Visit Bukidnon

Posted in Labels: , , , , , | at Thursday, January 21, 2010

Bukidnon (/buːˈkɪdnɒn/) is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City.


Bukidnon is considered by Filipinos to be the food basket of Mindanao. It is the major producer of rice and corn in the region. Plantations in the province also produce pineapples, bananas and sugarcane.


There are no seaports in the province, although there is an airport in Malaybalay City. The airport is currently closed. To get to Bukidnon, one must travel by land from Cagayan de Oro City.


Bukidnon my HOME.


Anyone from Bukidnon knows this song by heart and it really speaks a lot about my home province. Yes, I'm a proud Bukidnon native and a descendant of one of the seven hill tribes of Bukidnon the Higaonon. 


Every year we all look forward to the Kaamulan Festival, it is the annual gathering of the 7 Hill Tribes of the province (Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon). Kaamulan comes from Binukid word “amul” meaning to gather. Kaamulan is gathering for a purpose—a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together.


Bukidnon's Kaamulan festival is the only authentic ethnic festival in the country.  This was bold statement by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ace Durano on March 7, 2009 in his speech during the Kaamulan Festival 2009 Ethnic Street Dancing Competition.


The Ethnic Street Dancing is the highlight of every Kaamulan Festival where dancers showcase the rich culture of the province. It is not simply dancing but it is an epic of the Bukidnon life.  


Experience this year's Kaamulan Festival. Be amazed by the rich culture of Bukidnon. Kaamulan 2010 Schedule of Activities is already available. For more information about Bukidnon you can visit the official website of the Bukidnon Province.



NOTES:

  • Kaamulan started as a festival on May 15, 1974, during the fiesta celebration of the municipality of Malaybalay. A town official thought of inviting some indigenous people to town and made them perform a few dance steps at Plaza Rizal to enliven the fiesta celebration.  The celebration however proved very popular and together with national coverage the Kaamulan festival has become the regional festival of Northern Mindanao, as declared by the Regional Development Council of Region 10 on September 16, 1977. Kaamulan was formerly held on the first week of September but in 1996, it was transferred to the present date to synchronize it with the foundation celebration of the province.

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Fireflies... Owl City

Posted in Labels: , , , | at Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Owl City became one of my all time favorites when I first heard this song. I got this for free on iTunes. Since then I always play this on my 'puter before  go to sleep. What I love bout the video is the vintage theme and the whole set. I'm such a sucker for vintage that's why I love it more than the song itself.


 Thought it would be great to share this to you.






♫♪ I'd like to make myself believe That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay  Awake when I'm asleep ♫
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs ♪ From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance..  ♪♪♫

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Silent prayers... ANSWERED.

Posted in Labels: , , , | at Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Seven invisible sunsets had past since the news was broken, I can still remember every second of that moment when I heard about an incident that turned my heart inside out. Seven long nights of what ifs?  and a night full of twist and turn. 


For the first time in my life I felt so dispensable. The feeling that anytime you can be replaced with less regrets or none at all. Like a paper thrown into the furnace leaving nothing but a dust cloud of memory. The long hours of waiting makes it worse. The ghosts of memories and anticipation are playing right above my head. A part of my mind is telling me that everything will be all right yet another part of it tells me not to hope so much for it may cost me a broken  heart and a bitter heart.  

Resting was never easy, When I drowse myself to sleep, it takes nothing but a few minutes for my mind to wander again: thinking of what I have to do in the event that I'd lose one my inspiration to work. Engulfed by frustration and fear, the child in me cried silently and begged for help. My heart called for divine intervention; believing that miracles happen.

I found myself restless the moment I rouse this morning. My neck stiff and my head feels like its gonna break in two. I've never been a believer but it feels like its a bad omen. There's no way to find out but get off the bunk and start my day.

So my day began and I took a short moment to silently pray. I've never been so prayerful these days but this time its different. This is the day that could change my life forever, a day that would point me to a new direction. I can feel the static building in the air and I chose to ignore it most of the time. I told myself in silence " this is not the time to get distracted, compose yourself and think that good things happen to good people" .  

I went on with what I call a day, conscious with every tick of the clock. The moment is yet to come so I hold on to every ounce of my patience as I went on from one task to another.

I got so occupied on my own little world when that final moment had come. Decision has been made and when I heard the news my heart leaps with joy, thankful that my silent prayers were answered. 

The clouds have cleared itself away and gave way to a bright and promising day. I can't wait to see the sun set. For the first time in the last seven days I found tranquility. 



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words of encouragement for my dearest friend

Posted in Labels: , , , , | at Thursday, January 14, 2010

I cannot fathom how much pain you're feeling right now but allow me to say some words that I hope would lift your spirits:


It has been a while since we have walked down this road together and in every step that we took together made me get to know you more and and took you to a very special place in my heart.


