With or Without Wings?

I'm not talking about sanitary napkin here. :P
I'm talking about the ability to fly.


Sometimes, I wish I could fly.

Philippine sky

I wish I could spread my wings and soar high above the clouds.

I could avoid the heavy traffic, minimize the time for traveling, and surpass all the distance and bodies of land and water that separates me from the destination I'm longing for. I don't have to pay for seafare/airfare going from one place to another. I can meet my love ones immediately.

There were times when I wondered why human beings were not granted the ability to fly.
Although the human body is an incredible piece of creation, it lacks the proper structure and aerodynamic abilities required for flight.

Jehovah God is really just, and I know that He has reasons for creating us this way.
By design, human beings are land-based creatures and no one should question that...

Airplanes made it possible for us to explore more of aero beauty.

Because of this inability to fly, the innovative human mind came up with efforts to match animal's ability to fly. The Wright brothers came up with the first airplane. Other aerodynamic structures followed, and now we have multitude creations and structures for flying. Such an advantage of innovating beyond our capacity.

Yes, I don't have wings, but I feel much grateful for being a human. Even if I cannot fly, I can appreciate the beauty of space and sky, and thus worship God for his creations.

Such a spectacular reason to be thankful of.

What is Winnie the Pooh's Gender?

A friend once asked me that question.

I answered abruptly, "He is a boy, of course!"

My friend demanded for a reliable proof, yet I cannot give one.
Such a shallow argument, others may think. But I want to settle this argument. :P

Now, I now have evidence!

From Winnie the Pooh's original house and from the book "Hundred Acres Wood: Pooh's Hunny Hunt", came the precise answer.

"Rest assured, he is a boy." - Christopher Robin

Now that your gender identity crisis has came to an end, I'll give you a big hug. ;)

Photography Tidbit: Vanity Matters

Photography is self-taught.

True, this statement from Ansel Adam, shows that photography starts from one’s interest and appreciation of the details and artistic forms of his environment. Experience follows and molds an individual into becoming a great photographer.

Recently, I’ve been observing great photographers, and I learned a lot from them.

In this entry, I would focus on one tidbit I learned.

Never be conscious of your looks when you take pictures.

Professional photographers don’t care if the clothes they wear be soaked in the mud, if their whole form become drenched in the rain, or if they make a nuisance out of themselves.

Mr. Abasolo's V-Leg formation

elbow rest position

and the best position I've seen :P

Quoting from Jojie Alcantara, while she was covering a wedding:

“The only way for me to get a shot with the sky as background was to lie down on the grass, almost right below. Lost in the moment, they barely noticed me. Together, they held on to the Bible.

I did mess up my clothes for lying down. But I captured my sky shots.”

Thus, learning from the great teachers, I make an effort to remove any vanity in myself (if there is any..hehe) in taking shots.

Who cares about the curious onlookers, intense heat and sticky sand?
(Special thanks to Cat Martin for this shot.)

...as long as I capture my once-in-a-lifetime shot

Therefore, having love for photography impels us to remove all excessive vanity and conceit. A photographer should possess humility, not capturing shots for the purpose of recognition and pride, but more on the purpose of sharing and serving others.

There are real life lessons, after all.

I Heart Marikina

Marikina, known as the cleanest city in the National Capital Region, displays its own pride in making passers-by gaze in awe at its marvelous landscapes, spick-and-span spots and disciplined residents.

Who needs to ride planes or book expensive flights to shoot beautiful scenery?
Close to my heart, my homeplace served as the setting for my photowalk :)

Temple display in Riverbanks

Floating Restaurant

SM Marikina

Statue of Marikit-na, the legendary woman of the city

the long Marikina River

Jogging lanes

Buddhist temple where a lot of folks do aerobics

footbridge where people can cross the river

Or board a boat for P1/one way ride



You may also go inside the famous Riverbanks Mall and enjoy shopping and resto hopping ;)
Or take a look at the largest shoes in the world - Marikina shoe museum.

So, enjoy the scenes. :)

And visit us here in Marikina!

Why It's Better to be a Kid

When I was a little child, I had always wanted to grow up fast so I can be allowed to do things for matured individuals.

