Serene and beautiful. Don’t forget your camera and dive in the fishponds if you can! Continue reading
Random Snapshots
Lake Sebu Adventure: T’boli Dance
T’boli dancers graced us after dinner. The costumes as they swirl, the colors they emit—and the ring of bells in their belts and anklets is what I love the most. Punta Isla Lake Resort does not only boast of good food (their tilapia chicharon is a must try!) but also of great dancing with the young T’boli artists. Instruments vary from drums to kuluntang to flute. A solemn prayer is being offered as a sign of permission and thanks to the spirits of instruments are being done everytime they use their preferred musical item. In every dance, a cultural insight of the T’boli tribe are shared. Continue reading
handmade kramas from Cambodia
Kramas is a traditional scarf/bandana of the Khmers that usually comes either red or blue in Gingham patterns. A Cambodian national symbol, Kramas are worn to cover faces, carry children, and even folded to use as hammocks. The tradition of hand weaving kramas dates back to over thousands years.
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nooks and crannies of Angkor Wat Temple
Mandatory sunrise photo of the Angkor Wat Temple.
A perfect example of Khmer architecture—thus when in Siem Reap, one must always drop by Angkor Wat Temple. Aside from being the King’s mausoleum, this temple was also constructed for the Hindu God, Vishnu . I was here in 2010 and was in awe –and even now, years later, Angkor Wat Temple still amazes me. Continue reading
Artisans Angkor
Artisans Angkor as a social entrepreneurship helps create jobs for artisans from the rural areas. It is also a cultural project aimed to re-build the country after (the war) by training young people to master Cambodian crafts from silk weaving and stone carving to brass plating. Continue reading
The Mangyan Photographs of Jose Raymond Panaligan
Admiring “Bogsie’s” work at Cambodia during the Angkor Wat Photo Festival — these are images of the Mangyan tribe that he took from the 90’s till present. His use of film and his transition to digital medium shows his versatility as a photographer. Continue reading
visiting Samal Island
I had to bolt out of the house around 7am for this. The body’s natural caffeine kicked in as I, wide eyed from suddenly jumping out of bed and into the taxi, frantically told, in high pitch voice, the driver where to go. Omitting breakfast –which my mother finds unforgivable— assured my arrival on time. But I missed the boat because my companions got stuck in traffic. I was quietly sulking, dreaming of the watermelon shake and pancakes I had to skip. This is karma. But the waiting is not that bad, nothing brewed coffee can’t fix–and the island, as always, is beautiful. Continue reading
T’nalak Festival in South Cotabato
So… my feet brought me to Koronadal City to celebrate the T’nalak Festival. Actually, I was late. We were supposed to meet at exactly 6pm. I arrived thirty minutes later. Good thing Chi decided to wait for me while the rest went ahead as scheduled. Otherwise I would have taken the wrong bus and god-knows-what will happen (not the first time though). Chi and I arrived around eleven in the evening at Koronadal City. And the city was alive and busy! Needless to say, it was a three-day-basking full of laughter and dancing with the T’boli and B’laan community.
Panlabuhan Floating Village, Agusan Marshland Sanctuary
Agusan Wildlife Sanctuary courses through five municipalities — Rosario, San Francisco, Talacogon, Bunawan, La Paz, and Loreto. Bunawan being the most famous one as it was where Lolong was captured. To those who have no idea who Lolong was, Lolong was the world’s longest crocodile in captivity. He was a 20ft 3in Indo-Pacific saltwater croc and he weighed around 1,075 kg. He was found dead in his cage last February 10, 2013.
We asked the Panlabuhan locals about what they think of Lolong. “Gamay man siya”. He’s small, they said. Nakadakop mig mas dako pa niya, kaduhaon. Abi namo namatay kay nasab-it sa pukot. Buhi diay. “We caught one that is twice his size. He got himself entangled in one of the nets. We initially thought that he was dead only to find out he was not” our boat men explained. When asked where the crocodile is now. Gibuy-an nano. “We let him go” they shrugged. As it should be, our group silently agreed.
Yes, in case you are wondering, the marshland is home to many crocodiles. Continue reading
Magellan’s Drive
I was cradling a beer and it was early…Was it 9 am (?) I am not sure. I’m not sure of anything anyway every time I’m in Manila. The smog and the traffic always confuses me. And the metro is either too bright or too dark, too wet or too dry. And the city seems bored but busy. No. In a hurry. The city seems is bored and busy always in a hurry. As if it has somewhere to go, something to do– All. The. Time. And it was such, in the morning that Mitchie and I clawed our way to Intramuros. One of her friends will be touring us. Okay, I confess, one of her friends will be touring her and some others. I was just tagging along. Continue reading
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