tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55866694776109027712024-03-13T08:49:59.563+08:00Scud in Real LifeAttack life, it's going to kill you anyway.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-15329146443362793252010-05-06T22:46:00.002+08:002010-05-06T22:52:38.515+08:00So Long...<div style="text-align: left;">Scud has a new <a href="http://www.scudinreallife.wordpress.com/">home</a>.<br /></div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-68247562321604204902010-05-06T00:01:00.003+08:002010-05-06T00:06:25.086+08:00Lakes, Shipwrecks, and Limestone of Coron - Day 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4581734422_550f75e636_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 453px; height: 285px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4581734422_550f75e636_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I climbed Mt. Tapyas for the second time on our 4th and final day in Coron to catch the sunrise. Contrary to a couple of days back when we were racing to the summit at a brisk pace to catch the sunset, the climb in the early hours of the Monday morning was leisurely. We took our time (it was pitch dark in some places) and I was able to appreciate the view of Coron while walking up the 712 steps.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/4581737400_549ba9c5c2_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 453px; height: 285px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/4581737400_549ba9c5c2_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After snapping photos of the sunset, the Coron town from miles up, and unsuccessfully attempting jump shots we returned to the resort. We hastily took a bath, ate breakfast, had a group photo, and rushed to the airport to catch our 10am flight back to Manila.<br /><br />The 4-day stay in Coron was a feast to the eyes and a dent to the pocket. I didn't mind. I will still be going back to see more of the islands. Perhaps in a couple of years.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a list I made of what I will remember most of my Coron trip.<br /><br />1. The safari-like ride from the Busuanga airport to Coron Town Proper. I wished there was a jeepney or open van where I could have stayed on top to shoot a video of the landscape.<br />2. No Jollibee, McDonald’s, KFC and other fastfood joints. I particularly digged the experience walking at night finding a place to eat. And eating barbecue and isaw and balun-balunan and grilled hotdogs.<br />3. Islands made out of limestone.<br />4. Banol Beach.<br />5. Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, and Twin Lagoon.<br />6. Snorkeling.<br />7. Shipwrecks.<br />8. Our boat getting hammered by the angry sea on a sunny day on our 3rd day.<br />9. Climbing all 712 steps of Mt. Tapyas. Twice.<br />10. New friends. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ka-badminton ko na ang iba sa kanila ngayon.</span><br /></div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-69916622384685266062010-05-03T22:28:00.012+08:002010-05-03T22:44:59.572+08:00Wrecks, Lakes, and Limestone of Coron - Day 3<div style="text-align: justify;">It was the last day of island hopping. The weather was great. The sun was up. Clouds were everywhere. But it was all a facade.<br /><br />When we went out to sea I could see the waves were huge. The sea was angry. And so was the wind. The creak of the boat's structure threatening to give way was audible. With the demented mind that I have, I thought the boat was going to break apart. At one point the roof of our boat got blown away.<br /><br />Someone started videotaping the wild ride. We smiled. We laughed. It was all a facade, disguising the fact that we were all nervous. Then the captain decided to take a shortcut. And what a shortcut it was. It was a marshland. It was cool.<br /><br />When we exited the marshland, the sea had changed mood. It was surprisingly calm. We can now safely navigate our way to Gunboat Island where we can snorkel and get a good view of one of the sunken ships of WWII.<br /><br />The island turned out to be the only land we dropped by the rest of the day. We were brought to one snorkeling site to another. I was most impressed with Coral Island. Corals of all shapes and sizes were everywhere. Fishes were not in abundance but it was worth it.<br /><br />The two-hour boat ride back to Coron proper was rough. This time we weren't scared. There were other boats traversing the same path. It was like we were on a race on which boat would arrive first at the drop off point. It was fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Day 3 Photos</span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8v-vPURQqcDXBeQ3SYPbB24DxL2BFvr4zf9DjS8cykPvrgFPV_hflbUwrxuknaO2LpdPLnqmGCS99g88cMXLIdKhSfvCFL2rKVyTSJEdg083CiDhSQxMguc1FmK-_8XItegXky_2kEY/s1600/DSC_0991.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8v-vPURQqcDXBeQ3SYPbB24DxL2BFvr4zf9DjS8cykPvrgFPV_hflbUwrxuknaO2LpdPLnqmGCS99g88cMXLIdKhSfvCFL2rKVyTSJEdg083CiDhSQxMguc1FmK-_8XItegXky_2kEY/s400/DSC_0991.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467021594052781346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shortcut Through the Marshland</span></div> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnEPgOJg89T0cbCXeMYbPOlaMH7xtz-xNtfDdn9TR-U-wa2Rx49-niNayXRcqLDcvDL2N3Ttn8tqCXMZstfBclRTxUNbHyzIMlGq-blzTnZqJ_yxghgn_a5PXrakCnOg-MCkBOEA5ES0/s1600/DSC_0995.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnEPgOJg89T0cbCXeMYbPOlaMH7xtz-xNtfDdn9TR-U-wa2Rx49-niNayXRcqLDcvDL2N3Ttn8tqCXMZstfBclRTxUNbHyzIMlGq-blzTnZqJ_yxghgn_a5PXrakCnOg-MCkBOEA5ES0/s400/DSC_0995.jpg" alt="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467022276054654338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Fishermen and the Sea</span><br /></div> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyKBainofimGJCuWWpNaGORNFylGUbSNMTjbw1quV-y804qvZnWS8avlZNWjr4pJRp2oUjNIjOMgHuX-gT7QXOhLflXo2cFgqfJtgZ8u2Wc_Oa60qfkjpI7W895BmfztAbXL7uH2ppqw/s1600/DSC_1017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyKBainofimGJCuWWpNaGORNFylGUbSNMTjbw1quV-y804qvZnWS8avlZNWjr4pJRp2oUjNIjOMgHuX-gT7QXOhLflXo2cFgqfJtgZ8u2Wc_Oa60qfkjpI7W895BmfztAbXL7uH2ppqw/s400/DSC_1017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467027121874818914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gunboat Island</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIkEasCwvpWmqY0NZTIVwJbm2ED0cBtdt9_rv8KqeX8bm80JagqacwTPqmALhVjSYO-ZYJY6hdO3sz-dJ_y3ZCVft6W3L-mB1T4VahjlGoayyhGbNgvF26V7D8FQpqFmvNTWThhGnXU4/s1600/DSC_1039.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIkEasCwvpWmqY0NZTIVwJbm2ED0cBtdt9_rv8KqeX8bm80JagqacwTPqmALhVjSYO-ZYJY6hdO3sz-dJ_y3ZCVft6W3L-mB1T4VahjlGoayyhGbNgvF26V7D8FQpqFmvNTWThhGnXU4/s400/DSC_1039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467023243472308226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">White Moon</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5PuB3CPwwiPHeyB-bzjW5rNSNlY1WWBxXWWqLzNgcn-RJS3o90fgPxGJGlx6JiesoPlmWyjX-xTC9YGvyQYgGuvBGvgkmYBf2mSO7lLGTbwN_g721wdEjyw-aWJfxeTgRp-pN5y7gLE/s1600/DSC_1072.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5PuB3CPwwiPHeyB-bzjW5rNSNlY1WWBxXWWqLzNgcn-RJS3o90fgPxGJGlx6JiesoPlmWyjX-xTC9YGvyQYgGuvBGvgkmYBf2mSO7lLGTbwN_g721wdEjyw-aWJfxeTgRp-pN5y7gLE/s400/DSC_1072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467048582112712498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coron at Day's End</span> </div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-735072661413906182010-05-02T09:55:00.040+08:002010-05-02T10:56:38.158+08:00Wrecks, Lakes, and Limestone of Coron - Day 2<div style="text-align: justify;">I cursed the heavens on the second day. I had imagined weeks before the trip taking awesome photographs of Barracuda Lake and Kayangan Lake - the two places in the itinerary I was really looking forward to - but the weather did not cooperate. The sky was dark. And the sun was having one of its moods. I cursed some more, calmed down, and started clicking away on my camera.<br /><br />I wanted to describe the entire day's experience in writing but since it would take many paragraphs to articulate my thoughts I might as well just share some photos I took and a description or two. And besides I'm pretty sure most of you would skip the text and just view the photos.<br /><br />So here are the pics. Enjoy!</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7smO5vsjcjh5Iad1tbDdE9QTSoqrgQtGuO-4aKhayMXoOe6PCQnLK91WT5fPLbYdQpdO3hcvvBC8JzKw93acbH0Uo8N4Sz1lTZvvwrImmNmgglfqeZPFkFgFzWMtRNZxaFp92xGkbgM/s1600/DSC_0680.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7smO5vsjcjh5Iad1tbDdE9QTSoqrgQtGuO-4aKhayMXoOe6PCQnLK91WT5fPLbYdQpdO3hcvvBC8JzKw93acbH0Uo8N4Sz1lTZvvwrImmNmgglfqeZPFkFgFzWMtRNZxaFp92xGkbgM/s400/DSC_0680.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466446536511658530" border="0"/></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There is no other way to Barracuda Lake but to navigate these tricky wooden stairs (ladders?). The stairs do not wobble but one needs to take the time going down (and up). Falling down these stairs to the pointed limestone will hurt real bad.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2DMpLzJy8g7MBcZCGPpNY0ZF5prXy16oPsZtMn5Zlrc59SNtHeDg2ZVCilmmo6iaWOPCVDfNX_GHuN7NzH6WZyjm_5WytUDk1xv9br7OOFxZ3iHATe3i1P8WjYp9JURF3d0NdwTe2Nk/s1600/DSC_0681.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2DMpLzJy8g7MBcZCGPpNY0ZF5prXy16oPsZtMn5Zlrc59SNtHeDg2ZVCilmmo6iaWOPCVDfNX_GHuN7NzH6WZyjm_5WytUDk1xv9br7OOFxZ3iHATe3i1P8WjYp9JURF3d0NdwTe2Nk/s400/DSC_0681.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466451282173713522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This wooden bridge is the final way to a view of the Barracuda Lake. There are no handles to hold on to but the walk will only take a few seconds.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe8m5NgzeB1kFBm2h_eg1Z7o6uFfKsebIwuUyJAET70YNYFLyeCiWqvSMktOpAMHZQp7ScKnTVddnlCPqIzPMia8hGSUPP_-OUoIqbaJeeJTGZimpSETYra-uSS4MsR-CASYiPK0ZotY/s1600/DSC_0675.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe8m5NgzeB1kFBm2h_eg1Z7o6uFfKsebIwuUyJAET70YNYFLyeCiWqvSMktOpAMHZQp7ScKnTVddnlCPqIzPMia8hGSUPP_-OUoIqbaJeeJTGZimpSETYra-uSS4MsR-CASYiPK0ZotY/s400/DSC_0675.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466445873607476450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the entire group that I went to Coron with swimming in Barracuda Lake. This lake is huge and deep. What you see here is only a small quarter of how large the lake is. It is said that this is a crater lake similar to Mt. Pinatubo. Divers frequent the lake not because of the fishes but because there is a portion way below the surface where the cold water above and the hot water below diverge. Amazing.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguekvuAbbaZ3osAB3tRUA6c2I0Dhsl8yP874gt_z3-aO1sIFoVtAwCiR0s-PqH36RRghdXkObWkCWOx-w56p83u7lLkFoqeSYOIJT7tAiSENdySHCTp2qIBBCduNGiV0kKomENxv_Q3U/s1600/DSC_0683.