Welcome To My World!

Anilao
It is not only ideal for poking around and observing marine life but also outstanding for macro photography. Multi-hued crinoids are prolific. The variety of nudibranchs is unmatched. Night dives are especially nice and often reveal unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes, blue-ringed octopuses, mandarin fishes, and snake eels.

The area’s best known dive site, Cathedral, is two large mounds with a cross in between at 50’. It is a well established fish feeding station. Covered with corals, the site is spectacular at night. Sombrero has a shallow wall of about 60’ with some good coral growth; offshore but nearby are Beatrice Rock and Bajura. Schools of triggerfishes and sometimes jacks and surgeons swim by, and they appear to have the market on anthias.

One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall. Devil’s Point Twin Rocks, Coral Gardens, and Mainit are shallow dives with a wide array of invertebrates, especially nudibranchs. Bonete, Arthur’s, and Koala offer good dives for novices, with most to see above 50’. There is a good selection of hard and soft corals, anemones, and clownfishes, and goblinfishes at Arthur’s.

Apolinario Mabini Shrine
The national shrine is a memorial to the nationalism of Philippine hero Apolinario Mabini, known as the Sublime Paralytic, whose moral convictions and political principles illuminated the Filipinos in their search for national identity. It houses the remains and personal belongings of the late revolutionary hero who is also considered as the Brains of the Katipunan, the 1896 Filipino revolutionary movement against Spain. The shrine is located in Barrio Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas.

Taal Lake and Volcano
Southern Luzon’s centerpiece attraction is Taal Lake and Taal Volcano in Batangas. The gateway for most visitors is through Tagaytay City, from the ridge where a panoramic view of Volcano Island can be seen. The volcano is known to be the smallest in the world. Surrounded by a lake, it is situated on an 8.8-kilometer islet, lapped by the 27-kilometer-long lake. Both the lake and the volcano are situated on the crater of an extinct volcano. Volcano Island is also ideal for trekking.

Taal Heritage
Taal reigns as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era; the other is Vigan in Ilocos sur. The village conforms to the old town layout combining municipal hall-school-church-houses. It consists of a number of tourist attractions, namely, the Leon Apacible Historical Landmark, Marcela Mariño Agoncilio Museum and Monument, Basilica of San Martin de Tours, Escuela Pia, and Church of Our Lady of Caysasay.

Basilica of San Martin de Tours / Taal Church
San Martin de Tours is the patron of Taal, in whose honor a fest is celebrated every November 11. The church was first built by Father Diego Espina in 1575 in San Nicolas. It was destroyed when Taal volcano erupted in 1754, rebuilt at the present site in 1755, and once more destroyed by an earthquake in 1849. Construction of the present church was started in 1856. Once noted to be the biggest in South East Asia, the church is unique in its combined patriotic, religious, and artistic influence. Writers point to its theatrical exuberance. Its façade is baroque and consists of a single mass of stone shaped into rich complex designs. The church, however, is a fusion of styles with arched openings, alternating segmental canopies and arches of assymmetric shapes.

Church of Our Lady of Caysasay
This church is one of the province’s distinct cultural artifacts for some of the priceless relics of the Spanish colonial period. Among the relics are the 27-centimeter image of the Virgin which was fished out of the waters in 1603, the Augustinian emblems engraved on the communion rails, the ornately carved holy water receptacle, and the few baroque motifs which remain on the external frieze. The church has been renovated but many interesting details of period art can still be appreciated.

Mt. Maculot
One of the highest and most prominent mountains in the province, Mt. Maculot is one of the favorite sites of mountain trekkers. It is said that the mountain was the last stronghold of the Japanese in the province before they were defeated. Several tunnels built by the Japanese soldiers are present in the area. The name Maculot, meaning kinky, was derived from the curly-haired aborigines found in the place.

Parada ng Lechon
The celebration held every June 24 in the town of Balayan coincides with the feast of St. John the Baptist. Lechons, or roast suckling pigs, coming from each barangay of the town are paraded, dressed in accordance with the theme of the fiesta. The parade is capped with a grand viewing of the lechons at the plaza. After the parade, the townspeople and guests partake of the fare as well as engage in water dousing.

Punta Baluarte, Calatagan
A nature resort set on the rolling hills of Hacienda Bigaa, Punta Baluarte offers first-rate accommodations, world-class golf course and facilities.

Balisong
Batangueños have a long-standing reputation for bravery, owing to the Balisong, a Philippine handmade fan-knife native to the province. Balisongs are an excellent buy from the myriad of shops that litter the province, showcasing the artistry of Batangueños.

