Yimou’s Tribute to Young Women with Great Courage and Inner Strength

Walking through the movie "The Road Home" by Chinese director Zhang Yimou about a mountain village girls' developing relationship with a visiting teacher, it reminds you of extended stays in Mount Pulag in Decembers.

While the movie is on Asian woman with great courage and inner strength, the setting in "China's unbridled beauty, long plain, lush grasslands, young forest" combined with a simple story and uncomplicated lives bring out successfully these virtues we need these days.

Mountaineers, or even excursionists can be engrossly involved in The Road Home. Like the central character Zhao Di, we can relate. We manage to live simply with water, basic food, a focused goal, committed relationships. With the mountain as the base, we just walk and walk and walk. Courage and strength show up when we face obstacles, not giving up until we reach our goal. After every adventure, ultimately we trace back to the road home, our jump offs, homes and families.

Catch this award winning movie in your local theaters. I saw it at Megamall Preview Room 8 November 2000. Tochs.

Diana Ong's Review

Beautiful photography coupled with lilting music tell a simple and touching love story between a teacher and a bold village lass in The Road Home.

The movie starts in bleak black-and-white when narrator Luo Changyu is called home from the city for his father's funeral. Back at home in Sanhetun, a secluded Chinese village in the mountains, he's faced with a thorny problem. His mother wants men to carry his father's corpse back to the village on foot (a time-honoured tradition) so that his father's soul knows the road home.

But more importantly, his mother wants to take one last walk with his father on the road that has marked the beginning of their love. The problem is that all young and able-bodied men have long left the village for the glittering city life and there is no one to carry out the tradition.

Just when they may have to resort on dragging the corpse back on a tractor, Changyu recalls the old story of how his parents met. And at this point the movie explodes in warm, glorious colors in great contrast to the bleak, dull picture painted for us so far.

Flashback: it is 1958 and village beauty Zhao Di is smitten with the new lanky teacher who just came in from the city - Luo Yusheng. Nursing her secret passion, the young lass cleverly schedules her daily habits around Mr Luo's life. Her labours of love include taking the long route to the well near the school in order to hear him teach, and waylaying him on the mountain roads. Such dedicated efforts do not go unnoticed but just as Mr Luo seems to reciprocate, he is whisked away by the Chinese government.

Zhang Ziyi lends credibility to her role as the bold and obstinate Zhao Di who waits for her beloved to return in a raging snow-storm. Like in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Ziyi defies social conventions to get what she wants and keeps her vulnerability intact at the same time. It's a graceful re-enactment of director Zhang Yimou's favourite film character - the Asian woman with great courage and inner strength (Ju Dou, The Story of Qiu Ju).

Director Zhang Yimou appears to have sidetracked somewhat from his earlier and more political works, The Road Home has political overtures but they resonate only faintly in the film. Instead, film art takes top priority as Zhang turns this simple love story into highly enjoyable cinematography. He takes us on a poignant and slow exploration of China's unbridled beauty - large plains, lush grasslands, young forests - and some of her antiquated trades - pottery-mending and sewing on looms.

This tour de force is as much a touching love story as a documentary on the old Chinese village life and both aspects are a joy to watch. If you are a Zhang Yimou or Zhang Ziyi fan, you will not be disappointed with The Road Home.

Remembering Tapulao 1999

Pulag in Zambales

TJ was intrigued when someone mentioned High Peak to him sometime 1998. He remembered the mountain. He was due to climb it in October 1998 with his one and only patient friend but the intention did not take off. TJ asked me to research on it. I gave him Paul Soliman's* inputs 5 February 1999 and Ninoy Leyran's. Slowly, more helpful developments unfolded like meeting new trekkers at PAL, bonding socially with the Federation participants and reading the Action Asia Adventure Guide reference. As the image of the mountain became clearer so was our completion. 8 months later, 13 of us were among the privileged few to have lived the Cordilleras in the Central Plain. Those short 12 hours when we were at an altitude of beyond 1,200m ASL, up to 2,037m ASL, we felt we were the only mortals in the big block of a range. We were secure with Manong taking care of us at the bunkhouse at 1,650m ASL. In front of us at the East were the formidable three long mountain ranges. How can we deny that feeling of detachment when we trekked for 8 long hours from Dampay Resettlement Camp in Salaza, Palauig Zambales, travelled by bus for 4 hours from Pasay and jeep by an hour to reach this almost level of nirvana?

