A Reposting

At noon today, October 18, 2009, several armed men attempted to rob a shop in Greenbelt 5. Several shots were fired. One robber was killed and one person was reportedly hurt. I can just imagine the ensuing panic after. This reminded me of an incident in the same area. Here's a reposting of my entry on the Glorietta Blast which happened two years ago.

http://mysmallflatworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-glorietta-2-experience.html

Our Folks

When I was younger, I thought my parents were invincible and will live forever. When I was 8 or 9, my Mom told me she will not stay young and she’ll eventually die. And my young mind couldn’t comprehend that at that time, I remembered crying really hard upon hearing that. I guess any eight-year old won't be able to grasp the issue of mortality. Maybe I was thinking then, who’s gonna feed me? I only felt better when my mom told me, it’s not anytime soon and still far into the future.

orchid in my mom's garden

Recently, something hit me, our parents aren’t getting any younger. My mom just had her annual check-up and the doctor prescribed all sorts of maintenance meds. On the average, my generation’s parents have lived three scores. They’ve had their share of life’s rich experiences and have battle scars to prove it. At this time, I’m wondering what’s running through their minds when they look at our generation.

Just a random thought…..

Ang Nakaraan

"The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it." -Wendell Berry

drama shot

Thanks for all those who have added something better to it, knowingly or unknowingly.

Mga Kuwento

I love listening to stories of distant lands, places I haven't been to. Like a child eager for new adventures beyond the fence of her own backyard. Stories I hear transport me to places I may not have the opportunity to go to. And yet hearing stories of adventure from people take me to these places. Like a magic carpet, each story takes my imagination to the places others have seen and experienced.

But sometimes as I crane my neck too much to see beyond my fence, I neglect to see what's just in front of me, missing out on adventures within my reach. Trapped in the confines of my closed mind, I fail to uncover hidden adventures in my own backyard.

I realized I don't really need to look too far for me to experience new bonds and kinship. Wherever I may be, adventure and fun will be there, I just need an open mind to see and appreciate it.

And to those who have shared stories, be it fact or fiction, I am forever grateful for the door you have opened to a world beyond my own.

Safe journeys everyone.

Lighthouse Effect

There's something romantic about lighthouses. It's not just the way they light a ship's way in a moonless night.

They have a magic feel to them that I can't describe. Staring at 'em set against a backdrop of a remote cape somewhere far away, is simply enchanting. And romantic I must say.

The Philippines, being an archipelago, has a lot of lighthouses and I'm blessed to see some of them and capture their gallant stand against the ravages of nature. Some withstood the test of time and have weathered many storms.

Naidi Hills, Basco

Naidi Hills, Basco

Sabtang Island

Sabtang Island

Patar, Bolinao

Capones Island, Zambales

Corregidor Island

But my first lighthouse experience is not captured in an image but it's something very close to my heart. It is in my hometown, Ajuy. The lighthouse is in an uninhabited island (Parola) in between Panay and Negros island.

We too, as sailing ships in this vast ocean of life, have our own lighthouses that guide our way.

What's your lighthouse?

Blind Curves

I usually walk from the office to my place three blocks away. Along the way, there are two blind curves. One in Leviste and another one in Tordesillas. Before crossing both streets, I take extra caution and make sure that there are no oncoming vehicles.

Blind curves....life is full of 'em. You'll never know what will hit you next and yet the whole point is to walk mindful of these curves and yet not totally distracted by 'em.

We just have to walk, keeping in mind where the blind curves are but not letting 'em direct our path.

Many times we may be delayed in our journey by the oncoming from the numerous blind curves along the way. But this shouldn't get the joy out of walking. If there are no blind curves at all, life won't be that exciting anyway. It will just be a journey with no suprises along the way. Now that will just be no fun at all.

PAG-ASA

Marikina is said to be the cleanest city in the country but a few hours of raining made it like this.

no, this isn't a dump site, this is an ordinary street in Marikina 

What I saw in Marikina yesterday was heartbreaking but at the same time seeing how our kababayans can help each other and still smile amidst everything reaffirmed my faith in the Filipino spirit.

man trying to clean the mud off passers by who just came from Provident Villages

A few days after the storm, I heard a lot of stories of survival. Some from people I know, some from total strangers.

All sharing a common bond,the indomitable human spirit survives the strongest storms. And if they don't, their passing leaves an inspiration to emulate  like that  teenager  saving several people including a  baby, before drowning.

This storm left a lot of lessons in its wake,lessons of survival and sacrifice.

But if there's anything that Ondoy taught me, it's a message of hope, the Filipinos' bayanihan spirit is still alive. I just hope it doesn't take another storm to jumpstart it again.