Thursday, December 25, 2008

My First Horse Back Riding




My first horse back riding..meet Pamela, one of Tagaytay Picnic Groove's horse..She is my first horse back riding experience.





Me and Ivy, together with our horses..hehe

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

What's inside Mt. Apo?

The hidden paradise in the midst of Mt. Apo..the wild plants and the green forest











Sunday, December 21, 2008

The Beauty of Nature; Part 2

Another breath taking pictures from the top of the Philippines. Sunset at the top of Mt. Apo..
















Friday, December 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

The Best Twelve Commandments

This was forwarded by a friend...sakto kc this is the way I live my life, I don't care what other people think about me, I always say na ako ang driver ng sarili kung buhay ako bahala kung pano ko to didiskartehan...Nobody can tell me what to do, unless I asked you...I'm glad that I have friends who have the same perception in life..

































































































Friday, August 15, 2008

Lorenzo: The Flying French Man

This is such a nice video and he is really amazing. I can't imagine how he did it…well just watch it so you’ll know what I’m saying…

Happy viewing…


Applause...

Thursday, August 14, 2008

A Girl with an Apple

I don’t know whether this story is true or not, since it has been circulating over the Internet… anyways, I really like the story so I want to post it here. Hope you like it too..

August 1942.
Piotrkow ,
Poland

The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow’s Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square. Word had gotten around that we were being moved.

My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our family would be separated.

‘Whatever you do,’ Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me, don’t tell them your age. Say you’re sixteen.’

I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker. An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, then asked my age. ‘Sixteen,’ I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood.

My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children, sick and
elderly people. I whispered to Isidore,

‘Why?’ He didn’t answer. I ran to Mama’s side and said I wanted to stay with her.

‘No,’ she said sternly. ‘Get away. Don’t be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.’

She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her.

My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany. We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers.

‘Don’t call me Herman anymore.’ I said to my brothers. ‘Call me 94983.’

I was put to work in the camp’s crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator. I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number. Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald’s sub-camps near Berlin. One morning I thought I heard my mother’s voice.

‘Son,’ she said softly but clearly, I am going to send you an angel.’

Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream. But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear. A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone.

On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree. I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German.

‘Do you have something to eat?’ She didn’t understand.

I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life. She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence.

I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly,

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple. We didn’t dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both. I didn’t know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that she understood Polish. What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me? Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples. Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia.

‘Don’t return,’ I told the girl that day.


‘We’re leaving.’ I turned toward the barracks and didn’t look back, didn’t even say good-bye to the little girl whose name I’d never learned, the girl with the apples.

We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed. On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 AM. In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I’d survived. Now, it was over.

I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited. But at 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers. Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open.

Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived; I’m not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival. In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person’s goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none.

My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come. Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America, where my brother Sam had already moved.

I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years By August 1957 I’d opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in. One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me.

‘I’ve got a date.’

She’s got a Polish friend.

Let’s double date.’

A blind date? Nah, that wasn’t for me.

But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma. I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn’t so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital.

She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life. The four of us drove out to Coney Island. Roma was easy to talk to, easy to be with. Turned out she was wary of blind dates too! We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn’t remember having a better time. We piled back into Sid’s car, Roma and I sharing the backseat. As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject.

‘Where were you,’ she asked softly, ‘during the war?’
‘The camps,’ I said, the terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss I had tried to forget. But you can never forget.

She nodded.

‘My family was hiding on a farm in Germany, not far from Berlin,’ she told me. ‘My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers.’

I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were, both survivors, in a new world.

‘There was a camp next to the farm.’ Roma continued. ‘I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day.’

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy.

‘What did he look like? I asked.

‘He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months.’

My heart was racing. I couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be.

‘Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?’

Roma looked at me in amazement.

‘Yes!’

‘That was me!’ I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn’t believe it! My angel. ‘I’m not letting you go.’ I said to Roma.

And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn’t want to wait.

‘You’re crazy!’ she said.

But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week. There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I’d found her again, I could never let her go. That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.