Hermes who was not in the email string was most surprised at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal to find out this is not his idea of a fun climb. It was an exploration climb-no one has actually seen the place and it was a major climb, demanding as much as his favorite mountain, Mayon. He could not reconcile the presentation of a weekend fun climb with an 8-hour trek under adverse conditions. End result-puñeta at the loudest decibel in every corner of the rocky road. His adventure was beyond physical as well. It harbored on the paranormal. Hermes alleged that his cell roommate Manong was on a blood sucking spree at 3 AM disrupting his much needed sleep.

Jo Ram was atoning for his sins in the true Catholic fashion. He was on fasting and abstinence since Friday night. He skipped 1.) dinner Friday night because he wanted to be on time at the bus terminal sacrificing his meal, 2.) breakfast because he didn’t want to compromise his vegetarian belief and there was no food to his liking at the public market, 3.) lunch because he would rather sleep than eat and the sudden downpour pushed us to go on, 4.) dinner because he would rather stay horizontal than vertical, 5.) lunch because he thought everyone was way ahead of him. He nearly missed breakfast as he preferred to scale the peak than to mind the kitchen but the tempting ampalaya con egg of Larry was too irresistible to overcome.

While Jo was in atonement, Regie was in hell. Not from the persistent probing and counter probing of TJ but from a physically dis-ability. Regie was nursing a fever all the way from Pasay terminal to Caloocan terminal. You have to grant it to this hardcore climber who will pull it through no matter what! But did he survive Metro Manila this week?

Mt. Tapulao, Zambales

This two-day trek brings you to the highest point in the Zambales Range, 2,037-m ASL. Safe and easily accessible, it retains a remote feel. The views are exceptional and the trail takes you through a number of distinct ecosystems, from lowland grass and scrubland up through pine forest to stunted, moss-draped alpine forest above 1800 m. It is possible to hike this in a day, but most prefer to camp in the summit.

Mt. Tapulao (most maps simply call it "High Peak") rises at the center of the rugged Zambales Range, a string of mountains bordered on the west by the South China Sea and on the east by the Central Luzon plain. Mt. Tapulao is one of the few remaining areas where these ancient mountains can be viewed in their original state. No permit is required, but a brief call at the provincial tourism office in Iba is recommended. From Iba, buses and jeepney run north to the next town, Palauig, where you can take a tricycle or jeep to Barrio Salasa and then on to the top of the trails at Dampay resettlement area. There is only one trail, which is well marked, so no guide is necessary. If you want one anyway, make arrangements in Dampay.

From Salasa, the trail runs along small freshwater streams through fields of grass, shrubs and wildflowers. The first peak offers an excellent view of the coast. The trail continues on to a second peak, connected to the main summit by a narrow saddle, with deep-forested ravines on either side. Approaching the main peak, pass through the pine forest known locally as Tapulao, and enter a large area of stunted, twisted trees. Beyond this lies a broad expanse of grass that's great for camping. Bring all the water you'll need.

Robert Houston, Action Asia Adventure Travel Guide To The Philippines (Hong Kong: AAP Limited, February 1999)

*Paul is with Haribon Foundation, a UP graduate who I met in Pulag December 1993. It was my first alpine climb and Paul's first climb together with his high school graduates from Bautista, Pangasinan. The problem was there was storm at the mountain and the high school graduates were closed to being disabled due to lack of equipment and troublesome weather.

-------------------------

Subject: Re: Some notes on High Peak

Hey Chits,

Mukhang umikot ng husto yung tula ko, ah. Pati si Reggie nakapagdagdag pa ng ilang linya. Pinag-isipan ko yung paggawa ng international version. Pero wala pa. Ikaw kaya ang i-commission ko para sa translation. English version - para sa mga Inglisero/Inglisera.  Putonghua - para naman sa Mandarinero/Mandarinera.

