Journey/Mandarin Orange Monday

The seeker embarks on a journey to find what he wants and discovers, along the way, what he needs. ~ Wally Lamb

Here's to new adventures in 2013!

Join us @ Mandarin Orange Monday

Footbridge in Lake Danao

@ mirandablue

A wooden bridge that leads to a picnic hut at Lake Danao in Camotes Island.  Lake Danao is the largest lake in the Visayas and Mindanao at 680 hectares.  Camotes is a group of four low-lying islands east of Cebu.

Posted for Sunday Bridges

Lakeside eco-trail [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

Part of an 18-kilometer eco-trail surrounding Lake Danao in Camotes Island.  Best for biking and hiking activities...birdwatchers will also be thrilled to see various species of birds here.

The world turns softly

Not to spill its lakes and rivers,

The water is held in its arms

And the sky is held in the water.

What is water,

That pours silver,

And can hold the sky?

~ Hilda Conkling, Water

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Green reflections [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

By the banks of Lake Danao in Camotes Island

The trees reflected in the river---they are unconscious of a spiritual world to near to them.  So are we.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

Bamboo foot bridge [Sunday Bridges]

Bamboo foot bridges connecting rock islets in Camotes Island.  Camotes  is a group of 4 low-lying islands near Cebu in the Philippines.

Posted for Sunday Bridges

Mangodlong foot bridge [Sunday Bridges]

A hanging foot bridge connecting rock islets at Mangodlong Resort in Camotes Island.

"Imagination is the pontoon bridge making way for the timid feet of reason."

Photos taken in May 2008

Posted for Sunday Bridges

Rocky paradise [Friday-Finding Beauty]

Walking down fifty or so steps from a cliff to reach this rocky paradise was a breeze. Buho (a Visayan word for "hole") Rock Garden is a resort built on top on a group of rocky islets in Camotes Island. I spent a few days in Camotes Island not for the mojitos or to luxuriate in a spa, but for peace, quiet and solitude. I came for the clean air, fresh seafoods, and the enchanting wonders of the island. I came for the experience to stand at the edge of a cliff, completely captivated by the stillness of the sea as it gracefully envelops the setting sun.

"Discovering this idyllic place, we find ourselves filled with a yearning to linger here, where time stands still and beauty overwhelms."

Posted for Friday-Finding Beauty, hosted by Claudia at DipityRoad

Litratong Pinoy: Misyon [Mission]

Rizal Shrine in Calamba

Kung dati ka ng napadpad dito, malamang nakita mo na ang ibang litratong ito sa dati kong mga post. Naisipan ko lang na ang magiging misyon ng blog page ko ay ang mailarawan ang ganda at mayamang kultura ng Pilipinas. Kung isa kang Pinoy, nais kong magiging no. 1 fan ka ng Pilipinas at ipagmamalaki mong Filipino ka. At kahit maraming problema dito, sana hindi mo ipagsawalang-bahala ang mga kapuri-puring bagay sa bayan mo.

Kung dayuhan ka naman, gusto kong makita mo sa blogsite na 'to ang iba pang mukha ng Pilipinas---hindi lang kahirapan, katiwalian, at krimen ang makikita mo dito. Puno ng yaman ang buong kapuluan. Hindi man ginto o langis, kundi yaman ng pagkamalikhain, taos-pusong pagkakaibigan at tunay na kagandahang-loob. Gusto ko rin makilala mo ang marangal naming lahi, at kung ano man ang pagkakaiba ng ating kultura, kaugalian at paniniwala, imbes na pag-awayan, pintasan o batikusin, sana matuto tayong ipagdiwang ang ating kaibhan.

Navy cadets in Corregidor

World War II memorial---Brothers in Arms

If you’ve been to this blog before, you have probably seen these photos in my previous posts. I thought of re-posting them and make it this blog’s mission to show the beauty and the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. If you are a Filipino, I’d like you to be proud of who you are and become the Philippines’ no. 1 fan. Our challenges seem to be never-ending but don’t let it blind you to the commendable milestones we have achieved as a people.

