Roommates

Talamban

Sandy and Glen were roommates. In their double-deck, Glen occupy the lower bunk, Sandy the upper bed. One night I was sitting on the outside bench in front of their room. Through the window, I caught them totally absorbed in their reading. Glen was leafing through the bible, Sandy was checking out the centerfold of a Playboy magazine. He felt himself before reaching the switch for lights out. I stifled a laugh. By now they were mere silhouettes. Glen was momentarily immobile unsure of what to do. He eventually closed the good book and laid down.

Tomatoes

Mount Malindang

In this 3-day trek, we passed by a tomato plantation. Ripe tomatoes cling to little stalks, while others fell rotting on the ground. I took some and munch on them as we continued walking. They were fresh and sweet and crunchy. I have eaten a dozen already when I felt nauseated. My sweat was cold, and I was salivating. My stomach suddenly had a mind of its own. Within minutes, I was uncontrollably throwing up, hunched, as the guys sat on rocks, laughing at this tomato-glutton! That day, I vowed not to eat tomatoes, ever!

Tower Of Terror

Orlando

My Florida trip was a time to reconnect with bosom buddies Reno and Rey. It was also a time to visit Disney Land! While the others fancy the Honey I Shrunk The Audience thriller, we trooped towards the Hollywood Tower Of Terror for a scary ride to The Twilight Zone! We were shouting like crazy and we came out laughing like there’s no tomorrow. I think we were the noisiest little big men in that group because the others asked us, “Was it your first time?” To their delight we replied with a big, “Yeeees!”

Dallas Airport

Texas

We grabbed a bite from a deli, which was a distance away from the boarding gate. Here we saw men donning cowboy outfits and funny accents. I was not sure if they really were. But this was Texas, and it was prudent to assume they just came out from a rodeo. I suddenly craved for my own cowboy getup and fancied myself lassoing, calf-roping and steer-wrangling.

As we munched on hamburgers, we forgot time until our names blurted out from the airport’s loudspeakers. We ran as fast we could to the gate like our lives depended upon it.

Surfing In The Rain

La Union

Despite the gloomy weather, we were out surfing in the rain. As we sit on the surfboard, raindrops exploded into little droplets that bounced off the surface causing white mist. It enveloped the sea, which, at the time, was as warm as morning piss. It was a pleasant contrast to the cold rain.

Then a set came. We paddled. And rode in the haze.

Mangroves

Olango Island

On the edges are coconut islets, protected from strong waves by a wall of mangroves, which are important spawning grounds of various fish species. Juveniles stay here until they mature and venture out to coral reefs, and the open sea. Unfortunately these natural wave breakers and sanctuaries are threatened by illegal cuttings. Their trunk and limbs make for sturdy skeletal house framework, fences and even dirty kitchen fuel.

Having without alternatives coupled with crippling poverty, some locals become active participants of this environmental carnage, while others silently tolerated this destruction. Unbeknownst to them, the peril is also their own. 

Strawberry Fields Forever

Salinas

Let me take you down where I’m goin to strawberry fields…. I was stoking fire for barbecue when I smelled it. I turned around –strawberries, just over the fence. The plant is just a foot or so high and the berries hang in tiny stalks crawling close to the ground. I picked the first and popped in my mouth. It was fragrant and sweet. I picked some more filling my pockets to overflowing. I walked around with the wind on my face. I scanned the horizon where the fields disappear. Ah, strawberry fields forever.

Hawk

Surigao

While waiting for our ride we lazed around the ship. It was a majestic morning clothed in pastel colored skies reflected on calm seas. A brown hawk with black wingtips circled, riding the air stream with nary a beat of its wings. It was flying low against the backdrop of the breaking sun.

Sanctuary Reef

Lanuza

As the waves reluctantly backwashed, the rock reef front peeked, warning any jackass not to push diving. Armageddon would have come crashing down on us through the waves, and onto the reef! I always thought any day to be fair day for scuba diving, but not today. Ma Nature says so!

Bellagio

Las Vegas

Bellagio for me is the definitive Las Vegas image. It is grand. It is stunning. It is awesome! As the music starts, the fountains start to rise, and sway, then shoot up a hundred feet into the air. Your eyes, ears and skin are filled with the sight, sound, splash and spray of huge fountains highlighted by neon lights and Josh Groban’s singing.