THE HUMBLING SOUTHERNMOST

Recently, I made a visit to four provinces in the southernmost part of my country: Zamboanga, the Bangsamoro Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The visit was actually not part of my plan this year but I thought I had to do it now before I missed it. True enough, the experience was memorable and productive.

 

VIVA ZAMBOANGA.  First stop was in the port pillar in Zamboanga. Mi viaje a Zamboanga para primero tiempo esta buen. Yo amo' los espanoles influencias preserva en nuestra cultural ahora. Tambien los cocinares y las palabras. Muchisimas gracias, Zamboanga.

 

Zamboanga is leading the region, living the people more advance than the neighboring provinces, and enjoying the reputation as the Asia's Latin city. Though if I may say it did not really impress me that much but Zamboanga has its own charm that is attractive to others, it is The Flower City anyway.  Being the person who loves vintage that I am, I like the Spanish remnants are visibly present up to this date, the old houses still exist and the architectural designs are dominantly obvious everywhere. And I am really grateful to taste the authentic curacha dish, a famous specialty originated in Zamboanga.  The Rainbow Mosque (Masjid Al-Islamia) is very catchy. Its colours are inevitable candies to tourists. There is only one destination I really looked forward to see in Zamboanga: the Pink Beach, but true enough to our tour guide disclaimer about expectation versus reality, we should not expect high as the sand is not really pink. Zamboanga is very colorful, if there is something that rewarded my craving to be in this place, seeing an original vinta upclose is my favorite moment in Zamboanga.

 

SOULFUL SULU.  Going to Sulu on the very first time gives me the feeling of out of the country vibes. Sulu is one of the components of Bangsamoro region. As a dominant Muslim place, hearing the calls for their prayer times puts me to feel like in the documentary movies featuring the life of people in rural places. The place is soulful and serene, leaving you the impression of simplicity, modesty, and old fashion. Sulu is layback and it is conservative here.  Being in Sulu dismissed my impression that the place is fearsome, an stigma that most always attached to this place due to past unrest encounters and terrorism incidents, tourist like me became evasive to visit this naturally beautiful place. I must admit, there was fear in me prior to come here especially as solo in Sulu traveler but my faith first and foremost fortified my decision, and when finally here, the visibility of men in uniform holding those firearms crossed to their chest gives the feeling of security to tourists like me.

 

My visit to Sulu was number of firsts to me like when I tried to eat foods that the locals do. Satti is a chicken or beef in barbecue stick served with sweet and spicy gravy and with some sticky rice. My first taste was easily approved. Then, Tausug's Chicken Piyanggang is grilled chicken marinated in burnt coconut meat, this gives unique spice taste. Then Tiyulang Itum, also called black soup because of the burnt coconut meat. The taste is actually similar to Tagalog's Sinuam. And I did not miss the chance to finally taste the unpopular Durian fruit for its potent smell. Though it is not actually when you are eating it, it is starchy but I did not find it good and sweet. I am expecting a jackfruit like but it is not, same with Marang fruit. And lastly, the fresh seafoods are cheaply affordable.

 

Being in Sulu is an experience. It is learning to observe their situations and respect their faith and traditions. Actually, Sulu is misunderstood.  It is generally peaceful here.  Being been there, you can left your heart or soul in Sulu.

 

BEHIND BASILAN.  Basilan is stunning. The nice white sand and wide esplanade of Malamawi Beach in Pahali made me counted it as one of the ideal picture perfect beaches. While here I tried Tausug's delicatessen Putli Mandi, a dessert steam rice cake from glutinous rice, usually purple, rounded into ball, and sprinkled with coconut strip. Also the Wadjit, a confectionery made from black and white glutinous rice stuffed with brown sugar filling, perfect with their native coffee.  While in Basilan, seeing the women wearing hijab wherever they go like in market, street, schools, and even in beach is testament of their solid faith. But behind these beautiful impressions, there is sadness forming in my heart while looking around at the actual pictures of the ordinary surroundings. Basilan brought me in mixed emotions that part of me was the eagerness to see its nature while on the other hand it undeniably caused me to feel sad. Instead of enjoying the ride of travelling, the sad reality of its situation, condition and unpleasant views of poverty pains my heart. There were apparent things that will really feel the life there is poor, slow, and sad. Well it can be subjective but as tourist you can feel there is something it is holding back. I supposed to enjoy but seeing the wooden houses sunk in shallow water and muds along the shore, scattering household wastes in the premises, hinting education is unaffordable, and seeing some children begging for alms instead made me affected witnessing the difficulties of life. These are the baseline of Basilan.  Basilan is left behind and this confirms my feelings when I checked, Basilan appears to be the highest poverty rate in the country. Our Muslim brothers and sisters are left behind. The community is neglected but it is very promising if supported.

