Puto-bao and the year-end

Buying buko juice (coconut water) at the market last Saturday morning, I noticed what looked like puto bumbong inside plastic containers. These were being readied for distribution to kakanin vendors in the market. I didn't get what they called it at first, as it was noisy at the market but saw these also being sold at our neighborhood bazaar viber group so I was able to confirm it is "puto-bao". "bao" here is not pronounced like the Chinese food but "ba-o" referring to the sweet or sweetened coconut meat (bao ng niyog).

We needed some coconut water and some grated coconut for a dish we were preparing. We have our suki at the market where we get these.

The purple color makes it resemble the popular Christmastime treat that is puto bumbong. And the puto part of this kakanin is basically puto bumbong.

It's probably called puto bao because of the kakanin and the 'bao' (sweetened coconut) filling, which is seen here in the photo.

I thought it was nice to end the year with a post on something sticky that's symbolic of ties with family and friends. I guess that's what keeps us sane in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 'ties that bind' as they say remain strong and perhaps reinvigorated during the last weeks when many of us were finally able to get-together, have reunions with family and friends. My social media streams are filled with people having family reunions, parties and traveling, after so many months of restraint due to the lockdowns. Let's just hope that people still practice the health protocols and restraint whenever and wherever it is applicable and not just necessary.

 

Happy New Year to all!

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A vintage Seiko 7T34-6A00 Flightmaster - gold variant

I have two vintage Flightmasters from the 1990s. I wrote about the first one, which is the stainless steel variant of this 4-register watch in 2019. The gold variant is a more recent acquisition that I write about here. Following are photos of this variant.

The watch features four (4) registers [clockwise from the top] one for the chronograph, date, alarm and sub-second.

Case back showing the model number and the serial number. The serial number indicates this watch to have been manufactured in May 1991, making the watch more than 30 years old as of this writing. The 'Japan J' below the serial number indicates this to be 'Made in Japan'.

Side view showing the crown at 3 o'clockm a button at 2 o'clock for the date setting of the right sub-dial, and another crown at 4 o'clock for the alarm setting.

Photo of the movement, which is a Cal. 7T34B

Close-up of the four registers [from the top]: chronograph, date, alarm and seconds

Wrist shot

My two flightmasters are among the more desirable quartz chronographs

Although its not stated explicitly on the dial or the case back, this watch is Made in Japan. Later models will have 'Japan Movement' or 'Movt/Movement Japan' on the dial and the back of the case. This will also state "Cased in China", indicating where the watch was assembled. Being 'Made in Japan' adds to the watch being collectible.

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Christmas 2021

From our family to yours...

A Blessed Christmas! 

A year ago and reeling from the impacts of Covid-19 in our lives, we couldn't have our usual homecomings. This year, after having our vaccinations and even boosters, things are looking better and hopeful. We already look forward to the New Year and perhaps family reunions just like old times. For now, we are still exercising some self restraint vs. large family gatherings. Perhaps 2022 will be better...

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