REALItrato didto ha Guimaras

 This is a little draw for side tripping in one of my flights. As I knew I will be having plenty of my time during my arrival, so I said to my self why not make the most out of my far far and away again.

It was only a 15 minutes boat ride anyway from the wharf  going to Guimaras' Jordan Port (P13). Early on I am welcomed by the morning breeze as I took the plunge of a boat ride inter-island crossing Guimaras, so I started enjoying the trip from there. Come 8:45AM I was already trolling out the pumboat and waited by my tour guide near the tourism help desk.

And this is Guimaras :)

Guimaras is located in Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros, Western Visayas region. To the northwest is the province of Iloilo and to the southeast is Negros Occidental. It is well-known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 of these trees are planted. The island is famous for producing the sweetest mangoes in the world, after Pakistan.

After a short while, Gerald come in appearance. Oh twas after some tricycle drivers negotiated the rides for me and I answer them with smile that I'm already waiting for Gerald my "sundo" and then they look for Gerald. This Gerald, is a little well known tourist guide/tricycle driver all-in-one in the world of travel blog sites. So upon some reads about him from multiple sites and getting good feedback I didn't wait for my second thoughts to come and eagerly phone him to arrange a trip before the day comes. So it was just day before my arrival and Gerald already compromise his service to another travelers. But he did not left me making it out my self, he recommended his brother instead to accompany me in the duration of my stay in Guimaras. So it's Charlie, his brother will be my official tour guide for the day plus tatay (pardon me, i forgot tatay's name) their father will be the one to drive for us.

We left Gerald at the port, he is expecting the other travelers to arrive soon.

In deed Charlie is already well verse in providing me historical and factual information about this island and the sites we had stopped. Gerald told me over the phone that this little Charlie is still getting a knock for a rookie tourist guide but he will surely not let me get lost of cultural interpretation. But certainly Charlie and tatay made a good tandem. Evidently it comes naturally from the bloodline. (Good job!).

First thing they do before we head off is asked me my cut off time of travel as they knew I was only side touring. Second, they introduced their itinerary. I'd already read a lot from Guimaras tourist destinations so I asked them if we could miss out some of those from their list as I am not fond of checking out plantations and fields. I already grew up in one :)

So head we start our day touring. Charlie and tatay didn't left me mumbling about the places. They always pinch in little facts before we head to each place after the other so i could already exclaim in excitement. I found my self felt more attached as they summarize what I need to know and understand about the culture, history and the passing of time in their home town. I love it, im happy with my decision on hiring a local to accompany my trip. As you know, I always end up travelling solo with only google to accommodate my need of informations. But this time, that has been the firs time I get one shot of a "feeling turista" and hired someone to be my tour guide and find it so rewarding that my trip turn out to be a one of a kind; informative-enjoyable-just so worth it of my leave from work ^_^

I might forgot to mention that Charlie also was my official photographer (c/o my xperia na nakabisado niya tlaga) the entire trip. And if I need a hand or his back to lift or support me on the rocky and high places I find him very initiative to do it. He even went to the top most of the lighthouse to capture a lot of photos in all angles as he could when I told them (charlie and the care taker) that Im not good in climbing down the heights. So Charlie volunteered to do the capturing. Well he's been holding my phone I guess the whole time as I entrust him my camphone to do the "kodakan" while I'm into mastering the poses subjected to his directives on where to stand and pose hahah I wanna take home this kid na.

 

Surely a very rewarding trip. I will definitely come back here with friends next time. I love wandering and getting lost and sometimes get lost of words because of language barriers but I enjoyed it at most. I love finding my self being one of them, and hearing my tone easily get much of their accent. But with the natives of Guimaras, they won't let you find your self different from them, they are so welcoming and kind and the word hospitable that was tagged in every filipino, well I find it in the people of Guimaras.

A one shot of a little heaven that was.

These were the list of where we headed.

Little Plaza

Guimaras Museum

Capitolyo

Overlooking Iloilo City

Trappist Abbey Monastery

Pasalubong House

Alfredo Camp

Guisi Light House

Guisi Beach

bye.. bye for now Guimaras (here's tatay in the drive seat :)

There's VagaBUNNZ in Cebu City

“The truth is that it is natural, as well as necessary, for every man to be a vagabond occasionally.”

This is during my short trip in Cebu City, my first time ever, as I promise my self to see some of the 7,100  islands of the Philippines one after the other. For the record this is only the 16th province that I will visit and the 9th in the list that I traveled solo (but today, I have a pretty companion with me). Meet Car. My occasional travel buddy. Okay, so off we sent our selves to the T4 NAIA Terminal

at 4.30AM from my place in Ortigas we asked the taxi driver to breeze up to the airport  yet I think his old cab cannot deliver what we asked for. The meter cost us P180.00 (we had used the long stretched of EDSA Ave instead of taking the C5 back road in Ortigas which is more advisable). So if you are planning to travel Cebu in a pocket friendly way, (voila!) you've come to the right place - I will tell you just how we made it like a DIY as how I always planned my trip.

T4: We are filling  the end of the line at the boarding pass counter and thankfully made it just on time. We paid P200 terminal fee and march to the departure waiting area Tip 1: Do not be late or your reserved seat will be cancelled and byebye to how much it cost you. The plane had its delayed take off due to runway use as always. Yet, we still make it on time. At 6:30 in the morning the plane dock in Mactan International Airport.