Basilan has best beaches to brag its clean beaches, fine white sands, turquoise water,

and spectacular long shallow to deep shoreline. Behind the not good things that I have seen, indeed there are more beautiful things around Basilan like lively festivities, colorful artworks, and unexplored nature gems that can show to world.

 

AND LASTLY, TAWI-TAWI.  It is the last province and the southernmost in the Philippines, I like Tawi-tawi escapade the most among my quad-provinces travel collectively alled s "ZamBaSulTa", especially the Panampangan Island known for having the longest sandbar in the country stretching over 3,000 meters and vividly connecting to the next island when low tide. The place is so natural, unfiltered and very instagramable. What you see is what you get - the pure, soft and white sand was truly an experience.

While in Tawi-tawi, I had breakfast in Arabic setup, trekking the 1,122 feet summit and over 3,000 steps of Bud Bongao, explored the Boloboc cave, and visited the Pink Mosque (Masjid Dimaukom) situated in Mindanao State University.

 

Tawi-tawi is the last province in the South, it is geographically very near in Malaysia and Indonesia. Although I missed the Sitangkai which is the last baranggay closest to Malaysia but experience to be here is enough. Tawi-tawi has a lot more to offer; it has colorful culture, history and tradition, the untouched flora & fauna is priceless, there are interesting foods and the amazing locals who have stories to share. Tawi-tawi is under Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao though life is layback but Tawi-tawi has smiles in its face and it is very promising that is in waiting to develop. The dominantly Badjao ethnic group who are sea gypsies settled in water overlooking the picturesque emerald waters, they are popularly known for diving the coins thrown by ships' passengers while docking in the port. And definitely the fresh air to breathe is generous. And of course, getting me inside the Mosque is first to me and something that is really an honor. Paying respect to Masjid Sheikh Makhdum in Sangay Siapuh, Simunul Island was truly an opportunity to experience and my visit to Tawi-tawi is definitely for keep.

 

All in all, my travel to collectively Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi was not enough to enter in my top-5 most beautiful places I visited. But my number one takeaway here is the knowledge I have gained so, is it so productive gaining all these knowledge?  

Going to these places from Manila, the fastest and convenient way is a three and a half hour direct flight to Zamboanga.  Since Sulu and Basilan are close to Zamboanga as the main gateway, going there was back and forth from and to each other.  Travel can be thru bus, ferry and plane.  We used ferry which is one and a half hour to Basilan and seven hours to Sulu.  And finally, we needed to go back to Zamboanga going to Tawi-tawi thru 1 hour flight as aircraft is the most practical for travelers as times matter in counting.

HINATUAN ENCHANTED RIVER

 

The Hinatuan Enchanted River is a deep spring river exactly found between the boundaries of Barangays of Talisay and Cambantong, Hinatuan, Province of Surigao del Sur, island of Mindanao in Philippines, and flows into the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It was believed to be mysterious or enchanted for its unknown depth until this date.

