playdate again

Yehey! our weekly Sunday play date resumed again last Sunday at UP at the back of Quezon Hall. We cancelled indefinitely last month our play dates because baby Toni, Isay and Fya got sick. Now that all the babies have recovered, we are all enjoying the carless oval again. We usually arrive at around 3:30pm to 4pm when the sun is not as scorching and the babies already had their afternoon naps. Last Sunday, we were the first family to arrive. The usual crowd started coming in as the afternoon gets a bit cooler.

Here are the photos of the Tatays with their daughthers. As usual it was potluck. Since the temp is in the 30s we decided to bring bottomless iced tea. We brought our portable thermal bag with cold ice tubes. Nina brought some home made ice creams.

We tried to fly some kites. My right knee is so bad that I cant even play badminton but I did try. The babies played and swapped toys. Hannah brought many colorful balls that she and Toni enjoyed running around.

Rodney brought his toy helicopter and soon all the little boys around are gathered. The Tatays are the one really enjoying and having a great time :O)

Inspired by a 16 yr old

...
We have been warned time and again. Our new world that they call
"adulthood" is one that's full of compromises, where success is
determined more by the ability to belong than by the ability to think,
where it is much easier to do as everyone else does...

Today, the nation needs brave, defiant pioneers to reverse our nation's
slide to despair. Today, we must call upon the spirit that beat the
tracks. Today, we must present an alternative way of doing things.

Do NOT just take courage, for courage is not enough. Instead, be BRAVE!
It will take bravery to go against popular wisdom, against the clichid
expectations of family and friends. It will take bravery to gamble your
future by staying in the country and try to make a prosperous life here...

Do NOT just be strong in your convictions, for strength is not enough.
Instead, DEFY the pressure to lead a comfortable, but middling life. Let
us lead this country from the despair of mediocrity. Let us not seek to
do well, but strive to EXCEL in everything that we do. This, so others
will see us as a nation of brains of the highest quality, not just of
brawn that could be had for cheap.

These words are excepts from the graduation speech of the UP Diliman summa cum laude Mikaela Fudolig April 22, 2007.

sand and salt water

These are images from El Nido, Palawan photos by Carmelo Sorita a good friend we spent our vaction with :) who was in town this past week.
How I wish we all can go back and spend the remaining summer days in the islands.

I've worked in the remote islands of Tawi Tawi in Taganak where the transboundry Turtle Islands is located. Our office is actually on the beach. Everyday is summer. I've always imagined sleeping with the sound of the waves on the background. I was really happy that particular dream came true. I've work in Palawan for the Tubbataha project and was happy to live in Puerto for over a year. I miss just going out the door and be right there on the sand. I can sit there for hours. Before dinner watch the sun set. But there were some sad times when I remember family back home. I think the ocean does that to you. Both happy and sad, mixed and many emotions surface while sitting watching the waves, the horizon.

I think the heat of Manila now makes me appreciate those times I lived on the beach. It was just a few years back and yet it seems a lifetime away.

pirates

Families watch as the pirates show off their colors.

rio grande

flying fiesta

Secure your shoes!

We went to Enchanted Kingdom (EK) last weekend. Tatay had a ride-all-you-can pass. While moi Nanay and Isay just roamed around. But we did ride the carousel. More on that in the coming post. It was hot and humid as ever in the Philippines. But we did enjoy an afternoon out at EK. A bit pricey for me but Tatay never visited EK so I guess it was worth it in a way. There were the old classic rides while some have closed down. There are some new rides worth to try out.

The first time I went to EK was circa 1996. Wow! having said that, I realized it is now more than ten years ago. I distinctly remember flying fiesta, I am seated at this suspended seat with only a small iron bar in front of me for security. I wanted to go down the instant that the ride started. I felt I will be thrown off althrough out the ride. Haay, but that was then. Last weekend we just watch Tatay who looked like a little boy giddy with excitement at the rides.

at the space shuttle

The first and last time I rode the space shuttle was circa 1996. Hahaha. The ride was less than two minutes. This last weekend I just took pictures. Amazed that it still looks the same after more than 10 years!!! It was after that ride that I read that it was 11 storeys high. No wonder the people on the ground look like the size of a small bug.

Earth Day 2007

Happy Earth Day! Water that refreshes, quench our thirst, trees to give us shade, air to breath. Earth is our only home. Let us take care of it.

Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries.

See what is going on and what we can do visit the Earth Day Network.

b&b at PNKY

All the things inside PNKY are for sale. From tables, chairs, to aparador and rocking chairs that are unique and one of a kind. The image on top is the al fresco area where you can enjoy a lazy afternoon enjoying one of the delicious miryenda served at their cafe. We had a late dinner one time under the green umbrella and the light from japanese lamp created nice setting while we enjoy the cool air outside.

