Home in Manila

Welcome back to Manila. You know you are back when instead of ponds, lake and the open sea you drive and wade through floods.

You know you are back when instead of fresh fish, customized kalan and lanzones displayed in rattan basket crawling with black ants you are asked for an upsize by a friendly fastfood staff.

Yes you know you are back because you navigated the 45 kilometer stretch from Sta Rosa to Katipunan in 4 hours on a rainy Tuesday early evening, only slightly shorter than the 209 kilometer stretch from Butuan City to Davao City.

I am indeed home. But as Henry Miller, an American novelist and painter said, "One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things."

Off the beaten Track: Siargao

Off the beaten track. Images of Siargao, Surigao

The long trip from Davao to Siargao Island in Surigao is the highlight of my South Central Mindanao land sojourn. Not only was it the longest travel, it was the most exhilarating and the most adventurous.

Adventure spanned several provinces: Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and finally Surigao del Sur. It started out in private vehicle, shifting to Roro, motorbike, walk in wooden bridges, oversized boats culminating in several Bachelor public bus.

The 1st 6 hours brought us to San Francisco in Agusan, the next 2 hours to the archaeological site Butuan City, another 2 hours to Surigao City, gateway to Siargao Island. 3 hours were spent in the sea. The last 45 minutes brought us to Cloud 9, literally in Cloud 9, a state of extreme happiness .

Arriving at the surfing site at around 4 PM, was enough time to catch the last streak of sunlight but sufficient time to watch the spectacular display of balance and grace of the foreign and inland surfers.

The gushing waves, blowing wind and cool breeze for the last few minutes of day break were enough to recharge us after the grueling traveling hours. Nature blessed us as those momentous short moments in Siargao. According to the Australian and Japanese surfers we talked to in the evening, what we captured were the best surfing moments for the week. Just as we left the shoreline the following day, rains started to pour changing the mood of the sea.

Destinations off the beaten track make attractive targets. The desire to step on Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines has long been an obsession ever since The Lonely Planet featured it in its initial edition. This year, by a confluence of events, elements were in place for me to experience this hidden tropical jewel that faces the open sea, the Pacific Ocean. Off the beaten track combined with Cloud 9 exhilaration makes a natural high.

Thanks to associate Jovert Pondoc who went the extra mile to ensure that nothing comes my way to perform my assignments well and to see what I want to see. Shobee, Jiv and Rigel showed up by chance who have been gregarious and hospitable all the way. Without them, the activity would have been more than doubly difficult and expensive. The Lonely Planet, another constant companion with its tips and maps made me get the most pleasure at the least cost.

Today it was General Luna. Next it will be Pilar, Socorro and Dinagat.

Enjoy the images captured by the intrepid traveler to South Central Mindanao. A completion of my visit to the wonder called Mindanao.

Lake Sebu

Lake Sebu is a watery bottom of a beautiful bowl. This is how a travel book describes this landmark in Southern Mindanao. It is a lake in a mountain sitting at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level. The fish tilapia thrives in the lake.

In the province of South Cotabato, Lake Sebu is part of the ancestral domain of the T'boli and Ubo tribes.

Lake Sebu is about 2 hours from General Santos passing through Marbel or Koronadal, the capital of South Cotabato. The ascent to the mountain slopes takes 45 minutes.

Part of the main attraction to visiting this popular tourist destination is the land travel. Typical of the land travel in Mindanao, the roads are well paved and the side streets lined with towering trees in full bloom this month of September. Peep further deeper on the sides, you'll sight a plantation of bananas, palm oil trees, pineapple. If there are none, there are either mountain ranges or the sea.

In a company of hospitable people, travel in Mindanao no matter how distant is a breeze and a refreshing one.

Invitation to Mt. Matutum

While wandering aimlessly at the Gen San side streets, I spotted an outdoor store Southern Peak Outdoor Depot along Champaca st., just across Manny Pacquiao’s commercial building.

The staff entertained me leading to an invitation to a Mt. Matutum climb via an unpopular route-via Datal Lanao.

Mt. Matutum 2009 via Barangay Datalbila Sarangani Province was calendared by Southern Peak on 26-27 September (Sat-Sun). Jump-off site is about 2 hours away from General Santos with trek to the peak in about 7 1/2 hours.

