Old churches in the Philippines have grand and impressive structures made of stones built by the Spaniards. Many has been rebuilt numerous times over the centuries because of wars and natural disasters. They stand as the muted witnesses of the places’ culture and history. Majority of them have been declared as national treasures as they represent the Philippines as the only Catholic nation in Asia.
Along with these old churches, bells have been instruments for spiritual purposes. They were rang to call the faithful to worship, to highlight the climax of a particular stage of a church service, to remind them of God’s presence in their daily lives. Church bells were also used for practical purposes of alerting the faithful of important events and emergencies, such as, fire, end of war, disseminating information over far distances.
During the People Power Revolution of 1986, church bells were rang when President Marcos escaped and departed from the Palace.
The biggest bell in the Philippines measures 7 feet in diameter, 5 feet in height and weighs 10,400 kilos… It is housed at the belfry of Sta. Monica Parish church in Pan-ay, Roxas, Capiz together with the other olden church bells. It is considered as the “Biggest Catholic Church Bell in Asia”.
Through its powerful sound and simplicity in communication, they have become one of the most important influential percussion instruments in the world.
I was in a supermarket when I took this photo. I like the way it was displayed just like small snakes curling several times and tied with scotch tape.
To make this post more rewarding than just looking at it at face value, let me touch some interesting information about this veggies.
String beans are good for the heart. They are great sources of antioxidants which eliminate free radicals in our body which can cause illnesses and can damage our body tissues. They are also rich in fiber which are good for constipation, hemorrhoids, ulcers and acid reflux diseases.
Thank you so much, readers, for giving me the opportunity to reach this number of followers in a span of three and a half months since I resume writing again. Please allow me to continue this achievement in attaining this huge chance of returning in my pastime that I love. You are my inspiration my followers. You motivate me to continue my writing as far as my health permits me to. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You Very Much !
This is the lone standing Buddha in Bangkok which rises at 32 meters high and 10 meters wide. The Buddha itself is known as Luang Pho To or Phrasiariyametri which was built in the Ayutthaya period, is adorned with 24-carat gold and glass mosaics. Its location in the Nakhon District of the city, near the Rama VIII bridge over the Chao Phraya river, makes it accessible to several restaurants for visitors to dine in after visiting this place.
There were lots of people As I entered the wimpy scene All in mask costumes, no one to converse Images borrowed from the looks of others
This is not an alchemy of illusion How the crowd changed their looks One to the other, a transformation Lost in the galaxy of people
In one extent of my breadth of view A familiar look greeted my eyes Someone as tall as me My features I saw, in silhouette, it’s me
Wonder of all wonders As he unmasked to face the crowd of patrons The mob faced me in confusion Puzzled, which is the true me in person
As I sat alone on a rickety chair Morning has caught me in despair Haven’t drafted more for this ordeal As my imagination ran free and wild
As this stretch of fancy is somehow excessive My mind’s eye began to ebb The intriguing tide of free flowing scenes Began to close and retreated as I retired…
when you’re down you always look up but when you’re up you feel all has no end
when you’re down healing must come in it takes considerable time to get through the struggle
it maybe a slow or speedy process in fixing one’s ruined self no matter how strong or rich you are you’ll pass through a painful and drained state
the power to eagerly overcome it is measured by your conviction the struggles willfully become your twin trials will be beaten by your resolute strength
challenges are embedded in life but they will ultimately pass away if regaining one’s self will be a long process there’s always an end and triumph will give you peace of mind…
This giant statue stands at the border of Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro (Compostela Valley) passing through the Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Nat’l. Highway in Southern Philippines. There’s a souvenir shop at this boundary line which I bought several items to take home. More than twice my height, this titan lady will catch your attention as you go the highway going to Mati City from Davao Oriental.
With the pandemic still going on, I really miss travelling again. But I can’t do it at this time of the year. I think it is still unsafe to wander in other places , be it abroad or locally. If I may, I’ll reblog my work from a different site. I hope you’ll like it.
The first time I saw this, I insisted to drop by. I was really curious about the airplane crashing into the roof of the establishment. Visitors passing will surely take a glimpse of this “come on” publicity stunt of this watering hole in Davao city, south of the Philippines.
