Quote 22 - Cry

Moment 11 - Baby Bear in the Pool

It was a rare opportunity seeing a baby bear in the pool.  Bears can swim too and in the middle of the night, you’ll never know who will sneak in your pool.

Johnathan Barrios, whom we fondly call baby bear, joined us for a night swim. It was freezing cold and bears have a high tolerance from the cold. Hehe

It was totally fun and we were so joyous when baby bear joined us. I can still vividly recall how we used to gather around him, and cling unto him just like kids.

Anyway, when we requested him to do the plunge, you just can’t imagine the waves he caused in the pool.  We kept our distance from him because we don’t know how to ride the waves in the pool after his plunge. Hehe

Quote 21 - Journey

Random Thought 11 - Tranquility

Tranquility is such an expensive and rare moment when you used to dwell in the city. City life is full of pollution including noise. All sorts of noise come from different corners and there’s nothing you can do but simply to get used to it.

That’s why when I can find time to escape the city life, I make it to a point to go somewhere serene, somewhere tranquil. And in searching for such a place, it usually requires some amount.

But once you are already there, it feels like having your own little piece of heaven. No amount of money can ever pay the tranquility that surrounds the place. All you can hear is the nature’s whisper as well as the beating of your own heart and your breath. Such a place is always a haven for a tired and weary soul.

Food Trip 10 - Lanzones

I will never forget that day when I finally savor the sweetest tasting lanzones to date. The common lanzones that are usually available in the market are those coming from Laguna and Camiguin. And for some time, I was able to taste the famous sweet lanzones of Thailand which, occasionally, are available at Divisoria (though the price is higher than our own). But nothing can be compared to the one I tasted that came from Cagayan de Oro.

Lanzones is one of my favorite fruit and I usually substitute this one for rice as my dinner (I don't know if I'm doing the right thing but so far, all is well). When lanzones is abundant, you can expect that my day will never be complete without it. I simply love this fruit.

It was in Iloilo when I encountered lanzones coming from Cagayan de Oro and true enough, I was not able to resist its temptation. And when I tasted that one, I was able to finish nearly a kilo of it and my three kilo present to my family was reduced to only two kilos. Hehe. Gluttony to the max as usual.

I hope I can find the same sweet tasting stuff here in Manila when its season comes again.

Exploring Philippines 10 - Tibiao, Antique (Post 1 - Tibiao Fish Spa)

I am fond of watching travel shows, both local and foreign. Within a year, I make it to a point to be somewhere else, outside the city and closer to nature. During my regular viewing habit, I happened to watch some rural escapades in my province and I told myself that I have to try that one the moment I go home.

It was the last week of October, 2010 when I decided to went home and enjoy a week long vacation. Immediately, I visited the Tibiao Fish Spa. 

My nieces and nephew tagged along and they were quite ecstatic about the experience to happen that day. The news of something new in our province spreads like wildfire but sad to say, only those who can afford to spend gets to experience the real thing. As we all know, every peso in a rural place is a hard earned money and folks will not spend it lightly.

Anyway, it took us an hour ride to the fish spa. The place boasts that it is the cheapest fish spa in the world. The entrance is 20 pesos per head. Adults are being charge 2 pesos per minute while students/kids enjoy half the price per minute of stay, likewise.  The pool is divided into 3 tanks: the beginner's tank, the medium tank, and the large tank.

Beginner's tank contains small fishes and one will definitely enjoy the small tickles they'll offer. Young and old alike will surely have fun together in this tank.

After nearly 10 minutes of stay in the beginner's tank, I transferred to the medium and large tank adjacent to the beginner's tank. By the way, the beginner's tank is located outside the cottage while the two remaining tanks are inside the cottage.

The medium and large tanks are actually designed as one tank and there's a movable divider placed in the middle of the tank to segregate the medium-size fishes from the large ones. The design of the place is a bit cozy where you are free to lie down and enjoy the comfort of soft pillows while enjoying the fish spa. It was indeed a relaxing moment for me.

Visitors can literally enjoy a bath together with the fishes and one can simply sit down in the pool while enjoying the services of the fishes. But you have to call them in advance in order for the tank to be cleaned first prior to your visit.

After some time, I began to feel the harsh teeth of the large fishes. The skin of my feet got soft already and as the fishes trim it further, it was no longer enjoyable. Well, with large fishes you'll get large bites and I simply cannot imagine if those fishes were actually piranhas. Ouch.

All in all, the kids enjoyed the day and they definitely have stories to tell up to this day.

more pics of Tibiao Fish Spa

Poem 10 - Dream ... Explore ... Live

Dream of journeys
Farther than a distant horizon
Dream of greatness
That only you can envision.

Explore the world
Where the sky can’t limit you
Share yourself to others
One great act you should do.

Live a meaningful life
And enjoy it to the fullest
Continue on dreaming
And strive hard to fulfill your quest.

Quote 20 - Tears

Moment 10 - Sea Turtle

When I visited Paly island in Palawan last May 2010, I had this once in a lifetime experience. I saw for the very first time the tracks of a sea turtle on the beach.

