Daaaaaaaddy!

It's already a year. So fast, how time flies.. I have lots of things to tell you. First, Sports. That's one of our discussion topics (aside from your political commentaries). I have great news for you. We have a good year for our sports.

Pacquaio got his 8th World title and that's a first in history! Antonio Margarito got a taste of Pacman's powerful punches. And that made Mayweather afraid; the coward doesn't want to tarnish his 'undefeated' record because Pacman will surely work his magic on him. Django Bustamante won the World Pool Championship. And just last Sunday, Nonito Donaire knocked his opponent down in the 2nd round. Watta beautiful game. Soccer has become a new sports craze too. Thank God, this world sports is having its rebirth here. But I bet you still won't like soccer. You can't play last two with it. Hehe
How I wish you're here. Oooh how I miss watching these games with you.
I sorely miss you. :(

February is not only about cupids and cut-out hearts. February is Arts Month. And I'm thrilled when Sir Ricky de Ungria informed us that Davao is one of the sponsors of the Philippine International Arts Festival (PIAF). The third Cinema Rehiyon showcases different indie films from all over the country. And I'm looking forward to watch movies made by Mindanaoans.

Yesterday, I had my rest day. and what's the best way to have a ME, MYSELF and I time? By 1:30pm, I'm off for a movie date. Cinema 6 at Gaisano Mall is already closed. The movie already starting. Good thing Chi was there.:)
It was already the narrative of Lola Candida (the director's grandmother) on the Equifrilibricum World Religion's founder Dr. Hilario Camino Moncado. Ang Panagtagpo Sa Akong Mga Apohan (The Day My Grandmothers Met) documents the perspective of the female Moncadista members. it's a visual journey of narratives-- of looking at Limao and Babak Island and the rich history of the Moncadistas. Some may say it's a cult. Universal Religion is what they profess.

Malaya Camporedondo with her sleeping baby.

(backstory: When I entered the cinema, I stood just near the entrance first. A Madonna with a pixie cut and her child is standing also. The baby's trying to hold me. I took his/ her (not sure of the baby's sex)hand coo with this adorable baby.Only to find out it's the director herself. hehe and her partner Kabunyan de Guia (for reel and real! )

Next short film is Sherad Anthony Sanchez' Balangay. Sanchez is the multi-awarded director of Huling Balyan ng Buhi. Balangay tackles Ata- Manobo's displacement due to military and NPAs clash in Davao del Norte. While it has several serious matters to discuss- displacement, peace situation, poverty and intervention from NGOs, the prolonged silence narrative made the audience very uncomfortable. I don't know if that is one of the director's goal, but it is effective in making the audience raise question. What is the relevance of the collective memories and personalities as if they're floating in scenes? The movie is very aural. The silence? We are not used to it. it makes us unsettled. Homelessness. Poverty. and Cracking up (craziness). Davao old airport provides a very good backdrop on this. BUt some scenes are quite dragging. The media person provided comic relief but has become irritating. A character nurse (?)/ saleslady's role is blurry; a character that comes in and ends with no explanation. Sherad respects everyone's opinion on his supposedly "secret" movie. He respects every audience experience. Including dozing off while watching this. :)

Halaw's Sheron Dayoc, Zurich Chan of Boca and their staff, crew and actors/ actresses


Boca's expensive actress! The main tease.

Comes next are two short films.
I love Boca (Mouth) by Zurich Chan. Charlemangne Alejandro's working his ass as a letter/ catalogue sender. A chain smoker with no direction until he found The One who will change his life forever. Short yet very cinematic. And yeah hearing Chavacano on the big screen is just sweet. It reminds me of Pedro Almodóvar.

Un Diutay Mundo (Small World)by Ana Carlyn Lim's is a sad story of Kafka locked in his room. She wanted to share his story but she was silenced even before she wrote about this nine-year old boy. Quite sad and brutal way to end it.

The day's feast is Halaw (way of the Sea). Sheron Dayoc and his team has great eyes for details. No wonder this film is making rounds in various international film festivals. :) The young child played by Arnalyn Ismael is a breather. Natural child actress. She reminds me of another indie film child Rebecca Lusterio. Halaw chronicles the lives of Filipinos who crosses Sabah in search of greener pasture and good life. Unemployment. Prostitution. Women and child trafficking. Smuggling.the central government that is not felt in the island provinces. To whom should they rely? Lives that intertwined. Recruiters and boatmen, the villagers from nearby islands that thrives on this business. An open secret that nobody dares to ask.

