The Wandering Savant

(This is an exposition of my liberty. I don't know what's going to happen next.) Wasting an opportunity, for me, is worse than plunder. Plunder is just money lost while wasting an opportunity means lossing the future of the next generation.  The much-vaunted 1986 EDSA Revolution, which everyone thought was the final salvation from the evils of the Marcos administration, tossed Ninoy Aquino's "housewife" Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino to the seat of power. As the head of a revolutionary government, the then president was bequeathed with vast amount of power that she could have used to change the course of our destiny as a nation. Amidst that power, the then president lay powerless. What an irony!

With so much reluctance, I am publishing this piece. I am reluctant because the article contains matters pertaining to the metaphysical aspects of life, which tend to be controversial. But I would rather be stoned than cower in the dark. Over the past week we have seen how  nature unleashed its fury. It created a sudden upheaval in the earths tectonic plates causing an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that sent harrowing waves of sea-water into the island nation of Japan, virtually clearing away everything on its path like grains of sand.

I would like to share, with you this picture of the Rizal Blvd., in Dumaguete by one of the best photographers in the country today, Mr. Hersley Ven Casero.

Journalists plan pullout as rebellion in Libya collapses LA Times's award-winning photographer, Luis Sinco, filed this report about the situation in Benghazi as he was packing to leave for Egypt. The much vaunted Libyan rebellion collapses and Libyan leader Muamar al Gadaffi is poised to regain foothold of his civil war-torn country.

Nothing really pisses me off big time other than the waste of time and energy. I am amazed at how much time and effort we invest on insignificant endeavors rather then directing our energy on things that really matter. What's the matter with us? What has gone terribly wrong with us. Have we just become a massive collection of degenerates?

           ...Baguio Escapades... Baguio City has kept most of its charms despite the onslaught of urbanization. It is the the regional center for the Cordillera Administrative Region. Famous for its flowers and the annual Panagbenga Festival, Baguio is also considered as the educational center of the north with the presence of such educational institutions as St Louis University, UP Baguio among others. The ambience of the city makes a conducive learning environment for students, writers and scholars.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs; If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and tear them into pieces."--Matthew 7:6 (NIV) Not a few days ago, I remember reading an article by a balikbayan describing his last visit to Subic (SBMA). The article was a boring litany of what Subic has been as a booming free-port to what it has become become--a seemingly wretched place. Like the author, I am reminded of the the passage above every time I think of my own travel. In my case it is Banaue  and its once renown Rice Terraces, in the province of Ifugao. 

That same night in Vigan, we had to embarked on another journey, this time to Baguio then finally, Sagada.  The travel would last four hours and would have us traversing several provinces before reaching Baguio City. After reaching Baguio City, that was around 2:00 AM, we took time to rest and eat. We had to take another bus ride to Sagada. We arrived at 1:00 in the afternoon. And, so the adventure began.