Category Archives: Travels

Ang danyos ng Bagyo…

Sa relasyon, palaging may dalawang daan. Dalawang kalye, dalawang opinion. Dalawang idea na pwedeng mag tugma o di naman kaya ay palaging salungat sa isa’t-isa. Dalawang tao na may sariling pag iisip at may kanya-kanyang opinyon at panata.

Hanggang ngayon bumabagabag sa isip ko ang katanungang ito: “Isa nga bang malaking misteryo kung paano nagtatagal magsama ang dalawang tao?”

Kasi kung ako ang tatanungin niyo, sa totoo lang ay hindi ko din alam. Wala akong ginamit na formula, wala akong sinunod na batas o patakaran. Basta ang sinunod ko lang ang aking isip at damdamin. Kung ano ang pakiramdam ko at sa pag iisip ko ay tama, okay na yun. Go and fight na ako sa ano-mang dumating sa buhay naming mag-asawa. Ang pag uunawa at pag tanggap sa kasama mo sa buhay ay buong puso na ginagawa. Dapat tanggap mo siya at ang buong pagka-tao niya. Kasama na sa kabaitan at mapag-mahal na katangian, ang kalokohan at talangka niya sa utak.

Madami ako niyan… kalokohan at talangka sa utak. At mukhang tanggap din naman ito ng asawa ko. Pinag aawayan namin pero sa bandang huli nag kaka-ayos din kami. Huwag niyo nalang maitanong kung ano ang nangyari sa talangko ko sa utak, hahaha.

Basta ang alam ko, sa pag katapos ng dagsa ng salita at mala bagyong buhos ng emosyon, okay na ulit. Tahimik na ulit ang paligid at buhay. Importante, mapag usapan at mailabas ang masamang hangin na nag lalaro sa isip nilang mag-asawa.

Ang mahirap lang nga, hindi lahat ng mag asawa naka-kayanang lagpasan ang isang “Bagyong Andoy” sa buhay nila. Madalas, hindi na naibabalik ang kanilang respeto at pagmamahal sa isa’t-isa sa pag tila ng ulan at pag-tigil ng buga ng malakas na hangin sa buhay nila bilang mag asawa. Nakaka lungkot na nauuwi sa hiwalayan ang isang simpleng di pagkaka-unawaan nila.

Ngunit sabi nga din na Tita ko, siguro masyado akong ideyalista. Hindi ko naiisip na baka naman ang dahilan ng pag hihiwalay ng isang mag asawa ay mas malalim pa sa isang balon na pinagha-hangoan ng tubig. Sa pagkakataong ito, silang dalawa lang ang nakaka alam kung bakit nila kailangang iwan ang isa’t-isa.

Sa huli, sabi nga ng mga nakakatanda:

“Minsan kailangan natin gawin ang mga bagay-bagay na ayaw nating gawin. Dapat harapin ang problema upang mahanapan ito ng tamang lunas sa halip na isang-tabi lamang ito o ipagpa bukas.” —

 

 

 

 

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3 good things to look forward to…

IMG_1911It’s now half past eight. I’m in bed catching up on FB, updating my photo gallery and updating my blogsite. So many updates lined up. Whewwwww!

Well, two things: First, my photo here has nothing to do with my post 😉 I just posted it so that my post has a featured image as well, hehehe. Kalerky ko lang!!!

Second, I should be up and about already. I still have to go to work later, but since yesterday I’ve been fighting the onset of colds and flu, so, I decided to just laze awhile in bed. At least for the next 30 minutes. 😆

I’m excited! I’m excited for a lot of things… more blessings.

First, i’m excited for the old-new team I’ll be joining starting next month. Old – because, we’ve actually been working together for more than two years… new since, we didn’t belong to the same group before. Now we’ll be working together as one group. Hoping that it will also work out well for all of us. Either that, or we dissolve the team and each would go their own way.

Second, I’m excited for my upcoming trip to Malta next month. I’ve never been there, so I’m really excited. I’m ready to explore the Islands and its rich old culture.

