I was off-blog for a while. I was caught in a whirlwind of going here to there and vice-versa. I was with my co-workers in a tasked to orient field personnel on the enhanced programs of our agency. This means travelling hundreds of kilometers by land from one province to another. This means waking up at 2 am, then 3 am, then 4 pm, I was afraid that I might oversleep and be left behind. Going to the provinces is really a treat for me. First I get to visit my family (parents & siblings), renewed acquaintances, looked at old and familiar places, and note some changes on people and places.
We went to the city of Catbalogan (my place), Samar province. The place was recently "city-fied" by the local officials. Catbalogan has changed much. Although, the presence of Jollibee (the biggest fastfood chain in the country) is a welcome sight. This means that Catbalogan is now recognized as "IT" place. Imelda park was rehabilitated and acquired a new charm - water fountains and newly landscaped. Old buildings were renovated and repainted and acquired new names. Clearly, the city of Catbalogan is trying to keep pace with developments that is permeating Mother Earth worldwide. It is trying to be savvy in technology with the presence of internet cafes. It has now a univerty (Samar State University) which is producing global nurses. Catbalogan is bustling with businessmen, students, government workers, children, senior citizens and the following generations of residents are wide-eyed and excited to welcome these developments.I am happy with these progress.
But, really Catbalogan hasn't really changed that much. The trycicle drivers that has no sense of direction still rules the roads and streets.
The important landmarks are still very much present - the capitol building, the government offices building, the provincial hospital, the San Bartholomew Church, the Ubanon church, the grandstand, my alma maters - Catbalogan I Elementary School (grade school), Samar National School (high school) and Sacred Heart College (now Saint Mary"s Academy). Samar College and the Samar State Polytechnic College (now Samar State University). The puereculture center, the piers 1 and 2. These familiar places gave comfort to jaded and urbanized Catbaloganons.
It is always a joy going home and seeing familiar places, meeting old friends and welcoming families. This is what I feel whenever I visit my home. I feel rejuvenated and this never fail to put a smile on my face whenever I leave. Homes never fail to remind us to be just be ourselves.
I am encouraging everyone to go home. It is never too late.

My first encounter with the island of Boracay was in 1995. We (with my co-pax) were ferreted to the island in the morning and spend the whole day there.
The image that was then etched in my find was a stretch of white sand beach. Clear, pristine blue waters. Blue skies. Soft, fine, white sand (like the white refined sugar). Clean beach. No big buildings. No hawkers of souvenirs items (bracelets, etc.). And less human traffic. No pier for the motorized banca to dock on. We spend the day walking through the length of the beach from end-to-end. And at the end we saw the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in an islet. We also realized that this was the picture at the ticket jacket of the Philippine Airlines. I soaked in the sun-and-sea-and-sand, literally. One cannot resist the pull of the place. You cannot do anything but enjoy the beach. Back then, there were no digital cameras. All I got was a picture with my co-pax. And my sunburn lasted for nearly a year before I returned to my original color. When time came for us to leave the island, a motorized banca called throug radio to get us back to the mainland. Boracay was not that famous then.
Last July 2007, I returned to Boracay with my co-workers. It was a pleasure trip. I was excited to see Boracay again, because he became famous (and infamous). Boracay has grown. He has all the amenities that caters to the tourists - a pier for the boats to dock, a cooperative who manages the different tours and rides within the island. Hotels for the guests to stay. He became busier. Big hotels had been established (brand names). Restobars (also branded) lined the beach. Souvenir shops and hawkers proliferated the place. Rides of different kinds were available - banana boat(looked like a pencil), flyfish, parasails, jetskis, speedboating, island tours, etc. Tourists were shoulder-to-shoulder. That time Asian tourists were plenty (Chinese, Koreans & Japanese & us-the locals). I was amazed that this island so small (2 kilometers wide) could accomodate these crowd and establishments. Physically, Boracay has changed, but retain his innate charm - the blue skies and beaches and white sands. One feel that Boracay never sleeps. When dusk came, Boracay came alive with live bands, performers, shows and eat-all-you-can restos. Dawn in Boaracay, is another thing to experience. After the nightlife, people take to the beach to invigorate. Mornings are sweet and mellow. Slow paced and one could enjoy the beach to the max. Noontime were for those who are brave enough to bask and burn in the sun. My 3-days stay were worth it. We walked and walked and walked a lot. We swam and swam. We basked in the sun. And hoard lots of souvenirs items for our loved ones and friends back home. I say - Boracay is not for the fainthearted. My tips for who wants to experience Boracay-wear rubber slippers(not necessarily havaianas), bring slippers, wear least clothing and bring only one backpack. Take my advice to heart and enjoy BORACAY!!!