Allow me to shift tongues. I tried recalling the topic highlights of the late night Tapulao talk show. And here it is:

a.    The makings of an ideal climb. What is important is the process and not the peak. Enjoyment of what you see along the way.

b.   What is considered as less than ideal people to be with during climbs. You can climb with women but not with women who are out there to outperform you simply to prove themselves.

c.    Unique social habits of local climbers from a foreign perspective.

d.   Trekking tips.

e.    Climbing with loved ones. Great so long as you share the same interest.

f.     Climbing as a way of life.

g.    Discipline in the wilderness.

h.   Environmental awareness/ethics.

In the hastily staged press conference at the campsite socials, he revealed most valuable insights that I know most of us will treasure: “What is important is the Process and Not the Peak.” The process is your enjoyment of the trek, the company you’re with, nature and your discovery about yourself.

Other insights revealed were: 1.) It is enjoyable to climb with a relationship so long as you share the same interests. 2.) The women that I don’t like climbing with are those who show that they can be stronger than men. His wildest input was to direct Regie to the veterinarian.

Chits, I tried remembering what precisely Martin said. Unfortunately, all that cold mountain air purged these data from my memory banks. I can recall his basic thrust or idea. But, I may just be giving you a convoluted version. In this respect, I'd like to beg off not to go through with it for the sake of accuracy.

O, sige.

Cheers, JOJO

Professional Advice:

1.   Val, the beginning starts with a single step. Enter into the info system profession and start working.

2.   Jojo, project your 3 year plan and see where you want to bring your career.

3.   Hermes, ride on the crest of the internet popularity. Get into info system, web designing.

4.   Mitch, project your 3 year plan and see where you want to bring your career-whether local or international

5.   TJ, get off your ass, finish your schooling and ride on the crest of the info system

6.   Chito, plan your retirement

August 8, 1999

Remembering Tapulao 13
http://tochs.blogspot.com/2003/12/tue-mar-20-2001-850-pm-remembering.html

Inspire kindness and pay it forward

Kindness and generosity of relatives and friends. Inspire kindness and pay it forward.

Those are the reserves that get me by when faced with quasi crisis.

When I am faced with a critical task to do within a limited time, resources indeed show up to support my game plan to make me face today and tomorrow with optimism.

This has worked for me. And I intend to snowball this by extending kindness and generosity to others that I meet.

Originally written May 2013. Reposted Jan 2018

The universe has an abundance of situations for me to apply kindness and generosity.

When we brought Lolo to The Medical City to treat his traumatized knee cap at the Emergency Room Monday morning, we were followed by a group of young professionals still in their sleeping casual outfits entering hysterically.

They were in a panic bringing in a colleague from the Home Depot dorm who they thought was in a state of “bangungot,” or “sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.” He did not wake up on the usual waking hour. When a dorm mate saw him in his bed, he was in a convulsion. 

The trainees from IBM wasted no time in bringing him to TMC ER. There was a commotion at the ER from the group as the patient has no next of kin in the company. Crucial decisions had to be made. In his critical condition, they have to inform his next of kin who happened to be based in Sorsogon in Bicol. The doctor attending to the patient wanted to give an update only to the relative. This led further panic from the group numbering about 12.

One of the colleagues with a presence of mind was able to get a list of relatives from his address book. The person contacted gave a cell phone number of immediate relatives in Sorsogon with a Smart network prefix. Unfortunately, no one had an access to a Smart provider. As I was stationed beside them with Lolo, I asked the caller to dictate the phone number and punched it in my cellphone.

I gave my phone to the caller who handed it to the doctor inside the critical area. The next of kin was contacted with the competent doctor guiding the next of kin on the seriousness of situation.

After the conversation which took some time, the tension of the group eased a little bit. Soon after, he returned my phone. Without words coming out, I read in the formation of his lips two words. “Thank you.”

