Staff Blog
Now that's some spaghetti.
If you have been to a CSC birthday party or a McDonald's in the Philippines, you've probably had Filipino spaghetti.
I was really surprised when Auntie Pureza and Auntie Elvira showed me the ingredients for Filipino spaghetti. They are so similar to American spaghetti - like tomato paste, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and ground meat.
But if you've had Filipino spaghetti you know that there are two main differences to the spaghetti that we eat in other parts of the world.
1 - it's sweeter, and
2 - it has red hot dogs in it.
Okay, maybe the red hot dogs are just a CSC thing, but regardless, this creamy and semi-sweet spaghetti is definitely a kid favorite and a top birthday party meal request in all the houses at CSC.
My favorite thing about this day was watching Auntie Pureza make this birthday party spaghetti for what was probably the millionth time in her life. Praise God for her dedication to fill the role as a temporary mother and birthday-spaghetti-maker for the children at CSC - and with a smile on her face.
Filipino Spaghetti
Recipe from the Cherne house
1 lb. uncooked spaghetti noodles
1 lb. Italian tomato sauce (very smooth)
8 ounces tomato paste
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons oil
1 lb. ground pork
½ cup minced carrots and red peppers
2 cups diced or thinly sliced hot dogs
1 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon seasoning mix*
7 ounces evaporated milk
grated cheese for topping
1. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Set aside.
2.
Place the garlic, onion, and oil in a large saucepan or skillet. Saute
for 3-4 minutes or until soft and fragrant. Add the ground pork and
brown the meat until it’s completely cooked.
3. Add the minced
vegetables and hot dog pieces and stir to combine. Add the water and
allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and
tomato paste to the meat and continue to simmer the mixture for another
10-15 minutes. Add the evaporated milk and salt and stir until
incorporated.
4. Combine the noodles and the sauce in a large pot
or mixing bowl. Top with grated cheese. At Cherne they grate a processed
cheese similar to Velveeta and let it melt into the top layer of the
spaghetti.
*The CSC aunties use a mix called Magic Sarap which
basically adds a very salty flavor. If you don't have anything like
this, just use salt and pepper to taste.
Note: I wondered what made this taste so much sweeter than the spaghetti that I'm used to, and I honestly couldn't find any ingredients in the recipe that would have necessarily added sweetness (i.e. no added sugar in the recipe). I think that the sauce that they use just tastes sweeter than other varieties and doesn't have so many spices.
It's More Fun at CCHS!
When I first came to CCHS, it was for my interview with the principal and the consultant. I was so nervous because it was my first time to be interviewed. I prayed and tried to be optimistic no matter what happened. My prayer was granted.
I am now part of the CCHS faculty. The people at CCHS are so great because they make me feel comfortable. I have learned a lot of new things from them. I am so thankful that I have been able to meet happy people. Everything happens for a reason.
The students are so energetic. Each child has his own unique personality and skills. Every afternoon the kids bring flowers they have picked for the teachers. How sweet these students are! Every time the school has a special event, they are excited for the games, activities and especially the snacks. They participate and enjoy the activity. It’s More Fun at CCHS!
-Rhasie Gantuangco, Instructional Assistant
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Thomas is One!
Thomas is one amazing young boy. He is one resilient and persevering boy. He is one happy and upbeat boy. And now he is one year old!
Thomas has been through more in his life than most people, and he just turned one. He has had several surgeries and spent lots of time in the hospital in his first year of life. Through it all he keeps his spirits high. Even when in the hospital feeling bad, it is rare that he is in a bad mood.
Over the past couple months he has been healing up after a major surgery. Now that he is healthier, the child care workers can give him more freedom to satisfy his inquisitive mind. He is loving it!
He really likes books. He looks at them so intently that some of the child care workers joke that he already knows how to read. Recently, he has started to learn how to walk.
Many, many, many people have prayed continually for him and his recovery and development. So celebrate with us as Thomas turns one. It is great day!
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Cool Babies
One baby’s smile is extremely contagious. Multiply that by 17, that is the current number little cute babies at the shelter.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in the next few weeks. In the past months I have been spending more time with the babies at the shelter.
Each little one is cool in their own ways. One little girl loves playing “peek-o-boo.” A little boy shouts out my name when he sees me. Another girl has a squeal of excitement that goes along with a huge smile. A little boy will talk to me when he wants to, not necessarily when I want to talk to him. And another girl has been calling me “Auntie Joel” for a long time and last week she actually greeted me as “Uncle Joel.”
Just trying to take a picture of five little ones can be a great moment. Smiles, silliness, seriousness, and shyness can all fill one picture.
God has created each child to shine on their own. It is a pleasure and honor to get to know each child at the shelter.
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Full Cup of Water
Hi, I’m Michelle. It’s a blessing for me to be a part of Cebu Children of Hope School. This is my second year working as an instructional assistant in the school ministry and I’m glad I am working here.
I’m Wilmar’s Math teacher. Part of our studies in Math have been about spatial concepts like full and empty (just sort of a review), and for him to understand more about it. For a recent lesson, I prepared one empty cup and one full cup of water. (We had done this before and Wilmar drank the water!) I pointed to the cup without water as I said to Wilmar, “This cup is empty.” Then I pointed to the other cup full of water and said, “This cup is full of water.” I was expecting Wilmar to drink the water, but to my surprise, he didn’t. This young man has matured a lot.
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A Blessing to Us
Today new three new kids came to CSC. It is another great day! Of course these siblings are apprehensive at first, but are quickly warming up to the caring people that surround them.
Uncle Don Don is the house father of Eicher home where the new siblings will live. Yesterday he shared with the child care workers, "We have three new kids coming tomorrow!"
Auntie Amy quickly bombarded him with questions. "There are new kids Uncle? How old are they? Will there be kids in the nursery?"
Auntie Helen put it well, "Well, if we still have extra room, let them keep coming. Everybody is welcome!”
Uncle Don Don summed it up, "Of course! These new kids are a blessing to us."
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