The Dyslexia Adventures

What a Bowl of Rice Taught Me: Lessons from an Ifugao Living Culture Immersion

2026-08-04T00:42:17.592+08:00

When most of us buy rice, we see only the finished product. We pick up a bag from the grocery shelf, take it home, cook it and eat. During my immersion with Mamerto Lagitan Tindongan, an eitght-generation Mumbakai, at the Ifugao Center for Living Culture (ICLC) in Banaue, I experienced everything that happens before that. From walking through the rice fields to harvesting, threshing, pounding, winowing and finally eating the rice we had prepared ourselves, I came away with a much deeper appreciation for what it takes to produce something many of us take for granted.

Each morning began with a 12-step 'farming' Qi Gong as the sun rose over the mountains. The slow movements awakened the body and quieted the mind before we stepped into the day's activities. In the evenings, we practiced embryonic breathing, ending each day in stillness and reflection. The rhythm of the immersion wasn't dictated by a schedule but by the rhtyhm of the land itself.

We were fottunate to visit during the harvest season of Tinawon, the heirloom rice that has sustained the Ifugago people for generations. The word Tinawon means "once a year," referring to its long growing cycle. Unlike commercial varieites, Tinawon takes about six months to mature and is harvested only once a year. Mamerto cultivates five varieties of Tinawon using traditional farming methods that have been preserved through generations.

Seeing this photograph gave me a deeper appreciation of Mamerto's work today. Long before he began teaching visitors about Ifugao culture, his father was already sharing the wisdom of the rice terraces with researchers. It reminded me that preserving culture is often a lifelong commitment passed from one generation to the next.

Much of our hands-on learning took place in the rice fields of Kinakin, Banaue, while Mamerto also shared stories about his work in Guilot, further down from Kinakin, where he and ICLC are restoring traditional rice terraces and preserving ancestral farming practices. One of his first lessons challenged the way many of us think about earth. We have been condition to see mud and soil as something dirty, yet the same earth nourishes the rice that nourishes us. He explained that people who grow up in cities often lose their balance becuase they have spent their lives walking on concrete. On uneven ground, balance comes not from stiffness but from relaxation. When you stop resisting and allow your weight to settle naturally, the earth suppports you. It was a simple exercise, yet a powerful reminder that our connection with nature begins through direct experience,

Harvesting rice by hand required patience and full attention. Using a small harvesting knife, we carefully cut each stalk while learning how to hold the tool properly and protect our fingers. Every movement had a purpose. There was no rushing, only presence. The lesson continued with mun-ulut, the traditional practice of removing the rice grains from the stalk by hand. I quickly discovered that what looked easy was anything but. I struggled with the technique and eventually found myself removing the grains one by one. Mamerto simply smiled and said "It's by trial and error." If the grip was too tight, the grains would not come off. Too loose, and many grains remained attached. The rice itself became the teacher, showing us the right amount of pressure through experience rather than instruction.

Harvesting Tinawon rice the Ifugao way

Hand-threshing the rice from stalk

Mamerto explained why he continues to cultivate Tinawon despite the extra work. "It has stronger energy because it stays in the earth much longer," he said. Whether interpreted spiritually, agriculturally, or simply as respect for natural timing, his words reminded me that not everything of value should be rushed. In a world that constantly seeks faster restults, Tinawon quietly demonstrates that some things become richer because they are allowed to mature in their own time.

Trying my hand at pounding the harvested grain to loosen and remove the husk, the traditional Ifugao way.

Traditionally, pounding the grain was a communal activity, with families working together to prepare rice using wooden pestles and a stone mortar.

Learning the traditional art of winnowing from Mamerto using a woven basket and the wind to separate the rice from the husk, just as generations of Ifugao families have done before us.

After threshing came pounding the grains to remove the husk, followed by winnowing, the traditional process of separating the rice from the husk using a woven basket and the wind. At some point, Mamerto laughed and said "This is my gym, and I'm not paying anything." We all laughed with him, but there was truth in his words. Farming develops strength, coordination, balance, endurance and rhythm as aprt of everyday life. Even after the rice has been processed, nothing was wasted. The remaining straw was bundled and turned into a broom, reflecting a way of living where every part of the harvest has value.

The immersion also took us beyond the rice fields. We visited the breathtaking rice terraces of Bangaan and Batad and hiked to a secluded waterfall known only to the local community. The scenery was unforgettable.

Bangaan Rice Terraces

Batad Rice Terraces

Secret waterfalls

Looking back, I realized that Mamerto was teaching far more than traidtional farming. Walking through the rice fields taught trust. Harvesting taught presence. Mun-ulot taught patience. Pounding reminded us that transformation requires effort, while winnowing showed how nature itself can help separate what is esential from what is not. Together, these experiences revealed a way of living rooted in respect for the land, gratitude for food and the understanding that knowledge is gained not only through th mind but through the hands, the body and direct experience.

The next time I sit own to eat a bowl of rice, I know I will never look at it the same way again. Behind every grain is the earth, the seasons, the farmer, the generations of knowledge and countless acts of care.

Zenkoji: History, Presence and a Perfect Lunch in Nagano

2026-01-07T16:58:00.000+08:00

A visit to Zenkoji Temple is less about sightseeing and more about entering a living history and devotion. With nearly 1,400 years of continous worship, Zenkoji is one of Japan's most important Buddhist temple, known for its rare non-sectarian spirit that welcomes everyone, regardless of belief and background.

The temple was founded in 642 AD and enshrines the Ikko-Sanzon Amida Nyoral, believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist images in Japan. The original statue is a hibutsu, or hidden Buddha, never shown to the public. A reminder that faith here is experiential rather than visual. There's an old saying that you should visit Zenkoji at least once in your lifetime.

The Walk In, the Hall and the Darkness Below

Getting to the temple is part of the experience. The omotesando is a wide, gently uphill street lined with small shops and cafes.Passing through the Sanmon Gate, you arrive at the Main Hall (Hondo), rebuilt in 1707 and one of the largest wooden Buddhist Halls from the Edo period.

Underneath the hall is Okaidan Meguri, a pitch dark underground passage. You walk through in complete darkness, one hand on the wall, slowly feeling your way forward, as you search for a hidden key said to represent enlightenment. It's a little unsettling first, but also grounding. Without sight, everything comes back to breath, touch and trust. It's simple and surprisingly moving.

Lunch at Takizaw

After the temple, we walked back down the omotesando for lunch at Takizawa, set in a beautifully restored historic building.

We ordered the lunch special, which came with six seasonal appetizers: pumpkin with perilla, tender Sanadamara chicken, silky house-made tofu, fried shrimp dumplings wrapped in shiso, sautéed chicken and vegetables in a light broth, and a fresh Shinshu salmon salad. Every dish felt carefully prepared and well balanced. That was followed by chicken tempura and hot Shinshu buckwheat soba noodles—comforting in the best way.

We paired the meal with local sake, Zenkoji Hizoshu and Hoka, both excellent.

Art to End the Day

To close the afternoon, we walked back uphill to the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum to see Borrowed Place, Borrowed Time by photographer Keizo Kitajima, who was born in Nagano. His images are quiet, intimate, and focused on everyday moments. After the temple, they felt like a continuation of the same conversation—about presence, impermanence, and what it means to really notice life as it is.

Zenkoji ended up being more than just a temple visit. It was a full, unhurried day where history, ritual, food, and art all flowed together naturally—and one I’d gladly repeat.

From Yoga to Everest: My Gear Checklist and Reflections for the EBC Trek

2025-04-19T17:29:00.002+08:00

Another Himalayan adventure awaits—this time, to Everest Base Camp (EBC). My Kundalini Yoga mentor is celebrating her 60th birthday this year and she chose to honor this milestone by trekking to EBC. I’m grateful to join her on this journey. Our trek begins this May 1, 2025 and ends on May 18, 2025.

The excitement is real, but so is my anxiety. For the past two months, I’ve been hitting the gym and climbing Mt. Makiling, hoping to prepare my body for the challenge. Still, I wonder if it’s enough. One requirement is 100 burpees daily; I’m not there yet! I manage 50, three times a week. But maybe, as with most things, progress matters more than perfection.

Jump off point is at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters) Source: Elite Exped

About Everest Base Camp

EBC sits at 5,364 meters (18,225 feet) on the south side of Mount Everest in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park. It’s the launching point for climbers aiming for the world’s tallest peak at 8,848 meters (29,031 feet). Our route starts at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters), then winds through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Debuche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and finally EBC, before retracing our steps. The slow pace is necessary for acclimatization, and every step brings us closer to the mountains and ourselves.

