Sunday, June 28, 2009

Diwata ng Lahi


This is an update on the Voyage of the Balangay Project led by Art Valdez. The balangay, named "Diwata ng Lahi", is now finished and it was officially launched yesterday, June 27. Team Balangay will set sail on the first week of July, if weather permits. Below are some pictures taken during the launching. Pictures courtesy of Butuan Global Forum.


The balangay before the launching.


Fr. Joesilo Amalla of Butuan City officiating the Catholic boat blessing rites. (Tausug and Protestant rites were also conducted).


Art Valdez cutting the rope to release the balangay into the water.


The balangay finally on the waters of Manila Bay!


Diwata ng Lahi ready to set sail!

Click HERE to see the complete list of Philippine ports which will be visited by Team Balangay. For more pictures, visit this Multiply photo album.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Butuan Pride


I just read on the net that a Butuanon dance group called Next Block Crew bagged the top prize at the Dunkin Donuts Icy Coolers Dance Dunkdown. The contest was held last May 28, 2009 at SM Mall of Asia. The group won in the Young Adults category while another group from General Santos City, Experience Kids, won in the Kids category. Both groups were awarded P100,000 each. Madyaw gid kadyaw ang Butuanon!


Friday, June 26, 2009

R. I. P. Michael Jackson


I was listening to the morning news today when it was announced that Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop", suffered a cardiac arrest and died in an LA hospital. I am not a fan but I was saddened when I heard this. Images of his famous music videos immediately flashed in my mind. One particular song rang in my ear. This is the same song that played a huge part in my 91k life. This one is for all of you 91kers out there...


Michael Jackson may have gone "Wacko" in his later years but he was undoubtedly a gifted performer who made a huge contribution to the global music industry. Farewell Michael... may you finally find the happiness that you have been longing for all your life. Rest in peace.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hate Mail


A few days ago, I received a hate mail from a stranger. I do know about the guy but we do not know each other personally. Apparently, he mistook me for somebody else and sent the e-mail to my address. Below are a few excerpts from the mail.

"You sir are a blatant idiot and your own postings provers this beyond a shadow of a doubt" (sic)

"your a idiot but for the record please let me assume your just ignorant to the definition of the word." (sic)

"Now I had long forgotten about your and your idiot bayot mannerism which accomplish nothing but you sir are a coward and talk out your ass, thats fact jack and in future if you feel any desire to reference to me in any way man up ole chap and do it in the open." (sic)

"Did you sir solve any of those problems, I think not as you are a cowardly bastard and afraid to speak the truth, for that matter in your typical feminine ways" (sic)

By the way, this guy is an American and I know the person for whom this e-mail was intended.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Father's Day


Happy father's day to all dads! Below is the song which was sung at Papa's funeral. I miss you Pa! Happy father's day!



Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Journey Into History



On June 27, 2009, the Filipino Mount Everest Team, led by Art Valdez, will embark on another journey. This time they will travel by sea aboard a balangay. A balangay is a wooden boat which was used by our ancestors to travel around Southeast Asia to as far as Polynesia in the East and Madagascar in the West.

Balangays, also called Butuan Boats, were dug up in Butuan City in the 70's. These balangays were carbon dated 320 AD.

A sketch of the balangay at the National Museum


One of the original Butuan balangays on display at the Balangay Shrine in Butuan City

Here is a detailed list of places in the Philippines which will be visited by Team Balangay:

1st Leg: MANILA TO BORACAY
1. Manila to Sangley, Cavite 5.3 nautical miles (nm)
2. Ternate, Cavite 17.4 nm
3. Nasugbu, Batangas 19.5 nm
4. Calatagan, Batangas 16.5 nm
5. Batangas City 29.0 nm
6. Puerta Galera, Or. Mindoro 14.2 nm
7. Calapan City, Or. Mindoro 16.0 nm
8. Pola 27.0 nm
9. Maestre de Campo 26 nm
10. Calatrava, Romblon 26.2 nm
11. Odiongan, Tablas 16.7 nm
12. Looc, Romblon 30.0 nm
13. Boracay, Aklan 20.7 nm

2nd Leg: BORACAY TO CEBU CITY/MACTAN
13. Boracay, Aklan
14. Kalibo, Aklan (Port Batan) 38.5 nm
15. Roxas City, Capiz (Port Capiz) 12.5 nm
16. Estancia, Iloilo 51.0 nm
17. Barotac Viejo, Iloilo 42.0 nm
18. Iloilo City, Iloilo 30.8 nm
19. Bacolod City, Negros Occ. 23.3 nm
20. Silay City, Neg Occ 7.5 nm
21. Sagay City, Neg Occ 23.3 nm
22. Bantayan Island, Cebu 40.o nm
23. Daan Bantayan, Cebu 23.4 nm
24. Bogo, Cebu 16.4 nm
25. Danao City, Cebu 35.2 nm
26. Cebu City, Cebu 10.7 nm
27. (Mactan - Cebu Departure)

