Las Islas Filipinas de Acuzar 2013

The FEATI University College of Architecture conducts field trips twice a year. This year, the college conducted a field trip at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac Bataan and Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

First stop was at Mt. Samat, Pilar Bataan. The students got the chance to visit one of the historical sites of the Philippines which is the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) and got to know its role in the history of the country. They also got to see and the Memorial Cross which was is a sign of courage and heroism of the Filipino soldiers during the WW2. Because of this, the COA students were able to grasp the idea of how to design a massive monument that portrays solemnity, honor and valor.

(Click to enlarge image)

The second stop was at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar at Bagac Bataan. The aim of the said tour was to educate the students of COA about architectural heritage conservation and appreciation of Philippine Architecture during the 18th century up to the early 20th Century.

It is a hands-on experience for the COA students as well as the faculty to be able to immerse themselves in an old town Philippine setting wherein they are able to meticulously study the architectural components of the several old houses that were showcased in the heritage resort.

During the trip, a tour guide was provided to be able to appreciate more of what the resort has to offer. It was explained to the college about the history of each and every house in the area. After the guided tour, the students were again convened by the faculty to discuss thoroughly on the missing aspects that the tour guide was not able to tackle, in terms of architectural aspects. It was explained to them on the old construction methods, material and the planning methods used in during the Spanish colonial era.

Tip: Try to look for Dexter the tour guide.

What was interesting about the tour was the students was able to develop critical thinking, because all of the houses were transferred from one province to the said resort, therefore, the students could not help but think if this is a good move, as the house loses its authenticity upon dismantling it and then reassembling it at the site.

All in all, this was a very good opportunity for the students and faculty to be able to learn more about pre-colonial houses and most importantly, about Filipino architecture.

 

Birthday 2013

So.. Every 9th of February, we spend a very special occasion for the bf. But this tine it was extra special.

“Pick something special to wear for lunch”, he said over the phone.

“How about my yellow pants and white top”, I said.

“Na-ah. You ain’t comfy with that. Try the blue polka dots dress. The one that looks good on you.”

Okay. So we met at Edsa Shangri-La mall. Little did i know we were walking towards Edsa Shangri-La Hotel!

We went into a restaurant named “HEAT”. I so went “oh my gosh! Buffet!”

“Darn it. You shouldn’t have let me eat my breakfast!” I told him jokingly.

“If I did, you’d be complaining the whole day about having a headache because I did NOTNOT let you have breakfast”, he answered.

So here are some pics of what we had for the hearty lunch!

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I soooo love Chinese foods!

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Dessert heaven!

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Kunyari diet. It’s his 2nd plate already.

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One for the road.

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2013? Be good to us, okay?

Old Love

The couple I know who are still in love more than they were before
The couple I know who still argue and laugh at the same time
The couple I know who still send each other letters through snail mails
The couple I know who still have affection with each other more than ever
The couple I know who enjoys growing old together
The couple I know who  enjoy simple things together
The couple I know who drink coffee twice a day together, one in the morning, one in the afternoon
The couple I know who doesn’t have pet names for each other, but when they call each other’s names, it sounds so special
The couple I know who reads the morning paper together
The couple I know wherein the one nags, the other one shuts up and kiss the other, then laugh.
The couple I know who remained faithful to each other
The couple I know who laughed at the silliest things together even if it has been told over and over
The couple I know who’s smiles only are reserved for one another
The couple I know who still whispers “I love you” before going to bed and one more “I love you” upon waking up
The couple I know who’s eyes glisten when they hear each other’s voice
The couple I know wherein when the one plays the piano, the other one sings                 The couple I know who listen to oldies but goodies sunday music and dance
The couple I know wherein the one invites the other to dance for no apparent reason, just because they feel like it
The couple I know who will stay in love with each other forever.

Mom and Dad.

You inspire me so much to dream and to cling on to hope, even when sometimes it seems like there is none.

“The question is asked, “Is there anything more beautiful in life than a boy and a girl clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?”

And the answer is given. “Yes, there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love.”-anonymous

From A Man’s Point of View

Okay. So I find this cute. Author unknown. Get over it. Sigh….

“Ang mga babae, madaldal/mabunganga.” Oo, wala talagang tigil ang bibig nila sa pag-rachada sa kakasalita. Lalo na sa tuwing pinapaalala nila sayo na oras na para inumin ang iyong gamot, kapag nagtatanung sila kung kumain ka na ba, kapag ginising ka nila sa umaga upang hindi ma-late at sa mga pagkakataon na nag-aalala sila sayo at tinatanung kung nasaan ka na at bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi. Walang duda, madaldal nga. Hayaan mo na, balang araw, siguro magbabago din sila. Tipong maririnig mo lang ee “Oo”, “Hinde” at “Pwede”. Para kayong naglalaro ng Pinoy Henyo. Romantic siguro ng buhay nyo nun.