I really wanted to watch Sheika and Limbunan but the organizers begged us to give chance to the waiting students (there's a long line outside!). I had my share of the light and besides stomach is already growling. And Korean food is waiting with my pre- valentine dinner dates! :)

P.S. You might ask who is Alexis. Alexis Tioseco is one young movie critic and a strong advocate of Philippine independent film making. Him discussing film to Carlos J. Caparas will remain in my memory. He is a good listener and forms solid ideas about the topic. He explains well despite Caparas' lack of listening and comprehension ability.




But he had gone too soon. It's his 30th birthday today. I know he'll be delighted to see indie films thriving. Winning awards here and abroad. But he hopes for more avenue for the local populace to appreciate indie films. And Cinema Rehiyon is just one of the ways of bringing cinema diversity. Don't worry Alexis. What you believe in will continue. I hope you're here to witness it. again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALEXIS!

Time, invaluable time, has an incredible way of outpacing speed and outdating people and events.

Suddenly the cuddlesome infant, initially dependent on another human being for material and emotional nourishment, grows into the awkward adolescent and matures into the individual who either dilly- dallies with time or perpetually races with it, cramming a 60- hour activity into a 24- hour daily existence. What is today’s current events would soon fade into the old to become ancient history to be occasionally remembered as a point of reference. The bright, shining sun of a moment ago may turn into romantic twilight or gentle rain or splashing storm, to be soon quickly forgotten after it has gone and be appreciated once more only upon its recurrence.



Time is so fleeting, mercurial at leisure, that one either rides along to achieve a sense of relevance or personal accomplishments or both or lags behind from incompatibility with speed and its attendant pressure.



Time may continuously fray already worn- out nerves, alter set goals and priorities, advance a future project into premature fruition, outgrow insecurities and broaden personal perspectives, crystallize hopes and wishes into raw realities.



How often do Mondays swiftly breeze into Fridays, when only yesterday, it seemed one was sluggishly brushing off the sleepy daze of the weekend, frenetically growing into the hectic momentum that signals the excitement of the end of yet another work week or school days?



We welcome the New Year with contagious enthusiasm, sometimes with sadness to see a good year go by or with blue- blooded optimism that the new one would usher in better prospects for success and happiness. Then the months would outrace each other and before one has completely shed off the memories of the yuletide interlude, Christmas would approach sneakily with all its good tidings and festive spirit which eventually would mean the close of another year and the birth of still another.



The conservative 50’s made way for the swinging 60’s which in turn, brought about the tumultuous 70’s. Every decade has a story, a trademark, a character, a uniqueness in the annals of history. In the nostalgic moods of the present, one looks back, gazes into the past with either relief or nonchalance, but delves deeper for reasons learned while shrugging off the memories as merely a part of the " good old days.”



As actual personal experiences would bear out, time is an all too important Master that demands outmost punctuality and has no patience to wait for latecomers, whether prince or pauper. We reached this compromise from the very start and may have either disciplined ourselves into never taking the hours of every day for granted, or forever found ourselves tardy in meeting life’s many deadlines. We may seem to be taking our own sweet time in savoring the various irresponsible pleasures that come along the way, sometimes sacrificing the more urgent expectations demanded in the name of responsibility. Then just when time seems to be running short, we impatiently squeeze the hours into minutes, the years into days, in an attempt to catch up and make up for the hapless oversight. Some may make it right on record time to the finish line fulfilled, exultant if rather breathless. But the unfortunate others may gasp from the strenuous, unrelenting pressures, nevertheless failing to reach the goal due to time constraint or sheer short- sighted performance.



The born marathoners among us may find ourselves consistently ahead of the race but in our serious involvement to satisfy the essentials to become our society’s accomplished achievers, we may have neglected the little, cheerful diversions that make world an amiable battlefield. In our scurrying rash to get there, to arrive and be counted, we may have slipped the pleasurable phases of our lives and would now have to make an abrupt about- face in order to complete the cycle. Those of us in this predicament should count our blessings for, compared to the late bloomers, we are a great leap ahead in the human endurance contest.



So life is a merciless, time- dictated jungle, a breath- taking quest for the “survival of the fittest.” Indeed, it is – and a lot more besides. It is a long, tedious process of struggling for identity, purpose and attainment. It is a perpetual perfunctory trial- and- error promenade— for in this world, WHO is perfectly precise?— geared towards the genuine esteem of that glorious moment of eureka, when man finally comes to terms of him/herself.