The main house is an old style house. Nothing extravagant but you feel homey staying in this place. The little details are done with taste. It is also in the small details that impress me alot. The heat of Manila makes me plan to go up again--soon.

twin towers

I always thought that to be able to get to Baguio cathedral you have to climb these hundred set of steps. For the longest time I had that notion. It was fairly recently when I realized that there is this road just beside it. You can actually get down from the taxi cab just a few steps from the entrance. I noticed that they built a "shade" right in front of the main entrance. I deleted that part in this picture. It doesn't fit the architecture. I guess there was a need for it when it rains. But I hope that they built it to blend with the old structure.

I call the cathedral the twin towers. I just realized now that there is this clock in one of them. This just proves that even though I've visited the city of pines several times, there are still new things to discover. The wonders of photography is that it makes me more attentive to details than before.

This shot was taken last Sunday just after the 6 am mass.

Baguio

It has been a while since I've visited Baguio. This time for work. I am really happy that we stayed in this very nice place pnky bed and breakfast which have 4 unique rooms. We have the place to ourselves for a few days. There are alot of people in the city, I guess because it is summer already and it was a weekend. The best thing is the fresh vegetables for salads. The first picture includes water with fresh mint and carrot cake for snack. There is no ordinary water served except if you order it as bottled water. Weather is cool but goes up still during mid-day.

Baguio for me is a special place. It holds some of my most beloved memories. I first visited the city of pines when I was just 8 yrs old. I can't remember how many times I've visited since then. But there were some very special occasions that warms my heart when I recall it.

Insights Photo Contest

Intercontinental Insights Photo Contest Grand prizewinner receives a trip of a lifetime – spend 16 days on a National Geographic Expedition around Australia.

This is one of my dreams to travel and see the world on a National Geographic Expedition. I've been to Australia and I've visited GBR. But HEY! this is THE National Geographic. I would love to be on this trip! I've always been a fan of NGS. When I was young I used to stare for hours on end at the pictures from Africa and unique cultures wishing that I could travel the world.

There was this ad that was shown a long time ago. It shows a woman with a camera on hand just about to fall asleep in the plane and her thought bubble goes...when I wake up I will be somewhere beautiful. My recall of that ad is still vivid thus, whenever I travel it never fails to come to mind.

Thanks to Senor Enrique for sharing the information. There are great photographers out there, even though I am not one of them :) I would like to join this and have that chance! Contest opens March 21, 2007 until July 1, 2007. Tara picture picture na tayo.

We will be leaving for a trip up north tonight and will not be posting for a few days...

Batad

This was during my last visit at Batad with good friends from Palawan. I missed them thus this post. Coming back from our waterfalls visit that morning, we rested and enjoyed the spectacular view of the terraces in a small store perch in the middle of the mountain side. The view was vast and awesome.
Every visit to the Cordillera is different and special. My first time to visit Banaue was when I was just 8 years old with family. I took lots of photos and shared some of them in my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef.

An Easter

It was one long weekend and holiday for some. It was a time to go through the traditions for some. It was time to rest for some. It was time to reflect and meditate. This year was none of the above for me (or so I thought). In my mind I was planning to maybe go home to Laguna but I dont want baby Isay in a bus together with the mass exodus to the provinces. Aside from time spent with family, everything was ordinary. But I guess, the available time I had the past week made me reflect more about things. Small things seemed magnified. More questions brew in my mind that manifested as stress in different forms. Writing seems to bring comfort but I was unable to write the past week.

Easter came and I felt I was just going through the motions of the traditions. My heart was unprepared. My spirit was down, it always seems so during lent. Many things bothered me recently. Small domestic things seem intolerable, brewing anxiety at uncertainty. Anyway there were other things to attend to.

I bought the Sunday paper then I set it aside for reading later. Thank God for friends, we were invited to an Easter ballet performance of a friend's daugther at Eastwood and Market Market! We had a great time then we had a really good dinner at North Park afterwards.

When we got home, it was then that it hit me. I realized that I always receive my messages in the most uncanny and unexpected ways. I was unprepared to receive an answer I needed.

Reading the comic strip of Full House, it says: "You forget all that when you focus on what really matters. Don't sweat the small stuff."

I was moved at the familiar words. I didn't expect that receiving the message at the time that you most needed it, can be that powerful. I felt that the message filled a gap. As if completing a sentence I am struggling with. It made me realize to once again learn to appreciate what matters most. In my reluctance to open up, I was humbled.

Even in my resistance, my insignificant self received an affirmation: that I am loved. A great Easter affirmation.

Indeed He makes all things new.

at the barnyard

Last Thursday we were at my father and sister's house. We spent the afternoon watching animated films on dvd with the babies. Jane's choice is the Barnyard.

