Wayfarer on the sidestreet

What are you giving up for Lent?

2012-02-23T23:17:00.000+08:00

So the question everyone asks everyone is, "what are you giving up for Lent?"

I heard one giving up a meal a day. Marge is giving up Coke. Angel said she's thinking of Facebook (or is it?). And another, I dare not say.

Me? Still thinking.

It should be something I do or have conveniently that it becomes necessary for living (that ultimately makes it hard to depart from) and that departing from it must make me a better person.

And so, what are you giving up for Lent?

Let me make this universal by attempting a bit of explanation. The practice of sacrifice and more particularly fasting during the Lenten season is fostered by the Catholic Church as a reflection of Christ's 40 days in the Judean dessert known as the Temptation of Christ.

Wavy pompadour

2012-02-20T22:38:00.000+08:00

Okay. I did not get a round of applause, in fact, someone said I look like a homeless wreck. But at least I got reactions (good enough to feed my vanity). Aiken was kinder, remarking that my wavy pompadour looks fabulous and stylish. Although he said, "I sometimes envy those street children because of their fabulous hairstyles!"

But I insist!

Colors of innocence

2012-02-10T06:56:00.002+08:00

Anika Resort

2012-02-09T20:27:00.000+08:00

I advanced summer a bit last weekend with a trip to Bantayan. Mixing business with pleasure is always an exciting proposition, so when Joseph asked me to provide for the PR content for this new resort, I didn't have second thought. We had the most gracious hosts, Nelson and Karen, resort owners, and great company with Kat de Castro, Bobby Yan, Bing, Jaycee, Tatum, Ron and Rod (and who else did I miss?).

By the way, the new resort is Anika and it is situated along Sta. Fe's white beach just a few minutes away from the pier.

The rooms are of container vans.

Resort's fantastic beach view.

Comfortable and luxurious still.

Bing and her new career in Bantayan

Bobby Yan and resort owner Nelson Yuvallos.

Bayan Productions staff.

Tatum, Jaycee, Joseph and Bing.

I miss my bums

2012-01-06T05:53:00.003+08:00

Date with ladies this weekend. Excited to see my Bergie and Michiko. Hopefully we'll have Claudine and Angel too!

(By the way Michiko, I pirated these photos from your blog)

What to text right after the first date?

2012-01-06T04:02:00.000+08:00

After debating with myself whether to send a text message or not, I consulted great Google and asked: What to text right after the first date?

Me: I know you didn't have fun as much as I did. Thanks for the burger.

You: You had fun?

Me: I smell sarcasm. But yeah, I did. Nerve-wracking, but it was good seeing you.

You: I like you.

Me: Even if I'm boring?

You: Yes. Sorry for how I looked. It was a bad day.

And yeah, Angel's burger offer still stands.

Filipino garden

2012-01-05T00:10:00.003+08:00

Our house in Dumaguete looks like a post-Communist era shelter with concrete grounds and confined in high hollow-block fence with potted plants haphazardly arranged here and there. My mother and my sister are fantastic gardeners, thanks to their green thumb (I oftentimes ask them to plant my cuttings) but they lack my vision and keen aesthetic sense (that's my vanity talking).

To make the last day of my New Year vacation in Dumaguete wortwhile, my sister and I marched to beautiful Valencia (a neighbor town of Dumaguete) to buy more plants.

I came across a story somewhere about this garderner who is maintaning a "Filipino garden." What's so charming about this story is that he still has a picture of his aunts while they were still children and on that picture were beautiful foliages. He said that the descendants of those foliages still thrive today in his garden!

Doña Sirikit, Doña Aurora, Mendenilla and Dama de Noche

That story inspired me to create my own Filipino garden. And so, while in Valencia, I was filled with joy to see a beautiful ligh-pink mussaenda plant of the Doña Sirikit kind (named after the Thai royal consort who is a contemporary of our deal Imelda). I got Sirikit and I got a Doña Aurora (a white mussaenda), a fragrant dama de noche (its name translated in English as the lady of the night because of the beautiful scent she releases every night) and a pretty mendenilla.

I can't wait to go back to see those beautiful plants again and I am more than excited to see them thrive!

Pictures from the Internet

Sunny-side up

2012-01-04T04:18:00.000+08:00

Hungry, restless and trapped on a bus for three hours, you teased me.

You: What's your favorite dish?

Me: Lengua, ziti in Bolognese and bulalo. (I gave you a lot actually). You?

You: You.

Me:How would you like me prepared?

You: Sunny-side up.

Colorful holiday party

2011-12-23T20:01:00.002+08:00

Well, ladies and gentlemen, are the photos of the many others that do not include me in the frame (sorry, my blog). Lexmark Sales and Marketing Operations did have a lot of fun last Dec. 10 at the Harold's roof top. And because I find it quite laborious to write, I shall tell our flash back to the 80s in colorful pictures!

Ingrid did metallic, Angel did satin tiers and I went for preppy color blocking.

I love colors!

Giovanne surely did have a lot of fun!

Marcial pushed excel sheets aside and wowed us with his dancing prowess.

Carmen thought of Tina Turner but walked-in as Madonna instead!

Who would ever forget Voltes V? Bisoy pleasurably reminded us.

And this funny number!

Choosing the best-dressed!

Nean truly got the 80s spirit that won her the best-dressed votes.

With the gorgeous girls of the Competitive Analysis team.

With the wonderful ladies still.

With Hya, Aura, Lay and Jas.

Barbar did not let the night pass without a dance with Angel.

With sweet Davey and Angel.

Hay looks electric in her fabulous jumpsuit.

False!

From left, Janeth, Julie, Ingrid, Honey, Ezra, Dave, Joana, Angel, Lovelyn and me.

Conversation

2011-12-15T00:56:00.003+08:00

Remember this conversation? Always lifts my smile muscles!

You : The tongue is mightier than the sword. Wanna bet?
Me : Tongue is mightier than the sword? Agree. But how relevant is that statement in our conversation?
You : That my tongue is a miracle worker.
Me : Let's put that to the test.
You : If you promise not to bore me.
Me : That should go both ways.

Profusion of colors

2011-12-13T15:02:00.000+08:00

Can I just tell you how excited I am to see all of the photos of our department's Christmas party? It's a profusion of colors, I tell you! And here's a preview. That's Ingrid, Ezra, Angel and me.

Coronada

2011-12-09T00:13:00.006+08:00

Today, the whole Catholic world celebrates the solemnity of the feast of the Immaculate Conception. And for that, I am listing the venerated and canonically crowned images of the Immaculate Conception in the country. (By the way, Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception is the principal patroness of the Philippine Islands).

Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje Coronada de Antipolo canonically crowned in 1926.

Nuestra Señora Coronada de Caysasay canonically crowned in 1954.

Nuestra Señora de Guia Coronada de Manila canonically crowned in 1955.

Nuestra Señora Coronada de Namacpacan of La Union canonically crowned in 1959.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Coronada de Cebu canonically crowned in 2006.

La Inmaculada Concepcion Coronada de Pasig canonically crowned in 2008.

A canonical coronation is the highest recognition that the Church can give to a Marian image and it needs an approval of the pope.

Posted 12:11 midnight, thus the date.

A Walk in the Clouds

2011-12-07T03:48:00.000+08:00

Remember this movie? This for me is the most dreamy, hopeful and most romantic movie. Okay, I will stop attempting to make a little critique and let this loquacious guy say how good the movie is:

"A glorious romantic fantasy, aflame with passion and bittersweet longing. One needs perhaps to have a little of these qualities in one's soul to respond fully to the film, which to a jaundiced eye might look like overworked melodrama, but that to me sang with innocence and trust ... At a time when movies seem obligated to be cynical, when it is easier to snicker than to sigh, what a relief this film is!" -- Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Starring Keanu Reeves and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón

That ladies and gentlemen is A Walk in the Clouds, 1995 directed by Alfonso Arau. The screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen, Mark Miller, and Harvey Weitzman.

This movie for me is important because it reminds me how love can come in the strangest of moments and with the unlikeliest of people.

And yes, I'm walking in the clouds!

To you, my distraction

2011-12-06T00:25:00.001+08:00

It was two years or so and it seems that the wounds are no longer fresh and all that’s left are poignant memories of pain.

You always subject me to compromising situations.

First was when I was caught between keeping my peace and let you be or be a bearer of bad news and confess your indiscretions (which by the way, has long been forgiven).

Now, my agony is between choosing prudence and staying firm on what I believe is more acceptable to my conscience or to let go and let it flow and throw caution to the wind.

How could you be happiness and forthcoming pain at the same time? Perhaps that's the reason why I'm drawn to you.

You are fire, and you are its paradox. You are warm and I want to get near you. After all, I’ve been to many long cold nights. You are fire, yes fire, and I know your intensity will burn me due to this folly.

I approach you trembling. I approach you and sorrow is peeking like the twilight that’s about to cover the sky with the velvet of night. I approach you because even if the promise is bleak, there’s a faint ray of joy and my heart is pulsating to clutch that.

All I ask of you is this, don’t judge me if I’m weak and solicit that emotion.

Don’t judge me if I let my humanity get the better of me.

Sidestreet Wayfarer reads: Between Heaven and Mirth

2011-12-05T22:15:00.000+08:00

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND MIRTH. Why Joy, Humor and Laughter Are at the Heart of Spiritual Life by Fr. James Martin, SJ.

"In Between Heaven and Mirth, James Martin, SJ, assures us that God wants us to experience jou, to cultivate a sense of holy humor, and to laugh at life's absurdities--not to mention our own humanity. Father Martin invites believers to rediscover the importance of humor and laughter in our daily lives and to embrace an essential truth: faith leads to joy."

Weird

2011-12-05T21:41:00.006+08:00

Well, let me tell you something that I really can't tell you. For whatever it is, it is weird, scary, promising and exciting. One thing's for sure: I don't kiss and tell. I'm happy. I'm very happy.

On Gloria, the little girl

2011-12-03T02:34:00.005+08:00

I have frustrating knowledge about the whole "incarcerate GMA" hullabaloo or "Put the little girl to sleep" conspiracy theory (which I find most hilarious), so don't expect me to make an intelligent thought on the matter. I've long lost respect for her as a leader, excuse me but that's my belief. I know there are still many Gloria apologists out there and that plunder and corruption accusations are still left unproven (legally), but come on, it doesn't take a genius!

In 2002, or so, I remember her visiting our school bringing hope to countless financially-challenged students to gain access to a scholarship aid (or was it a loan?) named Safe 4 SR (something for a strong republic). Before it can even take off, it died a natural death. After that were a barrage of promises that were never delivered, instead, horrible stories of corruption came about. That is her brand of leadership.

But now, I couldn't care less about detention. Whether she is in prison or out there dining in Manhattan for $20,000, she's just pure trouble.