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguekvuAbbaZ3osAB3tRUA6c2I0Dhsl8yP874gt_z3-aO1sIFoVtAwCiR0s-PqH36RRghdXkObWkCWOx-w56p83u7lLkFoqeSYOIJT7tAiSENdySHCTp2qIBBCduNGiV0kKomENxv_Q3U/s400/DSC_0683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466453484556493106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a view of the aqua-colored waters of Coron taken from one of the ladders seen in the first photo. The banca in the photo are the divers waiting for our group, all 27 of us, to finish our swim at the lake.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMjqHeBfrIVcOR6P1oFdOfQgwo0UZxUxS7wKDcE99jCZypN6hTyYt2G9XyWs4k50KgqVtCZDIdvKShvArZSWqT0NTGsPa1cB0FnenZukLG1k4T7E_9bVr8F2cQsAwBE10Vg8NU6KU6X0/s1600/DSC_0718.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMjqHeBfrIVcOR6P1oFdOfQgwo0UZxUxS7wKDcE99jCZypN6hTyYt2G9XyWs4k50KgqVtCZDIdvKShvArZSWqT0NTGsPa1cB0FnenZukLG1k4T7E_9bVr8F2cQsAwBE10Vg8NU6KU6X0/s400/DSC_0718.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466455311010010290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a view from a cliff midway to Kayangan Lake. Behind where I took this is a small cave which I forgot to take photos of. There is not much to see anyway based on the photos taken by some friends.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFrEXUm6NEQ8lwHSWe_XRPCLN9gUO0da4V9-E1RJS0N7oMVbqHcBYAs1BWExZPLUQsqTiWDUUsCUkvSpn8TwPABjyiI8WZpPmQuNbbORBcLmQE-nzgHL-_EBgg3uItzqphy24SWw7ulk/s1600/DSC_0768.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFrEXUm6NEQ8lwHSWe_XRPCLN9gUO0da4V9-E1RJS0N7oMVbqHcBYAs1BWExZPLUQsqTiWDUUsCUkvSpn8TwPABjyiI8WZpPmQuNbbORBcLmQE-nzgHL-_EBgg3uItzqphy24SWw7ulk/s400/DSC_0768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466457241053866786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">A shot of what is called the freshest lake in the Philippines - Kayangan Lake. It is not as big as Barracuda Lake but the water is clearer. There was no jellyfish seen unlike what was seen in Barracuda. There are fishes too and a small cave located on the opposite side from the wooden plank shown in the photo.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiC_QjPxaHfIIj2Iv1eQcEMz0ESTIoRttbL3VyAuaJohM1t0Wto5jfRAaIq0y6mxUaslpU3yWX1GmkZfT9mvXjNwM9tCk_SCcxEpyeChmQoJMZc-ONnIUbnHMBSZk2YTsyWdl81tX5ag/s1600/DSC_0851.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiC_QjPxaHfIIj2Iv1eQcEMz0ESTIoRttbL3VyAuaJohM1t0Wto5jfRAaIq0y6mxUaslpU3yWX1GmkZfT9mvXjNwM9tCk_SCcxEpyeChmQoJMZc-ONnIUbnHMBSZk2YTsyWdl81tX5ag/s400/DSC_0851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466460784531390962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The next stop after the twin visits to Barracuda Lake and Kayangan Lake was the snorkeling sites which Coron is famous for. The group ain't looking for pearls but at schools of fish and tens of porcupines.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZZOP6jUaT6KE8h2xeCgNAurG0dfn9ZOD7ZBgcr4uxx271g9py9facI2THRgXC0xW9ml3vMHuqAnmpBM6Bvek8NBnYm9ZUSsX3_1ErU7T9yuNWnyD74b05SRd_ptf2iVnKdQUojCah0s/s1600/DSC_0874.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZZOP6jUaT6KE8h2xeCgNAurG0dfn9ZOD7ZBgcr4uxx271g9py9facI2THRgXC0xW9ml3vMHuqAnmpBM6Bvek8NBnYm9ZUSsX3_1ErU7T9yuNWnyD74b05SRd_ptf2iVnKdQUojCah0s/s400/DSC_0874.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466464532488790738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I got tired dipping my face underwater staring at Nemo and of his species and went aboard our boat to rest. I was not the only one who had the same idea. But alas rest was not to be. We took turns jumping off the boat for the customary jumpshot. Here is a photo of what a friend calls his Superman shot.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCwAdVJoUpLntEcIFZoyP8tLr9sU2eVsLAQaKYkDfOcTqInXedy9RR9sYrdrXxiUdvkcQ9JPAN7arjc8ovu1uo-w8MZYQRWp1JsOTDl7GYK0rHXRYKvKsh15NfQTWs07Fp8bUZAqquvE/s1600/DSC_0919.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCwAdVJoUpLntEcIFZoyP8tLr9sU2eVsLAQaKYkDfOcTqInXedy9RR9sYrdrXxiUdvkcQ9JPAN7arjc8ovu1uo-w8MZYQRWp1JsOTDl7GYK0rHXRYKvKsh15NfQTWs07Fp8bUZAqquvE/s400/DSC_0919.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466464997201021634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Island hopping for the day finished early. While others decided to grab a bite or went to a dive shop to try on their wet suits for the next day's dive, I and 7 others decided to go to Mt. Tapias and watch the sunset. The sun was falling when we made the first step of the 717 steps needed to get to the top. We arrived at the summit with minutes to spare. The view from the top - a 360-degree view of the islands of Coron - was breathtaking.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwRmH06Z9b5PMm68a7SJ0t4WFpECz9fd35FI6cuhJWfszWe9bYxkL84JJgaqnlwR0bI-KqmR2yCCF0DMdZbzrNOToEZF-UnKh7AdfwUeaSyGdCzlXZGwzA-HNN3DVEIeqwE_4zyDEIWs/s1600/DSC_0950.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwRmH06Z9b5PMm68a7SJ0t4WFpECz9fd35FI6cuhJWfszWe9bYxkL84JJgaqnlwR0bI-KqmR2yCCF0DMdZbzrNOToEZF-UnKh7AdfwUeaSyGdCzlXZGwzA-HNN3DVEIeqwE_4zyDEIWs/s400/DSC_0950.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466466990713192482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The sky turns yellow as the sun sets in Coron.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1nBFZ22QXzRxWWoxWoiDjC7OC8aLwiiTGbQjW674b8pBqUGRWpHLyPSWCo_JbEZGoUK7fZquDNO9tRExx7fqV5YWzg4dU0GiosllaVbF7AwxkyM7Ykurokr11xRKPpoUjG7-L99LwBM/s1600/DSC_0979.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1nBFZ22QXzRxWWoxWoiDjC7OC8aLwiiTGbQjW674b8pBqUGRWpHLyPSWCo_JbEZGoUK7fZquDNO9tRExx7fqV5YWzg4dU0GiosllaVbF7AwxkyM7Ykurokr11xRKPpoUjG7-L99LwBM/s400/DSC_0979.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466467549632046114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the big cross at the top of Mt. Tapias.</div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-27890528115156154582010-04-28T21:30:00.004+08:002010-04-28T21:43:40.557+08:00Wrecks, Lakes, and Limestone of Coron - Day 1<div align="justify">There are a few facts I learned about Palawan when I was in grade school. It was the island where migrants from nearby Asian countries settled. It boasted of caves. And it scared the wits out of my young mind that it was where people suffering from leprosy were exiled to. It was only many years later that I learned the facts of Palawan – it boasted of beautiful beaches, underground rivers, humongous limestone, numerous snorkeling and diving sites, and Edward Hagedorn.<br /><br />I wanted to get to Palawan after feasting on Flickr photos and on Dante Nico Garcia’s Ploning which was shot entirely in Cuyo, Palawan. So when I got an invite to travel to Coron with my tennis buddies I did not think twice. Actually I did but after declining their two previous invites – Caramoan in 2008 and El Nido in 2009 - I wasn’t going to pass up on the opportunity and regret doing so.<br /><br />So on the 3rd week of March I and 26 others boarded the Cebu Pacific flight to Busuanga. I wasn’t surprised that the Busuanga Airport was small and rather similar to the airports of Dumaguete and Naga. The 40-minute ride to Coron was like going on a safari sans the giraffes and the zebras and the elephants and the lions and the tigers. The land was huge and parched and barren. Of course there were trees. And mountains. And some cows. And lots of dung.<br /><br />After checking-in at Princess of Coron where we were going to sleep for the next three nights we headed to our first day of island hopping.<br /><br />The itinerary was:<br />1. <b>Twin Lagoon.</b> My first view of the Palawan limestone. It was everywhere. Breathtakingly beautiful.<br />2. <b>Banol Beach.</b> One of the best beaches I’ve been to.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" align="justify"><br />3. <b>CYC Island.</b> A rather small island similar to Potipot Island in Zambales.<br />4. <b>Skeleton Wreck.</b> One among many Japanese war boats gunned down by the Americans at the end of World War II. It has since become a snorkeling site in Coron.<br />5. <b>Maquinit Hot Spring.</b> This should have been renamed Maquinit Very Hot Spring. My balls got cooked. Almost.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">*****</div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Coron Photos - Day 1</strong></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGfLIMf4x5HusbtdHsOzETyUb2pGvV8IsjQBep2VWdBZM6Uh6eHGdvfOlIRFVmsTcYVOGLVq8zSEzwoY90Lu57t1V4u7hfBnpvqFNnrnNfHQ9gTLOVxMD3p3ugSfq_CdZMMoeVNJHDkI/s1600/DSC_0502.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGfLIMf4x5HusbtdHsOzETyUb2pGvV8IsjQBep2VWdBZM6Uh6eHGdvfOlIRFVmsTcYVOGLVq8zSEzwoY90Lu57t1V4u7hfBnpvqFNnrnNfHQ9gTLOVxMD3p3ugSfq_CdZMMoeVNJHDkI/s400/DSC_0502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465151473681849314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- Busuanga Airport -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCHiF7-cajtCtzbE5E1zKlR5s5-ZPNTqlnivdPUmCFUaMtVE7pCu0stbVSdEEsbU-PG6a1M2nLIruYy7gx9OF-6Rz0GvbLiIzvPHuC00cN8Dp7XyXKeC91Ke6sXIT9faqA5SU9Fl8TpY/s1600/DSC_0512.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCHiF7-cajtCtzbE5E1zKlR5s5-ZPNTqlnivdPUmCFUaMtVE7pCu0stbVSdEEsbU-PG6a1M2nLIruYy7gx9OF-6Rz0GvbLiIzvPHuC00cN8Dp7XyXKeC91Ke6sXIT9faqA5SU9Fl8TpY/s400/DSC_0512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465153816007112514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- House on Stilts -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FT4CnDF7doIGQlcW6QGq64HgiKNB4V-R-vZkAX77IgS-h9DBvvYB-XNJ0CTL-DvkdzwI_ckoruV5ynj8Bx_U3_LtdcTEIVeey8R_p60HnkuVtOfsDaExQEW8Dqs-m4FfH4oySPR3mic/s1600/DSC_0515.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FT4CnDF7doIGQlcW6QGq64HgiKNB4V-R-vZkAX77IgS-h9DBvvYB-XNJ0CTL-DvkdzwI_ckoruV5ynj8Bx_U3_LtdcTEIVeey8R_p60HnkuVtOfsDaExQEW8Dqs-m4FfH4oySPR3mic/s400/DSC_0515.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465154900335378434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- Limestone and Clouds -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgvqHPU_yMqQMmLORuQ6DzPnrbNi6KqT37-zrf6Xn1TuR_ef7yAG3bmbHtZpH0e6M6DSIwddNTzIFRAD48mqQqhcarl0NqyutSD7Jld7c0eqTIr-tGUiQuA8QWseoHl25C35JS2QBSIU/s1600/DSC_0536.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgvqHPU_yMqQMmLORuQ6DzPnrbNi6KqT37-zrf6Xn1TuR_ef7yAG3bmbHtZpH0e6M6DSIwddNTzIFRAD48mqQqhcarl0NqyutSD7Jld7c0eqTIr-tGUiQuA8QWseoHl25C35JS2QBSIU/s400/DSC_0536.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465164624525351858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- Facing the Twin Lagoon -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Mn4EoePEbdxlB_Pcz1tuZ2XYxkF5i19_QoM6vV9-mIovRF72M8Q0nmxc8UCWezLuNFpgPQnXTOXHX7a9PVEnY8ovJS4BSVnXaW8XEiUwIbq18AEkmGyae2waJiFnyrwo_a13-bsGZBQ/s1600/DSC_0560.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Mn4EoePEbdxlB_Pcz1tuZ2XYxkF5i19_QoM6vV9-mIovRF72M8Q0nmxc8UCWezLuNFpgPQnXTOXHX7a9PVEnY8ovJS4BSVnXaW8XEiUwIbq18AEkmGyae2waJiFnyrwo_a13-bsGZBQ/s400/DSC_0560.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465167638672497170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- The Shoreline of Banol Beach -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMyXx21F_w2TDkS-vP3Yf6wXAjxdDaYDSQW-1qa-V7VPCV8Gsx8H0Drs791knTa2tcuWjq8qfBJKU02-2eJZmOEZZaZ0Nd5jh64TbmAJ0IG4VLKuuHYgnTK1QMCMVUNQnRIxR5LU-zW8/s1600/DSC_0564.