Save the Sea Turtles

I am absolutely enraged by the recent news about a Chinese vessel seized for POACHING more or less 500 of our beloved, not to mention endangered, sea turtles off of Half Moon Shoal---an area close to Palawan, Philippines. I know there is currently a spat between the Philippines and China over disputed territories but it is even more evident now why China should not reign over these Spratly Islands, at least until they learn to respect laws protecting the endangered wildlife. The poachers kill these kind, gentle creatures for their meat to eat and for their shells to make into jewelry. Sea turtle poaching is not only limited in Asia, there are also similar reports coming from Costa Rica and Mexico.

Photo Courtesy of Philippine National Police Maritime Group

I love sea turtles because in spite of being big for its kind, they have a serene and calm disposition. I like to think that I use this blog as a platform to write articles that would give hope, joy and laughter but I also want to use it as a voice for animals and people who cannot speak for themselves. 

 Photo: wallpoopy.com

Photo: wallsave.com

I always say to myself, "You'll never know who might read  or hear about this." The first step to education is awareness so let's help spread the word about this cruelty against sea turtles and to any other wildlife, may they be endangered or not. Share this with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors...'coz it's a small world only if we try to reach out. 

LET'S SAVE THE SEA TURTLES!

Toodles!

Travel Philippines: Taal Volcano

As you all know, I've been here in California for almost a decade and somewhere in between, there are times when I truly miss the Philippine islands. I miss it so much that whenever there's even a slight reference about my country and/or countrymen, whether it be in movies, documentaries or on any other media, I feel like I'm somehow keeping in touch.

Anyway, I saw this travel feature in one of the lifestyle websites that I'm subscribed to, Thrillist.com:

Click here for to see the full article ----> Thrillist.com

Thrillist is a good tongue-in-cheek website to check out if you live or visit in the main cities of the US since they cover everything from local eats, travel features and even weird gadgets.

I guess it really takes a true native to know their own motherland because right when I saw the picture, I knew it was in the Philippines. Hello there, blue skies! You know what's sad though? I've been to Tagaytay countless times, where it has the most splendid view overlooking the beautiful lake and the island but I've never actually been to the island itself.

Oh and do you know that the second most active volcano, Taal Volcano, is on the island? Yea, I'm not ready for it to go Dante's Peak on my hiney-ho so I'll stick to my mango shake and full body massage in Tagaytay for now.

While you're in the Philippines, don't forget to try out our mango shakes. We have both the green and yellow variety but y'all know I'm such a sweet tooth that I always go for the yellow.

*Back in 2011. Tagaytay, Philippines*

Here's to more features on my beloved Filipinas!

Toodles!

The Martyr

I just want to take this moment and give a shout out to one of our locals from the Visayas Islands, Philippines (most say he is from the province of Cebu), San Pedro Calungsod, who is being canonized today in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI. In the Catholic church, martyrs may be later on canonized as saints. These are people who had selflessly given up their lives for the sake of their faith and beliefs. I think it doesn't take just a Catholic to appreciate a selfless act such as that.

San Pedro Calungsod was only a teenager when he served and died for the Catholic faith during the 17th century...

I'm hoping that our youth would take after the faith and good acts such as this beloved Saint had demonstrated in his time of service.

One more Filipino Saint in the books! 

Toodles! =)

My Friend, The Artist: Nomads No More

During my college days, I met a lot of people...fun, intelligent, sometimes a little looney interesting people. Happily, these people became good friends of mine and they still are to this day. It's amazing how this one particular awesome friend and I used to bond over Chicken Fingers and a full order of Caesar Salad at T.G.I. Friday's, wailing over our non-existent love lives then you fast forward to 10 years after, and that same friend of yours ends up seeing the world and all its wonders. But who knew that this ecclectic, bright-eyed friend would transform into a globe-trotting, up-and-coming photographer slash writer slash artist? I did. I knew it all along, I just didn't want to spoil the big surprise and tell her I have E.S.P.N. =)

This friend that I speak of is none other than the multi-talented Ms. Karen Capino. She just had her first photo exhibit entitled "Nomads No More" in Baguio, Philippines and I am nothing less of a proud friend to share with you her brilliant works of art. In her travels, sight-seeing was not enough for her, she had to unleash her passion for photography and unleash, she did.