Earlier, I had dinner with Jaycee Sevilla, my friend who is wee bit to be my lover (kidding of course), he told me this wondrous things he heard from the news. Currently they are preparing this facility for the madame with the famous mole in that veteran's hospital. Far from the prison cell that befits a criminal charged with blaspheming the sanctity of the electoral process, this facility has six rooms and has it's own entrance! Aside from that, the madame enjoys the luxury of having a throng of security personnel to look after her safety. I don't know about you, but I find it shocking that this government would spend as much to place this Jezebel in custody.

Here's my proposal though:

Perhaps we could make use of one of our antiquated helicopters and carry madam to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where she will be dropped.

After that, her fate is hers alone. If she'll vanish among the ocean foam just like Andersen's Little Mermaid, then heavens be merciful. But if she'll survive and find herself in a foreign land, Lilliput I suppose, then we shall let her be.

Most wonderful time of the year!

2011-12-01T19:56:00.001+08:00

It's officially December. And it's the most wonderful time of the year!

I woke up early today, and as my daily conundrum dictates, as soon as I regained consciousness, I "robotically" (apparently there is no such a term and one of the word suggestions instead is the word erotically) pulled my laptop that is always stationed beside my bed and checked Facebook. I caught Logane on the chat list and learned that she and Emily and the rest of the Sun.Star Marketing Publications team are headed to Starbucks. That pulled me from my boredom.

Little did I know that Starbucks is having a Cheer Party and for whatever purpose they had , that surely made my first of December good. I exploited their photo booth with Ritz and the rest of his pretty and nice colleagues!

Happy December everyone!

Mara and Kaela's Super Bass

2011-11-30T18:20:00.000+08:00

And so while I'm at uploading videos, here's a video of the two ladies I dearly love (we'll Suthai, Dirgy, me and Jef are just extras in this video apparently, so pardon my lousy appearance and performance). Here's Mara teaching little Kaela with the ways of the world. Yes, the likes of Super Bass are the new lullabies!

I shall post pictures of little Kaela's christening and our exploits of Iligan.

Marimba rhythm

2011-11-30T17:18:00.000+08:00

So here's how the ladies of my family party.

Taken during Dumaguete City's fiesta last November 25 at tita Joy's residence. The joy of being with family!

Comments

2011-11-30T17:06:00.000+08:00

Receiving and soliciting comments for the contents of this blog should be the least of my concerns, as the number of hits is still dismal. But then again, if you feel like leaving a comment, please do so for the love of living!

You see, comments confirm my blogging existence. They make me feel that not just a tiny speck of dust in that vast blogosphere. And because of that, I've changed my comments' settings to allow those who are not registered to post their thoughts. Of course, I reserved the right to review comments before they appear to malign me.

So there, comments people, are very much welcome and appreciated.

P.S. I will try to post all there is to post about 2011 before this good year comes to a close. Literally, we're just counting days before we welcome yet another year!

Immaculate Conception

2011-11-29T22:56:00.000+08:00

Today marks the beginning of the novena to the Immaculate Conception. And with that, I find it timely to post this lovely drawing of Harold of the Blessed Virgin under the title Virgo Prudentisima (Virgin Most Prudent), one of Her acclamation in the Litany of Loreto (basically, any representation of the BVM that does not hold the Christ Child is considered a representation of her Immaculate Conception, especially when the acclaim has something to do with her purity.)

I am a member of Esculturas Religiosas en las Filipinas, a group of ecclesiastical art enthusiasts in Flickr. The group holds drawing contests every now and then and the most recent is on the titles of the BVM as enumerated in Her Litany. I chosen as one of the special judges and when I saw this entry, there was no doubt in my mind that this should go on top of my list.

What keeps me going

2011-11-29T05:32:00.002+08:00

Part of The Annunciation fresco by Jacopo da Pontormo (1494 – 1557); layout by the Sidestreet Wayfarer.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T23:08:00.001+08:00

And so, I'm back in the office after a four-day hiatus gratefully due to the American tradition of Thanksgiving. So I asked Ezra how his Thanksgiving went. "Very thankful!" he said. But of course!

2011 projects

2011-11-22T18:53:00.002+08:00

You very well know by now the ironies of my existence--my conservative Catholic views and my liberal concessions to reality, my desire for substantial spirituality and my tendency to embrace the ways of the world, my confused piety and my interest in religious art. But this post shall not about an attempt to introspection, rather, it is a summary of things I've achieved this year regarding my addiction to church art.

Last year, I've commissioned an image of the Immaculate Conception. The image was completed this year in time for this year's Easter Sunday and she'll be ready for next year's Easter and the archdiocesan youth day scheduled April next year. I spent ten thousand for her and I'm afraid that amount will be doubled if not tripled next year for a better set of vestments and crowns. Here she is:

http://sidestreetwayfarer.blogspot.com/2011/04/primera-salida.html

While in Manila this year, I stumbled upon this ivory set of head and hands good for a table top image of the Immaculate Conception. She was up for grab for only eight thousand, so I got her because the price was good. Then I spent P1,500 for the body and base, P7,000 for the vestments, P1,500 for the crowns and P800 for the silk hair, so that's P18,800 plus other expenses. Good thing is that she's done and I'm just waiting for the set of crowns to arrive and she'll be my birthday gift for mama. Here she is:

And then, I got this old wooden image of the Sacred Heart from the shop of manong Barad, a local carver. The image was just gathering dusts so I asked him if he could sell it to me. He said he could give it to me for only P300! I thought he was delirious, but did not show my surprise of course, and nodded on the price. Perhaps he thought of giving it for a bargain because the right arm was missing. I asked him to repair the image and make an arm. I got it for P500 total. I resent the fact that I did not ask him of the provenance of the image (but I'll visit him again to ask for more details). I suspect that it was brought to him for repairs. There are signs of candle burning on the polychromy, otherwise, the carving is good. Someone told me I could sell it for a couple of thousands, but, but, I'm inclined to keep it for myself and have him restored. Here he is:

For now, I'll just enjoy the breaks and holidays before I embark on future projects. My mind is full of exciting ideas for next year.

Pista ng Pag-Akyat

2011-11-18T05:29:00.002+08:00

Joy for me is a vision of an idyllic life in the barrio, among nice folks who laugh during harvests and toil when the rain comes, like that on the pictures of Fernando Amorsolo.

I caught a glimpse of what it must have been to live in the barrio in Villa Escudero, that vast paradise, where time seem to stand still to contain that beautiful age.

Last June, I got invited to witness the Pista ng Pag-Akyat (Feast of the Ascension). It is a tradition of the Escuderos to welcome back to the Hacienda the centuries-old venerable image of the Señor Resuscitado (Risen Christ) forty days after Easter Sunday, when the image is brought out of the Hacienda to the town for Easter's Salubong (the Catholic tradition of a procession that commemorates the meeting of Christ and His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, during the first Easter).

Led by the head of Familia Escudero, the generous and charismatic Don Ado Escudero, the annual feast is a fantastic explosion of sights and culture--a peek of how it must have been back in the good old glorious days.

The venerable image of the Señor Resuscitado. The sumptuous sprays of the sampaguita blossoms not only make the andas (shoulder-borne frame) look sensational, they also release the most fantastic scent. And by the way, the image basically owns eight hectares (if my memory serves me right) of land for his upkeep and to for the yearly feast!

The University of Santo Tomas Orchestra, who occupied the entire second-level of the multi-tiered altar of the chapel, rendered the music for the High Mass. One foreign guest remarked that he never attended a mass like it. As for myself, I will not resent it if they'll lock me inside the chapel for hours just to hear the liturgy said that way.

Don Ado Escudero handing the bread to Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, celebrant, during the offertory. Before this, hacienda workers presented grains and vegetables as offerings to God.

The Señor being carried out of the chapel for the procession inside the hacienda. Notice the Filipino fresh flower-and-fruit decorations. Moreover, notice how everyone are garbed in traditional Filipino ensembles. (I had to buy a barong the day before.)

Before the procession began, this fair girl danced in front of the Señor in a curious back-bending dance movement.

The children of Hacienda Escudero.

A batch of higantes (giants). There are representations town-folks and the devil and the angel signifying the presence of good and evil in our midst.

The Señor passing through the great arch that is made of bamboo and coconut leaves where girls dressed as angels await. As soon as the image passes through it, they shower it with confetti.

The Señor passing through the picturesque landscape of the hacienda.

After the foot procession, the Señor is then escorted to the pagoda for a fluvial procession . It was a remarkable sight to see where spectators rush to the other side of the river to receive the image back.

Many thanks to Kevin Bermejo and tito Clifford Chua and Don Ado for the experience.

Krispy Kreme

2011-11-17T18:13:00.000+08:00

I woke up today hungry and craving for doughnuts and coffee. And my heart and mind screams especially for that venerable branded doughnuts--Krispy Kreme--that Cebuanos are so fond of perhaps due to the brand's recent store openings in the metro that has been much awaited for so long.

For weeks now, the lines are still kilometric and there's no sign that doughnut lovers had have enough. In fact, I must confess, I'm craving for those doughnuts but I can't get hold of one piece (well save for that one piece that Mark and Emz gave).

And so, I remember, when I made a trip to the Land of Milk and Honey (and doughnuts) last year, Krispy Kreme was a big part of my diet. Since I can't cook and I can't drive to find food, I usually took short walks (sometimes shivering) to the gas station's store and get those doughnuts. I usually get them in packs of six and have them reheated again and again until I devour all pieces.

Behind the name

2011-11-03T05:02:00.002+08:00

This blog has been derelict lately largely because of my lack of enthusiasm, uneventful existence and want of readership. But today, I'd like to talk about a mundane topic, and that is my name.

My name has been to many evolution starting from my mother's crazy proposition to name me Jose Jello. Yes. That cacophony is more like a joke, but she's unapologetic about it, in fact, she's very proud of it and talks about it as if it's one of her life's achievement. How she came about it, here's the short story:

I was born pale and covered with hair and lots of it. Mama said she was scared when she first saw me. But that isn't the story, I just thought that was funny. Anyway, when they were debating about what to name that hairy child, lola proposed that I be named Marco Antonio, the most Catholic name there is in honor of her patron saint, St. Anthony (she was named Nerissa Antonia). But Mama, who was reading something devoid of any literary value, named me Jose Jello, a compromise of a Catholic name with Jose for St. Joseph and Jello to honor that character in her reading.

After that, I came to be called by many names:

Jingjing. I remember my cousin Charito calling me as such and so did her siblings and some of my cousins.

Jose. By Mrs. Tomelden, of blessed memory, that nice lady who was my teacher in grade three (or four?)

Jose Jello. By Reynalyn, my gentle elementary classmate who apparently has a lot of respect for my full first name.

Cubelo. Strangely in high-school, we call everyone by last names.

Jellobaby. By some of my workmates in Lexmark.

