Iloilo

From Bacolod, we took the fast craft going to Iloilo the following morning. After dropping off our luggage at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, we were brought to the office of WESVARRDEC in UP Visayas, Iloilo City.

The next stop was the FITS center in the municipality of Pavia which was severely flooded by Typhoon Frank in June 2008. The humble mayor of the town shared how they were able to move on after the storm. The Magsasaka Siyentista of the center welcomed us to his farm which is into ornamental production particularly the growing of dracaenas. Lunch was served at the West Visayas State University back in the city proper.

Bacolod, Negros Occidental

No conflicting schedules. After four years after my appointment as RMIS coordinator, I was able to join the cross-visit for the first time. It was my second time in Bacolod but this visit is official and longer than the first one which was just a quick stopover on the ferry on our way to Cagayan de Oro.

From the Bacolod airport which is actually located in Silay City, we just dropped our luggage at the pension house and hurried immediately (we were late because of the delayed departure of the plane from Manila) to the first item in the itinerary. The Penalosa Farm in Victorias City, which is into organic farming, offers buffet meals highlighting dishes from their organically grown chickens, pigs, fish, and vegetables. The farmer gave a very clear and informative lecture about what they are doing on his farm. It looked like many of us were convinced about the healthy, profitable, and environment-friendly prospects of organic farming systems.



The second destination had to be canceled because of the time constraint. We opted to take a side trip to the Ruins in Talisay City.

I'm sure most of us, if not all, truly enjoyed the informative and entertaining tour of the place courtesy of our energetic and comic guide named "Roger Lacson".

Who Am I?

I'm the type of person who easily sees the figure of a fish in a Palawan t-shirt and takes a long time to realize that the fish is drawn from the letters P, A, L, A, W, A, and N.

Play a song and I will appreciate first the melody and understand the message or lyrics later.

I have been hearing the song "Who Am I" before but it was only during our training at DLSU-D this morning when I got to read the lyrics of the song as our invocation. I began to appreciate the song more as it echoes my sentiments about my life here on earth.

Who am I?

by Casting Crowns

Who am I?

That the Lord of all the earth,

Would care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?

That the Bright and Morning Star,

Would choose to light the way,

For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:

Not because of who I am,

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who You are.

Chorus:

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still, You hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours, I am Yours.

Who am I?

That the eyes that see my sin,

Would look on me with love,

And watch me rise again.

Who am I?

That the voice that calmed the sea,

Would call out through the rain,

And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still, You hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still, You hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling,

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours.

I am Yours.

I am Yours.

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

Cause I am Yours.

I am Yours.

Singapore

It was the first time for the family to travel together out of the country. I chose Singapore as the venue of our post-birthday celebration for the head of the family. Ate can only go on leave for two days in a month and the remaining three are free from Friday to Sunday so as early as May, I booked our flight to avail of the promo fare. Hotel bookings and day-pass tickets to Universal Studios Singapore followed.

The Harbourfront

Day 1 was spent at Universal Studios in Sentosa. We went straight to Hollywood and watched the show "Lights, Camera, Action" hosted by Steven Spielberg. The technologies used to transform a stage into a movie scene full of action and suspense are so amazing. Next are the Accelerator and Battlestar Galactica. I didn't have the guts to join them on the dizzying rides. I will not forget the "water" experience as we sat in the "Splash Zone" of the Waterworld, the 4-D adventure with Shrek and friends, the cutie Madagascar ride, and the entertaining dance number of the group. From USS, we transferred to Vivo City and relaxed our tired feet as we admire the night view on the Harbourfront. After a dinner featuring mixed Asian dishes courtesy of a friend, we were accompanied to Chinatown for some shopping. All of us soundly (literally and figuratively) slept at the hotel that night.

Day 2 was the city tour leg. We decided to have individual day passes at the MRT so we could just hop from one line to another and easily move around the city. Very tourist friendly!

The Marina Bay

Half a Century... and Counting

God's gift to me has turned half a century. Our daughter bought a "shining, shimmering, splendid" mango sponge cake for the golden boy. We wish him good health and a life that will continue to be a channel of blessings to others. "Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you." - Isaiah 46:4