Islands 100

When I was first invited to a medical mission to Alaminos, Pangasinan I was a bit skeptical.

The last time I visited the Hundred Islands, I was a Grade 1 student and I was counting the islands and verifying if it was indeed a hundred. I counted only 88. But of course, I wasn't riding a helicopter.

But the numerical accuracy of the Hundred Island was not the source of my skepticism. My skeptical mind was arguing against the wisdom of taking a 6 1/2 hour trip to a place I presumed to be a testimony of neglect by our public officials.

Also, when I think about the traffic mess that is EDSA, I am skeptical whether I will survive the trip with my body parts still intact. You see, I am in my late 30s (44 to be exact) and I am concerned about my health.

But the real reason is that I am an impatient person and a 6 1/2 trip to a place unbeknownst is not exactly my idea of fun.

Now, three things finally convinced me to go on and set my skepticism aside. First, I will be in the company of my friend Budge Batalla who I haven't seen for a long time and the 6 1/2 hours of debating, cajoling, wit exchanging and reminiscing I expect to share with him is something quite attractive.

Second, this is my first medical mission and I am always open to new experiences. I also figured it might relieve some of the stress I am feeling on account of my endless laundry list of things to do since I arrived here in the Philippines.

Third, I want to see for myself and once again prove my theory right that public officials are ruining my Motherland's natural wonders.

To make a long story short, I went.

I enjoyed Budge Batalla and his endless stories and reminders of our glory days in the eighties (some of which actually happened). I enjoyed the smile in the faces of the recipients of medical care, medicine, food stuff and clothes that we distributed up there in Alaminos.

I enjoyed the company of Mayor Nani Braganza who was a college friend and who was running the town quite well as evidenced by the quick action he took on the wreck that Typhoon Emong left behind. But most of all, I enjoyed the spectacular display of natural beauty that was the Hundred Islands.

Even if I was proven wrong, I must admit that the Hundred Islands was not neglected at all. It was in the hands of a mayor who truly cared for his hometown and was genuinely concerned about his town mates.

Now, let me try to paint a picture of this place they call Hundred Islands. As we approached the pier dotted by the panorama of islands in a canvas of blue waters and bluer skies, my skepticism melted away.

When we boarded the boat leading to the Islands 100, the balancing act that was involved sent chills through my spine. But in a good way. The fear was replaced with relief as I boarded the boat without incident. I felt that I was a tightrope walker although all I navigated was two feet.

Well anyway, we boarded two boats and one of them was called Black Panther. The boat I was in was called Pink Salmon which did not match my machismo.

There was an island full of bats that we  woke up from their slumber by blowing the horns of the Black Panther. Except for their shrieks they seemed not to mind. They were too busy to eat us, apparently siesta was more important.

Then we saw a row of islands that were so pristine green that a Maryland forest will be...well, green with envy. There were big islands, medium sized islands, small islands, tiny islands, tinier islands, tinny winy islands and islands that you can fit in the size of your palm (if you were Godzilla). In any case, you get the point it was a natural wonder, the islands were of varied sizes is what I'm trying to say.

So we finally arrived in one island called Osmena and Budge and I went for a soak. Budge took off his shirt which sent the DENR on alert but I chose not to take off mine. I am very modest, as followers of this blog may have already figured out.

The waters were so clear you can see tiny fish floating like we were not there. The wildlife here have a tendency to ignore tourists. I dove in the clear blue water and almost hit my head on a coral. Luckily the coral was coated with algae that cushioned my idiotic decision to dive in the first place. What can I say, I fell in love with the place. My brains take an LOA when I am in love. Ask Budge.

While I was soaking and talking to Joseph, another friend, they called us to board the boats once again to head for Governor's Island. It was very hard to leave my lover, the Beach but I went. I'm a democrat I always submit to the majority decision.

So we headed for Gov Isle and arrived but not before passing islands and islets that were so wonderfully clothed in greenery and dotted with white sand that my worldly cares left me and went on strike. I was totally blown away again by the majesty of the entire sight and I frantically took pictures. It was wondrous, it was marvelous, it was fantastic, magical even.

At Gov Isle we begun to talk politics with Mayor Nani. We were talking about agriculture, governance and other stuff that turned me on even further. But alas ! Rain clouds were gathering and we had to head home before a storm hit us.

On the way home to Manila, while I was conversing with Budge, pictures of the Hundred Isles hit my brain like a hailstorm.
I will return to Hundred Islands. That's a pledge a made to the Mayor. I don't break my promises.

My Wedding Anniversary Post

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary. I will not mention her name because she is not a bloggertype.

May 1, 1990 we were married in her Parish and we had our reception in my clan's restaurant. My Mom decorated the place with sampaguitas (a local flower) whose fragrance that evening I remember to this day. We even cut our cake atop a balsa, a bamboo raft. Every room, there were five I think, had a roast pig.

I have always heard the term "beside myself with happiness" but I never knew what it actually meant. That evening when we went up the stairs of the Main Floor I was beside myself, its like I was watching myself from a short distance.

I was happy of course, I love my wife, my wife of 1 1/2 hours ago that evening but I was pretty scared too. Yeah, I was terrified. What would married life be like ? The question kept on banging in my head. What would I do ? How do I take care of kids ?

I told my Daddy to have a simple reception, I wanted to live up to my name as a non-conformist. But alas, he was the one who was going to pay for these things and he was the one to decide that. They said, my Mommy specially that they are having this big reception for my wife because they love her dearly, they are so proud of my new wife.

Magna Cum Laude, UP Diliman. Scholastican from Pre-School to High School. Masters in Language Scholar De La Salle-Manila. Very Pretty. Very Fit. Very Very Intelligent. Dimples that Will Melt Your Heart.

My wife of 19 years, I adore her and I will marry her again if the opportunity presents itself in the future.

Baby Alpacas

The first time I saw them I fell in love with them.

Baby alpacas.

Baby alpacas are a breed of llama imported to the United States from Peru. They look like the llama but they are smaller, cuter in appearance and come in a variety of colors. Their wool is double or triple the smoothness of regular sheep wool. In addition, they are half as heavy and twice as warm.

Think of a cross between a sheep and a poodle and then think of this cross being painted by an artist in different shades of white, black and brown.

In addition, think of the alpaca as a canvas for a hyperactive artist. Its like a monochromatic portrait that walks, in that its color combination is unlike any other mammal on the face of the earth.


The wool of the baby alpaca is cut during the springtime since they are uncomfortable wearing it when the weather is too warm. They remained covered by their soft and elegant wool all winter long and the better part of autumn but as soon as spring arrives they all receive a shearing.

This weekend we went to the "Alpaca : A Different Kind of Livestock" fair in Boonsboro, Maryland where alpaca enthusiasts from the East Coast and other parts of the US congregate to sell and trade alpacas. They are also there to bring their kids to touch the wool of these elegant and extremely friendly animals.

Alpacas are not bothered by human interaction. In fact, as soon as they see a visitor approaching their pens they run towards and not away from the visitor. Think peacock but think humble and gentle peacocks. They are almost as big as small camels but they loved to be pet by humans and it shows in their lovely expressive eyes.

Baby alpacas.

You are not human if you don't fall in love with these angels in hooves. For me, it was love on first sight. But then, I'm a hopeless romantic.