Various local legends:

It is called “enchanted” because no one has ever reached its bottom. Local legends tell that fairies added the river’s unusual colors of sapphire and jade to the river to make its unique shade and it’s unexplored depths inspire it to be enchanted. Also other legend say the fairies dwell the river & haunted by supernatural beings which act as its protectors. (Source: Wikipedia as of 5/1/23)

WOW, SIARGAO

 

This video is the highlight of my travel to Siargao Island summarized in 3 minutes. It is a hidden paradise, Siargao is situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao Del Norte, northeastern in Mindanao, and well known as the “surfing capital of the Philippines”

UNFORGETABLE SIARGAO

My travel to Siargao brought me into another level of excitement in expecting to experience again the wonder of travelling the beautiful places around the tropical country into reality.  When I arrived in Siargao and true enough, Siargao did not fail me to give the most relaxing feeling of an unspoiled island vibes to my senses.  Siargao easily captured my heart with its simplicity yet astounding sceneries.  While on a van passing through the long and smooth road going to its town proper, seeing the green mountains surround, the simple houses and few locals walking on the street-side made my first impression light and attached.  The natural landscape of its flora and fauna where the greeneries are abundant and the crystal clear water are shinning is simply picturesque undeniable.  The surrounding is clean and last but not the list, the friendly people are readily approachable to their guests, be it locales or foreigners.

 

As guest, Siargao has so many options to offer in both land and water.  Island hopping is always popular and favorite.  First stop was the Secret Island, an island that shows up depend on the tide, makes it called secret when not seen.  Next Naked Island, it is a bare small island with no habitats which why it was called naked.  I like Naked Island because of its very friendly look, no clutter of anything that ruins its beauty.  It has fine white sand and nice sand bar that is visibly during low tide.  And for those keen aficionados to document the beauty of the place, I think Naked Island is perfect for drone shot where it can capture the pure white sands, the clear blue and green water surrounds and the whole island itself.  Next were the Guyam Island and the Daku Island where both can welcome large number of guests, offer cottages, foods and drinks, and host picture perfect instagramable spots.  The famous boodle-fight lunch served with lots of sea foods and fruits perfectly made each one full and done.  Seeing foreigners who are not familiar with our foods, cuisines, and may even not accustomed how we eat using our bare hands, but these strangers who got along with the design of boodle fight was my take away of the day.

 

The next day was basically land tour leading to both water and land.  Secret Beach was definitely very beautiful, unspoiled, serene and relaxing.  Wherever you look, anywhere you go, every spot was simply naturally perfect.  Then Maasin Enchanted River was next.  The green and tranquil water with a waiting bamboo raft, and a ready wooden diving board for those who want to jump made the river inviting.  To continue the tour was the Coconut Mountain View, an epic viewpoint overlooking thousands of coconut trees, where the human drone was known to many.  Half way on the island day tour, we were docked on a port to ride in a pump boat for the next itinerary.  The boatman/tour guide traveled us passing through Maasin Mangrove to witness how they protect the sea and how they serve to the ecosystem.  The travel was all the way to Sugba Lagoon, a spot perfect for snorkeling and an improvised diving board is ready for the fearless divers.  And finally, Magpupungko Rock Pool is another spot for diving but it is more children-friendly spot.

 

While in Siargao, going to famous Cloud-9 is a must to do but unfortunately I had to miss due to time constraint.  It is coined Cloud-9 because of the big waves that look like number 9, a fact that will not become popular for great surfers.   The foods are good and at night, there is life to chill in some designated places.  All in all, my travel to Siargao is very touching in the sense that I felt so touched with how its natural looks, calmness, cleanliness, and its white sands captured my heart.

 

Going to Siargao from Manila can be by land and by air but for convenience, by plane is the best option.  Manila is 762 km distance from Siargao, 2 hours direct flight travel by plane, and another 45 minutes land travel from Sayak Airport to General Luna, the center of Siargao.

ENGINEERS SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

 

(The following article is an excerpt from a paper work project in collage titled “Global warming, an environmental issue related to engineering”)

 

As the old saying that goes in every problem there is solution, we would like emphasize that the challenges of environmental issues caused by global warming to engineering has solutions.  We have heard about the term “Circular Economy”.  Circular Economy as we describe in its simple definition means an approach of producing and consuming which involves sharing, reducing, re-using, recycling, repairing, refurbishing, and repurposing the existing materials and products as much as possible.  We have to do these in order to find the solution on global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution.  Engineering can apply this in building communities and nation as well.  In designing the engineering works, it has to align with the principles of circular economy.  For example is reducing.  Since we have already maximize the resources of earth, or abused if that is the right term, then all we need to do is to reduce, or moderate everything if inevitable.  Reduce the construction of new building by renovating old and dilapidated buildings, as possible.  Reduce the erection of new buildings by repurposing the existing buildings.  By doing these, old and dilapidated buildings can be transformed into advanced spaces, maximize the space of the buildings and their uses. This is a significant response to circular economy because construction of buildings reduces the use of resources such as metals, minerals and energy.  At the same time demolition reduces the production of wastes such as Co2 and solid wastes.

