Wordless Wednesday: MAJESTY

The monicker of America's Largest Home is indeed well-deserved by the Biltmore Castle, a 250-room home for the Vanderbilt family nestled in an 8,000-acre (32,000 sq km) property in continuous operation since 1895.

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, December 2009, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: WHITE

A warm welcome by way of a huge snow storm greeted us on our first full day on holiday in the U.S. While we didn't get to our destination in Tennessee because of the worsening driving conditions, being trapped in a Holiday Inn wasn't bad, not bad at all. At least the drivers of these vehicles, fellow snow refugees, were warm and comfy.

Asheville, December 2009, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: FAST

The Reedy River Falls in downtown Greenville, South Carolina is a fantastic respite from the hustle and bustle of this burgeoning but still a bit laid back city. The best way to enjoy the frenetic waters is by traversing the Liberty Bridge, which in itself is a sight to behold.

(How speedily time flies! When this post automatically goes online, I would be somewhere traveling in the United States, possibly walking over the Reedy River Falls, after not having done so for the last three years. Have a Merry Christmas, everyone! [Especially to those who wander into my site from the blogs of The Poor Mouth, Napaboaniya, and CrizCats.])

downtown Greenville, South Carolina, January 2007, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: PASKONG PINOY (Christmas, the Filipino Way)

Ang Paskong Pinoy ay lalo pang pinatitingkad ng mga palamuting natatangi, tulad ng ating sariling pagturing sa karaniwang Christmas tree. Habang hindi naman laganap sa ating bansa ang orihinal na ginagawang Christmas tree- ang punong pine- ang ating pagkamalikhain ang nagtutulak sa atin na gumawa ng kahalintulad na simbolo. Ang Christmas tree na ito, nakatindig sa gitna ng Lunsod ng Cebu, ay gawa sa ilang mga lokal na materyales na kinabibilangan ng (kung hindi ako nagkakamali) mga pamaypay na anahaw. At ang nasa pinakatuktok, kung sa ibang bansa ay anghel or Bituin ni David, ay ang Poong Santo Nino naman, nakatanod, nakagabay, nagbabasbas sa lahat ng Kanyang natatanaw at nakakatanaw sa Kanya.

PASKONG PINOY = CHRISTMAS, THE FILIPINO WAY

Christmas in the Philippines is made even glitzier by decorations that we adapt to our own worldview. While the usual Christmas tree made from pine or other coniferous trees are species not widespread in the country, our creativity has inspired us to celebrate using this holiday symbol but with a local flavor. If my vision serves me right, this Christmas tree towering in the center of one of Cebu City's major rotundas, is made from (among other ingredients) leaves of the indigenous anahaw plant. At the very top of the tree, where an angel or the Star of David would usually reside, an image of the Infant Jesus of Cebu stands instead, blessing all and sundry.

Fuente Osmena, Cebu City, November 2006, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: EFFERVESCENT

Surrounded by a plethora of Spanish moss-laden trees, the Fountain in Forsyth Park complements the rich history that abounds in Savannah. This 151-year old water feature sits in the first large park created in the city known for its well-planned infrastructure layout. I love their sense of patrimony made manifest through the ardent preservation of centuries-old edifices.

Forsyth Park and Fountain, Savannah, May 2008, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: UNDESIRABLE

I am not a fan of driving through a downpour: the rains create conditions of poor visibility, puddles slow vehicles down, chaos is inevitable. To amuse myself while trapped in the traffic jam, I'd sing my lungs out along with whatever music the CD or FM radio bursts forth.

Now THAT is undesirable.

Makati City, July 2009, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: HILING (Wish)

Ang larawan sa itaas ang isang pangkaraniwang tahanan sa Maguindanao, makikita habang binabagtas ang pangunahing lansangan na nag-uugnay sa Lungsod ng Cotabato sa Lungsod ng Heneral Santos. Sa mga mumunting bahay na ito tumitira sa sadlak na kahirapan ang mga naitaboy sa kani-kanilang mga lupa at tahanan ng labanan ng gobyerno at ilang mga armadong grupo- away na wala silang kinalaman. At sa gitna ng kahirapang ito, ang mga magagarbong rotonda (tulad ng larawan sa ibaba) ay umuusbong, mga altar para sa mga umaarteng panginoon sa lugar, ang ngalan nila nagsisimula sa "Z-U-A" at "G-M-A"...

Nawa'y magkaroon ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa Maguindanao at sa buong bansa. Nawa'y matamo ng mga naulilang pamilya ang katarungan sa sinapit nilang delubyo. Nawa'y umusbong ang isang sambayanang nananalangin, nakikilahok, naninindigan.

