Exploring Philippines 50 - Coron, Palawan (Post 6 - Kayangan Lake)

After our short stay at the skeleton wreck site, we went straight to Kayangan lake. Kayangan lake is considered as the cleanest lake in Asia. Thus, it is one of the most popular and must visit site once you are in Coron.

The entry to Kayangan lake is through a cove perfectly hidden among the limestone island and islets.  The islets fronting the cove prohibit big waves to enter the cove directly. That's why the water at the cove is still.

It was almost 4 in the afternoon when we got there. Since this is the most popular place in Coron, a large number of people come here everyday, both locals and tourists. And that afternoon, we'd seen a good number of them leaving the place already.

It took us less than five minutes to reach the view deck of the mountain at Kayangan Lake. With the influx of visitors to this popular tourist spot, it was good that the path leading towards the lake is well-maintained and the handrails provide a good support for people climbing and going down the steps.  And once you're on the view deck, the view is simply breathtaking.

Several minutes away from the view deck, we were tracing a path towards the other side of the mountain which eventually lead us to Kayangan lake. And at a glance, it is simply breathtaking and amazing. It is a paradise amidst the limestone mountains and I can't blame the visitors (even myself) for the frenzy once they set foot on this wonderful masterpiece of nature. Truly, it's reputation of being the cleanest lake in Asia is some the people of Palawan should be proud of. It only shows that when we start to care and regard what God has provided us, we can experience a part of heaven on earth. And Kayangan lake is one classic example.

Though the limestone are in every nook of the lake, this do not prevent each happy and ecstatic soul to experience a swim on the lake. Even if it was a bit cold, the crystal clear water is enticing. I guess if you are a visitor here, you'll definitely miss one heavenly experience if you'll mind the cold water. I could not miss the opportunity myself and it was a total experience.

Since taking photos and swimming are two different things, I regret how time flies. Just as I was enjoying the swim, we were called back to our boat because it will be dark soon. And worst, I was not able to compose a good shot of the lake. With the missed opportunity, I am thinking to visit this place once more.

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Poem 50 - My Girl

I really don't know
How she did it
But I find it hard
To let go and quit.

By just the thought
A mere imagination
Is but all enough
Flaring my emotion.

It's hard to hide
The smile in my face
Her lingering memory
I love to chase.

In the crowd
I search for her
Seeking every face
Praying she's near.

And at day's end
When I close my eyes
I'll dream of her
Til the coming sunrise.

Quote 100 - Mirror

Moment 50 - Angel

Have you ever seen a real angel?

When I was a kid, I used to be part of the church activity during the holy week celebration. I wore a pair of white wings and joined the adoration of the Virgin Mary come the resurrection of  Christ Jesus. And during those times, we used to step on a bamboo platform several meters high from the ground and shower the image of the Virgin Mary with petals of fresh flowers.

In my adult life, especially in moments where I experience tribulation, my day to day survival is both a miracle and a blessing. My "angels" shower me, not with petals but with prayers and all support that I need. My "angels" embrace me, not with their wings but with their love and unquestioning hearts. 

My "angels" are not those heavenly beings we used to imagine but they are the very real people I have known. At first, some of them appear as just acquaintances but the good Lord has gathered them together to be my "angels" when I experience the worst of times. 

Have I seen a real angel? Yes, I have. They are with me, my family and my friends.

Quote 99 - Beautiful Morning

Random Thought 50 - Merry Christmas

Indeed, this is the season to be merry.

I guess, for the fortunate ones, they were able to open those gifts and feel happy about them. For wishes not granted, there's always another Christmas to look forward to.

With all those festivities here and there, with family and friends gathered together, and with a loved one by your side, definitely, the joys of Christmas is at hand. But why do we celebrate Christmas in the first place? It certainly is all about that very special gift, the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.

Let us count all our blessings and be thankful about them. And Christmas time is one perfect season to share our blessings wholeheartedly. Merry Christmas everyone.

Food Trip 49 - Triple Chocolate Cake

For sure, one particular food that everyone would love to have this Christmas season is a cake. I suggest that you go for a triple chocolate cake and you'll definitely have a triple treat this holiday season.

I definitely love this triple chocolate cake treat. Its filling has chocolate in it. It is coated with chocolate. And it is topped with more chocolates. Yummy.

Though, if you are watching your blood sugar and your diet, this would not be a fitting one in your plate.

 

Merry Christmas everyone. Cheers.

