Hopia

When I was a kid, one of favorite merienda (snack) is the sweet bread called as hopia. My favorite back then is the hopia that is called as hopiang Hapon (Japanese hopia), which can be bought from the neighboring sari-sari store and is sold for 6 pesos per pack. Another hopia that my parents buy as snack when I am still a kid is hopiang baboy (pork hopia). I don’t like hopiang baboy as much as I like hopiang Hapon, which has a filling of sweet mongo. There is another hopia that is more special than the hopiang Hapon and that hopia is the one that is brought my dad as pasalubong whenever he visited my grandmother. That hopia usually comes in a red box and it is larger and thicker than the hopiang Hapon of the sari-sari stores. I can’t recall the name of the hopia though, but I know that that hopia is delicious. I believe that I still such hopia being sold in bakeries and sari-sari stores.

What is a hopia?

Hopia is a bean filled pastry. The bean used as filling is sweet mongo paste. It is usually circular in shape but other shapes (like the square shaped hopia) are available. The two variants of hopia are the hopia with sweet mongo fillings (hopiang mongo) and the hopia with candied winter melon and candied pork backfat (hopiang baboy).

Where to Buy the Best Hopia?

Most of the shops that I know that sells the best tasting hopia are located in Manila, particularly in Binondo Chinatown area. Hopia is one of the most sold food products in Binondo Chinatown and many people just go to this place to buy hopia. Here are the following shops that sell the best tasting hopia in Manila:

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1. Eng Bee Tin is the leading Chinese food shop that sells hopia, siopao (that is colored purple), tikoy, moon cake and other Chinese delicacy. If you are looking for good tasting hopia, then I suggest that you try Eng Bee Tin’s hopia. Just go to Binondo Church in Manila and many branches of Eng Bee Tin can easily be spotted in the vicinity. Eng Bee Tin sells various flavors of hopia. I recommend the “pastillas ube” hopia, which is my favorite hopia. I suggest that you stay away from the “pandan” hopia.

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2. Polland is the next best shop that sells hopia. Polland also sells other Chinese delicacies like Eng Bee Tin. Polland shop is located along Escolta, right after you crossed the Pasig River via Jones Bridge. Another Polland shop is also located near the Binondo Church. The hopia that I recommend is the Red Mongo Hopia, which I think is the best hopia in this shop.

3. Salazar Bakery is located in Binondo Chinatown and has branches in other places. As a bakery, this shop sells various kinds of bread. Actually, I have never bought anything from Salazar Bakery. However, my friend Anney recommends their hopiang baboy (pork hopia). If I ever get a chance, I will buy their hopiang baboy to know if it is really delicious.

So, those are the shops that sell the best tasting hopia in Manila. I am sure that there still many shops that I failed to mention and many of you might disagree. If you know of other shops that sell hopia, I suggest that you leave a comment about that shop so that if I will know where to buy my next hopia.

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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about the March 25 Prayer Rally.

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How to Apply for Unionbank's EON Card

Note: I noticed that UnionBank made some changes for the application of EON card. Thus this article was updated to reflect those changes.

Last week, I tried to purchase a book using my Paypal account. The problem is that I can't purchase the book because Paypal is preventing me because I haven't linked my account yet to any credit or debit card. I tried, in vain, to use my BPI ATM Card as a debit card so that I can finally verify my Paypal account. Even though my BPI ATM Card a VISA logo on the back, Paypal can't accept it for verifying my account.

I called BPI customer service and they said that they don't have special arrangement with Paypal so my BPI ATM Card can't be used to verify my account.

I discovered that only Unionbank is the only bank in the Philippines that has special arrangements with Paypal. In the Philippines, only Unionbank's EON Card is accepted by Paypal as a debit card that can be used to verify Paypal accounts. Because of this, I was forced to apply for Unionbank EON Card.