Quick Facts on Mt. Matutum
Mt. Matutum is a non active volcano with a height of 2,286 meters above sea level located North of General Santos, South Cotabato.
It is capped with a 320 meter crater at the summit.
There is a tradition that those who climb the summit must a plant a tree as a tribute to the mountain. Matutum is said to have been derived from a Blaan term “Amyak Maleh” which means “Climb and Plant.”
Slopes are covered with huge ferns, trees and plants.
At the summit, visible are General Santos, Koronadal, Polomolok.
· General Santos is the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, residence of Manny and Aling Dionesia
· Polomolok is home to Dole Philippines, the world’s biggest integrated pineapple plantation.
· Polomolok is host to the Trappistine's monastery.
· Koronadal is a confluence of 3 cultures: B’laan, Christian and Muslim.

For details, contact Gilbert “Hapon” Matchoca at 09093453040/ 09187156359 or visit Southern Peak Outdoor Depot in Davao or General Santos.

Check with the organizers for final confirmation. As of 11 Sept, activity was announced postponed to January 2010.

Mt. Matutum at the background as viewed from Gen San

Seedings in Agusan

Seedlings found in Barobo, Agusan Del Sur, 30 minute drive East of San Francisco. San Francisco is about 3 hours North of Davao, less than 200 kilometers away. San Francisco is a 2nd class municipality. Trace the Falcata tree's creation to utilization, from womb to tomb.

Trekking Preparations

Trekking Preparations Made Within Reach at Quiapo

All the personal preparations one needs for an expedition trek to the Himalayas are all in the vicinity of Quiapo.

Upon the advice of Dr. Jodell Coates, consult with Sports Medicine Doctor, Dr. Edmund Martinez at the Hospital of the Holy Infant Jesus at Laong Laan st. near the corner of A. Lacson Ave presenting the results of laboratory requirements* for an indication of a trekker's state of health.

Most of the laboratory testings can be secured from the nearby hospitals (St. Jude, UST, DOH, Infant Jesus). But I discovered some laboratories at Rizal Avenue fronting the DOH in San Lazaro that can process your requirements in half a day, in time for presentation to the Sports Doctor at 11 AM-2 PM at his Laong Laan clinic. Make sure you bring your specimens taken after a 10-hour fasting.

Chest xray is at P 140, CBC is P 90, routinary blood, urine and fecal analysis for P 770. Sexually related screenings are at P 740. At the Avenue Medical Lab at 1728 Rizal Avenue, this is estimated at P 1,500. Stress and advanced pulmonary tests available at the St. Jude Hospital will cost an additional P 3,000. Dr. Martinez charges a nominal consultation fee of P 400. He takes a particular look at the borderline blood reading values and bones.

What we dread in alpine climb is the prevention of the Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms which occurs to un-acclimatized people who ascend to altitudes greater than 2,500 meters. The sandy basin of Gorak Shep Everest Base Camp is at 5,160m (16,929ft ASL). The prescribed antidote is Gingko Biloba at 24% flavonoids and 6% terpenoids. The Health Express at the SMC City San Lazaro is selling it at a promo of P 5.33 per capsule of 30mg. Petroleum Jelly, for the prevention of dryness can be purchased at any nearby drugstore.

First aid requirements such as triangular bandage, elastic bandage, sterilized gauze pads can be purchased for less than P 150 at the medical supplies at Rizal Avenue.

Your protection against the blinding whites of the snow and the sun is a rated UV sunglasses which you can purchase at Pedro Paterno st. With treated and graded lens, add P 850 to your P 1,500 frame.

Thermals are available at 168 Mall at Soler st. Undershirt and pants are sold at P 450-750 per set. For the outer garments, there are ukay-ukay all around in case you can live with them.

Document the awesome Himalayas with either a digital or a film camera available along R. Hidalgo st. Supplement your digital camera with a spare lion batttery pack (less than a thousand for branded Nikon) and an extra gigabyte of compact flash (P 800 for a gig).

