Organic Farming: Rambutan & Lanzones

 

 

SANDUGO sandals for Mangyan Villagers & Volunteer Teachers

It won’t cost much to give the flip flops but it will make a big difference to the lives of many Mangyan volunteer teachers, sitio leaders and villagers. We take those simple footwears for granted but they are very valuable in making life a bit more comfortable for those people! I would like to give a huge thank you to all those who volunteered to help out. We received 150 pairs of sandals from Sandugo Sandals. Big thanks Sir Greg Galicia, Myra and company. You are all amazing, thanks for the support!

Many pupils and volunteer teachers go to school barefoot because they are unable to buy something that can cost as little as $1 to $3 dollars a pair! The cost of a cup of coffee is even higher!

You might have some friends and relatives in the Philippines who can help promote this project. Please let them know. What are you waiting for? Go raid your shoe cupboard and donate your unwanted flip flops now!

My 2012.

Since it’s near the end, I guess it’s time for us to start back from the beginning and recount 2012 as a whole. This post is going to be terribly long, but i’d really appreciate it if you’d read it all. It’s not very well written, as I’m just kind of rambling on, just so you know. 

I changed so much as a person in so little time, it’s astonishing to look back to the person that I was. I was timid, quiet, afraid to try new things, and simply a person I didn't like at all. I struggled with many kept secrets and wanted so badly to let go of a lot of things so that I could start feeling good about myself and how I perceived myself and how I wanted others to perceive me. I’m slowly getting there and I know that I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for certain people in my life…and no matter if we aren't all together or if we’re not all friends now, I could never regret anything that happened. I visited different places and met new friends. I appreciate the life that I have now and I’m glad I haven’t died yet…there is just so much waiting for me.

2012 has been the most interesting year of my existence thus far and the anticipation to what 2013 has to offer is almost too much to bare. I want this year to be over so I can start fresh again. (allyourlight tumblr)

CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) Wakeboarding Experience

One would visit Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) mainly for wakeboarding. Wakeboarding was created from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques. CWC is the place to be when you talk about cable wakeboarding in the Philippines. In fact, it is already famous worldwide prompting numerous international cable wake boarding competitions to be held here as well. Wakeboarding, besides being one of the world’s fastest growing sports and is gradually being recognized globally, has become a lifestyle for others. A recently held international competition includes the 2009 World’s Ultimate Wake Championships. CWC is owned by Governor L-Ray Villafuerte. Just so you know why their villa and accommodations were named as Villa Rey and the lake was named as Lago del Rey. We actually saw him there.

I was amazed how the complex looks like. I never thought that despite of the simple living on this province, there is still such impressive resort / complex placed in CamSur. CWC is located at Provincial Capitol Complex Cadlan, Pili. It is approximately 15 - 20 minutes from Airport. There are free shuttle from airport which will take you to CWC. And if I'm not mistaken, there are also free shuttle from Naga to CWC. But if you fail to catch the free shuttle, from Naga you may ride a bus going to Legazpi City and ask the driver to drop you off at the Provincial Capitol. And from Capitol you may ride a tricycle which will take you to CWC. CWC is truly a prime destination for everyone, risen as the hottest destination to visit.

CWC’s rates are affordable and this includes, among others:

              Free use of basic equipment (beginner wakeboards, water skis and knee boards) for those new to the sport.

Free basic and safety instruction by CWCs resident instructors and operators.

                   World class obstacle courses designed to challenge even the most advanced riders yet safe enough for the brave ones who dare to try tricks for the very first time

CWC also has the following facilities:

Gear up for the ride with the cable park’s Pro Shop which is equipped with everything a rider needs to pursue the desired sport.

Besides the ramps and obstacles, the park has also set aside a beach volleyball area and a pool for those who would like to take a break from the boards but still want to keep bathing under the sun.

            A Clubhouse is built for the guest’s dining area and for live entertainment. Guests can also chill at the Clubhouse and enjoy round of billiards, darts and football.

     An elevated spectator area is placed beside the lake so that the guests will have a better view of the exhibitions.

          The park also boasts of Wi-Fi capability which enables the guests to take a break from the bustles of the   city yet still remain connected to the necessities of the world.

v      Accommodations within walking distance from the park are also readily available for small or big groups.