Touchdown CEBU. "Maayong Buntag, Cebuanos!"

Car and I walked our way out from the domestic exit. We didn't take the yellow or white metered cabs. Taxi cabs in Cebu are the same in NAIA terminals, yellow cab are commissioned and white cabs will only bill you by the meter.

• Where is the Mactan Airport Taxi Terminal located?

From Arrival Lobby, take the main exit to get outside, use the pedestrian crossing and walk across the road towards the Departure Lobby located at the second level of the building across Arrival Lobby building. Go up the second level via access ramp. As soon as you get to departure lobby, go outside via the first entrance/exit glass door. There you'll see other passengers in line while the white taxis are arriving one by one.

Okay so we didn't ride one. From the same direction where the taxis goes out the airport we walked for about 1.3 km to the Marina Mall at the end of the Airport Rd cr. Quezon National Highway. Just turn right after going out from the vicinity of the airport, follow the direction of all taxis leaving the airport and don't forget to soothe yourself with the morning breeze walk.

From the Mall complex walk across Quezon Hi-way to get to the Jeepney Terminal. Ride "MEPSA Lapu Lapu City Cebu City Vice Versa" jeepney P10ea. it's a green-colored jeepney with wordings on its both sides. The jeep is located at the rear end of the jeepney queue. Alight at SM City Cebu, go to the Jeepney Terminal at the frontage of the mall and ride a jeepney with "Private Colon SM" sign.  Alight at the corner of Osmena Blvd. Landmarks here are: Sogo Hotel, located to the left of Sanciangko before Osmena and G.V. Tower Hotel, the tall building located at the second left corner of Osmena.

In our case, it slipped my mind that we should cross the Quezon Hi-way. Instead we boarded a green jeepney at the lane going inside lapu-lapu. So we changed lane and rode another jeepney with "Hi-Way Park Mall" signage P10ea. The driver guided us that we should alight at the Park Mall and we will find the jeepney going to SM-Colon P7ea. from there. We didn't worry much since the lady passenger said it's the last stop so we will be guided all through out. So what I did is enjoyed the ride and took some photos with me while im boarded by the jeepney - so pardon me with blurry photos, the jeepney was speeding its way. When the jeepney turned right and passed the long stretched of the Mactan Bridge I almost marveled in awe. That was magnificently big and clean (no stinky smell). Can Pasig river turn out like this? I hope so.

After traversing our way to Colon and after the two rides of jeepneys including that of from our drop off in Park Mall. We are now in Colon Street the first and oldest national road of our country. Although a little bit run-down now, it's still the home of old and popular shopping malls such as the famous Gaisano Mall which has severally provincial branches, restaurants, old movie houses, public markets, cheap street foods at night, fashion shops, and most of all affordable hotels. Second Tip: There's a big food court serving a lot of cheap foods at the 6th floor of Metro Gaisano located at the corner of Colon and Osmena Blvd.

We took our "early" breakfast (as I am not a morning person) at the Jollibee fast food along Colon Street infront of an old theater. I opted to eat here so I can still feel at home (in my resting hours, as I want to consider eating that way). For a starter I started my laptitude Map (available in all android phones) and let our journey be guided ^__^

After a P58 peso chicken hotdog rice meal and hot chocolate I am all packed up and ready to get lost ^_^ we then proceeded to our first tour bumming..

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN!

We held a 02B jeepney P7ea. after consulting a standby policeman. We ask the driver to drop us at the Plaza Independencia. On our way we passed by a white painted church and I asked the manong driver which historic church was that, he said it was the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Along Legaspi Ext. we were alighted at the front gate of the Plaza. Under the oppressing humid weather were still able to start acting tourist / photographer and didn't mind if we really look like a bunch of alien (I'm always a whatever wannabe). Walking forward the plaza is the entrance to the Fort San Pedro,  we didn't get a closer and nice shot in front of the entrance since a food catering truck and its men were blocking the gate. Entrance here is P30, but never mind the shelling out of some penny you'll be seeing a lot of what we value from our historic past which is truly rewarding anyway.

Afterwards, we headed our way to Osmeña Blvd, that's across the plaza gate facing the Fort San Pedro entrance. We bought some refreshment along way P10 for a little bottle of soda. And continuously, we walked and turned left at P.Burgos in our right side was the very famous landmark of Cebu, the Magelan's Cross. Alas! I am unbelievably up close and personal with this legendary landmark. Admit it or not it was one of those things a grade schooler started to love, along with the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Chocolate Hills heheh. Before entering the house of the cross, we first took some shots of the City Hall just across the compound. Getting back on this infamous historic landmark, there are some what five old ladies dancing and holding different colored candles. One of them came in and invited us to let her dance for our prayers. She sold all the color of candles that she has for P50 and she danced for our prayers. While the lady  was busy dancing and chanting her prayers for us we never wasted time and again put our selves in character, "the tourist and the photographer" wannabes.