Tanauan Aerial Sports
Accessible in less than two hours south of Manila, the small town of Tanauan is the skydiving capital of the Philippines. The drop zone, between Mt. Makiling and Taal Volcano, showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The Skydiving Center in Tanauan has a 1200m airstrip with several aircraft available to take you aloft for jumping. The standard equipment is state-of-the-art square parachutes, which all have Cypress automatic activation devices fitted for maximum safety.

Mancono Forests
The unique “mancono” (ironwood) forests of Dinagat Island remain to be one of the watershed’s most productive resources.

Metallic & Non-Metallic Deposits
The province is endowed with an abundance of natural resources, especially metallic and non-metallic deposits. Metallic reserves registered a total of 347,845,684 metric tons of nickeleferous laterite ore, gold, chromite, lode ore, and laterite ore. Non-metallic reserves registered a total of 376,718,867 metric tons of limestone, silica deposits, guano, rock phosphate, sand, and gravel. Nonoc Island has one of the world’s largest deposits of nickel while Dinagat Island has major reserves of chromate.

Excellent Fishing Area
The province’s seawaters, covering 12,540 square miles, are abundant with different species of fish. Game fishing and spear-fishing enthusiasts will enjoy the bountiful seas along the tuna route. Over 23 different species are caught the whole year round. Marlin, tuna, lapu-lapu, molluscs, crabs, even squids, stingrays, and octopuses can be bought fresh and cheap from the fish vendors and fisherfolk.

Mangrove Forests
Mangrove is the major theme in the coastal areas of the province. The saltwater-loving trees form interminable marine forests covering an area of 17,473 hectares along the coasts of the mainland and the islands of Siargao and Dinagat.

Marine Ecosystems
The province boasts a variety of marine ecosystems such as lush seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are relatively healthy and intact, supporting a rich diversity of marine flora and fauna.

Mamanwa Tribe
The province is home to one of the country’s ethnic tribes, the Mamanwas. Surigao City’s Bonok-bonok Festival depicts the merrymaking of these native folks and their gratitude to their pagan gods for a bountiful harvest and good health.

Surfing
Siargao Island is reputed as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines. It hosts international surfing events yearly. Its waves combine the best quality features of the top-rated waves of Hawaii’s fabled “pipeline” and the top-billed waves of Indonesia. Its huge, powerful rollers have been ranked among the top five breaks in the world, including the “Cloud Nine” which is considered one of the world’s top surfing waves.

Other Water Activities
For adventurous divers, the coasts of the province offer interesting dive sites while the islands of Sagisi and Corregidor are excellent for snorkeling activities.

Caving
The province has a number of caves and tunnels in its islands. Some, like the Suhoton Cove at Bucas Grande Island, are half-submerged in water most of the time and could be accessed only during low tides. A guano cave is situated in a mountain at Libjo, within which is a lagoon that remains unexplored. Steep climbs are expected on the way to the cave.

Siargao Sea Kayaking
While there are few rental craft on the island, Siargao has superb sea kayaking opportunities – on the east side, facing the Philippine Trench, the deep blue sea runs straight up against a perfect tropical coast, offering unparalleled wave-running. On the other side of the island, one of the country’s largest expanses of virgin mangrove swamp provides an entirely different kind of exploration. This centuries-old ecosystem is a rich breeding ground for marine life, including the salt-water crocodile, and is an adventure no kayaker will want to miss.

JULY 28
ST. BOTVID

Botvid was born in Sweden. He lived near the end of the eleventh century. The young man was brought up a pagan. But when he went to England, he became a Christian. Although he was not a priest, he felt a great desire to spread the Gospel message. He wanted to share Christianity with his own countrymen. He would be a lay missionary.

For this reason, St. Botvid returned to Sweden to work for the Lord there. But he was not even satisfied then. He wanted the Gospel to be preached in Finland, too. So he bought a Finnish slave and taught him the Catholic religion. Then he set the slave free to go back to his own country and catechize there. That man repaid the saint for his goodness by a terrible act of ingratitude. St. Botvid set out in a boat to take him across the Baltic sea to Finland. When they went ashore and the saint was asleep, the wicked slave killed Botvid and sailed away with the boat. When the saint did not return, friends searched for him until they found his body. He died in 1100.

