Litratong Pinoy#143 Basa (Wet)

It was raining when I took this picture of colorful flowers which was why there were very wet. They were among the flowers decorating along the streets of Shanghai, China.

Pilipino:
Umuulan pa nang kinunan ko ng litrato ang makukulay na bulaklak na ito kaya naman basang-basa sila. Kasama sila sa mga dekorasyon sa tabi ng mga kalsada ng Shanghai, China.

Davao City Disaster

I never knew what happened last night until I heard some news this morning. It rained hard last night but the flash floods came in fast in some areas. A lot of officemates were not able to report today, most of them came from the southern part of Davao City. The most affected areas by the flash floods were the areas of: Matina, Bangkal and Talomo.

Davao City has always had floods and I thought not much of the flood news until I saw the photos from Facebook. There are already 25 confirmed dead and 15 people are still missing. Let us pray for the flood victims and their families.

Tuesday Travels#2 The Favorite Hang-Out

One of my favorite hang-outs is the airport waiting area. Strange as it may seem, but it is the place where I know I will be going some place different or new or probably,  I will be on my way home after some adventures. I have gone through and even stayed for hours in a lot of airports. Over time, a lot of changes made these places not just something to pass through but airports have become more interesting with their modern designs and features.

One airport that comes to mind is the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Not only is it accessible with the world's first commercial MagLev train but also the airport's long (almost neverending corridors) kept me feeling awed every time I pass through it. 

Of course, staying for hours in airports would not be complete without staying in another of my favorite hang-outs, the airport restaurants. They could be expensive sometimes but the food can be really good like this pasta we had in one of the restaurants inside Shanghai airport.

James Bond Wed The Mummy Lady

It was such a pleasant thing to know that two celebrities that I really like got married. Former James Bond actor, Daniel Craig and The Mummy lead actress, Rachel Weisz had a quiet wedding a few days. The wedding was such a secret that most of the media got it after it happened. Anyway, am looking forward to seeing both celebrities in a movie together someday soon.

Tickets For Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

No mistake about it, I love the Transformers movie and I can't wait to watch its latest probably the last installment, Transformers: Dark Of The Moon. However, unlike a friend of mine who have been doing all she can to secure a ticket for the midnight premier of the movie, I would rather watch the movie on an earlier time. Ugh! midnight? Sounds like we're going on a party instead of watching a movie. Anyway, the movie shall be shown this coming 29th in regular movie theaters.

I wish Megan Fox is still in the latest installment. Still, Megan Fox or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the lead actress, it doesn't matter for me. All I want to see are the Transformers themselves especially Optimus Prime and Sam Witwicky's bodyguard-robot, Bumblebee.

Sunday Stealing#94

Today we ripped off a blogger known as blogger and blog named PT-LawMom. It is not her first trip to this rodeo, we've victimized her once before, in August 2008. Since it's long we will do it in parts. She does not say where she ripped it. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


Sunday Stealing: The Seriously Random Question Meme, Part 3 (The Final Edition)

Cheers to all of us thieves!

41. Who was the last person you went shopping with?
Me, myself and I.

42. What is something you need to go shopping for?
Mostly, personal necessities such as bath soap, shampoo, tissue, etc.

43. Do you have the same first name as one of your relatives?
No, I'm the only one among us.

44. What kind of car do (did) your parents drive?
The last one was an Isuzu Elf.

45. Are you rich?
Rich in dreams.

46. If you could spend one intimate night with a celebrity, no questions asked, never to see them again, who would it be?
Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.

48. What famous person do you look like? Feel free to use this facial match program by clicking here. Show us at least the celeb photo.

49. What is the most daring thing you've done recently?
Recently? Hmm...none, I think.

50. Say you were given a pregnancy test right now. Would you pass or fail?
Fail.

51. Which sex scandal of the last decade bothers you the most?
The Katrina-Hayden Kho sex scandal.

52. Do you know anyone in jail/prison?
Yes but she just recently been released.

53. What are your plans (or what have you done) for this weekend?
Yesterday, I went to do groceries, paid my bills, bought something at the department store. In the evening, I finished reading Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince while watching Wimbledon tennis on cable TV. This morning, I played tennis under the hot sun and is planning to take a nap after finishing this meme.

