Chance Passenger

Black & White Portraits

2011-03-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

No Ordinary Earthquake

2011-03-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

I was having a chat with two of my co-teachers when I received a text message. As I read: “Lumindol sa Japan ah, kamusta mga ate mo don?” I didn’t pay much attention to it thinking it’s just one another earthquake that hit Japan.

I’ve been to this country for a few times so I know firsthand how frequent this unpredictable tremor shakes the place. I won’t forget waking up one night by the noise of a chandelier swinging above me. I felt terrified; it was the strongest quake I have ever experienced. Shockingly, no one in the house got awakened by it other than me.

Hence, I continued to our after class hobby – chit chatting. A moment later, I received another text, almost the same message but from a different person. This time, I got already worried so I looked for a computer and verified it through online news. I got absorbed by what I saw.

yahoo-images

Stunning images appeared; dozens of dwellings, cars, boats and even buildings submerged under a layer of muddy water. I realized; this couldn’t be just an ordinary earthquake. Only to find out it was an aftermath of tsunami – caused by a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan.

yahoo-images

Thus, I hurriedly sent a message to my sisters. And seconds later I got their response: “We all got frightened but thank God we’re ok”. That caused me an instant relief. Indeed, thank God nothing bad had happened to them.

However, my worries remain because treats are still imminent in Japan; aftershocks, nuclear explosions, radiation leak, rising death toll and more. And that my loved ones are still there.

Having No Plan

2011-03-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation is near..again. Weeks and even months earlier I already heard my friends & colleagues marking their diaries for some getaways. Some will go to the beach while others will just visit their families at province.

And so I ask myself. What are my plans for the vacation? And the answer is: I have none. That is me. I don’t make plans. I like nothing better than waking up on a Saturday morning with no definite plans and then just seeing what the day brings.

Yes, most of my gimmicks, engagements and undertakings were done unplanned. Some turned-out great, some went okay and others didn't.

Don’t get me wrong, I pretty much know the benefit of having plans. Planning is preparing and it’s like having directions. But come to think of it, sometimes we are so busy filling our diary that we forget to enjoy what’s around us. Remember we’re already living our life while we are busy making other plans. Just imagine how much you could miss while hectically preparing and thinking for your future ~ because it is already a real life going on there.

I am a human being and not a human doing. So I let my life surprise me by surprising myself first – I’ll never do advance and mass planning. Where others are ‘busy’ I am ‘free’ to do anything, go anywhere, meet anyone and spend anytime I want…I am unrestricted.

In that way I become a real simple person.

Pinatubo Adventure

2011-01-30T11:32:00.000-08:00

As I said in one of my posts, most of my ventures were happened spontaneously, nonetheless this is one of those that turned out great.

It’s as if I just woke up one morning with my friends riding a 4x4 jeep heading to a place I have never been to ~ then I realized, I am having a Mt. Pinatubo adventure!

Where the adventure begins..

an hour of a bumpy and dusty trip

passing through sand fields and rocky rivers

jump-off point where our death march begins

with my trek-buddies ( from left: mels, jhan, resty & julius )

wrong info: plus 30mins sa totoong buhay

numerous sand formations

crossing a sulfuric river

a portion of lava canal

with our tour guide

endless rocky trail

the course is getting narrower

stiffer

and thirstier

" watch your steps "

one of the many signs posted along the trail

P60 soda in can ~ not bad for the very exhausted & thirsty trekkers

yahoo! we finally made it!

feeling great & relieve to finally see the crater lake!

tanggal ang pagod !!!

majestic indeed

Who would have thought that after its massive eruption, Mt. Pinatubo would turn out to be what it is now.

this crater lake is about 2 kilometers wide

and 600-800 meters deep ~ the reason why we didn't swim

With all the thirsts, the bumps, the blisters and even the expensive soda I still claim it as one of my successful quick tour. Thank you Mt. Pinatubo for sharing with us your magnificent crater and thank you friends for being such awesome trek-buddies. Until our next adventure...

Si Nanay

2011-01-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hindi siya isang wonder mom at hindi rin siya perpekto, sa katunayan sa kanya ko naranasan ang pinakamalupit na parusa, maraming beses n’ya akong sinigawan, pinadapa at pinalo. Disiplina ang tawag n’ya dito, ewan ko kung naging epektibo ba. Malupit man sa unang tingin pero wala akong galit sa kanya, mas tumiim sa akin ang kanyang kagustuhang matuto ako sa aking mga pagkakamali.
Utang ko sa kanya ang buhay ko, hindi lamang sa pagdadala niya sa akin sa kanyang sinapupunan at sa panganib ng pagluluwal sa akin, gayundin ang lahat ng pawis, luha at dalangin na kanyang ibinuhos sa pagtaguyod sa akin, sa amin.