St. Botvid is honored as a martyr of charity and as one of the apostles of Sweden.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Friday (7/28): "The cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word"

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Meditation: How good are you at listening especially for the word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding of his word. This parable of Jesus is a warning to those who hear and who preach the word of God. What makes us ineffective and unresponsive to God's word? Preoccupation with other things can distract us from what is truly important and worthwhile. And letting our hearts and minds be consumed with material things can easily weigh us down and draw us away from the treasure that lasts for eternity. God's word can only take root in a receptive heart which is docile and ready to hear what God has to say. One lesson is clear: the harvest is sure. While some seed will fall by the wayside and some fall on shallow ground and never come to maturity, and some be choked to death by the thorns; nonetheless a harvest will come. The seed that falls on good soil, on the heart that is receptive, will reap abundant fruit.

and the winner is...

Ohhhh...I really feel sleeeepy!!!

I rather sleep first before eating my meal...

The cat prefers to sleep while the mouse plays...

What Inspires You?

Have you ever thought? What inspires YOU? What is it that drives you day in and day out? What is it that inspires you?

We think of creative people as being inspired and ask about their work. What inspired you to paint, draw, produce this piece of work? What inspired you to make this? Usually the answer is: a book, poem, film, experience, person, a place or in Cole Porter's case the 'phone call from the director'.

Something else or someone else inspired the artist, the songwriter. But what about the person in a regular job? What inspires you?

"Inspiration is a desire to live life without flinching. To take a risk and possibly fail. To act on your emotions, creativity, ability and beliefs. To take criticism but have the faith in yourself to do it anyway. Bloody hard work, but then hard work never killed anyone (or so my Dad says). Oh, and I find foster parents inspiring. They pick up the pieces when the fundamental teachings and rules of our society fail. If I were religious I'd ask God to bless em."Carolyn Tomley(Sydney Morning Herald website).

What is it that inspires you?

You can begin to see that if nothing inspires you or excites you or lights up your life you are really missing something. You are just like a robot performing task after task. We believe that deep down you have a place where you can be touched. You have a place that is solely ours. Solely for you to show the world. Can you name it?

But what inspires you? What makes you go to that space where you continue to do what you do for hour after hour, when you forget the need to eat and drink. What is it that inspires you?

Some artists suggest that it is their imagination that inspires them. The need to tell the world what is going on in their heads. The links that they make. The different ways of viewing the world. After all literature, music and visual arts are all about the originator communicating with the rest of us.

So inspiration appears to be linked with the need to communicate with others. It may not be in words. But we feel it is about communication. What about you? What are you inspired to communicate?

Inspiration is linked to innovation. To introduce new ways of seeing things. Inspiration is a way of understanding the essence of ourselves. Understanding who we are and what we dream about. Whatever it is that inspires you, it is the core of your very being. So what is it?

Perhaps the role of inspiration is to wake us up from a big sleep. A sleep where everyday is the same. Where we contribute to the world but at the same time we don't contribute because there is nothing of us in there. Perhaps the role of inspiration is to get us to become involved with the world rather than be a bystander, an observer.

When we tap into whatever it is that inspires us we become a full member of society. We are able to share our ideas, thoughts and emotions. As we share and show our dreams, emotions and ideas and thoughts then we gradually become to understand the person we truly are.

So, the role of inspiration is more than we first thought. More that just a drive to action. It actually enables you to understand the very essence of yourself and what you have to offer the world.

Inspiration gives you understanding.
Inspiration gives you an identity.
Inspiration gives you a way of being.

Can you really live without knowing what inspires you?

Wisdom of the Worlds Proverbs

You don't have to excavate diamond mines or oil fields to find one of the world's greatest treasures. All you need to do is look at the world's proverbs--the "people's wisdom." Legendary Spanish writer Miguel De Cervantes described proverbs as "short sentences drawn from long experiences," and Scottish Historian Thomas Carlyle once wrote, "There is often more spiritual force in a proverb than in whole philosophical systems."

Proverbs are what the entire world has been creating for thousands and thousands of years through its thoughts, observations, insights, experiences, teachings, lessons, and writings. Here are some of these jewels of wisdom:

The unborn baby that fears criticism will never be born. (Burundi)

Every head must do its own thinking. (Liberia)

The zebra told the white horse, "I am white," and told the black horse, "I am actually black." (Namibia)

If you put a rope around your neck, many people will be glad to drag you by it. (Egypt)

The supreme excellence is not in being better than others, but in being better than your former self. (India)

A small house is enough room for a thousand friends. (Syria)

Don't be too sweet, or else you will be eaten up; but don't be too bitter, or else you will be spitted out. (Hebrew)

You can close the city gates, but you can't close the people's mouths. (Iran)

Marriage is an uncut watermelon. (Iran)

Ripe fruit falls by itself--but it doesn't fall in your mouth. (China)