Training and Preparation

Preparing for EBC isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about mental readiness, too. The trek involves long days, steep trails, and high altitude, so building endurance, flexibility, and resilience is key. Conditioning hikes, like my Makiling climbs, are recommended, as is getting used to your gear and carrying a loaded backpack. It’s normal to feel unsure and like me, most trekkers wonder if they’ve trained enough. What matters is starting early, staying consistent, and listening to your body.

The destination: Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meteres (18,225 feet). Source: Elite Exped

EBC Gear Checklist

Here’s the gear list I’m packing, compiled from our organizer and seasoned trekkers:

- Packs: 65-liter duffel (carried by sherpa) and a 30-liter daypack

- Bottles: 1-liter Nalgene bottle and a thermos flask for hot drinks

- Shoes: Waterproof, ankle-supporting boots (broken in), trainers for evenings, flip flops for showers

- Head: Merino wool buff, baseball cap, beanie

- Clothing: Waterproof jacket with hood, windproof pants, 790-filled lightweight down jacket, fleece midlayer, thermal base layers, trekking pants (lightweight and fleece-lined for the evening)

- Gloves: insulated gloves and liners

- Underwear: Moisture-wicking underwear

- Socks: wool and liner socks

- UV-protective sunglasses, trekking poles, head lamp

- Sleeping: Down sleeping bag, sleeping pad

- Snacks: protein bars, trail mix

- First aid kit (Band-Aid, blister care, ibuprofen, antihistamine, antibiotics, Diamox)

- Others: hand/toe warmers, SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm, ziploc bags, Swiss Army Knife, travel insurance, Nepalese rupees (USD 250 for tips)

Reflections

This trek is more than a physical feat—it’s a celebration of life’s milestones, a chance to embrace uncertainty, and a way to reconnect with nature and myself. I’m excited, nervous, and determined to take it one step at a time. As a yoga teacher, I see this journey as a living practice of balance, endurance, and being present.

If you’re planning your own EBC adventure, may your gear serve you well and your spirit stay strong. Every mindful step brings you closer to the summit—of the mountain, and of your own dreams.

Diving in Raja Ampat: A Dream Come True

2025-01-20T11:32:00.005+08:00

If you love the ocean, diving in Raja Ampat is like stepping into a real-life paradise. My recent 10-day adventure on the Mermaid 2 liveaboard was nothing short of magical.

Map of Raja Ampat

Getting There

Even though I live in the Philippines, getting to Raja Ampat took some effort. I had to fly to Jakarta and then catch another flight to Sorong. After spending a night in Jakarta and another in Sorong, I was finally ready to dive into this beautiful diving destination. Bob, our dive guide, picked us up from the hotel and took us straight to the pier, where our adventure began.

The Crew and Comfort

From the moment we stepped aboard, the crew made us feel right at home. Their smiles and warm welcomes set the tone for an amazing trip. Our cruise director, Luca, took the time to brief us about everything from the in and outs of the boat including each dive site, ensuring we were well-prepared before plunging into the depths.

Luca briefing us before the dive

We were divided into three groups, and our dive guides - Bob, Alo, Angus (and Daria) - led us through the underwater wonders. They were incredibly skilled at spotting marine life, from tiny pygmy seahorses hiding in the coral, hairy blue squat lobster, wobbegongs, to majestic oceanic manta rays gliding effortlessly by.

Dive grouping

Pygmy seahorse (photo by @deeperbluediving)

Mimic octopus (photo by @bea.diver.artist)

Baby wobbegong (carpet shark)

Oceanic manta ray (photo by @deeperbluediving)

The dive platform team was equally attentive, assisting us as we entered and exited the dinghy. They truly spoiled us by helping us with everything - even putting on our fins! The dinghy divers were always there when we finished the dive. They made the whole experience feel seamless and enjoyable.

The dive platform crew warmly welcoming us back after a dive.

Onboard, we enjoyed five meals a day - small breakfast, big breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. There was always something tasty to keep us energized for our dives. Sure, some dishes were a bit saltier than I prefer, but honestly, it was a small price to pay for such an incredible experience.

Underwater Wonders

Raja Ampat, which translates to Four Kings in Indonesian, is famous for its incredible underwater biodiversity. Every dive revealed vibrant coral reefs and unique marine creatures.

Here’s a quick look at our dive schedule:

January 12 - Daram Misol

8:00 am Andiamo

11:00 am Warna Berwana

3:00 pm Yiliet Kecil

6:30 pm Romeo

January 13- Misool Boo

8:00 am Boo window (my favorite)

11:00 am Boo East

2:00 pm Nudi Rock

6:30 pm Boo Bay

Misol Boo Window (photo taken by @bea.diver.artist)

January 14 - Misool Wayil

8:00 am Wedding Cake

11:00 am Barracuda Rock

3:00 pm Gorgonian Passage

6:30 pm Wayil wall

January 15 - Misool East, South, Farondi

8:00 am Boo West (pinnacle)

11:00 am Eagle Nest

3:00 pm Two Trees

5:00 pm Lagoon Tour

6:30 pm Wagmag

cruising to South Batanta

January 16- Batanta Piaynemo

8:00 am Algae Patch (muck diving)

11:00 am Happy Ending (best muck diving)

4:30 pm View Point of Piaynemo

6:30 pm Galaxy

Group photo at the viewpoint of Piaynemo with Daria and Agus

January 17 - Piaynemo + Yangefo

8:00 am Melissa’s Garden

11:00 am Batu Rufus (wall of yellow tail fusilier blocking window)

3:00 pm Mangrove Ridge

6:30 pm Gam Ridge

cruising to Kawe

January 18 - Kawe

7:00 am Black Rock (my favorite)

10:30 Eagle Rock (manta)

3:00 pm Edi’s Black Forest 6:30 Tamau Wofoh

January 19 - Dampier Strait

7:30 am Sawanderek, Mansuar Island (Mobula rays)

10:30 am Blue Magic (manta)

I must say Blue Magic was one of the best dive sites. It's so popular though and expect several divers. We were lucky that we saw oceanic mantas in the cleaning station despite the crowd.

A Journey Worth Taking

With Bea who invited me to dive in Raja Ampat (photo by @christopherpen)

I am impressed by my experience that I'm already thinking about diving in Komodo or Banda Sea next! If you're passionate about diving or just love nature, Raja Ampat should definitely be on your bucket list. This isn’t just a dive trip; it’s an unforgettable journey into one of the most spectacular marine environments on Earth.

Finding Asao: A Journey into Traditional Papermaking

2024-11-13T16:32:00.009+08:00

I recently had the incredible opportunity to join the workshop led by Asao Shimura, titled Terakoya kami Kambolan Magatama, held in the remote Sito Poking in Benguet. My friend Windy introduced me to this workshop, and I was particularly drawn to it because I wanted to learn about ampasit culture. As someone currently studying shamanism, I find that anything related to animism captivates my interest, and I want to deepen my understanding of Philippine shamanism. Asao is a Japanese paper master, who married an Ibaloi woman who he met while working in Baguio 30 years ago and chose to settle in herhometown in Benguet. He has dedicated himself to the intricate art of handmade papermaking. Before the workshop, he gave me an ampasit name Naron which is a variation of my name Rosan. In Ibaloi culture, having an ampasit name holds significant importannce ofr for spiritual identity, offering protection and fostering a sense of community connection.

The workshop spanned four days and began with a traditional rice wine (tapuy) ceremony. The tapuy was made by his sister-in-law Lilia a month prior. After partaking in the tapuy, Asao jumped right into teaching us how to make paper from pine tree bark. In the Philippines, cutting down pine trees is strictly regulated to protect the environment and preserve natural resources, so the bark we used came from a tree that has fallen during a typhoon. Asao is committed to sustainability and ensures that nothing goes to waste. That’s why we not only used the bark but also the branches for papermaking. The paper-making process was meticulous. We started by pounding the pre-cooked pulp, which had been treated in an alkaline solution called Aku. After that, we soaked it in water mixed with mucilage (polyethylene oxide) before using a large deckle (46 x 61 cm) to shape the paper. Asao then pressed the sheets with his unique contraption to squeeze excess water off, and hung the sheets to dry.