JLo. By my Law classmates at the University of San Carlos.

JJ. Largely my fault because I used jjcubelo as my username in Flickr, so everyone I come to know in Flickr calls me JJ. And I like it anyway because it's more attuned to the times.

Jellodelicious. By Bonnie Bailey herself. She is love! And lastly,

Jellokin Munchkin. By Margiemarge, that sweet lady who spoils me with her heavenly pasta. Before that, she called me Jelljel.

Write project

2011-10-18T21:20:00.000+08:00

He who eats well, loves twice!

2011-10-05T00:26:00.003+08:00

Here's something from Sun.Star Plus & Special's tastiest supplement ever!

Korean curiosity

When one goes out to hunt to satisfy a gustatory craving, one hardly thinks Korean (except of course if you’re Korean).

Taste, being a basic human experience, leans towards comfort and familiarity, and in the culinary spectrum, the universally accepted traditions are those of Italian, French, Chinese and Japanese. Only lately do we speak of Korean cuisine being among these food traditions perhaps partly due to the rise of Korean culture and economy to the center of the world’s stage.

Armed only with curiosity and a hungry stomach, Sun.Star Plus & Special marched to Top’s Korean BBQ in Lahug to get a sample of Korean cuisine.

After cleaning our hands with cold, damp and fresh-smelling towel to clean our hands, we were offered with a free (yes without charge) salvo of fresh, pickled and fermented appetizers of sweet potatoes (fried with syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds), green salad tossed with chojang (a Korean take on a sweet chili sauce), pickled raddish with chili leaves, seaweed salad, monggo bean sprouts and the ever present kimchi, that fermented devil (which this author is very fond of). “Every Korean loves kimchi. In fact, there are some Koreans who can’t eat with kimchi!” said Jung-Ho Jung, restaurant director.

With the vast array of food choices laid before us, Jung-Ho made our predicament easier by making the pick for us taking a cue on the Korean dishes that took a spot on the list of the world’s most likeable foods. And by the looks of the first main dish, bulgogi, we’re on for a great gustatory experience.

Bulgogi is soup and main dish served in one with strips of tender beef, clear noodles, mushrooms and spring onions cooked with a savory broth. Prepared in front of you bulgogi is cooked in a special cooking contraption with the convex pan that has a wide depression just before the rim. The beef strips are cooked on the convex part while the noodles with the broth simmer just below it. As soon as it is cooked, diners can freely get some directly from the pan. The dish is sweet and savory and definitely comforting and satisfying.

After the soup number, we tried the grilled dwaeji galbi, or grilled marinated rib meat. What could go wrong with grilled food anyway? But what make this dish special is that one have to wrap it in fresh lettuce that gives it a crisp and rich twist and or with sesame leaf that lends it with a fresh and herby (yet never overpowering) taste before dipping it in ssamjang, a rich sauce made out of fermented beans and red pepper taste, adding yet another depth of flavor. Next, we moved on to the pan-seared samgeyeopsal or fatty slices of pork belly meat, which is more like uncured bacon really.

“Korean cuisine is also about balancing meat and vegetables. Moreover, each dish is served with a sauce that goes with it,” said Jung-Ho.

As if that wasn’t enough delight, we moved on to a soup that is a profusion of all that is good in the sea! Simmering on the table was the glorious haemul-tang that is a hot pot filled with crabs, scallops, prawns, shrimps, squid and mushrooms! This hot and spicy food is comforting and heartwarming and was a healthy treat during that cold and rainy noon!

The thing that pulled our hearts (aside from our stomachs of course) to Top’s Korean BBQ is its generous servings. An order of a main course always comes with free appetizers and side-dishes!

By meal’s end we took some fragrant hot tea and with new-found respect and true heart for Korean cuisine. This Asian cooking tradition is not only successful in teasing the palette with the richness of its flavors, it also truly satisfies the hungry soul.

Fudgy heaven

There are days when the palette longs for sweets and the mind wanders to that wicked heaven where confections, cakes and creamy wonders abound! Yes, there are days when calorie count matter not and one can’t seem to get enough of the sweet and the decadent.

And when Fudge along AS Fortuna Street announced a dessert buffet, every sweet-tooth rushed to the sweet heaven and was indeed delighted!

“We have all sorts of buffets and eat-all-you-can in the city, yet none offered a dessert buffet,” said Cathlene Guy-Lontok, co-owner with her sister Dorine Guy-Palang. And with that novelty in mind, Fudge’s buffet display was filled with all sorts of decadent goodness all available for a little over P190!

Sun.Star Plus & Special picks these bites (or licks) of happiness.

Iced Cappuccino. Every coffee aficionado will love this awesome take on the classic hot coffee drink, this time chilled and creamy and on a shot glass for the buffet. This brown goodness is created from real cappuccino, added with rich cream to give it body then mixed with chocolate chips! It is then topped with white cream to simulate cappuccino’s foam.

Tre Colore. Yes, you got that right! That’s Italian for three colors and that signifies three-tiered goodness of three different chocolates—dark, milk and white! The way to getting the most of this number is to dig deep to get all three chocolates to taste the varying depth of flavor!

Baumkuchen. If you can’t pronounce it, just eat it. But if you’re curious, the name is German suggesting layers. At Fudge, this cake is an intense number of ground almonds and chocolates!

Mint brownie. If there’s one taste that’s 360 degrees contradiction to that of chocolate, it would be mint. But it’s a wonder how these two opposite tastes go very well together—perhaps it’s the tease of the richness of chocolate and the refreshing coolness and mint. And the mint brownies, yes the nice brownies you know with a layer of mint on top, does exactly that!

Choco balls. These little devils balls of chocolate happiness. This favorite and best seller is of very moist and rich chocolate cake then generously smothered with chocolate.

Aside from these, the dessert buffet at Fudge sings a melody with cheesecake, butterscotch, san s rival (in original and in pandan version) and food-for-the-gods. The dessert buffet, a rerun promotion in time for Fudge’s second anniversary, “will run until further notice,” quipped Cathlene.

Safe for human habitation

2011-09-23T04:05:00.001+08:00

I just made my room safe for human habitation once again. That made me remember about this article I wrote for Sun.Star. My editor said that I should write something about decluttering because me, of all people, can fully relate to it.

Here's what I did:

Spend time. Clutter is a result of weeks, months, even years of making excuses. Spare some time to muster all the strength to make your space livable yet again. Sometimes, all you need is just a weekend!

Start somewhere. Now that you no longer see your floor, look closely and start by organizing the area that disturbs you more. Once you’ll get that exhilarating feeling of achievement against your herculean predicament, trust me, you’ll be fired-up to finish de-cluttering up ‘till the last mess.

Kill the pack-rat! Alright, many of us have a tendency to hold on to that shirt purchased five years ago. But if you can’t remember using it not even once in the past six months, then it better go to charity or the dumpsite for that matter (the same goes to all other items). Rule of thumb: For one purchase, an equivalent piece should fly off the window.

Forget trivial collections. Many love to bring home a tiny trinket or two and put them on top of something else. They fill (or clutter) a space without necessarily making a design statement.

Store. The best way to keep your space organized is to create ample storage and maximize its use. Keep often-used items on accessible spaces and put them right back every after use.

Create a routine. We are all creatures of routine. Never stop at last weekend’s major clean-up. Ten even twenty minutes of dusting, sweeping and putting things in their places will do you wonder. Do it for a couple of days straight and you’ll eventually get on it.

Take responsibility. Living clutter-free is a choice. Sure, there’s minimum effort required. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it to at peace in your own clutter-free sanctuary.

Yes, I thought of attaching a photo of my room during the deluge but you guys might loose the little respect you have towards me. Too risky, I can't gamble that. ;)

Ivo Hafid Flores

2011-09-21T02:12:00.002+08:00

I've managed to make a lot of friends, yes. But only a handful of them dared to hurl insults at me without me hurling the insult back at them by virtue of my sarcasm and well-know tactlessness. One of them is Ivo Hafid Flores, whom until now, still poses a great puzzlement to me on the question why in the world did we become good (if not great) friends when we find ourselves wanting in commonality--well, except of course for our passion for Tanduay.

Ivo, dear Bombom to us, is known to deliver his thoughts straight out as he forms them in his mind. He is not know to couch his thoughts in pleasant yet meaningless language even if sometimes they seem to be offbeat and sometimes downright insulting. Yet, as I get to know this person who fortunately did not loose his child-sensibility (not childlike let me make that clear), everything that comes out of his mouth is how they should be for him--take it or leave it. But I admire it anyway because oftentimes honesty is abrasive.

He's a self-made man. And unlike me, he is unwilling to make compromises and give up his aspirations. He never denied his zest for life no matter how trivial and mundane it may have seemed for most of us. I remember, after graduation, when many of us imagined a successful professional life in a big city, Bombom went to Boracay and pursued a job there. Now, he's in Dubai apparently making more fun as he always did while surely achieving success. For most people's birthdays, I always wish them for more life to their years. But I cannot say the same to Bombom because he knows how to seize life and live it to the fullest!

Bombom, I thank you for the sincerity of your friendship. For the warmness of your spirit. For the promptness of your aid. And for the "disarmingness" (yes, there is no such word) of your self-denial just to make things more convenient for the people you love!

Happy birthday and I can't wait emptying our next Tanduay bottle!

Things I want to do

2011-09-16T23:01:00.002+08:00

While connection was excruciatingly slow, I had a chance to do some musings and began to tweet about the things I want to do in this lifetime. This list still needs review though and is still subject to change. Here's the first edition:

1.) Paint in old-masters style.

2.) Play the violin.

3.) Impeccably sing an aria.

4.) Publish a good novella.

5.) Establish a youth movement like the Focolare.

6.) Climb the Everest.

7.) Talk to Martha Stewart over tea.

8.) Live with monks for a year.

9.) Explore the Vatican library and museum.

10.) Visit the sites of the ancient wonders of the world.

11.) Pray the rosary with the pope.

12.) Get ridiculously drunk on a German Oktoberfest.

13.) Do sauna Russian style. (After sauna, will run on a snowy ground and will jump on icy water)

14.) By the river Piedra, will sit down and weep.

15.) Sky-dive!

16.) Fall in love!

Die VIII Septembris - Festis Navitatis Beatae Mariae Virginis

2011-09-08T00:46:00.000+08:00

The Birth of the Virgin, Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), Cappella Scrovegni a Padova

Goodbye good old wayfarer

2011-09-08T00:32:00.000+08:00

The Sidestreet Wayfarer, is well, now without a wayfarer. It was the one thing that I truly love in this world and I thought it was that one style item that could complete my ensembles. It left me last Sunday morning when I got from from the previous night's revelry. How? Perhaps I dropped it when I got out of the cab, or dropped it somewhere while I was deep in drunken trance, I wouldn't know exactly. It's been a good year and three months with you being with me. Ciao!