In hours, we were discharged from the ER. What happened to the young professional, I was no longer privy to but my hope was it was not traumatic for all.

I am appreciative of situations where I can be of help and service to others while I myself am facing a quasi-crisis situation. When I do an act of kindness and generosity to unknowns, I am assured that of an invisible shield protects me assuring me that everything will be alright.

Ang Larawan post MFF 2017 awards night

"Ang Larawan," A Portrait of a Filipino as an Artist in Pilipino musical offers to the Filipino cinema audience a form of telling a story, in old fashioned Filipino opera musical.

It is not popular in today's entertainment which is predominated by romantic comedy, action, horror, drama, sex, comedy. Its theme is even elitist, a story of an aristocratic class set in landed class' domain in the early 40's. Thus it is not expected to draw a crowd.

Yet there are reasons and even compelling emotions for us to experience it at least in this decade. Plots are universal: family conflict over properties, sibling rivalry, career shift, hand to mouth existence, fashion, repressed love, aspirations.

Language is Filipino written to music by maestro Ryan Cayabyab, story by Nick Joaquin translated to Filipino by Rolando Tinio. Directed and staged by Loy Arcenas, production is outstanding to the smallest detail setting up for the seasoned, veteran and disciplined actors to essay their roles well.

Ang Larawan grabbed from Philstar

For the non theater goers, it takes a while get into the groove but once engaged you are hooked ready to receive the message of the writer whose work has been reviewed extensively competently by scholars and literature experts.

"Ang Larawan's" message from my perspective which is what a piece of fine literature attempts to convey is the pain and thrill of being human.

"Ang Larawan" is the Filipino artist's gift to the world. Bravo!

In 2018, Do with Enthusiasm

The 1 Jan 2018 homily at the Sta. Maria Della Strada parish on the feast of the Holy Family strikes a chord.

Thanks to WAM Company for the 2018 calendar

Facing 2018, one must look at what we do with enthusiasm, with zeal and energetic with what we do at home, at work, in our community and in dealing with family, friends, workers.

Enthusiasm is not just eagerness said the homilist explaining its etymology but doing "with God within us."

Happy new year!

Courage and Faith. Tenderness this 2017 Christmas

At the 2017 Simbang Gabi at the Gesu, I spotted on 3 separate nights senior managers of the Coca Cola company, colleagues who wielded policy influence. It triggered memories of the past where the season was driving revenues for the beverage company.

On the 8th night reflection, Fr. P. Pojol reminded us that in this season, amidst the darkness, there is "I" to flicker a light to dispel darkness and "us" to fire hope. When the "I" becomes "us", it sparks hope. Where tenderness will prevail and the mighty will fall.

Quoting Pope Francis' revolution of tenderness, I paraphrase, "What is tenderness? It is not a weakness, it is fortitude (courage in pain or misery), it is the path of solidarity, the path of humility. The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly. If you don't, your power will ruin you and you will ruin the other."

Such simple yet profound, relevant and powerful message in today's corporate and political landscape and on a personal level.

A fitting 9th mass ending the novena, Fr. Manoling Francisco expounded on Mary's virtues of courage and faith when she said to angel Gabriel, "Be it done to me according to thy word." She took the risk even if meant death by stoning and had faith believing without a doubt. She was Christ's bearer.

Closing the theme of "Lights for Peace and Hope," we are asked to be Christ bearers too, facing adversities with courage and faith. We can be the light of Peace and Hope.

The Ateneo Chambers Choir sung traditional Christmas songs with a professional prayerful touch closing the 2017 Simbang Gabi making us better prepared for the waiting for the promise of redemption to be delivered on Christmas day.

The homily and the singing already set us up for rejoicing and joy of Christmas.

2017 Simbang Gabi impels us to act to light for peace and hope.

Merry Christmas!

Automation as a game changer in local air travel

Those who have not travelled via commercial air for the past decades maybe disoriented to new ways of booking and flying. Platform on remote automation was the game changer.