It is interesting when you try not to contemplate or meditate, interesting insights come your way.

"A great leader is not always the strongest or the wisest, it is the one who cares the most".

I really learn or re-learn again when I watch these animated films.

visita iglesias

Simbahan ng Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Miagao, Iloilo. This church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visited this church during Holy week of 2003 as Amats and I together with Rex when we visited him there. This is one of the most beautiful churches that I have visited. It is not huge compared to other cathedrals. When we visited the Miagao church, restoration works have just been completed at that time.

I've only had one complete visita iglesias and it was with Mayang I think circa 1998. We went to 14 churches in Manila and Quezon City. We started at Manila Cathedral, then San Sebastian and up to Quezon City where our last stop was at the Della Strada along Katipunan Avenue.

I took these pictures of a window of the church in Miagao, showing how it looks at the inside and at the outside. I love these pictures.

Hiro

I've watched all the 18 episodes of Heroes. I've never followed any TV series for the longest time. We are without TV for almost 2 years it was just recently that we had. Thanks to dsl I was able to watch and complete this series. Heroes is brilliant!

I love Hiro Nakamura. I love him not just because he is Asian, I love his character, as he is sincere, honest and totally down to earth. He just makes me smile. Sobra. I can just go on raving about Hiro. Among all the powers these "ordinary" people have, I would love to have the one that Hiro has--teleportation. Although spontaneous regeneration like Claire Bennet or invisibility and telekinesis and flying like Peter Petrelli are nice to have too.

By the way, have you guys passed by C5 there is this huge Maldita billboard and the model looks so much like Peter.

I can't wait for episode 19th they say it will be released on April 23 pa.

Phil Blog Awards 2007

The Philippine Blog Awards 2007 is tonight March 31 at the RCBC Plaza in Makati. Some of my favorite Pinoy bloggers are on the finalist.

I hope next year I can attend the award ceremonies. It would be good to meet the people behind the stories, pictures and everyday blog entries.

Congratulations to the winners.

La Luz, Laiya Batangas

in sickness and in health

For the past 10 days our lives have been on a roller coaster. Baby Isay got sick two weeks ago with fever on and off so we went to the doctor. She got her first blood test which confirmed bacterial infection. After one week of antibiotics, she started having fever again now with vomiting and severe diarrhea. I was really really scared.

Last Thursday, we brought her to the emergency room and she was confined for acute gastroenteritis. But we were really scared that she was dehydrated already when we brought her to the hospital last Thursday. We were in the hospital for two days. Thank God she is now Ok. She is recovering. I was only able to send sms to few friends.

Thank you to all those who prayed for baby Isay to get better. Thank you very much for your prayers. She is now ok and I believe recovering well. We are home this Sunday.

No one can tell us what caused this, Dr. Lajo said it was viral. And maybe something she ate or put in her mouth. The last thing I remember she ate was taho before she got the fever. I really felt bad that I wasn't able to prevent this. But I guess there will always be the risk. I understand the responsibility of us being parents to a child totally dependent for everything that she needs. It breaks my heart to see her suffer. Now I realize that indeed it is a great responsibility to care for a child.

I need to nurture a strong spirit for her. She is just 9 months old and I am looking forward to many more years of learning together. I am learning lessons that cannot be taught in any university. Life totally shapes into a new dimension when you go through difficult times. It is different from all previous trials as this one experience is with my own child.

I look forward to the days when we can all travel together and see the world. Grow old gracefully and see my baby grow to be healthy. There will be a time that we will climb mountains together. I can't wait.

Endless possibilities

I am truly excited at the thought of endless possibilities. There are no boundaries. I guess sometimes the only limit to what we can truly become is our imagination. I read an old entry I wrote in my blog (and it is good to be reminded) that the blueprint of our lives start with our thoughts and ideas. What you believe to be true can become so indeed. Because we unconsciously give it energy to take form. And the universe will follow through. Whatever it is that we think of. In my own daily pondering, I guess also from my limited experience, these thoughts came about. I believe in the concept of "mantra" the thing you repeat constantly will "be". This can either be positive or negative. But what is it there to lose if I try to be positive more often?

We had dinner at BC (barangay culiat) with good friends. It was a night of many conversations. It was good to hear Alan S. share about his recent insights about "what makes our present." An unconventional answer is the "future." The things we anticipate affects our present moment. It was a long conversation and maybe I will share it in a future post.

