Gardens of Malasag in Cagayan de Oro

its lovely at the top!

I skipped the white water rafting where Cagayan de Oro City is very popular because aside from my apprehensions, there were only three of us who visited Cagayan de Oro, we were planning to go to Camiguin, the resort island closest to this city.

artwork on indigenous peoples easily noticed upon arrival

A companion has to take a trip to the nearby Butuan City to meet her family who were also visiting the place for a wedding so we have to do some sort of rescheduling. Although we are happy to see the new Shoemart(SM) and Robinson's, pretty popular malls in Manila which has recently been built in Cagayan de Oro, we opted to stroll the native Lim Ket Kai Mall.

preparing for a walk in the garden

While strolling in the Lim Ket Kai Mall, we thought of going for a respite from a mall tour- since a mall is a mall wherever it could be. A kind and pretty staff from the Customer Service gave us instructions on how to get to Gardens of Malasag.

photo shoot with the artworks in the garden

So off we went to Cugman, less than an hour from the downtown boarding a cab and riding the "habal-habal"(a motorcycle with no sidecar, and is quite inconvenient unlike the popular tricycle found in most parts of the country) to go up where the "garden" is. I was quite scared but we were able to sort it out. Regardless of the inconveniences, we were able to reach the place called " Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village".

the hanging bridge i was unable to climb

Among the places that we were able to visit in Cagayan de Oro City, I like the "gardens" the most. I was even dared to walk in the hanging bridge, thank goodness its closed. That afternoon stroll was quite memourable because walking on each street is like discovering something new, as we were unescorted during the walk.

a cottage modelled from the houses of the indigenous peoples

There were friendly "visitors" strolling in the garden, themselves city dwellers who opted to go there for "relaxation". They were kind enough to serve as tour guides, and tried their best to answer our queries. The houses, accordingly are prototypes of the shelter used by indigenous peoples.

it would be lovely to sleep in this cottage for a night or two

If I had more time to spend in this city, I want to sleep in any of the cottages and relish the nature's bounty in a lovely place like this for a night or two. Probably a reason for me to go back? And given my penchant for trying out for the local foods or getting myself a souviner item everytime I visit a place, I asked for the souviner shop. It was fun meeting the women who lovingly did the handbags, one of which- I immediately bagged. There were fashion accesories too, although for the indigenous women, its a day- to- day accessory, a part of their daily garb.

women doing their crafts

Every item in the souviner house looked very colourful and attractive. I wanted to buy a native dress, but gaining a few pounds , the only stock left did not fit me. Another reason to go back.

Truly, I enjoyed my day tour in the Gardens of Malasag. I just hope that the place be maintained to give both Cagayan de Oro dwellers and visitors, both domestic and foreign alike to enjoy their stroll in the gardens. I loved that experience as it was not only communing with nature. Taking a taste of what the gardens can offer would give us a chance to experience their culture given the ample time we've got to spend.

I will be coming back to Cagayan de Oro, probably for the white water rafting, for a day or two in the nearby Camiguin Island and definitely for another visit to Malasag gardens. I hope this time I would have the chance to have a dip in any of the beaches in Cagayan de Oro too.

Divine's Birthday

celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Ox

Today is my kid sister's birthday. I was away along with my father when she was born and although we tried our best to be at my mom's side for the expected date of her birth, we were not able to make it. Taking the plane was not an option because back when the country was not affected by globalisation, my Dad was a small time merchant bringing his wares to Manila and bringing something to sell back home. But my sister's birth was quite memourable for me as a pre-school then because after trying and failing to board as chance passengers for some interisland vessels wanting to go home in time for her birth, we ended up riding a cargo ship. Up to now, I relish that experience- a chance that none of my siblings had, although as children, my parents would also bring them to their summer trips to Baguio.

having heaps of fun in an islet

We were not able to make it for my Mom's due date for child birth and she was already out from my mother's tummy when we arrived. My Dad had a name in mind, Maria Carlota or probably Mary Charlotte, in honour of his Mom(my Dad by the way is a first born of eleven siblings, ten of which has survived) but since she was born on a holy week(thereby leaving my Mom behind for the summer trip) she was named as she is now- "Divine".

willing subjects for my photography

Probably Dad was quite disappointed, and at some point considered to replace her name with what he liked. But Mom insisted that the name that she had chosen for the new baby should remain and let her decide on her own name, if she herself would dislike it- later. Regardless, my Dad was terribly happy because he claimed that by all indications, my kid sister looked every inch like him. Truly she resembled my dad's nose and lips, and she grew up to be a very cute, pretty and lovable girl.

she's got the whole world in her hands!

