just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed

Do you think you can find it?

Better than you had it...

~ One Republic

You are intoxicating...

...like these two glasses of wine. I wish I was sharing them with you. :-D

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SILVER PAGODA: A shimmering delight at the heart of the city

Still part of the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda which is another compound located at the north side, separated by a confined walkway. The site is actually referred to in Khmer as Wat Preah Keo Morokat (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) but was commonly called as the “Silver Pagoda” due to the silver floor tiles that are ornately adorned in the temple building.

Sideview of the Wat Preah Keo with its well decorated false doors.

The compound offers another majestic experience starting from the beautiful landscape, the colorful garden, and the stunning, unique architecture of the temples, library, stupas, shrines, monuments, open halls, and galleries.

Beautiful orchids at the garden, with the shrine housing the statue of King Norodom at the back.

As we found our way to the compound, we found the primary building, the Wat Preah Keo which is also the royal temple. It houses many of the national treasures including gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Entering the temple we have to leave our shoes and slippers as a sign of respect. This time, I went inside and decided to linger for awhile. I assumed that it was forbidden to take photos inside so I didn’t bother taking some snapshots. I will just try to describe it. Hopefully you'll imagine me there.

The place is glimmering with gold, silver and jeweled displays. The floor is fully furnished with a red carpet that I decided to sit and then kneel (trying to mimic what the others were doing). It was a bit cold inside. It smelt of burning incense, mix of people's perfume and that distinct sweet, strange smell that I could not figure what. But I realized, I always smell it everytime I went inside the temples in Cambodia.

I saw some tourists bringing offers and praying to the big Buddha at the center. They call it “Buddha Maitreya” or Buddha of the Future. The 90-kg golden standing Buddha is covered with 2,086 diamonds including a 25 carat diamond in its crown and a 20 carat diamond entrenched in the chest. (I researched the stats here as I have no idea then how many they were). I literally fell on my knee just by looking at it. A shimmering delight. I’ve never seen such a shining beauty. I've seen the huge Golden Buddha in Bangkok, but this I think is far more beautiful.

I tried my luck and went over the center and knelt. I prayed too. No seriously, I did. I don't know why but the place was enticing. I prayed something like... “Dear Emerald Buddha, I don’t believe in you but I respect you like any belief or religion for that matter so please be kind enough to grant my wish…” Since I didn’t bring anything (flowers, fruits, etc) for my offering, I just dropped some Khmer money into the box.

Other displays include relics of Buddha, small gold and silver stupas, a collection of gifts, and contributions and gifts from other nobles and royalties.

This is the stupa built in memory of Princess Kantha Bopha, the daughter of former King Sihanouk who died at the age of four due to leukemia. This is one of the newest additions to the compound built only in the 60s. At the back is the Dhammasala.

After that, we toured around the compound and were mesmerized by the large stupas that sprang here and there. In plain sight, I found myself standing in front of the Stupa of Princess Kantha Bopha. Built only in 1960, this serves as a memorial sanctuary of the beloved daughter of the former King Sihanouk who died in1952 at the age of four due to leukemia.

Just behind this stupa is the Dhammasala, an open hall used for Buddhist monks to recite texts and also as a royal reception area.

We also saw the Stupa of King Ang Doung, which contains the ashes of the King Ang Doung (1845-1860), founder of the current dynasty and the great-great-great grandfather of King Sihamoni.

This is the stupa for King Ang Doung.

At the back of the main temple, we found the miniature model of the Angkor Wat. It was laid on a huge platform surrounded by a pond full of Japanese koi.

At the back of the main temple with the miniature Angkor Wat model at the platform.

Surrounding the platform are these huge Japanese koi.

Moving on, we found various souvenir shops selling all sorts of items including photocopied books on the historical sites in Cambodia and of course, the very cheap Lonely Planet books.

Every tourist site in Cambodia has souvenir shop, exactly like this one. With two large elephants guarding the door and a smaller one at the left (not seen).

