Sunsets

Sunset is ending the day with grace and preparing for another day to come. It's like setting aside worries and disappointments and finding happiness in solitude, thinking, reflecting, and learning from a day's experience. Though sunset may seem to create a melancholic mood, I find it so inspiring.

These are my snapshots of beautiful sunsets I have captured with my samsung digital camera - No special lenses or high end dslr churva.. Be inspired.

Taken at Batan, Aklan

Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan - Willy's Rock

Boracay Island - Sunset Cruise

Taken at Nuvali, Laguna

My First 7k Run

For the past months, I've been hooked into running and started absorbing it in my system. One good reason why I find running therapeutic for me is the fact that I get to release all the pressure from work. Through running, I get to challenge myself to go beyond the limits and obviously, to loose some pounds for health reasons. 

I was so excited for my first major run in Iloilo - Unilab Run United and registered at Toby's for 5k. With my friends who came along with me, we went to Iloilo and prepared ourselves the following day. To my surprise and disappointment, the race was cancelled because of the heavy rain so we decided to jog along boardwalk and head back home to Kalibo.

..with my two best running buddies

..changing attitudes toward disappointment

 With prior disappointments from a cancelled race in Iloilo, I continued my morning routine and determined to drop off the excess binge from over-eating. It was two days after I've found out that Love Radio Kalibo will organize a Fun Run for a Cause to give financial assistance to buy computers for a certain school in the far-flung area of Malinao, I did not hesitate to join for this will be an opportunity to quench my thirst in joining a Fun Run. Obviously, Athan and I registered for the weekend run. I didn't have any intentions to finish the race with flying colors but only to finish it according to my own pace and also to enjoy the scenes along the way.
 Aaaahhh, there's no better feeling when you feel the early morning breeze kissing your cheeks while your hair sways to and fro, the co-existence of man and nature in balance and harmony and the determination to reach your destination.

And as I patiently continue to reach for the finish line though my legs are breaking, one thing is for sure I'm thinking of, and that is "I NEED WATER PLEASE!"

I finished my 7k in 55 minutes smiling. Whew. I did it. Looking forward for more fun-running, hopefully with my new pair of running shoes. ☺



.

Spooky..

Happy Halloween!!!

Upon scanning my pictures in my FB album, I've found these pictures taken last Valentine's Party with my ABC family and it amused me. I never really had the chance to dress up for a costume party since I was a kid. Now that I got the chance to wear my mother's long red silky night gown for a pyjama party, it turned out to be a perfect costume for Halloween. The fertile imagination of Nong Chrency who did the photo shoot turned me into woman possessed by a retarded ghost. hahaha

The lady who fell from the mango tree..

I guess my presence didn't scare Erro at all. haha
The Art of Dedmatology.

..and who says ghosts doesn't know how to facebook, huh?

Happy Creepy-Spooky, Halloween,everyone!

My Bucket List

My Bucket List

1.            Have a family. (Get married and raise three healthy and athletic kids)

2.           Biking in Batanes.

3.           Visit Sagada. - (√) Done. Travelled with friends last May 13-15, 2011 and trekked Echo Valley, went spelunking at Sumaguing Cave and savoured the cold waters of Bokong and Bomod-Ok Falls.

4.           Go Bunjee jumping.

5.           Rapelling. (√) Done. Tried rapelling in the highlands of Camp Samal,              Tumauini, Isabela during the 6^th National Rover Moot of  the Boy Scouts of the  Philippines.

6.           Climb Mountains. (√) Done. First climbing experience at Mt. Manabu in Batangas with my brother, Gwen and Aileen, 2003. Trekked with UP Mountaineering Club in the Visayas (UPVMC) at Mt. Napulak, Iloilo, 2004

7.           Travel outside Philippines. (√) Done. First travel outside the country is at Bangkok, Thailand with my sister and two other friends, Tes and Lizzy.

8.          Experience Zipline. (√) Done. I wasn’t thrilled enough when I did the zipline in Boracay. I didn’t even felt any adrenalin rush in my system. Still I’ll be wishing to do it in Bukidnon.