LIFE despite its ultimate aim for meaning revolves around the enjoyment of every minute of our waking hours, blending hard work with stolen moments of fun, so that in twilight one may proudly acknowledge that s/he has truly lived a well- balanced existence. So that when the battle is over and he/ she sits complacently to assess his/ her accomplishments, there would be no frantic cause to rush back and catch up on the seemingly insignificant, aimless motions that nonetheless contribute to the enhancement and appreciation of living. Catching up may be a dispensable whim one may forego or pursue, however, it directs one where he/ she may have done better or may have experienced the necessary deviation from the serious burden of responsibilities. If only for those reasons, catching up becomes not merely a futile, frivolous frolic, but a goal in itself. Another essential absorption to find more profound meaning.

Road Journal ng Batang Lakwatsera


October 27


I am looking for Diego and Swiper. Will you join the adventure? :)

I had packed by bags a day before since I spent the night with my friends. At 10:30 AM at Davao international airport, my immediate supervisor Ate Elvie had just arrived from her Belgium trip. We no longer have enough time to meet so while she’s waiting for her luggage, we had our short program meeting. Updates and little chitchat with her trip. And as promised, she gave me the Belgian chocolates. Sweet.

At the waiting lounge, I’ve met Anna, 21 years old on her first plane trip. Her first trip outside her hometown and alone. She’s going to Zamboanga to meet their ‘recruiter’- direct hiring for Malaysia, she said. She doesn’t know about the check-in policies and the hand-carry baggage. She checked-in her only back pack with all of her valuables inside not knowing she can bring it along. All she was holding was her ticket and ID. I don’t know if the direct hiring for Malaysia is true. As our talk progressed, she shared that there are six of them going to Zamboanga, coming from different areas of Mindanao and Visayas, and they will be going to Malaysia (through backdoor, most likely). She’s telling me she’s doing it because she wanted to help her family, that she is not paying anything for her employment. She sees her recruiter as a savior who'll help her in her dreams of helping her family. But how many times have we heard of Filipinos, majority are women and children given promises of employment and good life? Most are from the far flung barrios who only wanted the best for their families but tricked into prostitution? These thoughts were floating on my head as the PA system calls their flight. She bid goodbye smiling. I asked her to pray and be vigilant, that the work abroad may or may not be high paying. I pray for her safety.

"How many Anna’s do we need to lose? When will be the time of sending out OFWs will no longer be the option for employment? *sigh*

By 2pm, I arrived at NAIA and Brod Wani fetched me with his motorcycle. I never tried riding a motorcycle in the traffic metro. Brod Wani is my official sundo and ticket buyer. He bought the bus ticket early reservation as it’s already nearing the long holidays. I had the 4pm bus. No more time to recharge. It’s raining hard and we finally decided for my health’s sake, I I need to take the cab going to Alimall than insist on riding the cool motorcycle. I was already starving , and after putting my luggage at my designated I decided to buy some food at Dunkin Donuts. The service crew is excruciatingly sloooooooow. When I went back, the bus was no longer there! I was about to panic, then the conductor from the nearby bus pointed at the gate. Great, just great.

A nice start for my first 12-hour straight bus travel.
We had our three strops at San Pablo, Laguna, another town in Laguna ( I forgot to ask since I was already too sleepy) and in Naga City.

October 28.

I arrived at 4AM in Daraga. My sister is excited to see me. She’s still awake when I texted her to fetch me. It’s drizzling. I slept until 9am. By 10am, my sister and I went to Albay Capitol. And I was surprised (more of annoyed) that my sister doesn’t know where the Capitol is! Imagine she lived her for a year or two already and she haven’t explored the area. Unbelievable. One thing we need to do is explore the area where we live. We must know our own city/town/ province. Well, I am quite guilty of this when some friends wanted to visit my hometown, I could not advise them what's the best place to visit. So I started knowing and learning more about my town. For instance, I am surprised to know that people from South Cotabato has NEVER been able to go and visit Lake Sebu. We aim to visit other places to explore yet we never explore our very own provinces. One important trait is to be tourists and tourist guides of our places. We have to learn what our province has to offer. AND we have to learn the history of our place.

So for my trip here, it’s I and my sister who will be seeing the things/places for the first time! Before coming here, I read an article in Sunstar about Bicol and the places to visit and I wrote them down. The first place I wanted to see is the Magayon Art Gallery at the lobby of Albay Capitol. Much to my dismay, not much paintings were left on exhibition.

