Ang Kuwago: Observations

To Blog or not to Blog?

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:13:00 +0000

With the popularity of micro-blogging and Facebook, the dependencies on blogs has diminished greatly over the past few years. This is what discouraged me from continuing my blogs. Recently, however, I have come to realize that there are things not best expressed over social media, and that this blog has provided me with a much-needed outlet in the past. So, the question remains, Should I continue to blog? Time will tell. In the meantime, I shall contemplate...

What I Try To Teach My Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:26:00 +0000

Most parents insist on teaching their children the value of success: To excel in their studies and make a lot of money. I am all for that. A child eventually needs the skill of mastery over money in order to succeed in this world, and one way of attaining this is through a thorough understanding of the inner workings of the world, and this is attained through education, through a life-long passion for learning. In my mind, the path to true education starts with learning arts and letters. Arts and Letters opens the gateway to learning the sciences and mathematics. After all, how can one effectively learn and communicate these concepts without first obtaining a good grasp of language.

But I am not sold on the concept of measuring success through wealth and education.

Since I was a child, I have observed how many people measure a person's worth in this world by how much money he has, or how educated he is. While it is indeed a practical metric, especially in this material world, it should not be the definitive barometer for judging the success of one's passing through this temporal world. We have been told, time and time again, that money and riches will not get you to Heaven. Money itself is not bad, it is how you earn it, how you use it and how you look at it that is important in the matter of money.

Education, as well, is fleeting. When we grow old, we almost always lose everything we have stored in our minds. When our bodies give in to the compounding years, we will have little use for our hard-earned education. Moreso for those who succumb to senility in the latter part of one's lives. However, we must remember that education is important for us to understand the meaning of one's existence, to understand the ways of the universe. To that end, education is important. To the end of attaining titles, prestige and honor where none should exist, it is fruitless. In fact, in the path to the true light, you do not need a Doctoral Degree to understand its secrets.

One these two items, Education and Wealth, take heed of the perspectives we take on them. As with a double-edged sword, there is a path that brings us closer to light, and a path that drives us away from it.

Going back to the matter of success, then, the proper use of money and education, which is to attain enlightenment and to make this world a better place for everyone is vital to the equation. Money and education directed towards nothing more than personal gain is a waste of one's lifetime.

And remember this truth: Money and Education can be lost, but that which benefits your Soul, which is virtue, remains forever.

If you were to ask me how I would educate my children, and measure their success in life, I would say this: I would rear my children to be kind and compassionate, sincere and righteous, detached from materialism, and a productive member of society. Whether he becomes rich or not, does not matter, as long as he is a conscientious worker, survives and provides for his family. He must be adequately educated, enough for him to be cultured and decent, not necessarily a doctor or lawyer. If he wants to be one, and he wants to be wealthy, by all means! As long as he/she remembers what is important in this life, and to always Love God with all his might and Soul!

True Change Starts from Within

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:30:00 +0000

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the Change you want to see in the World.". Quite incomprehensible, I once thought. How can you effect change in the world we live in by being that change? I think a more simpler interpretation would look something like this: If you want the world to change, you must change first. But on deeper introspection, if you want peace in the world, then be peaceful first. If you want more love in your surroundings, then you must be the embodiment of love. If you want the government to be less corrupt, then you must find it in your heart to rid itself of all corrupt emotions and inclinations. Then, and only then, can you set out on your divine mission of making this world a better place.

Gandhi wanted peace, and so he not only espoused peace, but he was the embodiment of peace. Even when it was right for him to fight back, even when it was correct for him to retaliate, even when the world around him was shouting for revolution. Even our own Dr. Jose Rizal knew this profound truth. Both Rizal and Gandhi could not have made such an immense difference in this world if they had not first found Peace in their own hearts. In the end, what ended centuries of colonial rule was not a revolution of men, but a revolution in their hearts.

When we are faced with trials and tribulations in our lives, it is always comforting to go back to the Truth. It is easier to blame God for our conditions, and even point fingers at the world around us, but what needs to be done to find peace, is to first be peaceful. This is a universal Truth, one that the wisest and most holy of men have known since the beginning.

We are often told that there is perfect plan for everyone, yet it is hard to see anything at any distance when you are in the dark. We are told that God is always there, but it is hard to feel when you are numb from the coldness of humanity. We are told that we should trust in our fellowman, but it is hard to go beyond the evil that stares us in the eye. The answer is not found in the outside, as Gandhi and Rizal knew all too well -- the answer is within. Peace, Love, Righteousness, Sincerity-- these are all found deep within all of us. We cannot find them from the outside, not from a climb up the highest peak, not from traveling the farthest lands, they are sprouted from somewhere in our souls. Be that change, and your world will change.

With a heart of gratitude, be thankful for all your blessings. Then, Intend to do what is right; Decide to love all beings; Purposely cultivate that compassion for all, then you will find the Peace you seek.

Seeing Things Clearly

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:39:00 +0000

One of the hardest things to do is to see things as they are. Yet, a clear and unbiased perspective is an essential skill in many facets of life.

Take, for example, an opinion on the matter of whether to marry someone in particular. Your decision would obviously be affected by factors such as your family's take on the matter, your current state of affairs at the time, your friends' opinion, and a host of other forces.

But what truly should be your basis for marriage? Or employment? Or place of abode? From the complex to the mundane, it is hard to keep your objectivity when something is clouding your judgment.

So it is with many things in this world, people take different positions on matters because of differences in opinion. True, it is hard to see things from another's perspective, but in doing so, we eliminate a lot of divisiveness in the world today.

Let's try to see things from a different viewpoint today.

Loyal Employees

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I had to let go of one of my most trusted employees. For two years, he worked as a purchaser in one of my previous companies. When that company was bought out by a capitalist, me and my 4 partners decided to take it up upon ourselves to take care of him in spite of the lack of a formal entity to assign him to. We each shared in his salary by covering a week's worth of wages, and for that week, he was yours to command. That went on for about a year. If you needed him longer, then by all means take him if no one else needed him. At least we got him to do a lot of things we would otherwise have loathed doing ourselves, and he was able to put food on his family's table.

For the past year or so, I hired him full time to do liaison and logistics for my consultancy, food importation and cold storage businesses. Really not much for him to do, since work mostly comes in spurts during the week. Mostly, his job is to try to balance inventory, monitor my cold storage infrastructure, do some infrequent deliveries and bill/collect from my clients. Most of the time, however, he sits idly, waiting for me to bark up some orders. Apart from him, we've also got a helper who does the cleaning of my office and warehouse, so workload is really light. Time is never much of a problem for him. He wakes when it is convenient, except when they need to do their market puchases at around 7AM once a week. The rest of the time, he can wake up to his heart's desire. Occasionally, it would be nice for him to be around when I need him at around 4:30PM -- but oftentimes, he's next door playing basketball. He takes his day-off Saturday afternoons, insisting he needs to leave for Manila just after lunch so he can get home at a decent time, and then he usually skips reporting for work on Mondays. If by some stroke of luck he does appear on a Monday, or Tuesday, he arrives at night, claiming the whole day as official work and that his salary must be in tact. Of course, he never gets away with that, but that's not the point.