One insight is about Ash Wednesday, during this time of Lent, we are reminded "from dust to dust" from nothing we became something, someone and many many more possibilities.

waiting to exhale

Recently, I've found myself in this state. Waiting to exhale. I know this is very stressful. I try not to do it. But apparently, I find myself in many situations where I do hold my breath. Sometimes when I write a sentence, I exhale just at the end or pause after writing a phrase. There are many instances. All of these involve waiting. It surprised me that the nanosecond that you wait before you exhale sometimes seems like an hour or more. Waiting for a hello at the other end of the line. Waiting just after you turned over that fried fish. Waiting for a thought to become an idea. There are many more. It just seems that these nanoseconds of waiting build up to become stress. Sigh!

I should review my open water diving. One of the principles of scuba diving is "never hold your breath." This will help you relax in the water, thus preventing any panic. It takes a while before you get used to breathe normally underwater using the scuba. But once you do relax and exhale slowly, you will experience a great time underwater. I also realized that the most ordinary way of relaxing is deep breathing. Conversely, the fastest way to be stressed out is to hold your breath.

When we anticipate things, we tend to hold our breath. While a bit scared there seems to be a time when you hold your breath. Just before plunging yourself into something you hold your breath. I need to re-learn not to hold my breath. Recently I've been holding more often than I supposed to do. I can feel the stress scale going up. I just have to breathe, slowly.

futility of constant complaint

One of the things that encouraged me to climb mountains is the opportunity for me to build character. I know myself. I know that I complain a lot. When I read an article about mountaineering, this passage stuck to me: "the futility of constant complaint." I realized that I needed to change that. Climbing mountains is not an easy task. I love challenges. I want to do things that enables me to go beyond what I perceive to be my limit. After arduous training preparation, I was able to carry a load up the peak. The physical training helped me build strength to carry the load and enjoy the view while hiking. I believe that the experience enabled me to change my ways. My perspective of things shifted. Indeed it is futile to complain. I guess I was trapped to the thinking: "the squeaky wheel gets the oil". But I need to remind myself time and again, that we need to actively find the solution ourselves.

About Banahaw

Since holy week in our local town in Laguna is associated with Mt. Banahaw, I wrote a short story in my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef about old memories in visiting the holy mountain.

International Women's Day

Today is international Women's Day. Mabuhay sa lahat ng mga kababaihan sa buong mundo!

shine!

1 peso flights

Red-eye flights to Bangkok for only P1. True. They said that announcements will come out tomorrow pa. News are going around fast. I tried to log on to www.cebupacificair.com and plan atrip for our family of 3 to Thailand. Two adults and one infant roundtrip to Bangkok travel anytime from June to Dec 2007. Total fare for the 3 of us including taxes 7,822 pesos. Wow I am tempted. But travel arrival time in Bangkok is around midnight I wonder how would Isay be if we go on the trip on Tatay's birthday?

women on fire!

Marathon meeting today. Drawing things that would affect our lives and the lives of people this year and probably the next decade onwards. Anyway here is hoping that things would fall into place. Just have to do our share. After our dinner cum post birthday celeb at Muang Thai, I was happy to be able to relax for the night.

***

As I was watching Oprah, I was inspired by these women: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the first woman president of Africa, the Iron Lady of Liberia. Then there is this little girl named Musu from Liberia. Like always, all the stories that came from Africa strikes a punch into my heart. From Rwanda to Liberia to Sudan.

Oprah continues to inspire me with her passion to help others through the Angel Network. From helping tsunami hit areas, to her pledge to give 10 million for those affected by typhoon Katrina and the way she inspires rockstars like Bon Jovi to follow suit. These and many more.

Another guest this evening was Queen Rania of Jordan. She spoke about her country and people. How the people of the west see the veil worn by women as a sign of opression. This is not the case. Women wear the veil because it is their choice. She said "we should judge a woman with what is in her head not with what she wears on her head". She is teaching her son to be a global citizen to be aware of what is happening to our world.

Then lastly, my former most favorite female artist made a comeback tonight and she is back on the top of my charts. I used to sing over and over "in the arms of an angel..." during the long boat trips to the islands of Tawi tawi. She kept me company during long sunset walks around the island. Lift my spirit at down times and transport me to somewhere comforting. Until many moons passed and I forgot about her. Until tonight, I heard her voice again. Now I am inspired.Sarah McLachlan sang World on Fire.

A music video cost 150,000 US dollars, she made this video for US$15 and the remaining money she sent to Ethiopia, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and many more. I was transfixed as I watch the video. I've worked for a while with Oxfam and I saw the stats and the images but this video made more than just a statement. Watch World on Fire here.

