Live in the Moment

King's Mantle

2013-08-01T18:00:00.000+08:00

King's Mantle, Bush Clockvine, Thunbergia erecta

A West African native, King's Mantle is a herbaceous perennial climber that grows as dense shrubs. It can grow up to 6 feet, prefers moist soil but can tolerate some drought, and it does better at partial shade. This is one of the flowers at my aunt's garden in Antique.

The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most awakened souls. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

SM by the Bay/Signs

2013-07-31T22:30:00.000+08:00

I've been busy and was out of town. I suffered a bad cold when I got home--the weather has been crazy lately.

I was at this park in early July. It's a row of restaurants and cafes, a giant Ferris Wheel, carnival rides, a zip line, fountains, a park and a long stretch of sea wall facing Manila Bay. SM by the Bay is a popular place especially when it's hot and humid---it's the best place to enjoy the cooler breezes while having a beer and pizza. Located at the back of the SM Mall of Asia, the Port of Manila and the famous Manila Bay sunset can be viewed from this park.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Gumamela/Hibiscus

2013-07-25T19:00:00.000+08:00

Two colors of gumamela/hibiscus I spotted at a parking lot near the Manila Ocean Park. Hibiscus is a pretty common flower here, we usually take it for granted. I'm glad somebody took time to plant these flowers in the parking lot.

“Maybe the truth is, there's a little bit of loser in all of us. Being happy isn't having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things.” ~ Ann Brachares

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Gone Fishing

2013-07-16T12:00:00.000+08:00

I'll be gone for a week for a much needed break and may not have access to the internet. I'll see you again next week.

Be good!:)

Empty Swings/Monday Mellow Yellows

2013-07-15T06:00:00.000+08:00

First sight.

Empty swing

moving back then forth, slow.

giggles

Innocent juvenile laughter

legs high in the air

swing in, then out

arms out

embracing the world

creak, squeak

hear the noises of childhood memories

falling leaves like a release of a swing

slowing down--back to today

flying from the seat

empty swing

moving back, then forth, slow.

~ Kiley

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows

Bromeliad or Ginger?

2013-07-12T02:36:00.000+08:00

That is the question...

There were no leaves so it's not easy to identify.

I hope somebody can ID this flower.

Isn't that wonderful? That feeling of not knowing too much about something...incomplete information, endless possibilities. When you don't know much about something, it's the most exciting sensation. ~ Erol Ozan

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos
Orange You Glad It's Friday

Today's Flowers

Zingiberaceae/ABC Wednesday

2013-07-10T02:00:00.000+08:00

Spiral Ginger, Costus

Z is for Zingiberaceae

The ginger family, also known as Zingiberaceae, are a family of flowering plants consisting of aromatic herbs with creeping horizontal or tuberous rhizomes, comprising of 52 genera and more than 1,300 species. These aromatic herbs grow in moist areas of the tropics and subtropics, including regions that are seasonably dry.

Many species are important ornamental plants, spices or medicinal plants. Spices include turmeric, ginger, galangal or Thai ginger, melegueta pepper and cardamom. Ornamental genera include the shell gingers, torch ginger, ginger lily and summer tulip.

Source

Ginger is one of the ancient medicines in Asia and India, it's healing properties are popular in alternative medicine. It is particularly useful in treating chronic inflammation. Ginger does not cause stomach irritation, instead it helps protect and heal the gut. It helps relieve nausea and destroys a host of viruses.

At home, we love using turmeric (Curcuma longa) in cooking. I like its peppery flavor and mild fragrance reminiscent of orange and ginger. It is commonly used as food coloring and is one of the basic ingredients in curry powder. It is also used to treat digestive disorders--it improves digestion, reduce gas and bloating. Turmeric is said to shrink enlarged hepatic ducts, so it is useful to those with liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice. It also relieves menstrual cramps and arthritic pain.

Raw ginger is often used here as a throat lozenge. Salabat, or ginger tea, is a favorite drink in the Philippines during cold season, especially around Christmastime. This drink is made from boiling crushed fresh ginger. A slice of lemon or a twist of calamansi (local lemon) and sugar or honey are usually added to Salabat. It soothes sore throat, eases cold symptoms and stomach aches. Powdered salabat is now available commercially.