In the afternoon, his apprentice, Francine Lima, taught us how to create paper using use indigo pulp without cooking or applying mucilage.

Day 2 focused on exploring Konjac starting with a healthy breakfast prepared by Asao. Konjac is a root vegetable rich in glucomannan, a soluble dietary fiber beneficial for digestion, weight management, and cholesterol reduction. He even made Konjac ice cream for us!

We began the morning by making konjac ink using a variety of natural materials: omija, cinnabar, pine bark, Indian indigo, pearl powder, pine soot, lac, and cochineal. These ingredients are sourced from plants, minerals, and even insects. Asao’s attention to detail was impressive, reflecting his background as an industrial chemist; every ingredient was measured precisely to 0.5 grams and whisked to achieve the right thickness. We created eight different ink colors during this process.

The morning was fully dedicated to ink-making, and in the afternoon, we transitioned to painting on three types of handmade paper: one made from pineapple mixed with rice straw, another from banana fibers, and the last from mother of pearl. This was my first experience with painting, and it proved to be incredibly peaceful. We even experimented with applying gold leaf to the pine bark paper we had crafted the day before.

Day 3 was all about enjoying nature. We hiked to Kamboloan River, surrounded by beautiful rice field terraces and bamboo bolo forests, with the Cordillera mountains as our backdrop. At 72 years old, Asao led our group at an impressive pace, guiding us down to the river for two hours and back up in 2.5 hours.

Francine along with my fellow workshop classmate Rawisara from Thailand, wore shifu kimonos made by Asao which were intricately crafted from woven paper yarn. Little did I know that we would be making paper yarn the followin day! On our way back, we collected 300 bamboo bolo leaves.

In the afternoon, we boiled our artworks, which had been coated with Konjac on both sides in a lime solution for one minute. The process is called kyoseishi to make the artwork resistant to tearing and water damage.

We also learned the traditional four-hole bookbinding called yotsume toji from Francine. It was a long day and fulfiling day, culminating in the process of making charcoal from the bamboo leaves we collected.

The last day, day 4 was dedicated to shifu, the traiditional Japanese art of transforming paper into thread. Using handmade 100% pineapple paper, we began by cutting a single sheet into eights, then slicing each piece into 1.5 mm strips. We then rolled it, joined the ends to make one long thread and then spun it into yarn. Asao explained that the yarn is then woven into fabric.

I wore one of Asao’s shifu kimonos to show a sample of the final output. One kimono takes hundreds of handmade paper strips, and 3 to 6 months to finish. This process requires immense patience and dedication, truly a labor of love.

Although I came to the workshop hoping to learn about ampasit culture, I ended up discovering so much about traditional papermaking instead. This hands-on experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the craft and the cultural traditions behind it. Thank you Asao! Spending time with you was truly unforgettable experience. I gained a new appreciation for nature, the gifts it provides and the beauty of craftsmanship and sustainability.

Reviving the Cashew Industry: Palawan Cashew Company's Story

2024-06-12T13:02:00.003+08:00

As we celebrate our country's independence, it brings me great joy to celebrate our cashew treasures from Coron! Believe it or not, most cashews available here are imported from Vietnam, known for its large-scale production and lower prices. That's why I am happy to discover the Palawan Cashew Company, the first and sole semi-automated cashew processing facility in the Philippines.

Raw cahsew for sun drying

This pioneering company is dedicated to crafting high-quality, all-natural cashew products that proudly bear the "Made in Coron, Palawan" label. What sets them apart is their commitment to sourcing cashews directly from Coron's wild forest, where locals hand-picked them. This approach not only ensures the highest quality but also helps revive the cashew industry in the country while bolstering local livelihoods.

Gone with the Wynns interview with the founder, Raul Bulaong on May 12, 2024

If you love cashews like I do, I highly recommend trying Palawan Cashew Company's products. Under the brand name Pedro, they offer whole cashew kernels and a range of bottled cashew butter products. These products are available at Real Food Rockwell and will soon be at Healthy Options.

The Palawan Cashew Company'sbottled cashew butter products under the brand name "Pedro"

By choosing the Palawan Cashew Company, you not only savor a delectable and sustainable treat but also support a homegrown business that is fostering positive change within the community. Happy Independence Day!

Taman Beji Griya Waterfall, A Unique and Special Place for Purification in Bali

2023-10-05T19:42:00.017+08:00

I have had the privelege of experiencing several Melukat ceremonies in Bali and so far, Taman Beji Griya Waterfall, outside Ubud, stands out as the most unique and special.

The place is located within the Sangeh forest jungle with lots of hidden caves, cascading waterfalls and carved stone walls. It's about 31 minutes from Ubud center.

One of the remarkable aspects of Taman Beji Griya Waterfall is its offering of various healing modalities. In addition to the Melukat ceremony, they also provide shamanic practices such as palm reading, past life regression, aura cleansing, as well as other packages.

We decided chose the Melukat purification ceremony, which was priced at IDR 300,000 per person. This package included a sarong, bell, offering, towel, two young coconuts, locker, an English-speaking guide, a priest, and a complimentary jamu drink.

The purification ritual began with the reverent act of offering prayers and lighting incense to the deities.

The process involved five stages of purification. The first stage was in the shower in a hidden canyon in the cave to balance out health and call on fertility.

The second was in the well to cleanse our aura and attract wealth and luck. The stage was to release emotions in two waterfalls- screaming to release negativity and laughing to release joy and happiness.

The fourth stage was performing a pengelukatan in the shower in the pool. And last purification was receiving a sacred blessing with young green and yellow coconut water by the priestess.

Taman Beji Griya Waterfall is not just a breathtaking natural wonder, but a sanctuary for healing and relaxation. If you are seeking a unique and transformative experience, I highly recommend visiting Taman Beji Griya Waterfall. It offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature while embarking on a journey of purification and healing.

Word Art anyone?

2022-10-23T23:11:00.004+08:00

I've never expected to see so much Word Art in Paris+ Art Basel!

The first time I came across using words as a form of art was in the painting of American pop artist Robert Indiana. In 1965 he used four letters L-O-V-E against a backdrop of blue and green color.

I actually googled and found out that Word Art has been used since the 1950s by artists classified as postmodern.

The definition of Word Art is "text-based imagery featuring words and phrases in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, lithography, screen printing, applied art, and projection mapping. Jasper Johns started inserting text in his artworks as early as 1957, followed by Roy Lichenstein and Andy Warhol.

Elena Martinque described it as, "Thoughtfully utilizing text as a primary vehicle of communication in their artistic expression, these artists created works that pushed boundaries, shocked and seduced.

Several expressions of Word Art were displayed at the art fair. I was intrigued by the work of Tony Coke's lightbox. It featured Kanye West's comments: "I am the number one human being in music.... I am Warhol. I am the No. 1 most impactful artist of our generation" on 9 x 7 solid blue and red tiles. Apologies that I wasn't able to note the name of the artist, title and gallery of the last three artworks below:

Tony Coke's Face Value (Kanye West), 2011, edition 3, lightbox with duratran print, Greene Naftali Gallery

Lawrence Weiner's In & Our of Place Carried by Its Own Weight, 2011 l, Mai 36 Galerie

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1983, Van de Weghe Fine Art

Joël Andrianomearisoa, J'embrasse l'air du soir, 2020

Maria Pask, My Vagina is not Ugly, 2020, Gouache and Pencil on Chinese paper, Ellen de Bruijne Projects

I asked one of the galleries representing a Word Art artist for a stand-alone text priced at 10,000 euros. He said that the artwork's owner could use it in a billboard, for instance, for as long as the integrity of the text's font and spacing are retained. Not bad. it's like purchasing a copyright.

Gai, Ricky and I at the end of the Grand Palais Éphémère

The Paris+ par Art Basel, the new Modern and contemporary art fair, opened its doors at the Grand Palais Éphémère from October 20 to 23 with 156 galleries participating from 30 countries

Edvard Munch at the Museee d'Orsay

2022-10-22T10:15:00.002+08:00

Since college, I’ve always been fascinated by Edvard Munch’s The Scream (1893). It’s a painting of someone desperate, screaming, and haunted by external forces.

Artsper describes it as “a panic-stricken creature, simultaneously corpselike and reminiscent of a sperm or fetus, whose contours are echoed in the swirling lines of the blood-red sky.”