I just came from a tour with a rented car and a driver in the province of Davao Oriental, specifically the city of Mati. They have fine white sand beaches there comparable with the known ones today. It was a tiring but a very pleasant and enjoyable travel I had. Beautiful and green sceneries along the way were awesomely inviting. Spending a short time in every locale that I visited was a temporary option as some need a little longer time to stay. And as such, we will be returning to Davao in the later hours of the afternoon. All…
take your wings and fly to the summit of a cloudy sky lift your spirit and together you must try the showers will hide an imminent cry take your words in flight when your dreams deny when the limits of asking is too high then realization will bring light it’s time for a change pick the perfect shade of rays not the overcast or somber the one just suited for your sight not the one that’s very bright for your dreams will go blind build your castle on the ground you can never build it in the air…
if i’ll braid your tongue could you speak a little bit formal a little bit nicer if i’ll clip it with a hairpin could your pitch be a little bit low a little bit sweet if i’ll sew it with a thread and needle could you talk to me like a priest delivering his sermon and not a sergeant giving commands to his soldiers can’t we have a discourse without the subject of philosophy and you acting like a lawyer can’t we talk in simple manner without reciting a declamation like my mother can’t we exchange views without giving a lecture like my father can’t we talk seriously and honestly without acting a spiel like my brother or sister can’t we plainly talk like a true friend
the way you talk can point the kind of circles you have the job that you have and how you see the world it’s your window into who you are which can be a vital part of your identity…
I didn’t think that there exist an orange colored rose. But one day my sister brought along with her this plant, an orange colored rose. She said she bought it for Php 100.00 per pot which was already bearing some flowers. I only know the red and white colored kinds of roses.
This is our old TV console which we already disposed and stopped using. We didn’t realize that this could be of use for these felines. I think my father bought this in 1960’s. It was in black and white. This was our first TV and the first in our community. The neighbors’ children used to watch with us in our favorite shows.
I don’t know why the insides of this console, the TV per se, wasn’t here anymore. It might be one of my brothers remove the TV and sold it. We transferred this at the back of the house and it’s been wet there by rains and dried by the sun. It’s good for the stray cats, they have found their modest home.
We were scouting for a Japanese restaurant that ‘s not full. About 30 meters from this location we found one that’s half-full so , we dig in. Our Air BnB rented house was still far from here. We turned left, crossed a bridge and its home.
I heard the music played just now The song we used to dance She’s fond of holding my gentle hands And taking me to the dance floor
We couldn’t finish the music Because she got tired easily then She begged me to have our seats Only to massage her aching feet
Oh how we danced away with our pains Troubles and quarrels depleted our gains Sometimes our words collided while our dancing song was being played But we struggled to dance before the music faded
An instance, an issue we couldn’t agree A heated argument which program to watch on TV The host announced a Tango music to be played Our eyes met, she grabbed my hands, to the music we danced
And our story further continues From the dance floor we advanced to the altar As we strutted with our two little kids along Our love we found in dancing to be blessed and strong …
Times have passed, two little kids have families of their own As we become a grandpa and grandma their kids have known We still dance to the music where our love has grown While our grandchildren dance along, to each his own…
Kiyomizudera Temple or Kiyomizu-dera Temple , both spellings are right. We alighted from the train and walked up to the middle portion of Mt. Otowa. It was an easy walk up the mount by flight of concrete stairs. This temple stands on one of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountain range.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is also known as the “Kannon Reijo” or Holy Place of Kannon. Being a worshipper of Kannon is understood that you have already examined yourself as a true self – believer, which means that you are thankful that you have come into this world having a safe life as well as the lives of your loved ones and friends and other acquaintances.
We offered lighted candles to Kannon as what other visitors were doing. We silently counted and thanked ourselves as Kannon’s believers.
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
b) Fushimi Inari Shrine
The Shinto god of rice and sake, Fushimi Inari, is one of the favored shrines to visit by the locals and foreigners visiting Japan. It was built in his honor by the Hata clan in the 8th century.
Being the lead shrine, the area consists of five smaller shrines that spread on the slopes of Inari-San woods. With its four-kilometer ascending pathways, be ready with your legs as you stroll up the mountain without seeing the end of the route, if you decide to go back instead. There are signages which directs visitors to the exit.