Source

The ornamental gingers are beautiful and this Red Cone Ginger flower is one of my favorite. I have known this flower since I was very young. My grandmother had a bunch of Red Cone Gingers around her garden, especially near the well that was the neighborhood's water source since the 1930's. The moist area around the well was a perfect habitat for gingers.

Red Cone Ginger, Alpinia purpurata

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Red Hibiscus-double

2013-07-04T18:00:00.000+08:00

It is courage, courage, courage, that raises the blood of life to crimson splendor.

Live bravely and present a brave front to adversity.

~ Horace

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Yogurt/ABC Wednesday

2013-07-03T02:00:00.000+08:00

Y is for Yogurt

Growing up, I never like milk. Probably because I was "forced" to drink fresh milk as a child when I wanted soda. My father who advocated milk-drinking in the family tried to give us choices--from canned fresh milk to soya milk, chocolate-flavored milk, Yakult, etc. My siblings grew up to be milk drinkers, I am not. And after a few incidents with milk products, I believe I am lactose-intolerant.

When yogurt became the craze of dieters in the office, I tried it, too, but later declared that the taste was disgusting! But I do like yogurt when used as salad dressing or as a condiment.

Yogurt or yoghurt is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria used to make yogurt are known as "yogurt cultures". Fermentation of lactose by these bacteria produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yogurt its texture and its characteristic tang. Cow's milk is commonly used worldwide to make yogurt, but milk in water buffalo, goats, ewes, mares, camels and yaks is also used in various parts of the world.

Dairy yogurt is produced using a culture of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus bacteria. Other lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are also sometimes added during or after culturing yogurt.

I read about the health benefits of yogurt and have been trying to find a flavor that I'd like. I buy mango or blueberry flavored yogurt and just close my eyes to swallow each tablespoon. Until I "discovered" frozen yogurt!

Frozen yogurt has the consistency of ice cream, and the flavors mask the tartness of yogurt. Now, it has become my favorite snack and dessert. I usually add some toppings like fresh fruits, cherries, nuts (almond flakes, macadamia), and choco-coated crunchies.

Yogurt has been around for centuries. Records in ancient cultures of India and Iran, yogurt was mentioned by 500 BCE. A combination of yogurt and honey was considered "food for the gods" in ancient India. Medieval Turks used yogurt as written in 11th century literature. Before the turn of the century, yogurt was a staple in diets of people in the Russian Empire, western Asia, eastern and central Europe and India. 18th century doctors believed that regular consumption of yogurt was responsible for the unusually long lifespan of Bulgarian peasants.

toppings

Yogurt is marketed as a health food. It is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. It has nutritional benefits beyond those of milk. Lactose-intolerant individuals can sometimes tolerate yogurt better than other dairy products, because the lactose in the milk is converted to glocuse and galactose, and partially fermented to lactic acid, by the bacterial culture.

Yogurt containing live cultures has been found effective in a randomized trial at preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Yogurt contains varying amounts of fat. There is non-fat (0% fat), low-fat (usually 2% fat) and plain or whole milk yogurt (4% fat). A study published in the International Journal of Obesity also found that the consumption of low-fat yogurt can promote weight loss, especially due to the calcium in the yogurt. Source

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Showy Medinilla

2013-06-27T15:00:00.001+08:00

Medinilla magnifica, Rose Grape, Malaysian Orchid, Chandelier Tree

A native to the Philippines, blooming Medinillas are very pretty. Medinilla thrives in shaded conditions and moist soil, growing lush tropical foliage and cluster after cluster of orchid-like pink blooms. The buds are baby pink, the flowers turn to a deeper pink, then magenta and finally dark red like sweet ripe cherries.

No one wants flowers to blush unseen or waste their sweetness.

~ Barbara Cheney

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Lemon Squares/Monday Mellow Yellow

2013-06-17T08:30:00.000+08:00

Central Azucarera de Tarlac, a 112-year old sugar mill located in a 50-hectare land inside the Hacienda Luisita in San Miguel, Tarlac.

