Huwebes, Mayo 31, 2012

UNLIKELY DUMP SITE

Sakay ako ng barko pauwi ng Batangas mula Calapan, Mindoro nang may mapansin ako na nagpalungkot sa akin.

May mga bahagi ng dagat na kakikitaan ng iba't ibang klase ng basura.

Minabuti ko pa naman na maglagi sa gilid ng barko at pagmasdan ang mga isla sa aking kaliwa at kanan.

Pero kung yuyuko ka ay malulungkot dahil sa nagkalat na basura.

Ang nakakalungkot pa, patuloy na nadaragdan ang basurang itinatapon sa dagat.

Katulad na lamag ng mga upos ng sigarilyo.

May limang mga nagyoyosi ang napansin ko sa aking itaas at sa aking ibaba, sa aking kanan at kaliwa ang nagtapon ng kanilang upos sa dagat.

Ang nakakainis pa, ilan sa kanila ay katabi lamang ang basurahan para pagtapunan ng kanilang upos pero pinili pa rin nila na itapon sa dagat.

Kahit pastor ako, hindi ako basta-basta naninita ng naninigarilyo.  Ayaw ko kasing malimitahan lamang ang paningin natin sa kasalanan sa mga taong may bisyo.

Pero ewan ko ba, that time, iisa ang mga naobserbahan ko sa mga taong nakita kong naninigarilyo.

Na hindi lang sila insensitive sa mapanganib na usok na dala ng paninigarilyo sa kanilang katawan at sa kalusuga ng mga taong nakakalanghap ng usok mula sa kanila.  Wala rin silang pakundangang gawing basura ang karagatan.

Hindi magandang bisyo ang paninigarilyo.  Lalong hindi magandang bisyo ang pagtapon ng basura sa karagatan.

Gusto ko sana silang bawalan pero iniisip ko na may makaaway ako at ako ang isunod na itapon sa dagat.

Bakit kaya may mga tao na ang tingin sa sanlibutan ay isang malawak na basurahan?

SHOWDOWN IN GALERA

Funny that in spite of the proximity of Puerto Galera to Manila, this will be the only time that I had been to it yet.

We planned to go to Galera four years ago but it did not materialize.  This was the appointed time for that visit.

From Monumento, we took the LRT and got off to Buendia Station.  We boarded a bus going to Batangas Pier.  Around P160 was the fare for each person.  The bus boast of having a free wifi connection.  You just have to ask for the password.



What I enjoyed during our bus trip was my second time viewing of the movie, Dekada 70.


My wife who was preoccupied looking outside the window suddenly became estatic when she had the sight of the Laguna Lake  to her left.  It was her latest discovery out of her innumerable trips to Batangas.   Later, she entertained herself by watching the cloud formations.

The travel was fairly smooth.  Before we knew it, we were already in Batangas Pier.  We proceeded immediately to the ticket booths.   Many people were already lining up to buy tickets.  This was where we got our tickets:




We decided to go to White Beach since it the destination that has the earliest time of departure.  Dispatcher or fixers abound in the ticket booths area.  Don't believe in their advertisement that there is a trip direct to White Beach since we have other stop over before we finally reached White Beach.

We paid P270 each  for the boat ride  and another  P 80 each for the terminal fee and environmental use fee.  They are offering discount if you are buying round trip tickets worth P500.

Don't expect that the boat will leave on time.  We left at 11:30 am when we suppose to leave at 10 am.  

I forgot the name of our first stop were some passengers got off.  Then we headed to Muelle were another group of passengers unboarded the boat.  This was were we saw these kids, who, upon seeing that we were watching them, gave us a water acrobats show. 







The kid who was standing always have his shorts pulled down after his dive on the water.  I was too slow to catch it with my camera phone.

Past 1 pm when we finally reached White Beach.  A lady approached us and appointed herself as our agent for our room stay.  Since it was weekend when we went there, accommodations were mostly occupied.  It took us long before we settle to a not so ideal room.  Airconditioned room with TV.  Ok na rin pero hindi talaga maganda ang paligid.  We resigned in looking for a better place because we were already tired and hungry.  That was the reason why we didn't bother to take a picture of the facade of our place.  We paid  P1,500 for an overnight stay.  I think, it is much better, to book in advance for the place where you will stay  to avoid wasting  time looking for the right place. 

