intermission... honeymoon part 1

I know, the Philippine trip blog is long overdue for an addition. But let me share some photos from our trip to Europe. And then maybe, we will continue adding more photos from our philippine trip, which is long overdue...

Pulbura't Paputok

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

New year in the Philippines is as exciting, loud, colorful and gut-filling as any festivity should be. I miss the celebrations where food is as abundant as the laughter of friends and family.

I miss the pungent smell of firecrackers; the loud and constant explosions that happen round the clock for a period of three weeks or so. The thick, dense smoke of expended firecrackers envelopes the land and gunks up inside your nostrils. I miss picking my nose the morning after, finding the most hideous boogers I have ever had in a year. (It's actually quite refreshing to be able to clear your nostrils in that manner, being able to breathe with less effort.) Only in the Philippines...

oh yeah... it was Rizal Day

December 30 was Rizal Day. The day our National Hero was executed via firing squad. And No... not with paintballs but with real live lead bullets.

This could be a quite controversial blog post? oh well...

(DiSCLAIMER: No offense to our National Hero, just a rhetoric discussion of an alternate history)

Top 10 Reasons Why I think the Philippines could have been better off without Jose Rizal:

(If only the Spaniards ruled just a 'lil bit longer in Philippine history)

1. Almost all Filipinos will actually be Spaniards. How hot!
2. Majority of Filipinos will speak Spanish. Dios Mio!
3. Filipinos will be Europeans.
4. Japanese and Americans wouldn't have had the chance to abuse our resources and women.
5. Better education for our people. Less chances of illiteracy.
6. The Revolution would have sufficed anyways in keeping the Kastilas in check.
7. Less graft and corruption in the government due to better education of the masses.
8. No artistas will even attampt to try their luck in politics. The Spanish friars would have beheaded them or raped them or both.
9. College students can better focus on their field of study since they don't have to study JP Rizal as a required elective in school.
10. Highschool students don't have to gnash their teeth and pull their hair when reading and trying to understand Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

what if?

So...what if the Spaniards failed to make a gas stop in one of our seven hundred thousand one hundred islands about 500 years ago? What would have happened to Filipinos?

What religion could we have embraced if the Spaniards were not able to introduce us to Christianity?

Who would we still have a Christian Life Program? and who will do Talk #2?

feel free to leave comments....

If you are to visit Bohol, we suggest hiring a private tour guide. Tourism is one of the major industry of this region. The local guides here can put together a custom tour package for you and your family and friends. Your tour guide also provides your group with comfortable and reliable transportation. And as I said before, the locals are extremely friendly, polite and honest. Hiring a local tour guide is totally worth it! I think we paid around P3500 for a 2 day tour with airport transfers. Ask Katya for Mang Rudy's number. Better yet... join us as we enjoy Bohol in June 2010!

blood compact

I cant wait to have another drinking session with the locals!

Boholanons pride themselves for being peaceful and honest people. They say, you can leave your car with it's engine running and all your belongings in it without worrying that somebody will take it.

Doll-Pen Watching

we will let you in on some of our inside jokes.

there are a

lot of interesting signages all over the Philippines and it is equally entertaining and hilarious.

this is also a personal ongoing photo project for me.

definitely more to come after the 2010 visit.