Lunch under the trees

Yesterday was a great day. At the simplicity of it all I found solace. Thank You God. This time of the year a lot of things going on that take your time and attention, work, busy work, domestic demands and yet despite of these, there are nuggets of joy that can be found. Had a late lunch yesterday, an egg salad sandwich. While still warm in my hands I chanced upon to look at the garden at 1:30 in the afternoon. I walked outside and welcomed the warm sunny weather. I missed eating in the garden. I sat there under the trees' shade while chewing my sandwich... I looked up and saw the blue almost cloudless sky and I felt truly grateful. 8 days before Christmas.

Unang gabi ng Simbang Gabi

I cant remember the last time that I went to the 4:30AM simbang gabi mass. Today with nostalgia about my childhood memories of the ritual...I went on my own. A sense of longing for inner peace and a renewed heart urged me to fill in that emptiness. A compelling sense emptiness seems more apparent during the advent season. I guess this is why a search for meaning is more palpable. A retreat from the usual routine. I guess I know in my heart that the search for the place to reflect is not just a place where you can see the great expanse of the sea and the sky nor in a quiet place. I've come to realize that the search is more inward and the sense of place is in your heart. Even in the loud noise of your surroundings you may be able to find your own peace and Self realization. Yesterday almost unknowingly my eyes poured out. A sense of knowing. Things are the same but they are not the same. Something has changed. Only you can sense the shift. And a yearning for the Universe to bless your heart.

First Day of School

Today marked another rite of passage in the little girls life. Like all rites of passage it is bitter-sweet. Whether the ritual of our lives are public or private, it comes with it a sense of we-made-it, of fulfillment and of joy but with a sense of time flying pass right before us, leaving us looking back. Today, we found ourselves, the little girl and I, looking at old travel photos. Earlier today, we prepared things needed for the first day of school. The past weeks we were talking to school registrar, fitting uniforms, buying books, touring the big new school and ensuring safety with the school bus service. All these things made the little girl excited reading her books in advance, asking details about the school and even wearing her ID at home when we got it last week. Last night I was anxious and a bit worried that she will be on her own now. When I left the house everything was ready, gave her a bath, little pep talk, prepared her baon (snack), school bag. She was happy. We did some picture taking session before I left knowing all is well and taken cared of as we have been incrementally preparing for weeks now. Later, after school when I got home that I learned that she cried. Just before the school bus arrived, she buried her face in a pillow and cried said Manang. But eventually she got up and bravely went to school on her own for the first time in her life. I took photos of these moments. Like all rites of passage, I know this is a moment to be treasured. God bless you Isay! We love you very much.

Coron an enchanted island

Home of the Tagbanua Tribe, haven of biodiversity and of enchanted places






Ten years ago I did a solo trip to Coron, as a gift to another year towards adulthood. Armed with borrowed diving gear and a few pesos in my pocket and a lot of luck, I was able to explore the islands. This year I came back with my little girl and the hubby to celebrate yet again another significant year in our lives. And yes, the island is as beautiful as the first time I laid my eyes on its shore.

The warm ocean water calling you to her embrace, the mountains staring at you with delight and the wind playing with your hair, whispering. The sun kissing your skin that has been pale for so long. A smile in my heart wrapped my being just being there. And much more that leave me speechless.

It took me hours to choose which photo to share, I have hundreds and these are the few that can capture a portion of those moments. Just looking at them brings me much joy.

Tour of the Fireflies (Part 3) 2011 until the next flight

In my mind we are all nomads. Some people to a greater degree than others. Our pace may be different from others, at times faster and at times slower. My feet either want to hike, walk and as in the images below pedal away.

Today am at a halt and here now remembering the sense of being able to travel with the ones you love, near or far brings much joy. Way after, months later and years later these recollections will be a source of inspiration. Indeed.

Manila City Hall
Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila Bay
Tiendesitas, Pasig
Photos by Dino Leoncarlo Calderon

Tour of the Fireflies (Part 2) The birth of Duncan

As we ride out from Tiendesita's, I realized I am cycling together with my childhood Asian superheroes-- the Power Rangers. They were in complete uniform... i can hear them shout out "Pink 5". We were in a level of energy that can emanate from 10,000 plus bikers.



As far as you can see in this photo, those are all bikers. Quiapo area proved to be one of the most challenging sectors of the route.

It was also Palm Sunday and we passed by the masses sprawling on to plaza Miranda. From these photos you can just gauge the number of participants to this year's Tour of the Fireflies.


This stretch of the Quezon bridge is where I literally and figuratively flew out of control while full speed downhill. This baptized my then unnamed dslr...split into two and when I realized that it is still alive-- I named it Duncan MakQuiapo after the immortal Duncan MacLeod. Ayos!

Tour of the Fireflies (Part 1)

Woke up early to prepare everything that we need for our first cycling adventure as a family. Bikes checked, cycling gloves check, arm protectors check, helmets check, giant kid carrier seat check, ice cold drinks in coolers check. For those who know me and climbed mountains with me, they know my philosophy. One should find a way to reward one's self upon reaching the summit or destination. An ice-cold rootbeer or gatorade, the drink of your choice is the best. The reason why I made sure that there is a cooler attached to my bike come the day of the Tour.

