PhotoHunt: ONE

A scoop of chili ice cream plus a scoop of Moringa vegetable-flavored ice cream with another scoop of Bailey's-laced ice cream make for a singular dessert experience in the 1st Colonial Grill Express in Daraga. I tried to capture the contents of my cup in the best way I could but they were so close to melting that I just snapped whatever picture I can muster before they turn into a gooey mess =]

1st Colonial Grill, Daraga, Albay, August 2011, using a digicam.

Wordless Wednesday: EARLY

These fisherfolk have started their day soon after sunrise. Or are they just returning from an overnight sojourn to the Pacific?

But these past few days, the waters off Bicol Region, practically the entire eastern seaboard of the Philippines, have been rough because of Tropical Storm JUANING. Hoping for the safety of all those who harvest from the bounty of the sea-

off the Port of Legazpi, January 2011, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: NEAR

I have been to the City of Legazpi a couple of times and its most iconic feature just has to be the Mayon Volcano. From afar, it really is the Philippines' answer to Japan's Mt. Fuji- what with its perfect cone, towering height, and truly commanding presence.

On my latest flight to Legazpi from Manila, I was on the seat by the window on the "ABC" side of the plane. As we approached Legazpi, I had a fantastic view of Mayon on my left, welcoming me into the city. On the flight back to Manila, I rummaged through my brain to figure out which seat to take in order to have the view of Mayon be my parting vista of the city. Luckily, I figured it out, that I had to be on the window seat of the "DEF" side of the plane. The flyby beside the very top of Mayon is just truly breath-taking.



And I guess it was really meant to be for me: my camera's batteries gave up after I took the last photo of the soon-to-be-veiled-in-clouds Mayon as our plane zoomed back to Manila.

over Mt. Mayon, Province of Albay, January 2011, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: KALYE (Street)

Dahil sa o bagaman naninirahan sila sa anino ng Bulkang Mayon, tuluy-tuloy (pa rin) ang pagdaloy ng kalakal at kabuhayan sa mga pasikut-sikot ng lalawigan ng Albay.

KALYE = STREET

Despite or because of Mayon Volcano looming over their land, the people of Albay province enjoy the steady influx of trade and tourism.

early morning in Legazpi City, January 2011, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: SHADOW

The Mayon Volcano watches over the planes landing and departing from the regional hub of Legazpi City, a towering symbol of nature's unsettling beauty.

Legazpi City airport, April 2007, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: BILANG (Number)

Tatlong pangunahing kulay- pula, puti, asul. Mga kulay na nananahan sa disensyo ng dalawang parihaba na may nakalapat na isang tatsulok. Isang tatsulok na may tatlong tala at isang araw. Araw na may walong sinag. Ito ang mga natatanging kakanyahan ng ating kasalukuyang pambansang watawat. Kahit saang anggulo mo tingnan, saang lugar man siya makita, sa kung anumang dahilan man siya iwagaywag, nararapat siyang makatanggap ng pinakamataas na paggalang at pagtatampok dahil siya ang sagisag ng isang malayang bayan at pinagpipitaganang lahi.

Mga Pambansang Araw ng Watawat ang Mayo 28 hanggang Hunyo 12. Ang tamang pagwagayway ng watawat ng Pilipinas at iba pang alituntunin sa tamang pagtatanghal sa kanya ay mahahanap dito.

BILANG = NUMBER

Three primary colors- red, white, and blue. Colors that reside in two horizontal bands and an equilateral triangle. An equilateral triangle that contains three stars and a sun. A sun from which emanates eight rays. These are the unique characteristics of the Philippine national flag. From whatever angle it is seen, from whatever edifice it flies, for whatever reason it is unfurled, it must be accorded the highest honor and respect as it represents the indomitable spirit of an independent nation.

The National Flag Days are from May 28 to June 12 of every year. The correct ways of displaying the flag, among other protocols related to it, can be found here.

a Gawad Kalinga village in Daraga, Albay, April 2007, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: ALAM MO BA? (Do you know?)

Alam mo ba na ang Mayo 28 hanggang Hunyo 12 ng bawat taon ay tinaguriang Araw ng Watawat? At alam mo rin ba ang mga sumusunod na bagay-bagay tungkol sa ating Pambansang Watawat?

1. Ang unang watawat ay tinahi ni Marcela Agoncillo, kanyang anak na si Lorenzana, at Delfina Herbosa Natividad (pamangkin ni Jose Rizal) sa 535 Morrison Hill Road, Hongkong, mula sa konsepto ni Hen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

2. Ang unang pagkakataon na iwinagayway ang watawat na ito ay noong Mayo 28, 1898 matapos magwagi ang mga Pilipino laban sa mga Kastila sa Barrio Alapan, Imus, Cavite.

