POETRY

 Because you truly are...

Journey to the Heart of Manila

    
    I'm not very fond of taking a trip down memory lane. I mean, I know it's fun to look back at the good old days, when everything was simple, when technology has not yet taken control of our day-to-day existence and you can find joy in the most mundane activities so long as you do it with your near and dear friends. I'm not fond of reminiscing because it makes me miss those days so bad I want to stay in one corner of my room and bawl my eyes out for days gone by.

     Seriously though, if you were to ask my 10-year-old self if she'd read history books for pleasure when she gets older, she'd say there was no way in hell. " It is impossible because history is 'sooo' boring. " I'm pretty sure she'd swear, with hand on her heart, that she would never ever come to a point in her life grown up standing in some heroes' bathroom as if in trance, uttering to herself, 'M y God, this amazing amazing hero  pooped in here. Cool! I'm grown up now, very much different from what I thought I would be. Still learning, outside the confines of school, having the time of my life . 
     Every once in a while I  re-visit some places that held no importance to  me when I was a young girl pretending to be a female version of Tom Sawyer.  Recently, I re-visited some of Manila's historical sights. I took my beloved nieces to join me in the Spanish Colonial Period appreciate, in the heart of the Philippines, Manila.

Quiapo Church (The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene)
     Probably the most televised Church in the Philippines, that is Quiapo Church. The life-size image of the Black Nazarene has tens of thousands of devotees as it is said to be very miraculous. Filipino devotees from all walks of life, male and female, young and old, gather in and out of this church every 9th of May to celebrate the feast of Jesus Nazareno Nuestro. The devout devotees then participate in the procession of the sacred image.

Intramuros

     Known as the oldest district and the heart of Manila. Intramuros, meant "within the walls" in Spanish. Hence it was dubbed as the "Walled City" , founded by the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in June 12, 1571. Prompted by the constant threat of foreign invaders attacking the city, the walls were constructed.

     Intramuros has a lot of interesting sights to offer, and it could take a toll on your itchy feet. If you wanted some comfort and relaxation, ride a pedicab that will take you straight to the sights. Or if you want to experience old-school transportation, take the 'callesa' . The pedicab drivers are knowleadgable and callesa about the place and its history, so it's a real treat. In our case, however, we opted to walk around the walled city, we are wanderers, apparently.

Interesting Sights Inside Intramuros

1.  Baluarte de San Miguel

     Notably the most important fortification facing the north side. It was built to keep the Parian of Binondo and bay.

 2.  Educational Institutions inside Intramuros

     Mapua Institute of Technology: Founded in 1925 by Don Tomas Mapua, the first registered Filipino architect.

     Lyceum of the Philippines University: Founded in 1952 by Jose P. Laurel, the 3rd President of the Philippine Republic.

     

     Colegio de San Juan de Letran: Founded in 1620. The Fourth oldest educational institution in the Philippines that is still in operation.

3. The Manila Cathedral 

         This neo-romanesque cathedral is one of the oldest church in the Philipppines.

4. Palacio del Gobernador

        Here in this spot once stood the residence of the Governor-General of the Philippines.

5. Ayuntanmiento de Manila

         Also known as Casas Consistoriales, the old structure used to function as the Manila City Council. Now it houses the offices of the Bureau of Treasury.

    

6. Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

     The official organization of the episcopacy of the Philippine Catholic Church-- Wiki

7. Plazuela de Santa Isabel

     In this square stands the monument dedicated to the non-combantant victims of World War II.

8. San Agustin Church and Museum

     The oldest stone church in the Philippines. Declared by UNESCO as World Heritage under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Antique furniture used by Augustinian priests.

8. Casa Manila

      The museum exhibits the home and lifestyle of the rich and famous during the Spanish colonial era.

