Cooking Up a Storm

Patty is on a mission. She wants to help Ondoy victims by doing what she does -- and loves -- best: cooking!

She went to the market early this morning and with the generous help of family and friends, bought supplies good enough for an army: 25 kilos of meat, potato, 200 bananas, 12 trays of egg, sack of rice, etc.

She borrowed extra pots and pans from her lola and then commandeered not only her kitchen but also that of my brother Miguel to achieve her goal of preparing and packing no less than two hundred ready to eat meals by this afternoon.

Her menu: adobo, torta, hard-boiled egg, saba and rice.

"Isn't that a bit too much for relief goods?" someone made the mistake of asking her. "Wouldn't sardines and instant noodles be enough?"

"I don't like," was Patty's curt reply. "If you're going to do something, might as well do it well."

Atta girl, Patty. That's why I love you so. And I love your cooking too!