So what else did I observe during my day with people who used to be classmates more than half a decade ago? They may have grown older, but some of them still act like kids, full of pranks. And that’s mostly guys. They were all very excited to have gotten together after a long time and they savored the occasion to reminisce good times during their youth. For one attendee, it was the first time in 55 years that she was coming back to their old school and seeing her classmates. Needless to say, she was very emotional to be back and to meet her friends from school again.

I noticed another thing about these people — they eat a LOT. I mean you’d think that people this age would be taking it easy on food, but noooo…. they had their plates filled. Must be the company that gave them the appetite.

The biggest revelation is they LOVE TO DANCE. I mean put on those boogie woogie songs, the cha cha and tango and they’re on their feet. And they can go on dancing as long the music is playing. Boy, I got tired just watching them. And they can really dance!!! It was fascinating to see them enjoy themselves immensely, like they had nary a care in the world. And when they really are in the spirit of things, they just drag anyone to the dance floor. So you have tall and short partnering then girls dancing with girls. And gentlemen politely asking ladies to dance with them. Yes, it was an education to watch the dynamics of the elderly who don’t act elderly…

One other thing that was so cool in this reunion was their attire. At least for the women, 95% of whom complied with the requirement of dressing up in Filipiniana. At least the kimona and saya, which was so becoming. With their costumes, everyone looked absolutely lovely. I just wish more of the gentlemen followed suit. Only two of them stuck with it and came in wearing a formal Barong Tagalog and stylized kamisa chino.

I put together a video presentation using their old pictures and some recent ones from regular get togethers and it’s been quite fun, albeit tiring. Now, I have to gather all pictures from the reunion, burn them on a CD and give them out to participants who requested them.

Funny, I enjoyed myself even when these people were not of my generation. I confess I haven’t been attending my own high school reunions. I guess it’s because at this point in time most of my batchmates are in that stage where they are building themselves and their careers and I really am not into that. Besides, I am at my best observing and participating when I can be of help.

Here’s a few pictures I will share from the event… and you’ll see what I mean:

See what I mean? I’m glad they had a lot of fun. And I had a lot of fun, too!

Yes, too much celebration and gift giving can strike a guilty chord or two considering thousands of lives were lost because of typhoon Sendong. We really have to strop ignoring warning signs where Mother Nature is concerned. Could such tragedy have been avoided if people heeded calls to evacuate? Perhaps, perhaps not. God just has a way of making a point even if we ignore them initially.

It’s relatively quiet in the neighborhood. In the years past, our next-door neighbor would be blasting away all manner of firecrackers, enough to bust my eardrums. But any booming sounds now are distant sounding. That’s a comfort. Eldest nephew asked his mother why we have no fireworks this year. We can celebrate in peace, his mom replied. Better to bet on the lottery than to waste money on firecrackers. At least if you don’t win in the lotto, your money would have gone to charity. With firecrackers, you run the risk of losing your fingers.

Everyone is actually tired and we might hit the sack and wake up near midnight to welcome 2012. Wow, how the years fly. And so many changes in our lives… people coming and going. New experiences. A different level of heartache and pain. Disappointments. But a lot of bright things to look forward to as well.

We look back to learn from our mistakes and victories. It’s necessary to become a better person. To become stronger and ready to meet new challenges.

More than anything, I am grateful for good health and the miracle that is life. There are so many thoughts running around my head. So many things waiting in the new year. Will I be ready for them? Am a stronger, whole, and anticipating what is yet to come?

Through everything that has happened in my life this last year, it is a great comfort to know I am loved. That God has been so generous with his wide open arms so I can burrow in them in laughter and in tears. Every triumph, no matter how small, I know is His doing. And even when so many questions are still begging for answers, I know there is a season for everything.

To all the people who have touched my life, I pray you will be blessed a thousandfold and whatever your dreams,   you will achieve them. Thank you for the inspiration because you have all taught me I have so much to be grateful for…

I try to imagine its tiny yellow flowers that make me smile in the middle of a windy but blistering day.

I picture in my mind standing beneath the lofty tree, a shower of petals raining upon me. I smile at the silly thought. Why does a simple act that others may think foolish, feel so right?

Night is falling fast. It is, after all, December. The days are shorter, the nights longer. No one counted on rains to dampen the Christmas spirit. But more than the shopping, the wrapping, the merry-making, Christmas holds a deeper meaning.

Is there no other way to demonstrate love except through gifts? Are we being more compassionate, loving, generous, if we shower people around us with material things?

I set aside last Saturday to give someone a much-needed reprieve from what is turning out to be a hellish existence. I had things to do but they seemed insignificant compared to that simple act of giving my time to someone who needs it but will never ask.

