loving exotic fruits

Mangosteen

I first tasted this when I was in elementary. My Tita Mayette, a nun who was assigned in Mindanao, gave us a box of this. It is not the ordinary fruit I see in the market so I had this kind of rush to taste it. I liked the sweet and sour flavor of its meat. But really too expensive and not a many supply in Manila then. Davao is blessed to have an endless supply of this fruit which is considered a super food. Its extracts are widely used in a variety of healing products to boost immune system and many others. I like to eat the fruit than have it processed in capsules or drinks.

The other favorite fruits wherein the city is proud to have all year round are the following:

Davao Pomelos
Marang
Rambutan

Come to Davao and have a taste of our fruits!

perky art work

When I have nothing, I try to have something good at least with the way I look at things around me. I have an album called "random eyes" in my Facebook account. Not so professional shots really but when I review them, I kind of get inspired of improving my taste and skill in photography. Why not? Anyway I only have a cell phone camera. Maybe if I get a good camera, I might have better results ha ha ha.

I was at the park for my morning walk and decided to take the photos of above Davao inspired art work. Perky for me, hope for you too!

Be blissful!

finally, a spitless city

Well, spitting anywhere is something that I have never done in a conscious level. I really think it is gross and mean. If I would have to, I often rush to the nearest toilet or spit on a tissue and throw it on a bin. Whenever I see people do it, my stomach gets upset. The same way if I stepped on a "s--t".

I hope the city really would be "tough" on this. I was impressed with our "No Smoking" policy and how it really worked. Maybe with some exception of really insensitive citizens and some policemen who do not implement, the "no smoking" campaign gets a 90% approval from me.

May I suggest one more thing.

I do not know how it really feels to pee on the wheels of parked vehicles. But this is an ordinary thing, male drivers do. Yes, even in public. Like, I always pass-by this crossing wherein traffic gets jammed and right in the middle of the commotion, I saw a jeepney driver got off and start peeing just like that.

I do not know what it is with the males. There was one time also when I saw a man (well, I usually see everything from my perspective) ) with his "whang" hanging. "Gosh" that is so pornographic. It was not even sexy.

And the most horrifying experience I had was when I was inside my vehicle waiting for my son in the parking lot. I was doing some stuff and I saw this man approached my right side front wheel and was on the verge of peeing. Well, I got shocked but I hurriedly knocked (really hard) on the window to signal him that "Hey I am here".

Oh! and he was not even embarrassed about it. He closed his pants and waved "bye".

Well, maybe next time, I will see the "no peeing" policy with a strict penalty like castration har har har.

green and harmony

I dream of harmonizing all living things and this planet! I would shout "No to destruction of Earth". And I always tell my children "Love the only planet we live in, so before anything else, think of making this place green again".

When I saw this sign in a store, I thought I could post it here for everyone to be reminded of.

Be blissful!

serious bead work

Bead work in many forms were the most imposing thing I have appreciated during the festival. With every expression I have seen, I also feel an inch by inch passion and dedication of the people who devoted their time and effort sewing every bead in all these masterpieces!

I was talking to one of the guests at the Marco Polo about the festivities and I told her our country is truly blessed and rich in human resources. And I was referring to the thousands of people alongside the streets, whom we can tap to create and produce bead work for the city or even for the rest of the world! We can always compete with the world's greatest bead art work.

It could be done!

dancing in the streets of Davao

little jeepney, big fun

I took a picture of a miniature green jeepney today. It was on display at a gasoline station here in the city. I fell in love with it! I would love to splash it with many other colors! I would want to have some designs on it to make it look more fancy. I would love to drive it around and get that feel from the toy jeepney. Oh, it would have been all too amusing!

The jeepney is truly a Filipino icon. It still is the cheapest way to travel around in the Philippines. And I adore the sight of it because it gives so much color in our streets. Except of course for many jeepney drivers who are so very "rude" as motorists, I proudly salute this Filipino invention.

Below is a picture of a jeepney! The big sized one!

pineapple story

These small pineapples happen to be the sweetest! Here in Mindanao we are losing many of our rice fields to pineapple and banana plantations. There could be some consequences but I think it is a matter of management. Mindanao, if to compare to the other islands in the Philippines has the biggest fruit export revenues mainly because of the presence of Dole and Del Monte. Two of the biggest producers of bananas and pineapples in the whole world.

