Ballpoints

Trying out a new app on the cam with these ballpoints.

Awesome Ideas: Bluebook Tumbler

Good morning!

Today, I brought my Bluebook thermo tumbler in the office. I notice that I already have a bunch of Diliman Republic products that are still in package sitting in my drawer at home. I thought they are so cute they are not meant to be used. But man, they are a real thing.

Although I have to admit that Diliman Republic's products seem overpriced,  I love them - from bags to jackets to bag tags to tumblers and lanyards... nameit! The idea of sticking a Bluebook front page or the bold letters U and P in screaming deep red color to anything that people normally use would entice any UPians around, especially those who have been away from school for quite sometime.

So there, one of my workmates arrived from a business trip from China today, and she gave me a can of green tea. I guess this Bluebook thermos will have a use in the  next couple of weeks.

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Interesting Jobs: Caddie

Manong caddie with the clubs

One interesting job that I learned while at Camp John Hay in Baguio the other day is being a caddie. Caddies are the ones walking around the golf course in charge of carrying golfers bags.

All these years, I thought they were just simple assistants and their work is similar to that of payong girls -- assist as asked. However, it turned out that caddies also play the role of a coach to the player, (there may be a right term or that in golf) as they are aware of the challenges and obstacles of the course as well as the strategies in playing the game.

Just like in the corporate world, they also go through ranking system where in they get promoted from being a trainee to a champion. That, of course, depends on their training and performance.

I always thought that golf is an interesting sport. Now that I knew a bit about caddying, I personally think that this job is equally interesting as the sport itself.R

Morning Fog Lifts in Tuba

Morning Fog Settling over Tuba, Benguet

While on the road back to Manila, the morning viaje gave me a refreshing view of the morning fog over the mountains of Benguet that was just starting to lift out of the valleys.

Loaf Bread of Life

Danes Bread

The history of bread can go back to thousands of years, but Danes Bakeshop will definitely play a big part of  any written bread-related articles in the Cordillera region, particularly in Benguet.

Regardless of its taste and how it looks like, Danes proved to be very popular among ordinary people mainly because of its consistency -- it's availability in the market, it's freshness, and it's price. It's cheap because it is locally-made.

The bread aisle of supermarkets is usually jam-packed with cleverly labeled brands. Some sound healthy and expensive and some are just there to fill in the space. But the stacks of Danes outdo all other brands apparently.

For an ordinary Baguio resident, this loaf bread, along with some other basic staples in the pantry, is a must to be in stock. Otherwise, it's time for grocery shopping

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Sungka with Pearls

This carved piece of heavy wood at the Mother's Garden Panorama Restaurant in  Baguio caught my attention. It is called Sungka. The sight of it reminds of me childhood and the terms such as sunog, bahay, bawal-bilang!, touch move, etc.

Yeah, I played this as a kid.

Sungka is a traditional board game in the Philippines often played by children and even adults during siesta time.

Tuna Pie is Back!

How come this pie is available only during Lenten season?

Its crust is crispy -- just like the other Jollibee's fruit pies -- stuffed with tuna, some vegetables, cheese, something creamy and some others that only cooks can recognize.

I love it! And I am probably going to have it from time to time until it will be out from the menu again.

It tastes good.

And it's fast-food.

Alright. I know.

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Sementadong Bundok

Going up to Baguio, you'd see numerous 
concrete-capped mountains along 
Aspiras-Palispis Highway

I have already passed through this highway more than a hundred times in my life and I know that since the steep hills beside the road were capped with erosion-resistant concrete, there have never been issues of landslides or rock falls.

Aspiras-Palispis Highway, formerly called Marcos Highway, is the link between Agoo, La Union and Baguio City in Benguet. It is a stretch of road composed of hair pin bends on steep cliff faces.

During rainy seasons in the past, there were instances of landslides and road closures resulting in motorists unable to pass through. In the recent years, however, of the three majors access roads leading to Baguio, only Marcos highway has not been blocked or closed making it the safest and the most reliable route despite it being the farthest.

The mountain in the picture is sementado, as most Pinoys would say it, is not as scenic as the green ones with trees and wild grasses. There are even ugly mesh wires laid on top of it, probably to hold the cement up. However, I don't think this is much of a concern, as most would agree that beauty should always take a backseat to safety.

Waterless River

Bued river bed taken from Agat Bridge

Taken from a bus as we passed by Agat Bridge, the sandy bed of Bued river looks really deserted currently without water flowing in it.  And it is not even summer time.

Bued River flows  from Benguet through a rocky canyon alongside Kennon Road and down to the neigbhoring provinces forming part of the border between Pangasinan and La Union. It runs through the towns of San Fabian and Sison and it empties into the West Philippine Sea.

Sunset in the Boondocks

Sunset over clouds and hills of Benguet

En route to Baguio and as we ascend the mountains, here's a snapshot I have taken from a moving bus - A glorious view of the sunset embracing the hills covered by thin clouds.