"Nomads No More is about snapshots I've taken in Mongolia. Mongolians are the last nomads on Earth. They just recently embraced democracy (20 years ago) so they are slowly becoming nomads no more." - Karen Capino

Aside from Mongolia, Karen has ventured through cobble-stoned roads in Europe, trekked across dirt roads in Sri Lanka and all over Southeast Asia, inhaled the fresh Alaskan air, rolled around the Caribbean sand and most of all, re-discovered our own beloved motherland through the mountainous regions of Cordillera, Philippines.

Sri Lanka

Luang Prabang

Alaska

Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines

Tuscany, Italy..My favorite photo! 

Ms. Capino currently resides in the Philippines and you can check the rest of her photography here or browse on her current project at Tumblr theindigenoushipster.tumblr.com

Yup, that undeniable deep-dimpled smile is photographer Kars Capino.

What can I say, I'm blessed with talented friends. Makes me wonder what hidden talents I have?

How about a lion whisperer?

Who knows. Roar.

Toodles! =)

The Dancing Prisoners

Who would have thought that we would see a group of prisoners in my humble hometown, Cebu, become a hit sensation all over the world? Being a prisoner is definitely something not to be proud of but it's amazing how the human spirit can turn things around and make something funny and creative out of the worst case scenario. In a way, these prisoners are showing their vulnerable side, something that we rarely capture on film since people who go to prison are usually stamped as an undesirable forever.

This really goes to show that it's an innate behavior for Filipinos to want to entertain. It just really runs in our blood, we love hosting joyous occasions and we certainly love a good laugh. Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg. The inmates do these dance stints as part of a rehabilitation program as well, which I think is an excellent choice. You combine discipline through choreography, exercise through rapid dance movements, and it (hopefully) promotes camaraderie among fellow inmates and the facility's employees.

I believe this was the first video that went viral and it was even featured on a segment on CNN. Check out the muscles on that guy in the pink halter top.

Here's a newer video of them doing a dance number of Gangnam Style. Talk about not letting anyone rain on their parade...they performed flawlessly even in the heavy pouring rain, and everyone knows that this ain't no California drizzle!

If it weren't for the flashy "P" on the back of their shirts, you'd forget that they are actually prisoners!

Yup, this is where I grew up. CEBU... where we have pristine white sand beaches, cheap eats and dancing prisoners! And you wonder why I'm always smiling =)

Toodles! =)

The Filipino Box

What's in a box? A box could be filled with trinkets, it could be filled with something sparkly or if you're unlucky, it could even just be plain empty (attitude adjustment wouldn't hurt, ey?). But this box that I have is no ordinary box... it's a Filipino box! If you're not a fellow Filipino, you've probably been wondering what's inside those huge boxes that Filipino travelers have in tow at the airport. Sorry to disappoint you, we stopped smuggling an entire village through those boxes so we managed to fill them with other things instead. Ha! You see... when Filipinos travel, we either go big or go home. And going big means nothing short of goodies and treats that make my heart skip a beat and brings me to a place of rainbows, unicorns and Carebears!

Carebear, starreeeee!

So you can just imagine my excitement when my sister, Kiwi, finally came back here in the U.S. from her 3-month vacation in our hometown, Cebu! Lucky brat. Forget the low-fat, low-sodium snacks! There's nothing better than having some yummy in my tummy that brings back awesome memories of the good ol' days in the Philippines =)

Mine! Mine! Mine! My heavenly box of goodies :) Can you spot Skyler in this picture?

Now there's one delicacy that us, Filipinos really enjoy despite the fact that it does seem like such a simple no-fuss kinda treat. This was the one that I especially pestered my sister about... and this simple sugary treat is called "Polvoron", derived from the Spanish word "polvo" which means powder or dust, but I prefer to think of the former since eating dust doesn't sound as appetizing. The most popular one in the Philippines is sold by the major restaurant chain, Goldilocks.

The Filipino version of polvoron mainly consists of powdered milk, sugar and nuts but this sweet piece of heaven is so delicate that it could actually break apart and crumble even before it plummets to its death in your mouth.

Back when I was a kid, I remember having loads of those polvoron contests among classmates and cousins, pretty much the goal is to speak or whistle while having an entire polvoron stuffed in your mouth. Whoever doesn't have polvoron spurting out of their mouth while speaking or whistling wins and of course, no one ever wins... except that you don't lose either because after all, you do have an entire piece of that yummy polvoron in your mouth!

 Food games are always the best, non?

Toodles!

My Home

Some of my readers may not be aware of it but I am Filipino, born and raised in a little quaint city called Cebu. Some of you may not know either, that the Philippines is a tropical country that is blessed with an abundance of rain. Sometimes this abundance becomes overwhelming, as the monsoon rains could pour out for days.