I grew up as a headstrong and exceptionally naughty girl preferring to stay at home reading my books. In fact, as a toddler, I have already messed up my father's prized possession- his books. Meantime, my kid sister was a great delight to every mother in the neighbourhood, and brought much joy to my mother. As a young girl, Divine was very tiny and pretty and her bedimpled smile has never failed to get anybody's attention. She was a dancer before she became a singer and my mom was so happy to have a daughter that she can probably treat like a doll. She loved dressing my kid sister up and she did not complain at all, she kept on smiling (and did lots of talking) to my Mom's delight. I on the other hand was happier because finally, my Mom have at some point granted my unexpressed wish to be "left alone" as she was continually entertained by another girl in the family.

as the maid-of honour

I had an accident when I did my first stint as a flower girl, playing outside the church while the ceremony was going on where as a member of the wedding entourage, I was expected to stay in front, close to the altar where the wedding ceremony has been taking place. I was taken to a hospital nearby probably disturbing the event with an uncle accompanying my parents. From then on, I was never asked(or probably my Mom refused) to be a flower girl again, ever. But having a kid sister who looked and smiled like a doll has probably given my Mom a lot of reasons to be excited and be proud of. Divine, in her growing up years has never missed a wedding without her as the flower girl. My Mom never refused any request for her to be a flower girl even if that meant she has to accompany her everytime, anyhwere, any day of the year. She was the most sought for and loved flower girl in her time.

with our beautiful and ageless grandmother

Yet my sister did not stop as a very much in demand flower girl. She has always been included in the eighteen candles or the rigodon de honor (dance of eighteen pairs) for the debutant. When she was quite mature for these roles, she was asked to be a bridesmaid or maid-of honour, the latest of which was a couple of months ago. Although she gained considerable weight as a result of her second course studies, her lovely bedimpled smiles have not failed to charm many, both young and old.

the kids call her mommy!

She is biologically younger than me but I think she has become more mature than me in terms of emotional and psychological growth. I was quite busy reading lots of books while she took lots of time to help the family afloat. Since she is the fourth child, my Mom refers to her as the "balancer" as she has always told us that a table or a house will never be balance if it has only three bases. Probably she is correct because although she is a lot younger than us, her elder siblings, one goes to her to ask for some words of wisdom about menial to serious matters. It is also quite funny to note that since we are now living in separate places leading separate lives, she connects us in some ways. She feeds us on the latest news about our parents and other relatives while she patiently listens to our stories. There are times when one sibling needs a favour from the other and all he as to do is tell Divine what he or she needs and Divine will act as the messenger or the facilitator. Of course she has also her own share of successes and failures, strenghts and weaknesses but she has remained what she is to us- the balancer. She is both strict and nurturing like my Mom and very pampering and tolerant like my Dad. She is very sweet and also very straightforward. She may look unfriendly at the start but she can be a great friend who is willing to do anything that she can to make someone happy. My immediate nephews and niece lovingly calls her "Mommy" because she does not hesitate to take care of them and discipline them like a real mother does to her child. On the other hand , I do lots of spoiling to the kids most of the time- probably because I rarely spend time with them as I prefer living much away from everybody doing my own stuff and moving in my own circles. My Counselor whom I regularly talk to around four years ago calls me a "free spirit" and somehow I believe her. Meantime, it is indeed a luxury on my part to be staying at home with my parents for a considerable amount of time.

Perhaps you have not yet realised how important your addition to the family has become. But in many ways than one, your presence in this world has brought a lot of joy to the family- and probably to many others. Happy birthday Divine, three cheers for you!

And when the time that you'll decide that you'll change your name from Divine to someting more spectacular, please let me know. But for now, I think the name Divine is simply sublime. Happy birthday again! Have my birthday hugs and kisses too.