One of those sunny days when he was around.

Angel Amador

2011-09-07T03:47:00.004+08:00

Perhaps time, fate and human judgement aren't very perceptive about her.

Born on the seventh of September, a day before the whole of Catholicism celebrates the birth of Mary from whom she gets her namesake, Marianne, that suggests the "one who belongs to Mary." Other than that, she is also christened with the name Angeli. But I guess many people would agree with me that she does not do justice to both names. She is neither Marian, and perhaps to add injury, there is nothing angelic about her.

This sounds more like hate, but yes let it so, because she teases that kind of emotion. Oftentimes, she elicits not very cordial first impressions from people--a flaw that she is neither apologetic or worried about.

Because anyway, what is so pleasurable about a woman whose normal speaking voice is loud enough to fill an entire gymnasium? (Even without the aid of a voice-magnifying contraption).

Because anyway, what is so pleasurable about a woman whose gregariousness and loquaciousness can easily outshine the cold, the timid and the less opinionated?

I've tried to answer those questions myself and for almost a decade of friendship with her, I guess I know that there is something pleasurable if not titillating about those. Although I still sometimes wish that she keeps her voice at a minimum when we are inside the cafeteria and when she starts talking about the woes of her love and life. And yes, I still sometimes wish that she will not show up in her almost invisible shorts and leather boots just because I asked her to go out of her room to check at some of the items on our garage sale.

But I guess wishing to "fix" someone who is intrinsically beautiful just because that kind beauty does not fit our biased preconception is just wishing too much. I guess all there is for me is to celebrate her!

What captured me to enjoy her friendship is the richness and complexity of her character. "We despise the lukewarm, we hate the timid," she would say. And yes, true to her words, she is neither lukewarm nor timid. Her character is intense and electrifying and she's always unafraid to provoke--be it by the nature of her style, the manner of her speech, the sharpness of her thoughts, or the danger of her life's perspective.

She is Angel Amador. And I love her! Happy birthday!

Don't read this. Swear.

2011-09-06T07:34:00.003+08:00

Allow this streak of vanity, but yes, the Sidestreet Wayfarer is a kind of a celebrity too! After my birthday, I made a cameo-appearance (I know I sound ridiculous) on Sun.Star's magazine the Weekend. The "friend" here is Jaycee Sevilla. (I remember, I still have to make a post of my wonderful birthday party this year thanks to my most generous friends.).

This one came last Saturday and was caught partying in Dumaguete with co-celebrity Rima Otswani!

Thanks to my editor Jigs Arquiza for allowing me to make his page more interesting. (Oh yes, I know that feeling, when you want to puke and kill a person! Haha. Apologies if I've caused that this time).

And yes, I still have to make a eulogy for that one thing I only love in this world that departed from me last weekend.

Dino Selma: Championing professionalism

2011-09-05T23:12:00.000+08:00

The woe of most family-sown enterprises is the succeeding generations’ lack of appetite for hard work. This virtue is often conveniently lost through time when progenies are left to haplessly experience wealth without being exposed to labor.

Dino Selma, chief operations officer of Anseca Development Corporation defies this usual misfortune by taking on his role rather viciously well. For more than twenty years now, Anseca caters to different businesses and sectors involved in earthmoving, quarrying, waste and ore mining, equipment leasing and land development cementing its reputation as one of most reliable in the country.

“It’s a different ball game,” said Dino. “When you’re placed in this position, it’s no longer yourself that you’re bound to think about. It’s the business, its opportunities. More importantly, it’s the people who takes care of the business, that they too have families to take care of.”

The position did not come as an easy and convenient reward for Dino. Rather, he earned it early on even working on the company’s storage bunk piling one heavy metal part to another. This early exposure to the business allowed Dino to appreciate human resource.

“For most, Anseca is a big family. Oftentimes we have people in the immediate community and we feel that they have more stake and they value the business more. So if your people are working hard, you’re obliged to work twice as hard!” Dino said.

With the business of moving earth that involves quarrying and mining, naturally, could be a plague to the environment if not carefully managed. “This industry stipulates very stringent rules when it comes to environmental stewardship, more than that our company has been around for more than two decades and we’ve established strong relationships and we’re not keen at sacrificing all that just because we failed on this very important aspect,” said Dino.

Anseca just don’t abandon project sites bad, Dino said. He explained that while projects are ongoing, seedlings are prepared for future replanting. “We move back the earth to where dug it and we plant trees on it and ensure that nature will once again take over and thrive.”

“We are very keen about the environment not only to make a meaningless slogan. Doing what is good for the environment is also rewarding business-wise as it gives confidence to the institutions we deal with who are also environmentally sensitive,” Dino explained.

Poised to become more attuned with the modern business landscape, Dino shared Anseca’s direction towards further professionalizing the company’s staff. “We want to fill the positions with qualified people, those who can really propel the company to move forward.”

Published in Sun.Star Weekend last September 3, 2011

Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture

2011-09-03T16:15:00.000+08:00

Our Mother of Consolation by Juan Simon Gutierrez (1645-1724), Augustinian Nuns, Carmono, Spain.
Her feast under this title falls every fourth of September

Among the many titles of our Blessed Mother, of the ancient title - Our Lady of Consolation, related to the Holy Cincture devotion. According to tradition, Mary wore a cincture her whole lifetime and that she handed it to St. Monica, at the time of Monica’s deepest suffering due to the deviations of her son and the death of her husband Patricius. Monica implored the help of our Blessed Mother during her time of affliction and begged her to let her know what form of dress she would wear during her widowhood. It was said that the Blessed Virgin appeared to Monica, and in an ecstasy, she saw her clothed in a garment of mourning, girt with a leather belt around her loins, shining with heavenly lights and surrounded by a choir of angels. Monica heard the sweetness of Mary’s voice saying to her “Let this cincture, consecrated by the womb wherein the Word was made flesh, be to you worthy pledge of my love. Let this gird your loins without discarding it; have an ardent desire to spread devotion to this venerable cincture in my honor; and I promise you that I will esteem as my own most dear children all those whom I see girth with this holy symbol, which will be the wonder of the whole world in the future.” Having said this, the Blessed Virgin disappeared. (from the novena to Our Lady of Consolation)

Viva Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa!

Mark's birthday

2011-09-02T22:01:00.000+08:00

This year, we made a compact more solemn than that of blood to make each other's birthday eventful. So last August 26 (we post dated his August 24 birthday) was Mark Sandiego's turn, the sweetest most amazing guy there is (at least during that night), and we made it a bit more special just because he excruciatingly turned 32! The pictures below will tell you that we've picked a barrio fiesta theme at the Yap-Sandiego ancestral house and I thought it was just perfect! Just perfect!

And he was utterly surprised at the sight of the lovely ladies who donned on their finest mestizas! With his escort service Emz! lol

The fine ladies of la casa vieja.

Candice was afraid my prayer before the feast would be as long as a novena!

La gran familia.

The fabulous servidora.

The blatant 32 number! Not too bad.

Filipinas don't usually do this in the past! Wink.

Con mi amor!

I just love this picture!

Con el Niño.

From left: Logane, me, Candice, Girlie, Mark, Emily, Joseph and Rosel.

With the señoras.

Bellisima Rosel.

She's lovely right?

And this was how the night ended. ;)

Yielding only to excellence

2011-09-02T04:31:00.000+08:00

Atty Augusto Go, Jun Impas, 30" x 40" oil on canvas, 2005

Success favors the bold.

The denial of comfort to pursue a grueling and uncertain task rewards the individual later with not just a breezy life, but a legacy.

Mahatma Gandhi, the “great soul,” was a British-educated lawyer who left his prolific career in South Africa to live an uneasy life (even sacrificing health during a long period of hunger strike to the horror of his opponents) of a Indian-liberation and human-rights champion. He is now remembered not only by the Indian people but recognized worldwide as one of the greatest persons to defend humanity.

Like Gandhi, many people in history could have taken life the easy way, but they took the risk to take part in something magnanimous that they filled the world with their bellowings, to take the words of a doctor of the Catholic Church, Albertus Magnus. (Albertus defended Thomas Aquinas with these words when the latter’s colleagues belittled him as the “dumb ox.”)

Big risk

And risk it was that Augusto Go took.

Seeing that Cebu City College (which rented the Go family’s property in Sanciangko St. where the main campus of the University of Cebu now stands) was nearing its collapse, Go, president of the University of Cebu (UC), who was a fledgling young lawyer then, promptly assumed the risk of creating a new corporation which paved the way for the creation of the Cebu College of Commerce (now UC) in 1964.

“It was the best business venture I could think of,” he recalled. And it was the business venture that necessitated him to sell the second-hand car his sister had given him. “Imagine a president without a car!”

“I myself did not receive any salary. We had to think of our employees first, and that was what we did,” he said.

Not leaving the students who were enrolled in the defunct school in limbo, he took the advice of Demetria Pojante, head of the private schools association, to continue the courses offered by the City College.

He took bold steps to build a school. He got competent teachers, secured laboratory equipment and bought sufficient books for the library. “I was a young man and I had no idea of running a school,” he said.

Million-peso loan

In 1971, he made his first P1 million loan.

“I was excited, but my heart was pounding considering that P1 million is P1 million. That was very big then. With that amount I constructed a building.”

And from there, people came to recognize the school borne out of sacrifice, which now educates a large population of students, currently reaching a rough count of 43,000.

UC currently maintains campuses in Lapu-lapu and Mandaue, Banilad and Mambaling.

“We have the biggest number of students who passed the board examinations and the number of top-notchers because of our high quality of instruction,” he said.

The University of Cebu is steadfast in its role in the academic circle of Cebu, offering courses that other schools don’t offer like Marine Engineering, Marine Transportation, Criminology, Naval Architecture and Customs Administration to name a few.

Tuition

Add to that UC’s commitment to make education affordable to the not-so-fortunate with relatively low tuition.

“You will note the big disparity between our tuition compared to other schools,” he said.

Although he is an established academician, Augusto admits that his academic life was not as good. “I was not very good as a student, although I was good in history. All the other subjects were just above passing,” he said.

“God has been very kind to me,” Augusto said. “I may not have been good in school, but I make-up for it by working very hard.”

Changing lives

It gives him great satisfaction to realize how many people’s lives have improved because they obtained a college degree. With this, UC, according to Augusto, is committed to providing scholarships to deserving students.

“I think we gave the biggest number of scholarships; from athletic, academic and working-student grants.”

Currently, UC is distinguished by the Norwegian Ship-owners Association as the most outstanding maritime school in the Philippines. With this, UC can open its doors to 120 to 150 scholars who will enjoy generous scholarship benefits and a chance to be employed by a foreign shipping company.

“Later on, I found that the school was something I really cherished. This is one area where you can really help people and you can get great satisfaction.” Now, it’s all about “continuing to improve the quality of education—it’s a never ending process.”