“Ang mga babae, mashadong sentimental.” Sinabi mo pa. Tandang tanda nga nila ang petsa at lugar kung saan kayo unang nag-date, isinulat niya din sa kanyang diary kung ano ang mga ginawa ninyo, nakatago at ingat na ingat siya sa mga larawan nyong dalawa, daig pa niya ang Smithsonian sa pag-aalaga ng mga iniregalo mo at kahit kailan hindi niya nalilimutan ang mga importanteng okasyon tulad ng anniversary, monthsary, weeksary o birthday mo. Nakaka-inis ba? Ok lang yan, malay mo next time, hindi na siya ganun. Tipong i-aasa na lang niya sa Facebook ang iyong kaarawan. Tapos tamang post na lang sa wall mo ng “hapi bday”.

“Ang mga babae, emosyonal.” They cry about movies. They get teary with a romantic novel. They blush and gasp upon seeing a picture of a cute dog or a cuddly baby. Bakit ba ganun sila? Buti na lang tayo hindi. Kinikimkim lang naten lahat ng emosyon sa loob hanggang sa sumabog at atakihin sa puso o di naman kaya ee magpapakalasing tapos magwawala at maghahamon ng wrestling. Di ba mas logical un? Madalas pa mag-imagine na ikakasal kayo sa simbahan. Lagi nag a-iloveyou, imissyou, take care at mwah mwah sa text. Asar ka na ba at nacocornyhan? Ayos lang yan. Darating din siguro ang time na titigil siya at isesend ang mga un sa iba.

Women are probably the greatest gift to men, from God, beside beer and sizzling sisig. At para sken, women deserve all advantages, lalo na sa pag-ibig. Sana lahat ng babae ay maging masaya ang lovelife. Sana, walang babaeng heart-broken, kasi, tayong mga lalake, we’re meant to pursue them and it’s okay if we fail from time to time. It’s the way nature intended it. Gaya ng isang leon sa usa o pag-ikot ng earth sa paligid ng araw. Mas okay kung tayo na lang ung masasaktan. Ee sila? Isipin mo, nagkakaroon sila ng “dalaw” at nababaliw kada buwan, nabubuntis at nahihirapan ng 9 months, at pinaka matindi sa lahat, kailangan pa nilang panatilihing makinis at walang buhok ang kanilang mga kili-kili. Ano ba namang pasayahin sila at gawing “scar-free” ang kanilang buhay pag-ibig.

And if you are with a great gal, do everything to make her happy. Don’t ever break her heart. Wag kang magpa-uto sa mga statistics, na nagsasabing, mas marami ang babae sa lalake, kaya okay lang mang-chiks. Ano pa bang gusto mo? Hindi pa ba sapat na minahal ka niya sa kabila ng iyong pagiging engot at kawalan ng Romantic DNA sa katawan? Malaki man ang papolasyon nila sa mundo, napaka-liit ng tsansang makakilala ka ulet ng katulad niya na magtya-tyaga sayo.”

Worth reblogging

This came from a certain Joemil Reyes from facebook. I just had to repost this as it have pinched that soft spot in my core. Good man, this guy. I just wish people would be a lot more like him. I can’t help but my eyes to be salt and water as I kept reading the write up.

“I am just sharing this picture of a very humble guy named ROLDAN JIMENEZ PINEDA, 63yrs old, from Kawayan, Isabela. You don’t need to read everything if you feel lazy, but all I need to ask you is pray for his safety. I am not a writer, but I will try to tell you the story.

Here’s what happened: 
Just this windy and rainy morning, I was in my friend’s canteen. It is just beside the subdivision where I live. I was chatting with my friend’s dad about some business. This humble guy came in front caught my attention. He was not asking for money nor anything. Instead, he ordered P5 worth of rice. He cannot even look directly because he feels so shy.He said, “Maaari po bang bumili ng limang pisong kanin?” His hair is so wet that’s why he covered it with a small towel. His clothes are kinda wet too. When I heard his shaking voice, I can feel that he is tired, cold, and starving. He has a green backpack and a sack with old boxes and plastic bottles. I suddenly felt sorry about him, that my heart was telling me that I need to do something. Instead of me just sitting on my chair, I decided to stand up and tried talking to him. I asked him if that small amount of rice would satisfy him. He said that he was planning to eat some of it and save some, then continue walking til he reach Nueva Ecija which is more than a hundred miles I think. His destination would be Kawayan, Isabela, where he lives. He asked if he can fill his bottle with some water. I said, sure. While I was putting water in his used old bottle, I told him to order some more food so he can eat. Told him not to worry because I will pay it for him. Mang Roldan never asks for money. He earns his own by selling bottles at the junk shops. His eyes turned red, while he was trying to hold his tears. He said that he can’t thank me enough.

