Quote 39 - Letting Go

Random Thought 20 - What You See is What You Get

No matter how I tried to imitate the ways of others, still, I cannot mimic them. People close to me would normally comment that it is not in my character to acquire and practice the kind of personality I want to adopt. I am talking about the politics of daily engagement.

I have to confess that I do not possess a "showbiz" type of personality. I mean, what you see is what you get of me.

Even though I am a friendly person, I still find it hard to mingle with other people that exhibits certain attitudes that are out of my liking. I have loyal associations with some individuals, a civil interaction with a lot, and I just ignore others that I find hard to deal with.

I attempted to "sway" like a bamboo among people but then again, it is not my personality. Rather than dealing with people in an artificial manner, I'd rather represent myself as I am.

For some individuals whom I've known that perfected the art of "swaying", I really appreciate their effort and personality. Though they can deal with almost everyone, staying neutral is not a safe ground. Though being neutral may mean less conflict, it could mean also little trust.

Again, this is me. I may like or not like people around me. But at the end of the day, I am just being true to others and to myself.

Food Trip 19 - Frog

I remember one time when I brought to the office a box full of fried frogs. I prepared the treat myself. It was during that time when I missed eating this exotic food and I was thankful that even in the city, some wet markets do sell edible frogs.

During rainy season when the rice fields are wet, these frogs are plenty. Whenever I go home to the province, I always look forward for a deep fried frog landing in my plate.

Anyway, since I removed the legs from the body, nobody from the office could distinguish them. My office mates kept on asking about the meat as they heartily enjoyed the food. When the box was empty and everyone was done eating, I told them the truth. That the succulent and great tasting meat they enjoyed was actually that of the frog.

Some of my office mates chuckled with delight while some cursed me for quite some time while someone vomited right away upon hearing that she had just digested a frog. Haha

Exploring Philippines 19 - Taal, Batangas (Post 4 - Tagaytay)

By 11:30am, we drove to Tagaytay for our lunch. It took us more than an hour to reach Mahogany market.  Mahogany market is a famous stopover for travelers and the best source of beef meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits.

We went to Mahogany market for our lunch because it is much cheaper here. There are so many food stalls  that offer variety of meals. The five of us shared a serving of the famous beef bulalo for a reasonable price. A food attendant was the one who sliced the beef meat for us. 

Though beef bulalo is rich in cholesterol, experiencing it once in a while will not hurt you except of course if you are particularly strict with your diet or you are forbidden to enjoy one. And it is hard to find a good restaurant or eatery that offers a good tasting and mouth watering bulalo. Here in Mahogany market, we simply indulge ourselves to this delight.

After our lunch, we transferred to an overlooking area right across Taal volcano.  It has been my ardent desire to set foot in Taal volcano but for the meantime, a good view like this one was already enough to enjoy the day. Actually, a good afternoon siesta is best shared with good friends, a great tasting food or snack, and an awesome view. And this particular experience was one of those.

more pics at Tagaytay

Poem 19 - Sun

If I can hold the sun in my hand
I would be tasked of a great responsibility
I will be delighted to light the world
And allow each creature to shine brightly.

But such a huge responsibility comes with a price
That is meant for an unselfish and dedicated soul
Because you have to let go of your own longings
Least you become a monster and selfishly fall.

If I can hold the sun in my hand
I can warm the hearts of every creature on earth
It would be my way of letting them feel
That they are being taken cared of since their birth.

But I will never have all the strength I need
To hold it forever or even until the end
Because it would be too much to bear
When I get weary, everything else will end.

In this life, I am holding my own sun
Though not as powerful as the one we used to know
I have all the will and power to make it shine brightly
Touching the hearts and lives of those I know.

With my very own sun comes also a greater responsibility
Not to think of myself alone but those who are around me
I don't have to stay forever to make it shine til the end
A single soul touched is already a heavenly gift for me.

Quote 38 - Thankful

Moment 19 - Fog

This picture was taken when we were driving back to Paly island from El Nido in Palawan. 

Due to time constraint, our visit to El Nido was short. I was only given a brief moment to roam around though deep inside I would love to spend more time. Some variables cannot be negotiated and I'll just narrate the accounts on my exploring articles.

Anyway, the weather that time was not good and we had to hurry back because the sea might be turbulent upon our return. And through the open window of the car, I managed to had this shot - a foggy moment. Even though this was not my first time to experience a fog, this would be my second chance to frame it.

Quote 37 - Perfect Time

Random Thought 19 - Burden

Every now and then, we carry burdens along the way. At times,  we carry our own burdens. There are also some instances that we carry the burdens of others.

It is an inevitable happening that burdens are laid down before our path. Though we are dreaming of a happy existence, our life is not a bed of roses all the time.

Burdens do come in different forms. They can be problems from our past. They can be our present concern. Perhaps, they can be our anticipations. They can be petty or worst, they seem to be insurmountable.

Our burdens are our excess baggage and if we don't have the courage to face them, they become our constant nightmare.

So how shall we deal with our burdens? Maybe we can reflect on these two considerations: first, we always have an option to throw away those excess baggage; and secondly, burdens will define our character and hone us to become a better person. Just consider the fact that no one is spared in having burdens but the way we face them defines a difference among us.

Food Trip 18 - "Adidas"

In the Philippines, street foods are a common scene. Literally speaking, almost in every street corner where there's an influx of people, food carts are selling varieties of street foods. To the non-choosy hungry soul, it is always a welcome opportunity to fill an empty stomach for a minimal amount only.

One of the enticing, mouth watering, and irresistible stuff on the sidewalk is chicken feet or locally known as "adidas."  Basically, in the Philippines, every part of a chicken is a commodity and none of it goes to waste. And chicken feet is no exemption.