We laid on the bed until 3 pm then went out to eat our late lunch or early dinner.

My wife's order

My order
Each order cost P100.  There is no potable water in White Beach except  bottled ones.  At dahil alanganin na ang oras ng kain namin, we had two servings of rice.  Unli rice naman kasi ang order namin.

After eating, we walked by the sea and reached the end of the coastline where we had picture taking.



After a number of shots, we headed back. The sea was making a show through its waves.  And another show was provided by people who play with the waves.

It was almost evening and the sun was setting.  I decided to remove my shirt and headed to the sea to meet the waves.  My wife was sitting on the sand and watching me.  


Another enjoyable sight in Galera is the liberty that people enjoy in donning their swimwear no matter what their shapes are.  Lakasan lang talaga ng loob yan.  Hahahahahaha!  My wife warned me not to take pictures of them unless I would like to follow the fate of Mon Tulfo.  Hahahahaha!

One fat guy was just wearing a Bench underwear.  Feeling Diether Ocampo. Hahahahahahaha!

Evening came and lights were on.  So were the shows.  We watched gay impersonators performed at one bar.   Another group of impersonators were doing their acts.  It was indeed a showdown of gay impersonators that we went left and right to catch both shows.


A gay impersonator in white gown

At first, I was entertained to see foreigners got entertained by our entertainers. I took pride of the rich talents that we Filipinos have.  Later on, I, myself was the one entertained by the performers.



As if the impersonators were not enough to watch, came the firedancers.  One can have his or her picture taken beside the dancer.  







Before we went to Galera, my friend warned me that there are people who are going there to experience a private and forbidden show between or among trippers.  Such acts  are done in the dark and in the corners of the seashore.

That night we have not seen one and didn't bother to see one.

It was enough for our eyes to see all the sights and shows that are filling our eyes.

My wife invited me for a dinner but since I already felt full, we just settled with one bottle of Tanduay Ice each.  

Another show was put that night sponsored by My Phone.  We watched for a while but when we sensed that the performers had no connection with their audience, we just finished our Tanduay Ice.

It took only a bottle of Tanduay Ice to make us feel tipsy.

Thus, we went back to our room and called it a day.

Indeed, there were lots of performers and shows that day and night. There was even a showdown.

But I guess, the greatest show would always be this:


Nothing beats the beauty of nature





Biyernes, Mayo 25, 2012

SHIRTS AND SHORTS

I was packing my things up for my four day vacation in Mindoro when this pair of dress made me smile:





The yellow tshirt is the birthday gift to me by my youngest brother three years ago.  And because I  thought that the tshirt was one size bigger for me, it  went to my second son.  Feeling skinny? hehehehehe

The shorts I bought also  for my second son.




But these days, he is not wearing the tshirt and the shorts anymore because he has grown bigger.

And since I also added so much weight, the tshirt now  fits exactly to my body while the shorts suits my waistline.

What's originally mine went to my son and went back to me.  :-)

Is that the case of the saying, "What goes around comes around?"

Or I am just blessed to have grown up boys who are now giving me hand me down clothes.  hehehehehe!

I know that to many of you, "the statement on this shirt is already  passe."

But as far as this  author is concerned, I am just beginning to SMILE and to love this short and shirt.


Huwebes, Mayo 24, 2012

THE TESTIMONY (PA-TOTOO)

I am not expecting myself to make a new post these days because I feel I am busy with other things.

But tonight, during testimony time in our Midweek Service, my eldest stood up and gave his testimony.

Actually, to some it can be an expose.  hehehehehe!

His testimony was two part.  The first part was about his enjoyable experience going to Kapatiran Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. as part of our confirmation class with the young people.  I was happy to hear him appreciate our visit to the said institution.

The second part made me a little uncomfortable because he testified about his fistfight with his brother.  I was taken aback by his testimony because he gave his story in full details. May mga salita ba namang "bugbugan" at "murahan" sa patotoo, sino ang hindi magugulantang.  Hahahahahaha!