However, when I reached the starting point of adulthood, there comes a time when a voice in my head whispers, “Ohhh, how I wish I could go back to being a child again!” Yes, there are a lot of reasons why it’s better to be a kid.

You can eat, sip, and lick all you want without being too conscious about your looks.

Everyone knows you’re innocent so you cannot be blamed for the troubles going on.

You experience play-all-you-want days.

You always get new stuffs without working hard for it.

You can do whatever you want ( such as walking around naked) without people making a fuss about you.

Everyone seems to be amused by most of your actions.

Everyone thinks you’re cute. And you always make them notice your cuteness :)) You don't worry much about pimples, skin aging, etc.

The only problem you have is when someone grabs your food and toys; and the only rivals you treat are your parents and playmates.

Partially, these are satisfactory reasons of the pros of being a kid. Kids have plenty of time to roam and enjoy their surroundings. Innocent and carefree, they see the world as a huge playground.

However, being a kid has a lot of limitations. Growing up poses a lot of responsibilities, problems, and more interactions. Thus, more learning are gained. Being a kid is just a foundation of facing the real life. Yes, you can experience the real life when you grow up.

It’s better to be grown-ups after all. :)

Kahihiyan

Lagi na lang daw Ingles ang mga entri ko dito, kaya ngayon susulat naman ako ng Tagalog. Bilang unang Tagalog na entri, ikkuwento ko ang ilan sa mga kahiya-hiyang karanasan ko.

Una.
“Bibo” ako nung bata pa ako. Siguro dahil sinanay lang ako kung paano makitungo sa mga tao at mag-isip na marami akong talento. (kuno) Nasa Prep pa lang ako nang dumating ang Kool-Aid Juicers sa paaralan naming upang magkaroon ng programa at ianunsiyo ang kanilang produkto. Madaming palaro at mga papremyo. Biglang nagtanong kung sinong bata ang gustong magpakita ng talento. At sa harap ng buong elementarya at mga guro, buong tapang akong nagtaas ng kamay at nagsabing “Ako po! Kakanta ako!” Tinawag ako sa harap. Pagdating sa plataporma, tumayo ako ng buong tapang at kumanta ng “Tigyawat sa pisngi, pati na sa ilong…. Parang ice cream na natutunaw…..” Nagpalakpakan ang lahat at nagsigawan ang mga kaklase ko. Ako naman ay kumaway sa kanila. Wala akong ideya noon kung ano ang ginawa ko. Ang nararamdaman ko lang noon ay masaya ko at masarap kumanta. Buti na lang at halos 18 taon na ang nakalilipas. Hindi na siguro ako natatandaan ng mga guro ko at hindi na iyon naaalala pa ng mga kaklase ko. Sa ngayon, subukan ninyong pakantahin ako sa plataporma at susuko kayo bago ko gawin iyon.

Ikalawa.
High School na ako noon. Palagi akong nakaupo sa harapan kasi sa letrang A nagsisimula ang apelyido ko – ALICIAS. Kaya gustuhin ko man sa likod, sa harapan at minsa’y sa gitnang gitna ako nakaupo. Isang araw, absent ang guro namin sa isang subject. Kaya ayan na naman at kwentuhan ang mga kaklase ko. Sobrang saya namin at malakas ang tawanan. Maya-maya nakaramdam ako na gusto kong pumunta sa banyo – para na rin makalabas sa silid at makalibot. Ayos lang sa akin na mag-isa sa banyo kaya nagpunta ako doon. Pagkatapos ko gumamit nag-ayos ayos at nagpaganda. Tapos lumabas na ako at dahan dahang naglakad pagbalik sa silid-aralan. Dahil wala naming guro, dahan dahan pa ko. Sabi ko sa sarili ko “Ang ganda pala ng paaralan ko pag hapon. Maganda ang mga bulaklak. Masarap ang sikat ng araw.” Sumilip-silip pa ako sa silid ng ibang estudyante baka may makita akong kakilala at mangitian. Pumasok na ako sa silid at umupo sa harap. May kukunin sana ako sa bag ko pero hindi ko makita.Teka. nawawala ang bag ko. Aba pinaglaruan na naman yata nila. Humanda ang katabi ko, hindi niya binantayan. Humarap ako sa katabi ko para tanungin siya. Teka. Isang mukhang di kilala ang nasa tabi ko. Sino siya? Sabi ko "SIno ka? anong ginagawa mo dito?" Sumagot siya "Dito ako nakaupo!" Teka parang mali. Biglang inaninag ko ang paligid tumingin ako sa harap at andoon ang guro, isang gurong hindi ko kilala at ang mga kaklase kong... hindi ko din kilala. "Iha, hindi ito ang silid mo." Patay! Isang malaking kahihiyan. Lahat sila nakatingin sa kin at nasa harap pa ko. "Joke lang po. Babye" Ang nasambit ko. At pagkalabas ko sa silid kumaripas ako ng takbo at bumalik sa silid ko.


