FRAGILE- the last encore

Supposed to be the Sting's 3rd solo concert in the Philippines. I was just glad i saw this third one. i lost count, but i guess it' probably 13 songs in 1 1/2 hours of soulful music from the King himself. I had goose bumps with his Englishman in New York, Shape of My Heart, Everything She DOes is Magic...  I was so amazed with his rendition of Fragile as his last encore, as he offered the song for the victims of typhoon "Pablo"... i almost cried. Did i see him wiping some tears at the end...? That was magical.

Holiday season in Singapore

It's been a while since I last wrote on this blog. It's not because I didnt have anything good things to write about. In fact, This year has been a very busy year in my career and personal life, yet i was able to spend sometime for a vacation to some Asian countries- Thailand and Nepal in February, Malaysia and Myanmar in April, then Singapore this December.
The beginning of Christmas season is evident in the smell, sights and sounds dominating the busiest shopping street of Orchard from the colorful tourist booths to Christmas song by Jose Mari Chan. This time however, I was able to do several things I have never done before and they are as follows:
1. Staying in a backpacker's dormitel and sleeping with a half dozen people from different parts of the globe. Rucksack INN is simply the best. Very clean, friendly staffs, and cheap.
2. Getting my hair cut done at Toni and Guy at S$130 (that's 4500P!) by a Chinese girl with a "bangs hairdo" ( I practically complimented her with her hair and she blushed!)
3. Getting photographed with a half-naked model at Abercrombie and Fich!
4. Took a taste of a mouth watering green tea cake at Mandarin Orchard Hotel cafe
5. Running my first FULL Marathon ( yes that's 42 kilometers!) with the Standard Chartered
6. Watched a movie at Vivo city entitled, the Life of Pi, Yan Martel's booker's prize awardee. A visual feast and unforgettable film which is loyal to the original book ( though I haven't finished reading it yet) probably will earn ANG Lee's several nominations at Oscars.
7. Watched the musical known as Jersey Boys, which I never regretted doing. Practically ignoring JLo's performance at the gardens by the bay. Never expected the music became part of my growing up years.
8. Bought a Leica point and shoot camera
9. Enjoyed Transformers at Universal studios amidst the rain.

TRAVELLING

Travelling..

"... makes you discover that everyone is wrong about other countries...according Huxley
"...the world is a book and those who do not travel only read a page ...according Saint Augustine.
"  how far we travel in life matters far less than those we meet along the way....according to anonymous"

being a traveller (i call myself that because i love to travel-and who doesn't?) makes you broaden your horizon and makes you realize about your love for your country. I loved my country for its deficiencies not only because of its beauty.
And i realize that you cannot have it all.
And i realize theres no reason to complain...

..just looking at the poverty in India,
..the chaotic traffic in Nepal,
..the densely populated Hongkong,
..the breath-taking architectural wonders in Singapore and high rise buildings of Shanghai (while we have nature and realized God gave us those beautiful mountains and volcanoes, and lakes, and beaches)
..the lack of freedom in Vietnam and Laos.
..rudeness and vulgar attitudes of the mainland  (they often yell at you with no apparent reason)
..people cannot congregate in Malaysia
..lost in translation in the former Indochina.


so while people never guessed my nationality ( and i really dont know why..,) 
i would proudly tell them, "No, im very Filipino."

On Suyog Prajapati

People just love bringing memorabilias during their travels.

While people buy keychains, food, refrigerator magnets, souvenir shirts, or religious or artistic figures or images,

I buy things i am passionate about- postage stamps, chess pieces, boats, paintings or drawings, and then books during my travels.

I buy local books from that particular country..

Recently, i bought a book i particularly liked so much because the writer is so much gifted, who at a very young age of 17, was able to publish his first book, entitled "Glimpses from Nepal and Tibet".

This book is about Hindu and Buddhist imagery in Nepal. Handprinted on caustic free handmade lokta paper using handmade blocks. I was thankful with our tour guide when he introduced us to the paper factory and shop known as The Peacock Shop.  I was able to interview his father who proudly showed us his son's second book about Bhaktapur which is not available at that time because of limited printing. The proud father also showed us his son's room and learned that he is also good at photography and oil painting. I was  impressed.

A journey towards time at Bhaktapur

I woke up in the chilly early misty dawn in the midst of Patan's durbar square, where my Nepalese traditional house is situated. We were planning to head towards Nagarkot, a hilly station where the sun rising from the Himalaysn mountains can be seen at its best. Nabu our Nepalese guide fetched us and eagerly escorted us to the waiting car with our hired driver. The trip towards Nagarcot is a 1 hour