Where My Feet Took Me

Two weekends ago, my friends and I traveled to Coron, Palawan. We spent an overnight in Bulog Island, which is owned by one of the people we met online. It was a great spot to unwind and detach from the hustle and bustle of life.

The next morning, some of us seemed to have our own thing, and while waiting for a friend to fetch me with the kayak so we could check the nearby island, I took off my slippers and felt the sand on my feet. When I got back, I liked the look of my slippers with the boat in the background, and since I always have my camera, I took the time to take this scenery.

When we got back to "reality," I heard of a photo contest about traveling and flip flops; I was excited about it, however, in the mechanics it was said that the traveler has to fly or should've traveled in a specific air line, and since my friends and I flew to Palawan using a different air line, this photo wasn't valid at all. But I had no regrets, I was happy we took the air line we took, because the risky pilot braved the heavy clouds... the other air line had to go back to Manila because of zero visibility.

It was a rainy day when we reached Palawan, but this day was a different scenario. It was a great day, and a great vacation for us.

*** Jenn ***

Masinop (Neat, Organized)

Sa una, hindi ko talaga alam ang direktang kahulugan ng "masinop", naisip ko lang kunan ng litrato ang koleksyon kong ito, at habang sinusulat ko ang post na ito, naitanong ko sa isang kaibigan ang ibig sabihin, sabi niya, parang may pagka-OC daw. Siguro, akma naman ang litratong ito, at tunay nga, akma ang napili kong i-lahok sapagkat pagkakita ko sa Internet, ang kahulugan ng "masinop" ay maihahalintulad sa paging malinis at organisado.

{At first, I didn't know the direct translation for the term "masinop", I already thought of taking pictures of my collection, and as I write this, I asked one of my friends about it. He said it has something to do with "being OC", and in a way, I think I got the right picture, and true enough, as I checked the Internet about it, "masinop" has something to do about being neat, frugal, and organized.}

Mula pagkabata, nahilig na ako sa musika. Lumaki kami ng aking kuya na pinakikinggan ang mga lumang plaka at cassette tapes ng aming ama. Habang lumalaki, natutunan kong mag-record ng mga kanta sa radyo, hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na nagpabili ako ng pinaka-una kong cassette tape - "Paraiso" ng Smokey Mountain. Hindi na naibalik ng aking pinsan ang tape kong iyon, pero noong 1994, nabili ko ang pinaka-unang tape gamit ang aking pera - "Get a Grip" ng Aerosmith, na regalo ko para sa sarili ko noong taong iyon. Unti-unti lumaki ang aking koleksyon, pero lumaki lamang iyon nang ako ay nasa kolehiyo. Ang pinaka-huling cassette tape na nabili ko ay ang "The Singles 1992 - 2003" ng No Doubt na binili ko taong 2004. Sa loob ng sampung taon mahigit isang daan din ang nabili kong cassette tapes, na nakatago at nakaayos ng pa-alpabeto sa isang drawer.

{Ever since my childhood years, I am already into music. My brother and I grew up listening to our father's cassette tapes and vinyl records, and as I grow old, I have gotten to know how to record songs from the radio, until I asked my dad to buy me my very first cassette tape - "Paraiso" by Smokey Mountain. My cousin didn't return it to me, but in 1994, I bought my very first cassette tape using my money - "Get a Grip" by Aerosmith, which is a birthday gift for myself that year. Since then, the collection grew, but it was during the college days when I bought the most number of tapes. The last tape I bought was "The Singles 1992 - 2003" by No Doubt, which I bought in 2004. In a span of 10 years, I was able to buy 100+ tapes, which I kept and arranged alphabetically in one of my drawers.}

Hindi na uso ang cassette tapes ngayon, pero masaya ako kasi kahit ang Aerosmith tape ko ay napapakinggan ko pa rin kung gugustuhin ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng gagawin ko sa koleksyon, pero sa ngayon, isa sa misyon ko ang mabili ang mga CD ng mga ito.

{Cassette tapes aren't "in" anymore, but I was happy because up to this date, I could still play that Aerosmith tape if I wanted to. I don't know what will I do with this collection, but right now, one of my missions is to get the CD copy of these tapes.}

Hmmm....

*** Jenn ***

N - Negros Oriental

Taken from Wikipedia, "Negros Oriental (also called Oriental Negros, "Eastern Negros") is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists. Negros Oriental faces Cebu to the east across the Tañon Strait and Siquijor to the south east. The primary spoken language is Cebuano, and the predominant religious denomination is Roman Catholicism. Dumaguete City is the capital, seat of government, and most populous city."

The first time I set foot in Negros Oriental was when my British friend K and I went to Dumaguete City after our trip to Bohol in November 2008. It was a short stay, but very relaxing for us. In February 2009, I set foot in the province again, thanks to my brother's friend who invited us for a side trip after we attended a conference in Cebu.

Some pictures I took from Negros Oriental:


The Negros Oriental Capitol, near Freedom Park in Dumaguete City - taken November 2008


An old Azucarera Train in Tanjay City - taken February 2009. In the olden times, trains were used in collecting and transporting sugar cane. Nowadays, trucks are being used. Still, this train acts like a landmark in the middle of a big sugar cane plantation.


A public beach in the town of Amlan - taken February 2009.


Cozing it up in Rizal Boulevard located in Dumaguete City - taken November 2008.