54. Have you ever woken up and not known where you were?
Yes, that was years ago.

55. What were you doing at midnight last night??
Finishing up the Harry Potter Book 6.

56. Last restaurant you went to?
Chowking Chinese Restaurant to eat halo-halo.

57. How many hours did you sleep for last night?
Just about six hours and now, am really sleepy.

58. Which is more distracting: Sexting while driving or sex while driving?
Probably, both.

59. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
Hope so.

60. Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle?
Yes, but I was not driving.

PhotoHunt#142 Card(s)

This is the menu card we used to choose our lunch while at the Fisherman's Wharf, Macau. The prices were in Hongkong dollars. What did I had for lunch? Noodles with Beef brisket in soup. Yummy!

This is my entry for PhotoHunt. Go here for more.

Complete Harry Potter Books And Some More

I wish I have more money now to complete my book collections.

Finally, my Harry Potter book collection is complete. I have been trying to complete it for months but budget constraints keep getting in the way. I was initially happy with reading the e-books but half-way through them, I realized that I would like to collect the paperback ones. I bought the Harry Potter slowly whenever my budget allowed and finally, I bought the last two, The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows were bought this week. Yehey!

I saw the latest installment of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments, The City of Fallen Angel and Lauren Kate's Fallen books, Passion while I was at the National bookstore this week. There goes another goal.

Litratong Pinoy#141 Kailangan(Need)

I need to win the lotto jackpot or the Canon wide angle lens, even the Sony flat TV is good enough but for these kids, what they only needed to win was some change and some candies. They were already happy with what they got. I wish, I could be that simple sometimes.

Kailangan manalo ako ng lotto jackpot o ng Canon wide angle lens, pwede na rin ang Sony flat TV pero sa mga batang ito, ang kailangan lang nilang mapanalo ay konting barya at kendi pa. Masaya na sila sa ganyan. Sana, ganun din ako kasimpleminsan.

Tuesday Travels#1 My City

My city is known as the melting pot of the southern Philippines and the fruit bowl of the country.

It is where the mighty Philippine eagle resides..

 

... where the king of fruits grow prolifically..

and where the most colorful festival every month of August comes alive, the Kadayawan Festival. This is Davao, my city.

Ruby Tuesday#103 Wedding Cake

This is the wedding cake of Bing and Ted. I've been thinking that it'll be a pity to eat this because it was too pretty.

This is my entry for:

Go here to see more.

Sunday Stealing#93

Today we ripped off a blogger known as blogger and blog named PT-LawMom. It is not her first trip to this rodeo, we've victimized her once before, in August 2008. Since it's long we will do it in parts. She does not say where she ripped it. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


Sunday Stealing: The Seriously Random Question Meme, Part 2

Cheers to all of us thieves!

21. Have you ever had a garage sale?
Nope but I've been taking of doing one.

22. What color is your cell phone?
It's gray-black.

23. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?
Fruit punch.

24. Are you happy right now?
I can't say am happy, can't say am sad.

25. Who came over to your house last?
A friend who asked me to file a loan for her.

26. Do you drink beer?
Nope, I don't like beer.

27. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted?
Nope.

28. What is your favorite key on your key chain?
My key to my bedroom.

29. What was the last movie you watched at home?
An Indian movie entitled Three Idiots, with Aamir Khan as the lead actor.

30. What is in your pocket?
A few coins.

31. Who introduced you to your bf/gf/husband/wife?
Mutual friend.

32. Where do you hurt?
My left waistline. Don't know why.

33. Has someone ever made you a build a bear?
Nope.

34. What’s something fun you did today?
I played tennis in the morning.

35. What is your favorite aisle at Target?
Haven't been to Target but my favorite aisle in stores usually is the school supplies aisle.