I looked to my right and saw another member bowing his head and laughing to himself.

Feeling ko sa reaction nila ay para silang nakikinig ng awit ni Lady Gaga.

I guess the testimony was really an expose to them.

My son's gesture made me realized the feeling of my congregation every time I am in the pulpit describing also my experience in full details.

I realized that the TRUTH is really uncomfortable.  Uncomfortable to those who are living a perfect life.  If there is indeed a perfect life.

Truth seems to be so elusive these days.  We have more of "drama" than truth.

In reality, the truth  is liberating. 





After Amos' testimony, another one testified about his testimony.  She said that many from the young people learned about "humility" through the humility Amos exemplified when he initiated reconciliation with his brother.  Nai-share na rin kasi ni Amos ang kanyang patotoo sa grupo ng mga kabataan.

My children may  not be  the prettiest and the smartest.  But as long as they are the TRUEST, I am the HAPPIEST parent in the world.

Because  we are closest to God when we are telling the truth.

And even God cannot win over the TRUTH.



Lunes, Mayo 21, 2012

RAINY DAYS AND FUN DAYS




Habang nakahiga kami sa kama, biglang nagsalita ang anak kong si Aiehn.

Aiehn:  Si Mommy kapag kumakanta, umuulan.

Me: Hahahahahahahahahahaha!

Aiehn: Si Papa kapag kumakanta, umuulan.

Donna: Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa inyo na kung nag-uuulan man ngayon ay hindi ako kumakanta o si Donna.


Umuulan these days dahil nagdu-duet kami.Hahahahahahahaha!

Hay naku! kapag humirit talaga ang bata, mababasa ka.  Hahahaha!

Bakit kasi nakaugalian nang isipin na bad ang weather kapag umuulan?

Pero ang nami-missed ko talaga ay ang maligo sa ulan.

Para bang para na lang sa batang katulad ni Aiehn ang maligo sa ulan.

Ang sarap kaya ng malamig na ulan sa katawan.

Kaya one of these days, maliligo talaga ako sa ulan.


At sasabayan ko na rin ng kantahan. Hahahahahahahaha!


Sabado, Mayo 19, 2012

DIVISION OF LABOR

Coming from the grocery, I gave this to my wife











She already knew that I bought her the bottle spray for pressing clothes.

Donna:  Talagang sa akin mo binigay ha?

I left her to get something and asked if she rather have it instead of the spray

Me:  Gusto mo naman eto.











She immediately held to the bottle spray.

I knew it.  Hahahahahahaha!

In my case.  Between the two, I would choose the toilet bowl scrub.

I have no issues cleaning bathroom.  I love the job.

Whenever I am using a bathroom, I always have this impulse to clean it.

I am happy cleaning up the bathroom.

While other people avoid this job, I welcome it with open arms.

This is my share in the chores

This is our division of labor.

So if ever, I took long using your bathroom, chances are, I am doing the cleaning.  Hehehehehehe!






FIRST WEEK OF MAY

Mag last week na ng May? But before this month ends

Let me share about my FIRST WEEK OF MAY.

Actually it is every first week of May.

Why?

Because every first week of  May, you will find me surrounded by them:







Because my first week of May  is Children's Camp Day!

I can no longer count how many children's camp  I have attended?

It has become an annual event to me so there's no use of counting.

Who would not want to be with the children?

If they are this creative

A cross out of paper tear



And a big cross out of their crosses




Cooperative ...


Junior Chefs

Attentive


Me as the teacher, the children as the learner

Participative

They sing and dance like there's no tomorrow


That is why, we are not afraid to show the child in us.  Just like this ate ...

Best Child Actress is an Ate

This will always be my first week of May.




Children can be like this right now

pebbles


But tomorrow, they are stones where the foundation is built.

Lunes, Mayo 14, 2012

THE DEBUTANT

One Sunday  evening, we went to Malabon to attend a debut of a church's member.

I am used to attending debuts but  this particular debut was an extraordinary one ...... the debutant is blind.

Yes, she is blind by birth.

What would be a fitting gift for a girl like her is the question  I asked to myself once I learned of the invitation.

It cannot be just any gift.  It does not depend on the color or design. Even the most pleasing to the eyes won't do.