HILING = WISH

The top photo depicts a typical home in Maguindano, a common vista along the national highway connecting the cities of Cotabato and General Santos. In these tiny homes live families displaced by war between government forces and armed groups in the area- a war that these families have got absolutely nothing to do with. And yet amidst this abject poverty, ostentatious plazas emerge (like the one photographed below), virtual altars to those who claim to be the lords of the area, with names that begin with "Z-U-A" and "G-M-A"...

May there be peace and progress in Maguindanao and the entire country. May the families orphaned by the Maguindanao massacre find the justice they so richly deserve. May we emerge from all this tragedy as a nation that prays more, participates more, and believes more.



passing through Maguindanao, March 2009, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: CURVED

Home for two million pieces of art spanning past five thousand years of humanity is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This almost-120-year-old building, itself a masterpiece, has two million square feet of cavernous halls and intimate spaces that complement perfectly the Monets and the mummies residing within them.

1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
Information: 212-535-7710

New York City, April 2008, using a digicamera.

Litratong Pinoy: HUDYAT (Signal)

Dati, pagkatapos pa ng Undas makikita ang mga palamuting pang-Pasko. Subali't ngayon- siguro sa nakaraang 10, 15 taon, paaga nang paaga ang pagsulpot ng mga parol, kumukutitap na ilaw, at mga Belen. Natutuwa ako na sa harap ng mga pansariling at panlipunang suliranin ng ating bansa, eto- tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko.

HUDYAT = SIGNAL

Before, Christmas decors were hung days after All Saints' and All Souls' Day were commemorated. In the last 10, 15 years, however, lanterns, twinkling lights, and Nativity scenes were put on display earlier and earlier. I am immensely gratified, though, that in spite of all personal and collective tragedies our nation has endured and survived, Christmas is definitely happening, its spirit is just unstoppable.

Along the South Super Highway in Makati City, October 2009, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: TECHNOLOGY

This photo sums up for me where and how technology has made the most impact on humanity: modalities for travel, construction (especially of skyscrapers), harnessing the power of nature (like water), and mass media (including photography).

beside a busy rush hour Jakarta thoroughfare, 2007, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: RISKY

I honestly felt ok, safe even, when my uncle and I traversed the Big Apple by way of its extensive subterranean train system. But this station, I feel, is where Capulets pass through with caution.

a New York City subway station, May 2008, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: BIRD(S)

Known as the home of the Philippines' top duck-raising farms and the consequent Filipino duck embryo delicacy called Balut, the town of Victoria honors this magnificent yet humble feathered friend with a huge monument that cannot be missed by any visitor passing along the national highway.

town of Victoria, province of Laguna, October 2009, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: DESCENT

A pair of fisher-folk "begin" their "day," their boat get juxtaposed with a huge ship against the backdrop of an even more massively beautiful setting sun...

view of the Manila Bay from Roxas Boulevard, Manila, November 2009, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: MUSIC

This is the University of the Philippines Carillon Tower, a massive 130-foot monument housing 49 bells that produce iconic chimes in the Philippine national university's main campus. This tower and the original set of 46 bells were gifts of University alumni in 1952 dedicated to the spirit of graduates, to those who are still living and to those already in the Great Beyond. The Carillon Tower has been given new lease on life with the celebration of the University's Centennial in 2008, with a new set of 49 bells and a sturdier oak clavier, the wooden keyboard-like instrument used to make the bells create beautiful melodies.

The U.P. Carillon- the only one of its kind in the Philippines and Southeast Asia- is known to play a wide variety of songs on appointed times throughout most days- from the University Hymn to Beatles songs to now very timely Christmas tunes- enjoyed by students and residents almost wherever they maybe in the 390-plus-hectare campus.

University of the Philippines, Quezon City, December 2007, using a digicam.

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No music is as sweet or welcome as the sound of great health! Click on the icon below to learn more about the burgeoning problem of diabetes as we celebrate World Diabetes Day today, November 14th.

PhotoHunt: MILITARY/VETERANS

A young Finnish man at the central railway station in Helsinki (Helsingin rautatieasema) coming from or going to his military duty. Finland practices universal male conscription where "All men above 18 years of age are liable to serve either six, nine or twelve months..." (from Wikipedia).

In the Philippines, we have a professional armed forces system where men and women get to be employed full time. There was a four-semester mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) training for all male university students until the early 2000s. Students- both male and female- can still choose to undergo ROTC but emphasis is now placed more on the National Service Training Program whereby they have to participate in seemingly more benign but nonetheless essential community service work, eg volunteering in hospitals, becoming teacher aides in pre-schools, helping in village clean-up drives, among others.