Nick Mafi wrote, “When he painted The Scream in 1893, Munch was inspired by “a gust of melancholy,” as he declared in his diary. It’s because of this, coupled with the artist’s personal life trauma, that the painting takes on a feeling of alienation, of the abnormal.”

I’m glad I went to see the exhibition in the Musee d’Orsay depicting the 60 years of his life from 1863 to1944. Over 150 pieces of his work are presented, including about sixty paintings, drawings, engravings, photographs, etchings, drypoints, lithographs, and woodcuts.

The exhibit is not organized chronologically. The curator focused more on the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Self Portrait with Burning Cigarette (1895) is the first painting on display

The Sick Child (1885-86), 15-year old bedridden sister Sophie who died from tuberculosis at 11

The Kiss (1897)

Vampire (1893), initially titled Love and Pain

The Girls on the Bridge (1899)

Evening on Karl Johan Street (1892(

Metabolism, Life and Death (1898)

Death of Marat (1907)

one of the paintings of his sister with his mother, who passed away earlier, standing

Self portrait

Study of Metabolism

Woodcut of Madonna (1894-95)

The Sun (1912), one of 11 paintings commissioned for Oslo University's ceremonial assembly hall

The show ended with Starry Night where he was alluded to Van Gogh in the birth of expressionism

Note, though, if you’re expecting to see The Scream, it’s not hanging. There are studies of it in this show:

If you’re in Paris and interested in modern expressionism, don’t miss this show, “Edvard Munch. A poem of life, love, and death,” which will run until January 22, 2023, at the Musee d’Orsay.

Elmer Borlongan's first solo exhibit in Paris

2022-10-21T14:37:00.001+08:00

Bravo to Elmer Borlongan's first solo exhibit in Paris, "When Time Stood Still".

The exhibit presented 15 paintings and monotypes.

Béatrice de Rochebouet wrote, "Produced during the Covid years, his new series draws on his past experiences and observations but is more introspective. What is important to each of us after the pandemic we experienced? What is the meaning of life from now on," these are all questions that led Elmer Borlongan, 55 years old, with a voluntary face animated by a bright smile, to push his work further... The colors are dark like the power of the darkness of the tormented landscapes of Evrard Munch, the distorted figures like the tortured bodies of Egon Shiele that the triumphant suffering metamorphoses into pure beauty."

his muse, Plet Bolipata-Borlongan

Elmer with Jonatthan Matti

Friends and art collectors joined the artist at the exhibit opening on October 20:

Ricky Yusay, moi, Bea Garcia, Edouard Garcia and Gai Olivares

Elmer with H.E. Juvener M. Mahilum-West, Philippine Ambassador to France

Moi with art patrons Hetty and Paulino Que, Lori Juvida and Bobby Gopiao.

Asia Now Parisi Art Fair exhibitor Vinyl on Vinyl with artists

The exhibit will run until November 20, 2022 at Galerie Géraldine Banier, located at Saint-Germain-des-Prés at 54, rue Jacob Paris.

Hiking in La Mesa Nature Reserve

2021-02-28T21:28:00.003+08:00

It's good to be back in La Mesa and see it thriving! The first time I visited was way back in the early 2000s for the Save La Mesa Watershed project of the late environment advocate Gina Lopez. She had multiple projects as head of ABS-CBN Foundation, and La Mesa was one of her projects under Bantay Kalikasan.  

The Watershed is 2,700 hectares, 700 hectares of which is the reservoir, and 2,000 hectares is the surrounding forest. This forest is the last remaining one of its size in Manila and serves as its carbon dioxide sink.  

The project started as reforesting and replanting to cover the almost denuded Watershed through the 'Adopt a Hectare' and 'Adopt a Tree' programs.  A portion of the reserve was later redeveloped and refurbished as an Eco Park to support the watershed reforestation project. 

I'm so glad that they opened up the La Mesa Nature Reserve for hiking and mountain bike enthusiasts. It's open every day from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

The entrance fee is P1,000 for a group and P200 each for more than 5 persons. Each group is assigned a guide. To get there, follow Waze to La Mesa Nature Reserve. Book 3 days in advance via 0928-798-5698 or 0949 397-6059. Walk-ins are discouraged! The park has a limit of up to 100 persons. If you want to avoid the crowd, go after 8 am. 

Have you tried space clearing yet?

2021-02-19T21:30:00.003+08:00

Your space - either your home or office, holds a lot of imprints. These are the thoughts and feelings projected by you and the people with you. It can be positive, happy, and uplifting or the opposite.

Space clearing helps clear out negative, toxic energies. It's just like cleaning off the dust and dirt; your space also accumulates the dust and dirt of emotions like anger, fear, anxiety, worry, etc. It's also best to clear your space after an argument or fight, disease or sickness, divorce or death.

Treat it as spiritual hygiene to maintain the energy of your home. Months have passed with us in our own homes in this stressful time. Think of what energy your home has now. Maybe it's a good time to consider space clearing?

Pivoting to online teaching this ECQ

2020-05-14T22:01:00.000+08:00

Week 10, day 61. The government has extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for another two weeks and called it "modified" enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

The MECQ will be implemented in areas tagged as containment zones. These areas with less than 20 cases. It still feels like a lockdown with movement limited within the zone for essential services and work. There are selected manufacturing and processing plants that are allowed to resume operations up to a maximum of 50 percent workforce. There is still no public transportation operating. And, schools are still suspended.

The good news is we are allowed to go out and walk around to exercise. A few weeks ago, I was experiencing cabin fever and I was a bit distressed, to be honest. I'm now sort of getting used to this ECQ or MECQ way of life and learned to pivot to survive.

I'm definitely grateful for the technology of zoom to keep me connected to everyone and even use it as a platform to teach yoga online. I don't think there will be face-to-face opportunities soon so I'll continue teaching online until the yoga studio opens, and if it opens.

Kundalini Yoga at Life Yoga studio.

I'm sharing a throwback to 2016 when I was teaching at Life Yoga studio. I didn't know that there was a reporter who joined the class. I guess it was a full moon class. She wrote "It was, in my head, one of the most unusual yoga classes I have ever attended, beginning with a discourse on the significance and meaning of the full moon, followed by some astrological trivia, and then chanting... It's not exactly what you'd expect of a typical yoga class, but the results to be felt almost immediately, are also not quite like any other. .. Remember the gong I was saying that the teacher plays at the end of the class? It's my favorite part - the melodies striking of the gong sending soft waves through my body. After the class, you'll feel lighter inside, with a more positive demeanor. "

Come to join my online class if you haven't. There's no gong though. It's strange that the gong's overtones won't go over zoom. I teach Kundalini Yoga every Monday and Thursday at 5:00 pm, with Aegle Wellness every Thursday at 11:00 am and with Rebel Yoga Manila every Sunday at 10 am. I also teach workshops and do private classes. Here's the link to my online class schedule.

It's another two weeks, whether you are alone or with people you love, always stay safe and look out for each other.

Buddha says "Everything changes"

2020-05-08T22:10:00.000+08:00

the 49-ft Maitreya Buddha

Week 8, Day 55. Today is a flashback to Thikse Monastery in Ladakh where the 49-ft Maitreya Buddha is located. It's quite timely to honor Buddha yesterday during Wesak and to be reminded of one of his Universal Truths that "Everything changes."

This lockdown is a glaring reminder that nothing is permanent. Impermanence is the very nature of life and is the only permanent thing. It teaches us to let go of things that make us happy as well as to let go of the challenges.

As Buddha taught, in this testing times, this is an opportunity to discover within the depth of our courage and resilience. There are so many things that I've realized that I can live without and thankful that I've learned how to adapt to this new normal.

We have another week in lockdown and hopeful that it's also another week closer to the end of it.
Impermanence is the very nature of life and is the only permanent thing. It teaches us to let go of things that make us happy as well as the challenges. As Buddha taught, in this testing times, this is an opportunity to let go and discover within the depths of our courage and resilience.

view of the Himalayas from the monastery

There are so many things that I've realized that I can live without and thankful that I've learned how to adapt to this new normal. We have another week in lockdown and hopeful that it's also another week closer to the end of it. Count your blessings!
.

Watch what you eat during lockdown

2020-05-03T22:28:00.000+08:00

Week 8, day 50. I can't believe that it's been 50 days already. I've lost track of time and I'm extremely grateful to Peter who kept tabs through his online journal.