 

On electrical engineers point of view, engineers should apply the reduction of waste from lights pollution.  Today, business establishments, buildings, and facilities are having excessive exterior lighting and illuminations.  By reducing the lights, it subsequently reduces light pollution, enhances power conservation, reduces glow in the atmosphere, and benefits the environment.  The policy of limiting the use of outdoor lighting “when it is needed”, “where it is needed”, and “what is the required amount only” has to be observed.  Sustainable designs such as wind turbines, solar panels, waste water management systems, recycled waste do not compromise the natural environment.  When we use renewable and recyclable materials, reducing energy consumption of the building, reducing on-site waste, and protecting the natural habitats, we are part of sustainable engineering.

 

Circular economy is actually changing the cycle of the products and properties: the Take, Make, & Dispose cycle.  Engineering, or whatever profession it is, takes materials from nature, make the products out of it and use them, and dispose in landfills or burn them in incinerators.  That is the cycle.  The circular economy redesigns the cycle.  From take-make-dispose cycle, circular economy replaces it with this cycle: first is to close the cycle by recovering materials through remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling.  Second is to narrow the loop by using less resources, less materials without losing integrity of the usage of the product.  And third is to slow the loop by using resources longer, reusing them and repairing them.

 

Hence, the best practices approach are Reuse – reuse by another customer of the product which is still in good condition.  Reduce – reducing the consumption of material.  Repurpose – use discarded product in new function.  Repair – repairing or upgrading objects rather than throwing them away.  Refuse – do not consume what you do not need to. And recycle – make material to obtain the same or lower quality.

Circular economy focuses on low environmental impact and minimizes waste and excessive resource use by turning goods at the end of their lifespan into new resources for others.  Consider the design when planning a renovation by applying sharing, which is another principle of circular economy.  Introducing the design of office spaces as co-worker concept, it maximizes the spaces and reduces the uses of resources like wood, plastic, and energy. When construction of building is a must, then it must to be considered in engineering designs the support to green movement.  The strong presence of greenery of the trees and plants that shade the spaces serves as heat resistance for structures and makes its life span longer.  It makes a building an environmental and nature friendly.

 

Engineers are the subject matter experts when it comes to this field.  Engineers, under their professional code of ethics, play the fundamental roles in ensuring infrastructure designs and operations are continuously adapted to the impacts of climate change to ensure public safety.  By applying the principles of circular economy, they emphasize the design-based implementation of the three base principles: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regeneration of nature.  Maybe we cannot totally stop engineering works by now but we can reduce and slow down the harmful effect of climate change.  Remember, applying circular economy interrupts the engineering to input resources when it provides new materials for construction, and disables the their outputs resources when demolishing such as creating solid waste that we dump in junk sites, and this helps the environment to slow down global warming.

SAVING THE HUMAN AND NATURE

The Mother Earth is billion years of its beauty, wonder, mysteries, and existence.  Since then, our ancestors were poured with the blessings of the earth.  The simplicity of their life balanced the biodiversity that thru this, everything on earth became the source of life with the bounties they received out of the Nature.  But it is unfortunate to witness in our time her worsening condition.  Through the years, generations after generations, for many years people unearth the discoveries the earth could best offer until the peak of modernization compromised her.  Our unstoppable ambitions and excessiveness to serve our best interest are the culprit of world destruction.

