Quote 239 - Embrace

Random Thought 120 - Perception

Don't let yourself think that you are another person because others think so.  

People may have certain perceptions about us.  They may have some good things and not so good things to say about us.  That's just normal.  

Some of us may be very particular with what others think and say about us.  Some of us, with the intent to please everyone, would do anything just to satisfy the people around us.  

It cannot be denied that it is important to have a good public perception.  Others would really find a way in order for this "good" public perception to be maintained.  

A good public perception could work both ways for us.  But the most important thing is, we won't lose that good personality who we really are.  

Food Trip 119 - Pinangat na Isda

I always appreciate and love when I’m in the province.  And one of the best things I always look forward to is the taste of fresh fish.

We all know that when a fish is fresh, even in the simplest form of cooking, it’s always appreciated.  And what could be simpler than a pinangat na isda.

I guess anyone can prepare a pinangat na isda.  With just a minimal amount of water, salt, onion, tomato, ginger, and seasoning, you’re all set to prepare a good tasting dish. 

Exploring Philippines 119 - Kanturayan Falls (Post 4)

We were soaked in sweat when we got to the falls.  The inviting coolness of the place provided a good relief and a plunge to its cool water would be even better.  We immediately took off our shirts to let them dry and for us to cool down as well.  There are too pools to choose from.  The immediate pool which is divided by a huge round rock in the middle and the next one is at the base of the falls.  The first pool almost tempted me for a dip but I was warned by Ron.  Both pools looks enticing for a quick and cool dip but their silent waters could endanger someone especially for an unexperienced swimmer.  Both pools are several meters deep which is evident in their steady blue waters. 

Ron decided to explore the place further.  He climbed the side of the mountain leading to the upper part of the falls.  Just like any cascading falls, there are catch basins right after each falls.  On my end, as I took several pictures of the falls, I named the falls as “Falls from Heaven” because the water at the top of the falls seems to come right down from the sky.  

I wanted to follow Ron in climbing towards the second layer of the falls.  Aside from the fact that I have a camera to protect, the problem is there is no clear path to follow and climbing by crawling on the steep rocky side of the mountain is never that easy.  Instead, I just content myself sitting on the big rock that stays in the middle of the two pools and took pictures to my heart's content.

We stayed at the falls for almost an hour.  Since we came a long way, we had to be on the main road before dark.  The moment we crossed the river again, somehow, the tide was low and the current was no longer that strong.  We retraced our path back to the main road and that time around, the way seemed shorter.  And we were home at around 4pm.

The experience was a rewarding and relaxing one.  Though most of the time, there are challenges and dangers along the way, your efforts will be rewarded the moment you get to your destination and have fun along the way. 

 

Poem 119 - Love

Where is the love
when its season is at hand
why it is so complicated
and it is hard to understand.

how do i find love
when it's beyond what i can offer
how will it finds its way
to this heart that's used to wander.

how will i make it prosper
if ever my heart feels it
how will I make it work
and defy bitter from the sweet.

where is the right one
and how will i know
among the many prospects
will she ever show.

so many questions
so many fears
love is full of mystery
of happiness and of tears.

maybe when the time is right
and when my heart is ready
that will be the time
for love to find its way.

Quote 238 - Thank You

Moment 119 - Papal's Chair

When I visited Leyte, part of my itinerary was to visit Imelda’s mansion popularly known as Sto. Niño Shrine.  The place is currently under the care of PCGG. 

We were in the second floor at the ballroom area.  Our guide introduced the papal chair, the one used by the late Pope John Paul II during his first visit to the Philippines.  It was a rare opportunity to see and hold the actual precious artifact used by a pope.  Since I was already there, I asked the caretaker for a chance to sit on the chair and have my photo taken. 

Though I felt nothing magical nor extraordinary about the moment, it was still an experience of a lifetime worth remembering.  

Quote 237 - Listen

Random Thought 119 - To Love or Be Loved

When I first heard about this situation, I have no idea at all what to say and how to defend my side.  Not until I experienced it myself.

Perhaps, to love is the greatest act we can ever do to someone who is special to us.  To love and to share ourselves unselfishly is the best gesture we can deliver to the one whom our love is intended.

To be loved is perhaps the sweetest thing we'll ever feel the moment we learn about this. It is exciting to know that someone extends his/her feelings for us. 

If you will be put to a position where you can either love or be loved, what will you choose?

If we have not yet experience both worlds, our actions may be only dictated by our logical reasoning.  But given the chance to experience both of them, our reasons will have more conviction and have more in-depth perspective.  By that time, no matter what we tend to follow, only us know the perfect reason why.

Food Trip 118 - Tahong (Mussel) Crackers

We were walking along the downtown in Tacloban City, Leyte when I took noticed of the tahong crackers display among the wide array of food pasalubong.  I got curious about its taste and so I bought a small pack just to taste it.

The province of Samar is noted for its abundant produce of tahong.  Since there’s not that much demand for tahong in the province and the neighboring provinces, some local entrepreneurs ventured into tahong crackers manufacturing.

The ingredients of tahong crackers are tahong meat, flour, salt, sugar, chili, cooking oil, and black pepper.  Its texture is somewhat smooth but there are evident small bubbles on the surface.  The thickness is acceptable and its crunchiness can be equaled with commercially known crackers.  There is no particular size or shape of the cracker.  Unlike the commercially available crackers that have their own distinct taste, this one is a bit conservative.  Actually, if not for its label, one will not be able to figure out that it is made of tahong.

Exploring Philippines 118 - Kanturayan Falls (Post 3)

Ron went back to the route that we took earlier while I was standing on the dry land.  I watched him intensely as he tried his luck the second time around.  He was like bouncing up and down as the current carried him downstream.  He reached a particular part of the river where the water was already chest high and he, too, felt that it would be impossible to cross the river.  I already accepted the fact that we had to return home because of the situation.  But Ron was still persistent and tried to look for another route.

We moved downstream, assessing the river’s current.  While Ron was on the lookout and I was standing and abandoning the idea, a foot ambulance crossed the river from the other side.  As we saw them crossing the river, the water was only navel high and the current was not so strong.  It ignited a new hope for the two of us though I was still nervous about my earlier experience.  We crossed together and we were successful that time.

We followed the only path towards the area where most houses are built.  It was planting season that time and some of the farmers were busy preparing the field for planting rice.  The moment we reached the basketball court, we asked for some directions towards the falls.  And we found out later on that the most effective way of going to the falls without getting lost is to follow the small but abundant stream which directly comes from the falls.

The first falls that we encountered, which is located on the left side of the mountain, has barely some running water.  But according to the woman whom we met later, there’s a beautiful falls on top of that one.  Since we were not aware about it, we just passed through and went to the next one which has abundant water. 

The second falls is located just after a corner of the first falls.  The rush of the water coming from the man made stream is almost knee deep, a bit strong and cold.  It was a signal that we were nearing the falls.  And right after the turn, the falls reveals itself.

There is actually no path towards the falls.  It’s either you walk on top of the concrete gutter or directly inside the gutter.  The gutter acts as man made stream that keeps the water together coming from the falls and provides the community below the much needed water irrigation supply all year round.  Aside from this, the local community water supply comes directly from the falls through a large rubber hose.

As we came closer, slowly, we had a better view of the falls.  The canopy of trees that cover the area where the falls is located provide a good cover over the heat of the sun.