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Requirements for Unionbank EON Card Application

Here are the requirements for Unionbank EON Card according to Unionbank's website:

1. Unionbank EON Card Application form – This can be downloaded from Unionbank's website. This is also available from any Unionbank branch and you can fill it up when you apply for Unionbank EON Card.

2. One photo-bearing valid ID. You can see the list of valid IDs this page of UnionBank's website.

3. 350 Pesos – This is the fee that you have to pay when applying for Unionbank EON Card.

How I Applied for Unionbank EON Card

I went to the Unionbank branch near my office. I told the Unionbank teller that I am applying for a Unionbank EON Card. I was given an application form, which I filled up. Also, the Unionbank teller will ask for my IDs, which she photocopied. The application for the Unionbank EON Card is done after filling up the application form. I did not paid the application fee yet. I paid the application fee after I got my Unionbank EON Card three days later.

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Applying for Unionbank EON Card is easy and I got my EON Card within the week. According to the teller, the waiting time for the Unionbank EON Card depends on the number of people applying for Uninonbank EON Card. It is good that only few people are applying for Unionbank EON Card that's why I got my card after three days.

Now, I am ready to verify my Paypal account and buy that book.

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My Advice for the Team Azkal

At long last, the game soccer or football is getting attention in the Philippines. Finally, generous sponsors created a soccer team and they named it as the Azkal Soccer Team. The name of the Azkal Soccer Team was obtained from the Tagalog word askal (asong kalye), which is the name given to mutts or dogs of mixed pedigree.

Azkal, as the team is called by their fans, is lead by Phil Younghusband. The team is composed of different soccer players gathered from different parts of the country. Team Azkal defeat the soccer team of Mongolia last February. The Azkal's victory last month over the Mongolians is a sweet victory but it just the first step for their journey towards the World Cup. I believe that it will take many years before the Azkal got the chance to play in the World Cup. Before that, I think that the Azkal should follow these tips first:

1. Stay Out of Showbiz – Team Azkal, especially Phil Younghusband, is being enticed to join showbiz. I advice against it because showbiz demands a lot of time and it may eat up the time devoted for their training. Team Azkal must devote their time to practice because the path to the World Cup is quite hard. They need all their time to catch up with the stronger soccer teams in Southeast Asia.

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Team Azkal Soccer Team

2. Don't Let Their “Celebrity Status” Get Into Their Heads – members of the Team Azkal are celebrities already and their exposure in the Philippine media increases their fame. Hundreds of fans follow Team Azkal in Twitter and Facebook and many people follow their every move. Fame can easily intoxicate a person's mind and it causes people do rash things. As their fame increases, I hope that Team Azkal focus on their goal and that is to reach the World Cup.

3.  Continue Playing Against Other Soccer Teams  - Playing against other soccer teams of other nations is good for Team Azkal. It helps them to be exposed to various techniques used by various teams around the world. Team Azkal will benefit greatly from this because it help them “know” their enemies in soccer.

4. Continue Promoting Soccer in the Philippines – Like what I said, playing in the World Cup is an elusive goal. It is possible that the current members of Team Azkal may not get the chance to play at the World Cup. With these in mind, the Team Azkal must continue in its role in promoting soccer in the Philippines. Team Azkal must inspire young people to play soccer so that the Philippines will have steady supply of soccer players in the future.

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5. Don't Get Entangled in Controversies – Team Azkal had been entangled with controversies, specifically with the people in showbiz. Team Azkal got involved with a controversy with Angel Locsin. Also, fans of Team Azkal quarreled with the actress Angelica Panganiban on Twitter. Controversies are distractions and might affect Team Azkal's focus on soccer. I believe that it would be good if Team Azkal stop being involved with controversies.

So, those are my tips for the Team Azkal. I do hope that they replicate their victory over the soccer team of Mongolia. However, Team Azkal's path will go harder as they continue their journey to World Cup. I pray for the success of Team Azkal and may they make soccer as popular as basketball in the Philippines.

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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about my second visit to La Mesa Eco Park.

Photos copied from Twitface.net and Philippine Entertainment Portal.