In Our Possession: The Pinatubo Crater Lake

by CHARMAINE CORTEZ-ABUEVA

Eight in the morning of a steamy resplendent day with my husband Daryl Abueva, Uncle Romy Abueva, a tourist guide and a boatman, we got to the other side of this magnificent looking Pinatubo Crater Lake!  It would have been a sin not to indulge in the turquoise waters of the lake. It's amazing how we had to avoid patches of boiling water by the shore, then chill upon thermocline as we swam a little further.

Notice in the photo that we had the entire lake all to ourselves (READ: nobody else was with our group, we owned the lake!). Troops of tourists only started to arrive on our boat trip back.

We totally enjoyed this day trip. From the one and a half hours of 4x4 rough ride, to the manageable 15-minute trek, onto our reward, the breathtaking view of the Pinatubo Crater Lake! I am so impressed at how the beautiful Pinatubo Park is maintained. Trash bins are located everywhere it would be a shame to litter.

I would also like to commend our driver and tour guide, who shared with us some interesting stories about this destination. (Long and short of it, you should come during the perfect weather summer months, and make sure there's no typhoon. And oh, come early like we did. Be at the Pinatubo Wellness Center by 5:30am. Seriously!) Our tour guide was so skillful and quick to assist on our trek up and down. They're so decent that even if we intended to give them a tip, we never felt them ask for gratuities.

I'd be very happy to return to this place. But this time, I must not miss the volcanic mud spa and massage at the Wellness Center. That alone should be just as inviting!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Formerly a supply chain corporate executive, Charmaine is currently a full-time mother to her unica-hija turning three on July. She is a part-time supply chain consultant, as well as, a business partner of husband Daryl (who took all the wonderful pictures!) on outdoor advertising business (refer below for the contact information).

Loving every minute of being a full-time mom, she says, "It's a delight for me to be with my daughter in her kinder music and swimming classes, and I am excited to take her to junior nursery classes this coming June."  

Fuming with energy, she scuba dives with husband, sister and friends. "We love spontaneous trips!" (the pinatubo trip was one of them :)

Every mother and wife deserves an alone-time.  When this time calls, Charmaine practices bikram yoga -- a series of yoga poses done in a heated room.   Is this why she is looking forward to returning to Pinatubo with the volcanic mud spa? That is another story in the making...

ADVERTISING ASSOCIATES, INC.
EMAIL             charmaine.cortezabueva@yahoo.com
MOBILE          0917-8622028
TELEPHONE   5025991
WEBSITE         http://aai1947.livejournal.com/

Photos courtesy of Daryl Abueva

My Own LIttle World: Pahiyas 2010

by VIDA KALINGASAN

May 15, 2010. My friends and I went to Lucban, Quezon to experience the famous Pahiyas Festival. Meet up time was at 4am at McDonald’s Q. Ave. With only 3 hours of sleep, we boarded the bus and were off to Quezon by 4.30am. The trip was organized by NATURE AWARENESS & CONSERVATION CLUB, Inc.

Almost everyone was asleep throughout the trip. I guess the traffic in SLEX, due to the fire in Alabang, was a blessing in disguise since it gave us more sleeping time.

By 9.30am, we were already wandering the streets of Lucban. The very first house we saw was the grandest one. The whole wall was decorated. It had giant statues up to miniature figurines. I was in so much awe and thought “hey, these people really prepare for this festival!”

While walking the streets I noticed these really colorful leaf shaped things, stuck in a barbeque stick on a griller. It’s called Kiping. Apparently, it’s a delicacy made from rice flour. We did not get the chance to try it but I heard someone say it tastes like rice crispies. They use this to decorate the houses too.

After experiencing Lucban, we had lunch at Majayjay and shot photos at the church. We were there for about an hour and a half and then we were headed for Liliw.

In Liliw, we were given halo-halo for snacks and we went around a bit to shop for shoes. Liliw is famous for footwear. They’re really cheap compared to the prices back in Manila. Unfortunately, I was not able to buy any since I got pissed off at the salesman. He wasn’t accommodating!  We were at Liliw for half an hour and the last stop was the sunken cemetery. It closes at 4pm so we were just able to take pictures outside the wrought iron gate.

We were off to Manila by 5.30pm and got home at midnight. Traffic was really bad in Laguna.

It was my first time to experience Pahiyas. It was a verrrrryyy tiring day, yes, but it was fun! I am proud to be a Filipino. We are blessed with a rich culture, nice people, and a lot of historical sites. We have a whole history behind us. I will surely make it a point to visit other festivals. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to know the history and culture of my country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Vida loves travelling.  She will take you to those places at  http://vids05.blogspot.com/
 




Photos courtesy of  Dyan Hermogenes and NACCI members

Planting a Seed

A couple of months ago, i planted some marigold seeds. Every single day, with no fail, i watered them. Weeks passed, with no sight of growth, i continuously irrigate them until that special milestone -- pea-like leaves sprouted from the organic soil.

It's like feeling the first-kick of a baby in the womb. There was excitement. There was unsound joy. The seed turn into leaves... from the leaves to bud... to the first bloom of flower. The marigold seed finally gave birth to a flower!  (see below for the medicinal value of marigold)

Planting in Sports

Planting a seed in sports for me mean committing to a regular time (experts recommend 5 days a week) for training, picking the right coach that suits the skill requirement (and preferably someone who bagged trophies) that will mentor me by teaching the techniques, surrounding myself with buddies or a support group that will test and push my limit (people realize that they can do more or perform better when they have a trainer or support group). 

