Snow on My Windowpane

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( I wrote this short article sometime ago for my younger brother, about 11 years old that time,  who was asked to deliver a short speech in class regarding ‘Making a Difference’. He was the only Asian student in their school. )

snow on my windowpane

photo taken at www.theatlantic.com

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When I was young, a lot younger than I am today, I dreamed of waking up one morning and seeing snow on my windowpane. I imagined the cool wind sipping through the leaks on my window and hover around my tender body. What a feeling! – but this feeling was only satisfied by the chilly, meat-smelling air from our family’s old, green refrigerator.

I come from a country where snow is just a part of an innocent child’s fantasy; a country where everyday the sun plays tug-of-war with the rain; a country where typhoons visit more often than they used to be; a country where children play in the streets that are sometimes filled with flood. I come from the country they called “Pearl of the Orient Seas”, the county I called the Philippines!

My country, and some other neighboring Asian countries, has suffered despicable acts of typhoons. It left my countrymen seeing their past and future being thrown away by the raging wind and swept away by the gushing flood.

My mind wonders,”What have they done? Why did they experience such a disaster?” These questions stayed in my mind until I remembered something. My brother once told me, ‘This Earth is like a giant spaceship but has no program for self-destruction’.

Now, I’ve come up to the right question, “What have we done?” And I mean “us” – humankind.

Everytime we use our heaters, aerosols, refrigerators, appliances and some other electronic devices, they slowly poison the atmosphere and we indirectly contribute to the birth of new typhoons that will surely damage the lives, especially, of the youth like us.

Young as we are, we may not be enough to change the world around us. But we have our voices, voices that we can use to our mums and dads, brothers and sisters. We can always be a reminder to them, to be warned and to change. And this still small voices that we have, might as well reverse this worsening world we’re living in.

We can make a difference!

And I think, making this difference is far better than just seeing snow on my windowpane.

PHILIPPINES : What’s the best part of it?

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Today, finishing up my travel tickets back home to New Zealand, and with just a couple of weeks more here in the Philippines, I started checking on my photos taken during my stay here. Looking at them, tracing down and ticking all the places I’ve been to, I realized that I’ve been everywhere in the country!!! Carefully scanning the photos, I came up with the question “What’s the best part of it?”

I have my personal, unbiased answer to that. And I’m pretty sure a lot of you will raise both hands to agree with me. But just before I reveal to you my answer, let me show to you some photos of me in places I have visited in the country – Philippines!

And you might as well figure out the answer all along while viewing them!

 

 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (known as Dadiangás, and abbreviated G.S.C. or GenSan.; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa General Santos) is the southernmost port city of the Philippines.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (known as Dadiangás, and abbreviated G.S.C. or GenSan.; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa General Santos) is the southernmost port city of the Philippines.

 

PUERTO AZUL, Ternate, CAVITE. Surrounding the wonderful resort is an amazing forests with flowers, hills, blue sea, and fine sand beaches. The resort is situated in a 3,300-hectare untouched nature.

PUERTO AZUL, Ternate, CAVITE. Surrounding the wonderful resort is an amazing forests with flowers, hills, blue sea, and fine sand beaches. The resort is situated in a 3,300-hectare untouched nature.

 

ENCHANTED KINGDOM is a theme park in the Philippines. It is located in SANTA ROSA CITY, LAGUNA, about 29 kilometers (18 mi) from Manila. It has a land area of 17 hectares (41 acres). The park is managed and operated by Enchanted Kingdom Inc. Enchanted Kingdom is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

ENCHANTED KINGDOM is a theme park in the Philippines. It is located in SANTA ROSA CITY, LAGUNA, about 29 kilometers (18 mi) from Manila. It has a land area of 17 hectares (41 acres). The park is managed and operated by Enchanted Kingdom Inc.
Enchanted Kingdom is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)

 

TAAL VOLCANO, TAGAYTAY is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.[1] Historical eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Lake Taal. The lake partially fills Taal Caldera, which was formed by powerful prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 to 5,380 BP.[2] Viewed from Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines.[3] It is located about 50 km (31 mi) south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.