9.           Zipline in Bukidnon.

10.      Ride with the rapids in Cagayan De Oro. (White-water Rafting)

11.        Learn how to swim.

12.       Earn 2-Beads in my Woodbadge Course and be able to wear the Gilwell scarf.

13.       Cruise in the islands of the Caribbean.

14.       Visit Hawaii. –Yung pinagshootingan ni Drew at Adam Sandler sa 50 First Dates

15.       Learn how to surf in La Union.

16.       Enroll in a private art class with Jane Eason and other artists in Sagada. (That means going back to Sagada again and take a glimpse at the best sunrise view in Kiltepan)

17.       Join a Fun Run – (√) Done. 7k Completed. Finished the race from Tambak Elem. School to Magsaysay Park in 50 mins.

18.      Join a Major Run. - Unilab Run in Iloilo.

19.       Get Championship in Class C, Badminton Women’s Doubles with partner Jo.

20.     Play in Level A or B for major tournament.

21.       Level up for MT-I.

22.      Become a Weekend Warrior guest with a travel buddy and be featured in Weekend Getaway with Drew Arellano.

23.      Visit Palawan.

24.      Ride an Elephant. – (√) Done. Tried it at the Elephant Village in Thailand with my sister.

25.      Ride a Bull.

26.      Buy a bike – a good one.

27.      Tour Panay by bike.

28.     Contribute any article in one of the local newspapers in Aklan.

29.      Have my hair get dreadlocks.

30.     Go to Jamaica.

31.       Watch any of Bob Marley’s children perform live. (√) Done. Watched Ziggy Marley’s Concert at the Sofitel Hotel with my reggae buddy, Jon Lee, my brother Ran and my bfgf Chely.

32.      Join Amazing Race Asia.

33.      Audition for Survivor Philippines.

34.      Join a medical mission.

35.      Interact with the Mangyans, the Manobo and Bagobo tribes.

36.      Horse riding in Bukidnon.

37.      Join the Philippine delegation in the World Jamboree.

38.     Become a coach in badminton to represent Western Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa.

39.      Solo backpacking in Panay Island. (Aklan is topping on the list – Madalag, Nabas, Tangalan and Malay)

40.     Become a travel buddy of JourneyingJames and experience fun and adventure with him the cheapest possible way – Go Mindanao!

41.       Experience milking a cow.

42.      Jam with the Brownman Revival in any of their gigs. (√) Done. Enjoyed the night with the Brownman Revival and the Steady Crew back at the 70’s Bistro. Had fun talking to Jao, Jan, Alphy, Dennis and to my longtime crush Dino.

43.      Visit Greece.

44.      Have a picture with Rizal in Luneta and Intramuros.

45.      Learn the basics of Arnis.

46.      Wear two-piece in the white beach of Pagudpod.

47.      Play guitar and perform a mini-concert for friends. ;-)

48.     Attend the Basic Life Support Seminar at Red Cross.

49.      Tarsier-watching. (√) Done. It looks scary at first but they’re cute. Plus, I get to see a Lemur also. Bohol Trip, October 2010.

50.     Donate a blood.

51.       Organize Tree Planting Activity.

52.      Be a member of any mountaineering club.

53.      Join a bike race.

54.      Participate in a Milo Marathon.

55.      Visit a Lighthouse in Ilocos and wind turbines.

56.      Go skydiving. Ala Wesley Snipes sa pelikulang Drop Zone.

57.      Go scuba diving in Tubattaha reefs.

58.     Own a bloody-red Volkswagen.

59.      Buy a piece of land in the islands of Boracay or Romblon.

60.     Watch a 3D Movie.

61.       Fine Dining at a Five-Star Hotel.

62.      Sight-seeing in Bohol (Chocolate Hills) – (√) Done. View from the Sagbayan Peak and in Carmen is quite refreshing. It was a childhood dream for me to see the real chocolate hills.

