First Years from the Yesteryears

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Somebody got hold of the old enrollment forms and documents discarded by the Engineering office and removed all the pictures attached. Then using tapes and staples, they made a wall paper composed of these pictures of freshmen from the yesteryears and mounted it on a wall of the ACOES office. I cant help but smile when i ponder how much these young ones changed over the years.

Sweet Flowers

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Everyday as the sun rises, this humble flowers besides the Engineering tree house never fails to greet passers-by teachers after logging in the biometrics. This reminds me of those courteous students who never fails to call my attention and greet me. I always acknowledge those who greet me on my way to the office...so as to these flowers...with their ants tenants, they deserved to be featured in the eyes of a wanderer.

Lechon Manok

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It is my one month of photo blogging! Today I had my pictures but i have a big problem: No internet connection today! My Smartbro is doing very bad. So I have to go to and find an internet cafe and upload my 31st: a mouth watering photo of Lechon Manok before the day ends. Taken today using my GE A1250 digicam at Leony's.

Sweet Donut

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The fastest way to a man's heart is his stomach

True. At least for me. I am quick to fall in love with those delicious and eye-candy donuts. This one is a glazed donut with strawberry jam filling and cream. My taste delights in its sweetness and its cute presentation is also as sweet in the eyes on this wanderer.

Flood and Flower

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‘My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes’

D&C 121:7–8

Where did this flower came from? I saw this as i survey the damages brought by the tropical storm Falcon. Several houses has been damaged by the flood and that includes my neighbors. We lost some animal livestock last night and my brother's house is still with water. The sun has shown his smile today and people are starting to recover from the calamity. The flower, badly beaten and hardy out of shape, slowly drifted away from me like a beautiful consolation saying "all is well"

Rain Ripples

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 What we do in life echoes in eternity

It was a cool rainy day and as the rain drops in flood water, they caused oscillations that created concentric waves that looked like ripples emanating from the where the drops are landing. Sound wave is said to be the disturbance in air pressure, radio wave is a disturbance in the magnetic field, light wave is the disturbance electromagnetic optics and water wave is a disturbance in the surface of water. A wave therefore is a disturbance that travels through space and time, usually accompanied by the transfer of energy.
These tiny waves or ripples made me think for a moment about what it must mean. I believe that every action we do, every word we utter and every little thing that emanates from our personalities creates ripples in our lives that will echo in eternity. I write this blog for me, what I think changes me, and what I do affects others.

Vector Leaves

The air is clean after the rain,
just like the heart after the pain...

The Vector or the Chevron symbol  is a warning sign which is used on the far side of an intersection to signal drivers that there is a change of horizontal alignment in the way. It is the first thing that came into my mind looking at these rain soaked leaves that formed an inverted "V". In the past several days, the nation has been engulfed with a lot of controversies from the divisive RH bill and the Divorce bill. Several groups are also calling for the passage of the Anti-discrimination bill which aims to allow same-sex marriage. Our family and Christian values are now being challenged and this nation might face a change in its moral alignment. While these things are being pondered by the Filipinos, the nature seems to give us a warning by sending calamities such as fish-kills, typhoons, tornado, floods, and heavy rains. May we be guided by God in our decisions and may we heed to warnings right before our very eyes.

Round Tables

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Getting an education isn't just about books and grades - we're also learning how to participate fully in the life of this nation

The Round Table is King Arthur's famed table in the arthurian legend, around which he and his knights congregate. As its name suggests, it has no head, implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. Here at the College of Engineering several round stone table  can be found around the college park. The students find it attractive to meet, eat and chat on these cute tables and stools. The medieval design and craftsmanship adds some aesthetic appeal and ambiance  conducive to learning. Equality among the students is one of my advocacy. I want them to enjoy the same attention, privileges and services this university is offering.

Another Feeding Chair

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The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn... and change

It is amusing for me to watch babies being fed on a feeding chair: securely strapped and comfortable. I likened the modern arm-chairs on our classrooms to those feeding chairs found on fast food stores and restaurants where those students sit comfortably and behaved feeding their minds. These attractive, neat and bright colored seats are usually found on private schools.