My healthy blend for breakfast

The government will lift the lockdown in two weeks and I'm now committing to keep my body healthy by juicing, eating raw food, and having light dinners to make sure that what comes in gets eliminated quickly.

According to yogic science, when food remains in the body for longer than 24 hours, the waste product beings to rot, and harmful toxins are absorbed back into the system. The liver, which is responsible for removing toxins from the bloodstream, becomes overloaded, and the whole body becomes contaminated.

Check yourself: are you experiencing a lack of energy? Is your tongue coated in white? Do you have bad breath? Are you irritable, nervous, or feeling constipated? These are some signs that may urge you to switch to easy to digest foods.

Coach Francis sent me the top 10 Fat Burning Foods to help me with my diet. He actually gave a more detailed presentation on how to combine exercise and macros (or macronutrients) to lose weight.

First, calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) by multiplying your weight in kilos by 7 and then, divided by 700. There are two types of training -Cardio and Resistance. If you stop training in cardio, you stop burning calories. If you stop training in resistance, calories are burned up to 32 hours after a workout. To get the recommended heart rate for the Fat Burning Zone is to multiply your age by 65%. To lose weight, he recommended resting 1 to 2 minutes between sets and to eat 30 minutes after a workout.

Let's see how it goes. I might need an app to calculate my calorie intake. Stay healthy!!

Bored this lockdown, here's 8 free access sites to choose from

2020-03-21T20:04:00.000+08:00

Source: dreamtime.com

We're now approaching the second week of the month-long enhanced community quarantine aka lockdown. If you're bored and want something new and different from Netflix, I'm sharing some sites that are offering free access:

1. Learn how to cook from Michelin-rated chef Massimo Botura. He has set up #kitchenQuarantine on his Instagram and shares worth-while cooking tips.

2. Why not learn from Ivy League professors during this time? There are 495 free courses to choose from. The subjects range from science, music, philosophy to art and design.

3. Watch top Broadway shows. Playbill has shared eleven best-filmed broadway shows for free, but you have to be on amazon prime HD to watch.

4. If you're a music fan, NPR has listed concerts that are being streamed from all over the world.

5. For fitness, my favorite yoga studio Rebel Yoga Manila has recently put up Rebel Yoga TV on youtube offering yoga classes for free. I've actually shared two pranayama techniques.

Watch how to boost your immune system with this breathing technique

6. Visit twelve world-class museums that you can tour online from the Louvre, the Vatican to St. Petersburg's Hermitage.

7. Watch the opera from New York Metropolitan at 7:30pm EST.

8. London's Royal Opera House is also streaming opera and ballet performances.

And I'm also offering free meditation classes every Tuesday at 5:00pm (GMT). Check out the schedule here. Do you know of other free sites?

Diving with the Angels of the Deep in Socorro Islands

2019-02-17T14:05:00.000+08:00

The Angel of the Deep at El Boiler (photo by Jiggy Santillian)

Shout out to all divers! If you want to see action, this is the place to be. Socorro Island is one of the four volcanic islands in the Pacific that includes San Benedicto, Roca Partida, Clarion. The four islands comprise the Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico’s largest fully protected marine reserve.

It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. And in 2017, the last Mexican President Enrique Nieto signed a decree protecting the area, 14.8 million hectares (148,087 square kms), from all forms of fishing and extractive activities.

The sign in El Boiler in San Benedicto Island (photo by Hilda Tolentino)

Our very own Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, also a World Heritage Site, is less than 1% in size compared to Revillagigedo at 97,030 hectares .

The islands are located where the cold waters of the California current converge with the warm waters of the North Equatorial current. This creates upwellings that bring nutrients from the bottom of the ocean to the surface which help feed about 366 species of fish, 26 of which are endemic, and 37 species of sharks and rays. So you can just imagine how amazingly beautiful the marine life is.

The Nautilus Undersea Hunter (drone shot by Lilian Cobia)

The only way to get to the park is on a liveaboard We were a cozy group of 18 divers – 12 Filipinos (Hilda, Jiggy, Marivi, Doris, Lilliane, Kelda, Ryan, Erica, Willard, Jackson and Michael), a couple from Shanghai (Ron and Vivi), a Malaysian based in Beijing (Josh), a micro biologist from Costa Rica (Monica) and two federal park rangers - the director of the park, Alejandro Gonzalez and park ranger Fernando Perez. We were onboard the Nautilus Undersea Hunter led by Captain Vicente and his crew were first mate Gilberto, hostess Karen, Chef Filipe, Engineer Daniel and Dive Masters Juan from Belize, Awei Tawianese-American and Ramon from Mexico.

Half the group with the Park rangers Fernando and Alejandro at the foreground (photo by Liliane Cobia)

We boarded the boat at Cabo San Lucas at 8pm on February 8 (Friday) and sailed after midnight. It took us 24 hours to cross the open sea in rough waters. The boat has dramamine available which will last for 24 hours.

San Benedicto Island

Our first stop was San Benedicto, a dormant volcano that erupted in 1950s. We spent two days here. The first dive was at El Canyon where huge lava rocks appear at 12m, gradually sloping down. There are two cleaning stations here. The first is at 24m depth and the second one, deeper at 35m. We spotted hammer heads and galapagos sharks.

Juan briefing us about El Canyon

After the first dive, Juan announced that we were moving to the opposite side of the island to dive El Boiler since the conditions were favorable, calm waters and manageable current.

El Boiler is a large pinnacle that goes down to depths of more than 40m. This is one of my favorite sites! We spotted a school of hammerheads here and encountered the majestic giant oceanic mantas in each dive.

The second day, we moved the boat back to El Canyon. This was our first encounter with dolphins underwater. The current was strong so ended up hanging out at the shallow cleaning station. There's usually some action here with silvertips, oceanic white tips, galapagos sharks and mantas. Don't forget to look inside the rocks for octopus.

The third day we anchored at Roca Partida, a pinnacle that splits into two separate peaks and plunges down to depths of over 60m. The water was very rough, 10-15 feet surge and strong currents. We were greeted with a pod of 12 dolphins, schools of jacks, giant yellow fin tunas, and all kinds of sharks. In one dive, Juan led us out to the blue where we spotted a school of hammerheads at 35m. Don't t miss spotting the school of white tips sleeping on top of each other on the ledge of the rocks, and look for yellow butterfly fishes which seerve as cleaning stations of sharks and during your safety stop, watch out for mobilas (devil rays).

The fourth day we were at the main island, Socorro Island, where the navy is based. We anchored first in Roca O’Neal. The underwater topography is known for its arches. During the safety stop of the second dive, a friendly dolphin swam up close to each diver. There’s a strict rule in the Park not to touch or harass the animals. But this one would nudge it’s nose so everyone ended up petting the dolphin.

This is the day that the Navy inspected the boat. So we had three diving days here, the last one was at Punta Tosca, and a snorkel after dinner with the silky shark. I skipped this activity. I'm not too comfortable swimming with silkies. In 1997, I was diving on a rebreather in Cocos Island. It as a night dive, I felt somebody bumping me underwater. I thought it was the diver in front of me. When I looked to the side of my mask, I saw the divemaster climb the ladder with her fins. Since then, I try not to night dive when there are silkies.

The last day, we were on the Southern side of Socorro, on Cabo Pierce where on the safety stop of the second dive, we watched a manta being chased by a galapagos shark. It was zigzagging in the water and did a double barrel. I thought it was being attacked but Juan said that the shark wanted to rub its skin on the belly of the manta to rid it off parasites.

If you want to see fish action, this is the place to be! Try to go early. Josh spent four days in Cabo and swam with the bull sharks and seals. To get to Socorro, it’s a 12-hour flight from Manila to Los Angeles and then a two-hour flight to Cabo San Lucas. The water was cold. I was wearing a 5mm wet suit, a vest and a head cover. We were on nitrox 30-32 mix so we could stay longer underwater and swim with the mantas on shallower depths. Next stop this trip is another bucket list, diving the Cenotes in Tulum.

Happy campers on the way back to Cabo (photo by Lilian Cobiao)

Growing Your Relationship New Elective Course with Vianna Stibal in Switzerland

2018-04-06T18:45:00.000+08:00

The 7th century old city of Saint Gallen.

It's full circle for me in Switzerland. This is where I took my internship in a pharmaceutical company based in Basel, called Ciba Geigy (it merged with Sandoz in 1996, then acquired by Novartis in 1997 and BASF in 2008).