One of the many surprises in travelling by land is seeing different places up close and experience personal encounter. Although, I've seen Mayon volcano hundred times (in pictures!) since my elementary grades (she's featured in textbooks), I had my personal encounter with her three years ago. One of my travels, brought me to the Bicol region, the place of Mayon. We reached Bicol early morning. I thought that upon reacging the shores of Bicol, Mayon would be there to be seen in her glory. So, I've craned my neck and opened my eyes wide to catch a glimpse of Mayon. To my dismay, it takes hours of travelling before reaching Legazpi City, where she reigns. When I finally see her from afar, I had goosebumps all over. She's beautiful. Serene. Regal.I was awed. She's everywhere. One could not ignore her. I've a feeling that she's a mother looking after all her children. Her presence engulfs everyone, whether your a resident of the region or just a visitor to the place.
When we visited the Cagsawa ruins (the church where the people seek protection when Mayon erupted decades ago and buried everyone and everything within her reached), I felt sad. Standing at her feet, I realized how dangerous Mayon is. I realized the people will be helpless if she will let go of her anger, should her children displease her. They could not escape from her. And in the end, just ask for her mercy. I think this was what the people inside the ruins felt at that time. Gazing at her, in her glory, I could not shake the feeling that she's boiling beneath our feet.
Since I visited Mayon, she's seen seething and spewing lava from time to time. But, still looking regal and commanding as ever. Her "perfect cone" still perfect. And unfathomable as ever.

My job entails a lot travelling within our region (region vIII) and nationwide. one of them is to baguio city-we call the place "summer capital of the philippines," because of its cold climate during summer months. although, i visited baguio, in 1983, after i graduated in high school, i felt excited seeing baguio again after 20 plus years. i cannot wait to compare baguio then and and now (may 2007). baguio is still cold but not that cold back then. i said to myself, is this the effect of global warming? baguio has grown - big buildings, golf courses, widening of roads, and people still flocked to this place.
we went to the usual tourists haunts - the Grotto of Lourdes (our hotel was just a stone throw away), Burnham park (the boats and the bikes are still there), the strawbery fields (i had a blast eating fresh strawberries) and numerous souvenir shops.we also visited flower farms, where all the colors of roses are growing. these flowere were so beautiful that it hurts to picked them knowing that they will just wilt in the end. we went to hanger market and tried to locate my relatives, unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the market and pressed for time. mornings in baguio aren't that cold anymore, but the evening, brrr! its really cold.
i had a blast when i was able to bring the fresh strawberries home! strawberries wilt in warm climate. my co-workers were telling me that it will rot by the time i'll reached tacloban city (my home). but i'm so determined to let my kids see, feel and eat fresh strawberries, i did my best to try. i bought one-kilo of the fruit. we travelled at night(its cold), we rode in aircon bus(i put my fruit infront of the aircon). arriving in manila, we rode aircon taxi to the airport. the airport was freezing cold and so was the plane. but arriving in tacloban, the sun was in his glory. my husband was laughing because i was covering my basket of fruit, with my body. upon reaching home, i feel vindicated when my kids appreciate all my efforts and said that they enjoyed the strawberry sherbet.

hello everyone, after all the technical glitch(es) i've encountered i'm here now doing my first blog!everyone says it's easy...we'll for me, it's hard.i have my apprehension in doing my blog. first, i'm not computer savvy. second, although i think i know how to write, will cyberspace appreciate my ramblings? but, anyway, here i am.

i am a working-mother of three and married. being a mother has its ups and downs.trying to juggle and balance our homeworld and outside world. i wanted to learn to blog since, whenever, i read magazine,listened to talkshows, surf the net(basically on news), i always encounter the word "blog" and that everyone is doing it. so, armed with the word "blog", i goggled. to my surprise, hundreds of blog sites appeared. after several trial and error, i find blog.co.uk. so, i followed the instructions religiously and faithfully until i reached this portion. maybe, as i go on "blogging", i'll get the hang of this. and be one of the blogging community!

prettyma