preview (I left not without smiling)

Someone said that the cure for anything is saltwater, sweat, tears, or the ocean. But for me, it is the peak’s nave, sweat on top of the peak, tears because of climbing, or the mountain itself. I will write about this: why the land grew higher, perhaps to make more courageous hearts. Soon.

Two things I believe that are true: Mt. Hambubuyog is one of the most beautiful peaks I have been.

And those people I was with are one of the best groups I have been with.

MOON RISE, CLOUDS EVERYWHERE AND RAIN

Sometimes, I’m much too happy with the mountains. I can no longer write.

 

I do catch myself with my feet, happily unaware, like this early morning near the peak.

 

Friends who taught me how to walk like running. 

 

He was one of those real men I met during the climb. Real heart.

 

Bell flowers

 He often asked for my name and why I called him sir. Thank you Joshua san for the raincoat.
Every time I think of raincoat, I will not look at it as it is. 

 

The view while I was washing the dishes. 

P.S. Thank you sensei!

  

went to the mountains

at Mt. Hambubuyog

So many people to thank for this climb. Will write about it, hopefully soon.

distance sickness

Ingon ko nimo: Naa ko’y sakit, ug unta

Makaadto ko bisan asa, basta halayo dinhi

diin natanggong ko. Buot kong makakita

og gilay-on. Nitan-aw lang ka nako. Ug dayon

adunay tiil ug kamot ang imong pagtutok.

Gigunitan ko anang imong mga pilok.

Gihawiran ko sa imong kalimutaw. Ug kalit

ania nahiabot ko sa liboan ka mga dapit.

Mt. Kan-irag

Will write about this climb, soon. 

Jona

I have a story to tell. I have a friend, and everything inside her room reminds me of lavender. And her books have dates, the first page has the date when she first starts to read it, and the last page has the date when she finishes reading it. She likes plants, and she is romantic (yes, she is). And I always look at her as a storyteller/photographer; Jona’s pictures have come alive on their own. Even the camera clicking and the light finding tell how Jona narrates stories in real life, those unusual angles show her flexibility, those turning of ordinary things to extraordinary weave her beautiful presence to people. I do not tell her that when I look at her while listening to her love story, I imagine and think of how I want to be the fairy god mother of her future children. I imagine them having her eyes and her eyelashes, that part of her that reminds me of Vietnam. But it is also the part of her that reminds me of her uniqueness and real friendship. Her chinita eyes are always a weight that anchors me to do incredible things like conquering Mt. Kan-irag. Thank you Jo!

I secretly capture these pictures.

Thank you for everything.

I love her books. We talk about Camus and religion.

Poet

Sculptor

Plant lover, Film maker

Backpack

define plenty

This is Delfina Potocka. She is the muse of Chopin. But they eventually parted after 10 years. But one of the characters from a Taiwanese movie said: To have each other, 10 years is plenty. 

And I just felt the meaning of the word plenty during the homecoming of the English Majors Association. I saw again that familiar face who became my muse to write in Cebuano. The man who taught me this secret: how to love a language from the heart. And I was so amazed how many times he did it through my poetry. He didn’t know I still keep a hard copy of his poems from his Friendster account long, long time ago. I keep it as an inspiration. Sometimes, I read it before I make a new poem. Sometimes, I try to reply to his metaphors by writing a poem. Sometimes, I just read it to remember him. It was so beautiful to see him again. To have a crush with someone for almost seven years is plenty. 

birthday song

Closing time
Time for you to go out go out into the world.
Closing time
Turn the lights up over every boy and every girl.
Closing time
One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer.
Closing time
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go back to the places you will be from.
Closing time
This room won't be open 'til your brothers or you sisters come.
So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits
I hope you have found a
Friend.

Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Yeah, I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go back to the places you will be from

I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home

Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

Semisonic- Closing time

 

someplace

una ko mamatay, una ta mangamatay

J: Wala na kay social life?
C: (nagduha-duha) Naa man, sa eskuwelahan.
J: Mga co-teachers nimo? Uy, dalia na, dapat mag-collaborate nata.
C: Sorry kaayo, busy jud kaayo uy.
J: Pagdali, palahubog baya ko, sayo ko mamatay, dapat mag-collaborate nata una ko mamatay, una ta mangamatay.
C: Lagi, himoon na nako tong atong play, magsuwat nako (nahilom). Hala, ganahan lagi ko ato. Dapat mag-collaborate ta una ta mangamatay.
J: Kalain man pod og patay na ta o patay nako.
C: Kinahanglan pa ko og espiritista. (naghuna-huna) Ummm, unsa gani ang sunod nga musika? Ug dayon apilan nako  og lingi sa espiritista.
J: (nikatawa  og kusog kaayo)

after looking at those beautiful black and white photos by our students

I can't help but make also an entry with my photos. 

THREE ODDEST WORDS | Wisława Szymborska

When I pronounce the word Future,

the first syllable already belongs to the past.

When I pronounce the word Silence,

I destroy it.

When I pronounce the word Nothing,

I make something no non-being can hold.