Moment 133 - Child Labor

Some realities of life are hard to understand until we know them.

Every time I'm in the province, I always find time to roam around.  Most of the time, stories and encounters happen in remote and unexpected places.

Take for example the kids who are carrying a sack of charcoal on their head and walk several kilometers, passing several mountains and rivers until they get to the market place.   Imagine the weight of a sack full of charcoal on top of your head, the scorching heat of the sun along the way, the effort that they exerted just to get to the marketplace, and selling the merchandise for almost 200 pesos only.  At times, the townfolks would try to get a good bargain by asking for a much lower selling price of the charcoal.  When the sellers are in great need, they simply give in rather than going home empty handed and carrying the charcoal back to the mountains.

I can't help but to admire these kids, that in their early age, they are forced by circumstance to do an adult's job to help their parents make both ends meet.  Much as they want to enjoy the privilege of being kids, they are driven to work and do their share for the survival of their family.  And when I see them around, I no longer ask for a bargain of their merchandise because I know the kind of hardship they are constantly facing in order to bring home some decent food to their waiting family.  

Quote 265 - Heart

Random Thought 133 - Dying

If given a chance, how would you like to die?

Dying is a natural course of life.  Those who have their time will soon die in order to give way for others to experience living.  And the cycle of life continues.

Even though we know that we will all die eventually, this is a taboo topic and is often not discussed openly and lengthy.  The idea of death is not a welcome conversation especially when we have a fun gathering and everyone is in high spirit.  And if death is ever mentioned, most of the time, it is not discussed as a serious topic but a joke in passing.  I guess, the topic of death brings discomfort to everyone including me.

There had been several instances where I entertained the thought of dying.  Some of these thoughts were ugly and some of them were just wishful thinking.  And at the end of the day, I wish for a silent death.

I would like to die in my sleep, free of all the pains and sufferings.  I would like to die in a way that I am just asleep and never wakes up from it, like I am still dreaming.  I would like to die sleeping like I stepped into some other world, leaving my earthly body behind. 

Death is an unchallenged reality that we will all soon experience.  In the face of death, all men are equal.  The only difference is the art of our dying and the way we prepare for it.

Food Trip 132 - Sweet Rimas Candy

As I cruise the food stalls at the Batangas port, among the local sweets that caught my attention was the sweet rimas candy.  A pack of rimas candy costs 25 pesos but the moment I told the lady vendor that I just wanted to taste it for my material, she lowered the price to 20 pesos.

Rimas is unfamiliar to me.  It is similar to camansi fruit.  It's outer skin is smooth unlike that of camansi and the jackfruit.  Rimas is also use as a vegetable similar to camansi.

I've been told that the thin slices of rimas fruit is soaked in sugar and dried afterwards.  After a couple of days, it is processed for final preparation.

My first bite was not really that exciting.  The overwhelming taste of sugar hides the taste of rimas.  Once the sweet taste fades, it was like chewing a raw flesh of the fruit.

Exploring Philippines 132 - Laguna Loop (Post 3 - Panguil River Eco Park)

From a distance, we saw some tourists right in front of the falls.  That time, the rain was abrupt and the current of the water coming down from the falls was strong.  If the weather is good and the current is not that strong, visitors would normally wallow near the falls.  Based on what we observed, they were just standing there and admiring the falls.

There were two groups of visitors near the falls.  The first group where the representative of the world bank belonged rode the raft towards.  Our guide told us that the visitors would leave quickly after seeing the falls because of the weather condition.  The water was freezing cold, it rain abruptly, and the current was strong.

We rode the third raft towards the falls and that time around, the ride was smooth.  As we approached the site of the falls, the falls slowly revealed itself.  I have seen several falls already and this one was not really that impressive.  Actually, it is not grand nor a breathtaking one.  It was not the one I was thinking of.  What is grand about the place is the canyon where the falls is located.  The opening in between the high rise walls of the mountain that allows the abundant water coming from the falls to freely flow and the mystic appearance of the place where light and shadows chase each other make the place extraordinary.  The moment we arrived at the falls, the last batch of guests that day left.  And we had the falls by ourselves. 

We were glad that we had the falls by ourselves.  We could take as much pictures as we want without any disturbance.  Well, not really true.  When we got to the falls, it was raining.  It was a challenge because our cameras are not waterproof.  In order to get enough pictures, we had to take turns in holding the umbrella in order to protect our camera.  At the same time, the wind was blowing hard and the water falling down on the falls was forceful.  Aside from the rain, the drizzle coming from the falls was also our concern.  Every now and then, we had to wipe our lenses because of the rain and the drizzle.

Our guide told us that with the current of the falls, the guests are not allowed to take a dip.  During the summer season, there's a protruding rock in the middle of the pool where the guests can stay.  Likewise, during the summer season when the falls is gentle, the guests are allowed to stay within the pool or enjoy a water massage right under the falls.  But that particular time, we were prohibited in going near the falls. 

After several minutes of stay, we managed to get some pics and we had to sacrifice our camera because of the rain and the drizzle of the falls.  By the way, this falls is called Ambon-Ambon falls because just like what we had experienced, the ambon (drizzle) was really overwhelming that time.    Though we were thankful because we had the place all by ourselves, our pictures of the falls were just so-so.  Maybe next time around when the weather is good and the falls is subtle.