And of course, I’m also excited for my trip to the Philippines this coming June.This trip home is really special, because, this will be the first time I will see my nephew Marty. The first time that my niece Duday, will see our relatives again…after 12 or thirteen years. And since it will be like a semi-reunion for my family, we are all just happy and excited about it. It’s just a shame neither my mom, nor one of my sisters cannot join us on this trip. That’s why it’s only a semi-reunion. But my dad ais quiet happy and excited too. According to my youngest bro, dad has been quiet busy for our arrival…

So, to our tatay, 2 more months to go tay. Before you know it, anjan na kami agad!

Wow… puro biyahe.. di kaya ako mabingi sa kaka sakay ng eroplano nito?

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It’s more fun in the Philippines


Summer is finally here! Well, officially it’s still Spring time, but the weather temperature has gone up during the last few days, one would think it is already summer. Mister Sun has been showing up a lot lately as well… one would wonder why, eh?

Well, actually, in a month we would have summer officially. Spring here in Germany starts in March till May. Then summer follows from June till August. Summer season is always the busiest. People start going out to parties till the wee hours of the morning. Grill at their gardens or at the park is a very popular leisure activity. Then of course there are the various sports activities: volleyball, basketball league and of course football season. People tend to over-enjoy the sun and the warm weather since we don’t have this the whole year.

In the Philippines, it is totally different. First of all, we have only two seasons to experience: Rainy/Wet season and Sunny/Dry season. Rainy season starts late in May till October. This is the time where most typhoons hit the country as well. Sometimes typhoon would still hit the country till late November. But from December on, the weather would start to be calmer but the temperature would still be lower than 30 degrees. Come January, the heat would slowly seep through again. I love the December till January weather since it is not too hot yet then. By March, the weather would hit up to 38 or 40 degrees Celsius and that’s when it can be really dangerous. Heatwave, sunburn and dehydration are common problems during this times.

So, what do most people do in these times? They go to the beach or to their favorite aqua resorts. Luckily, there are lots of these in the Philippines. First since it is basically an archipelago, surrounded by bodies of water. Second it is very rich in natural resources with its abundant lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Third, by demand, swimming pool resorts are so often visited that it became a popular business venture since way back in the late 80’s early 90’s. I assume until now.

Visit for instance, the Island of Camiguin where you can enjoy the nice beach, diving, snorkeling, or lazing around in one of their several lakes, hot and cold spring pools and enjoy the waterfalls as well. If you want adventure, try trekking up the Hibuk-hibok volacano too. A variety of activities to choose from all in one small island.

To name some nice places to visit in the Philippines:
Some of the beaches that I actually visited. It’s not much but I still plan to add more to this list.

Bohol – Balicasag Island, Alona Beach in Panglao
Boracay
Camiguin
Coron, Palawan
Dakak, Dapitan
Dos Palmas, Palawan
Kalibu
Nasugbu, Batangas
Subic
Underground River, Palawan
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Places like:

Caramoan Islands in Camarines
Paradise resort in Davao
Pearl farm in Davao
El Nido Palawan
Rafting in Pangasinan
The pristine white sand beaches in Cebu

… are places that I still want to visit. Given the time and resources, someday, I will explore them all…It’s really more fun in the Philippines!

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Philippinen and the Filipino Way

Watch a video of Terra X 2DF channel presenting the Philippines and the Filipino sea nomads.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J28YooUf2NU
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4L5gSp69MU
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thgnFiniEn8

The Filipino Way
The whole crew woke up at 5 a.m. as scheduled. But the boaters came late, (as usual – the famous “Filipino time”). When the boaters finally came, it turned out that the whole crew and their equiptments would not go in the boat. So they had to order another boat. Mr. Dirk Steffens was already pessimistic if they would even make it out that day, hehehe. But eventually, they managed to get another boat and the crew could sail out in the end. I like this cut, showing the boys in shorts and goggles playing under water with the foreign guests in full diving gear, hehehe.