Then to prepare for my itineraries, I went to the City Tourism office to ask for a map (even though I don’t know how to read a map) like what most foreign tourists do. At the back of the tourism office is the Museum and Library.



The battle of Legazpi mural welcomes the guest. I love going to museums to know the history of the place we visited but sadly, we do not have a good custom in preservation. Like in Butuan, the unearthed balanghai was left scattered around. These are bits and pieces of our being a nation, a part of our proud past yet it remained just a remnant. But unlike in Butuan where there is a very passionate museum curator who explains what the materials being exhibited are, Legazpi Museum is just a storehouse of old things but with no historical explanation of its relevance in the making of the province. Except for the fact that Gen. Paua and Vito Belarmino, the historical figures I was memorizing before are Bicolanos (they might be good lovers, perhaps?hehe) led the Battle of Legazpi against the Spaniards.

October 29



I woke up early. Despite the drizzle, I jogged to Daraga Church and marvel at the majestic view of Mayon. Mt. Mayon is indeed Daragang Magayon (Beautiful maiden) that enchants every tourist looking at it. The Daraga church is made of Baroque architecture and is now undergoing renovation. It is one of a kind historical site and these old churches are the influences of our Spanish colonizers. You will be amazed by the stone details at the belfry. Daraga Church was constructed as another place for worship when the Cagsawa Church was buried after the 1814 eruption. The church is being renovated but I’m afraid it will be cemented and lose its unique design. I was told that it must obtain the permit from the National Historical Institute’s permit and the city permit but the parish failed to do so.

While jogging around the church, I met the Living Asia crew filming the area.. They were guided by Mr. Luis Santos from Legazpi Vice Mayor’s office. He asked me where I came from. I tol him I'm from South Cotabato. And the perennial question was asked. "Muslim ka?" Ugh.It's not that I do not like being called as Muslim but it just shows how Mindanao is being defined by religion and the connotations associated with the word. So I have to explain a little of geography and Mindanao history. That Mindanao is a big island rich in natural resources and it has no single religion. Then one of the crew of Living Asia joined us and asked me what I was doing in Bicol. To explore the place. I told him, And probably apply in Living Asia. haha! I want his job. :D

October 30

It’s raining hard since last night. I didn’t make the planned jogging to Lignon Hill. I just slept, and watched the TV the whole day together with my nephew. Such a couch potato!

October31


Jogging to Lignon Hill. It’s like hiking to top of Shrine Hills in Matina with the breathtaking view of Mayon.



Then by 10AM, my sister, Nonoy my nephew and I went to Cagsawa Church. I am amazed by the children/ tour guide who know the tricks in picture taking. They are the masters of perspective photography!


L-R. Jomar (10 years old), Loida (12 y.o) and Agua (11 y.o)



November 1

I was kind of bored. It’s raining hard again and my feet itches. I want to travel. My sister cannot accompany me in long travels. She’s eight-month pregnant already. So I decided to pack my bag and took the bus. Where to? To Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC)! The famous watersports complex manned by the provincial government and where Aga Muhlach is a regular 'wakeboarder' (are they called as such? hehe)

All I know is CWC is at Pili, Camsur but I forgot to tell the conductor to help me out. I fell asleep and before I knew it, I was already in Naga City! Great. So I have to take the bus again back to Pili. But I was never afraid. I was laughing knowing how fool I was. At this time, I keep on badgering the conductor to drop me off at CWC.

CWC is a huge complex within the Provincial Capitol. There are many foreigners and families enjoying the holiday, trying to balance on the plank of wood (sorry I'm not good at describing this sports). I took the beginner’s ride and was told to try the neophyte’s lessons at Wynch Park. So together with Aldrin, April and Trixie (my new acquaintances from Manila) we took the shuttle and tried the lessons. Wakeboarding looks easy but boy, it’s difficult to keep your balance on water on a board with huge slip-on slippers. Our group were laughing hard because we cannot make it up to the end. So we lowered our goal of even making it just at the middle yet we could not make it! After 4 try-outs still semplang!























Then there was this group of foreigners, ‘professional wakeboarders’, who approached Kuya Angelo, the operator that they wanted to use the nearby place to play. But they didn’t make any prior arrangements so they have to wait for the next day. But they keep on insisting that they are professionals and they want to have an exclusive use of the ‘pool’. If they can’t open the other pool, they are asking to use our pool instead. The nerve to demand! One parent was pissed off. He told them off to follow the procedure and they do not own the place. And they cannot demand to use our pool since we are customers too. The gall of the 'professionals'! tsk!


