Summer Time!!!!!!

The summer season has already begun in the Philippines. It is a season of the year where students take a three-month break from school. For them, this could mean sleeping in late or waking up late. It is also a great time to have a family adventure. It could be a vacation in Palawan or Boracay. It could also mean scheduling a mountain climbing activity to Mt. Apo during the Holy Week.

In summer time me and all of my office mates  go to the beach and or to resorts and hang out there. Summer is a great time to have fun with your family and friends.

Summer is the season of the year to relax, let loose, and have fun. Every one of us  anticipates and needs the summer months away from school and offices.  In the summer, stress levels drop,  stop thinking, and  live life to the fullest. We all need the break to get away from school or even at works  and its handcuffs limiting us to certain boundaries

Spending summer vacation in the Philippines is a real treat for the adventurous traveler. Nobody does summer quite like the Filipinos. Summer begins at the tail end of March and ends at the first week of June. And with temperatures rising to almost boiling hot degrees, most folks would rather head to the numerous malls all over the country to take advantage of the air conditioning. But if you want to make the most out of your summer holiday in the Philippines, then you definitely have to go exploring.

From attractions, beaches, historical sites, shopping centers, adventure zones and foodie enclaves, the choices are endless in this country made up of 7,107 islands, each with their own charms - but of course a few will stand out above the rest because of the attractions, views, and various things that one can do in a specific city or province. As choosing where to go first and what to do next can be quite a head-scratcher, consider a tip from regular visitors: one can start from Manila, then go North towards Benguet and Baguio, continue towards the south and pass by major destinations such as Tagaytay, Quezon, Bicol, Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. If you don’t have the time to visit all the destinations, you can pick and choose according to your preferences. For instance, if you want to stay close to Manila, then you’ll do well to go and experience a gastronomic adventure in Pampanga, then head to the beaches in Batangas or Puerto Galera, and do some sightseeing in Tagaytay. All three provinces are roughly about two hours away from Metro Manila.

If you are planning to spend the summer season here in the Philippines, you should not miss these places:

Baguio is one of the most famous cities in the Philippines and has been celebrated as the Summer Capital of the country for the past 99 years.   It was the playground of the Americans who built this city as their vacation spot in the 1900’s. It has since expanded, and now has a population of 30,000.

Welcome to Baguio City

Burham Park in Baguio one of the tourist spot

Mines View Park

Strawberry Farm of Baguio

Other 15 Great Destinations near Manila

1. Be Blown Away by Mt. Pinatubo.

     Figuratively, of course! Take a bus to Tarlac, ride a 4×4 jeep, and trek to the crater of Mt. Pinatubo! It’s a long way but the view is definitely worth the time and effort. See the rim of the crater slope up from a lakeful of rainwater, accumulated over the years! You can even boat across the crater lake and camp overnight.

2. Laze on Volcanic Ash in Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove, Zambales.

     One of the provinces at the base of Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales was terribly buried when the sleeping volcano awakened two decades ago. But the disaster dumped a good amount of ash onto its the rocky shores, breathing a new life to its otherwise ordinary beaches. Today, Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves have risen as popular tourist destinations for its ashen sand and agoho trees (resembling pine trees) that foster a unique Baguio-meets-Boracay vibe. Capones and Camara Islands are also waiting!

    3. Trek to the Crater of Taal Volcano.

          If you love admiring it from afar, you’re gonna love it even more when you’re actually on the volcano. It only takes two to three hours to get to the jump off point in Talisay, Batangas. From there, you can rent a small boat to take you to the volcano island. Prep for a rigorous trek because its slopes, while not as steep, can still drain all your energy especially when the sun is harsh. (And unless you’re trekking at night, I’m telling you: clouds or no clouds, the sun is harsh!) If long treks aren’t on your favorites list, there’s always the horse option, for a fee of course.

4. Beat the Heat in Tagaytay City.

      If for whatever reason  you don’t want to trek, you can avoid getting physical and just admire the volcano and the lake from a distance, like most people do. Tagaytay offers the best views, with a lovely, cool atmosphere to boot. Visit the newly opened Sky Ranch and get into one of the coaches of their giant Ferris wheel, overlooking the lake. Not into rotating wheels? Spend a morning in one of the city’s parks and gardens. The People’s Park in the Sky has not been maintained well but you might still want to stay a 360-degree view of the city. Or just enter a coffee shop, order a latte, and just ponder on why the hell you don’t want to trek to the crater of the volcano you’ve been admiring from afar!