TAAL VOLCANO, TAGAYTAY is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.[1] Historical eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Lake Taal. The lake partially fills Taal Caldera, which was formed by powerful prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 to 5,380 BP.[2] Viewed from Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines.[3] It is located about 50 km (31 mi) south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.

Regina Resort, OZAMIS CITY

Regina Resort, OZAMIS CITY

DAKAK BEACH RESORT, DAPITAN CITY is most known for its strikingly shaped bay and powdery white sand, and as a diving Mecca in Mindanao

DAKAK BEACH RESORT, DAPITAN CITY is most known for its strikingly shaped bay and powdery white sand, and as a diving Mecca in Mindanao

CROWN REGENCY HOTEL, CEBU CITY the Skywalk Experience!

CROWN REGENCY HOTEL, CEBU CITY
the Skywalk Experience!

IMPERIAL PALACE, CEBU CITY

IMPERIAL PALACE, CEBU CITY

FORT SANTIAGO, MANILA (Spanish: Fuerza de Santiago Tagalog: Moog ng Santiago) is a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros ("within the walls").

FORT SANTIAGO, MANILA (Spanish: Fuerza de Santiago Tagalog: Moog ng Santiago) is a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros (“within the walls”).

SAN CARLOS CITY, Negros Occidental

SAN CARLOS CITY, Negros Occidental

VALENCIA CITY with the Sons and Daughters Chorale Arts Society batch 2006

VALENCIA CITY with the Sons and Daughters Chorale Arts Society batch 2006

The AYALA MUSEUM, nestled in Greenbelt Park in the heart of MAKATI CITY

The AYALA MUSEUM, nestled in Greenbelt Park in the heart of MAKATI CITY

ZAMBOANGA CITY. For almost three centuries, the Spaniards held the City of Zamboanga with Fort Pilar as the center of settlement. The presence of the Spaniards amidst many Filipino ethnic groups resulted in the development of a unique dialect – chavacano – a mixture of Spanish and the native dialects which is still the predominant medium of communication in the city today.

ZAMBOANGA CITY. For almost three centuries, the Spaniards held the City of Zamboanga with Fort Pilar as the center of settlement. The presence of the Spaniards amidst many Filipino ethnic groups resulted in the development of a unique dialect – chavacano – a mixture of Spanish and the native dialects which is still the predominant medium of communication in the city today.

TANGUB CITY: The Christmas Symbols Capital of the Philippines It is located at the Southern curve of D-shape Misamis Occidental Province, part of Mindanao. It is bounded by Mt. Malindang on the north, Ozamiz City on the east, Paguil Bay on the south and Municipality of Bonifacio on the west.

TANGUB CITY: The Christmas Symbols Capital of the Philippines
It is located at the Southern curve of D-shape Misamis Occidental Province, part of Mindanao. It is bounded by Mt. Malindang on the north, Ozamiz City on the east, Paguil Bay on the south and Municipality of Bonifacio on the west.

SPLASH ISLAND is the biggest waterpark in the Philippines. It is located in BINAN, LAGUNA and it boasts of many attractions that families will surely love and enjoy.

SPLASH ISLAND is the biggest waterpark in the Philippines. It is located in BINAN, LAGUNA and it boasts of many attractions that families will surely love and enjoy.

CANYON COVE RESORT, the stunning beach resort in NASUGBO, BATANGAS, Philippines, fulfills the wishes and waves off the worries of every traveler. With 208 plush and value-filled rooms, expansive resort facilities, and a location along white-sand beaches, Canyon Cove’s island-hopping activities and other water sports become mere add-ons to fully explore the beautiful locale.

CANYON COVE RESORT, the stunning beach resort in NASUGBO, BATANGAS, Philippines, fulfills the wishes and waves off the worries of every traveler. With 208 plush and value-filled rooms, expansive resort facilities, and a location along white-sand beaches, Canyon Cove’s island-hopping activities and other water sports become mere add-ons to fully explore the beautiful locale.

 

PARADISE ISLAND RESORT, Caliclic, Island Garden City of SAMAL, DAVAO

PARADISE ISLAND RESORT, Caliclic, Island Garden City of SAMAL, DAVAO

These are just a few out of the many photos I have and places I’ve been to. I can post all the way down and you can last a day viewing them all, but it’s not the way to see the best part of my travels, of the Philippines.

