Sunday, June 21, 2015

Dear Papa

Celebrating New Year with Papa
Dear Papa,

Naingon na ba nako sa imo nga swerte kaayo ko kay ikaw akong Papa?
Naingon na ba nako sa imo nga nalipay ko kay palangga kaayo ko nimo?
Naingon na ba nako sa imo nga love kaayo ta ka?

Kaniadto sa gamay pa ko og dili pa bug-at, imo kong sung-ayon gikan sa palengke padulong sa atong balay labi na kung makita na nimo nga murag gikapoy na ko maglakaw. Feeling dayon nako tangkad kaayo kay mudungaw ko sa mga tawo nga atong masugat-an. Dayon mokanta-kanta dayon tang duha og masadya nga awit pero nakalimot nako unsa tong kantaha.

Kung makamata ko sa una nga mopadulong naka sa trabaho nimo, muhilak gyud ko og maayo kay dili ko gusto nga malakaw ka. Mura bag feeling nako nga mingawon kaayo ko nimo nga biyaan ko nimo.

Ikaw ang nagtudlo sa akoa og magsawsaw og biskwet sa kape sa atong afternoon snacks. Og ikaw ang nagpatilaw sa akoa og kan-on nga gibahugan og kape unya parisan og bulad nga sud-an, katong "goodbye-my-head"! Mao siguro nga karon kung mag-inom kog kape kay katulugon gyud ko kaayo. Tungod tingali kay nostalgic ang kape para nako.

Katong nag-eskwela nako, ikaw gyud ang nagahatud og nagasundo sa akoa sa school hangtud na lang nitungtong ko og Grade 5. Dili gyud ko kabalo mag-inusara og uli. Dependent kaayo ko nimo.

Ikaw pud nagtudlo sa akoa nga musukol sa mga naga-bully sa akoa tong elementary ko. Naa pa gani kaisa nga gipitkan nimog dalunggan tong isa sa akong mga bullies. Dah lagi! Wala na gud sila ning usab. Hahaha!

Kada weekend, dili gyud ko nimo gusto momata og sayo. Og kanang school days usahay, basta pukawon na gani ko ni Mama, mohunghong dayon ka sa akoa nga, "Tulog pa 'ta..." ("Ta" is shortcut term nimo sa "Bata"). Gusto gyud nimo nga magrest pa ko kay kabalo ka nga dugay ko natulog the night before kay nag-study pa ko. Sa imoha gyud siguro ko naliwat nga maglisod og mata og sayo kaayo.

Bisag panalagsa buluyagon ko nga anak, sa akong pagkahinumdom, kaisa pa lang gyud ko nimo gibunalan. Kato tong nangadto mi sa creek sa akong mga barkada nga silingan paghuman sa kusog nga ulan para motan-aw og baha. Na-feel gyud nako nga palangga kaayo ko nimo ato kay imo kong gibunalan for the first time. And that was also the last time, I guess.

Katong naga-work nako, naay mga times nga maglalis tang duha pero ang biliban nako sa imoha, mokatawa lang ka sa akoa kung makapuntos nako. Mawala na lang pud akong kalagot.

Katong last days ni Mama, dili gyud nako makalimtan kung unsa nimo sya gi-alagaan. Nakita gyud nako sa imoha nga ang imong love sa iyaha, "til death do us part". Mas na-admire ta ka ato.

Pa, salamat sa tanan. 

Katong nibiya na ka sa amoa, gi-isip ko na lang nga gibalato na nimo among life sa among sarili. Naisip nako nga siguro nihangyo ka kay Lord nga it's about time to leave kay it's also about time nga sarili na pud namo among huna-hunaon.

Pa, salamat sa tanan.

You may not be the ideal father that this world can define, but you to me are one of those blessings that forever be with me all throughout my life. And I am so thankful for that.

I-regards na lang ko kay Lord og kay Mama.

I love you Pa.

Your only son,
Atan


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Saturday, May 9, 2015

Dear Mama

My Mama, she raise me up.
Dear Mama,

Naingon na ba nako sa imo nga swerte kaayo ko kay ikaw akong Mama?
Naingon na ba nako sa imo nga nalipay ko kay palangga kaayo ko nimo?
Naingon na ba nako sa imo nga love kaayo ta ka?

Kaniadto, ibog kaayo akong mga amigo kay ang akong mama very accommodating.
Akong mama, palaistorya. 
Feel at home kaayo sila kung mubisita sila sa balay.
Unya kung maka-prepare ka og pagkaon daghan gyud.
Mabusog gyud ming tanan. Makig-chika pa gyud ka sa ilaha.
Kaila ka sa akong mga friends.