So, after a few more recent events such as making and selling ice from my freezers, never finding the time to organize our goods, inaccurate inventory reports and a refusal to act as part-time merchandiser in the department store we finally got accredited to sell our vegetarian products, we figured it was time to let go.

He was sent back to Manila today.

To think that he was paid more than the proper minimum wages, given transportation and food allowances, and he chose to be arrogant in spite of it all.

As a messenger and as a man-Friday, he was great. In everything else, he would mope around in doing it, or just didn't want to do it.

I hate asking employees to leave, but for whatever reason they lose my trust and confidence, it always is difficult to let them go.

Laziness and arrogance, I can probably take. Dishonesty is something I cannot tolerate. Well, good luck to him, and I do hope he learns from this lesson.

Now, as many times in my life, I've invested so much time and effort, trying to impart knowledge and skills to my personnel -- not just common staff members, but high-value corporate managers as well. Coaching them, spending time with them, doing favors for them, helping them solve problems, helping them reach their goals --- being their mentors. In the end, you're a no one to them. They've gotten what they needed, they don't need you anymore. In their minds, "I have everything I need now". Good Riddance to them, too. I hope they look back at their lives at some point in the future and remember that they couldn't have done it all by themselves.

Well, Hello There...

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:05:00 +0000

It has been quite a while since I last posted an entry. With the popularity of Facebook, it was amusing to quickly post a picture, or a status update, or comment on something. But then, it seemed to me that I was starting to grow wary of too much online exposure. I still enjoy the relative anonymity I have created for myself here in this blog of mine. I realize I have lost many regular readers by not posting often enough, but such is life. We sometimes have to many things all over again, even in life.

I started this blog to share. Share insights, thoughts, observations; To help in any way I can. To extend the reach of my advocacies, and maybe even serve as an avenue for dispelling myself of some of the angst thrown my way -- an outlet, so to speak.

So, I am back, hoping that this time around I am able to share more, and probably come around to answering the many questions that have found themselves in my inbox after all these months.

I will endeavor to post, even quip, as frequent as I can.

quip, quip. :)

Tsong, I Wonder.....

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:51:00 +0000

I have always wondered where the term of endearment "Tsong" originated from. Along with "pare", "pards", "dre" and "tol", these words are now mainstays of the spoken Filipino language.

I have a hunch. After watching the 70s hippie flick "Cheech and Chong" once more recently, it dawned on me. Was the term taken from Cheech?

You think? ;-)

What I Thought of Today

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:00:00 +0000

"I figure I have around 50 years left to live, if I were to die of old age. What if I won't? Then, I can go anytime, in fact. I am not prepared. I don't have a fortune to leave my family with to sustain them for years to come. I haven't taught my children every important lesson I can think of. I haven't lived life to the fullest. I haven't made my life an adventure. I have not made enough of a difference in the world. I haven't given enough love. I haven't cultivated myself and my soul enough to gain entrance through the pearly gates. I just haven't. I haven't.

How much is enough? How long will THAT take? While I try and figure that out, I must always strive to make each day count."

:: Ang Kuwago

Pagbabalik Ng Kuwago (Return of the Owl)

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Nagbalik ang Kuwago, ang guwardiya sa gabi
Sasamahan tayo, kahit madilim
Nagbibigay liwanag, ang kanyang mga mata
At lilipad tayo, sa mundo

Dadalhin tayo, sa paraiso
Sa pugad ng langit, ang lahat ay magkapatid
Pantay pantay lang, walang lamangan
Nagkakaisa, nagbibigayan

Bahala ang Kuwago, sa gabing ito
Siya ang bantay, para walang gulo
Kantahan, sayawan, hanggang magdamag
Sa tugtugan ng combo, lalong sumasarap

(Lyrics to the song originally composed and performed by Anak Bayan)

Here we are, we are back! h00t!

Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:10:00 +0000

A Blessed Easter to all!

Let us try to celebrate Easter thinking of the Easter Bunny, Yes, the Easter Bunny.

Let not similar creatures find themselves on our dining tables as we celebrate this auspicious day of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Have a Heart.

That's all, Folks! ;-)

I am being nostalgic again

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:01:00 +0000

I have received a lot of comments regarding the paintings I did sometime in the 80s and which I posted here, but another little known fact about me is that I was a professional musician. I raised my young family on earnings from gigs and teaching people to play the drums. It was a hard but fulfilling life. I had to play gigs at night and teach, as well as practice, in the daytime. In 1995, the band I belonged to at that time recorded an album. It was quite an experience, recording for art's sake and not for anyone else's. Since I had long given away any CDs of our album I had left, I was so happy to have come across a copy and quickly ripped them into MP3s.

For your listening pleasure, I have uploaded them on last.fm. I hope you will find them entertaining, if not amusing, at the very least. Back then, we thought it was great.

Here is the LINK.

I also have some songs posted on the right hand side of this blog, just above my entrecard widget, if you prefer to listen to the songs from there.

Sorry, but I could not get a scan of the album cover since I only had my laptop with me at the time. I was quite happy to have been able to rip these songs.

Vegetable Identified!

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:27:00 +0000

And there we have it folks, thanks to our reader Nishat Khan, we have now identified the enigmatic vegetable: It is a Teasle Gourd. I have scoured the internet for pictures of this Teasle gourd, and having seen and tasted it personally, I can definitely identify them as one and the same.

Thanks, Nishat!

As Nishat puts it, it is native to the Indian subcontinent, which is why people in the Philippines were befuddled as to what it was.

Having tasted this vegetable, I know that if introduced to the Pearl of the Orient, it would be a staple in no time. I suspect it will grow well in our similar climate.

Reminds me of some uncanny observations of mine throughout the years. In Cavite, the locals would not touch 'alugbati', which is a staple in the north. They also would not eat the 'kulitis', which they considered nothing more than an annoying weed. It was not until a friend of mine from Iloilo saw the "weed" and started teaching us to eat it (perfect with monggo), that we realized it was edible. Of course, when the Internet proliferated, we were able to find more and more literature on the vegetable, discovering that it was loaded with Iron and other good stuff.

Also in Cavite, however, I have tasted some vegetables I rarely see elsewhere, such as the 'Himbabao', as the locals call it. They say it is a flower from a mature forest tree. I have not seen the tree personally, though. The flower, which looks like long pistils, are aromatic and best eaten mixed with other vegetables in stew.

There are other vegetables I have tried through the years, here and abroad, that in my mind, should be propagated more, not only for their taste, but also to add more variety to our already vast array of locally available fruit and vegetables.

The vegetable we call 'saberdukong', for example, is something I often see in Thailand, used in soups like Tom Yum. Yet, it is so hard to find locally.

I have also tried other vegetables whose names I cannot recall at the moment: one vine which needs to be roasted over a grill in order to easily peel off its tough rind to get to its tender center; the root of the taro plant which to me is one of the best ingredients for gata; The more unique and exotic it gets, the more I want to try them...

Seems like this is becoming quite a fancy of mine. =)

Help Me Identify This Vegetable

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:23:00 +0000

It is my turn to ask a question.

