Ho-Ho-Ho [Ruby Tuesday]

Underneath all the bulging bundles is a beating Christmas heart...

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

T'boli, the dreamweavers [OWT and RT]

a T'boli girl  playing a tnonggong, a deerskin drum used 

as a supportive instrument in the kulintang ensemble

Last October, the T'boli culture was showcased at the Manila FAME, a bi-annual trade fair where Philippine exporters exhibit their products and designs for the international market.  The T'boli is an indigenous tribe from the highlands near Lake Sebu, South Cotabato in Mindanao.  They have a rich heritage in music, dance and story-telling.  

The T'boli women are known for their traditional woven abaca fabric called T'nalak.  According to T'boli legend, T'nalak weaving was taught to their ancestors by the goddess Fu Dalu in a dream.  Superstition surrounds the making of this fabric.  The traditional patterns were conceptualized through dreams and "visitations" that renders the dreamer speechless and deaf until the design is fully executed.  Patterns and designs are often inspired by nature.  T'nalak is often referred to by non-T'boli as "dreamweave", and T'boli women are called "dreamweavers".

The T'nalak occupies a special significance in the lives of the T'boli people.  It is basically used as blankets and clothing, and considered helpful for safe delivery when used as pre-natal covering.  T'nalak is also used as dowry and bride price; as offerings to the "earth spirits" to ask for rain, cutting of trees, healing of the sick, thanksgiving, and its presence during certain feasts give it a sacred value.  

T'nalak is a product of an age-old tradition of tie-dye weaving.  A tedious process composed of rituals that conveys the T'boli's spiritual and traditional beliefs.  The coloring agents are extracted from leaves, roots and barks of trees.   The weaving takes almost two and a half months for a piece about 20 feet long.

More about the T'bolis and T'nalak  at The Indigenous People of Mindanao, Prayway, Gida's T'nalak, Mercury News Online

Linking to Our World - Tuesday and Ruby Tuesday

Red Spark [RT]

@ mirandablue

A red Chevrolet SPARK at the car exhibit in MoA last February.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Home again...

@ mirandablue

Hello! I am back after an almost 3-week absence. Did you miss me?:p  It was an invigorating time away from my desk, from the noise of the city and daily routine.  I've reconnected with old friends and relatives, reacquainted myself with the place where I grew up, meandered through roads I've never taken before, and along the way rediscovered the many amazing things that I thought I have forgotten.  

Find what brings you joy and go there.

-- Jan Phillips

@mirandablue

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

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Posted for My World-Tuesday and Ruby Tuesday

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

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.

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Posted for Ruby Tuesday hosted by Mary/The Teach

Hot air balloons [Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

At the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta last February in Clark Field.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Flammable [Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

"Believe me!  The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously." - Friedrich Nietzsche

So light that cigarette and see what happens!:p

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

A night at Star City [My World and Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

When my nephews were young, Christmas vacation was not complete without a trip to Star City, an amusement park.  My oldest nephew is now 21 years old and he thinks Star City is for kids.  So a pair of old-timers revisited this old hangout one Sunday night after the New Year to see what's happening here.  I thought the place would be deserted...I was wrong.

@ mirandablue

Kids with their parents were lined up for tickets.  Students, couples, friends, people of all ages seemed to conspire to be here that particular Sunday night.  It was also the Feast of the Black Nazarene, traffic in the Manila area was pretty bad.  Parking here was more thrilling than being stuck in traffic. I spotted some interesting characters such as the trolls above and these puckered cousins of Daisy Duck.

@ mirandablue

With all the snow I've been seeing in blogs, I wanted to experience Snow World, one of the attractions in Star City.  It's an enclosed area with ice slide, ice sculptures, an ice castle and ice all over.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explore Snow World as I was inside for only about 15 minutes--couldn't stand the cold!  They gave us a thick trench coat at the entrance but  I was wearing flip flops, my toes were numb after a few minutes.  So that was the story of my short visit to Snow World.:p

@ mirandablue

We spent our time eating hot dogs, pop corn, corn kernels, nacho and potato chips.  I also tried my hand at target shooting but I was a lousy shot.  We walked around the park, and between bites, enjoyed watching people scream while riding the thrill rides.  I used to love riding the thrill rides, but now [I must be really getting old] I'm more concerned of safety.

@ mirandablue

Star City is not a big place.  In fact, I was amazed how they set up everything in such a small area.  It is located behind the Aliw Theater/MBC Building, at the CCP Complex grounds in Pasay City.

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Posted for Ruby Tuesday and My World-Tuesday

L-O-V-E [Ruby Tuesday]

@ mirandablue

Love is a friendship that has caught fire.  It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving.  It is loyalty through good and bad times.  It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.

~ Ann Landers


Happy Valentine's Day!

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Huggable [RT]

@ mirandablue

I didn't catch their names but one of these guys would make someone happy.  They're just waiting to be hugged.  Found them in Star City, an amusement park.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Classic Beetle [RT]

@ mirandablue

Kids in the neighborhood were checking out this classic VW beetle parked across the street.

This post is linked to Ruby Tuesday