Got a new folding bike, named it Hannibal after the ancient general of old. Hannibal is one tough cookie I must say, you will know in the coming post why. That bit of the story deserves its own entry. Our maiden voyage was a great adventure--42 kilometers from Ortigas, Pasig to CCP, Manila Bay and back. Let me just say that I haven't a done any cycling for a long time until this day of the tour.

This adventure deserves a space in this blog for the ultimate experience that it is for me and our family. This is my little girl's first long haul cycling tour with Nanay and Tatay right here in one of the most challenging roads in the world - Manila, Philippines.

Angkor Wat

The second cake

The little girl turned five. I just want to thank God for the blessing that she is.

Seafood Kare kare at Kanin Club

sleepy na this was intended for my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef

Meteor Showers

"Spectacular" Double Meteor Shower This Week

Many years ago more than a decade I should say that I witnessed a meteor shower that up to this day, I have not seen anything like what I saw in Baguio one cool crisp night up in the cordilleras.

The sky was literally raining with shooting stars. We had to spread a "malong" in the parking lot to be able to have the widest view of the sky.

Sigh...

wondering when will I ever see that kind again?

Rainy days are here again

Drove through traffic at a crawling pace. I am literally swimming in traffic this morning. When you are driving alone at this kind of pace, the mind tends to wander.

Nothing is permanent but change. The wheels of change are turning, fast. Faster than I think I can keep up. In my mind I am thinking that things need to change in many aspects of my life.

Been wanting that dream house. Should I just settle for a house house? I want a garden, a house I can call home with a great view. I want my own room with a bed that is huge and comfortable. Sigh these are my dream now.

Been dreaming of other things too. Of course you would have guessed. Yes that trip to Europe again Greece and specifically Santorini. I should be writing these really to make them manifest. And yes, South America Brazil, Argentina. Sigh.

I want to make small changes too. In my everyday life, change the time I go to work, meditate more, write more of these thoughts before I completely forget that I have these small dreams too.

I want a clean house. no clutter. I want a walk in closet with just enough clothes that I don't get confused what to wear. Haha.

Been wanting and dreaming. So what is the difference of wanting and dreaming?

Mt. Isarog

Mt. Isarog is breath taking. Climbed the mountain many years ago and now just looking at it makes me re-live and cherish and re-experience its trails. Moss, mossy, soft under my feet, a stairway of moss covered branches strewn by time and the elements hid the earth beneath. A green carpet to paradise. Pieces of my old recollection of the trail and the mountain.

Destined for greatness

Today I was really inspired by an article shared by my good friend Earnest. Love it so much I just have to quote it here in its entirety.

Destined for greatness

By Harvey John Garcia

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:38:00 03/22/2011

Filed Under: Youth, Family

DEAR MAKOY,

I hope you don’t hate me when you grow up for not being there on your birthday. I am writing this soon after your fourth birthday in a foreign land. When I say foreign, I mean that I am scared stiff and I do not know what I am doing here, but I am here and I am living.

I am in the United States right now. To be specific, I am sitting on a felled log one meter away from a river. I am feeling cold. My fingers are getting numb (another good motivation to write). The place where I am in is called Skykomish. It is up in Washington state. And I am in a forest. My crew and I are fixing a trail here, and I am teaching some young people along the way, trying to develop them into capable young adults.

Who is doing that for you? You have your Mom and Dad, and throw in your Mama Old. I am not a bit worried. They raised me, so I believe you are in good hands. It is just that I wish I were part of your life right now.

I hope that when you look back at your life some time in the future, you won’t hate me for not being there on your second and third birthdays, too. I feel horrible and useless as your uncle. Though I know that our small, tightly knit family is there to give you the warmth you need, I still feel guilty for not spoiling you against your parents’ set rules; you are a child only once. But though I may not be there for you physically, you should know that I have been always with you in spirit.

Sometimes I delude myself with the thought that it is my fate to travel far away from the people I love. I feel nomadic. At times it is a blessing. I can tell you stuff that I have done, places I have seen, people that I have met and experiences that endeared the world to me more.

I have a set of journals that I started writing after college. I hope one day to give it to you. I want you to laugh, squirm and learn from my experiences, the same way I felt when my Mom, your Mama Old, told me about hers. I want you to be proud of my accomplishments, disappointed by my failures and inspired by the occasion when I got up after each fall. I want you to see my humanity. Hopefully, this will help you understand yours.

In your lifetime I want you to learn three things. One is that love is unconditional. There is no prerequisite to love. It does not grow old, fade or want the same magnitude in return. It is a given. From the moment you were born, you became the adhesive that united us all. You are one of my inspirations to live. For this, I love you.

Don’t be afraid to love. Uncertainty is always there and nothing will change that. It is what makes the world dynamic. It is the only certain thing: change. So don’t be afraid to dive into something you are not sure of. Just make sure that you are doing it for all the right reasons.

