One Year After Going to Baguio

I was on the road alone, inside a bus of course, leaving Manila for Baguio. It's been exactly a year, though I've already arrived by this time 12 months ago. Time flies. I was planning to stay there for good but I got summoned and Paul got me convinced to return to Manila. It felt as if I was Timothy.

The City of Pines was a lovely city. I loved walking albeit alone along its streets. I loved dropping by Burnham Park then the City Library almost every lunch break. Both are only 7-10 minute walk from where I used to work. I miss a lot of things about Baguio. If I could, I would love to be back. I actually had the chance of returning but only for an overnight stay. It was last month. Very quick indeed.

I am hoping that I'd have the chance to go up to this lovely city soon and with a longer stay. I miss Baguio. Yes, I do.

That Thing Called Tadhana

I've always wanted to watch this film since I saw it shared by my friend Andi on FB last year. It just sounded interesting and it's kind of unusual. I wasn't broken hearted in that romantic sense. I needed no mending.  I just wanted to watch the film. And knowing that Angelica Panganiban stars in the film, I could say that it's one film worth either your time or money, or anything else.

So came Thursday at nagkayayaan ang magpipinsan - Grace, Perry, and I. Simpleng bonding at get away moment 'to so pinatulan ko na. May excuse akong lumabas. I needed it, in another setting unlike my typical visit to Legazpi Sunday Market.

That Thing Called Tadhana. Benta much agad ang first scenes. It kind of reminded me of Before Sunset and Before Sunrise. But better. I dare say better. By the way, JM De Guzman also reminded me SO MUCH of John Estrada. Wow. Just a younger version. But I've had this thought all throughout the film.

Anthony (JM De Guzman) asked Mace (Angelica Panganiban) a question that kind of hit me. "Bakit kayong mga mapeperang mga babae, ang hilig n'yong hanapin ang sarili n'yo sa Baguio? Ba't ba Baguio? Hindi ba pwedeng sa inuman na lang?" (Why do you rich women like to find yourself in Baguio? Why in Baguio? Can't it be in a drinking session?) I actually went on being defensive when I heard this line.

Short background story. I went to Baguio last year. It was June 9, Wednesday. Then I came back last November, after 119 days. I wanted to tell Anthony, "Excuse me. Nandoon kasi ang Nanay ko." I could've gone on giving explanations and all, but I remembered the meat of his question. Bakit ang hilig n'yong hanapin ang sarili n'yo sa Baguio? Tagos eh. May point eh. Hindi nga lang ako mapera. Minsan lang ako burgis.

Speaking of burgis, I like how they used this not-so-common-adjective anymore. Having done so, being understood by both characters, tells you that Anthony and Mace were intelligent people. I even wondered if the younger generation today knew what burgis means. Oui, un bourgeoisie.

Truth be told, I can't relate to Mace's dilemma, problem, whatever you call it. But I love the film. What I can relate with though is the strong desire to run away. And to Baguio, yes. To Sagada, sureness. I've always wanted to go to Sagada and I want to go back to Baguio, but on my own terms. I want to go to Baguio just to be with myself. So watching That Thing Called Tadhana, I had this thought and status on Facebook: Na-miss ko lalo ang Baguio, ang paglalakad sa Session Road every night maging sa Magsaysay Road. Nakaka-miss ang pagtatambay sa Burnham Park at Baguio City Library tuwing lunch break. Nakaka-miss ang paglalakad sa Mabini papuntang UB. Nakaka-miss. Ganda ng cinematography eh. Haha!

Then there was the Up Dharma Down soundtrack, or should I say ringtone ni Ate?
♪ Ba't 'di papatulan ang pagsuyong nagkulang

Tayong umaasang hilaga't kanluran ikaw ang hantugan

At bilang kanlungan ako ang sasagip sa'yo... ♪

There's just something about this song. Perhaps it's because any Up Dharma Song is usually a hugot kind of song.

♫ Ba't 'di pa sabihin ang hindi mo maamin

Ipapaubaya na lang ba 'to sa hangin

'Wag mong ikatakot

Ang bulong ng damdamin mo

Naririto ako't nakikinig sa'yo. ♫

Bottom line, I want to watch That Thing Called Tadhana again. This is the first time I've felt this way to a Filipino film. Walang basagan ng trip. Also, kung wala lang akong seminar bukas, sasakay talaga ako ng bus palabas ng Maynila. Siguro next week na lang.

By the way, credit to Chad Amoroso for the .gifs in this blog entry. I copied them without permission.

