Poem 83 - Woman

I was born and raised by my mother
A woman whom I value so dear
She showered me all her love and care
All the best for me is crystal clear.

She told me that she loves me
But yet, she can punish me
She told me that she cares for me
But yet, she can ignore me.

She told me that I am her world
And yet, she can close her door before me
She told me that I am her only one
And yet, she can push and leave me away.

Some of my classmates and friends were girls
They were little women in our early years
They showed me a world of their own
They shared their laughter and some of their tears.

They told me that we were not the same
In things that we happened to know
And that there could be more
As we unravel the days of tomorrow.

They had their own little secrets
And they were so afraid to share
Unlike us when we got down to talk
A secret spared was one big dare.

And I fall in love with a woman
A wonderful experience I consider
Building castles in the air is fun
With her, life is a sweet surrender.

She tells me that she loves me
But doubts my feelings for her
She tells me that she cares for me
But expects things far more than I can share.

She tells me that she is okay
But her world is a brewing storm in the process
She smiles at me in a make believe
But she's wanting my warm and loving embrace.

I guess I have not yet reached a point
Where the nature of a woman I can better understand
Complicated is her status in my mind
Yet, in my heart, she has my love in all its grand.

Quote 166 - Fragile

Moment 83 - University of Santo Tomas, Espana Boulevard, and Recto Underpass during typhoon Ondoy

It was the last week of August 2009 when typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila and who could have thought that even without a typhoon, Metro Manila and the rest of the provinces in Luzon will suffer the same fate again after three years.

The University of Santo Tomas, a silent witness to the countless history of the country for 400 years, was not spared during that time.   The entire campus was completely drowned with the rushing water coming from all directions.  By 6pm of August 26, 2009, the water inside the campus was already waist high and still rising.

The following morning, we roam around inside the campus and the water was still knee high.  Water was everywhere and the busy life inside the campus was put to a standstill.   The university was in a helpless state while waiting for the water to recede.  And today, August 8, 2012, history repeats itself.

scenes inside UST during Ondoy

Espana boulevard is always on the news come rainy season.  Every time Metro Manila is flooded, Espana boulevard is one of the areas that is not spared.  During the time of Ondoy and the recent monsoon rains, Espana was once again filled with water.

During the time of Ondoy, while there was still enough light, we forced ourselves to go home.  I, for one, was very much worried about the status of my place.  I have had enough share of flood-related incidents and I don't want to go home and feel helpless with my stuff floating in flood water. 

We bravely walked in the flooded Espana, staying in the middle of the road to avoid open manholes.  We became part of a line of individuals, trying to conquer the whole stretch of Espana going towards Rotunda.  Even though we knew that the water was dirty, our main objective was to get home and safeguard our things in the event the water comes in.  Luckily, my place was spared from the flood.

The following day, Espana boulevard was still flooded but up to the knee level only.  That time, buses, cars, and jeepneys bravely plunge into the flooded lanes of Espana and there were some vehicles that got stranded somehow.

As we watched the scenarios along the stretch of Espana, staying on the center island most of the time, the frenzy of life were evident around us.  And for the recent monsoon rains that repeated what Ondoy had done, most likely, the same treat unfolds along the stretch of Espana boulevard.  I was not able to witness this one because I was still recuperating from flu.

scenes along Espana during Ondoy

 

The highlight of my experience during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy was at the Recto underpass in Manila.   The Recto underpass was converted into a giant swimming pool and the people within the area were delighted for a free swim.

This time of the year, nearly after three years, the same thing happened again.  As usual, just like before, the frenzy was there again.  Young and old alike rushed to the Recto underpass and enjoyed a free swim.  This only shows that Filipinos still find time to enjoy and have fun even in the face of a calamity.

 scenes in Recto underpass

Quote 165 - Fly

Random Thought 83 - Friends

In these modern times, a friend can be just a button away.

If you are reading this blog, most likely, you have an online account with a list of your friends.  And your mobile phone is also populated with names and contact details of people whom you know and some are close to you.

Friends, nowadays, can be gained by just a click of a button.  But are they real?

