My 2 Cent's A Top Dollar

Our Adventure To The South of Luzon

2021-03-04T19:19:00.005+08:00

Yup! Planned it for several weeks, the "ultimate" vacation of our lives. We almost didn't make it as my youngest suddenly fell ill. Good thing she's gotten well in time for our escape, so praise God for that.

Off we go to Quezon province, the land known for its coconut trees, hence it's fondly called, 'Cocolandia'. It's actually recognized as the top coconut producer in Calabarzon. This piece of land is named after the second president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon for reason I did not bother to know. So much for history lessons.

Finally, at half past 9, we are already basking in the morning heat. Our rides were convoying the surprisingly empty road, all filled with, as light as feather backpacks of good for 2 days wear. I think light backpacking should be a course offered in every Universities nowadays. Or was it just me that needed that course? 😆

Three hour drive from Manila to Lucban Quezon could've been a total drag if not for these two dad bods who were naturally crack headed, for all intents and purposes, that made those hours flew by so seamlessly fast.

They talked about anything under the sun. In fact it's the same stories you will hear every reunion. Beats me how on earth they have kept them stories hilarious every time? As long as the kid's napping are undisturbed, they are allowed to laugh their heart out!

As we reached Quezon, we were greeted by warm, accommodating people from our friend's clan. Even though we enjoyed the offered refreshments and snacks, we just couldn't handle the excitement going to our island destination.

Our boat ride to the island was apparently used to carry supplies and goods of the people there so our trip was kind of delayed. No time wasted though as we took this opportunity to snap 'grammable photos, tried out street foods and just enjoy what this province has to offer.

Before the sun was completely hidden from our sight, we finally set sail and occupied the remaining seats while the island people's supplies placed on the other side to balance the boat perfectly.

Our mood begins to shift, perhaps because we were softly swept by the cold summer wind permeating our vessel. Silence filled the air as we gazed upon the moonlit night, and the sound of sea water as it clashes unto the bamboo that serves as our floaters hushed everyone for a good while. Most of the souls were relishing the calmness of the uninhabitable pitch black night, if not for some glittery city lights.

As soon as we docked and started walking, walking endlessly that it felt like we were heading towards hungry tribesmen gathered around some fire, chanting their undecipherable prayer of thanksgiving, because they are about to meet their "dinner" face to face. The duskiness of the vicinity helped set up this imagination in my head, I guess. 😛

After half an hour stride, we finally reached our destination. Each of the family marked their territory as tents were placed in a tribe like position under the moonlit night. We all enjoyed the sand exfoliating our feet. A treat that nature voluntarily gives to soothe our blistered heels.

While the rest of the pack went boozing around a bonfire, me and the kids preferred to sleep the night away. Thanks to my depleted energy, I failed to see those that got drunk in their foolish state, while snitching and blabbering voluntarily (like being injected with a truth serum), which they happen to forget the next day when they're finally sober. 😀

I can't believe we're able to sleep soundly in that unfamiliar atmosphere. But we woke up to a beautiful beachfront sight, while those early risers tried to enjoy the freedom of going afar the beach and enjoying the summer heat. It would be silly of us to take it on the moon for not pulling so much gravity the prior night resulting to super low tide, like seriously low. Never seen that much sand in my life.

To sum up the overall experience, we truly enjoyed this vacation, especially sleeping in tents situated along the seashore experience. All funny, interesting, jaw dropping, beautiful, cute and disgusting moments are captured permanent by our lenses.

Funny moments are from those confidently rode the waves with their skim boards, but landing flat on their butts seconds later…LOL! Jaw-dropping scenes are from rainbow painted skies as the morning awakes the rivers and lakes, the rice fields, the coconut trees and the mountains that we passed by on our journey to and fro.

Those beautiful faces of the ladies and kids that gave the guys the exuding confidence of ownership and pride, as well as the cute toddlers minding their own little world. Finally, the disgusting ones…no stories are complete without them. They are the very soul of every friendship...or not? But anyone would agree that they spice up the scene while ruining the awe inspired words reminiscing our created moments at the same time.

The reality is that moments like these are ingredients to solidify friendship and relationship of families and friends. They are worth every penny and times spent. So better plan our next trip!

Thank You, Goodbye!

