Ascending the Mountain of the Accumulation of Virtue

In my high school days I voraciously read the collections of the National Geographic magazines in our school library.  I was fascinated by the places I read and the maps presented on the magazine.  I began to develop an interest for Indonesia.  An archipelago with such diverse people and culture.  One thing I really like about Indonesia are it's people.  The Indonesians are very friendly and tolerant.  I would opine that perhaps this sense of tolerance have made Indonesia a nation on its own right and it also contributed to the preservation of various artifacts.  I have read so much about Borobudur in the Central Part of Java. Thus when the opportunity came to visit Indonesia in 2008.  I put on my itinerary a short visit to Jogjakarta.  Jogjakarta like Aceh enjoys a special administrative status being the center of Javanese culture and also of Islamic culture.Way back in 2008 I had this opportunity to attend a training in Bandung and I decided to have a short visit to Jogjakarta.  From Jakarta I took Adam Air for Jogjakarta.  One thing that impressed me was the standard of living which make it easy for anyone to be.  I did not spend a fortune to enjoy this beautiful and mystical place. 

 The Entrance to the Monument

Each of these Contain a Figure of the Buddha

The walls were lined up with epic stories carved in stones

The Sukarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta

On top of the Hill

There were several of these figures of the Bodhisattva

The City Jogjakarta in the Horizon as seen from Adam Air

Jogjakarta International Airport

Reminiscing Uppsala

In 2008, I had the rare opportunity to visit Uppsala, Sweden because of the sponsorship I got to participate in the Top Level Seminar on Peace and Security at the Uppsala University.  Prior to this I had my readings about Sweden and I was impressed by the history of the place.  Before leaving for Sweden I was already armed with knowledge of the history of the country and of the locality of which I am staying.  I never expected to arrived on a snowy day and much more on a snowstorm.  They said it was unusual to have that kind of weather early December.  Usually the snow comes later in winter.  Uppsala is a wonderful city.  Indeed it is a University town,  Home to the famous Uppsala University.  I visited some of its important landmarks and I will share with you some of this pictures.  Hope you enjoy.  These are my photos.

Uppsala Cathedral, the National Shrine of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran)

Probaly part of Uppsala University?

The facade of the Cathedral

The Nave of the Cathedral

I observed that sometimes they used different altar tables for Mass

This is the High Altar

The Ornate pulpit at the Cathedral.  I attended one of the noon masses here.  After the mass I greeted the organist and complemented the beautiful music.  I introduced myself as a Filipino and all of a sudden he mentioned about the famous bamboo organ in Las Pinas, Philippines.  That's how popular the Bamboo Organ is even  this Swedish organist knows something about the bamboo organ.

This is me.  While taking a little walk I requested two students to take my photo.

A monument in Honr of Karl Gustav XIV

Unforgettable Aceh: Nuggets from my Short Visit to Banda Aceh

This Ship was pushed inland by the great tsunami that struck
Aceh several years ago, nos a Museum Piece

My memories bring a year's back to my visit to Banda Aceh in Indonesia.  I really appreciate the opportunities given me by East-West Center in Hawaii to participate in their Summer Institute on International Humanitarian Law in Bali, Indonesia.  This field trip to Aceh was part of this program.  So when they offered this as an addendum to the activity I immediately applied.  I was pretty sure that I dont want to miss this occasion of visiting a wonderful place of which several years ago occupied the headlines because of the tsunami and the subsequent peace agreement beteween the rebels and the Government of Indonesia.  I've read so much about Indonesia and I appreciate its diversity.  from end to end you see a country so vast with different cultures and subcultures.  No wonder the founding father of Indonesia adopted the philosophy of Pankasila - Unity in Diversity.  For no one can really unite this archipelago except for a philosophy of unity that would bind its people.   Aceh has has seen some separatists movements and the later part was more bloody.  But fortunately after the tsunami the rebels and the government went into the negotiating table to talk about autonomy and self-rule. 