Now Playing: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - Search Your Heart

The puzzle of 2014

If there's a word to describe my life in 2014, I'd say it's puzzle. According to Meriam-Webster, "puzzle" means:

1. a question or problem that requires thought, skill, or cleverness to be answered or solved;

2. something or someone that is difficult to understand

The things and events I've gone through were indeed difficult to understand. There were a lot of why's and how's, just a lot of question. Such would be the case IF you don't know me. Even if you do, you'll just get perplexed. I went through some perplexing moments because I bothered to think what others would think.

Then came the time when I went to my own "desert" which happened to be a cold place. For 119 days, I was in Baguio and things were becoming clearer as I looked at things through the eyes of faith. But what brought things in place was my realization of God's absolute decree concerning authority. I'm not going to dig into this, but it was a key. Perhaps the key.

Days spent in Baguio was like seeing why I am the way I am and what I shall be.

The puzzle is not yet complete, but it is good. Not knowing the details of your adventure is good. It was good for Frodo and Sam when they were entering the land of Mordor. And it shall be the same for us.

What keeps me on my feet and watching is the possibility of what I think I know. I remember how a lot of people have asked me what I really do, for I do a bit of this and that. Our construction manager even said of me once that I am our contractor's "project nurse, site coordinator, doc controller, and PIC." I would add "janitress and dishwasher" to that. The thing is, I got no complain as I have a view of a bigger picture of my life than what others see.

I am more than what meets the eye. And the same goes with everyone. #StoryOfMyLife Can we play that song? XD

In a few hours, 2014 will come to an end and 2015 shall begin rolling. It's going to be a huge year. A lot of things will happen. Those who have not prepared will be in for a huge surprise. I don't have the details, but if you connect the dots, add constant watching to that, you can tell that 2015 will be the beginning of a huge turning point for a lot of things and people, and even places.

The puzzle of 2014 is no longer a mystery to me. I just have to wait and see the verification of things while expecting for others to bear fruit in 2015.

For all the things that happened in 2014 and will happen in 2015, I place my hope in Christ that all things work together for those who love God. I just have to keep the faith. Press on, endure until the end, and come out victorious and overcomer.

Now Playing: Hillsong United - Desert Song

Back in Manila.

So I am back in Manila. It's already been 2 days actually. And thus my 4 months of stay in Baguio City ended, so far. I'll be back of course, unless heaven forbids, for there remains my family. I also want to return to Prime Hotel to visit its management. I already miss those people. But it's good to be back in Manila, though I miss the cold weather of the Summer Capital. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends again.

I have returned to do someone a favour. Let me correct that. I am back to return someone's favour. But I actually see it more as a duty to the family who took care of me all these years. I no longer have an agenda on my own. I no longer live for myself. As I've said (at least to myself), I'll go where God wants me to go, Hades included if needed be. No worries as long as I am doing the will of God.

The 6-7 hour trip from Baguio to Manila was pretty eventful, in the sense that I had a lot of realization. Learned a lot. It was, I'd say, sentimental. Sweet even. It reminded me of my every trip to Isabela.

Now Playing: Citipointe - Dominion

Where's the Announcement?

It's disappointing not to find the announcement at La Azotea Bldg. about a film showing related to the IPs, I supposed in the Cordilleras. It's the Indigenous People's Month. I thought it's going to be every Saturday? There's still one Saturday for this month.

It "premiered" last Saturday but I missed or sort of got disoriented with the date. Besides, it was my birthday and I wanted to hurry home. It's just sad. I hope they're still producing that film. And I hope I'd still be able to find that announcement and be able to watch it.

October Thoughts

For all the thoughts I've got in my head, I don't know how and where to start. I haven't gotten online for quite a time now (I do consider more than 3 days of offline pretty long) that thoughts have already piled up.

So far, so good. But I'm pretty anxious how to break the news. I'm not good at such things. It's either I beat around the bush or just go candid. My goodness. 

I'm happy with how I do at work. I'm learning a lot. Not a lot of people seem to realize that learning from a veteran businessman is pretty priceless. I may not have a classroom-like setting but I do get to observe a lot of things. This way I learn about this and that.

Meanwhile, I'm quite counting the days when I'm going to have my trip back to Manila. I was asked to come before the month ends but I requested for an extended stay. I definitely miss my friends back in the metropolis but I'm apprehensive with the Manila traffic.

As for now, I'm taking things in stride. I am walking by faith with the hope that I'm doing the things I'm supposed to be doing and be where I should be. For the mean time, I am thankful.

I'm thankful even for the simple discoveries I've had recently like the following:

*Long John is delicious

*The Puto with cheese at Benguet Supermart's Bakery is very delicious

*I love Mucho Pan's Pan de Yema.
*I still love Pan de Coco.

*I am such a bread lover.

Well, these things I wrote here are random. Perhaps tweets I haven't posted on time. Yeah.

