Pliant Like the Bamboo

I.V. Mallari likened the Filipino people to the bamboo in his poem "Pliant Like the Bamboo." (However I can't find a copy of it now. Sorry.)

The Filipino character is similar to the bamboo because it has flexibility, endurance, and harmony with nature. It bends with the wind, but can survive a storm. Just like the bamboo, the Filipino nation goes along with the forces of nature and politics. It copes with "fate" rather than fights against it. The Filipino mind is pliant in the sense that it is open to new ideas. Although the Filipino is trusting, he is also capable of standing up for his own beliefs. He will not tolerate betrayal and oppression. Filipinos in general are protective of their hard-won independence, and they will fight for their freedom at all costs.

Source: Philippine Islands

I truly agree that the coping mechanism of Filipinos is like the bamboo. Though sometimes are coping becomes "forgetting." Comment stops here. Hehe.

Tech Tags: digital photography, bamboo, Filipinos

Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig (The World On My Shoulders)

Ikatlong lahok ni Neri sa Litratong Pinoy (English translation below.)

Ang lahok ko ngayon sa LP ay hindi lang tatak Pinoy, kundi tatak Kapampangan pa! Hehehe.

Kung tutuusin marami akong pinagpilian kung alin sa aking mga litrato ang aking isasali ngayong Huwebes. Pero para maging kakaiba naman at hindi gaanong ma-drama ang aking lahok, eto na lang. (Hindi raw ma-drama pero hindi ba't ma-drama na ang mismong larawan? :D) Pansin ko kasi sa nakaraang dalawang linggo ko sa LP, masyado akong ma-drama, baka akalaing seryoso ako. Hahaha.

Kinuha ko ang litratong ito nitong Mahal na Araw ng nakaraang Marso sa Barangay Panipuan sa San Fernando, Pampanga. (Gamit lang ang cellphone dahil wala pa akong camera noong panahong ito. Ni hindi ako makalapit sa mga nagpepenitensya dahil nahihiya ako kumuha ng mga larawan; ako lang ang gumagawa noon.) Naging tradisyon ko na kasi na dumalaw sa aking kabarkada rito tuwing Mahal na Araw dahil parang fiesta rin kapag ganitong panahon sa barrio.

Maliban sa kasiyahan at kainan sa gabi, syempre andyan ang mga nagpapasan ng krus, namamalaspas ng likod at gumagapang sa kalsada upang maaliw ka. Parang may pagka-sadista ang dating, ano po? Pero hindi naman. Hehehe.

Pero ang talagang pinupunta ng mga turista sa Pampanga tuwing Mahal na Araw ay ang pagpapapako sa krus ng mga nagpepenitensya sa Barangay Cacutud, San Fernando. Sayang lang at hindi pa ako nakakapunta rito dahil walang gustong sumama sa akin. Alas dose ng tanghali kasi nagaganap ito; mainit daw at maraming tao. Hehehe.

Maligayang LP, mga kaibigan! ^^

***

Neri's third entry for Litratong Pinoy

My entry for LP isn't just Philippine-branded, but Kapampangan-branded as well! Hehehe.

Actually I had several pictures to choose from, which I would like to join for this Thursday. However I wanted my entry to be unique and not so dramatic, so I picked this one. (But then ain't the picture itself dramatic? :D) I noticed that I was being dramatic for my last two weeks in LP, that you might think I'm too serious. Hahaha.

I took this picture at Barangay Panipuan in San Fernando, Pampanga last Holy Week of March. (Using my cellphone only because I haven't got a camera then. I was embarrassed to take pictures because I was the only one doing it; so I couldn't even get near the penitents.) It was already my tradition to visit my friend here every Holy Week because it seems like a feast in the barrio during this time.

Besides the merry-making and feast-like activities in the evening, of course there were those who carried crosses, those who scourged their backs and those who crawled on the road to keep you entertained. Sounds sadistic, ei? But it isn't. Hehehe.

But what the tourists really anticipate in Pampanga every Holy Week is the crucifixion of penitents in Barangay Cacutud, San Fernando. It's a pity I haven't gone there yet because no one wants to accompany me because this event commences at twelve noon; they say it's too hot plus a lot of people go there. Hehehe.

Happy LP, my friends! ^^

Tech Tags: digital photography, Holy Week, tradition, cross, crucifixion, Panipuan, Pampanga, Philippines

You Drive

I think I'm getting into the habit of shooting pictures while riding the tricycle. This is the second time I've done this "in-transit shooting" and I really enjoy it. (Though most of the time I only get glimpses of jeeps and walls because, of course, we're moving. Hehe.)

Among all my trike-driver-hand shots, I picked this one because we're head on with another tricycle on the left. See? Trike on trike. :D

So what analogy can we conjure up this time? Hmm...

This brings into mind the notion that we are the drivers of our lives. There's always a map but it's our decision if we consult it or not. There are different highways and alleys we can enter and exit. But the essence of our ride is the destination. Are you on the right track, my friend? ;)

With that, have a wonderful evening and do sleep peacefully. ^^

Tech Tags: digital photography, tricycle, road, driving

Time Stood Still

Time stands still, especially here in the Philippines, whenever Pacquiao has a fight. Zero crime rate. Zero traffic. We weren't even able to buy LPG because it may not be delivered today because the store owner and staff were watching Pacquiao and Diaz.

It seems that only a half-naked little man with big gloves can make a nation at peace. Hehe.

Nevertheless, congrats to Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao for being the new WBC Lightweight Champion!

Tech Tags: digital photography, well, water

Hanging for Dear Life

This was yesterday's lunch. Mmm... yum. Yummy creepy crawlie. ^^

However because of the recent sea tragedy, I can't help but be sad again. And think of our fellow Filipinos who hung for their dear lives by Sibuyan Sea. :(

God bless their souls.

Tech Tags: digital photography, crab

Princess of the Stars

Let's pray for the victims of Typhoon Frank, especially for the rescue of the missing passengers and crew of the capsized MV Princess of the Stars in Romblon.

I am deeply saddened by the tragedy and may this sampaguita be a symbol of hope for the search of the missing victims. May they be found safe and sound at the soonest time possible.

As of this writing, only 57 survivors have been reported while 20 are dead out of the 800+ people in the ship. Click the ship's image (taken from GMANews.TV) at the right to read Inquirer's special report on Typhoon Frank.

Tech Tags: digital photography, sampaguita, Typhoon Frank, MV Princess of the Stars

A Huge Symbol of Fil-Am Friendship

So as I said yesterday, here's the big salakot stage situated in Bayanihan Park, in front of Clark Main Gate and SM Clark. You will notice our previous bartending boys doing their show in front of the stage. :D

I've done a little bit of research on The Salakot and found this info:

...this monument stands as a sign of Philippine-United States friendship over the years. It was originally built to symbolize the historical signing of the Republic of the Philippines and United States Military Bases Agreement in the early 1950s.

Source: Clark Air Base History Guide

Before the Bayanihan Park was constructed (in line with SM Clark), there was the Salakot Arch and not this stage we see now. This has become one of the attractions in Pampanga already. Sa bagay, who has seen a bigger salakot than this? Moreso, who will wear it? XD

The salakot is a common symbol for Filipino identity. It is often portrayed as the hat worn by Juan de la Cruz, the symbol of the collective Filipino psyche equivalent to Uncle Sam of the Americans.

Source: Wikipedia

We need a humongous Juan dela Cruz for this salakot then. :P

Tech Tags: digital photography, structure, Filipino, Bayanihan Park, salakot