Something Precious

"My Beary Dear Christmas Bear"

“ Sometimes when you lose something precious,

you’re not really losing it;

you’re just passing it on

to someone else”

– Mitch Albom

(Tuesdays with Morrie)

Child's World

... delightful

... delectable

... sweet

... delightful and delectable

"Where everything is delightful, delectable and sweet "

photos by orange tulip

“ Am I still in the child’s world where candy stands for anything sweet enough to hold back tears? “
-V.C. Andrews

(Flowers in the Attic)

Continuing Cry for Peace in Mindanao

" A Hope for Peace in a Dark World" by Orange Tulip

While composing the photo, i was thinking that the fountains of various colours represents the multicultural Mindanao hoping for peace. And i asked myself- "When will peace be really achieved in the world and in this island?" Thinking about it sent a tremor to my heart. The words " Peace on Earth" in a dark evening was like an enormous longing for the Mindanaoans who have witnessed, emotionally and physically scarred and displaced by seemingly endless "war". Orange Tulip

Source: http://reckonsofspring.blogspot.com/2008/08/cry-for-peace-in-mindanao.html

IS THERE ROOM AT THE INN? by Edwin Bacasmas

A family displaced by the fierceness of the MILF raids certainly hopes so. They knock on the door of a total stranger to ask for shelter from a shop owner in Iligan City on Tuesday night. At press time, 15,000 evacuees are occupying the Iligan City National High School, the City Central School and the West Central School in Buruun. EDWIN BACASMAS

Source:http://media.inquirer.net/inquirer/inq/index/index_network.htm

The photo above has been used in my previous post, " A Cry for Peace in Mindanao"http://reckonsofspring.blogspot.com/2008/08/cry-for-peace-in-mindanao.html I am using this photo again as a reaction to this front page photo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer which really struck me at first glance. http://media.inquirer.net/inquirer/inq/index/index_network.htm. Taken by Edwin Bacasmas with the caption: " Is there room at the inn?" this photo i reckon, successfully captured the sufferings of a displaced family and is probably a perfect representation of the fifteen thousand evacuees in Iligan City as a result of the MILF attacks to the neighbouring villages. Looking closer, one finds an elder woman probably a grandmother, a female parent, minors and even toddlers. Noticeably missing are the male family members who probably opted to stay and take care of their homes, or to find food supplies for the family.

The sight of such photo made very much concerned about the reportedly 160,000 people (i am wondering if the women and children are included in the statistics) displaced by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rampage in North Cotabato. I was wondering how these villagers are making it through in crowded evacuation areas or in finding available place to spend the night. On top of the shelter, these families need other basics like food, clothing and beddings. For the wounded or sick, considering the crowded condition in evacuation areas the need for medical supplies and attention. I gathered from various national broadsheets and television news that constituents in the affected municipalities refuse to go back to their own homes(thus named ghost villages) due to the fear of another attack by MILF( where the GRP peace panel was supposed to be talking peace with) once the government military forces leave the areas recently " cleared" of armed rebels.

Few days earlier, the government troops did a " clearing operation" of affected villages in North Cotabato. Reportedly led by a Commander Umbra Kato, they torched, burned houses, took livestock and available resources, killing the innocent civilians( most notably a 72 year old man and his 71 year-old wife, and using their 39 year old son as human shield before finally killing him) displacing hundreds of thousands of both Muslim and non-Muslim civilians. Another MILF group, led by a “Commander Bravo” did a rampage in the neighbouring province of Lanao del Norte including some barangays of Iligan City. News accounts reported that at least 40 people were killed. This included the reported ambush of six soldiers led by Lt. Col. Angelo Benitez, in Kolambugan Town, Lanao del Norte on their way to the headquarters of the Army's Task Force Tabak in Iligan City.

According to reports, Monday's attacks was the bloodiest since a territorial deal with the MILF stalled earlier this month, just days after the government troops drove out MILF rebels from North Cotabato. “Commander Bravo” and his men took several villagers as hostages as they burned and looted several houses in Lanao del Norte. News accounts showed that even the aged parents-in-law and a brother-in-law of the former Comelec Chairman Garcillano (who became very popular for the allegedly vote rigging scandal of 2004 Philippine Presidential Elections) residing in one of the villages in Lanao del Norte were not spared from the atrocities of the supposedly " break away group". The MILF leadership refused to be responsible for the group's actions, citing them as " loose commands". Bravo tried to dismiss the allegation announcing over a local radio station that that it was an action of the Islamic warriors or muhadejins as a reaction to the Supreme Court's Temporary Restraining Order for the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain(MOA-AD).

