Transfiguratively Speaking

On our way back to Davao from Camiguin Island, we visited the Monastery of the Transfiguration (also known as Transfiguration Church) located at the outskirts of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Base from what I’ve learned from my Humanities (Art and Society) subject, this building was designed by Leandro Locsin, National Artist for Architecture. Coincidentally he’s the same man behind the iconic old terminal of Davao International Airport.

 

Monastery of the Transfiguration

 

Famous from its modern architecture, the Transfiguration Church houses the monks who vowed to follow the Rule of St. Benedict by living a contemplative life in their quest for God.

One Glanorous Trip

Honestly, we weren’t that excited after our Animal Ecology professor announced our scheduled field work at Glan, Sarangani. Yeah, we were aware that Sarangani offers one of the most pristine white sand beaches in Mindanao and all the yakiti-yakiti-yaks from my GenSan friends. But, the fact that we were going to be bombarded with four laboratory works seemed to be a stressful trip instead of a fun one.

 

Gumasa Beach, Glan, Sarangani Province, Philippines

And for the first time in history, we all got fed up with field works. I mean, we already had difficulties with time management and every decisions we partake is a matter of life of death.

Despite the four laboratory reports which were scheduled to be reported a week after the trip, we still found ways to make our trip fun and a memorable one.

Besides, this particular trip in Glan was the second to the last field trip that I’ve had in college.

Beyond The Four Corners of the Classroom

For four years, my life in UP had been a routine one… well almost. I usually wake up at three in the morning just to continue reviewing for my exam and sometimes finishing the half-baked laboratory reports. Then by seven in the morning, I go to school, still groggy and sleep deprived.

Oh yes without a doubt, I have learned a few essential things during my four-year stay in UP. I learned the art of speed-reading (LOL), I learned the basics of photography, I learned how to use Adobe Photoshop and InDesign and most of all, I learned how to dance (don’t ask why).

But since after graduating from the university last April (sniff sniff), I have become more open to the idea of exploring different places. But even after graduation, I still continue to learn important things about life. Indeed learning is not limited to the four corners of the classroom.

These are some of the essential things I learned from traveling:

Life is Here in Davao City

“Talaga? May kuryente pala sa Davao? Akala ko wala!”

That was an ignorant statement by my mom’s dorm mate when she was still reviewing for her Medical Technologist licensure exam in Manila, twenty years ago. And boy, I can’t imagine how mom reacted about her dorm mate’s ignorance.

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte answers some queries during the launching of the new Davao City Tourism Brand Campaign held at Gran Men Song Hotel, Davao City.

For years, Davao City has emerged as one of the most progressive cities of the country. Since early 90s, the local government had exerted extra effort to promote the city. But unfortunately, the city itself had suffered from bad images portrayed by the media.

Today, with perseverance and determination, the local government together with the Department of Tourism - Region 11 has brought Davao City into the next level.

Operation Agco

Lieutenant, this is Private Officer Maro, reporting.

0545H / Davao

The sun has just risen.

Another brand new day for my new mission, sir. I know it was a bit hard to locate this young man you were searching. I thought it was implausible to locate him, but no.

While lighting my cigarette along the junction of Ulas and Bukidnon-Davao Highway, I saw three Toyota Hi-Ace vans. They all looked brand new… and suspicious. There I saw groups of young people who were busy talking to each other. I surmised, sir, that they were all excited for their trip. And then, I saw someone that exactly matches the description of the person you were searching.

Finally, the long wait has come to an end.

Lake Agco, Kidapawan, North Cotabato

Male. 5’6” to 5’7” in height. Slim. Semi-faux hawk hairdo. Loves to wear aviator shades. Certified lefty as he wore his wristwatch on his right hand.

Positive identity of the subject.

So I followed their van. They were driving south of the city. Little did I know was, they were embarking on a trip near our camp at Kidapawan, North Cotabato.

Confessions of an Aviation Geek

I am one of those people who dreams of flying and touring around the world. Despite the exorbitant tuition fee of flying school (yes, I’m talking millions here), it didn’t make me to stop dreaming about it.

Besides, when you dream, you have to dream BIG.

I always fancy airplanes, Boeing-made airplanes to be precise. My fascination started when I was little. My grandmother gave me a souvenir from Saudia Airlines, a 1:500 model scale of Saudia’s A330-300 plane.

Since then, I’ve started to appreciate those big birds, majestically flying in the sky.

Hello, Strangers!

If you have been reading this blog since its inception, you’d probably read my entry about my 9-hour delay experience at Zamboanga International Airport last April. Good thing was, Cebu Pacific treated us well by serving us free food from Jollibee and a free one-way ticket to any domestic destination valid for six months.

Since my two friends are going to have their board exam review sessions starting July, we decided to claim our free one way flight before it expires in October. We originally planned to take Cebu but one of my friends insisted to book a flight to Manila instead. After hours of deliberation, we finally settled of booking a flight to Manila.

(Jump shots! Top: Bagets at Passig Islet, Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur. Photo courtesy of Jerome Baluyut. Bottom: Couchsurfers at Kaputian Public Beach Park, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. Photo courtesy of Edgar Yap.)

So, we availed a promo fare from AirPhil, called for our free one-way flight at Cebu Pacific and finalized our itinerary.

Little did I know, I was about to meet the coolest group of people who have inspired me to travel around the country.

I Found My Heart in Bacolod

We used to eat together, sleep together and be together… just the two of us. Everything seemed perfect; my world revolved around her. I just love everything about Lexie - her tantalizing eyes, her sweet smile and her soft lips. God knows how much I love her.

It was until I woke up on a cold and rainy Monday morning of October. I was all alone in my bed. I stared at the ceiling, thinking of what to do next. And then it dawned on me - it was just a dream, just a dream… or so I thought. Ever since the day she left, my life has been a routine one. I keep on doing the same things over and over again. And frankly speaking, I’ve lost my drive to do something new and exciting.

Work was suspended due to bad weather. After finishing my coffee, I went to the drawer and looked for my passbook. While rummaging my drawer, I dropped something on the hardwood floor. It was an unopened envelope from Lexie dated back three years ago.

(MassKara Festival of Bacolod City, Philippines. Photo by –hbm-)

I opened the envelope and read her letter. It brought back those bittersweet memories of us.

Flavors of Iloilo: Ted’s La Paz Batchoy

The April sun shone brightly as I climbed down the stairs connected from an Airbus A320-200 plane and walked to the tarmac of Iloilo Airport. While waiting for my cousin, I took a deep breath and welcomed the Ilonggo air to my system.

Finally, Iloilo na guid!

Like any other modern airports in the country, we had a long walk from the tarmac to the the arrival hall. My tita was already there, waiting for us.

(Ted’s Special La Paz Batchoy. Photo courtesy of efrenefren)

It was a long drive from Iloilo Airport to the city proper. We had the usual kamustahan stuff for a minute or two, then dead silence.

And my aunt knew the reason why.

Davao City Eyed to be the Next Football Capital of the Country

Nowadays, Football has become the latest trend in sports, all thanks to the Philippine Azkals. Over the years, the team has been to several cities and provinces of the country and has sought several young players with big potentials of becoming the next Football stars.

And in line with this, some of the team members namely Misagh Bahadoran, Yannick Tuason, Roel Gener and Paolo Pascual together with the Marketing Manager of Cortal SQR (Safe Quick Release), Vik Oliveros have flown to Davao City to promote Football.