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows

Pink Morning Glory

2013-06-13T21:37:00.000+08:00

The pink morning glory, Ipomoea carnea or canudo-de-pita in Brazil, is the genus in the flowering plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 500 species. Ipomoea carnea is a shrub, and the stem can be used in making paper. The plant contains a component used in sedatives and anticonvulsant, it also has anticarconogenic and oxytoxic properties. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds but the seeds are hazardous to cattle. The genus grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.

It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers. ~ Arthur Conan Doyle

Took these photos around noon---the flowers were beginning to wilt.

Behind the 30-foot statue of the Risen Christ at the Monasterio de Tarlac.

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Tarlac Capitol/Signs

2013-06-13T03:11:00.001+08:00

Staff at the Tarlac Capitol building was bringing down the flags and banner when we visited on June 1st. The National Flag Day was on May 28th.

Spotted this plaque by the door of the Capitol.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Caged/Monday Mellow Yellows

2013-06-10T07:00:00.000+08:00

"What do you fear, lady?" Aragorn asked.

"A cage," Eowyn said. "To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire."

~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows

Am I blue?

2013-06-06T16:31:00.000+08:00

How do you know, when you think blue---when you say blue---that you are talking about the same blue as anyone else?

You cannot get a grip on blue.

Blue is the sky, the sea, a god's eye, a devil's tail, a birth, a strangulation, a virgin's cloak, a monkey's ass. It's a butterfly, a bird, a spicy joke, the saddest song, the brightest day.

Blue is sly, slick, it slides into the room sideways, a slippery trickster.

This is a story about the color blue, and like blue, there's nothing true about it. Blue is beauty, not truth."True blue" is a ruse, a rhyme; it's there, then it's not. Blue is a deeply sneaky color.

~ Christopher Moore, Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Monasterio de Tarlac/Signs

2013-06-06T02:01:00.000+08:00

These are some of the signs at the Monasterio de Tarlac, a Catholic monastery and hermitage along the mountain ranges of San Jose, Tarlac province and within the eco-tourism park. There is a 30-foot statue of the Risen Christ perched on the mountain. There is also a small chapel that houses the relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ. The relic, the only one in Asia, arrived here in 2007. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see it---and taking a photo of the relic is not allowed.

I was with a group of shutterbugs who visited the monastery last Saturday. It was a 3-hour drive from Manila.

Linking to Signs, Signs

U/ABC Wednesday

2013-06-04T23:30:00.000+08:00

I was at the Luisita Golf & Country Club over the weekend with a group of shutterbugs. This 18-hole golf course sits on a 70-hectare area bounded on the east by a sugar central and by a mountain chain on the west. I noticed these patio umbrellas as soon as we walked towards the clubhouse. Wouldn't it be nice to sit here undisturbed by city noise and pollution, under the canopy of ancient acacia trees?

The clubhouse is a 2-storey classic Spanish architecture with a huge patio offering an unobstructed view of the golf course. The golf course is part of Hacienda Luisita, a 6,400-hectare sugar plantation estate owned by the Cojuangco family, which includes the late former President Cory Aquino and her son, incumbent President Benigno Aquino III.

This visit was part of the local government's efforts to uplift tourism in the province of Tarlac. Unfortunately, we only stayed here for about 30 minutes to keep up with another group enroute to the national shrine.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Pentas

2013-05-30T18:00:00.000+08:00

I was captivated by this bright scarlet beauty.

"I've got nothing to do today but smile."

