The Wandering Spartan

Family Matters

2010-02-20T01:44:00.000-08:00

After more than 3 weeks of hectic activities...

I finally have time to doodle my ideas out of my ever wandering brain. I would want to talk about what happened these past few weeks but I've decided to do that later for the simple reason that I still have to finish my "All About the List" series.

Life is basic arithmetic...

Like most humans, family is very important to me. Although I unfortunately come from an unconventional one, it is always the foundation that I lean on. No matter what I go through, I know that they'll always be there, in more ways than one... I know that this may be too personal a topic to talk about in a blog but...

Addition

My sister Chris got married early last year. So that means, not only did my extended family got bigger, I also gained a new brother. His name is Wendel. I'm looking forward to drinking with him when I get the chance to meet him. Here's the two of them watching an NFL game.

My step-sister also got engaged late last year. Although I still don't know when the wedding day will be, I do hope I get to photograph them then. This is a picture of Krystal and Dylan in Hawaii recently.

Subtraction

Our ever dearest Lola Siving left us last October to be with God. She's my grandma in my mother's side. She was a very loving, caring, wise and hardworking woman.

She's a mother of nine and you can just imagine how many "apos" and "apo sa tuhods" she has. I was actually born in their house. And I am their first grandchild.

We will cherish the memories and life lessons she had taught us. I Love You, Lola Siving.

Division

Like any family, sometimes life tends to be dysfunctional. Problems occur in our lives that for some reason, we get too preoccupied with things that we tend to forget the most important things. I know, as a family we can get over these petty things and move on as one.

Multiplication

Go to the world and multiply.

No. I have not multiplied yet... Although, I would want to see my seed prosper, but not now.

I have a new niece. Her name is MaLeia Nalani Omictin Lapinig. I think she looks like my sister(her mom), although they say she also looks like her father.

I can't wait to hold her in my arms. I know that by that time, she'll know how to run and i'll be one of those who'll come running after her.

Factorial

Family is the basic institution in our society. Life maybe full up pluses, minuses, divides and times, but the big FACTOR that makes our lives worth living and make us roll with whatever fate has in stored for us, is Family.

It Matters.

----4th entry of the "All About the List" series----

Chezzy V Day

2010-02-17T04:21:00.000-08:00

Go Figure...

Web to the 2nd Level

2010-01-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

WWW

It's my life

The Internet is my life. Well, not that I would die without it. But if I may quote a song, " My life would suck without you (the Internet)..."

Ever since it got introduced here in the Philippines in the 1990's, i got hooked. I could still remember the text based browsers we used before. Downloading of images was one of my favorite things to do. (As to what type of images, just let your imagination fly.)

I made my first email address using Hotmail. I think it was dredd@hotmail.com. Unfortunately, I forgot my password. I actually had more than 5 email addresses then from different sites. (crazydude20@lycos.com, etc.) Back then, you don't actually use your name in your address.Finally I settled with my Yahoo account, the email address which I still use today.

I created my first website and uploaded it via Geocities. In fact, I had several sites in Geocities, all of them I’ve already lost track of. I used the Net in getting information and other stuff. I’m even an EBay user.

But all things changed when Web 2.0 came in.

WEB 2.0

Because I’m a Social Animal

I have been using Friendster (just like most Filipinos) as my social networking site since December 2003. Although I did have Multiply and MySpace accounts. Maybe the reason I got stuck with Friendster was because most of my friends were using it. I was also sort of contented with its features then. Everything changed last year.

During the Fieldtrip of BSIT Batch 2009, I noticed that my students were always itching about FB. At that time I’ve already heard about FaceBook but I have not really tried signing in. They would always talk about their status and their friend’s statuses. It seems like every free time they have, they wanna be logged on to Facebook.

Since I was so curious and excited, I signed up to this Facebook site that they were addicted to. And there I was, letting the whole world know almost everything about my life. And trying to be informed about my friends life as soon as it happened to them. I got hooked… I said byebye to Friendster (although they recently have a new format). And everything else as they say, is history.