Now, more than 30 years after he made the bold move to build a school, Go is not just that young lawyer who took the risk.

He now sits in a dignified office, perhaps a far cry from the one he used to occupy then. The years might have drawn lines on his face, but his mind is sharp (imagine entertaining an interview while perusing and signing documents) and he is still capable of leading the university to greater heights.

(Published in Sun.Star Plus & Special. This is the unedited version.)

Consolacion y Correa: The tale of the same-faced images

2011-08-30T23:18:00.000+08:00

One of little joys of a person who loves ecclesiastical art is to take part of the changing of the vestment of a venerable image--especially when its antique and when its head is carved out of ivory (and a hefty five kilo or more of it). I did that last August 25 when I got invited by Dane (who donated the vestment) and Moin, Kennith and Gabby to take part on the donning of fresher dress for Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture (Nuestra Señora de Consolacion y Correa, the patroness of the Augustinians). For my part, I gave her the doce estrellas (crown of twelve stars) that was supposed to be used by my image of the Virgin, but my image was a bit smaller to wear it.

This antique image's head and hands and that of Infant Christ is carved out of ivory. Some time in the past, the image of the Infant Christ was stolen, perhaps during one Christmas season when it was brought down for public veneration. The ivory hands and the Infant she used to carry before is now replaced by wooden parts. This head is a hefty piece of ivory and could easily weigh five kilograms and even more!

Notice the crystals at the base of the crown.

Dane, Kennith and Moin meticulously placing every piece of the vestment.

The photographer gets a chance to be photographed too!

After the Lady donned on her new dress, we went to the office of the Confradia de Nuestra Señora de Consolacion and a sweet lady member of the Confradia gave us medals and this curious print of an old photo of a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary of the same title. I was fascinated by the strong resemblance she had with the image in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, the one we just dressed up! But the lady told us it's an entirely different image and is in a church somewhere in Luzon.

Look closely.

The eyes! The side-way-downward gaze! The lips! The enigmatic smile! The lines on her neck! (Well, it's a mark by Chinese artisans to convey beauty, but that too is too similar!)

But the overarching question is, if the image that is in that old photograph exists somewhere, then where?

Oh well, we could only speculate.

St. Rose of Lima

2011-08-30T22:17:00.000+08:00

Some Latin American countries today celebrate the feast of St. Rose of Lima (as her feast was later moved to August 23). Christened Isabel, shewas the first to be canonized saint in the New World and is known for her humility and holiness. It was said that she was so upset that people are taking notice of her beauty that she burned her face with pepper and lye. A lovely saint indeed!

Claudio Coello (1642-1693)

Library of Congress

2011-08-30T01:52:00.000+08:00

The neo-classic facade of the Library of Congress. The Doctrina Cristiana, believed to be one of the earliest if not the first book published in the Philippines in 1593, ante-dating the first book published in the United States, is kept inside it. And yes, I remember, inside its entrance hall and mounted on the sides of its wonderful staircase are four cute sculptures of children representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

In memory of the man whose face the sun kissed

2011-08-25T08:06:00.000+08:00

The sky was a little somber that day and the fresher winds did not care to visit us. Papa was having a terrible toothache that made him walk haplessly back and forth the small hallway in the house that was dividing the space between ours and that of my uncle’s and his family. His steps, which were then music to my ears as I eagerly await his nightly arrivals from work was annoyingly heavy. Mama was set for work but she promised papa to be back earlier in the afternoon to accompany him to the dentist.

In those days right after I jumped out of bed, I would immediately take my seat in front of the television for the morning children shows. Lola was in her bed where she would stay for the entire day. She would make mundane comments on the shows as if to remind us she exists. Outside, our neighbors were playing all sorts of card games, as they usually do, while making a cacophony of noises alternating with the dogs and the roosters.

Papa was a large man. His skin sun-kissed, his voice gentle and deep. But his tolerance to physical pain was quite the opposite. They said I looked very much like him when he was little, although he was fairer they would say, a fact that I resented.

I did not mind papa. In my little world before, I am the only one who existed. Besides, mornings were usually not the best episodes of my days. In fact, I would always throw tantrums every time mama would wake me up for school until one day mama and papa lured me into a conference telling me to cease being a rascal just like I had to stop obliging them to carry me in their arms every time we go out.

Suddenly I heard a strange sound coming from the kitchen as if something fell and broke. I slowly (the wounds from the recent "manhood ceremony" was still somehow fresh) went to the kitchen to see what had happened.

I saw papa lying on the floor, his body shaking out of control. His head tilted towards me, his gaze bloodshot and large and terrifying. He was telling me something but no decipherable words came out of him. I was frightened. All I could let out was a helpless and faint question, “Pa, naunsa ka?” I was so frightened that I was impaled to the ground until lola and auntie Marivic rushed to help him. I was so frightened that I could not even move to get near him.

Lola immediately called the neighbors for help and they rushed him to the hospital. I went back to the chair, fixing my eyes to the television but all I saw were blurry visions of uncertainty and fear. I was so frightened and confused and just until auntie Marivic came to me to tell me that papa was gone then I knew what had happened.

Mama came home earlier than promised. She was graciously garbed in her faded green dress and I saw her weep her most dolorous tears.

Later that afternoon, a group of men came carrying a big brown box. Inside it was papa. A glass cover came in between his face and mine. Death kissed him and his face was no longer sun-kissed.

That was April 11, 1996. It was just like any other day. But unlike the many others I was forced to live bitterly after, the memory of that day still visits vividly and painfully.

(to him who told me to write about my life)

Blurred emotions

2011-08-25T02:14:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, if not oftentimes
I rush to the convenience
Of blurred dreams and
Hazy visions
To see that your eyes
Are neither black nor brown.
Veiled in memory’s mist
I’m convinced.
You’re near. Breathing.
Shivering, I curl and clutch
The blanket that once
Bordered your flesh
And mine.
I smell you now.
Allow me the indulgence of
Sweet musky sweat
That engulfed me one night.
Leaving me wanting.
Waiting. Broken.
Now, you’re a sepia print.
Faded by bitter rain
Only a lover’s eye can
Shed.

Style icons

2011-08-24T01:19:00.000+08:00

Interestingly style icons are usually unmoved by the changing tides of fads and would always retain their own, well, style. Somehow they like constancy that they become associated with a particular look and or style item.

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. This rebellious designer was so ahead of her age that freed women of their uncomfortable silhouettes with jackets and dresses that she created and wore that has since become a precedent of contemporary fashion. She's also know for her strings of pearls.

Jane Birkin. Yes, the Birkin Bag was named after her when a Hermes' big man asked her what she liked for a bag. She is known for her casual almost bohemian sartorial sense and of course her long-brown hair and staight-cut bangs.

James Dean. He's sexy alright and he is an icon because of his androgynous appeal and "tortured aura" and unruly hair.

Giorgio Armani. He became a designer because he got frustrated with what he saw! His trademark is clean and tailored lines manifested in what he designs and wears.

Yves Saint Laurent. This French designer is seldom (if not not) seen sans his wide-brimmed glasses!

Anna Wintour. I think the arbiter of fashion sported that bob the moment she was conceived.

And the Sidestreet Wayfarer?

Now, what's yours? ;)

(Photos from the net)

Washington D.C.

2011-08-23T00:14:00.000+08:00

A rewind to May of last year, I am taken back to a fulfilled dream of visiting the capital of the Land of Milk and Honey. After devouring a huge steak at Old Ebbit Grill (it is said that reading its guest list is like reading the names of the who's who of American history) with Wayne and Bob (my bosses), Wayne asked me if I'm game for a little stroll as it was like twenty or so years since his last visit to the place. Without any hesitation and despite the cold and little drizzle, I said yes! (I was shivering the entire time!)

The Capitol. The statue on top is Freedom.

Inside the Library of Congress. Once inside, I immediately asked for the copy of the Doctrina Cristiana. I proudly told Wayne that it is the first book ever published in the Philippines and that it pre-dates the first book published in the United States! It's sad that the Philippines only retain a facsimile copy.

A curious piece of masonry with no apparent utility. It more like an elaborate architectural box.

The Lincoln Memorial evokes the feeling of reverence and awe .

The Capitol as seen from the Washington Monument.

The Washington Monument.

In front of the National Museum of Natural History.

Remember the Night at the Museum?

The infamous Hope Diamond.

At the back of my friend's house. ;)

Inside Reagan National Airport.

Carcar's fabled lechon

2011-08-22T19:30:00.000+08:00

Carcar's lechon is truly sinful that I don't mind living in sin forever. I don't know how they do it, but the people in this rich and beautiful city seemed to have found the elixir to make this fantastic dish! Lechon, as you may already know is a Spanish influence spread in every once Spanish-conquered lands, and would mean a roasted suckling pig (due to their tender meat, although full-grown pigs are prevalently used perhaps because this gastronomic star is usually prepared during fiestas and big celebrations that demands that draw in larger crowds). Last Sunday, together with great friends from Manila, we toured Cebu's southern part to visit the old churches. By noon, we anchored in Carcar, went inside its rich public market to taste its fabled lechon! And there, we experienced the magic of the profusion of flavors--the just the right saltiness, the explosion of spices, the butter-like meat. It's better eaten than described!

The innards (which are also very delicious) are also cooked so non of the pig is wasted!

Farmers' market

2011-08-20T10:21:00.000+08:00

I love markets! Since it was only me and mama that were left at home when I was very little, she had no choice but to bring me with her every time she went to the public market, which was very frequent by the way. Sometimes she would discourage me not to go with her because it's muddy, crowded and foul-smelling, she would say, but I would insist. I don't know but I love the profusion of public markets: The myriad noise sources, the many oddities (large and colorful fishes were fascinating for the eyes of a child), the mundane interactions.

Just this morning, I passed by that street just across the side of the provincial capitol where growers and sellers at the same time converge to meet their customers every Saturday. Unlike the public markets I used to frequent before, this one is rather more pleasurable and charming and convenient. But were just talking about fresh fruits here and ornamental plants. If haggling is your choice of sports, this is the place to go on a Saturday!

I actually decided to take some snapshots.

As they say, you've never really experienced a place not until you've been to its public market!

World Youth Day 2011

2011-08-19T00:37:00.000+08:00

My heart is in union with the thousands, if not millions of youths now gathering in Spain and around the world in celebration of the World Youth Day. Young people, more than ever, should approach Christ more and more closely and put to heart the words of Benedict XVI, our Pope: "Do not be ashamed of the Lord."

My heart goes to Malou, a dear friend who is right now in Spain together with four hundred Filipino youths, and to everyone who, like Benedict pray that the "World Youth Day brings us a message of hope like a pure and youthful breeze, with rejuvenating scents which fill us with confidence before the future of the Church and the world."

