Home is where the heart is

Monday, June 30, 2008
The Guintubdan Adventures

... Before I tell you what inked tuesday is all about let me tell you first about my Guintubdan Adventures...

June 29, 2008 - Daister, John, Jenny, Joyce, and I together with Sir Bhadz went to Guintubdan.
It is situated at the western part at the foot of Mt. Kan-laon. The name guintubdan was coined after the word “tubod” which means ‘flowing water’. Guintubdan has an abundant flow of water from its many springs and falls.

Guintubdan is a couple of thousand feet high above sea level, is practically accessible by local public land transport connecting it to the City of La Carlota. It has now a cemented road going here and is only a 30 minute ride from the city proper.

FACT: Half of the village belongs to the local government of the City of La Carlota, while the other half is part of the City of Bago.

"Serenity in father's arms"

bouncy baby just woke up

welcome to La Carlota City

Foodstop at Jollibee La Carlota

Before we dwell ourselves to an unfamiliar spot, we decided to buy some food and bond with Jollibee. We bought Chickenjoy, Sundae and Frostblends.

one of the oldest church in La Carlota

Welcome to Guintubdan Nature Park
Brgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City

Beautiful old tree

Welcome to Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center

The Park, ensconced at the bosom of Mt. Kanlaon is surrounded by wooded area of paper trees where the sun's rays filter into warm streaks of light. Underfoot is a carpet of green and orange leaves and as the sun descends the temperature drops even lower, bringing with it a chill, scented with a foggy aura of mountain air.

This park is dedicated in memory of Rafael Montinola Salas. Rafael Montinola Salas or Toto Cay as he is fondly known is the Executive Director of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and officially held the rank of Undersecretary General, the highest administative post ever attained by a Filipino in United Nation Body.

"million flowers"

cool, clear Spring!

John loves spring

overlooking Negros

fascinated with that old, tall tree

This tree is a mystery to me. And because of this my creative juices started to flow again. My imagination created a story about the strongest man who used to exist before but nobody believed his capacity. So he asked the Gods to help him prove to the people that he is strong. And because of this the Gods turned him into a strong, old, tall tree...

yeah, i know.. i have a weird imagination.. :)

isnt HE strong?

This tree looks like the tree in some horror flicks. With foggy aura and sort of things like that..

Snaps! finally i could have some pics
(l-r) John, Daister, Jenny, Me and Joyce

Lost in the scene

We were having a hard time with the reservation because the caretaker told us that the spring is not a part of the Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center, that it belong already to the La Carlota City. In short, walking 5 meters from the park is already La Carlota City. Confusing, isnt it?

I named this dog Sony (my camera brand)
He really posed for the cam. Cute isnt it?

park cottages

supply-packed store

my dream house!
living on top of the mountain with this bamboo house

Sir Bhadz having heart-to-heart talk with Manang
(Thank you Manang for the coffee)

stranded!
its just 2 pm and no jeepney to bring us back to Bacolod

We were having difficult time when it comes to transportation. Last trip is only at 3pm and the first trip the next day is at 6am. I learned alot of lesson at this very moment and those lessons are:

Use private vehicle for ocular visits

You'll never know if you're going to be stranded

Money makes (some) people move

Its sad that people nowadays are being blinded by money. Why I said such? It is because that our tricycle driver ask us to pay him double that the usual. Well we can't really blame him for being such man. The economy is poor.

Be glad and contented.

I should stop complaining about rowdy drivers in the city where I live. Gee, people there is surely deprived of transportation access.

hmmmm.. could this water buffalo be our last hope?

nah... we opt to ride the tricycle

Dawn?

nah.... this is how what 4pm looks like in La Carlota

final shot before we unload

5:30 pm and its the only time we saw the sun

It was my first time to visit Guintubdan and I'm glad i have landed my little foot on that place. It is a magical and splendid place and it made me appreciate more our planet. It awakened my soul to start doing something as a payment to what Mother Earth is giving me. And surely, my amazement incresed by 101% and I dearly salute HIM more for HIS creativity in showing HIS LOVE through nature.

Well from here, I am inviting you to come visit and be astonished (as i was) with the beauty of Guintubdan.

Of Love and Other Demons,

Cathie

P.S.

I promise to jot down my Inked Tuesday experience but unfortunately, due to time contraint and sleepiness i'll just post it first thing tomorrow.

*hugs*

Labels: EI, guintubdan, journey, la carlota, nature tripping, negros island

Chocoholic Cathie is finally at home on 6/30/2008 05:39:00 PM.
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Friday, June 27, 2008
Cinemalaya and Krispy Kremes

Teddy: Ano ang ginagawa mo sa mga bagay na nawawala?