It’s already 4pm. I initially planed to spend the night in Camsur but I am having second thoughts. CWC’s cabana houses are quite expensive. So I decided to go back to Daraga, Albay and passed by Nabua, Camsur’s Church instead. I saw from one album of a friend in FB that the stained glass are quite amazing. It's good to end the day at the church. But traveling back, there were many people coming home from the cemetery and it started to rain again. I decided not to stop at Nabua. Then I realized, I could have went to Naga City and spent the night there and visit the old churches. However, the time (read: MONEY!) was too limited.

My sister was shocked I went home since I told her that I’ll be on a road trip. But hell, I still have many things to buy. My boss just texted me for an abaca bag with specification. Haha!


November 2


I went back to Cagsawa Ruins just walking from Daraga to Camalig! Beat that! I thought it's just near. I have to be physically active since I am eating a lot! I love anything that has coconut milk and Bicol’s food just suites my palate. I am devouring any food. And oh, if you decided to drop by Bicol, try Graceland’s bestseller- Special Bicol Express. It will just cost you P79 for a taste of heaven. 




























I bought abaca bags, sandals, chili cellphone accessory, and t-shirts as pasalubongs for friends and bosses. Then, I went all by myself to Kapuntukan Hill and Embarcadero. Kapuntukan Hill also known as the Sleeping Lion (aerial view) is being developed like Manila's Baywalk. Embarcadero (Spanish word for embark) is a mall like the Mall of Asia (MOA). This place is good for jogging and for lovers. :D




View of Mayon from Embarcadero.


November 3

It’s my ate’s birthday! And she woke up at the wrong side of the bed. I planned to jog around Embarcadero and take a snapshot of Mt. Mayon and buy flowers and cake as a surprise for her. But the night before, my nephew’s yaya did not come back and my ate’s mad. So it’s bad start of the day and I am tasked to be the yaya for the day. What a wonderful way to start my last day here!

Later in the evening, she decided she would not be affected. We had our shared dinner together with the neighbors and relatives of her husband.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SISTER! You know how much I LOVE YOU! =)





November 4

Travel back to Manila. My flight from Legazpi- Manila was delayed for about 30minutes. I met Mrs. Maria Teresa Anson, a widow who loves to travel. She just went home to Legazpi to visit her husband’s grave then she’ll be going to Bangkok to her eldest daughter to help care for her grandchildren. We had a long talk about enjoying youth, traveling and loving oneself. She told me to find a partner who shares my love for exploring new places. I will Ms. Anson. I hope I can write a good love story just like yours. :)



As we were about to board, there was this couple who went first at the line. My seatmate tapped by shoulder and whispered, ‘di ba artista yan? Si Mateo?” I looked up from my the book I’m reading, their backs on me so I can’t say for sure so I just shrugged. Falling line, that’s where I had a good look and the couple previously pointed out is Maja Salvador and Mateo Guidecilli. I love Mateo before when he's still on the race track. He seems out-of-reach. As one friend said, "mas mailap, mas nakakaexcite." haha!


My flight back to Davao is at 7pm and I arrived at NAIA 3 at 1230pm. I have a long 5-hour waiting period. Good thing, Nina Quibod came all the way from Laguna and accompanied me in killing time.




She decided not to work just to be with me. As she said,"Madaling kitain ang pera, ang totoong kabigan mahirap makita" (It's easy to earn money, but difficult to find a true friend). aawww! Such a sweet friend. 







My flight got delayed by an hour and half. I arrived in Davao at around 10:30PM. Just opened my phone and there were two invitations to party. I don’t want to favor one party and I am suffering from cough and colds. After dropping off my luggage at my place, I went to Radiance Massage for ventosa and whole body massage. And the masseuse and I were laughing every time the cups on my back were removed. So many ‘air’. That’s the price I have to pay for being such a lakwatsera. 






If I have to summarize my whole trip in photo(s), it ends to this:



My Plane tickets and the ventosa massage! =)

I miss writing. I miss the taste of the words forming up my tongues, the energy flowing to my fingers as I type and sees it on screen. I miss words to fill up the void. I miss writing for pleasure. It has been a long time that I wrote for pleasure. Words has become my comfort when I lost my lola and granddad. Words are my solace.


I stopped writing on my notebook. I'm afraid I am losing the energy to capture what I feel. I wanted to write more about my travels, my observations yet it seems work has become an interference instead of being the source of inspiration. I am pushing myself to write more. I will be flirting with words again.