Bundle of Joy

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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things, hope, a dream of possibilities"

Every new born baby is God’s way of telling that the plan should go on. Having a little child in our home has really brought happiness into our lives. Those innocent and sincere smiles are sure to knock off your tired soul. I can't wait to have my own baby.
While i was getting ready to go to work, i heard my parents giggling and speaking in playful tone. I look and saw they were enjoying quality time with my nephew. I quickly grabbed my digital camera and freezed the time for the angels to look upon.

Colorful Slide

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Swimming is one of my favorite activity. I enjoy going to resorts/beaches to play with water and take beautiful pictures. Today, despite the typhoon EGAY rampaging in the Philippines, we pushed through our swimming activity at Almons Resort, Sta Rosa. This resort's main attraction is its 6 four-story high colorful slides and 2 four-story high winding slides. Trying on those slides is daunting at first. Falling with a very fast velocity gives one some adrenaline rush and you can see most first timers screaming to the top of their lungs.
Most people including me, find it hard to try this slide at first even with the encouragement of other people that it is good and fun. My heart pounded while i climbed for the first time and my hands won't release its grip at the top. But when i dared to do it, I found thrill and excitement as i fall to the waters.
Some things are meant to be experienced personally to find joy. We must always find new good things to try. Things that will make us happy, but we are still afraid to try.

In The Arms of Daddy

“In order to strengthen the father in the home, I make two simple suggestions: first, sustain and respect the father in his position; second, give him love, understanding, and some appreciation for his efforts. . . .

                                                           -James E. Faust

We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Today is father's day. Maybe it is not as popular as the recognition we give at Mother's day. Fathers are rarely acknowledged for the many and varied ways in which they contribute in the family. Mothers, even those who do not deserve worthy of recognition, are usually more recognized in raising a family than fathers. But the institution of Father’s Day has somehow, sometimes turn our collective sentiment and pay homage to our dear Dads.
In this photo is Brother Louie carrying his sleeping daughter as he walk down the hall from the sacrament meeting. I cannot simply let this sight pass before my very eyes without capturing it. Happy Fathers Day from this wide-eyed wanderer!

Treading The Road Together

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"for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part..."

An old couple is roaming the streets of Cabanatuan City. The woman shouting "naghahasa ng kutsilyo, gulok, gunting at lagare" while the old man pedaling the tribike. What a warm feeling came unto me upon watching their slowly but surely movement along the roadside. Their appearance is not presentable. At first i thought they were beggars but when they came near me, i heard the voice and saw those sharpening tools beside the old woman. They are old and weak but still they are living a decent life by earning by the sweat of their brows.  I believe they are living a hard life and that their bodies are getting weaker as they grow older. People such as them gives me the inspiration that faithful people will always find happiness regardless of their living conditions. Their tribike is like their home on the streets, keeping them together and offering people their sharpening services. My sense is sharpened...thanks to this couple.

Imprisoned Beauty

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“I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free”

-D&C 98:8

Enclosed within a covering meshed fence, the beauty of these Santan flowers are obscured from the eyes of the passersby. But a real beauty is hard thing to hide. As if the flower buds struggles to pass through the small gaps of these mesh! As I pass nearby the high school campus, I have noticed the small flowers which made it outside the fence enjoying its freedom and bidding this amateur photographer to publish their triumph.
Since the dawn of time, the Lord has desired that His children would be free to exercise their agency and choose the path they would follow. The Lord has placed upon His children the responsibility of preserving their precious freedoms.
I believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

Bloody Moon

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“The moon, like a flower
In heaven's high bower,
With silent delight
Sits and smiles on the night.”

