A WEEKEND VACATION

     It came as a surprise, it was a summer and I've just graduated from the elementary grades. One day , we had a visitor , a middle aged lady, the same age as  my mother , we've been introduced  to each other and only then I knew that she was my god mother at baptism. She worked abroad as a physical therapist in a private hospital and decided to spent her vacation here in the Philippines she's also the one who gives me gift like dress,material things chocolate and jewelry every time that there is occasion especially when Christmas come. She and my mother have been best friends since their childhood and when they were in high school they met Marissa who came from pangasinan, the three girls formed their friendship ever since. when she arrived here my god mother was excited to see Marissa and asked my mother to join her in the trip. My godmother also asked me to tagged along because I was not a baby anymore.

    A day before the trip , we packed all the clothes that we need for a weekend vacation. I helped my mother to prepared that was eaten during the trip. We fetched my god mother in Quezon city and we rode in a van which was not air conditioned, we just let the window open to let the air come in., although its too hot during that time i am still excited to see the beauty of pangasinan. By 7 o'clock we traveled along the north expressway. As a city girl it was a wonderful experienced to see hills, some are still verdant with grass while others are dotted with houses.when we reached the bulacan area I smelled pig manure, I felt so disgusting but after a while i smelled fresh air then the smell of pinipig. I saw hectares of rice fields and farmers threshing palay. After bulacan, we entered the candaba viaduct and I saw water melons all around . I've been told that they were sold in divisoria and balintawak, after an hour we reach tarlac, then i felt sleepy when I woke up we were in pangasinan.

    When we go down on the van I saw Tita Marissa, she was very happy to see her old friends again I saw their happiness  during that time on their face because of their smile. She introduced to us her family. her husband is a farmer and they owned hectares of  land planted with mangoes. after the introducing hour the family set a hearty lunch, that is a table laden with green and ripe mangoes. I sat on a hammock and enjoyed the surrounding. I saw greens all around and also the crystal color of water. By 4 o'clock in the afternoon we went up the hill and saw how those trees were heavy with green mangoes, they almost touched the ground. At 7 o'clock, we had dinner , we got to bed early because we will going somewhere the next day. I cannot wait to see other scenery's in pangasinan and to eat all the products it has.

    When the morning came , I've been awaken by the noise downstairs, I saw them all enjoy while eating their breakfast then I join with them and my mother told me to hurry up because we will going to alaminos. from there, we will ride a boat, while we are on the ride I saw how clear the water was and the shells lying around there's also a waves that goes here and there I felt the boat shaking plus the vastness of the water. I didn't tel my mother that I was afraid. I thought that we might get lost then, after 30 minutes I saw the small, smaller,smallest islands. When we reached our destination, we went swimming near the sea shore, we enjoyed basking in the sun , walking up the trails of the islands and met some people there. At 3 o'clock we need to prepare our things to leave the place and rode in a boat. on the next day, we went to calasiao to buy coconut, candles, coco jam , tupig and even bagoong. it tooks a long trip feel tired and exhausted but happy.

  It was a very enjoyable vacation even though it was just a weekend, I met new friends and we've been chatting to each other , right now they are in manila for their college studies. I enjoyed their hospitality and I treasured every minute of it. When we went swimming a daughter of Marissa gave us a lot of souvenirs from their province to serve as our remembrance. I find the family so sweet and kind. They gave all the things and attention we need. I also thank god for giving me the opportunity to go to pangasinan and I saw personally those hundred islands. I was also greatful to my godmother for letting me tag along in that trip.

View at the Terrace

       Stepping up in the terrace of the three story house,it is astounding to see different cloud formation and the tranquility of the blue sky. While I am lying on the folding bed and listening to my favorite music, I feel the cool air that gently touches my skin, watching the clouds that appear like cotton or popcorn and sometimes they look like feathers and the birds and insects that  has a freedom to fly. I was amazed to watch the beauty of nature and when it is going to rain the clouds are formed shapeless it's seemed to changed it's color into black until the rain pours.

      The rising of the sun is another sight to behold, every morning i saw it starts like a dot with a light on it until it grows bigger and bigger and covered with its heat. every time we had our exercise there we feel and absorb the warmth it brings to our body that make us perspire and when the sun sets it;s color turns into orange.I enjoy every minute of it  for it gives a soft glow around the mountain side until the sky becomes darker.
  
     Beside of our house there's a guy I admire most, his name is Kevin, in the terrace sometimes I always waiting just to see him. I like the way he moves, his clothing which was a mixture of old and modern fashion and his charm, he look so cool. His rosy-cheeked,dimples and tantalizing eyes are another factors why his looks is so much appealing.Another reason why I attracted to him is when I see him wearing hi boxer short while playing basketball. Honestly speaking he has a great body that's why majority of girls even guys are admire him. Actually he is very famous in our barangay for his being active in some of  it's projects. In terms of his attitude, I didn't know him very well but as I observed he is quiet and responsible person he is also kind, intelligent and good son to his parents. That's what also people said about him. whatever happen he is now part of my life and i admire him so much, he's the one who completed my days.

     Every time I feel sad, embarrassed, exhausted or stressed and i want to be alone, there is only one place that makes my mind, soul and spirit free when I am in the terrace there's nothing should be worried about. I just took  a few deep breath and think that every thing should be fine. Only beautiful things and memories are came into my mind and the blowing wind that is softly whisper into my ear. I feel so much relaxing and free from anything you want. feel like your the king and queen of the world.