A wise man makes his own decisions, but an ignorant man mindlessly follows the crowd. (China)

''t have to cut down a tree to get its fruit. (Cambodia)

Different men have different opinions--some prefer apples, some onions. (Indonesia)

A few kind words can warm three winter months. (Japan)

The person who has many faults is usually the first to criticize others. (Korea)

The distance between heaven and earth is no greater than one thought. (Mongolia)

Opportunities come, but do not linger. (Nepal)

No matter how much care is taken, someone will always be misled. (The Philippines)

Where there is a sea, there are pirates. (Singapore)

A husband and wife often fight intensely at one moment and then kiss intensely at the next moment. (Taiwan)

The sweetness of food doesn't last long, but the sweetness of good words do. (Thailand)

Things used to be that way, now they're this way, and who knows what they will be like later. (Basque)

Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it. (England)

What "they say" is half lies. (England)

One day is as good as two for the person who does everything in its place. (France)

Sailors get to know each other better when there is a storm (Corsica)

A praying pirate is definitely a sign of danger. (The Netherlands)

Hell is paved with good intentions, and roofed with lost opportunities. (Portugal)

If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself. (Spain)

Buy from people who are desperate, and sell to newlyweds. (Spain)

A timely ore (penny) is as good as a kroner (dollar). (Denmark)

Ask for advice, and then use your brain. (Norway)

A gentle word opens an iron gate. (Bulgaria)

To change and to change for the better are two different things. (Germany)

Listen to valuable statements, even if they come from your enemy's mouth. (Greece)

A habit is first a wanderer, then a guest, and finally the boss. (Hungary)

It's natural to have some disagreement between husband and wife. (Hungary)

All the brains are not in one head. (Italy)

He is a fool who does not consider his own interests. (Malta)

Being too nice can cost a lot. (Yiddish)

Asking is no sin, and being refused is no tragedy. (Russia)

If you wonder often, the gift of understanding will come. (Arapaho)

Listen--or your tongue will keep you deaf. (Cherokee)

Let your nature be known and expressed. (Huron)

Respect everyone, but lower yourself to no one. (Shawnee)

If you make yourself into a doormat, people will wipe their feet on you. (America)

The road to the head lies through the heart. (America)

After weeks of beans and taters, even a change to taters and beans is good. (Cowboy)

He who speaks too much is tiresome; he who speaks to little is boring. (Mexico)

A mind can make a heaven out of hell, or a hell out of heaven. (Costa Rica)

Even the supreme cloth is bound to have one faulty thread. (Honduras)

Brief encounters can result in long relationships. (Cuba)

Being careful is not being a coward. (Haiti)

Suit the behavior to the occasion. (Columbia)

The miserable only keep track of your misses and never count your hits. (Paraguay)

Those who lose dreaming are lost. (Australia)

A house full of people is filled with different points of view. (New Zealand)

White-Sand Beaches
Take your pick from the fine beaches in Sta. Maria, Malita, Jose Abad Santos, Sarangani, and Balut Island.

Tudaya Falls
Located in Sta. Cruz, it is one of the highest waterfalls in the country.

Eco-Adventure Activities
These include river tubing, a simpler version of white-water rafting using inflatable tire, in Sibulan River, Darong, Sta. Cruz; mountain climbing/trekking in Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the country; mountain biking around the province; aqua-sports activities in Malalag, Sta. Maria, Jose Abad Santos, Sarangani, Sta. Cruz, and in other towns of the province.

Tourism Farms
These can be found in Kapatagan (coffee, vegetables), Hagonoy (banana, sugar cane, mango), Malalag (banana), Padada (banana), Malita (cacao, coffee, coconut).

Cultural Tribal Villages
The province is home to the B’laans found in Matanao, the Tagakaolos in Malita, and the Bagobos in Kapatagan, Digos City as well as Sibulan, Sta. Cruz.

Pearl Farm
The 11-hectare Pearl Farm Resort was once, literally, a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white, and gold pearls. The resort lies in a secluded island off the coast of Davao City. It boasts Samal Houses patterned after the stilt houses of seafaring Samal tribes of the Sulu archipelago, with schools of tiny fish frolicking between the sturdy poles that support the houses.

Crocodile Park
Probably the country’s richest in terms of biological diversity, Davao is now also known to be the habitat of crocodiles. In Ma-a, within the city of Davao, lies the Crocodile Park, the habitat for grisly crocodiles, including the country’s largest crocodile, named “Pangil.” Aside from crocodiles of varying ages and sizes, the park also houses various breeds of birds, from the Philippine sea eagle to kakatoe and Indonesian parrots – truly a sight to behold.

Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center
It is home to the world’s largest eagle, the Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird. Once known as the monkey-eating eagle, the Philippine Eagle is endemic to the eastern portion of the Philippines, comprising the Sierra Madre Mountains in eastern Luzon and the heavily forested area of Mindanao. The largest eagle, standing to about 3.5 feet, may be recognized by its powerful bill, strong legs and claws. The general body color is grayish brown on the back and wings, whitish on the front, neck, and belly, with shafts of gray brown streaked feathers on the head, which, when erect, form a crest.

Davao Mountainbiking
The Davao area has great opportunities for two-wheeled tours. The pristine hills and white-sand beaches of Samal Island make it a popular bike destination, and a well-attended race is held here annually. From Davao City you can make day trips to the rugged foothills of Mt. Apo, the archipelago’s highest peak. There are other options for extended touring, with roads running up the coast into Davao Oriental, south to Davao del Sur, and the classic long route across the center of Mindanao, descending into Bukidnon and continuing out to the coast at Cagayan de Oro City. Davao has an active biking community; there are several well-stocked shops, bikes are available for hire.

Davao Trekking
Far to the south, the mountains of Mindanao offer another range of trekking experiences. Begin on the slopes of Mt. Apo (2990m), the highest point in the country. This peak towers over the Davao plain, dominating the horizon for kilometers around. The most popular trail, starting in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, passes swift-flowing rivers, streaming hot springs and virgin forest before arriving at the tranquil Lake Venado. The trail to the summit is demanding, leading you through fields of boarders, jagged peaks and a large crater with unearthly sulphur pillars.

JULY 27
ST. PANTALEON

Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black Sea, in Asia. He lived in the fourth century. He was such a famous doctor that Emperor Galerius Maximian chose him for his personal doctor. There, at the wicked, pagan court, Pantaleon got into trouble. He was a Christian, but little by little, he let the bad example around him ruin him. He began to agree with the false wisdom praised by the pagans. At last, he committed the great sin of giving up his Christian faith entirely.

A holy priest named Hermolaos was deeply saddened to see the famous doctor desert Jesus. He went to him. With his wise, kind words, he made Pantaleon realize what a sin he had committed. Pantaleon listened to him and admitted that he had been very wrong. He detested his sin and joined the Church once more. To make up for what he had done, he greatly desired to suffer and die for Jesus. In the meantime, he imitated Our Lord's charity by taking care of poor sick people without any charge.

When Emperor Diocletian began his persecution, Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Not long afterward, some jealous doctors accused him of being a Christian. He was given the choice of denying his religion or of being put to death. Pantaleon absolutely refused to say he was not a Christian and no torture could make him do it. There has been strong devotion in past ages to this saint. In the East he is called the "great martyr and wonder-worker."

Daily Reading & Meditation

Thursday (7/27): "Many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see and hear what you hear"

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: `You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Meditation: Do you want to grow in your knowledge of God? Augustine of Hippo once said: "I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe." Both faith and understanding are gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to hear God's word with clarity so we can know him better and grow in the knowledge of his love and truth. Jesus, however, had to warn his disciples that not everyone would understand his teaching. The prophet Isaiah had warned that some would hear God's word, but not believe, some would see God's actions and miracles, and remained unconvinced. Ironically some of the greatest skeptics of Jesus' teaching and miracles were the learned scribes and Pharisess who prided themselves on their knowledge of scripture and the law of Moses. They heard Jesus' parables and saw the great signs and miracles which he performed, but they refused to accept both Jesus and his message. How could they "hear and never understand" and "see but never perceive"? They were spiritually blind and deaf because their hearts were closed and their minds were blocked by pride and prejudice. How could a man from Galilee, the supposed son of a carpenter, know more about God and his word, than these experts who devoted their lives to study and teaching?

There is only one thing that can open a closed and confused mind - a broken heart and a humble spirit! The word disciple means one who is willing to learn and ready to submit to the wisdom and truth which comes from God. Psalm 119 expresses the joy and delight of a disciple who loves God's word and who embraces it with trust and obedience. "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation." (Psalm 119:97-99)

God can only reveal the secrets of his kingdom to the humble and trusting person who acknowledges their need for God and for his truth. The parables of Jesus will enlighten us if we approach them with an open mind and heart, ready to let them challenge us. If we approach God's word with indifference, skepticism, and disbelief, then we, too, may "hear but not understand" and "see but not perceive". God's word can only take root in a receptive heart that is ready to believe and willing to submit. If we want to hear and to understand God's word, we must listen with reverence and faith.