-W. Blake

Today, i have witnessed a rare natural phenomenon: a very long lunar eclipse! I woke up late at 3:00 am and the moon is already red! I am not sure if i can capture this beautiful sight well because i don't have those so-called SLR's. I managed to mount my A1250 GE Digital camera and tried capturing the moment. A first i wasn't able to focus and the pics came out blurred. With perseverance, i tried different scenario settings like 2-30 secs exposure and fireworks settings. Out of 150 Digicam shots, I only picked the best 7 photos emerged. I ran out of batteries and the last picture is hard to capture because it is already dark. Taken starting 3:09am to 3:41am, here is my digicam images of today's lunar eclipse.(I cropped and arranged the images I but did not enhanced it digitally)

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I am able to capture some stars and they appeared as speckles in this photograph. Taken using GE A1250 at Cabanatuan City

Integrated

"Attachment is not compassion"

An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit ( IC, chip, and microchip) is a collection or combination electronic circuits manufactured into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material.
Small but useful, it is like a magic stone capable of doing marvelous things in the advancement of Technology. They are designed, shaped and manufactured by engineers and could only be understood by electronics students, technicians and engineers.
In order to be useful, an IC must be properly attached. soldered, and supplied with power. Improper attachment may cause trouble to electronic systems. How do we properly attach our selves into someone's lives? Just like an IC, we can have many attachments in life. We must know what we are attaching to... :)

Kawayang Sahig

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strong, resilient and cool

Nothing is more cooler than a house with a floor made up of splitted bamboo with small gaps and spaces letting the air to pass through. Kawayang sahig or bamboo floor is a common among Filipino peasants houses and resort cottages. Our early house way back 1979, has a bamboo floor according to my father. Indeed Bamboo trees has an array of uses in the Filipino people. Here in this picture is my nephew Jamal, enjoying the unfinished cottage house with fresh bamboo flooring.

Sunset Over the Pampanga River

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Every sunset, Nature is painting for us... day after day... pictures of infinite beauty

What can you say about the deep meaning of sunset?
How can you relate it in to your life?
Sunset is the beginning of night time. I called it the "night's gate" . For some people, sunset is sad. But for me it is a calm and warm time. Way back when i got my first 600 pesos film camera, I occasionally shoot on sunsets by the Pampanga river even with my nokia and motorola camera phones. Taken today at 6:34pm above the Pampanga river, facing Talipapa, this very sunset has been there everyday of my life yet it is only this time that I am able to share it's beauty. Surely there are many things in life  that can trigger happy or sad moments.This is my 16th photo from the eyes of a wanderer. I hope you are enjoying my works.

In Remembrance of the Blood

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The water is a reminder that the Savior shed His blood in intense spiritual suffering and anguish, beginning in the Garden of Gethsemane and concluding on the cross. In the garden He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death". Submitting to the will of the Father, He suffered more than we can comprehend: "Blood came from every pore, so great was his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people". He suffered for the sins, sorrows, and pains of all people, providing remission of sins for those who repent and live the gospel. Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus Christ saved all people from what the scriptures call the "original guilt" of Adam's transgression.
Partaking of the sacrament is a witness to God that the remembrance of His Son will extend beyond the short time of that sacred ordinance. Part of this ordinance is a promise to remember Him always and a witness of individual willingness to take upon oneself the name of Jesus Christ and to keep His commandments. In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism.
In return, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables Church members to "always have his Spirit to be with them". The Spirit's constant companionship is one of the greatest gifts of mortality.
In preparation for the sacrament each week, Church members take time to examine their lives and repent of sins. They do not need to be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but they should have a spirit of humility and repentance in their hearts. Every week they strive to prepare for that sacred ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Cast Off

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It's never too late - in fiction or in life - to change

The shrilling song of the cicada or kuliglig is the loudest in the insect world and one of the most pleasant sounds of nature that i have heard here in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.
Their songs means the arrival of  the rainy season. It lifts the spirit after a long, hot and dry summer. Up there in the tree it sings beautifully, and without pause, stand alone or in chorus.
Adult cicadas are short lived, and the main function of such brief sojourn is reproduction. After that they die. Cicadas lay their eggs on twigs of trees. The newly hatched nymphs fall off to the ground and burrow into the root area of perennial plants whose roots serve shall serve as their food the rest of their underground life.
The shedding of their old skin "exoskeleton" heralds a new transformation from nymph into the adult form.
They leave their old "self" clinging on the bark and leaves of the trees. Sometimes, we also "cast off" our old ways to embrace new beautiful new personalities. We can repent of our wrong deeds, try new things and be a better person, leaving our old selves behind. Taken at 9:53 am using my GE A1250 at Brgy. Kirang, Aritao Nueva Vizcaya.

