11 Chefs, 1 night: Kain na! Kokua for the Philippines

If you’re not going to this event, one thing’s for sure: you’ll miss out.

The Oct. 15 earthquake that struck Central Philippines left over 200 casualties and 340,000 displaced. Maui’s community of devoted chefs and friends gather for one night to raise funds for the American Red Cross-Philippine Earthquake fund.

Seats are limited so reserve your tickets now! Call Sharon Zalsos at 808.359.1616 or e-mail sharonzm@yahoo.com for your minimum donation of $50.

In the words of awesome Chef Jake Belmonte of Maui Culinary Academy on how this came about:

It was a hot and muggy Lahaina afternoon during the opening night of Plantation Days 2013, one week after the successful Maui Filipino Heritage Festival that gathered 6,000+ attendees.

A Philippine Flag was being dropped off as a booth decor commemorating the Filipinos that worked during the Plantation era. This was when Chef Jojo Vasquez approached me with his vision…..and all I said was “Sure!

Eliza Escano Vasquez, Chef Vasquez’s beautiful wife heard about the sad news and convinced him to ask is peers to come together and consider a benefit for the victims of the earthquake.

It didn’t take much convincing and soon, everyone was gathered at their home and plans were made.

The Chefs intend to showcase the Filipino bayanihan spirit – an image of the community carrying a house, an image of a community helping each other in time of need.

The event will showcase all-Filipino Chefs from distinguished establishments. Food prepared will all be Filipino-inspired and will surely showcase the Chef’s interpretations and creativity.

Lucky you reading this – some ‘plans’ were shared with me: binagoongan salmon, pusit guisado, made-to-order prawn crepes, pato (duck) sisig with fiery chili/adobo duck sonota, and kare-kare meatballs.

(salivate salivate)

I learned that there will also be a halo-halo bar with various dessert choices like white chocolate banana crêpe with ice cream and cassava cake.

While we all plan how hungry we will be for that evening, please remember that families displaced from the earthquake need a helping hand to get themselves back on their feet.

Here are some photos online:

The organizers partnered with American Red Cross to deliver funds raised.

The star for this event is you. Donate what you can and let me tell you, there is nothing else you can compare with the satisfaction of giving back.

Give back and everything else will be feel much better.

Besides, aren’t you curious what kare-kare meatballs would taste like?!

Here’s a flyer version of the poster I made:

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November 5, 2013 Add Comment

35 reasons why Maui is voted best island in the world

This article was published in the FilAm Courier, Oct. 16 issue.

Maui did it again. I couldn’t be more proud to call Maui my home.

Condé Nast Traveler’s Magazine has rated Maui best island in the world – the top pick of its correspondents – now on its 20th consecutive winning year.

Sure, there are tons of reasons that make Maui no ka oi. It is a collaboration among entities that preserve the island’s beauty and charm. It is the local government and organizations that have kept up with the demands of time. With 35,000 visitors coming in daily, imagine how much impact that will have on infrastructure, local businesses and environmental management.

Visitors on Maui leave with priceless memories and come back wanting more. The reason is not Haleakala nor the almost-perfect beaches that we have. Our visitors come back, stay at one of our signature hotel accommodations, and instantly become hanai to the Maui family. That is the reason. It is our friendly, unsung heroes of the hospitality department that has made us no. 1 again and again.

I recently emceed at the 2013 Outstanding Housekeepers Awards Banquet and Recognition Ball, sponsored by the Binhi At Ani Filipino Community Association. One by one the awardees went on stage and accepted recognition framed certificates. Their fellow employees cheered every time their hotel name was called out.

Mayor Alan Arakawa thanked the honorees for their hard work. Photo by Ryan Piros, County of Maui.

These manangs and manongs make sure that after a rough day out and about Maui, visitors come back to their hotel rooms with their beds made, trash emptied, towels washed and supplies refilled. They make sure laundry is done. They make sure every dirty work is done. And they’re happy to do it for you.

I have not traveled extensively around the world to compare services and justify my claim. But I hear it from other people who have, and claimed that nothing compares to when your housekeeping person is a Filipino.

Do you know that feeling when you come home and the house is spic and span, dinner is ready, your used clothes washed, dried and folded, and your bed welcomes you with open arms for another episode of slumber? I happen to have been blessed and experienced that most of my life growing up in the Philippines. But I promise you, I wasn’t a spoiled brat.

We had a yaya – a house help. It is typical and common for Filipino middle class families to have a helper. Our yaya, we call her Ninang, has been with us since my parents were married and practically raised me and my brothers.