The Pope flaked by their majesties the Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos of Spain. (CNS photo/ Tony G Entile)

The Pope's full message during the welcoming ceremony delivered Thursday in Spain. (Emphasis mine).

I am grateful to Your Majesty for your presence together with the Queen, and for the kind and deferential words with which you welcomed me, reviving in me the unforgettable gestures of kindness which I received during my previous Apostolic Journeys to Spain, and most particularly during my recent Visit to Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona. I greet very cordially those of you gathered here at Barajas and those of you following this event on radio and television. A very grateful greeting also goes to those who, with such commitment and dedication, from the ecclesiastical and civil spheres, have contributed with their efforts and work so that this World Youth Day in Madrid might unfold well and bring forth abundant fruits.

With all my heart I also wish to recognize the hospitality so many families, parishes, schools and other institutions which have welcomed young people from all over the world, firstly in various regions and cities of Spain, and now in the great cosmopolitan and welcoming city of Madrid. I have come here to meet thousands of young people from all over the world, Catholics committed to Christ searching for the truth that will give real meaning to their existence. I come as the Successor of Peter, to confirm them all in the faith, with days of intense pastoral activity, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life; to motivate the commitment to build up the Kingdom of God in the world among us; to exhort young people to know Christ personally as a friend and so, rooted in his person, to become faithful followers and valiant witnesses.

Why has this multitude of young people come to Madrid? While they themselves should give the reply, it may be supposed that they wish to hear the word of God, as the motto for this World Youth Day proposed to them, in such a way that, rooted and built upon Christ, they may manifest the strength of their faith.

Many of them have heard the voice of God, perhaps only as a little whisper, which has led them to search for him more diligently and to share with others the experience of the force which he has in their lives. The discovery of the living God inspires young people and opens their eyes to the challenges of the world in which they live, with its possibilities and limitations. They see the prevailing superficiality, consumerism and hedonism, the widespread banalization of sexuality, the lack of solidarity, the corruption. They know that, without God, it would be hard to confront these challenges and to be truly happy, and thus pouring out their enthusiasm in the attainment of an authentic life. But, with God beside them, they will possess light to walk by and reasons to hope, unrestrained before their highest ideals, which will motivate their generous commitment to build a society where human dignity and true brotherhood are respected. Here on this Day, they have a special opportunity to gather together their aspirations, to share the richness of their cultures and experiences, motivate each other along a journey of faith and life, in which some think they are alone or ignored in their daily existence.

But they are not alone. Many people of the same age have the same aspirations and, entrusting themselves completely to Christ, know that they really have a future before them and are not afraid of the decisive commitments which fulfill their entire lives. That is why it gives me great joy to listen to them, pray with them and celebrate the Eucharist with them.

World Youth Day brings us a message of hope like a pure and youthful breeze, with rejuvenating scents which fill us with confidence before the future of the Church and the world. Of course, there is no lack of difficulties. There are tensions and ongoing conflicts all over the world, even to the shedding of blood. Justice and the unique value of the human person are easily surrendered to selfish, material and ideological interests. Nature and the environment, created by God with so much love, are not respected. Moreover, many young people look worriedly to the future, as they search for work, or because they have lost their job or because the one they have is precarious or uncertain. There are others who need help either to avoid drugs or to recover from their use.

There are even some who, because of their faith in Christ, suffer discrimination which leads to contempt and persecution, open or hidden, which they endure in various regions and countries. They are harassed to give him up, depriving them of the signs of his presence in public life, not allowing even the mention of his holy name. But, with all my heart, I say again to you young people: let nothing and no one take away your peace; do not be ashamed of the Lord. He did not spare himself in becoming one like us and in experiencing our anguish so as to lift it up to God, and in this way he saved us.

In this regard, the young followers of Jesus must be aided to remain firm in the faith and to embrace the beautiful adventure of proclaiming it and witnessing to it openly with their lives. A witness that is courageous and full of love for their brothers and sisters, resolute and at the same time prudent, without hiding its Christian identity, living together with other legitimate choices in a spirit of respect while at the same time demanding due respect for one’s own choices.

Your Majesty, as I reiterate my thanks for the kind welcome which you gave to me, I in turn wish to express my esteem for and nearness to all the peoples of Spain, as well as my admiration for a country so rich in history and in culture through the vitality of its faith, which has borne fruit in so many saints over the centuries, in numerous men and women who, leaving their native land, brought the Gospel to every corner of the globe, and in people through all this land who act with rectitude, solidarity and goodness. It is a great treasure which should be cared for constructively, for the common good of today and in order to offer a bright horizon to future generations. Although there are currently some reasons for concern, the greatest one is the desire for the betterment of all Spaniards with that dynamism which characterizes them and to which their deep and very fruitful Christian roots have contributed so much down through the centuries. From this place I send very cordial greetings to you all, dear friends of Spain and Madrid, and those of you from other lands. During these days I will be with you, thinking of all young people in the world, in particular those who are going through various kinds of trial. Entrusting this Meeting to the most holy Virgin Mary, and to the patron saints of this Day, I ask God always to bless and protect the sons and daughters of Spain. Thank you very much.

Taken from here.

On the sacrament of penance

2011-08-18T07:13:00.000+08:00

It's unlike our usual cigarette breaks that we talk about death. In fact, this recent conversation with a great friend jolted me and invited me to make an assessment of my otherwise ailing spirituality. Was it her bold declaration of readiness to die that disturbed me? Was it the incredulity that someone could be so certain about accepting death so peacefully? Or was it envy on my part that I could not make such a brazen declaration myself?

I don't know.

I was brought up a Catholic. My lola, of blessed memory, was my first catechist. She taught me how Jesus and His mother Mary were very gentle and loving and kind, and that they expect me to be gentle and loving and kind too! She told me that every move I make is under surveillance, that the angels in heaven would take pictures (thus the lightning) and would record any good or bad things I do. At a very tender age I learned God's paradox: He is loving yet exacting and punitive yet forgiving.

When I was in high-school and my propensity to sin increased, I went to confession at least once a week, often, on a Friday after school so that I could receive the Holy Communion in a state of grace. Lola told me that to receive Christ with my conscience still burdened with a mortal sin is tantamount to committing blasphemy. And so, if on a Friday I made a confession and did something bad after, I would go again to confession on a Saturday and try to keep my conscience pristine until Sunday.

But we grow up to join the world where morality and goodness are relative. Dogmatic Catholicism suddenly lost its charm. I've adopted the philosophy that God would love me, accept me and would forgive me no matter what. I went to confession less and less frequently until I decided that confiding to a priest and ask forgiveness was no longer necessary. (Only God forgives but he authorized his ministers to administer this as in John 20:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:18). That arrangement was more convenient. Less shameful. And it awards the desired forgiveness faster!

But why should I want it convenient, less shameful and faster? I erred, not Him. Why would He make everything cozy for me?

It's my vanity. It's my pride. Yet another shameless sin.

Baguio: Last of three parts

2011-08-18T04:23:00.000+08:00

Second installment here.

This shall be the last of the installments. I must say, writing this has brought a lot of fond memories yet it has not diminished my aspiration to visit the place once again. Most people would say Baguio has changed a lot over the years. Some say it was no longer as charming as it used to be. Houses, the not so pretty ones, they said have sprouted on the its hills instead of pines. I cannot judge if indeed Baguio gave some of it's charm to time. But one thing is true for me, Baguio is enthralling as the mist that veils it.

At the Good Shepherd Convent for Baguio's most delicious ube jam and peanut butter.

Flowers abound in Baguio, just like these bleeding hearts.

And this dahlia.

We were supposed to go to the strawberry farms but we decided otherwise as we were told our time was at odds with the strawberry season. Albeit very small and raw, Kia and I were happy to see some fruits really growing from the plant!

A trivia: Strawberries are not true berries, ergo they are not true fruits! The fleshy part is not derived from the ovary (as with fruits) rather, from the receptacle. The exact reason why their seeds are outside and exposed!

After the affair of the not so true berries, I insisted that we check out the neo-gothic rose-colored iconic cathedral of Baguio dedicated to the Lady of Atonement.

Then we climbed the steps to the famous grotto built by the Jesuits.

Post-climb stress.

Tynee taking some paparazzo shots.

And another. Before we left the grotto. The it was Camp John Hay again for lunch.

We were still not done with Camp John Hay that we decided to take our lunch there.

The glorious dessert: Ice cream floating on a bed of strawberries and sprinkled with chocolate candies!

Madness right?

While the couples played some sort of a golf game, Tynee, Kia and I went on to do a little shoot.

Kia.

Tynee.

While Franco and Karen were having some real good time too!

The time when Kia's dream came true.

After that, the sun faded to give way to Baguio's chilly night. As we went home, Dino told us that Mine's View Park is just a walk away from the condo then we realized how we sorely the time to actually enjoy it but we went there anyway. With little light left, we took frustrating photos (most of them in frustrating quality as light was wanting) of that beautiful place, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. Tynee and I could not help ourselves from getting some of the beautiful cacti and succulents!

The morning we wished to come back to this awesome place once again.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, were our days in Baguio.

Return of the Ecce Homo

2011-08-17T22:47:00.000+08:00

Just an update, the return of the Ecce Homo is scheduled this Saturday, August 20. A farewell Mass will be celebrated at the old church of San Agustin in Intramuros at 8:00 in the morning of the same day. At 12:45 noon, the bust together with the entourage and the Augustinian fathers will board the aircraft bound to Cebu. By 4:00 in the afternoon, a Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica Minore de Santo Niño to welcome the image back to our island.

Just black

2011-08-17T09:59:00.000+08:00

Red. Copper. Brown. And shades unknown. They say that "if you go black, you can never go back." But I don't care. I want it black. Yes, just black.

Baguio: Second of three parts

2011-08-17T00:35:00.000+08:00

For the first part click!

Pia, by her frequent visits to Baguio, has become more like a local. And because of that, wayfaring through Baguio's chilly streets was easier. It was past normal lunch time that we decided to make our last mental snapshots of Burnham and decided to head to Session Road to find a place for lunch. The sky was spraying a little, I remember. Pia, who is also a gastronomic adventurer told us of this restaurant that serves healthy and delicious vegetarian dishes. And so we ascended to the top floor of this shop-filled building to find this place that seems to exist on a different world. Oh My Gulay, aptly so named, treats diners not only with spews of interesting dishes but also with its curious interiors. And because the place was high enough for the mist to touch, we were afforded with whimsical and playful teasing of gentle sprays and sunshine.

Oh My Gulay!

The vista.

Different pastas and salad.

The travelers.

Oh My Gulay still.

To our next stop.

"This is the Baguio of my dreams!" I said with a child's mirth the moment we entered Camp John Hay. The imposing pines. The verdant grass carpet. The chilly air. That moment I knew why I've always longed to be in this place.

