Litratong Pinoy: Luma Na (aged)

Luma na talaga ang litratong ito ng nanay ko. Dalagang Pilipina, 20 taong gulang ang nanay ko noong 1963 nang kinuha ang litratong ito. Nasira na sa tagal ng panahon na nakatago lamang sa kanyang aparador. Mabuti at natagpuan ko noong isang taon at balak ko sanang ipa-restore. Maraming nagsasabi na kamukha ko raw ang nanay ko---ayaw namin parehong pumayag. Sabi n'ya mas maganda s'ya at sumasang-ayon naman ako.:D

This is an old photograph of my mother, taken in 1963 when she was 20 years old. Time has ruined this photograph that she kept in her dresser for many years. I finally found it last year and thought of having it restored. People say that I look like my mother---we both disagree---she says she's prettier, and I agree with her.:D

More old/aged treasures at Litratong Pinoy.

Wordless Wednesday: a carpet of green

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.

~Author Unknown

Tranquil Silliman

university campus

I first heard of Silliman when I was a little girl in Negros Occidental. A local girl who also went to my elementary school got a scholarship at Silliman. One summer break when she was home, I overheard neighbors whispering about her midriff top. Apparently, the sight of her belly button was shocking to the manangs at that time. I admired her midriff top, by the way, and the way she drove a motorbike around town, belly button bared, crazy hair flying, making people stop and stare. She was once a shy girl, the manangs lamented...Silliman was the reason for her transformation, they concluded with an eyebrow raised.

It was my first impression of Silliman---a bastion of liberal thinking, individualism, with some remnants of the hippie generation.:D I wanted to go to college there! Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want.

Rizal Centennial marker and university seal laid in 1960

Silliman University is located at the heart of Dumaguete, overlooking the sea. The 61-hectare campus was founded in 1901 by Protestant missionaries of the American Presbyterian Church through a gift from an American philanthropist named Dr. Horace Silliman. It is the first Protestant school in the Philippines and the oldest American university in Asia.

Silliman Hall, the oldest building on campus was constructed in 1903

the University Church, completed in 1949
Alumni Hall, built in 1950

The rooms on its second floor where we stayed are designated for alumni and guests, while the ground floor is occupied by the office of the Alumni Affairs.

Splendid Bell

Located in front of the Alumni Hall and mounted in 1918, this bell was a gift from children in America given through the New York Women's Foreign Mission Board.

Silliman University gives Dumaguete a vibrant and dynamic character despite the city’s laid back lifestyle. My lasting impressions of Silliman are the peaceful moments under the acacia trees, cool morning sea breezes at the beautiful Silliman Hall, warm smiles, and a memory of that fearless young lady on a motorbike---breaking free.

Sky Watch Friday: clouds above the lake

Gray clouds over Lake Balinsasayao

Sibulan, Negros Oriental

Truths are first clouds; then rain, then harvest and food.

- Henry Ward Beecher

More sky photos from around the world at Sky-Watch Friday.

Breathtaking Casaroro Falls

the lush Casaroro Falls

The last leg of our wilderness adventure in Dumaguete was a trek to Casaroro Falls. At Forest Camp, we were told that Casaroro Falls is less than 3 kilometers away. Energized by the natural beauty of Forest Camp, we decided to walk to the waterfalls. The cool mountain air was refreshing but the steep mountain road made us breathless (yayabang kasi!). After about a half kilometer hike, I started yelling, taxiiiiiiiiii! We found a hut along the road and we sat there to catch our breath, then started eating our baon of puto and beef empanada. A habal-habal (again!) stopped by and offered to take us to the waterfalls (the driver was psychic!)…we didn’t argue, we didn’t think…we mounted the motorbike and yelled---yeeeehaaaaa!

Parts of the road were so bad I begged the driver to stop so I can walk! I was singing John Mellencamp's “Hurts So Good” while walking in the middle of a rocky road---the driver silently laughing behind my back, I'm sure! Then, back to the saddle once again until we reached the “entrance” to Casaroro Falls. Entrance fee is 10 pesos each.

The gate-keeper warned us of the 325 steps descent, and we were all excited at the sign "We burn fats...let's do the trek!". But I squirmed at the prospect of 325 steps on our way up. Oh well, I wanted to escape the urban jungle…so there I was, ready to discover the charming surprises of Casaroro.

not a threat but a warning

Going down the concrete steps to the river, we were surrounded by unspoiled tropical foliage, towering trees, an occasional wild flower, a clatter of wildlife and sound of rushing water. The flowing stream greeted us at the base of the 325-step crevasse as we walked through the dense jungle. There were a few huts, a couple of restrooms, and a suspension bridge along the way. Finally, secluded at the end of the rock crevices is the natural beauty of Casaroro Falls…the water plunges down from a narrow opening 100 meters above a swirling pool. Natural boulders surround the basin and the cool sprays were enough to revitalize my cramped leg muscles.

325 steps = how many burned calories?

walking down was a breeze
a walk in the park?
from 20 feet above
waiting for the weakest link
rollin', rollin' on the river

meditation at the waterfall
the majestic, breathtaking Casaroro

Our adventure trek to Casaroro Falls was a physically challenging experience, not to mention literally breathtaking. As expected, I was the weakest link going up the 325 steps but I made it without fainting! Surely, I burned a lot of calories that day (hehe).