I just finished my bachelors degree in Sociology and I was assigned in the Economic Policy department under Dr. Itschner. My task was to study the development of the World Health's Organization (WHO) Essential Drugs Policy (generics) and its effects on the pharmaceutical industry. I frequented WHO headquarters in Geneva and conducted intensive research. The findings was compiled into a compendium.

with Theta Healing founder Vianna Stibal and her husband Guy.

After several decades, here I am back in Switzerland to study with my teacher, Theta Healing founder Vianna Stibal.

The country is tiny with land area of 38,516 square kilometers and population of 8,528,912 (as of April 12, 2018) versus the 342,353 square kilometers and 100 million population of the Philippines. The instructor course was held in 7th-century old Saint Gallen, an hour from Zurich by train.

What I like most about being in Switzerland is everything is walkable and there's no traffic! I love too the organic markets where they sell fresh fruits, vegetables and cheese and shops selling freshly baked chocolates!

Freshly baked Laderach chocolates

This is my third year with Vianna, the first was in Tokyo, Japan where I took my Basic, Advanced, Dig Deeper instructor courses. Then in her hometown in Montana, where I studied Manifesting and Abundance, Soul Mate and Rhythm to a Perfect Weight instructor courses. And now, in St. Gallen to study the new elective courses Growing Your Relationship Part 1: You and Your Significant Other and Growing Your Relationship Part 2: You and God.

You and Your Significant Other is a course designed not only for couples but for all types of relationships. It's about learning how to set the ground rules to make the relationship work. While You and God answers all the questions that is going on in one's life. Specifically, the motivation behind actions, reactions and patterns.

with my Hormone Symphony elective teacher Jurta Wirth

Since I've been doing theta healing, a lot of people have asked me What is Theta Healing? I've studied several energy healing modalities - Inner Space Technique under Samuel Sagan in 2005, Reiki in 2010, Be Well Science under Master del Pe in 2012 - and I find Theta Healing more simple and the result is fast.

Theta Healing is a meditation technique created by Vianna in 1995. She underwent her own personal journey back to health and healed from a 9-inch tumor in her leg. The technique generates physical, psychological and spiritual healing with focused prayer through the Creator.

She said "When we connect to the Creator of All That Is, our brainwaves go into Theta state of mind. In this mind state, you can create anything and change reality instantly. " In the Theta state, one can clear limiting beliefs and replace negative programs with positive ones, developing virtues to create a positive lifestyle.

I'm excited to be teaching Growing Your Relationships Part 1 and 2. The prerequisites are Basic and Advanced DNA2 courses. If you're interested in taking the course or doing a theta healing session with me, message me! :-)

Finding Happiness in Bhutan

2018-03-02T16:06:00.000+08:00

Takstang Monastery behind us

Om Mane Padme Hum. I’m grateful to have visited this happy land-locked country in the Himalayas called Bhutan. This is the last standing Buddhist kingdom and ranked one of the happiest country in the world. This is the only country where the Gross National Happiness (GNH) is more important than Gross National Product and they have a Minister of Happiness to make sure that the people are happy.

I've never heard of GNH before and don't know of any other country that measures it's value based on Happiness. The reigning monarchy has decreed that the well-being of its people is the priority, promoting the values of love, love of country, respect and protection of the environment over economic growth. Here's Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on TED Talk where he explains how Bhutan puts happiness first and how Bhutan has set a world standard for environmental preservation.

Are the people happy? I asked our guide Namgyi and with a beaming smile, he said "definitely!" He said that health care and education is free and he works six months a year and the rest of the year he travels and explores other destinations and visits his son who studying in New York. He himself was given the opportunity to study in Austria to hone his skills in tourism.

The visit for me is sublimely healing.

All 13 of us at the entrance of Punakha Dzhong

We visited monasteries in Thimphu but the most engaging one was in Punakha. We were there for the opening of the three day Punakha Festival where the monks and townsfolk performed rituals and sacred dances in colorful, swirling costumers and elaborate headdresses, scarves, hats, gold crowns and head masks depicting animals. The festivalgoers were also colorful in their traditional garb, the Kira and Ghos.

The highlight was the Black Hat dance performed only by monks wearing heavy brocade gown with kimono-like sleeves. The dance is a ritual done on the first day to ward off evil spirits.

It is said that watching the sacred dances during a festival removes five obstacles, illnesses and secret delusions. Kenzing Namgay described this "The five outer obstacles are caused by the planet of the upper world, mountain Gods of the intermediate world, earth spirits, serpents and death spirits. The five illnesses arise from obstructions in psychic nerves that transmit vital energies; the energy flow in the motions, breath, air and wind; the seed essence and the empty nature of energy. The five secret delusions are desire, anger, ignorance, pride and jealousy."

The Black Hat dance

Mingling with the colorful festivalgoers at Punakha

From there we went to the Chimi Lhaklang village, which was adorned with phalluses all over - yes, phalluses! Our guide actually warned us not to be offended by these sightings. He said that the phallus is known as the "Thunderbold of Flaming Wisdom" a symbol of Lama Drukpa Kunley referred to as the "Divine Madman". The symbol represents both fertility and the power to bring enlightenment and to ward off evil to those who seek his teachings.

Phallus symbols adorn the walls of this village

Spotted a lady with her offering

We hiked 20-minutes through the rice fields to the temple which is famous for blessing childless couples. When we got to the temple, we spotted a lady carrying a 20-inch wooden phallus with a white ribbon tied to it and was was walking around the temple three times.

We went inside the temple and set our intentions. After which, the monk blessed us with a wooden phallus and a bow and arrow. The couple in our group refused to enter the temple since they are already blessed with three children aged 17, 9 and 1 years old.

Connecting wtih nature
In Punakha, we were billeted in an ultra-modern resort called Dhensa in the mountains. It was so beautiful that we decided to do some yoga and meditation early the next day. I led a yin class and Karla led a gratitude circle to give thanks to everything that we have in our lives. After breakfast, we did a KQ dance called "opening the lotus of your aura" to clear our auric field of negativities, connect to the elements and connect with our surroundings.

Early morning yoga exercise to op;en the lotus of our aura

Blessed by Guru Rinpoche's Tiger's Nest.
The last day was special, the highlight of the trip. We hiked all the way up to the sacred Takstang (Tiger's Nest) monastery. I felt like I dissolved into the serenity and beauty of the monastery as it is fused to the sheer-rock cliff face, 900 meters off the ground. The climb was steep on a dirt trail surrounded by pine trees.

The trail

Communing with nature

The monastery was devoid of prayer flags. Our guide, Nam, explained that they no longer allow putting prayer flags after a Thai tourist fell off the cliff after taking a selfie. Apparently, the tourist leaned over the prayer flags thinking it was safe to do so. Now, there are railings in place. I don’t mind not having the colorful flags fluttering with the wind as is typical in sacred grounds in the Himalayas. I prefer viewing the monastery in its natural environment, perched on a cliff of granite walls surrounded by the evergreen forest.

Tiger's Nest Monastery

To keep the place in its pristine state, we weren't allowed to take photos inside the monastery. We were able to sit and meditate in the same place where great Tibetan saints meditated including Milarepa. The monaster is where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have descended on a flying tiger in the 8th century bearing the Nyingma Tantric teachings.

My best takeaway in this beautiful country is all it takes is to live simply and be kind and respectful of ourselves, of others and especially of our environment. I'll be forever chanting the mantra of the mountains Om Mane Padme Hum which means 'Hail to the Jewel of the Lotus!'

The art of wearing a Bhutanese Kira

2018-02-27T18:10:00.000+08:00

a traditional Kira

The Bhutanese are proud of their national heritage and this is evident as most of the women wear the traditional Kira dress and the men, the Gho.

The Kira is an ankle-length dress made of a woven fabric. The hand-woven ones are heavier and warmer and also more expensive. The fabric is wrapped around the body and delicately folded on one side.

We were invited to have dinner at the home of our travel organizer, Snow Leopard, in Thimpu. The mother of our host personally dressed all of us in traditional Bhutanese clothes.

She first wrapped a beautiful hand-woven, 100-year old Kira up to my shoulders which she pinned with an antique silver Koma (repousse brooch), one for each shoulder. Then she made me put on a Wonji, a light-colored, long-sleeved silk blouse and wrapped a 3-inch hand-woven belt around my waist. Last is the Toego, a dark-colored heavy silk jacket with the end of the Wonji folded back to form a cuff. For the final touches, she pinned a brooch to secure the jacket from opening and added two strands of antique gemstone necklace.