As you wander along the pathways, you’ll notice stone figures of foxes scattered onward as you go. Graveyards of foxes are noticeable which exudes creepy moods. It is best to go along with the crowd.
do rainbows have ends why are they far apart i wish they would meet at the sea’s horizon or at the mountain sides and bridge that gap so both minds will have a chance for an understanding that they long for…
though not eternal it’s large as life can be not synthetic but natural its existence relevant in high degree
it behaves in different ways but has no powers of locomotion lacks the nervous system and sense organs but manufactures its own food like humans
if only it has mouth to speak a hundred words may not be enough giving you thanks for caring throughout its life happy in a pot like you, it now behaves as a wife…
floating on the water moving but getting nowhere shadow of a man littered by fire a shadow coping for a breath arms struggling rallying for changes day should be a day night should be a night freeing himself from the aridity of existence to enjoy life’s abundance triumph is not a chance it is in hard work that triggers success…
“As I opened my eyes this morning, I saw the first ray of sunshine pushing its way through the thin curtain of my room’s window. It was immaculately solemn as I felt the first wave of warmness when I turned off the electric fan as I stood up from my bed.
The merry Christmas climate is making a headway through, however, it’s not as very “christmasy” as we still have to fight the greatest battle we’re facing, the pandemic. Two months to go before the nativity, the Yuletide season is moving closer in a turtle’s pace. We are dragging a heavy weight pulling ourselves away from this struggle. A lot of people are feeling the grip of the virus. It’s like our feet are being tied in a corner and let other people feed us to survive.
I just hope that the first ray of sunshine that made a dramatic rush into my room will be a sign of hope for a lot of people around the world to survive and pass this pandemic wall with optimism and confidence to rise again and begin on mounting other episodes of the remaining chapters of our lives. “
I tread the byways with cold sweat On a lonely foggy Monday night To the place where my heart leads To the tide where love never recedes
Thoughts of your smiles abound with sweets Dreamy nights afloat even on dusty streets You have more than a Mona Lisa can possess More mysterious than her smile, no less
Lovely roses, pink and white Fresh as the morning drops of dew In my hand I held them tight The scent leads me to your daring light
Your troubled nights can’t be dark again In my arms you lay your worries to drain Twilight will retreat with sudden burning pain ‘Cause I’ll bring the sunrise cheerfully to fame
As I promised you, I will comply To deliver my words to your door This heart will warm the cold ocean floor You said you love me but, I love you more
suffer the daily cries of stress reactions to praise and hurting pressures applauds and criticisms for my courage to grow even on a near – death body my parent mother craved for the mud below
managed to leaf on my mother’s node despite her being unkindly strangled together with other members of my kind afloat all of our lives on the lake’s water raft for humans, not knowing to evolve after
but what can leaves of an offspring can do no soil to give rise of my maturing roots dripping on the water which i hungered for a land to see my future nodal buds of my own giving life to another bamboo, humans have known …
strip us of the strings that bind us without mercy bring us to the forest where we can thrive freely or to a soil where a caretaker can keep us trimmed control our growth, to be small in a pot, we could be decorative in the forest we could be giants, in a home we could be petite…
Three fourths of the earth’s surface is water. The ocean is a body of water and it composes the earth’s hydrosphere. It is salt water on the surface of our earth. All elevated lands can be covered by the earth’s oceans. Humans need water for survival and so with other floras and faunas. Our body is 60 per cent water and our brain is 70 per cent. We need water to stay hydrated for the day. So we must drink 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water everyday. Rain can be a good source of drinking water if properly harvested. I drank two glasses of water last night before I sleep. It was a deep sleep that I swam the ocean in my dream. Under the droplets of rain, the dream went on. My ceiling had a leak and rain water was dripping on my crouch. In the middle of the sleep I was wet all over my hips and had to change my brief and pajamas while the roaring rain of dawn cursed.
H A I K U
water in my dream an ocean’s mists in the night roaring rains of dawn
foggy mind, rainy thoughts strolling the boulevard of emptiness waiting for the dawning of vastness that deals with the saturation of reflections
as they come and go in the realm of the senses as they stream along inside the empty shell words struggled to remain in a silver minute have vanished and gone in a golden second
flight of fancy scouting for precious words suited for the collective thoughts of ideas weaving a story that your mind creates is like making a bedding without cloth, needle and thread
in a moment wanted words came rushing in the Sahara now flows water in a stream clear minds have caught up with inspiration to write a story needs a solitary isolation…
We have this palm at home and when the fruits are ripe they fall down from the tree and grow just beside it. They need to be replanted because they grow a few inches from one another. They need distance to have a good fully grown tree.