MANG ROLDAN: Nahihiya po ako kasi ganito lang suot ko.(- I feel shy because of what I am wearing.)
ME: Akong bahala po sainyo. Ano pong gusto nyong kainin? (- That is ok. Do not worry. What do you wanna eat?)
MANG ROLDAN: Wala po ako sa posisyon para pumili. Kahit gulay lang po o yung pinakamura. (- I am not in the position to choose. I can have vegetables or the cheapest food would be fine.)
ME: Kailangan nyo pong kumain. Order po kayo kahit ano, yung siguradong mabubusog kayo. (- You need to eat, and make sure to satisfy yourself.)

I took his hand so he can walk beside the stand where he can choose. While they were giving him his food, I told him that I need to go home and get some money so I can pay his bill. At home, I grabbed my old camouflage jacket which I gave him. 
We talked about his tragic story and his plans. Years ago, he needed to sell their house and lot because his wife had a bone disease. Sadly, everything was spent but his wife didn’t make it. He had 3 children. The first born were twins, died because of bronchopneumonia. While the youngest was ran over by a bus. He tried putting a small business by selling fishballs in Manila, but in the time of Bayani Fernando, MMDA took his carts and destroyed them. Mang Roldan and his family are church people. You can tell with the way he speaks. He visited Pampanga to see his sister/brother. Too bad he wasn’t able to meet the only family that he knows. Hearing his story broke my heart.

I also noticed that he cannot walk straight because of his swollen left leg. “Lumipad yung bato na nadaanan nung gulong ng jeep, tumama sa paa ko” he said. (A rock smaller than my fist was the reason) He thanked me for the food and jacket. I handed him some money so he can ride the bus and buy food. He said that he cannot give me anything in return. Seeing him wipe his tears made me feel super sad that it made me cry too. I was speechless. I shaked his hand and told him that his story was enough for me to learn things, and I was happy that I was able to help him. I gave him my umbrella so he will not get wet on his journey. He didn’t want to take it, but I insisted. (I hope my mom won’t notice that her umbrella is missing)

While Mang Roldan was crossing the street I was looking at him. I noticed that he was walking towards a corner. He saw a beggar on the side. You know what he did? He did not share the food that he had, HE GAVE EVERYTHING! Rice, bread, and water. That’s it! That was priceless! I knew that this man is special. He touched my heart. I realized that what I gave him is not even enough. Salt water fell from my eyes. (even while I’m typing now). I decided to go to him when I noticed that busses and jeepneys were not stopping because of discrimination. So we waited for a bus and I took his picture. He smiled and said, “half-body lang ha, nakakahiya may dala akong sako. Hehehe!” What a guy! He can still smile after all the things that he went through. Finally, a bus stopped. I told him to act as if he is my uncle. Before he stepped on the bus, he thanked me again. I waved goodbye and said “Ingat Tito, text mo ko kaagad.” I said it loud so the conductor will hear me and pretend that Mang Roldan has a cellphone.
I don’t know, but he was like an angel that was sent to teach me and realize lots of things. That is why I decided to put it on FB, hoping that you will learn from it. If only I am wealthy enough, I would love to do more things just to help more needy, homeless, poor, deserving people. I have been planning to create my own Foundation since I was young. Well, God has plans for all of us. Maybe someday I will. I also hope I could meet Mang Roldan again, and give him a fishball business or have him help me helping others. 

I remember a book written by Father Jerry Orbos, that we should not be just good Samaritans but we need to be Better Samaritans.

You can share this if you want. If not, just please pray that God bless the people like Mang Roldan. May God Bless you too =)” https://www.facebook.com/jomz130 

Heavy-gat

“Heavy-gat”– short for heavy rains and hanging habagat. It has been raining cats and dogs for almost a week now due to monsoon rains, and 90% of Metro Manila have been submerged in floods. Number of affected families are continuing to raise, not to mention death toll. God bless their soul. God bless for those who are stranded in the road. God bless the homeless. It pains me to see this type of deluge that affect anyone.

A lot of people need help in times of crisis such as this. I wanted to send help in my own simple way via sms. How? It’s easy.

Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Who knows? You might just save a life.

Seriously, DOST PAG-ASA need to change their flood warning system. Just a suggestion though. It can really be quite misleading you know.

Stay safe and dry, everyone!