21 June 2011

Thought of the Day

The bad things we do to other people, are the very things we would hate someone do to us.

I wouldn't want to be rejected, but I do reject some people I don't feel like engaging with.
You wouldn't want to be talked about at your back, but you do talk about others at their back, and even feel good about it.
You hate it when people touch your things without asking your permission, but you sometimes find yourself using your friend's things without informing them.

make sure what you give is what you'd like to come back to you.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."
                                                             - Matthew 7:12

20 June 2011

The Beginning, really.

I am ready to take on a new challenge! It's been weeks since I started this blog. Reading other people's blog and hearing about some popular blogs, I felt I had to meet some sort of standard. Some blogs are about food and food reviews; some blog about their travels; and there are those blogging about the artists they idolize. So I started with my own exploits. Just a brief introduction about my wandering feet and a quest to find some sense of adventure.

The truth is, I struggled with that posted blog about my adventures. With so many places and so many pictures to choose from (knowing my entry would look more like facebook if I post every kodak moment), it just took a while to get posted. I made revisions, making sure it's acceptable and appealing, missing the point that a blog is a personal journal with reflections. It's subject to public eyes and criticism and opinions and comments. It's a risk you'll have to take (and that's me, being serious and cautious).

So what made me take the step to continue blogging, just when I got tired of it and felt quite lazy about it (with all the fuz of choosing the right words an considering the people who might stumble upon this page)? Minutes before the decision was made, I watched Julie and Julia. Yeah, it's about blogging. Watched it on HBO jusT minutes ago. I realized bloggers feel accountable to the possible readers, and are expectant of comments and "likes" from other people. Now, it's not just about fame and the pride you feel knowing you have followers, fans even. It's about sharing a bit of yourself, for the benefit of the readers; and being vulnerable.

I have always wanted to be able to write a book an have it published in the near future. And for those who have the same dream as mine, this is a good venue for practice!

I'll be blogging about my exploits, random thoughts, dreams and visions, and what I'm learning from the Best Teacher. No. Not experience, nor a parent or friend. God.

Express yourself! Don't be afraid! Take risks, and pictures, too! Take chances!
We only have one life to live. Don't keep it to yourself! Share it!

07 June 2011

Pahiyas Festival 2009


San Isidro, Lucban, Quezon


This has to be one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines. It is the farmers' thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest with a grand display of colorful rice wafers, fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts adorning every house in the town. Each house tries to outdo each other in decorations in an annual competition as they vie for the honor of being recognized for their creativity. After the competition is over and the awards are handed over to the owners of the winning house, the decorations of the house will be thrown away to the huge flock of people as free treats. For the other houses, after the festival, those kipings that were used as decorations are cooked and eaten as rice chips.


We took lots of pictures, gate crashing into houses just to get the perfect shot. The hospitality of every homeowner was awesome. Even when there is a family reunion going on, if you ask permission to get to their upstairs room or veranda just to peek out for your friend to take a picture of you with the house design, you will be gladly welcomed. They won't mind! Haha!
 We ate the famous pansit hab-hab

Watched the parade of Carabaos, and men and women dressed in gowns and suits made of native materials

While you're in Lucban, you may as well try Salud's Halo-halo and buy Lucban Longaniza.

Before we went to the Pahiyas Festival, we made a few stop-overs. We went to Liliw, Laguna, where there's a street filled with shoe stores at affordable prices.
And we also went to eat in Palaisdaan. I can't recall the exact set of menu we ordered, but i do remember the mango salad.