3rd Leg: MACTAN TO BUTUAN
27. (Mactan - Cebu Departure)
28. Argao, Cebu 27.0 nm
29. Dumaguete City, Negros Or. 38.5 nm
30. Siquijor (Port Canoan), Negros Or. 16.5 nm
31. Panglao, Bohol 28.7 nm
32. Jagna, Bohol 31.5 nm
33. Maasin, Southern Leyte 43.0 nm
34. Limasawa, Southern Leyte 16.6 nm
35. Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte 56.3 nm
36. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte 6.3 nm

4th Leg: BUTUAN TO ZAMBOANGA
36. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
37. Gingoog, Misamis Or. 25.7 nm
38. Mambajao, Camiguin Island 34.0 nm
39. Cagayan de Oro City 49.7 nm
40. Iligan City, Lanao 48.2 nm
41. Ozamis City, Misamis Occ. 10.5 nm
42. Oroquieta, Mis. Occ. 29.5 nm
43. Dapitan, Dipolog 37.6 nm
44. Liloy, Zamboanga 54.0 nm
45. Ciocon (Port Sta. Maria), 49.0 nm
46. Sibuco, Zamboanga 31.0 nm
47. Zamboanga City 34.8 nm

5th Leg: ZAMBOANGA CITY TO GENERAL SANTOS
47. Zamboanga City
48. Panubigan Island 15.7 nm
49. Bangaan Island,Port Banga 24.2 nm
50. Bagalamatan 16.0 nm
51. Suba Nipa 29.5 nm
52. Limbug Cove 43.6 nm
53. Pagadian City 22.2 nm
54. Port Baras, Cotabato 35.0 nm
55. Cotabato City 25.0 nm
56. Linao Bay, Mati 40.0 nm
57. Port Lebak, Kalamansig 17.0 nm
58. Milbuk Harbor, Milbuk 35.3 nm
59. Kling , South Cotabato 41.5 nm
60. General Santos City 41.5 nm

6th Leg: GENERAL SANTOS CITY TO DAVAO CITY
60. General Santos City
61. Glan, Saranggani 16.0 nm
62. Butulan Cove, Butulan 36.0 nm
63. Jose Abad Santos (Caburan) 22.3 nm
64. Malita, Davao 33.2 nm
65. Digos, Davao Del Sur 25.0 nm
66. Davao City, Port of Sta. Ana 25.3 nm

7th Leg: ZAMBOANGA CITY TO SILUAG
67. Isabela, Basilan
68. Jolo/Patikul, Sulu
69. Siasi, Sulu
70. Tumbagaan Island, Tawi-Tawi
71. Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
72. Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi
73. Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi
74. Siluag Island, Tawi-Tawi

While on port, Team Balangay will conduct several activities in the area which include medical missions, school visitations, coastal cleanup, awareness seminars, and visits to local places of interest.

From Tawi-Tawi, Team Balangay will trace the migration of our ancestors and the ancient trade routes of Southeast Asia.

Catch Team Balangay in your area and be a part of this historic endeavor!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

I love this game!

I am a basketball fan. Barangay tournaments, intramurals, school division meet, MBA and PBA, you name it, I have watched it. The only ones I haven't watched live are the Olympics and the NBA. I only watch them on TV. Here in Japan, I don't have the luxury of watching the games on cable TV. Thank God for live streaming websites, I get to watch the NBA on my PC.

Tomorrow is the start of the NBA finals, Orlando Magic vs. LA Lakers. My favorite team, the Miami Heat, has been eliminated so I am rooting for its neighbor, the Orlandop Magic. Plus, I am a BIG Kobe Bryant hater, which means I cheer for anybody who plays against the Lakers. Ironically, I have great respect for the Lakers coach, Phil Jackson.

Analysts around the world predict a Lakers win. I just hope the Orlando Magic will put up a good fight. Better yet, I hope they will keep Kobe from getting his much coveted Shaq-less championship ring.

Monday, June 1, 2009

I'm baaack!!!



Yup! I'm definitely back. Not that anybody would miss my presence. But here I am again after a month of hibernation. So what have I been up to this past month? I wish I could tell you that I went back to my beloved Butuan and ate lots and lots of lechon, but I couldn't. I am still stuck in Japan, only hearing through email about all the fun everybody was having during the homecoming and the fiesta.

My May was spent working, Facebooking (is there such a word?), chatting through YM and Skype, watching TV show finales, watching different sports events (boxing, NBA and tennis), participating in the GCA sportsfest, keeping updated with Philippine news, etc. etc. etc.

The month of May brought us a smorgasbord of topics to blog about. Surely, all Filipinos from all parts of the globe have heard about THE scandal. With that said, let me leave you with this music clip that is supposed to be wholesome but somehow sounds dirty to my ears.