My Sugarlandia

Never will I turn my back on this part of the world. This is my sanctuary. Never it failed to protect and console me from life's painful experiences on broken hearts and broken dreams. Here I hibernate and gather strength when everything seems hopeless. Life has always been sweet here, in my own sugarlandia.

Masskara 2013

October 2013, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental Philippines

I always get facinated with innocent smiles, myriad of colors, great music and food at sugarlandia  during Masskara celebrations. Invited two good friends with me. It was real fun. Best part is, we strengthened our bond of friendship. Priceless moments with precious people.

la vida es un ratico

La Vida Es Un Ratico

La Vida Es Un Ratico

de Juanes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upuf7sLiBLU

Estamos pasando el tiempo mas dificil en nuestra vida. No hay palabra nada puedo describer lo que me siento en este momento.

Que cambie todo pero no el amor. Es la mision mas grande que tenemos tu y yo. En esta vida que aprender enteder y saber, porque estos tiempos son dificiles y es mas escasa la verdad.

Que cambie todo pero no el amor. Nuestra familia es mas importante ya lo se, y la debemos proteger y volver a tejer porque estos tiempos son dificiles y mas escasa la verdad. Porque estos tiempos son dificiles y estamos sentando tan lejos el uno del otro. Porque estos tiempos son dificiles y estamos atados de manos y corazon.

No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien. Todavia hay muchas cosas por hacer. No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien. La vida es un ratico, un ratico, nada mas. No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien. Vienen tiempos buenos y los malos, ya se van, se van, se van. Quedate tu.

Que cambie todo pero no el amor es todo lo que yo te pido no te pido mas. Dame la mano por favor no me dejes caer,porque estos tiempos son mas dificiles y es mas escasa la verdad. Porque estos tiempos son mas dificiles y estamos sentados tan lejos el uno del otro. Porque estos tiempos estamos atados de manos y corazon.

No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien. Todavia hay muchas cosas por hacer. No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien la vida es un ratico un ratico nada mas no dejemos que ese no se acabe bien, Vienen tiempos buenos y los malos. Ya se van, se van, se van

No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien. Todavia hay muchas cosas por hacer no dejemos que ese no se acabe bien. La vida es un ratico un ratico nada mas. No dejemos que ese no se acabe bien, vienen tiempo buenos y los malos ya se van se van se van. QUEDATE TU

At Rosedale Station

At Rosedale Train Station

Everyone has his own story to tell.

Waiting for the next train at Rosedale Station for my last minute shopping in Manhattan, I bumped into Maria, a very nice Colombiana in her 50’s. Maria is one of the many migrant workers in the Big Apple doing limpieza, or house cleaning, part- time or on-call basis.

Since the train is yet to arrive in the next hour, tried to strike a conversation with her in Spanglish. After all, an hour wait doing nothing is too much to bear.

She has two daughters in Antioquia and is separated from her husband. Most of the money she earns goes straight to Colombia for her daughters’ daily needs and education.

Life is not easy for her in New York but she exudes optimism. She has a happy disposition in life. In Antioquia she said, “Not all women have the same opportunity like me to be able to come and work in the US. I’m blessed. Gracias a Dios.”

I shared with her good memories of my recent visit in Medellin and in Bogota. She was fascinated but homesickness can be seen all over her face. “Que bonito! I had been planning to visit Antioquia for the last three years. I hope I can make it happen soon.” She said.

I’ve learned that she’s been in the US for seven years without seeing home. Her meager income has prevented her from doing so. Likewise, she is saving money for a house in Colombia. With a plastic bag of sandwich, fries and a can of soda in her hands, she was ready for supper when she gets to her apartment.

Her story is not extra-ordinary. In fact it is very common to several Filipinasworking abroad as domestic helpers. What interests me about her tale is that it’s full of hope for better days to come. It’s a noble story of doing great sacrifices for family members, of putting aside personal happiness so her children can live a decent life. Most important of all is the virtue of being grateful for the many blessings she receives, of being contented to life’s gifts no matter how big or small.

We had a very great time talking about going to a rumba or a discoteca, eating bandeja paisa and getting drunk of Antioquia’s old-time favorite Arguadiente. I told her that bandeja paisa is too heavy for me and that arguadiente is too strong. She burst in a minute of laughter. When she learned that we passed the night dancing salsa, her laughs were unstoppable.

Before we knew it, the long wait was over. The train arrived on time. We bid goodbye and exchanged besos. She was going towards Jamaica. I was heading to Penn Station.

Of Leaving Dogs and Pets Behind

Of Leaving Dogs and Pets Behind

Everything is ready for the long-planned trip, but who will take care of the dogs and the other pets?

I sometimes hear friends being so worried on who will take care of their pets when they take a holiday break. Pets are family members. They too should be a part of the big plan.

My lawyer friend Joan completed all Mumu’s papers, a shitzu breed, ahead of hers when she migrated to the US. Lucky Mumu, she is now a US resident citizen! However, she sold her beloved Python Snake. Imagine her bringing a 5-foot Phyton snake to America! “Will the serpent be issued a US visa too just in case?” I hope so.

My elder sister left a pair of love birds with her neighbor for feeding while they were away for Christmas three years ago. They made advance payment to the old lady. When holiday was over, they claimed the birds and to their surprise, they were greeted with a pair of cold bodies in the cage waiting to be buried six feet below the ground because the crook just took their money. The birds died of thirst.

Unmindful of the security issues, my brother-in-law in NYC left the key of their house to a friend so he can feed Pumba, a pug, while they were on a vacation. A big NO in the Philippines.

I have a male Jack Russel Terrier named Marco and a local breed named Dora. They are my farm dogs. However, I don’t have any problem leaving them behind when I travel because they live with my parents at the farm. Lucky angels.

So when you leave, who will take the dogs out???

So the Trip is Over and the Fun has Ended

So the Trip is Over and the Fun has Ended

Universal truth, vacations are short-lived. We met people, found new friends, share travel experiences with them. We touched their lives, they too became a part of our lives.

But when the holiday is over, we are faced with the sad reality of bidding goodbye to the wonderful people we met, hoping against hope that our paths would cross again someday.

Been seeing friends and newfound friends come and go. Saying goodbye may not be easy. But that’s how it goes.

We just have to face another universal truth that when somebody leaves, another one would come, that when somebody closes the door on you, then another welcomes you with arms wide-open.

Then you embrace this new chapter and another journey begins.