Experiencing Baler

      My relatives in my mother side live in Baler, but it was only in Summer 2015 that I was able to explore the wonderful sights in Baler, a town in the province of Aurora.

     From Manila, it will take us 4 to 5 hours if we will ride a private vehicle and 5 to 6 hours if we will ride a bus.

    A visit in Baler will require two days to fully enjoy the remarkable places that this town can offer. The landmarks below highlights the places where we can go if we gain interest in visiting Baler. Also, the landmarks include places that can be found in neighboring towns.

Experience the cold waters in Caunayan Falls, Brgy. El Pimentel (San Luis)

Witness the tallest tree in the country (or probably in Southeast Asia), the Balite Tree (Maria Aurora)

Stay / Take a walk in Costa Pacifica

Walk on Hanging Gardens

Take a splash in Ditumabo Falls

Enjoy the scenery of the islets in Sabang Beach

Have a picnic in Ermita Hill

Visit Museo de Baler and see the historical treasures of the province

Enter the house of Dona Aurora

Take a selfie in the logo of Baler (c/o Island Souvenir)

Enter Baler Church

Have snacks in Gerry's

Take some refreshments in Bayler 

Surf in Baler Beach

Enjoy the serenity in Ampir Beach (Dipaculao)

   The experience was really worth it. In my next visit, I am planning to see Mother Falls and Dinajawan Beach. 

Our Cause

We are entitled to give our own opinions, but we have to make sure that our opinions are rooted from deeper principles and strong foundations.

The world is too crowded with people who say a lot of things, and the microcosmic world we belong makes no difference.

Different opinions thrive in every place whenever there are people and concerns. Sentiments and beliefs become the armor that people wear to survive their daily battles. Some call for preserving something that existed since time immemorial as if changing a norm will mean a grave crime. Others appeal for  reforms as if the current situation is an extreme illness that need to be cured.

We hear small and loud voices every day, and it is our biggest responsibility to filter these voices. Some of these voices will cause harm not only to us but also to the people we care. That is something we would never want to happen. The other voices will present themselves as solutions to our dire problems. It can be a blessing in disguise. Therefore, we have to be vigilant and intelligent on what to accept and what to reject.

Our moral obligation does not stop in accepting and rejecting. Our call lies far greater than that.

We are called to express our opinions the way heroes declare their battle cries.

As a member of a greater majority, our voice is priceless. Our people, especially our children, deserve to hear our voices. Thus, we should commit ourselves to echo ideas that uphold integrity and compassion. Through the course of our academic life, we engage ourselves in a thinking lifestyle. Therefore, the ideas  that we share should not be shortchanged by less profound ideas that benefit no one. Every idea that we express should count. It should manifest a strong hope for the hopeless and a strength for the helpless. It should be a weapon that will protect us as a people--today and tomorrow.

It is a sad reality that some people are intelligent, yet they make unintelligent decisions. Their ambitions might bring them to the top, but doing so will cause the less advantaged to the bottomless pit. What for? Fame? Prestige? Gain? Victory? If those things are worth fighting for, then all of us must engage ourselves in the greatest battles of our lives. However, having ourselves us the center of everything will never make us happy, proud, and successful. Along the way, we will see ourselves falling together with a myriad people who failed because of us.

When things go wrong, we have to speak for justice. We should be part of a solution, not a witness to a growing problem. Watching tragic things happen is the most pathetic matter a righteous human being can do. In the end, the peace we feel when we sleep on our beds tells us that we did the right thing.

We have to do things right.

For God.

For our people.

And for our children.

A Matter of Excellence

Few years ago, I started to venture in the world of graduate studies, and that decision is one of the sweetest ones that I made.

Currently, I am working with a very tedious assignment. I spent so many days and nights to accomplish a very monumental endeavor -- write a paper rich in thoughts and sophistication. After laborious effort, I finally finished it yesterday. However, upon consultation with my professor, I have to break what I have accomplished and come up with a fresh one.

Instead of being disheartened, I feel more challenged and enthusiastic  to improve my craft. I always say "If better is possible, good is not enough." Certainly, now is the time that good is never enough. My exposure to challenges and adventures ingrained in me the passion I need to pursue excellence.

This experience made me appreciate the perks of being a writer: to witness the birth, death, and resurrection of ideas. There were so many times that I took a deep sigh on crossroads, and I was tempted to quit; yet the fate of every individual is never placed in a cul-de-sac. There will always be a rainbow, a light, and a box of cake. Fighting a battle makes ordinary people extraordinary. Writing and rewriting give us more room for improvement. It will always be a lovely process. 

Now, I have to go back to my assignment with a smile. 

Hi, I'm Mr. Hugot

Some people have recently labeled me "Mr. Hugot" for habitually posting deep-rooted statements on social media. Sometimes, I express things naturally. Well, I feel optimistic about that, and I accept the title. Who wouldn't want to be Mr. Hugot?

I am here not to fight against Mr. Suave, Mr. Pogi, or Mr. Bae. They have been there once in a while, so I just want to respect their existence and leave them with their popularity. After all, I am just an ordinary person with a big heart.

So what does "hugot" mean?

According to someone from the Net, "the term 'hugot' is a Filipino word which means to draw or to pull out. The usage of the hashtag “#hugot” became popular not so long ago and is usually used along with song lyrics, a quote, etc. that the person tweeting relates to; “#hugot” means the accompanying words draw emotions out of him.

