Moment 46 - Kiss

This picture was taken out of the blue. I was captivated by the setting of the place and it was good that I had this willing couple to pose for me.

Well, it was a simple request on my end and I was glad that they obliged passionately without qualms.  Since I’ve known the couple for several years and I do have a good association with them, it was not really hard to gain their trust. And besides, it was a perfect opportunity for a romantic shot.

How I wish we were able to prepare something special for this trip and make a glamorous pictorial. It could have been fun and exciting.

To Valiant and Carlyn, my heartfelt thanks for this wonderful moment.

Quote 91 - Sunset

Random Thought 46 - Child

Every time a child laughs her heart out, it is definitely an expression of pure joy. No one can ever question the sincerity of a child's delight.

Maybe for this reason, every time we see a child laughing, we also let the child within us laugh heartily as well. We can't always help to be entertained by such a sight and we readily give in and join.

Through a child's unpretentious and sincere laughter, we happened to express ourselves in the same manner. Is the child God's little angel being sent to remind us that we should never lose that little child within us?

Food Trip 45 - Grilled Pink Salmon

If I am given an opportunity to select a dish I would like to order, without blinking, a grilled pink salmon.

When I first tasted this one, I called it love at first bite. For me, I never tasted a fish meat so wonderful that every bite of it brings a certain delight to my taste bud. Its soft and savory meat makes every bite so enticing that it is actually difficult to resist it.

Whenever I wanted to prepare a pink salmon dish, I would go to the Farmers market in Cubao and for a kilo, I would be having a feast for a couple of days. I must say that the pink salmon captured my taste for what I consider as a great and irresistible food.  

Exploring Philippines 45 - Coron, Palawan (Post 1 - The Ride to Coron)

As part of their yearly team building activity, the staff from the office organized a trip to Coron, Palawan. Though I only know some of them, I did not hesitate to asked if I can tag along. For the simple reason that they are going to Coron, Palawan. Palawan is one of my dream destination and this would be the perfect time to go there.

We boarded a super ferry ship from Manila to Coron. Though there are flights to Coron, the group opted to grant the request of some staff who are not able to experience a ride with a ship. I am no stranger to ships because every now and then, when I go home to the province, a ship ride is an easy access where no advance reservation is required unless during Christmas break and Holy Week.

As the saying goes, "There is always a first time in everything." True enough. By midnight when we were sailing the pitch black open sea, even if it was summer, the ship began to experience a shake from the waves. Some of our colleagues complained about getting dizzy and a few of them vomited. After the experience, they swear not to ride another ship again.

Before 6am, some of us were already cruising the ship. Since we were out in the open sea, I was expecting a beautiful sunrise. But it was a bit cloudy that morning and the sun failed to shine in all its glory. Anyway, we were simply glad that we were able to witness another morning and from a distance, the islands of Coron, Palawan were already visible.

Poem 45 - Ikaw Lang

Hawakan mo ang aking kamay
At sabay tayong maglalakbay
Kahit saan, basta kasama kita
Ang mahalaga, magkasama tayong dalawa.

Aanhin ko ang yaman kung wala ka
Ang katanyagan ay wala ring ibubunga
Lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay hindi sasapat
Kung wala ka, ako'y magiging salat.

Ikaw ang araw, buwan, at bituin
Sa aking buhay, ikaw lang ang nanaisin
Di ko pinangarap na ang kalawakan ay maangkin
Sapat na ang ikaw ang tanging mamahalin.

Ikaw at tanging ikaw lang
Ang pupuno sa buhay kong may kulang
Ikaw at wala ng iba pa
Sa buhay ko ang magbibigay saya.

Quote 90 - Free

Moment 45 - Jekka

I wanted to join a local contest that promotes a chocolate product. I have had several ideas in mind and all I ever needed were participants for the shoot.

When I saw Jekka, she was the model that I wanted to include in the shoot. She was hesitant at first but after some time, I was able to persuade her. 

We tried to experiment several shots. I wanted her to look as natural as possible while enjoying the moment. In order to make it more convincing, she had to rub the chocolate bar around her lips and delivered her sweetest smile.

Quote 89 - Greatest Picture

Random Thought 45 - Tradition

Have you ever heard of a conversation between two people with different practices come all souls day? It goes a little bit like this.

Person1: How come you bring food to your departed? Do you think he/she can still eat?

Person2: Do you think your departed one can still smell the flowers that you bring to his grave?