9. House Chinese

     The museum documents the history, lives and contribution of the Chinese in the Philippine life and history-- Wiki

10. Fort Santiago

     One of the fortifications in Manila. Built in 1571, on the site of the native settlement of Raja Soliman. First was a palisaded fort structure of logs and earth. Destroyed in the attack Limahong info in 1574--  Info from Intramuros Admin

     The Plaza de Armas is the only green space in Fort Santiago, surrounded by plants and the fort's ruins .-- info from Wiki

     Rizal Shrine is one of the oldest structure in Fort Santiago. Founded as a quarter for Spanish Soldiers-- info from Intramuros Admin

National Museum of the Philippines
     The National Museum of the Philippines is a government institution serving as an educational, scientific and cultural institutions in preserving the various permanent national collections featuring the ethnographic, anthropological, archaelogical and visual artistry in the Philippines .-- info from Wiki
     It was a lucky Sunday for us, the National Museum opened its doors to the public for free. So we fell in line, like everybody else who wanted to take advantage of the no-fee day. I, like everyone else --in my opinion-- was holding my breath for Juan Luna's Smile. I was not an art enthusiast, I actually know very little about visual arts. But since I've learned history from first grade to second year college, seeing the real Smile was a treat . And boy, I was not disappointed. I felt chills going down my spine as I looked at the  422 cm x 767.5 cm masterpiece. It was a magnificent piece of art. A sight to behold.
     National Museum houses lots and lots of equally breath-taking masterpieces like, the works of Hidalgo, Manansala and more. Check it out. Seriously.

The Smile is a painting by Filipino artist Juan Luna.  The painting was submitted by Luna to the Exposition  Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884,  where it garnered the first gold medal.

Rizal Park
     The last stop for our journey was historical Rizal Park Manila, known to locals as the Luneta. My parents used to take me here as a kid, I remember. I had so many fond memories here, but when malls took over Manila, I seem to have forgotten the beauty of  this place.
     Darkness had almost fallen when we arrived here, but we were able to take some photos of the two famous monuments. Then we bought some thing to eat, sat on the grass and enjoyed  the park like the rest of the locals.

     So, here we are, the curious wanderers braving the blazing heat of the sun in an attempt to re-discover our roots.  To re-learn what happened in the olden days and the people who made ​​such tremendous impacts in our lives. We are hungry students of life, commemorating the  historical sights that made ​​the capital city of the Philippines what is it today. 

PS

     Since I have the courage to call myself the dog fairy, it is only proper to post a picture of at least one dog I had the pleasure of meeting along the way.  So, meet tsu-tsu, a sweet little darling, playing with its beloved by their own version of snowboarding, without snow, somewhere in Baluarte de San Gabriel.

REGRET

REGRET

What should have been...
What might have been...
What could have been...
Stop toying with these possibilities, damn it.
Make a move. Swallow that stupid pride.
Put these words into action. Make them happen.
Do it now while you still have the chance.
You will not know the answer 'till you ask the question.
You will not know the result 'till you make the move.
Later might be a little too late.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
You wouldn't want to spend the rest of your life with regret keeping you company.
Regret is a bitch and ultimately, a capricious companion.
Regret will consume you alive.

TEARDROPS

TEARDROPS

I remember the pang of hurt that hit my gut.
I remember fighting back the tears that were threatening to escape my eyes.
I also remember when you look pitifully at me.
After all these times, I have not learned to let you go...
...and your memories.
You turned your back.
One by one, tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched you walk away from me... from my life.

INADEQUATE

INADEQUATE

I was with you in your lowest.
I loved you when you hated everything about yourself.
I was your pillar.
I was your strength.
I made sure I was everything you needed... and more.
But all I had, all I did was never enough.
I would always be  inadequate.

OPTIMISM

OPTIMISM

You were broken deep inside but not beyond repair.
In my heart of hearts, I believe I could fix you.

RAIN

RAIN

"Why do you love rain? Is it because of the rainbow after?"
"Not every rain is followed by a rainbow."
"Because it enables beautiful flowers to bloom?"
"Rain can also unroot a fragile flora in bloom."
"Then why?"
"For the same reason I love dogs, books, coffee, angels and you. I just do."

GOSSIP

GOSSIP

Remember, 
My truth is mightier than your lies.
And my pen is sharper than your tongue.