5. Learn how to Dive in Anilao, Batangas.

     Anilao in Mabini, Batangas is just three hours away, making it a favorite among Manila-based divers and future divers. One-day beginner courses are available to those who wish to learn how to, well, dive. Batangas waters host a wide array of marine wildlife that will blow you away.

If diving isn’t your thing, you may also opt to climb Mt. Gulugod Baboy, an easy climb for professionals (probably the climb of my life if that were me) or take a boat to Sombrero Island and make love with the sun while flaunting your brand new bikini!

6. Church-Hop from Lipa to Taal, Batangas.

      From the petal shower site at Carmel Church to the sacred well of Sta. Lucia, from the magnificent Lipa Cathedral to the massive Taal Basilica, the biggest in Asia — the road from the city of Lipa to the heritage town of Taal is milestoned by grand churches and miraculous sites. Whether you’re a believer or not, make a stop at these places and see what the fuss is about. If you have more time, roll out a bit more of your map and continue your journey to Calaca and Balayan, which also boast old, majestic churches.

Don’t forget to dig in to some of the most delectable Batangueno dishes along the way! Missing bulalo, tapang Taal, lomi, and kapeng barako is a mortal sin!

7. Hit the Beaches of San Juan, Matabungkay (Lian), Nasugbu, and Calatagan.

     San Juan harbors the province’s most popular beaches today but if it’s too crowded for you, drive to the other side of Batangas. Matabungkay used to be the “it” destination decades ago but it might still be a good place for a respite. Nasugbu is starting to be a great alternative, too, and the sight of Mt. Batulao is a constant invitation to awaken the dormant mountaineer in you. The barely touched shores of Calatagan offer front row seats to watch a spectacular Batangas sunrise. The Punta de Santiago Lighthouse is another point of interest.

8.  Camp Overnight in Borawan and Dampalitan Islands, Quezon.

    They say that Borawan is a portmanteau, Boracay and Palawan. The more believable origin of the name however is bulawan, which means gold. But screw etymology, just get yourself to this paradise on your next holiday break!

The towering karst cliffs hug the white shores of Borawan, reminiscent of many islands in El Nido and Coron (but don’t expect them to match them). Borawan is only four to five hours away. It is one of the many islands off the coast of Padre Burgos and Pagbilao, Quezon, that nestle gorgeous white sand beaches! Other places to visit: Dampalitan Island and Puting Buhangin. There are no resorts here so camping is the way to go!

9. Join a vibrant festival in Quezon, Batangas, Rizal, or Pampanga.

Mark your calendars! Here are some of the most energetic and most interesting festivals near Manila:

• Pahiyas Festival – May 15 in Lucban, Quezon
• Parada ng Lechon – June 24 in Balayan, Batangas
• Higantes Festival – November 23 in Angono, Rizal
• Giant Lantern Festival – Saturday before Christmas, San Fernando, Pampanga
• Hot Air Balloon Fiesta – 3rd Week of February, Clark, Pampanga

• 

Pahiyas Festival is my absolute favorite. It is a celebration of the good harvest, in honor of San Isidro de Labrador. A parade roams around town passing by houses that are creatively decorated with vegetables and kiping, a colorful ornament made from rice (and yes, they’re edible)! If you get hungry, there’s always longganisang Lucban and pansit habhab! Traffic can be as dense as your former boss so you might also consider staying overnight in Lucban or neighboring town.

10. Appreciate Art and Get Cultured in Angono, Rizal and Paete, Laguna.

       Known as the art capital of the Philippines, Angono is as interesting as it is accessible. See the Angono-Binangonan petroglyphs, a prehistoric artwork that is considered the oldest in the country. Pay a visit to the house of Carlos “Botong” Francisco and get to know the national artist better. For the adventurous eater, try Soup No. 5 and fried itik in some of the more famous restaurants in the area!

One of the most underrated destinations in the country, Laguna holds a number of surprises for those who will take a step into its overlooked territory. Learn the art of sculpture and witness how this craft has become the center of the lives of the people of Paete! Go on a bakya shopping spree in Liliw! Overcome your fears and descend into the Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan. The province is also dotted with several historic churches, ancestral houses, and unique restaurants!

 11. Chase Waterfalls in Pagsanjan and Pangil, Laguna.

       Pagsanjan Falls may be just another waterfall to many but it is the getting there that makes a visit an unforgettable experience. Board a small boat and be amazed with how the boatmen masterfully conquer the rapids and the rocky stream on the way to the waterfall! Buntot Palos Falls is another best-kept secret of Laguna that may be attractive to the thrill-seeking adventurer.