                While waiting for the operation to start, we opted to eat at CWC Clubhouse near the Wake Boarding area (Solid Force). The CWC Clubhouse has an array of meals to choose from. They serve the usual fast food meals like burgers, cheese steaks, pizzas, etc. They also serve rice meals for those who wanted a heavier meal. Their kitchen is a bit small and is located at a small stall on the side. The guests could choose to seat on the area overlooking those wake boarders near the water. The price is not that cheap, like the meals you can buy at Manila.

               Since we have no plans of spending half day for it, I just asked for the 1 hour wakeboarding. The 1 hour rate for beginners (cable pass rate) is PHP 125.00 + equipment rental (Life Vest & Helmet) of PHP 40.00, initial deposit of PHP 500.00 is needed (but it's refundable). It also includes a free use of swimming pool? Great deal, isn't it? So it ended up Me, Errol, Archivald and Boggs for wakeboarding.

    

                 There is no official class / instruction for this one. The instructor will only tell you what to do in a span of 1 minute. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask, his instructions are only brief. But don't be scared just have fun because all experts were once beginners, right? We were given wrist bands to indicate our time there. After fitting into the right gears, we went to the beginner’s area where we can practice wake boarding for an hour. 

          My first to third take doesn't turn well; I ended up in the middle. I tried another one, then another one. OK, try and try, never give up! For my fourth try, I was able to get it! It was fun, nakakaadik kahit masakit sa muscles  and I lined up for another one and couple more times. It is like skate boarding on water. It looks simple and easy as you look at the people doing it but truth is, it is very difficult.

              

             There are professional wakeboarders (Filipinos and foreigners) doing their stunt at the lake. Kailan kaya ako magiging ganyan kagaling? Soon! (evil laugh).. :))

     

I super love it here. My break from everything. I felt short for this experience and I hope anytime I can go here and do wakeboarding! I know there will still be next time and I hope I have companions (ehem 3idiots) with me who are game for such adventure! Next time I will spend whole week in CWC! (haha) :)) Thanks Errol, Boggs and Archivald. I definitely had fun!

My Alma Mater (Elementary)

       My elementary experience was full of fun and excitement.  It was hard and full of adventure, too.  Elementary life is very challenging and I am proud to complete it.  Too much playing and going out with friends are some of the reasons why I was not able to concentrate enough on my studies. Nevertheless, I got the top spot in the class J

Salvacion Elementary School

In my elementary level, I learned many things from my subjects and from my encounters with friends.  It was fun and exciting, meeting new friends and guys. I enjoyed chatting and playing with them.  We shared jokes and laughter.  Sometimes we were being scolded by our teachers due to being very “makulit”.  It was there that we did not listen to our lesson, sometimes we copy each other’s assignments and we tease each other.  But of course, I'm doing my assignment on my own.  During break time we ran after each other, teasing one another.

I have many plans after elementary graduation. Pursuing to a higher education is my major plan. I want to be ready before I finally face my high school life.  I must face this new challenge with pride and will try my best to finish it with awards.  I did. Now another challenge, building my career and profession. By God's grace, there's so much in stored for me, let’s wait and see…

Feeling inspired today..

I get very excited about the possibilities, and where life will take me and where others can go with their life also. It is a dream come true for me that I am actually able to have the opportunity to help others realize that the sayings are true, nothing is impossible. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. People need to give themselves a better chance at achieving what they really long for. All they need to do is believe it can happen.

What did you want to be when you were younger? I always fantasized of moving to the US and being a doctor or doing something really big with my life. Being able to help the world. Make a difference. But I grew up in a small country town and it just seemed like it was only meant for ‘the lucky ones’ or the people who were already rich. This isn’t actually true. Success in any area, of any industry, comes down to your imagination and your willingness to believe that you can actually make it happen. It’s start with you, why you want to do it, believing it can happen and then making it happen. These are simple questions I have asked myself previously, How do you feel today about where you are, where do you want to be? Where would you prefer to be? Who do you want to be spending time with at this very moment? What would you prefer to be doing today if what you are doing is not your ideal day? What is your family doing? Are they going about their days in their ideal way? If they weren't, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to change that for them if it was possible? Well, it is.

I am not exactly where I want to be right now, but I’m taking steps each day towards bigger goals than what’s happening in the present. It is important to still enjoy the present, but if nothing changes in your day to day life, nothing will change in the future. In 5 years time, do you want to be where you are now? Do you think you will have made progress?

Courtesy: http://kate-martin.tumblr.com/