81, 82 or 83: What’s the count?

I can’t remember exactly when I did finally chalk my 81st. At the time, I wasn’t really keeping tab of the places I have been to, so long as I get to find a story to tell or a moment to capture and photograph. This #81PH fad was still unheard of.

I have already published a few articles about travel, yet some remain to still see the light of day — mostly because I ran out of steam. I think writer’s block is as real as sunrise. I still have a lot of travel stories to tell, but I can’t seem to find the same drive or energy as I had. Also, my patience has waned a lot that I cannot seem to go past the whole process of tedious manuscript revisions. After a few drafts, I simply find myself abandoning the task.

However, I have yet to satisfy my thirst for capturing beautiful photographs, which fuels my itch to travel. Photos have always been a big thing for me and after about a quarter-century of travelling, I have amassed upwards of 125,000 pictures and counting!  Looking through them one day, they reminded me of the special moments captured in each one of the albums. Apart from words, photos in themselves truly are stories waiting to be told. I can look at one and weave together the story behind it. That’s what always made them special. And as I reminisce with some photos,  I came to the realization that I have — forgive me for this oft-used term — “conquered” all 81 provinces of the Philippines! 

You can download the Timba app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timba.app

Thanks Al John Quiapon for this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timba.app

Hurrah? Not really. I may have been to all 81 (or is it 83 now?) provinces but I haven’t completely seen the whole country, much less capture a singular picture of it. I must concede, much is yet to be discovered — sights to see, adventures to explore, cultures to experience. Y’see, travel spins us around in two directions at once — while it shows us sights and stories that we usually ignore in our day-to-day lives, it also allows us to discover parts of ourselves that we do not  otherwise recognize. In being in a different place, with different people, we bring ourselves to uncharted states of mind and reflections.

Reflections. Well, I’m still trying to work that one out; thus, saving it for another time. Cheers!

Art In Island: Where you can be art

Under the sea, my favorite mural.

Most of us are all too familiar with the “DO NOT TOUCH”, “DO NOT CROSS” and other admonitions and restrictions plastered on museum walls.

At Art in Island, a 3D art museum, that is not the case — instead, visitors are encouraged to interact with the art.

Visitors will find themselves dwarfed by the vastness of some 3D art.

Art in Island at No. 175 15th Ave., Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City is open from Tuesdays to Sundays between 9:30AM to 9:30PM.

If you want to spend as long as you want — doing all sorts of crazy poses until you have that perfect photo — I suggest you go early on a weekday.

Here are a few of my favorite artworks:

Enduring Symbols of Batanes

Chavayan Village, Sabtang, Batanes

Sunset by the Bay

Baywalk, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Priorities

Taking a break in Oslob, Cebu.

Untitled 1

Be like little children…

While watching the live telecast of the papal mass being held at the Luneta Grandstand, my daughter bunched up together the Rosary beads which I bought as souvenirs from Naga City, Camarines Sur yesterday, and exclaimed, “Dad, let’s have it blessed by Pope Francis!”

Before I could say anything, she gingerly laid down each one on the table in front of the television:

Who can argue with a little child’s faith?

 

Welcome 2015!!!

A somber sky…

… you made my brown eyes blue.

Burning…

If there’s a burning in your heart…