Viewing the chronicle of Michael Palen of BBC entitled Himalaya that spans over 2,000 mile length of the mountain range for 6 months that started in Pakistan/Agfhan mid May 2003 ending in Bhutan in April 2004 gives you an advanced feel of the expedition. Particularly interesting is the trek from Annapurma to the Everest Base Camp. This BBC documentary titled Michale Palin Pole to Pole is spotted at Arlegui St. Complement the video with a reading of Abner Mercado's "Sa Bubungan ng Mundo" available for P 150 at the National Book Store (Recto or Avenida). The Lonely Planet's Nepal and Tibet makes a hand reference but for a stiff cost of P 1,500.

As Michael Palin says in his documentary, Himalayas is the natural way to get high, especially if it opens our eyes to the epic and the magnificent land, to experience not only the demanding physical travel but also a spiritually satisfying journey.

Lastly, after all the preparations have been made, do not forget to pray for guidance and thanksgiving at the Quiapo Church.

This alpine trek is made within reach to us because of Quiapo.
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*Physical preparation and capability based on health conditions as indicated by the medical tests recommended by Expedition Physician Nepal Dr. Jodell Coates covering a.) pulmonary b.) stress c.) liver, kidney and blood condition and d.) absence of sexually related viruses

**Personal First Aid Kit

1. Triangular bandage (2 or 3)
2. Elastic bandage 3-inch width (2)
3. Sterilized gauze pad 20 pads.
4. Anti histamine also for possible allergies. Get Cetirizine (virlix) 10 mg/ tab kahit 5 pcs lang.

Gear
Technical cap/headgear, lightweight boots, long-sleeved trekking shirt, sports pants, technical socks (3 pairs), open sandals, trekking shirts, quick dry underwear and undershirt (2 sets), sunglasses , long sleeves technical all weather t-shirt (2 sets), trekking poles (1 pair), umbrella, lots of zip lock bags

Heavy-weight wool socks (2 pairs), liner gloves, liner socks, mid weight gloves, neck gaiter

Down pants, down parka, face mask, gaiters, heavyweight gloves, insulated booties, insulated mittens, waterproof / breathable jacket, waterproof / breathable pants or bibs, wind shell, pee bottle, rated sleeping bag

Gears can be purchased at Katmandu

Foto lifted from Cesar Banares foto site http://buangayam.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Mt._Everest#

Freedom of the Hills

Freedom of the Hills

Phrase aptly describes what mountain climbing is all about. Seen against the backdrop of the working employee, enrolled students and minors under the care of their parents, the outdoors is escape.


Expedition forces one to detach himself from the keyboard, worksheets, powerpoints and meetings. In its place are talkson destinations, equipment, mountain classification, brags, clubs, open climbs and personalities.

Freedom is clearly manifested in the free-for-all socials, sights of expansive views and the company of friends and even strangers we are most comfortable with.

Mountain climbing, we say puts us in a natural high. It's a result of one strong influence, the freedom of the hills. Is it still so up until now? Let's climb.

Commercial Marketing and Climbing

In a blog article, I wrote about the value of mountain climbing to me. I listed as important: 1. focus on the target to succeed which is the peak and 2. meeting the minimum essentials as support in achieving the target.

Climbing taught me the value of team building which extended well to the corporate world. No simulated soft skill workshop though has come close to the real life situation of group trekking, setting up camp site as a group, cooking in a production line and shared fun and laughter in the night socials. When work calls for shared vision, I just recall these moments.

As a marketing practitioneer, my insight on consumer behavior has deepened making me better understand the driver behind drinking Ginebra San Miguel mixing it with Eight O Clock and sipping Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water in the trail and in the socials. I understood beyond research numbers and discussions why males drink liquor, juices and water. Gin induces openness which is enhanced when in the outdoors and E0C as chaser makes it more delicious. Wilkins prevents dehydration.

In one way or another, I have contributed to growing the business of these brands because of 1st hand valuable experiences. But a concrete testament of the direct correlation of climbing with work is my creation of the brand name of the 2 other important bottled brands in the Philippines: Summit Natural Drinking Water and Absolute Distilled Drinking Water.

My employer in the 90's was investing entry in the bottled water industry with me tasked to handle the initial phase of product development. Two of the brand names I personally conceived and later on designed with a logo and packaging by Competitive Edge (Teddy T.) were selected, registered and launched. Summit refers of course to the peak. Water at the source then was guaranteed untouched by human hands and thus safe for drinking. Climbing was still very exclusive and not popular. Absolute is what you want your water to be when trekking, safe from contaminants and absolutely pure H20.