Before, one needed to physically go to an airline ticketing office to see flight schedules, seat availability and to book a seat. Now one just does it online. But one has to have a credit or debit card with a security code and an active email address. Booking is done real time with the current rate on a first come first served. There are still a number of ticketing offices spread over the country but mostly only in the airports.

Rates fluctuate depending on the traffic, date and season. The closer to the flight date, the higher the rate.

Passenger patronage has increased so did new air travel destinations. Checks in lines at the airport are longer but operating hours are longer. There too are added ways to check in: using the internet or mobile phone for web check in or the check in kiosk at the airport. All check in processes are secured by a code where physically printed ticket is no longer necessary.

Boarding passes are bar coded and quickly scanned prior to boarding the plane. One has yet to present an ID for security reasons. Terminal fee is now incorporated in the cost reducing check in steps. In an instance, the service crew could identify who checked in but have not boarded the plane.

Security is more stringent. Scanners are installed to speed up the screening. At time sniffing dogs sniff at the luggage for contraband detections. Shoes, wallets, metallic objects, phones and belts are still to be separated from the body.

Flight changes are accommodated at a cost subject to seat availability and should be done hours before the booked schedule. Cost is adjusted based on the prevailing flight rate of the new schedule which is usually at a premium. System determines availability, rates and updates.

Flying distances are earned by the passenger to earn points for premium redemption. This is made possible through a unique identification enrollment. Services are likewise compartmentalized which can be customized at an added cost. One can opt not to check in a luggage, not have an in flight meal nor a premium seating. Food can be ordered in advance, customized and delivered at the designated seat of the passenger. Flight crew is prompted by the monitor.

Through google personalized for the user, departure and arrival times are prompted in the passengers Android phone. It even cites the airline for schedule not on time.

Lastly, because service is done following a routine, do not expect for a personalized service treatment. This is the trade off to a more efficient and safer air travel.

Happy and safe travel.

Sutukil in Butuan Surigao del Norte

The entire stretch of widened 11-kilometer Butuan-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan starting from the Bancasi airport to the city proper showcases everything that is in Butuan City of Agusan del Norte.

Modern malls, hotels, global fastfood chains, banks are within kilometer stretch at JC Aquino Avenue. and corner Jose Rosales Avenue.

Interspersed are regional food chains locally tagged as sutukil exclusive to the CARAGA region.

The nationally known food outlets as McDonald's, Jollibee, KFC, Chowking in spite their relatively premium prices in Region XIII are drawing the student and professional crowds.

Transients are more interested in food outlets unique to the region as Bo’s Coffee, Tuna Republik, Tatay’s Sutukil food Grill and Baron’s offering fresh beans, fish, meat at incredibly affordable cost.

These are enough reasons to come back to Butuan even with security threats publicly declared by the local residents. When there is an abundance of fresh food, who will revolt?

Climb Club

Right after arriving from Butuan City and a short stopover at the house, I speedily took the LRT-2 going to Recto to connect to LRT-1 Dorotheo Jose for my final destination, Padre Faura. Padre Faura is the gateway by foot to the Philippine Airlines building housed at the corner of Padre Faura and M. Adriatico.

This was neither to book a flight nor to ask for a refund but to attend an event, the PALMC 38th Christmas Party, my first Christmas party for the year.

This chain of transfers is enough to raise the adrenalin to set up what’s in store at the 4/F auditorium Saturday evening. Not for a climb but to see familiar faces and structures.

The building, in the mid 90’s was associated with mountaineering trainings, weekly, bi-monthly pre-climbs and post climbs and happy memories of camaraderie, adventure and trek to any point in the Philippines accessible or inaccessible via public transport.

This experience was created by the people behind the club mostly by company officers, pilots, in and off flight service staff, maintenance crew and its membership from non-PAL employees who had a passion for nature, travel and possibly escape.

In the program proper, the usual perennial issue was presented by President Ding, “the club has not grown, we have not recruited enough, there is no interest.”