On a recent trip to Malaysia, I was invited to my host's home for a wonderful asian dinner. Their maid is Sri Lankan and prepared a dish that looked to me like a small bitter gourd or bittermelon cooked in coconut milk and various spices. I liked the dish so much that I had to know what it was made of. You see, rather than being bitter, it was actually sweet and pleasant, yet it was a taste I could not readily recognize. My host did not know what it was either, so she asked her maid to show me the uncooked vegetable. To my surprise, it did not look like at all like a bitter gourd, or Ampalaya. And the maid could not give me a name for it, either, except that she saw it in the wet market and knew from experience that it was edible.

I guess it is... I am unscathed. :-)

Can anyone help me identify this vegetable? I would appreciate it.

This is something I would like to plant in the Philippines. I can think of a dozen ways to prepare that very versatile vegetable.

Go on and hit the comments button if you know what this is!

Salamat!

Some Filipino Words

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:03:00 +0000

No Q&A for this blog post, folks, just a normal blog entry.

The other night, I was driving home from Manila with a good friend and fellow blogger, Ding Reyes. What started out as a conversation about spirituality and society ended up as a game-of-sorts on the origin or etymology of some Filipino slang words. It turned out to be a very interesting exercise, and I would like to share some of these with you. I realized that a lot of these slang words are portions of the same word in reverse:

Yosi (Cigarette) - from the spanish word cigarillo or SI-garil-YO.

Yotits or Yatits (Uncle/Aunt) - from the spanish word tia or tio, TI-YA or TI-YO

Lonta (Trousers) - pan-TA-LON; It seems that this is an original Filipino word, for the literal translation of the word in english is "For Jumping". I guess it was not appropriate to jump in skirts. Hoho.

Toga (Shoes) - We think that this came from an old brand of shoes, probably Saratoga.

Yoyo (Watch) - In the olden days, most timepieces were pocket watches attached to a small chain, resembling a....yoyo

Jeproks (referring to a cool person in the 60s/70s, like a hippie) - A lot of these hip youngsters came from the government housing communities in Manila which were dubbed Project 1, Project 2, etc....hence, PRO-JEK...

And here is something else I learned that night. I actually thought that this word was just slang, and had no deeper meaning. How wrong I was.

The word "utol" (brother/sister, or aptly sibling) is taken from the word "Kaputol", meaning part of a whole. The formal word for sibling, "Kapatid", literally means part of something cut (ka-patid, "patid" meaning "to cut"), like a rope. Essentially, both refer to being a significant part of the other --- both of the same thread, of the same umbilical cord.

Isn't it nice knowing that the informal word for brother, which is "utol", and which we commonly call our biological brothers, fraternity brothers, close friends and relatives, etc. is actually a very intimate term of endearment?

Have a nice day!

The Definition of 'Vegetarian' in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:16:00 +0000

An excerpt from an email I received from "Hayabusa":

"......since you were on the topic anyway, why do vegetarians in the Philippines eat fish?.....

...... Can I be vegetarian and eat fish?.......

......what particular Filipino food/condiments are not vegetarian?........."

=======

Dear Hayabusa,

I have this theory. Some Filipinos think that it is alright for vegetarians to eat fish because of a specific Catholic Church tradition called abstinence, which is mandated upon Catholics during certain times of the year. Abstinence requires that one abstain from animal products, but this practice allows for the consumption of seafood in some cultures, ours being one of them.

I have come across definitions of abstinence that prohibits one from taking even eggs, dairy products and seafood.

I cannot explain why this is so in the Philippines, but I am inclined to believe that the true and original spirit of this doctrine was to exclude all animal products of all kinds, eggs and dairy included.

I surmise that this is why Filipinos often think it is alright for a vegetarian to eat seafood. On all Fridays of Lent, Filipinos avoid all red meat and resort to mostly fish products. I recall, as a boy, expecting to eat munggo, pritong isda, pusit or ukoy on Lenten Fridays.

The term 'Vegetarian' is one coined by a man, particularly one from Europe more than a century ago, and to be true to his definition, you should not be eating beef, chicken, pork and seafood if you are to adhere to his concept. Strictly speaking, you should append the prefix 'pesco' if you eat fish and 'pollo' if you eat chicken to the word 'vegetarian', but then again, these are all just words. Do as you please, as long as you don't harm anyone in the process. :)

Now, vegans are those who avoid even eggs and dairy. So, which one are you? *whew*

If you decide to finally stick to being vegetarian, here are some food items to avoid in the Philippines:
- 'Bagoong' or fish/shrimp paste of all kinds (alamang, balayan, iloko, etc.)
- 'Patis' or fish sauce
- Knorr or Maggi cubes (check the label, some variants contain shrimp)
- Some multivitamins (believe it or not, some contain fish products -- get the box and read the fine print)

To make matters worse, practically ALL Filipino dishes are non-veg!...even the vegetable dishes.
- Chop Suey usually has liver or chicken chunks
- Sinigang usually has fish or fish sauce
- Pakbet usually has fish sauce
- and of course, all the rest such as diniguan, adobo, kare-kare, kaldereta, asado, mechado, etc. all have meat as their primary base ingredient.

Filipinos just can't cook without some sort of meat, so stay away from Filipino restos or food stalls if you can.

Hope this helps!

In the Light,

Ang Kuwago

Natural Remedy for Insomnia

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:20:00 +0000

Nhil / Call Center Gal posted this question:

"I got a question for you. Is there a herbal/ alternative medicine that you can recommend to someone who has insommia?"

===========

Dear Nhil,

Insomnia may be caused by many factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, habit, etc.

I wouldn't go and state flat out that there is a single cure for your ailment, but I can offer a few suggestions to improve your condition without the aid of drugs:

1. Try and sleep earlier than usual. For some reason, this works for me. I get sleepy early in the evening but tend to brush it aside, being too early. This, for me, brings on a point-of-no-return, where I simply find it hard to fall asleep past a later time. During the times that I did give in to the lure to retire early, I found those to be the most restful and most rejuvenating of sleeps I have had.

2. Take something warm, rather than cold before sleeping. Warm calamansi juice, for example, helps. Chamomile tea, if you can find some, is best.

3. Try not to snack too late in the night. They tend to keep you awake after.

4. Try meditation. Lie down, keep your mind blank of all thoughts, focus on your breathing, give in your entire body to gravity, and you're there...

5. Exercise. Try swimming or biking in the early afternoon, for instance, and keep at it for at least an hour, no matter how leisurely your workout.

6. Try acupuncture. Believe me, no matter what the therapy is for, that night's rest is usually one of the most restful. My friendly neighborhood acupunturist is one of the most reasonably priced. Email me if you're interested, and I can send you contact details.

7. Try the Wet socks therapy. It is not clear to me why this helps in sleeping disorders, but many have claimed that it promotes restful sleep. All you have to do is take some cotton socks, wet them thoroughly, wring them well and place in the freezer for 10 minutes. During these 10 minutes, get yourself a hot foot soak. Immediately after the soak, wear the cotton socks from the freezer and wear another layer of nylon or wool socks over that. Go straight to bed. Do not remove until the following morning. As the body tries hard to warm the feet and dry the socks, it is said to aid in blood circulation. I guess that means you'll sleep quicker and better.