One morning while she was exiting from the sanctuary after our worship service,  she reminded me of  her debut  so  I asked her what gift she wanted to receive.

She said she needs additional money to buy herself a musical instrument.  That answered my question.

Yes, friends, she has an ear for music. And not only an ear but a heart for it.

And the proof of her passion for music is her ability to identify the members of the former SEX BOMB DANCERS through their voices.  Yap. she is a fan of the group.

I don't know where the candle ceremony could perfectly serve the debutant.  She can smell the roses and hear the messages but the light from the candles, I don't know how she conceives it to her mind.

But i think that there are so many ways of seeing things.  Our eyes are just one of the ways.  There are many opening where light can get through a person.

Yes, the debutant doesn't have the sense of sight like us.  But she sees things thru music.

That night, we have heard so many messages that were uplifting to the debutant.

Had I been given the opportunity to give my message to her.  I would whisper to her that all eyes look unto her and that she got the kindest and handsomest escort that night.

I think that is one of the concerns the debutant has, blind or not.



Posing with the debutant






Biyernes, Mayo 11, 2012

LATEST FINDS

Trips to the groceries introduce us to new products.  And once we tried them, they become our favorites.






Here are my latest finds:








I love sardines!  My favorite brand is Rose Bowl but recently I heard from a member in the church that this one is good.  So I tried it and she was right.  Aside from the fish being fried, I also love tausi.








I love juices! This one I find  so delicious.  I like this so much that I prayed for many people to buy it so that the company will not think of pulling it out from the market.  Hahahahahaha!





But this one:



The Talk of the Town

I don't find special.

I think it is overrated and overpriced! 

My first taste of this was through my wife.  She has been reading shout outs  in Facebook  about Magnum and so she followed her curiosity and gave the (apple) Magnum to her husband (Adam) Arnel.

She asked me to take a picture of it that I might blog about it someday.  I did but deleted it afterwards  knowing that I don't have anything good to say.

And today is the day my wife is telling me about.   I am now blogging about something that I don't want to blog about.  Hehehehehehehe!


What about your latest finds?  Just don't tell me about "Magnum." Hahaahahahaha!




Huwebes, Mayo 10, 2012

READING PAINS

Natatandaan niyo pa ba ang aklat pagbasa na "Halika, Halika?"

Yung may mga hindi malilimutang linya na, "Aba suso, suso pala?"

Malaking challenge para sa lahat ng mga bata sa unang baitang ang aklat na ito.

Heaven ang feeling ko once na matapos ko ang "Halika, Halika."

It is indeed a passage to life.

Ewan ko kung available pa ang aklat na ito.

Ang alam ko, this afternoon, ginawang reading corner ng anak kong si Aiehn ang office ko.


Add caption


At eto ang binabasa niya:





May struggle siya sa titik ng.

Aiehn:  A-ko si Pe-pi-nag.

Me:  Peping

Aiehn: Ba-ta-nag la-la-ki a-ko.

Me: Batang lalaki ako.

At ganon din sa huling linya.

Eto ang sunod niyang binasa:




Aiehn: A-ko si Si-mon

Me:  Galing!

Aiehn:  Ba-ta-ng la-la-ki ako.

Me:  Yan!

Nakuha niya ring basahin ang panghuling linya.  At tatawa siya sabay yakap sa libro niya.

Aiehn:  Papa, paulit-ulit lang ang binabasa.

Smile lang ako.

Nagpatuloy pa siya sa pagbabasa at may mga sablay paminsan pero improving naman.

Pagkatapos ay binitiwan niya ang libro.

Aiehn (sabi sa sarili):  Pagod na ako (buntong hininga).  Wala na akong energy na magbasa.

Energy raw o?   Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.

Siyempre, para sa ating mga adults, what he did is easy.  But for a child like him, it is indeed an energy draining.

Kaya tumayo na siya.  Pero may napansin ako sa puwitan niya.

Talaga pa lang nahirapan siya sa pagbabasa.  Na-drained talaga ang energy ng anak ko.  Hahahahahahaha!

Me:  Halika sa taas at huhugasan kita at paliliguan.

