Hahaha! natawa ako kanina nung nakita ko to#livestream

Patapat Bridge

at the Blue Lagoon

Montage :)

Deputy Preidential Spoksperson Abigail Valte and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysa exchange points over Twitter regarding the Aquino administration's disaster management efforts.one of my family friends went back to the Philippines for vacation and now she’s got a...

Pulag was my very first climb. I was invited out of the blue by my friend and I immediately agreed to go since I was trying new ways to challenge myself physically, and a climb to the highest peak in Luzon seems to be a perfect way to do so.

We took the bus from Manila to Baguio which was a good 6 hour travel if you travel during night time. We arrived at Baguio a little past 12 and we stayed on a little hotel for a few hours because we’ll meet the rest of the group at 5.

The next part of the trip was a jeepney drive to Benguet. It was bumpy so it’s pretty impossible to catch sleep on the way there. We had a breakfast on a road side diner and got some water and other supplies.

Diane and myself before the trek.

We arrived at the ranger station before noon and we had a little seminar with the lady there. She had a little presentation regarding proper mountain etiquette and other stuff. After that, we had lunch and we prepared for the climb.

Lunch before orientation.

The climb was not bad. I learned that the trail we took was minor one, and it’s perfect for beginners. 

Trail.

We arrived at the camp in the afternoon where we pitched our tents and had a little merienda.

Groupshot.

We ventured outside the camp to check out the vista and to take some pictures. We chatted with other campers out there and planned to go back to our camp a few minutes before night falls. We can already feel the cold air and I realized that tonight will be a long night. And man, was I right.

We had dinner at around 6. After dinner I went back to my tent and I was planning to get out to chat more. I am really feeling the cold air now and I didn’t go back out because of it. We haven’t ventured to the summit yet, and that was the plan for the day after. Well, that is if I don’t die out of freezing my ass off that night.

I somehow managed to survive the night. At around 5, I got up because I thought that it would heat me up if I move around rather than staying in the tent waiting for the sun go up.

When I got up, this is what I saw:

Frozen Trail.

Frost.

Anyway, the assault to the summit feels good because we were able to warm up our bodies. A few hour after, we we’re able to see the glorious Pulag summit. I mean, freezing our ass offs that night was worth it because of the view.

Sea of clouds.

Clouds.

We stayed for a little while at the summit. Enjoying the view. Basking in the morning heat. I saw my combat buddy on top too. He was with his group at his school and we also exchanged experience during the climb. They stayed at the saddle camp which I heard was much, much, colder than our camp.

Anyway, we went back to camp to check out the one who remained from our group. (There were only 3 of us who assaulted the summit). We prepared for descent and we took more pictures, of course.

We were able to get back to Baguio just in time for dinner. We had dinner in Session road and went to the station to get a bus back to Manila.

It was a great experience, and because of that, I am now addicted in climbing. :)

Photo from Ace Bright’s Twitter page

9 1/2 hours of Rain, Flood, and Uncertainty

I hope that I’ll be allowed to go tomorrow.

kung hindi, ewan ko na lang. 

UE = Uy Evacuate!
NU = Nako Umulan!
UST = Uy Stranded Tayo!
DLSU = Di Lang Sa Uste!
ADMU = Ay Damn, Maski Us?
UP = Umapaw Potek!
CSB = Chong San Banda?
SBC = Sa Bewang Chong!
FEU = Fuck Etong Ulan!
LPU = Lubog Pati Us!
CEU = Crap, Evacuation Ulit?
UBELT = Umuulan, Binabaha. Exasperating Langoy na Tayo!
UPHSD = Ubos muna Paninda Ha bago Suspend.
PLM = Please Lang Maawa!
PNU = Panu Na Umuulan!
TUP = Tsk Underwater POTEK!
MIT = Magsipasok! Intindihin ang Thesis!
PLM = Patay, Lumubog ang Maynila!
PLM = Pano Lulusong Man?
MCL = Maski Cars Lubog!