We preceded and enter the compund of the Sto. Niño and at the Side of the Collegio del Santo Niño is a long stretched candle stand where plenty burning candles were already standing. We help ourselves lit and stand our candle in the place where there are least of people doing the same business as we does. We say a minute of prayer and headed our way to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. I make sure to take the front seat in the center isle, knelt and out pour my highest faith to our Lord. Oh yes, the first ever Santo Niño, who we claim to be the first religious image in our country was now infront of me. I talked to Him like how we usually talked during midnight before bed but this time my heart is just full of contentment and gratitude for being infront of Him, for letting me get there with my determination  and the bravest heart that I can take with me every time I travel. You know I can be the weakest link most of the time, but my destination made me always a craving stranger, a wanderer, a local who's one of them, and a go getter. Sum up all the bravest little things that I got and that's all God's will. Glory be to God!

We didn't make it to the pile of devotees who were lined up to touch the image of Santo Niño. We might get our turn before the sunset and of course that would mean missing our next flight in the evening.

Outside the gate of the Basilica , along Osmeña Blvd. were a crowded vendors on their carts selling replicas of the image of Sto.Niño and other patron Saints, name it!.. I am still not in a shopping mood since I am set to visit some more places in my list. Yet, seeing some of the images fascinates me, being a shoppaholic everything that has tag price always glitter in my eyes. So, I can't help but start asking prices starting with the rosary which I got a turquoise one for P25, err same price with the small rosary which I bought for pasalubong at the next cart. But my biggest reward for setting put in Cebu ..a 15 inches tall image of Our Lady of Guadalupe for an amazing bargain of P200 from P700 original price. That I guess the thing that keeps me going the entire day. I take it as a gift from Sto.Niño.

So off we go and ride a 04L jeepney going Lahug. We're supposed to be going to Taoist Temple yet, we saw on our way the Crowne Regency and the Robinsons Fuente Mall. So I halt the jeepney paid a P7ea. due and exclaimed "sa lugar lang". Off we climbed the overpass to take a peak on how the Crowne Regency stands. I was planning to see the 4D mini movie  inside of the hotel, yet again it might run our day and forget to notice the time. So we just let our selves get contented in having to see the sky adventure on top face to face. We found our way out from Robinson's Fuente Mall exit to the other side (landmark: is Sterling Bank) and shoot ourselves to one of the Jeepney going the same way as the first jeepney heading earlier. (I forgot the body number but this is as well going to Lahug)..

We are now going to the Taoist Temple  P10ea. it is located inside the subdivision of Beverly Hills. If you are doing the same jeepney commuting as we does, might as well give you my Third Tip: watch for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Cebu Temple. this is a big white landmark building to appear to your right. When you see this, get off the jeepney after it passed by the building. Walk across the other side and ride a habal-habal and tell the driver that you're going to Taoist Temple. I read from a solo traveller blog that he paid P25, so before the driver commission a price to us I immediately offer him that we'll pay him P25 (for the two of us). And yes he agreed to that, he even left us his cellphone number in case we need a ride back after our temple tour. And that's what we made, after a tiring heights walking in the temple and picture taking while the weather is kind of changing every minute as far as I can observe it. And after more than thirty minutes of traversing the temple stairs and stairs and stairs again plus the long walk inside the posh Beverly Hills. We waited outside for our habal-habal sundo, the one who gave us his number. I got my self some refreshment and merienda, P10 for the smallest RC cola and one lumpiang ubod. Burp, ready to angkas again. I gave the driver p30 this time since I get a little mabait and he's affable and more than willing to play tour guide. Plus, we enjoyed our first ride of habal-habal and even took with me a couple of shots :)

Riding a Habal-habal (Cool)

Our next stop Ayala Center (Cebu version). Upon ejecting ourselves from the 04L jeepney that cost us P7ea. we had walked our way to the entrace of The Terraces. We let ourselves enjoyed the view of the Mall's exterior, it was really like just the other version of Greenbelt Malls, aside from it's round facade. And since we're not in Cebu for a  gastronomic expedition, we landed and soothe ourselves to whatever Starbuck's Cebu would cater us. We had a cordial set of merienda this time for around P415 (I chipped in a P212 something to my friend). It's a two bottle Tazo tea, Starbucks Via Crumb Cake and a Ratatouille & Mozzarella Cheese sandwich which I ordered the barista to split it in half for us to be able to taste both of these sumptuous sweeties that I still haven't tried back in Manila. Nammm..

I personally chose to docked our tiring temple in Starbucks Cafe since I am pretty sure that I can recharge my cellphone which I entirely use for taking pictures. Plus as I said earlier, eating time is the only time we can rest our selves and not marveled like tourist so kinda opted to take a feel-at-home cafe.

Before totally becoming a potato couch.. we decided to went out and take one more last shots inside the mall and headed back to Colon St. with the 01I jeepney P7ea. We hopped at the Metro Gaisano Mall and window shop for a little while. Now, that's from end-to-end mall hopping huh.

Crossing colon street from Metro Gaisano Mall

Clock strikes pass four (two hours before our airport check-in), finally we hail a cab that will take us to Lapu-lapu Shrine. Early on our ride, the driver asked me if I am an ilongga and I said "tagalog po". Maybe, my being sweet and makulit while speaking makes him think that I'm an ilongga. I actually tried my best to speak basic bisaya as much as I can. I guess hearing bisaya conversations on my childhood days helped a lot because it sort of comes naturally in my tongue as I spoke with the Cebuanos the entire day. I'll speak bisaya or we'll get lost!  Well it's sort of bisaya-tagalog mix but I believe they understand me so far.