~ Paul Simon

Linking to Floral Friday Foto

Today's Flowers

No Trespassing/Signs

2013-05-30T05:00:00.000+08:00

@ mirandablue

We were island-hopping the whole day and by late afternoon, we dropped anchor at Lahuy Island, a tiny island in the Caramoan peninsula. Then we noticed this sign! We didn't know some of the islands here are owned by private individuals---mostly by political clans, I learned later. We expected to be kicked out but the the gentleman who lives here told us we can stay to enjoy the sunset and the beach, for free.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Top-load/ABC Wednesday

2013-05-28T23:00:00.000+08:00

T is for Top load

The jeepney is one of the Philippines' cultural symbols. It is found in roads all over the country---in the crowded city streets, sleepy towns, provincial roads and rural back roads. Jeepneys are symbols of our street life, the workhorse of Philippine transportation. Through the years, jeepneys have earned a moniker "King of the Road" because jeepney drivers are notorious for doing as they please---unload and pick up passengers whenever and wherever, violate all kinds of traffic laws like stopping at No Stop signs, drive on lanes and streets where they are not allowed, bust people's eardrums with their blaring music.

Jeepneys have made an impression on our visitors. I haven't met a foreign guest who has not been fascinated by our jeepneys. Riding a jeepney is definitely one of their must-try when they're in the Philippines, and I bet they have interesting stories of their jeepney rides when they go home. An American client was fascinated how the driver can manage it all---keeps track of each passenger, makes sure each passenger pays before getting off, receives fares and gives change while snaking through traffic. Yes, a jeepney driver is great at multi-tasking!

I enjoy riding jeepneys when I travel to the countryside. The ride is inexpensive and it allows you to take in as much scenery as you could. I admit it's not the most comfortable ride, sometimes it feels like you're in a can of sardines. The fun part is, you get to meet interesting people when you share such small space with them.

Jeepney rides can give you an adrenalin rush especially when you take the top load---that means sitting on the roof of the jeepney. There are places in far-flung provinces where trips are few and far between, and commuters have to make the best out of these trips, hence the top load sitting arrangement. Tourists and thrill-seekers love the top load, photographers get the best drive-by shots.

Law enforcers discourage top load as it is dangerous but drivers allow it, and passengers ride the top load at their own risk. Maybe I should try this one of these days.:p

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Blues/Blue Monday

2013-05-27T11:30:00.000+08:00

"There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul." ~ Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

Linking to Blue Monday

Thunbergia lauriflolia

2013-05-23T15:48:00.000+08:00

Blue Trumpet Vine, Thunbergia laurifolia

Ornamental vine with showy blue-violet trumpet-shaped flowers. This flowering vine covers most of the pergola and parameter fence at a friend's property in Tagaytay.

"Gardening is a kind of disease. It infects you, you cannot escape it. When you go visiting, your eyes rove about the garden; you interrupt the serious cocktail drinking because of an irrisistible impulse to get up and pull a weed."....in my case, to take a photo.:p

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flowers

Peace/Signs

2013-05-23T01:00:00.000+08:00

Painted on top of an old two-storey house in Malolos, Bulacan.
With the current tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines, territorial disputes with China, the Sultan of Sulu's claims over Sabah, peace in this corner of the world is always threatened. I hope everybody is seeking peaceful solutions to these conflicts.

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Shoepaholic

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000+08:00

If a "shopaholic" is a person who is addicted to shopping, what do you call somebody who is a compulsive buyer of footwear?

A Shoepaholic?:p

I was in shoepaholic's heaven in late April when we went to the "Tsinelas Festival" in Liliw, Laguna. "Tsinelas" is a Filipino word for "slippers".

This festival is an annual event showcasing various types of footwear---flip flops, slippers, sandals, wedges, mules, loafers, slingbacks, flats, in different materials...all hand-made in Liliw.

We even visited a small factory and observed skilled shoe-makers.

These are fun but would you dare to wear these colorful wedges?

Linking to Monday Mellow Yellows

Blue Monday
ABC Wednesday

Dendrobium anosmum

2013-05-16T18:00:00.000+08:00

Dendrobium anosmum, an unscented dendrobium, locally known as Sanggumay, is native to the Philippines, Borneo, New Guinea, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The genus Dendrobium contains approximately 1,200 species making it one of the largest genera in the orchid family. Dendrobiums are adapted to monsoon climates and long dry periods stimulate flower production. This species is popular for lei production because it is relatively long-lasting with flowers staying fresh for up to 4 days and does not crush easily.

Spotted the blooms at my friend's grandmother's garden when we visited her recently.

"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life." ~ Albert Camus

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Today's Flower