World On Fire
Sarah McLachlan

The worlds on fire, its more than I can handle
I'll tap into the water try and bring my share
Try to bring more, more than I can handle
Bring it to the table
Bring what I am able

Hearts are worn in these dark ages
Youre not alone in these stories pages
The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And Ill try to hold it in
Yeah Ill try to hold it in

I watch the heavens but I find no calling
Something I can do to change whats coming
Stay close to me while the skys falling
I dont wanna be left alone dont wanna be alone

Hearts break , hearts mend, love still hurts
Visions clash planes crash still theres talk of
saving souls still the colds closing in on us

We part the veil on our killer sun
Stray from the straight line on this short run
The more we take, the less we become
The fortune of one man means less for some

sushi and maki at suki market

Those bilao are not for palabok. They are bilao of mixed sushi and maki.

This is where my dentist brought me after my treatment. I was initially planning to go to Quaipo or Ongpin. But she introduced me instead to Suki Market along a corner of Laon Laan near Dapitan. Once during a playdate, she brought one small bilao of califonia maki for only P150 pesos (smallest one on the far right). The biggest bilao is only P700 with 140 pcs of mixed sushi.

The small pack of mixed sushi with wasabe, kalamansi and soy sauce the small picture above cost only P80. Yes, very affordable. I bought one for Amats and he absolutely liked it. The california maki on the lower part cost only P60. There are several stalls inside the wet market selling the same mixed sushi and maki. They all look exactly the same and have the identical price list.

We also bought lobster balls, kani, fish cubes, vegetable clumps, kani and corn balls at the suki wet market. We are both planning to have a shabu-shabu at home. I just hope we can come up with a good soup base. Yummie.

down espana

Going to the dentist seems to be, more often than not, something people always postpone. But today I am happy that I didn't. I realized that having a personal relationship with your dentist really helps to eliminate the doubt and dilema of "to go or not to go". I surprised myself later after my treatment that I actually planned my next visit soon. Another unique thing is that my dear dentist clinic is along Vicente Cruz right in the heart of Manila.

I cannot remember the last time that I was in Espana (Manila hahaha). Honestly, I am trying to recall when was the last time I passed through, but I truly cannot. Vaguely, I think I was there when I was with Kaila to buy those wonderful murano beads in Quiapo. Despite the traffic, I look forward to the possibility of going to Quiapo for its distinct color, pulsating masses and masses of interesting people, and of course the great buys.

I am happily surprised when Rolyn my dentist brought me to Suki Market instead!

why climb?

This is a continuation of the DWIZ entry. On our way back to Quezon City in the van, Mr. Joey Papa asked the three of us Lillian, Vanessa and I something he wasn't able to ask us on air. He asked "what made you decide to climb mountains?". I can't remember the answers of Lillian and Vans. My mind went double fast rewind to the time that I decided that I want to climb mountains. The answer came quickly. It was easy. I said I was inspired to climb mountains when a friend showed me a picture. It was a picture someone I know on a ledge with clouds just behind him. Oh my! I want that! The rest is history as it were.

I don't have a copy of that particular image but I know somewhere here in the web where you can see for yourself what I mean. If you want to know look at these images of Outsidebound. Look for the image with Mt. Banahaw in Quezon. This is where the picture I was talking about was taken. Believe me, I can still clearly remember the time I saw this for real at Durungawan circa 1994. Breathtaking is an understatement.

a spa resort in Antipolo II

Last Sunday, one of our dear friends invited us to a double birthday celebration and a dedication of their baby. They rented for the wholeday and night Callospa Resort which is located in Antipolo as a beautiful venue and backdrop for the occasion. The dedication ceremony was a solemn event at sundown.

In the morning it was swimming and badminton party, then in the afternoon family and guest can indulge in the luxurious spa which includes chocolate scrub, herbal massage and many more at very affordable packages.

The two large cottage house is Balinese inspired mixed with other warm Asian designs. As you enter the compound, you will be greeted by mist sprays all over the garden. The resort is both intimate and inclusive as it exudes a homey atmosphere. Designs are done in very good taste. Every bit of space is functional yet stylish. No boring white walls. I fell in love with all the unique curtains. The rose bath beside huge windows and bamboos seem to invite anyone for a relaxing time.

Callospa is in the suburbs of Antipolo. Go towards Ynarez stadium, then follow the road up until you reach Unciano hospital make an immediate right and then follow the winding road and you will stumble upon a place that might just be the answer to that aching back.

a spa resort in Antipolo

Kung Hei Fat Choi

Happy New Year! It is the year of the pig. The year of those born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995. According to Inquirer Sunday Magazine's article Eat well and prosper: 12 Auspicious Foods. I just learned that one of them is Tikoy! Yehey!

Yesterday we celebrated Chinese New Year with a breakfast of Tikoy. Just P47 for a small box from Eunilane. This tikoy taste well. It is sliced thinly then coated with beaten egg, then shallow fry on a hot pan. Do not let it burn otherwise it wont taste as good.

radio stars

Yesterday, Lillian, Vanessa and I went to guest on DWIZ 882 to represent UPLKM. I've never been inside a radio booth or went to any radio station AM or FM. My curiosity I guess urged me to join when Lillian extended the invitation. We got the invitation through the connections of Nine Continente who has been volunteering for Ecowaste Coalition.

