All fake

 

 

Fake flowers. Fake green. Fake fire.

 

For me, one word comes to mind: Cheap.

 

It is nice to be near nature. But faking it does not work for me.

 

 

 

 



Social media can not substitute for the concrete actions we must do for our country

Social media is a very convenient outlet for people to express their frustrations and anger with government. However, if people want things to change, they should do more than type away their thoughts for posting on facebook or twitter.

They should get out of cyberspace and get into the street to manifest their protest and reach out to real people.

Benham Rice

Crispy fried shrimp and fish with lato salad at Dap-ayan Restaurant, La Trinidad, Benguet



An afternoon at the Falls - Hinulugang Taktak



Hinulugang Taktak is a natural attraction located in the City of Antipolo. There was a time when it was a popular leisure destination for many people but due to rapid urbanization and wanton development, it became very polluted and dirty that it was closed to the public.

Happy to know that the City Government of Antipolo made an effort to rehabilitate it and made it accessible to the public once again.

I have been to the falls before when I was still a child . But that was so long ago that when I recently visited it , it was like seeing the place for the first time. I can not say that it is spectacular compared to other falls I have seen elsewhere but at least it was still a refreshing and a relaxing sight - an oasis of green in the city that is fast becoming an urban jungle.

The government, both local and national through the DENR has done a commendable job cleaning the place. But for sure, this work is far from over and keeping it clean will always be a work in progress. For this to happen, the local residents and the people of Antipolo should also be involved and do their part in keeping this place and their city clean.

A reminder of how much work on cleaning up the place still has to be done is the  pile of litter that has accumulated just at the lower portion of the stream not far from the falls.

Part of the down stream that was not rehabilitated

Group Crafting to combat idleness, loneliness and social isolation

In its simplest definition craft is defined as "an activity involving skill in making things by hand". 

For me however, crafting is not simply an "activity". It has many benefits. and it can play a vital role in promoting personal and social well being.

Crafting engages people in a productive enterprise. It can be a source of livelihood but it can also help fight depression. It makes the hand busy at the same time that it challenges the mind to explore the limits of creative possibilities.

Crafting can be done alone but better if done collectively. It is after all a social activity and is a good way to bring people together.

At a time when urban living has made loneliness and social isolation prevalent, crafting can be a valuable instrument to address this problem.

2018 - May we get our values back

Kois and coins - kois symbolize strength to face the challenge of the year ahead and coins to symbolize prosperity. But what can be a good symbol for values?

New Year is the time people trade good wishes for each other. The standard wishes are for good health, prosperity and happiness and I still wish for it for everyone, me included.

But I also wish that we as a people get our values back - to realize the primordial importance of truth from which all values are based and  to reject lies and falsehoods by totally defeating and punishing their bearers.

Sharing a personal year end practise

coin purses from different regions of the country and made from various local materials

Among the year end practices I keep and observe is the handing out of cash gifts to those who can appreciate a meager augmentation of money in their pockets. I do this more as a gesture of personal gratefulness for my situation than as charity to others.

However, instead of putting money in 'ampao' envelopes, I put mine in locally made coin purses which I buy as souvenirs whenever I am able to travel in the country or visit trade exhibits. In this way, I can also help local craft makers and at the same time spread a little cheer.

Waters of Itogon

spring water from the mountains feeding resort pools in Itogon

Itogon is one of the mining towns comprising the gold rich province of Benguet. Yet for all the gold that has been mined there, one can be forgiven for wondering where all the wealth it has generated  went.

Fortunately, apart from gold, this town possesses another natural treasure that has a huge potential to benefit the community and its people- its waters. And so far, this treasure has remained under appreciated and its many potential untapped.

As Itogon is situated at the foot of the Cordillera mountains. the town abounds with clean, mineral rich spring water coming from the bosom of the mountains.

At present, these waters are utilized to feed the resort spas that are sprouting in the area. But certainly, there are many other possibilities that can be explored.

Whatever they are, I hope the community and people can more fully benefit as well.

Sa barangay nagsisimula ang pagbabangon ng bansa

Natutuwa ako na malaman na ang balanghay ay ginawang simbolo ng DTI para sa OneTown, One Product program nito.

Ang balanghay ay ang bangkang kahoy na ginamit ng ating mga ninuno upang maglayag at tumawid dagat sa paghanap ng bagong lilipatan o sa pakikipagkalakal. Ito ay kayang magdala ng ilang pamilya na pinangangasiwaan ng isang pinuno at dahil dito , ang balanghay ay maituturing na pinakamaliit na yunit panglipunan bago dumating ang mga kastila. Sa kalaunan, ito ay pormal na ring ginawang pinakamababang yunit political at nakilala sa pangalang barangay.

Para sa akin, mahalaga ang pag-unawang ito dahil sa pagbabangon ng bansa, sa barangay tayo dapat magsimula at hindi sa ating mga politico.

Kapag sinasabi ko sa aking mga kausap na sa barangay nagsisimula ang pagbabangon ng bansa, lahat sila ay sumasang-ayon. Pero kapag tinanong ko sila kung ano ang ginagawa nila kung naniniwala sila dito, wala naman silang maisagot.

Wala naman sigurong isang tamang sagot sa tanong na ito. Ngunit sa pagkilala ng DTI ng balanghay bilang simbolo ng OTOP,  nagbigay na rin sila ng isang ideya - ang pagbuo ng mga tagabarangay ng isang kabuhayan na pagtutulungan nilang itaguyod at paunlarin ay isang pagtupad sa tanong na ito.

Idea for Senior Care Center

- monitor vital health indicators
- continuous social interaction and support
- continuous learning
- diet monitoring
- appropriate exercise and body conditioning
- meditation and mind healing
- entertainment and leisure
- charity/benevolent work