And while I could have earned more had I stayed home to finish my work, the experience was far more rewarding and fulfilling. Time is truly precious when we value it most. A stroke of the hand, a light hug, mirthful laughter. The comfort it brings is priceless.

There is much to be grateful for. Sometimes, we just don’t see them because blessings are not always grand. And we need to be still, to empty our minds of worldly thoughts, to recognize and appreciate them.

Abuse comes in many forms. The wounds and welts will heal. But words leave such a deep mark. As do negligence and apathy.

On a few occasions, I have been at the receiving end of meanness, too. Sometimes, even when I thought I was over it, the pain lingers, the memory remains. But they are nothing compared to the horrors I recently heard. It was all bottled up inside a heart that struggled against bursting. So it is the mind that took the blow and that which must suffer.

I pray things will get better. I pray hope will prevail. And love will overcome. And I thank the Lord for all small blessings I do not recognize and have taken for granted.

That is John Chua, the man who dreams and moves heaven and earth to make them come true. This time he has set his sights on Batad in the Province of Ifugao. Specifically, he wants the glory of the 2,000-year-old Rice Terraces restored and a Filipino heritage given the honor it deserves.

The rice terraces are a man-made wonder. It was built in a time when machines were unheard of, when community spirit was the norm and when every effort — big or small — was given value.

You only have to stand at the edge of the precipice, breathe in the the sight that makes even your single biggest achievement insignificant to understand why Sir John is feeling the way he does now. And why he suddenly has the vision to do what he believes must be done for this cultural heritage. In my case, looking at his photograph was enough for his vision to rub off.

Two thousand years ago, the indigenous people of Ifugao labored shoulder-to-shoulder, hip-to-hip and back-to-back to create what for them would be a source of sustenance and livelihood. The Ifugao Rice Terraces were not made to be a tourist attraction. Yet it has turned out to be that and so much more.

It is a testament to what people can achieve when they work together, when people watch out for one another, when they toil single-mindedly to create something that is a necessity. In the end, what they produced was nothing short of grand, and inspiring.

Imagine hauling mud, soil and clay from the rivers through steep slopes to create a sturdy foundation that made each level of the terraces. The cold weather notwithstanding, it was back-breaking work. There were no engineers with masters degrees or PhDs, yet what they created was pure genius.

They did not sit on the project to ruminate if it would work and where to get the resources; instead they buckled down to work and made things happen. One step at a time. Everyone putting in a day’s work.

The terraces are located approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. and cover about 4,000 square miles of mountainside. It is said that if each step was laid out end-to-end, it would circle half of the globe. More than the recognition granted by the UNESCO to its being a World Heritage Site, the Ifugao Rice Terraces is a source of Philippine pride. How can we not be a great people when we can create something as splendid as these terraces?  Not only for its sheer beauty but for the purpose it has served and the symbol that it represents — PRIDE and COOPERATION.

Today, however, the Rice Terraces are on the edge of ruin. Landslides and typhoons have taken their toll, and very few of the natives seem interested to preserve their cultural heritage and put in the effort their forebears did when it was first built. Rice field owners are waiting for public funds to restore the damaged terraces. Without money, nothing and no one will move.

And Sir John is incredulous! Where is the Bayanihan Spirit among Ifugaos? Do they think the Rice Terraces are merely a tourist attraction and not a legacy of their people? Are people no longer interested to help one another, selflessly, for the greater good? Has commercialism poisoned the nationalistic spirit?

This is what sparked his dream. To stoke the fire of cooperation and community spirit, not just among the Ifugaos but among Filipinos.  To restore what is the country’s Stairway to Heaven and to do it with searing passion and with bursting pride.

Yes, the funds are necessary and 30 million have been set aside by the Department of Agriculture. But like the Ifugaos of old, who labored on the first steps, it must be done now and it must be a community to do it. Every hand counts. Every step matters.

The dream goes beyond restoring the splendor of the Rice Terraces so it can function the way it was originally envisioned. The dream is for every Ifugao, for every Filipino to dig deep in their hearts and find the pride that makes them a noble people and a great race.  .

Mass followed by a simple food trip are simple joys but very meaningful ones. It’s not the same when you just buy fishballs to go… although there are many who do that. But to enhance the experience, try savoring it while standing in front of the food cart, elbow-to-elbow with other customers. In your line of sight is the hard-working vendor working the wok with fishballs, squid balls, kwek-kwek (quail eggs coated in batter), kikiam and hotdog.

Mingling with people from all walks of life, young and old alike, while enjoying a small paper plate with a mound of fishballs (it’s no longer on a stick) gives you a strong sense of affinity… almost like a fraternity.