The 20^th century people tested the limits of the Mother Nature.  The earth did not fail short to remind the people but our worldly needs to achieve the best we could enjoy even at the expense of our earth brought to where we are now.  There were concerned individual and groups that used their capabilities to save the earth but they are outnumbered by the majority more powerful who are abusing the patience of the Earth, causing to halt our environment and jeopardize our world.  The signs were here but for decades and decades, people did not listen to the warnings and pleas of environmentalists and advocates.  People are not taking seriously the climate change.  People are taking for granted the global warming. People are taking advantage our Nature.

Humans’ worldly ambitions brought us here.  Humans by nature to survive is to be on top and to be number one.  To do that, people need power and resources or finance as these could make the world go round but the thing is, most often it boils down to relying on the Nature that abused. Greed is there. Logging, mining, and oil and gas businesses are lucrative that can make kingdom of moguls and even top leaders.  From big wig people down to ordinary people has its own share.  People in general are simply having idleness, inconsiderate and insensible.  Who love doing energy conservation?  Who care waste segregation, recycling, and water and air pollution anyway in a busy and survival of the fittest world?  The humongous landfills around us emits methapines, massive deforestation and burning fossils produce carbon dioxide.  All these deplete our ozone layer and that makes the climate change and gives the extreme weather we are experiencing now.

The great bush fires in Amazon, the super typhoons in Asia, the melting arctic ocean, floods, tornadoes, and the recent record high scorching heat wave in Europe are just some of the outcomes of our negligence, self-centered, and careless selves behavior towards our environment.  The earth must be balance, we take but we must give.  It’s give and take.  We need our earth to bless us but she needs us to take care her.  There is the law of check and balance, but there is no more balance.  Let us preserve our natural resources and stop its depletion by embracing the idea of environmental sustainability.  Polluting the soil, water and air will peril and perish their main purposes, benefits and sustainability.  These must be avoided in order to maintain the ecological balance.

The earth is deteriorating and we really need to act to save her now.  How we response to the 2030 deadline can make or break us.  Great power comes great responsibility.  The world great leaders have great role in the irreversible effects of climate change come the deadline 2030.  Once and for all at least for now for a long term temporary or permanent solution, they can do big changes on the greenhouse gases.  For saving something, be a hero.  We have to be hero.

IN PAMPANGA

 

This is our travel to Philippines' north bound Pampanga to visit the century-old age churches and taste the delicacies of the culinary capital of the country.

We visited our first stop in Angeles City's Apong Macalulu Church and Sto. Rosario Church. Next is the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, then San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacoor and San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Lubao.  Then we went to Guagua's Betis Church and finally to Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church.

Before we go back home to Rizal, we dined in this popular restaurant Apag Marangle to experience the Pampanga's authentic culinary tastes.

MY TOP-5 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

I am a simple, semi-conservative and nature-loving person, I am supporting the local travels and tours in my country.  And of all the travel destinations I excitedly visited, there are simply outstanding, amazing and remarkable and there are not so surprising that brought great impact to my expectation and memory.  So I came up with this list of my top-5 most favorite travel destinations based on the charm of the places.  I can say those travels that have nice service, foods or the happy bonding with family or group but they are different stories.  On this list, I have just focused on the natural beauty of the places.  So in no particular order, here are my top-5 most favorite destinations.

1. BORACAY

Boracay is the once I called, paradise.  Why not when it has the greenery, white sand and clear water.

Each island in the Philippines is virtually paradise, but Boracay is easily beautiful.  First time I visited the island was during its best days.  That was in 1990’s where the plenty of green was there, the long stretch of white sand was relaxing, and less tourist were nestling in the serene island.  It was very peaceful and so nature.  Boracay is simply one of the best beaches.

Boracay is tropical island in Western Visayas.  Going there from Manila, I had to travel to Kalibo Aklan to Caticlan to Boracay island.

And then I have seen Boracay in 2013 and the island has changed so much.  Commercialized, crowded and loud, cramped space.  I was lost, searching the old Boracay I used to love – looking for the green, looking for the sands?  But then again, the island is still beautiful.

For this travel, I will call it “Best Beach Boracay”.

2. SIQUIJOR

This is mystique Siquijor.  I like Siquijor because it is uncommercialized which means, it is so pure, clean and quite.