Kung naa koy activities sa school or contest nga salihan, very supportive kaayo ka.
Isa ikaw ka stage mother og proud kaayo ka sa akoa.
Ikaw akong number one fan.

Kung naa koy problema, ikaw gyud akong masultihan.
Ambot ngano, nga kung maingon na nako sa imoha, murag ma-solve na tanan.
Mag-ngisi na dayon ko og ready to fight na dayon.

Kung naa pud koy mga bag-o nga accomplishments, excited pud kaayo ko nga iistorya sa imo.
Feeling nako, ako ang pinakamaayo og kaya nako ang tanan.
Naa pa gyud na imong style nga very tight nga gakos with kiss to the max.
Wow! Nice kaayo ang feeling.

Kung mouli na gani ko sa balay katong naga-board ko tong college og bisan katong nag-work nako, daghan kaayo kag tinaguan nga pagkaon para sa akoa.
Ang uban gani nangalata na. Ang uban napan-os na lang.
Maabtan gud tag sobra isa ka oras og kinaon og update-update sa mga latest achievements nako.

Naay mga times nga kung dugay ko makauli gikan sa laag, mata pa gihapon ka.
Kay ingon nimo, dili ka makatulog hangtud dili pa ko kaabot sa balay.

Usahay, maglalis pud ta kay naay mga butang nga dili nako masabtan sa imoha.
Later on, ma-realize nako nga naay gyud kay point.
Tama gyud nga "mother knows best".
Og kanang imong "mother's instinct", powerful kaayo no?
Kay kabalo ka kung unsang naga-bother sa akoa og kung happy ko or dili.

Mahinumduman pa nako nga gusto nimo mag-try pud ko og inom-inom.
Pero ako ray gadili.
Naa pa gyud times nga ginakulit ko nimo nga manguyab na.
Naa pa gyud tong times nga ginapangutana ko nimo kanus-a ko mag asawa.
Hangtud karon dili pa ta ka matubag.

Ma, naingon na ba nako sa imo nga happy ko kay Mama ta ka?

Nga kung asa man ko nakaabot karon, tungod na sa imong pagpaningkamot og pasensya sa pagpadako sa akoa.

Sa una, kung naa koy adtuan nga lugar, ang akong una nga isipon, unsa akong pasalubong para sa imoha. 
Usahay mo-demand ka pero okay lang kay Mama ta man ka.
Gusto nako nga mapa-happy ta ka.
Og kanang sa akong pag-abot, ikaw gyud ang una nga mutagbo sa akoa.
Gakos dayon og kiss ang imong pang-welcome sa akoa.
Then mangutana dayon ka og, "Nikaon na ka Gang?".
Sweet kaayo ka. 
Sa imoha gyud siguro ko niliwat.

Ma, naingon na ba nako sa imo nga sorry kung naay mga times nga bad ko?

Sorry kung naay times nga makiglalis ko sa imo?
Sorry kung naay mga times nga gahi akong ulo?
Sorry Ma ha...

Ma, naingon na ba nako sa imo nga na-miss na ta ka?

Kabalo ko nga naa na ka sa kalinaw karon uban ni Lord.
Kabalo ko nga bisan karon, gusto nimo nga protektahan ko pirmi.
Siguro ni-volunteer ka nga mahimong guardian angel nako no?
Ikaw gyud ning guardian angel namong tulo nila ate ba.
Kay bisag karon, na-feel gihapon nako ang imong pagpalangga.
Bisan karon, padayon ang akoang best days.

Ma, Happy Mother's Day!

I love you.
Salamat sa tanan.

Love,
Atan


This video was made for Mama five years ago as a tribute to her greatness as our beloved mother.

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

The Songkran Splash

It's the time of the year in Thailand where the temperature is rising and anyone can tell that summer is really on the dot. Just really perfect to freshen up, take a plunge into the pool or chill on the beach. 

Aside from that, this is also the much awaited moment for the Thai people because it is the season for the traditional Thai New Year. Moreover, the excitement is also pumping up for the grandest water feast and the much celebrated event in their calendar -- the Songkran Festival. This is usually a three-day merrymaking from April 13 to 15. In Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, people are celebrating it starting in the midnight of April 12 until the next day while some parts of the country are doing this festivity all week long.

Yes! This is the time to play water fights. Of course, in a fun and friendly way. Thai people from all walks of life including the foreigners go out on the streets to celebrate with anyone, may it be friends or total strangers. There is just a simple rule, one can splash water to anyone except for the elders and the babies. But once you are out in the streets, anybody can literally throw water on you and there's no way you can escape from it. And there are also colored powder dipped in water to be wiped on your face and body, so get ready to look messy and cute.

