Miranda

Fluffy & Dark/Saturday Photo Hunt

2012-01-28T08:16:00.000+08:00

Fritz' fluffy fur---

A tongue twister

His dark, adoring eyes,

unconscious of their power

to melt even the toughest heart

Linking to Saturday Photo Hunt and Keyhole Pictures

Domino's Shrimpus Pizza

2012-01-26T21:49:00.000+08:00

I have a soft spot for Domino's Pizza. An old flame used to bring Domino's Pizza when he visited me at home---this was in the late 80's.:o) For more than a decade, I didn't see any Domino's Pizza, and then they opened a branch at Silver City-Frontera Verde! This is my current favorite--Shrimpus Pizza, I just love the delicate flavor of shrimp and cheese.

Domino's Pizza - Shrimpus Pizza

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Quiet Cove/Watery Wednesday

2012-01-25T01:25:00.015+08:00

A quiet cove in Punta Bulata.

No man should go through life without once experiencing healthy, even bored solitude in the wilderness, finding himself depending solely on himself and thereby learning his true and hidden strength. ~ Jack Kerouac

Get virtually wet at Watery Wednesday

Rice fields/OWT

2012-01-24T02:05:00.000+08:00

Rice farming is a major agriculture industry in the Philippines. No meal is complete without rice---breakfast, lunch or dinner, rice is always a part of every meal. But there is more to rice fields than its use for growing rice. A wide range of plants and animal species exist in rice fields. It's one of the biggest ecosystems that can be found in the tropics.

This is one of the rice fields we passed by while riding through the backroads of Negros Occidental.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Sunday Bridges/Rural bridge

2012-01-21T23:19:00.000+08:00

A tiny wooden bridge in Busuanga Island I spotted on the way to the airport. Took this photo from the back of the moving van.

Linking to Louis' Sunday Bridges

Animals & Bliss/Photo-Hunt

2012-01-21T09:37:00.002+08:00

These two photos were taken in different areas of Busuanga Island. From Busuanga airport to our hotel, I noticed a herd of cows in the field, some even crossed the road to join their compadres on the other side (even cows adhere to the illusion that the grasses are greener and tastier on the other side :p). I wondered out loud if there were road accidents here caused by these animals, and our driver confirmed it. But as everyone who lives in the island knows about cows walking around this pasture reserve, the driver said that running over a cow is just plain recklessness. The cows belong to the King Yulo Ranch, a 40-hectare cattle ranch that is supposedly the largest ranch in southeast Asia, but the number of cattle has dwindled over the years. The ranch was sequestered by the government more than 20 years ago based on allegations that it was part of the ill-gotten wealth of the owners, who were tagged as cronies of an ousted president.

From Coron town, we climbed Mount Tapyas, the second highest point in the island. The views from the top were pure bliss---the grass-covered hills, the silhouettes of nearby islands, the natural beauty of this island, are simply soothing to the senses.

Linking to Saturday Photo-Hunt and Keyhole Pictures

Count your blessings/SWF

2012-01-20T01:08:00.003+08:00

If one could only learn to appreciate the little things...A song that takes you away, for there are those who cannot hear. The beauty of a sunset, for there are those who cannot see. The warmth and safety of your home, for there are those who are homeless. Time spent with good friends for there are those who are lonely. A walk along the beach for there are those who cannot walk. The little things are what life is all about. Search your soul and learn to appreciate.

~ Shadi Souferian

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Dwarf Roses/Red Hot Thursday

2012-01-19T11:20:00.000+08:00

@ mirandablue

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, wait occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common---this is my symphony."

~ William Henry Channing

@ mirandablue

Linking to Red Hot Thursday

Drive-by in Calamianes/Watery Wednesday

2012-01-18T00:19:00.001+08:00

Drive-by shots of limestone mountains and islands in Calamianes while were in an outrigger boat. Most of the islands are uninhibited, some are privately-owned.

Calamian Group of Islands, northern Palawan

Linking to Watery Wednesday

Crisologo Museum/Monday Doorways & Our World-Tuesday

2012-01-15T22:24:00.004+08:00

My first contribution to Monday Doorways---another meme to enjoy.

The main door of the Crisologo Museum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It is housed in a century-old mansion of the Crisologos, a prominent political clan in Vigan. The museum was established after the patriarch of the family, Floro Crisologo, then a Congressman, was gunned down inside the cathedral in 1970 just as he stood up at Sunday mass to fall in line for communion. The murder hasn't been solved.