      When night comes, there are twinkling stars to gaze upon, waiting from some shooting star and make a wish. At your eye level everywhere you turn you see rolling hills, the steeple of the grotto, the banner of the resort, rows of houses, people walking on the streets vehicles an cars that comes and go and many more things that your eyes can see. It is the placed where you can realize and think everything. Feel like your on the top of the world and pretend that all the things that have you seen is yours. Indeed, once in a terrace there is no dull moment.

Choosing whose the best

Kuya Arvin together with his motor bike

        All creatures in this world are made with their own set of similarities and differences. Sometimes we can't avoid that someone will compare us with others, definitely there's always a positive and negative response from them and we should accept their opinion.

       In our family,I have two cousins name Arvin and Henry and they are always compared with each other. They are of the same age, they grew up together and went to the same school in elementary and high school. They bought enjoy ball games like basketball and tennis and they are also both 5'6 in height. Arvin has a white complexion than Henry and he is more appealing too.

     When they reached their college life Henry choose fine arts because it's his fashion and he really loves drawing. Through fine arts he can express what's inside of him while Arvin choose engineering he is focused on constructing come buildings and later designing his own house. Each has it's own set of friends, join different groups. Since Henry has a talent in drawing he often use it in a competition and he is always in the first place. Arvin became a varsity player in school and he is very popular among the girls in the campus. Actually not only in the campus but even outside the school. Although sometimes they are argued  about their belief, fashion, and lifestyle they always respect the opinion of one another.

Kuya Henry in his cute smile

    During reunion or family visits they have the same preference of foods. They both like adobo and chicken wings. In terms of  fashion in music they have different points of view. Henry likes love songs while Arvin likes to listen rock music.

    They are now adult and Henry got married while still in college together with their one child while Arvin finished his studies and had a good job he is now working as a civil engineer and he became successful in life. Although they have different traits and attitudes in order to fulfilled their dreams, they do it on the best way they can.                                                                                      

CALAMITY: Can this be prevented?

    NATURAL DISASTERS

          Nature is god's gift to us and we must take necessary steps in conserving and taking care of it. But with the onset of modernization the illegal practices in some countries contributed to the calamity that has been encountered. In the early years, we can still green and verdant mountains and hills but now what we see are rows of houses nestled up in the mountains. this only show how abusive people are. When the rain comes there are no more roots to hold the water and it cascades down to the low lying areas.Not only to the lack of trees has contributes to calamity but also the constant burning of certain chemicals found in plastics. The ozone layer has been affected and results to melting of glaciers that increased the water sea level. With the rising of water, certain areas have been flooded. What  do you think people and government should response on the practices that has been said? We should open our mind and be aware about our environment. we must do an action before its too late.

FLOOD CAUSE BY TYPHOON ONDOY

     We have heard of the calamities that happened in other countries like the tsunami in Phuket, Thailand that was happened last December 2004. According to the article that I have read the tsunami was caused by Indian ocean earthquake it was estimated that there are 8,150 are likely to have died. Many provinces are affected and many people died even their livelihood and billions of properties have been destroyed. In the Philippines a typhoon named "Ondoy" was shocked many Filipinos because it was made a big damage. Many passengers have been stranded, the large area of metro manila was affected by flood like the surrounding area's of Laguna de bay , Pasig river especially the city of Marikina suffered much. Base on the article that I have read the wind moves 85 kph and there are 75 families (373 people) evacuated. Most of them stayed on the roof because the flood was almost reached their house and the city became a ground of pool. Many Filipinos suffered and lost their love one's and many properties was destroyed.

    Our government through the PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration) a national institution responsible to issued guidelines and warned the public regarding the typhoon signals to prepare and get ready for the typhoon. According to them our country is in the typhoon belt that's why we are often visited by typhoon and also in the pacific ring of fire that's we have earthquake too. Another national institution NDCC (National Disaster Coordinating Council) that is responsible for ensuring the protection of people during the disasters or emergencies.They provide relief goods and relocation areas for the people affected by typhoon.Our government also built some projects and foundations that is also serve as a big help for the victim of the natural disasters..

      Natural calamities can't be prevented . If it is a man-made calamity there's no need to blame but ourselves. the population has increased and still increasing and people use of any spare to live in. In Metro Manila  we see shanties in the river side. In this kind of environment we must really block the path of river but also adds to water pollution, there is no correct waste disposal and trash are thrown in the river. With the garbage all around the water gets stagnant and it seeks it's way to low lying areas as a result when the rain comes we can see flooding all around. Another thing is the climate change that we are experiencing nowadays, which has resulted to many diseases such as skin cancer, eye cataract, influenza and other type of diseases that causes death and damage. Our world suffered so much from this climate change that's why the government implemented and make some projects to make people aware what climate change brings about.

PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL

      We should be responsible in the conservation of our natural resources and we must follow what the government implements in taking care of our environment. Regarding garbage we must follow the 3 R's which means REDUCE,REUSE and RECYCLE for the proper waste disposal , to avoid flooding and pollution. The government should strict in implementing lows regarding in our environment and they should issue warning that people can observe during calamity so that we are always prepared and ready from the incoming natural disasters. Nobody can be spared by a calamity it comes unexpectedly, When you least expect it to happen.Even though you are rich, poor ,simple or popular personalities you can be a victim and calamities strikes down.