The Party Offices of the Ruling Party in Aceh

The photo above is the party offices of Parti Aceh.  We did some focus group discussions with its leaders during our visit.  The itinerary of our visit was so hectic and we only had three days of field trip.  We were so tired but I did my best to keep awake as I did not want every moment of my stay in Aceh escape my attention.

The Capitol Building of Aceh

We did visit also the government house in Aceh.  We had a dialogue with the vice-governor who himself was a former rebel.  After the Peace talks he was elected into various offices.

The Grand Mosque in Aceh.  The Acehenese People are staunchly devout Muslims.  This huge and impressive structure provides inspiration and becomes a source of pride for the people of Aceh.

The people of Aceh are devout Muslims.  I had wanted so much to enter the mosque during Friday prayers but I was not able to get inside since the guard won't let me in because I am not a Muslim.  We stayed outside for a while and listen to the sermon.  After the services were over, we were then allowed to get inside.  I was very curious because I have never been inside a Mosque, having lived in a predominantly Christian environment, I never had the opportunity to be inside a mosque.  But I admire how the men and women of Aceh love and respect their religion.  

The Streets of Banda Aceh are wide and clean.  It is a small city and  in less than a day anyone can go around the city.  Motorcycles are popular means of transport.

There is also a dress code in Aceh.  Islamic way of dressing is enforced by some form of local ordinances.  I think I have no problem with this.  In fact how I wish there would  also be a dress code in our country.  I

Motorcycle is a common means of transport for both men and women

Some Morrocan Inspired Architechture 

How I wish I could visit again this beautiful city.

Sunday's Best

Where did we get the term "Sunday's Best".  Many times whenever there are occasions and our host wanting to emphasize a dress code would say that we are expected to be in Sunday's best.  Upon searching I found out that in year's gone by when people were still observant of Sunday as a holiday would always dress up in their best clothes.  In the Christian tradition Sunday is referred to as the Lord's day.  Everyone is expected to be in Church to hear Mass and they are expected to be in their best clothes since it is the day of the Lord.

Below are the photos of my home church in Tabaco City.  I just took this snap shot this morning after the early morning mass.

The Patio of San Bautista Church, Tabaco City Early Sunday Morning

MISIBIS BAY: A YEAR ROUND SUMMER GET A WAY

From the fish port of Bacacay one can have a breathtaking view of Mt. Mayon

Sitio Bahi, as seen from on top of a Hill.  There are sand bars along the way ideal for holding picnics.  Some fisher folks can take you on a boat ride to these sand bars for a minimal fee

A cool and serene place to be

I have said this many times that I am extremely proud to live in one of the most beautiful places here in the Philippines.  There are many beautiful places in Albay province that has never been so much explored.  I have been to different places abroad.  Yet I always say that there are places in my home country more beautiful than the ones I see abroad.  Let me share with you one of my summer escapades.  This is actually a work related travel which I took the opportunity to mix it with fun.  I think sometimes work and fun can mix together. This summer I thought two classes on field research. Misibis, a coastal village located in Cagraray Island was the venue of our research.  Cagraray is one of the several off-shore islands of Albay province.  The place is really beautiful.  The local folks live simple lives. The means of livelihood consists of fishing and farming.  Life is unhurried and there is plenty of time to just sit down and relax.  Incidentally, Misibis is also home to a famed high end resort.  On May 16, 2011 together with my 32 students we embarked for Misibis for their field research practicum.  The village is accessible by sea either from Legazpi Port, or in Sto. Domingo or in Bacacay.  There is also a barge that carries cargo and people from Sula.  However this barge is private.  So we decided to take the route from Bacacay.  Our decision to take the Bacacay port was motivated by the following reasons: (1) With good haggling skill one can get the lowest rent for a motor boat, (2) The route from Bacacay will pass through Sula Channel that will give us a wonderful view of Cagraray and Mainland, and (3) safety considerations.  One literally gets the feeling of crossing into paradise once you see the enthralling beauty of these islands.  Biologists considered these islands as bio-diverse.  The tropical heat and the inconvenience of travel is nothing compared to the experience.  Our skin became darker as a result of exposure to sun light.  It is advisable to wear protective gear or  a sunblock lotion.