Hindi ko makakalimutan ang mga araw noong gumagawa s'ya ng nilupak, ice candy at kung anu-ano pa upang ipagbili sa eskwela habang nagtuturo pandagdag sa kapiranggot niyang sweldo. Noong sinuong n'ya ang Lawton kahit bumabagyo upang makapagloan para meron na kaming TV pagsapit ng Pasko. Noong gumugising siya ng madaling araw para ipag-init ako ng tubig, ipamalantsa at ibili ng pandesal sa panaderya mula pa elemtarya ako magpahanggang kolehiyo. Nakita ko ang mga sakripisyong ginawa ng nanay ko para sa akin o sa amin

Alam ko na kahit daanan man ang nanay ko ng sandamukal na problema, lahat man ng lending groups sa Pilipinas ay talikuran siya, mananalangin, tatayo at mangungutang pa rin ang nanay ko. Nakakatuwa man isipin pero ganyan kalakas ang loob at katibay ng kanyang pananamplataya na tila baga sinasaniban siya ni Grabriela Silang at Mother Theresa sa mga panahong ganito.

Hindi man siya ang pinakamagaling na ina sa buong mundo, makairingan pa man niya ang lahat ng tao sa palengke pati mga kolektor ng tubig at Meralco, patuloy man na tuksuhin siyang Caridad Sanchez ng mga ate ko, di ko pa rin siya maipagpapalit kahit kanino. Siya at siya parin ang pipiliin ko na maging magulang ko.

‘Nay salamat... salamat sa mga sigaw, sa mga palo, sa mga pangaral, sa mga sakripisyo, at higit sa lahat sa pagmamahal mo…

Maligayang Kaarawan Sa’yo Nanay!!!

The Old Batangas

2010-12-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

I’ve been to Batangas for the nth time already for it’s only a less than hour drive from Cavite – my home town. It has been our quick getaway to relax and submerge to its beautiful beaches. However I believe Batangas has still more to discover. So one weekend, my travel buddy and I decided to go here once more to find it out.

Thus our journey brought us to Taal – a small town in Batangas with lots of its historical sights.

One of the best-preserved Spanish colonial towns of the country.

Scattered around town are dozens of ancestral homes,

old school buildings and other heritage structures

which is why the town is perfect for a walking tour.

white house of taal ( municipal hall )

very old houses that withstand the natural calamities

At the heart of Taal is the Taal Basilica,

said to be the biggest Catholic church in Asia.

The church was destroyed when Taal Volcano erupted in 1754.

and was rebuilt in 1856.

There are many things to see about the historical background of this province. True enough there's still more to discover in Batangas. I guess there are still some things we don't know about the places we usually go to. Imagine finding something great at your own backyard.

Until our next adventure..

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Thanks again for being an awesome travel buddy ~ Rio

Baguio in One Day

2010-12-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

Have not been back to Baguio City since 10 years back. I only had with me a mental camera and took "mental shots" of places since I did not have one yet then. Though I think those mental photos did not turn out right either. So this time, I made sure to bring my digicam with me to take stunning sites from this City of Pines.

One of the most convenient ways in getting to Baguio is through Victory Liner. Some would prefer to drive up with their own cars but I look at commuting to Baguio as a more comfortable choice.

All taxis in Baguio don't have aircon most likely because the environment is already cool to begin with. You might even want to close the taxi windows completely to stay warm.

First Stop: Session Road ~ it is the main street in Baguio City.

this inclined street is very busy during day time

and during the summer the traffic is quite heavy here.

Adjacent to Session Road is Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral, better known as Baguio Cathedral.

Next: Mines View Park ~ it is an essential stop on any trip to Baguio.

from here you can site the outstanding view of Cordilleras.

3rd Stop: The Mansion ~ it's the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines.

Its main gate is an exact replica of the one found in Buckingham Palace in London.

And fronting the main gate of the Mansion, is one of the many scenic parks ~ the Wright Park

( it wasn't look like this back then, how sad )

4th Stop: John Camp Hay

used to be the rest-and-recreation base of American military personnel, the Camp is being transformed into a world-class resort and is also Baguio’s biggest pine tree conservation area

where Manor Hotel (at my back) is located.

Confuse where to go next.

Until I found out that there is a part in Camp John Hay called the ‘Pet Cemetery’.

It’s a relief to be surrounded by nature.

Last Stop: Burnham Park ~ it is an urban park located at the heart of the City.

Before leaving Baguio, I checked first how's Jollibee tastes here.

Not quite the same, TLC burger filling is fresher here, of course.

I found out that a one – day trip is really not enough to take a round to the Summer Capital of the Country. There are still some places I wasn't able to revisit like PMA, Lourdes Grotto, Strawberry Farm, etc. Next time I will go to Baguio, I'll make it sure that my tour will be all worth it.

Now, the pictures I captured during this journey would finally become a treasure. They would absolutely serve as a source for my joy and a source of inspiration as well to conquer more places. Until my next ravel...

