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.