The rooms in the Crisologo mansion exhibit family photos, book collection, antique furniture and china, gowns and shoes of the widow, religious artifacts and other memorabilia. It basically shows how the family lived in those days---the 20-seat dining table fits the life of a political family.

Crime scene photos, the slain politician's bloody clothes and shoes, news clippings of the murder occupy the former office at the ground floor of the mansion. They are too gruesome to be posted here. Crisologo's widow Carmeling, then the provincial governor, promised she wouldn't take any action to exact revenge and she didn't. But her eldest son Bingbong did, infamously burning down a village occupied by supporters of their family's political opponent. He went to jail for that and became a born-again Christian. Some years after his release from prison, he was elected to Congress. Source

Receiving/Living room

The master's bedroom

Vigan is now a safe place, with its 18th century ambiance and calming rhythm of kalesas clattering on cobblestone streets. But long before Ninoy Aquino's murder on the airport tarmac, Crisologo's killing inside the cathedral symbolized just how bloody Philippine politics is. Source

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Circular/Saturday Photo Hunt

2012-01-14T09:30:00.002+08:00

Circular concrete culverts at the embankment of a river in Manapla, Negros Occidental.

Linking to Saturday Photo Hunt

Lunch @ Mey Lin

2012-01-12T23:01:00.003+08:00

Kangkong with Garlic

Met a girlfriend for lunch after Christmas to shop for our wedding gift for our friend's son. I skipped breakfast that morning and I was starving by 11 am. Our first choice was Man Hann but it was full, Mey Lin was a good second choice. Besides I have been craving for clams in oyster sauce, and I got my wish. The fried salted spareribs was a compromise.:p

Fried Salted Spareribs

Clams in ginger and oyster sauce

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Passion Flower/Red Hot Thursday

2012-01-12T18:51:00.001+08:00

Showy and vibrant red Passion Flower (Passiflora Coccinea).

Linking to Arlene's Red Hot Thursday

Intramuros Fountain/Watery Wednesday

2012-01-10T23:20:00.000+08:00

A fountain at a small courtyard in Intramuros, the oldest and a historic district in Manila.

Linking to Watery Wednesday

Fort Santiago, revisited/OWT

2012-01-09T23:30:00.000+08:00

I am having fun with photo effects.:p And I think these photos are perfect for the vintage effect, don't you think? The top and bottom photos were taken in front of Fort Santiago, an old Spanish fort in the walled city of Intramuros. With these horse-drawn carriages, I was thrown back in time to 1900's Manila. But I was here to attend a modern-day wedding reception at the Plaza de Moriones. My friend's son got married---I couldn't believe it! It was like yesterday when this handsome little boy entertained himself by drawing pictures while us girls were having girl-talk.

my friend, Angie, giving her speech and crying at the same time. she couldn't seem to stop crying.:p Nico, after all, is her first-born.

This building across the entrance of Fort Santiago houses United Philippine Lines (UPL), a manning company for the maritime industry.

Linking to Our World - Tuesday

Blues/Blue Monday

2012-01-09T10:08:00.000+08:00

I am missing these blues, and I am counting the days until my next trip to the beach.

Linking to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Sunday Bridges/Trece Martires bridge

2012-01-07T21:15:00.002+08:00

I miss participating in Louis' Sunday Bridges and visiting beautiful bridges around the world. Well, here's my contribution today---a steel truss bridge in Trece Martires City, the capital of Cavite province, about 42 kilometers south of Manila. Drove across this bridge a day after Christmas to visit a friend in Trece Martires City. Had to park on the side of the highway to take this photo.:p

Linking to Sunday Bridges

SWF/Softly the evening came..

2012-01-06T01:45:00.002+08:00

It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.

Clouds or no clouds, life is grand---be grateful for all the varieties of weather in your life.

~ Terri Guillemets

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Coron Island: Atwayan Beach (part 2)/OWT and WW

2012-01-03T00:36:00.002+08:00

More photos of Atwayan Beach in Coron Island. Atwayan is a short strip of white sand in one of the coves in Coron Island. We snorkeled in the nearby coral garden, had lunch here and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Linking to Our World Tuesday and Watery Wednesday

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T22:03:00.007+08:00

I woke up this morning with a bad cold and dry cough. The smog from last night's revelry is the culprit. At least, everybody has calmed down. It seems that the excitement of the New Year is almost over in my neighborhood. Today was peaceful except for a random sound of a distant firecracker and a videoke party two apartments down the street. But Fritz was still fidgety so I decided to take him out to his favorite place for a relaxing stroll. Traffic to Bonifacio High Street was a breeze---I wish it was New Year's day everyday.:p

Fritz and I were glad to see this new extension of High Street---a new playground! The new mall has not been opened yet but the gardens and fountains are open for people to enjoy. Here are some snapshots I took this evening. I apologize for the blurry photos---I forgot to set my point & shoot.