Then, of course, if all of the above fails, try Melatonin. You can get this at either Healthy Options or your neighborhood purveyor of natural remedies. It can be quite expensive, but it is the most natural sleep aid available. The human body actually produces melatonin to aid in the sleep process. You may simply want to augment the body's supply. Again, with all medicine, this included, they may pose unique risks to the person. Take at your own risk.

I hope you finally get the sleep you deserve!

In the Light,

Ang Kuwago

An Indian in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Dear Angkuwago,

Pleasant greetings to you and your family! I was hoping you would be able to help me manage with my stay in the Philippines. You see, I will be travelling again from India to the Philippines soon. The last time I visited your country, I subsisted only on rice from your fastfood and packed food/pickles I had taken with me for the trip. I am vegetarian as yourself, and could not find much options. Most of my colleagues had no idea how to help me. Wherever I was taken, during the few times we attempted to be adventurous, I could not determine which were vegetarian and which were not. Having visited my country, and understanding our culture, I believe you would appreciate my predicament fully.

I will be staying in Makati and my hotel room will have cooking facilities.

Respectfully yours,

Santosh

==========

Dear Santosh,

I am sorry you had to make do with the measly meals you had. I fully empathize with you. I frequently struggle with the same predicament, even in my own country. It is not typical for Filipinos to know where to take a guest to a vegetarian meal. In fact, many have twisted notions of what a vegetarian is. Believe it or not, in the Philippines, and this is based on experience, most people think that vegetarians eat seafood.

Do not take anything with "bagoong" or "patis", as these contain seafood. The sweets are usually safe, mostly made from rice, flour or coconut.

Of course, the easiest way to go about it is to visit the nearest grocery --even the local ministop or 7-11 -- and pick up some steamed rice and a few cans of "moondish" laing/ginataan (there are several variants), garbanzos (chickpeas), noodles or baked beans. Just make sure to read the labels/ingredients. Then, of course, there are the more 'elegant' options...

Around Makati, there are a few places to go for a sumptous vegetarian meal or to purchase a few stocks for cooking in your hotel room. Without straying too far off your operating zone, here are a few suggestions:

1. Bodhi

There is a vegetarian fastfood outlet located at the food court of SM within the Glorietta complex. It is located at the basement, tucked neatly among dozens of other food stalls. I wouldn't recommend you try any other stall there, except for the ones that sell fresh fruit juices/shakes. Almost everything else sold there probably has some sort of meat in it.

Bodhi's food contains no garlic or onions, so if you are a vaishnava, then this would be perfect for you. Most of their fare are made of mock meat versions of common dishes found in the Philippines which would otherwise would have been prepared with meat. A perfect way to get a glimpse into our country's staple dishes.

2. New Bombay Canteen

Located at the Saggitarius Bldg. along Dela Costa St. in Salcedo Village is a quaint Indian canteen, whose roots can be traced to the former Shoppersville(?) complex along Buendia, where a Citiland Condo now stands. I used to frequent the old canteen, which reminds me so much of typical eateries in India, ever since my Indian partners first took me there years ago. I have become friends with the owner, Minaxi, who still does some of the cooking. Among all the Indian places around, I would highly recommend this. Although they serve both veg and non-veg, I have grown very comfortable with this place. But do let them know if you prefer the meals prepared without onions or garlic.

New Bombay also has branches at the Columns and at the Food Choices of Glorietta 4, although the latter may have limited options. I do not see Meenaxi

3. Queens

Another Indian restaurant located along Jupiter St. They serve Thalis daily, which I found to be very reasonable priced and authentic. I would highly recommend this place. I have grown fond of this place as well.

4. Kashmir

Located along Pasay Road. I have not been there in a long time, but remember being impressed with their food. Might as well give it a try.

5. Veggie Boutique

This is the place I go to when I need my frozen vegetarian goods and other veg cooking ingredients. It is convenient in that I find many of the items I would usually need to source from so many different places, all under one roof. They are located at 532 Camia St., Palm Village -- a stone's throw away from Rockwell. It is a home-based operation, so you may want to call before visiting (+63.2.896.1215).

6. Taj Grocery

I often visit Taj to get my Indian ingredients, incense and some cooked Samosas which I freeze until craved for. You can find most of the spices, pickles, chutneys, dahl, papad, noodles, besan, mixes, paneer, basmati rice and whole-wheat flour you'll need here. I also get my life-saving pudin hara and other meds here. They are located along Bagtikan St., near the corner of Pasong Tamo.

7. Assad Mart

Although I have never been to their Jupiter branch, I am a patron of their UN Ave. branch. If their Makati branch is anything like it, it should be well-stocked and cheaper than other places.

8. Chimara Neo-Vegan Cafe

At the Greenbelt cinema floor, you will find Chimara at the far end corner. They mostly serve meals wrapped in pita bread, which does not appeal too much to me, but enjoyed by most people I take there. Not all their options are vegetarian, mind you. Read the menu carefully. Try their tofu chips, popcorn and soy ice cream, if you chance upon it being available.

So there you have it, my list of recommended places to visit when you arrive in Manila. These are my personal favorites, and considering your requirements, I think you would appreciate too. Of course there are other middle eastern/Indian restaurants such as Bollywood (Greenbelt 3), Prince of Jaipur (The Fort/Shell McKinley/etc.), Hossiens (The Fort), Cafe Med (Greenbelt I), Swagat (Rada St., Legaspi Village), Tandoor Spices (Kamagong Ave., San Antonio Village), and probably other places to get vegetarian grocery items (Healthy Options, Rustans Grocery) -- but which I have unfortunately not been to in quite some time, or even not know of. I therefore cannot make a reliable recommendation to you on that note. You may, of course, want to seek and try them out if you wish.

Also, prices of groceries are much more expensive than what you are used to, so be prepared for the price difference. Indian goods are in less demand here than they are in India, naturally.

You can also explore some of the other places around Makati. Just make sure you communicate your dietary concerns with the chef or manager, if possible. Usually, Japanese, Italian or Korean restaurants would be your best bets.

With this, I hope your stay in the Philippines this time around will be better than the last.

In the Light,

Kuwago

Getting to KL Sentral and Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Dear Kuwago,

[]........how do I get to KL from the LCC? I heard it is still very far....and how best do I get to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur?......[]

Marie

note: I simply pulled the actual question off the original email, since there are details which are quite personal - Kuwago

---------------------

Dear Marie,

You are right, KL proper is still quite a distance from the airport. From KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), there is a train called the KL Ekspres which can take you directly to KL Sentral.

KL Sentral is where you want to go. Although it is not exactly smack downtown, it can be considered as their main transport hub, and you can readily go anywhere from there. However, since you will be arriving via their LCCT or Low Cost Carrier Terminal, which is yet another terminal apart from KLIA, I suggest you take the bus instead. It is a lot cheaper (RM9) as compared to the train (RM35) or even the taxi which can reach as much as RM100. The buses are stationed just outside the terminal, to your left as you exit the building. Choose a nice bus since not all the buses are well maintained. If you really want to try the KL Ekspres, you can take a bus (RM1) to the KLIA and board from there, although that would set you back at least another 15 minutes. The trip via bus from the LCCT to KL Ekspres is around an hour, while the train takes a little less than 30 minutes. You, however, run the risk of delays in boarding a bus to KLIA, then you have to walk to the train terminal, then wait for a train to arrive/leave. I have always found the red Air Asia buses from LCCT quite comfortable, practical, efficient and very affordable.