Manong driver was so accommodating that he even made our stay inside his cab still worth the ride. He pointed and instructed us which side to look while he is telling us what place we're about to pass by.. places such as the Heritage of Cebu Monument, The two oldest house in Cebu: the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House and the Casa Gorordo. And the long stretched of Cebu Harbor. Aaamazing!


The Sun was already settling down when we reached the Lapu-lapu Shrine. We asked for Manong driver's number so he could pick us up when we're done touring the place. He was so kind and honest to bill us our first consumed meter rate of P280 and said that he'll  start to plug down again from P40 on our way to the airport instead of leaving the meter run while he waits for us. From here, we just made a quick capturing of  the Shrine and Lapu-Lapu's monument and afterwards headed our way to the shrine's souvenir area. I bought a green shirt with a statement  I ❤ CEBU. White tees are sold for only P100 but I didn't mind adding a P20 to get my fave color, so it can really be of use on me.

Last stop. Voila! to where we started the day in Cebu.

Back here in Mactan-Cebu International Airport. We paid our dearest taxi driver an amount of P150 as we are alighted exactly at the entrance way of the departing passengers.

Airport check-in is the same procedure as that in the morning, so please refer at the earlier note of this post.

Total summation of this trip from my pocket alone roughly cost 2,749.36. You can only gushed how cheap it is to travel, if only you read and read blogs and news articles and don't forget - plan it wisely.

bagong gising (@_@)

That's it Vagabonds. Daghang Salamat.

preview.tinyurl.com/ologuadalupe

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain, Author

Here is the rundown of the cost I spent and everything in between.

GREENTH

I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of LETTING GO, 

but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say GOODBYE. ~Life of Pi

_______________________________________________

taking sometime starring at my room
thinking am I really leaving “you” this soon.
my altar, my photos(our photos), or simply just this greenth
but as my heart honestly speak it’s phrases to survive.. I cant really move on if I’m not going to move out first.
this greenth walls had given me so much
      or maybe enough.
some yearnings, happiness, dreams,
those overnight tears and unconscious cuddling.
and if I may say this place has been a transformation nest to me,
it taught me to “grow up”, be strong, take a risk
      and even ..surrender.
there are nights when it reminds me to consider my own
      and take a little pride by tomorrow.
and if tomorrow never comes, I could almost say this place will never lost any details of my memoires for
      this is exactly who I was before
        and who I had become

every reflections spells my name clearly as it is
this is where I always say my last words
all my praises and glorifies to my lord
my renewal of faith has always been born every sun rise in this greenth
the tears that the night helps me to weep.
and finally, the inevitable strength that it furnished..
the strength to almost say it has come to “goodbye”.

THE STORY OF US

“ I always thought you were the BEST

I guess I'll always WILL."

It’s sad how it ended before I knew it. One day we were best friends and the next time i see, we’re merely two people rooming together. I remember how you were the scrawny freshman in the university who wore that huge clothing. 'You remember when I was the struggling yuppy who was enthusiast about getting a career and having it my own way and you supported it though. Before then we would indulge in each other’s company because you were that young brother I never had and I was the most loyal friend you’d ever find. One day we cant stop talking, I cant stop laughing, but the next thing I notice, I’m more of a sideshow than a main show. We walk in silence, live in silence, and have distrust between us. Can you remember when was the last time we talk  about "us"? Oh clearly we are OVER but the sad part is that I don’t really remember when it ended. All I know now is that it's time to LET YOU GO. Yes, I never leave you — I let you go instead. And it pains a lot knowing that if I turned my back from that very night on the park where we used to dream of visiting together there could never be another HELLO for the two of us. I loved you man and I know we’re both moving on to bigger and better things, but damn, I know I was silly contented on just being with you and just having you around me in those years that gone by.

"I finished crying in the instant that you left & I can't remember where or when or  how & I banished every memory you and I had ever made"

Even though everything had ended, I didn’t regret it. I never regretted it, not for one second. All the nitty gritty of our story, the promises, surprises, failure, acceptance, our strong faith, those weaving of dreams and that countless "starting all over again" yes. picking up where we left or whether we fell off our feet and all sort of silliness and simply that bumming inside our room the entire day. Everything means a lot in every ways that you will never know.

How do you regret one of the best days of your life?   
You don’t.   
You remember every word, every look, every inch of those moments. 
Even when it hurts,
you still remember.

"And now, the STORY of US Looks like a TRAGEDY Now."

The END.

Unbearable / Unbreakable

..."Truly, you must treasure each day that you are with your select friends.friends are there for you for better or worst, and they would stick wid you being the last friend you would want him to be.you take care of each other and i wish you all the BEST.stay happy as i do know you are shall i say happier?..." #OA 

Those lines above are profound, I had received the message sometime last year and honestly am so much bewildered with the words I got unsolicitedly  coming from that (unexpected) sender. But still I tried to give back my words with a clear and innocent intention from my heart. Chance came by that I crossed over the same letter and now having my self to react in some context of those lines. 'Coz right now I think our pages has been stripped apart and preluded to different directions. Now am in the look for someone who could possibly fill the pieces of me that has been taken for granted over the years. Someone to stick with me through my best and worst and someone who would opt to stay with me in his jubilation and battles.

'Been too much engaged now with my work, organizations, and a lot of activities that charges my everyday with mount of task and crafts to make. It makes me more occupied in such way, it diverts my self to be more productive, acknowledge those capabilities that I have within, and advance to being at my full best of what I can give.

