On vacation

@mirandablue

In case you're wondering, I'm still on vacation...breathing in the sweet, juicy air of Negros.  See you in two weeks!

An afternoon in Tambuli

@ mirandablue

I was in Cebu last week for a bit of work and some RnR.  We finished work early one afternoon so I joined my friends who were staying at Tambuli Beach Club in Mactan. The kids were having a wonderful time jet-skiing with their dad, mom was the designated photographer between our girl talk and snacking on pancit (noodles) and club sandwich.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

A variety of boats entertained us as they pass our line of  vision.  Being an archipelago of 7,100 plus islands, different kinds of sea vessels are the usual mode of transportation around the Philippines especially when travelling on short distances (less than 4 hours).  Larger ships and Ro-Ro's (Roll-on-Roll-off) provide ample cargo space for personal vehicles on board---it's a convenient way to travel from one province to the next.  Outrigger boats bring passengers to the nearby islands, and bancas are usually used by local fishermen.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

Posted for My World-Tuesday and Ruby Tuesday

On the road [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

The dirt road to Kapurpurawan rock formations in Ilocos Norte---a three-kilometer unpaved road that led us to the rugged coast of Burgos, and the amazing sight of the white rock formations.

We were on the road for about 4 hours from the city of Vigan, and we were ecstatic when we finally reached this bridge.  A few minutes from our final destination---the white beaches of Pagudpud.

@ mirandablue

"I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road." ~ Stephen Hawking

And here's one of Metro Manila's major roads, EDSA, on a Monday morning.  This is approaching the tunnel at the intersection of EDSA and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Photo Hunt

A parade at sunset

@ mirandablue

Big brother towing the smaller boats as they were going out to sea.

Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there.  ~Virginia Burden

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Shrimps with cashew nuts

@ mirandablue

Show me a menu and I would instinctively check out the seafood section first.  And 90% of the time, I would order a shrimp dish.  Yes, I am that predictable when it comes to shrimps.  I am probably Bubba Gump's soul sister.:p

Enjoy this stir-fried shrimps with celery, carrots, cucumber julienne and cashew nuts.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Punta Bulata: Kids at the beach

@ mirandablue

Two kids at the beach before sunset...picking up pebbles, shells and other treasures.  This scene evokes childhood memories---of an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the afternoons were filled with fragrance of roasted coffee, fried saba [banana] and burning leaves.

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Thursday 2 Questions

@ mirandablue

For Thursday 2 Questions - you are invited to answer and join.


1.  What are the smells of your childhood?

• i always associate the aroma of coffee with childhood. Probably because my grandmother roasted coffee and coffee was always brewing in her kitchen.  Burning leaves, freshly mown grass, Vicks VapoRub, fresh laundry (before the age of fabric conditioner, when towels and blankets smelled like  summer sun), baby powder.

2.  What was your favorite place when you were a child?

• i was always climbing trees---i loved hanging out on the branches of a guava or aratiles  tree (Jamaican cherry, Muntingia) in front of our house.  probably the reason why i love being on the roof top, or any elevated places. 

P.S.  I will be out of town for two days..will catch up when I get back.  Thank you for stopping by.

Red Passion Flower

@ mirandablue

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive.  And then go and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.  ~Attributed to Howard Thurman

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Trees [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

It was August when I visited the University of Washington in Seattle more than a year ago, and there were beautiful trees all over the campus.  These two are among my favorite photos of that visit.

@ mirandablue

This row of ancient acacia trees led us to the gates of Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Eco-Zone.

@ mirandablue

Alone with myself

The trees bend to caress me

The shade hugs my heart.