I reminisce the conveniences I had when I still lived with Ninang in my best place in the world – home in the Philippines.

But remember that feeling – that feeling when a deep sigh of relief really meant like a relaxing embrace. That’s the same feeling every visitor who has voted for Maui in that survey felt during their stay in the island. That was it. They had a Ninang during their stay. Because of that, Maui became their best place in the world.

Every awardee that night beamed with so much pride. Maui’s luxurious hotels and recognitions would be nothing without their hard work and love for the job. They truly are heroes.

Please stop a moment, greet, and throw a shaka the next time you meet one. And if you recognize any of these names, then you have an award-winning Ninang in your family, too.

Here are the 35 reasons why Maui is voted Best Island in the World – the 2013

Housekeeping Awardees:
Andro Lacaden
Henry Oandasan
Perigrino Yadao
Jerry Santiago
Laurence Castillo
Rowel Bautista
Amado Vallesteros
Andres Arcala
Adriano Mercado
Jun Peredo
Joven Antolin
Jayson De La Cruz
Oscar Soriano
Elenita Ildefonso
Marife Ilar
Elsa Piano
Rosario Versola
Marilou Blando
Jackie Puno
Nenita Corpuz
Maribel Ibe
Cristina Bollante
Magdalena Magaoay
Erlilnda Parilla
Erlilna Pagaduan
Leinie Acoba
Ermelita Torrente
Nellie Huliganga
Rudy Melchor
Rose Sijalbo
Cecilia Yagin
Blasilda Yapit
Nenita Alcantara
Mehelle Felipe
Giji Turner

Tweet your best hotel housekeeping moments with me at @keeet.

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Mahalo to the Binhi At Ani Board members for putting the event together! Especially to Manong Manny Baltazar, Event Chair and former awardee himself. Talk about giving back =)

October 17, 2013 Add Comment

Some tips on how to enjoy the Maui Fair

Everyday I drive by Kaahumanu Ave, the tents are slowly coming to life. Pretty soon, the rides, the food booths and the lights will get some action and you’ll find yourself, once again, at the Maui Fair.

http://mauifair.com/2013/

Just like you, I enjoy my time at the fair. Luckily, I had the opportunity to participate further – rode a fancy convertible and waved to the crowd during the parade (drove the convertible back to the rental place, too), did my shift at the County booth, took advantage of parking passes, and ate my nightssss away.

So here are some tips I learned from past attendance:

1. Wear covered FLAT shoes.

I think I made the description generic enough to fit your style – sneakers, doll shoes, running shoes, whatever you fancy. It will be dusty – even at night, though it’s dark and for others, romantic, there will still be dust. Protect your feet, keep them clean, wear covered shoes. The ‘flat’ part is simple. Maui Fair grounds are mostly on grass, too. Unless you’re expert walking on grass with heels on, then fine. Perhaps wedges are acceptable if you insist on having long legs, but you MAY be walking a lot – depending on your level of curiosity and sense of adventure.

An old aerial image of Maui Fair. At least there will be grass now.

2. BUY those food tickets and support non-profits

It doesn’t matter whether you’ll pick up the plates that you pre-purchased from your office mate or friend who’s been fundraising, the main thing is you purchased. I would strongly recommend buying food from one of the non-profit booths. NOT ONLY do they have the traditional and ono’ selections: flying saucers, POG shakes, shoyu chickens, malasadas, etc, but you’re actually helping and supporting the community.

Sure that deep fried bacon is making you curious, but if you are making the decision where to spend your last few dollars, spend it on one of the non-profit booths. I assure you that someone you know is volunteering a shift in one of those booths and is working really hard to support his/her organization.

So what, stand in line. If you can stand in line at Costco, you’ll be fine standing in line at the Maui Fair.

Here’s a great photo collection I found online from Anu Yagi of Mauivents: http://mauivents.com/maui-events/crazy-88th-annual-maui-county-fair/

3. CARPOOL if you can

Well, this is sort of self-explanatory. Let’s all not be selfish and contribute to everyone’s convenience. If you can save some spots by carpooling with your family and friends to get down at the venue, then do it. Since we’re talking about cars too, make it habit already to put reusable bags in your vehicle – not just during Maui fair season, really. But those food items that you plan to take home? You’ll most likely be given paper bags – which will be a B to carry to your vehicle. B stands for Biceps – because it will be a biceps workout. (hehe)

4. IF you go GAGA with winning all the toys

Consider giving them to the next wide-eyed keiki next to you and I guarantee you will be more than a hero for the night.