UNDONE

UNDONE

You said you were exhausted.
That fighting your inner-demon had taken all your strength.
You were about to give-up.
I came along.
You said you could beat them if I joined you in your battle.
You seek for my allegiance against your inner-struggle.
Blindfully, I obliged.
I fought them with you.
I fought them for you.
Until I realized I was the only one left fighting.
Because you had given up long before I came.

INNER-CHILD

INNER-CHILD

Someone once told me, "Do not let go of your inner-child. For in that child everything is possible."
It is the best advice someone has evear given me.
The one Ireligiously take heed of.
Once in a while, I invite my inner-child to come out and play.
The possibilities she sees are endless.
She sees wonder, and beauty wherever she looks, whatever she does, whoever she's with.
She feels life and gets excited with every thing.
She gives love, unconditiobnal, pure and with utmost sincerity.
For her, life is an adventure.
For her, love can't be restrained.
She needs to be free to find happiness.
She needs to find peace.
My energetic, naughty and sweet inner-child, I'm glad you never left my side.
You taught me so much.

ACCLIMATED

ACCLIMATED

"You look fine. You seem to have moved on."
"But I haven't. I just got used to living my life without you."

Love Boat Series: Waves of Passion (4/4)

Love Boat Series #4 : Waves of Passion

     Mula nang malipat si Adelaide sa Scion Bar at maka-trabaho ang ex-boyfriend niyang si Brian, pakiramdam niya ay naging miserable na siya. Wala na silang ginawa kundi magtalo. Hindi kasi ganoon kadali sa kanya na maging friendly rito dahil hanggang ngayon ay bitter pa rin siya sa naging break-up nila--yes, kahit pa siya ang dahilan niyon.
     She hated herself for hurting him. Natanggap na ein niyang hindi talaga siya ang nararapat kay Brian. Kailangan nalamang niyang ipakita na galit siya rito. Pero napapagod na siyang magalit... and she's missing him a lot...

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Love Boat Series: Cabin Fever (3/4)

Love Boat Series #3 : Cabin Fever

     "Kasalanan ko ba kung bakit nag-fall apart ang friendhip natin?" untag ni Erixelle kay Keith.
     Tiningnan siya nito. "Siguro. Dahil masyado mong ginasgas ang salitang 'curiosity'."
     "Ginasgas ko?" kunwa ay na-offend na tugon ng dalaga.
     "Tama bang halikan mo ako dahil lang na-curious ka?"
     "Ano bang nirereklamo mo, eh, gumanti ka rin naman ng halik?" aniya. "In some ways, curious ka din sa akin."
     Tumawa ito at malokong ngumiti. "So, did i satisfy your curiosity?"
     Parang hindi niya yata kayang sagutin iyon, lalo pa ngayong wala nang ibang babae sa eksena at sigurado na siya sa sariling higit sa curiosity ang ginigising ng binata sa damdamin niya, at iyon ay repressed desire na...

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Love Boat Series: Fling Overboard (2/4)

Love Boat Series #2 : Fling Overboard

     Feeling adventurous, sinubukan ni Ava na i-reinvent ang sarili dahil siya mismo ay na-bo-bore sa personality niya. Noon niya nakilala si John Paul sa siyudad ng Rotterdam. Marami siyag nalaman tungkol sa sarili. Tulad ng pang-karaniwang babae, may romantic side din pala siya. Kaya siguro na-in love siya kaagad sa bagong kakikilala pa lamang na binata.

  Pero natatakot siyang ipakilala rito ang tunay niyang sarili dahil baka hindi nito magustuhan ang totoong Ava na boring at hindi 'passionate' gaya ng pagkakakilala nito.         Balak na sana niyang kalimutan ang kalokohan niya, pero noon naman niya nalamang sakay rin si JP ng cruise ship na sinakyan niya.

     Atubili man, mukhang hindi pa tapos ang fling nila...

