Calanggaman Island.. Palompon

see for yourself. this is one tiny paradise...... this is one place that will take your breath away. It's quiet and peaceful,the sand is powdery white,the water pristine and yet it doesn't feel like you're cast away in an island all by yourself. People come here for day trips, snorklers, divers from neighboring islands that has dive shops and just people who wants to see the place and get wet in it's waters. The other side of the island is a turtle sanctuary. There are no cottages so we came with our camping tents, and pretty much all the other stuff we brought to Canigao island. Only this time we had a portable generator as there's no electricity in there. NICE! I just wish I had found the disco light so we could have had a nice beach party and have the island all to ourselves..Both sides have sandbars and one is about 200 meters long. It's very beautiful. I went snorkling and found the place quite inretesting for this coz just a few meters from the shore you will already see nice colorful fishes. Then a few more meters away (at about 10 meters from the shore and 2 meters in depth) you'll see that it's a steep slope and in some areas have walls. It becomes really deep in an instant. But I warn you it has mild to moderate current depending on the tide.I was trying so hard to fight the current as it was taking me to the diver's boats and I didn't want these guys to think that I got there on purpose. LOL! awkward... When we first got into the water and took photos, the dive boats arrived and we thought they'd go after the dive but then they stayed and had lunch in their boats so i figured they're gonna do some drift diving at about 2 pm. I was right. And I was jealous. OH, well, I enjoyed snorkling.. Maybe one day soon I can drag myself out of my cave and actually dive again. Today I miss diving a lot. It's this f*&#%@g GIN driving me nuts today. I had too many to drink last night. So, I'm off to sleep or drag myself to the gym to sweat the alcohol out of my body. See ya!

Canigao Island

It's been a while. I've been busy doing nothing most of the time. But now I am back to school. I dread the thought of wearing a school uniform but since we will just be wearing an all white uniform doesn't really scare me that much..

So far I have been to two different islands on the summer of 2010. Here goes......
Canigao Island.


It took us less than a day to actually plan this trip. With a little persuasion from my friend Shan we were able to convince some friends that we should take this trip and let us borrow a tent. Actually we were just trying to find someone who will lend us a tent. But eventually we found ourselves lots of company. Enter Cors and Benj... They got so excited that they immediately went to the market to buy some food that we can take with us. Marinated some pork. Sliced and diced some fish. Made kinilaw and filled a whole cooler with ice and juice drinks in tetra packs. It took them almost the whole night to prepare.

Shan and I knowing that we already have company (and Cors informed us that the Imelda boys were tagging along, afterall, they have the tents) went to the hardware store and Shan bought a camping stove and some other essentials we will be needing for our trip since the island doesn't have electricity.
On the morning of out trip, we planned to leave at 6 am but apparently everyone else except me stayed in bed longer. So I was going a little bit crazy and paranoid coz none of them would answer their phones. I assumed they already left and forgot to pick me up at my house.. Eventually they called me and told me they all slept in.
So Shan picked me up and off we drove to the house of Cors and Benj (they're married with a girl and twin boys). Cors suggested they will only chip in for the gas on our way back and that Shan and I will share the gas for the travel to Matalom. At first we were hesitant as it won't be a short trip but as soon as we saw how much food we got (that Benj and the Imelda boys prepared) we were convinced.

So off we go to our island escapade, but not without a short stop in Palo,Leyte as it was market day. It took the boys a while to get what they needed to get and we were getting anxious. Getting excited to see this island with clear waters and white sand. By 9:30 we were on the road again. About an hour on the trip i felt the need to pee and Bingo (Cors' brother and designated driver) told me there's one place we can use nearby, the "nearby place" took some 30 minutes and I was about to burn Bingo with my stares and I guess he was having fun watching me cross my legs and getting desperate. Finally we stopped at a campaign center but there was no one there so we asked the guy standing on his front door on the next house if we can use their toilet. Thankfully he said yes.

After that we had some cigarettes while witing for the other car (we didn't realize they already passed by and that they were already more than 20 minutes ahead of us). Bingo drove slowly so we can wait for them but eeventually when we called them found out they were already far ahead.We caught up with them and Bingo was laughing thinking he was making them eat dust as we passed by (but of course we were in a brand new car,LOL!). We called the boys in the other car and agreed to stop by a bridge with a scenic view. I found out people go bunjee jumping there so I plan to go back and do just that. It's called Agas-agas bridge. We had a photo op and then we were on the raod again after a quick stop-by on the public toilet just right off the bridge which is managed by the local government. It was clean as it should be for we had to pay.
We stopped by yet again in Baybay to get us some fresh fruits and coke. And while I was in the car waiting I was taking photos of what the others were doing.