And I just love pineapples! All year round it is available in the city and I captured two of the vendors peeling the pineapple I bought. I do not stop getting amazed at this skill! I peel the fruit differently. The hard way, I guess.

So I buy from them!

pauper's face

His deepest and soundest sleep, only that he is at the sidewalk!

An unlikely place to sleep. With someone who do not have a place to sleep, it could be the best place in this planet. With someone who do not have a choice except the course carton to separate his body from the pavement, it could be the softest material that could give comfort. With such a fragile body who did a couple lot of odd jobs during last nights adventure, it could be the most peaceful sleep to recover strength.

Yes, it could be heavenly too. There are millions of these children around the planet who gets their sleep without much ado about the risks next to their skin. And how many are there who cannot sleep even with all the comforts in life?

our tribes and their fashion sense

While at SM Davao earlier today, I saw these display of ethnic inspired ensemble. I have always dreamed of dressing one like a true blue native. I will!

Once I got a chance to spend one night with one of the many tribes here in Davao, the Lumads (highlanders) and I was just so amazed with their bead works. Only that the women there, were topless! When I was so freaking freezing when I woke up, their topless women were out in the fog!

I am happy that the city has always involved the indigenous tribes in the celebration of the Kadayawan. They will always be a part of the city's history and the new generation should likewise give tribute to them. Each tribe got their own rhythm and music too. I had the chance to dance some of the basic steps. It really looks easy but when I tried doing it, "Oh my, it was another story"! But really fun!

I really did not have one average good day but going out and feeling the festivities made me gay!

Be blissful!

celebrating life

These are two important persons in my life who have the same birthday , today! My son Karlsen is 15. He is my youngest. I sometimes marvel at how time so swiftly passes by. Now, he is becoming less dependent on me. Starting to deal with concerns about relationships. Trying to figure out his college life soon. And soon to deal with the real adult world. I only want him to be happy with his life!

The other celebrator is my bestfriend, Gaga. Lady Gaga har har har. I cannot write her age here. I think, she is 12 years younger than I am. Hmmm, safe enough. Having her around fills- in lots of laughter and wonderful times during moments I drift! Its good to have young friends around. She delays my aging.

I took this picture yesterday when we went out to get some ice cubes. Back at Gaga's house they were roasting lots of this fish's jaw (panga in our local dialect). It is the part of the tuna which I like best (aside from the eyes). When roasted the meat tastes sweet, tender and succulent. I like it when my point finger plucks out the fish meat from the fish bones in the jaw. The effort is worth the fish meat!

This was Gaga's buffet table last night. I love her "Kare-kare" (vegetables with peanut sauce) but did not take some last night. The "lechon" (roasted pig) was great! I only tried the roasted and crispy pork skin. Tastes really good! I had lots of tuna and sweet pineapples last night for dinner!

Food is just a part of the celebration really. I always believed that celebrations also meant forever renewing and strengthening relationships!

For my son, I really hope that I will be forever available whenever he will need me. I hope I am giving him the right kind and amount of love. And that we will not tire loving each other until when I am gone.

For my friend, I also hope our friendship flourishes to more than what we have started! You are family to me, not just a friend!

Be blissful!

fruit arrangement

A grab of any of the fruits above on a hot day is a delight! Really tempting diced pineapples, strips of green mangoes, chunky papaya, and guavas abound in our streets! I have seen the vendors actually peel these fruits and they skillfully do it without touching the fruit! I am always amazed whenever I watch them do it!

I love pineapples but I am too lazy at peeling it. So I go to these vendors for my pineapples. The fruits come with different dips. The popular one is the hot and spicy vinegar with garlic. Salt is often asked too. There is cooked shrimp paste that tastes good with the fruits. And lots of others.

Now I am actually craving! Just sharing the bounties with you!

Be blissful!

simply rooted

I admire how nature made the tree and its roots look great that way. There is a road-widening activity in the area and I really hope that they leave the tree alone. It has been uprooted through these years and yet still stands proudly.

Some lesson from a tree!