12. Go Bird-watching in Freedom Islands.

       This one is not near Metro Manila, it is in it! Freedom Island and Long Island, collectively called Freedom Islands, lie off the coast of Paranaque and Las Pinas. More formally known as Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, the Freedom Islands have a huge ecological role in the area. It is the last remaining mangrove forest and salt marsh frontier in Metro Manila.  These two islands also serve as a sanctuary for many marine lifeforms and a refuge for more than 80 species of birds, both local and migratory

14. Retrace the Death March in Bataan.

       Sounds like an emotional torture but this activity can be very enlightening and rewarding to history buffs! And since you’re already in Bataan, don’t miss the chance to visit Mt. Samat and some of the province’s beaches.

15. Make a Splash in Puerto Galera.

       A bus and a ferry ride away, Puerto Galera has been the go-to summer destination among city-dwellers for beach activities such as swimming and beach bumming. But there’s more to this Mindoro paradise than what’s on the surface! Puerto Galera is a great diving destination. Declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973, it is one of the destinations with the richest marine biodiversity in the world.

Manila itself is blessed with many culturally and historically rich sites.

A Mother's Love

My mother

My kids

A mother's anguish was kept 
So her children would not see her wept 
Grasped the burden that her family has 
Took all the ache and hardships they have 

She prepares for breakfast, lunch and dinner 
Brings her children to school and fetch them after 
She washes the clothes and cleans the house 
Rinse the dishes and so with cars 

The exhaustion she felt was unnoticed 
Giving a bit of time for herself she could not promise 
The love for her family she has is undying 
Only to see her children smiling she feels like flying 

To be a mother is not easy 
Giving up so much of her just for you to be happy 
Unconditional love is what she needs 
So the doubts that rankles her mind somehow will diminish.. 

A Message for my Kids

I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, 
but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong,
 but I cannot always decide for you.

 






 I can buy you beautiful  clothes 
but i cannot make you beautiful inside.

I can offer you advice but cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, 
but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, 

                            but cannot choose them for you.

I can tell you about drink, but cannot say NO for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I cannot prevent you using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you. 
I can teach you kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you Eternal Life.

A Family

fam·i·ly

ˈfam(ə)lē/ -  a group of people, each a unique masterpiece, sharing unconditional love - hugs and support - of life's greatest blessings - cherish always

My family (my son, my mother and my daughter)

my two brothers and my mom

A Family

is made of love and tears,
laughter and years.
It grows stronger
with the passing of time.
More precious 
with the making of memories.

A Family is a love like no other
They allow us mistakes and little Faux Pas
They embrace our differences 
And all the likenesses we share

And in our times of need 
They are our rock for us to stand
But most of all
A Family is a love like no other

Sometimes a family is made of ones
you don't like for a while.....
But you love for a life time.
It's a gift whose value is found
Not in numbers but in its capacity 
to love.

It's the place you find
someone to encourage you.
believe in you.
Celebrate with you and comfort you.
A family is where your heart 
feels most at home because you're
Always wanted, always welcomed,
Always needed,
Always Loved.

When is the time to let go??????

It's really painful  to say goodbye to someone that you don't want to let go of, but it's even more painful to hold on to them if they never wanted to stay in the first place. If someone doesn't show you the same love you show them, and acts as if you are unimportant most of the time, this may be a big clue as to the fact that you don't need them in your life either. The only people you truly need in your life are those who respect you and want you to be in theirs.

IT'S TIME TO LET GO.....

LET IT GO... Because you can give, try, hurt, cry, believe, pray, meditate, explain, beg, ask, apologize, work harder, pray harder, work more, love more, but you can NOT please everybody.

Your LOVE is not a toy to be played with. Don't ever think someone will "love you back" just because you "love them so much." Your SO MUCH will be rewarded with SO LITTLE because you poured TOO MUCH into the WRONG ONE!!

LET IT GO... Your HAPPINESS is not meant to be shared with everybody. Your JOY is not meant to be shared with everybody. YOUR DREAMS are not meant to be shared with everybody.

LET IT GO... Just because you LOVE someone doesn't mean you LOVE the headache, heartache and pain they bring to you. You don't need to strap yourself to someone's torture chamber to "prove" how much you love them.

LET IT GO.. Some people are completely BLINDFOLDED to love - they will never be able to see YOU or your LOVE with 20/20 vision.  You can't give them "see" how much you do for them, how much you "love" for them because they don't know how to SEE.

LET IT GO... You don't have to "endure" pain to be loved. LOVE gives... PAIN is selfish... You can't LOVE someone enough to make them stop hurting you.. You can't LOVE someone enough to make them understand you. You can't LOVE someone enough to make them love you back.