Facebook has been the first web site that I visit every time I connect to the Web. In fact, I’m online in FB almost 10 hours a day. And I am just one of the more than 200 million of Facebook users worldwide. It has become the Social Networking site of choice of more people than any other site of the same purpose.

And don't even ask me about Mafia Wars...

A new venue of expression

It's pretty obvious that I'm also getting the hand on another WEB 2.0 feature: Blogging.

2009 introduced me to the blogging community. I won't be writing this if I am not eager to explore this scribbling world. Although I'm practically a newbie but I'm trying my best to write my little bit of everything here. It has become another way of expressing what I'm feeling, just this time, the whole world can read it.

I think blogging was one of the things that got me through one of my darkest moments... (although looking back, i feel so corny) I thank my colleague for introducing it to me.

Now, if only I could continue to motivate myself to write more... hmmm

----3rd entry of the "all about the list" series----

Being Single and Loving It...

2010-01-22T00:30:00.000-08:00

"Singlehood is a time to grow, try new things and explore what life has to offer. Now's the perfect time to follow the Yellow Brick Road in pursuit of your dreams. "

Singlehood, if it's even a word, has been the type of life I've had to live since the start of 2009.

I've been single ever since that dreadful cold day in January 2009. I just recently realized that I have never been single this long ever since I started being in relationships.

At first, it was, as expected, pretty hard. Pretty damn hard. Thank GOD for family and friends that helped me deal with my emotions and heard my long litany of questions some of which they didn't understand. It took a lot of talks and bottles of alcohol before I realized that I had to accept things as it was. I then told myself, "I'm single, now be single..."

And then it all began.

I got to experience new and exciting things in life. I only have myself to please, so I don't need to consider other petty things. That's freedom in your face. I may sound a little selfish but I had to love myself more before I start loving another person.

I got closer with my siblings and friends because I now spend more time with them. I got to meet new and interesting persons outside of my normal circle. Some of them are now my close friends.

The new and rediscovered hobbies that I have now, I owe to being single. Travel, adventure, photography, blogging, efbing, going to do the gym (see previous entry) are just some of them things I was able to do a lot, with all the time I have for myself. Great experiences, all of them.

There are times though that you get lonely. I admit. I just have to look at the bright side of things. And pick out some thoughts from the diary of happy memories stored somewhere in my terrabyte-sized mind. And of course, smile.

And yes, I date. Of course. I have to. I believe dating is essential when you are single. I still have to mingle and jiggle, right. I've had a few flings here and there but nothing serious. I have to throw myself in the wind just in case someone would want to catch me. I don't intend to be single forever.

I'm so contented for being this way. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whoever I want (well, it depends). I'm thankful for the chance to be like this. Thanks. (You know who you are.)

Of course it's not always great. There's always the YinYang of things. Well, that's life. I just have to go with the flow and be safe.

And if GOD gives me a reason not to be single anymore... I'll take it with open arms...

(about the last line... i may think about it a thousand times first, though!!!) :)

---- --------- ------------ ------
----second entry of the "all about the list" series---

All about the "List"

2010-01-14T04:44:00.000-08:00

2009 was a year full of new things for me. Most of them were awesome but some were downright nasty and hurtful. Maybe it was fitting because it’s the last year of that decade and I need to change to be ready to face the whatever challenges lie ahead in the new decade.

So, these are some of the new things that 2009 has brought to me:
(I wanted to try and create a top 5 lists of sort but I can’t seem to choose which is has more weight to me and it obviously is more than 5, so this comes in no particular order.)

Travel, Photography, Fitness, Singlehood, Friends, Family, Web 2.0, Profession...

I know that i need to elaborate on some (if not all) of the things on my list. But it just adds to the excitement of waiting for the next.... BLAG!!!

I'm back....

2010-01-07T04:28:00.000-08:00

It took me 8 months and a new decade to finally have the mindset to continue my blog.

And finding a new friend because of old "OLY" (and reading her blog) was the final push I needed to scribble a few snippets from my ever wandering brain....

2009 was a very memorable year for me. I've experienced new things and visited exciting places. I even have new hobbies to make my busy life busier.... but I'm going to talk more about that in my next entry.