Maline's Birthday

Maline and me along Yarra River

Today, my dear friend, sister, accomplice and a source of inspiration and strength, Maline is celebrating her birthday. In many ways, she has been extra tolerant, kind and loving to me. I have always disliked preparing and giving parties on my own birthday but she took lots of efforts, along with the "batch" to give me a "coming out party" not too long ago, which is extremely memourable to me.

Her birthdays had always been "big" no matter how low profile she tried to be. A lot of people across cultures and ages take time to greet her and celebrate with her on her birthday parties, during the time when we were geographically together, well probably because she is a very charming gal and of course beautiful. Yet what always makes me smile are the memories of our "chill out" times in Subway close to uni and our favourite coffee shop in the Melbourne Central because we can always talk about anything under the sun, laugh at our mistakes and misfortunes and most importantly, understand each other regardless. When her youngest was born, I felt so honoured to be chosen as a godmother among her many friends and although it makes me feel guilty for missing out dear baby Karl's milestones as an absentee godmother, I am sure that Maline understands. I would not let this day pass without wishing her well- and I wish her all the best.

my favourite photo with Maline on a lovely spring morning

Happy birthday, Girl! May all your birthday wishes come true. I am missing you heaps! Meantime, cheers, cheers, cheers! My birthday hugs!

Daddy's Birthday

having a walk at the beach

Today is my Dad's birthday and I realise the many years that he spent his special day without me. I am always not around to celebrate the day of his birth especially when I moved out of the family home many years back.

as a loving father

The last three years was quite special for me because one, I finally made it on his birthday exactly three yeras ago to his delight, two, I have spent Christmas and New Year celebrations with them and stayed a couple of weeks more for my Mom's birthday and three, I have plans of staying withthem for a considerrable amount of time in the next few weeks. I have missed lots of his birthday celebrations but he understood and he did not love me less. He never stopped being concerned about my life and he never ceased praying for me too. Of course he did this to all of us-his children.

with his fountain of joy

When the grandchildren came, I haven't seen him happier. He had waited for the first grandchild to come quite a number of years since my eldest brother got married. When the couple almost lost hope to have a baby- he kept on encouraging them and praying for them, until the first grandchild in the clan was born. He has then become a tremendous source of joy. And when another grandchild came, his joy was doubled and when the third came, oh what a joy tripled. His grandchildren has been his triple delight from then on but does not that mean that he became disinterested in his children's lives-our lives.

as a reluctant subject for my photography, he has always been the photographer

I have seen in him and my mom how the word "selfless" meant- because just like any other parent, they tried their very best to give to us what they can give- and they wanted to give us the best too. I have seen him work very hard, toiling for long hours over the years to be able to grant our wishes and make us not only happy but probably the happiest.

as a doting grandfather...

While Mom nurtured us and tried her best to instill us discipline, hard work and being obedient and God-fearing children the foremost, Dad on the other hand did a lot of pampering probably making a part of us "spoiled rotten" ones, he encouraged us to speak our minds as well. Mom did not spare us the "rod" and punishment while growing up but Dad taught us that there is no harm in using reason and diplomacy in dealing with conflicts.

someone who takes care and to lean on...

As kids, we just have to tell him what we wish for, or want to have and he would try his mighty best to give it/them to us as soon as possible. Alternately, he would teach us to be patient enough and learn to wait. Mom did the balancing- by telling us that we cannot have everything we want anytime we wish we have them. But then again, Dad always provides us the inspiration and the hope to go for our dreams by giving his all-out support. Sometime in his life he has ventured in politics because a lot has believed he can help more people as he has advanced in his age doing his own part in community service, but he is probably not just into it. He enjoyed teaching but now he thinks he is quite old for it and is now focused in community service. Now the thing he enjoyed the most is pampering his grandchildren and he is again looking forward when my brother would bring a couple of them for a summer vacation at their lolo(grandfather) and lola's(grandmother's) farm house. The quiet house will surely be filled with lots of banter and laughter again.

Happy Birthday Daddy! May God grant more years in your life as you keep on relishing life as a grandfather. May you stay healthy and up to be able to keep up with your grandchildren's energy. I am sure they will not get bored listening to your numerous stories because I and probably my siblings have always looked forward for the storytelling sessions that we once had and I would not mind having them again when I come home for a long stay soon.