“Is the club then dying, no longer relevant?" This prompted ex president Banny Hermanos to ask, "what’s happening at the climbing scene?”

Ding and Naldy candidly shared their experiences. The millennials are taking over. They go for short terms thus have no particular loyalties. They pay to climb which is through organized tours though not necessarily operated by trained and responsible leaders. They value selfies and real time updates. Pre climb, post climb and group activities don’t interest them. Neither do cooking, training nor team work. Millennial climbers go for immediate pleasures. They don’t care if you are left behind. And in moments of life and death, do not count on them.

But Ding jokingly admitted he associates himself with the young because they invigorate him and can keep pace with their energy.

Why do established clubs like UPM, AMCI and even MESAU continue to still be relevant? Because they are school based with an active new recruit process. AMCI on the other hand has a rigid training process like UPM.

PALMC at this point is neither a training club not a school org with patience for millennials. But it has a history, pioneering in some explorations, with an exclusive unexplored destinations. It has a base of membership that one can consider family who one can look up to cover and complement climbing skills, navigation, equipment need and planning. Most importantly, it has proven that members have a shared interest for nature and its value.

These are the challenges the 2018 Board Members are faced with. We wish them well.

• Can we transform into a club with a serious training program?
• Or do we appeal to millennials and convert the recreation into a money making venture?
• Or do we let is stay as is and allow it to fade out unnoticed?

It is a decision requiring a consensus and a strong will.

In the meantime on the side, Banny, Orwin and I were looking over the professionally photographed Everest Base Camp climb slides over rounds of imported beer appreciating and reminiscing the thoughts, angst, anger and thrill going through in our minds doing this milestone climb not many mountaineering clubs have done.

In the company of fellow mountaineers, Neil, Jojoy, Juno, Fabie, Prince, Daniel, Francis and Elvie, John (via text message), Dom and Sheryl (and their children) and others too many to mention at PAL 4/F Auditorium, we see the hall, the site of action in the 70’s to the 90’s, old and dilapidated, archaic and not modern but still functional. Like the club, the foundation is still there, the spirit alive but needing some boosting to make it still relevant this decade.

Whatever direction the club takes, it has for most members already explored new avenues, deepened appreciation for nature and established true friendship through thick and thin. For that, we are grateful.

Cauayan in Isabela

My recollection of Isabela in Cagayan Valley relative to the 4 other provinces in Region 2 is it ranks next to Cagayan in terms of progress, income and development. It still is but a lot has changed since then.

As Tuguegarao is the regional center, Isabela is a pass through access with Vizcaya the gateway from Central Luzon and National Capital Region.

Landlocked, access to the region from the South and the center is via the Pan Philippines national highway. Via air, both Tuguegarao and Cauayan have landing infrastructure but air traffic is still heavier in Tuguegarao. The 150 kilometer stretch of Cagayan River which spans across all the provinces from Nueva Vizcaya to Cagayan has still to be tapped as a vehicle for water surface mass transport.

In the immediate past decades, Santiago in Isabela has emerged as a bustling city establishing it as the center of commerce, education, government and entertainment in central Cagayan Valley. With the development of Santiago, so did the other town Cauayan which is about 45 minutes and 45 kilometers away towards the upper North.

Cauayan though with a modest share of growth has not prospered as fast as Santiago. SM Cauayan opened along the highway in 2014, the 1^st SM mall in the region. Several national based fast food chains, boutique hotels, private and public institutions and concept restaurants have sprouted in the original commercial center and emerging business centers.

As a 3^rd class municipality, the town’s appeal lies in the preservation of old wooden structures, a laid back lifestyle with the convenience of services of urban necessities as telecom, entertainment and national and international cable signals.

Church bells early dawn Our Lady of Pillar Parish resonate within hearing range of the entire poblacion. Haircut is still done the old-fashioned way, in an on premise ventilated by ceiling fans and an unobstructed frontage door at the calle commercio. Chairs are cushioned not with foam but with an organic fiber which swivels and tilts when maneuvered by the barber mostly from Palanan Isabela. Meat roasting at the commercial center is done in the pedestrian lane fanned manually and slowly by the cook.