Exploring Philippines 49 - Coron, Palawan (Post 5 - Skeleton Wreck)

After spending a well-deserved lunch break at Banol beach, we went to skeleton wreck site. Even if the site is located near an islet, we were almost exposed to the open sea. If in the twin lagoon the water is blue in color, it is even much darker and deeper here in this site. 

Again, there was some hesitation for me to plunge into the water. The open sea is always a dreadful sight for me and this one was no exception. But there were plenty of us. For sure, if something will go wrong, our boatmen always keep a good eye on us. And I joined the rest of the group who were enjoying the sight down below.

After gathering all my courage, I finally gave in to my curiosity about the thing that lies below. I swam towards the group that gathered in a particular space above the water. And when I dipped my face on the water, I first saw variety of fishes that were bigger than those from Banol beach and there were plenty of them circling around a silhouette. When my eyes were able to finally adjust with the environment below, the image was actually part of the sunken ship. The sunken ship is angled to 75 degrees and one of its end is visible just below the water's surface.

Out boatmen told us that this is one of the many Japanese ships that sank during the WWII within the area. They also believed that some of the Japanese ships were carrying treasures when the Americans bombarded them and up to this time, they know nothing about recovered Japanese treasures from the sunken ships here in Palawan. Actually, there were so many stories about Japanese treasures being hurled from one place to another, from one ship to another, but most of them simply remain as stories handed down from one generation to another. Personally, I have known some people who were deeply involve with the Japanese treasure hunt and they are still struggling to find one.

Anyway, the sight below gave me some chilling effect. As I gazed from its tip down to its bottom, as the body of the ship slowly disappeared and engulfed by the darkness below, I felt it was a bottomless pit down below. And with the sight of the total darkness below, my imaginations practically ran wild that I had to swim back to our boat. Silly me. The tricks that my mind play make me fear my own self. Haha.

Well, it was one tough experience and even though I was struggling, I still live to tell my part of the story. Since I learn to love taking pictures, who knows one day, I might try taking underwater pictures and hopefully I'll be able to combat my fear of what lies down below.

Poem 49 - Blue Christmas

Christmas is in the air
Its spirit is everywhere
Every face wears a smile
The atmosphere is truly worthwhile.

Christmas brings people closer
Family and friends stay together
Every heart is filled with gladness
Each moment delivers fond memories.

Christmas makes me feel blue
Everytime I'm thinking of you
If only you are here with me
Christmas spirit is a delight to see.

Christmas is a celebration
Of mankind's greatest salvation
The love that started it all
Brings hope to one and all.

Christmas brings joy and peace
Every home becomes a total bliss
The yuletide season is truly a gift
The people become one, united in spirit.

Christmas makes me skip celebrations
I cannot be happy without your affections
If only I have you this merry season
Christmas will surely be a great celebration.

Quote 98 - Faith

Moment 49 - Christmas Gift

Do you remember that moment when your face showed the expression of pure joy upon seeing your Christmas present?

Come Christmas day, most of us are excited about the gift that our family and friends will give to us. We do have our wish list of what to expect and we pray hard that the thing we wish and longed for will be the one we are going to receive this Christmas season. But the happiness that material gifts bring is just temporary.

For me, nothing can ever equal that special moment even how short it is, when we spend it with our family and friends. No amount of material things can ever express the kind of happiness your heart can feel when family and friends surround you. And the kind of joy we feel when loved ones are around is eternal.

You don't have to worry when you can't afford a gift to give to a friend. Because by spending some precious time with your friends, you are already a worthy Christmas gift to cherish. 

Merry Christmas everyone.

Quote 97 - Freedom

Random Thought 49 - Christmas Season

It is a week before Christmas and (almost) every one is in a festive mood. The wind is cold, Christmas songs fill the air, people buy presents, parties here and there, children sing carols, and the list could be endless. 

This Christmas season, just like the previous years and for the rest of the Christmas seasons to come, I simply wanted to spend it with my family. For me, a Christmas season without a family by your side is just like any ordinary day. I can only truly appreciate the joy and the spirit of Christmas once I am spending it my family.

I don't care if we have not that much to prepare or share in the dining table come Christmas day. What more important is we are all gathered together as one family and share with one another whatever little blessings we have received. 

Having a family that care for one another and protect each other in times of trials is the very family I am proud of. Though my family is not a perfect family, it will still be the same family that is both a gift and a blessing for me, and this will still be the same family that I want to be with come each and every Christmas season.

Food Trip 48 - Misua with Sardines

When you grew up from a poor family, misua with sardines is already like a feast in the dining table. 