Still, time tells until when you can evade the loss in your heart. The spaces inside it that probe even yourself, what has been missing all this time. And at the end of the day that part of my self still reign and uncover my emptiness. Like the nigh it's shaded by the dark sky above and the sun that hid in the other side of the world. I couldn't wait any longer for the sun to surge back, I tried to close my eyes hoping that when I open it I could instantly see that everything will turn right and well. B u t   i t   w a s n ' t   t h  a t   c l o s e ...

The 2010 Taiwan Film Festival @ the Shang/ Movie Schedule

Manila, Philippines -Shangri-La Plaza Mall continues its parade of international film festivals with a look into the burgeoning Taiwanese cinema industry, open to the public from September 23 to 28. Here’s a look at the lineup:

__________________________
The standout of this festival is probably Orz Boyz (Jiong nan hai, Yang Ya-che, 2008). The film tells the story of two boys dubbed Liars No. 1 and No. 2, who get up to all sorts of mischief as they imagine a world larger than their own. What starts out as a shaggy tale of a couple of young rascals grows to something more as the film starts to explore the roots of their mischief. Running parallel to all the fantastic images of the boy’s adventures is a down-to-earth story of kids just trying to deal with the hand that their lives dealt them. Holding this film together are great performances from the two young leads, Li Kuan-I and Pan Chin-yu, who seem to have been born to be in front of the camera.

You might want to check out Yang Yang (Cheng Yu-Chieh, 2009) if only to be introduced to the lovely Sandrine Pinna, who is emerging as one of the most promising young actresses in the world. Here she plays the titular character, a French-Taiwanese girl who grew up never knowing her father, thrust into the entertainment industry for the novelty of her ethnicity, despite having no real connection to the European side of her heritage. Director Cheng seems to be making a career of depicting the strangeness of the entertainment industry, and his gentle, unobtrusive camera presents the perfect vantage point to all the quiet drama in his character’s lives. The script doesn’t quite deliver on its promise, but Pinna continues to be someone to watch.

I’ve already spoken at length about Cape No. 7 (Hái-kak chhit-ho, Wei Te-Shang, 2008) back when it screened earlier this year at the Chinese Spring Film Festival. In this lineup, it remains one of the warmest crowd pleasers available to audiences, mixing themes of music, romance and cultural identity with a story that brings attention to an important issue in Taiwan. Again, the film as a whole is a little long, but its charm is undeniable.

The same focus on small town life can be found in two other films in the festival. Our Island, Our Dreams (Tong Chan-yu, 2009) uses the beautiful island of Kinmen as a backdrop for a story of young love. Three lifelong best friends have their relationship tested, as the two young men in the group develop feelings for their blossoming female best friend. Meanwhile, a soldier with romantic intentions comes in to complicate things further. Despite its picturesque setting, the film isn’t particularly cinematic, but its easy (albeit melodramatic) tale of romance might appeal to fans of Asian serials.


The gorgeous East coast of Taiwan serves as the star of Fishing Luck (Deng dai fei yu, Tseng Wen-Chen, 2005), which tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a Taiwanese aborigine. The film hints at bigger issues surrounding Taiwan’s aboriginal population, but it mostly sticks to happier things, playing things out as a fairly entertaining romantic comedy. Likable performances makes it all perfectly palatable.

Katharine McPhee - Terrified (with lyrics)

P O S T

CONFIDENT SMiLE - with TLC

here's a BIG SMiLE fr all of us.. I'm not forgetting to share and show the world that in times of our nations crisis.. it's not bad new at all timhere's a BIG SMiLE fr all of us.. I'm not forgetting to share and show the world that in times of our nations crisis.. it's not bad news at all times and we're not bad though.. Showing you a goofy pause of my team after being involve into a tree planting activity at the eco reserve site - La Mesa Watershed. This loads of commitment activities for our nation and environment always gives me a hundred reason to SMILE and share it to everyone. This is My Passion, this is My Life - sooo laveht!

Related Photos: Flash that Confident Smile


tinikyzda ><((;>

To My Dearest Lawyer: Atty. DGR

Some of the happiest times of my life Are times U and I spend together.
For deep in my heart I've considered you special- One of my dearest friends ever...
Time after time I've enjoyed your nice company, Warmed by your closeness we share.
And when there were days for us to catch up and talk over chocolates and wine "oh well, that was sooo awesome" <3…

Time and again I've been ever so grateful
For having a good friend like you- A friend for all times, to confide in, to count on, and treasure a whole lifetime through.
And now, let me greet you in a very major major way - Cheers to this day - you deserve to be really bless in many ways...
Happy Birthday!!! ^_^

tinikyzda 8/26 2010

Postscript To Quirino Grandstand Bloodbath - Manila Philippines

"I fear for how the hostage siege came to an end
and what could it bring.
I fear for my love ones.
I fear for my family.
I fear for my country men.
And I fear for our country."
I will come home.

SAUDI ARABIA must release or charge activist critical of the authorities

Saudi Arabian human rights defender and Shi’a Muslim rights activist Munir Baqir al-Jessas has been detained since November 2009, possibly for his criticism of the authorities' treatment of the Shi’a community in Saudi Arabia. More than seven months later no charges have been brought against him and he remains detained without trial.

Munir al-Jessas is reported to have been arrested for writing articles that he published online advocating greater respect for human rights in Saudi Arabia, particularly the rights of the minority Shi’a community.

