DISCOVERIES: Bignay

Bignay branch found beside the Country Mansion,
Laguna, Philippines

Mind you, I'm a nature-lover too! I love to take pictures of plants and appreciate the mountains, seas and the fields.

When we went to Talangka this afternoon, we discovered a bunch of freshly-cut branches laid beside the street where our 'resthouse' (or bahay sa bukid in tagalog) was built. I learned that its tree is called bignay.

I've done a little research regarding this plant and realized that its kind is found in only Southeast Asia, Australia and India. It's termed currant in English. It's edible and contains calcium and iron.

Source: Bignay. Philippine Medicinal Plants. < http://stuartxchange.com/Bignay.html >.

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Fun-filled Weekend in Manila

It's been a long time since I relaxed after a week's work. I went to Manila this October 18 and invited my friends who are studying there to accompany me in my unwinding purpose.

MUSEUM VISIT

Since October is Museum Month, National Museum offered free entrance to willing visitors. Jen, Jireh, Elaine and I visited its two departments: the Art Gallery and the Museum for the Filipino People. We were amazed with the works we saw there: the paintings, writings, sculptures and replicas of stuffs having to do with our country. We saw the original works of our heroes and national artists. The 'feel' of being alive and involved during the centuries then was exciting.

LUNETA TRIP

Rediscovering Luneta Park was fun! It has been decades since I've been here. I actually forgot how it looked like. We stalled for an hour at Dr. Jose Rizal's Shrine. Right then he became significant for me, having taught his 'Life, Works and Writings' among college students. His heart-rending life ending made a mark in my mind. I remembered what our national hero went through as I gazed upon his epitaph.

The professional park photographers also caught our attention. We noticed that they don't earn much these days due to the popularity and affordability of digital cameras. While exiting the park through its vicinities, Kath called on of them that we may have a souvenir shot upon the colorful fountains. What happened was unforgettable. Read on.

Kuya seemed to look enthusiastic while clicking on the camera. He did multiple shots. But our original transaction included two copies of a shot. When we're done, he insisted that we would have 4 copies of his shots. When we refused his pressuring offer his attitude changed. 'Tubong lugaw na lang 'to', he said. We followed him into the studio. While our photos were being printed he was murmuring negative things about us, ordering the computer operator to erase our photos afterwards before they might cause them 'bad luck.' We were quiet then, asking each other how to respond to him.

"Kuya, baka kaya hindi kayo kumikita eh ang sungit n'yo sa mga customers nyo," I uttered. Kuya was silenced a bit. Upon leaving the studio, we thanked him.

While travelling home we could not help but talk about what happened to us. What a memorable adventure.

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Madrasah Music Lessons: My One-Week Teaching Experience with the Muslims

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It never entered my mind that I would drop to a madrasah (a Muslim School) to teach music for a week.

I went there to share what I knew about playing the piano. I never thought that a discovery-filled week awaited me. Suddenly I was transported to a world inhabited by people who love peace, learning and companionship.

TMB Madrasah Montessori instructs children from pre-school to grade five level. My cousin is a Grade One Adviser there and when she invited me to teach for a week, I got very excited to and said 'yes' in a snap. 

Before going there, I researched some information on how to engage with our Muslim kababayans. I also tried to know whether music interests them or what. I read in some internet articles that music is 'haram' (forbidden) for them. But when Teacher Sai told me that they even loved to danced and they performed 'Dayang dayang' in one of their events, my hesitation faded. 

I packed my bags, brought an old tiny casio and travelled from Santa Maria, Laguna to Manila.  I slept in one of the apartments in Pureza. The morning my teaching schedule came, Sai knocked at the door. I myself being ready, we proceeded to MRT station and rode to  Taft. Bicutan, Taguig was the location of the school. 

My level of excitement increased when I arrived the Muslim area . People wearing long dresses and abayas filled the place. Mosques and arabic prints captured my attention. Finally, we arrived the school (which is near Datu Kiram's residence). 

A man with a long skirt opened the gate for us. I didn't know how to greet him. I met Mam, Nelia, the school administrator. She is the wife of Mr. Taha M. Basman, an interfaith dialogue pioneer and the President of the Center for Moderate Muslims.

I really enjoyed teaching the kids. They were cheerful and friendly. More than talking to them, I preferred hearing their stories. I learned that most of them came from Mindanao. Some were sons and daughters of business people and Muslim organization leaders. But one thing I noticed was they were just like me when I was a kid: fun-loving, simple and 'iyakin' when teased. 

In one of our lunch moments, I was introduced to pastil, a binalot rice dashed with meat. I also discovered that Muslims do their lunch earlier due to their da'wah or noon prayer. They wash themselves (abdas) before doing this activity. 

During my freetime, I roamed around the village and visited the blue mosque. Men gathered inside to pray. I also saw the school guard there. After the classes I would travel back to Pureza for a night's sleep. I would ride a tricycle, a jeepney, and mrt train. Tricycles in Bicutan have seats inside facing front and outside, facing the rear. I seated there for a more adventurous feel. I noticed things I didn't see before.

Before leaving the school, the kids gave me a letter containing touching messages. I still have them with me. I will never forget them. 

   

A Halal meat shop located in front of the blue Mosque, Maharlika, Taguig.

Grade One Pupils learning music fundamentals.

A ram living in the mosque garden.

Sarah and her classmates determining the values of the notes.

Sarah is a Grade Five pupil who loves to put powder
on her face.

The boys eating their lunch. Hotdogs, instant
noodles and canned goods were some of
their meal faves.

A shot in the school grounds with Princess Iman .

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Araw ng KaLAIYAan

Upon having a two-week break from working in Singapore, my sister decided to treat us with travel spree. We looked for spots like Zambales, Puerto Galera and other places in Luzon, and ended up in Laiya. We scheduled it this June 12, but we left Laguna the night before the said date and looked for a resort where we could spend the night. Upon our arrival in the said area, we were expecting to visit a 'classy' one, but because we were 14, we found it hard to find a budget-friendly yet exclusive spot. We ended up in a venue others consider as 'ordinary'.

Thinking that I would experience much enjoyment in high-class beaches, my thoughts were filled with regret. But as I roamed around the vicinity, I learned that there are much discoveries here compared to 'special' resorts. Here are those:

1. Colorful Boats. Boats of varying shapes, sizes and colors surprised me as I took a walk along the area's long seashore. These vehicles are owned by the residents and are used for fishing.

2. Lotsa' Jellyfish. The night we arrived the resort, I was surprised to see these soft creatures along the seashore. At first, I mistook them for 'pitchi-pitchi' (a jelly-like rice desert coated with grated coconut meat). But the caretakers told us that they were dead jellyfish. I knew that these are deadly, but they said that touching their tentacles will just make your hands itch.

3. Fish Market. These huge boat carrying freshly-caught fish usually do their operations during early mornings. It was my first time to see an activity such as this. Lively and colorful fish were being sold to the residents. 

4. Friendly Fishermen. These guys leave their nets exposed during evenings and pull them during mornings. Kuya Pogi, our driver (the one who wears white shirt), helped these fishermen in pulling the rope. He ended up bringing home a bunch of 'tawilis' fit for lunch.

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