Siquijor is in central Visayas.  Going there, there is flght from Manila to Dumaguette. From the airport, take a trike to the port and take ferry or boat to Larena port of Siquijor.

While in there, I visited the churches (San Isidro Labrador convent, and St Francis of Assisi church), the enchanted century-age Balete tree, its clean and nice beaches - I like Cambugahay falls.

And what makes me like Siquejor even more are the people.  You will not feel out of place because they are approachable.

Siquijor is still unassuming or shall I say undiscovered tourist spot?  It is all nature, no artificial sceneries.  The beaches are still crystal-clear, the flora and fauna are still untouched.  And thank God, I visited Siquijor in its natural beauty and its purest.

For this spot, I will title it “Seek your Siquijor”.

3. PALAWAN

It is dubbed as the last frontier.  Palawan is where human and animals meet and greet. There are crocs here, monkeys there and me.

From Manila, there are direct flights to Puerto Princesa and Busuanga Airport.

I like Palawan because simply it is so nature.  The rock formations are amazing.  The landscape is so real.  I like the forest is conserved & protected. You can sleep in the sound of crickets in the night and wake-up with the chirping birds.

I like the underground river.  It was different experience, and proud moment.  I like safari in Calauit Island, you can have interaction with live animals.  And I like Coron specially the Kayangan Island, it is the best scene I had in there.

For this spot, I will caption this “My only One, Palawan”.

4. BATANES

It is on the northernmost part of the Philippines, the home of the wind – Batanes.

Batanes is definitely my most favorite destination and place.  Very quiet, peaceful, clean, cool, simple and it is full of greeneries. Very beautiful, everywhere.

Going there, I took the first flight from Manila to Vasco Batanes.  When in there, it is like a different country.  There is no resemblance of urban cities, of the modern life.  No traffic, no littering, no pollution, no crime.

I visited the Mt Carmel Church.  There is the Vayang Rolling Hills, Valugan Boulder Beach, the Marlboro Hills.  I ate delicious rice which is an Ivatan cusuine.  I had a coffee in Fundacion Pacita, an art gallery slash coffee house.

Batanes means light houses and stone houses.  Batanes is called the home of the winds.  Stone houses were perfectly built there.  I have seen the oldest stone house – the house of Dakay.  There is the Honesty store, a store that no one is overseeing.

Life in Batanes could be backward but I would rather choose it because there is so much respect in nature and in people’s life.

For this spot, I will call it  “My goodness, Batanes”.

5. BANAUE RICE TERRACES

Lastly, it is dubbed as the eighth Wonder of the World.  It is the Banaue Rice Terraces.

When I went to Banaue Rice Terraces, I became a bit emotional because, those pictures that I see only in books, calendar, and magazines when I was a kid… finally I saw it right before my eyes and witnessed its massive beauty.  Going there, the travel from Manila through bus.

This is the majestic Banaue - dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world.  It’s all green in there.  Seeing Banaue rice terraces, you will give so much high respect to those people who made it.  While I was traveling in Banaue and seeing the sceneries along the journey, I felt the innocence of life and its unearthly things and I liked it

Being there, I can say it’s being close to nature.  If there are places that I want to go back again, Banaue Rice Terraces is one of them.

And for this spot, I will name it “Wonderful Banaue”.

There you have it, that was my top-5 most favorite destinations.  This is my take on “It’s more fun in the Philippines”.  I would like to end this by saying “travel while you are young and able".

MY TOP-5 MOST FAVORITE DESTINATIONS

 

This video is the list of my five favorite destinations (local, Philippines). The list is based on the most beautiful places that I visited.

This is in no particular order:

Batanes

Siquijor

Banaue

Boracay

Palawan

3 that almost made it in 5:

Samal Island

Caramoan

Bntyan Island

Disclaimer: I am not a travel expert; please correct me if there are mistakes about the tourist spots that I mentioned.

ANG DOLOMITE BEACH, MANILA BAY

Sa isang isyu, mayroong pabor at kontra.  Paano malalaman kung sino ang tama at mali?  Kung mas malalim, may saysay at may pagpapatunay sa iyong argumento, malamang kaysa hindi ay ikaw ang tama.  Huwag ng idagdag kung ang puntos mo ay mas marami.  Ganito ang nangyari sa paglalagay ng dolomite sand, o pekeng puting buhangin sa Manila Bay.