However, if you have the time, do try the train. It is quite an experience.

As for your trip to Singapore, there are many choices: Bus, Train or Plane.

I have never tried the train, but I do know that it leaves from KL Sentral and that there are options for day and night trips. I was told the train coaches have sleepers on the night trips, which are quite comfortable and are a practical option to another stationary night's stay in KL. You can leave at around 9PM and arrive in Singapore after a decent night's sleep at around 6AM. Friends who have tried it swear by it.

If you are commencing your trip from KL proper, consider the distance back to the airport if you intend to take the plane. Although the plane ride lasts less than an hour, it will take you at least an hour to travel to the airport and yet a few more hours before your plane leaves.

My choice has always been the bus, Aeroline to be precise. They have double decker buses which leave from strategic locations across KL, and believe it or not, their prices are similar to a taxi ride from KL Sentral to LCCT!

What I do appreciate are the meals, comfortable seats and most especially the on-board restrooms. There are only 3 rows on the upper deck, which offers a lot of leg and elbow room. On the lower deck, there is a lounge that can seat several people. If you're the friendly, chatty type, come on down to the lower deck to meet new friends. If you want to rest and take a nap, the upper deck is for you. The trip is an easy 5 hour journey, inclusive of a brief pit stop somewhere along the highway.

I have tried other bus companies, but I think I like Aeroline the most. Their terminals are strategic (I usually board at the Corus Hotel Terminal, where there is a lounge at the hotel lobby for passengers), buses are well maintained, drivers are professional and staff are courteous. I always feel safe and secure with them. At the Singapore end, you get off next to Vivo City Mall. Grand.

Before you leave KL, make sure you have all your travel documents ready. You will need them at the border.

I hope this helps. For more information, visit the following sites:

For the LCCT website - http://www.klia.com.my/LCCTerminal/

For the Aeroline website - http://www.aeroline.com.my/

For the KTMB (Train) website - http://www.ktmb.com.my/

For the KL Sentral website - http://www.klsentral.com.my/

In the Light,

Ang Kuwago

Remedy for Dengue

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Dear Kuwago,

I have not come across that information regarding the Mahogany tree. It is interesting. What about Dengue, is there a natural cure for that? They say it is not curable.

Ms. Quito

-----------

Dear Ms. Quito,

When I realized that your chosen pseudonym actually alluded to the topic, I was in stitches. :-D

Well, you are correct, Doctors will actually tell you that there is no pharmacological cure for Dengue. In laymans terms: no commercially-available medicine has ever been proven to cure dengue, that is. But that doesn't mean it cannot be treated.

Ancient cultures have known for centuries that illnesses are best treated not by addressing the symptoms alone, but that the individual in his/her entirety be the subject of the intervention. That means that you simply do not bandage a wound, but make the body capable of healing itself properly. Some will heal faster than others, and that is simply due to their unique makeup.

In the case of Dengue, there are those who are bitten by the carrier and do not display symptoms, and yet there are those who are infected and fall ill. Then, there are those who recover after a few days, and those who require transfusion due to hemorrhage, and worse, even expire.

I have come across two plants, both available in the Philippines, that are claimed to help the dengue-stricken recover. These are the Tawa-tawa plant (Euphorbia Hirta) and the common Papaya (Carica Papaya L.).

Let's start with the Tawa-tawa. This is a common weed found abundantly around the country mostly in open spaces. You most probably have seen it, but didn't know what it was. There have been many recoveries associated with the use of this plant, and even government doctors have acknowledged their efficacy as a treatment. It is a remedy that local healers or 'herbularyos' know well of. The decoction: Uproot around 15-20 plants. Boil the equivalent of 8 glasses of water separately for 5 minutes. Lessen heat. Drop the plants, roots included in the boiling water. Keep it on a slow, rolling boil for just another minute. Have the patient take in no other liquid except this for the next 24 hours.

It is easy to underestimate the lowly weed, isn't it? And to think it has the power to cure such a formidable ailment.

For the Papaya: Take two leaves from the mature tree. Remove the actual leafy part from the stalk. Discard the stalk and remove any remaining sap from the leaves. Take these green leafy portions and grind/crush them. Wring them using cheesecloth (a clean one!) and have the patient ingest the raw liquid that you are able to squeeze from them. Do this just once a day on an empty stomach.

Most report results in just as little as 24 hours, even for advanced cases of hemorrhage.

Isn't it remarkable how Heaven has blessed this country with drugs so easily accessible and for free!

These plants seem to boost the body's immune system, which is essentially what is needed to protect the body from illness and recover from it. In bouts with Dengue, the indicator of recovery would be the platelet count and the WBC. Improvements in these indicators were noted with the use of both plants.

We have also heard that Talbos ng Kamote is another effective cure, but I have yet to confirm these claims. I have not heard of as much successes as compared to those who have tried Tawa-tawa and Papaya.

A few more guidelines to help the patient recover better, from this or any other illness, is to remember the following:

It is best to purge the system with an enema at the onset to help aid the body's natural healing capabilities;
Do not eat more than is required. It is actually better to fast at this time. Take your queue from your body;
Have plenty of rest;
Take in plenty of fluids such as water (not distilled) and natural fruit juices;
Eliminate causes of un-natural noise (such as construction, cars, exhaust pipes, chatter, etc.) from the surroundings;
Try to take in sunlight during the early and late parts of the day;
Keep the temperature warm to comfortable, not cold and chilly;
Massage the extremities gently (hands, feet and scalp) at least once a day, to aid blood circulation;
Meditate deliberately twice a day for just a few short minutes to clear your mind of useless clutter and reinforce the healing process;
If possible, take in fresh air as often as you can;

Sickness and healing is part of the natural cycle of life. They build immunities and make for you a better body. Just weather it out, and you will emerge from it a better person.

I am sorry I have no pictures, I am sure you can find some on Google, but If you need more information, or sources of the Tawa-tawa plant, email me privately.

Again, a disclaimer: We do not really know how effective these cures are or if there are any side-effects. Results could possibly be entirely circumstancial and more research is required to reach a definitive conclusion. Try these at your own risk.

But heck, for me, and me alone, I would go for these natural cures any day!

In the Light,

Ang Kuwago

A New Year, A New Direction

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:36:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

While it has always been my fervent wish to help other people find their center and uplift their spirituality -- with the goal of building a better world for all of us -- I feel that simply writing about my observations and passively sharing about my insights fall short of meeting these aims. As such, I have decided to steer this blog in a new direction; A path that I feel will better help those who need our guidance the most (Yes, we will be inviting sages and gurus to share their wisdom from time-to-time, and they will be introduced in due time). Starting now, this will not just be a common, run-of-the-mill blog, I will now accept questions, and I will endeavor to answer them to the best of my abilities.

The questions you may send should fall within my/our competency, namely: Vegetarian food/cooking, Farming, Gardening, Education, Natural Healing, Music/Drumming, Art, Sustainable Lifestyle, Spirituality, Parenting & Homeschooling. Topics of general interest are welcome. Feel free to send in your most nagging dilemmas.