Helsinki, August 2007, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: BAG

The Hunter hoists it newly bagged prey while standing guard on the Hameensilta Bridge, accompanied by the latter's three other sentinels- the Maiden Finland, the Tax Collector, and the Merchant. All four are creations of pre-eminent Finnish artist Waino Aaltonen.

City of Tampere, Finland, August 2007, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: TIED

The wires for electricity, telephone, and cable television look like a tangled mess that for now co-exist peacefully. But I fear this maybe a dangerous situation for which community residents and leaders must act together and promptly.

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Another such concern is the issue needing concerted community effort is the dangers of excessive carbon emission and its harmful effects on the environment. Please watch the video below and spread the word about the magic number of 3-5-0.



Taguig City, October 2009,using a digicam.

Monochrome Monday: FOR WHOM THE (MISSING) BELLS TOLL

Where are the real, original Bells of Balangiga? Click here please to find out and help return them to the Philippines.

town of Balangiga, Province of Samar, September, 2006, using my digicam.

PhotoHunt: (FREE WEEK)

After a series of damaging weather disturbances, we have only our faith and spirit of cooperation to rely on to help our country get back on its feet and move forward.

One of the most popular sites for expression of this shared faith is the Basilica Del Santo Nino in Cebu City. This 274-year old church houses a half-a-millennium-old image of the Infant Jesus given to Queen Juana by the first Spaniards to land on the shores of the Philippines. Every January, the city converts itself into a massive staging area of various devotional activities expressed through song and dance, punctuated by shouts of "Viva! Santo Nino!"

The image itself is quite diminutive; it doesn't look an inch taller than one foot. However, that it survived being burned in a fire and helped spare the island of Cebu from war and natural disasters over the centuries have made it bigger in the eyes of locals and devotees.

These locals and devotees of the Infant Jesus in Cebu have a special way of bidding Him farewell before they leave His presence in the Basilica: with one arm outstretched to the air, palm facing the image, they would wave this arm ever so gently from side to side, as if to catch His attention, to feel His blessings even if afar and take these home with them, with an unspoken promise to come back and visit His home again...

view from the Pilgrim Center, Basilica Del Santo Nino De Cebu, Cebu City, October 2009, using a digicam.

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change / Litratong Pinoy: MAAGAP (Timely)

Bagaman maraming haka-haka sa dahilan ng kanilang pagkawala sa ibabaw ng mundo, sa dulo ng lahat ay ayaw kong danasin ng sangkatauhan ang kapalaran ng mga dinosaur. Sa bilis ng pagkawasak ng ating kalikasan sa harap ng ating bulagsak na pamumuhay, tayong mga tao rin ang lumalason sa ating pagkukunan ng pagkain, maiinom, at mapagkakakitaan. Ang kakaibang panahon at klima ay nagbabadya ng hindi magandang pangitain para sa ating kinabukasan. Ang panahon ng maagap na pagkilos ay ngayon na.

May magagawa pa tayo upang pangalagaan ang ating mundo! Narito ang ilang mungkahi:

1. Sumakay ng bus o LRT/MRT imbis na gumamit ng sariling sasakyan.
2. Kung mahangin at maaraw rin lang naman, isampay na agad ang mga nilabhan kaysa gamitin ang spinner o dryer ng washing machine.
3. Kapag hindi na ginagamit ang computer o anumang appliance, patayin na ito nang tuluyan.

Ang iba pang maaaring gawin ay makikita sa listahan ng Time Magazine na The Global Warming Survival Guide.

Sabi nga ng Simabahang Lingkod ng Bayan- Manalangin, Makialam, Manindigan- para sa bayan at sa sangkatauhan.

MAAGAP = TIMELY

There are many theories about how and why they departed from the earth; but one thing is for sure: I do not want humanity to suffer the fate of the dinosaurs. Sadly, the rate of environmental degradation reflects our utter lack of respect for our food, water, and livelihood resources. The erratic weather patterns and climate changes are red flags already that something is not quite right. The time for decisive action is now.

It's not yet too late. We can still do something to help fend off climate change, even in our own small ways. Here's how:

1. Ride the bus or any other mass transport instead of bringing your own vehicle.
2. Whenever it is windy and/or sunny outside, dry clothes on the clotheslines instead of using you washing machine's spinner or dryer.
3. Shutdown your computer or any other appliance and pull the plug when they are no longer in use.

More ways to be a hero for the environment can be found in TIME Magazine's The Global Warming Survival Guide.

As the mantra of the Catholic Church organization's Sabi nga ng Simabahang Lingkod ng Bayan goes: Pray, Participate, Make a Stand- for the nation and the planet.