36. When is your birthday?
Sometime in October.

37. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror?
None.

38. How many states in the US have you been to?
More than twenty, if I'm not mistaken.

39. What kind of milk do you drink?
Bear Brand powder milk.

40. What are you going to do after this?
Take a nap.

PhotoHunt#141 Informative

Long before Carlos Celdran became more popular regarding his RH bill stand and encounters with the Catholic Church, he was already quite well-known for his Walk This Way tour. The half-day Intramuros tour was featured several times in TV shows and got really rave reviews. However, it took me several tries because of time constraints before I could finally get into the tour.

A combination of theatrics, humor and really informative knowledge of Intramuros (which by the way, you can't find in any history books), Carlos Celdran was able to hold the interest of his audience while taking his visitors for a walk and a calesa-ride inside the old-walled Intramuros. If you're going to Manila and would like to try something new other than the perennial mall tours, Celdran's Walk This Way tour is a must. It is actually more interesting than walking mindlessly inside the malls.  For details of his tour, just go here.

This is my entry for PhotoHunt. Go here for more.

Lakbay Jose Rizal

To be a pilgrim for the Lakbay Jose Rizal project is one of the things I really want to do this year. In line Jose P. Rizal's 150th birthday anniversary, the National Commission for Culture and Arts in coordination with several government agencies is encouraging Filipinos and foreigners to travel the way our national hero traveled around the Philippines.

To participate, just visit the sites listed on the brochure spread and have it stamped as proof of your visit. The first 100 pilgrims who have visited all the Rizal sites with proof of the complete stamps can present it to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to win a token and an official Kalakbay ni Gat Jose Rizal certificate.

For more details, go here

Litratong Pinoy#140 Tumba(Fall)

I really thought that the boy would fall while running by the shore of Panglao Island. This is why I took photos of him hurriedly. I thought wrongly because he kept running and went far. He was so fun to watch.

Pilipino:
Akala ko talaga, matutumba itong bata habang tumatakbo sa dalampasigan ng isla ng Panglao. Kaya, mabilis ko siyang nilitratohan. Maling akala pala at hayun ang layo ng inabot ng bata, tumatakbo pa rin. Nakakatuwang tingnan.

The Apprentice

Nope, not the apprentice for Donald Trump neither the sorcerer’s apprentice for Nicholas Cage (although I would not mind doing that). I want to be an apprentice for a professional photographer, if I can find one who is willing to accept me. There’s a prospect but until I could actually work alongside with him, it’s not final.

Sure, it feels terrifying but the interest is bigger. Photography is such a fascinating hobby. One day, you’re feeling fulfilled and really good and another day, you feel a nobody. It is a constant learning process and that’s why I really like it. I want to be an photographer’s apprentice. Who’s my teacher?

Books For Less Than P200

If you are like me who loves to read books and would not mind buying second hand ones or could not afford to buy newer, more expensive ones, try checking out Booksale at NCCC Mall Davao or Lachmi Shopping Centre or the nearest National Bookstore branch. I recently bought three secondhand hardbound books at P99 each from National Bookstore, Abreeza mall branch. I was ecstatic especially if the three hardbound books were: Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, James Patterson’s Maximum Ride and Toni Morrison’s A Mercy.

All were very good authors plus Morrison is a Nobel and Pulitzer awardee.

Ruby Tuesday#102 Philippine Eagle And Mt. Apo

One of my fondest dreams is to have any of my photos installed in a public place (hopefully, not a public toilet). I would love to have a photo of mine on a billboard displayed on a major thoroughfare or displayed on a major event like this in a big mall like SM Davao.

The photos of the Philippine Eagle and Mt. Apo were displayed at SM Davao Event Centre to commemorate the Philippine Independence Day. I am quite sure that the photographer/s is/are quite proud of their work considering that not only their photos are striking but they are on public display

Both the Philippine Eagle and Mt. Apo are synonymous to Mindanao, particularly Davao. It is because both can be found in Davao and its surrounding areas. The Philippine Eagle Center is located at Malagos District of this Davao City while Mt. Apo perennially looms over the city.