The fact is - the more you love them, the HARDER it is for them to love you back. It's like counting to 100 with a person who can only count to 10. They will never be able to understand your 110% because they can't get past 10%...

And you can't MAKE anyone GROW or GO where you're going.

There is no WARRANTY on LOVE... Some things have to be accepted AS IS...

You don't need to BUILD love from the ground up. And you certainly don't need to INVENT it.
You don't have ENOUGH TIME,  enough LIFE , and enough LOVE to FIX or FORCE anybody or anything to stay in your life... So if you've done everything, you've tried everything, you've cried, you've tried, you've worked harder, you've prayed, you've given all of yourself and you know it's time...

LET IT GO......

PAIN is contagious.

Part of your PAIN is to get you to REALIZE you don't need to STAY where you're at.. It's time to let go..

Don't let someone's dissatisfaction turn into a deadly poison that ruins your chances of success, robs you of happiness and chokes your freedom. Get what you deserve. You deserve RECIPROCATION... You deserve APPRECIATION. You deserve to be LOVED for all that you are, all that you're not, and all that you aspire to be.

YOU.... need to take the BLINDFOLD off yourself to see that. LET IT GO so you can GROW where you need to GROW and GO where you need to GO. But staying here will never get you there..... 

LET IT GO.....

Missing You

Every morning I wake up
Realizing you're really far away
So I put on my make up
And pray for a good day.

I know God's watching
And He'll lead me back to you
I just have to keep living
So He can see me through.


Although you're not close        

And many miles away 

I'll still love you
Even after today.



I really miss you dearly
And really wish I was there
But despite of not having you here
At least I still have air.

Life goes on around me

I don't participate
I go through all the motions
But what I really do is wait

I dream about the day
That you'll come back to me
Nothing else is important
But the two of us together

I don't want to go out
I don't want to have fun
I don't want to do a thing
Until all is said & done

You have no idea how much I cry
I never let you know
It's so hard out here without you 
But I'm not allowed to let it show

I must pretend all is fine
Everyone thinks all's okay
But what I never ever tell them
Is that I cry for you every day

I remember when you said how happy I made you
and you really meant it...
I miss those days when you'd call just to say "hi"
or "I love you"...

I miss the old you- and the old me
The old us that could just sit and talk for hours
and never run out of things to say.

I remember when time simply stood still

When in each other's arms is the only place

We wanted to be...forever.

I miss us as I remember how it used to be...

When nothing else matter but You and Me...

My Love for You

 You can live without the person who says "U R MINE" 
But U can NEVER live without someone who says " I AM YOURS"
When I met you, everything make so much sense.....

Sometimes at night, when I look to the sky,

I start thinking of you and then ask myself, why?

Why do I love you? I think and smile,

because I know the list could run on for miles.

The whisper of your voice, the warmth of your touch,

So many little things that make me love you so

The way you support me, and help with my emotions,

the way that you care and show such devotion

the way that you kiss, fills me with desire,

and how you told me with the warmth of a blazing fire.

The way your eyes shine when you look at me,

Lost with you forever is where I want to be.

The way that I feel when you’re by my side,

A sense of completion and overflowing pride.

The dreams that I dream, that all involve you

the possibilities I see and the things we can do.

How you finish the puzzle that lies inside my heart,

how that deep in my soul, you are the most important part.

I could go on for days, telling of what I feel,

But all you really must know is my love for you

Is true and real..

Holy Week in the Philippines

Philippines is known to be the only predominantly Christian country in the whole of Asia and a big number of devout Catholics made up its population. This is one of the reasons why Lent/ Holy Week traditions are widely observed in a very unique way in the country.

Holy Week is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. In the Philippines, this is referred as Mahal na Araw or Semana Santa. The week starts from Palm Sunday, then come Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and concludes on Black Saturday. Easter Sunday is the beginning of another liturgical week.

It is traditionally a solemn occasion in the Philippines,  a time for serious atonement.

Both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are public holidays in the Philippines. Though Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday are regular workdays, this week is considered to be a solemn week and is observed quietly, until Black Saturday. Filipinos have a lot of customary beliefs, in every event or occasion there will be some of these beliefs or we called pamahiin that comes out. I remember my Lola (grandmother) will always prevent us, her grandchildren from making excessive noise on Good Friday and she will even prohibit us from taking a bath after 3:00 in the afternoon, because, Jesus Christ is said to have died in that hour and we should be mourning for his death.

LENT/HOLY WEEK TRADITIONS & PRACTICES

There are different traditions in different provinces in the Philippines, some of these traditions even started from olden times and were has passed from generations to generations. Even in today’s modern and high-tech world, these traditions never seem to wane.

