Burning Intentions

Last April 6 was Good Friday. While thousands swarmed the churches, my partner and I went to the famous Santo Nino Shrine in Cebu City to light some candles and offered prayers for our families and friends. One prayer intention I offered was the following lines I made into a poem which I intended for my one love.

When love is there

I am not afraid.

To face the world

and all its trade.

Though burdens come

and tribulations, too.

I am confident

love will pull me through.

In times,

when things seem unbearable,

I look up the sky

and to God I call.

Then pray

for love so I can bear

and wait for answers

in the coming years.

Love is not blind

for it sees everything.

All of my dreams,

aspirations and longings.

Now, I see

what my future be,

to love you more

is my destiny.

this poet is a nomad by profession. his life is spent on the road...travelling everywhere. for details of his work check this link http://www.creativesolutionsph.org

The Best Things in Life are indeed....Free!

I have been in Cebu maybe a thousand times already.. but it never occurred to me that I will be here for a while to work and live. Cebu City has become so crowded and polluted although there are a few places within the city that boast of lush green scenery, cool and clean air...these are already found in the mountain areas of the city.

That's why I was glad to hear that our project sites are in Bogo and Medellin. These towns are found in the northern part of Cebu province where air smells fresh and clean.

I would like to share my favorite spots in this part of the country...beach resorts. In Bogo, the village of Nailon offers a long stretch of good beaches...one of these is Hisoler Beach Resort. It has fine rooms made of bamboo and cogon grass.

Just 5 miles away is the town of San Remigio.. The local government has developed and improved its tourism program for both local and foreign visitors. In barangay punta, you will find a secluded haven called warren's beach. For people who want to escape from the noise of the city, this is indeed a perfect refuge.

Clean sea breeze, peaceful surrounding, cool shades, crystal clear sea water, colorful sunset and sunrise...all these you can find in these gorgeous environment.

For more photos please visit this link: http://www.picasaweb.google.com/my.islandman

About the Author:

He is an itinerant, a nomad by profession and gives everything of himself until it bleeds...for more details of his work please visit this site: http://www.creativesolutionsph.org

Tawitawi

On the first week of November last year (2006), I was commissioned by the unmdp-act for peace programme to do an important mission with the leaders of the peace and development advocates league in the province of tawitawi.

Together with my partner, I took a medium-sized boat from Zamboanga City to Bongao town - the port of entry of the province. The slow boat waddled the Philippine Sea for almost 36 hours.

When we arrived in Barangay Pahut, we were awed by the sights and sounds of our temporary haven. Our airconditioned room was just a spit away from the clean, clear, and white beach-front. At once we forgot the head-wracking boat ride we had in the last 36 hours. Indeed, Jana's Place in Barangay Pahut, Bongao was just right for this kind of mission. I thought this place is excellent for anybody's vacation.

Tawitawi is located at the southern-most end of Mindanao, Philippines. Most of the inhabitants are Sama or Tausug, although the presence of Visayan settlers are also visible. The mother tongue is either Sama or Tausug, some Visayan language but most of the people also speak Tagalog and English.

The following days were devoted to visits to island villages of the province. Here is the weblink to view the pictures we took during our visit to the villages of simunul, sumangat, lapid lapid and Bongao: http://picasaweb.google.com/my.islandman/ImagesAndColorsTheTawitawiUprising