With fishballs, everyone is equal. It doesn’t matter if you only have 20 pesos in your pocket or 5,000 smackeroos. All you need is 10 pesos to get 15 pieces of those balls, that end up flattened once cool. Sweet, spicy or sweet and spicy sauce? It is a very pedestrian experience that makes you feel good after because you were one with  everybody… most of whom you don’t know or will likely never encounter again.

And Mr. Vendor? He breathes this business that has given him the dignity that many only aspire for. The cart is up and running at 8 am and closes up at 10 pm. Breakfast is at the market to get his supply for the day. Lunch and dinner are most probably on his feet, during lulls when customers come in trickles.

He sneaked in a cup of noodles while we were there. The 6 pm mass would be ending shortly and another horde of fishball lovers would be trooping to his pwesto to get their fill. There’s still the masses at 7 and 8 pm. A very long day but it is worth the sweat, the heat and tired legs.

He can no longer keep track of his daily sales because a lot of the time, he has to augment his supply towards late afternoon. But definitely, even when the economy is down, he will be doing very brisk business. I figure you just have to get a cup of rice to go with your 15 pieces of fishball and you’re good to go. We kept track of customers in a span of 15-20 minutes and minimum sale per person is 20 pesos, although it usually goes up to 50 bucks. That’s 2 orders of fishball, one order of kwek-kwek and a bottled drink.

And the lesson this fishball experience taught me? If you really put your heart into what you’re doing, no matter how challenging it can be, there’s no way you cannot succeed. Not just in business… but in life.

I’m still burping off my fishball dinner… Yum! Yum!

Desiderata was written by Max Ehrmann in 1920. I don’t quite recall if I knew that when I was first asked to memorize it. These were words drilled into our heads as I took up cadet training in high school, and while I knew the words, its meaning did not sink in the way it has now. It is a poem that I will carry with me and whose words will find more meaning as the years pass.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant, for they, too, have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements, as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. 

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the moon and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. 

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. 

However difficult the path we may be walking, keeping in mind these inspirational words will help us get through life and come out victorious. Yes, Max Ehrmann, in spite the pain, heartache and hardships, it truly is a beautiful world.

Question: Just how sick is GMA that at a moment’s notice they can jump on a plane immediately after the Supreme Court hands down its not surprisingly favorable decision? Does it mean she has her attending physician’s clearance to leave any time? In that case, her condition is not likely progressive.

Observation: When GMA’s Robo-Cop pictures were published along with their petition to be allowed to travel abroad for treatment, it stated that was taken in September yet. Why not a more recent photo, as in 2 days or even on the day the petition was submitted? It must be too cumbersome to get into the braces again?

Why are they shopping for a medical expert? They certainly have the funds and can bring in that expert to examine her… For that matter, the Aquino government already offered to shoulder that expense. Or as is the practice, send out her medical records and abstracts for a doctor to form the opinion and recommend that she be treated abroad if necessary. I do not believe there are no doctors on Philippine shores competent enough to help treat her.

Flying, even on first class, for three hours can be very uncomfortable for someone in her condition, is it not? And should they head out to Spain or somewhere farther, that’s another long haul trip that must be a big inconvenience for someone who has yet to recover. And will she be traveling in her Robo-Cop attire?

Pinoys just happen to be a suspicious lot. It’s very difficult to disabuse the mind of the public that the Arroyo couple’s travel is not flight from the electoral fraud cases they are facing. And other charges likely waiting for them.

The second condition of the Supreme Court in allowing them to travel is that they must report their presence to the Philippine Embassy. Will the diplomats serve as bodyguards and keep an eye on them while there? And if there are no extradition treaties in the country of their choice, can these diplomats coerce them to return, short of bodily throwing them inside a plane headed for Manila?

Mrs. Arroyo’s recovery is everyone’s wish. But not at the expense of justice. We’ve been played around with for nine years already. How can we take their word when the big promises she let out in the past ended up as lies? The Lady of Justice must have been peeking behind her blindfold in this case. Sigh..

Secretary De Lima must be itching to strap her guns and head out to the airport to act as a one-woman security just to keep the couple from boarding that plane. She’s probably wishing she were Voltes V or Mazinger Z.right this very moment….

Their time then was a record-breaking 6 seconds. Wow! They had just sat down and bam! It was over. During the jackpot round, they were just as amazing, pinpointing the PLACES in record speed. They obviously practiced. Not just to fill their brain with facts, but right down to a solid strategy.