I will be here for a week for training. I'm excited to to meet those new guys who will be an addition to the team. Likewise,  I am excited to witness everyday sunset like this in this place, particularly that summer is now fast approaching.

It feels great to be on top of the world. Indeed!

Starting the Day with a Cup of Smile

Sbux Hotness

If someone you really, really like handed you this cup of coffee, the coffee in it would only be just an added perk.  

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A Flashback to Childhood: Iced Gem Biscuits

I loved this as a kid, but I only eat the colourful icing. I remember I never finish a pack because I usually stop eating it when all the biscuits have gone bald. It must be the color and the sugar.

One of my friends brought a bag of this in the office today. I've never seen nor tasted it after years, or decades even. I thought this thing do not exist in the supermarket any more.

I will include this in my grocery list next week. :D

Glorias Espanolas

At the center of the Mactan Shrine in Cebu where the historical Mactan battle took place in 1521 sits a century-old obelisk that honors Ferdinand Magellan. He was a Portuguese circumnavigator, also known as Fernando de Magallanes in Spanish, who was commissioned by the royalty of Spain to an expedition in this part of the world. They conquered the islands and introduced Christianity. History books state that he died in a tragic battle against the troop of Datu Lapu-lapu, a local chieftain who resisted the conquistadores and to convert to Christianity. The spot where the structure is standing is believed to be where Magelllan got killed.

The obelisk is really beautiful at night especially with golden yellow light. It is the first structure you see upon entering the plaza. Although very old, the words and names inscripted on each face of this landmark are still readable: A Hernando De Magallanes, Siendo Gobernador Don Miguel Creus, 1866 Reinando Ysabel II, and Glorias Espanolas.   

While noted as a conqueror who tried to politically dominate the islands -- interestingly in the present day - there are several memorials around the Philippines named after Magellan.

Cute Ideas: Magnetic Beer

Tired... How about beer break?

Of course, beer is not allowed in the office. This is a plastic magnetic button use to stick something on the wall. It’s kind of deceiving from afar. It looks real, right?

It's the Thought that Counts

Bakya Key Chains from El Nido, Palawan

A pasalubong does not need to be expensive and grand. A simple key chain like this will do. It's the thought that counts.

Quezon Memorial Shrine at Night

It's one of those days when you suddenly feel like going out and eventually find yourself strolling in a place where interesting things are all around.

Quezon City Circle is 30 minutes away from my place.

It is an ellipse-shaped 20-hectare park bounded by the Elliptical Road. You can walk and jog as there is a paved lane roundabout that circles the monument. It also has an indoor and outdoor amusement playgrounds, chains of eateries, a fountain like those found in typical plazas, and a significant chunk of wilderness.

At night, a musical dancing fountain is shown. In the morning, there are different fitness groups that hold an open-for-everyone activities such as taebo and zumba which I have been planning to join in since I-can't-remember-when. It remains a plan as waking up very early is the biggest challenge. The monument is located at the center where the remains of the late President Manuel Quezon are laid. The mausoleum is right underneath the monument.

The building of this was started in the 1940's and it was originally intended to house a bigger National Government Center, which would include the sites for the three branches of the government. However, it was never materialized and only the foundation of the structures were made because World War II interrupted the construction.

Sun Drying

Sun Drying of  Palay on the road

After the recent typhoon, the roads in rural areas of Isabela are back to normal - used as dyer for newly-harvested palay.

Sun drying like this is a common practice among the locals. Although each town has their heated air and in-store drying facilities as well as those Flatbeds being distributed by the Department of Agriculture, some farmers still opt to manually do the job. Mainly because it is cheaper. When they use machines, drying will only take a couple of hours but they have to spend for fuel which is relatively more expensive.   Relying on the sun means lower cost although labor intensive.

The farmers manually need to turn the rice every 30 minutes or so. It is indeed a tough  job. And it's itchy.

Isabela is the second largest province next to Palawan and it is known as the Rice Granary of the North. It produces around 15% of the country's total  rice output.  So during the harvest season, rice in a stretch of streets and even in national highways is a common sight.

After the Storm

Morning after the storm

Super typhoon Megi has now moved to Taiwan and China, but the the havoc that it left behind the Philippines is kind of  sad. Random people have been killed. Now that the roads are clear, but apparently public transport is not available, how do I get home?

Learning and Beyond

[caption id="attachment_106" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Learning and Beyond[/caption]

 

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UP keychain

A 10-year old UP key chain

 This is the closest I could get to post about the centennial celebration of the University of the Philippines. Yes, my alma mater is celebrating 100 years since its founding in 1908.

I was browsing the web when I saw the videos of the 100-gun salute and sky-diving exhibition. I didn't realize that the programs and celebrations for this year's is that extravagant and super bongga.

UP has gone a long way. In fact, its system is even way different now than during my college days, which is not too long ago.

Since I am far from being able to dig stuff about my stay in the university as a student, I saw this key chain sitting on the table and I thought of taking a picture of it. This thing itself is old. Somebody gave it to me 10 years ago.

I miss being a student again. No worries, no nothing.  Your only responsibility is to do well and get a high grade.