Decades later, I found myself in the same line building business for other brands: Wilkins and Viva applying the very same insights I learned from climbing. Today, these brands dominate the market.

Today, I no longer handle just water, but have expanded my application to a wider portfolio of international and well-known brand of beverages.

Can business and pleasure mix? Did the series of events place me to where I am now? Applying serendipity, perhaps so.
Composed on board Philippines Airlines, posted at the Davao International Airport.


Sent via Mobile Phone

Coffee in Gen San

I went to a high end coffee shop in downtown Davao along Legaspi st. for coffee and breakfast. Outlet serves gourmet food, a wide variety of coffee variants typical of an international chain. Interior is modern and like other shops provides free wi-fi.

• It opens at 7AM but unfortunately that Saturday, the staff forgot the key thus it started operations only past 9 AM.
• When the counter was ready, I ordered from combo breakfast-coffee. Instead of a regular brewed, I asked if I can upgrade to a Coffee Latte. Bluntly I was told I will get my regular coffee plus the Latte at the posted price.
• Breakfast offers a choice of rice or their specialty bread. As I was not asked to make a selection, I was automatically served rice although my preference was for bread. I did not appeal.

Three incidences where I felt I did not exercise my option as a customer. But it was a good value meal. Coffee was good, serving generous and the sausage tasty, price modest. Perhaps it was one of those odd days. I left the outlet accepting and satisfied despite the incidences.

In General Santos, I found a coffee shop along Pioneer st. considered along the same class as the Davao coffee shop. It had modern décor, with wi-fi facilities. Coffee offered a wide variant of variants including a specialty bean, "alamid."

The young barista patiently explained to me the various variances of their coffee shop including the story behind the processing of the coffee bean from the intestines of Philippine civet. I opted for a regular brew and paid P 60.0 for a tall order. After I paid, I was asked to sign in their guest book.

As I was about to exit at the door before closing time, the barista shouted from the counter, "Thank you Sir Chito for dropping by. Visit us again."

Businesses may offer competitive features and value pricing. But it is the one with a better service orientation that customers will naturally be drawn to and will keep coming back to over and over again.

Photo insert: Coffee shop at the extreme left

Downtown Gen San

Downtown General Santos' main streets are wide and cemented. Underneath the concrete sidewalks are drainage pipes. Buildings along the avenue are either concrete or wood-based. Unlike a typical urban city, there are no canopies in Gen San because there are no trees. Absolutely no trees! From what I gathered, trees were either uprooted to pave way for roads and drainage or cut-off because they obstruct wires and edifices. While relatively a clean city, the landscape is glaring and blinding. No traces of green, no brown barks, no decaying leaves. I dread Manila if this is the vision MMDA is leading us to -a livable but cold city with no breathing trees to obstruct progress.
Composed at the plane, posted at Centennial Terminal in Manila while waiting for baggage

Sent via Mobile Phone

Quoting Paulo Coelho

Quote from Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage
When you travel you experience a very practical way, the act of rebirth.
. . . since all things are new, you see only the beauty in them and you feel happy to be alive.

View from Sarangani Highlands, South of General Santos. Visible from the hilltop are downtown, Mt. Parker and Mt. Matutum.

Partnership in a momentum

Partnership in a momentum

The 2 young partners engaged in baking specialty cakes are by profession a chef and an unlikely complement, a medical technologist. Chef Hasset Go and Jayson Carlos put up their business 2 years ago with a capital that can fund a small school organization project. Today, their asset is still modest but the value of delight and satisfaction they earned is unquantifiable.

Chef’s place is in the kitchen where he creates and perfects his cake day-in, day-out, night and day, the most popular of which are Chocolate Concorde, Cream Brulee and other dark choco based confectionaries. Jayson is exposed to the market place providing staff and administrative support to the Chef.

Friends who have tested Med-Chef’s cakes swear by them-appealing, elaborate, a cut above the rest, soo good you will be willing to pay its’ price. The sleepless nights placed by Chef and his 2 kitchen staff behind every piece are evident in the appreciation as one bites a morsel of their creation.

