ESLPlus-Baguio City

Here I come again classroom! The perennial student as I am at ESLPlus Language Academy with the witty ma'am Debbie Achawon and some of my klasmyts.

I thought I was profficient in english- my gosh to my shame and gutsy feeling! After attending a series of Trainings here and with my on-going TESOL course, I could proudly say that indeed I've improved a lot!

In His Most Melodramatic Mood

Jojo at Wendys, Manila (unfortunately wendys was closed when i went back last August 29). Guess what he's doing here? Not just eating and drinking but somehow brainstorming the no-nonsense CP of mine.

It's really difficult to wait for something or someone for that matter you don't know you're waiting, huh!

Goodluck, mah fren!

Network 21 along Baywalk

1) That's Emerald Direct Nixon and Camela Guzman of Baguio City. Go go go Warriors of the North and explode the Amway Way!

2) Diamond Direct Olive and Ernie Fernandez, wonderful couple to emulate just like our very own upline DD Ali Ghanadan. So spiritually entreprenure!

3) Ooopppps, with my direct upline Beth, so humble and meek and who sometimes sleeps awake hehehe.

4) I finally had the chance to take pic with the Men in Philippine History, our national Hereos Benigno Aquino Jr. and Emilio Javier. How merciful are the merciless to have down them cowardly! Bless their souls, amen.

Election '07

Kids always fascinate me!!!

Kids of candidates in Baguio doing the igorot dance to the amazement of expectators at the Malcom Square otherwise known nowadays as People's Park. Five of these candidates made it to the City Council.

Of course me and my son Kiel with Diane, Angelo and - during election day in Barlig, Mountain Province at Tikkid also known as Boumans Trail in memory of Fr. Huberto Boumans, a long time parish priest of the Barlig Catholic Mission.

Well, uncle James Mataag may have lost his candidacy but still he's a winner in our hearts. In a very small town like ours, retired colonels have no place in politics. Pagbigyan daw ang mga jobless!

The Kids Invaded the Military Camp!

One rainy afternoon, we hiked up the mountain of Alemmong where this pitiful military camp is situated. I almost cried at the sight. Is this how we treat the soldiers who guard the majestic Barlig landscape and people? My only consolation is that our town is so peaceful and quite, literally speaking. Thanks God, the men in uniforn are safe and sound!

Kiel at 9 years old tried the soldier's guitar. Come on son, show them that you're like mom who at tender age can strum the guitar. No member of the family leaves Barlig without serving in Church by playing the guitar! So so true...

The Commandant (sorry sir, I forgot your name!) of the military camp with his 2 aide d campo atop Almmong overlooking Gawana, the poblacion.

Why we went up? Ask me why? (byline barrowed frm Bro. Bo) Because we have to contact Baguio and Manila regarding my visa! So remote is our town that we have to find some place to hang our cellphones to connect to the outside world, hehehe

Overlooking Samoki

At Teng-ab, Bontoc, Mountain Province. The road through sitio Samoki is bound for Barlig, crossing first the Chico River.

Teng-ab is where the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe offices are located. The 5 buildings that housed these offices were built through the efforts of our dear Bishop Francisco Claver, SJ.

I happened to be there upon the invitation of my friend Tina who's nephew is a priest there. The panoramic view is so refreshing despite the very hot Bontoc weather!

A Friend Indeed

My financial consultant Tina Ipan and me in Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

How pity is the jeep that carries many peope enroute to the provincial capital, yet zigzagging the rough, long and winding road. It's not an unusual sight anyway because in our mountaineous places, everybody climbs the top of a jeep just so to reach Bontoc!

Those feathery smoke behind are not really clouds! They are the vapors of the hot springs below, yo!

My Family

Dad, Mom, Paulito, Nikki and Kiel.

They are the inspiration of my life as ever and ever. How could I live without them? God knows how I really missed them. They maybe far far away from me but the distance is not a bondage of a conquering heart.

Life is really a mystery. .. the pains, the joys, the sufferings, the love... endures forever!