If you're a foreigner, I'd like this blogsite to show you another facet of my country. Philippines is not all about poverty, corruption and crime. This archipelago is a treasure-trove, not of gold or oil, but of creativity and talent, of sincere friendships and genuine hospitality. I would like you to get to know of our proud and honorable race. We may differ in culture, tradition and religion, but instead of nurturing conflict, let us celebrate our differences.

beach in Camotes Island

Silliman Hall at Silliman University

tranquil Balinsasayao Lake in Negros Oriental

serene Lake Kabalin-an

raging Dumacaa River in Tayabas

a friendly encounter with a cowboy in Tayabas forest

remembering Dr. Jose Rizal's heroism in Fort Santiago

our heirs

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Photo Hunt: View

view from the patio

view from the hut

view from the bridgeway

view from my room

I took these photos at Santiago Bay Resort in Camotes Island, Cebu last May. More photos of Camotes Island here.

More views from around the world at TN Chick.

Sky Watch Friday: a mellow sunset

"Nine planets round the sun, only one does the sun embrace. Upon this watered one, so much we take for granted; So let us sleep outside tonight, lay down in our mother's arms, for here we can rest safely…One sweet world around a star is spinning - One sweet world - And in her breath I'm swimming, and here we will rest in peace."

~ Dave Matthews

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),

It's always our self we find in the sea.

~e.e. cummings

Location: Mangodlong, Camotes Island

More beautiful sky photos at Sky-Watch Friday.

Litratong Pinoy: sa gawing Kanluran

Katahimikan. Huminga ka ng malalim at namnamin mo ang ganda ng kumikinang na araw, papalubog sa dakong kanluran. Tumingin ka sa kumikislap na dagat, sa nakakabighani at makulay na kalangitan, sa kulay-lila na mga ulap na may halong bughaw at ginto. Wala kang maririnig ni isang kaluskos. Animoy pati kalikasakan ay namamangha rin sa kagandahan ng palubog na araw.

Sa ganitong katahimikan ay panatag ang iyong kalooban. Punuin mo ang iyong puso’t isipan ng kapayapaan. Bago matapos at tuluyang maglaho, kasunod ng paglubog ng araw. At ang kalikasan ay magpapatuloy na rin sa pagiging abala sa umiikot mong buhay. Habang naghihintay ng susunod na paglubog ng araw. At sa isa pang saglit ng katahimikan.

All is quiet. Take a deep breath and savor the beauty of the glowing sun as it dips on the west. Look at the glistening sea, and all the attractive colors, the hues of purple blended with blue and gold. But all around is quiet. As though nature itself is in awe of the beauty of the sunset.

In this silence is a feeling of peace. Fill your heart and mind with this peace. For soon it will end. As the last rays of the sun sink below the horizon, nature resumes its hustle and bustle and you return to your busy life. There to wait for the next sunset, and the next moment of peace.

Location: Buho Beach Resort, Camotes Island

For more photos, please visit Litratong Pinoy.

Photo Hunt: Bright

a bright morning at the beach

Santiago Bay

I welcome this new day.

It is a gift to me, a new creation, a promise of resurrection.

Greetings to the Four Realms, the Goddesses and Gods, and the Kindred of Yore.

I salute the Sun, the Earth, the Seas, and the Sky.

I am thankful for being alive this morning.

Thankful for the sleep that has refreshed me.

May my hands do the good work.

May my eyes see the truth.

May I speak compassionately.

May I make the world a better place this day.

Amen.

For more PhotoHunters, please visit tnchick.com.

Skywatch Friday - Camotes Island

Santiago Bay, Camotes Island, Cebu

“Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?”

— St. Augustine (354-430)

For more Skywatch Friday photos, please visit Wiggers World