reality check:

"It's ok. . .


as long as we're happy."

It took me courage to take a picture of this family, it was hard for me to do it. I find it heartbreaking to see these two little boys wearing nothing. How bothering it is, too, to see their mother pregnant for the third child. How can the father support his family if he can't even buy a pair of slippers for himself? Their situation is like a slap to my face, waking me up to reality. They are people who are suffering from poverty, hunger, malnourishment, and those who are waiting to be heard. People like them want to voice out their deepest concerns, want to cry out for help, but knowing they wont get any. But these people will do whatever it takes, because they want to stay alive and they choose to be happy.

No matter how terrible the situation may be, people like them usually ignore the clamoring of the world because deep in their hearts, hope awaits.

YOU, reading this: You're lucky to know their situation, because now that you do, you'll realize how blessed you are.

the little things

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo F. Buscaglia


What's more relaxing than a day with my niece approving me of life's little and simple joys, like that of a thumb and a smiley?

It made me sit down and think of the wonderful things life offers. Stress-free days, just like today. . .lie down on the grass forming shapes in the clouds on an ordinary day. . .singing one's heart out in the shower. . .playing in the rain. . .running on a huge field, feeling the soft grass touch your skin. . .looking up the trees and seeing the sunshine peeping through its leaves. . .swinging on a tarzan swing. . .swimming in the river. . .bubble blowing. . .ice cream eating. . .having a road trip. . .listening to good music. . .feeling the wind blow your hair revealing your face at once. . .being sun-kissed. . .walking slowly under the moonlight. . .feeling the sand oozing on your toes. . .hearing the crashing waves. . .watching cartoons with little kids. . .reading a worth it book. . .staying under the comforter on a stormy day. . .eating soup or drinking hot chocolate. . .playing under the heat of the sun. . .having field trips. . .hiking. . .sliding down a muddy slope. . .babysitting. . .sharing faith. . .what else? YOU name it.

God has given us the freedom to do everything. The best two, and simple words I can give is to APPRECIATE LIFE. Because if you do, you'll begin to realize the little things that make it worth it and you'll start enjoying it. Eventually, you'll learn to be more thankful for the bigger things you have and know those are blessing from God. So it's true that you live life to the fullest and make each day count!

And when you're feeling down and low, disappointed and hurt. . .stop for a while and remember not to underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

love it!

October 30, 2010

It's a wonderful feeling when you travel and you pass by a board about the size of a family pizza box tells you that "GOD LOVES YOU." It caught my attention and I was smiling because there are still some who cares enough and knows that a sign board will remind travelers how great God is.

Riding in the car, looking out the window; I was disappointed to have not captured one life-scene. My papa drives too fast and made it impossible to at least slow down a bit so I can take a picture of the farmers working on the field under the terrible heat of the sun. Papa shifted only to 4th gear and slowed down because a man with all his veins bulging from his skin crossed the highway. It must be hard carrying two big pails of water and worrying about crossing the wide road at the same time.

Then later, we passed by NLAC, a slight nostalgia hit me as I remembered cheering for my school when they had friendship game last January during our seniors' trip. Not so long, we reached the famous Kennon; with its mind swirling, vomit inducing, long, and winding road; welcoming you with kids selling pugo eggs. And so knowing what this road will bring me, I forced myself to sleep.

I woke up when I felt the car slowing down, and then I knew we were parking just outside my grandmother's home. I hurried down the house, to the living room, until I reached lola's room. The silence and the emptiness of her room made me very lonely. I miss her so much.
That afternoon, we went to the cemetery.Must be scary being six feet below the ground, I thought. . .

November 1, 2010
12 midnight. My tito insisted that we go to the cemetery. Cousins discussed. Decision made. Off to go. It was 12:27 am when I checked my phone, I kept it in the inside pocket of my borrowed jacket. My tito's drunk. Two older cousins, Two younger ones, and me. Six all in all, went to Baguio cemetery at an unholy hour. Tito said the cemetery is already filled with people at that hour, so we were all excited to get in.

Coming out of the taxi, seeing the dark entrance, and after setting our feet on the ground; our first instinct was to ride again and go back home. How can our tito play joke on us, we wondered. Thinking of a challenge and fear conquering brought us to the gates and decided to get in.
I didn't know that a crescent moon would be enough to light at least the dark areas of the place, and lit up the tombstones, coloring it pale blue.

Under the moonlight and as expected, my cousins and I played tricks on each other. It was really creepy. When we entered our clan's grave site, we settled for what seems like forever. Baguio's cold breeze, was that of a tornado circling around us with that eerie sound. It made us think of old ghost stories. We only had one candle, a powerful emergency light, a mat we laid on, and a blanket. The little dog we brought with us squeezed itself under the blanket.

Our tito slept on the bench, and the five of us were crazy over anything. My cousins were afraid of ghosts, the other one was expecting to see it; on the other hand, I was afraid of people. I didn't want to come with them because I was scared of alive ones who can do harm on us. I believe ghosts are only a play in the mind.

When I couldn't help it, because I wanted to pee, we decided to go home. Waking up a drunk tito was also a challenge. After minutes of convincing him, we headed back to the entrance. So we reached home at 2:12 am, safely and ecstatic. It was a risky experience to go out in the middle of the night, not even thinking much of the violent people who can slash our throats in a second. What I'm saying is that we went to the cemetery in that hour just for the sake of experiencing it.


We slept past 3am, and I woke up at 9:30 in the morning; prepared and traveled back to Cavite. Leaving Baguio was made easier, because we knew there's no more lola to leave behind.

Kennon road, just as I was about to puke, the car stopped. My mama wanted to have a picture of the Bridal Veil Falls. It looks so big from a far. But when my brother and I, together with papa crossed the eye widening hanging bridge to see the falls up close, I knew then it was magnificent. Looking like a real bridal veil, only a thousand times wider and longer. Took some shots, of course. The looking cold water flowing on the rocks and to the river ( if that's what you call it) is so inviting; but the danger it might bring you will stop you from even thinking it's nice to swim there. The hanging bridge is a bit frightening, especially crossing it while there is a gushing wind, and your naughty brother jumps up and down and runs to scare you more.


Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, papa's hometown. We decided to eat lunch at their house. It feels real good to eat an ilocano dish, with bagoong, kalamansi, and sili; when you're in the province. After sleeping for an hour, we left and traveled home. Brought my brother at San Mateo, Rizal. Home before 10:30 pm, and went straight to bed.

Just sharing a love it! moment. :)