I will not disagree. But where in the world do I get my hugot lines?

Basically, I just share what I think and what I feel about something. There are no deep-seating subliminal messages on my posts. Contrary, people find it deep because they can relate. They can see the connections and vivid images and even feel the words literally for its power to  unravel reality.

I owe my hugot lines from my past relationships, successes and defeats, decisions, and unforgettable experiences that made a dwelling place in my simple mind.  The stories of people around me and even the world of fiction have influenced my views and lenses.

In the end, I believe all of us can be Mr. Hugot. Let's continue to share our thoughts and reflections about our lives, so we can inspire people to ponder and make the right choice.

Pen: Past and Present

The pen that I use

To write stunning words

Suddenly falls

And dies in a moment.

Unwritten words are forever gone.

Bubbles of memories,

Scribbles of feelings

Are no longer part of an old story;

So I replace it with a new one—

Something that will stay

And never leave,

Knows how to keep a promise.

We’ll be together

Like Adam and Eve,

Appreciate the world

In every hue.

My heart is delighted with my new pen

As a mother sees her newly-born child.

My mind celebrates her arrival

That no words can express its joy.

When somebody leaves,

A better one surely comes.

Letting go is the beginning of an end,

But letting in is the start that will never end.

With her,

I will write again.

With her,

I will love again.

Mensahe mula sa Lumang Sapatos

Sa unang tingin pa lang,

Alam mong ako’y gusto mo na.

Mata mo’y kumikinang nang

Sinabi mong ako’y mahalaga.

Ako’y iyong sinukat

At sinubok ilakad—

Pinakamatibay sa lahat,

Kulay ay di masyadong matingkad.

Matapos bilhin,

Akoy’ iyong ginamit,

Nirampa sa liwanag at dilim—

Malayo man o malapit.

Magkasama tayo sa lahat ng byahe

At sa lahat ng okasyon.

Lumakad tuwing walang pamasahe—

Panglakad lalo na ‘pag bakasyon.

Nakita natin ang kulay ng mundo—

Magkasalo sa hirap at ginhawa.

Minsan ma’y hindi magkasundo,

Tayo’y walang kasawa-sawa.

Iniwas kita sa dumi ng lupa,

Prinotektahang ‘di magkasugat,

Inibig, Kinlinga,

At ibinigay ang lahat

Subalit ano ang nangyari?

Ako’y iyong kinahon.

Nalimot ang mga pangyayari,

Pagsasama natin ay ibinaon.

Ako’y iyong iniwan

Sa mga byahe ay di na isinama.

Bakit pinabayaan

At hinayaang maluma?

Hangad kong ika’y maging masaya,

Maabot ang langit,

Pagsubok ay makaya

Kahit hindi na ako kasama.

Pambura

Akala ko’y tama ka;

‘Yun pala’y tama na

Sa isang pagsusulit

Ng pusong punit.

Ang aking pagkakamali

Ay ang pumili ng mali—

Sagot na mahirap isulat

Sa alaalang may pilat.

Ewan ko ba kung tama o mali—

Mahirap ang maiwan muli

Habang tapos na ang lahat,

Ako ang maglilinis ng kalat.

Nais ko lang ay palakpak

Ngunit ako’y palpak;

Tanong na kay hirap

Tila walang kasing saklap.

Teka. Naiwan ko ang pambura

At ako’y napapamura.

Tiyak na ako’y babagsak

At uuwing may sapak.

Wide Awake

At midnight—

On the first day of August,

My bed and pillow decided to rebel

To start an ending

That will change a constant routine.

Forcing myself to sleep

Is like pushing a nail on the wall without a hammer;

Impossible.

Hard.

Slumber is like a journey in the outer space.

What should I do?

If my heart does not cooperate

And my mind betrays me

As the memories remind me of you—

Flashing like a feel-good movie turns tragic.

Promises are broken.

Your words are an honest lie

That echoes a loud whisper—

Enough to destroy my hope

Of us in a sudden forever.

You promised me love,

But you gave me pain.

But we are not Star-crossed lovers,

For there’s no feud nor fate—

In our story. In our story.

All I can do now is accept rejection

As bitter as a lukewarm coffee

That nobody wants to drink.

When the sun rises,

I wish a new life awaits me.

Utang Mo

Sabi mo magbabayad ka ng utang—

Pangakong napako—

Kaya’t isip ko’y lutang habang

Puso ko’y parang lulubog na barko.

Umasa ako na babawi ka

Dahil ang alkansya ko’y naghihingalo na,

Pagkain ko’y wala nang lasa.

Di ko matiis ang tulad mong paasa.

Kala ko naman ay ibibigay mo na

Kasi ang pasensya ko’y sagad na.

Dinurog mo ang damdamin ko.

Isa ka talagang ganap na manloloko.

Ika’y isang totoong sinungaling!

Sarap mong ingudngod sa uling.

Mga salita mo’y noong una’y kay ganda

Pero lahat ng ito pala’y bumabanda.

Kaya naman sa tulang ito,

Patatawarin na kita sa utang mo

Pero di mo na mauulit ‘to.

Sa ‘yo na ang pag-ibig mo.

Hello blogger world!

After using Wordpress for more than 2 years, I will be trying this one.