63.      Learn how to play a Ukulele or Saxophone.

64.      Get a Jamaican Patties franchise for business.

65.   Buy a DSLR Camera and have any of my photos published in National Geographic. ;-)

66.      Run with Monica Torres.

67.      Put up my own cogon-cottage rest house inspired by the native houses of Igorot in Batad and Sagada.

68.     Ride a Roller Coaster. (√) Done. Exhilarating ride with my scouts at Enchanted Kingdom.

69.      Experience winter in Korea or Japan.

70.      Safari tour and wildlife-watching in Africa.

71.       Meet Howie Severino in person.

72.      Visit Phuket, Thailand or Bali Indonesia.

73.      Travel countries in the South-East Asia –Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong.

74.      Learn magic tricks.

75.      Have picture with Manny Pacquaio.

76.      Own a Dalmatian dog.

77.       Read at least half of the books published by Paolo Coehlo.

78.      Visit the Pyramid of Egypt.

79.      Climb the stairs of the Great Wall of China.

80.     Climb Mt. Pulag –“The Playground of the Gods” with pinoy mountaineers or with the bffs.

81.      Ride a camel.

82.     Get a close encounter with a snake. (√) Done. Touched Prony the Python in my side trip to Bohol from Maasin, Southern, Leyte.

83.     Visit a cockpit arena.

84.     Watch sea turtles hatch their eggs.

85.     Play with the Dolphins.

86.     Drive a pick-truck or a funeral car.

87.      Drive an enduro.

88.     Experience real pampering in Spa. Foot and whole body massage.

89.     Drink  a real rice wine or tapuy hasta magsuroy-suroy.

90.     Do a missionary work like teach English for the kids in Cambodia or India.

91.     Backpacking Bicol.  (/) Had a real butt-aching ride with Abs during our Explore Bicol Tour. Went to Naga, Camsur Watersports in Pili, Stopped Over at Iriga and had jamming conversation with the trycycle drivers, ate sili icecream in Colonial Grill at Legaspi,Albay, witnessed Mayon's fury at Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga, Albay, Climbed a 1,328 ft Mt. Masaraga in Ligao City,Albay, had a glimpse of Mayon's perfect cone at Lignon Hill, jet-speed riding at Mayon resthouse, truths an lies up on the roof at Polangui, Albay. Whew. Perfect.


92. Ride a helicopter.


93. Visit Sierra Madre.

For now, these are the things I wish to do and time can only tell if I can pursue doing it before it's too late. Life is full of surprises. Live the present moment and do things while you're still aware of your breath. Because when your time comes to die, you'll die perfectly happy knowing that at any rate, you did your best and lived life to the fullest. Fill your empty buckets, Now na..

Peysbuk Mania

--I found this on the internet today and I can't help myself but laugh. Funny yet so true. Whoever wrote this, I commend him/her.. natumbok nya talaga ang mga kaisipang nais ko ring ipahiwatig. Sa mundong ito, lahat na lang yata ay instant.. instant noodles, instant coffee at instant messaging. Ngayon alam ko na rin kung bakit nalugi na ang mga post office kasi wala ng nagpapadala ng sulat dahil nauuso na ang video chat. Dahil sa advanced modern technology, nakakagawa tayo ng mga bagay at napapadali ang ang ating mga gawain sa isang pindut lamang. Ganunpaman, gamitin sana natin ang mga makabagong teknolohiya sa makabuluhang paraan upang makatulong sa kapwa at mapaunlad ang ating buhay. Let us all observe proper netiquette or internet etiquette. Think before Clicking. Remember that there are real persons at the receiving end. What you post reflects about you and your personality. Let's all be responsible for our actions and behave properly online. Read on fellow friends on line:

“PA – PEYSBUK NGA!!!!”

Linya ng estudyante na uubusin ang baon para makapagrent sa isang internet shop. Linya ng isang empleyado pagkadating niya sa opisina at naabutang ginagamit ng katrabaho ang office computer. Linya ng kapitbahay na gustong maki gamit ng internet sa kadahilanang hindi siya nakapagbayad ng bill. At kung sino man ang sinasabihan nila, malamang ang isasagot nito ay.. “teka, log out ko lang..”. Nagpe-facebook din pala.