In the photo are Lillian and Joey Papa host of Bangon Kalikasan. I told them that I will just be the official photographer of the event haha.

The radio program lasted for an hour. The conversation was light and easy. In the van, we were told that the listeners are the "masa" thus we should keep the discussions light and funny. Otherwise they will either turn their dial in another station or lower the volume.

Questions were the common ones like "what do you get from climbing a mountain", "where do you pee?" ahahha "Did you have problems getting permission from your parents" and "what mountains you've climbed.

There were also some serious questions like "what are the projects that Lakay have?" and some discussions on waste management and low impact climbing.

this post to be continued.... we have to go to Callospa today. Yehey!

Al Fresco with the UP Madrigal Singers

Last Thursday, the Liwanag family picked us up to watch the UP Madrigal Singers. We were there early before the show started at 5:15 pm. We've been planning this since we saw the schedule at the Arts Hub. I haven't seen the UP Mads in any performance. But I know that they've won several awards and have toured most of Europe. We made sure we didn't miss this free performance. It was great. Acapela music al fresco. It was both intimate and inclusive because of the vanue. It is amazing to listen to a group of Filipino singers performing Swedish, German, Spanish and Korean songs. Of course they sang Filipino compositions as well. Powerful voices that makes your hair stand as they sang Lead Me Lord. Amazed us with their interpretation of Man in the Mirror.They made us laugh with their rendition of Bahay Kubo and Sitsiritsit. We gave them a standing ovation. For their encore they sang "Let it be".

We enjoyed the performance together with the superb food that Rolyn prepared for us.
Nothing can beat this. World class performance enjoyed in the company of good friends with great healthy food!

Indeed.

Salamat sa mga pagbati!

To everyone who sent their love (you know who you are). Thanks you so much. I want to thank specially Lingkod brothers and sisters-- even though we haven't been with you all for the past couple of years, you all have continued to send us your love in so many ways. Thank you also to Lakay people. You all really made my day truly special with your words of affirmation. Thank you for the prayers, well wishes and gifts. My love tank is full to overflowing with the blessings.I guessed Amats did a text brigade ahhaha :) thanks for responding with prayers, greetings, well wishes and all. May God bless you all indeed in everything that you do, everyday of the year.

We went to a thanksgiving mass at UP as a family-- the 3 of us. Then in the afternoon I had to renew my lincense-- I will share in another post how funny this experience turned out to be. Then in the evening we had a family dinner at DonHen with my sister's two kids, together with the lolos. Here's my nephew Juluis with the huge pizza.

expecting the un-expected

Today I started counting how many valentines there has been in our lives together. This year is the 5th year that Amats and I spent Valentines together. Three years as a married couple. Wow! 5 years is half a decade (tama ba to?). We do not really celebrate Valentines day that is why I don't remember that we ever really had a Valentines day dinner or celebration. But there was a couple of times that I was surprised with a heartshaped donut or two haha!

I love to be surprised with unique ideas and simple things. During Valentines Day, I really do not expect any flowers but I would joke around that "Oh were are my flowers? Hahhaa!" Too bad we are not in Laguna where we can pick kampupot or santan in the garden. Giving flowers during V-day seem to be an obligation that has been conjured by the media or commercial businesses. Not that I do not want to receive flowers. I do. But receiving flowers on any other day even makes it more special as the giver is not really influenced by an occasion. There was a time that I received a bunch of red gumamelas (hibiscus) when I was in the islands. I guess that was one of the most memorable bunch of flowers I received and un-expected because there was really no occasion when I got it.

love languages

It takes so little to make me happy. You don't need to have a lot to be able to express your love. Some imagination and lots of creativity will go a long way.

The book The Five Love Languages of Children, it was identified that these love languages are: physical touch, gifts, quality time, words of affirmation and acts of service. This list is not only for children but it also applies to the grown-ups. I haven't read the book. But it is in my "to-have" list.

Physical touch. A hug can go a long way. It can bring comfort and affirmation at the same time. Cuddle time is very important for children as well as adults. Holding hands while walking (pa-sway sway pa) are simple comforting expressions of affection that can fill anyone's love tank.

Gifts. You do not need to have lots of money to buy gifts to express your love. One can make a simple card (not an e-card) with heartfelt words of love is a priceless gift. Know what your significant other really like and make an effort to show that you care by presenting them gifts that they need and want. This year I gave the hubby a huge jar of prime quality peanut butter. I know that he loves the stuff. He would take lots of time on the peanut butter aile in the grocery store. Since we have limited grocery budget we just buy ludy's or any low cost but good ones. He looked like a little boy while enjoying this gift for breakfast.