Arguably, there was no consensus nor public consultation held over the preparation and finalisation of the MOA-AD as claimed by the local government officials led by North Cotabato's Manny Pinol, Zamboanga's Celso Lobregat and Iligan City's Lawrence Cruz. Notably the indigenous group or " lumads are quiet. Having their own ancestral domains, i am wondering what would be their stand or whether they were consulted by the government peace panel. News accounts usually identify Mindanao settlers as Muslims and Christians, although i have always believed that it does not follow that if someone is not a Muslim, he or she could not become automatically considered as a Christian leaving the indigenous groups unmentioned. It will probably sound better if all residents of this island will be collaboratively called Mindanaoans. Further, regardless of the religious or ethnic background or dialect or language spoken, native or migrant in the island-they are all Filipinos.

Iligan City http://www.iligan.gov.ph/ is a charming coastal city which i chanced to see the first time around on my way to Pagadian City and the neighbouring Zamboanga provinces last year with few friends. On our way back en route to Cagayan de Oro City for a flight to Manila, a native of Iligan City whom i met few years back and has became a very good friend ever since, was generous enough to meet us up, treat us for dinner ( i heard Tatay's Grill is one of the very popular seafood restaurants in the place) and drive us around the city like a real tourist guide. What i found unforgetable was the city hall strategically located in the elevated part of the city giving me a delight to see the city evening lights from the city hall grounds. We took souviner photo shoots in the nearby park and i asked why the place is devoid of people enjoying the early evening breeze or simply " taking time to smell the roses". Our tour guide,my dear old friend jokingly replied" because they were expecting you to come, they left you alone to pose for your photo shoots to your heart's content". True enough, i posed excitedly like a tourist visiting a lovely place for the first time. Driving down, we passed the ampitheatre where the annual play about Saint Michael (the patron saint of the City) is regularly shown as a part of the highlights of the city's festivities. I missed going to the majestically beautiful Maria Cristina Falls (the sight of which enthralled me the upon watching a television show featuring the city's falls few years back) and other beautiful springs and waterfalls so i resolved upon myself to come back in this city on its festivities, walk on its grounds, learn and probably imbibe their culture-as soon as i can. While we were being showed around, i noticed that the city is quiet and peaceful sans a threat of any disorder. It was then a surprise to hear about the bombings in two hotels of- what i saw was a peaceful and charming city just a year ago. Unknowingly, this became a prelude to series of attacks by MILF rebel groups in the neighbouring towns resulting to massive evacuations.

The picture that in the Philippine Daily Inquirer news as i mentioned in the earlier part of this blog, represents the anguish and sufferings of the innocent civilians caught in the conflict. The sight of that photo has made me ponder and stop worrying about my own concerns which i reckon- are mundane. The said photo and the numerous news of deaths, displacements, and chaos made me cry some more- hoping for peace in Mindanao.

As the atrocities of the armed rebel group continue, military forces are sent from Manila, Luzon and even the Visayas to provide further support. No matter what side they are taking-either as a government or rebel forces, casualties will continue to soar. It makes me feel sorry thinking that they are still Filipinos hurting and even killing each other regardless of the causes that they have chosen to fight for. Most probably, the ongoing war in Mindanao will continue to cost the limbs and life of the soldiers deployed to drive away the rebels sowing chaos over certain vilages using the Supreme Court Temporary Restraining Order for the supposed signing of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity(BJE) as an excuse. Even the MILF rebels reportedly have, and also suffer their own losses.

Most importantly, the number of displaced civilians will continue to multiply, for who would not run away from their homes which at anytime could be riddled with bullets or torched by rebels? During unfortunate incidents, on their way for a safer ground, they could possibly be caught in the crossfire or worse, could be used as human shields. At the end of the day, the Filipino people are all losing in this very sad scenario.

I have always thought that Mindanao is lucky for its bright sunshines, beautiful sunsets,enthralling sceneries, rich soil for any agricultural crop away from devastations of strong typhoons or volcanic eruptions and other natural calamities. Little did i realised that the man-made calamities has, or will be more devastating- which brings undue disruption of many lives and leads to unquantifiable losses.

