Binibining Pilipinas

Sikyo

Sikyo

Paglaki sa probinsya ay sadyang nakakatuwa. Mabagal ang buhay, hindi mo kailangang magmadali at hindi harassed ang pakiramdam tulad ng sa Maynila. Iba talaga ang buhay ng mga bata sa probinsya. Iba rin ang mga larong alam namin noon sa Laguna.

Naaalala ko noon ng ako ay nagaaral pa lamang sa mababang paaralang central ng Alaminos. Malawak ang playground doon na berdeng berde ang kulay ng “grounds”. Naisip ko habang nasa klase at tumatanaw sa labas “ang sarap maghabulan mamayang hapon” umaga pa lang naisip ko na yayayain ko na mag-sikyo sina Myles, Romeo at Victor. Bigla na lang akong tinawag ni Ma’am dahil naka tunganga ako sa labas. Tapos hindi ko rin nasagot yung tanong dahil hindi ako nakikinig. Kitang kita rin kasi sa labas ng bintana ang bundok na may lumalabas na usok mula sa geothermal sa may Makban.

Dumating din ang hapon at naglaro na nga kami ng sikyo. Sobra sigawan ng mga kalaro ko habang nagpipilian kung sino ang kakampi. Nagpilian din kung kanino base itong puno ng banaba at kung kanino naman yung sa may gumamela. Magagaling sa sikyo ang mga kalaro ko. Ang bibilis tumakbo na halos malagot na ang mga tsinelas. Yung iba nga na ayaw mapudpod ang bago nilang tsinelas hawak sa kamay at braso sinuot ang mga ito habang tumatakbo. Tagaktak ang pawis namin.

Hindi na namin namalayan na halos kami na lang pala naglalaro. Pag-tanong namin ng oras (dahil wala pa akong relo noong ako ay grade 4 pa lang) nalaman namin “Ay naku alas 5 na! Patay tayo kay Lola pag uwi. Tyak palo ang aabutin ko” Kaya ayun dali dali akong nag ayos at pumunta sa abangan ng jeep para maka uwi na. Dahil barrio pa ang uuwian ko medyo madalang pa ang daan ng jeep lalo’t hapon na. Buti na lang at hindi ko naubos sa recess ang piso na binigay sa akin ni Lola noong umaga. Kaya nakasakay pa ako ng jeep. Pag nagkataon aabutin ako ng dilim sa daan paglalakad.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.

Sinulat ni:

Daisy
6:55 AM; October 23, 2007

***

Last week we had a storyteller's workshop and I wrote this piece for one of the exercises. Our trainer said that the best sharing and writings come from personal experience.

new airport

This is the new Iloilo airport. The last time that I was in Iloilo was in 2003 back then we still use the old bungalow like airport. When we landed and went out of the plane, it was a bit like "oh my we are back in Manila", the glass panels look almost exactly that of Terminal 2. It was good to see that our domestic terminals are now world class. I remember my boss commenting "terminal 2 looks a lot better than the airport in Washington DC".

Lugar lang

Just got back from Iloilo City. I just love the way people speak in this province. They speak in a sing song tone of voice and the words completely different from Tagalog. Whenever I am there I try to speak Ilonggo. In the jeep, instead of saying "para" to ask the driver to stop the jeep, people would say "lugar lang" or simply "lugar".

Some of my favorite words are "palihog" which means "please" or "can I request". These are some of the words that I practice speaking when I am out there. I also realized that people tend to listen to you more when you use the words in a tone very similar to local tongue. Sometimes it feels that you are in another country. Just traveling outside of Manila brings a whole new experience in relating to the local people. We have hundreds of different local dialects in the country. It's amazing how rich our Philippine culture really is.

At the wildlife

I had a meeting here in this particular building yesterday. It was a great opportunity for me to take photos of this oasis in the heart of Quezon City. It was around 2pm but the air was cool. There were children playing and sleeping. Sigh. I just hope that people who work here realize how blessed they are to be able to work everyday with trees and the lake around them.

lights, camera, action!

Just amazed at the number of cameras. They are always the ones who take the shots. Little did they know that someone is interested in taking shots of them and their gear! Some of the photos were a bit out of focus because they were constantly moving around. And I was listening to the presentation as well. The whole episode i think only lasted for about 30 minutes then they are gone. All the major channels were there GMA, ABS CBN, IBC, RPN. Last night, i was watching the news if anyone picked up the news bit. Well, I didnt watch the government channel. I didnt see any of this broadcasted. Anyway, who can compete with the footage of Josh Groban just off the plane in NAIA?

prayer wheel

This is a gift I received a month or two ago given by a friend who really travels alot. I think this is a Tibetan prayer wheel but not sure. When you open the screw on top, the cover can be removed and inside is a thick scroll with writings I cannot understand.

She said that people go about their chores while spinning this prayer wheel. I love the carvings of this little wheel. It will definitely not fall into my mathoms category.

Celine's Birthday

It was Celine's 1st birthday last week (the baby at the center in the first photo). We had a great time. It has been a while since we got together with the De Pedro Family. The venue of the party was at Arcadia Club house in Ortigas. It has a pool and a playground. Isay had a blast in the slide. It was her first time to slide (assisted by the tatay), first time to swing (with nanay), and endless climbing up and down the blue stairs. We didn't swim because it was a bit cold.

There were no games but all the kids and parents had their hands full with all the children running around playing, swimming, eating. Our friends rented this place at a very reasonable price at a special rate you wouldn't believe if I told you. Then they served these wonderful lasagna and was told it was ordered for only 500 pesos per tray. Such a steal! Now that reminds me to ask C about the contact number of the cook!

By the way "ate" na si Celine as mom C is 5 months na. God bless you sis!