Quality time. This is a must. You must make time for your loved one. You really do not have to spend to do this. I for one love long walks be it in a park or just a trip to Eunilane. The important thing is that you are spending time together just enjoying each others company. A warm cup of tea or coffee in the kitchen with lots of conversation. There are many ways to express this love language and it doesn't have to cost a cent.

Words of Affirmation. A note written with much love will be treasured forever. Remember those old shoe box moments in vintage films and even in CSI episodes? There is always the well kept love letter. It is kept with the most valuable of things and stored for posterity. This is one of the common and easiest way to express your love. Simple words of affirmation as long as it is sincere and from the heart will be well remembered.

Acts of Service. Preparing your love one's favorite meal, drink or snack. Driving your loved one to work. Cleaning up the camping gears yourself while you let your partner rest. It can be as simple as opening the door for someone else. The giving of one's self to the service of others especially your loved one. Being malambing and masikaso ranks high in most people's list of essentials.

All of the five love languages can fill to overflow anyone's love tank. All you need is time and a little imagination. All of these can be expressed even without a single cent spent.

riding a bike

"Its like riding a bike, you'll never forget it". Last sunday, after a very very long while, I was able to ride a bike again. At first, I thought I forgot how to balance, control and steer. Our mountain bike appears to be really heavy for me. It took me a while to regain my balance. I can't even remember how many times I tried to pedal and sit, but it was a while before I was able to get up and go. Medyo nahihiya nga ako na magbike sa harap ng mga bata sa UP dahil I was stumbling in a way.

Eventually after a few minutes of un-poised re-learning. And Walahhhh!!! I am flying again Whooohoooo! I just love it! I was cycling up and around, doing circles around the area. Yes. I didn't forget!

It was really liberating to experience the re-learning part, it was hard even for a short while. There was a time when I thought, "oh my I might have forgotten...this bike is very heavy... I will scratch myself again and ride onto a tree." But when I trusted my balance again, everything worked! It all fell into place. I was cruising.

Letting go is such a liberating experience.

festive mood

During last sunday's playdate, we had this great background music coming from around the Carillon just outside the UP theater. We later discovered that the area was transformed into an Art Hub. This group played fantastic jazz music. The audience are a mix of UP bohemians, cyclist and families with children of all ages. This week the UP Mads will be performing. I can't wait to watch them for free. The best things in life aren't things.

These pictures were taken just after sunset. I wish I was able to come earlier and hopefully able to take more photos. There is this vibrant energy that emanates from this community in UP.

Around the perimeter of the art hub were these beautiful lamps. Also there was this huge pinata that will greet you. I love this photo of Hannah showing just how big the red horse is. Louis think it might just be a Trojan.

hot off the grill

For the longest time, I've been contemplating to have a food blog. I believe I've written several entries that talked about some of our treks, travels and food. A few other blogs like Market Manila and Sassy Lawyer's inspired me to start one of my own. Since I love the great outdoors and enjoy good food, I decided to finally have my own take at the culinary joys of outdoor cooking.

Visit my new blog Pinay Mountain Chef.

playdate

Yes, tatay na po sila. From left to right are Louis and Baby Toni, Amats and Baby Isay, Rodney and little girl Hannah. This was taken by Nina during our playdate last Sunday afternoon at UP at the back of Quezon Hall. No need to explain the close resemblance of the girls to their tatays. "Tatay Karga" one of the reasons for that well defined biceps to Rodney. Isang sakong bigas na daw si Hannah now 3 years old. Last time I saw her was at a Lakay cookout of batch 16 without those long locks yet. Toni is one year and 2 months old, she was wearing this nice squeeky shoes. She enjoyed walking around without anyone holding her in a happy feet kind of way. Isay is 7 months old. She doesn't know how to walk yet and kept kicking her shoes away. This shot is a rare gatheirng of Lakay fathers proud to be holding there baby girls.

We've been planning for the longest time to get together and finally this one pushed through-- a playdate with the babies. We've been spending the Sunday afternoons enjoying bonding time with friends and family. When Nina and I had a chance to catch up, we talked about how we all want to bring our kids to the enjoy the outdoors and climb mountains in the future. What best way to start introducing them to the outdoors, than to regularly play with them in place where there are green grass, lots of trees, open space to run around, tumble on the ground and sometimes just lay there staring at the clouds. We decided to make this a picnic-playdate a regular Sunday afternoon for all of our families. Rolyn, Hannah's mom kept saying lets to this again, lets do this again. She was a bit late to arrive. Thus she is not here in this photo of the Nanay's and the babies. Another wonderful thing that happened is that we saw the Zabala family and invited them to join us for the rest of the afternoon.