The Dumaguete Airport is actually not located in Dumaguete City, but in the town of Sibulan. Taken February 2009

Negros Oriental has five Cities - Dumaguete, Tanjay, Bais, Canlaon, and Bayawan. It also has 20 Municipalities - Amlan, Bayungon, Bacong, Basay, Bindon, Dauin, Guihulngan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Pamplona, San Jose, Santa Catalina, Siaton, Sibulan, Tayasan, Valencia, Vallehermoso, and Zamboanguita. I still dream of coming back to this province again - but if ever I will be privileged to visit, I hope I could see the dolphins in Mabinay, and dip in the waters of Apo Island in Zamboanguita.

*** Jenn ***

In Traditional Costume

This month on Ruby Tuesday, I will post pictures taken from the 2009 Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City, Benguet. I was privileged to have witnessed it this year - it was my first. This flower festival is held every February in the summer capital of the Philippines.





In relation to the picture I posted two weeks ago, the woven cloth is actually made into the Igorot traditional costume. The Igorot tribe is native to this part of the country, and although the city has became modern - with so many tourists and students living there - there are still a lot of Igorots living in the city. Actually, whenever there are festivities like this one, the people of Baguio would always welcome the guests with their traditional dance.

*** Jenn ***

From Mom's Garden

Continuing with the orchid pictures for this month here in Today's Flowers...





Once a year, the orchid that was planted in one of our big fruit bearing tree would bloom some purple flowers. Mom loves this orchid that much because not only was this pretty, it was fragrant and it's purple, too! I initially took this picture as part of my Project 365, but since I still haven't posted this here yet, I think now's the time to give way to the flowers in our own garden.

It would still take months before the plant decorate our garden with its lovely flowers, but it was certainly worth the wait.

*** Jenn ***

Maagap (Prompt, On Time)

Sabi sa diksyunaryo na aking kinunsulta, ang salitang maagap ay mula sa salitang "agap," na ang ibig sabihin ay nasa oras, mabilis, at maaga. Sa ibang konteksto, masasabi ring ang "maagap" ay ang paghihintay o pagbabantay sa isang bagay upang hindi maunahan ng iba.

{The dictionary I consulted said that the word "maagap" was derived from the root word "agap," meaning to be on time, quick, and prompt. In other context, it could also mean to anticipate for something, or to wait for something.}

Una ko nang sinulat sa aking kwaderno ang bukang liwayway para sa temang eto. Nang tanungin ko ang ilan sa aking mga kaibigan, merong isang nagsabi na bukang liwayway din ang naiisip nyang litrato para ilarawan ang pagiging maagap dahil ayon sa kanya, ang taong maagap ay maraming nagagawa kaysa sa taong tutulog tulog. Tama siya.

{I already jot down a sunrise picture in my notes for this theme. When I asked some of my friends what do they see if someone would tell the word "maagap," one of my friends answered the sunrise, too, because a person who wakes up early gets more jobs done than a person who always sleeps. He has a point.}

Sa aking mga byahe, gustong gusto ko laging nakikita ang bukang liwayway o ang takipsilim. Para sa akin, isa iyong magandang indikasyon na magiging maganda ang araw ko, o kaya naman ay naging maganda ang araw na iyon. Para sa temang ito, naisip kong ilahok ang bukang liwayway na kuha ko mula sa aking huling byahe.

{Whenever I travel, I always see to it that I would get pictures of the sunrise and / or sunset. For me, it was a good indication of a great day ahead, or a good reward for a having a great day. For this theme, I am sharing a sunrise picture from my latest travel.}

Pangatlong araw sa Coron, Palawan. Nag-usap na kami ni Erick na gigising kami ng maaga upang masaksihan ang bukang liwayway na matatanaw mula sa isla kung saan kami natulog. Alas singko pa lang ng umaga bumangon na ako upang hintayin ang bukang liwayway. Alam kong medyo matagal hintayin ang mga ganitong pagkakataon, ngunit kapag nariyan na, napakabilis lang dumaan.

{Third day in Coron, Palawan. Erick and I already talked of waking up early so we could witness the sunrise because we were told that it can be seen from the island where we spent the night in. As early as 5:00AM, I was already awake, anticipating the sunrise. I knew waiting for this moment would take some time, but when it comes, it goes by so quick.}

Dahil may islang humaharang, maliwanag na ang kapaligiran nang sumulyap ang haring araw. Pero kahit mahigit isang oras kaming naghintay, ang makita ang araw upang batiin kami ay isang magandang regalo mula sa inang kalikasan. Ang litratong ito ay kuha 10 October 2009.

{Because there was another island blocking the way, it took us more than hour before we saw the sun peeked in. Even though we waited that long, I personally consider it a great gift from Mother Nature telling us we will be having a great day ahead. This picture was shot 10 October 2009}

*** Jenn ***

M - Manila Cathedral

The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Manila, located within the centuries-old section of Manila called Intramuros, is the seat of the Archbishop of Manila. Having been destroyed several times by natural disasters and fires during its 400-year history, the current structure standing was completed in 1958, the cathedral's sixth incarnation. It is dedicated to Saint Mary under the title "Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception", in her role as patroness of the Philippines.

In August of this year, the cathedral hosted the funeral of the former Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino. This picture was captured 10 February 2009 using my Sony Ericsson K800i cell phone. The monument with the fountain was called Plaza Roma.

*** Jenn ***