Light Through The Veiled Window

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In this dark and quiet room
Curious Minds always wonder
In Alternating light and gloom
Your existence i always ponder

Enclosed that i cannot yet see
The fullness of your glory
But my hope wont always flee
That I'll catch a glimpse of thee

My windows may not provide
a direct view for my eye
Veiled maybe are my sight
But what of this everyday light?

The witness' tale i believe
That they can see your warm face
I pray for health that i may live
to know the source of the rays

There are people who, in their sickness are bed-ridden and wasn't able to see the outside world anymore. There are also people who were born blind, and cannot see what they call "sun". Nevertheless, they know that the "sun" is true through the warm sensation that it brings and through the stories of those who see it. Today, i woke up but the sun is behind the dark clouds. Rain has been pouring very heavy. But i know it is there. The lights gently breaks the darkness of my room manifesting that the sun has risen, although i cannot see, it is already up there.

One Beautiful Rainy Morning

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Today, I woke up early and readied my tripod, hoping to catch the rising sun as my feature photo. But in my disappointment, clouds are all over and it is raining. I have this feeling that the Lord has reminded me that "tomorrow" is not promised to anyone. Everyday, we expect to rise out in the next morning with surety but the reality is that one day someday, we wont be waking up anymore. A great lesson today. I am thankful every morning. This everyday photo blogging has really helped me appreciate life more and more. Instead of the elusive sunrise today, a neighborhood's pot flower made my day. The bright rich red color of this flower is my 12th wonder in the eyes of a wanderer.

The Lamps of Lamarang

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Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

 -Psalm 119:105

It has been raining all day! Risking my only camera against moisture, that i cannot do. As much as i want to take shoots outdoor, the dark lighting condition and the heavy rains impeded me. So I started to think on how to be more creative. I have to find beauty in dim lights, and luckily the lamps at Lamarang restaurant gave me light.
Today is the wedding of my cousin Rolando and his wife Maria. I took some wedding pictures, and took some shots at one of those Three lit lamps on the walls. The green wall reflecting the light makes it a nice eyes cooler.
Lamps are necessity in our lives. Since the beginning of civilizations, lamps made it possible to work in the dark, to walk in the night and to dispel darkness. I believe that the heaven's windows are not closed and that God continues to provide a means for us traverse the darkest moments of our lives. The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and is a light unto our path.

Kampanilya at La Fortuna

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I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow

Allamanda, Yellow bell or Kampanilya is a vigorous, smooth, slightly hairy shrub growing 2 to 4 meters high and is cultivated as ornamental garden plant.
Upon visiting my ninang, I immediately spotted the bright rich yellow flowers around the La Fortuna Campus. The beauty of these flowers doesn't last very long for they fade very quickly. The sunlight striking the petals causes a bright yellow glow signifying hope and happiness. May we be like unto these flowers, in the short duration of our life, may we be able to give hope and shine our brightest personalities--today. :)

Bishops and Balustrade

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Maybe because the June 1, 2011 "invasion" incident is still fresh on my mind, I cant help but ponder on the political problems engulfing my beloved university. The clash of bishops and pastors. Taken at 4:47 pm, this row of balusters resembles like the "bishop" pieces on the chess board game. The bright light from the sun caused the balustrade to cast alternating shadows on the ground. The sight has reminded me that in this life we trod in the various and uncertain incidents of life. Now we are stepping on good actions and the next we might be doing harm to others. Nevertheless these individual baluster standing together as a balustrade is a beautiful sight to behold. Given the length and the strength in unity, they also double up as a great seating area around the park. Also not to be obtrusive as to blank out the beautiful gardens of  John Wesley park