American Museum of Natural History, New York City, May 2008, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: SPORTS

This blog is primarily intended to share the best of what I've seen in my journeys near and far. As I revisit my past posts, I often featured places or objects therein that caught my eye and made me think and/or warranted sharing. Usually places, usually objects, hardly any people made it to my posts.

But if there were Olympics for kindheartedness, for selflessness, for speed in packing relief goods or sorting through hygiene kits, these students would surely earn the gold medal. Hours after Tropical Storm ONDOY ceased pummeling the capital, they were already hard at work collecting food items, clothes, bottled water, among other necessities. Facebook status messages and Tweets were ablaze with call for help and voluntarism. They eased the pain of a disaster (which have likewise damaged many of their own homes) by their sheer will power to be of service to others.

I look to many directions for worthy features that showcase how beautiful work of human hands can be. Theirs' is arguably the finest =]

inside the University of the Philippines College of Medicine Dela Paz Hall / Medical Students' Union building, Manila, September 2009, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: TAMAD (Lazy)

Kapag nasa isang bakasyon, maaaring maging isang hilong talilong at ikutin ang lahat ng mga dapat bisitahing museo, parke, tindahan, atbp. O maaari rin namang magtulog lang maghapon sa hotel...

Sa isang seryosong banda-

Ang pagtawag sa isang tao (o aso!) bilang "tamad" ang isa sa mga pinakaayaw kong pagsasalarawan. Naniniwala ako na may mas malalim na paliwanag sa likod ng bawat sinasabing "katamaran"- pagod, takot, kamangmangan, malabong panuto- kaya ang inaasahang pagkilos ay hindi nakikita. Ang pagtawag sa isang tao (o aso!) bilang tamad ay paraan ng pag-ismid sa sitwasyon, pagkibit ng balikat, pagsuko na na wala nang magagawa- "e tamad sila." Kung mauungkat lamang natin ang tunay na dahilan sa kawalan o kabagalan ng pagkilos, matutuon natin ang ating lakas upang tugunan ang natatanging dahilan/mga dahilan upang mahikayat natin ang kanilang mas matamang pastisipasyon =]

TAMAD = LAZY When on vacation, you can act like Speedy Gonzalez and make a whirlwind tour of all museums, parks, shops, and convert everything to a must-see sight. Or you can just stay in your hotel room and spend an entire day in bed...

On a more serious note-

I resent anybody (including dogs) being labeled as lazy. I believe there is always a deeper reason why a person or animal does not act in the manner, speed, or timing s/he/it is expected to. Inaction may be because of fear, tiredness, poor instruction/direction. To label somebody as "lazy" is to take on a defeatist attitude, akin to saying "they're lazy and we can't do anything about it." If we shift our energies towards uncovering what lies beneath the seeming inaction, we can implement specific measures to increase active participation =]

Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay City, February 2007, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: WORDS

Unless you were a submarine or at least an amphibious vehicle, there was really no reason or way for any land vehicle to park in front of the Medical Students' Union building the previous Saturday as Tropical Storm Ondoy (International Name: Ketsana) unleashed its torrential rains in the Philippines. I believe at the height of the storm, the drainage system inside the University was so overwhelmed we had to walk in ankle-deep flood waters, blurring the sign painted on the asphalt road.

But we are still lucky. Many parts of the National Capital Region and surrounding provinces were- are- still inundated with up to chest-level waters. There is, thank God, a spontaneous outpouring of kindness from everyone from all over. We're experiencing a resurgence of generosity amidst jadedness in this dog-eat-dog world. Kids breaking their coin banks to donate their life's riches. People braving powerful river currents, saving dozens of lives at the risk of losing theirs. Newly-weds repacking a huge amount of food in their wedding banquet so that people in evacuation centers get to eat as well. The stories go on and on.

No words can ever quite capture how a disaster can suck the life of any victim. But the survivors' spirit cannot and will not be drowned. As Albert Camus once said- In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

(I am currently volunteering in two organizations aiming to help some 10,000 individuals affected by tropical storm Ondoy. Just today, our team took care of more than 500 patients in a free clinic and gave out food and supplies to 1,500 families. And with the super-typhoon just hours away, we anticipate that the number of people needing assistance will just increase. We need all the help we can get.

Please click on the DONATE button above to share in this mission. $1 can buy at least a kilo of rice, $2 will a good quality mat so they don't need to sleep on the damp cold floor of the evacuation center. Any amount, when pooled together, will be of enormous help.

Rest assured 100% of donated money will be spent for the flood victims. Regular updates with regard to how the money is being spent will be sent to donors. Let us be the conduits of God's loving kindness =] Thank you very much!)

in front of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine Dela Paz Hall / Medical Students' Union building, Manila, September 2009, using a digicam.