Be blissful!

king of the road

I am amazed at how flexible the tricycles are. If it is not full of passengers, it can have anything you want to haul. I have seen tricycles with loads of building materials. With its size and fragile body, one would not believe so. Many people choose this as their delivery service than the trucks because they command less price for the service. I was not able to capture one tricycle with sacks of cement and hollow blocks full to the rim. I have seen one with sacks of rice too. Tricycles are not allowed in the main streets or highways but they find their way in - squeezing in and out of the lanes.

The Lexus and the taxi will certainly refuse to haul what the tricycle can! Oh well!

Be blissful!

unlikely

I love words! Any signs and billboards, I read!

But sometimes even how simple the message is, I get startled sometimes! Like the sign above. I guess, everyone would turn-off their engines when they are properly parked. Unless, one has forgotten to turn it off. But how many in a day has actually forgotten to turn off their engines? Is it quite a number (on the average) that could be worth the sign? Whatever!

If I have a choice, I would not park in this building carpark because going up there is steep (60 degrees, i think) and the lane is narrow. There is not much room for breathing as they say, but because there is no available parking, I have to go for this.

What I detest in such kind of parking is the smell of cigarettes. I think it is more often that smokers leave their stench than those who park their cars and do not turn-off their engines. And sometimes, yes the stinking pee. Well, if I have the chance to voice out my statement, I would go for the normal "No Smoking" in such an enclosure. Maybe that would include the smoke coming from the engines. Some unique thinkers would associate smoke from the engines too so they will not leave their engines on. Har har har.

Oh I had a great morning, just some reflections about signs.

Be blissful!

a bird's milestone

I am not sure if you can see the bird on the tree. It's up there!

There was a time in my life when I was overzealous of my children' s very first smile, crawl, sound, word etc. I got 3 children so that was really quite enduring. I tend to be really so sensitive and touchy (over acting to some!) with these kind of matters so the feeling was just indescribable.

I have not stopped getting "touchy" about my children' s milestones until now. That included their crushes, relationships with the opposite sex, decisions that made sense, first time they cleaned their rooms, traveled alone on an airplane, etc. I would like to believe I was more consenting than critical because I believe the importance of milestones in their character building.

But there was no way that I expected that I would have the same elation and remembered that same feeling when I saw the bird's "flip-flop" this morning.

Today, as I wait for my children right outside of our gate, I was startled with such a commotion above me. The "tweet tweet" of the birds were unusually noisy but gay. So I looked out of the window and saw a bunch of very young birds trying it out how to fly! Did they just hatched from their eggs?

Oh it was an amazing scene! If they were talking, they could be teasing each other how to "fly" well. The bird I caught in my cellphone camera just got out of probably the most dangerous act of his life - I saw him fell and practically struggled to get the hold of the branch - the very place he was standing tall when I captured him.

Great show!

I guess, just like the birds we get to slip and fall but stand tall once again!

Be blissful!

masks all over town

I was on the road, as usual. And when I saw this man pushing a cart full of masks, I have to stop him and my listening intently to a favorite radio program (Mo Twister's Killer Bee morning show). Well, I promised myself that I will listen to the program the whole time for me to win in a game. But I was kind of distracted (as usual, again) because of the masks. Never mind! I will still join the game.

Anyway, if there is another thing that I really admire is the lots of designs people make out of the masks they produce. I was thinking, with all of these interesting designs, there could be only one mask that would look good in a particular face.

I remembered going gaga on one beautiful mask once when I was younger. I thought it was the most beautiful mask I have ever seen. But when I don on it, "Gosh my face just destroyed the beauty of the mask". Or the other way around. I do not know which of the two, but it destroyed my motivation of buying it.

From then on, I just admire masks.

Today I have to buy one from that man because he claims "I was the first buyer of the day". Well, I think so too. I was out very early and the vendor looks like he just got out of bed too har har har.

Well, sometimes they sleep practically in the streets. And I am not making fun of it. I think it is tough job. So I bought. The cheapest one. I believe. I will give him lots of luck today. But he really has to pose, I told him.

Be blissful!

yield from the garden

Some yield from the garden.

And I am thinking of planting some vegetables too. I am thinking of vegetables because of its practical benefits. I could save some money when it is time to harvest. I have seen other gardens with eggplants, tomatoes, onions and some herbs.

