Pinoy achievers, Dinengdeng, runaway grooms and sex for rice

Episode on May 3, 2008 Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Pinoy Achievers Time and again Filipinos have proven that they can make a mark in any field or industry. Whether it's music, sports or fashion, you're certain to find a Filipino in the top list. Ramiele Malubay from American Idol and Madonna Decena from Britain's Got Talent who made a name for themselves in international reality TV shows are both pure Filipinas. But they are not the only ones who have proven that Filipinos can sing. Margaret Yu from Davao recently toppled over three thousand contestants from all over the world when she copped first runner up in the "Voice of McDonald's 2008." Pinoys have also become popular even in sports. Lance Feliciano won in the latest drifting championships held in the US. Meanwhile, Wesley So is recognized as the youngest Chess Grandmaster in the world. When it comes to fashion, another Filipina is making waves: Tina Maristela. Her couture bags are being used by A-list Hollywood celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock and Eva Longoria. Because of all their achievements, they have proven that we have every reason to be proud Filipinos. Dinengdeng Festival Pinakbet, Bagnet, Papaitan are just some of the Ilocanos' specialties. But there is one more dish that has become a staple in every Ilocano's table: Dinengdeng. The dish is similar to Pinakbet but what gives it its unique flavor is fish paste or bagoong. In Agoo, La Union, Dinengdeng is such a favorite dish that they celebrate an annual feast dedicated to it: the Dinengdeng Festival! The Dinengdeng Festival also serves as a thanksgiving celebration for Agoo's fishermen and farmers. The highlight of the festival is the presentation of 100 families of their Dinengdeng specialties, most of which are recipes handed down from previous generations. This year, residents of Agoo will attempt a feat for the Guinness Book of World Records by presenting more than a hundred variations of their beloved Dinengdeng. Runaway Groom You would think such scenes only happen in movies but Lilibeth's experience proves that dream weddings can turn into nightmares. Last December, Lilibeth's groom Ryan suddenly backed out of their wedding prompting the devastated bride-to-be to sue the runaway groom. Contrary to what we see in the movies, there are also a number of half-hearted grooms who suddenly quit on their weddings. But just like runaway brides, they too have deep-seated reasons for doing so. Meanwhile, a group of men in Marinduque seem to be allergic to weddings. They call themselves BHW or Binata Hanggang Wakas (Single Until the End). On the other hand, there are also men who aspire to ring their own wedding bells. Just like Norman who is always the best man but never the groom. After being a best man for 10 times already, Norman hopes that next time, he'll be the one marrying the bride. Palit-bigas The past weeks have seen an increase in the price of rice. And most Filipinos endure waiting in long lines just to buy cheap rice to feed their families. But some women have found a quick ticket to cheap rice without having to fall in line: sex in exchange for a few kilos of rice. Witness the story of the women called “palit-bigas."

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Pinoy Achievers Ang Pinoy, kahit saang larangan, tiyak na aangat at aangat ang kahusayan, mapa-musika, sports o fashion pa yan! Sina Ramiele Malubay ng American Idol at Madonna Decena ng Britain’s Got Talent, produkto ng mga sikat na international TV reality shows…parehong purong Pilipino. At mukhang walang tigil talaga ang pamamayagpag ng mga Pinoy ngayon sa kantahan. Dahil kamakailan lang, pinataob naman ng Davaoeñang si Margaret Yu ang mahigit tatlong libong kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang bansa nang tanghalin siyang 1st runner up sa “Voice of McDonald’s 2008." Pati sa sports, sikat na sikat din ngayon ang mga Pinoy! Patunay niyan si Lance Feliciano na nanalo sa pinakahuling drifting championship sa Amerika. Si Wesley So naman ang tinuturing ngayong pinakabatang Chess Grandmaster sa buong mundo. Pagdating naman sa fashion, umaariba rin ang ating mga kababayan. Nangunguna na riyan si Tina Maristela. Ang mga dinisenyo niyang bags ginagamit ngayon ng mga sikat na international celebrities tulad nina Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock at Eva Longoria. Dahil sa kanilang mga narating at napagtagumpayan, muli nating maipagmamalaki ang husay ng ating lahi. Dinengdeng Festival Pinakbet, Bagnet, at Papaitan… ilan lamang ito sa mga specialty ng mga Ilokano. Pero may isa pang luto na hinding-hindi raw puwedeng mawala sa kanilang hapag-kainan…ang Dinengdeng, parang pinakbet pero ang pinakanagpapalasa rito…bagoong! Sa katunayan, isang festival ang ipinagdiriwang taun-taon ng mga taga-Agoo, La Union para lamang dito…ang Dinengdeng Festival! Ang Dinengdeng Festival ay isinasagawa bilang pasasalamat ng mga mangingisda sa kanilang huli pati na rin ng mga magsasaka para naman sa kanilang ani. Parte ng pagdiriwang ang paghahain ng mahigit isang daang pamilya ng kanilang mga “Dinengdeng specialties." Karamihan daw sa mga recipes na ito, minana pa nila sa mga naunang henerasyon. At sa taong ito, tatangkain ng mga taga-Agoo na mapabilang sa Guinness Book of World Records. Ito ay sa pamamagitan nang paghahain ng mahigit isang daang luto ng kanilang ipinagmamalaking Dinengdeng! Runaway Groom Parang eksena sa pelikula ang nangyari sa kasalan nina Ryan at Lilibeth noong nakaraang Disyembre 22. Ang nakatakdang araw kasi ng kanilang pag-iisang dibdib, naging bangungot! Bigla kasing umatras ang groom sa kasal na naging dahilan para i-demanda siya ng kanyang dapat sana’y bride. Lingid sa kaaalaman nating lahat, marami na rin palang groom ang bigla na lang nagba-back out sa kani-kanilang mga kasal. Pero tulad ng mga “Runaway Bride," may malalalim din silang dahilan. Samantala isang samahan naman ng mga kalalakihan sa Marinduque ang tila allergic sa kasal. Ang tawag sa kanilang grupo, BHW, o “Binata Hanggang Wakas." Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, may mga lalake pa ring tulad ni Norman na nananalanging umabot na sa dambana. Yun nga lang, si Norman, lagi lang bestman. Sa katunayan, sampung beses na siyang naging bestman sa kasal, pero magpahanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nagiging groom. Palit-bigas Sa nakalipas na mga linggo, tumaas ang presyo ng mga bigas. Kaya naman marami tayong mga kababayan ang nagtitiyaga sa mahabang pila. Lahat ng ito makabili lang ng murang bigas, pangtawid gutom sa kanilang pamilya. Pero ang ilang kababaihan hindi na nagtitiyaga sa pila ng bigas. Dahil ipinagpapalit nila ang kanilang puri at dangal, kapalit ng ilang kilo ng bigas. Tunghayan ang kwento ng mga babaeng “palit-bigas." Hanggang kailan nila masisikmurang ipangsangkalan ang kanilang katawan, malamanan lang ang kumakalam na sikmura ng kanilang pamilya.