Betel Nut or Areca Catechu, a native to India, Asia, Philippines, and other parts of Africa. Its benefits in consuming these nuts include, mental alertness, boost energy levels, euphoria, stamina, boost appetite and aids digestion. Studies show that there are side effects in the use of these nuts.
i am a part of the body of the conscious being that thinks and perceives i am reflected in your memory emotions, choices, sensations, desires i am involve in remembering deciding, considering, evaluating
when i see and walk near you when i hear you speak i listen when i touch your hand and warms when i see your eyes meet mine when i smell the breath from your mouth and when you smile sweetly at me i function quick as a wink
sadness and tears defeat me i give up the war i surrender to your heartaches to your anguish and grief even in your gloominess i function to offer you relief
this is my mind together with my heart i ‘ll conquer the world just to be with you… i love you ! i really do !
When we were on the road for a tour of nearby province of Capiz, in Panay Island, Philippines, after a seemingly fruitful plan of buying pineapples on the roadside, we decided to proceed to a beach resort where we could rest for a while after the long drive. We were not familiar with the place so we asked people from the street to direct us to a beach resort nearby. We drove and drove until we got to spot a resort. This was unplanned so, whatever it was, so be it. And these are what we got.
CAPIZ, is a province in the central section of Western Visayas. Its location at the northeastern portion of Panay island made it a top producer of seafood products such as, prawns, milkfish, blue marlin, squids, oysters, seaweeds, and angel wings. The wide expanse of swampy lands that were converted into fishponds plus its 80 kilometers of coastline are the sources of the aquamarine products making the province the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”.
Capiz is always on the top list when people talk about witches, spirits, and ghosts of the local folklore. We don’t believe the stories about “aswangs” I guess our elders told stories about them just to scare the children, so they would be home earlier. It’s my opinion though, I was also scared driving in the middle of the night. So, in the afternoon of 2PM we made our exit from the scene. We would still drive in 5 to 6 hours home.
We ate our dinner at the Iloilo-Capiz border at a roadside restaurant. Home was still 2 hours drive.
It’s the rainy season again and the lockdown is sustaining its anchor in parts of the metropolis. Here in the province, its seems to manifest in the society about the dangers of being complacent about the virus. Strict measures were imposed during the pandemic and it paid off, so to speak.
Here I am, not being able to go back to the capital, squeezing the monotony of sleeping- late and waking-late habit to the limit. Watching TV programs on a bad reception was really a visual irritant to the eyes with only three channels to hatefully choose and accept as the remaining stations in the province. The better one was purposely chained to oblivion.
In time, I’ll be at the airport for the flight back to where I live with me, myself, and I. Passes are my only glitch that clog my system to grow my wings and quickly pack my things up for the flight anytime. This pandemic made our lives slow moving.
Listening to music on a Made in China bluetooth speaker makes me feel guilty of not honoring my membership to boycott Made In China products. Just yesterday, I went to the city to buy my medicines and paid my overdue bills. The thought of buying a small speaker for my laptop popped up. Choosing what brand to buy was effortless. Majority of the products they sell were china made. Can’t do anything, the price was cheap for a JBL bluetooth speaker.
I don’t mind quitting and throwing out my membership the next morning. It’s just a key away to make it happen. I should have kept it to get on the “heroic” act being waged worldwide in the internet. Anyways, no one knew about my membership in a hate post in FB but myself. The post now has one less minute voice shouting their slogan.
For now, anticipating a fresh rose-colored chance on finding some stimuli to make myself more active and lively in the days to come. Getting for my passes needed for the travel back to Manila where my yearning points, will be my triumph.
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Published in Gold Dust magazine, Literally Stories, Near to the Knuckle, McStorytellers, Penny Shorts, Soft Cartel, Whatever Keeps the Lights On, and Shooter magazine.
Geschichten mitten aus dem Leben; über Momente die uns prägen, Freude, Schmerz, Hoffnung und Schicksal dem wir täglich begegnen. Ein kleiner Blick ins Innere, ein Blick hinter die Tür.