The Locals live along the coast, houses are made up of Cogon Grass, the sun provides a natural drier for the laundry

The heat of the noonday sun was too much for me so I took off my
shoes, rest my HTC handset and took my nap

Like anywhere you go in the Philippine Islands, people are friendly and accommodating. They are also extremely helpful.  We experience first hand the friendliness and hospitality of the local folks.  Perhaps some of them are poor but you can always see in them the simplicity and how quietly life moves on quietly.  Some of the locals are fisher folks and one can easily rent out a motorboat.  But you must have the haggling skills in order to get the best price.  There are no fixed price though. At lunch time while my students were busy interviewing their respective key informants, I decided to take a nap under the talisay tree.  I removed my rubber shoes and without much problem I laid my back on the sandy beach. Isn't it that God designed human life to be simple and problem free? We urbanites seem to have missed this provision from the Lord.  But here in these islands I feel that returning to the basics is sometimes a blessing to experience.  

A Chapel was built on the Hill top of the Eco-Park.

The Amphitheater at the Cagraray Eco-Energy Park is reminiscent
of the Forums of Ancient Greece

On the Hill Top one can see the sun set with Mt. Mayon on the Background giving a feeling that one is on a Martian planet

From Sitio Bahi we went to the Cagraray Eco-Energy park.  The park is located on top of a hill that gives a commanding view of the surrounding islands and the ever dominant Mt. Mayon Volcano in the mainland.  I would commend the architect who designed the park.  The amphitheater reminded me of Greece.  The design and location of the amphitheater resemble the environs of ancient Greece except for the greenery which is very much tropical.  I tried to test the acoustics and indeed it is marvelous. One would not need a microphone.  I don't know what the pillars represent but I would opine that it has something to do with Greek dramas or visual and performing arts.  I think that this amphitheater could sit around five-hundred to one-thousand persons. On top of the hill there is the inter-denominational chapel.

The Beach at Sitio Bahi

Rented Motor Boat on Island Hopping

Camp Fire at Punta in Sitio Bahi

Fun and drinks at the camp site

The Boat Ride from Misibis to Bacacay is a feast for the eyes and for ocean lovers

The early morning sun

Calm and Silvery waters at Sula Channels one of the safest harbors in Albay

Villages along the Sula Channels

An ever ominous and dominating land mark

San Juan Bautista Church of Tabaco City: Simbahan ko Padangat ko!

Most of my years were spent in this town.  I am a traveler by nature, and I love to  visit places.  But in the end I always come home to this beautiful town.  In the vernacular we have saying which goes this way - no matter how long the procession is, it always end up in church.  This means that wherever I go, no matter how far, I will always come home to this town.

Today is Good Friday and after visiting the church for the Sacrament of Penance I decided to take pictures of the San Juan Bautista Church in Tabaco City.  This church was named by the National Commission on the Culture and the Arts (NCAA) as a national treasure.  The structure contains various peculiar markings of masons.  The church is made up of lime and volcanic stone.  This church has been the subject of various blog on the internet.  I used my HTC Wildfire mobile phone camera to take these snapshots. 

The Cherubim, angels standing before the throne of God ready to serve.

Church authorities have done the right thing to cordon this outdoor altar.  Unscrupulous lovers often use these area as dating place and ignorantly would sit on top of the altar!!! With these rails vandals and daters were prevented from desecrating this holy shrine.

The Main altar covered with purple curtain is all set for the Good Friday Liturgy.

The altar of repose, where the Eucharistic Christ is adored by the faithful.

The patio

Truly a jewel, a work of art and a master piece!