There have been a lot of changes in my life in 2011. And I believe they were all for the better..."perpetual optimism is a force multiplier." Everyday, I consciously focus on the positive, see the brighter side of things. Time and again, I have proven that enthusiasm and optimism have a ripple effect. With a "can do" attitude, anything is possible.

This year, I resolve to resist the urge to spend on unnecessary things; take stock of what's really important, and let go of things [and people] that don't inspire me or give me joy.

I look at this New Year with renewed hope and a prayer for strength to weather whatever storm that may come my way. Life is fragile, everyday counts. Let's be kind to one another.

To my family and friends (virtual and in real time), I wish you an excellent health, someone to love [and who loves you back], achievement of your goals, strength of spirit and boundless energy to enjoy life. Continue to dream!

Wishing you a rockin' New Year!

Linking to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Gather and Drinks/Saturday Photo Hunt

2011-12-31T13:34:00.004+08:00

The young and the young once gather around the dancing fountain.
And a drink for young and old---lemonade.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

Linking to Saturday Photo Hunt and Keyhole Pictures

Fruit Salad

2011-12-29T21:31:00.000+08:00

A simple dessert I made for Noche Buena--a cocktail of fruits with lots of sweet corn and peaches, topped with cheese and grapes. Oh, I also added raisins and diced dates---how's that for sugar rush?

Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Tapos/End

2011-12-29T12:17:00.002+08:00

Sa wakas, tapos na ang aming paghihintay nang makita ko ang paglapag ng eroplanong ito ng Cebu Pacific sa Busuanga airport. Dalawang araw kaming stranded dito noong Setyembre nang hindi makalapag ang Cebu Pacific dahil daw sa sama ng panahon. Samantala ang mga eroplano ng Air Philippines at Zest Air, pati na ang mga maliliit na Cesna planes ay nakalapag naman. Hindi maipaliwanag ng maayos ng mga ground crew ng Cebu Pacific sa mga galit na pasahero kung bakit ang eroplano lang nila ang hindi makalapag. Ang masama pa, hindi sinagot ng Cebu Pacific ang gastos sa hotel, pagkain at pamasahe ng mga stranded na pasahero sa unang araw. Dinadahilan nila ang masamang panahon, hindi daw nila sagot ang gastos ng pasahero kapag masama ang panahon at nakansela ang flight. Sa pangalawang araw, hindi na namin sila tinigilan at binayaran nila ang aming gastos sa hotel at pagkain.

Marami ang naperwisyo ng Cebu Pacific sa mga nakanselang flight. May mga dayuhang turista na napilitan bumili ng napakamahal na tiket sa Air Philippines para umabot lang sa connecting flight nila sa Manila papuntang ibang bansa. May mga balikbayan na may connecting flight din papuntang ibang probinsya. May mga budget travelers na wala ng pera. At nasayang ang dalawang araw na sana na-enjoy pa namin kaysa naghihintay lang sa airport.

Takot pala sa ambon ang mga piloto ng Cebu Pacific. Dapat kalesa lang ang minamaneho nila! Dahil sa walang kwentang serbisyo ng Cebu Pacific, nabahiran ng inis ang aming alaala ng bakasyon sa Coron. Ang hindi maasahan na serbisyo ay makakasira din sa turismo ng Calamianes.

Pinangako ko sa sarili ko na yon na ang huli kong pagsakay sa Cebu Pacific, kahit mura pa ang pamasahe nila!

Linking to Litratong Pinoy

Calamianes: Green rolling hills

2011-12-28T15:06:00.003+08:00

These are not flood-washed mountains. Some of the islands in the Calamianes are rich in a certain mineral that makes them ideal for grazing. In Busuanga Island alone, more than 10,000 hectares are used as grazing by the Yulo King's Ranch. The coastline is protected by mangrove forests. I also captured a small fishing village at the tip of the island.

I am sorry I have not been very active in leaving comments on your posts. I moved to a bigger apartment a few weeks ago, and my internet connection is still not stable.

Thank you for your visits and wishing you a hopeful and prosperous 2012!

Linking to Watery Wednesday

Blue Door/Blue Monday

2011-12-26T00:03:00.001+08:00

This blue door opens to a courtyard of an old home in Pasay City.

I hope your Christmas was filled with never-failing kindness, beauty and love.

Linking to Sally at Blue Monday