Jayson’s drive to market the cakes to satisfy customers’ cravings with sweet tooth is altogether another interesting story. He is a natural salesman building long-term relationship with current and potential customers. He is service-oriented with a strong conviction, particularly for products he truly believes in. Since a child, he has demonstrated an instinctive ability to serve and satisfy any person’s need of relatives, neighbors and strange persons with an idea, a service or a homemade product. This inborn talent plus industriousness and persistence paid for his education until he earned his license. As you listen to his story, you’ll detect he has a clear roadmap, a vision of what he wants and does not want. He dreams of growing the business to acquire resources to succeed. The use to provide for his future family is real and crystal clear.

While Chef Hasset and Jayson have not formally defined Med-Chef’s vision-mission, they demonstrate their vision when Chef bakes the cake finding its way to customers prospected by Jayson. When a cake lover bites a slice, they say, "Chito, where did you get this?" To me that is the ultimate compliment.

They are bound to make it big as they are driven by passion and Christian and human values which are enduring. To the momentum.


Inspired by their drive, this article was written as a tribute on the occasion of Chef Hasset’s birthday and their transfer from a one door apartment to a complex with a bigger kitchen and a driveway. Check med chef multiply site. 10 August 2009

Momentum influenced by Francis Kong's Business Column aired over DZFE where he narrated:

• The philosophy behind momentum is to first understand that you build momentum by accumulating small successes.
  Doug Firebaugh says: “The secret to Momentum in life can be found in the word Momentum... you create it Moment by Moment...”
  The bigger the project, the bigger is the payoff as long as momentum is there.

Davao Diversion Zipline

A colleague who was driving by the Davao Diversion Road pointed to me Accelerate, the Zipline. Zipline is a an uninterrupted suspended cable from a high point (200 meters) to a lower end. 

A user is attached to a harness, positioned in a seated or lying position and pushed to the destination by gravity at a speed of about 100 kilometers per hour.

An arrester near the end controls the landing speed until the suspended person comes to a complete stop.

He asked if I'd like to see. Adventurous as I am I said, sure.

I was given an overview of the activity, given safety briefing, walked for 15 minutes to a 250 meter hill and then crossed the 750 meter line across a river in 25 seconds.

Done in less than 30 minutes.

Exhilaration in a dash.

(Photo insert of Jobert P. in the Powerade booth)

PDI article

Ialman Random Ruminations

Ialman in his Random Ruminations blog wrote about 8 things he got from mountaineering.

If I may add the top 3 that I got from the recreation:

1. Focus. Every climb clearly presents a goal; to make it to the peak (and back). Climbing has taught me to be purpose-driven.
2. Living with the basics. Anything else beyond food, shelter, clothing and reliable equipment is luxury.
3. Appreciation for simple things. The wonder of nature, simple gestures of kindness, good health, company of friends and the completion of a task are more than enough reasons there is joy in climbing.

Whenever I am challenged in my day to day life, I only have to remind myself of the 3 mountain climbing has taught me to: focus on the purpose, equip myself with reliable basic tools and celebrate the accomplishment.

See the Bigger Picture

While watching Diego Buñuel’s Don’t Tell My Mother I’m in Pakistan over National Geographic Channel (8 PM Saturday Sky Cable Channel 41), I spotted an ad of See the Bigger Picture promoting the Biodiversity Partnership.

Photogapher Joel Sartore talks about the value and beauty of biodiversity and its threat of extinction. See the Bigger Picture aims to bring together young people from around the world to raise awareness about biodiversity and the need to reduce its loss. It is part of the Green Wave campaign which encourages tree planting, as a symbol of caring for the planet.

To participate, it asks kids from 6 to 16 years old to grab their cameras and show what biodiversity means to them.
General mechanics are: Submit an image that you think captures the spirit/idea of biodiversity. It could be a favourite tree or a plant, an animal or an insect, even a whole ecosystem (from your own back yard to somewhere you've visited on vacation) - your images should show people why biodiversity is a good thing which we should try to preserve.
Criteria for judging are: 1) Creativity 33% 2) Quality of Photograph 33% 3) Effective illustration of what biodiversity means to the entrant 34%

The Philippines is a rich source of endemic species with a high risk of extinction. Through the international programs of Green Wave campaign and the See the Bigger Picture contest and our own local programs, it should press us to see the value of our species and the urgent need to act on preservation now.