Clouds at Sunken Garden

clouds close to the main library

Very recently, I rediscovered joy of simply sitting in the Sunken Garden at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. I have favourite acacia trees -a couple of them, one is close to the the College of Education and on the other side, close to the Malcolm Theare in the College of Law.

clouds under my favourite tree in front of Malcolm

As compared to the crowded malls not too far away, the Sunken Garden is a nice place to catch up reading a good book, write a journal, or simply do cloud watching. A month ago, I am quite sure this area has been full of people across cultures and ages, joining the students celebrate the annual " February Fair". I had a great time watching the bands on Valentine's day a year ago and enjoyed the festive mood that this fair brings yearly to the UP community and friends .

clouds with the branches of an acacia tree

I enjoyed sitting at my favourite acacia tree, refreshed and relaxed with only my camera in tow. It was around 9 in the morning and after staying for around an hour, I saw clouds in almost immaculate white prettily moving in the blue skies. I was hoping that one of the ice cream vendors would pass by so I can relish their home made ice cream, but when I saw these clouds and took nice photos, I was content.

Lotus Flower

Beatriz' Birthday

gamely striking a pose for her photographer- me!

Today is Beatriz' birthday. Following Nancy's lead, I started calling her Georgina immediately after our Palawan trip almost a couple of years ago for a reason that probably, only the three of us know. I haven't greeted her yet so I am celebrating her life by posting her happy faces in the lovely places that we have been.

As an ordinary mortal, she is far from perfect and she has her strengths and weakneses like all humans are. What I find really admirable is her very close relations to her children, grandchildren and her staff at home and at work. She is capable to adjust across cultures, and generations too. Personally, I find her really cool. Interestingly, we share the love for a simple life, yet enjoying to dress up at times( although she dresses up more often than me), love for the beach, forest and nature in general. Further, we we both express our points of view about anything as straightforward as we can. For this, she is always criticised and misunderstood while I am quite lucky for being tolerated and understood, sometimes to the point of amusing others.

choosing fashion accesories in busuanga airport prior to our flight back to manila, photo by Nancy

Although I grew up exposed to my Dad's love for photography, I did not attempt to tinker with his cameras and just enjoyed appreciating the photos that he took. Its my younger sisters who enjoyed using the SLR models that my Dad has used as early as their preschool years. My first trip to Busuanga Islands and our island hopping in the Coron Islands, both found in Palawan, Philippines have reawakened that interest in me.

feeding the giraffee in Calauit island while Nancy shares the fun

Next to my professor and adviser in UP Diliman who told me that I take nice photos in 2003, Beatriz rediscovered my talent in photography and encouraged me to go for it. When my film editor turned filmmaker friend saw the photos that I took on that trip in Palawan, she encouraged me to take more photos, and so I did.

getting ready for a walk to discover the beauty of Calauit Island

I read photography literature, watched photoexhibits whenever I have the chance and continued taking photos. Looking and rereading the supposedly nice and great essays that I have written about any topic including the controversial ones in the culture that I am in like abortion, euthanasia and artificial reproduction-have given me some sense of pride and some sort of fulfillment, but looking at the photos that I have taken brings me happiness to a different dimension. It is a joy twice over when I hear kind compliments about my photos. Georgina was not only generous in appreciateing the photos that I have taken, she takes time to show around these photos as well.

stopping by to have a photo taken with this tree

Meantime, she also rediscovered and enjoyed her talent in painting. Considering all the highs and lows that she had, and probably is going through, the latest of which is his husband's battle with a complicated illness, I have seen her inner strength and quiet grace to face it all. As photography has tremendously helped me to focus in more beautiful things in life, painting gave her a lot of strength in facing life's adversities. And despite of all the trials that this life can bring, we can still enjoy and be thankful and look forward for the coming of each new day. More than she ever probably know, I have been learning lots of life's lessons from her by listening to her stories and watching her live her own life despite some odds which I think is pretty normal in this world that we are still in.

All said, I think it is quite fitting that she is celebrating her birthday on the day the whole world is marking the International Women's Day, the 8th of March.

Happy birthday Georgina! May all your birthday wishes come true! And may you keep enjoying life whatever it may bring you.