Let's take a flashback...


Take yourself back to those times when we were walking on those unpaved roads and when I stumbled you were there to hold my hand. My knees were scraped yet we just laughed it out. The pain isn't much of a bother because you were there. 


On my bad weather days you are the wind that takes the dark clouds away. You bring sunshine with your smile and with your very honest and innocent comments. You laugh out loud with my ever lamest jokes and I know you laugh at them because you find them funny.


Remember those moments when we just have to look at each others eyes and we already know what the other is thinking. We laugh together even if people think we're nuts. We make a perfect team together. We are so different yet we make such a good combination, you play this role of an angel and I play the devil's.  Your childlike perspective on a lot of things makes me see things differently and makes me appreciate how wonderful life could be.


Think of those times we spend at the 'ukay-ukay', the early breakfasts with our friends, the shortest walk we have to Gorordo, the santol and the hot pink nail polish. The over time hours we took just so we could go home together. The dance moves and the songs like Dangerous, Just Dance, and Bad Romance.

We took each step together. We climbed up the ladder at the same time for we believe that success is not being on top of the other but instead being on that pedestal together. Our journey is not yet over buddy.


The trials that you are in right now is just a storm that we have to weather. I know that the strike of the lightning is frightening you but do not worry because I'm right here next to you. You can close your eyes and shut your ears so you will  not be frightened. You can hold my hand and let me be your eyes and your ears until the storm is over.


Do not lose your hope yet. Remember that there is a reason behind everything, things that we cannot comprehend at this very moment. Keep on going even if the road that we're in is tough for what's ahead is something worth the fight. 


Our Creator will never give us trial that we cannot bear; take pride in yourself instead of feeling sorry. This is your baptism of fire. 


Think that you have your family and we your friends to support you. Do not give up because we are not giving up on you. Quitting is not an option but the coward's way of saying that he/she can't do it without even trying. We know that you are no quitter so just hang in there.


 Aja! Aja!



-- Life is like Snickers, its not all sweet, chewy and chocolaty but can be a little NUTty :-)


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the beauty behind imperfections

Posted in Labels: , , , | at Tuesday, January 12, 2010

1AM.

Still up and alive. Have my Facebook page up on Mozilla and have this blogger page up on Safari. Facebook Chat doesn't seem to work very well with my Safari but it is very good for editing my blog. Everything doesn't have to be perfect for you to enjoy things.

There is no such thing as perfection in this world that we are living. Anyone who aims for perfection is nothing but a fool. It is the imperfection of things that we should learn to appreciate because through these imperfections we work harder to make things better.

Beauty is how you see the whole thing and not looking at the smallest things that makes it whole. Think of this as an example. Take a block of rock and look at it very close. Would find it beautiful? Do you think it would amaze you? Would it take your breath away?

Of course not, a piece of rock can't do that to you. Now take a look at a picture of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, or the Banaue Rice Terraces and imagine yourself standing right there looking at the Pyramid or the Terraces. You are looking at 2 of the great wonders of the world. Both were just rocks pieced together. Do you think it would give you the same feeling that you feel when you were staring at a piece of rock?


No you will not feel the same thing. Beauty is seeing beyond the imperfection of the parts and seeing the whole thing and not just simply a part of it.  

Lesson is, if you find yourself in the middle of something that you find ugly or undesirable what you have to do is widen your vision and look at a bigger picture for there is beauty behind it. 






ON THE OTHER SIDE:

To my fellow K-Gang Members, as requested by our honored member Jeresed we are soon to launch the official blog of the Katsubong Gang a.k.a. the K-Gang. Official name will be K-Gang archive. Watch out for more updates.

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an Extra-ordinary experience with ordinary food.

Posted in Labels: , , | at Sunday, January 10, 2010

2:20 AM. I woke up with an empty stomach and here I am craving for food at this very unholy hour. I'm thinking of going out but I don't feel like eating fast food. I'm getting tired of all the fried chickens in the world.


Living on my own made me experiment and I want to share this quick recipe to you. I call this as Fried Rice in Tomato Sauce Topped with Crispy Fried Sardines. 


The name sounds kinda fancy but it's not as fancy as how I call it. This will take you 10 minutes at the maximum to prepare.