Ash Wednesday

1.  Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lent. It is the practice of placing ashes on the forehead of the participant to signify inner repentance. The ashes used during Ash Wednesday are from the branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday. On this day, you will see Catholic Filipinos returning from church  with ash smudged on their foreheads in the shape of a cross.   If you don't have the mark, you will be asked if you have attended Mass. 

Ash Wednesday

2. Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, Filipino Catholics bring palaspas (palm fronds) to church to be blessed by the priests.  Then they bring the fronds back home with them.

Palaspas (Palm Sunday)

For most of the week, especially after Tuesday, the towns are eerily quiet with TV and radio stations going off the air and no loud noises or revelry whatsoever. Catholics stop eating meat, turning to fish, and the more devout ones go on a completely liquid diet. 

3. The traditional pabasa (the "reading" or chanting of verses about the suffering of Christ) starts on Sunday and ends on Maundy Thursday, which is the day when the washing of the feet is celebrated. 

Pabasa or Chanting

1.    4.  Visita Iglesia. This is one of the traditions that for me is easy to do for a sacrifice, from the word itself, this involve visiting of churches. This tradition attempts to visit 7 churches (while others choose to visit 14 churches) and recite the station of the cross in them. It is traditionally done on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, and accommodate Catholic devotee, a lot of Catholic churches remained open until midnight during Holy Week.

The Church in my hometown (San Juan the Baptist Church)
Visita Iglesia

1.  5.   Washing of the Feet. The main observance of the day during Maundy Thursday is the last mass before Easter, commonly called the Mass of the Institution of the Lord’s Supper. This mass includes the re-enactment of the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles. During this mass the priests literally wash the feet of his parishioners, just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The priest removes some of his outer vestments, just as Jesus removed his outer cloak. Volunteers are called up to the sanctuary, usually after the Gospel, and asked to remove their shoes and socks. But in the recent times, parishioners who will participate in the “Washing of the Feet” are asked in advance.

6.  Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of  Christ. On this day, you will see religious figures being carried through the towns on top of carrozas (carriages). The religious images and statues are veiled in black in mourning of the death of Jesus. 

7.  The most striking feature of  Holy Week celebrations in the Philippines is the sight of Filipinos publicly whipping themselves. These are reenactments of the torture and death of Jesus. Some Filipinos not only whip their backs into a bloody mess, they also have their feet and hands nailed to a wooden cross. Tourists come from all over the world for the sight!  In Manila, Tondo is the place to see these flagellants. Outside the capital, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija are famous for their flagellants who cover their faces with white cotton hoods. Crowns of thorns are placed on their heads to cause blood to drip. 







8.  Among Filipino superstitions on Good Friday is the prohibition against children playing. This is because they might injure themselves and not have their wounds heal. You will always be reminded that during this time when Jesus is dead, and so everything is awry and bad things are apt to happen. 

9. Black Saturday is when Christ is entombed. Filipinos spend the day preparing for the night vigil leading up to Easter Sunday. 

10. Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. At  four o'clock in the morning, Filipinos do a  salubong   ceremony commemorating how the Virgin Mary met her son Jesus who has come back to life. Her image will be brought to the image of the Christ at the local church. Flower petals will be rained down on them.  Everyone is happy that Jesus is alive again and that the world is back right. 

A solemn time for everyone

Holy Week or Ang Mahal Na Araw is an event not just in the Filipino calendar, but in the Roman Catholic calendar as well, that provides people with the breather that they rightfully deserve.

The Philippine celebration of Holy Week is a time of contemplation and self-assessment, where introspection plays a vital part of the process of changing one’s sinful past. Remembering the life and suffering of Jesus Christ is something that both Filipinos and tourists alike can agree on, that the trials and hardships of one man can serve as an example to a kind of life that leads to personal salvation and redemption. The solemnity of the Filipino Holy Week is something unique—since a lot of the country’s population has its roots deeply set in its religion. This only strengthens the fact that a lot of tourists come to the Philippines for Holy Week; it is here that they can truly appreciate what is good, what is the meaning of suffering, and what is the meaning of salvation. Changing society always demands a change of oneself first, and the kind of atmosphere that Holy Week brings is enough to induce that change within people.

The Mahal na Araw is definitely an event worth celebrating, along with the hospitality that comes along with being Filipino and being a Christian, this time of the year marks the start of change for people—change that is both beneficial to themselves and to the people around them.

In contemporary times, these Philippine traditions are slowly disappearing. Young Filipinos now use the Holy Week to vacation at the beach