In less than 30 minutes we were in Matalom. We tried to find that place where we can get on a small boat together with out coolers, tents, umbrellas and all the stuff we had with us. So we found the place and in no time we were taking photos while waiting for the boys to get our stuff from the cars. We can already see the island from where we were. We thought "nice".We started carrying out things to the loading area. We had to pay 50 pesos each for the boat. In minutes we were on the small banca with our life jackets on and cameras in hand. This is yet another chance for a photo op. Wink!


A short while later we were nearing the island and from there we can see the different colored camping tents and different colored flags greeting us on the front of the island. As we were getting closer we could see that the island is packed. Too many people for such a small island. It was Labor Day so a lot of people were out having their own little getaways. Thing is I guess a lot of them decided Canigao Island is the place to be.
We docked and finally felt the water on my feet. We were scrambling on the shore trying to get everything into one place, while looking for a space to camp. Unfortunately the boatman made a mistake and one of the coolers fell to the water. This is the cooler used for the food so it was expected some food will be lost. we felt bad it was the kinilaw that was thrown out of its container. It was the food that took them a long time to prepare and everyone was looking forward to having it for lunch as it was a favorite. Too bad...

It was hot and we couldn't find a vacant cottage that we could rent. And everyone was getting hungry. It was lunch time. I tried calling my cousin Amih (she was gonna meet us there with another cousin MC and she had a cottage booked but unfortunately her Mom's contact didn't book us a cottage so we were left without a big cottage).


Anyway, the boys started cooking while the others set up the tents. I took out my hammock and tried to help by sitting in one corner and not bothering the others who were doing their thing,hehehe. While everyone else were busy some of us started to settle down while I started taking photos. Finally, my cousins arrived.

In a short while lunch was served. I love the Imelda boys! All you have to do is sit and wait for your food to be served, they do lots of stuff for you so Shan and I were feeling like princesses and we love being treated like one. If it were our our Prakas boys we would be getting annoyed for we have to do the stuff that the Imelda Boys were doing for us. So we were lucky.

After lunch I went for a dip. The water felt good. It was clear and cold. Good for me as it was very hot in that island and there was no wind on that part where we camped. When i got out of the water the table was already set up for the afternoon drinking session. "Tagay" (the glass/glasses used for getting the drinks around. We share the same glass) was already going around. Red Horse beer in a hot afternoon. I didn't really like the idea but joined in on the fun.

Some people were just there for a daytrip so when some relatives of ours who happens to be there were getting ready to leave we immediately started setting camp there. It was the shady part which was still right in front so we can still have a good view of the white beach.

And the rest is a blurry memory as the Red Horse starts kicking me in the head. It always does. I remember having dinner and Shan taking out her rechargable bulbs and Benj taking out his speaker. We were gonna have some Bag-id time (the term we use for dancing, it usually refers to dan cing in a crowded bar but w still use if for just dancing). We were the only ones there with lights and music (loud music actually). But the family campers didn't seem to mind. I thought they actually liked it. We had to pay 100 pesos to have an electricty just to be able to play our music. We had to beg to be able to be given a little electricity from the island's generator.

I also remember us taking one last dip before I completely forgot how I went back to our tent and slept. I think we even did a little stargazing.

Now what i can fully remember what the heat inside our tent that woke me up before it was even 7 a.m. Shandal just got out of our tent(we shareda tent). Huge headache and hangover anyone??? It was too hot, just too hot. Good thing our breakfast was ready, courtesy of course by the Imelda Boys. By now Shan and I were convinced they're good company and should take them with us next time we go island hopping. I've known these guys for a long time and hung out with them a few times though not all of them at the same time and I already thought they're nice but didn't expect them to be that nice.

So after a good breakfast and painful realization that my hangover will not be over soon we went for a walk to see the other side of the island. It didn't take us long to see the whole island as it was very small. But I guess I would have camped on the other side if I knew there was more wind there and more privacy. The front of the island is just so crowded that you loose the feeling of being in an "island escapade". It felt more like market on the beach.

When we got back to our camp,we started packing our things as the boat that took us there will be arriving soon to pick us up. By the time the Mosley-Mayweather fight started, we were already on the mainland and everyone seemed ready for a good sleep on the way back home.

It was a good trip.