I was certain that if they kept at it, they would be the team to beat come grand finals. All seven grand finalists were deserving and came prepared. But Eat Bulaga of course had to tweak the rules and the game to add to the excitement. The teams were held inside an isolation chamber. That’s because only one set of words was going to be used. The team able to guess three words in the shortest time would be declared champion. Like the regular jackpot round, each member had 5 words and a total of 3 minutes to complete play.

A technical panel of judges were on hand to listen and watch like hawks for any violations that may be committed by any team, leading to automatic disqualification. This included any coaching from members of the audience. In case of a tie (which was highly unlikely, I swear) the pair that guessed the first word fastest would bring home the bacon.

I can imagine the tension and clammy, cold hands of each of the 14 participants. The noise-cancellation headphones given them inside the isolation chamber must have been state-of-the-art because they were totally oblivious to their surroundings even when Dabarkads Allan K was shouting out questions.

APRON. WHEELCHAIR. ALIKABOK. LOBO. ELEVATOR. ULING. BUTONES. SOBRE. CHARGER. These are the words those contestants will never forget all their lives. They were truly HENYO quality. The first pair managed ULING before running out of time. The second pair got WHEELCHAIR and BUTONES but also flubbed out on number three.

By then, I was sure the team to get three words, however long it took them, would win the hotly contested title. The Cubilla girls were in their element. I can’t really recall all the words they got, except APRON. I was just so excited because they made it three in 2 minutes 46 seconds. Beat that!

From them on, it was a nail-biting experience. But the Cubillas came armed and ready. They held that giant check all the way till the end. And deservedly so.

I forget the name of the two ladies who raised the flag of their clan. But I salute them for their efforts! You were simply amazing. And I hit the nail on the head when you flabbergasted me the first time around. There was the ultimate Pinoy Henyo family!

To Eat Bulaga: Once again, you raised the bar of entertainment in the country. Through your tireless and creative efforts, you showed the world that being genius can also be a lot of fun. And a very rewarding experience.

The Warays must be preening! Visayas is waving its flag of superiority in Pinoy Henyo. Until the next challenge…

The Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Province of Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, has made it!

The mouth of the famed river calls...

Last year, I had the privilege of seeing the place. And it was awesome… The kind that gives you goosebumps thinking this is here in our beautiful country. It was a 20-minute boat ride… in the dark to preserve the river cave, after an hour of queuing. It was worth every minute of the wait.

Now, hopefully, more citizens of the planet will be encouraged to come and see the Philippines and all it has to offer. Pinoys, too, should take the chance to visit and be proud of our heritage.

The boatman paddles, his strokes even, the ripples barely making a sound. The river guide regales with his knowledge and anecdotes. The visitors, snap pictures in the dark and breathe out their oooohhhs and ahhhhsss. It is a one-of-a-kind experience. You revel in the shapes formed by stalactites and stalagmites. And you have such utter respect for Mother Nature, who is responsible for such exquisite creation.

Filipinos are blessed… and we have much to be grateful for. Let us not waste the chance to capitalize on this Wonder of the World that is in our shores… and use it to showcase to the world that we have so much more to offer!

I finally found my stride in the fourth grade when I was transplanted in the middle of the schoolyear after a few years of moving about. There is nothing like the sound of the dismissal bell to have kids shouting in joy. In those days, it was okay to hang around the school. We did… to do homework, clean up the room, play and buy our favorite treats.

Treats consisted of ice cream, cotton candy, fishballs, ice scramble and whatever other stuff that vendors sold outside the school gate. Those men and women knew the routine and competed for customers on school days.

Anyone want to cool down?

It was a common sight for children to be scrambling inside school buses or their rides, mouth and fingers sticky, chocolate or candy smeared on their faces. As kids, you try them all as far as your allowance will get you.

These were the thoughts that came to mind as two boys boarded my ride slurping on yellow-colored ice candy. For the uninitiated, ice candy is either juice, or some fruit blend frozen in plastic about an inch wide and 7 or 8 inches long. It is a most refreshing treat on a hot day like it was this morning.

You bite off a small corner and begin to suck at the frozen juice. The yellow ice candy was probably mango flavored. But it could’ve been just colored water with some milk and sugar. Whatever it was, the two boys enjoyed it tremendously.

As the jeepney rolled along, I saw the regular “dirty” ice cream cart, the ice scramble man and a few more lined up along the waiting shed. Business was brisk. And for five or 10 pesos, children big and small would have had their fill for the day.

Simple joys really. I love ice candy. And we do occasionally make them at home. Avocado is my absolute favorite. Still, buying them from a street vendor adds to the thrill of eating them. It is so far removed from the sophisticated treats in malls and high end theme parks.

I can actually sit back, put my feet up and cool down with an ice candy, thinking of other after school memories. Priceless!

Photo courtesy of: ILEAN (Great site, by the way! )