Herman Rosenblat,
Miami Beach,
Florida


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Mt. Romelo River Trek

This is my first time to explore river trek in Mt. Romelo in Famy, Laguna. This is our 3rd minor climb (if my memory still serves me right huh, since this is my 1st training year in PUPM hahaha)… This training climb is very unforgettable, when we are crossing one of the river’s deepest spot, I’m the first one who tried to cross using the rope, without my knowing that the rope was not yet establish and it is loose, I slowly sinking and get drown, and started to panic. And Mads (don’t know how to swim too) still have the courage to saves me and there was Zarah who really saves me since Mads cannot manage to stay longer. Huh..buti na lang..

This climb was also unforgettable because I met Jay..(Huh! wag lang sana madiscover ni Jay ang blog ko!!!) it was Edick who introduce him (Jay) to me..dahil nalaman ni Edick na crush ko si Jay yun ang ginawa nya). We started exchanging text messages and emails…We became friends, pero hanggang friends lang talaga, we are both committed that time…until we both got busy and I never heard anything from him since his last birthday. Hmpf..tampo nga ako sa kanya eh, he never greet me on my last birthday, eh nong dati he never failed to greet me..wow..tampo!hahaha..

This is also my first time to experience rappelling in the falls, thrilling!!!(di pa kc masyado uso ang digicam non eh kaya scan ko na lang pic..next time post ko)..We both do the Standard and Australian rappel.

Well, about the mountain, I won’t recommend you to visit it..Why? Because it has been exploited, it has an effortless trail and advisable for non-mountaineers and first timers. I personally want the trail, especially the traditional trail, to take a rest, reforestation, kawawa naman yong trail eh…

Friday, August 1, 2008

My First Visit in Baguio

This is my first ever visit in the summer capital of Philippines. After our Holy Week climb in Mt. Pulag, we stayed a day in Baguio, we first visit the Baguio Cathedral and the city’s famous parks like Minesview and People’s Park, and ate lunch at SM Baguio.


















The feet that has climbed the Philippines’ highest mountain and would climb more mountains..



















Lunch at Max's SM Baguio



















Me at Minesview (dami kc tao dun sa view eh kaya sa gilid na lang ako nagpapicture)




















The gay horse..lol!




















The famous Beethoven




















The Baguio Cathedral, saying thank you for we are all safe after the challenging trail of Mt. Pulag's Akiki Trail


















Going down the stairs is really a burden for us since we take Akiki Trail going down and it’s hard for us to bend our knees. That’s why it almost takes us few minutes to reach the ground where people were looking us wondering why we walk like that.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Batch Induction at Tarak Ridge

Taken at the campsite of Tarak Ridge, from left is me, Lennie, Leo, Jonathan (at the back), Bryan, Jeric, Ekhai and Jane.
This is our induction climb at Tarak Ridge, Mt. Mariveles Bataan in June 2004. Originally we're 12 but unfortunately 2, Mark and Ghie, were lost in Mt. Makiling so they don't qualify for the induction climb, Michael's cousin died and Rhea was not permitted to climb by her grandmother. So only 8 of us left.

Going there we ride in a ferry boat at the back of CCP Complex, if my memory serves me right the fair for students cost Php130 or Php191, and then we hire a jeep going to the jump off point.


I’m not feeling well during this climb, I have cough, flu and fever, but still I manage to. I almost give up since I have hard time breathing due to my nasal congestion and I cough whenever I get tired.

I’m happy to have this last training climb because I’m already legitimate PUP Mountaineer and added to that I also have Bryan kahit illegal..lol..Bryan was beside asking if I’m still ok and of course strong strongan ako, I said yes..

After the climb, side trip with a private pool, where Ryan washed the tent at the pool after we’re all done swimming. We’re disappointed with the pool kc it’s too small. But despite, we all have fun.

Going back to Manila, we ride a bus going to Avenida, if you’ll ask me how much was the fare, sorry but I already forgot..

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Spelunking at Doña Remedios Trinidad

Way back my training days at PUPM, this is our batch spelunking and actually the first ever spelunking activity of the group. I was so lucky that I have experienced this since we're not able to do it again.