A Token of Love

As a temple prep teacher, we discussed today about family love and how eternal love could be made possible through Christ. While resting on the clerk room, I took my wedding ring and played it atop of the desk. As Im playing it, i remembered our wedding vows and the promise to be sealed together for time and for all eternity. Accidentally, the ring rolled into the edge of the wall and the desk. In my amazement, my rolling ring cast a heart shape shadow at the edge before falling on its side. So I put back the ring on the edge and allowed the light from the window for the ring to cast the wonderful heart shape shadow. Taken today at 5:09 pm, this is my 8th installment of my Photo-a-day blog. The wedding ring is a universal symbol of marriage.  Me and my wife Mary Jane are sealed together as Husband and Wife for time and for all eternity at the Manila-Philippines Temple.

My Favorite Flower: SAMPAGUITA

Living near the river side, i always have the opportunity to visit the nearby Sampaguita farms. Sampaguita has been a part of my childhood days. When i was 8 years old, i tried to sell Sampaguita flowers with my cousins but im not very good in it because some people buys Sampaguita from dirty, poor looking children and the elderly. I always dress neatly so i rarely got some buyers. Every day i woke up early morning at 5:30 am and head to Mang Andy's farm to gather Sampaguita flowers before i go to my elementary class. I earn 5 Pesos per "tabo" and i average about 3 and 1/2 tabo a day. I have learned to appreciate the labor of the people behind the Sampaguita flower from the farmer, the gatherer, the crafter and up to the seller.
White, dainty and fragrant, the small sampaguita flower is the national flower of the Philippines because of its popularity, ornamental value, fragrance, and the role it plays in the legends and traditions of the Filipino people.
Small and beautiful, the Sampaguita tells us that good deeds however great or small, has its own beautiful fragrance that delights the Lord.

Converging Point

This hallway has been a favorite place for chatting of engineering students and faculty. The orange-peach color of the walls and columns is said to stimulate conversation and encourages socialization. This photo was taken at 5:17 in the afternoon at the College of Engineering and suggests that all things seems to converge at a single point. Indeed, the Wesleyan University Philippines is a place where different minds meet or converge for a single goal: to become educated. The parallel minds of various intellectual levels meet here.

Pork Barbeque

It is already dark in the evening and i haven't taken a photo yet for my photo-a-day mission. It is time for dinner and Im so hungry so i scoured the Burgos Street for something to eat. The smell of roasted pork meat, and other ihaw-ihaw made me crave for Barbeque! The Philippines always has an array of delicious, though not always healthy, delicacies. Barbeque has always been one of my favorite so seeing them carefully lined up in the grill is both mouth watering and a beautiful sight worthy to be captured in my digicam.
The smoke from these BBQs is its best advertisement. It's smoke carries the scent that invites people to wherever it is. I wonder if our works and prayers are like those smoke that tells the Heavens of our deeds-good or bad and invites the Blessings to come unto us.

Bridge of Labor

My fourth day of photo blogging. Scattered around the camping site of Fort Magsasay, the home of 7th Infantry Division are "relic" structures. These remnants of old structures which are mostly damaged, with cracks and grown with algae adds some aesthetic touch to the site. An old soldier told me that they were built long ago by soldier trainees as part of their projects. He also added that they toiled and labored so hard for those buildings and bridges. Only a remnant of the structures are now visible. Some are overgrown by trees and grass. Some are still functional such as this mini bridge. This photo shows that despite the imperfections of this bridge, it is it's own beautiful. I just put in it in my mind that this bridge is not perfect but people who cross it admires it and feel glad walking in it. Sometimes, there are people in our lives who has no apparent beauty for us to desire but being with them makes us happy. In seeing the real beauty, one must use his eyes together with his heart.