I choose to remember Mindanao with its clear blue skies, picturesque sceneries, pristine beaches, abundant natural resources and people with warm smiles and sunny dispositions in life. Yet it pains me to think that the condition has become very volatile again as a result of the BJE-MOA AD which arguably lacked " consensus" in many aspects. This ancestral domain issue has become a "sleeping tiger" recently reawakened due to the lack of sense and sensitivity of the concerned parties who are supposed to be " peacemakers".

Yet i continue to cry for peace in Mindanao for many huge reasons the foremost of which is my undying love for this place and its people where i belong. Yes, Mindanao will always be the first in my heart wherever my fate and faith would bring me- for this is the place where i first saw the rays of the sun and the sparkle of the stars and the beauty of the moon. This is the place of my birth.

Michelle

"Crossroads", photo by orange tulip

You are free to choose, but the choices you make today will determine what you will have, be, and do in the tomorrow of your life.

~ Zig Zigler

Today, my dear friend and sister Michelle flew back to her parents' home where her heart really is-Dipolog City. After studying and working in the big city for a considerable number of years, she decided to have a rest from the rigours of traveling,working and living in the big city. And as she is contemplating for the choices that she has to make in the future, orange tulip wishes her well.

Michelle, may the good Lord bless and keep you, until we meet again.

To Make Me Smile

' A Day in the Tulip Farm', photo by Primo

This photo never fails to make me smile. Simply looking at it reminds me of the people- my close friends which i shared my life while i was there and never fails to wish me well in everything,and in many ways have made me smile. I wish to see them again soon, when everything will be a little better. Many thanks to this photo and the happy memories flooding in, i am smiling now. And i hope that my friends who know orange tulip as a person are also smiling at the moment, regardless.

Every day you spend without a smile, is a lost day.

~Author Unknown

International Humanitarian Law Day

Orange Tulip would like to acknowledge source of the photos above: http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/projects/human_rights_sofie/human_rights_photos/index.html

Today is the celebration of the International Human Rights Law having the International Committee of the Red Cross at the forefront of its implementation. (http://www.icrc.org/Eng/ihl). For a clearer picture, below is a short discussion lifted from the ICRC factsheet (http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/humanitarian-law-factsheet)

What is international humanitarian law?

International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict.

International humanitarian law is part of international law, which is the body of rules governing relations between States. International law is contained in agreements between States – treaties or conventions –, in customary rules, which consist of State practise considered by them as legally binding, and in general principles.

International humanitarian law applies to armed conflicts. It does not regulate whether a State may actually use force; this is governed by an important, but distinct, part of international law set out in the United Nations Charter.

Quest for Peace

clear blue skies in Mindanao, by Orange Tulip

Today is the ARMM elections in Mindanao which arguably would determine the future of RP elections as reported in the Philippine Star(http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080810103) and accordingly, even earthquake wont stop ARMM polls as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirerhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=153474 . I join many Filipinos and the global citizens of the world to continuously hope in the quest for peace for this island with clear blue skies and beautiful landscapes and breath taking sceneries, not to mention a lot of white sand beaches left unexplored by daunted citizenry and tourists both local and foreign due to the peace and order concerns.

May peace cease to be elusive in the near future.

I do not want the peace that passeth understanding.

I want the understanding which bringeth peace

-Helen Keller

A Cry for Peace in Mindanao

" A Hope for Peace in a dark world" , by Orange Tulip

As a global citizen i join the world and the Philippines in its cry for peace, foremost of which is its war-torn Mindanao. The photo above was taken at the then newly opened " People's Park" in Davao City, probably the major gateway to Mindanao due to the presence of the international airport, on my December 2007 visit. I was saving this for a photo exhibit in the near future but the events concerning the ancestral domain issues has inspired me to upload this photo in today's post.

Strategically located close to the hotels in Davao City is the " People's Park" where i took this photo while having a walk one early evening. I was in front of the fountains dancing gaily to the delight of both the children and adults as water sparkles in various hues. Although i am very much fond of fountains, what really got my attention during that time was the Christmas decoration in lights in one of the hotels nearby with words " Peace on Earth" referring to the essence of Christ's birth. While composing the photo, i was thinking that the fountains of various colours represents the multicultural Mindanao hoping for peace. And i asked myself- "When will peace be really achieved in the world and in this island?" Thinking about it sent a tremor to my heart. The words " Peace on Earth" in a dark evening was like an enormous longing for the Mindanaoans who have witnessed, emotionally and physically scarred and displaced by seemingly endless "war". I was thinking that the title of the photo should be " A Hope for Peace in a Dark World" As i dropped few coins in the "wishing well" close to the multicoloured fountains in the park, i quietly wished that peace in Mindanao, Iraq and other parts of the world will not remain a wish, or a political strategy or a buzz word -but a reality soon.