Here's what you need:


1 canned sardines in tomato sauce (any brand will do, just pick your favorite)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups of cold rice (bahaw in bisaya)
ginisa mix (all in one seasoning)
cooking oil
1 tsp salt and a dash of pepper
spring onions and sliced tomatoes (optional)


How to prepare:
  1. Open the canned sardines and separate the sardines from its tomato sauce. Place the tomato sauce on a separate container and set aside.
  2. Sprinkle the sardines with ginisa mix.
  3. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Make sure that the oil is hot enough for frying.
  4. Fry the sardines until it's crispy.
  5. Once done take the sardines out of the frying pan and set aside.
  6. On the same pan where you fry the sardines take some of the oil out and leave around 2 tbsp of cooking oil.
  7. Saute the garlic until golden brown.
  8. Put in the rice and stir it for 3 min or until the rice is heated.
  9. Add the tomato sauce and stir for another 1 minute.
  10. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Once done serve the rice on a bowl or a plate whatever is available.
  12. Place the crispy fried sardines on top.
  13. Sprinkle it chopped spring onions and put some sliced tomatoes on the side for garnish.
The next thing you'll know you're full and happy. This recipe will cost you 20 pesos or less.
Try it and tell me what you think about it.



You don't have to spend much just to satisfy your hunger. What you can do is make some twists out of your ordinary every day food. Learn how to fool your taste buds. Make your ordinary food an extra-ordinary experience.


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Who we are.. the Filipinos

Posted in Labels: , , , , | at Saturday, January 09, 2010

where i am from
by ma. fatima v. lim

and i answer from the philippines.
7,000 and more islands scattered over the pacific
like blue green clusters of carabao turd.
48,000,000 people shouting at each other
over the barriers of the sierra madre and celebes sea,
through the din of rice sparrows and reconnaisance planes.
natives with chinese eyes and malayan skin
castillian airs and made-in-the-u.s.a. minds,
we cross ourselves the pit before the cockfight.
oh, we are slow, how slow we are.
we fall asleep in the shade of the palm tress.
our hoes rust in the fields.
the tuba rushes to our brains from our bellies.
the women changed our coconut fermented dreams:
maria clara has goat milk skin, laguna de bay eyes and teeth.
her breasts swell fuller than upo gourds.
oh! how slower we are still to waking.
juan tamad took 400 years
he finally got rid of the european devil.
with a stone-sharpened bolo,
but blinded by the stars and stripes
poor juan embraced six-foot santa claus.
we dream of pure white christmas
in our land of constant summer and lent.
beating our breasts, re-enacting
the bleeding passion of christ,
our bare feet turning and turning the barrening earth.
oh! but we are quick to change from one master to another.
ready to scrape and smile.
even speak in conqueror's tongue.
buenos dias! hi ya'll! konnichi wa!
we are the poor filipinos
richly blessed malarial squatters.
malacañang palace puppets and inflatable peso bills
how can god not be kind to us?
surely he sees our lifted faces,
wet with the manna
of monsoon rain.


This is one of the poems that I will never forget, everytime I was asked by someone to introduce myself I would always recall a line or two of this poem. This time is is a bit different though, what made me recall this poem is the election fever in the country. It is very common to the Philippine politics that candidates would get to groom themselves to the eye of the public. 356 days before the election year and every politician whose eyes are on one of the seats in the government are already appearing on TV ads. These are the moments when Filipinos are seeing the future candidates of the National Elections, whether it be the Presidential or the Senatorial seat. The question is to whom are we going to cast our votes for?

Let us all look back to the years when our brave ancestors fight with their lives just to free this country from our colonizers. Think of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Gabriela Silang, Apolinario Mabini, Dr. Jose Rizal and the the unsung heroes of the Katipunan and guerilla movements who fought hard for our freedom. They were part of the reason why every Filipino whether they're young or old, literate or not, rich or poor, man or woman; were given an equal right to pick the leaders who would soon be the voice of our people to the world.

Let us forget about the superficial things and let us get to know ourselves. Before we cast our votes let us all look into our hearts and find our our identity as a Filipino. Let us remember that the person that we put on the highest seat is the person that would best represent us. We should make it a point that we are not voting for someone who is famous, rich, popular or just because they multi-awarded actors and are great athletes. Instead let us vote for someone who will listen and feel our needs. Someone who does not look at the position as a source of income and of power but someone who sees it as a privilege to serve and to speak for our people. Someone who would make the world identify us as peace-loving, hard working and God fearing nation.

Let us be identified by our great Filipino Values through our leaders. Once and for all let us revive the People Power by voting for someone who is fit for the position. We don't want to make the same mistakes over and over again. We do not need to march down the EDSA to ask someone to step down their seat just because 2 or 3 years ago we made the wrong choice of voting for them. Let us start it right this time.

The next march that we should do down the EDSA Avenue should be the march of victory; lifting our hands up in the sky celebrating the election of a TRUE servant to the Filipino nation.




NOTES:
*** the poem is written in the 1980's
*** 48,000,000 - is the population of the poplulation of the Philippines in 1980, this 2010 the projected population is 93,938,917 and is projected to reach 102,822,358 in the year 2015. (source: http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/popprojtab.html)
*** for more information about the 2010 National and Local Elections visit: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/2010%20National_Local/calendar_%20of_activities.html

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