View from The Manor.

The gang at Starbucks while waiting for Franco who was inside reading a newspaper.

May we walk, walk, walk.

Still inside Camp John Hay at this cozy place that serves yummy hot chocolate and puto!

T'was Dino who said it's great and we agree!

We exited Camp John Hay to check out Gloria's (that time) official summer residence.

By night we were at SM Baguio. Went to the diners. Then capped the night off with some drinks and animated songs. The singing part was monopolized by Franco and Dino.

Catching up with the news at the diners.

Even the big boys had a problem finishing the sandwich!

Good na brad! ;)

will be continued...

Ecce Homo

2011-08-16T01:31:00.000+08:00

Come August 20, the bust of the Ecce homo (Latin for "Behold the man" the standard component of cycles illustrating the Passion of Christ in Christian art following the flagellation, the crowing with thorns and the eventual presentation of Christ by Pontius Pilate to the crowd who screamed for His crucifixion), will be returned to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino from the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

The Ecce Homo as it appears today. (Taken from the Flickr stream of Butch Durias)

What is so special about this image is that it is said to be of the three images brought my Magellan to our shores, the two being the Virgen dela Cotta and the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño. The bust was said to be found buried in the grave site of the Cebuano king, Rajah Humabon (christened Carlos) on August 20, 1571 (the reason the date of the return was so set as such), which may have very well been his christening gift from Magellan. As you might notice, there's a bust of the Ecce homo in the Basilica that is enclosed with a glass.

According to tito Clifford Chua, an ecclesiastical art and history enthusiast, the image found a home in Manila when in 1965 an exhibit was organized in Intramuros to celebrate the 400th year of Christianization of the Philippines that the image was transferred there.

In December 25, 1983 the Philippine Province of the Augustinian order was established (the creation led to autonomy from the mother province, the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines which is based in Spain). Tito Clifford continued that all the Augustinian churches and properties were all bequeathed to the new province except for the San Agustin church (oldest Church still standing in the Philippines) and the Colegio San Agustin in Makati, which was retained by mother province. They feel that the mother province should retain some properties and items to maintain its historicity and to supply income for their missions in other parts of Asia and Africa.

Vintage photo. (From Ellis Mendez's Flickr stream)

And so, the Ecce homo remained in Intramuros in the museum of San Agustin church.

After fruitful negotiations of the Augustian fathers of Cebu and Manila, the image is set to return to Cebu. As tito Clifford said, it is better because in the Basilica there is a place for the image to be publicly venerated while in Intramuros the image is just an object in the museum.

How to do a proper toast

2011-08-14T14:56:00.000+08:00

Due to my post on Badian Island Resort and Spa, I remembered this very important lesson a gentleman should learn in his lifetime. I picked this treasure from Maria (well not directly from her but from Miko who got the instruction from her) our gracious host. Ladies and gentlemen, the proper way to offer and or do a toast:

Emily, Mark and Angel at the Gustavian.

1.) A toast is offered to celebrate an achievement, another year of existence, an auspicious remembering. It is always customary for the host to offer the first toast (assuming that there will be more toasts in the duration of the meal). To do this, the host must clearly offer a toast and eloquently say its cause (a timid toast is a lousy impolite toast). It usually starts with "cheers to..." or "I would like to offer a toast for...." After that respond by saying "Cheers!"

2.) After the toast is offered, don't get to excited about gulping the wine! Gently clank your glass to that of the others (really gently because most of those crystal glasses are ridiculously expensive...and do the clanking at the fattest part of the goblet) while making sure that you look at each person in the eye as you do (and yes, smile!). If your in a big dinner and it is impossible to clank everyone's glasses, just raise your glass gentl and try to make eye contact to as many person possible. (Remember that this part is just as short as say, five seconds?)

3.) Drink! A little sip will do. If you're not a wine drinker and you find the taste of wine revolting, just keep it to your self. Don't insult your host with an unpleasant expression!

4.) Before you put the wine glass back to its place on the table (the glass should still be raised by this time), again, make a pleasant eye contact with everyone and offer them a smile.

5.) Gently put the wine glass back to its position.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is offering and responding to the toast properly. Cheers!

Badian Island Resort and Spa

2011-08-13T19:00:00.001+08:00

Ranking among the World’s Top 10 Island Spa Resorts by industry expert Asia Spa and being dubbed as one of the best spas in the Philippines by Gayot.com – The Guide to the Good Life, Badian Island Resort and Spa is a sanctuary that reconciles luxury and wellness.

Paulie and Miko.

The private boat transfer from the mainland to the island is just around 10 minutes or more.

The resort's signature welcome--a seranade from the staff and Paulie is too eager to join.

Yes! This close to heaven!

Badian Island Resort and Spa boasts of its natural Thalasso Spa and Sauna, an expanse of health wellness with ionized sea-water waterfalls, open-air pavilions overlooking the crystal sea separating the resort and the majestic mountains, baths and wading pools. It features signature massages, relaxation and health treatments.

Miko and Paulie enjoying the benefits of ionized seawater at the Thalasso.

The expansive vista of the bay and the neighboring Badian mountains makes this spa one of the best there is. There's no need of music. The birds and the gentle waves supply it.

After this Miko gets a four-hand massage!

This opulent yet serenely comfortable resort is set on an eight-hectare heaven in the tropical paradise island of Badian off south of the bustling metropolitan of Cebu. Guests can choose from its well-assigned 42 rooms—Thalasso pool villas and Badian, Junior and Family Suites—each affording beautiful vistas while featuring the best of Cebuano craftsmanship.

We stayed at the Thalasso Pool Villa. That curious decoupage on the ceiling is made of tobacco leaves alluding to the family's tobacco enterprise in Cagayan Valley.

Our private seawater pool and the splendid view.

I get to pose too!

Marrying indulgence and wellbeing, Badian Resort and Spa dishes out healthy gastronomic feasts and drinks taken fresh from the resort’s very own organic garden.

Our glorious breakfast

For the adventure chaser, the resort offers various water sports and diving facilities and equipment. Moreover, it is a neighbor to one of Cebu’s most colorful and diverse diving spots.

With our very gracious hosts: IT master Mateo and owners Hartwig and Maria.

Baguio: First of three parts

2011-08-13T03:08:00.001+08:00

I was still in love when I was in Baguio. And if only fate was more friendly, I could have spent my three-day sojourn in the Summer Capital of the Philippines with that person, whom in June of 2010 I've exchanged animated and romantic correspondences with. But I shall not, not in this post and not in the near future, talk about that failed bliss, rather, I shall reminisce through photos the most fascinating time I had with that serene northern city (this post is too late that details of that journey is now unfortunately bequeathed to a distant and blurred memory).

If my memory serves me right, we arrived in Manila on the morning of November 24, 2011. Right after, we went to the bus terminal had some breakfast and proceeded to take the bus. The picture below was me on board a Victory Liner bus. I think we paid less than P500 each. The five-hour bus ride or so was rather convenient and I just dozed off during the entire trip and only stretched my legs during a bus stop somewhere in Tarlac.

Sporting a Wayfarer and in skinny jeans and knitted V-neck and scarf!

It was already dark when we arrived in Baguio so it was not the most glorious of all arrival. I think we decided to do some groceries in spite of the exhaustion and hunger. After that, we went to this pizza place along Session Road, which name I could no longer remember largely because the food was less fascinating than it is satisfying but for someone who could eat an entire live person, that wouldn't really matter. But we managed to smile for the camera anyway.

Love birds Franco and Karen


Margie, Tynee, me and Kia. Pia was somewhere else.

Dino was very charitable to welcome us in his condo and to let us abuse his Grandia (oh yes, exploring Baguio is exponentially pleasurable on a Grandia!). The thing that confirmed that we were already in Baguio was the cold air wafting around to remind us that we were in fact already in dreamy Baguio. And for a person who longed to visit the place, that was enough confirmation. The morning after, we were greeted by these glorious views and Tynee did not let that pass without recording it in her handy camera.

So this, my friends, is Baguio.


Coniferous bliss. They are all around Baguio.

The cold-loving honeysuckles' blooms appear larger in Baguio.

We experienced the magic of Baguio the day after our arrival. What's so special about Baguio is that it is a living post-card filled with locals who seem to go about their daily existence nonchalant about the beauty that greets them every day. But for an eager transient, Baguio grows more and more beautiful and enigmatic at every turn.


Tynee checking Cafe By The Ruins, a famous gastronomic venue built on the ruins (a victim of the second World War) of the residence of the governor of Benguet.

View of the man-made lake of the Burnham Park (named after the city's planner Daniel Burnham) with its famous romantic canoes and weeping willow trees.


Of course, we conveniently handed the paddles to Franco while Margie took pleasure at teasing Tynee by rocking the canoe.

That's Kia.

They told me the bike's not in it's best condition but I insisted to take it anyway because it matched my shirt. I think the rent is P20 an hour, which is enough trust me, to circle Burnham on a bike.

Margie and me.

Oh Tynee can't ride a bike!

will be continued...

Angel Amador

2011-08-12T18:37:00.000+08:00

Damas y Caballeros, yo tengo el honor a presentarle a usted Señorita Angel Amador, mi bellisisima amiga!

And of course, as the co-photographer during the shoot I wouldn't let it pass without gracing the lens for some test shots, which is my reason to do the shoot and Angel was just the lucky excuse. (My shots taken by Fritzie Anfone)

Here's Fritzie, a fantastic singer-slash-photographer-slash-flammable friend (due to her fondness of tequila).

So that, ladies and gentlemen, is what you do when you're bored and without money on a Saturday!

Virgen de la Cotta

2011-08-12T01:51:00.000+08:00

It was not only the venerable image of the Holy Child of Cebu, now venerated on the marble chapel of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, that Magellan brought with him when he sailed about 500 years years ago. There were three Christian relics he gave us, the two being the bust of the Ecce Homo and the Virgen de la Cotta. (The former will be sent back to Cebu on August 20 during a solemn turn-over ceremony. Until that date, the bust, which was uncovered in the grave of Rajah Humabon, is kept in the Church of San Agustin in Manila.) But I leave the debate to historians to scrutinize the veracity of these claims.

As for the Virgen de la Cotta, Mr. Louie Nacorda has this to say:

"It was originally enshrined without any established name inside the fort, hence, she was simply referred to as Our Lady of the Fort. It was transferred to the cathedral for fort security reasons (towards the end of the 19th century, when social unrest and talks of revolution was getting louder) where a special chapel was dedicated to her devotees.

"Somewhere along the image' long history of being miraculous, specially for cure or "remedies" for sickness, it was given the nomenclature of Nuestra Senora delos Remedios, although it was still synonymous with Nuestra Senora dela Cotta.