But for now, I just wanted to kick start my blogging and say
"I got lost but now I'm found."

Faces of the Fiesta

2009-05-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

I was in Larena to attend the annual Town Fiesta (May 3). But i was only there for less than 24 hours. My schedule was so hectic the 1st week of May, that's why.

I had to go to Tagbilaran the morning of May 4.

But i managed to snap some pictures and i want to share some of them. I'm trying to learn how to take portraits, that is why you will only see them here.

Enjoy.

After a nice meal

Dodong

Candle Ladies

Work and Feed

Playing the Harmonica

The rest of the Orchestra

Back to the Beginning..

2009-05-07T04:53:00.000-07:00

I did went to Atmospheres but only took some pictures because there was only a few persons there. I didn't feel like dancing or even hanging out.

After surfing the channels of the tv, i decided to call it a night.

I wanted to take a quick dip in the pool in the morning but i didn't wanna be late again. I was to attend a meeting with the PANDA Grid guys. I thought it would start 8:30 am but 8:30 came and went and there was no meeting. There were though a group of PANDA Grid guys who were in a table, each of them working with their laptops.

Then it hit me. THIS IS THE MEETING.

That was how they meet. They do their work together and if they have questions, they help each other.

I was tasked to ask them if the University I'm representing can join their GRID. And if so, what are the things Silliman University should do.

After getting all the information I needed, i went back to my room to continue packing. I had to go back to HNU so i can attend the closing ceremonies and get my certificate. But before that happens, i needed to the check out of my room and leave my things in the concierge.

Now comes the fun part....

After the closing ceremonies and lunch, after changing to more comfortable clothes, i was on my way to Panglao Island Nature Resort.

I had to ride a habal-habal because it was not that expensive compared to other means of transportation (shuttle, taxi,easyride,tricycle) considering that i was alone. After around 20 minutes, i arrived.

The place was great. The beach was cool. The pool was infinite. The food was superb. The view was awesome.The only bad thing was. Me... being alone.

Not only was it hard for me to take pictures of myself ( i didn't have a tripod), i had to swim and eat alone in a very romantic setting. But actually, the worst part was when the receptionists and people from the resort would ask me why i didn't bring my partner.

Crap. I had to endure that but all in all it was a nice experience.I promised myself that if and when i come back here, i would bring someone special with me.

I arrived in the terminal around 30 minutes before departure time but not before buying "kalamay". 3 for 100.The Ocean Jet ride going back to Dumaguete went without a hiccup...

So where does that leave me? Back to where it all began, May 1st, 2009.

(I know... it was not 7 days... I had to leave early because my long lost friend who was to supposed to meet me in Bohol was still in Masbate...)

Late in Bohol

2009-05-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

It was almost 11 pm last night, and besides surfing the Net thru Wifi in the hotel lobby, i don't have anything to do.

What can a single man do in Tagbilaran on a Monday night? hmmm

I can't go to Alona Beach in Panglao Island anymore 'coz i don't have my own transportation.

A friend of mine told me about the bars here in Metro Center Hotel where i am staying. It has the Atmospheres disco bar and Asiatica for acoustic sounds. Unfortunately, Atmosphere is closed on Mondays and Asiatica acoustic nights are only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

I wanted to roam around the city but i don't have anyone to be with.

So, after almost two hours surfing the Net, i decided to go to my room and try to sleep.

My bed was really cozy. And after making sure that all the gadgets that needed to be charged are plugged in, i went to bed. It was already past midnight....

My bed is too cozy. I woke up refreshed but i then realized that i overslept. OMG, I'm going to be late.

Although i was able to avail of the free breakfast (i upgraded Continental to Filipino) after my bath, but i still had to pack my things because i needed to transfer to another room. I'm gonna be late.

I finally arrived in HNU. I was really late that i was not able to participate in the group picture taking. Too bad. I was late.

Tomorrow will be different... that i promise.

The day went faster that i expected. Heard more about Grid Computing projects and their infrastracture. I even had a chance to have actual hands-on on some middleware (G-Lite).