(What do you do with the things that have been lost?)

Jet: Hinahanap (look for it)

Teddy: Pag di mo nahanap? (What if you can’t find it?)

Jet: Pinapalitan (Find a replacement)

Teddy: Pag di mo pwedeng palitan? (What if you cant replace it?)

Jet: Kinakalimutan (..Forget about it)

Teddy: Eh ano ginagawa mo sa mga bagay na nawawala, hindi mo mahanap, hindi mo mapalitan, at hindi mo makalimutan ?

(Then, what do you do with the things that you lost, that you cant find, that you cant replace and that you cant forget?)

Jet: Tinatanggap (accept it)

These lines are from one Cinemalaya entry entitled “Tulad ng Dati”, that we watched yesterday. Cinemalaya is the independent film festival of the Philippines and is sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

And since the La Sallian community fully supports the festival, all students taking up English classes, film appreciation, humanities and Mass Communications are required to watch the entries from Cinemalaya Festival. The story focuses on the band life of The Dawn.

It is a very inspirational film that teaches us to live life and move on. And i'll bet, band lovers and members surely love the film.

we are supposed to watch "Saan Nagtatago si Happiness?" (Where is Happiness hiding?)
but we ended up watching "Tulad ng Dati"

"Tulad ng Dati" or in English, "Just Like Before" which stars the Philippines' premier rock band:
The DAWN

The Dawn: JB Leonor (drums), Jett Pangan (lead vocals), Francis Reyes (lead guitars) and Buddy Zabala (bass)

The film inspired me to play with my guitar again

Ex-Bass Player of the Dawn, Carlos Balcells,
is present during the Tulad ng Dati screening

he used to play for "The Dawn" before he left the band in 2004
to perform his duties as city councilor in Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Only Jo Ann have the guts to go in front and raise a question for the director
(actually her sole purpose is to have a picture with Carlos Balcells)

The director of Tulad ng Dati, Mike Sandejas

picture perfect! and we are the only chosen few who have this privilege pictorial
(b-f) Carlos Balcells' wife (she keeps on laughing every time i call her Mommy), Carlos Balcells, Direk Mike Sandejas, Jo Ann, Rina, Daister and me

3 teachers, 3 students and the Director

my dear Bro who arrived from Manila

My brother just arrived from Manila and yes, he brought me something i really really crave.. and that is...

oooohhhhhh la la!!

my Krispy Kremes!! so yummy!

He sure knows what to bring home for me. My favorites are Caramel Kreme Crunch (that top left donut) and Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate (that top right donut)

original glazed Krispy Kreme

Caught in Act: "i cant help myself"

No matter how i try to control myself, I cant help but smell the donuts and have a bite!
Well it's time for me to go and prep up since the Education Student Council have an activity called: "Sophies says My One La Salle" so..

ta-ta for now ^_^

of Love and other Demons,
Cathie

Labels: donuts, krispy kremes, movies, OPENions, tulad ng dati

Chocoholic Cathie is finally at home on 6/27/2008 08:10:00 PM.
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
playing favorites

Today I came to realize that I have so many likes and loves. It didn’t occur to me before I started scanning the pictures I have taken. So this entry is all about my top (_) favorites, and the reason/s behind it. and yeah, there's SURELY more to come...

Exhibit 1: Random pictures

this was taken last June 23, 2008 around 7:30 am.
look what typhoon Frank did to our College Plaza :(

i love taking random pictures! random pictures always tell stories, unpredictable stories for that matter...

Exhibit 2: Chocolates are my drugs! ^_-

Ferro rocher, anyone?
(thanks Jay)

i am genetically engineered to be addicted to chocolates. and I'll bet 90% (of whatever i have) I'm going to die of diabetes mellitus. well what can i do, i cant help it. i am conditioned to it just like Pavlov conditioned the dog to the ringing of a bell. hahaha.. i know i exaggerate a bit on that part. well what can i say? hmmm.. if I'm going to enumerate the reasons why i love chocolates my top ten reasons would be:

10. Better than committing crimes
(need i say more?)
9. Always more at the store
(so true! anywhere and everywhere!)
8. Makes my mouth happy
(..and waters)
7. Something fun to do alone
(hmmmm.. and much better to be done alone.. heheheh )
6. Cheaper than Prozac
(i am not a fan of prohibited drugs, so when i want to get HIGH, i chomp my sugars)
5. Surprise centers
(there are always surprises in every chocolate)
4. Hides easily in my pockets
(...nobody will know i have one and i dont intend to share.. LOL)
3. Two words - mood swings
(i hope MEN will read this!)
2. Comes in pretty boxes
(sooo true! and im crazy enough to collect it)
1. BEING ADDICTED WONT GET YOU ARRESTED!
(i know you agree with this..)