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMyXx21F_w2TDkS-vP3Yf6wXAjxdDaYDSQW-1qa-V7VPCV8Gsx8H0Drs791knTa2tcuWjq8qfBJKU02-2eJZmOEZZaZ0Nd5jh64TbmAJ0IG4VLKuuHYgnTK1QMCMVUNQnRIxR5LU-zW8/s400/DSC_0564.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465169548192169874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- Banol Beach Sparkles -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFHVlBX9XB7in7gX4xBj_gptu6lvnyJR3JNyABDMKrguogYWgCFElMBxf7dOeMB6ZKxIrnj05hgk9Hl85ju4PvMdZE8-4m6DaRUQmCGdBi4ZXGnXphHJjvSYqpXnHdJCtto08CiUU3Mk/s1600/DSC_0610.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFHVlBX9XB7in7gX4xBj_gptu6lvnyJR3JNyABDMKrguogYWgCFElMBxf7dOeMB6ZKxIrnj05hgk9Hl85ju4PvMdZE8-4m6DaRUQmCGdBi4ZXGnXphHJjvSYqpXnHdJCtto08CiUU3Mk/s400/DSC_0610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465179432902885234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- Maquinit Hot Spring -</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6Vlj4iMSNbvqlsyk8PD_EpdupEJYZfVP3Hm4jR_aqYUaIkndO7jtVD4WfnVbPo09Xyv0DZkQQNc2BeRooqlrtZwZh-iMDVE6L3zFmyLxsSXbB4qNHHKdObONAZR7i2LmS-qR7st0SXk/s1600/DSC_0632.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6Vlj4iMSNbvqlsyk8PD_EpdupEJYZfVP3Hm4jR_aqYUaIkndO7jtVD4WfnVbPo09Xyv0DZkQQNc2BeRooqlrtZwZh-iMDVE6L3zFmyLxsSXbB4qNHHKdObONAZR7i2LmS-qR7st0SXk/s400/DSC_0632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465177357272547938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;" align="center">- View of Siete Pecados at Maquinit Hot Spring -</div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-80740114785126055832010-04-23T00:01:00.017+08:002010-04-28T14:52:05.794+08:00General Santos City's Kalilangan Festival<div align="justify">It was said to be the highest recorded temperature recorded for the year at that time. It was a Sunday and it was barely 7 or 8 hours after I first set foot on Mindanao soil. I had my week-old camera slung around my neck. My jeans was stooping low on my hips I had to grab it by the waistband and repeatedly hike it up. I cursed myself for forgetting the belt I hung on the doorknob in my room back in Manila.<br /><br />The street (or was it a highway?) was teeming with people – spectators, organizers, photographers, dancers. It was street dancing day for General Santos City’s less popular Kalilangan Festival. The more popular festival – Tuna Festival – is held in September where tourists diverge on the city in droves.<br /><br />The festival isn’t as grand or as commercialized as the other festival that I have ever attended – Cebu’s Sinulog. It’s a good thing in my book. It’s not too crowded and no one shooed me away when I was practically in the middle of the street taking photos like a madman. I lost touch with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.dongism.blogspot.com">Dong Ho</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lawstude.net">Lawstude</a>, and Jonee when the activity commenced who I think were also busy taking photos and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Kalilangan Festival. We re-grouped a hour or two later when we had to leave and <a href="http://scudinreallife.blogspot.com/2010/04/racing-falling-sun-in-gumasa.html">chase the falling sun in Gumasa</a>.<br /><br /><div align="center">*****</div><br />Thanks to Sheng, who by the way is a wonderful host, and GenSan bloggers for the free food and travel tips. Thanks also to Donna for the free after-dinner meal at her Piyesta restaurant located at the Robinsan's Mall in General Santos. Piyesta's kurat sticks are delicious with a little bit of spice in it.<br /><br /><div align="center">*****</div><br /><div align="center"><b>Kalilangan Festival Photos</b></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKAyKUH19tZpkJT-2lu_wVv-RC8ThWRoS0toLJO0s6E5awEjnVkIf2v255gR7OLDohMY8l-NYySpvF6rl6B0XFu_KxJM0x9uXujYZmYBL0Gv3bcc7c2jjmw7L_ZYcjwNLD_ViVKnTWEE/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462601075434950146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKAyKUH19tZpkJT-2lu_wVv-RC8ThWRoS0toLJO0s6E5awEjnVkIf2v255gR7OLDohMY8l-NYySpvF6rl6B0XFu_KxJM0x9uXujYZmYBL0Gv3bcc7c2jjmw7L_ZYcjwNLD_ViVKnTWEE/s400/DSC_0059.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Kalilangan Festival in Violet</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu5Sf9bZELC6qHpLR_upLeAtgbMW_2QHn9mnw5qPpzanU19VwMFY9lzKF6AKV6AZOBxi-7YiXXyv4lEzX2A35dlfNXjWVWaPV8k0gAhsVn8Qyve-pbut6hU9zlHrtjS8RV1dG3tb1ezU/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462600121681453010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu5Sf9bZELC6qHpLR_upLeAtgbMW_2QHn9mnw5qPpzanU19VwMFY9lzKF6AKV6AZOBxi-7YiXXyv4lEzX2A35dlfNXjWVWaPV8k0gAhsVn8Qyve-pbut6hU9zlHrtjS8RV1dG3tb1ezU/s400/DSC_0056.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">The Hat</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnR_x082csLLn52bOfrUxDLiCjHJjlUPYf56k8dRRiOhSBb4tke9OfOkQW1XGVczruTgzGrDKXECGGbumQAvSJBMK-aXqibaCrqkimtH2lNe9AfqX7fzegVqsRHTF2GLUGzvw6gMdo0U/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462603978834256834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnR_x082csLLn52bOfrUxDLiCjHJjlUPYf56k8dRRiOhSBb4tke9OfOkQW1XGVczruTgzGrDKXECGGbumQAvSJBMK-aXqibaCrqkimtH2lNe9AfqX7fzegVqsRHTF2GLUGzvw6gMdo0U/s400/DSC_0062.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Star on a Hat</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhUajaKohnmT5GLBITwCiiBUgDC4ym6v3HjhrJLGHqh0y8lDJafgmmkVgm6-WUrWJVN722E5nLy-bms-ltzVEWLNy9qT9uqCVFCelXuWWmoqmceI9Vp_hlWQtLCYUeGteyzhlc78EZUY/s1600/DSC_0081.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462610979898646034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhUajaKohnmT5GLBITwCiiBUgDC4ym6v3HjhrJLGHqh0y8lDJafgmmkVgm6-WUrWJVN722E5nLy-bms-ltzVEWLNy9qT9uqCVFCelXuWWmoqmceI9Vp_hlWQtLCYUeGteyzhlc78EZUY/s400/DSC_0081.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">A Sea of Yellow</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipY4riime4O-cpCGpxYyJrIgWO783R1rqVZBd3da-Th-mp78qIfLSX_ENwZiKCi413McworqLdZ1_k0z5SsVKnqbB1scMrlxZfd-auxMansozxYeKFs5ZpK4z2x7FqFneMzGZ2pv5hd-4/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462615771279703586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipY4riime4O-cpCGpxYyJrIgWO783R1rqVZBd3da-Th-mp78qIfLSX_ENwZiKCi413McworqLdZ1_k0z5SsVKnqbB1scMrlxZfd-auxMansozxYeKFs5ZpK4z2x7FqFneMzGZ2pv5hd-4/s400/DSC_0088.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Dance! Dance! Dance!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_DdD3Wt5fnQ4qkh3G_hDhEHCqmrfHRHUAsP3jQW9kW0ncK2Pun48_yBBkSeMqqWkpG3L32llftpLCZ0Ikm9xutRSrwgDjdwA3GdSyVgEC94EslW3egNLS8IorHRKaYMSWlu0RxDfDsk/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462612617247228162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_DdD3Wt5fnQ4qkh3G_hDhEHCqmrfHRHUAsP3jQW9kW0ncK2Pun48_yBBkSeMqqWkpG3L32llftpLCZ0Ikm9xutRSrwgDjdwA3GdSyVgEC94EslW3egNLS8IorHRKaYMSWlu0RxDfDsk/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Children of the Corn</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1OeAVaZPLG-QHl3qiRUn5q55ClV1Pqg5J9YORBuG4VtEYz0MLPhXozaB1-S4sCcgSZOT8bFsgcC7FUQxloqZAFMLtynlgYudsDaozPj61UHYiRP2YPmhfBkTH9GPN7yY83CD52x39AA/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462613266573916738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1OeAVaZPLG-QHl3qiRUn5q55ClV1Pqg5J9YORBuG4VtEYz0MLPhXozaB1-S4sCcgSZOT8bFsgcC7FUQxloqZAFMLtynlgYudsDaozPj61UHYiRP2YPmhfBkTH9GPN7yY83CD52x39AA/s400/DSC_0082.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Taking a Rest</div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-16471506085389624702010-04-21T10:52:00.018+08:002010-04-22T06:48:25.179+08:00Two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lkEjw42nP_fVsoEF_EVTOzESl67yCXy86yf7aZyEwo3jczxQYHDtZKGZ_nUlECUtAY7R2Mj7ybTDLi0YQkkaRQVJOb5WCIfN8vuwmn1IHnYJp96JuW_VqvUwOTeqhdf62G_oOg3KgZA/s1600/Photo+on+2010-04-18+at+19.40.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lkEjw42nP_fVsoEF_EVTOzESl67yCXy86yf7aZyEwo3jczxQYHDtZKGZ_nUlECUtAY7R2Mj7ybTDLi0YQkkaRQVJOb5WCIfN8vuwmn1IHnYJp96JuW_VqvUwOTeqhdf62G_oOg3KgZA/s400/Photo+on+2010-04-18+at+19.40.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462723804692840066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Scud turns a year older after 232 posts and 10,000+ page views. I am humbled and blessed.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-90650899465507241882010-04-19T15:38:00.000+08:002010-04-19T15:39:00.959+08:0010 Random Facts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60RcPasXlTnmBF0NsyLdq8pOajQ-3zxuPHdc-Qp7IfCknQ4HMs3OH5QH68o6a8AVz2OU2jeSmGIZCAEuQaqiEMxym36f4CvMHkvX3VF6PEwBgrD5ZEYInNSkhKf7hUJET3Hfs3ARmhIM/s1600/11.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461749473348959074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60RcPasXlTnmBF0NsyLdq8pOajQ-3zxuPHdc-Qp7IfCknQ4HMs3OH5QH68o6a8AVz2OU2jeSmGIZCAEuQaqiEMxym36f4CvMHkvX3VF6PEwBgrD5ZEYInNSkhKf7hUJET3Hfs3ARmhIM/s200/11.gif" /></a> <div align="justify">I got tagged by my good friend Sonia to write about 10 random facts about me. Since this is my first time to get tagged, I’m going to give in to doc’s request. There’s another reason too why I'm giving in - I may no longer be able to get free consults over the phone. Haha.<br /><br />1. I badly want a car of my own. If I had one, it would only take me half an hour to drive from the apartment to the office. At present, it takes me an hour more since I commute daily and FX taxis are almost always full when they pass by my place.<br /><br />2. I have a demented mind. When I see women fixing their eyes with a pencil, I imagine the fx taxi we’re riding on abruptly stopping and the pencil would get lodged in her eyes. Blood would ooze out and I would just stare at her with a smirk on my face. I also imagine planes I am flying on diving into the sea waters below or breaking into tiny little pieces in mid-air. <em>Parang LOST lang.</em><br /><br />3. It’s the middle of April and I have only completed reading two books – Honeymooners: A Cautionary Tale and Flipped. I have been reading Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore for a couple of months now but I am not even halfway through. I have also started randomly reading ebooks at work whichever tickles my fancy on a particular day – Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian, Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl, Haruki Murakami’s After Dark, Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time – but could only muster reading a few pages before losing interest.<br /><br />4. I get embarrassed when my family and relatives introduce me as Engr. Scud or when I see my name prefixed with Engr. on the mail. It’s not that I don’t deserve to be called one. I do. It’s just that that hasn’t been my profession for many years now and I’m not obsessed with titles.<br /><br />5. I own two phones and subscribe to two internet providers. I am satisfied with all of them except for one. It makes me so stark raving mad I make my pillows my punching bag each time it conks out.<br /><br />6. I sleep an average of 6 hours per day, even on weekends.