After the conference dinner, where HNU dance troupe performed for us, i went to have a quick swim. I wanted to go the gym but felt a little tired. Maybe tomorrow if i still have time to kill.

I'll try to enter Atmosphere tonight. Hope to have some nice drinks.

I'm still not sure if i will be able to go to Alona Beach tomorrow. But i really want to.

Can't wait to take more pictures there.

7 in 7... redux

2009-05-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

You'll be surprised to know that the TABLE i mentioned in the previous entry is not max 2500 anymore but it is max 3200. wow.

Anyways, i was not able to sleep long last night. Well, it was actually morning when i left the town center of Larena to try to get a short shut eye before my trip to Bohol via Dumaguete courtesy of Ocean Jet fastcraft.

The celebration was like a big party with celebrity entertainers, live band and dance, dance, dance. Thank God it didn't rain. I would have had a big problem with my camera.

The trip to Bohol started 6:00 am. The fastcraft was fully booked because of the Larena fiesta. Most of the passengers though disembarked in Dumaguete. That includes the group of Rachel Ann Go. Yes. We were again on the same boat.

I really tried to sleep during the trip because i was afraid i would be sleepy in the seminar that i will be attending.

We arrived in Tagbilaran around 9 in the morning and a shuttle took us to Metro Center hotel in the center of the city.

After a short rest and a refreshing shower, i was ready for the order of the day.

First things first... food. Lunch was served in the hometel of the university.

The venue of the MODEL 2009 workshop/seminar is Holy Name University. Foreign and local speakers are going to talk about various fields with focus on Grid Computing.

The jury is still out on what i will get out of this 3-day affair. But i already took pictures of Tagbilaran (went around the main streets and Cathedral Church and Plaza) so i'm sure it is already fruitful. Besides the hotel i'm staying in is pretty cool with fitness facilities (gym-did it, swimming pool-tomorrow, jacuzi and spa).

Unfortunately, i still don't know what i will be doing tonight... besides sleep...

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(with classical piano music background)

7 in 7

2009-05-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

The first week of the fifth month of the year is a test for me... (see previous blog entry) But it's also going to be an adventure...

I'll be going through the islands of Region 7 in 7 days...

Of course I started my journey in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last May 1. Went to 3 resorts in Dauin but was able to enter just one, El Dorado. (Atmosphere needed reservations and Pura Vida was full because of a wedding.)

Then i took the boat going to Cebu the same night for my weekly Sugbu pilgrimage. Was able to sneek in watching X-men Origins WOLVERINE.... Awesome movie... the best Marvel movie ever. I recommend it.

Arrived back in Dumaguete via GP Lines at dawn of May 2, went back to the pier to take the 9:15 am Delta trip to Siquijor but was not able to arrive on time. Fortunately, there were still tickets for the 10:30am trip.

Even though the float was delayed by 20 minutes, i had the chance to have a glimpse of two celebreties, Sam Concepcion and Rachel Ann Go. They were on the same Delta trip as i was. I bet they were able see what they ate for breakfast again (puked their guts out) because the sea was quite rough. It was a 50-minute fastcraft ride and we arrived in Siquijor almost noon. (hi to Amy Larot)

Now i'm currently in Larena enjoying the Town Fiesta... Eating lechon, humba and lots of food my gym instructor would surely don't want me to eat. Thank God my Aunt bought fish for Kinilaw and Breaded Fish sticks... Tonight there will be a variety show with bands and celebrities... There will be time to dance (we use to call it disco) and i'm sure i'll be seeing my friends there.

We actually have scheme here where in you have to buy a TABLE. Of course with 4 chairs. That means 4 persons can enter for free if you have a table for 2 nights. I don't know what the current rate is, but i'm sure it is expensive. The last time i knew, it was a maximum 2500 pesos depending on the location of the table. If you don't have a TABLE, you can just enter by paying 50 pesos as general admission fee.

Tomorrow morning, i'll be leaving for Tagbilaran, Bohol. I'll be there for 3 days. I'll be posting the things i will be doing there in the following days...

Let the adventure continue...

Promise to upload pictures soon....

May Day...

2009-05-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Today is an important day.