One of the great treasures I take home with me are the warmth and friendliness of the Khmer people. They like to smile a lot. This little girl is really cute. The woman on the right could be her mom or grandma. I found them smiling at me while I was heading for the Preah Expo. The kiddo gave me a curious look :-)

At the tail end is the Preah Sihamoni’s Expo which exhibits the story of King Norodom Sihamoni including his childhood and how he became the king after his father Norodom Sihanouk. He was a cultural ambassador and a classical dance instructor.

Entrance of the Preah Sihamoni's Expo with two mythical guards in front and a bas relief on the right patterned from the original bas relief in Angkor Wat.

A woman monk looking through the photo exhibit of the King.

Inside the Preah Expo featuring ceramic dolls re-enacting a royal ritual.

After going through the winding and maze-like route of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, Oki and I went out of the compound, terribly exhausted but fulfilled. This was our last day in Cambodia and we were happy at how we came to fulfill our itinerary. We still have a lot of time to still go around the city but we opted to go back to our guesthouse and take enough rest.

At night we have to meet Toe over dinner. We don't know where and how but we were already agitated by the idea.

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Loyalty Parade

What batch do you belong? Cadet and cadette officers line up in prep for the parade. It's only passed 7:00 am but the sun is already beating me to death.

Here comes the green! Faculty, students and staff of the College of Agriculture marching in full force. I am (so) endeared by that Thai Pavillon at the back. I wonder why.

My college, yey! Here comes the College of Development Communication raging with their red balloons.

High schoolers. Students from UP Rural High with their faces marked with blue 7 and 8.

Big yawn. The parade is just starting and someone is already bored to death somewhere in the crowd.

Loving the munch, not the parade. The little fella was stuffing himself with a tiny bread. Mouth wide open, he munches while watching the parade. I doubt it if he even cares what the people in front are doing. I guess munching the muffin is way much important

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I am currently loaded with articles/speeches to write. And publications to layout and finalize. And right at this moment, I am praying I would finish them all before I leave for my most anticipated two-week vacation.

I am starting to miss my old, pessimistic self.

Coming Home (part 2)

The Baker Hall at night. The facade of the building is flocked with expensive cars and it's hard to pass by in between these little spaces.

The anticipating audience. Ladies and gentlemen, sweltering in their dresses and barong Tagalog. Even the touch of light is warm on the face.

The moment of truth. I just love this part. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, the guest of honor for the night, holds the hand of his wife, Audrey while the emcee introduces him on stage. They are such a sweet, young couple. Audrey, I am used to seeing her in front of my tv. She's really pretty and thin.

I can't resist. I need to get a close-up of this moment. Zubiri listens intently at the introduction that I thought he's in a teary-eyed mood. But no, he is simply touched.

I was silly not to know that the young Senator Zubiri is a UPLB alumni. He is a graduate of BS Agribusiness Management (batch '90). Prior to that, I was already impressed of his achievements as a senator being one of the authors of the Biofuels Law and an advocate of the environment that I even voted for him during the recent election. But I just don't feel any proximity towards him. But after his speech, I somewhat found the "affinity" (connection?) I've been wanting to see (or feel). Somewhow, I could relate to what he was saying. And I love his prepared speech. Emotional, to say the least. ;-)

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My night practically ended after the speech of the keynote speaker. I could not make Crim grab a coffee with me since she was attending a birthday party that night, so I decided to go home. I enjoyed walking at the campus during the night. I loved the yellow bulbs and its unlighted spots. I have known and memorized practically every corner of this campus that it feels like walking inside your own house (without the lights on). The campus turns into a totally different place. It hides its ugly sides and spares me of its truth. But it felt good walking through such familiarity. When I started working in Quezon City, taking a night jog around UP Diliman campus has become a comfort consolation of my longing for UPLB. It didn’t feel the same though.

Coming Home

I was in Los Baños for the last two days. My boss asked me to cover the 89th Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming of the University of the Philippines. He is one of the outstanding alumni who will be awarded for the night. Of course I was more than happy to do so. I am an alumna of this university and going to UPLB is almost synanymous to “going home”. Well, I always go here on a weekend but the campus turns into a totally different place during the weekdays because of the students roaming here and there. Also, the offices and library are open on weekdays so taking a peep is fun.