<br /><br />7. I am not a big fan of my writing. I wish I could free-write as well as <a href="http://talesoftheeasyrider.blogspot.com/">Sonia</a> or <a href="http://menthol-guy.com/">Kevin</a>. Or write meaningful posts as well as <a href="http://mayamanako.blogspot.com/">Atticus</a> or <a href="http://hometownboy.wordpress.com/">Panaderos</a>. Or be as deep a writer as <a href="http://prinsesamusang.wordpress.com/">Prinsesa Musang</a> or <a href="http://ahmerism.weebly.com/my-blog.html">Ahmer</a>. Or write short stories as well as <a href="http://gillboard.blogspot.com/">Gillboard</a>. Or be as articulate as <a href="http://malibay.blogspot.com/">Raft3r</a>. Or review films as well as <a href="http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/">Oggs</a> or <a href="http://filmrevisited.wordpress.com/">WCS Minor Circuit</a>.<br /><br />8. I weighed 98lbs in 2002. I have gained 40lbs since then. I am more hefty but still look as young. Haha.<br /><br />9. I have spent weekends at the apartment without talking to a single soul or stepping out of the front door to get some polluted air.<br /><br />10. I am selling my Canon S5IS. Any takers? </div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-39819530698285872802010-04-16T22:35:00.003+08:002010-04-21T17:23:01.063+08:00Battlestar Galactica<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaQA_18HbPYkvW6Vk49V7vT8XaSYEY264Sh-Osc2AkMC_YYSf5Q_2IbkjVaHOEcIT7MSQDzhWcW-vcXGjGD3pi6Ooj_R21FPjiE-_QAbfZEQpRChJgc3kLqPDowaEcYdhl1c3kiYNiFE/s1600/battlestar-galactica-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaQA_18HbPYkvW6Vk49V7vT8XaSYEY264Sh-Osc2AkMC_YYSf5Q_2IbkjVaHOEcIT7MSQDzhWcW-vcXGjGD3pi6Ooj_R21FPjiE-_QAbfZEQpRChJgc3kLqPDowaEcYdhl1c3kiYNiFE/s400/battlestar-galactica-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462518755955860946" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">THE CYLONS ARE CREATED BY MAN.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">THEY REBELLED.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">THEY EVOLVED.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">THEY LOOK AND FEEL HUMAN.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SOME ARE PROGRAMMED TO THINK THEY ARE HUMAN.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">THERE ARE MANY COPIES.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">AND THEY HAVE A PLAN.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">This show is my current addiction. I'm hooked.</span></div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-38507734910731929022010-04-14T23:37:00.001+08:002010-04-15T10:24:32.199+08:00The Humor of Wowowee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oL66r_F_CRkJkbIVoEIWR4M59b1XdoYzY02r6J-Y7l8i4cGPWur8nNtZoWQfshIlhBbWkdcM5j7Tak7ncIqQxk6P4DiV0f6ziw08Q0TbqdKxxG-BgoXaH7o3QfSuSsawLK1fx5rdJcI/s1600/wowowee5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460017531193870178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oL66r_F_CRkJkbIVoEIWR4M59b1XdoYzY02r6J-Y7l8i4cGPWur8nNtZoWQfshIlhBbWkdcM5j7Tak7ncIqQxk6P4DiV0f6ziw08Q0TbqdKxxG-BgoXaH7o3QfSuSsawLK1fx5rdJcI/s200/wowowee5.jpg" /></a>This is a collection of questions and actual answers, shared by a friend in Facebook, of contest participants of Wowowee. A fantastic way to cap a great and satisfying day for Scud.<br /><br /><br />Q: "Ano sa Tagalog ang teeth?"<br />A: "Utong!"<br /><br />Q: "Kung ang light ay ilaw, ano naman ang lightning?"<br />A: "Umiilaw!"<br /><br />Q: "Kung vegetarian ang tawag sa kumakain ng gulay, ano ang tawag sa kumakain ng tao? A: "Humanitarian?"<br /><br />Q: "Sina Michael at Raphael ay mga."<br />A: "Ninja?"<br /><br />Q: "Ano ang karaniwang kasunod ng kidlat?"<br />A: "Sunog!"<br /><br />Q: "Magbigay ng sikat na Willie."<br />A: "Willie da pooh!"<br /><br />Q: "Ang mga Hindu ay galing sa aling bansa?"<br />A: "Hindunesia?"<br /><br />Q: "Anong hayop si King Kong?"<br />A: "Pagong!"<br /><br />Q: "Magbigay ng mabahong pagkain."<br />A: "Tae!"<br /><br />Q: "Saang bansa matatagpuan ang mga Canadians?"<br />A: "Canadia!"<br /><br />Q: "Kumpletuhin - Little Red."<br />A: "Ribbon!"<br /><br />Q: "Ano ang tinatanggal sa itlog bago ito kainin?"<br />A: "Buhok?"<br /><br />Q: "Magbigay ng pagkain na dumidikit sa ngipin."<br />A: "Tinga!"<br /><br />Q: "Anong oras kadalasang pinapatay ang TV?"<br />A: "Pag balita?"<br /><br />Q: "Ano ang tawag mo sa anak ng taong grasa?"<br />A: "Baby oil?"<br /><br />Q: "Saan karaniwang ginagawa ang mga sweets na ginagamit sa halu-halo?"<br />A: "Sweetserland?"<br /><br />Q: "Sinong higanteng G ang tinalo ni David?"<br />A: "Godzilla?"<br /><br />Q: "Ano ang mas malaki, itlog ng ibon o sanggol ng tao?"<br />A: "Itlog ng tao!"<br /><br />Q: "Anong S ang tawag sa duktor nag nago-opera?"<br />A: "Sadista?"<br /><br />Q: "Blank is the best policy."<br />A: "Ice tea?"<br /><br />Q: "Saan binaril si Jose Rizal?"<br />A: "Sa likod!"<br /><br />Q: "Fill in the blanks - Beauty is in the eye of the ____."<br />A: "Tiger?"<br /><br />Q: "Ano ang kinakain ng monkey-eating eagle?"<br />A: "Saging!"<br /><br />Q: "Kung ang suka ay vinegar, ano naman ang Inggles ng toyo?"<br />A: "Baliw!"<br /><br />Q: "Anong tawag mo sa kapatid ng nanay mo?"<br />A: "Kamag-anak!"<br /><br />Q: "Saan nakukuha ang sakit na AIDS?"<br />A: "Sa motel?"<br /><br />Q: "Kung ang H2O ay water, ano naman ang CO2?"<br />A: "Cold water!"<br /><br />Q: "Sinong cartoon charcater ang sumisigaw ng yabba dabba doo?"<br />A: "Si scooby dooby doo?"<br /><br />Q: "Heto na si kaka, bubuka-bukaka."<br />A: "Operadang bakla?"<br /><br />Q: "Ilan ang bituin sa American flag?"<br />A: "Madami!"<br /><br />Q: "Ano ang tawag mo sa taong isa lang ang mata?"<br />A: "Abnormal!"The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-1575513234106692712010-04-12T12:51:00.006+08:002010-04-12T13:01:07.780+08:00Racing the Falling Sun in GumasaMy usual hangout before a trip, especially to the beach, is Flickr. I'd spend minutes pouring over photos uploaded on that site. The Davao trip was no exception. And since Gumasa was part of the itinerary I salivated at the Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=gumasa">photos</a> I saw. They were exceptional.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwyZ9MUlLPZlaKH_uwTvbsdIefKg2tEyT-P5hNT0xmukfeCkXTzXEdFfDfgWnMbh_MvthrTdOOPJYj6OoUtArBF8WxK-2ptX_f-NqwbRFpA8TOzWfQIPs65T49EuhCobY3pHtcYyiyQ0/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459107231395635570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwyZ9MUlLPZlaKH_uwTvbsdIefKg2tEyT-P5hNT0xmukfeCkXTzXEdFfDfgWnMbh_MvthrTdOOPJYj6OoUtArBF8WxK-2ptX_f-NqwbRFpA8TOzWfQIPs65T49EuhCobY3pHtcYyiyQ0/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So at past 4pm, we boarded a van that was going to take us to Glan which is about an hour away from General Santos city. The van was cramped, not just with passengers but with various baggages. I didn't mind. I’m used to rides with very little space to wiggle on. And besides, I was dead set on seeing and taking a dip on the beaches of Gumasa.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq7ysQYC8P0Wr3xShPUhMBIjIlizqXcinD6FYWGg4Ml84XupVRqbELbuXMrZTUBBxkBCpx8bLOHAFtF2LNn0j_kZHm9JGgvChyphenhyphenSSuBECweNgM184nYoB54y_3Hk61FK9_4fyneCwdl38/s1600/DSC_0190.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458871875322297570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq7ysQYC8P0Wr3xShPUhMBIjIlizqXcinD6FYWGg4Ml84XupVRqbELbuXMrZTUBBxkBCpx8bLOHAFtF2LNn0j_kZHm9JGgvChyphenhyphenSSuBECweNgM184nYoB54y_3Hk61FK9_4fyneCwdl38/s400/DSC_0190.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On our way I could see that the sun had started its slow fall. I knew we still had ample time before the sun completely gives way to the moon but I was still agitated. I wanted to be on that beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2Kt8DiPVlmwPuJo-CtFfbDX1u9wd0BkdV7wtkPVSdfJXW-nuDY9mUPykct6StSzljXpYZPXwm14MocchFewlNcWMajZT6QWHzyMLsJmkYxR53IXOMzu9H5eNu1ZW5rx72620Ww2tnrc/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458863720885716626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2Kt8DiPVlmwPuJo-CtFfbDX1u9wd0BkdV7wtkPVSdfJXW-nuDY9mUPykct6StSzljXpYZPXwm14MocchFewlNcWMajZT6QWHzyMLsJmkYxR53IXOMzu9H5eNu1ZW5rx72620Ww2tnrc/s400/DSC_0186.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />About an hour later we arrived at the Glan Terminal. We hired a pair of motorcycles to bring us to Coco Beach. So off we went and it was the fastest and scariest motorcycle ride I had been in. That is not an overstatement. I'm used to riding motorcycles. I started riding in one since I was a kid. I could sit on the back with my hands on my lap and it wouldn't scare me. But that 20-minute ride to Coco Beach was different. The drivers were demented. They drove like lunatics, engaging each other in a race, overtaking at full speed on the opposite lane. It was crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTxXJ120XoTsb-jxSo7Qfxd_gWjPUkhaXZW9sQHf_qZ7HD9xF4ycJf8cYsvco2IS3U-dLwXL77t0_25xMv9sRSmJqsF7nPnbfCFFo5EQEPpz54tQzavxbcLZEqHEgr44abWFKChvF0jY/s1600/DSC_0201.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458875367152513010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTxXJ120XoTsb-jxSo7Qfxd_gWjPUkhaXZW9sQHf_qZ7HD9xF4ycJf8cYsvco2IS3U-dLwXL77t0_25xMv9sRSmJqsF7nPnbfCFFo5EQEPpz54tQzavxbcLZEqHEgr44abWFKChvF0jY/s400/DSC_0201.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There was still ample light when we reached the beach but the scenery was nowhere near what I saw online. I was underwhelmed. I felt like a kid who was promised a remote toy car but was given a car made out of tin – the ones sold in the public market – instead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFwazRv16FeNOpEAXWFksiJioCkEGhh3i0pkWfxQWWfsbT7EAlVXUwqZd5D-hvcx_VoYtmQ8eOuramsygeb77rjWeU1bCrjtIrxlZzf1h3xbnUw5ph8anJQR3j0PkYcsVXp5YuaA1AiE/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458855809105522642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFwazRv16FeNOpEAXWFksiJioCkEGhh3i0pkWfxQWWfsbT7EAlVXUwqZd5D-hvcx_VoYtmQ8eOuramsygeb77rjWeU1bCrjtIrxlZzf1h3xbnUw5ph8anJQR3j0PkYcsVXp5YuaA1AiE/s400/DSC_0184.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I still took photos but I wasn’t as enthusiastic. The clouds aided further in dampening my spirits. They were in abundance and the setting sun was hiding behind it depriving us of at least a decent sunset photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15oy4ZRBE-IIeipcY5lPXs0aUt_GPtJwCWd8x8E08zgccnMYN31mZP_fR_OKjkEPJsB-QCWnR6x3P9X2OCZg5hO1tBmB3mC_IaIXj3pIO_fZbsqStiX4CKX_uuaZgEc04PiSnuPZ9mbo/s1600/DSC_0204.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458881381688599410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15oy4ZRBE-IIeipcY5lPXs0aUt_GPtJwCWd8x8E08zgccnMYN31mZP_fR_OKjkEPJsB-QCWnR6x3P9X2OCZg5hO1tBmB3mC_IaIXj3pIO_fZbsqStiX4CKX_uuaZgEc04PiSnuPZ9mbo/s400/DSC_0204.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I had to admit that I was disappointed. The photos I saw raised the bar so high that I could not help but feel down. But there is always a next time. A second chance to visit Gumasa. And maybe also to Lake Sebu.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">* motorcycle shot taken by jonee; the rest by scud</span></em>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-88188313544277809562010-04-08T22:20:00.000+08:002010-04-08T22:21:45.243+08:00Ripped<div style="text-align: justify;">Nope. This post ain’t about my ripped beach body. This post is more on my ripped beach shorts.