Exhibit 3: something new..

"Miss Demeanor"

you see i am the number one of the word RANDOM. i always get excited about learning something new. my maturity is that of a 5-year-old. the fascination over novel things is surely unsuitable for my age. i wont take it against you if you think its a disadvantage when facing life's greatest battles but you see, this craving for something new has become a motivation to enjoy school. being carefree isnt that bad after all.

Exhibit 4: Long journey

"ang dalan pakadto sa baybay"

i am a WanderWoman. i take to the heart the quote life is a joruney, not a destination. i am laidback and low-key, i like to take my time and savor each moment. if that means taking the long way to get somewhere, ill do it, especially if its packed with plenty of things to see along the way.

Exhibit 5: The I-love P.S. I Love You Series (the Book)

that book who stole my heart
(and money too! i spent all my allowance for this!)

ooooohh!! i really really love this book (even though i have not yet finished reading it!). i just love everything about it. there is something about its plot and characters that made me love the book even if it has the usual, tragic-ending story. i could relate to Holly (the main character of the novel). we have the same childish attitude and for sure we have the same type of guy: understanding, patient, adventurous and mature. the type of guy who would cater and even control the mood swings and tantrums.

Exhibit 6: The I-love P.S. I Love You Series (the Movie)

Gerard Butler (my ultimate crush) with Hilary Swank

hmmmm.. its the adaptation of the book. i fell in love with this one first before the book. i watched this film together with my sister. and in the whole duration of the film, i was either laughing or crying, crazy huh? although there are parts of the book that has been altered, like adding a new character, i can still say that the film director did justice to the product of art of ms. Cecilia Ahern. and oh! how i daydreamed for a few weeks to mean my Gerard Butler and my Jeffrey Dean Morgan or my own "Irish" men!

Exhibit 7: The I-love P.S. I Love You Series (the Song)

curious why i this song is on the exhibit? here's a copy of the lyrics

I Love You Till the End

by: the Pogues

I just want to see you
When you're all alone
I just want to catch you if I can
I just want to be there
When the morning light explodes
On your face it radiates
I can't escape
I love you 'till the end

I just want to tell you nothing
You don't want to hear
All I want is for you to say
Why don't you just take me
Where I've never been before
I know you want to hear me
Catch my breath
I love you 'till the end

I just want to be there
When we're caught in the rain
I just want to see you laugh not cry
I just want to feel you
When the night puts on it's cloak
I'm lost for words don't tell me
All I can say
I love you 'till the end

isnt it romantic? hopefully i can find a guy who will sing this song to me on our wedding! know anyone? tell him to send an application letter, curriculum vitae, and full body shot picture and mail it to me immediately! LOL

Exhibit 8: Crowning Glory

crowns, anyone?

this shirt will always remind me of my friends from Nanyang, Singapore.. how i miss being called "Princess". i miss you guys and i love you all.. i cant express what i really feel inside in this blog.. reminiscing the moments with you guys is hard to do at this moment... i dont want another flash flood in Philippines! hahahah... but really.. i do miss you all and you will always have this space in my heart.

Exhibit 9: Rabbit's Foot

Wabby and Rabby

My ever comfy bedroom slippers! they ease my tired, calloused feet everyday. the mere thought that you have to wear heels (mine is 3 inches) 4x a week is already tiring.. my wabby and my rabby are my "foot spa".

Exhibit 10: From A to ZzZzZs

future teacher?

who doesnt like restoring energy? i dont think a person like that exist. so just like now after this, i cant wait to make love WITH my bed.. take note: i said WITH not IN. two phrases conveys different meanings. the level of explicity really differs. Sleep is one of my favorite hobby. i get to face my nightmares bravely, all alone and i get to dream about everything i want plus my body rest from whole day of thinking and walking back and fro. loving sleep isnt a crime, fellow, but oversleeping is.

... and since i dont want to oversleep tomorrow, i end my blog entry for this day. i hope i didnt intimidate you (whoever you are! ^_^) in someways after al the things that i have shared. how about you? can you share to me what are your top 10 favorites? mail me, i'd like to hear it!

ta-ta for now!

Of love and other demons,
Cathie

Labels: chocolates, EI, favorites, p.s. i love you, random, shirts, typhoon

Chocoholic Cathie is finally at home on 6/25/2008 05:46:00 AM.
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Monday, June 30, 2008 The Guintubdan Adventures

Friday, June 27, 2008 Cinemalaya and Krispy Kremes

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 playing favorites

Monday, June 30, 2008
The Guintubdan Adventures

Friday, June 27, 2008
Cinemalaya and Krispy Kremes

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
playing favorites