Words - Photo Hunt

 These words were found at the Pacific War Memorial in Corregidor Island.  Corregidor is an island in Manila Bay that served as a focal point of naval defenses during the World War II.  It is a significant historic and tourist site.  More about Corregidor here and here.

Inscribed on a bench at the Georgia Aquarium are these  words:

History is written by those who make the wake 

not by those who ride on it 

nor those who watch safely from the shore.

~ inspired by Billi and Bernie Marcus

Photo Hunt is hosted by TN Chick

Here comes the rain again... (SWF)

I wasn't sure if this was a fog or a wisp of cloud floating across the mountain along the  Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

 

This pointed mountain caught my eye.  This is part of the mountain range dividing Pampanga and Zambales.  

I thought we were blessed with good weather on our way home from Subic...but before reaching Clark, I was singing, "Here comes the rain again..."

Posted for Sky Watch Friday

Comfort eating

Food was the last thing on my mind on Monday afternoon. Franzia and I met to discuss where we should go to volunteer for the relief operations. I had coffee and two bibingka (rice cake) before meeting her at Starbucks. But as we talked about what happened and what was still happening---the tragic death of people, the devastation of properties, the gut-wrenching scenes on TV with victims helplessly watching their homes destroyed by overwhelming flood water and mud, of children hanging on to their mothers' neck, the unspeakable grief of a father as he talked about the family he lost in the flood, of friends who spent all night walking in flood water to get home, I started craving for food.

Comfort food---to somehow ease the guilt I was feeling because my home was warm and dry, and my family is alright. Franzia told me about Cafe Juanita, a cozy resto in Brgy. Kapitolyo, where she had her birthday dinner.

Cafe Juanita has an extensive menu---it was difficult to decide what to order. We had the all-too familiar Molo Soup for starters, with lots of fried garlic. After the soup, I wasn't hungry anymore but decided to try a Vietnamese appetizer, Chao Tom, or grilled shrimps on sugarcane stick. A mixture of garlicky shrimp paste wrapped around a sugarcane stick then grilled. It was light and aromatic, and I loved the flavor. Served with vermicelli noddles and fresh lettuce and basil, it is eaten wrapped in crisp lettuce and basil then dipped into the addicting nouc cham (dipping sauce).

I love the idea of fresh sugarcane as a skewer with it's refreshingly sweet flavor seeps into the shrimp mixture while being grilled.

Franzia ordered Callos and steamed rice which we also shared (did I say I wasn't hungry?). The serving was generous and it was good but I still prefer Casa Armas'.

The conversation was getting interesting so we ordered Crepe Samurai for dessert. Layers of cream and mango to complete a delightful meal at Cafe Juanita.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Waiting for a ride - TWTW

Many streets in Metro Manila are still in a sad state from last Saturday's massive flooding.  So let me take you far away from Metro Manila---to a  highway about 27 kilometers from Davao City.  These were taken across Malagos Garden Resort in Calinan, Davao City.  We were waiting for a ride back to the city, and it took a really long time for a  jeepney to come by that I started to get bored.   Took out my camera and started shooting at the passers-by.  I was already prepared to hitchhike, jump into the basket on the motorbike  or ride on top of this jeep when a jeepney finally stopped.:P

Posted for This Way, Thurs-Way

 

Clean [linis] living - Litratong Pinoy

  

Matapos natin masaksihan ang delubyo noong nakaraang Sabado, alam ko, pare-pareho tayong nangangarap ng malinis na kalsada at kapaligiran.  Walang tubig baha, walang putik at basura.  Mapuno at berde ang kapaligiran, malinis ang hangin.

After we have witnessed the catastrophe over the weekend, I know we all dream of clean roads and surroundings.  An environment without flood, mud and garbage.  With  verdant trees and breathable air.

Kung magtutulungan lang sana tayo, hindi naman impossible ang mga ito.  Kailangan lang ng can-do attitude at taos-pusong paniniwala sa ating sariling kakayanan.  H'wag na magturuan, h'wag na umasa sa iba o sa gobierno.  Tayo rin naman ang makikinabang kapag clean living tayo.

All these are possible if we all make a stand and take responsibility.  We need a can-do attitude and sincere belief in ourselves that we can do it.  There is no need to point fingers, let's not rely on other people or the government to do it for us.  After all, it's us  and the young who will reap the benefits of a clean living.

Kailangan pa ba natin ang premyo para itapon ng maayos ang ating mga basura?

Do we need a prize to properly dispose our trash?

Ah, linis din ang kailangan nito!


Posted for Litratong Pinoy