What I appreciate most of this experience was the totality of the place.  It was a refreshing moment feeling your face against the cold drizzle of the falls.  The wind that blew from time to time made the place breath with fresh air.  The gap between the mountain walls allows the filtered rays of the sun to dramatically light the place.  The rush of the water coming from the falls was not a friendly atmosphere and yet it looked lovely.  The lagoon where the third raft is anchored is so silent and calm despite of the volume of water coming down from the falls.  Except for the rush of the water, the place has a deafening silence that is good for the soul.

Upon our return, we encountered again the most challenging part of the river going towards the second raft.  For the second time, it was still a dreaded experience on my end.  That time, it seemed that my legs lost their weight and grip.  Even on a barefoot, I really found it difficult to find that right spot where to anchor my feet without being carried by the current.  And yes, it really matters a lot when you have nothing to worry about nor carrying anything.

The moment we landed safely on that rock in the middle of the river, the last group of visitors was on a frenzy on top of the raft because of their weight.  As the raft was nearing our position, little by little, its front end submerged in the water.  We saw how the group panicked and rocked the raft at the same time.  It was good that the guides were there to help them

On the good side, the group did not bring any camera with them.  Thus, in the event of capsizing, they only have to worry about themselves plus the guides are always on the lookout for their safety.  They managed to hurdle the situation in no time and went on the falls.

We spent our remaining time that day roaming around the eco-park and taking pictures to our heart’s content.  But one thing was missing.  We don’t have any model to complete our activity. 

It was almost five in the afternoon when we left the park.  We discussed about going home or continuing our trip the next day.  We agreed to push through with it since we were already there. 

After having our dinner at a restaurant near the highway, we rented a modest room in one of the inns nearby.  And right after my back touched the soft and relaxing surface of the bed, I dozed off.  It was one tiring but good day.

at the falls

rubber tube ride

around the resort

Poem 132 - Top of the World

What it's gonna like
To climb a mountain so high
Where you can see the great view below
Your hands almost touch the sky.

It would be a great experience
And an exciting one, too
Climbing up that high
Making your dreams come true.

Standing on top of the world
Makes it a fulfilling quest
Though it's hard and struggling
It shows determination at its best.

How it's gonna feel
Seeing the vast open space
With no barriers to think of
Only the whispers of the breeze.

The soul will be delighted
Because of the freedom so liberating
Here, on top of the world
Life finds a new meaning.

Quote 264 - Masterpiece

Moment 132 - Quiet Moment

I usually miss the moment spending a quiet time in a good spot and simply allows time to pass me by.

When I am stressed with my work and my day-to-day activities, I would usually go out and find a good place where I can just watch the world goes by while enjoying a good food on the side.  Though the place may look like a busy one and noise of all forms can be heard, I just ignore them as long as I feel cozy about my place.  And with that particular special place, I just love to watch people pass me by in their hurried existence.

In my standstill experience, I learn to appreciate life.  I become more observant of the people and what's happening around me.  I am thinking what if the whole world will come to a standstill for even just a couple of seconds?  Could it deliver something beneficial for all of us?

A quiet moment makes me realize that it is a good breather and adds more life in me.  It makes me ditch my worries and troubles away.  And most of all, a quiet moment makes me get acquainted with myself even more.

Quote 263 - Tall and Proud

Random Thought 132 - To Meddle

There are some people, though they are close to us in a certain way, can’t just help themselves about getting too nosy about the choices we make and act as if they have all the rights to dictate us what to do with our lives.

When we associate ourselves with people, at times, it is part of our association that personal matters could be spilled over and heard.  Since we feel comfortable sharing our own personal matters and at the same time we trust our association, it is never hard for us to share even our best kept secrets.  Because we know that when we are ready to share some parts of our private lives, our so-called friends will always maintain a certain level of trust and confidence.

Sometimes, some of our friends have this idea of “getting” into our lives as if they have all the rights to meddle.  Though they might have some “good and ideal” concern about certain things in our lives, thinking all along that it is good for us, would push their concern and make us do it.  And with whatever they thought what is best for us, they would try to influence us and deliberately push us to do it.  This is the line where our so-called friends or associations should not dare cross.

The moment we become confidants of our friend, the very idea is for us to hear and listen to him.  For all we know, our friend only needs someone to air his grief or his woes.  For all we know, he only needs to release some ill-feelings and upon sharing it with us, it will already make him feel better. From time to time, we might inject our own unsolicited side and regardless if he listens to us or not, it is still he who has every right to decide for himself.

Some friends and some associations could not help themselves to meddle with our own decisions.  They act as if they have every right to do so and make us believed that it is the best thing for us.  Suddenly, they throw us into a situation where they want to control us “for our own sake.”  If this happens, clearly, they become pushovers than friends. 

If you think that you are offended by the act of your so-called friends or associations, telling them straightforward that you don’t appreciate their being pushover could be a thing.  Sometimes, we have to make them realize that a certain degree of respect should be maintained among friends and being a pushover is not part of it.  But if you have no guts to speak to them directly, then, staying away from them for a while could be the next best thing.  Most probably, by disassociating yourself from them, this would send a signal that something is not okay between you and them hoping that they will eventually realize their intrusive act.