I saw a sea turtle out in the open sea when we visited the underground river, also in Palawan. But this was my first time to see its tracks after it laid its eggs on the shore. It could be another awesome experience to witness the sea turtle laying its eggs. But normally, it lays its eggs by night fall.

Sea turtles eggs are priced commodity among the people here in Palawan. Since the island has been inhabited by a growing population of fisher folks, it would be a miracle if the eggs of the sea turtle will ever hatch at all. Though they knew that the sea turtles and their eggs are protected by the laws of the land and their population are decreasing dramatically, it is always a great find for them to catch and eat their meat. And so with their eggs.

As our local companion dug through the sands, trying to find those precious eggs, not a single egg had been found. There was no human activity on this part of the beach that uncovered the laying of the eggs of the sea turtle. We were the first one to find it. In reality, we were not the ones to be here first.

The empty shells on the sands were the only evidence of what had been left of those eggs. And the culprit? A dog. A dog was the first one to find it and it has also a strong liking of the sea turtle’s eggs. So, on this island, it is a race between humans and the dogs.

In a world where survival is the name of the game, who are we to judge the predators? But I hope, as humans and not dogs, we can have a share of the responsibility towards the preservation of our endangered species.

Quote 19 - Friendship

Random Thought 10 - Insignificant

Have you ever considered yourself insignificant for one reason or another? Was there a point in time when you felt less important than the rest?

Well, given a reason or another, we do have our own strengths and weaknesses. When we feel insignificant, we consider ourselves as nobody. Our self esteem is low. And most probably, all we can think of are our weaknesses.

But have you ever thought of a particular point in time when someone used to hold your hand or even lean on you? Someone who felt insignificant too whom you’d share yourself unselfishly until the time when he is strong enough to stand up by himself again.

Being least noticed or acknowledged is not a reason for us to treat ourselves as insignificant. Each one of us is endowed with certain gifts of importance and it is up to us to nurture them. Some people may not notice us at all because they are maybe too preoccupied in looking something significant based on their standards. But remember, in the eyes of our Lord, you are the most significant being He ever created.

Food Trip 9 - Doughnuts

I am a person with a sweet tooth. Every now and then, I have longings for sweets. And whenever I run out of sweet stuff, off I go to the nearest convenience store or the mall.

At first, I really don't have that much desire over doughnuts. Actually, even up to now, I don't really go for doughnuts. It just so happen whenever I go malling, I do have this particular appetite on doughnuts. And when that time comes, a box full of doughnuts I will surely not miss.

There are different varieties of doughnuts but some of them are not good to my taste buds. That's why after tasting all those brands, I simply go for either of the two brands. It does not matter if they are a bit expensive over the others because my enjoyment comes with no price. Hehe

Well, what are you waiting for? Feel free to pick one and enjoy.

Exploring Philippines 9 - Molo Church, Iloilo

 After my brief exploration of the Jaro cathedral, I hailed a cab towards Molo. It was already 2pm when I arrived there. I knew I had to maximize my time because I might be enjoying my little adventure and lost track of time. And in case nightfall will caught me, definitely, I will not be able to have a ride towards home.

From the plaza, the view of Molo church is always inviting. Just like the Jaro cathedral, I always pass this way but never had a single opportunity to visit it closely because of time constraint. But this time around, I purposely dedicate my time to visit this church.

The moment I approached the main entrance of the church, I was disappointed right away because it was closed. I was hoping and praying that I could at least set foot on this church. But it seemed that it was not a timely visit.

I went to the side entrance of the church hoping that I would be able to sneak inside the church. Unluckily, all side entrances were all closed. With the situation at hand, I asked around for a possibility to gain an entry. I was thankful because I happened to asked the right person. He was the guard on duty.

During this time of day, the doors of the church are closed and I was extra grateful because he allowed me gain entry.  I believe that whenever your intentions are pure, people will not find it hard to believe you. I simply introduced myself and told him about my desire to frame the church. And he simply showed me the way.

Except for the cleaner inside the church, I had the whole place by myself. I took full liberty in examining its interiors, the 16 statuettes of the lady saints that hang on every pillar within the isle, its magnificient altar decorated by century old paints, those wooden altars that house other saints which date back to the Spanish time, and stepping into the very floor tiles where Dr. Jose Rizal once stepped in during his visit here during the late 1800's.

Once all the doors of this church were closed, I experienced a total silence from the outside world. Its thick walls and wooden doors shielded the place against the commotion outside. If one is seeking solace, definitely, this church would be of big help. But I must admit that I was taken aback by the markings on the floors. It was a practice before to bury the bones of prominent people inside the church and Molo church is one of them. And since I was inside the church, fear did not embrace me that time.

In the span of 30 minutes, I was practically happy with what I came for, and the joy of experiencing what it was like more than a century ago will be forever etched in my memory.

pics of 16 lady saints

 more pics of Molo church