3. Ang Republic Act 8491 ang batas na nagtatakda sa wastong pagkilala, paggalang, pagwagayway, atbp ng ating Pambansang Watawat.

4. Pangkalahatan, ang watawat na nasa bukas at hayag na lugar ay dapat lamang nakawagayway mula pagsikat hanggang paglubog ng araw.

5. Sa mga sumusunod na lugar dapat nakawagayway ang watawat sa lahat ng araw ng taon, araw at gabi:

Palasyo ng Malacañang;
Gusali ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas;
Gusali ng Kataas-taasang Hukuman ng Pilipinas;
Rizal Monument sa Luneta;
Bonifacio Monument sa Caloocan City;
Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit;
Barasoain Church Historical Landmark sa Malolos City;
Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark sa Taal;
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
Libingan ng mga Bayani sa Taguig City;
Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion sa North Cemetery;
at lahat ng International Ports of Entry.

6. Ang anumang tagdan ng watawat ay hindi dapat kapantay o hihigit sa taas ng Independence Flagpole (107 feet) na matatagpuan sa Rizal Park.

7. Kapag ang watawat ay naka-display nang patayo, ang tatsulok na bahagi nito ang dapat nasa itaas, habang ang asul sa bahagi ay dapat nasa kaliwang bahagi (ng tumitingin).

8. Kapag ang watawat ay itataas nang kalahating-tagdan (half-mast) lamang, kailangan muna itong itaas hanggang sa pinakatuktok ng tagdan at mula roon ay ibaba sa kalagitnaan ng flagpole.

9. Permanenteng nasa kalahating-tagdan ang mga watawat ng Pilipinas sa Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sa Libingan ng mga Bayani sa Taguig City at sa Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion sa North Cemetery.

10. Bawal iwagayway ang watawat sa lugar tulad ng sabungan, bahay-pasugalan, mga kabaret, atbp.

Iwagayway ang watawat ng Pilipinas kung nasaan ka man naroroon, pati sa iyong blog at sa buong cyberspace! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

(Kung alam mo na ang mga bagay-bagay na ito, dakila ka, kabayan! Kung bago rin ito sa iyong kamalayan (tulad ko!) huwag malumbay! Dagdag na kaalaman tungkol sa watawat, Pambansang Awit at iba pang simbolo ng Republika ay matatagpuan sa National Historical Institute website at sa isa ko pang blog.)

ALAM MO BA = DO YOU KNOW that May 28 to June 12 are declared Flag Days? And do you also know these facts about the Philippine National Flag?

1. The first flag was sewn by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenzana, with Delfina Herbosa Natividad (niece of Jose Rizal) in 535 Morrison Hill Road, Hongkong, from the concept of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

2. The first time the flag was flown was after the Battle of Alapan was won on May 28, 1898 in the village of Alapan, in the town of Imus, in Cavite province.

3. Republic Act 8491 is the Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.

4. In general, the national flag should be displayed daily only from sunrise until sunset.

5. In the following places, the national flag should be displayed 365 days and 24/7:

Malacañang Palace;
Congress of the Philippines building;
Supreme Court building;
Rizal Monument in Luneta;
Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City;
Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit;
Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos City;
Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmarkl in Taal;
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
Libingan ng mga Bayani in Makati City;
Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in N.Cemetery;
and all International Ports of entry.

6. No flagpole should be as tall or taller than the Independence Flagpole at the Rizal Park. Its height is 107 feet.

7. When displayed vertically, the triangle should be on top. The blue field should be to the left of the observer in time of peace, and the red field to the left of the observer in time of war.

8. When the flag is to be flown at half-mast, it must first be hoisted to the top of the flagpole before it is lowered to the middle part of the pole.

9. The Philippine National Flag is at permanent half-mast at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City and the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in the North Cemetery.

10. The flag should not be displayed in areas of frivolity like casinos, night clubs, etc.

Let the Philippine National Flag fly free, a symbol of our proud nation, wherever you maybe, including here in cyberspace, in your blogs even. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

(If you already knew these tidbits, good for you! But if like me these are new information, don't fret! Additional information about our national flag, our national anthem, and other symbols of the republic is available in the National Historical Institute website and in my other blog.)

a Gawad Kalinga village in Anislag, Daraga, Albay, April 2007, using a digicam.