Our Crumbling Lands

Huge chunks of earth has been scraped off from the mountainsides and are now setting along the sides of the Abuyog-Silago Road. Some of these chunks are as huge as ordinary houses – testaments to the relentless heavy rains that took lives in St. Bernard Southern Leyte more than a month ago. Landslides have been tearing our mountains apart, as if they are pieces of cakes.

Earth Hour Philippines - March 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM

Tonight, the world will go dark. Lights, televisions, computers, fans, air conditioners, and other energy consuming equipments will be switched off to send a message to influential people throughout the world, political leaders around countries, big business operators, power producers, don't forget to include your naive neighbors, and most importantly, to ourselves, that we are aware of the world's current energy and environmental crisis and that we are willing to do something about it.

St. Anthony's High School JS Prom - February 2011

After  more than 10 years (yes, I'm getting old), I was again able to witness a school activity at my Alma Mater. Last Feb. 18, 2011, young boys and girls at Saint Anthony's High School were baptized into becoming full gentlemen and ladies.

Having been educated in this school more than a decade ago, I can not help but compare what I have witnessed to what I have experienced during my time. Whenever I say "during my time", it really makes me feel old, but somehow, it makes me feel better, probably because of the memories it brings. Wow!, "during my time...." (looking up at the ceiling with a smile).

Smartbro Internet in Anahawan, Southern Leyte

When I visited Anahawan in June 2010, my Smartbro Wireless Modem has been completely useless, without the slightest hint of internet signal. This is at least in our area at Lower Tagup-on. They say Smartbro performs well in other areas in Anahawan and in some days.

I was hoping things would improve this time and, yes, it did. From zero bar signals 8 months ago, it now has about 4 or 5 bars. The biggest setback, however, is that it is only limited to 2G, with not the slightest hint that 3G even exists. With only 2G signal available, download speed is painfully slow that loading the facebook homepage would take 10 to 15 minutes – 10 years as we would punningly describe the amount of waiting time.

The season to visit Anahawan

If you are an Anahawnon who has been away from Anahawan for quite some time, you probably are looking forward to seeing our beautiful home town any time soon. For many Anahawnons, one of the most anticipated dates is June 13, that is, the Fiesta of San Antonio de Padua.

News Feed in the Sand

Took some walk along the Anahawnon shores and found something interesting and funny, something that I could not help but compare to the commenting features of the number one networking site of today.

After the high tide, the sea would normally recede backwards to reveal a beautiful canvass of nicely flattened wet sand. The sand canvass would then invite a lot of people to express themselves by writing or drawing anything on the sand. Some would even build some structures up. Others would then walk along, find these drawings or expressions and then.... leave some comments.