Please email all questions to: angkuwago[at]gmail[dot]com

There are some rules which I need to lay down, and I do ask that everyone be guided by these simple guidelines:

We will treat all communication with utmost confidence. Please use a pseudonym, otherwise we will supply one if and when we post your question publicly.

Please limit your questions to those within the competencies indicated above. We may also entertain questions related to marketing, business, systems troubleshooting and ISO-related topics, but these will be posted in the proper venue at quago[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If the questions are personal in nature, please indicate whether you prefer a private reply instead. Otherwise, they may be posted publicly;

We reserve the right to answer certain questions only, particularly those of specific interest. Although we will try to answer all relevant questions, there may be those that are just "out of sync". Sorry;

We reserve the right to moderate comments in the spirit of maintaining harmony. Sorry again. But feel free to post your comments, especially if they add a new complementary flavor to the topic-at-hand. Although we respect all religions and points-of-view, I cannot possibly allow the thread to progress to the point of chaos, as we see so often;

No questions lewd, violent or pornographic in nature;

I have decided to employ this new method for this blog since it will help keep me on my toes, considering that I constantly wrestle to find time to blog in between handling the dozens of clients that rely on my services for their businesses.

And also, a disclaimer. We take no responsibility for any outcomes that may result from any recommendations we will make in this blog. Every individual possesses their own free will, and what they make or do out of our posts is entirely their decision. This blog represents the unique point of view of this blogger and his friends, and nothing more.

Please take note that these rules may change. We will edit as deemed fit.

Do expect some "normal' blog entries from time to time, but this Q&A format will be the general direction we will be moving towards.

More Light in the New Year for us all.

Ang Kuwago

=========

And now for the first question of this blog, as asked personally by a relative during a recent family outing. We were taking a stroll out at this huge garden in Tagaytay, when he started asking me about the natural healing properties of the various trees and plants we saw. I thought I would share my reply to his question on the healing properties of one of the most common trees around us, and think you may likewise find this interesting:

Ang Kuwago,

What about this tree (Mahogany), what does it cure?

Bembol

===

Dear Bembol,

Although the Mahogany tree is more commonly used as timber material for furniture-making, owing to the beautiful yellowish hue of its wood, I recently learned of an ailment that is treated by ingesting its fruit: Diabetes.

I learned of this during a trip to Malaysia, where a friend ordered a bag-full of Mahogany fruits. There, they are known as "Sky Fruit". The fruit of the Mahogany typically splits into many seeds when mature, and these commonly fall to the ground.

In my haste to see how it tasted, as I was excited for these abound in the Philippines, I immediately skinned the rind off and popped a single seed into my mouth, just as my friend quickly barked off the instruction NOT to bite into it. Too late.

It was the nastiest, most bitter thing I have ever tasted in my life. Ever. No wonder I was asked to swallow immediately. One seed a day, so they say, to treat diabetes.

In fact, it is somewhat of a cure-all in Malaysia, used to treat impotence, heart disease, alzheimers, skin disease, high cholesterol, stomach problems, poor blood circulation, etc. Containing flavonoids, saponins, essentially fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and anzymes, it is now being processed into tonics & juices which promise cures for many ailments.

In the Philippines, it grows in abundance. We even have a few at home.

An opportunity, maybe?

In the Light,

Ang Kuwago

[photo courtesy of http://fusion.sas.upenn.edu/caterpillar]

Kuwago's Flights: Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:46:00 +0000

One particular trip that stood out among those in previous months, was my journey which commenced in Manila, to Bangkok, to Kuala Lumpur, then to Singapore and finally back to Manila.

As a traveller on business, I usually try hard to squeeze some leisure time into my day, where I can visit some markets, groceries, homes and alleys, while taking a few snapshots. Oftentimes, after reviewing the snaps I took of my trip, I feel that I missed out on a lot of photos that now need to then be committed to memory instead.

Such is the case on the Bangkok leg of my journey. I have no photos of the seminar I conducted in that lavish hotel, or of the screet scenes and food I enjoyed so much. All I have are snaps of this, my hotel room at the Ariston Hotel, in Sukhumvit, on the other side of town from my seminar venue.

It was a huge room, with a receiving area where my partner and I spent some time discussing business. It was also right next one of the better malls in Bangkok, the Emporium. In Bangkok, I always have enough guts to just barge into just about any restaurant or bar, knowing that the tab would always be reasonably priced. That is one of the things I love about Bangkok.

I used to get frustrated with the language barrier, with most people on the streets lacking the facility of decent conversational english, that is until my partner explained to me that it is exactly that which further adds to the charm and exoticity of the place. I now look at this minor obstacle as an enchantment.

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is one of the largest airports in the region, and one of the most alluring at night, with all its lights. There is also so much to see, explore and eat at in this airport. I had a wonderful bowl of Thai Noodles before I hopped on my plane to Kuala Lumpur.

Thereafter, it gets worse. I have absolutely no pictures of what I did for the next few days in KL. Nil. And what a pity it was. Until of course I was in the proper frame of mind again, off of work mode, and about to board a bus to Singapore.

I had booked myself on an Aeroline coach from the Corus Hotel in downtown KL to Harbourfront Center in Singapore. The bus was scheduled to leave at 4:30PM on a Friday, and I came early. Aeroline provides its passengers with a lounge within the lobby of the hotel, where coffee and tea is served with their compliments. It was wonderful sitting in the lobby of a fine hotel while waiting for your bus to board. If only all airports were like this. On top of that, the Petronas Towers were just a stone's throw away. If I wanted to, I could have strolled on over there.

The bus we took was a double decker bus. The main seating area is located on the upper deck. There are two rows on the right hand side of the bus while a single row spans its length on the left hand side of the bus. The bus left exactly on time, and meals were served on board by a stewardess. The seats are similar to most airlines' business class seats. Although there were no individual video screens for each passenger, there was a large video screen up at the front of the bus where movies were shown. The seats were spacious and reclined comfortably.

The lower deck is where the lounge is located. This is where you can sit and chat with other passengers, if you're up to it. I spent most of my journey in the lounge and managed to meet a swell bunch of people: a travel agent from India, a businessman, a retired Singapore Army man, a Pakistani professor at one of the Malaysian universities and a Petronas Employee. The conversations were varied and interesting. It was a great way to kill time.

The best part about the bus is that it had an on-board toilet. Although the bus did make a brief stop along the way, mostly for people to stretch their legs, the toilet meant that I did not have to calibrate my kidneys for the journey. I could go when I pleased, not needing to hold it in. I could not say the same for the Konsortium bus I took to from Singapore to KL on one instance. Although the seats were more spacious and reclined even more than the ones we were in, it had no toilet, which made the 5 hour journey, for me, at times, unpleasant.

Before exiting Malaysian territory, we had to alight from the bus and clear immigration. It was brief and easy. After a short queue to get our passports stamped, off we were once more.

A few minutes later, we were entering Singapore territory, and this meant we would need to carry all our bags off the bus and go through both customs and immigration. This time, it took a tad longer, but not at all inconvenient.