At times, we might not have a clue why we still continue to observe traditions that we happen to practice while we are growing up. Or we are actually practicing some of them which we failed to ponder because we simply know that it is the right thing to do. 

Traditions are part of our existence and our traditions make us unique from others. Our traditions define our identity and culture. Our traditions make us who we are.

In the event that other cultures have different or opposing traditions from ours, the best thing to do is to observe, understand, and give proper respect. Who are we to judge what is right or wrong?

Food Trip 44 - Duhat

Duhat or Java plum is abundant in the Philippines during the first quarter of the year and even for the whole summer period.

When I was still in the province, we used to scout the mountains and nearby places for duhat trees. When there are ripe duhat fruits, we simply ask permission from the owner of the tree which is a common practice in the province. In case a duhat tree is not owned by anyone, the fruits can be picked by just anybody.

There are several varieties of duhat.  In our province, we always look for the bigger one, at times twice the size of our thumb. It has been our ritual to place the duhat in a closed container and with a pinch of salt, we heartily shake it.  After a couple of minutes, we can then share it to the waiting hungry and watering mouths.

Exploring Philippines 44 - Siniloan, Laguna (Post 7)

After nearly three hours of exploring the Buruwisan and Lanzones falls, we had to find our way home because it will be dark soon. Though we wanted to visit the other remaining falls and further explore the whole place, time prohibited us in doing so. We were not prepared for an overnight stay. Ayo and I simply agreed to call it a day and maybe sometime, we will visit this place again and stay for a couple of days.

Though tired and weary for almost a whole day of exploration, we were quite satisfied and thankful about our trip here. And since the horse was no longer available, I had to prepare myself for the long walk ahead of us. Anyway, it was no longer raining and the sun was a bit cooler compared early this morning, we traced the way back to the civilization. 

Along the way, we tried to keep ourselves busy by taking whatever pictures may interest us. In doing so, we were no longer particular of the long trail and of our tired legs though from time to time we had to make some short stops.

Before going down the mountain, the kids brought us to the top of the mountain where we had a 360-view of the place. And it was great. The distant Laguna de Bay can be seen and the rest are mountains. The whole place is literally surrounded by mountains where the color of the place starts from pale green from where we stood and ends to deep blue as far as our eyes can see. From this part of the mountain, it was a feast before our eyes. How I wish I can go back here more often and simply enjoy this wonderful environment.

It was a long walk and it was almost dark when reached the first house at the foot of the mountain. It was civilization at last. As we walked the even road leading to the highway, I was looking forward for a massage the moment I get home.

We would like to thank our guides Marlon and Christian for their help and patience all throughout the trip. We did not hear any complains from them and they were fun to be with. We promised to get their service again the moment we will return to Siniloan.

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Poem 44 - Morning Prayer

Thank you, Lord
For this new day
A wonderful chance
Another golden opportunity.

Please be my guide
The moment my day begins
Purify my heart and spirit
Where there's love that reigns.

Let me be your instrument
To brighten someone's day
Even though I have my own struggles
Let not these deter me.

Help me to remain strong
For each challenge along the way
Let me not entertain evil thoughts
Especially in moments of great dismay.

Thank you, Lord
For this new day
And despite what lies ahead
I'll be okay as long as You are with me.

Quote 88 - Witness

Moment 44 - Libingan ng mga Bayani

Still at Libingan ng mga Bayani, we chanced upon a group of nuns who visit this place every year. They pay their respect either to their beloved departed ones or they recite prayers to those they knew.

One nun asked me if I wanted to have a grave of my own inside this cemetery to which I readily replied, "How I wish!" She, too, would love to have a piece of this land as her final resting place. She narrated that her father was a soldier and he earned a right to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani but the family was unaware of such privilege. She said that after they buried her father in their own backyard at Kalinga, only then they knew that he can be buried in this cemetery. And if only she can trade places with her deceased father, she'll gladly embrace a spot inside this cemetery.

To have one's final resting place inside this cemetery is indeed an honor. Many Filipinos will fight for this prestige but only a few earns it.

Quote 87 - Celebrate Life

Random Thought 44 - Puerto Princesa Underground River

Congratulations to Puerto Princesa Underground River for being part of the (provisional) New 7 Wonders of Nature as of this writing. For a complete list and associated stories, please click this link http://www.new7wonders.com .

Palawan is the first one in my dreamed vacation places in our country. And for quite some time, I have been wondering about the right opportunity for me to eventually realize my dream. I have heard so many wonderful stories and experiences from my friends and other people about Palawan. And each time they share their part of the adventure, my desire grow even more. I promised myself that within my lifetime, if heaven permits, I will find time to visit this great place.