Bago ang lahat, gusto kong gumanda ang Manila bay, sino ba ang may ayaw?  Pero duon tayo lagi sa tama.  Maraming mali sa ginawa. Ang argumento ng kabila“Nung madumi, ang reklamo ay bakit hindi linisin, ngayong pinapaganda ay bakit nagrereklamo pa rin?”  Una, sablay ang argumento nila.  Ang inirereklamo ay madumi, hindi pangit.  Kaya dapat linisin hindi i-peke na pagandahin. Kasi kung malinis naman ang look ay gaganda na iyon.

Pangalawa, tama bang gawin ito ngayon?  Mali na gawin ito sa panahon ngayon dahil mas kailangang unang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng pandemniya.  Kawalan ng damdamin (insensitive) ito sa panahon na marami ang namamatay, nawawalan ng trabaho, nagugutom, at nahihirapang mga frontliners dahil sa pandemya na hindi matugunan nang maayos dahil wala na daw pera. 

Pangatlo, mali na lagyan ng pekeng puting buhangin ang baybayin ng Manila bay dahil sa kasaysayan ng Manila bay ay maraming beses ng umaapaw ang tubig nito at inaanod kung saan-saan ang anomang nasa tubig.  Magsasayang lang tayo ng pera, panahon at lakas.  Aanurin lang ng baha ang perang ginastos para dito.  Kung sana ay nire-allign na lang ang P28M sa distance learning ng mga bata, dahil wala daw pondo para dito.

Pang-apat, mali na naman dahil ayon sa DOH ay delikado sa kalusugan ang dolomite sand. May mga negatibong epekto sa kalusugan ang paglanghap sa dinurog na dolomite, na kapag na-inhale ng mga tao ay may mga adverse reactions.  Ang dolomite dust, pag napunta sa mata, nagkakaroon ng kaunting irritation. Pag na-ingest, magkakaroon ng kaunting pananakit ng tiyan at pagtatae,".  Nauna nang sinabi ng grupong Infrawatch Philippines na nagdudulot ang dolomite dust ng iritasyon sa mata, mga sakit sa baga at maging cancer.

Pang-lima, mali na naman ito kasi sabi ng Oceana Philippines, madaming nilabag na batas ang proyekto dahil sa kawalan ng environmental impact assessment, at hindi rin kinonsulta ang publiko tungkol dito.

Pang-anim, kung tungkol sa sinasabi nilang matagal na itong approved bago pa magkaroon ng COVID, eh hindi ba binigyan ng executive emergency power si du30 na ire-allign ang budget ng kanyang mga ahensiya at ang mga non-essentials ay maaari niyang gamitin sa pag-control sa covid?  Kahit pa matagal na itong approved ay hindi nila ito pwedeng ituloy dahil nga hindi into essentials sa panahon ng pandemniya.

Pang-pito, mali pa rin ito dahil ang kailangan para mapaganda ang Manila bay ay ang paglilinis ng mga nakapaligid dito.  Nuon pa natin alam ito.  Siguro 1986 pa o baka mas nauna pa.  Mas lalo ngayon na ang daming squatters na naka-squat malapit sa Manila bay na siyang punot-dulo ng mga basurang inaanod sa baybay ng Manila bay.

Ang tama lang sa argumento ng kabila ay ang intensiyong pagandahin ang Manila Bay, pero ang nag-iisang punto na ito ay dinaig ng mga nabanggit sa itaas.

THE BEST OF MY TRAVEL ESCAPADE'

(Click below for the video)

This video is a collection of my seven years local travel to the places that once topped in my bucket list.  I've been more fan of local travel rather than going outside not for anything else but simply I like the natures of my country.  Most of these pictures were during my most favorite time Of the year, summertime.