<br /><br />You see, I’ve been to three trips this year and I managed to rip 3 shorts and 1 pajama. The first I ripped in Samal Island in Davao while riding a motorcycle. I bought a replacement at the Samal market for a measly 50 bucks but ripped it again while doing the slide. That was the second.<br /><br />The third, a brand new board shorts which I really digged, got ripped when I sat on a limestone while trying to take a photo of Banol Beach in Coron.<br /><br />The last was the worse. I ripped it while jumping on top of a hill in Daet as the sun rose on a Black Saturday morning. The rip left a gaping hole that I could actually fit my head on. I guess that’s the price to pay to get a picture-perfect jump shot.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3WG3s_TqrOvdWJ5zGw4gd9lp3nfnQ8yuLeL2DXNyBYUn0DjJVE40sJ9TFLu0pVvuengfkFSa6-hbiFS99xLZgdqLci93ZY4OgL98yhECnttMAOlht9gNuRSTRk9TERBtdBvDBGZMfbM/s1600/DSC_1559.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3WG3s_TqrOvdWJ5zGw4gd9lp3nfnQ8yuLeL2DXNyBYUn0DjJVE40sJ9TFLu0pVvuengfkFSa6-hbiFS99xLZgdqLci93ZY4OgL98yhECnttMAOlht9gNuRSTRk9TERBtdBvDBGZMfbM/s400/DSC_1559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457768265707859186" border="0" /></a>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-17309273268048705452010-04-06T11:18:00.010+08:002010-04-10T23:08:14.376+08:00The Slide<div style="text-align: justify;">The slide was long and looked like it was made out of tarp. It was colored white on both sides with a stretch of blue in the middle. Water coming from the overhead faucet was making its own version of sliding to the 120-ft deep sea water below.<br /><br />Two staffs were on hand to oversee us slide. One was located at the slide-in area tasked to prep us on the proper way to do the slide. The other was floating on the sea below, ensuring that our life vests were still intact after the fall and had safely swam away before the next person does his slide.<br /><br />We had the entire place to ourselves when we arrived at mid-morning. After taking photos of the place and putting on a life jacket, we made our way up the stairs made out of coconut lumber to the slide-in area. It was a small square-shaped landing good enough for 3-4 people waiting for their turn.<br /><br />Dong had gone before me and I could hear him howling with joy below. I rubbed my hands together in anticipation, took a quick bath on the overhead faucet, and positioned my butt on the edge of the tarp. I wrapped my arms across my chest as instructed and waited for the final push from the staff.<br /><br />There was a slight shove and I started sliding. I gave out a loud hoot. I shut my eyes as the water, escorting me as I slid, splashed around me. I braced myself for the inevitable drop but it was taking too long. My patience started to stretch. I raised my head to see how far I was from the drop-off when suddenly there was nothing supporting my back but dead air. I howled with glee. Then I fell.<br /><br />I made a big splash. My head bobbed out of the water. I was grinning from ear to ear. I was ecstatic. I wanted to try the slide again.<br /><br />So I did. Two more times.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*****<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWp_d-ug2OGPEo_jxa7jWfC81C08SrBAoXMCwEIsBjHdlzfJSMIcIzFAmd10IyjbHK3OnytsksdCo6cme1tgVeolaYlM0mBJMEpRJFIbrMPKJKGQ9ZqxId8M89Y4osCHDcV6xXoAMIIM/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456677187723853858" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWp_d-ug2OGPEo_jxa7jWfC81C08SrBAoXMCwEIsBjHdlzfJSMIcIzFAmd10IyjbHK3OnytsksdCo6cme1tgVeolaYlM0mBJMEpRJFIbrMPKJKGQ9ZqxId8M89Y4osCHDcV6xXoAMIIM/s400/IMG_0657.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCNf-uo9KNbjRBfwy8F5DlFuT6uFn0KDzbMu7fdsWZp7qjXzFl9MMdgzQzV43jEFLC67yFxLxLof-mBE0iDCoMRuGyEg6H9S-jhPQeaJtIdSjLTTyNWOk7jBp2mCko3grarog1pWGVCM/s1600/P3017437.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456675061715422770" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCNf-uo9KNbjRBfwy8F5DlFuT6uFn0KDzbMu7fdsWZp7qjXzFl9MMdgzQzV43jEFLC67yFxLxLof-mBE0iDCoMRuGyEg6H9S-jhPQeaJtIdSjLTTyNWOk7jBp2mCko3grarog1pWGVCM/s400/P3017437.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkEkHuFeIdmoAMiI5eOJ7XUPMp86uPFXpFG2H3b8mOlDtN17_mKGzaUVfC0frhdz1AkEdTwoPZ08DSG4m-jcR98Lc9p_lSx8VXG3i4o3zKuIaBA2WP0p5BBvP_eJ9q3x7AJJovC3NRB8/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456678201719326610" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkEkHuFeIdmoAMiI5eOJ7XUPMp86uPFXpFG2H3b8mOlDtN17_mKGzaUVfC0frhdz1AkEdTwoPZ08DSG4m-jcR98Lc9p_lSx8VXG3i4o3zKuIaBA2WP0p5BBvP_eJ9q3x7AJJovC3NRB8/s400/IMG_0677.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">* photos credited to dong and jonee</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />*****<br /></div><br />I experienced both the slide and <a href="http://scudinreallife.blogspot.com/2010/03/jump.html">the jump</a> at Maxima Aqua Fun. It is located in Samal Island which is only a 15-minute boat ride from Davao City. More details are found <a href="http://www.lawstude.net/2010/03/video-slide-to-sea-maxima-samal.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Maxima’s website can be found <a href="http://maxima.psdgroupph.com/index.php?sec=2&idpage=62&name=Maxima_Aquafun">here</a> or you may contact +6382-2712626 for your inquiries.<br /><br />Thanks to Sir Sonny and <a href="http://riajose.wordpress.com/">Ria</a> for making my slide and jump possible.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-83443208306047043542010-04-01T00:01:00.003+08:002010-04-03T15:24:35.354+08:00Films of March<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQq3kj7Bj7hySzNTtMjzh3t4phkHTUDTHe_k5KZiCo4Iud1yvEK5TBvbV_4l1k9SP7QzoSC_ELZzIOtYPR1krs3CLDsykFsNZxHGsTmcQNM2xXHkv4dwL-zwcZZ1Ss9KeUpIA4fhwFgY/s1600/1183412608b2j4fP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 168px; float: left; height: 152px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454622611527368866" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQq3kj7Bj7hySzNTtMjzh3t4phkHTUDTHe_k5KZiCo4Iud1yvEK5TBvbV_4l1k9SP7QzoSC_ELZzIOtYPR1krs3CLDsykFsNZxHGsTmcQNM2xXHkv4dwL-zwcZZ1Ss9KeUpIA4fhwFgY/s200/1183412608b2j4fP.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was only able to watch 7 movies in March. Most weekends I spent on the beach outside of Manila or in bed sleeping/resting. By the rate I'm going I don't think I won't be able to top the 160+ movies I watched last year. I'm not complaining. That means a cheaper electricity bill for me.<br /><br />But I digress. Here are a few noteworthy films I saw in March.<br /><br /><br />1. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/movies/25frog.html">The Princess and the Frog</a>. Disney's outstanding version of The Frog Prince.<br />2. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/movies/16where.html">Where The Wild Things Are</a>. Spike Jonze's terrific adaptation of Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book of the same title.<br />3. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/movies/13fantastic.html">Fantastic Mr. Fox</a>. George Clooney and Meryl Streep voice out the titular character and his wife in this film about fox vs humans.<br />4. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/movies/12green.html">Green Zone</a>. Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass team up again after the last two Bourne movies to give us this about WMDs and the Iraq war.<br />5. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/movies/05alice.html">Alice in Wonderland</a>. The visuals is underwhelming but Helena Bonham Carter makes your forget about that. As I said to a friend after watching the film - "Bonham Carter stole Alice from Depp".The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-47176661124526369262010-03-24T15:44:00.001+08:002010-03-24T15:47:08.495+08:003D<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSPntYJGqyt-AeLYd9ZPblxIO4IxJvMBmkQrmFfJuluDQCpxhCOeeF4ple1OGE7NsWmsHC8WgsUnDBuBD3MMF-VFAW8nLqP3ADqE-hvjLzh3KydLW-uCM8Jcvt3zZhZbJbaWVBTVSyeo/s1600/3d.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 102px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452103502604570946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSPntYJGqyt-AeLYd9ZPblxIO4IxJvMBmkQrmFfJuluDQCpxhCOeeF4ple1OGE7NsWmsHC8WgsUnDBuBD3MMF-VFAW8nLqP3ADqE-hvjLzh3KydLW-uCM8Jcvt3zZhZbJbaWVBTVSyeo/s200/3d.jpg" /></a>3D is now the in-thing in Hollywood. After James Cameron’s Avatar broke Titanic’s box office records, every producer seems to want to dip into the 3D frenzy. There was Tim Burdon’s Alice in Wonderland which was fun to watch but was underwhelming as a 3D visual orgasm. Then in the next few months more 3D films are coming out – Clash of the Titans, Toy Story 3, the last 2 Harry Potter films, and Shrek Forever After. I even read that George Lucas is planning to re-release his Star Wars movies in 3D.<br /><br />That got me thinking. Why don’t they re-release adult films instead like Killing Me Softly, 9 Songs, and all the movies from this <a href="http://scudinreallife.blogspot.com/2010/02/top-10-feel-good-movies.html">list </a>? Better yet why not porn in 3D?The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-20748534972952077322010-03-19T21:52:00.004+08:002010-03-19T21:56:40.876+08:00The Jump<span style="font-style: italic;">Note:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >This is not a poem.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmqIlFiuSjLr-0U4z9RbBrcV4DKEBBKGJtEjcgc615ABcZc3U-juuIAlXngD-Q3x_UnVp-kOITel0P4I-Zi9kPrFWC8xE0VBu-gAvI9OTeCFMEH1qz02IeCRxVJw2WQx2TQ56tEuSgcE/s1600-h/IMG_0705.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmqIlFiuSjLr-0U4z9RbBrcV4DKEBBKGJtEjcgc615ABcZc3U-juuIAlXngD-Q3x_UnVp-kOITel0P4I-Zi9kPrFWC8xE0VBu-gAvI9OTeCFMEH1qz02IeCRxVJw2WQx2TQ56tEuSgcE/s400/IMG_0705.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450334714552051058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I took the first step. The plank I was walking on trembled and so did my knees.<br />I stared straight ahead and saw where the horizon met with the blue sky.<br />I took another small step and again, the plank trembled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtT8wVJtkRWm4unzKPKzraH2nBJ93xtnZz9w-s2Kj_UhmXfX0wo61lmt8XJzbRP-vMYicEgvato9ZktH711VNzxrQDBCRhPKwyamI1lsUDtuzGDHXsMz9TGQpqE_QDFHU7BinkKbG9Ig/s1600-h/P3017499.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtT8wVJtkRWm4unzKPKzraH2nBJ93xtnZz9w-s2Kj_UhmXfX0wo61lmt8XJzbRP-vMYicEgvato9ZktH711VNzxrQDBCRhPKwyamI1lsUDtuzGDHXsMz9TGQpqE_QDFHU7BinkKbG9Ig/s400/P3017499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450337759336691906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I looked down and saw white corals submerged below the sea’s crest tens of feet below me.<br />I hardened my jaw and focused at the task at hand.