Just watching these clips make me want to shout out: “Here it is! The country where I hail from. The Paradise of the Southeast.”

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LP challenge: Nakagisnan

Simple lang ang buhay na aking kinagisnan. Naninirahan lang kami noon sa isang apartment sa Maynila. May dalawang kuwarto man ito, pero dahil sa masyadong mabait ang mga magulang ko, palagi kaming puno. Palaging may bisita galing sa probinsiya. May mga pinsan na nakikitira habang nag aaral sa Maynila. Siksikan kami sa kuwarto at sa kama, pero masaya naman kahit nag mistulang sardinas kami. Mabuti pa nga siguro ang sardinas nakakahinga pa ata ng maayos kesa sa amin, hehehe. Kapag naiisip ko nga ngayon ang kinagisnan kong buhay, natutuwa ako na kahit siksikan kami noon, magkasama naman kami lahat. Masaya kahit isang latang sardinas lang ang ulam namin. Kahit nale-late kami sa eskwela sa kaka hintay para makapag banyo sa umaga.

Ngayon, ang kasama ko lang dito sa Alemanya ay ang aking asawa. Minsan, nangungulila ako sa aking nakagisnang buhay. Maingay, masikip, mahirap… pero masaya.

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Berlin again… this time with Bong

I visited Berlin again this time with my classmate way back during my I.S. days in MCFI and her family and some friends. Last time I was in Berlin, was with my niece Duday. It was a first for both of us. For her, the first time she travelled from Brussels alone via the ICE going to Frankfurt am Main then further on to Berlin with me. For me, the first time to visit Berlin, the capital city. We stayed two nights at one of the Hotels in Potsdamerplatz. We had a really nice time. For her, perhaps tiring, but anyway educational. That was in August last year.

Two weeks ago, I went back there with some friends.

It was also tiring since we tried to squeezed as much place as we could visit in one day. Anyway, I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. I got to spend sometime with Bong. Got to know her a bit more. Caught up with her life’s ventures… as wife, mother and a career woman all rolled into one. The Bong that I used to know is totally different now. I can’t imagine her being the successful Realty Broker and over protective mom of Sophie. You see, before, I thought Bong was a softie. Although a really beautiful personality inside, I thought that she was the type who would need someone to protect her. Someone to provide everything for her. I never thought that she would turn out to be a very independent, very reliable sophisticated woman like she is now… to top it all… successful in her chosen field of career.

My hats off to you Bong and it was really nice to see you again. Last time we were together in Zürich was 6 years ago. I hope it will not take that long till we see each other again. Hopefully, Mike and I can visit you and Leonick in your Villa in Antipolo next time we come home to visit.

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LP Challenge: Mahirap… ang mag maintain


I hardly write or post something here anymore. Mahirap kasi, between work and social engagements, I hardly have time to sit and think of something to write or post here. Hahaha, as if napakarami kong invites anoh? I meant, mas nahihilig ako ngayon makipag meet-up kesa mag vegetate in front of the comp. Kaya, ayun, kahit walang nag iimbita sa a kin, iniimbita ko sarili ko, hehehe. But these last few weeks have been hectic again, dahil nagkaroon ako ng mga bisita aside from my short trips to see my family in Brussels. In my previous post i posted a shot of my eldest and youngest niece together. This time, I’m posting a photo of my college classmate, her family and friends. (I hope okay lang sa kanila…)

I enjoyed so much having you guys here. The kids were great. I do hope to see you again perhaps in the Philippines when I come back for a visit?