2011-02-14T13:47:00.005+08:00

"Thank you", is all I can say,

to a dear friend who's goin' away.

Though thou shall enter a threshold unknown to thee,

a promising horizon you shall surely see.

Putting God on your topmost precedence,
will bag all your try to complete excellence.

Be of faith, for Jesus will conspire everything around you,

thence, success will follow in everything that you do.

Amidst the mundane and of the worldly,

ever tilt your head, to see who cares sternly.

Jesus Christ, me, and all your so-called friends,

will care and love you in all odds and ends.

I"m Yours - Jason Mraz

2010-05-25T22:58:00.001+08:00

This song from Jason Mraz is amazingly put together. Its wonderful sound that I would love playing over and over again when I finally take that road trip I've been longing to have. My imagination playing automatically, as I am cruising in a drop top ride, singing this tune at the top of my lungs, while feeling the gentle humming of the wind that blended well with my amateur voice. My hair, though in an expected windy day, is worn down trying to dance in a knot as the wind blew. This scene and in a sepia background would look perfect in my blog site, if only this will happen soon.

Beneath Joy And Bewilderment

2010-04-29T23:36:00.001+08:00

One fine day, but a day loaded with confusion,
I flexed my mind off the jaded persecution.
Brought forth by a doubtful heart.

Nonetheless, with a batting eyelashes,
I stood and gazed ‘round laughing faces.
Brought forth by joyful hearts.

I sense a tug o’ war between the two,
but do I let this wind up with a truce?
Brought forth by peaceable heart.

Alas, I went home both beaming and flabbergasted,
happy or dazed, it’s how your everyday is feted,
as this, brought forth by a normal human heart.

Half Of The Day

2010-04-15T21:49:00.002+08:00

As I rose at wee hours I clicked on the tube,
First thing to devour His Words to consume.
Genuflected and prayed, Him gratified,
Saintly manner was hence, personified.

Don't be misled as I go on and continue,
My faith was tested as the morning grew
A beloved detested, didn't know what to do,
Overshadowed with pride as it succumbed me too.

I called upon God, my Savior and Deliverer,
Hear me, O hear me, I begged in despair
Lift up this spirit of pride, I plea,
'Fore it drowns the seed You implanted in me.

As I Lay Fast Asleep...

2010-04-15T21:45:00.003+08:00

Lord, as I lay down to sleep,
Protect thy servant from all cliffs
That I encounter sometime in my dreams.
Instead give me gushing water like that in a stream,
And an adorned cloud like pillow to go with my satin,
So I could lay my long hair swayed by a soft whimsical wind,
Surrounded by praises for YOU as Seraphim make that lovely tune.
In the highest praise and worship, I will sing with them too,
As I sleep and in my dreams my groom waits my I do,
He is, The Lord Jesus Christ sitting in His throne.
Best way to sleep is dreaming of my home,
Where Jesus lives forever more.

Waiting In Vain

2010-04-15T21:40:00.002+08:00

I wait in anticipation as minutes go by,
Leaning on to God’s promise of His plan, divine;
Could my future be with you, O written faith?
Or should I just let God’s best plans laid?

None of my present deed matter,
Because in my heart and mind writing is all that flutter,
Front and back and wherever I look,
Poetry and writing have kept my mind booked.
Dreaming that one day and I savor that day,
When I glorify God through this gift he gave.

Fret not O soul full of dismay,
True is Jesus' heart with a promise of faith,
Faith to use in moments of uneasiness and daze.

Beacon Of Hope

2010-04-13T23:03:00.008+08:00

Word spreads like wildfire,
that stretches faster than it becomes.
And every spirit in this structure dwells
within impenetrable fissures, of
strong wind that aggravates the flames, of
anxiety that comes and goes around; every
breath dictates a moment of severe pulsation,
swallowing the spirit whole.

Where do we go from here?
Where do we land in a flaming rocky road?
The bottomless pit that is, was a home,
to hopefuls and now a pitfall to all,

No hope of ascending!
Echoes the walls; echoes every brick,
but one ray of light becomes the beacon of hope,
illuminating the hole,
Lo! The giver of life has spoken from His throne,
blowing the flames off with His life giving breath.
Calm now restless souls, for
the quilt of Jesus’ love is spread on us,
Be consoled in His best plan, as
to be consoled is to be welcomed,
in His supernatural home.