Second is, you have the world for yourself. You only need to grasp it. Believe me, you will experience hardships in life. But that is not the hard part; you can get over those easily. You have my genes, and we bounce back fast. The more difficult times will be when you get over those bumps on the road and they lead you to peaks of success. Then you will have to decide how you will falter, fade, retain and graciously settle down into a comfortable state. Believe it or not, there is no single accomplishment. Everything is a cycle. You will have ups and downs, but as you grow old you get to decide whether the next up is higher or the next down is lower.

You will learn so much and teach so much to others. You will not be prepared for life because if you are, the whole experience will be meaningless. The most you can hope for is to have a stable footing. Always look around to see us, your family, your friends, your favorite thing in this planet. We will always be in the sidelines for you and to see where you are in the compass of life. Fill your backpack with knowledge and skills. Raise your head to the sky and dive into the ocean, metaphorically and physically. Always, always see yourself as a part of the web of life. Nature is the greatest mentor there is.

Third and last is that you will be great. Every person is destined for greatness. I know you will make your mark in this world. It does not matter how many people you touch with your light, it is the intensity that you blind them with that really matters. You will become as great in the same proportion as how much you put into the effort. But do not rush into it. Have a good start and keep a steady pace. In the end, the race is always against yourself.

I will be going back to work now and try to teach six young men some lessons. Maybe tonight, I will brew coffee and stare blankly at the sky. I will be tucked under a sleeping bag in my tent tonight, and I will be happy.

Oh, the most important piece of advice I can give to you is to always look up to the sky and realize how significantly small and how significantly big you are. Everything is a part of you. It took millions and millions of years for you to become you, and now you are alive.

(Harvey John Garcia, 28, is an assistant scientist at the International Rice Research Institute.)

Dear Isay,

When you are older I want to share these same thoughts with you. I am also excited for the many possibilities that life have in store for us.

Love you very much.

Nanay Day

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

For the longest time I've wanted to visit this mountain. In a span of 10 years, friends have climbed the long route, pre-4 x 4 cars, some the short cut route and I always had to do something else. Had to finish a job, or just be somewhere else. I guess things indeed happen for a reason. I am glad that I waited because I was able to experience this one with my daughter. It is her first mountain climbing adventure and I am glad I am with her to share this experience. This climb also marked a special time in my life.

The crater lake was a magnificent site to behold. Digital dslrs can only capture a 2D. The vast expanse engulfs your being as you approach the crater lake. Nature's strength and beauty surrounding you 360 degrees, puts things in perspective of how small we are yet still a part of the greater scheme of things.

While hiking through the trail to arrive here, the trails were marked with lahar and ash stocked up to create a new landscape-- a moonscape I would imagine. There were intermittent pounding in my heart and day-after-tomorrow thoughts as we walk through the gorge of gray ash and it started to drizzle. A visual essay is posted at my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef.

The gateway to Mt. Pinatubo is Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, while talking to Mang Orlan our guide he mentioned that they are preparing for a barrio fiesta on the 16th. Hmmm I thought and smiled to myself. Do you believe in coincidence?

Take nothing

Take nothing but pictures

Leave nothing but foot prints

Kill nothing but time

--Baltimore Grotto

Take nothing but the water of the other group

Leave nothing but TP

Kill nothing but "kuko"

--MM

just remembering the memorable quotes from MM's newsletter which I thought previously as "Tarakyatayo". Visit Our Simple Joys by Ruby Bayan.

Plants vs Mowers

One of my favorite pictures.

Taken before we unsuccessfully mow the lawn of friend at Renton. The neighbor whom we borrowed the mower got out of his house and cut the grass himself after hearing us trying to struggle to cut the grass.

Congratulations AG

You are a living inspiration. Congratulations AG Sano!

Declared as the newest WWF Hero.

wanderlust

Been bitten by wanderlust for the past few days. Just booked two international trips for the whole family!

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Ongpin

We had Chinese New Year dinner at President's Tea House along Salazar St. at Ongpin- Manila's China Town. The food was good you can view it in my other blog Pinay Mt. Chef.

Despite a fully loaded workday trying to beat that 5 PM exodus of people, still wasn't able to leave early. In the trains at around 6:30 ish sardine time at the MRT. Arrive at carriedo station and took a "kuliglig" to Ongpin.

It's dinner with good friends and why do we go accross town braving traffic and congestion of masses people on the streets?

The belief is that on new year's eve, it is very lucky if you will be able to witness the dragon dance. Here in the photo was the only encounter with a dragon. A small boy inside trying to run around the streets with this dragon head. I think they just finished a dance.

The night cap was coffee and chance to chat with my buddy it was her birthday.

Walking the streets of Ongpin... the air was full of beating of the drums, people buying lucky charms and filing long line just to buy "tikoy". We even bumped into our dear neighbors along the way. The night was warm and Manila's streets are alive with life.

It was intoxicating. Love it!