Since this is an alumini homecoming, rubbing elbows with my former classmates is the next best thing. Some of them I was genuinely happy to see, most of them I don’t. My college life is a hodgepodge of both good and bad experiences. I have friends but most of them I chose out of convenience, people I really have a connection and clicked with. It was during that time that I knew I have a bit of a problem connecting with people. Well, at least people my age. I’d really prefer talking and hanging out with people who are a lot older than me.

The mighty UP Carillon standing tall on the vast, green Freedom Park. Maroon and green are the official colors of UP. I get a funny feeling everytime I passed by this landmark. Why? One of the horror Filipino flicks (White Lady which stars Angelica Panganiban) was shoot inside.

UP will be celebrating its 100 years next year (1908-2008). I saw the Centenial Logo floating on the pool at the back of the venue, I could not resist taking a snap. It looks really cool with the blue, clear water. I took my aqua aerobics in this pool. Argh, what a funny way to remember.

Baker Hall was the venue for the awarding. Not as I have expected it. It was hot inside. :-)

Horizon is the official newsletter of UPLB. I used to contribute in this publication when I was still working at the university as a researcher (my first job).

Trophies up for grab. When will I get one? :-)

The registration area is being flocked by alumni and alumnae. I can't seem to find my college. Watch out, I see an elbow flying somewhere!

Starcrossed Lovers

After I'm drunk let each one go his way.
Let us bind ourselves for ever for passionless journeyings.
Let us swear to meet again far in the Milky Way.
- Chinese love poem by Li Bai

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Two people who are destined to meet and cross paths but never meant to be together.

Parang ikaw at ako...

Not so much of a photographic merit but a mere choronicle

The past few days have been a hullaballoo. My father was in the hospital due to a kidney problem (or so, that was the diagnosis) but he was confined because his fever won't tire out. I was there practically the whole weekend. I never liked hospitals (who does?). I hate everything that it stands for. If I could get away from it, I would. I even hate doctors and going to them. It sounds foolish but I have been like this since forever.

So anyway, when you're inside the hospital, you're bound NOT to sleep. I was with my mother and often times, I would leave the hospital for coffeebreaks. The last 2 days, I have practically sort out and tried every coffeeshop I could find around the area. Drank every last drop of what they could offer me. Just to stay awake for the rest of the night.

Around 10pm, I was still scouting for my third cup.

I didn't bring any book when I was there so I went to the nearest BookSale shop and found this book by Rachel DeWoskin, Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China. An interesting read for a price of 40 pesos (less than $1). I've finished a third of the book before I headed to the bus station at around 3am.

Going to South Expressway, the bus got busted and all passengers were stranded at the side of the rode at 4:15 am. The next bus comes around every 15-20 minutes. What's up with that? Most of the passengers were men so there was a slight chance that I could fight my way in for the next bus that would come along. Or so I thought.

When the next bus came, I was really gunning for it. The coffee I drank made me all awake and all-ready to fight. After the running and the struggling, me and my backbacp made our way in. I was in Quezon City around 5:15 am.

Three is a crowd

Well, the truth is...they just "butt in" into my frame. Into my scene. Into my crowd. Into my space. Right at that moment when I am about to hit the shutter. But I must admit, their little strut caught me off guard. ;-)

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I like looking into a crowd. From a certain distance. I hate getting mixed up with them. But it's a good hiding place. I wonder. Out of these thousands of people, I rub elbows with everyday, what is the chance that I will meet you?

A little tribute to Diong of Objects and Pixels :-)

She is writing something on that keychain...errr, what could it be?

Tadaaaa!!! (*thanks miss for modeling for me, can't thank you enough*)

A little tribute for one of my favorite blogs. (yey!) Thanks again for the wonderful work of arts. :-)

Gotcha!

looks like someone is in trouble.

this happened at the UPLB Gate, a checkpoint when entering the university campus. i don't know the whole story but it seems like the guy (left) was caught for something and the UP Police was inspecting the papers he presented (as evidence, perhaps).

It's no spick and span anymore...and Spidey is no exception

She's one of the parents of an honored student. Either the heat is getting her that she became exhausted by the minute, could be that she was excited the other night that she didn't get enough sleep or could be that the guess speaker's speech is (so) boring and verbose that she chose to get her dose of sleep.