ADU = PROUD TO BE FALCON!!! :))))

— That’s the spirit! ;)

Paphiopedilum fowliei is an orchid endemic to the tropical moist lowland forests of Palawan. The orchid is critically endangered, primarily because of habitat degradation and over-collection of plant enthusiasts. 

The Philippine flag.

What a nightmare last Thursday night was. Short version, due to tropical storm “Falcon”, we got stuck in traffic for almost three hours, got stranded in UST parking for another three hours, then drove through rain, wind, and flood back to the province where there’s also rain, wind, and flood until now. Still home is home. Family is family. There’s no place I’d rather be. 9 and a half hours of waiting, thinking, planning, taking risks and chances for safety and comfort. (Hey, like almost all Filipinos most especially Manila people, my sisters and I do have the Ondoy tragedy embedded in our collective psyche so it’s really really scary to have another one.) 

Just imagine, we started from 7pm and we officially arrived home at 3:45 am. I’ll tell the whole story in detail for some other time. Right now I’m just happy to be home where it’s safe, warm, and comfortable. 

I’ll let the pictures do the talking for now. Keep safe everyone! 

HALF-BLIND. Strangers Project (2011)

untitled on Flickr.

FETE DELA MUSIQUE CEBU 2011

The Terraces, Ayala Center

Pagbigyan nyo ako magpost ng picture. Pasukan na bukas eh. That was captured during our fieldtrip, isa yang wildriver sa bundok malapit sa Mt. Apo, Highest Mountain in the Philippines. Napakalamig jan, nahulog pa jan tsinelas ni Artsie. HAHAHA. gusto kong bumalik don. Nakakamiss lungs. K. No1curr.

Happy Independence Day!

June 12, 2011 - Philippines’ Independence Day

To be called “mister” when you want to be called “miss”.

To be forced to go to the men’s washroom when you know you are not a man.

To be denied proper healthcare, police assistance, or employment because people misunderstand and judge your identity as a woman…

To wake up everyday and feel disgusted by your own body, feeling trapped in a biological cage and bullied by a society that will not accept abberations from the “norm”.

I wish I could give each and every transgendered individual a hug. I have huge respect for you. Because you experience the most discrimination, your fight against hate and bigotry is what fuels the LGBT agenda in the Philippines — in fact, anywhere in the world! I admit that I have to listen to more of what you have to say in order to understand you more, and in turn to make others outside of the LGBTQIAAetcetc community see how beautiful you really are.

You are a beautiful Transpinay, a woman of no equal. Don’t let anyone else say otherwise.

the green lake.

I went there last May. I thought I’d share these with you guys. Some shots are really ugly, so...

HALF-BLIND. Strangers Project (2011)

'Laughing' insects among new species discovered in PH

went to bohol but it was raining… so didn’t enjoyed much of the trip

Above is the Philippine flag.

I will be posting this since I am a proud pinoy, and yesterday was the day in the year 1898 that we were free from all countries who tried and conquer our beautiful and amazing (if I do say so myself) island. 

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands, which is devided into 3 larger islands; Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Luzon:

Luzon is the largest and most economically and politically important island in the Philippines. It is also the name for one of the three island groups in the country centred on the Island of Luzon, the other two being the Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon as an island group includes the island of Luzon itself, plus the Batanes and Babuyan groups of islands to the north, and the main and outlying islands of Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Romblon, and Mindoro in the south. It is home to the capital city, Manila. [Source]

Visayas

The Visayas  or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines,  along with Mondanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea. Its population are referred to as the Visayans.

The major islands of the Visayas are Panay, Negros, Cebu Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. The region may also include the islands of Romblon and Masbate, whose population identify as Visayan. [Source]

Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The Land of Promise. Mindanao is the only area of the Philippines with a significant Muslim presence. [Source]

The Philippines was conquered by a lot of countries. Mostly by the Spanish, which lasted more than a hundred years. Right now, I guess I’m boring you with what is most like a history lesson, but you are welcome to stop reading right now. Just giving the heads up.

So, yeah, the conquerors. 

There were a lot. Spain, USA, Japan, that’s all I think. Sorry if I missed some.

So today, I would like to give a delayed thank you to the brave soldiers who were included in the death march, and the long historic wars of our country, the Philippines.