This is my entry for:

Go here to see more.

Araw Ng Kalayaan!

Today is Philippine Independence Day. To all my fellow Filipinos, young and old, let's not forget to be proud of our country and our heritage. Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, mga kabayan!

Sunday Stealing#92 The Seriously Random Questions Meme, Pt. 1

Today we ripped off a blogger known as blogger and blog named PT-LawMom. It is not her first trip to this rodeo, we've victimized her once before, in August 2008. Since it's long we will do it in parts. She does not say where she ripped it. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing:The Seriously Random Question Meme, Part 1

Cheers to all of us thieves!
1. Your ex's car is on the side of the road, on fire. What do you do?
Call 911, of course.

2. Your best friend tells you she is pregnant. What is your reaction?
I'll be happy for her unless she's not happy with it.

3. When is the last time you wanted to punch someone in the face?
Hmm....about more than a year ago.

4. What is the last thing you spent money on?
Cebu Pacific plane fare ticket promo for Cebu-Tacloban trip.

5. Do you think you gained or lost weight this past month?
I am trying to lose weight and it's slow going but I am not giving up.

6. Crunchy or Puffy Cheetos?
Cruncy!

7. The first person on your friends list just called you a bitch. What do you do?
Call her a bitch too. After all, birds or bitches with the same coats ride together..tehehehe!

8. Congratulations! You just had a son. What’s his name?
Rafael.

9. Congratulations! You just had a daughter. What’s her name?
Mikaela or Alexandra or Rafael.

10. What are you craving right now?
Tennis, tennis, tennis.

11. What was the last thing you cried about?
I cried about a friend's insensitiveness.

12. When you buy something and your change is 2 cents, do you keep it or tell the cashier to keep it?
If the cashier gives it, I accept it. If not, I let go.

13. What color is your tissue box?

Don't have a box but a roller and the design is a sunflower.

14. Do you have a ceiling fan in your bedroom, and if so, is there dust on that fan?
Not in my bedroom but in our living room and it's dusty, which reminds me to clean it up.

15. What was the last voicemail you received about?
A friend's.

16. Have you ever blocked someone on Facebook?
Nope but I'm hoping I don't have to.

17. Scariest thing you’ve experienced in the last year?
My father's illness and eventual death. I miss him.

18. Do you wear a name tag at work?
Yes, we're required to use it.

19. What kind of car do you want?
Fast and expensive like Mini Cooper.

20. What do you order when you go to Burger King?
Their smallest burger with cheese!

PhotoHunt#140 Triangle

Starfish gathered by my nieces by the shore of Costa Marina Beach Resort, Samal.



This is my entry for PhotoHunt. Go here for more.

Birthday Gifts For June Birthdays

I was so happy early tonight to find some really good buys while looking for some birthday gifts at the mall.

June is a month when I have a lot of friends who will be celebrating their birthdays. Thus, I went looking for some birthday gifts around the mall tonight. Thankfully, just a few people were inside the mall that I was able to browse without much disturbance.

My first stop was at the wine store. An acquaintance invited me to her birthday party by the end of this month. I heard from a mutual friend that she likes wine gifts the most so I went browsing inside the wine store hoping to find something the birthday girl would like. There were some interesting wine accessories in the store and even saw a corkscrew that she might like. The last time I attended a party in her house, she took out some of her wines and showed off her beautiful wine glass collection. But then, she also likes books so off I went to the bookstore.

Another friend whose birthday is also happening this June likes to read. So, I thought I might shoot two birds in one stone and decided to look for books as birthday gifts. I found Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol and bought it for my friend. Hopefully, she will like it. I found some more books that I like too and they were on sale! I ended up buying two more books for my own reading and for another friend’s birthday. Out of the budget but still, they were such good buys! It was a good thing that the Harry Potter books 6 and 7 were not sale. I might end up buying those too.

In the meantime, I will have to buy the corkscrew for the acquaintance. I think, she will like it better than the books. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a sale day before her birthday comes.