~ Candy Polgar

Posted for Photo Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Kingdao Spareribs Salad

@ mirandablue

There was some gentle arm-twisting before I agreed to order this Kingdao Spareribs Salad at Hong Kong Emperor Seafood Restaurant in MoA.  With a wide selection in the menu, there were lots of seafood dishes to order but my pork-loving-friend needed her fix.  But I was pleasantly surprised at the first bite---the spareribs were crunchy outside, it's tender and tasty inside.  I also like the sweet sauce and the lightly drizzled Japanese mayo.  Not a bad choice, after all.:p


To celebrate with the rest of the Friday food-trippers, I checked my tags and this is my 88th FTF post.  My first FTF  was posted on May 22, 2009.  Now that's quite a lot of food.  No wonder I keep on gaining weight!*LOL*

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Punta Bulata: Poignant in its simplicity

@ mirandablue

Una sa lahat, congratulations sa mga bumubuo sa Litratong Pinoy---tatlong taon na tayo, mga kapatid!  Tinataas ko ng tasa ng aking kape para sa ating lahat. Cheers!

At dahil freestyle tayo ngayong Huwebes, pagpapatuloy ko ang mga silhouettes na kuha ko sa dalampasigan ng Punta Bulata.  Makulimlim ang langit at akala ko babagsak ang malakas na ulan.  Pero nakisama naman ang panahon, umambon lang ng konti at nanatiling nakatago ang araw.  Nagpakita lang ng kanyang ginintuang kinang nang ito'y palubog na.  

Halata bang mahilig ako sa silhouettes?  Sinasabi natin o naririnig, "ang ganda, simple lang pero maganda."  Ganyan ang palagay ko sa silhouettes---nakikita ako ang kagandahan ng mga simpleng bagay. Walang maraming kulay na gumugulo sa paningin.  Isa itong malikhaing paraan para maisalarawan ang drama, misteryo at iba't ibang lawak ng ating damdamin. Ano sa tingin mo?:p

@ mirandablue

First of all, my congratulations to the Litratong Pinoy team---it's been a wonderful and interesting three years!  I'm raising my coffee cup to all participants of this weekly photo challenge.  Cheers!

To celebrate the 3rd anniversary, we're free to post whatever we like.  So I continue with the series of silhouettes I took at the shores of Punta Bulata. It was a cloudy afternoon, and  I was expecting a downpour. But nature was kind...it drizzled and the sun stayed hidden behind the clouds all afternoon.  It showed its golden brilliance at sunset.

Obviously, I love silhouettes. Our eyes are used to the colors of everyday life that when we see light and darkness, it evokes a whole range of emotions, drama and mystery.  I believe that silhouette photography is a creative way to convey the beauty of simplicity. What do you think?

@ mirandablue

For Thursday 2 Questions - you are invited to answer and join:


1)  How do you deal with new ideas?

• I embrace new ideas, have fun playing with ideas, and enjoy the controversial ones.  Everything is possible.:p

2)  What stresses you out?

• Expectations, deadlines, doctor consultations, early morning flight, sickness in the family, slow internet connection, bumper-to-bumper traffic, waiting

Punta Bulata: Silhouettes

@ mirandablue

"Life is like a good black and white photograph, there's black, there's white, and lots of shades in between."

~ Karl Heiner

@ mirandablue

Shades of grey wherever I go

The more I find out the less I know

Black and white is how it should be

But shades of grey are the colors I see.

~ Billy Joel

@ mirandablue

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Flying high [Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

Flags and kites in different colors were flying high at Clark field in late February during the 3-day Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.  The sky was blue then it turned cloudy in the afternoon.  It didn't rain but it was hot and humid and all I wanted was an ice-cold drink and a siesta.

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday hosted by Mary/The Teach

Closed [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

When you live in a small island, how close do you wanna get to your next-door neighbor?  Would you agree to a closed relationship? :p

Location:  Near Anhawan Island, Sipalay, Negros Occidental

Posted for Photo Hunt

Sunset at Hacienda Guba [SWF]

@ mirandablue

Visited relatives at Hacienda Guba when I was in Negros in early March.  This is a rural farming community a few kilometers from the town center of Valladolid, my mother's hometown.  Known as the rice granary of the province, 90% of Valladolid's arable land is planted with rice. I hope it would stay that way for the next generations to come. The endless rice fields laid out at sunset is one of the beautiful images I keep to remember this place.  

@ mirandablue

These photos were taken from my cousin's front yard.

@ mirandablue

Linked to Sky-Watch Friday