The island is tiny,the water was clear and clean, the sand was powdery white. It's a very beautiful island. But I hope since the government of Matalom doesn't like the idea of privatization, that they should take care of the island better if they want its beauty to last. To control how many people can there in a day to making sure that the rubbish is being taken care of. Or else it will be one big dumpsite of an island in the near future.

Also there's no freshwater and we had to be content with rinsing ourselves with salty water after bathing in saltwater. Another thing that set me off is that one of their water pumps in right behind the toilets.


Here are some facts about this little gem.
Location: Matalom,Leyte
Government run
A little over 2 hours by car from tacloban City, the capital of Leyte
About 10 minutes by boat from the boat station in Matalom
Cost about 50 pesos for a roundtrip with the boat
Has to pay environmental fee and some other stuff on the island itself
Small rooms are being constructed for those who don't want to camp for a price
Bring your own food and DRINKING WATER!!!
Don't expect freshwater for rinsing yourself of the saltwater
Expect long lines in the toilet and bathrooms, though new ones are being constructed
Expect rubbish scattered around
Will update this when I remember other facts.


their website for more info:
http://www.canigaoisland.com/

In the eyes of a child
you see the truth,
unconditional love,
pure joy,
so few expectations,
unmatched curiosity,
unbreakable loyalty,
undying hope....

When you look at them
sometimes it's scary
how honesty can come easily,
how they feel whole-heartedly,
how much beauty they see...

In the eyes of a child
you see so many surprises
And though innocent as they may be
nothing could be more real
than what those eyes can say....

I am still in Davao as my Uncle and I decided not to travel yet coz of the storm signal No. 1 in the Visayas and a bit part of Mindanao.So if we do we'll just end up stranded in the ferry station like my neighbors who also attended my friend's wedding.

I was chatting with my boyfriend when he told me that a massacre has happened here in Mindanao,but quickly dismissed it for I didn't know about it thinking it is far away anyway.

But as I sat on the couch in front of the TV watching the early evening news I was horrified to find that this is not just like any of those massacres I've seen on TV. The severity of this is far far worse than any this country has seen in such a long time.

As I found out,this could be something that happened out of political struggle between two rival clans in politics. As as a convoy was passing through an area to support someone who is filing for candidacy,they were intervened by people who will later become their killers. But along the way a lot of innocent people fell victims to this manslaughter, including a businessman going through the same way on a business meeting,human rights lawyers who were supporters, family, supporters friends and some people from the media..

This is a very sad phase in the history of Philippine Politics because for now, nothing is being done. People watch as day by day they see justice slipping away. What would become of us if something this grave will go as if someone is actually above the law? What will become of the next election? What will happen to people who are less fortunate when it comes to power and money but are blessed with the heart to help out their fellow countrymen? What will happen to the supporters who can't protect themselves against such barbaric acts? What will become of us?

This is a complete violation of law, not just those made my man but by any god of different religions, this has crossed each and every limit of morality, of humanity....

But this should not make Filipinos scared,this should make us mad against inhumanity done to us by people who abuse the power and position that we have given them..We put them there, therefore we can strip them of that power if we unite and search for truth and justice. We should not be blinded by fear, instead let this be a lesson to us and open our eyes as to what is really happening around us and realize that we deserve better than this. That we deserve to have political leaders that are willing to step up and fight for what is right. And we should not be scared of the hands who can afford to do this kind of evil.

This only goes to show as to the extent someone can go for their ambition and greed. We should should not feed these entities their source of power, life and position. I am so disgusted by this.

If the government is really keen on promoting peace, tourism, security against enemies from from outside the country and from within, if they want to open business opportunities and have investors have trust in our economy, if they really want decent people to have decent jobs, if they really want an education due to the youth, and to progress instead of thinking of personal/family power and wealth,their selfish political ambitions, and their great hunger for supremacy then now is the time to show us what they're really made of.

They look so good on their posters and on their TV ads that now it makes me wonder if they can actually deliver. Or are they just like some of these pretty women in magazines, so photoshoped and fake..

They should make Filipinos believe that justice still exist in this country. If this can happen to these people and the government will not intervene then it just goes to show that this can happen to anyone and that each and every Filipino is in danger of slaughter from these heartless,soulless demons. This is a barbaric if not demonic display of supremacy. This should not go unpunished.

For me, justice served to the victims and their loved ones is justice served to the whole Filipino community and the whole humanity.