As said in the video, "travel while you are young and able". Because being young is the best time you can do whatever you want to do.  Getting old limits your times and energy to do more.  When you don't have time today because of your busy schedules then you reserved your free times later when you get old, by the time you are old and you are really free, you will realize either you have other priorities, you cannot go out to walk, or you do not have budget to go at all.  Remember, travel is the only thing you spend but you get richer.

MYSTICAL SIQUIJOR

Okay, I confess.  I admit that the first and foremost reason why I wanted to go to Siquijor is its infamous reputation where it is known for – the intriguing, mysterious and unbelievable eerie stories.  Because the more stories I read about Siquijor and the longer it takes, it just convinced me even more to pursue my plan to put it on top of my bucket list.   But it is not that uncanny when you get there.  Because when I'd finally witnessed Siquijor in up-close and personal, you will not really feel the unfavorable anecdotes but instead your personal experience will just attest the positive reviews from the articles that I read in travel blog.  First of all, I like Siquijor’s coolness, calmness, peacefulness and most of all it’s welcoming people.  The hospitality I received from its local people, though we have difference in our local dialect but Siquiors is more than approachable to ask when you have doubt.  From its people to the place itself, Siquijor is sitting patiently and silently waiting to discover.  There are so many white sand beaches that are very promising as tourist’s destinations, most of them are still unspoiled and unexplored but the natural architectural landscape is already sketched to unearth.

Siquijor is very quite island.  At day, you have all the times at your own convenience to roam the whole island visiting its beauty.  When not in hurry, check its flora, greeneries and woodlands and the next day, you can spend your day to indulge splashing in its boasting blue beaches.  At night, you can feel like falling asleep to cradle as it is really very quite where you can hear only the crickets’ scream, flapping leaves of the trees and the unceasing waves in the sea shore.  I did not have the chance to try natural body cleansing through faith healers but for those who are enthusiasts of alternative medicines, don’t miss the chance – after all this is where Siquijor is known for.  But I think it is about time to disregard the stigma that always associates to initial impression when we heard Siquijor.  It is not that actually frightening and mystifying to go to Siquijor Island but instead there are more to enjoy the white sand beaches and splash that crystal clear cool water.  Enough to keep coming back to enchanting and mystical Siquijor.

Must see places in tiny Siquijor include the enchanted century-age Balete tree.  Under the hundreds of roots and vines of the tree is the natural fish spa.  Salagdoong Beach offers water slides and place to dive into the water in 7m or 10m high. The impressive Cambugahay Falls is a 3-level waterfall which is great for swimming.  The rope swing and slope tier can be used to jump.   The Guiwanon Spring Park is a new relaxing place surrounded with mangrove trees.  There are two old churches in Siquijor both are over hundred years built.  The San Isidro Labrador Convent reputed to be the biggest and one of the oldest convents in the Philippines constructed in 1894.  It is declared as a historical landmark by the Philippine Historical Commission. Saint Francis of Assisi was built in 1774 with stone and has the usual crucible form of the old Spanish churches.  Other beaches are the Kagusuan Beach noted for its picturesque seascape and rock formation, it is situated below a cliff and accessible by concrete staircase.  Siquijor Beach and more white sand beach resorts dot the coastal areas.  San Juan Beach is great for snorkelling and scuba diving.  All of them are equally great and amazing.  There is another nice water fall in San Juan called Lugnason Falls.  Capilay Spring Park hosts for natural spring fed swimming pool while Cantabon Cave for those who are enthusiasts of trekking or hiking.

Going from Manila to Siquijor takes two hours travel.  The commercial aircraft flies you for one hour from Manila airport to any of these three domestic airports: Sibulan in Dumaguete, Tagbilaran in Bohol and Dipolog in Dipolog City.  And the next one hour or two is your final destination.  There are two ferry terminals on the island: Siquijor town and Larena.   Boats are travelling daily.  Make sure to keep in mind their schedules as most of them leave Siquijor before 2PM as the last trip.  For a backpacker, in the port are the tricycle drivers who can serve as your tour guide.  You can approach them to find transient houses for you.  No need to worry for places because Siquijor is practically small island only and anywhere can be your point of start and accessible to all places.  If you are daring enough, it is possible to rent a motorbike.