We cannot argue on the fact that "friends" are plenty during happy days.  And during happy times, anyone can simply be your friend.

Filtering of "friends" comes into the picture when trials beset us.  When you are faced with problems, some of your so-called friends will keep their distance from you.  May be, they have their own troubles to mind and they don't have enough room to entertain your troubles.

Some friends may console us and give us those encouraging words.  But since they are thinking also of their own welfare and that of their family,  they will keep a good distance and if possible, they wanted their animosity be maintained.  Even if there are restraints about their friendship with us, we have to respect their decision and we should be thankful with whatever support they can give to us.

In rare occasions, only a few of our friends would step up and unselfishly offer themselves without questions nor reservations.  Such friends are a rarity and should be treasured as long as we live.  And within our lifetime, having a friend who will offer his life for us is indeed the greatest gift a friend could ever give.

Food Trip 82 - Dark Chocolate

If it's chocolate, count me in.

Before, I despise the taste of dark chocolate.  Since I am fond of sweet tasting ones,  I am always on the lookout for sweet and mouth watering brands of chocolate.

A shift of my liking and appreciation to dark chocolate started when I tasted a homemade tablea.  The chocolate being used as the main ingredient of tablea comes from a locally grown cacao tree.  The 100% pure tablea is usually added to a hot water for a chocolate drink.  

A pure tablea tastes bitter when eaten raw.  Some folks in the province added muscovado and ground peanuts in order to minimize the bitter taste.  Since then, whenever possible, I always order this stuff and bring it to Manila.

During the time of want and tablea is not available, my only recourse is to visit a nearby mall and look for any available dark chocolate. And just like what experts used to say, dark chocolates are good for the heart.  So here I am, enjoying my take for a healthier life.

Exploring Philippines 82 - Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro (Post 3 - Tamaraw Falls)

Upon learning that the trip was expensive and some of my colleagues were not willing to pay that much, I devised a plan.  I asked another local for a direction towards the town proper of Puerto Galera. She directed me to take a tricycle on the main road.  She added that I should not hire a tricycle that is queuing because the fare is automatically a hundred pesos.  She instructed me to get one that is off the terminal and I have to pay only 25 pesos for the trip.

From the beach front where we were staying, I traced a narrow path and it took me almost 10 minutes to reach the main road. There is only one main road on this part of the island and since the place looked the same since my last visit more than four years ago, I was not worried about getting lost.  My first idea about getting off the beach front would be to explore the town further.  Since I foresee that my pocket money was not enough, I had to go to the town proper of Puerto Galera to withdraw some amount.

It was nearly three in the afternoon and the tricycle drivers were mostly on a siesta mood.  I tried to look for a friendly one. One that would not empty my pocket or take advantage of me if ever I wanted to hire him for a sight seeing trip. And I got the right one.

 It took us 10 minutes to reach the town proper of Puerto Galera. The town was small and I was surprised to see some traffic lights despite the narrow roads. Anyway, after the withdrawal from the atm, I asked the driver about some tourist spots within the vicinity and he told me about Tamaraw Falls. Tamaraw falls is located 14 km from the town proper of Puerto Galera. I asked him about his rate and if there's any need of a tour guide. He said that he will be more than happy if I'll pay him 300 hundred pesos for the entire trip. And for the guide? There's no need for one since the falls is situated near the highway. Haha. I can't imagine the look in our faces hadn't we agree on the offer of the tour guide earlier that day.

Anyway, the road to Tamaraw falls from the town proper of Puerto Galera is already concrete and as of this writing, the local government is doing some road widening project. What I love about places that are away from the cities is the clean fresh air. You can basically inhale all the fresh air that you need because this is a luxury in the city. The ride is fun because you need not worry about air pollution. Wherever you look, the whole place is green and lively, and the scenery is great.

After some time, I got excited when I saw Tamaraw falls from a distance. When we finally arrived at the place, there were several tourists who were having fun taking pictures with the majestic view of the falls. No tour guide is necessary because the falls is situated near the highway. You will have the full view of the falls by the roadside.