My travel experiences in the Philippines have taught me, “personally”, to understand that in every trip, the place and it’s beauty will offer the same ambiance and aura to all. Everyone gets that. But what manipulates the experience and makes it a memorable one are actually the people you’ve spent the trip with, the friends you encounter along the way, those little moments you’ve spent with love-ones that made the photos priceless, the laughter shared with family on a short visit, the fun meeting up with people you once shared your tears with, and those short talks that actually tighten more the bonds of friendship and love for family. Because later on I noticed in my travels, the place do not drive my itchy feet to get on another journey, it’s the people in those places that moved me more to go and visit. It took me more than 10, not even 15 trips to get all of these. But it is also true that one doesn’t have to travel to understand all these. There are a lot of beautiful and great places to be in the Philippines. And we can always go back to that place and it will be the same, but we can never take the same people and mimic the same enjoyable experience as before. The people I love and the experience i shared with them in my trips made the best part of the Philippines!

One thing more that I noticed is, when I checked on those photos, I do not really intend to check on the beauty of the places, it’s all encrypted in every fiber of me. Hahaha But what makes me smile, or sometimes teary-eyed is seeing the people I took the photo with. Brings back so much happy memories. I’m not sure if it is just me, or it is also true to you.

Just like this one here…..

Photo Credit: John Noe Surmillon

Photo Credit: John Noe Surmillon

never fails to make me SMILE — the BEST!

ANGKOR WAT – Finally We Meet!

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behind us is the Angkor Wat

..i’m with Mr. John Noe Surmillon, one of our official photographers..

Majestic structures…sophisticated engineering…intricate stone carvings…splendid works-of-art…

These are but a few of the so many descriptions that went running through my head as I finally set foot on this great and grandiose temple that took my attention through my readings ages ago. I dreamed, but never did I imagine that at a young age I’d actually roam around and inside the temple.

In the land called The Kingdom of Wonders, Cambodia, stands the center of power of the Khmer Empire that reigned as the strongest empire in Southeast Asia during its era, or at least, what is left of it – the Angkor Wat!

“Angkor” means “City”, and “Wat” means “Temple”. So its name basically means the “City Temple”.

Along with the Klement’09, my batchmates, let me take you on a tour of our experience when we visited the mysterious Angkor Wat!

 

THE SUNRISE

To witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat is a “must-do” and “not-to-miss” activity when you visit the place. Our team, Klement’09, woke up at 4 o’clock in the morning, Cambodian time, to get ourselves dressed and prepared for the day tour. We left the guesthouse early, rode on a “tuk-tuk” (a local transportation

that is run by a motorcycle with a carriage-like thingy attached to it) taking us to the temple. While it was still dark, we hasten ourselves to the temple, and took a place near the lake inside the temple’s premises. And we waited for that seemingly once in a lifetime experience of witnessing one of the best sunrises in the face of the earth. We waited. We waited more. And I sincerely waited.

 

And just before I could say a word, the dark sky slowly breaks as a ray of light coming from the back of the temple’s towers gently made a slit towards the heavens. Minutes later, the sky has opened into what seems to be a play of colors patching different hue and texture over the now visible silhouette of the temple. At the back of my mind I amusingly asked, “Is that God messing up with His canvas? ‘cause if it is, He’s doing an awesome job messing up right now!”

I stood in wonder before what seemed to be a painting-made-real. From the awe-inspiring sunrise to the breath-taking structural contours of the temple reflected upon the surface of the still, shimmering lake.

Every moment from then on has become more and more exciting as Angkor Wat gradually sheds off the shadows and bares its glorious ruins.

 

HISTORY WITHIN THE RUINS

Photo credit: John Noe Surmillon

As our team moved on to see what’s in store for us inside the temple, I realized that the entire temple was actually a book. Each wall was like a page that narrates an entire chapter of the life, culture and civilization of the people who built and once roamed the temples.

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: John Noe Surmillon

At the end of the day, with so much amazement, I would say that this place can only be built by a highly intelligent and sophisticated civilization.

 

 

 

And so my mind wondered as we left the temple, “where could they be? and how could they abandon such a magnificent mega-structure into the jungles?”

Photo credit: John Noe Surmillon