ROAD ENCOUNTERS

People & Places

Kublai creations in a sky park in Bukidnon, Kiokong eco-tourism park bridge,over view park, natives along the roads, children waiting for alms, children fetching some waters, a child walking through sticks

Si Regine at Ako.

Si Regine na naman ang kasama ko ngayon.

Third Christmas in a row.

Well, ang unang pagkakataon ay nung Covers II na sinundan naman ng The Promise Soundrack 1 christmas later...

Mabuti naman at inilabas and Low Key this year.

Tamang tama lang.

Hindi sya pasigaw.

Mas na emphasize ang emotion at hindi ang vocal "prowess" na madalas tema ng kanyang album..

Mas sensitive, which is better.

Walong oras ka ba naman magbiyahe mag isa kungdi si Regine lang ang kasama..

Zamboanga to Pagadian, then to Iligan then CDO.

Bukas ay Bukidnon naman ang takbo hanggang marating ang Davao.

Limang oras pa kaming magsasama.

Memorize ko na ata ang kwento in Janis Ian ng 17 pa lang siya.

Bagay na theme song kay Betty La Fea.. Natabunan si JR at David Archuleta.

Malay natin bukas sila naman...

Mahabang biyahe din yun..

the flyer

It was March 1, 2008 when the flyer serviced the public. It was 7 days later when i got to expeience a spectacular view of Singapore skyline as i stepped inside its encapsulated interiors. which can actually accomodate at least 28 people. The experience was great; one can't help but get envious of the magnificence and opulence of this first rate tiny Asian country.

Malaybalay-the next best thing

It was a nerve wracking and backbreaking experience of our lives to go on a roadtrip from our 6th floor pueblo apartment as baseline going to the slightly dangerous, mountainous and zigzag roads of Tutuk Kalaw overlooking the serene and picturesque coast of Zamboanga Del Sur down to the sloping streets of Pagadian city with its odd tricycle models infesting the city, then towards the MILF-infested,treacherous but well cemented roads of Lanao Del Sur, up north to the only remaining Kalesa city in Mindanao-Iligan City. This is only halfway of the roadtrip. If only this Honda City could cry.. she would! This is my second year in a row to spend a 4-day holiday in my hometown.
Going on a roadtrip in this southern stretch of Mindanao, we were treated with the majestic view of the coastline while the calming sound of the waves and tangy scent of the sea breeze dominates our senses. The sound of the music prevents us from twilight sleep taking over while driving. The music of Blue Ketchup, Sinusikat, Hilera, UP Dharma Down and Zelle were perfect! And this i realized is an unremarkable roadtrip experience-you're in the company of your best friend to enjoy the scenery, laid back culture-rich country life of Southern Mindanao, plus the music you love listening to.
We reached Cagayan de Oro, a city bustling with traffic noise. Its main attraction is their clean unpolluted river perfect for their famous white water rafting, which lures local tourists during summer. We didnt stay long, my friend bought his airline tickets for Manila at the Cagayan De Oro Domestic Airport...then off we went straight to our favourite province-Bukidnon.

MEMORIES OF SINULOG

aerial view of downtown cebu boasts of majestic mountainous background

the popular mardigras was well attended by people mostly from neighboring island provinces

everywhere is a photographer's dream shot

age of innocence:behind the abundance is the reality of poverty

colourful and gay

troublemaker should beware

grandiose and realistic costumes

juday among the champions

i was able to catch the famous pinoy smile among the participants representing their town's own produce and traditional dance

It was actually a rip-off from the oldest and queen of all festivals in the Philippine Soil-the Ati atihan- of Ibajay, Aklan.. Dinagyang of Ilo-Ilo followed suit, the Mascara of Bacolod, and name all the products or fruits unique in the Philippines and you're right-theres always a corresponding festival somewhere. Even Eggs had its own festival-poor San Jose, Batangas.. They could have thought of better way to showcase their town.. Capiz which was ever famous for ghosts/underworld creatures finally organized their own festival despite severe resistance from the Catholic Church.. Well its the Philippines, this is the only way we can show to the world our own culture and traditions in order to attract investors...for economic growth of course!

remembering bohol

My life as a teen ager in the southern part of the Philippines was so simple...as a high school student, vacation time is one of the most awaited time of the year... i remember my classmates of Bohol ancestry (Boholanons) getting excited once the first breeze of summer sets in. And this is because it would mean going back to their island province to attend family reunions, and local barrio festivals like flores de mayo, fiesta, etc...not to mention returning to the ever famous chocolate hills, and practicing again that characteristic Bohol accent.

At that time, i really don't care about Bohol...I was wondering why would someone enjoy the sight of those hundreds of chocolate colored and chocolate kisses-shaped hills..its just a piece of land...(from my ignorant mind)

Philippines is a regionalistic country.

With 7, 107 islands composed of about 81 provinces (as of with December 2006-Dinagat Islands, being the latest) about 170 plus languages, you can just imagine how regionalistic one can be...Ilocanos are known for being thrifty, Ilonggos and Kapampangans as arrogant , well the Boholanons are known for being proud of their land and heritage. They talk as if Bohol is a separate land from the Philippines-Republic of Bohol- as i remembered one joke during high school.
Twenty years or so later, i experienced Bohol at last! I realized why the Boholanons are very proud of their land so much.

Laid back would be the best term, but with a charm of its own...I was in awe from the time i set foot on their tremendously clean seaport, the aquamarine seas treasured with aquarium fishes as seen from the boat...there were no vendors littered around... i can't see any street children ...the trip started with the famous Sandugo monument with a nice view of the Panglao ...the centuries old historical churches... white sandy beaches of the panglao island...the Loboc river cruise with simple yet delectable Visayan style food displayed on buffet while a folk singer serenades during the 1 hour long trip...a mini zoo featuring a highly amusing multilingual gay entertainer known as Marimar together with her "kagwang" and Giant python...the chocolate hills... the cute tarsier... and the nice hospitable people.... What else can a foreign or local tourist ask more...

But where are the Boholanons..? They are all over the country and even the world...they migrated everywhere in order to earn better living in order not to destroy their beautiful island country...That's why they always come back during the summer...