<br />I took more small steps and seconds later reached the end of the plank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7nIxeIZOHg68x69NIyU0lESyrb_IK-ZTug2s4CTm4tYYe9IFIphHprbMaz29ZHpGfu3GmwWWfAkxj3pgDtdl3mjIsvUksWqD3YcFIaiFuw337xR1Ll9UF-DRTTvc5w3KKKzcxOg0cXg/s1600-h/P3017500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7nIxeIZOHg68x69NIyU0lESyrb_IK-ZTug2s4CTm4tYYe9IFIphHprbMaz29ZHpGfu3GmwWWfAkxj3pgDtdl3mjIsvUksWqD3YcFIaiFuw337xR1Ll9UF-DRTTvc5w3KKKzcxOg0cXg/s400/P3017500.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450339341491055458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I raised my hand sideways to shoulder-level, took a deep breath, then jumped.<br />I landed feet first and emerged out of the sea gasping for air and gulping sea water.<br />The jump was exhilaratingly good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vJrPOH29se60X2xgxdjiJOmf-L15WPKSfGPY3g_mYwvaLXpRqiXgaqLsVjEb3JD1w3_OlsTPmHcob5O-qtb_EvcEM6xdqynyXsBaL5Bitzahyphenhyphen4-d86mMEdKClFnNjFoG3JU0AfZNYyg/s1600-h/P3017501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vJrPOH29se60X2xgxdjiJOmf-L15WPKSfGPY3g_mYwvaLXpRqiXgaqLsVjEb3JD1w3_OlsTPmHcob5O-qtb_EvcEM6xdqynyXsBaL5Bitzahyphenhyphen4-d86mMEdKClFnNjFoG3JU0AfZNYyg/s400/P3017501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450339923806573426" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was my first platform dive. And I conquered my fear of heights.<br />I swam back and made my way to the platform.<br />I jumped again.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-12493634238008301462010-03-15T11:00:00.000+08:002010-03-15T11:03:38.456+08:00Davao's River Wild - Part II<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYOWpAhrSIK8-pcEnyKgd4LUa648Hi-M6Ot26MWtDgZwJWeHjex9mAG0WOaDvfZcr8ZKkP3dkPQ_hPgpLiHHNyvjrCv7hGEpMqODaTMwRzMSHHc_vwtoXQ_zkPBS_kqN3LlPKQNO92XY/s1600-h/ry=400.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYOWpAhrSIK8-pcEnyKgd4LUa648Hi-M6Ot26MWtDgZwJWeHjex9mAG0WOaDvfZcr8ZKkP3dkPQ_hPgpLiHHNyvjrCv7hGEpMqODaTMwRzMSHHc_vwtoXQ_zkPBS_kqN3LlPKQNO92XY/s200/ry=400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448690439053446194" /></a>Unbeknownst to most, there are two separate teams operating a rafting business in Davao. There is the Davao Wildwater Adventure, Inc (DWAI) and River One Adventure (R1A). The former has been in operation for almost 8 years, the latter launched at the start of the current year.<br /><br />Googling “Davao” and “rafting” would almost always lead to DWAI. That is no surprise since they have been in the business longer. Their website is up and running. Previous Davao tourists have posted pictures and blogs on their experience with DWAI.<br /><br />I initially made an inquiry with DWAI when a friend, who went to Davao a couple of weeks before my trip, prodded me to try out R1A. He gave out two reasons – it’s cheaper at P1500 (inclusive of lunch, customized shirt, digital copy of pictures/videos) and traverses 5 more rapids than the competitor (a total of 12.8 km) – even though they both run on the same river.<br /><br />The best months to go rafting for thrill-enthusiasts are from December-January and July-December. It doesn’t mean rafting is not recommended during the summer months. You can. It’s less scary. You can do the drifting without getting scared of getting dragged away by the river. It is also the best time to bring your kids out for a wild water adventure. There were 7 to 11-year-old kids on the other raft when we went rafting and they were having the grandest time.<br /><br />So if you want to enjoy the summer in Davao, try out the rafting adventure offered by R1A. You are relatively in safe hands. Their guides knows the rapids inside and out, having traversed the river for years. It is relatively cheaper too.<br /><br />You can read about my experience <a href="http://scudinreallife.blogspot.com/2010/03/davaos-river-wild.html">here</a>. Lawstude uploaded a video and you can enjoy it <a href="http://www.lawstude.net/2010/03/video-white-water-rafting-in-davao.html">here</a>. <a href="http://www.lawstude.net/">Lawstude’s</a>and <a href="http://www.dongism.blogspot.com/">Dong Ho’s</a> take on the wild ride will probably be published soon.<br /><br /><strong>River One Adventure </strong><br /><u>Contact Numbers:</u><br />0915 328 6857 (Globe)<br />0920 505 5477 (Smart)<br />0922 829 3370 (Sun)<br /><br /><u>Address:<br /></u>16 Paseo de Roxas Commercial Complex<br />Manuel Roxas Avenue, Davao City<br />(walking distance from Ateneo de Davao University)<br /><br /><u>Other Activities Offered:<br /></u>- Outdoor Adventure Events Organizing (adventure racing: trail running, off-road triathlon, swimming & paddling)<br />- island hopping tours (backyard activities: snorkeling, diving)<br />- inland tours (city tours)<br />- outland tours (Mt. Apo tour guide)<br />- corporate team building activities (specifically: sports team building)The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-17407190710291564252010-03-08T17:11:00.048+08:002010-03-08T18:26:52.717+08:00Davao's River Wild<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwRiSTmIWL4DxUY-8VOXnvLS-eTwRN3YvwWaCfQFbEDAMAvFbC-FULvg01aH0hOaqfdclbXHpns6_u81BQVFodZ02NvT16Bcnk1kQeM_kaWu95JOHnTgDl6kd1wAJlBAZ-34IPlbPR0g/s1600-h/DSC_0307.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446105299653171490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwRiSTmIWL4DxUY-8VOXnvLS-eTwRN3YvwWaCfQFbEDAMAvFbC-FULvg01aH0hOaqfdclbXHpns6_u81BQVFodZ02NvT16Bcnk1kQeM_kaWu95JOHnTgDl6kd1wAJlBAZ-34IPlbPR0g/s400/DSC_0307.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There was a moment in the 3-hour-12.8-km white water rafting adventure as I was floating on my back with the slow-running river current, and staring at the blue sky blemished with wisps of white clouds when I got this feeling that the Davao trip and my first in Mindanao was going to be a terrific kick-off to the last summer of my twenties.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeUp_Hji74qQyTHyK4S55NLmzYcQoX6bMDix0Zy0lryA21m8Qpm7IP4vE7kmiOG3J1voZdF3PCI_IEP2X89TYGu6Zg7DozZL0Gt4nqM4KforZePOSnNCKqL-PukeANJA75sm7Qa2gdvk/s1600-h/DSC_0289.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446089078621546130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeUp_Hji74qQyTHyK4S55NLmzYcQoX6bMDix0Zy0lryA21m8Qpm7IP4vE7kmiOG3J1voZdF3PCI_IEP2X89TYGu6Zg7DozZL0Gt4nqM4KforZePOSnNCKqL-PukeANJA75sm7Qa2gdvk/s400/DSC_0289.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I wasn’t wrong. The entire rafting experience was a blast which almost got scrapped after I and 3 other travel buddies – <a href="http://www.dongism.blogspot.com/">Dong</a>, <a href="http://www.lawstude.net/">Lawstude</a>, and Bluespot – were enticed to try out <a href="http://lantaw.blogspot.com/search/label/Lake%20Sebu">Lake Sebu</a> by GenSan bloggers (more on them on a future post) and the purported awesome view from its newly constructed zipline.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit77fhxwf58KpfsGZ_YiVQ2mbZ6oaCx0SQf7JidZ_6HhR6z77mkhvGZlzuEjocSujMYpFSeaOl3OBhVnnMuzQSi5ATzhCkb6yXWHUBitp5j0WyPBBu0flu1Wbw0YRnxDu3mwK7hvn5ffA/s1600-h/P2280004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446170658676976290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit77fhxwf58KpfsGZ_YiVQ2mbZ6oaCx0SQf7JidZ_6HhR6z77mkhvGZlzuEjocSujMYpFSeaOl3OBhVnnMuzQSi5ATzhCkb6yXWHUBitp5j0WyPBBu0flu1Wbw0YRnxDu3mwK7hvn5ffA/s400/P2280004.jpg" /></a> Common sense prevailed and by mid-morning on a Sunday, after a 2.5-hour bus ride from GenSan and 1 hour to the put-in area within Davao City, we had our helmets and life vests on raring to go navigate the rapids. There was a short lecture on the rafting basics: how to properly handle a paddle, what to do when you fall off the raft or when the raft capsizes, how to lift a "fallen” comrade off the river among other things.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfUg9VZm9tNRFxpRIOhizL2czZkGSEVa7Bh54e7DkesGa7OMIHLs9rs-laKHXD5wa3FqgJZBdw6sitmHJzF-ephiLu-BsdN4bEK9ZCklOhIG5bjhBUWR7J0elECuelTGGIKBEkJ64r90/s1600-h/DSC_0290.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446168971560202866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfUg9VZm9tNRFxpRIOhizL2czZkGSEVa7Bh54e7DkesGa7OMIHLs9rs-laKHXD5wa3FqgJZBdw6sitmHJzF-ephiLu-BsdN4bEK9ZCklOhIG5bjhBUWR7J0elECuelTGGIKBEkJ64r90/s400/DSC_0290.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The put-in area had a magnificent view of Davao’s flora. Almost the entire surrounding was covered in green and the color trickled down to the water. I initially thought the current would be raging on the get-go but it was surprisingly placid-like with only a tiny bit of hint that the water was downstreaming.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCWdxVWyHPFR6uyuT0TyJQjJkBd0Dvd6xnuKLP3k02KDZ9Mk9VvV2pKOoAJizzmg3Ptc3UPOXnh6aser2q2RSHxJRIsrfWwTCO8v7gFlhmdMMemg-rjW9fJiVxSV4vuMqqlFQBJHf1DI/s1600-h/P2280034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446139785217794386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCWdxVWyHPFR6uyuT0TyJQjJkBd0Dvd6xnuKLP3k02KDZ9Mk9VvV2pKOoAJizzmg3Ptc3UPOXnh6aser2q2RSHxJRIsrfWwTCO8v7gFlhmdMMemg-rjW9fJiVxSV4vuMqqlFQBJHf1DI/s400/P2280034.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was the perfect place to try out what was taught a few minutes back. We took turns sliding off the raft with our paddles, getting saved, and doing the saving. The water was cold but not shivery-cold. It was a welcome respite from the heat and jolted me awake having had very little sleep for more than 24 hours. It put me in the right kind of mood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriIrWGgnXGH1P2GWTNxUFA-nAALLV1NjmHKszPRHGaoHNWVSh2nL1Wobqp_QQq4mGi0YEv24giLNQIYUA3MfbeSm_eNTxjFNALlZi-gnv_9kk5Tg6hYhL1g-yhTBYkQ2soc7yd4mN66s/s1600-h/P2280085.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446141546787369602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriIrWGgnXGH1P2GWTNxUFA-nAALLV1NjmHKszPRHGaoHNWVSh2nL1Wobqp_QQq4mGi0YEv24giLNQIYUA3MfbeSm_eNTxjFNALlZi-gnv_9kk5Tg6hYhL1g-yhTBYkQ2soc7yd4mN66s/s400/P2280085.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After each had their chance to dip in the waters, sort of a rafting baptism ritual, we were off to the rapids. Although they weren’t as intense as in the rainy season we still had the grandest time paddling hard forward and easy forward and feasting our eyes on the expansive scenery before us.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QTQFylECYHh95HMM2Ax6Hh8wa6MuQFkMwIK7wElorWKgcq8LODfE5ukQKCfmEsAX73MdFe6dmGCezumV2NrOpBKVUAUX2gZEKgq5TOjsOndH3zT0NMsvjISQGw8noE1cG1VC2_8N-sQ/s1600-h/P2280061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446123364114049202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QTQFylECYHh95HMM2Ax6Hh8wa6MuQFkMwIK7wElorWKgcq8LODfE5ukQKCfmEsAX73MdFe6dmGCezumV2NrOpBKVUAUX2gZEKgq5TOjsOndH3zT0NMsvjISQGw8noE1cG1VC2_8N-sQ/s400/P2280061.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A few times our guide barked out a right side hard forward and left side hard backward combo-instruction (to the uninitiated, this means those sitted on the right side of the raft should paddle forward and those on the left should paddle backward) and we practically froze, each of us bewildered on which way to paddle. All of us burst out laughing each time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmBNjdWeMqqn5PwRSqetMZwqxERUdq2XmGge3uukVj4lAhAxy0eSHDIp-l17c7uDLnfycP9gYiXaBVItDqJF3897zQjcMV7giahN-JQKEZMGvrdedauFBJrV2qwWzbxzUwNfOlhCh3xw/s1600-h/P2280130.