An eye for an eye though is not the way to achieve justice..For me someone should be behind bars feeling the cold and emptiness of life,waiting for an end that seems like forever..It shall give them time to think things over and have them humbled by the people they think so little of. Make them feel how it is to be stripped of power and make them feel what they really are, not gods but filthy creatures who deserve nothing more than a cold long life behind bars...

May those who have departed rest in peace, may their loved ones find justice, may this country finally find its peace and may God have mercy on the souls of the people who did this, if that is even possible..

I am in Tagum now,in Davao del Norte..Visiting relatives and attending my friend's wedding tomorrow...It's been raining here for 2 days now but hopefully tomorrow it will be better..It better be coz on Sunday we plan on going to Samal Island and enjoy a day of fun in the sun.

This is my first time here in Davao and I am liking it. Well I have seen just very little of it but i believe I'm gonna love it starting tomorrow.Hehehe..

Didn't bring my laptop with me so I can't post pictures that fast..I also forgot to bring my usb cord as well....But I surely will be taking lots of photos...

Later today my Uncles are planning on going to Tagum City..Let's see what's in store there for me....Will keep updating...Wish me luck and lots of fun

ALL SAINT'S DAY and ALL SOUL'S DAY

I haven't written in a while... But today words are starting to rush. But I was already 4 paragraphs on when firefox crashed and I lost all of it so I had to do this over again. But once you stop writing when the words flow and then something happens, the words fade away.
So I'll try once more.. See what I can do.

So anyway, All Soul's Day and All Saint's Day came and I haven't been able to visit my son and grandma. I am still in Manila and they're in the province. Anyway, I'll get to visit them when I get home and I have all the time and space to myself. I like it quiet when i visit my loved ones. My grandpa's 3 brothers are also in the same cemetery. Quiet time with them,to think and talk to them.. Maybe I'll get a response. LOL! Who knows? I think nothing is impossible.


Anyway, it's been almost 20 years since my grandma died but I still miss her so much. She was very gentle and nice. Not just to her family but to everyone around her. Always helpful, she had caring hands. Sometimes it makes me wonder what life would have been for us if she didn't pass away so early. Things would have been better. I'm not complaining, just wondering what could have been.

I'll always remember her homemade ice cream. She cooked very well and made a lot of homemade goodies for us.She used to bribe that to me and my sister just to make us have our afternoon nap. Though most of the time we just end up fighting in the room and then chasing and hitting each other. It even came to a point where i pushed her down the stairs. She went halfway down the 12 steps and I spent an hour grounded in my room while everyone had snacks downstairs. That was the first and last time I got grounded. And an hour seemed like eternity. I promised to be good when they let me out. But I think it didn't even last 5 hours.

So anyway, back to my grandma... We still miss her and even if she passed away when I was very young. I have a very good memory of her. Seems like just yesterday when she used to take me to her class. I learned a lot from her. At a young age we already understood what love meant. That it wasn't just words that you say whenever you want to. Love is an action and feeling at the same time. It's time and space. It's nothing and everything.

Every occasion was alive because of her. Birthdays, Christmas, New Year.....You name it. No occasion was dull. I remember colorful Christmases and loud and bright New Years. And the last birthday cake I had when she was still alive. That was my happiest birthday. Nothing can top that.

She was the only person I can afford to have tantrums with... I could never do that to my grandpa or mom. But with her? I can do whatever I want and I know she'll still love me anyway. That was the security I felt with her. And that's something I really miss.

The knowledge that no matter what...No matter what happens,no matter what you do, no matter how many mistakes you do and even if all hell breaks loose, someone will be there, always be there to love you.

But we can't turn back time. And I can only hope there still exist such love.


And then after my grandma, a few years later came my son. I miss him and an awful lot. Not less and less each day. But I have accepted the fact that he's gone. And going on with life would be best. It's still very painful for me to talk about it.


I think if these two people did not became part of my life, it would have been less meaningful. And I wouldn't appreciate life as much as I do now. I would see everything less than what I see now. I am lucky to have had 2 angels come into my life to help mold the person that I am today. I guess I needed them to be there and not just be silent entities around.

For me, All Soul's Day should not be a day of grieving. Instead we should see it as a celebration of these people's lives and ours as well as they have affected us no matter how short we've been with them. For our lives would be so different if we never crossed paths with them. That it would mean less if they weren't there to make us think, or love, or hate, or cry. We should see it as a celebration of the days we still have alive...

Nanay, Intoy..... Wherever you are, I will always love you both and I will be forever grateful for having you in my life. 'Till I see you again..................... But like they say "Not too soon.."