Kennon: Road to Global Peace and Unity [musical play]

I got to watch Kennon: Road to Global Peace and Unity, a three-act musical play, twice. Hehe.. If only I could, I would've probably watched it thrice. Oh well. I had fun on both times. I had a happy Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, I only found out about the musical play by accident. Or perhaps by heavens' decree? It's good that I got to watch the play twice because I was able to observe some things. It was interesting.

Before I get started, I'd like to note the main difference on how I watched the same play on different times/days. Day 1: With heart and spirit; Day 2: With heart and brain. Of course I was able to notice things that need improvement on day 1 but I dismissed them as I was so engrossed to the message of the play.

So here I go. I hope I can make this short and quick. Reminder though, I am not a professional in the performing arts. Written below were merely thoughts and observations.

Plot

The story is about how Kennon Road was built. For two years, about 4000 people all around the world worked together to carve the mountains of Benguet. Wow. But more than its history, the play also talked about its future, for it is indeed a heritage of our people (I'm not excluding the rest of the country here) and even of the world.

By the way, to the Japanese people.. doumo arigatou gozaimashita! We may have been conquered by the Imperial Army of Japan, but the story of Kennon Road reminds us that without selfish ambitions we can all work together, in peace and unity.

I would definitely recommend this musical play to all students, not just to the people of Baguio but also to all Filipinos. The story of Kennon Road is not just a story of the people of Baguio or of Benguet but also a story of the Filipinos. Yeah, it's the story of the people of God.

Acting

My favourite actor would be the Japanese grandfather. When he cried, "Revive! Revive!" my eyes were welling with tears. I felt what he felt though his was worse because I haven't seen Baguio when it was still young and yet I've already had a lot of dismay for this supposed beautiful city (the first time I came here).

If I were to choose a favourite singer, I'd choose the obaasan, the Japanese grandmother. When she sang, I felt the emotions, the grief. She reminded me of Yakenogahara (Burnt Field) by Cocco, a Japanese singer. I actually had Memories as LSS.

There's also one actor who, albeit playing no major role, still gave an impressive performance. Of course there were also others who did the same. I appreciate it because I'm quite critical on actors. I expect them to do their best, to give their all. And as I've watched the play twice, I also noticed that there was a subtle but reasonable and better change of facial expression on "Catherine." It was good because I was quite bothered that on day 1 I could hardly find the right facial expressions.

Costume

The yukata or kimono! I only noticed it on day 2 because the two actresses portraying as Japanese stood side by side. One of them wore it wrong because depending on how you "wrap" yourself indicates if you're alive or dead. I didn't know then which one got it wrong but as I checked, wrapping the kimono right over left is only for the dead.

Being an alien in this city got me a little awkward when I saw men in tribal costume marching below the stage. Yes, they passed before me because I was seated on front. But I only felt a little awkward because that's what I usually feel for people who are in awkward situations. It was interesting also, which got me really curious, because they were not afraid to move around with just that loin cloth. I've always wondered where they got such confidence. Then on day 2 I noticed someone's modern undergarment. That explained it all and I was finally relieved.

Music

I love the score. Some reminded me of Mulan's I'll Make a Man Out of You while others reminded me of those typical in a musical play where the notes go... I can't describe it as I'm not a musical person but I think it's like pressing the same low note. I love that in musicals.

I'm not really familiar, though I've already seen a few (on TV/documentaries), with the musical culture of the Igorots and Ibaloys but there are similarities with those of the other indigenous people of the Philippines. I love the flute performances, both solo and as an accompaniment for the guy who sang in native language. I love it because, although I understood nothing, it reminded me of Mindanao. They're quite the same! I actually almost got lost in nostalgia.

Now Playing: Anna Tsuchiya - Stand By Me

My first musical play in Baguio

I think it's the first time that I got to watch a (live) musical play. And it was for free. Lucky me!

It all started with my following the traffic rule at Igorot Park, which was the "No Loading and Unloading." Thus I decided to get off a bit farther because I thought the jeepney driver was also following the traffic rule. I thought wrong. So before I get "lost," I decided to get off before the next corner. As soon as I did there I saw a tarpaulin inviting people to watch a 3-act musical play about the story of Kennon. At first I thought it was about the man, Maj. Lyman Lennon. I was quite in a hurry so I didn't read everything on the tarp. But I did read global peace, history (or something about that), and the most important of all: free. I've already walked past the tarpaulin but as those key words began to sink in I thought it'd be nice to get to know the history of the City of Baguio.

Going to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and in a computer shop were my original agenda last Wednesday. It was Matteo's birthday! I still went to BGHMC but also decided to drop by the Baguio Convention Center to watch the musical play. Thank goodness I did so.