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446131087404213554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmBNjdWeMqqn5PwRSqetMZwqxERUdq2XmGge3uukVj4lAhAxy0eSHDIp-l17c7uDLnfycP9gYiXaBVItDqJF3897zQjcMV7giahN-JQKEZMGvrdedauFBJrV2qwWzbxzUwNfOlhCh3xw/s400/P2280130.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In between rapids are stretches of placid-like waters. During these stretches we deliberately jumped or slid off the raft with the main guide’s approval. We floated on our backs or on our stomachs and allowed the river’s current to carry us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI9qRo29BjPtmPYokNvX9dkxV37v_jsRZOC3LmJTZvSMCoX97qPUbimruaKyPlyvdAuM064EYjEFu1rHkhh5r0onuiRB4EnzFFJlmb5SjKrjavD3FLTWxan1TxmGwhaCjS4ueLBEKc3c/s1600-h/IMG_0391.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446106739416129650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI9qRo29BjPtmPYokNvX9dkxV37v_jsRZOC3LmJTZvSMCoX97qPUbimruaKyPlyvdAuM064EYjEFu1rHkhh5r0onuiRB4EnzFFJlmb5SjKrjavD3FLTWxan1TxmGwhaCjS4ueLBEKc3c/s400/IMG_0391.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We did this a few times and it was exhilarating. Peaceful. There was even an instance when after giving out the drifting signal all 6 of us jumped off the raft inside of five seconds. We felt like 5-year-old kids allowed by our parents to play off in the rain after minutes of incessant pleading.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1NproCzOwdcFvAL_7W2ieJpjl2608RvWiFlq8anKk7uibnhV9M2nJ5f144069dGugiUVjNen4vtxGpvJXOmW9Y_8O3IH9_xbkW9iR_MTqJACk9J9GqxHvrxzo6tt7dRbLvUStpNesOg/s1600-h/P2280277.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446180256389535954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1NproCzOwdcFvAL_7W2ieJpjl2608RvWiFlq8anKk7uibnhV9M2nJ5f144069dGugiUVjNen4vtxGpvJXOmW9Y_8O3IH9_xbkW9iR_MTqJACk9J9GqxHvrxzo6tt7dRbLvUStpNesOg/s400/P2280277.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The entire course allowed us to traverse through some poor communities in Davao who reside near the river. There were women washing clothes and throngs of kids either taking a dip or simply playing. Kids waved and yelled out babai (Bye-Bye) and we did the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6MXmBEVB_I1ycA0AA6yPmgKI6YldWBpt-VMH3W5-IGMzU0HrHOUKA8gQX9407zmCKVAjzpbGBArcXFooy5bpfkdclPzcXVT9S4Ga8NHPYECCfmUwZ71dyUYgsRmusIDx3nriB6IAAE4/s1600-h/DSC_0321.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446136810696061634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6MXmBEVB_I1ycA0AA6yPmgKI6YldWBpt-VMH3W5-IGMzU0HrHOUKA8gQX9407zmCKVAjzpbGBArcXFooy5bpfkdclPzcXVT9S4Ga8NHPYECCfmUwZ71dyUYgsRmusIDx3nriB6IAAE4/s400/DSC_0321.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At last at the 3-hour stretch we arrived at the take-out area. Similar to where we took off, the place was picturesque and the water placid-like. We were then famished and gobbled up the free lunch that cam with the package we paid for. It was a gratifyingly memorable experience overall.<br /><br />By the way, something tells me I will be trying out the rapids again within the year, when the water level is higher and the river more frightening.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">*****</div><br />Details on the team running the rafting adventure on my next post.</div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-85873574249647919392010-03-01T00:01:00.001+08:002010-03-01T00:01:00.609+08:00Films of February<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFvLryNHgWHnoMi0W00MZxM1vJLH9Qni8mO7daaqKmF9LLxbrTxB2iCDlt9kHn8hovAAComEjM0ry-I550upXlzvsvQqAs_P2KcgOf6zcQ9JVoG9puug31WI46vkwcq20DO8YR5HxH64/s1600-h/1183412608b2j4fP.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442122048104518658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFvLryNHgWHnoMi0W00MZxM1vJLH9Qni8mO7daaqKmF9LLxbrTxB2iCDlt9kHn8hovAAComEjM0ry-I550upXlzvsvQqAs_P2KcgOf6zcQ9JVoG9puug31WI46vkwcq20DO8YR5HxH64/s200/1183412608b2j4fP.jpg" /></a>I watched 10 movies in February. I saw a naked <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2006/09/08/movies/08sher.html">Maggie Gyllenhaal</a>, a gaunt <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/movies/04brothers.html">Toby Maguire</a>, and <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/movies/18cloudy.html">giant hotdogs</a> falling from the sky. These were fine movies but could not hold a candle to the other 7. These are:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/movies/25wire.html"><strong>Man on Wire</strong></a>. An edge-of-your-seat documentary about a Frenchman who attempts in 1975 to tightrope-walk the 200 feet that separates the two World Trade Centers in 1975. The film plays like a thriller where the main protagonist and a slew of supporting characters meticulously plan a bizarre and almost impossible to pull-off attempt.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9803E6D8163CF935A35753C1A9669C8B63"><strong>Requiem for a Dream</strong></a>. Darren Aronosfsky directs this 2000 gem about addiction - drugs, weight-loss pills, fame, fortune - and how addicts stretch themselves to attain the orgasmic but temporary euphoria. Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connely, Marlon Wayans are all terrific. The film also has one of the best musical scores ever recorded.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/movies/leavinglasvegas.html"><strong>Leaving Las Vegas</strong></a>. An alcoholic bent on drinking himself to death. A hooker eking out a living. These two social pariahs meet and spend one sexless night together, develop a bond, and decides to live together. Elisabeth Shue is irresistibly good but this film is owned by Nicolas Cage.<br /><br />4. <strong><a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/movies/11invictus.html">Invictus</a></strong>. Clint Eastwood directs another gem, which he does almost annually starting from 2003’s Mystic River to last year’s Gran Torino, about how Nelson Mandela was able to unite his country in post-apartheid South Africa as they host and win the 1995 World Rugby League World Cup. This is an inspiring film and one that all Filipinos should watch to see how real and honest leaders should be.<br /><br />5. <strong><a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E07E3D9163DF931A15752C1A960958260">Shine</a></strong>. This 1996 film directed by Scott Hicks follows the life of pianist David Helfgott as a young boy trained by a father (Armin Mueller-Stahl) obsessed on winning to his years as a music scholar in London to his mental breakdown. The actors who play David Helfgott are terrific – Noah Taylor as the teenaged David and Geoffrey Rush, who won an Oscar Best Actor for the role, as the grownup David. The last minutes of the film is a little bit like Mr. Holland’s Opus but I ain’t complaining.<br /><br />6. <strong><a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/movies/24orphan.html">Orphan</a></strong>. The orphan in this thriller is a fucking bitch. I wanted to grab her out of the TV and give her an unforgettable spanking.<br /><br />7. <strong><a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/movies/25boys.html">The Boys Are Back</a></strong>. This film, based on a Simon Carr memoir The Boys are Back in Town, is about a widower and sportswriter (Clive Owen) struggling to raise and bond with his two sons – one from his dead wife, another from a previous marriage.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-77373019311533494492010-02-18T21:21:00.003+08:002010-02-18T21:29:30.167+08:00Bitter<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XmBfn4rgy5LX0tb47mnBgj7NJKPR-AKHD1a2iKqOXTcD5wE6dfDNubgSkrpKkCq_MFlhyphenhyphenGTrXQ9o7yu1VQka-e6M9CPBgK5NoujAtVDcrxJcqaSz9AUrGc8TgZrcgSigZCFyaTI3gzY/s1600-h/resign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XmBfn4rgy5LX0tb47mnBgj7NJKPR-AKHD1a2iKqOXTcD5wE6dfDNubgSkrpKkCq_MFlhyphenhyphenGTrXQ9o7yu1VQka-e6M9CPBgK5NoujAtVDcrxJcqaSz9AUrGc8TgZrcgSigZCFyaTI3gzY/s200/resign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439573118846275986" border="0" /></a>It has been a year since I severed ties with my former employer and moved to a new company which holds office in the same building. My former big boss seems to have ill feelings on our parting.<br /><br />BB does not acknowledge my presence when we bump into each other– in the lobby, in the elevator, or at their office when I have official business to attend to. The last chance encounter was on Friday where we practically sat inches from each other in a crowded restaurant. I acknowledged BB’s presence, BB did not.<br /><br />It was unbecoming for someone of BB’s stature. It was unprofessional. Surely, I won’t be as friendly the next time around. I did no wrong. I had no binding contract. <span style="font-style: italic;">Nagpaalam naman ako ng maayos.</span><br /><br />Seriously, BB has to stop being bitter. Get over it. Move on.<br /><br /></div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-86414408841246404782010-02-16T23:30:00.005+08:002010-02-17T00:09:54.440+08:00Arch Support<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6HRjXLi_oU0T1vGd391RuMj3HLRsVjWd_a3FAAo4K9N_RLqsX8LAuRCHNcbC511otZbykrDc7xSauG0PfoJyLEV-2Ll9LlfhuNd3AXgHYjUvZC4i31yhjkKJeN3SBX-KZJRcuYXYWT8/s1600-h/31YYMPTVRGL._AA280_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6HRjXLi_oU0T1vGd391RuMj3HLRsVjWd_a3FAAo4K9N_RLqsX8LAuRCHNcbC511otZbykrDc7xSauG0PfoJyLEV-2Ll9LlfhuNd3AXgHYjUvZC4i31yhjkKJeN3SBX-KZJRcuYXYWT8/s200/31YYMPTVRGL._AA280_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438873189455294354" border="0" /></a>It wasn't the shoes. It wasn't on the way I run. It was the arch on my foot. It was too high according to the X-rays. The ortho suggested I get myself an arch support.<br /><br />So I ordered myself an arch support as my ortho suggested. I finally got to use it early this evening. After a 1.5-hour walk-and-run combo I could still step with my right foot without wincing.<br /><br />I was ecstatic. I was cured albeit in an artificial way. A workaround. But who cares? I can finally get rid of those expensive painkillers. And start visiting takbo.ph for that first official marathon.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-38185552465042322502010-02-14T00:01:00.003+08:002010-02-14T00:44:23.918+08:00Top 10: "Feel-Good" Movies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY8VBaBUj57ONzNaMkfNkKfxHzI836lWY7Lw_UaIjJmtpihTT8mC0Isr4YniZ3QuApDlLLiDjzH_DItpzh7I9bHUEOsP3SimLewn0I3A8XX4fsh64NKLLcml2GFySV2ZSQz1onmSe6gw/s1600-h/film-reel-thumb2703832.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY8VBaBUj57ONzNaMkfNkKfxHzI836lWY7Lw_UaIjJmtpihTT8mC0Isr4YniZ3QuApDlLLiDjzH_DItpzh7I9bHUEOsP3SimLewn0I3A8XX4fsh64NKLLcml2GFySV2ZSQz1onmSe6gw/s200/film-reel-thumb2703832.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437721855622027682" border="0" /></a>Someone is getting laid today. It will be fun. It will be sweaty. It will be sweet. It may even be rough. And it will eventually be tiring.<br /><br />Here then are recommended films to watch while cuddling and regaining the energy well spent.