In many countries, May 1 is associated with the International Worker's Day. But it is not only that. As a day of celebration, the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times.

The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian, with the festival of Flora the Roman Goddess of Flowers, the Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries. Many pagan celebrations were abandoned or Christianized during the process of conversion in Europe. A more secular version of May Day continues to be observed in Europe and America. In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of the May. Various Neopagan groups celebrate reconstructed (to varying degrees) versions of these customs on May 1.

Countries that celebrate May 1 include Greece (since May Day corresponds with the peak of the flower season, flower shows and festivals are common), Ireland, United Kingdom (where in St. Andrews, Scotland, some of the students gather on the beach late on April 30 and run into the North Sea at sunrise on May Day, occasionally naked. This is accompanied by torchlit processions and much elated celebration), France, Germany, and the United States (where in Hawaii it is also known as Lei Day).

Here in the Philippines, today is a national holiday. We call it "Labor Day" or "Araw ng Mangagawa". Today we salute the workers that make our nation move.

In a alot of provinces all over the country, May 1 is the start of "Flores de Mayo"which signals alot of fiestas celebrated in this month.... (Pista'y Dayat, Alinsangan Boa-Boahan, Pahiyas, Tabanog, etc.)

In the neighboring island provinces of Bohol and Siquijor, this day is very significant.

In Tagbilaran City, Bohol, today they celebrate the City Fiesta.

In the town of Larena, Siquijor, it is the start of the 3-day fiesta celebration culminating on May 3.

There are alot of things that is important about May 1 that is celebrated all over the world.

But the most significant thing about this day for me?

It starts a month long recollection and reflection of beautiful things in the past and wondrous things in the future...

So what is for the present??? YOU KNOW...

Slaves of Information Technology

2009-04-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

The blackout most of the Visayas experienced last weekend was really a pain in the neck. Not only did it made so many people sleepless last Saturday night.... It devoid most of the people of something that can't work without power... Information Technology...

No more cable tv; (for those who were not able to charge their gizmos) no more cellphones, digital cameras, DSLRs, iPOD, PSP, etc; and most especially, no more Internet... for a maximum of 19 hours... (well, that was how long it took for power to come back in Dumaguete)...

We can no longer update our blogs, twitt our twitter, check our karma in plurk, say hi to our friends in friendster, change our status in facebook, upload pictures in flicker, expand our network in multiply, upgrade your avatar in your favorite online game... etc...

As if the WORLD was about to END...

hehehe. That's the problem with IT peeps... it is difficult to function without power...

That is why i compiled a list of what i will do the next time a blackout (more than 12 hours w/o power) hits again...

In no particular order...
10 Things I can do during a blackout...
* Make a list of what to do during a blackout. :)... (hahaha)

* Play with board games... (i have them at home and i think it has been years since i've played with them)

* Catch up with my reading... (i am a collector... besides collecting dvds, action figures, and jerseys, i started collecting books... finally i can finish what i might have started before)

* Keep in touch with old friends... (well this would depend if the phone line will not go dead)

* Wipe my action figures clean... (the dust has almost penetrated some of my collections, maybe it would be time to clean them)

* Go to the beach... (for those of you who know me, my complexion is pretty fair... and i hate it... people sometimes mistake me for a girl.... that's why i love going to the beach...to darken my skin even just for a short time...i also love swimming and snorkeling)

* Exercise... (since the gym i am enrolled in won't have power too, i need to find a way to sweat. running and lifting my homemade weights might do the trick)

* Go to the Mall... (hopefully, it would have power and air-conditioning...)

* Get on my motorcycle and drive to where the road leads me...(until i find a town with power i guess)

* Check if the office has power and stay there... (the office has a generator and that would last more than 12 hours...)

this list is my own... maybe i can add to this while i eat my dinner tonight or before i go to bed...
you can add things to this if you want to...

enjoy the electricity...enjoy IT.

SEE U NEXT BLACKOUT....

Lucky....maybe

2009-04-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

Cramming, weakness, luck and lights out....

I felt weakness these last few days... Tried to sweat it out but it didn't work. Had to skip work so i can sweat it out resting in bed... Nada... That was a lazy day...