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LP Challenge: MADAMI / PLENTY

Madami, madami ako nakita clouds playing on the mountains noong papunta kami sa Banaue…ang ganda! Parang napaka habang cotton candy. Para din siyang bula (foam) ng alon na naglalaro sa may tabing dagat…

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LP entry - dugtong

LP Challenge: Dugtong/Kabit


LP entry - dugtong
Nagawa ko na (SANA) ito nung bata pa ako sa Pilipinas. Wall climbing ang tawag dito. Minsan dinala kami ng mga kapatid ko at mga pinsan ng Tita namin sa Manila Zoo. Meron daw rock climbing dun. Dapat ay ma experience namin ito. Sumama naman ako, kasi naisip ko, maisusuot ko ang bago kong damit na pinadala ng Tatay ko mula sa Okinawa, Japan. Oo, proud ako noon na nag ja Japan ang Tatay ko, hehehe. Kaya lang teka, lumalayo ako sa thema.

So ayun nga. Nag rock climbing… sila na lang! Kasi naka dress ako at ayoko naman umakyat sa rock na yun at baka masilipan lang ako nung mga nasa baba… hahaha. Blah blah, blah!

In short, I almost knew how to do this then ;).

Anyway, I did it this time with my niece at Centerpack in Belgium. Akala ko, madali lang ito. The purpose is to reach the top by stepping on the protruded rocks on the wall. The rocks come in different shapes, size and color. Each color has a certain level of difficulty. But the real hard part is to get to the top by stepping or using only one same color of rocks from below going up. So, if you decide to start on the red rocks, then you must try to only use the same color of rocks all the way till you reach the top.

As I started, akala ko, easy…. “sisiw” (chicken) lang. Boy was I wrong! Of course the easy level is okay. No sweat at all… but start on the middle level, and then you really start sweating.

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overlooking view The Bontocs

on our last week

The vacation has been good. We are now on our last week here in the Philippines. We’re still in Banaue. We arrived yesterday afternoon via Baguio with me and hubby alternately driving. We were worried at first as to the road conditions but as we were already advised by our host in Pangasinan that the roads are paved all the way to Sagada, we dared to take the vehicle instead of leaving it in Baguio. Thing is, we would then have to go back to Baguio to pick it up before going down to Pampanga. Which means loosing one day for traveling. But since we brought the vehicle up, we ended up with one extra day on our trip here to the North. A very good thing!

overlooking view of the Bontocs

overlooking view of the Bontocs

Today we will be visiting some Rice Terraces villages, waterfalls and hot spring areas here. Then we’ll have a quiet afternoon siesta. First stop: breakfast with Kapeng barako at the resto downstairs! 🙂

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Occupy Frankfurt demo 29.10.2011

Naki uzi ako sa nangyayari sa tapat ng European Central Bank kaninang hapon. Kaya, kasama si Bana sinilip namin ang pagpupulong ng mga tao. Maayos naman. Bukod sa iba’t-ibang banda na tumogtog at ilang tumula na patama sa goyerno, wala namang ibang kaguluhang nangyari. Kaya, nag pikyur-pikyur nalang ako sa kapaligiran.

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Late summer…

Was glad to have taken some time off from work. Went off to spend a few summer weather in Teneriffa. It made me feel like being in the Philippines again. See, summer here in Germany this year was really very short… it felt like we only had three days of summer this time. So, when I got there, it felt like I had a summer extension.

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Disneyland Paris

With a sizzling 30 degrees temperature, we had a wonderful day at Disneyland Paris last week. Our entourage left in two cars at 06:30 and arrive Paris at around 10:00 after two stopovers. We were lucky there was no traffic jams along the way. We had a smooth drive from Brussels all the way to France.

Tickets were booked in advance so, we could just go through the entrance without staying in the very long cue for tickets. Once inside, we all scattered like a herd sheep running for the greener part of the meadow. Not before we arranged a time and place to meet later. First stop Fantasy Island, where Trish got freaked out by the dolls in the “Small World” ride. I loved it though! Later during the afternoon, Trish started feeling unwell. Had to rest for a while to give her medicine. Later though, the patient claimed she got sick for like six minutes only, hehehe. Once she started sweating, we just continued where we stopped to rest. We roamed around the area until almost midnight. Then we drove to the hotel where we would be spending the night. All in all, it was a really fun sunny day in Disneyland.

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