Give the toys to someone who would really appreciate them

This happened to me and my boyfriend and we’ve turned it into an annual thing. FOR SOME lucky strike, I won two toys with the basketball free throw game. I got both balls in – imagine that?! =) The cheapy stuffed animals are really cute, but in reality, they’d be dust collectors at home.

Then there was this little girl and her brother looking at the others with those huuuuge toys they carry around – my heart just melted and we gave our toys to them. If you plan to do this, make sure the parents are aware, by the way. This will avoid any miscommunication – you’ll never know.

Have fun testing your accuracy skills and make someone else’s night. =)

5. GO AROUND and appreciate someone’s hard work

I know some people who go just for the food, for the rides. The Maui Fair is actually bigger than that. Visit the exhibits inside War Memorial Stadium – last year, Saigon’s owner Jennifer Nguyen won an award growing this huuuuuge gourd. It was taller than her!

Jennifer and Mayor Alan Arakawa with the award-winning gourd

My point is, there’s so much talent and work put in the displays and the best way you can show appreciation is to just go and check it out! No harm at all! The mini-zoo is also a wonder place, for me. I still couldn’t forget this huge bunny rabbit from last year – it was ridiculous. All the animals on display were beautiful, FAT, amazing. Someone worked really hard.

Just look at this beautiful creature from last year. Just amazing!

If you do have some money to spend, support our local businesses at the commercial centers. Engage a moment of salesmanship from our people. Ask questions. Ask them a lot of questions. Buy something! Tell them they did a good job with their displays. Make suggestions and recommend good stuff to friends.

CAUTION: DO NOT go inside the displays like this girl in the photo. She got scoldings for stepping too close to the displays.

6. TALK to your County officials

Maui Fair is the biggest community event in Maui. Your County officials will be there and present. Take advantage of the opportunity to talk to them. Water, Fire, Police, Mayor’s Office – most likely, most of them will be represented. Pick out some brochures, answer their questionnaires, play games and win a freebie, talk to the officials and don’t be intimidated. They are there to listen to you and they will listen to you.

7. WATCH A SHOW

There will be plenty. Aside from the hourly performances at the tent, know that there are talent shows, cook-off competitions, and even robotics and lego competitions (which I thought last year was soooo cool. Almost made me want to switch my course to Engineering. Oh wait, I’m not in college anymore. Darn it)

Kalapana rocked it last year

8. WAVE and SMILE to the parade peoplez

The parade kicks off the weekend. Hey, those folks waving at you from the parade – they all worked hard on that float. They did it because they want to spread the aloha – so give it back by throwing them your sweetest smile, add a wave and share your photos online telling the world how awesome they did.

I had the honor of being aboard Mayor Alan Arakawa's convertible last year. This year, I'm actually going to see the parade - the whole parade! Perhaps one of the first parades I'll ever see as a spectator! I'm excited!

I had the honor of being aboard Mayor Alan Arakawa’s convertible last year, with Mayor’s CoS Herman Andaya. This year, I’m actually going to see the parade – the whole parade! Perhaps one of the first parades I’ll ever see as a spectator! I’m excited!

Are you ready for the Maui Fair? Visit their website for the full info.

I’ll see you there!

September 16, 2013 Add Comment

How to consume inter-island drinks from Hawaiian Airlines

Frequent flyer or not, you’ll encounter these cups from Hawaiian Airlines when you travel inter-island. You’ll have a choice of water or POG (passion-orange-guava).

Now, if you just doze off like me, then all you need to worry about is looking ‘fine’ when the flight attendant passes by. Fine i.e. you have your sunglasses on, mouth not open, and not snore. But recently, traveling has been quite hectic – like arriving at the gate one minute after plane left – and this in-flight treat just let you catch your breath and enjoy 20 minutes of just sitting down until you find yourself on the go again.

Anyway, let’s get on with – darn too much introduction.

On the occasion that you find yourself holding one of the POG cups, you’ll be obliged to peel off the top foil cover. That’s what the instruction says, anyway. Problem with that is, the potential to spill is greater. I know there’s not much content in there, but imagine if you have kids or you’re busy reading the magazine or you only have one hand…

Using your sharp or not-so-sharp nail, poke a hole on one side. You’ll be able to suck the liquid out of the thing. Problem is, you’ll need another hole – anywhere – somewhere other than the existing hole – to let the pressure out while you suck the liquid out.

One sip and you’re done. It’s just more fun. Try it next time.

August 26, 2013 Add Comment