The news about the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity or BJE came as a huge surprise. The Philippine Daily Inquirer has a good account on this matter( http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080804-152469/GRP-MILF-draft-pact-on-Bangsamoro-homeland). While reading the broadsheet Philippine Star over a cup of chamomile tea, a front page photo of a family in Aleosan, North Cotabato, with uncertainty expressed in their eyes while taking all their necessary belongings to evacuate struck me.(http://www.philstar.com/) In the inside part of the paper is a photo of evacuees with the caption lining up for registration for possible aids (although i was thinking this is probably an SOP for evacuations). I have heard in the previous news accounts weeks ago that many houses were torched, and thousands of villagers have fled from their own homes bringing with them their livestock and belongings- as a result of the actions done by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF), the group that the Mindanao Peace Panel was supposed to have been negotiating peace with. This rampage was an aftermath of the temporary restraining order on the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Government Republic of the Philippines(GRP) peace panel with the MILF, another faction of the Muslim secessionist group Moro National Liberation Front(MNLF) headed by Nur Misuari, had a peace agreement in 1996 and as a result, having the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao(ARMM) through a plebiscite. Watching the television news about such volatile topic left me very much concerned. The day's big news is parallel to last night's midnight news. As a result, senators are calling for a new peace panel to be formed. (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080806125&type=2)

Being raised in Mindanao by migrant parents, i have perfectly assimilated the culture, happily mixed with natives and common folks , and joined the entire Mindanaoans in their continuous desire for peace. I grew up having both Muslim and Non-Muslim(well, its surprising why even in the milennium era Mindanao is still referred to as inhabited by Muslims and Christians which probably eliminating the indigenous groups in the process) Filipino friends and just like the children portrayed in the movie "Bagong Buwan http://www.mc.edu.ph/library/avinfo.asp?strSearch=&nType=3&nResourceID=1000008768 i saw no remarkable difference between Muslims and non-Muslims at all (except for the way they dress up and the food they prefer to eat) because i have observed how these people of various descent, culture or religion have lived harmoniously with each other in the places where we have been. I have seen a peaceful coexistence among the Muslims, non-Muslims, the Indigenous Groups and the local and foreign migrants. Does my perspective about the supposed harmony i am talking about fall short maybe because while growing up, we have not stayed in a particular place for a considerable amount of time?

While i was growing up in Mindanao, I was quite lucky for not experiencing the evacuation scenes portrayed in that movie that i watched with friends sometime in 2001 although i have heard about the places currently affected by the BJE misunderstanding, if i can put it that way, and the real-life scenes of fleeing civilians as shown in the television news account. I have experienced to set foot and basked in the sunshines of Cotabato to Davao City, thus passing by North Cotabato and going to the far Zamboanga City to see the famous tree house in its Pasonanca Park. My recent visit to Mindanao last year made me more familiar with the ARMM provinces (whose constituents have made a choice to be included through a plebiscite), including the Lanao provinces going to Misamis where Cagayan de Oro is. In addition to the "tinikling" and other Filipiniana dances, the "singkil" has continuously fascinated me. I have taken photos of sceneries in Zamboanga countrysides which fantastic landscapes awed me to no end. One of the cattle farms that i visited have really beautiful sceneries that could be compared to the the mountains and cattle farms of Switzerland.

The people of Mindanao, Muslims and non-Muslims alike are warm and friendly offering the best that they could have- their warm smiles, friendships and a variety of foods not only during fiestas but even on an unannounced visit/s to their homes. I remembered hearing a joke spreading around among friends in Manila that sardines or corned beef( yes, canned goods!) are considered as " special dish" in the countrysides of Mindanao . Well, this is probably because long before the word "food shortage" and "hunger" were not yet redundant, overused and experienced by many, there's plenty of food in the island who was once considered as " food basket", where families could easily butcher their free range chickens, or cook the eggs from their backyard poultry or gather vegetables readily available from their gardens. The sweetest and most delectable tropical fruits like banana and pineapples are from Mindanao. Well, the multinational companies Del Monte and Dole Philippines are strategic and wise enough to discover the favourable soil and weather for their farms. I have tasted different varieties of durian in a fruit stand near the bay in Davao City but i had a taste of the "native durian" in Zamboanga Sibugay last year.