Yes, I am planning the landscape right now. The flowers and vegetables might just compliment each other. Farming could be fun and challenging given a small space for it. Let me try!

Be blissful!

Oooops by the way, tomatoes are classified as fruits.

great facade for the world's worst restaurant

I was in one of the busiest and oldest street in Davao this morning! Whenever I am here I have such a strange feeling of walking along with spirits. Most of the structures here are old. Some are still even made of wood. There are buildings that were abandoned and I hope there is a committee in the local government that would preserve these kind of heritage.

I have one favorite. This building was once the Prudential Bank. I love the sculptures of Roman gods and goddesses in its facade and I am glad that the owners did not tear it down. Today it is a restaurant called " Joe Cool's, The World's Worst Restaurant".

Yeah, maybe the worst. But with a rich history at your facade, the place could be really "great". I might just get the chance to try the food and ambiance inside. Next time.
I got this from another blog. It is the main branch of Prudential Bank in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Old Escolta in Manila is also one place wherein I get some eerie feeling when I am there. Very old too.

There are several times when I get into such a strange feeling of belonging from the past. I love looking at old pictures, holding sculptures, looking at old buildings and think a lot about "How was it then? DDDuuuhhhh!

I am serious.

love nest

I feel bad whenever I do my regular sweeping in the garden and see a nest that could have fallen from the trees! Today, there was no nest on the ground but I saw a baby bird devoured by ants!

But someone told me that if a nest falls, it is usually been vacated by the birds ! The eggs have hatched and everyone else is trying their skills in flying, so no one uses those nests anymore! But there are times too when there are still eggs inside. Fallen from strong winds and rain.

I fell in love with the nest I saw today ! Still on the tree. Maybe it was were the bird has fallen from. The birds usually do not build their nest as obvious as the one I have captured above because they are usually hidden.

At around1 or 2 in the afternoon, I usually sit on my rocking chair on the porch to breathe some air! From that vantage, I see birds gather dried weeping willow (eucalyptus family) leaves scattered on the ground. They go back and forth with all those dried materials on their beaks for the nests they are building!

Today, I saw their lovely architecture! Cool!

Be blissful!

songs and great performances

While watching yesterday's coverage of the President Aquino's funeral, I was reminded of my days in the streets fighting the Marcos dictatorship. I kept telling my children, "watch this because this is history in the making".

Watching the funeral was giving not just history lessons to my children but also reminding them of doing their part for the country. We have an obligation to love our roots, history, the people, the land and learn about appreciating this great land!

Leas Salonga's Bayan Ko made me cry! Reminded me of loving this country again and again!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

President Corazon Aquino undoubtedly has touched again millions of Filipinos as she is laid to rest today!

The people's outpouring of support should not be taken for granted especially by those people who are going to run for the 2010 election in our land. I hope they are now reflecting that it needs more than just getting the Presidency. This land just needed a President who is selfless. Someone who is willing to serve (in its truest sense) and lead this nation into greatness!

Both Ninoy and Cory has laid the foundations of the freedom the Philippines gained from the Marcos dictatorship. Now, it is the people's turn to do their simple tasks of guarding this freedom.

This country is lucky to have the Aquinos (Ninoy and Cory) who loved this country so much! I had a different "color" when I was in college and I realized that as a nation, we just have the colors of our flag to remind us of our being a Filipino.

As people we have to be careful in choosing our leader. And at the same time do our duties to remind the government employees who are abusive of their positions. And I mean down to the clerks, janitors in local offices up to the national offices of this nation. Start cleaning yourself of corruption. You are there to serve. We are all here to work not just for our own families but for the service of our country.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

My father and Cory Aquino

They both succumbed to colon cancer!

My father died in February this year. Six months later, it was President Cory's time.

I got the chance to watch the account of the last days of President Cory as told by her daughter, Kris Aquino last Sunday! I did cry a couple of times because of the parallelism of events their family and mine has gone through. But most of all I want to write some important realizations that could somehow help other families to cope given the same set-up.

I followed the news about President Aquino who was diagnosed with colon cancer ahead of my father. The medical procedures that was done to her were the same as my father. My interest with the President's condition was purely a personal thing - because she reminds me of my father's own journey.

