If I scoop clouds in my hands and give it to you…

...will you love me?

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I try to look up as much as I can

…hoping to see a different perspective, hoping that in that angle I will forget.

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[postscript]

Missing “their” company
Today is the second week. I will never be used to this empty ‘space’. There used to be so much warmth and sound. I missed bumping into someone and greeting them with so much oomph. Now it was all too quiet and solemn. I’ve gotten (so) used to their faces and company, now I look around and see nothing but gaps and unspoken verves. The office looks miserable without them. Heck, I miss my friends.

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Mr. Brightside your shine never ceases
You and I
We might be strangers
How ever close we get sometimes
Its like we never met ~ wilco

Your influence rubs off like a glue. It sticks, it lingers. I' am scared that one day, you will leave too (or me, for that matter) and I've gotten used to such presence and 'closeness' that I do not know what to do if I call and you won't be there to answer. You always say the right things at the right time even the right words to say. Always safe, nonetheless sincere. There is no room for assumption but my mind always plays tricks on me. I will wait for the day. I made a deal two months ago. I will keep my part of the bargain even if it means, forever losing you.

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Leaving
I hope the trip pushes through. I hope. I need sometime away. Fate, be my alliance. Be on my side. Grant me this, just this one.

Tasting the dragon

…well not exactly the mythical beast but the fruit.

I’ve learned about this exotic fruit three years ago when one of our writers was assigned to write about the promising industry of dragonfruit. One of our partner agencies used to bring boxes of dragonfruit in the office for us to taste but I just ignored them. I got intimidated by this strange-looking fruit. It's large and err...too pink!?

Dragonfruit is currently the leading fruit export of Vietnam. When I visited Ho Chi Minh City late last year, one of the villages that we visited in Cai Bai also served us slices of dragonfruit along with other exotic fruits. Foreigners were amazed by the dragonfruit as it was their first time to see it.

Some weeks ago, we visited an experimental station in Manambulan, Davao City and I encountered these amazing fruits again. This time, I saw a whole production of them. I had a nice chat with the fella who was assigned in the production area and he made me realized how interesting this fruit really is. He explained to me the story of he got into the production--from acquiring the planting materials to its marketing aspect.

Dragonfruits are distinct in their vibrant color and size.

Dragonfruit is an amazing fruit. It picks great interest for the inquisitive-type especially with its vibrant color, size and unusual appearance. This fruit is also known as “Strawberry Pear” but locally it’s known as “Pitaya” or "Pithaya".

It comes from the family of cactus.

Dragonfruit comes from the Cactaceae family. It has various varieties but the most common is the Hylocereus undatus with its bright pink skin and large scales in the outside and white flesh and dark seeds inside. The flesh differs in color i.e. red, magenta depending on the variety.

We sampled a freshly picked dragonfruit.

It tastes like kiwi with all the seeds which are pretty much chewable and crunchy. The variety that Manambulan Station is growing is sweet and delicious. After a few slices, I found myself craving for more. I ate two. The fruit is better serve when chilled.

The Hylocereus undatus variety has white, soft flesh and numerous black seeds.

Dragonfruits are native to Central and Southern America but are now being widely cultivated in Southeast Asia including the Philippines, particularly in Cavite and Southern Mindanao. This fruit is packed with fiber, Vitamic C, and minerals. It has antioxidant properties too.

We loaded some more fruits in the truck.

After going around the area and filling our stomachs with its sweet flesh, we harvested more dragonfruits and put them at the back of the truck for our deserts.

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A pensive Friday

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Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain~

School for the Wireless

When I was in Davao City, I chanced upon this elementary school which was just a few steps away from our accomodation. It's called "Paaralang Elementarya ng Wireless" (Wireless Elementary School). The name amused me. I was curious to know the history so that me and a fellow photographer dawdled and asked the locals about the name. Unfortuntely, no one could tell us why the school was named "wireless". We should have entered the school ground and asked the teachers but then again we have some place else to go.

Students entering the "wireless" school ground.

"Wireless" students cross the street.

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June 12 is freedom day!

Today is Russia Day...

Today is Valentine's Day in Brazil (dia dos namorados)...

Most of all, today marks 109th year of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

itaas ang bandilang Pilipino! mabuhay ang Pilipinas!