He was arrested on the morning of 8 November 2009 at his workplace in Dammam, a city in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province, and a few hours later security police searched his home, confiscated two laptop computers, a digital camera, and a hard disc.

A week after the arrest of Munir al-Jessas, his sister,
Bayan al-Jassas,is reported to have been summoned to the offices of the General Investigation (al-Mabahith al-‘Ama) for questioning after she helped publish an article criticizing the government’s treatment of the Shi’a community in Saudi Arabia.

She is said to have been questioned for six hours and
permitted to leave the office of al-Mabahith al-‘Ama only after she agreed to sign a declaration pledging to cease writing about or publicizing the issue.

Munir al-Jessas is currently held at the prison run by al-Mabahith al-‘Ama in Dammam. He is reported to have been held in solitary confinement for the first four months during which his wife was permitted to visit him only rarely, but he is now no longer in solitary confinement and his family is able to visit him regularly.

Amnesty International is concerned that Munir al-Jessas may be a prisoner of conscience detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and for his promotion of human rights. If so, he should be released immediately and unconditionally.

Otherwise, the Saudi Arabian authorities should ensure that he is brought to trial promptly and fairly on recognizable criminal charges and without the possibility of the death penalty.

((( TAKE ACTION:

1.9.8.3

I have always raced through life
Hoping to catch d answers on d way
But only I crossed countless questions
A question to question... suffocates
I tried to steal life forwarding
But slowly it pulls me backward
I flee d scratches in my hand
So clearly I can read my palm
Thirteen, Eighteen come Twenty-two
Older years denied long confusion
But when I thought I never understand life
It drives on to understand my ways

repost fr previous date : tinikyzda 9/3/2006 - tinikyzda 9/3/2006 -

Hasta La Proxima Vez

A nostalgic feeling over last night's dinner with my "best" bestfriend. Then on the next table one of the cast of x-men (trying to cover-up his face with the table glass divider) with his then girlfriend wannabe, but now his gotta-be wify..Plus our winning over those mouth watering cravings --, and just eat as in FOR ME was "a lot" more.. Ending our night from those old rhyming stories of so seven years way back.




The sad thing is that we need to say goodbye, so to end the night.


... days really went so fast... that in whatever way we catch things up and after all the scratches we made, we still find our selves in a new horizon and each leading to different path.


But, what's good with this goodbye is that we're given a chance to say "Hi" again,,,


For, as both of us would always say before (and as always).. Hasta La Próxima Vez!

(-_-)

Taking Trip to Puerto G.

Had my first ever nature and fun tripping to Puerto Galera on March 20-21, 2010.. It wasn't peak season yet but the following week will be the start of the summer hike rates. So I was advised by Ms. Edna (my local  contact) to take my booking ahead before the peak season.

But I know u can make bola •v• Ms.Edna (#09185207586) so your on your way to get fair discounts for lodging if ever you got your schred's cleared on a peak season.. I got the ROOM for PHP1500(1 night for 24 hrs) so that's 12:00nn-12nn(d following day), but I get additional 3 hrs stay for free (that should be PHP100 / per additional extended hrs).. 1500 for a room that is really more of a transient for 4 pax, not to mention it's airconditioned.

I stayed at Sheryll’s Inn it has 2beds both are queen size.. Take note: It is more advisable to get there as groups because rooms are cheaper as you get a family room and you would all share with the stuff to be paid. .. I can actually get the room for 1k a night if I would stay for another 1 day or if I will be there during the weekdays ( that was Ms.Edna's bargain).

Let's go to other fees to be  considered. Sa fare fr Manila, • Buendia to Batangas Port Php166.50 for the Bus fare Boat ticket fr • Batangas to White Beach(Puerto) cost PHP450(balikan) (Php250 one way) .. additional PHP50 for • Environmental fee,, PHP50 again for • Terminal fee.. then fr • White beach bound to Batangas Port another PHP10 for Exit fee.. (Again these figures are base on this day and year 2010)

**these are in different payment booths so break ur money and break your groups if your a group and line-up at the same time in different payment booths (if naghahabol kayo ng earlier take off)..

I had my departure fr BUENDIA at 7AM then at around 9am^_^ I was already checking in at the Batangas PORT. Time was just enough to work on my ticket payments then TAKEOFF fr the port is 9:45AM, I think the next take off is 11AM (I was actually expecting to meet the next take off  upon my review with the transportation allotment via buendia-batangas, luckily the traffic was cleared that morning). So by 9:45take off - ARRIVAL is 11am at the WHITE BEACH so allotted time is like two hours.

