My Premiere on Television

After almost a year stint of doing volunteer work in Tajikistan as a Polio Rehabilitation Adviser and Coach, it took a while for me to adjust to my normal life back home. Living a modest life in a foreign land was quite challenging as it tests one's survival skill. Everything is different and one has no choice but to face it. It is a life changing experience on my part as it gives me another perspective in seeing life.

A local cable channel here in Baguio invited me and another co-volunteer, Lolita del Rosario, sometime in July 2012. The show is titled "Usapang Turismo hosted by Mr. Gaby Keith aired in Sky Cable. We were mainly invited to discuss about our experiences and to provide some tips to future volunteers.  Oh by the way, this was also my first time to be interviewed and appeared on local television.

Part One

Part Two

Christmas Is Near!

Despite the unfortunate series of events that happened in our country lately, we, Filipinos, still mirror the symbols of hope and courage; characteristics that are contagious and are a must these days. In less than 30 days before Christmas, establishments around the summer capital of the Philippines are all prep up and laced with these colorful decorations and merry making songs are played almost everywhere. This only mark for the coming of that very special natal day of our Savior.

The scent of pine trees mixed with the cold breeze here in Baguio city only adds to that Christmas spirit everyone is looking forward during Yuletide season.  When I was roaming around the city one fine afternoon, I happened to pass by at SM Baguio and had the chance to see their annual Christmas decoration located at the very center of the mall. The red, green, and gold color abound the entire mall.

Families, friends, and everyone who happened to pass by the mall could not resist to stop and appreciate the wonderful and awe inspiring decorations prepared in front of them.

But let us all remember that the true meaning of Christmas is not just all about these shining and lavish decorations on this material world, but what is more important is the genuine heart that we are all willing to share to everyone.  

Act of Valor

Director: Mike MacMacoy
Lead Actor: Alex Veadov, Nestor Serrano and Roselyn Sanchez
Genre: Action, Adventure
Synopsis:

          The America’s Navy SEALs showed their heroism and patriotism in the film: Act of Valor. It is visible in the various transitions of the scenes, the camaraderie as a team in completing their specific mission to combat terrorism.

http://www.impawards.com

Review:

          The portrayal of the characters appeared to be realistic, especially the abduction of Roselyn Sanchez, the CIA agent. A woman undergoing torture is so disturbing; it looks realistic to the viewers of the film. The Navy SEALs are given the task to rescue the agent. At the later part, the soldiers discovered that a group of terrorist plan to jeopardize the lives of people in United States of America. Eventually, set of SEAL teams were deployed to stop the terrorist leader and his allies. Thus, it would be more appealing if they interviewed the victim.

          I have noticed that the soldier who is expecting to be a father acted differently. There is no emotion as he speaks to his wife in the film. Thus, the narrator in the film expresses the reason that soldiers cannot show sympathy. It answers the acting skills of the actor, justifying to empathy reaction to his wife.

          The flow of the film seems realistic and simple, despite the random change of scenarios from different places: Philippines, Ukraine and Indonesia. The usage of Filipino language was comprehensible, despite the slang way of speaking and thumbs up for the Russian fluency. Though the Filipinos look so passive along the story, since there is no serious interactions happen.

      For the technical part, it is amazing the maneuvers of the soldiers. The soldiers’ movements are concise in targeting the enemies. It will bring the viewers’ to appreciate the genre of this film. On the other hand, it is not advisable for the younger ones to watch the bloody action scene.

          Over all, the theme of the narrative story focuses more on the responsibilities to serve the country. It is also emphasize the worth of being loyal to each other. The heroism based from a true story, the film would never last to remember. Taking the credit of good deeds, it will fade away. It is a typical soldier interaction against the unlawful actions of terrorism that happens not only in America, but also to the other side of the country.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Running Time: 1:50

Inspection and Mud Surpise

Field visit and local immersion are a must when one is involved in community development, as staying in the office doing the paperwork is not sufficient. This is to ensure that the blueprint and the actual work coincide as planned. In addition, making sure that everyone who is part of the development process is helping hand in hand and aware of the project as it progresses.    