Madami pa akong kahihiyan pero hindi ko na ikkwento. Eto ay mga magagaan lang. Eto lang muna ang ibabahagi ko sa inyo. Sa susunod na lang ang iba.

Captivated by Sunsets

Sunsets are remarkable wonders of God’s creation. Simple and fleeting as they may seem, sunsets teach us a lot of lessons in life.

Bright sunsets show us that sometimes you can be on the spotlight. Life is full of blissful moments, bright experiences and promising paths. This is the moment in life where you know that something wonderful is happening. You experience excitement and energy, yet you know that it doesn’t stay that way forever.

a bright sunset

Sometimes the sunset pictures the big ball of fire about to touch the tip of the sea, and you know that in a matter of time, the colors will blend with the water. In life, no matter how bright the moments are, you have to find ways on how to share life’s beauty with others. In the same manner that the sun selflessly blends with the water while the birds enjoy their surreal flight, we find someone to share our happiness with.

big flame almost touches the tip of the water

At times, you cannot fully enjoy the shades of the sunset because visual hindrances are present – cloudy skies that cover up the journey of light to our eyes. A vivid metaphor in life, because we cannot always have life at its fullest. There are problems and obstacles which we have to face, and they will, unpredictably be there.

hindrance along the way

Some obstacles are too murky and fully conceal our sight of the sunset.

black clouds

But as the sun finds a way to peek its way among obstacles, we too strive hard to reach our goals in life. Despite all the obstacles we encounter, we still appreciate the times when we succeed in lifting life’s horrible veils.

sunset peek-a-boo

We see life’s colors in marvelous spectrum and are enchanted by the wonderful colors of revelry and mayhem.

colorful sunset - Manila Bay

sunset shades - El Nido, Palawan

bluish sunset - Pangasinan

At the end of the sunset moment, we know that total darkness prevails. Yet we always have the positive assurance, that tomorrow the sunset will always be there, ready to be with us in life’s journey…only if STILL want to be captivated by it.

Flora-rama Photography

Flowers add beauty to life. No matter how low-spirited we may be, when one sees the flowers in bloom, it enlightens our mood. A budding flora never fails to capture the attention of an appreciative individual.

On the go for Flora-rama photography this time.

A brilliant red rose after the rain - reminds us of love's strength and dedication

We can all have bright and colorful days.

Lavender cools your senses.

Splash yourself with joy and relaxation.

Trickled water quenches your spirit.

Dramatic flora clouds the mind.

Go on, bloom!

Sunshine warms the heart.

Be a star, yet shine with others.

Equilibrium in life is necessary.

Yes, flowers teaches us a lot of lessons in life.
Let us all appreciate these heartwarming creations of God.

A Taste of Scenic Cebu

It was a great experience to feel the glorious past of the Philippines through Cebu island. There is truly a myriad of experience to share in Cebu, and it was worthwhile to take a backpack and journey to Cebu's heritage trail.

Cebu is very much like Manila, (Quiapo in particular).
Heavy traffic, multiple vendors, cabs for transpo, but the scenic spots made it differ.
Here are some of the shots I captured to share a taste of scenic Cebu.

Lapu-Lapu, Cebu

Ayala Center Cebu

Sto. Nino Basilica

Magellan's Cross

Cebuano Kids

Butterfly Conservation Area

Feurza de San Pedro

So, see these tourist attractions for yourself...discover Cebu and you may find yourself singing to the tune of....
Mabuhi Ka Sugboanon.
(Long live, Cebuano!)