Facebook. Ang social networking site na lumamon sa myspace at friendster. Ito rin ang pilit kinakaibigan ng ilan pang aspiring forms of social media. Pansinin mo, yung mga bagong kumakaribal sa Facebook e may feature kung saan magrereflect din sa FB account mo ang kung ano mang post mo, gamit ang site nila. Gaya nalang ng twitter, tumblr at kung ano ano pa. Parang pelikula. Pag pinalabas ito sa sinehan sa guadamall (ang mabagsik na mall sa guadalupe), ipapalabas din ito sa sinehan ng MOA. Nagkakaiba nga lang sa level ng urine aroma at dami ng surot sa upuan.

Sa sobrang popularidad nito ay pwede na itong iconsider na necessity. Iba na ngayon. Humans need food, water and facebook. Clothing? Ano ngayon kung nakahubad. At least. nakaporma ka naman sa bago mong profile picture. Pwede na ngang iconsider ang kasalukuyan bilang “The Facebook Era”. Ang panahon kung saan tangap na ang mga bading at tomboy (kaya ikaw, wag na magpanggap, ok na daw, di mo na kelangan mag gym kuno), kung saan mas mahal nang mga tao ang aso kesa sa kapwa nila tao (inday!! ibigay mo ung ulam mo kay brownie, mag skyflakes ka nalang!!!), kung saan lahat ay tumatakbo sa mga marathon, kung saan lahat ay may necklace na ang pendant ay isang mamahaling camera, kung saan papalitan na ng cobra at sting ang dumadaloy sa mga tubo ng NAWASA, kung saan lahat ng statement ay dapat magtapos sa isang uri ng emoticon (uy, tang ina mo, joke. (“,) ). Lahat ito ay bahagi na ng social norm. Lahat tangap na. Pero huwag. Uulitin ko. HUWAG NA HUWAG mong sasabihin, lalo na sa isang pampublikong lugar na. “Ay, wala akong Facebook eh..”. Patay ka dyan brad. Kiss of death yun. Baka bigla kang paskilan ng papel sa noo mo na may nakasulat na EEEWWWW!!!. Baka biglang magkaroon ng caste system sa pinas at lahat ng walang FB account ay mga untouchables. Pwede ring i-ekskomunikado ka ng simbahan katoliko at ipapakalat ito sa mga tweet ng arsobispo.

Kung stalker ka, di na kelangan ng paliwanag kung bakit adik na adik ka sa FB. Pero para sa masa. Ano bang meron dito?

Bukod sa green joke na ibinulong sayo nung tropa mong adik, pwede ka ding magshare ng pictures (aka pix),videos, notes at mga links mula sa iba pang sites. Makikita ito ng mga “friends” mo at pwede silang magkomento dito. Walang limit ang pagpo post. May sense man o wala. Healthy nga daw ito sabi nung mga sociologist. Exercising our rights to free speech daw ito. Pero lahat ba e post-worthy? O karamihan ay nagdadala lang ng badtrip.
Freedom of speech pala ha. Ito ang post ko tungkol sa mga post ng iba. Guilty tayo dito.

1. Iwasan ang pabigla – biglang pagpapalit ng relationship status. Lalo na kung mababaw lang ang dahilan tulad ng late reply sa text o hindi pag iloveyou sayo ang jowa mo kaninang alas tres (sarili nyong 3 o’clock habit). Dahil pag nagka-ayos kayo, at ibinalik mo sa dati ang status mo, ikaw din ang magmumukhang praning.

2. Walang masama kung purong tagalog ang shout out mo. Wag matakot na sabihan nang “uy makata”. Kesa naman panay nga ang english, sablay naman ang grammar at hindi kakikitaan ng sense ang sinabi. (iba ang you’re sa your).

3. Check in. Ang post kung saan sinasabi ang kasalukuyan mong lokasyon. Positibo. Pwedeng maging safety precaution. At least alam nila kung saan ka huling pumunta sakaling di ka mahagilap ng ilang araw. Negatibo. Easy prey ka sa mga serial killers o sa kaibigan na may galit sayo. (Ingat ka silvestre. hehehe)

4. May “about you” page ang FB. Dun mo isusulat ang mga hilig mo. Di mo na kelangan pang magpost ng magpost ng mga youtube videos nila Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica o Korn para ipagdiinan na rakista ka. Ikaw din, baka mahirapan kang panindigan. Lalo na pag tumugtog na ang paborito mong kanta ni Katy Perry. Napaindak at sing along si kumag.

