Sky,Grass and Cattle

blue sky, green grass, and cattle grazing

I was awed by the beauty of this sight on my way from a waterfront resort in Coron Town to the airport in Busuanga to catch my flight back to Manila. Sharing the van with foreign tourists, the sight brought back happy memories when we were foreign students driving in Country Victoria with the sight of cattle grazing on vast lands. At one point we stopped the car and took photos with the cattle and the pine trees in the background. The photo above was taken while the van is slowing down to give way to a couple of cows crossing the road. To me who was quite tired of the urban sights of Manila, it was a refreshing sight.

Somehow I am glad that the Philippines has preserved this lovely place and I hope it remains this way. This sight is one of the reasons (in addition to island hopping activities) why I love going back to Busuanga Island everytime I have the chance.

Ma-an Gorospe

Miss Universe 2009

the universe's most beautiful,

photo from http://english.rednet.cn/c/2009/08/24/1813506_1.htm

I missed watching the quest for Miss Universe last year(the last one I watched was Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins getting the title) but I am quite lucky I was able to witness this year's final part, the question and answer portion which has been most interesting for me in every beauty contest that I get to watch.

Miss Universe crown, from Miss Venezuela to another Miss Venezuela,

photo from http://english.rednet.cn/c/2009/08/24/1813506.htm

I immediately rooted for Miss Venezuela when I heard her respond to her question with wit, confidence and grace not to mention the lovely face in a stunning gown. Yet at some point I was open to the possibility that Miss Puerto Rico will make it or probably Miss Australia. My companions, who watched the show earlier had their tally sheets and listings in their own notepads but they did not argue with me at all when I said that I'll go for Miss Venuzuela because she's got the big "it". It turned out that from the start, they were all hoping and wishing that their top candidate, Miss Venuzuela will bag the coveted Miss Universe crown.

the top five finalists

photo from http://english.rednet.cn/c/2009/08/24/1813506.htm

Yet all those who made it in the top five can be the Miss Universe as they are all beautiful in the real sense of the word. When the announcement came, I was quite certain that Miss Venezuela will make it when Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Australia were called as runners-up. Me and my companions watched with glee when the outgoing Miss Universe hugged the new one and to their excitement, the crown fell, and picked with grace as if no blunder if could be called like that, happened. It turned out as I found out later, that both the outgoing and the current Miss Universe came from Venezuela. Here is the link on the official news from the Miss Universe website, http://www.missuniverse.com/news/view/44.

And it left me excited to place Venezuela in my wish list for lovely places to visit. I wish I can make it in the next couple of years or so. Going to Bahamas for a holiday would be lovely too.

Hail to the fairest of them all, Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez!

Ma-an Gorospe

Bon Voyage Chrys and Lani

smiling for me with the Philippine map on the background

Today Lani and Chrys, two dear friends whose company I have always enjoyed (and vice versa I hope) , are flying to The Netherlands to pursue postgraduate studies. I have wanted to send them off at the airport but I have to forego this due to an urgent presentation that my supersiror has requested me to do in behalf of the office I am representing. This is one of the downsides of having a five to eight job but at the moment, I cannot complain. I can only wish them a safe trip from Manila and happy arrival to Amsterdam and to the university of their choice.

the farewell party for Chrys and Lani at" my room" the conference room

Well anyway, I wish you well and may you enjoy stepping and listening to the rustling of the leaves as its autumn in there, nice time for arrival and adjustment period, its not as cold and dreary as the coming winter, yet no matter how long and cold the nights of the winter could be, it promises the coming of lovely spring mornings. Now that your turn to explore such lovely place has come, relish it. May you have more happy days than sad ones. Have heaps of fun and be open to many possibilities.

To studies, to love and to life, all the best, cheers, cheers!

Ma-an Gorospe

Villa Angela

Vigan's Villa Angela

Ma-an Gorospe

Tita Cory at Manila Cathedral

bottled water absolutely quenching mourner's thirst, just before noontime

yellow ribbon tied everywhere

flashing the meaningful L sign while approaching the cathedral

familiar sight of nuns where Tita Cory is- in life and in death...

a beaming crowd after paying last respects for Tita Cory

leaving the cathedral at quarter before noontime

happily being photographed with Tita Cory's yellow banner


a man in yellow makes his way to the cathedral

blogger's turn to be photographed with Tita Cory's banner

I also did my farewell to the much loved Tita Cory and such experience will be happily memourable in my lifetime.

Ma-an Gorospe