We were off again in no time, spanning the length of the island of Singapore from west to east, before reaching Harbour Front Center at around 9PM, where my very good friend, an Architect, met me. Next door, somewhere in Vivo City, our dinner comprised of green tea rice, which really hit the spot for us. It was the first time for us to try this dish, and we definitely made the right choice. He later told me that he makes this dish a regular now.

The next few hours were then dedicated to hanging out and meeting other old friends at Clarke Quay, which we reached via the mighty-efficient Singapore MRT. There, we had some coffee and checked out the scenery.

We spent the rest of the evening chatting the night away at some Kopitiam and at Punggol Park, sitting around its huge lagoon, reminiscing the past and contemplating on the future.

It is sometimes times like this that help you meditate on your existence and define what you do with the rest of your life. It turns out, tonight is one of them.

A Heart of Art

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:03:00 +0000

I'd still like to think of myself as an artist.

Sometime in 1988, I used to paint with watercolor as a medium. The three pictures I have posted here are my works. These were done almost 20 years ago, yet I have not painted since. A disclaimer, though: these are not my original subjects, I merely painted original works I found in books. I was once told that many artists started out by copying other people's works.

I once played drums for a living. In fact, one of my previous bands, Elizabeth Reed, launched an album entitled "The Dragons Cried Pearls" in 1996 under the J-Bird Record label run by Jay Barbieri. A sample of my work can be heard by clicking on the two sample music clips found on my sidebar. I also played session for other bands such as show bands, 60s bands, rock bands, etc. This was THE main source of livelihood for my family then. I had my hair almost to my waist, facial hair, colorful shirts, the works.

I still get to play the drums now and then, my last stint being around 2002, where I played for and shot a music video at the old and hostoric Manila Post Office with a band called Honeyrush. Now, its all limited to jamming in parties or the like.

I also ran a footwear manufacturing firm, where I would frequently involve myself in design, having had to source new raw materials and ideas, here and abroad.

These days, blogging has breathed new life in my body, withering from lack of artistic deliberations, fuddled by the rigors of work life as a consultant. I do notice, however, that there exists a fine line that separates creative and technical endeavors. Maybe it is an interplay between the two seemingly disparate hemispheres of the brain working in harmony. Think Leonardo Da Vinci.

I'm thinking of taking it yet a step further....... renew my artistic ties..... invigorate myself once more with the beauty of the world..... immerse myself in color and hue....... envelope the world in.....

..... I have no clue how to go about it anymore.

I think I am trapped in a completely different animal's body now.

*help*

Our Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:03:00 +0000

There are people who are born fortunate. Some are born into wealth, some are phyically built well, some are gorgeous, some have the gift of gab, some a wonderful speaking voice and others simply exude that charisma that make their presence immediately felt upon entering a room.

All these people have one thing in common: They are attractive to others.

God gave each of us some form of talent, others more pronounced than others. Although some people's talents may seem mundane, all these were given to us to fulfill a certain purpose.

For the ones given the talent of attractiveness, or the power to allure people, their mission is to use these God-given attributes to help people increase their spirituality.

If you do not dig my reasoning, then tell me why are others more well endowed than the rest? Evolution? If it is by virtue of evolution alone, then shouldn't all children look better than their parents? Though flawed my logic may seem, one cannot deny the fact that in the larger scheme of things, there must be a reason for everything. Quantum physics now subscribes to the fact that order exists in chaos. Everything in the universe is deliberate, nothing is by chance alone.

The law of cyclic existence dictates what we become in each lifetime, and the qualities we possess. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Your gifts are yours for a reason. As the parable in the Holy Bible implies, you will be answerable for the fruits of these gifts.

And in the spirit and tradition of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), I therefore say: Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to find out what that mission is, and execute it to completion!

Kuwago's Flights: Southern India's Temples

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:45:00 +0000

A blogging hiatus, borne out of an extremely hectic work and travel schedule, has hopefully come to an end. With a wealth of photos and stories from the past few months, I have enough material to continue churning blog entries for weeks. Reluctant to write due to lack of practice and mental conditioning, I have decided that I will break out of my chains of procrastination.

Sure, I could have blogged all this time, I did have the means. I guess it was the workload and the focus required on the tasks at hand.

I do still have work to complete, definitely, but I am still going to start blogging again.

Here we go....

======================

During a previous trip to India, I noticed that there was so much about the spiritual aspect of Indian tradition that captured my fancy and interest that I would purposely explore as much temples as I could during my next trip. Being somewhere at the heart of the Indian psyche, I was convinced that it is one of the most colorful and intricate aspects of their culture.

Our quest started at Chennai, near the GRT Temple Bay Resort in Mamallapuram where we were booked. My colleagues and I attempted to visit the Shore Temple. It is said to be one of the oldest temples in Southern India, built around the same time as the structures carved out of solid boulders the place is known for.

From the beach of the Temple Bay Resort, you can see the Shore Temple in the distance. We attempted to see the temple up close, so we decided to make our way there. If not for annual fishermen's festival which was happening on that day, we would have been able to take a boat ride off the coast. This did not quite appeal to me, remembering that on this same area, a Tsunami hit a few years ago.

On the way, we stopped at a few carvings made hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago on the side of these huge boulders. There is a story behind these carvings, which I will write about in the coming days. It is a very interesting one, which may even help those who are in search of their own spirituality.

We passed by a few minor temples on the way to the shore temple, but when we got there, it was already closed for the day. This was my second attempt to get in. The first was last year. I guess it was just not the right time for me.

What we ended up doing was to hang out by the beach, where I attempted to get as close as possible to the Shore Temple. Unfortunately, it was too dark to make out the structure, and even my camera could not take a snapshot of it despite the flash. It was still too far from the fence. There were hundreds of people on the night beach, whiling away the time, in a carneval-like setting with vendors, parlour games and horse-back riding available.

The following day, we managed to whisk by the ISKCON Temple on our way to the City. The main building was under construction, and I suspect for a long time now. We did, however, get to talk to some Krishna devotees and promised to come back when we had more time. We never did get the chance to return.

After a 250km road trip to Pondicherry, we visited the Manakula Vinayaka Temple, situated near the beach. There is an ashram next to the temple, but entry is prohibited to outsiders, at least at the time we were there.

I was surprised to see a real, live elephant at the entrance to the temple. It was my first time to actually come this close to an elephant. I remember seeing some at the Manila Zoo when I was very young, but that was about it -- a glance. For a rupee, which you hand over to the elephant by way of his trunk, he will bless you by tapping on your head. I could have sworn that he was trying to constantly ask me to walk up closer to him, but then you couldn't really tell.

The following day, I read on the local newspaper that RFID tags were installed on these elephants by the government as the cases of elephant theft were on the rise. Wow, I thought, how one could possibly steal an elephant and get away with it...

I really enjoy going through all the merchandise sold outside temple doors'. It not only offers a variety of items of fancy, but by asking about objects you are not familiar with, you also satisfy your curiosity and end up learning some bits of information that are oftentimes both interesting and amazing.

