, however, is that it’s the island’s haunting history that makes it unforgettable and beautiful.

Watch the video below