If it wasn’t for you; we would still (probably) be colonized. 

I would just like to pray that a war won’t break out due to the Spratly Islands.

Thank you to the government especially Emilio Aguinaldo for having made a peaceful country back then. I don’t know if I can say this is still peaceful. Wars? Poverty? Everything? Squaters? Maguindanao Massacre? Sometimes, it truly scares me, but being a Filipino, I have great faith in God. (Which is also a thank you to Magellan for teaching us about him.)

Please NoyNoy, make this country better.

Thank you to Jose Rizal. [Who celebrates his 150th birthday this Sunday.]

Thank you to Cory Aquino.

Thank you to every single one who has helped the Philippines climb up one more step towards not being a 3rd world country.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. A Happy (late) Independence Day to you all!

The Largest and Best Organized Body of Men which had yet met American troops.

The Battle of Zapote Bridge or the Battle of Zapote River, one of the bloodiest and second to the largest battles of the Philippine-American war, occurred on June 13, 1899. American forces composing General Henry Lawton with his 3,000 men, emerge victorious over 5,000 Filipinos under Pio del Pilar.

The New York Times reported that the Filipino army was “The Largest and Best Organized Body of Men which had yet met American troops.”

Zapote River currently separates Las Piñas City from Bacoor, Cavite. The ruins of the Zapote bridge still stands along Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway near Manila Bay.

DEAR VALUED CUSTOMERS,

In compliance with the new SMOKING ORDINANCE REPUBLIC ACT Section 5, No. 9211, please be advised that effective June 27th, all Starbucks stores nationwide will be smoke-free. 

All previously designated smoking outdoor areas will be converted to non-smoking.

Thank you so much in advance for your cooperation.

-Starbucks Coffe

Manila, Philippines —

In response to the existence of Catholics™ for RH (C4RH), the Catholic™ Bishops Conference of the Philippines have trademarked the term, “Catholic™.”

An official of the CBCP said Monday that the term “Catholic™” is reserved for those who obey the Pope’s teachings and are granted an official license by the Vatican through its newly formed franchising agent in the Philippines, the CBCP Commission on Franchising and Life (COFAL). COFAL recently filed a complaint with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines against C4RH.

“Catholics™ for RH are not authentic,” added Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, COFAL president. “They are not recognized as Catholics™.” Last week, Archbishop Palma refused to meet members of the group unless it changed its name. “Either they change the ‘Catholic™’ part or they change the ‘for RH’ part. As it stands their name is an oxymoron, let alone illegal.”

In accordance with the guidelines of COFAL, Laguna Bishop Leo Drona, COFAL vice-president, issued a “clarificatory note for the guidance of all Catholics™ so that they may not be deceived or misled by C4RH.”

Bishop Drona added that COFAL “does not consider nor recognize this group to be an authentically Catholic™ association or group since it espouses and supports a stand contrary and in direct opposition to the magisterial teachings of the Church. Their group violates not only Canon laws but intellectual property laws as well.”

According to Drona, trademarking the term prevents the formation of other groups such as Catholics™ for Divorce, Catholics™ for Abortion, Catholics™ for Euthanasia, Catholics™ for LGBT rights, and Catholics™ for Choice.

Because of the CBCP’s recent actions, some Catholics™ said that they’d leave the Catholic™ Church and form their own.

COFAL President Palma casually dismissed these threats. “They can do whatever they want in their own church but it is useless,” said Arhbishop Palma. “The sacraments, the prayers, even the bread and wine have no holiness or power unless properly franchised by the Catholic™ Church.”

COFAL have recently filed applications to trademark the terms “moral,” “family,” and “life.”

—

http://filipinofreethinkers.org/2011/06/13/cbcp-trademarks-the-term-catholic/

—

I am laughing my ass of right now. Can you see if I shit my pants just yet?

This is killing me to my wits. Oh my. ROTFLMFAO.

Please. Hahahahaha

If by any chance you did not get it. This is a satire. ;)

From one of the writers of Filipino Freethinkers.

Saw that lilttle island over there? :D