Unhurriedly, modern facilities are emerging like hotels, restaurants, large store groceries, banks and fast food chains. Yet even with these, the municipality is still predominantly provincial, the old Cauayan we are familiar with decades ago. Carnivals and mobile ferias and tiangge are housed in the centro near the town halls during the fiesta month.

It is this unhurriedness that is a welcome respite to travelling urban warrior who is forced to slow down from the fast paced urban city lifestyle. You know you have slowed down when you cover the entire centro from North to South, East to West in a less than 30 minute walk.

Savor the moment while it lasts.

Revisiting Iloilo

Working for a transnational advertising agency handling Pepsi Cola, we launched the new generation talents in a concert in Iloilo in the 80’s to support the Michael Jackson global campaign. It was one of the biggest and successful concerts of the decade. Center was at the city proper and the main roads connecting the 7 districts.

 Close to 40 decades after, arriving in the city via plane at the international airport in Cabatuan Iloilo, I was led to the same city not passing through bridges and riverside but in a stretch of 17 kilometer diversion road.

Before revealing its historic districts, centro and heritage sites, it previewed a cluster of modern center showcasing boutique hotels, coffee shops, resto-bars in art deco and high tech architecture.

Yet as one enters the center, the structures of the known districts of Molo, Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Arevalo, city proper and Lapuz are still well preserved.

The food and cuisine associated with the region are still served in the public markets whose taste remains as tasteful and distinct as they were popularly known years ago.

For mobility, shuttles, jeepney, vans roam around freely along with taxis driven by courteous, honest operators, private units, motorcycles, bicycles and walking commuters.

There lies the charm of the city, the convenience of a modern urban center and the richness of its heritage still well preserved. 

But its indisputable appeal is its people where the language, uniquely their own is proudly spoken everywhere, anytime, a manifestation of the city’s diverse, rich and unique, endearing and tender culture.

Uneventful SLEX Travel on 11 Nov. EDSA greeted us with an early "Surprise!"

The travel on a provincial bus from South Luzon to SLEX was uneventful a day before the 3oth ASEAN 2017 Summit until our bus hit Magallanes. Along with about 20 buses at about past 1PM 11 Nov Saturday, vehicles hardly moved for 30 minutes. I suspected the lock down on EDSA in preparation for the arrival of the head of states started. Indeed it was confirmed when the “mani and shingaling” vendor announced to the bus driver that two lanes have now been barricaded starting a gridlock.

From GMA Network

The vendor suggested taking the MRT at the Magallanes station to move faster to the North. Minutes later, hordes of impatient passengers disembarked on the bus fronting the BPI branch to walk to Alphaland.

The line at the station was already long extending to Pasong Tamo Ext. but luckily MRT personnel allowed two lanes for incoming passengers. In minutes, with a card on hand, I managed to sneak in to hundreds of commuters cramped at the entrance. After a security check and the difficult step of tapping my card, I reached the platform in time for the incoming train.

Volume of passengers inside the train was not any different from the usual rush hour but I was expecting worst. Sneaking inside, I was comfortably assured of my destination to the North. Minutes later checking on Twitter and Facebook, situation was not any better.

Just like my trip to the airport, the decision to walk about 500 meters and to use my privileges to get to the platform of MRT came in in just a nick of time.

And I thought my adventure ended with my departure from Manila.

Adventure when you least expect

The transit ad at Cebu Pacific plane 5J 196 says, “Adventure takes you where you least expect.” Even before the plane took off for Cauayan, Isabela, my adventure already started.

At 6AM along C5, a huge concrete mixer truck got stalled at the Katipunan flyover south bound resulting in a kilometer long traffic, unusual for the day and time of day as the students have not even started to arrive.

Passing through it in about 20 minutes, it was a slow crawl all the way to Libis, Eastwood, Ortigas, Pasig easing up a bit after SM Aura. Timing-wise, I projected I will not make it to the 7:55 AM check in time.