As a little girl, i picked coffee( the experience is very similar to cherry picking) in one of the villages in the foothills of Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country. I was also privileged to have a dip in various beaches, rivers, lakes and springs in Mindanao, which surprisingly cost half or one fifth of a hundred pesos as entrance fee with its equally beautiful developed resorts in Laguna, Quezon and provinces in Luzon charging hundreds to thousands of pesos for a day tour. I was awed when i heard a little boy sing probably a folk song with remarkable words,

"Mindanao the land of promise"... in one of the community fiestas that i attended. And i wondered when will the words of the song come to a reality? I reckon the main problem why peace is elusive until these days, despite the continuing efforts of the Philippine government for peace negotiations is basically economic. Although the political and social aspect in the lives of- shall i call Mindanaoans is being considered as the root of the continuing struggles of the secessionist group/s, at the end of the day its all about the poverty and inequality that these people have arguably experiencing and given the opportunities to grow economically, i believe this island will be a great place to live.

Studying political science Down Under, i have further understood the deep rooted causes of the perennial conflicts in Mindanao when i took a lot of political science subjects on an international perspective. Most importantly, reading a thesis of a Mindanao State University political science professor discussing the ancestral domain and other concerns of the armed struggle in Mindanao further opened my eyes to a lot of realities in the entertwined lives of multicultural and multireligious Mindanao. When the news about the volatile situation in Mindanao, i immediately wished that the very elusive"peace" would become a reality making the evacuation centers most notably in Pikit, North Cotabato and neighbouring provinces like Sultan Kudarat would be devoid of any "resident". I wished that the displaced communities, families, bewildered,scared and scarred individuals, including children could go back to their homes and live "normal lives", depending on how they perceive normal to be. Similarly, i wish that instead of fighting the fellow Filipinos in their armed struggles for their causes, the military troops (a lot of which has been far away from their families, and using their limbs and even life in skirmishes and bigger battles, like the war aginst terrorism- to protect the country's interests as mandated by the Constitution) could rest for a while or for a longer while and would use their energies to maintain peace and order. Arguably, the search for "peace" still goes on and there is not yet any " order" to maintain- to start with. But "hope springs eternal", so they say and i have always opted to see the world with my pink coloured glasses. Mindanao is beautiful- the place, the people and its varied culture and i hope that its beauty will be relished by many soon.

Heading the Peace Panel in the past few years was the recently appointed Philippine Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, a native of Mindanao himself who pretty much know the culture in The South. Although his work was done sans media attention and criticism, only the Sulu and Basilan provinces were arguably considered as "hot spots", as portrayed by the media and even though there has been a lot of untoward and unhappy incidents of kidnapping and war against terrorism which was probably related to the 9/11, i havent heard any protest action as vast as what have the people in Iligan City, North Cotabato and Zamboanga has done in the past few days as a reaction to his work as the chief peace negotiating person and his panel.

Hermogenes Esperon, a general born and raised in The North, i gathered, has argued that he has been assigned in Mindanao and accordingly took care of North Cotabato for nine years as what he has been trying to convince the very much offended Vice Governor Manny Pinol with, at last night's television news. Taking care of Mindanao is foremost his job as he was then a military general. Although a lot of criticisms has been expressed as soon as he was named the Chief Peace Negotiator by the President of the Republic, he was still installed-regardless. I first got interested on this man after his name was dragged on the 2004 Philippine presidential elections and the issues on human rights violations specifically on extra judicial killings, was brought out in the open by no less than the UN envoy himself, Philip Alston to which a lot from the government, notably the Justice Secretary of course, reacted negatively(instead of taking it as a constructive criticism, something to learn lessons from). I do not exactly remember and aware when did the former general who fought these armed group including the MNLF and NPAs( i wonder why they are quiet this time) during his watch as the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but he- along with his peace negotiating panel, has created big news. This is brought about by the very sensitive issue of the ancestral domain. Is the BJE memorandum of agreement a sort of Trojan Horse? Once the agreement would be signed(which draws a lot of criticisms) , what is the guarantee that only the identified part of ancestral domain would be "covered" by the MILF? Even the ordinary folks in Mindanao, i gathered, are familiar with the Minsupala(stands for Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan) as the real target of these armed group. And when they heard that the national government would not help the villagers to secure their lands and properties as allegedly announced by Esperon, they have taken it upon themselves to arm and gather ammunitions in preparation for future or further assaults from MILF to defend themselves.

The Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Supreme Court, to the relief of the numerous petitioners led by Vice Governor Manny Pinol of North Cotabato and Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga among others, had in contrast disappointed former general Esperon and the current foreign affairs secretary Romulo who were prepared to sign the Memorandum of Agreement in Malaysia scheduled yesterday. MILF through its chief negotiator, Muhaquer Iqbal has expressed that it is already " a done deal"http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080805119&type=2. which probably sends both fear and anger to many Mindanaoans who know MILF pretty well. The enraged senators, who were elected by the Filipino people have then demanded for a replacement of Esperon. This is the headline of the Philippine Star( http://www.philstar.com/) and other major papers and the top news in all media. Senator Francis Escudero argued that Esperon's threat not to send aid in the hapless North Cotabato communities as a result of MILF retaliations due to the failed "signing" at the agreement that supposedly would bring "lasting peace" in Mindanao was tantamount to treason as reported by Christina Mendez in the day's issue of the Philippine Star. This enraged not only the senate but a lot of sectors in the Philippine society forcing a lot to air out their opinions.

To his credit, Esperon is admirable for standing for what he believes in. Regardless of the criticisms and reactions that was given his way, i reckon that this is his most admirable trait as a person which i reckon works both to his advantage and disadvantage. I am just wondering how does he define or describe the word " peace". Does his replacement or staying in the peace panel matter? What happens to the affected areas in the next few days? How will survival go for ordinary folks displaced or living in the periphery or close to the areas allegedly controlled by the MILF? While critical issues in relation to the BJE are being discussed or refined, if there are any or while waiting for the constitution to be amended to give way for the implementation of the so called " peace agreement" how could these affected folks live? Given posible displacement/s, where would they go to gather food for their families on a day to day basis? Is the government and civil society aids enough for their survival and for how long?

Meanwhile, while many of the politicians and top government officials based in Manila are busy in expressing their contrasting opinions about the issues related to the "ancestral domain", i wonder how the displaced locales of North Cotabato and neighbouring provinces are faring. Do they have any food to ease their hunger? Do they have any medicine or medical attention to ease their pains? Can they ever sleep amidst the horror of the ongoing circumstances, or to simplify my question, can they find a shelter, no matter how temporary it is- for a night's sleep? I have cried all throughout the film "Bagong Buwan'(New Moon) showing a glimpse of the sufferings in Mindanao but i can hardly bear to see these people's sufferings in reality.

And deep in my heart, i continuously cry for peace not only in Mindanao, but throughout the world and deep in the hearts of mankind. And i hope that this word "peace" goes beyond rhetorics.

Missing Brighton

waiting for sunset at the Brighton Beach

I miss relishing the green grass, the blue sea and the skies and the serenity of Brighton Beach. But most of all, i miss the company of friends who willingly accompanied me in my trips to Brighton, walking by its shores, swimming during summers, taking photos along the bathhouses, watching the surfers and kite flyers and simply waiting for the beautiful sunset.

The Bigger Picture

closer to clouds

aerial shot of the Queen City of the South

There is no security on this earth. Only opportunity.

-Douglas McArthur

Taking Risks

leaving the shores

the clear sky and the deep blue sea

on a journey...

photos by orange tulip

One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
--Andre Gide

Perhaps life is about taking risks and i realised that in some crucial aspects, i am a quitter when things/events do not happen the way i expect or want them to be. Sometime ago, an economist friend has advised me to take "calculated risks" but i am not really good in making such calculations, so i end up to be at a loss on how to deal with these stuff. To safeguard myself and those i love from further pains, i quietly walk away.

I have not learned my lessons over past failures and losses really well. When does a risk become worth taking? How would i know if it is best to just walk away from foreseen losses? Can possible losses really be foreseen? What if foresight have its own lapses and turns otherwise?

I reckon i have to lose sight of the shore for a longer time.