Buddy here is the biggest baby of them all with his mom who just arrived from Zamboanga that afternoon. Sobra ngiti namin lahat when we realized this.

butanding up close

Up close and personal with the whalesharks of Donsol, Sorsogon. These are the spots of the whalesharks locally known as "butanding". A bonus in this image is the remora eel. This was not planned but such a wonderful addition to the composition. I took this photo with a Canon A70 with an underwater housing. This was taken a couple of years ago when I went to interact with these gentle giant fish. I was with Elnora and Aimee at that time.

It is almost whaleshark watching season again. We were so lucky to have about at least 12 sightings when I last went there. The first time with Melo, Melo's father, Jas and Mirac we saw more than 15, I guess mostly full grown and some juvenile. We also went firefly watching the night before. We had each individual small boats as we paddle down a river at 9 in the evening. Magical to see those fireflies. I wish I can experience this again soon.

I will never forget the first time I saw the huge tail in the murky dark brown waters. It just rained that time. Also we were behind the team and it was so fast the first interaction I got was that I almost got hit by this caudal fin which seems longer than my own body. Like an image from Jaws-- but in reality these are really very gentle creatures. Although there seems to be a moment that I hesistate but the feeling after each interaction is awesome!

toast

I was watching Oprah last week and chanced upon that the guest was former Bond girl Teri Hatcher. I knew it was a replay but the first time I saw it I click the "off" button early on the show. But good thing this time, I was able to watch the whole segment and about her book Burnt Toast.

What really got my attention is the concept of why many mothers like she and her mom eat burnt toast. Why do they have this self-sacrifice syndrome. I saw myself at a time when I just scrape the burnt area and continue to have breakfast. I didn't realize that this will be feature in a book. Why do we do what we do?

I haven't read the book yet but I read some excepts on the website. It was also recommended by Oprah giving very generous compliments which she doesn't do to other book writers.

This is one of my "to read" books. I hope I can find a copy somewhere.

food and what nots

When I was a young girl, when at the end of the meal I still have food on my plate, my lola would say "mabubusong ka". This means that I will have sort of bad luck, that I will not be able to receive food in the future because I did not respect the food that was provided for me, by not showing respect to the food and eating it all. In my mind, I silently thought, I really cannot finish all of the food, otherwise I will throw up. But I cannot say this out loud or I will be scolded for not respecting my elders. The lesson is "do not get more than you can eat". But if I remember it right, I know it was someone else who put all these food on my plate in the first place. I think these days I've learned my lesson not to take more than I can chew. Para hindi masayang. But there are days that the actual person is not the one who put things in one's own plate.

hallows

"to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate"-Wikipedia

I looked up the meaning of hallows because I am really excited for the last book of J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter. It was announced Feb 1 that the release would be on July 21st.

Recently, I've been thinking about our past lives. How sometimes these memories though in the past, seem to be still alive in us when we remember them. This morning I was struck again by the idea. As if some part of our lives are there in a horcrux. A poem, a song or a place seems to still hold those memories. These tangible and intangible object represents some sentimental value. Why do certain waterfalls and mountains remind us certain part of our lives?

Anyway, I really cannot wait for the last book in the series.

frost in the cordi

News Central on 23 last night reported about the thick frost in Benguet province. They said that the temperature in Baguio in the past week remained below 10 degree celcius and in Benguet at 6 degrees. This eventually caused the frost in the vegetable farms. We can expect that the cost of carrots, cabbage and other veggies from the north will increase due to low supply. The crops were spotted sort of frostbite for veggies. There has been talks that a calamity in Benguet will be announced soon.

In an unrelated event(or is it?), a week ago I was going to write about the ice storm in Texas, I was chatting with Bay who said that she didn't go to work due to the thick ice and the roads closed. This is in Mission, Texas. She said this thing hasn't happened there in the past 10 years. We had a day-after-tomorrow chat that early morning.

For those who climbed the Cordillera this time of the year, you can imagine how cold it would be in Sagada or in Mt. Pulag. Tagirgir.

her little red shoes

The past weekends we spent our Sunday afternoons at UP carless oval. We just walked and played and played and walked around. For Tatay and Nanay it is time to get that much needed exercise. For Isay it was time to start enjoying the outdoors, see the grass and trees, stare at the clouds. Interact with cousins. See different kinds of dogs. Living in our small cubby hole, there is not much room to move around. We look forward to seeing friends and family during the weekends.

In this picture she looks really big. Thanks to Myka for the outfit and Tita Tess for the red shoes. I love these red shoes. It has a small snowflake on the side.

Isay have a Cinderella story but will post it in a separate entry.