Litratong Pinoy#139 Brake (Preno)

"Stop!", shouted Boyfriend1. Brakes squealed. Boyfriend2 craned his neck to see where the shout came from. He saw Boyfriend1 and grinned. "Sorry, she's mine and your Ducati!". Then, cranked the Ducati and roared off with Girlfriend. Bye, bye, Boyfriend1!

Pilipino:
"Tigil!", sigaw ni Boypren1. Sumigaw ang preno. Napalingon si Boypren2 kung saan nanggagaling ang sigaw. Nakita niya si Boypren1 at napangisi. "Pasensiya na, akin siya at ang iyong Ducati!". Pagkatapos, pinaharurot ang Ducati kasama si Girlpren. Ba-bye, Boypren1!

Save The Philippine Seas

The first and only time I did scubadiving, I was tickled pink or should I say, tickled brown to my toes. It happened in El Nido, Palawan.

I was so excited and happy that I could not breathe properly through my breathing apparatus. I even almost forgot to neutralize when I saw the colorful corals swirling like delicate silk curtains in the sea waters. Nemo and his kind was frolicking among the corals and it took me a nanosecond trying to reach out for them. Good thing, my dive instructor who could easily pass up for a movie actor was quick enough to remind me by sign language that it was prohibited to touch them.

Being underwater was a surreal experience, but I would like to do it over again and again. It was only through that experience that I was able to fully appreciate the beauty of the Philippine seas. I grew up near the waters and I saw how it was a huge part of a lot of people like the fishermen and the families. Fish is also part of the main diet of the Filipinos.

For me, the scuba diving experience made me realize that I've come full circle. A circle that I want to experience again and again.

The recent news of seized contrabands of black corals, sea turtles and other marine life had me worried and angered. How could this black souls decimate an entire coral reef twice as big as overpopulated Manila just for the greed? Have they thought about the effects of what they had done? God knows, it might take another generation or maybe more generations before those decimated coral reefs could recover (if they recover at all).

I really hope and pray that the culprits be found and properly executed up to the full extent of the law. I also really hope and pray that the proper authorities in cooperation of the private sector will work hand in hand to resolve this dreadful incident. The culprits did not only destroy the corals and the marine life of our seas but they also destroyed a huge part of our heritage.


In the meantime, let us be vigilant against those people who destory our seas.

Ruby Tuesday#101 Beadworks

These are the beadworks on display in Abreeza Mall. The beadworks were made by Manobo-Bagobo tribe, part of the last tribes of Mindanao.



This is my entry for:

Go here to see more.

Sunday Stealing#91

Today we ripped off a blogger named Jeff from the blog Sliding Constant. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Team Jeffie Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

TRUE OR FALSE

Q: Kissed someone on your friends list?
Hm..yeah hehehe!
Q: Been arrested?
Never.
Q: Held a snake?
Touched it but not really held it.
Q: Been suspended from school?
Nope.
Q: Sang karaoke?
Yeah, a little but it's actually expected at most Filipino parties.
Q: Done something you told yourself you wouldn't do?
Yes, several times.
Q: Laughed until you started crying?
Yes.
Q: Caught a snowflake on your tongue?
I wish.
Q: Kissed in the rain?
Nope. I wish.
Q: Sang in the shower?
Yes, several times.
Q: Sat on a roof top?
Yes, when I was a kid.
Q: Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on?
Nope. Someone should try hehehehe!
Q: Broken a bone?
Nearly but never, thank goodness.
Q: Shaved your head?
I thought about it but reason prevailed.
Q: Played a prank on someone?
Yes, when I was younger. I try it again someday.
Q: Shot a gun?
I'm thinking of learning how to.
Q: Donated Blood?
Yes, several times. It's a good cause aside from the fact that it will be easier to find  blood

LAST PERSON...