Nowadays, the Kiras are cut at the waist instead of pulling it up all the way up the shoulders Here's Tessa being dressed by one of the festivalgoer at Punakha:

A festivalgoer helping Tessa put on a Kira

It is interesting to note that the Koma, especially the old designs, can double up as a self-defense weapon. At the textile museum, I spotted one of the antique silver brooches that resembled a knife. The guide said that some of the brooches were used as knives for protection. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo since we weren't allowed to take photos inside.

Here we all are wearing our traditional Kira.

Semana Santa in Castile y Leon

2017-04-17T01:10:00.000+08:00

The procession de la Soledad celebrated during Holy Thursday in Leon.

The best place to spend Easter is in the Castilian region of Northern Spain to witness the most dramatic religious rites and processions. The origin of the liturgical rituals date back to the 13th century.

Call it serendipity! I was in the right place, at the right time. I was in Burgos six days ago to meet up with my friends who already started their Camino de Santiago pilgrimage using the camino Frances route. Stephen started all the way up in the Pyrenees at Saint Jean Pied on March 28 and the rest - Gai, Alan and Raffy - started in Pamplona on April 2. I came from Bozi Dar in the Czech Republic where I did a Kundalini Yoga module 2 course facilitated by Harijiwan and Gurujas and thus, got to Burgos only on April 9, Palm Sunday.

The devotees donned in capirote.

Palm Sunday is the official start of the Semana Santa in Spain. It was my first introduction to capirote. This is, the devotees, the brotherhoods who organizes the processions, are dressed in tall conical hats covering their faces and in belted robes. Each color represents a brotherhood or a masonry guild.

The medieval garb is reserved for those doing penance as a sign of atoning for their sins. They would walk through the narrow cobblestone streets wearing their hats, their faces covered so they wouldn't be discovered as sinners and carrying the carrozas (floats adorned with flowers and large religious figures). Some are walking barefoot. They do resemble the Ku Klux Klan attire though.

The women would wear their traditional mantilla, a black lace veil worn high on the back of their head with a mini-comb clip.

Spanish women wearing their traditional mantilla

Each town along the Camino, from Burgos to Carrion de los Condes to Leon, would have their own .

We were lucky to arrive in Leon and witness three processions in one day. These are the procession de Santo del Desenclavo, the procession de la Soledad and the procession Camino de la Luz. The last one ended until midnight.

The next day, Easter Sunday, the procession started in the morning. At this time, the devotees were no longer wearing their hats. The procession ended in the town square, in front of the Cathedral.

If you want to witness the medieval processions during semana santa, I heard that Seville and Zaragosa are also good.

Here are some video clips and photos of the proceedings:

Palm Sunday procession after the mass in Burgos

Holy Thursday procession in Carrion de los Condes

The processions in Leon on Easter Saturday and Sunday

The Healing Sound of a Gong

2017-02-17T10:00:00.002+08:00

with gong master Mehtab in Hong Kong

I'm now paying it forward after all the gong training I've been through. First with Martha Collard, a student of gong master Don Conreaux and recently with another gong master and kundalini yoga teacher, Mehtab Benton for gong yoga and gong therapy.

Both of the training I've attended were at the Red Doors Studio, founded by Martha. This is where her collection of 19 gongs (and still growing) is housed. She established Red Doors in Aberdeen as a platform to share her passion with a larger audience.

I've been drawn to gongs ever since my first gong bath experience at the Summer Solstice Festival in France in 2013 by Nanakdev Singh. He had on stage massive gongs (more than 40" in diameter). He was at the center and there were 5-6 students with him. As they played, I felt that my tired, aching plus jet lag body was being healed by the overwhelming overtones of the gong. I would go back each day of my stay at the festival to receive a 30-minute gong bath by his group.

The gong is one of the oldest transformational and therapeutic instruments used in rituals, ceremony, prayer and meditation since the Bronze Age. The sound generated are multi-dimensional ripples that swell into varying degrees of sound waves. What happens in a gong bath is that the person receiving (in a lying position) is 'bathed' in the swelling sound vibrations, shifting brainwave activity from beta (normal state) to theta (meditative) where deep healing takes place. The process is called entrainment where the sound frequency is the agent that produces the shift.

And now, four years after my first experience, I find myself starting a collection of Paiste gongs - first, symphonic (24" and 34") and then, Mars (32") and recently, Earth (40") - and continuously undergoing training. For my kundalini yoga classes, I normally bring one gong with me and play the gong at the end of the class or at times, when I do special 'rebirthing' classes where the gong is played to clear emotional blockages. I also hold longer, 45-minute gong bath sessions at the Third Eye Wellness Center every Wednesday evening and for a very special group every other Wednesday afternoon. At times, I do participate in public events and give gong baths.

at an outdoor yoga class hosted by Life

at SouLove Center

at the opening of Yoga+Express Legazpi

at the Global Mala event

integrating gong during my Kundalini Yoga class

After undergoing eight days hands-on training with Mehtab, I now integrate the sound of the gong in my kundalini yoga classes and not just play it at the end or during special featured classes. One of my students, Natasha Rodriguez, remarked that the gong helps her concentrate better and encourages her do the poses more. Mind you, in kundalini yoga, we hold the poses at times for more than a minute or two.

Gong Therapist certification

I'm also a 'Gong Therapist' and conduct one-on-one sessions (by appointment though). During the session, the gong combined with the practices of yoga (i.e. breathing techniques, hand gestures) are used to create a healing environment and transformational experience.

One of my first clients said that she experienced loose bowel movement after the one-hour session. Imbalances in the body may cause accumulation of toxins in certain parts of the body. The sound helps move high vibration energy through the body, loosening, dislodging and flushing out these accumulated toxins which may come out either as loose bowel, skin rashes, etc.

It may take some time for sound healing to become mainstream here in the Philippines. Nevertheless, I'm hopeful that people will turn to sound as a complementary healing modality. Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), the father of holistic medicine said that "Sound is the medicine of the future." Even Rudolf Steiner, German philosopher said that "pure tones will be used for healing before the end of this century."

Why do we need to raise our vibration this 2017

2016-12-26T08:00:00.000+08:00

Today is quite a special day and mind you, I'm not talking about Boxing Day which is celebrated in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. I'm referring to the phenomenon referred to as the galactic superwave that's supposed to hit our planet today. I'm reposting what I posted on a private group on Facebook regarding this phenomenon:

I actually stumbled upon this article last night about massive bursts of gamma rays that will impact our planet today (watch video).

My intent in sharing this article is not to instill fear but to emphasize the importance of raising your vibration. I believe that this phenomenon - of taking down the old grid to bring humanity to higher dimensions of consciousness - is real.

Yogi Bhajan foresaw this and introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West despite all odds, to prepare his students for the Age of Aquarius. In his lecture in 1993, he said "Today we talk about the planet Earth, he seven plates of the Earth and the nine continents. Tomorrow, we will talk about the gamma globular earth planetary upper super magnetic galaxy of the Supreme, into the reality of the co-existing of sixty-two million elementary co-existents of a planet, which shall be in control. These are environments which you cannot even describe today. We are entering space. And within this type of age, we will cross the space. It shall happen whether you like it or not."

The linked article's source is James Gilliland, the founder of ECETI.org who said “Some people are going to go into 4D, some are going to go into 5D. It just depends on your consciousness and where you’re at when these energies press in.”

Photo from @blooming_peace

Like Yogi Bhajan, he too advocates the importance of working on raising one's vibration. I've also mentioned this in my kundalini yoga classes this 2016 that having five to six planets in retrograde is quite rare and is really asking us to transform, to change our ways.

I'm sharing Gilliland's five out of 12 ways to raise your vibration and will continue the rest in the next newsletter:
1. Meditate – many of the people who say they don’t have time to meditate will find time to watch TV. [He recommends not to watch TV).

Watch children playing –  try to remember the fascination of experiencing things for the first time, or the innocence of childhood.

Exercise – as long as your able to do so, then go for a walk in nature and you’ll get two benefits at the same time!.

Forgive yourself and others – none of us are perfect and there are those who either have hurt us, or that we have hurt. Forgive them but also remember to forgive yourself.

