Seascape -- Boracay Island

Boracay has the finest white sands --it's like baby powder! For me, the beach of Boracay is far better than other famous beaches such as those in Hawaii or Australia. But what I really love about this island is the food, the night life, and the unique overall character brought about by the fusion of various cultures. This island was so different when I first went there in the late 80s. I must have been there 10 times since then and have seen it slowly transform -- partly for the better but mostly for the worst. But given the choice, I would still love to spend vacations in this beautiful beach.

When you're in the island staying out late in the evening is very tempting. But try waking up at 6am in the morning and check out the beach....it looks different.

Hanging out on the beach and watching while the sun sets is heaven...

Monochrome set 1



Esmeralda

I shot this image on my way out of Saint Nicholas Church in Brussels (Belgium). The first thought that came to me was "Esmeralda" -- the gypsy character in the Hunchback of Notre Dame cartoon movie.
I love the play of light casting upon the details of the 12th century door, matching Esmeralda's medieval-design outfit, and her undecipherable emotions in the face.

 

Jar In-The-Making

For a while it was amusing to see "Harry" the potter mold a spinning lump of clay into this simple jar. A tiny movement of his fingertips could drastically alter the final product. If my life is like the spinning work-in-progress, then who is the potter?
I took this shot in a "Burnayan" in Vigan, Ilocos Sur 

The Art of Shitting and Personal Transformation (a train tale in China)

Train toilets can be transformational....
There I was with my pants down, squatting on a floor-level aluminum toilet hole, holding on to the rail for my dear life while the train was swaying wrecklessly from side to side... I was thinking "Lord, why do you put me in shitty situations like this?!? Give me other life challenges... but not this one pleeeease."

So how did I get myself in this mess?

A plane ride from Kunming to Beijing would have costed me US$350. The train costed me only 35$. The entire trip took 38 hours. It would have been bearable if I was able to book the sleeper (bed) but unfortunately by the time I lined up in the train station to buy my ticket, the next available sleeper would be in 2 weeks. I have to leave the following day so I took what was available -- the "hard seat."

It couldn't be that bad I thought, with the trains in Europe as my reference. Little did I realize that my train would be similar to a KTM train (in Malaysia) or the PNR train going to Bicol (in the Philippines)! I bought a few cups of noodles, a few liters of water, some bread and muffins. If there is no decent restaurant in the train, at least I have some reserved food. One big mistake though, I induldged myself in a hotel buffet dinner just before my 9PM departure from Kunming. So what would you expect, what comes in must come out. But I was hoping that I could hold off the coming out for 38 hours. Of course I was unrealistically optimistic!

It was the longest and the worst train ride I've ever had in my life. For 38 hours I was sandwiched between two strangers in a bench good for 2 persons. The coach was overloaded with people standing in the aisle and in every available space you could find. For a 38-hour train ride I can't imagine anybody not having his/her own reserved seat but as I was told -- this is how it is in China.

The aircon felt like it was set at 28 degrees. It was very noisy the whole time and no one could speak English at all. It sounded as if I was in the middle of Divisoria with all the shouting but this time in high-pitched Chinese!

I woke up around 3AM feeling disoriented and my body aching and my butt numb because I haven't changed my body position for 5 hours -- I was sandwiched between two smelly strangers. To my horror, I saw people sleeping all over in every possible position. It looked as if the train crashed and snoring bodies are scattered all over. Underneath our bench, there was an old lady curled and snoring. With extreme difficulty I inched my way to the toilet stepping on people's heads, hands, feet, and bodies. When I opened the toilet door, I was surprised to see somebody sleeping on top of the tiny sink!

I really did my best but by the 12th hour of my ordeal what went in my stomach the night before started to demand to be let out. I tried to rationalize with myself but I had 26 more hours to go. And so, armed with 10 pieces of kleenex, I went for the ultimate sacrifice...

It was hard. I was worried that my cell phone might fall off. I had to make it as quick as I can (so that it won't be obvious) knowing that 15 other people are lining up outside. I had to make sure that I hit the bulls-eye and that "things" won't splatter around as the train dangerously shakes from left to right. I had to make sure that I hanged on to the railing really tight or it will be the end of my remaining self-esteem.

Apparently, I survived! In fact, I think I came out of that toilet (and that train) a lot better and stronger as a person. If I survived that... what else is there in life that I can't handle! Toilets can indeed drastically transform persons...

Conquering The Great Wall

Finally, I was able to see the great wall....
Fortunately, my guide brought me to a jumpoff point far from the usual tourist drop offs. Thus I was able to enjoy tourist-free shots.

 

It was a very hot day however. The treck was not at all easy. In fact I was able to traverse across three towers in 3 hours!  By then my legs were already shaking, I have consumed my large bottle of water, and I was perspiring all over...

 

 

 

Night Shots - Set 1

Louvre Museum (Paris, France)

I had to keep on going back to that spot for 3 nights just to catch the colorful summer sunset in Paris.

House of World Cultures (Berlin, Germany)

The Colliseum (Rome, Italy)

This was one of the rewards I got after a Berlin night on a bike. By the way, note that half of the image is just a reflection in the pond.










Apparently, the famous colliseum is not as big most people imagine it to be. Most movies depict it as immensely collosal....

Impressions - New York1

Resolution, Dream or Vision?

 

Resolution, dream or vision -- These words may be conceptually overlapping. However, I think what is important is what the words "DO" to us. Your motivation levels will vary depending whether you use resolution, dream, or vision.

Perhaps 50% of us make resoultions especially at the start of each year. 99% of us have dreams, afterall we are the only species capable of this cognitive capacity. However, it seems that less than 1% of us have personal visions.

To illustrate the difference:
RESOLUTION: "I promise to cut down my softdrinks intake, sleep early, and start working out in the gym."
DREAM (pangarap): "Someday I will become rich, sexy, and beautiful like Angelina Jolie or Brad Pit"
VISION: I shall be stronger, healthier, and sexier. My body would look like this on Oct. 16, 2011.


Resolutions and dreams are abstract. Visions can be SEEN. You could smell, hear, and sense the promise of a vision.
The human brain was designed to address primarily what could be sensed. Thus, compelling and exciting visions could fire us up! It pushes us beyond our comfort zones and it can soar our motivations way beyond the usual levels.

Unfortunately, our cultures has mostly taught us only to make resolutions. Our human instinct allows us to dream easily. But we need be more deliberate in creating compelling visions -- this capacity is not automatic. The few people, organizations, and nations who have made the effort to create powerful visions are the few who seem to partake most of the blessing and abundance all around us.

As one of my favorite lines in the Bible says: "Ask and you shall receive!" But be sure to ask for something clear and precise (a VISION) and don't let the Lord guess what you want (a resolution or a dream). If you can't create a vision (or see) what you want, chances are, you don't know what you really want!

We could create visions for our body, health, spirituality, finances, relationships, career, travel and many other facets of our wonderful human experience.
So what will you make this time? A resolution, a dream, or a vision?

To all my family, friends, friend of friends, and fellow Filipinos --- write or picture your visions and create the scripts of your 2011 personal telenovelas. Create the endings that you truly desire! Have a wonderful year living out your VISIONS!