All the activities are either expensive or affordable, depending on your bargaining skills with the tourist guides and marketers or what we sometime call the "tawad" talent ^_^

Like SNORKELING for 2 is PHP1500 still not the cheapest rate thou,, but we agreed to the price of PHP600 each in a group of ten.. (just make your self friendly so u can hitch into groups if you're a loner tourist just like me)

Kaso di natuloy,coz the next day we opted to visit the
ANINUAN Falls(entrance is P20),, so trecking and pisikalan ang labanan pla dun before mo maakyat ung falls heheh price for this package is PHP300 (package), that’s our fee to our TOUR GUIDE Mang DELIO(#09214740341-he’s also the Boatman sa snorkeling),
there is a TRICYCLE FEE of PHP200(Balikan fr likod ng White beach to entrance ng forest). No available food up the mountain and the falls so bring as much as you needed. There were some nice people who shared their food in my growling tummy ^__^

There is a Banana boat for PHP200
Jetski I think is PHP3500/hr

Massage PHP200
Hairdo (braid ba un???) PHP200 din
Henna for PHP100minimun

Food are also affordable i think just the same price in Manila mall foodcourts
..
Public CR cost(P10_ along d beach - beside Pizza Hut and at the back of GarlicRice All U want).. or you can opt to go back to your own room to use your facilities.. Or hanapin nyo lang ung White beach Resort dun lang din banda Free restroom dun, pra sana sa customers nila pro wla nmang peaker.

then lastly just enjoy ur vacai, be nice to everyone there coz they're awesomely nice^_^ and steal a lot of scenes and take them home with your cam, that would be incredibly amazing years from now :)

Ang Dating Daan ..Namin (80's baby)

Habang umiinom ng chokolate ramdam ko ang init nito na di napapawi sa simpleng pag-ihip lang. Ang pait at tamis nito may dinadalang larawan ng nakaraan. Inumpisahan ko sa isang tanong..

"nagluluto ba kayo ng champorado?", haay ako talagang namimiss ko na iyong pagluluto talaga ng ganun sa Bulakan.

"Oo nman", si Kuya Rey. 

"Madalas yan habang umuulan tapos madalas pa noon magbrown-out, doon kami kakain malapit sa bintana yung tipong may hamog na medyo pumapasok pa sa loob ng bahay ninyo." Parang sa kwento niya, katabi nya ako doon nakikikain kasi ganun din mismo ang pangyayari sa alaala ko nung mga bata pa kami ng mga kapatid ko.

dagdag nman ni Macoy, "tapos gagawa pa kami ng yema." "paulit-ulit yon hanggang ma-perfect nmin yon(ibig sabihin napatigas yung yema)."

Ako nman bumida ulit, "e ito, yung polboron nakagawa ba kayo nun?" tumatawa ako habang nagtatanong, naaalala ko kasi yun iyong gatas at asukal na paghahaluin mo tapos pipilitin mong magkorteng polboron gaya ng nabibili mo sa tindahan. At nasa usapang gatas nlang din lang, nagbidahan naman kami ng kung gaano kadaming pulbong gatas(halimbawa nito birtch tree o bear brand) ang pinupudpod nmin sa ibabaw ng champorado tapos kakainin nmin yon ng hindi hinahalo. Hmmm masarap talaga. Isa lang ang hindi ko masakyan hanggang ngayon, iyon yung champorado na pinaparesan ng isdang tuyo na alam kong marami sa inyo na ito ang pinagpapareha.

Paglipas ng ilan pang kwentuhan, isa pa itong eksayting na tanong ko sa kanila. Itatanong ko na din sa inyong mga nagbabasa.

 "Naalala nyo pa ba yung free na chikadiz sa chiskerls?"

Si Macoy napaisip pa, pero natuwa talaga ako kasi pare-pareho kaming naalala pa iyon. O hindi mo maalala? Hindi ko din maalala iyong pangalan ng chiskerls na iyon, pero ang nasa alaala ko nasa paketeng asul at minsan pula iyon. Pero ang eksayting nga doon para sa aming mga bata noon ay iyong free na "chikadiz". Eto iyong maliit na makulay na goma, parang jelly at pa igloo ang korte. Pagibinaligtad mo ang porma at kasunod ay bibitawan ng biglaan tatalbog iyon. Heheh ang simple ng katuwaan nmin noh?.

Isa pang ipinaalala ko ay iyong tao-tauhan, minsan monster o dragon pa iyon. Jelly color din iyon na gawa sa goma. Ang sabi ng tindero kapag ibinabad iyon ng magdamag sa tubig kinabukasan lalaki ito. At para mas epektib iyong "marketing" niya, mayroong planggana na may tubig sa tabi niya. Nakalublob duon iyong tao-tauhan na aba malaki nga. At salamat kay kuya Rey nalaman ko na ngayon na yung mga ganun pla sa planggana ng tindero ay ibinabad na talaga ng ganoon kalaki. (loser).

At ang isang haylayt ng "dating-daan" nmin... humawak muna kayo sa kinauupuan niyo lalo na kung nasa edad 20-40 kayo. Sigorado kasi na ang bawat isa sa atin ay nag-alaga ng "kisses". "Alaga" kasi padadamihin mo iyon. Ilalagay mo sa bulak para manganak ng maradi. At kung gahaman ka sa pagdami ng alaga mong kisses, may teknik pa na pupolbohan mo iyong mga iyon bago ibalot sa bulak. Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung nanganganak nga ba talaga iyong mga kisses ko kasi sa sobrang dami noon hindi ko mabigyan ng oras na bilangin pa iyon. Pero sige parin ako sa pagsakay sa mga ritwal na paglalagay sa bulak.

Dumako nman kami sa larong kalye. Ngayon kasi series ng manga magazine ang sinusubaybayan ng mga kabataan. Noon iyong "text" de-numero iyon pagnapagsunod sunod mo ang bilang magkakaroon ka ng libreng kwento tungkol sa "now showing" sa mga sinehan. Kadamaikling scene nina sharon at rudy susubaybayan mo na parang komiks. Pero 'di ganoon kadaling kumpletohin iyon. Kailangan mong ilaban ng pitik sa kalye iyong mismo mong text para mapadami iyon.  Malas mo kung ibang pelikula ang naibigay sayo ng kalaro mo, heheh.

