ONE FINE DAY

I stayed in Manila for almost a week, I miss manila so much.. so I went to our old hang outs which usually are in the malls. I went to Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, Shangrila, Glorietta, Greenbelt and Greenhills. My first day, I had my lunch at YOSHINOYA in Megamall since its just a walk from my hotel, then I went to Shangrila. I was still feeling drowsy so I went back to my hotel room and sleep the rest of the day, nightime I went to our house in QC. After a few hours, I went back to my hotel.

After a week in Manila, I went to my hometown.

Since I was alone, I just busy myself shooting.

Check the pics.

Really one fine day

A Fishing vessel

Small Ferry

The BADYAO

Badjao are minorities from southern part of the Philippines, however they migrated to neigboring islands in the early nineties. Badjaos are good divers since they usually live near the sea and its their main source of income, even the 3 year old badjao can dive. As soon as the ferry or the ship docks on the pier.. these badjao kids paddled their small boat near the ferry and beg for some coins.. If you have extra coins in you pockets, throw it on the water near their boat and they will dive for it. Amazingly, they get the coins 100% even the youngest kids.

I remember when I was stil a kid, during our travel from the province to manila. I usually beg for coins from my father so that I can throw them at the badjaos..

As soon as I saw them, I get my digital camera and took several pics, its not very clear since the glass reflected the light from the flash so I turned the flash off. The badjao gladly smile for me. I then searched my pocket for coins and found a handful of 5 and 10 peso coins. I throw them several 5 and 10's and they gladly dived it for me.

Next time you travel and just in case you encounter these indigenous people.. dont hesitate to throw some spare coins.. they might be life saving.

PLANING FOR A GRAND VACATION

There's a slogan in the Philippines of some sort in the 90's "Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bansa" in english.. ''Dont be foreign in your own country" I think it's the campaign of the Department of Tourism that time. It roots from a common knowledge that Filipinos- though have lots of touristic destinations abound does'nt have the chance to experience it..and I am not an exception.Actually the farthest north I been to was in Baguio in 2002 and the farthest south I travelled was in Puerto Galera in 2006.

Me and my friends planned a hundred times or so to go on a vacation in Boracay
but it never happen... our different schedules and most of all...... our meager salaries didn't permit us. I feel like all of the world's population already been to Boracay.. its only me who doesnt.. It really sucks and I feel really dissapointed in myself.

In the Philippines, I got a nice job, I worked in a top Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies but still my salary was not enough to pay all the expenses for a major vacation. My salary all goes to the taxes(damned politicians), SSS, loans etc and what left goes to the monthy rentals, food and transportation, nothing is left for some luxury or a nice vacation.. such poor guy hehe! ....at least I wore longsleeve and a tie at work (looking presentable and professional) and one more thing my office was located in Makati hahaha! But seriously does it count?? I think I'll be much happier working with a blue collar job abroad than having a white collar in the Philippines without proper compensation.. Well its a different story.

Now I'm already 7 months here in Kuwait.. we're already qualified to have our leave. Im planning to have a vacation next summer....Philippines here I come! Oh boy! just thinking about the summer and the beach makes me wanna pack my things now.. Bora or Palawan? well it doesnt matter.

c you soon..

BORACAY

Boracay included among the TOP 10 BEACHES AROUND THE WORLD from Yahoo travel

1. Myrtle Beach ,South Carolina

2. Miami, Florida

3. Cancun, Mexico

4. Kaanapali, Hawaii

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

6. San Diego, California

7. Boracay Island, Philippines

8. Key West, Florida

9. Sydney, Australia

10. Santa Barbara, California

LINK TO THE SITE
http://www.boracay.com/