But here’s the thing. Since the mother of this child comes from an old school Chinese family, there are certain cultural rites that must be observed. Sure, there’s the issue of setting up the house according to the tenets of Feng Shui, but the thing that has commanded all of our attention (and sympathy) is the need for the mother to consume a certain foul concoction called “豬腳薑.” In English this roughly translates to “pig’s feet and ginger” (pictures here). If the mother can force it down, it is said to help her build her qi back up after child birth. Our Dark Side writer’s main problem with all this is the vomit factor and we were just wondering if anyone out there has mad enough chef skills to help us make this stuff palatable. Here’s the recipe, just in time for lunch. And don’t say we never did anything to advance Chinese culture:

豬腳薑

4 lbs. pig’s feet
Water for blanching
2 oz. or 4 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, peeled & cut into medium-size chunks
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 1/2 c. black rice vinegar
1/4 c. white vinegar
2 c. rock sugar
1 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
8 hard-boiled eggs, shells removed

Split pig’s feet lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1 inch pieces. Blanch pig’s feet in large pot (preferrably clay) by pouring boiling water over them for 1 minute. Brown pig’s foot with the oil in another large pot, then add all the other ingredients except the eggs. Boil ginger over medium heat within another pot for 20 minutes. Drain and discard liquid. Add ginger to pig’s feet, cover and cook over medium- low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until pig’s feet are tender. Stir occasionally. Immerse eggs in sauce and allow the covered pot to sit out in room temperature for a week. After a week, reboil the contents of the pot. Do this for four weeks straight. Do not refrigerate. Heat on low before serving. The new mother should eat this twice daily for a month.

Courtesy of cooks.com

Forget the fact that the moustache-toting official was stood-up by Premier Wu Den-yih, criticised about Hong Kong’s extortionate rents, and failed to resolve the dispute over a local bid to purchase a Taiwanese insurer. According to a puff piece on the government’s propaganda news site, the mission reached a “fruitful end,” albeit to the overall benefit of our crafty counterparts, who managed to secure a hotly desired visa-free entry agreement.

In light of the poor showing, we’ve taken a page from the Security Bureau’s playbook and come up with a special travel alert system for politicians. It’s hardly a strategy, but for a government that’s frequently the subject of international ridicule, it’s the least we could do.

Outbound travel alert		Countries/Cities
Severe threat	Avoid at all costs	Taiwan: Political gamesmanship aside, the Taiwanese are ever-ready to throw down when the situation calls for it. Don’t be surprised if your next trade summit devolves into a bitch slapping contest. South Korea: In a country where parliamentary sessions look more like cage matches, it’s easy to see why Hong Kong pols would be sorely outmatched.
Significant threat	Just plain foolish	Mainland China: Beijing’s tolerance for dissent, particularly in matters pertaining to secession or self-governance, has its limits. If this scathing diatribe by the country’s former UN ambassador is anything to go by, you’d be well advised to stay clear UK: Flying tennis shoes have been known to materialise here out of nowhere. Chinese office holders, right-wing hardliners in particular, should take heed.
Signs of threat	Not welcome	Macau: Unless you’re looking to get sent back on the next Turbo Jet, it’s probably best to hold off on the civil rights talk here. Israel: Remember, this is a country that has few qualms about snubbing, even its closest ally. You’d be lucky to get a ride to the airport.

1. Our local chick claimed that she didn’t like Antonio at all; she just went “oh whatever!” when he approached her and surrendered her phone number and email address. Ladies, learn how to say no to douchebags. It is unlikely you will end up alone and miserable, unless of course you are truly ugly.

2. Even if you’re not interested in doing something productive in the boss’ time, don’t chat online with a guy you don’t like. Play this instead for example. You’re providing ammunition to the defense lawyer in your own future rape case, as it allows this person to “deduce” that you actually like the guy.

3. To the boys: if chatting with a chick for more than a year does not lead to consented intercourse, pick a-n-o-t-h-e-r target. Apparently Antonio tried to take their friendship to another level earlier as well: he tried to kiss and cuddle her in a disco and she fled. What does that tell you, Antonio?
   

4. When you caress her in a taxi and she tells you to stop, that likely means you’re out of luck, no matter what “pick-up artists” might have told you before.
   

5. Never open that door if you have already told the dude to fuck off. The girl went inside of her flat alone and unless he wrecked the door, nothing would have happened. Antonio however used the good ol’ “I really gotta take a piss” trick. Let him pee against your door for all you care.
   

6. And lastly, even if you’re nice enough to open up the door, you can wear clothes. Apparently, the girl in question was only wearing undies and a tank top when she let Antonio in. You’re dealing with primitive male brains, ladies. If you know already the guy is salivating to the thought of sexy time with you, take precautions.
   

But most of all, ladies, if a guy who looks like this comes up to you, just run to begin with.

Henry has a guest post on The Dark Side and is one of the founders of the Libertines Pub.

[See post to watch Flash video] ]]> http://thedarkside.hk/2010/08/27/another-display-of-filipino-class/feed/ 12 http://thedarkside.hk/2010/08/25/snapshots-continue-at-manila%e2%80%99s-hottest-tourist-destination/ http://thedarkside.hk/2010/08/25/snapshots-continue-at-manila%e2%80%99s-hottest-tourist-destination/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:20:23 +0000 Rickamarole http://thedarkside.hk/?p=12083 Early yesterday we put up an image featuring a group of Filipina kids posing for pictures in front of the death-trap on which eight Hong Kongers were killed this week (full story here).

Still of a tender age however, their lack of sensitivity is perhaps understandable. Now if only we could say the same for these guys:

Offended?  Wait till you see this.

From today’s Standard. Good to know right? Unfortunately the Almighty decided that little 14-year old Jessie and 21-year old Doris were unworthy of rescue. But perhaps they weren’t good Buddhists Christians. F*cking religious morons.

Offended?  Check out the update.

The obvious thing to do is of course joining the rest of the world in condemning the authorities and amateur cops with their inadequate equipment. But instead we figured we should help this troubled country, as this sad event will undoubtedly leave a mark on the tourism industry and its worldwide reputation. So let’s focus on Filipino dancing and acting skills instead. On their ability to excel and set world records, their great system of dental care, their excellent cuisine, tough gun control laws and their beautiful relationship with religion. Filipinos also have very creative hobbies. What are you waiting for? Book that next trip to Manila now!