Then the requirement... i was tasked to report about CRITICAL SECTIONS et.al. in my weekend MIT class in Cebu. Due to the numbness of my head, i was not able to concentrate in making it. I know. I should have started making it earlier. I mean, my mind works faster and best when it's under pressure. But Friday came so i had to cram my ass off more than usual to finish it. And finish it i did, thank God.

Saturday came... to tell you frankly, i was not 100% prepared for my oral report... but i know i had to do it...

Then, my instructor informed my classmate that he won't be making it that day.

I felt relieved... and LUCKY...

It also hit me that it means 1 more week of anticipation....

Then the lights flickered and the power went out.... and it never came back on.... we had to wait in class for hours until our instructor in our last class informed us that the class is canceled because of the power outage.

What an UNLUCKY day for me....

I had to go to Cebu just to take a bath in SM Traveler's Lounge and feel the blackout?
(Dumaguete also didn't have power that day)

That's the problem... Technology cannot function without power.... Unfortunately, I'm in Information Technology....

Hope my LUCK will be better next weekend.... Wish me LUCK!!!! A whole lotta...

Catch of the Day

2009-04-21T04:44:00.000-07:00

Everyday I live my life in an endless pursuit of happiness.

I try to make each moment a precursor of something that will be more fruitful than the last one. All the things that happen, make me what i am today.

The people, experiences and knowledge gained each passing second make me stronger and ready to face the challenges ahead.

I just have to sort out all that I get each day and choose what I will catch and keep and what I will release...

Port of Emotions

2009-04-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

There are days that i feel that I'm doing good. When I forget what I'm going through...

When friends help me talk and drink my worries away.
When family affairs overshadow the feelings being felt.
When the setting and location are so breathtaking that you sink into the moment you are in.

This was one of those times.

Hope to have more times like this....

Each day is a riddle of endlessness...
But the good thing is... it could also be a haystack of new beginnings....

Hot from the farm

2009-04-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is really here... The tan lines and flat abs... The 2-piece swimsuits and the sunblock lotions... The beach and the bitches....

Before going back to Dumaguete, i stumbled upon the "tabo" (which happens every sunday) at my hometown of Larena. I immediately went to my place to get my camera because of what i saw over there.Fresh produce from the farms and gardens.What a mixture of life and colors. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, brooms, husks and many others. There were even kitchen and hardware items for sale.
There was also the ever mouth watering dried fish or "bulad".

What if it was for sale per kilo? I bet i would have bought a lot more than i should.

Hmmmm. I can still remember the aroma... I miss that smell. :P

I really am fond of eating "bulad". Especially, if its a little fresh...(not that salty)

Anyways, i saw a guy who used to make these Christmas lanterns or "parol" when i was still young. He was the one selling the brooms.
He still looks kind of young for his age.
But the really great thing about this guy is the fact that he is so hardworking even though he is a cripple. He walks with his knees. You could actually see the padding in the picture.

And he never asks for alms. He earns his living doing things he knows how to do well.

Great guy...

Isla del Fuego

2009-04-14T02:38:00.000-07:00

This is the name the Spanish called a small island in between Negros and Mindanao because at night, the island used to appear as if it was on fire. That was actually the effect of fireflies that were plentiful during those times.

Today, it's known as Siquijor. I grew up here (i didn't actually "grew" that much, though). Although i was not born here, i consider the island my home.I'm from Larena, the first capital of Siquijor before it was transferred to its current capital. My Grandpa used to be the governor of the province. He actually was the one who spearheaded the drive to make the island a province. Beat that....
I had almost all my firsts here. Well, almost.... Most of my childhood friends are still here, some have chosen to live elsewhere. But they still come back from time to time to experience the island life they surely missed. See you in 2 years, guys...Before this becomes a diary of sort... i have to find a way to end this entry.

.............
...................
...

Still looking for a way... at least i've posted more pictures...

Barking at the wrong 3?

2009-04-13T03:48:00.000-07:00

I'm back to the place I work now.

Back to the difficulties of working for a living. Back to the intricacies of being single. Back to the ever changing landscapes of my boring life.

