Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Ozamiz 2012

Ozamiz City is not a new place to me. I always go to Ozamiz every summer. This was our go-to city when we were young. When we had to go shopping, we go to Ozamiz. When we demanded to eat at and buy a toy from Jollibee (you know kids, they're Jollibee fanatics), we go to Ozamiz. Ozamiz City is one of the urbanized and industrialized places considering that its surrounding areas are rural towns and provinces. It has huge establishments like the Gaisano Mall and other malls, banks, hotels, and other establishments that one basically finds in a city. By the way, Ozamiz can also be spelled Ozamis.

Since we came from Agusan del Norte on a long road trip, we had to ride a barge from the Mucas Port of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte in order to reach the Port of Ozamiz. The barge or the Roll-on/Roll-Off (RORO) is the mode of transportation that will take a person or a vehicle from Mucas to Ozamiz and vice versa. The passengers who ride the barge are not only coming from Lanao del Norte or closer proximity. Even travelers from Cotabato, Davao, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and the areas of Misamis Oriental utilize this mode of transportation if they have to go to Ozamiz, Pagadian, Dapitan, Dipolog, and the areas of Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Sur/del Norte. It's the more convenient, cheaper, and faster way. It only takes about 30 minutes from Mucas to Ozamiz.

Mucas Port

the sea we have to cross

the barge or RORO

just a series of shots of the area

a half-sunken ship

the port of Ozamiz

a famous park near the port which is called Cota

Birhen sa Cota or Blessed Virgin of Cotta

random photos of us

Weew! This is probably the most informative travel post that I have written. Perhaps because I am familiar with the place and I have been to many places in Mindanao. I was born in Mindanao and I will never forget where I came from. People view Mindanao as a dangerous place full of rebels, but that is not the entirety of Mindanao. There are a whole lot of places in Mindanao that are safe and their beauty are yet to be seen and appreciated. It's more fun in the Philippines and that includes Mindanao.

Monday, May 07, 2012

Childlike Adult

cousin Wella's first birthday (April 15)

with Baby Blake (the baby boy), my sister Lovelie's son

Another child's birthday in the family is a testament that I'm getting old. For some reason, I don't mind about my digits increasing each passing year. My age may take a notch higher annually but I'll always be a kid at heart. I am a child. Don't get me wrong, I'm not immature and childish. I am an adult and I am mature, but I am childlike. 

Honestly, I'm one of the kids. I still play and goof around with the children. When I'm around with children, I transform into a hyperactive ninja. I still chat with them about things that only children talk about. I love having conversations with children. Their open-mindedness and curiosity are contagious. I don't get annoyed with their endless questions that typical adults get tired and sick of. I get flabbergasted with their questions and statements. I love listening to their stories. I love hearing them and answering them with the child brain that I have. People always say that I am childlike.

There was even a time where the thought that I'm an adult struck me so hard. I know I'm 20 years old, but I got a knock on the head when I realized that I'm already a graduate and I'm proceeding into a very hard course. Add the idea that I'm going to undertake activities that only adults are expert of, like bank stuff. It gave me chills because I always thought I was a child, and children are not supposed to embark on bank stuff. However, it was a wake up call for me. I won't stop being a child, but I will take on the role of a responsible mature person. I am an adult, but still possessing the childlike spirit in me.

Friday, May 04, 2012

Surigao 2012

A glimpse of Surigao. 

I finally stepped foot on the ground of Surigao. It's cold summer breeze caressed my skin. It was a drastic trip; a short, sudden stay. Despite that, I was marveled by the beauty of its nature.

 
To witness the rising of the sun is such a wonderful feeling. I allowed the sun's rays to shine over me that early morning. My eyes, though, were crying colors of too much brightness.
  
 
In our short stay, I've observed that Surigao has many little islands, which left me guessing where Siargao Island is. I adore this one, because of its forest-y jungle vibe.

 
The mountains look magnificent due to the vibrant green hue, but the fog in this photo gives off an eerie aura, which I absolutely and peculiarly love.

There's always interesting things to capture wherever I turn. My head was rotating 360 degrees and all I see is dazzling scenery.

Taken during the night of our voyage. We were amazed by how the moon illuminates the ocean. Again, I love the moon and I honestly took a lot of photos of it, but I won't overload this post with moon shots.

I wish we could have stayed a lot longer. I want to tour around Surigao, and I definitely want to bask under the heat of the sun in the big waves of Siargao Island. We were in a rush to head off to Butuan, but better luck next time for me. It's more fun in the Philippines! 

P.S.
Forgive me for the long hiatus. I'm socializing offline with my relatives. Summer is the only moment where I could spend quality time with them. Thanks to vacations. 

About Purple and Gold, we haven't done a project, yet. It's kind of hard, because my sister is working full time and unfortunately, she's been sick the whole week. We are all sick. Right now, I have tonsillitis, cough, and colds. However, rest assured that we will pursue at least one project this summer. I will not let this summer end without doing anything for Purple and Gold. I already had a discussion with my mother and aunt about tree planting, so wish us luck for that. Moreover, I may have an academic privilege, which increases the possibility of sponsoring a scholar or at least giving school supplies to kids. Remember, we have no sponsors, so we're going to use our personal finances for the projects - one project at a time.