5. Hindi kelangan magpost ng mga litrato o video nang iniembalsamo o bangkay na durog durog ang katawan at labas ang mga laman loob. Palit kaya kayo nung andun sa picture. Ako naman ang magpopost.

6. Magtira ng konting privacy para sa sarili. Hindi lahat ng bagay ay dapat ishare. Lalo na sa social media. Sarilinin mo nalang ang gusot sa pamilya o away mag asawa. Pribado na yon. Post ka ng post, tapos mababadtrip ka kung gagawing pulutan sa inuman ang kwento ng buhay mo.

7. Ok lang ipost ang mga bago mong gamit. Gaya ng mga gadget, damit o accessories. Natural lang maging proud ka lalo na kung pinaghirapan mo o importanteng tao ang nagbigay sayo nito. Di lang siguro tama na sabihing “hay nakakapagod na magshopping, andami ko kasi pinamili”.

8. Kung sakaling may nagpost ng malungkot o kaya’y tungkol sa isang masamang pangyayari sa kanila, wag mong i-like. Ano yun? Nagustuhan mo pa na sumemplang siya sa kanal.

9. Wag mong i-like ang sarili mong post. Kaya nga pinost mo in the first place. Mas malala kung ikaw din ang magcocomment. Parang loner ka naman nun.

10. Wag kang basta basta magpost ng nakakagagong comment, lalo na sa mga picture kung saan may mga taong di mo kilala. Halimbawa: “Pre, sino yang kasama mo sa pic? si Bella Flores?”. Huli mo na nalaman. Girlfriend pala niya yun.

11. Kung sakaling may nagpost ng matino at informative na mensahe. Magpasalamat. Huwag mag angas sabay comment nang “ay luma na yan, huli kana sa balita” o kaya “wala, kalokohan lang yan”. Wag kang magmagaling. Matalino kaba na parang si Rizal? E di pabaril ka sa Luneta.

12. Wag gamitin ang FB para magpakalat ng maling impormasyon at maghatid ng mass hysteria. Pero kung sino man ang napost na aabot dito ang radiation sa japan. Nagpapasalamat sayo ang manufacturer ng Betadine.

13. Wag sumali at i-like ang isang fan page kung puro kagaguhan lang ang ipopost mo sa wall nito. Halimbawa, nagpamember ka sa page ng isang seksing artista tapos mag cocomment ka lang ng “uy, sarap mo naman, parang mainit na lugaw sa malamig sa madaling araw”. Tapos magtataka, “hala.. bakit ako na banned?”.

14. Hindi lang ikaw ang may gustong manood ng sine. Wag kang mag post ng mga spoilers na maaaring ikabadtrip ng iba. “just watched Nardong Putik: Ang Pagbabalik Ni Totoy Burak, ganda ng ending, napatay nya ung kontra bida sa pamamagitan ng pagpukpok sa ulo ng isang palayok, pero sad dahil huli na nang malaman nya na tatay niya pala yun..”.

15. Di naman ata kelangan simulan ang post mo sa salitang “Damn!!” o kaya “Oh gosh” lalo na kung di naman malubha o kagulat gulat ang pangyayari. Halimbawa: “oh gosh, umuulan”. Taga saudi???

16. Wag matawa at kantyawan kung corny o masyadong romantiko ang isang post. Tandaan mo, magmamahal ka din. Lintik lang ang walang ganti. Dami kong kilalang ganyan.

17. Ok lang siguro ipost kung ano at kung saan ka kumakain. Iwasan lang yung pagpopost ng close up pictures nung pagkain mismo. Marami ang nagpapalipas ng gutom sa pamamagitan ng Facebook. Sino ka para inggitin sila. Parang yung feeling na, asa air-con bus ka, pauwi sa bahay at gutom tapos may kumag na kakain ng burger at fries. Langhap mo ang bawat kagat niya. Di maka tao. Dapat palitan ang pangalan niya. Gawing Lucifer.

18. Ok lang siguro ang mag post sa paraang Jejemon. Trip mo yun e. Wag mo nga lang asahan na seseryosohin ka kahit matino ang gusto mong sabihin. Expect mo rin na lahat ng comment sayo e magtatapos sa “jejejeje”.