So if ever you'll come across this stuff, give it a try and you'll definitely find yourself asking for another stick.

Exploring Philippines 18 - Taal, Batangas (Post 3 - Balayan Bay)

After more than one hour of boat ride, we decided to spend more time on the bay. The morning sun was not so bright because of the clouds and the breeze gently swept the bay. It is such a blessing to live here and enjoy a morning's stroll every day. How I wish I have this kind of luxury.

Anyway, the bay was so tempting that we finally plunged into its waters. It was a refreshing morning delight since the water was not cold. A life jacket and some tire interiors helped us to cover a good distance from the shore. Again, it is only Randy who knows how to swim and with all confidence, he showed us some of his moves. Nevertheless, our inabilities to float were supported by a life jacket and tire interiors and we were happy about it.

Our moments in the bay helped me also to shoot some entries for a photo contest. It was a perfect opportunity because we had this part of the bay undisturbed. Literally speaking, we were the only  ones enjoying the swim that morning.

Even though it started to rain, we managed to have some good shots. How I wished the sun was shining brightly that time in order to give more light and life. But come rain or shine, I had to produce some contest entries. And the best part of it, the guys had more fun than I expected.

more pics at Balayan Bay

Poem 18 - Missing You

I miss you, I don’t know for how long
I can deceive myself but I know it is wrong
How I wish you are around to keep me company
Staying by my side passing this lonely night away.

I can still vividly make a picture of you
The face that I love to see, through and through
How I wish your memory will not fade away
Because you are all I have in this moment of dismay.

I may spend the rest of my days without you
I know that you’ll have a world of your own, too
How I wish you’d remember me somehow
Just like this, just like remembering you now.

Quote 36 - Faith

Moment 18 - Ayo

Ayo is my friend and whenever our schedules are free, we go out and take pictures. I never knew that he is not comfortable with snakes. Actually, before, I too had the same fear.

It was in Manila zoo when I bullied him.We saw a 5-year old girl who wrapped her arms around a big snake and she smiled with all her heart out for a good shot. Her mother told us that she always looked forward to embrace snakes whenever they visit a zoo.

Ayo took some time before trying a big one. I knew it was one big courageous attempt on his part to hold a snake and wrapped it around his neck and body. And he even managed to smile.

From what I've learned, you've got to learn to face your fear and deal with it given an opportunity. As long as you'll not be harmed, conquering your fear makes you proud deep inside even if you are not going to tell the world. And I am happy for my friend.

Quote 35 - Faith

Random Thought 18 - Satisfaction

Maybe we have considered that the world out there is better than what we have as of the moment. There could be lots of opportunities out there where we can grow and prosper. And no one should keep us from exploring the world and making the most of our potentials.

The world is ours to conquer. Our abilities know no limits. We can drive ourselves to accomplishments to the content of our hearts. But where does our satisfaction ends?

Getting satisfied is more than quenching a thirst or hunger. And some says that  a man's satisfaction is never ending, even way beyond his own universe.

Well, if we only know how to count our blessings, staying happy and living a simple life, most probably we don't have to conquer the world. Because for every blessing that we receive, the Almighty One knows that it would suffice our needs. 

What's the use of conquering the world when you can't have it after you die?

Food Trip 17 - Jack Fruit

If there's one fruit that makes my mouth waters, it would be a ripe jack fruit. Ever since I was a kid, I had this fond liking of this fruit. Way back then when my mother had still a jack fruit tree, she would make it to a point to let one big fruit ripened and I would deliberately feast on it.

Even up to this time, my yearning and liking of this food is already embedded in my system. Whenever possible, I would always find a way to buy a couple of kilos of this fruit and simply enjoy eating it raw. And those I can no longer eat, I would boil them in water with sugar and enjoy several days eating my own version of a jack fruit jam.

Exploring Philippines 17 - Taal, Batangas (Post 2 - Balayan Bay)

After our short visit to Basilica of Taal and breakfast from Taal public market, we went back to Randy's place. Balayan bay is just a compound and a road away from the house of Randy. It only took us five minutes to reach the bay.

When we set foot on the bay, there were already some individuals enjoying a morning swim. Though the sand and the shoreline is not that much on this part of the bay, still, a free swim knows no certain shortcomings.

That time, the bay seemed to be on a standstill. Except for the small waves caused by the boats and some swimmers, it was like a see-through glass  where you can walk on top of it. Aside from a laid back atmosphere that day, it was the calmness that was so enchanting.

We hired a boat for 100 pesos and went as far as we could row. It was challenging because only Randy knows how to steer the boat and the rest of us had our impromptu lesson that moment.

Out here in the open, if only time permits, it would be a good experience to simply lie down and doze off while the boat sways gently in the calm water. What a memorable experience it could had been.

Anyway, as we enjoyed the calmness of the bay and its crystal clear water, abundant lifeforms below can be seen even without dipping your face on the water. Different kinds of fishes can be seen. There's also a wide formation of corals lining the bay and there were plenty of sea urchins all over the place. For sure, the folks here don't have that much liking on sea urchins because they seemed untouched and continuously growing. During low tide, the shoreline recedes to the location of the corals and these corals become visible.

As we enjoyed the moment, we had a glimpse of the sleepy town this particular time of the day. It seemed that only few of the local folks spend their mornings at the bay.

more pics

Poem 17 - Moment of Solitude

In my moment of solitude
My spirit is at peace
What great comfort it brings
A hurried life I no longer chase.

In my moment of solitude
I can simply let time slip away
What more can I ask for
All my woes are at bay.

In my moment of solitude
My mind feels the freedom of stillness
What gift could ever compare
Thoughts of wonder and of greatness.

In my moment of solitude
I feel like I am whole again
What a perfect opportunity it is
Freeing myself from the torment of my sin.