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CE1D9143CF930A3575BC0A9679C8B63">Original Sin (2001)</a>. Antonio Banderas is a man in need of a wife. Angelina Jolie is a mail-order bride. Both stars sizzle on their scenes together. A single VCD copy of the film switched hands for weeks among my batchmates in our last year in college. It was a big hit.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9807E0D81430F93BA35756C0A9649C8B63">Unfaithful (2002)</a>. A college friend was not at all happy with this movie. I disagreed. Aside from that airport scene, Diane Lane and Oliver Martinez’ scenes are worth watching.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/05/scorpio-nights-1985.html">Scorpio Nights (1985)</a>. This is probably the best local adult film I have ever seen. The sex scenes are hot. The sequel, starring Joyce Jimenez and Albert Martinez, looks tame when compared to the far superior original.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/250558/Y-Tu-Mama-Tambien/overview?scp=1&sq=y%20tu%20mama%20tambien&st=cse">Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)</a>. Alfonso Cuaron, director of Children of Men, directs Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna who goes on a road trip with a much older woman. Forget about the quick lip-lock between the two male characters, the scenes that came before that – in the motel room and in the backseat of a car – make this film worth-watching. The deleted scenes from the DVD are pretty good too. Haha.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CEFD7133BF935A35751C0A9629C8B63">The Dreamers (2003)</a>. An American teen befriends two French siblings in 1968 France. He eventually moves in with them and embarks in naughty and intimate scenes with the two. It got an NC17 rating, a rating worse than R18, when it was released in the US.<br /><br />6. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9901E2DA143CF935A35753C1A9679C8B63">Mulholland Drive (2001)</a>. David Lynch's mind-bending film is a beguiling one about an actress struggling to make it to the movies. The last act of the film featuring a lengthy girl-on-girl action is as shocking as its ending.<br /><br />7. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D05E3DD153CF933A25753C1A961958260">Jamon Jamon (1992)</a>. The film's many twists and turns are reminiscent of soap operas. It is a fun film to watch especially it's over-the-top ending. Oscar winners Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz star.<br /><br />8. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C00E0D91F39F933A15750C0A96E958260">Wild Things (1998)</a>. The film’s many plot twists is reminiscent of Live Flesh, #7 on this list. There is said to be a great threesome scene involving Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, and Matt Dillon which got cut by our self-proclaimed moral guardians. For an 18-year-old whose taste in movies has not yet seen the light, the butchered version seen on screen was enthralling.<br /><br />9. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE7DE1F3DF933A15750C0A964958260">Basic Instinct (1992)</a>. The film that made Sharon Stone the star of most men’s dreams in the early 90s. I saw the film only a few years back. It was then I realized why it was such a big hit.<br /><br />10. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/movies/28lust.html">Lust, Caution (2007)</a>. This is my least favorite of Ang Lee’s films. It is about a female spy sent to assassinate an official of the sitting Chinese government. Similar to The Dreamers, the film also got an NC17 rating. The sex here is explicit and rough and almost too-real. Tony Leung (Infernal Affairs, Happy Together, In The Mood for Love) stars.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-66588167406994241142010-02-09T21:27:00.002+08:002010-02-12T07:31:28.686+08:00The Prom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOOC11qzGCl9mvfBkDxAfmae-6xh0zZQ5BtKNgoWl8njtMnALK2QZ2FwqwuntSlJhXX6_u7vcKe0Ky2eoJ7PgGBK7RPtAB6oVPuY9PRPJW1bkF726MfAHukYLbz9Rs3NEhmdnTdK7SmQ/s1600-h/prom.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 151px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOOC11qzGCl9mvfBkDxAfmae-6xh0zZQ5BtKNgoWl8njtMnALK2QZ2FwqwuntSlJhXX6_u7vcKe0Ky2eoJ7PgGBK7RPtAB6oVPuY9PRPJW1bkF726MfAHukYLbz9Rs3NEhmdnTdK7SmQ/s200/prom.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436234281894080274" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">My cousin, who is a high school senior, is said to be excited over an event taking place on the coming weekend – the JS Prom. I heard he wanted to get a tux but it turned out to be quite expensive and impractical since he was going to outgrow it within a year or two. He settled for the most common attire worn on a prom in the province – slacks, long sleeves, and tie.<br /><br />I vaguely remember my own JS Prom in the mid-90s. It was one of my high school memories – and there are only a handful - that I’d rather have the Haitian erase from my brain. I would probably cringe when I stumble on a photo of a 15-year-old me wearing cream colored pants and a blue plaid long-sleeves that was a size bigger than my 100-lb frame. I was rail thin then with a serious inferiority complex.<br /><br />To make matters worse, I was also selected to receive the “Book of Knowledge” from the senior class. That means writing a speech, committing it to memory, and speaking in front of around 400 students. That’s practically my nightmare right there – public speaking. I’m pretty sure my heart stopped for a split-second when my teachers relayed the news. I probably tried to decline but my teachers wouldn’t take no for an answer.<br /><br />So I caved. I was the obedient student. I went up the stage on prom night, received the Holy Bible aka Book of Knowledge, and gave my speech. I remember dancing to a few songs with someone whose name and face escapes me now. I remember spending the rest of the night guarding the Bible like a hawk and restlessly checking my watch, waiting for the prom to end.<br /><br />I guess if the JS Prom was held a year later - the prom back then was a bi-annual event - I would have jumped at the chance at making that speech. I would have danced more slow songs. I would have not sulked. I would have tried to mingle. And I would not be embarrassed to show a picture of me holding a mic on one hand and a Bible on the other.</div>The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-9211995141398684092010-02-04T23:08:00.003+08:002010-02-04T23:10:34.014+08:00Memories of Running<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYpEYnw3rppeRNE_LOFq5GOd76HfG7pfTTGKfNTh4Lh-vcWf3tTiOQGwI5yfNt3LtchyObEO3h7dwb-5fnFChKmzLk7sJ5haOnoHZ2eolbo3y_CtioXYeo0M_HTsmyYAFyHbAW5vlCvo/s1600-h/marathon_runner_web_lite2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYpEYnw3rppeRNE_LOFq5GOd76HfG7pfTTGKfNTh4Lh-vcWf3tTiOQGwI5yfNt3LtchyObEO3h7dwb-5fnFChKmzLk7sJ5haOnoHZ2eolbo3y_CtioXYeo0M_HTsmyYAFyHbAW5vlCvo/s200/marathon_runner_web_lite2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434405313096848514" border="0" /></a>The last time I went on a run I could barely walk for days after. My right foot hurts. A lot. And I pretty much have a high threshold for pain.<br /><br />Friends told me it was probably the shoes I wore. Our company doctor told me the same thing. I wasn't totally convinced. She didn't even try to examine where the pain was.<br /><br /><br />So I did what Scud would usually do. I bought new shoes. A Nike pair designed for running.<br /><br />I used it on a trial run just hours ago. For the first few minutes it felt great on the feet. But minutes after my foot started to hurt. The right foot. My friends were wrong. The doctor was too.<br /><br />Time to finally put my HMO card to good use and have my foot checked by an orthopedic doctor. Wish me luck!The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586669477610902771.post-32048090688928193662010-02-01T23:33:00.000+08:002010-02-01T23:33:19.478+08:00Films of January<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdtwqfSMRcpIiSb3trwzH8NIi40jrDhANJfPoC1SZ08jy0xAxB9dd0ZKPB76Gn2AizAQyL99Cmbqd9lmSmZZxhhTJq9WYqUdDfrxbSoNhLQuyMufXrN1-oZ1wMfJWcoB_Nyycx9LDMJw/s1600-h/film-reel-thumb2703832.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdtwqfSMRcpIiSb3trwzH8NIi40jrDhANJfPoC1SZ08jy0xAxB9dd0ZKPB76Gn2AizAQyL99Cmbqd9lmSmZZxhhTJq9WYqUdDfrxbSoNhLQuyMufXrN1-oZ1wMfJWcoB_Nyycx9LDMJw/s200/film-reel-thumb2703832.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433298444769083874" border="0" /></a><br />I watched 16 movies for January alone. 7 of these are in the running for my favorite films of 2010. And here they are...<br /><br />1. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/movies/09education.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">An Education</span></a>. A film about a 16-year-old schoolgirl who falls in love with a man twice her age. Carrey Mulligan gives, hands-down, the best performance of 2009.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014762/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home</span></a>. A terrific documentary about the threat made by man to our planet's ecological balance and what the rest of the world are doing to salvage it. The film found a great narrator in Glenn Close.<br /><br />3. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=2&res=9E05E2DE153CF933A25753C1A961958260">Happy Together</a>. A beautifully photographed film from Wong Kar Wai, my favorite director on this side of the world, about two gay lovers whose paths separate and then collide in Argentina.<br /><br />4. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/05/lappartement_1997_review.shtml">L’Appartement</a>. A terrific thriller with a terrific ending starring a refreshingly young Monica Belucci. It was remade by Hollywood into Wicker Park and butchered it by giving the film a happy ending.<br /><br />5. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/movies/24righ.html">Let The Right One In</a>. A Swedish film about a 12-year-old vampire who develops a deep connection to a 12-year-old normal boy who lives next door. The last time Morse Code was employed in a movie, it came out terrifyingly good. That film was Infernal Affairs. This vampire film is in that league.<br /><br />6. <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/movies/31cove.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Cove</span></a>. Another outstanding documentary about the man who gave rich corporations the idea that they could make a helluva lot of money staging dolphin shows and how he spends for the rest of his life atoning for this mistake – by traveling all over the world trying to save the wholesale slaughter of whales and dolphins.<br /><br />7. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/movies/04upinair.html">Up In The Air</a>. A film from the director of Juno about a man who fires people for a living, who gets sexually and emotionally involved with a fellow frequent traveler, and whose job is being threatened by a young woman’s 21st century ideals.The Scudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905157287010014152noreply@blogger.com27