"According to Mons. Cris Garcia, when the cathedral was bombed by the Japanese in 1942-43, this image was given to Pres. Sergio Osmena for his safekeeping but when he had to leave for Australia with Pres. Quezon and Mc Arthur, he in turn entrusted the image to one of the devotees who belonged to one of Cebu's leading religious families then. When the cathedral was reopned for service in 1952, Pres. Osmena could no longer remember who he entrusted it to, perhaps because of the haste in giving last minute instructions and more significant matters occupying his mind at the time."

Blas Emboy, young designer

2011-08-11T19:46:00.000+08:00

Damas y Caballeros, last July 23 (I know this is very late, so much for training in journalism) my very good friend Blas Emboy made a debut during a fashion show at the Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu, showcasing his first pieces together with other young designers. Currently he designs under Style Hauz.

Blas shows us his design proposition and promise with the stark contrast of the austerity of structure and the boldness of color and richness of fabric. For me, it suggests the designer's fancy for profusion without abandoning his keen sensibility towards wearability.

I especially love this sort of maharajah pants (whatever it is called) and I told him to make one for me.

I expect to see more of you Blas!

(Photos not mine.)

Thank you!

2011-08-11T05:17:00.000+08:00

Who wouldn't resuscitate a forsaken blog when you receive a statement as charitable as this?

Jello is one of the most articulate writers I know. He’s a papist, a living encyclopedia with an extensive knowledge of Philippine history, European monarchs, popes and what-not. He blogs about anything from local fashion to national issues with a touch of humor. You’ll learn a lot from him, I tell you.

This atrociously obliging indulgence comes from Ken, a person who I find most fascinating, who teased me and successfully did so, to blog. Thank you very much Ken! www.aroundtheflexure.com. I will try to do this justice.

Skincare

2011-07-06T23:22:00.000+08:00

Although I want to have finer pores, I must confess, my skincare regimen (or the lack thereof) is frustrating. I prick my own white and black heads, I am impatient with acnes and I sleep even without washing my face. I know the basics--clean, tone and moisturize--but I don't follow it. I've tried several creams but I never really cultivated a habit of taking care of my skin. And I'm a total cheapskate when it comes to vanity.

But I've decided to make up for it and will try, once again, to form a skincare habit. This time by cleaning, moisturizing and protecting my skin from the sun's age hastening rays. For that, here's my trio: Nivea Whitening Foam for cleansing, Myra e for moisturizing, Nivea Sun for protection against sun's rays. It's SPF 50 so it's good enough plus my other cream has 27 so that's 77! (Sunblock has additive value, but you just have to dab some every now and then for continual protection, well, even during the night!)

Wish list

2011-07-06T03:20:00.000+08:00

And so this year and this month most especially is epic, for me at least, because on the fifteenth I will officially close the first-quarter-of-a-century chapter of life. I will not start to rant, with God's help I am seeing better prospects. And so I will just shout to the whole world what I want for myself this time.

1.) A black thoroughbred. But I think I'll just content myself with Mich's recommendation this time--Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand.

2.) Jil Sander lace up.

3.) Burberry foldable. And not the one that costs less than $1. Yes? Not that one.

4.) Canon lenses. I'm a little in to photography these days.

On Imelda's persistence

2011-06-28T23:22:00.000+08:00

"Can you imagine, a man like Ferdinand, a man with 32 [World War II] medals, and yet he [Aquino] does not honor the awards given by our allies?"asked former first lady and now Ilocos Representative Imelda Marcos.

I don't know how true, but there's a speculation that Marcos did not deserve those decorations and may have been sustained through less veritable means. But the crux of the matter is not this.

For me, allowing the dead body of the the late dictator to be buried in the hallowed grounds of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the resting place of this country's martyrs would be tantamount to forgetting the regime that is awash with blood.

This country has forgotten so much. But madam, please don't insult your martyrs further.

Some random day: June 14

2011-06-14T00:20:00.000+08:00

In 1942, on the same day, Anne Frank wrote her first entry.

Art or Graffiti

2011-06-11T00:34:00.001+08:00

Murvyn, a Flickr friend, posted this curious image and posited: Art or Graffiti: Encinita's Surfin' Madonna.

Murvyn furthered:

Surfin' Madonna
Eight (8) paneled encaustic mosiac attached with industrial strenght glue and drilled into the Encinitas Bridge by an unlicensed crew posing as construction workers.
Encinitas, CA (San Diego County)
USA

Some people consider it art. Others think it graffiti. Some thinks it is a religious symbol. While still other view it merely as a "chick in robes riding the boards". What do you think??? Should it stay or should it go??? Only in Sandy Eggo!!!!

Then the replies:

Me: I say graffiti with religious suggestions but definitely not a religious symbol. But it's a curious piece.

Commenter 1: nasa newspaper itoh ahh!!! its a kinda evangelization in a new perspective!!! why not? in the US, surfing is a usual thing! and besides, there is no demonic symbols unlike other representations of the BVM! the only problem is that the virgin SURFS!!! :))) here nga sa pinas diba, there is a painting of Jesus riding a motorcycle, etc., so why not the BVM change from the usual cloud to a surf board!? :p still, awkward para sa mga traditionalist!!! :)))

Me: yours is a different perspective. however, i belong to the school of thought that sacred art should be edifying and should move man, its audience, to piety, awe, reverence, contrition or conversion. in this image, all i see is a lady "ill-dressed" for the occasion. (i mean, who on earth...or in heaven...would surf wearing long robes?)

Commenter 1: so meaning yung school namin walang sacred thought? ganun!!! hahahaha.... vice ganda syndrome!!! hehehehe...

ehh siguro naman if surf boards were invented earlier, it maybe possible!!! ehh she can step nga on a cloud eh, sa surf board pa kaya di pwede!!! :p

Me: so what then is the spiritual significance of the surf board?

Commenter 1: can a cloud cross the ocean? huh! huh! ??? for a change... :P

: naging praktikal lng si Mama Mary!!! :P

Murvyn : LOLOLOLOLOL... great discussion guys. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to give us your thoughts!!

Having grown up in the United States, I have been reared on the concept of separation of church and state. The problem to many here in San Diego is that the image can be interpreted as a religious symbol placed promiently under a public bridge that can be viewed by all passersby. Allowing the mosaic to say could be tantamount to giving the religious imagery state sanction. Hence the problem.

To others, it is a nice piece of art that is decorating an otherwise dreary section of town. The color and imagery bring a smile to one's face and joy in the heart of the beholder. So, in a way, I can understand the point of view of those who think this piece of "guerilla" art should stay.

As JJ points out, except of the posture of the woman (that may recall the image of the Lady of Guadalupe), there really is nothing particularly religious about the mosiac. There is no cross or any other religious symbolisms. It is, in reality, just another woman -- albeit dressed incongrously -- riding the waves on top of a surfboard. What better way to epitomize the conglomerative art of the tradional

California lifestye with the new emerging Latino population.

or this

the first one gives us a picture of a Christ with crown of thorns and piercing eyes as if asking the viewer "what have you done for me?"

the second picture suggests the pieta, with Mary, dissolving in the background, suggesting her complete resignation and full participation to Christ's act of redemption.

These for me maybe modern but they challenge the audience to reflection.

Me : i have no problem with modern christian religious art. my point is that modern christian art, as a tool for evangelization, still needs to adhere with the fundamentals of the faith. Christ's message and catholic doctrines did not change just because the world embraced modernity.

i just don't get what kind of evangelization we get out of a picture of a surfing lady (who appears to be that of the lady of guadalupe).

i agree with murvyn that this picture "epitomize conglomerative art of the tradional California lifestyle." but for me, definitely not religious and more definitely not a tool for evangelization.

Flores de Mayo

2011-06-02T12:00:00.000+08:00

I love Flores de Mayo. In fact, I could not put a proper childhood recollection without it. I remember, when I was four or five, small and on my white camison and striped shorts, I insisted on leading the daily rosary together with the girls of ages ten to twelve so that I can kneel in front and stare at Our Lady's venerable image. I would also wake up early to see the fresh flowers lola would bring so that I can get the nicest ones!

When I was in fourth grade, I aced (I remember I always got the perfect score) all the exams given by Ate Siony, that lovely and patient catechist and "graduated" the top of our batch that summer.

Last May 31, I fulfilled my promise to Kia to give some awards to the children who attended summer catechesis in Clelanville in Mactan. I insisted on giving Catholic images thinking that those might help the young kids cultivate piety.

Drunk

2011-06-02T03:54:00.000+08:00

You don't want to get near me when I'm drunk.

My friend Angel knows the story. And so does D, the one I once fancied and more recently, Mike, who was unaware with the fact that I maintain a "dark" side. As for Angel, I turned one sunny Sunday to a tearful one, D with my incessant attacks, and Mike because I insisted that he get in to the air-conditioned bus resulting in a minor squabble with the ticketing personnel.

This time, I was tempted to "drunk-text" this someone I used (still questionable) to love (who fell into the hands of another) until prudence told me otherwise.

Oh when will I learn to stop being pathetic and start to value self-preservation?

Twitter

2011-06-01T22:37:00.000+08:00

I've had Twitter ever since, yet it was not a love affair. It was, unlike how it is to other people, not very interactive, bland and uneventful. Not many of my friends use it and I feel like every thing I "tweet" just fade away to a cyber cloud somewhere. For a while, I denied to use Twitter because I feel like its utility is better off for famous people people and those who have a semblance of fame both of which I do not have. But tonight, I have Aiken and Verna and Mich and Ken to exchange tweets with. So I guess I'm obliged.

On that note, the Wayfarer on the side street retweets!

New toy

2011-05-26T00:24:00.000+08:00

This is very funny. Partly my fault though because on Monday I posted a status message in Facebook saying that I'm "excited to use and abuse my new toy." Comments came and I found out that I've long suffered the reputation of promiscuity as people think my new toy was a sex toy! Well, it is not! (Although this is not an attack to people who prefer to pleasure themselves with those funky contraptions).

Due to my visit to Washington D.C. on May last year, I was prompted to buy a point and shoot camera. I had fun with it for a few days until I realize that it's better suited for my mother and my sister, so they got it. A month ago, I came home to Dumaguete to attend the feast of the Divine Mercy, which our little community celebrates each year, and I took the liberty to be the official photographer using that same point and shoot camera. I had a hard time capturing "decisive moments" because the camera was too slow and more than half of what I got were blurred.

Now I have an entry level Canon DSLR and I'm still grappling on how to use it. I had a few clicks earlier before retiring and posted them in Facebook, and so far, my friends have been very generous with their reviews!

Take a look! (The full versions are in my Flickr account)

So there you go, the Wayfarer on the side street will now start clicking!

Vacation

2011-05-21T04:11:00.000+08:00

So much so for work, so much so for RH bill! I shall make, perhaps, my last kiss of summer in Camotes. (Dumaguete, Siquijor and Villa Escudero are still in limbo).