With enough water, some spices, a pack of misua, and a can of sardines is enough to feed a family. Although it may lack some nutritional value, still, this could be heaven at its best when you don't have that much to prepare.

If my memory serves me right, families from far flung areas would normally exchange chicken for cans of sardines. Especially in the mountainous areas, sardines is considered as a prime catch over the red meat especially if the folks here could not afford to buy fresh fish.

Since I am no stranger to this food and the preparation is so simple, from time to time, I prepare one for myself. And every time I have this food on my table, a recollection of my humble beginnings inspire me even more.

Exploring Philippines 48 - Coron, Palawan (Post 4 - Banol Beach)

There were several isolated white beaches along the coast of the island. According to our bangkeros (boatmen), these white beaches were equally divided among the Tagbanuas (indigenous people of Palawan). And every time there are visitors on the part of the island assigned to them, they have their own share of the entrace fee.

The tour organizers have their own preferred spots along the area. And we were heading to one of them, the banol beach. There were locals and visitors in the beach when we arrived. Since it was a pre-arranged visit, we occupied the only cottage in the area. 

The beach is just a small cove on this side of the island. From end to end, it can be covered under 10 minutes of walking. From the shoreline to the limestone wall is probably under 10 meters. Though it is not that much for a beach, it is blessed with fine white sand. And under the scorching heat of the sun, this little piece of paradise is already a perfect getaway.

We had our fill of a good lunch that day, from the common meat dish to vegetables and my favorite, the fish. Having lunch out here in the open and in a pristine environment is always a food for the soul. And this one was not an every day experience for us, except of course for the locals here.

Anyway, after our lunch, the call of the beach was something irresistible. Even if it was midday and heat penetrates through the skin, most of us simply gave in for a good swim. There were no waves to fear and the water was crystal clear. Plus the fact that the shore recedes in a gradual manner and there were plenty of fishes to feed. Indeed, it was a fun-filled experience for us.

Afterwards, some European tourists arrived kayaking. They covered a good stretch with their kayaks and banol beach was their rendezvous. They were also kind to allow some us to use their kayaks while they were resting.

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Poem 48 - Malamig na Pasko

Ilang tulog na lang
At Pasko na naman
Ang bawat paligid
Ay may palatandaan.

Malamig ang hangin
Lalo na sa gabi
Kaya't hanaphanap kita
Dito sa aking tabi.

Kumpleto sana ang Pasko
Kung kapiling kita
Kulang ang kasiyahan
Lalo na't wala ka.

Habang papalapit
Ang inaasam na Pasko
Ang lahat ay nagagalak
May sabik ang bawat puso.

May ngiti ang mga labi
Ng bawat mga kakilala
Umaasa ang puso ko
Na isa ka sa kanila.

Masaya sana ang Pasko
Kung magkasama tayo
Ang ligaya ay magiging lubos
Kung tayo'y magkasalo.

Malamig ang hangin
Lalo na ngayong Pasko
At nagiging malamig ito
Dahil tayo'y magkalayo.

Sana sa susunod na Pasko
Kahit na malamig ang hangin
Tayong dalawa ay magkasama
Ang Pasko ay ating paalabin.

Quote 96 - Praise

Moment 48 - Leprechaun

A week ago, I meet two leprechauns. From the Irish folklore, a leprechaun is clad in red or green coat (and I remembered that it is already Christmas season) but the ones I saw wore the common clothes just like anybody else. The leprechauns were perceived to be busy creating shoes all the time while these two were busy fabricating lies. And the leprechauns love to count their hidden golds while the ones I saw love to count their hidden evil agenda.

When a leprechaun is captured, he will grant you three wishes and then he will be freed. It would be a great idea to catch a leprechaun during the present time and ask for those impossible things to your heart's desire. But with the leprechauns I saw, catching them will be a nightmare. Actually, simply seeing them is already a nightmare. What more if you attempt to catch them?

Some leprechauns can be snobbish. At least you know that they are snob and that's their orientation. But beware of a smiling leprechaun because you'll never know what's inside his mind. The moment you'll fall under his magic smiling spell, you are already as good as doomed. But whether the leprechaun is snob or smiling, they are still known to be tricksters and should not be trusted.

If you happen to know and see a leprechaun, simply keep your distance. It does not hurt if you can't have his golds because you can always find your own pot of gold. It does not hurt if your three wishes will not be granted because you can always work for your wishes to come true. What hurts the most is when you trust a leprechaun with all your life and he'll play his worst trick on you.

Quote 95 - Masterpiece