Mount Pinatubo Escapade

My first wish list for Summer 2012 already came true.  At exactly 10:00A.M., 19 April 2012, our group reached the crater of Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, Philippine after two (2) hours of walking.  Although it was already my second time to climb the mountain, I still enjoyed the trek, captured more photos and burned a lot of calories! I couldn't believe, Tatang named me as "Superwoman" because according to her, I was not tired despite of the very long walk.

A pose with Ate Teth Allardo at the signage 15 minutes before reaching the crater

The long and very rocky road to Mount Pinatubo.

The crater of Mount Pinatubo.

Angel and Doro are safe!

I am lucky this morning because I was able to save P500.00 for the anti-rabies vaccination of my pets.  Thanks so much to the Medical Dispensary of the Light Armor Division and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Capas for the free vaccination.  My Angel and Doro are safe now although it  was my baby Angel's third year for the said vaccine.

The vet getting ready for the shot...

My brave Baby Angel was first vaccinated - haha still smiling no amount!

My Doro was afraid perhaps it was his first ever vaccination..

Sunrise in Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac (Philippines)

While the group was busy with the aero-taebo this morning, my eyes were searching for views to capture using my Sony Ericsson Experia Mini Pro.  The sunrise got my attention unfortunately, I was not able to capture while it was rising up slowly.

 

View taken in front of the View Deck

View while on our way for the road run

View in front of the LAD Warehouse

View taken in front of The Armor School

 

 

I Love Music

Music runs in our blood per say.  My father was a combo player and he played the guitar, drums and keyboard.  My mother sings pretty well.  My twin-brother plays guitar too.  How about me?  I will not allow myself to be left behind the talents of my family members.

Ukulele

At the age of 5, my father taught me and my twin-brother to play the Ukulele and the first song I mastered was the "Come Holy Spirit". 

Banduria

At 10 years old, my father taught me to play the banduria.  A string instrument with 12 strings.  The first piece I mastered was the Philippine National Anthem.

Acoustic Guitar

At 12 years old, I learned to play the guitar all by myself.  When my father was at the farm, I took the opportunity to study and practice playing his acoustic guitar then later his electric guitar.  

On that age, I learned to play the Octavina borrowed from my cousin who plays well with the instrument.  And at the age of 14, my father taught me to play a keyboard instrument.  The best instrument I played that up to the present, where ever I am assigned, I always find a way to have my own.  I am active in church as the Choir Leader, before I give the piece to our guitarists, I practice it first in my keyboard to ensure that they can easily follow the tune and the arrangement.

Pinoy's Ingenuity

Are you having trouble producing fire using the traditional "lutuan"?  This article might help you do away from blowing the firewoods used in your kitchen just to produce more fire for your cooking.  Actually, I was amazed upon seeing this set up so I took pictures for remembrance and eventually as a reference for this writing.

What we need are the following:

a motor usually taken from used and unserviceable vhs tape rewinder, casette tape recorder 

a charger that will connect , usually cellphone charger

a burner made from empty tin can of biscuit molded to shape like a burner using cement then allowed to set for weeks for maximum strength

small pipe with a diameter of 1 inch and at least 6 inches to connect the motor assembly to the burner

What to do?

Assemble the motor in a round plastic container as shown in the picture.  The charger is also connected to the motor and so with the small pipe that will connect the motor and the improvised burner.  Make sure that there is a hole opposite to where the pipe was inserted in order to allow the ashes to go out.

Pile some pieces of small woods inside the burner and put some kerosene and use a lighter to start the fire.  Then plug the motor to continuously build up the fire and put your kettle with prepared food for cooking on top of the burner.  This is very economical considering that the electrical consumption of the charger is just the same as that of charging your cellphones.  No more tears on your eyes, no need of blowing the firewood to increase the fire.  All we need are used materials that cost less than procuring a gas stove.  This is perfect for rainy season too! 

Sunrise in Surigao, Philippines

I am a frustrated photographer however, every time I see scenes worth the click of the camera, I always take the opportunity to shoot despite of hindrances such as when I am riding a moving vehicle just like the photos below I took sometime in February 2009 on our way to Lianga, Surigao del Sur to visit the troops.

Bubbles my Bubbles

Bubbles the gymnast!

Almost three years ago, I adopted a Pusang Pinoy and named her "Bubbles" because of her white fur. She is so adorable, funny and plays with my little Angel the doggie.  Below are the unforgettable moments I had with them, and I am reminiscing those moments since I left Bubbles in Malaybalay City when I was reassigned to Manila in 2010.

Play time with Angel and Gabi

Ahaha a perfect place to scratch her body!