At ang sad ending ng isa pang laruan ay ito. Ang dating pagulong-gulong sa kalsada o sa sahig ng bahay niyo na "jolens" ay iniimbak nlang sa magagarang plorera ngayon kasama ng bulaklak. Ito na ang nagsisilbing lupa at pandagdag palamuti sa salas niyo. Eh dati pag nakita iyon ng nanay mong nakabalandra sa salas  eh binti mo ang mapapalamutian ng nanay mo dahil sa palo ng tingting.

Pang huling isasalo ko sa inyo mula sa aming kwentong dating daan: Slumbook turned  Friendster. Dati matindi ang eksaytment na hulaan kung sino nga ba sa inyo ang crush ng pinaka gwapo na pinag-sagot mo sa slumbook mo. Basta sa tanung na describe him/her? ang nakasagot eh: with fair complexion, kahit sobra ka sa itim kikiligin ka pa din kasi may mataas ang lebel ng fighting spirit mo na kasama ka sa fair complexion skin. Ngayon sa friendster hulaan mo nlang sa 6 na featured friends nya kung sinu doon dahil malamang sa hindi naroon iyon. Tapos ang pinakaaabangan mong pahina sa Slumbook ay ang "dedication". Yeeheeeee for sure may 14344 doon iyong mga nagkakagustuhan at sabay e-wiwish mo pa na sana hindi iyon ma-decode ng kaeskwela mo(bwahahah)(u wish!). Sa bagong teknolohiya ngayon literal na "twinkle in your eyes" ang makikita mo dahil sa testimonial o guestbook ng inteernet account mo mayroong glitter text na nagsasabing "I miss u, love u, mwah-mwah, hugsss"...

Siguro ang mga kabataan ngayon malaki ang bilib sa teknolohiya at globalisasyon, dahil inangat sila nito sa lipunan at nailigtas sa "jologs" na gawi namin noon. Pero sa lahat ng mga pinagdaanan nmin noon masasabi ko na naging napakasaya ng kabataan ko. Kinabahan ako sa maraming posibilidad na pagagalitan ako ng magulang ko dala ng kyoryosidad, pinawisan at napagod sa paghahanap ng ibat ibang natatanging kulay ng kisses , umiyak dahil sa pagbaligtad ng kuya ko ngchikadiz sa pusod ko at dumikit sa loob ng pusod iyong itim na dumi ng goma, nasugatan sa kagat ng aso dahil sa larong kalye at wala pa nmang glutathione soap noong araw kaya magpahanggang ngayon may iniwang marka ng katangahan ang kagat na iyon sa kaliwang binti ko.. Pero hindi iyon naging kakulangan para lalo akong tumibay, maging madiskarte at matiisin at gumandang matagumpay. Heheh.

Dating daan mo rin ba ito? Kung nabibilang ka sa amin, sige nga ano ang isinagot mo sa tanong ng slumbook na who is your first love? at panu mo binibilang ang text mo?

 photos attached

ALL-LEAVE-ber's

   

 

Twas the night with mt old friends on a free word of "TGIF",,, we lush our selves with fine dine-in(should I call it that way?) of a hmmm?? okay tasty treat at Oliver's Super Sandwiches (loc. at 2f Megamall bldg.A), where we had our unfair share of unwanted organic creature( maybe b'coz of the vegies included into the bacon sandwich). Anyway, damage has been done and with guilt in my self now that we did not bother to inform the service crew about that tingy. Okay it's more acceptable and maybe less ewee than those that the fear factor sixtig had eaten on their challenges, lol. But what about the review over the net that goes: Oliver's Super Sandwiches offer a clean and healthy lifestyle in dining with a wide range of wholesome product choice from inspired sandwiches to tempting baked potatoes, pastas and freshly made salads.

After almost an hour of the side bar knick-knacks over our platers and of course "pictorial", which is one great part of this get together thing. We walk our feet door-to-door doing window shopping (my hatest part). Getting my eyes soak over the guy-to-wear stuff. Oh well, it's the guy thing matters then since I am with male friends. Them, getting my opinion doesn't trouble me at all, since I love doing match making of people and d'stuff. But a long walk surely bothers me b'coz of my condition (what else but health issues).

Thank God the mall sent a feel of near to closing time. Major lights were turned off, some store closes their doors and people became in a hurry mode. Heheh, well we can't hurry-up. I'm not good in the application of the word R-U-S-H! Kuya Rey was even holding both my side shoulder while we get-in down the escalator as if he was carrying the whole of my weight.  So for me not to really spoil their night, getting their eyes on me somehow could also feel my aura, "tired" as I am. I ask them if we could at least seat at the open donut shop for a while just to get back some air.

A set of hot chocolate and two pancake donuts was serve to each of us (one at a time). Sweet, lushious and really smell delicious. One thing is not in place. The theme of our meal, it's soo soo "good morning dear".  Heheh..  But still it doesn't spoil our night. We had a good last chitchats until we head our way home and give each other a mwah! mwah! beso...

The end.  No, here's some part of our cutest and remarkable kwentuhan. (click the link).

Photos attached