In the past week, the monsoon rains have poured reportedly about 500mm of rain which left 50 percent of Metro Manila flooded. I know it's hard to imagine how it would be like to experience severe flooding, as some of you may live in a place where having as much as a little thunderstorm could mean having a bad omen.

How bad could it be? Trust me. It's real bad. You can literally swim through the flood as if swimming through an Olympic-sized pool, except that there is a great chance that the athlete you may be competing with is a big wet rat hanging on to a cardboard. And no, not even your precious SUV could pummel through these waters.

But you know what, Filipinos experience this almost every year. It's not a good thing, no...but we don't let anything rain on our parade (yep, pun intended). And to prove to you how Filipinos keep their spirits high in such disasters and calamities, here are some photos that cannot deny the evident Filipino humor (or improvisation?).

I was checking my Facebook for updates in Manila but these amusing photos have been gracing my news feed instead. The Filipinos are at it again! =)

I hope the original owners of the photos won't mind me borrowing these =)

Want to cruise on a rainy day but too flooded to use the car? Use the wave runner!

Can't afford a wave runner? Just build a boat out of plastic bottles!

Air beds are not just for sleep overs anymore!

What flood? Pshhh. Lemme get my drink on.

Who wants a piggy-back ride?

Filipino humor is so contagious, it tends to rub off on the tourists... is flood-swimming fun? Yes! Is it really dirty? Heck yes! Will you get sick? Even bigger heck yes! 

Image via Manansala Photography

I know it's probably not as humorous to some as it is for me or the rest of my fellow Filipinos. But to us, these photos are just a reminder of how nothing could ever dampen our spirits and we will always show our resilience, no matter what life throws at us. So, the next time you attempt to cry about your first-world problems, you might want to re-read this post again =)

On a serious note, the Philippine Red Cross would appreciate any amount and any kind of donation that you could send their way. There are hundreds of flood victims that have no food, clothing nor shelter to stay in. Please click on the Philippine Red Cross website for more information.

You don't need to be a Filipino to help, you just need to be human.

Thank you. Salamat.

Toodles!

Dedon

I was in the mood to do a little cleaning in the apartment today and look what I found underneath a huge pile of random junk mail...

I totally forgot that my W magazine actually came in about two weeks ago but luckily I was off today so I gladly perused through it. I usually skip to the beauty and travel section, and to my wonderful surprise, here in this prestigious magazine is an article about SIARGAO, PHILIPPINES.

It had a four-page spread by Armand Limnander about his visit to a place in Siargao called Dedon Island. The article essentially explores the eco-friendly resort that sits on a four-acre property, owned by Bobby Dekeyser. Dekeyser happens to be the founder of an outdoor-furniture company called Dedon, which manufactures hand-woven furniture in Cebu. I seriously beam with pride when Cebu gets a mention, in this case, in one of my fave fashion magazines.

Cebu, in fact, has always been a well-known hub for exporting world-class furniture. Here are some of Dedon's fun, signature pieces that I thought were eye-catching yet completely functional and cozy...

THE NESTREST

YIN YANG

OBELISK

ORBIT XXL

For more of Dedon's designs, you can check out the Dedon website.

I gotta admit, looking at all these wonderful outdoor furniture is making me miss Cebu a lot.

Where am I from, you ask? Oh. I'm from Cebu, you know..where we have awesome beaches and awesome "lechon" (roasted pig) and awesome people who make awesome furniture. That's a lot of awesomeness to handle. I know.

Have a great Friday the 13th!

Toodles! =)

Keeping Up With the Joneses.. Without The Benjamins

I was a brand-craving idiot. Take note, I said WAS. So don't be prejudice or I won't hesitate to throw this patent black four-inch stiletto heel at you. I used to think that wearing the latest, expensive and coolest brands of clothing would get me noticed and appreciated, and in return, it would make me feel good about myself. But nope, it's not what life is all about so I grew up and I grew out of it. Don't get me wrong, I still love luxurious things, I still want them..but I don't need to sell my soul to the devil just to impress other people. I try to buy things that I know I can afford and I only splurge if it's worth it.

Wearing anything branded has been integrated in Asian culture for as long as I can remember. Acquiring high-end brands represent status, achievement and a sense of empowerment... at least that's what some people who get too caught up with brands think. Thus, the surplus of counterfeit goods of high-end brands evident all over Asian countries.