Joel Satore says it well. "Biodiversity is beautiful. The spectacular variety of life on Earth keeps our planet healthy and balanced. When I travel the world as a photographer, I see that the intricate connections between all species-from the smallest insects to the largest trees-are fragile and threatened. When we lose species we lose connections and that can trigger chain reactions reaching all the way to you and me...The one thing we can't lose is hope. We still have time to turn things around ... My photos are my way of asking us all to stop, look, and care."

http://www.seethebiggerpicture.org/
http://natgeoadventure.tv/Post.aspx?Id=21182

Going back to the National Geographic feature on Pakistan, Diego ends his journey in Swat, the Switzerland of Pakistan. It once was a tourist delight for its lush green valley, snow capped mountain and gushing ice cold waters from the river Swat. Now due to security threat, this paradise has virtually become a ghost town. Can we still turn things around?

Fotos of unidentified floras courtesy of Larry Honoridez

Service Orientation

As individuals, we get exposed to multiple activities where we are either recipients or servers. Exchanged are either products or services or a combination of both. Compensation may not necessarily be in monetary form which is the most popular mode of payment. Regardless of how we are rewarded, the ultimate measure is satisfaction. Am I, as a recipient of the product or service completely happy?

In the commercial world here in Metro Manila, it is comforting that there is a growing consciousness for service orientation. We know we have customers and they are to be served well. As their suppliers, it is our basic requirement to keep them satisfied.

To cite a few of the positives from my personal experiences, I am pleased with the customer orientation of the service crew of most gas stations (Petron, Shell, Total), the SM sales clerks (Marikina, Cubao), fast food personnel (McDonald, Jollibee), operators and service crew of major Metro Manila wellness hospitals (St. Luke’s), call center agents (Credit Card Companies), technical services of Bayantel, sales agents of car manufacturers etc, office services (CT Service), security park attendant (Ayala in Pasong Tamo Makati).

On the other hand, there is a handful though who don't care about service at all: bus station ticket personnel (boredom?), telecoms payment counter personnel (arrogance?), call center agents (tired?), quiapo peddlers (maybe due to low floor prices?), binondo resto waiters (perhaps overworked) . . .

What treatment is different from those who make you satisfied or not as a customer? An effective supplier knows the customer’s needs and has the capability to meet that need. Delighting are those who provide more than what the customer expects. Disappointing are those who do not attempt to meet the basic need without providing a solution.

Fortunately in my experience, there are more who satisfy me more than disappoint me. I am content with that for now.

People I watched in ANC's storyline who inspire me

Raymond Manalo, a young farmer tortured by the military. Gentle yet strong and resilent. Articulate and intelligent. He was picked up by the military pressed to confess the activities of the left. Years after he escaped, his pursued his search for the truth even if it was a long shot. Raymond dreams of reuniting back with this parents and continue tilling the soil with them. Read Patricia Evangelista's story in Inqurer.

Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr, an underprivileged youth who pursued his dream of education and going back to his roots through his Kariton Klasrum Library. A victim of gang wars, he put up a social group in Cavite to counter them, not with violence but with knowledge and education. Efren articulated his vision with this line . . . "We are change” inspiring people one at a time to be the catalyst for change - in what we want to see in our home, community and the world we live in. Real change happens when we begin to touch one soul and change one heart at a time." Efren's parents are proud of him. Paraphrasing, "we may not have much but the honor that our children brought us is beyond value . . . "

Mario Aligayda at 9 was a juvenile delinquent and put in prison in Bacolod’s Handumanan Jail. While in detention, he was taken in by the PLDT sponsored juvenile center Bahay Pagasa founded by the De La Salle brothers. At the center, he learned how to read and write. Years after his release, he continues to stay at the center, this time paying it forward by teaching. He dreams of building a house for his father, who repairs shoes at the city sidewalk.

Pain and suffering. Strong will to succeed. Going through redemption and leading by paying it forward. Elements that drive the human spirits to greater heights.

There a lot more that I see everyday in ordinary situations but exemplifying extraordinary deeds. I just need to open my eyes to sense them so I can continue to appreciate what I am and to thank for where I am.

Posting via Mobile Phone.

Test post via email.

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Collage Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! Weather courtesy of Accuweather