Those were the days na kasama ko pa ang kaz ko..I missed her so much..And this is the first time that I saw Ate Janice..She never even talk to us, and vice versa, since we really don't know each other yet and besides she has her own set of friends din kame naman ng mga batchmate ko may bonding na rin..

I also missed rhea..tama! I never heard anything from her since we last saw each other, until one day I saw her friendster account and OMG! she got married without our knowing..until now, lulubog lilitaw pa rin sya.

Anna, Mads and Mems are now in Singapore, Jay is in US (I guess), the rest are still here in the PI working..We often see each other, last nong akyat sa Pulag..maybe sa anniversary na ulit..

Well that's life..

More mountains to climb..(sabi ni anna)

Monday, June 23, 2008

Mt. Napulauan ‘04

Mt. Napulauan was my first farthest mountain that I was able to climb and my first Christmas that I did spent with my family since I have to travel from Quezon to Manila. I left Quezon on the 25th of Dec at around 11am and arrive in manila at 7pm. I pack my things and went to our meeting place (Kuya Emil’s house). We left Manila at 10pm and arrive in Banaue on 26th at 5am or 6am. We have our breakfast in the town proper and then after that look for a jeep that will take us to the jump off at Hungduan.

We stayed there just for a night and went down on Hapao trail. We stayed for another night with the barangay captain’s house. Then on our 3rd day (28th December) in Banaue, we travel going to Batad, where you can see the most beautiful terraces.

We stayed in Batad for 3 days and then went back to Banaue and home sweet home on the 31st of December. I almost run out of seat glad that I saw my cousin who works in Raymond Bus company.


Welcome to Banaue

Socials at TNF tent ni Kuya Emil




Sun rise at Mt. Napulauan













(from left) Kuya Emil, Kuya Anoy, me, Anna, Ryan, Lennie, Mems and Oliver



Down..down..down..down

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Farewell Sir Edmund


Farewell to the ordinary person with ordinary qualities. Thanks for the influence.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Memory Gap

I'm becoming more forgetful nowadays, last week I forgot to bring my cell phone not just once but twice. When I’m going to take a bath, nakalimutan ko namang dalin yong sabon ko, so I have to get out of the bathroom and get it.

Before ko pa makalimutan yong phone ko last week, these is even worst, papunta akong Sta. Lucia Mall to bring some flyers para sa job fair, nakasakay ako ng bus ng walang pera, buti na lang kasama ko si Joanne, yong bago nameng marketing, so asked her to pay for my fare muna taz bayaran ko na lang pagdating sa office. And guess what halos sakto lang yong perang dala nya para sa pamasahe namen. Grrrr…I hate it…

What would be the next thing that I’m going to forget or left?

Hay sana naman wala na..

Friday, May 16, 2008

Company Outing at La Mesa Ecopark

Instead of the usual summer outing which is swimming, we opt to do something different now. During the planning of the outing, there are some who disagree with the venue; the La Mesa Ecopark, and the original plan was swimming, boating, fishing, biking and wall climb. Since ayaw nila ng swimming sa Ecopark dahil hindi daw maganda ang pool dun, inalis na lang namen ang swimming sa list of activity. And it became paint ball, wall climb, fishing, boating and sight seeing sa butterfly park ang hatchery.

May 3, when we saw the place, it's nice naman, yun nga lang maraming tao sa pool although hindi naman talaga kame magsi-swimming. So few minutes after we arrive, we went to the wall climb area. And there we found out na hindi lang pala wall climb ang gusto nilang gawin, they also want to experience zip line or the slide for life and tyrollian. We register and get our harness, and climb the tower to start the zip line..



Tyrollian

Wall climb



Paintball


Boating

We all enjoyed the day, the summer outing, although, hindi pa sana namen gusto umuwi, kaso umulan..so we have no choice but to go home..It's totally different to our previous summer outings...swimming at 9 waves and Loreland Farm.
More pictures at my Multiply account

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

How Much of the Philippines have you Visited?

Hope I could travel more..in Visayaz and Mindanao


My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

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