Express gratitude – be grateful for the beauty that surrounds you, even if it’s a small tree in the middle of a big city.  Be grateful for the meal you are about to eat and anything else that has been blessed to come into your life, including some of the negative things that ended up being wonderful life lessons that expanded your spiritual growth.

Diving into the Blue Ether with Kirantana Khalsa

2016-11-18T10:24:00.000+08:00

Anahaw Farms, November 2016
(photo credit: Pia Casequin)

I felt like my soul took quite a trip last weekend at Lipa for "A Road to Enlightenment: Unleash Your True Self" immersion program with Master teacher Kirantana Khalsa. This strange photo taken on the third day of the immersion program seemed to capture that surreal and amazing journey tapping into what connects one with the world and beyond.

Last weekend was the first weekend of the first season of the immersion program called "Autumn Cycle". The program is divided into four seasons. And as in Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere where we see leaves falling from trees, this is the season to let go and release old negativity.

We learned how to create a sacred space by invoking the five elements based on the Tibetan dzogchen so we can safely meditate and access the deep realms of our subconscious.

If you see colors when you meditate, that means you are well along your journey. I must admit that I've been meditating for a long time, starting the hard core way with the 10-day Vipassana. It was only last weekend that I was made to understand what seeing colors meant.

Meditating on Dragon's Breath (photo credit: Gel Legaspi)

We were doing a meditation with the dragon breath for the second time and were tasked to focus. A million thoughts would stream in as usual as I sit and focused on the breath. More thoughts came in and as I wouldn't latch on to any, I started seeing a yellow goldish light infront of me. I could feel a tingly sensation descending upon the top of my head. My senses were heightened. I could hear the wind blowing and feel it on my face. I could now feel the quiet miracles that Kirnatana was talking about when he quoted John O'Donhue "Take the time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention." Then the color changed to blue and I was transported up, floating beyond the atmosphere.

Photo credit: Pinterest

What is this Blue then? Kirantana calls this place the Blue Ether. He described the process as "We mapped the subconscious - the anger, the fear, every embarrassing admittance - and looked at it carefully. Then [we] shredded it from the brain itself and made an easier access to the Blue Ether where all is possible."

It is also referred to by mystics as the Blue Pearl or Blue Dot. Pranic Healing founder Master Choa Kok Sui referred to it as the Blue Pearl and says "The blue pearl is the 'seed of consciousness' or the mental permanent seed, found in the crown chakra, and located in the pineal gland. Through regular and prolonged meditation of the blue pearl, one gradually experiences one's true nature, which is called the "Buddha Nature' in Buddhism."

The Sikh's believe that the soul begins its journey into the realm of the Blue Ethers after death, specifically 17 days after, and that there are four levels before one experiences absolute and perfect Union of the Divine. The first level is where the soul undergoes an assessment on how one did based on their purpose.. The soul has 17 days to complete the necessary lessons and if they are not completed, a spirit guide can be called upon to help. The second blue ether level makes way for deeper learning. As the lessons are completed, it is at this stage that one becomes a guide for other souls who need help.

The third level is the domain of the realized soul and can be accessed while alive through deep meditation. Yogi Bhajan said "What kind of body a man shall have, what kind of destiny and fate shall challenge it - is all performed at the stage called the third blue ether." This is the stage where the soul decides to reincarnate again to serve humanity or move onto the fourth level and just be Pure Radiance.

Kirantana says that the Blue Ether is "also the Christ and 1000 more times more compassionate." It is entering into this realm to become pure love and remembering that we are already generous, compassionate and kind.

Grounding with Chi Kung (photo credit: Gel Legaspi)

If you want to experience the Blue Ether and get to know more of your True Self, "A Road to Enlightenment" second weekend of the Autumn Cycle continues on December 2 to 4, 2016 and will touch on Soul Retrieval, Mapping of the Subconscious through the Six Chakras, Emptying the Negative from the Heart, Organ Smiling, Exorcism of Discursive Emotions.

I'm not promising that you'll start seeing colors when your sit and meditate or anything like the photo taken of me, but you will surely start peeling off your subconscious away and get through the layers of everything from the outside and hopefully, go down to the real you and maybe learn how to, as Kirantana drilled on us, "Live one day as a Lion than a hundred days as a sheep."

Packing tips for the Journey into the Himalayas Yatra 2016

2016-08-20T16:30:00.002+08:00

Hemkund Sahib (photo credit)

In five days, I'll be taking the flight out to Delhi, India and proceed up north to Haridwar to begin the sacred journey into the Himalayas with Yogi Amandeep. The trip is a yogis path traveling to deep esoteric scared sites for a total of twelve days. The first three days will be in Haridwar (314 m or 1,031 ft elevation) to visit shrines dedicated to Baba Sri Chand and Guru Nanak and to celebrate the birthday of Yogi Bhajan with a lineage holder of Kundalini Yoga.

From Haridwar, we will be driving for a total of 11 hours visiting Rishikesh, Shankracharya along the way to Gobindghat (1,828 m or 5,997 ft elevation). From there begins the trek on foot to Gobindham (3049m elevation) or what is called Dev Bumi, the realm of beings of lights. where we will be setting up camp.

The final destination is Hemkund Sahib (4632 m or 15,192 ft), described as "the spiritual nerve of Mother Earth, the source of all life on the planet that sustains the balance of the polarities and the electromagnetic field of the earth." Where the nerve ends is the 10th gate of mother earth, an energy vortex center. The glacier lake is a healing lake that has the power to heal on many levels. The site is surrounded by seven snow-clad mountain peaks named after the seven primal sages known as Sapta Rishi. It is said that the first yogi science was transmitted to them on these peaks by the deity Shiva himself.

There will be a lot of trekking, yoga and meditating on this trip. The weather report says that Haridwar will be warm at 24-degrees centigrade, Gobindham at 12-degrees Centigrade and Hemkund Sahib at 3-degrees Centigrade; and to expect definitely some rain. We were advised not to bring cotton garments. Apparently cotton kills, when it gets wet or damp, it could cause hypothermia.

So, here's my packing list:

Himalaya Checklist (photo credit)

- Footwear. I have my Salomon X-ultra GTX gortex mid-cut hiking shoes with sturdy soles. Wool socks. Vaseline since I don't have wool liners to keep my feet from getting blisters. Slippers and extra pair of walking shoes.

- Layering. This recommendation is from Dr. Peter Rivera , an avid ultra distance runner and mountaineer, who I initially consulted for altitude medical sickness (AMS). He said to start with a good base layer which can either be from polypropylene, capilene or smart wool. He said that the secret to keeping warm is for "the base layer to fit like a second skin". He warned that I will sweat even when the environment is cold so breathable fabric should be used. The next layer is a technical shirt (dri-fit) that hugs the body to keep the warmth in. The third layer is a soft shell jacket which should contour the body. And lastly, a shell jacket and pants if it is too windy, snowing or raining.

- A wool or synthetic beanie and a UV baseball cap.

- Two pairs of gloves, a fleece and waterproof gloves.

- Shawl, scarf and a neck gaiter.

- Flashlight and head lamp and extra batteries.

- Water bottle and hot thermos for yogi tea (I'm crossing my fingers that the camp will serve this).

- Yoga mat and sheepskin for the daily kundalini yoga and meditation.

- First Aid kit: antiseptic, wipes, bacterial ointment, anti-allergy meds, cetamid (acetazolamide for altitude sickness), antibiotics, ibuprofen, kinesio tape.

- Others: climbing pole, sunglasses, trail food, glucose, hand sanitizer, toilet paper. :-)

Altitude sickness is life threatening. I did experience altitude sickness in June at the Summer Solstice Kundalini Yoga festival in Guru Ram Das Puri, New Mexico at an altitude of 7,000-feet. The symptoms are: headaches, difficulty breathing, cold extremities, dizziness, disorientation and vomiting. I experienced all except the vomiting. The organizer was quite strict saying that if anyone exhibited symptoms of altitude sickness, the treatment would be to head down to lower altitude, like Espanola or Albuquerque, where more oxygen is available and the symptoms may be alleviated in a shorter time.

According to Yogi Amandeep, the mountains in the Himalayas are some of the few surviving mountains that are still living and can be used for meditation. He said "the history of ancient India states that whenever the hunger for truth is sparked within an individual, he/she will take the path that leads to the Himalayas." I am grateful to be given this opportunity to join the Yatra and meditate in the Himalayas in my lifetime. I pray that I seek the truth within, and come back transformed and transcended during this 12-day journey.