19. Wag magimbita sa isang okasyon gamit ang shout out mo, tapos may ita-tag ka lang na piling tao. Bangag kaba? Makikita ng lahat ng “friends” mo na iilan lang ang gusto mo papuntahin sa nasabing okasyon.

20. Pwede ba?? HINDI PORKET ALL CAPS E GALIT ANG NAGPOST. BAKA LUMUBOG AT NASTUCK LANG ANG CAPS LOCK.

21. Sapat naman na siguro ang tatlong exclamation point para ipaalam sa bumabasa na puno ng emosyon ang post mo. Di mo kelangan punuin ng punctuations porket walang bayad ang extra characters tulad ng sa text messaging. Halimbawa. Pakyu ka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Mali yun. Dapat. Pakyu ka!!!

22. Iwasang magpost kung ikaw ay (a) lasing, (b) nasa impluwensya ng ipinagbabawal na gamot o (c) hindi tinirahan ng ulam. Walang gustong makabasa ng pag aamok mo na puno ng mali maling spelling. Kung sakaling nakakaramdam ng “FB rage”, magpahid ng menthol toothpaste sa mga palad, at itampal tampal sa mukha mo hanggang sa kumalma.

23. Oo, dapat sulitin ang unlimited surfing na maghapon mong binantayan para lang maregister. Pero di ibig sabihin nun na post lang ng post. Halimbawa, ang ilalagay mo sa shout out mo e tatlong magkakasunond na tuldok. Ano yun? Buti pa quote nalang. Time is gold.

24. Wag trigger happy sa “share” button. Hindi porket di nagappear sa profile page ang mabangis mong status message e kelangan mong tiktikin ang pagpindot. Antayin mo lang. Mamaya ilang beses na pala napost. Paulit ulit. Wag kang atat. Lalo na kung ang ipopost mo e “Patience is a virtue”.

25. Wag mong kakumpetensyahin ang youtube sa dami ng video na nakapost sa wall mo. OK lang siguro kung ishare mo ang isang nakakatawang clip kung saan may nag susurfing na pusa o kaya naman e makabuluhang excerpt ng isang documentary. Wag naman yung lahat ng mtv ng kantang marinig mo sa jeep o lahat ng episode ng wow mali.

26. Wag ipahamak ang sarili. Kung sakaling pwede naman palang acronym ang isang term e wag mo na itong buuhin sa iyong post. Loud out loud!!!!.

27. Hindi masamang makisali sa mga occasional drives o campaigns. Tulad ng paggamit ng picture ng nanay mo pag mother’s day o pag post ng mensahe tungkol sa cancer bilang status message mo. Hindi porket di ka nakisali e cool o mas sophisticated ka.

28. Kung may nagcomment o nagpost sa wall mo na di mo kilala ang pangalan pati na ang picture. I-open saglit ang profile. Wag mo agad replyan ng makamandag na “HU U?”. Malay mo, tropa mo pala yun. Binaliktad lang ang pangalan. O kaya naman e dinagdagan ng H. Mhayhumhi Pharhedez.

29. Kung magcocomment ka, halimbawa sa isang picture, iwasang gumamit ng paghahalintulad sa ibang tao lalo na kung kagaguhan lang ang sasabihin mo. Halimbawa, “baduy ng porma mo pre, parang bisaya lang” o kaya “mukha kang magsasaka”. Tandaan, di ka lamang o nakahihigit sa mga bisaya at magsasaka. Ikaw kaya, magpost ka ng video tungkol sa mga unggoy, tapos may magcomment, “ambobobo naman nila, parang ikaw”.

30. Wag kang magatubiling bumati sa mga post tungkol sa panganganak ng isang ina, pagpapakasal ng magsing irog o pagkatangap sa trabaho. Sa magulong mundo, hindi ba’t masarap ishare ang mga positibong pangyayari.

Code of ethics. Wala. Oo. Walang basagan ng trip.

Pero hindi ba mas maganda kung ginagamit mo to sa matinong paraan?

Pa-Peysbuk nga!!!