I do have tons of pictures that i took during my Holy Week vacation. But i have chosen to post this.

Maybe it reminds me to just be as sweet as a puppy and be as strong as a rabid dog... as i go on with my existence...

Besides... i still remember the cost of my Rabies Injections....
1-2-3.............Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

The mountains call for you...

2009-04-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

The mountains of my island province are not really that high nor large. Much of the mountains are actually barren because of the rocky quality of the soil.

But for those who have been lucky enough to visit this mystic place, these small mountain ranges are breathtaking.

The barren hills, the clear blue sky... the rocky landscape... the littlest forests...

The tallest mountain in the island is Mt. Bandilaan located in the most forested area in the province. Every Good Friday, a lot of pilgrims go up the mountain to visit the stations of the cross located in its top most part.
I'm one of those who have made this trip an annual event. It has become sort of spiritual to me. I always say i do this to "renew".

But this year is different. Instead of just renewing, i did this to "upgrade".

It does help that the place where the faith healers and witchcraft enthusiasts create their potions... is just another mountain away...

Now that my powers are back... watch out...

For whom the bell rings...

2009-04-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

There's no place like home. There's no other place in this unforgiving world where i'd rather be during my times of uncertainty. As if everything slows down and becomes clearer when i feel the warm embrace of being home.

All my troubles seem to vanish and my batteries get recharged every second i spend in my island home. The rays of the sun, the coolness of the waters and salt of the sea breeze erase all the negativity that has accumulated in me. The home cooking of my "lola" reflinishes all the needs of my tired body. The familiar places bring back great memories of a wonderful childhood.

This belltower or "kampanaryo" is located at the back of our house. We used to play in the grassy area in between the St. Vincent church and this tower. This was also the spot where my inner circle of friends (5 of us-all male), use to hang-out at night during our high school days. I believe i even brought girls here at night to "talk".

Those were the days.

Innocence... Bliss... Optimism...

It's good to be home.

Home for the Holy Week

2009-04-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'm here in my hometown right now. I'm happy bacause i can enjoy two of the things that i like the most, nature and the net....

Unfortunately i have not copied the pictures i took today to my laptop. Maybe tomorrow. So for the meantime, let me show you this...

The gumamela flower is the official flower of the place i work in. The white pillars at the back are called portals.

What's the significance?

I miss giving flowers to the girl who owns the portals of my heart...

Remembrance...

Do you feel blessed?

2009-04-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

I was walking through Rizal Boulevard when i saw a "lola" with three kids. She was carrying the youngest one and a boy & a girl were walking with her. As i was taking their pictures, i realized that she was not their "lola", she was their mom. Maybe she just looked older because of the life she experience everyday.
From time to time, they would stop and ask for alms from other persons in the area. But what really caught my eye was the smiles they had on their faces while they were walking. I could only imagine what they do to get through the day. Living each day at a time. Solving each problem directly affecting that day. But they still are happy people.

One can only reflect at one's life when you see this scene especially if you are having some problems of your own to deal with.

Imagine the hardships that they have gone through and will be going through. Compare it with yours.

I'm still lucky to be how i am now...

And yes, i do feel blessed...

Drifted Away

2009-04-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

I don't know what happened but i suddenly miss you. It's been awhile since we've seen each other.

It seems like you have drifted away... and i have slowly accepted that...

Hope wherever you touch land, you'll feel happiness and love...

Mark my words...

2009-04-05T06:07:00.000-07:00

I live 5 kilometers away from the city proper. Actually, my house is 5 kilometers away from two cities. Sort of in the middle.

This marks the location.

Life is a collection of travels. It's a journey... that may end too soon for some... and too long for others. But what is important is the mark the you leave when life has passed you by.

Hope i can have more memories to mark my life. And more marks to leave in other people's memories.

My First Blog Entry

2009-04-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

Blogging is obviously new to me. I've been intrigued about this and now i'm finally starting my own blog. Whatever will come out of this.... I will never know....

So, for those who will be able find this site and browse through my pages... welcome to my blog...

Journey with me, as i go through life, one "snapshot" at a time...