And heaven is indeed very kind. My dream of going to Palawan had been granted, not just once but twice. I am extremely grateful about the opportunity of my visits and who knows, I might go there again for the third time because a beautiful and wonderful place like Palawan is worth every visit.

And the Puerto Princesa Underground River? I did not miss it. Being considered as part of the new 7 wonders of nature, it has given me a sense of pride as a Filipino and I guess the same is true for the whole Filipino community as well. I am thankful that I had the chance to experience nature at its best.

Please keep posted especially about my Exploring Philippines series. My Palawan adventures will follow soon.

Food Trip 43 - Chicken Inasal

Chicken inasal comes from the Visayan region. In certain localities, it is called chicken inato. 

The introduction of chicken inasal in a fast food defies the tradition of fried chicken which several fast food chains offer.  Furthermore, an unlimited rice that goes along with every order of chicken inasal meal makes it enticing to the chicken loving public.

With the introduction of chicken inasal to the city folks, especially here in Manila, only proves that there is an alternative to fried chicken and the way it is prepared makes the Visayan recipe a delight to every one.

By the way, do you know the plural of rice? The answer is extra rice. ;o)

Exploring Philippines 43 - Siniloan, Laguna (Post 6 - Lanzones Falls)

From Buruwisan falls, give or take a 10-minute walk, we reached the Lanzones falls. Lanzones falls is hidden at the other side of the mountain and somewhat parallel to the cliff of Buruwisan falls. The water coming from these two falls meet in an area the moment you set foot after landing to the river. Buruwisan falls is partially visible when you are already cruising the river while Lanzones falls lies hidden on the other side. If one is not familiar with this place, he may consider that the water coming from the other side of the river is just another ordinary river.

While Buruwisan falls offers a certain awe to the visitors, Lanzones falls on the other hand has a modest beauty of its own. Though it is not as high as the other one, since it is situated in a secluded area, it gives a certain form of privacy. And if visitors are brave enough to plunge into its waters, it is just like having a private pool of their own.

And just like Buruwisan falls, Lanzones falls is a bit quiet with its falling waters. No deafening sound of falling water can be heard from a distance. Though we came here during the summer season, come rainy season, I can't really tell if the rushing waters are as gentle as they were during our visit.

It was a fun, relaxing, awesome, rewarding but tiresome adventure. I thought we could cover the whole place but we were only able to visit the two falls. There are still more of them within the area. But since we were not prepared for an overnight trip, we decided to find our way home and promised to return next time around.

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Poem 43 - I Wish To Run To You

I wish to run to you
And give you my warmest embrace
All of a sudden I miss you
It seems like time run its fastest race.

I wish to run to you
And show you how much I love you
I don't know when was the last time
I told you what I feel for you.

I wish to run to you
And let you feel my care
Though I'm not the showy type
With you, this life I want to share.

I wish to run to you
And dream of better days
With you, I need not ask for more
In your heart, I find my perfect place.

I wish ... you are here

Quote 86 - Two of Us

Moment 43 - Alejandro R. Roces at Libingan ng mga Bayani

Since my departed loved ones were in the province and I was not able to go home, I decided to pay a visit once again to Libingan ng mga Bayani. This was my second visit to this place. This time, however, a friend of mine tagged along.

When we went there, it was two days before all saints day. And since it was a Sunday, some families and individuals came this early to avoid the crowd come November 1.

By accident, we happened to pass an area in the cemetery where there is a new row of tombs. And when we came closer, it was for national artists and other statesmen. The first one or should I say, the latest addition to this row was that of the national artist for literature Alejandro R. Roces.

The name of Alejandro R. Roces is somehow familiar so I immediately made no haste taking some pictures of his final resting place. While I was taking pictures, I was not able to spot something odd in his epitaph. Not until I went home and process the pictures I took that day.

My questions are: Will the family of the late Alejandro R. Roces be able to recognize the mistake in his epitaph? Who is the person in-charge in Libingan ng mga Bayani of proofreading the entries of an epitaph prior to its placement to the grave? Will other people notice this one?

Upon seeing this mistake, I promised myself to make a call to the office of Libingan ng mga Bayani or even perhaps, I'll go there again to air this concern. And what an irony it was, a national artist for literature and an entry in his epitaph was misspelled.

Note: I already called the office of Libingan ng mga Bayani and the one who took my call promised to act on my concern immediately. For your concerns, you may reach them through  8459555 loc 4316.