A trip to Pondicherry, a former French colony, is never complete without a visit to Auroville. It is a community founded by the "Mother", based on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo. The tenets of Auroville strike me at the onset as extremely idealistic, similar to that of a "Hippie Commune", but quite interestingly seem to be implemented properly. It is meant as a place for everyone, regardless of race, creed or religion. The area is huge, where orgnanic farming and an environmentally conscious lifestyle are practiced. It is a place where the values of peace, harmony, sustainable living and spirituality are espoused. Auroville is still a work in progress, which started in the 1960s, and continues with much intensity to this day.

Athe heart of Auroville is the Matrimandir, a meditation center in the Peace Zone which has been designed carefully and built from Gold discs. It is considered as the "Soul of the City". I was told that computers constanly focus the rays of the sun from the top, on a central crystal ball that distributes light throughout the interior of the Matrimandir. The effect, they say, is magical. I did not have the chance to get in this time around. Maybe next time.

The size of the Matrimandir must not be underestimated, for each of these angular structures to its side is a meditation hall on its own.

We also visited the Kailash Nadaraj Temple, located not far from Auroville. It is set by the sea, and houses the diety Needaraja. There was a Holy Man or Priest that was performing some prayers when we arrived, so we naturally took some blessings from him.

As usual with most temples in India, you are not allowed to take photographs inside, which accounts for my lack of colorful snapshots of temple interiors. We are, however, allowed to take photographs from the outside, and it was fortunate for us that the deity was set not too far inside the structure that our photographs were able to capture its metallic beauty from the outside.

At the Velliangiri (White Mountain) Temple compound, located in the cluster of mountains we originally intended to set out for, we had to walk barefoot for a short distance before reaching the minor temple. That is another common regulation when entering any temple in India -- entering barefoot from the entrance. The stony flooring made it difficult for me in the beginning, but once I got used to it, it became quite enjoyable actually. For every visit to a temple, you have to take blessings from the Holy Men that offer them from the presiding dieties. This is where you get your forehead painted with Holy Powder.

The difficulty of walking barefoot on rock-tattered soil eventually made me decide against making the climb to the White Mountain Temple, including the information that in addition to being a very, very long and ardorous climb, the climb would eventually be void of steps, only a mountainside path. If I had made it to the top, I was told that I would have been able to taste the sweetest water in India, Siruvani Water-- Not the bottled varieties which only carry the name, but the real thing. These days, I was told, it is difficult to obtain real Siruvani Water. I would have had some, if I had made the climb. I was also told that the temple at the top of the mountain would have been closed anyway.

Besides, I always make it a point to pace myself when on a long trip. No sense in falling ill or being unable to perform because you overtaxed yourself.

This Baba was waiting for the precise opportunity to climb up the mountain himself, the temple only being open to devotees 2 months of the entire year. The time was drawing closer, but sadly not at the time I was there. In the meantime, the Babas were spending their time practicing humility by seeking for alms, and selling authentic Ayurvedic herbal cures.

The temple compound was teeming with devotees and holy men, all coming in the hope of receiving the blessings of Lord Muruga.

I was urged by my companions to have my fortune told. It was amazing to see a tiny parrot take a card from the deck for the seer to read my fortune from. He also augmented the reading by studying my palm. Surprisingly, his account of my life so far was extremely accurate. By his description, my future looks rosy and blessed. Time will tell if his predictions are accurate. Of course, who wouldn't want to live until 98?

At the nearby Dhyana Linga Temple of the Isha Yoga Center, we were briefed by a Swami prior to allowing us to roam the grounds freely. We were told that in this place, it did not matter what religion you were from. I was reminded by my inner voice that we are all children of the same God, regardless of anything.

This is the place where people go to cleanse their minds and bodies. The continuously-flowing water in the pool comes from the nearby mountains, which keeps them cool. At the center of the pool is a steel orb filled with Mercury. It is said to weigh a few dozen kilos. We were told that the benefits to the self may be attained by swimming to the center of the pool and touching the orb. I decided I would simply wade around in the shallow portion of the pool. Some say you gain the same benefits as the rest anyway, and I didn't feel I needed any inner cleansing at that point. I genuinely believe I am at peace with myself and my creator.

We then proceeded to the temple itself, where we made an offering prior to sitting in front of the Linga, a representation of the divine, simply to connect. The offering consisted of a lotus flower, some other leaves, herbs and ghee.

At the corridor leading to the temple hall, there were many sights to behold, including sculptures, structures and other interesting people. Since no photographs were allowed, I could only describe my impression of how much the things I saw resembled Taoist and Buddhist symbols.

What I expected the Linga to be, was nothing like what I saw. Here is a picture of a photograph of the Linga, which I took at the gift shop. It is supposed to be a unification of the energy of man and woman, a representation of the divine. Someone told me it is meant to represent a phallus. I have no idea if he was serious, though.

All throughout the center, you see the symbolism of the snake abound. The devotees and swamis wear rings representing the snake. The swami explained that it is the symbol of the Kundalini or divine energy descended from Heaven. I remember my former teacher teaching me of this. It was apparently deeply rooted in the Hindu culture.

Still in Pondicherry, we visited the Perur Temple dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva. I am quite disappointed for not being able to capture the numerous sights, smells and sounds Iexperienced there, through my camera, still being prohibited. I had to be thankful for the fact that a non-Hindu such as myself was already granted entry, so I definitely did not want to abuse my privilege. I did read on more than one occassion that non-Hindus were not allowed in some temples. Here is all I was able to take of the entrance of the temple.

And the last stop, another plane ride away, was the ISKCON Coimbatore Temple.

ISKCON is more commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement, due to their constant chanting of the Holy Names of God: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. It is a practice recognized by the ancient Vedas, steeped in the Vaishnava religion, and brought to the west by Srila Prabhupada.

This aspect of my trip, the visits to the various temples of South India, is just a small part of my overall journey, and although I know I cannot fully transmit to you the wide spectrum of satisfaction I experienced, I will at least try. Watch for my next installment.

Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3

noreply@blogger.com (Ang Kuwago) — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:36:00 +0000

I am currently blogging at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at the new Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3. Fortunately, I finally got on a flight that landed at the new terminal. Wireless Internet is free, so I am blogging away, after a long hiatus due to my uber busy schedule, while sipping a cup of hot coffee. It is raining outside today, a huge difference from the hot and dry weather in India, which was at 44degC yesterday.

This terminal is beautiful.

Unfortunately, I feel like a zombie, having only slept no more than 2 hours. I left Chennai at 2345H, and after only 3.5 hours, I arrived in Singapore an hour or so ago. It is now 0745H. The time difference made me lose 2.5 hours today. And I have yet to fly to Kuala Lumpur later this afternoon.

In a short while, I will be taking a shower at the transit hotel, clearing immigration, then taking my check-in luggage from the lost & found in order to keep them in a locker at Terminal 2 so I can come by for them later this afternoon after I meet up with my good friend who is in the city, also on vacation in Singapore.

I will take the MRT to and from Terminal 2 to the city, taking my bags again from the locker and then taking the shuttle to the budget terminal where I will take a flight to KL LCCT, where I will meet with my wife, who is flying in from Clark.

It all feels so surreal, having just been to many cities and ancient temples around India in the past few days, mostly barefoot, and now, after no more than a few hours, already I am in one of the prime examples of modern, high tech architecture.

I will soon be blogging about my trip to India. Let us hope I find the time soon.