Say, in running long distance, one does not register to a 42k race any time he wants and hope that everything will turn out good, finishing the race without injury.  Like planting a seed one does not just throw a seed and hope that it will grow to a tree.  It needs preparation --identify a place by considering the amount of space, sunlight, soil; prepare the pot/garden by ridding off weeds; scheduling the watering etc. 

Depending on the level of fitness, ideal preparation for marathon is 3 months --this is what our coach in the running clinic prescribed.  A plan is laid out in progressing the speed, distance, fitness level.  We were taught correct form and tempo (pace) to run better/faster, what to eat at what time (pre/during/post), hydration, running gear...  I want to join a FREE running clinic - Click me!

Planting as Investment

Do I just throw my money to a financial institution without checking it's legality, it's credibility, it's performance?  Or do I need to do my homework of learning about investment, placing my money or asset to the right financial instrument?  Do I know how money works? Do you know Albert Einstein's rule of investment?  I want to know more from certified financial consultants - Click me!

Planting for Noynoy

Noynoy's parents, the former Ninoy Aquino and President Corazon Aquino, planted the seed of leadership on Noynoy and planted charisma, trust for their son to Filipino voters.  Now, the fruit of their labor brought reality to the winning presidentiable.

How will I plant a seed of growth for my physical, financial, social health?

About Marigold Plant

Resource: http://www.nutrition-info.com/herbs/herbs-marigold.php

Benefits: Anti-inflammatory. Antiseptic. Astringent. Anti-fungal. Antispasmodic (alleviates spasms and cramps). Detoxifying. Lymphatic deobstructant. Prevents haemorrhaging.
Indications: Sunburn. Bruises. Cuts & scratches. Stings & swellings. Swollen lymph glands, mumps. Sore throat. Pelvic congestion. Infections and inflammations in general. Athlete’s foot. Prevents period pains. Varicose veins, chapped skin and thrush.

Boracav: Boracay of Cavite

Boracay, renowned for its powdery, talcum-fine white sand said to be one of the finest in the world,  is a model of comparison for beaches.  It has set a standard on what a desirable beach embodies.  A beach takes pride in being claimed a Boracay family.  There is the "Boracay of the North" and the "Boracay of the South."  Last weekend, for an outing, me, my family and friends adventured "Boracay of Cavite," a marine base, with beach recently opened to the public. 

Lead by the kids, the family was ecstatic to encounter Boracay of Cavite.  All prepared with boat, bouy, kite, beach pail and shovels and not to miss the food (and sunblock)!  Going, we did not feel the three-hour ride from Manila. The drive was mostly on smooth, paved road punctuated with sharp turns and series of uphill and downhill.  In the base premises, there were wild birds and animals that veered the kids' attention away from dizziness of riding on zigzag.  And somewhere, from the top, we had a peek of the beach that wowed us.  Crystal white sand with teal water nestled in between hills in a horseshoe shape. By that sight, the kids got ready to splash into the water by wearing sunblock.

At the cottage, we literally dropped our bags, inflated the boat and the bouy, grabbed the beach toys and ran to the water!  The pictures speak of fun... of fun... and  more of it...

After fun, came panic because we were intruded by schools of jellyfish.  The water is getting warmer (which jellyfish love) and the kids are just getting warmed-up so who wants to leave the water?  Unfortunately, time came to get a shower and a "sub-standard" bathroom was there to welcome us -- used shampoo bottles, packets, and even clothes were all around the floor.  By the looks of it, there is nobody maintaining the area.  But that is no excuse to dispose of our trash anywhere we want!  What has happened to Discipline, Orderliness, Good-acts of Filipinos?!

Malcolm Gladwell author of Tipping Point book argued that disorderliness can lead to crime.  How?  Take the Broken Window theory that explains "If a window is open, and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge.  Soon, more windows will be broken, and the sense of anarchy will spread from the building to the street on which it faces, sending a signal that anything goes." With the experiment done in New York in the height of crime in the 1980s, it was proven that basic ignoring of graffitis encourage people to perform more serious crimes.  The city averaged 2,000 murders and 600,000 serious felonies a year. By starting to clean graffitis, the crimes declined enormously to the point of making New York as the safest big city in the United States. The Philippines can also achieve that!

It's odd to look at disorderliness in a marine base camp which should be promoting otherwise...  Where to start? Let's put into practice the broken window theory, what do you think?

Preparing to go home, the sound of Marines marching, chanting sent us off ...  The marine soldiers were doing their daily routine of physical training as a group learning combat techniques with the ultimate aim of fighting for our country.  Today, after casting our ballots, we, the lay will continually fight for justice and freedom.  Can we rely on the soldiers for this much bigger cause or will they be locked up in chains by their commander's selfish motives?  Like we who swam in the base beach was stung by thimble jellyfish  -- Ouch!  (more about jellyfish, seabather's eruption below)

Seabather's Eruption:  Sea bather's eruption is a rash, which affects the bathing suit-covered areas of the skin, rather than exposed areas, after swimming in the sea infested by thimble jellyfish.  If you feel an itch and/or tingling sensation, take off your swimsuit in a sea without jellyfish, wash-off, pat-dry then change clothes.  From medical references: Do not rub the affected areas with towels or hands as that could cause additional stinging. An immediate rinse with fresh water, vinegar or other solutions may actually cause additional stinging from larvae clinging to your skin or clothes.  Click on the seabather's eruption link to learn more about treatment and proper washing of infected suit.

Have fun in the water this summer but be safe!   Jellyfish love the warm water so stay away from it at a single sight of a jellyfish and during extremely hot time.