Conveniently, Cebu Pacific has a web check in facility. Fortunately, my cellular data worked allowing me to check in. But I still have to secure a boarding pass and pass through security details. (Web check in if done in standard web format vs. mobile allows you to print your own bar coded pass. Check in counters at NAIA 3 have dedicated post for baggage drop off for those who used the web check in facility.)

Arriving at Terminal 3 15 minutes before boarding, I still have to get a boarding pass which I usually secure at the Cebu Pacific self-service check in kiosk. However, I was prompted to see an officer for the pass. Lines for the check in were snaking at several levels. Based on pacing, it will take more than 15 minutes making me miss the boarding. Intuition prompted me to ask a roaming personnel, “I’m flying in minutes, I just need a pass.” “Let me put you on the last call counter.” Thanks to the assisting personnel, it worked though to the irritation of some waiting passengers.

Pressed for time, I was not able to sufficiently thank the personnel as I rushed to the security section looking for the shortest line. With an  adventure racer mindset, I managed a well-paced timing. Looking at my boarding pass, the pre departure gate was located almost to the extreme end of the terminal about 500 meters away. With urgency I arrived at the nick of time.

Expecting the prompter to announce, “all passengers can now fall in line,” I instead heard, “passengers bound for flight 5J 196, your pre departure gate has been diverted to gate 120.” Hurriedly, I picked my back pack and moved again quickly to the designated gate along with the rest of over 50 passengers.

Resourcefulness, techno savvy, end-in-mind, presence of mind, time-based worked for me to overcome the set backs.

Strapped to my seat, I declared success for boarding the plane even with the faced obstacles. The plane took off and landed on time ending my adventure, so I thought.

The return flight had a more interesting anecdote. Flight was cancelled due to inclement weather in Manila. The steps I went through looking for land travel and the 10 hour travel was nothing compared to the 2 hour taxi ride to the airport for my departure where I met the timing requirements in just the nick of time.

Tale on Travel and a Seat

I took the LRT at Katipunan station for Recto. Capacity was semi-full and seats were all taken.

Suddenly a young boy stood up and left one space open with no takers for several minutes. As I was in the center aisle and not that close to that seat, I just held on to the handrail. But when one no was taking the seat after several minutes, without further hesitation, I took it.

In a while the public address inside the train aired a spiel, “bigyan daan ang mga matatanda at may kapansanan . . .”

The be-dimpled boy looked at me seated comfortably approvingly. So I thought he really gave up the seat for the elderly.

At the Araneta station, he clutched the hand of his standing mother and was moving towards the door to exit. Again he looked at me with a smile which I returned with a lip movement with no sound “Thank you.” Still clutching his mother’s hand, he lifted his right hand and waved me goodbye.

From the look of his eyes, he was pleased that he gave up his seat not to his mother nor to anyone else but me.

The situation set up the stage for the good nature boy to do a good deed. And I was the fortunate recipient of his goodness.

30 Sept 2017 written on a HP ProBook

When there’s a mural, there's an open space. But with beer?

Imagine a setting seeing an outdoor mural under a large high ceiling overhead canvass surrounded by foliage from century old trees while drinking cold affordable local beer.

It is not in the outskirts of Metro Manila but right within walking distance from the QC university belt in Diliman.

The murals on the walls along Katipunan Avenue UP side are telltale signs where the outlet Japers is. Murals painted on the walls of the resto bar have the same architectural elements and style as the ones in Katipunan as they were created by the same street artists. Even the enclosed smoking area and the rest room have their own brands of wall art.

Do not expect service levels, food to die for or the amenities offered by similar chain bars but the expansive space, setting and the drinks are more than enough to satisfy the bohemian beer lover. For now, it is patronized by call center agents from the nearby commercial establishment and the early adopting and adventurous students.

Treat it as your hideaway or a man cave. But when Japers is fully operational commercially with a wider food and drinks selection and the walls are filled with more illegible graffiti, you may not find your favorite open space anymore. Walk by while on soft opening.

Japers is inside Balara Filters Ground