I do admire the President especially her contributions to our country and the whole world. And that is unquestionable. Only that, I have some of my own political views. If my father was alive, I say, he got critical views about so many people in the government. It is a long-standing one and I do not dare question that too!

I am glad he went first because he could really be so mean (with his comments) sometimes! But I do miss that especially when we are watching the news. Or when he is reading the newspapers. My father is a retired Judge.

When Kris talked about the time when President Cory called her husband's name - I recalled how scared I was when I first heard my father (last November) call his own mother. I was scared because it is one belief among Filipinos that if a sick person calls the name/s of dead relative/s, he/she will soon be following them. For the first time I was not afraid of the idea that among us there, were our dead relatives spirits. My fear was "Is my father going to die"? My sister and I even resorted to "driving -away " our grandmothers, grandfather, uncle (my father kept calling them). What we did was to follow the direction of my father's eyes and tell our dead relatives "to please go away". We did that because we somehow believed that our father will recover from his illness.

When Kris said something about the pain of her mother - I remembered my father's own suffering. Cory is a very religious person but my father is not. But when he is in deep pain, he cries out for prayers. There was one time wherein we prayed the rosary 11 or 12 times in a day! Then he will start fighting back to live. I saw him almost at the brink of dying in front of us. But he always comes back. Later on we realized because we the living were not letting him go!

My Tita Mayet, who is a nun was the first one I guess who expressed about the reality that my father is dying. She was always there and the whole RVM sisters during my fathers most critical moments. She was forever explaining to us that the prayers should not be conflicting. We as a family should decide on praying for my father's journey towards eternal life. And not the prayer about getting well from his colon cancer. The conflicting prayers is prolonging his suffering on earth.

Now I believe that!

Kris said something about Cory wanting to go home - my father kept on pleading for us to take him home - away from the hospital. And I am writing this because it is one way of saying goodbye to this world and that they are indeed going home to our Creator!




These were some things that I had the chance to tell my father months before he died:

... " You have done so much for me and the family. You have provided us with the best that you can. You have made many people happy also. If you are so very tired, I want you to know that I am letting you go. I am forgiving you with all the things you have done that has angered and pained me before, and I hope you forgive me with all the disappointments and lots of pain as well, that I have given you." Forgive me.

Everyday that you are given another chance to live gives me more hope that we will see each other again! Now, I do not wish to count years of good relationship between the two of us. A minute of conversation, a quick "I love you", a reminder to stay calm, an assurance that we are here - is what we only have to look forward to. It is as good as one year or so. When I hear your voice growling in deep pain over the phone, my heart also is being pricked so very deeply. I do not know which is more painful - to see you gone or see you in that condition? I do not know.

My grief is still here. If I can get that pain from your body, you know I would. But I guess, for our souls to depart lightly, we have to have that pain.





This is what I wrote after I talked to my father. Actually, the last time I heard my father breathing.


Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.
Kahlil Gibran

I am feeling so troubled and weary! It is the thought of my father who is fighting for his life in the hospital at this moment, that is so bothering and making me feel so restless. From where I stand, I can only hope, pray and surrender my father's ordeal to the Almighty!

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

Just before I leave the house to attend the Sunday mass, I got a call from my father's doctor. I was informed that my father's vital organs (kidney, liver and colon) are failing and even if he undergoes dialysis and other interventions, there is not much hope towards recovery.

When I was at the church, the gospel is about healing. And I prayed that my father be healed spiritually because he no longer cannot, physically.

And I cried because I know he wanted to live. I asked the Lord up above to please help my father accept his fate. Is it really frightening when it is about time? I do not know. I am frightened. Am I losing faith?

If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were.

Just as I arrived from the church, I called the hospital. I have not heard tatay say a word for many days now. Every time I call, I let him hear me and my children' s voices saying "I love you" so often.

When I hear my father's shallow breathing, my heart beats faster, my eyes get teary and I tremble inside! But I have to be strong by believing that - his pain will end soon. He will then be rested and will have eternal bliss!

Pain and foolishness lead to great bliss and complete knowledge, for Eternal Wisdom created nothing under the sun in vain.