Sun 21 Dec 2008
Jose Rizal in Ceylon
We managed to sneak in a bit of Philippine history in our round of errands today.
In between stops, we visited Grand Oriental Hotel near the Fort. We have been there before and we want to visit it again before we leave Sri Lanka.
Why is it so significant?
Between 1882-1896, a physician and a man of letters visited Ceylon four times. To our family, he was beyond ordinary, a man distinguished and known to all Filipinos and even internationally. A linguist, scientist, scholar, writer and a believer of peace. But what really is close to our heart is how he felt about this city, Colombo. Like him, we have landed in this warm and green and friendly city 4 times (2005-2008) and we have enjoyed every bit of our stay. This may be our last chance to see this historical landmark so I took the privilege of freezing the moment.
The man is Jose Rizal, our national hero and here is his landmark here in old Ceylon..
One funny incident here happened when I adjusted my camera lens and accidentally directed it to the port in front of this building. The armed soldiers blew their warning signals. goose bumps almost jumped out of me! It is prohibited to take any photos here save for this building for security reasons. I find it undauntingly crazy at times... it happens almost anywhere here that is why we never got a photo of the beautiful town hall of Colombo.
Anyway, we feel proud to visit a landmark kept and preserved in his name in this old hotel at the very heart of this city.
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Wed 17 Dec 2008
They came, they packed
.. they loaded them in a container van and drove away.
A dark cloud seems to shroud our feelings but we perceive a bright sun behind it, a silver lining. It is sad to see our things go even if we know we will still get them once we are in Cairo.. or we may not. But the heavy feeling of having already abandoned the place somehow made us feel that... as if we already have left the country, friends and all, though we still have some few days left. |
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Sat 15 Nov 2008
Proudly Pinoy
You scarcely hear news this good nowadays so I definitely wouldn't pass the chance for it to grace my blog.
Do me a favor, will you? Click the link, read it and then go out and buy the book. Nope, you do not need to mention my name or that I sent you. BUT it IS in my wishlist. So when I get home this December, I'd check the local shelves right away. But I hear it is going to be tough looking for Ilustrado in bookstores as it isn't published yet... sounds weird, huh? Well, to find out why read the author's interview, there is a link below.
In case.. just in case, you come across it, it would do me good too if you buy an extra copy and send it to me, teehee! I would definitely return the favor.
I am just so Proudly Pinoy.
Filipino Author Wins Asian Book Prize
Q & A with Ilustrado author Miguel Syjuco, winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize
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Sun 19 Oct 2008
To Egypt we will go!
We just heard word where our next destination will be....
Photo by embalu (morguefile.com)
it is- EGYPT!
We are definitely excited. Hmmm, the truth is... we now carry a heavy mixed bag of emotions, bitter-sweet tinge of sadness with sheer anticipation of the new and the unknown. We were already thinking the unthinkable... leaving the friends we have grown fond of during the years of our stay here and leaving behind a country, culture and a people that has become endeared to us in spite of the turmoil of war and suffering it is going through. But we are hopeful of what this journey will lead us to.
I remember when we first heard word that we were relocating to Sri Lanka. There was so much we do not know about it then, except from what we have read and heard.. but these, we realized, were not enough. Much of what we know now from this country, we learned during our stay here and not from the books, or TV or newspapers, but from the years we have lived here.
Now this, we go through again as we set our minds to the experience and process anew, but with a different place and people in mind. It starts next year - 2009... may God bless this new adventure for us.
Indeed, the world is our classroom and our home remains in Him.
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Tue 3 Jun 2008
Elephants of Sri Lanka
If you have come across this blog from the beginning, maybe you are one of those who know our deep appreciation for God's creation, our fondness for nature and wildlife particularly animals. And when it comes to animals, it has always been special with the biggest creature that presently walk the earth. Like us, it has made Sri Lanka also it's home. Well, it is no other less than the Elephas Maximus or the Asian Elephant.
The Asian Elephant can be found in Southern Asia, parts of India, China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Indonesia. They inhabit open grasslands, marches from sea-level to mountainous regions. They eat fruit, grass, leaves, twigs, bamboo, bushes and water. They love bathe on waterholes, rivers and lakes. In the elephant orphanage or zoo, they are fed hay, vegetables, fruit, grain and plant products. They walk freely in the wild or are domesticated by the farmer as a beast of burden. We have observed them in the wild, national parks, farms, resorts and even in the orphanage. I have always wondered why this majestic animal never found a home in mine, the Philippines.
It grieved our hearts to hear that not only the innocent children are the victims on conflict areas of Northeast Sri Lanka. There were thousands of families who were displaced. And this sad situation has always reached the local and international news. BUT this time, a news report talks about a different victim. These gargantuan creatures are bearing the brunt of crossfire between Sri Lankan Troops and LTTE rebels. And due to their size, numbers were easily wounded (riddled with many bullets) and some died where battle is fierce.
Today's news article from BBC NEWS says it all.
And here is a thread on the discussion among Christians about an elephant who is an artist - check it out =). Make sure you watch the video! |
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