Food Trip 116 - Lumo

Normally, a dish with soup and vegetables are served during lunch or dinner.  I was surprised to find a similar dish being served during breakfast.

Lumo, as they call it in Leyte, is a dish made of pork.  The pork skin and some of its meat are heavily included.  Along with the pork are mixed vegetables like sayote, pechay, and cabbage.  And on top of these ingredients is the presence of pork blood, well stirred to mix evenly with the soup.

Though its taste is not that catchy, together with a modest serving of rice, it is already enough to make a full stomach to start a day.

Exploring Philippines 116 - Kanturayan Falls (Post 1)

My nephew, Ron, accompanied me to Kanturayan falls.  Kanturayan is a sitio in barangay Yapo which is in the border of the town of Bugasong, Antique.  He had been there five years ago and for some time, I showed my interest to visit the falls.

There are motorcycles in the marketplace of the town of Bugasong and the fare per head is 25 pesos.  The travel time is under 30 minutes and the unloading area would be at barangay Yapo itself.  From there, you have to walk in order to reach the falls.  Anyway, since there was no motorcycle that time, we took a tricycle ride going to Tagudtod Norte which happens to be the final unloading area of the tricycle.  The cost of the ride per head is 20 pesos.  From there, a motorcycle ride to barangay Yapo would be 10 pesos.  But that time, there was no motorcycle either so we decided to walk.

As of this writing, the road from Tagudtod Norte to barangay Yapo is under construction.  Along the way, there are some parts of the road that are already concrete and maybe by next year, the whole stretch of the road will be totally cemented.

We hardly noticed of the time since we stopped from time to time to take some pictures.  It took us under an hour to reach barangay Yapo.  Along the way, there are several sitios that we passed and people in those areas are generally friendly.  Visitors to this place will not get lost since there is only one major road to follow until reaching barangay Yapo which is the end of the road.

The moment we started our walk from Tagudtod Norte, the mountains immediately greeted us which is a total refreshing sight.  Several meters afterwards, the long stretch of the river approaching the dam can be seen from the road.  As we followed the road to barangay Yapo, the river becomes our guide.  At some point tough, we reached a part where the river is momentarily out of sight but the mountains oversee our journey.  As we come closer to our destination, the mountains likewise seem an arm stretch away.

After some time, the river comes into a full view again.  That was the time when we were already at the foot of the mountain.  The road had been widened where a large truck can pass along, a total relief to the commuters who used to fear more than a meter wide trail before. 

When we reached the end of the road at barangay Yapo, we took the concrete steps leading towards the river.  The river is several meters wide and at that particular time where it rained hard a couple of days before, the water was discolored.  As we walked beside the river, we can tell that there are some shallow and deep parts.  And it is hard to determine how really deep is the deepest part.

Poem 116 - Cold Wind of December

The cold wind of December
Makes me cuddle in my sleep
I can hardly notice it
That my sleep is so deep.

I dream the same dream
Dreaming I'm with you
We cuddle in our bed
Sharing the whole night through.

How I love to feel you
Your warmth and your skin
You make me safe and secure
Offering me a piece of heaven.

The cold wind of December
Makes me shiver intensely
I wake up feeling cold
Drowsy and a bit lazy.

I wish that you're here
In this moment of reality
You're the only one
That brings out the best in me.

How I longed for you
To stay by my side
Now that you're gone
I felt like I've died.

The cold wind of December
Makes me feel even colder
I missed those moments
When my December was still fonder.

Quote 232 - Fly

Moment 116 - A Challenging Subject

One time, I chanced upon a sleeping cat.  It was good that I had my camera with me and even if it is an impolite thing to do, I took my chances in photographing the subject.  It was good that no one was there to scold me, not even the cat itself.

After a while, the cat woke up.  It was still enjoying its lazy time in its place which gave me more time to photograph it.  As I took its picture, it was a kind of snob.  It simply gave me a stare from time to time and it was hard to direct.  I had to be fast enough and monitor its every move and capture it right away.  It would look at any direction, totally uncooperative all the time, and expect me to get a good image afterwards (I was just thinking out loud, hehe).

Most probably, the results could be even better if the owner was around.  Perhaps, if it is my pet, then, I might have clues how to make it cooperate with me.  Or maybe my timing was off since it had just woke up.  Haha.

Anyway, it is always a fun thing to do with animals.  My patience is always tested and the desire is always there to get a good shot.  Next model please. ;-)

Quote 231 - Expectation

Random Thought 116 - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a perfect time to make a personal reflection.  

We know that trials and problems are part of our existence.  They say that we can only be stronger the moment we are able to hurdle the trials and problems that come our way.  Our character and faith will be fully tested when we face problems that are bigger than us.

With the observance of the Holy Week especially the Easter Sunday, it brings a message of hope and celebration for each soul battling his own problems.  With the risen Christ, we hope and pray that we will also be able to rise with whatever problems and trials we are currently facing.  And with the faith in our hearts and by the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that everything will turn out right after all the chaotic experiences that we have.