That is what we call, "Reading Pains."  Katulad din lang ng "Growing Pains"  "Labor Pains" at iba pang pains.  Ang mga bagay talaga ay pinaghihirapan bago mapagtagumpayan.

Gusto ko sana siyang kunan ng litrato pero hindi ko na itinuloy.

Wagi na nga siya sa pagbasa, ibibilad ko pa ba ang aking nakita. Hahahahahaha!

Gusto kong alalahanin ang aking nakita at basahin parang sa Halika, Halika, "Aba p __ p ___,  ___  u ___ o pala. Hahahahahahahaha!

Congratulations Aiehn Deosjua!  I am so happy for you baby!







Miyerkules, Mayo 9, 2012

ALL TIME HITS

Hits and misses! That is how I described our North Luzon Trip last April.

This is a hit:

My son, Amos, with the beach of Pagudpud
as the background

With an entrance fee of P20, you can already dip your body in the crystal water of Pagudpud.

This is a missed:




Image Detail
Pagudpud Windmill

The first time I asked about when we reached Pagudpud was the windmill.  But to my dismay, someone told me that it was not included in our itinerary.  So, our bus just passed by it and I was aslept and was seated on the other side so it was really impossible for me to have at least look at it.


Gusto ko pa namang magpahangin gamit ang mga windmills dahil sa sobrang init ng panahon.  Hahahahahahahahaaaaay! 

Wala pa kasi ang windmill the first time I went to Ilocos Region, way back never mind ......lol!




This is a hit:


Family picture at Magat Dam, Isabela



Actually hindi lang siya hit, heat pa siya. Overheat!  Obvious naman di ba?  Payong kung payong! Hahahahahahahaha!



This is a missed:

Image Detail
I want to go back to Vigan  for my children



Hindi bale, babalikan na lang namin ito ... sa picture.  Hahahaha!



At iba pang hits and misses.


When we thought that our bad to good to good to bad trip was over with  our way home, a mega-hit surprised us all!

This is the hit of all hits in our trip!
















Videoke in the Bus

The moment we realized that we can party inside the bus, the videoke kings and queens in us were unleashed!




Lumabas ang mga espiritu nila Basil Valdez, Matt Monro, Celine Dion, Beattles, Siakol at iba pang singers and belters. Hahahahahahaha!

Hulaan niyo kung sino sa mga sumusunod ang balladeer, diva, crooner,  boy band  at rockstar:



Singer A






Singer B




Singer C






Singer D






Singer E









Tama kaya ang hula niyo?


  • Si Singer A ang Basil Valdez o balladeer via the song Kastilyong Buhangin.

  • Si Singer B ang Celine Dion via the song Power of Your Love. Pilit niyang kinaya ang boses ni Celine pero hindi niya kinaya ang face. Hahahahahahahaha!

  • Si Singer C and Matt Monro via the song Let Me Try Again.  Malamang tama kayo rito.  Hahahahahaha!

  • Si Singer D ang Beattles via the song I Saw Her Standing There.  Kaya siya tumayo nang kumanta. Hahahahaha!

  • At siyempre, yourstruly ang Singer E, ang rockstar via the song Laklak.  I must say that, I just brought the house down!  Hahahahahahaha!  They were requesting for my repeat performance but I told them na limited engagement lang ako. Hahahahahahaha!

Di ba?  Videoke really never fails to cheer us up.  Yun lang pala ang katapat ng aming kaligayahan, dumayo pa kami sa kung saan.  Hahahahahaha!





Lunes, Mayo 7, 2012

TOO FAST TO BE TRUE

This afternoon, I decided to upload the stocked pictures from my cellphone.  One of the set of pictures was taken in Iceberg Harbor Center near CCP.  After I posted it, I received a private message from a long time friend.  Below is the thread of our conversation:






































































At dito na nauwi ang kaladkaring pastor.







Tama si Jeth.  Wagi ang sisig sa Iceberg.  Pero mas wagi ang panahong nakasama at nakausap namin siya.

I hope that I can find the time to blog about the lessons I learned from him.

MAY MGA BAGAY PALA NA NADADAAN SA SANTONG PASPAPASAN! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!