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Thanks to my travel mate ~ Rio.

My Realization On Being A Teacher

2010-10-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

My idea on being a teacher was a not so nice, exhausting, underprivileged and chalk-dusty job. I wonder why other people loved this job. I was raised by a mother who worked as a public school teacher. During my younger years, I am open to the elements of making lesson plans at home, selling ice candies and polvorons inside the class to never ending loans in GSIS, banks or elsewhere. I never was convinced that teaching is such a noble profession. Instead I understood the fact that teachers had plenty of debts to pay.

However I believe in the old Filipino saying “Kung ano ang puno, sya rin ang bunga.” And amusing, it became real to me. It’s funny how the job of my mother which I was not proud of would turn out to be my job too.

Before my feet landed to this field, I was receiving good compensations well enough to sustain my financial needs. I worked in a corporate background. Where work is work and play is play. After office hours, I used to enjoy free time hanging out with officemates and friends without being bugged by the idea that I need to make other errands for work the next day. I can stay awake all night enjoying every single strand of enjoyment that shared fun can bring.

However, after I resigned from my previous office due to routine activities, I find myself thinking of not wanting to be socially dysfunctional, in other ways, of not being vacant in terms of work.

And so I tried my luck in this area. Believe it or not, in a matter of a day, from planning to application for a teaching job, I was already offered to teach subjects in high school. My mom, who retired from being a teacher, was happy about this however I am not so sure of what I am feeling at that moment. I think I am excited and nervous. Mixed emotions! That is!

My first year of teaching was neither an excellent nor an awful one. I can say that it is a very long adjustment period for me. But I think it’s not bad after all.

This is my second year in teaching; yes I am a neophyte in this field. Currently, I am working as a Filipino and HEKASI teacher and a class adviser of only fifteen students. Being with these children gave me a different perspective on becoming a teacher. At first I was uneasy whenever they tell me petty things like who hates who and who get someone’s pencil, etc. But little by little these children seemed to have those magical powers to melt my heart by simply coming to me crying and asking for my help as if I am their super hero who needs to always be there to protect them from their enemies.

Sometimes I felt like I am a teacher, a father, a kuya, a friend and sometimes a “yayo”. I was surprised I never get bored with them. Every day is a new day. It’s so rewarding for me. There’s never a dull moment whenever I am with them. I always felt respected and looked up to.

When you teach, you might be exhausted, may be underprivileged, may have a hand full of chalk dust everyday, may be a little under compensated, but always fulfilled, never forgotten by the little hearts that surround you.

Now I learned why others loved teaching. Because when you teach, you don’t just teach academic subjects. You don’t just give information. You don’t treat them like robots. Instead, when you teach, you teach them how to feel. You inspire them to learn. You help them to live.

And when you teach, you touch the future by changing lives.
And as for me, when I teach, I learn.

My Father

2010-10-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

My father is 82 years old. He got married at 44 and had me when he was 51. In his old age, nothing of his favors I would not give or do given it is within my capability and control.

Like, one night, he asked me to iron his polo to be used for the next day's mass. I responded to his request without a heavy heart. I did it not out of duty but out of love and reverence for him.

Couple of thoughts about him runs thru my head while ironing…

I can never forget the story my mother told me about us as a family watching free movies at the barrio plaza. Me and my sisters are just kids then. During that time, improvised wide screen made of white cloth was set for people to see movies for free. Imagine the scenario...what can we expect? Lots of people came and my father had to carry me and my sister in his shoulders for us to have a better view of the film. My mother told us that that night was a combination of suffering and joy for the family...more so for my father, I guess...

There's also an instance when he was still working as a carpenter, I accompanied him in his delivery one day. He carried 6 sets of jealousy windows on his shoulders while we were walking. I look at him and I cannot see any trace of pain or tiredness instead excitement is in his eyes for after the agonizing walk, surely, he can bring home money for the family.

In my young age, it was so clear to me that my father was a hardworking and a very self sacrificing person.

My father never stopped to amaze me as a child. Memories of him were very significant for me. He is my hero, like any other kid has thought of their dads. But my hero is different for he has no supernatural powers like those seen on TVs and movies. My father's power is his prayers. He was no ex-priest but sometimes I think he pray more than priests do. Maybe that's the reason why I am easily enlightened by the ideals and values he has taught me through the years. He always has those thoughts that astonish me. I remember one day when he was able to stop me from crying and convinced me to eat ''lugaw'' for dinner by just telling a parable. It seems so unusual that in my finite mind as a child, I was able to grasp the value he wanted me to understand. My father's wisdom and unwavering faith in God will always be his legacy
.
I didn't grow up in a rich family...but surely, my father has handed me more than material possessions...

And now that it’s his 82nd birthday, perhaps it's a chance to tell him just in case he didn't know how special he has been and will always be for us who love him so.

From all the souls you’ve been praying for; a warm and loving wishes for you…tatay.