1. You hung out with?
Friends from my photography group.

2. You texted?
Ann, my tennis playmate.
3. You were in a car with?
In-laws of a dead cousin.
4. Went to the movies with?
I usually go alone and it has been a long time since I've seen a movie with somebody.
5. Person you went to shop with?
My nieces, to buy their school things.
6. You talked on the phone?
A client from the office.
7. Made you laugh?
The movie, Just Go With It. Lead actors are Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.
8. You hugged?
Our cat, Boogie.

IN THE LAST 48 HOURS HAVE YOU...

1. Sang?
In the shower.
2. Listened to music?
Just the way you are by Bruno Mars.
3. Danced Crazy?
Nope but I miss that.
4. Cried?
Thank goodness, no.

FIRSTS .....

1.Who was your first prom (or homecoming) date?
A friend of mine.
2. Who was your first roommate?
My brother when we were kids.
3. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk the first time?
Punch.
4. What was your first job?
Saleslady.
5. What was your first car?
I haven't had any car but I want a Mini Cooper any time.
6. When did you go to your first funeral and viewing?
Gosh, I can't remember it.
7. Who was your first grade teacher?
She was a distant relative who allowed me to sit in but later, accepted me as a regular student.
8. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
The flight was from Davao City to Manila.
9. When you snuck out of your house for the first time?
I must have been still a kid and I snuck out to play.
10. Who was your first best friend?
She was our principal's only daughter, Stephanie.
11. Who was your first Best Friend in high school?
Maria Luisa and Maria Sara.
12. Where was your first sleepover?
At my cousins.
13. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
A friend but since he's always busy, I call God.
14. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a Bridesmaid or groomsman?
Never been a bridesmaid. Not that I've never been invited but I never accepted.
15. What is the first thing you did when you got up this morning?
Think and pray.
16. First time you tied your shoe laces?
My father taught me when I was in grade school.
17. Are you Facebook friends with your first crush?
I wish!
18. Who was the first person you met from the blogosphere?
Too many but the one that made an impression was Michael.
19. What was the first music album that you bought?
Hmm...I think, it was Michael Jackson's or Madonna's.
20. Who was your first celebrity crush?
Tom Cruise

Death She Calls

I was reading a national newspaper, The Philippine Star, while waiting for our pizza order inside Pizza Hut today. The columnist, Barbara C. Gonzales, was talking about how she welcomes death. A refreshing point of view considering that there are people I know who would rather not die and had even wondered about finding the fountain of youth.  I admire Ms. Gonzales' courage and acceptance. For me, I'm still processing that possibility and it might take a long time.

The recent death of my father and the reality of numbers piling year after year we call age, got me thinking more about death. Ms. Gonzales got me encouraged that death should not be seen as something dreadful but a journey. Not only that, the possibility of living alone should not be worried upon even if my mother has been emphasizing that it is not good to live alone.

Death she calls...I wish I can easily do that when my time comes. In the meantime, I pray for guidance and enlightenment throughout my journey.

PhotoHunt#139 Dirty

This leaf looks dirty for its white specks but I like its shape and the specks gave it more character.

This is my entry for PhotoHunt. Go here for more entries.

Litratong Pinoy#138 Cleaning Material

The broom is a very good cleaning material even if there are now several available cleaning aids. It also saves in electricity and can help in doing exercise. But, every August during Kadayawan Festival, the broom changes its role. It becomes part of the decorations on the costumes of the Kadayawan participants.



Magaling na panglinis ang walis kahit na ba marami nang puwedeng gamiting panglinis ngayon. Hindi pa siya magasto sa kuryente at pwede pang pang-ehersisyo. Pero, tuwing dumarating ang buwan ng Agosto sa Piyesta ng Kadayawan, nag-iiba ang trabahong walis. Nagiging kasama siya sa pandekorasyon sa mga kasuotan ng mga partisipante ng Kadayawan.

Outdoor Wednesday#34 Ready For A Spin?

Took this photo while taking a break from our weekend photoshoot. The bike was part of our props. It just made me think that I haven't done biking for ages, like decades! I am not sure if I still know how to do it. Still, I miss biking.




This is my entry for Outdoor Wednesday.