Sleeping with me...

What a pose my baby!

Wish List for Summer 2012

Its more fun in the Philippines!  Definitely yes! For the past years, my summer was focused on working and working and working and I did not have time to unwind and enjoy the favorite season of our fellows. For this year, I have four wishes and hope that I would be able to make at least two of these to come true.

First and foremost is the trek to Mount Pinatubo, Zambales on the third week of April.  Although I was able to climb this famous mountain sometime in 2006 when I was assigned in TRADOC, Philippine Army, I still want to conquer it for the second time around to experience the short trek compared to the six (6) hours we had before.  I am excited for this trek for the reason that people close to me will be joining us and I will not be wearing battle dress uniform with an M16 rifle and bandoler with loaded magazines.  That time, our students were having their marches and bivouacs thus, we have to be in full combat gear.  This time, I will be a tourist for this activity.

Secondly, I want to treat myself by swimming in the beautiful beach of San Fabian, Pangasinan on the last week of April.  My nephew will be celebrating his 7th birthday on 28 April and on the 29th is my mother's second death anniversary and I am planning to have the two occasion celebrated in the beach with people close to me as guests.  This venue is perfect to relax myself from the busy schedules I had for the past months and spend quality time with the people I love.

My third wish for this summer is to conquer Mount Pulag.  Actually, our boss has this plan and I was tasked to make the plan and do the coordination with Travel Factor so I will take the opportunity to join their group.  In addition, I am being challenged by a group of people featured in Rated K sometime in March 2012 who have physical disabilities who conquered the mountain.  They have prosthetic legs and yet, they were able to make it to the peak!  If they can, why can't I? 

My last wish is to visit Capas Shrine.  Yes, its just our neighbor and I have been assigned in Tarlac for years but still unable to get inside the shrine.  I only reached the gate of the shrine when our students had their map reading and I was tasked to supervise them.  Hopefully before the summer ends, I can get inside and look at the names of my relatives who died during World War II.  Likewise, there is a picnic ground inside where I could spend quality time to people close to me.

2012 Lenten Season

Happy Easter everyone!

The Lenten Season is over however, the memories I had with this very memorable and solemn occasion for Christians will forever be treasured.  I had so many FIRSTS with this season.

It was my very first time to join in the Pabasa or Pasyon.  Being members of the church choir, we were always at the Pabasa to take charge of the singing if the detailed soldiers cannot sing and worst if they cannot come during their duty.  At first, I was hesitant to sing for I do not know the tune. But as minutes passes by, I was already attuned to the singing of the group, each has his own microphone.  I learned that the pabasa depicts the life and struggles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

During the Holy Wednesday, Father Bong Villanueva led the Recollection of the soldiers.  He really had the nicest topics about Nature and Grace I've ever heard for recollection where in fact, I was not able to control the tears in my eyes. 

A mass was conducted during Maunday Thursday and I had my first time to sing Tantum Ergo, a latin song and was surprised I sang it alone!  After the mass, a ceremonial Last Supper was held at the Multipurpose Hall then it was followed by the Easter Vigil.  Again, I had my very first time to read the Devotion to the Holy Sacrament in Capampangan.  My tongue twisted many times because I am not a Capampangan, Visayan language is very far from it.  According to my friends, I read it fluently but for me, it was not as I wanted to be and I read it without comprehension!  OMG forgive me Lord, I only understand a few words, but if it was in English, I should have comprehended it well.

As far as I could remember, during Good Fridays in Leyte, we go to church at 12noon for the Siete Palabras or the Seven Last Words where there is reenactment of the death of Jesus.  When I became a soldier, I wasn't able to see it again however, my Good Friday was good. I joined with the other devotees in the Station of the Cross inside camp and again it was my first time to attend.  Despite of the scorching heat of the sun, all were able to finish the stations.

During Sabado Gloria, my group was tasked to decorate the chapel.  Flower arrangements are not into my talent so my task was to remind the group of the time so everyone can finish what they were doing by 6:30P.M. and still have enough time to prepare for the Blessing of the Fire and the Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00P.M..  The following day was Easter Sunday, as early as 6:00A.M., I was already at the church to see the preparation of the audio system for the choir.  The mass started at 7:00A.M. followed by the traditional Easter Egg Hunting and snacks provided by the Armor Ladies and Ma'am Olive Luces.

Although I did not have time to rest during my two days and 18 hours lenten break, I can say that it was a very meaningful one.  I had so many FIRSTS during lent that will forever be engraved in my heart not as soldier but as a child of God who reaps the sacrifices and struggles he has made.

Praise to You Lord Jesus!