thoughts on proudly Filipina

I was watching proudly Filipina on Qtv 11 the other day and the guest was Winnie Monsod. Earlier that day I mentioned in passing to someone unintentionally the idea of migrating. The person I was talking to was curious which country. I mentioned maybe that country or that. But I instantly caught myself and told the truth that no we really do not have definite plans yet.

Then, that evening I was watching Prof. Monsod. Then she shared: "You know what I tell my students, if you go abroad to study is Ok, but if you go abroad and live there permanently, ayyyy naku when I die, I will go back from the grave and haunt you". Then she added: "It is funny, but (pointing a finger in her head) they remember."

I was just fascinated by the life of this woman. I also believe that there is no coincidence. The things that you need to hear comes to you in many forms. It manifest in many ways. It is only up to us to recognize these messages.

little red boy

After drinking a cup of jasmine tea, finished a long conversation, said my "thank yous"... I exited Power Books turned left and rode down the escalator. In the late afternoon sun, this scene greeted me. I felt blessed to stumble upon this intimate scene. Silently I took my digicam out of my red Thai shoulder bag and captured a moment. The "joy" that accompanied me as the view presented itself to me seemed not as exact as I would like it to be in the photo. But still, I am pleased that I had my camera at that time. I cant seem to properly describe the joy that this little boy has brought to me at that time. Maybe because he was in red. Maybe it is the simplicity of it all.

little red tumbling boy

I was at the Greenbelt last week for a meeting with coral reef alliance. After my meeting, I went around to enjoy a quiet walk around the park. I was amazed to see a little boy at play, tumbling around. It was such a joy to have these series of photos. He is the same boy in the next blog entry.

Day verse tree turns 3

This September 21st this blog turned 3 years old. There were alot of things happening at the same time that I didn't have time to blog on the exact anniversary. I am really happy to have kept this blog. This free space became a venue to share some of my thoughts and images. I could have written more, posted more pictures but for now, I like it the way it is. Sometimes indeed "less is more".

Nothing can contain the multitude of images and thoughts. Also time seems to be moving fast forward at a rate that is faster than I can type qwerty.

In celebration, I am posting this colorful vanda from Davao. Happy Birthday blog!

Crocodylus mindorensis

These are Philippine Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis). We visited the Davao Crocodile Park last week and I was fortunate to be able to take a picture of this newly born hatchling from the laboratory. I took the photo through a window where the guy showed us the new born. He was actually cleaning it and recording its weight. I've never visited a crocodile farm before. Even if I lived over a year in Palawan, I wasn't able to visit the farm there.

In the tarpaulin hanging in one of the holding pens, it says that these crocodiles were found in restricted range areas in Mindoro (thus the scientific name), Negros, Jolo and parts of Mindanao. But due to land being converted to agricultural areas, they have died and slowly disappeared and became critically endangered...

I observed that they really do not move. They keep their mouths open like that. They are the true master of surprises to their preys.

Davao Mangosteens

One of my most favorite fruits mangosteens. When we arrived in Davao last Sunday, I went to hear mass at 11:00 am at Assumption Church. Afterwards I got these mouth watering fresh fruit for only P20 pesos. It has been a long week and I will be blogging about adventures and misadventures along the way.

I've been to Davao a few times. I am always excited to visit again places down south specially if they have my favorite fruits in season.

pipiliin ko gumamela

There was a time after college, I felt that I really really need to be serious in everything in life to be able to succeed. Of course, I was in one way or another proven to be wrong. Last night we were watching Balikbayan which featured Buboy Garovillo and his hometown Dumaguete. What struck me was the old sign outside the ancestral house carved in wood and the letters painted white amazingly well kept even if it was outside the house. it says: "Do not take life too seriously, you will never get out of it alive". I guess the things that you need to hear are those that present themselves in the most unique ways and this one was no exception. Today I looked up an old poem that I kept in a clear book in the mid 1990's which inspired me in many ways. But I like all kinds of flowers and if I had a choice among the many I would choose "gumamela".

What follows is, according to Benjamin Rossen, a copy of the earliest verifiable publication of this material. It can be found in the Reader's Digest, October 1953 issue, where it was attributed to Don Herold (1889-1966), author and humorist.

If I had my life to live over
By Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

what matters most

The family I love are happy and healthy. People come and go, but family will always be there. I feel truly blessed by the people I have in my life.

people and the environment

I found this quote from an email from Papua New Guinea.

" While proof of Conservation Success is ultimately Biological, Conservation itself is a Social and Political process, not a biological process" Alcorn 1994

enchanted river in Hinatuan

I took this photo while swimming at enchanted river in Hinatuan Bay, Surigao del Sur April 2005.I learned this kind of shot from Yogi. :)

dairy bar

After the youth camp, we passed by the Animal Science department and went to DTRI to buy some fresh kesong puti and yoghurt. I bought some blueberry flavored yoghurt. I will post in my other blog about it.

I am a graduate of this university UPLB more than a decade ago and it seems that little has changed over the years. I love the mountains and trees of my old college. Mt. Makiling and the ever green fields sooths my tired soul even after a long day of studying.

Would you believe I cannot remember the last time I bought milk from DTRI Dairy Bar? I even forgot where it was actually located at the AnSci compound. So nice to have this fresh supply of milk and cheese just a stone throw's away from my old VetMed dorm. I miss LB.

Paul Habacon buying some chocomilk

The different flavors of yoghurt: blueberry, mango, pineapple, strawberry. The small cups are sold at P13 and the big cups sold at 32. Sulit! these are freshly made and stocks are almost sold out everyday. Thanks to Paul for driving us there.

hilot anyone?

This reminds me of my bamboo "papag" that our friend Gener hand made for us in Puerto Princesa. I love the way they designed this place very Pinoy as if of Balinese inspiration. But as I look around all things are Filipino. The baul (trunk), the papag (wooden bed), the kubo (hut) are truly Filipino. I am not really into spas but this outdoor one with a magnificent view is really inviting.

Immaculate white sheets

The view of Balicasag Island and Pamilacan Island is visible in this rock cliff side. Bamboo wind chimes helps relax and complete the experience.
I love the details in this small nook at Bohol Bee farm. We didnt really have time for "hilot".

Hilot or traditional massage for less than $9 US. At the Bohol Bee Farm, Panglao Bohol.

Thanks J.K. Rowling

Just finished reading Harry Potter very early this morning. A cloudy weekend here in Quezon City seemed to be the perfect backdrop for curling up with HP and the Deathly Hallows. Ever since I finished the HP and the Half Blood Prince a year or two ago, I wanted to get hold of the 7th and last book. I just wanted to say that I enjoyed JK Rowling's HP series. I didn't get to read fully the first two books. But I remember that I enjoyed reading the first few chapters of the Sorcerer's Stone on the deck of RV Minerva while we were sailing on Bacuit Bay El Nido in 2001. I was hooked after reading Prisoner of Azkaban.

No spoilers ahead.

Reading the book, which took me the whole weekend as I am admittedly am a slow reader. I tend to chew almost every minute detail. I do enjoy slow reading. Then now, after reading the book the first thought that came to mind: "I want to live in Scotland" hahhahaa. Live there and write! One of my dreams is to write a book. Honestly, I have to learn more about how to write well. I don't know if I can stand the cold there though.

Anyway, these are random thoughts. It just seems that death and dying brings perspective to things. The death anniversary of Princess Diana. The recent happenings in UP. These things seems to highlight the value of living. The value of life.

I will be sharing more of my insights about Harry in future post.