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Love Boat Series: Heartbreaker Aboard (1/4)

    

Love Boat Series #1 : Heartbreaker Aboard

     Nais ni Lia na makilala nang lubos si Tyronne, pero hindi siya sigurado kung gusto niyang maging emotionally attached sa binata. Naguguluhan siya. Isang bahagi ng isip niya ay natutuwa sa atensyong ibinibigay nito, pero ang isang parte naman ay natatakot na ibigay dito ang buong pagtitiwala. Tama ba ang ginagawa niya? In all honesty, she is risking everything just so they could date. Tiyak na masisisante siya bilang bartender sa cruise ship sa oras na madiskubreng nakikipagkita siya sa isa nilang pasahero.

     Ngunit kahit alam niyang napakalaki ng kanyang isinusugal, may bahagi ng pagkatao ni Lia ang handang harapin ang kahihinatnan ng kalokohang iyon--pangit man o maganda ang resulta...

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Fashionista Series: Gizelle (4/4)

     

Fashionista Series #4 : GIZELLE

    Hindi na kaya ni Gizelle ang magkunwari pa. "Just for the record, Bradley, I like you, too."

     "I can hear a 'but' coming," sagot nito.

     "I'm not into commitment," matapat niyang sabi.

  His brows met. "Why? Hindi ba kayong mga babae ang madalas na nagpupursigi ng commitment sa isang relasyon?"

     Nagkibit siya ng balikat. "I guess I'm different."

Ilang sandali itong natahimik habang nakatitig sa kanya. "So, ano'ng gusto mong mangyari?"

     "Let's have an open relationship."

    Namilog ang mga mata ni Bradley. Hindi nito inasahan na ang tinagurian nitong 'angel' ay magsa-suggest ng ganoon...

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Fashionista Series: Sasha (3/4)

Fashionista Series #3 : SASHA

     "Don't get married. I will be the one to marry you. I want you to be my wife and the mother of my children."

     Iyon ang pangakong binitawan ni Vincent noon bago pa man ito tumulak patungong Canada. Iyon din ang pangakong pinanghawakan ni Sasha sa loob ng mahabang panahon; ang dahilan kaya kahit naabot na niya ang mga pangarap, career-wise ay malungkot pa rin ang buhay niya.

     Pero muli lang nitong dinurog ang puso niya nang bumalik ito. May anak na pala si Vincent--meaning, nag-asawa na ito. In short, sinayang lang ni Sasha ang matagal na panahong hinintay niya ito. Sabihin man nitong mahal pa rin siya nito, ano pa ang silbi niyon ngayon?

  

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Fashionista Series: Bennet (2/4)

    

Fashionista Series #2 : BENNET

     Pareho ng trabaho sina Bennet at Dean: ang tulungan ang kinakapatid niyang si Nikki na magkaroon ng 'attitude makeover'. Hiniling ng kanyang ninong na tulungan niya ang spoiled brat nitong anak, at si Dean naman ang counselor ng nakababatang babae.

     Dahil sa mga 'trabaho' nila, napadalas ang pagkikita nilang dalawa. At hindi man nila inaasahan, nauwi sa pag-iibigan ang relasyon nila at naging mas bearable para kay Bennet ang ginagawang pagtulong kay Nikki.

     Pero nasubok nang husto ang sinseridad nilang tulungan ang babae nang mismong si Dean ang hingin ng kinakapatid sa kanya...

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Fashionista Series: Andrea (1/4)

    

Fashionista Series #1 : ANDREA

     Halik ang ginawang pang-welcome ni Pierre sa kababatang si Andie nang muli niya itong makita matapos ang maraming taon. May utang itong kiss sa kanya noon at gusto lang niya itong gulatin kaya ginawa niya iyon.

     Hindi niya inaasahan na mag-ba-backfire ang plano niya. Ngayon, sa halip na tingnan si Andie bilang childhood friend niya, mayroon na siyang ibang naiisip--mga kaisipang hindi dapat at may kahalong malisya...

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MISTAKE

MISTAKE

In that place, at that moment... every single memory came flashing back and I died a thousand times all over again.
I thought I was fine.
I thought I had learned to live around the gaping hole created by your absence.
I thought wrong.