It's confirmed. The speech is really boring. That is one big yawn from our graduate. Goodness, I am getting one too. It's contagious!

This election paraphernalia does come in handy. It's not only a fan, it's also a nice shield from the sunstreaks. Incidentally, Manny Villar was the keynote speaker when I graduated some years ago. I am feeling the election fever. On Monday, May 14, I hope we Filipinos vote with great conviction and informed choices on who are the "right" people we put in position. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

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Have you guys seen Spiderman 3? I bet you have. It's topping the chart. Making more money everyday. Just in SM, at least 6 cinemas are alloted to show Spiderman 3, thus, other people have less of a choice on other movies to watch. Movies that are worth watching than seeing a computer generated man swinging from building to building. Nowadays, here's my choice: either you watch Spiderman 3 or you watch Spiderman 3. And with this kind of hype, I'll bet cinema owners will be running Spidey for three weeks, enough for everyone to puke. Shooo Spidey!

Horde of smiling faces in black gowns and caps

You know what this means right?

There is a good reason why they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." After all, graduation is not the end; it's the beginning.

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Sorry if I get erractic posts sometimes. I keep on deviating from my template. I always feel like indulging (especially when I write and I hold the pen). Say for example, while writing this entry (which I had in mind already), this poem i read just recently, it just bursts out of nowhere, wanting to be posted (badly). i hope i get the message across somehow.

there is a loneliness in this world so great
that you can see it in the slow movement of
the hands of a clock
people so tired
mutilated
either by love or no love.

- charles bukowski (the crunch)

The U.P. Oblation

he, who had nothing,
stripped of defense noshed with principles;
wet by the gush of rain, dried by the summer sun
wide-stretched, he was the naked man-

A nude young man with his arms wide-stretched and open hands, tilted head, eyes closed, and parted lips as if murmuring a prayer, with his breast forward in the act of offering himself- this is the Oblation, the iconic symbol of the University of the Philippines which symbolizes a selfless offering of one's self to his country.

The sculpture (all concrete and painted in bronze) was made by Professor Guillermo Tolentino and was first shown to public in 1939. Aside from being the University's main symbol, it is also the centerpiece of UP's centennial logo. UP will be celebrating its 100 years in 2008 (1908-2008).

Campus Vendors (and one extra strange event)...

Mostly C2 and Panbread...

Mostly bread, cigarettes, and mineral water...

Mostly fish cracker, chips, and cold drinks...

"I am all ice cream!"

Mainly chicharon...

They are the walking sari-sari stores of this country. They might not have everything you need, but surely, they can ease your hunger and thirst (even once curiosity). Walking under the scorching heat of the sun, they don't earn that much but they get by. We live and survive each day.

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This might sound strange, but I met someone inside the bus. A stranger. The travel was long and I was aching for a short nap. But this person beside me, he told me his life story. Like it's the last thing he'll have to do. He almost got married when he was 18, he is product of a broken family, he's been arrested, he's been to prison, he's done drugs, his favorite sports is fire shooting, he hates Manny Pacquiao as a fighter but loves boxing and Mayweather, he has his own amunitions, he was once a contributor for an adult mag, he does graphic illustrations, he's a college kickout, his dad got him an educational plan but did not want it because they are not in good terms, his parents are in New Jersey, he has done almost all kinds of jobs, he got his tatooes early in life as an outlet, he loves Prisonbreak, he travelled in almost every spot of this country (from Batanes to Jolo) that his Mabuhay Miles already earned him a travel to Japan....the list goes on, some of them are bypassing memories, some of them I can't begin to remember. I don't even know if he tells the truth. He just keeps on talking.

He talked for hours. I merely listened. Then he bid goodbye and thanked me. It sounds like a clip from a movie, but it did happen. Not the strangest thing that happened to me, but that was a first. To have someone talked to me about his life like I am confession box or something. I reckon, I don't look friendly at all. I am a passive bystander. I chose where my curiosity lies. So I wonder...that guy must be crazy to even start talking to me. :-)