In order to enjoy the wet and wild fun, don't forget to prepare your colorful water gun, a comfortable outfit and your very self to get soaked for the entire day. To capture the fun, you can use waterproof cases for your cameras and cellphones. 

Indeed, Songkran is a festival where there is splashing everywhere and everyone is splashing all the way. It is nice to see smiling faces when you splash water on them. There's no room for negative things during the celebration. There are just good vibes. And every splash of water means a splash of blessing. Songkran is a splash of happiness to anyone.

Please watch the video at the bottom of this post and let it transport you to the real experience of Songkran.

Songkran celebration in Cicada Market in Hua Hin.
A traditional way to celebrate Songkran in Hua Hin Market Village.
All is set for the biggest Foam Party in Hua Hin Market Village.
We are Songkran-ready!
Roaming around the streets of Hua Hin with a motorbike or a car
is truly a wet and wild experience.
Kids and the kids alike play water fun.
It is also the best time to meet new friends.

Songkran Festival: A Splash of Happiness

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Fly High!

I wanna fly high like the birds in the skies. Touching the fluffy clouds. 
Feel the wind beneath my wings. And yes! I can do it.
Come on! 

Let's fly! 

Literally!

Yes! We can now fly without going to the mountain top to glide. We can just fly as a kite! Instead of looking up the skies, we can know be looking down the grounds. Cool isn't it? Yeah! It could be real and really the best.

Have you ever heard about Paratowing?

It is another exciting adventure that you can try. Paratowing is similar to Paragliding but it does not require you to be on the elevated places just to take off. You can enjoy this kind of adventure sports even if you are in the plain grounds. All you need is a wide open field and the aerodynamic forces of the air. Of course, you also need a harness attached to a fabric wing with interconnected baffled cells and a professional pilot that can assist you while flying. To visualize what I am exactly talking about, please watch the video at the end of this post. And tell me if you wanna fly like that.

I met a professional for this type of adventure sports and he asked me if I want to try and feel the extreme. We set the venue in an open field in Palkan, Polomolok, South Cotabato in an early afternoon. Prior to the actual flight, he and his team prepared the things needed and made sure that everything is set for our safe fly as well. They did a test flight and it was successful.

Getting ready for a new kind of adventure.
Preparing the gadgets.

Spreading the wing.

Testing the colorful wing.

Ready!

Up and up!

The wing is in the air.

Everything was perfect then. There's a good volume of wind and the skies are so pretty but when we are about to put on the harness to the first passenger, it begun to drizzle and eventually the rain has poured on the field. It was not so lucky day for us and our excitement was dampened but it was also a good start. We decided to set another date and it is going to be successful in God's perfect time.

For now, I am just sharing with you just a thought of it and once I can experience it by myself, you will be the first one to know.

For more questions and details, please visit this Facebook page: Filipino Paramotor Training

Let's fly! 


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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Dancing in the Park

This couple must be very in love with each other.
They start their day dancing in the park.

A park in China is a good venue for so many exciting and healthy activities like walking, jogging, performing Tai Chi and even chatting. But what captivated me is their way of dancing in the park.

Be it morning, late afternoon or early evening, people, mostly middle-aged women, gathered in the park for their daily routine. Somebody will bring a big stereo, turn the music on and then pump up the volume. Then, they all dance together in synchronicity with upbeat Chinese music in the background. It is not the Zumba style and they are not doing the typical exercise like we usually perform during our elementary days. They have their own style of dancing which I can say unique. They also have lead dancers performing in front of the flock. They also do some ballroom dancing like chacha, boogie and waltz. Some joined in as pairs, others are real-life couples while some went there with their own troupe. The moment that the music is played, there's no stopping until the spot will be full of dancers. This community dancing usually lasts for one to two hours daily.




People will just find their own spot to join the community dancing.

Despite the sweat and despite catching their breath while executing the dance steps, these people have found joy in what they are doing. Aside from being a healthy habit, this regular community dancing can also improve relationship among friends and the people in the neighborhood. 



And speaking of relationship, the photo above was captured during my early morning walk in one of the beautiful parks in Shanghai. What is so inspiring about this scene is that they were dancing in the park, doing the waltz, early in the morning, just the two of them, like nobody's watching. This couple must be doing this regularly to start their day. With their stereo on, they dance along with the beat of their hearts. It was such a lovely thing.



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