Thanks to one of my beautiful sisters, she shared with me this link of a Filipino blogger,who posted an article that fascinatingly narrates a sad (but juicy) ordeal about a woman's obsession of worldly things that led her and her family's life to spiral down to kingdom come. Here is the link to the story...

http://chuvaness.com/9053/shopping/talk-of-the-town-the-birkin-scammer/

The culprit to her demise...disguised in gold-plated brass hardware and supple leather.

Hermes Birkin Bag

Hermes Pink Tosca Fjord Leather 35cm Birkin Bag with Gold Hardware

Hermes Mykonos Matte Alligator 35cm Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware

From what I hear, these babies range from $10,000 USD and up. The more exotic the leather (crocodile, alligator, ostrich, python, lizard) , the higher the ticket price.

This Birkin made of crocodile skin and a clasp encrusted with 10 carats of white diamonds is being sold at a whopping $120,000 USD.

Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag

I only started appreciating bags when I started working. I actually had a phase of "hoarding" and I'm not talking about buying your usual $800 a pop kinda bags, think $2,000+ a pop. Damn you, Louis for whispering in my ear! It may be nothing to the Hermes-toting ladies out there but it was not good for me at all, my savings took a beating and I had to take a step back and slow down. And you know how I shook and brought myself back down to earth? I realized that there are people who find so much contentment in the simpler things in life, whether they are rich or poor. I really hope that I will be able to instill that attitude in my future children as well.

I faced the fact that I couldn't afford to buy everything I wanted, all at the same time. At least not right now. I told myself, Slow down, you'll get everything you need and eventually, everything you want..with hard work. 

I know there are some people who strive to compete and compare lifestyles with their friends. If your friends make you feel inadequate, they don't deserve to be regarded as a friend at all. But once you bite the bait and start trying to compete as well, then you don't deserve to be called one either. I know a lot of relationships and friendships that have been left battered and maimed by greed and envy. The funny thing that everyone has to realize is that trying to keep up with the Joneses is a vicious cycle. You will never get there and it will never be enough. No matter how rich you think you are, someone out there will always have something better than you... a better car, a bigger house, a bigger ring, a bigger yacht, a bigger private jet, a richer husband, etc. 

It's perfectly fine to enjoy the finer things in life and in this case, expensive purses, as long as we remember what's more important... killer shoes.

Just kidding.

Life's a Beach

While I sit here in my little apartment, my mind usually tends to wander back to the Philippines..to my hometown, Cebu. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a city close to awesome, awesome beaches that my standards are relatively higher than those who aren't frequently exposed to the sandy shores.

I mean, a couple of hours from my town and you get this...

Bantayan Island via http://www.bantayanisland.org

I don't mean to be a snob but sometimes when people brag to me about their recent trip from (insert BLAH beach that they just went to), I sometimes nod in approval but deep down inside..I just want to say Hello? I'm from Cebu. Go figure! *snap* (don't forget the snap, it's crucial)

Our beautiful, white sand beaches all over the Philippines are quite affordable..well, at least most of them. Don't believe me? Ask the locals from Cebu..they are ALWAYS at the beach. Heck, at the rate they're going, I wouldn't be surprised if they develop gills from staying too long in the water.

As Cebu being my number one biased choice, I'd like to explore the rest of the world for the craziest, unbelievable, powdery white sand beaches that this planet has to offer. And since I am allowed to day dream, here are my top picks on the beaches that I would most likely be seen running amok..someday..if I win the lottery.

Pristine white sand beach fronts...clear blue water...secluded islands combined with luxury amenities..

Get ready for your jaws to drop..

Amanpulo Resort, Palawan, Philippines

via www.amanresorts.com

 Shangri-la Villingili Resort, Maldives

via www.shangri-la.com

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

via www.lwh.com

Constance Lemuria Resort, Seychelles

 

via http://lemuriaresort.constancehotels.com

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

via www.allbestbeaches.com

via www.travelontheworld.com

These beach resorts are so secluded, you wouldn't have to worry about how you'd look like in your teenie bikini or tight speedos...and yes, even with your cottage cheese legs and saggy hiney.

Did you notice that I didn't put any descriptions at all on each resort? There are no words that can do justice! *sniff*

Okay. I need to snap out of it now. My carpet needs serious vacuuming from all that fur that my dog is shedding off and the dishes are piled up higher than the Eiffel tower. Alas, it's back to slavery!

Toodles!