Bayang

" It is hard to be politically correct and not preachy, but she (Bayang Barrios) was able to do that..."--Mike Villegas

I am a fan of Bayang Barrios, and thus, when she was featured in a TV show, I eagerly watched. There was a time in one costume Christmas party that I dressed up as her ahahahahah. I think it was in 2003 when she won the Metro Pop Music Festival.

What I learned was that she also went through a time of denial but then she eventually realized the richness of her heritage and embraced her ethnicity.

halata ba na fan? ahahahaha

moods

I've been wanting to write everyday, and yet all the thoughts brewing in my head seem to stay there and ferment. Evolving into different thoughts. I just sometimes do not have the energy to write my thoughts and ideas. Creating things does have its time. But when the inspiration does come. It seems like flash flood of thoughts and ideas you want to share.

I noticed that indeed when you need to be comforted, affirmed or contested in my inner self discussions, the ideas present themselves.

I want to share a something I read last night that helped me cope with what I am going through at the moment.

From the book of Richard Carlson: "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and its all small stuff"

This is the title of the chapter: Become Aware of Your Moods and Don't Allow Yourself to be Fooled by the Low Ones. (I edited it and shortened it and wrote here only the lines that really hit me.)

Your moods can be extremely deceptive. They can, and probably do, trick you into believing your life is far worse than it really is...When we are low, rather than blaming our mood as would be appropriate, we instead tend to feel that our whole life is wrong. It's almost as if we actually believe that our lives have fallen apart in the past hour or two. The truth is, life is never as bad as it seems when you're in a low mood. When you are in an ill mood, learn to pass it off as simply that: an unavoidable human condition that will pass with time, if you leave it alone. A low mood is not the time to analyze your life. To do so is emotional suicide. If you have a legitimate problem, it will still be there when your state of mind improves. The trick is to be grateful for our good moods and graceful in our low moods--not taking them seriously. The next time you feel low, for whatever reason, remind yourself, "This too shall pass." It will.

When I read this last night, I laughed a bit inside of me. I was reminded again at the most opportune time. Words that I needed to hear at that moment. I felt it was a small miracle of sort to be at the receiving end of something I really needed to hear at that time. it is amazing that after reading the book, now I am able to share again my thoughts. It just comes and flows. I will be sharing more in the coming post. Sigh!

Sibuyan

I used to work for WWF Philippines. In 1997, even before I joined the organization, I was able to visit a very beautiful bucolic island--Sibuyan Island. We were supposed to climb Mr Guiting Guiting at that time, but due to limited time, we just explored the coastal area and foothills of the island. It was a long holiday at that time. Holy week was a time when all of the people in the Philippines seems to be on the move. Traveling to the provinces, the buses and the boats were full. At that time, we missed our boat ride at Pier 8. Then, we had to take an alternate route from Lucena and take that small wooden boat for the 12 hours boat ride.

Early morning, as the "lantsa" our wooden passenger boat approach the island, you would be greeted by the huge Mt. Guiting guiting. The scissor like summit looks like multiple peaks along the high ridge of the north face of the mountain. Scissors in the vernacular is gunting and the summit looks like a blade of a huge pinking scissor dominating the skyline of the island. It seems from a distance that the whole island is the mountain. But we discovered more of the hidden beauty of Sibuyan.

We camped at "lambingan" falls and stayed there for a few days. Buying our fish in a nearby village when some children go around selling a fish or two caught by their father. Ancient magrove trees grow along the coast. The unpaved road adds to the bucolic scene. We met some friends ( a topic for a future post) along the way. We also visited a huge waterfall on the other side of the island. I will be posting some of these soon.

After a few years, I was able to visit the island again as WWF staff. Also invited friends to come visit and we explored Cantingas river. Where I jumped from a rock that seemed 3 storeys high unto the river with its clean and crystal waters. I didn't close my eyes when I jumped and in an instant during the "fall" the whole scenery seemed to be scratched by a giant until I felt the splash of cold river water! it was a treasured memory.

Years passed and I wasn't able to visit the island again. I have close friends who were the leaders of conservation program in Sibuyan.

Yesterday, I was shocked to read an article on the recent events in Sibuyan, which I posted in my other blog the green journal.

Serenity prayer

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

Recently, this prayer presented itself. I found myself pondering on these lines. Sometimes it seems that things are overwhelming. Indeed it is hard to be human. Sometimes it helps me to set my perspectives, rethink. It is a blessing to be able to re-orient myself and set my bearings again. My True North remains.

A.R.K.

One of my favorite movies is Bruce almighty which I blogged before. The a few days ago, we watched Evan almighty. It is not exactly a sequel but the common factor there is God.

Change the World. This is the campaign slogan of Evan. But he has no idea really how to do it. Simple said God, start with one Act of Random Kindness at a time.

go travel

This is the plane I took from Nausori Airport from Suva to fly to Nadi (pronounced as nan-di)
in Fiji Islands, June 2007

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." Saint Augustine

The Book says ask and you shall receive. While others say you need to tell the Universe what you want and then things will conspire to make it happen. Ok! here goes. I want to travel!
Still there are many many places that I want to visit. For the longest time I want to visit Europe. There is Italy, France and Spain are on top of my list. Then I want to visit Andes, roam the town where Pablo Neruda lived. See Patagonia, Argentina and Brazil.

now reading: Travel Doctor

Introduction:

"Travel expands the mind...but loosens the bowels"

The opening lines of this new book we got as a gift was hilarious indeed! we keeled over the lines when we read it. But it is true.

chinese doll

This chinese doll was a gift to my daughter from a friend who just visited the Great Wall. A well traveled friend whom I climbed mountains with before. We both dreamed of traveling to many distant places. And we did albeit along different paths now.

She recently left for Kampala, Uganda to be a VSO volunteer for 2 years.

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.