I rarely believe in coincidence. I prefer to believe what King Solomon said, that everything has a purpose. A lot of the lines in the dialogues and songs just hit home as they remind me of what shall become of the City of Baguio, which is one of the key cities in the Philippines. If you've been attending the NPG for these past couple of years, you know what I mean.

I was seated in front on the right side close to the videographer. I'm glad it was dark, and that most people were behind me, as my eyes turned into a faucet. I just couldn't stop shedding tears. From the line of the Japanese grandfather, "Revive! Revive!" to the final act. I'm glad I had a bottle of water to keep me from being dehydrated.

I've only seen Kennon Road when we had a family vacation in Baguio while I was still in college. I was awestruck by its beauty. It was so beautiful that I got lost in words to describe it. It's been years and I don't know how Kennon Road looks today. But based on the musical play, I wouldn't be surprised if words escape me again if I pass by Kennon Road once more, but this time because of disappointment.

The musical play was so poignant in message that I decided to approach the director (too bad I can't remember his name) and thank him for the wonderful play. He told me that the story had been in his dreams around 2005-2006. Sounds familiar? "Old men will dream dreams." Joel chapter 2. No wonder the play didn't just reach my ears and soul but also my spirit.

From what I've watched and learned, I do believe on what the musical play claims Benguet Road to be. Kennon: Road to Global Peace and Unity


Now Playing: One Rock - The Beginning

Baguio fogs

I've been really fascinated with the fogs here in Baguio because they usually appear even before sundown. It's amusing. I've taken some photos of those fogs. Unfortunately, my current phone takes poor image quality. Boo!

This was taken a week ago. "A 4-PM fog"

A half-past-three in the afternoon fog, overlooking the University of the Cordilleras. This was taken last Monday while I was at SM Baguio.

I was at the ICU of Pines City Doctors Hospital (PCDH - ICU) when I took this photo at 12:40 PM last Wednesday.

Still at PCDH - ICU but this was taken at 5:45 PM, also last Wednesday.

Israeli-Palestinian discussions

I find it amusing that a talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be set here in Baguio City. Not that it's impossible; it just seems like I've come to the right place at the right time. Hopefully. And I thank God that I have found that section in the newspaper about this talk or lecture.

There are two talks/lectures/discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The first was held this afternoon at the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary Auditorium with Prof. Adonis Elumbre as the guest speaker. The second set of discussion will be tomorrow, same place.

The discussion earlier was presented in a... I'd say "contemporary" setting. The religious "background" was not included, but I'd say it wasn't even enough to cover the complexity of the issue minus the religious factor. Well, there was no enough time for such an issue as huge and as escalating as the Middle East conflict.

It's insufficient to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without taking into consideration a lot, if not all, factors involved.

As for what's currently going on in Israel and Gaza right now, I grieve what the Palestinians are going through. I've been thinking about it last night. They're like a sheep without a shepherd.

May the good Lord, the God of Israel, send forth whom He has raised up to keep and bring peace in the land of His friend Abraham, for such a time as this.

From the Capital to the Summer Capital

Would've posted this first if it wasn't for the World Cup. Geez.. speaking of which, there's no more game to watch out for. Spell #SepAnx.

Let's forget the 2014 World Cup for the mean time. So what's really going on with me?

I left Manila last July 9, Wednesday, for Baguio to follow my mother. It's a roller coaster with a lot of reasons and expectations and hopes. I was supposed to leave earlier but there's the World Cup semis. Would've traveled overnight (July 8/9) if it wasn't for the Brazil vs. Germany match. #AsianProblem

It was raining when I reached Pampanga. It was a beautiful sight, I'd say, as I love watching the rain. And it felt pretty sentimental as I was travelling alone. And there were beautiful sceneries. Cue: When I'm Gone. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture them all.

When I was already approaching the Summer Capital of the Philippines, I saw fogs covering some areas of the mountain ranges although it was still quite early.

The first time I roamed around the city by myself was yesterday. I'd say I've explored more than I did during my first couple of days with my mother. I've been to two universities by accident but I'd say I wasn't lost. Yes, because "Not all who wander are lost."

The thought just came to me when I was walking the street shown on the photo on the right. It had that feel, but it was also pretty exciting. It felt like I was on an adventure. On my own though.

What I first noticed in Baguio, which I haven't when we visited this city many years back, is its architecture. I love the uniqueness of Baguio architecture, if there is such a term anyway. The city reminds me of Europe, though I haven't been there yet, especially The Netherlands. The World Cup has nothing to do with it, but it really does remind me of Dutch houses and buildings. Each house has different paint colour and window. It's so amusing.

I find the city pretty. I'd love to explore more, but I'll be patient. There's a time for that and hopefully my phone would then have enough memory capacity to capture the scenes.

Now Playing: Hillsong United - You'll Come