The mountainous province of Kalinga is the one of the select areas among the Cordillera region that highly benefits to the development projects implemented by the national government and partnership with some international NGO.  The area where I'm working as a CF (Community Facilitator) is surrounded by rich flora and fauna. The locals were able to utilize the natural resources that they had to to their advantage.  Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main source of livelihood in communities. In relation to that, projects in irrigation system and improvement of farm to market road were the focal point of the development work.

My colleagues and I went to visit one of the irrigation site we were handling to see if the project plan was properly executed. A long trek was needed to reach the site passing one mountain to another, jumping and hopping riverbank to the next, and painstakingly crossing narrow dirt and muddy pathway. Always an adventure for everyone. Work and play were never this thrilling. 

While we were descending the place after the inspection visit, the heaven was about to cry that I decided to walk fast downhill, my colleagues were not able to catch up on me and, eventually, I got off the track. The trek was getting too wet and muddy that I was caught off guard and slid while making my way down. My pants and shirt splashed with chocolate-colored mud and unfortunately suffered some bruise which left a mile-long scar on my arms.  Nevertheless, the experience that I had with my job would never be replaced as it molded and expanded my horizon in the field of community development and natural resources rehabilitation.  

   

a good view of the community with the rainbow

 beaming across the mountain mist 

Nice backdrop for photo ops

found shelter to rest and to breathe in this little hut

bundles of rice stalks ready for milling or manual pounding 

with the use of large wood-made mortar and pestle

trekking in between greens

passing through almost covered pathway 

the walking continues...

a quick stop for a pose 

...and again.

picture taking even if it's hot

got mud?

I had a lot!

In the end, it's not the destination which highly plays in your journey, but the challenges you were able to conquer. On how you play despite the difficulties and still displays the smile after.

Picnic by the River

One advantage working in the rural part of the Philippines is the chance of enjoying and actually experience the wonders of nature.  Natural wonders abound the country wherein everyone is entitled to appreciate and savor until his heart's content only He can provide.

Development work, and work, in general, could be very exhausting that a quick break from all the stress is imperative before it runs out one's sanity. Whenever we got the opportunity and everyone is available, we always find time to explore the place and do something recreational. A quick tour in the nearby Bunog river together with my colleagues, is one way for us to relief ourselves from the very tiring yet fulfilling work that we had.

Bunog river is a stream located in Poblacion of Tinglayan, Kalinga. The estimate terrain elevation is 229 meters above sea level.

Armed with our backpacks and some food to share for everyone, we headed to the river to plunge in the cool water and had picnic on the surrounding big stone boulders that served both as tables and jumping platforms.

Colleagues preparing for the river dip

A nice smile before my swim

"What should I wear for the swim?..."

fresh cool water coming from the surrounding mountain

Another big smile to end the day and to welcome another day. 

Rural life can be too simple for some of us, but the ability to find and to do something new every now and then is a challenge and rewarding experience.

Palang-ah Falls and Crossing Bridge

During my development work days in Tinglayan, Kalinga, my usual routine was to monitor the project being implemented in the community and making sure that everyone is involved as the work progresses.  One project was the irrigation system, which in time, once completed, would benefit the nearby communities especially in providing constant water supply from the natural resources in their agricultural fields. 

One typical work day in the field, my colleagues and I went to do ocular inspection to the irrigation site and to gather data for the report and documentation purpose needed.  It was a fine and sunny day that time that walking along the trek and passing through the thick forest were somehow thrilling in nature. It would take several minutes to an hour just to reach the site, but seeing the wonders of mother nature surrounding the place one could not just resist to enjoy.

We were able to visit the Palang-ah falls along the way and got the chance to pass through the narrow suspended steel bridge. There was not any grand about the falls compared to others that I have visited, but what was enchanting to me was the loud roar the waterfall makes that resembles to a good music in the my ears. It is somehow therapeutic and at the same time rejuvenating to the soul. It is a reminder that life has to go on and dance with the flow of the water where it is heading.