beaching in BINOGAWAN

 Photo by Franklin Robedizo

 Binogawan Shoreline

Binogawan is a quaint barangay in the town of San Policarpo, province of Eastern Samar. Just like the other 16 barangays, it is abundantly blessed with the beauty of nature. Facing the Pacific Ocean, it is a window to a whole new world of azure skies, cool breeze, blue waters and cold waves gently lapping and kissing the stretch of white sand that is now becoming the favorite vacay spot of tourists from near and far.

But don't raise your hopes and expectations just yet. Binogawan is not your Boracay type of beach fun. It is stripped with restos, shops and required accomodation that other known resorts have. There is however Binogawan Beach Resort owned by a local (who made it big overseas) and a foreign partner. It has well-appointed rooms for overnight (or a couple of days) stay. Weddings, birthdays and social functions can now be done at the resort, giving the community a choice from the traditional and customary social venues.

What really makes Binogawan a must-go all year round destination is the charm of its own. Nipa and bamboo cottages are scattered along the shoreline owned and operated by the locals, of familiar smiles and pastoral bonds. It come cheap with a view of paradise.

Binogawan beachgoers do not usually hit the beach and bask in the warmth of the sun, except of course for vacationing tourists from other parts of the world. People converge to share stories and laughter, dig in to whatever food they put on the table and get drowsy with booze and the orange burst of the setting sun. Binogawan beach is undoubtedly a meeting place, a watering hole of sorts, and a picnic point for families, friends as well as new-found acquaintances.

It is more of a 'story' place, a hub of rousing laughter and a place where new memories are made.

Binogawan beach is perfect as it is. Vast, free, and still 'unharmed' by the mad dash of 'uber' commercialization. And  yes, beach lovers scantily clad in bikinis sashaying in straw hats and aviator shades are not welcome in Binogawan beach. 

At least, not now. 

Not yet.

 Photo by Josie Argetsinger 

Josie's Tropical Beach Resort

 Photo by Josie Argetsinger

Photo by Binogawan Beach Resort 

Gateway to paradise. Bougainvillas in bloom

 Photo by Binogawan Beach Resort

Beach Perfect

 Photo by Binogawan Beach Resort

 Ready for some action

 Photo by Josie Argetsinger

Patch of heaven on earth

Biyahera's turn a-beachin'

'The only paradise is paradise lost'

- Marcel Proust

of SECOND CHANCES (inside Borongan city jail)

Everybody deserves second chances. Pero hindi lahat ay nabibigyan ng panibagong pagkakataon sa buhay. Only those  who truly deserve it and are willing to use the chance to make their lives better.

A very good example of second chances and holding on to it ay ang sikat na sikat na ngayong dancing inmates ng Cebu. Sa halip na magmukmok at maging desperado sa buhay dahil sa kinasadlakan nila, ginamit nila ang second chance na ibinigay sa kanila. Ini-entertain nila ngayon ang buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng internet sa iba't-ibang dance moves na gnagawa nila. Ang mga katulad nilang may mga pinagdadaanan sa buhay ay nakapagbibigay ngayon ng ngiti at saya sa napakaraming tao. Kasabay nito, natutulungan nila ang kanilang pamilya sa kanilang 'talent fee' sa tuwing dinarayo ang kanilang kulungan ng mga dayuhan at lokal na turista upang mapanood ang kanilang sayaw.

Hindi kayo naiiba sa kanila. Maaaring naghihimas kayo ngayon ng rehas na bakal, nalulungkot dahil malayo sa pamilya, but you were given this chance under the Alternative Learning System ng DepEd para kayo matuto sa buhay, magkaroon ng edukasyon and make better of yourselves na sya nyong magiging armas paglabas niyo sa kulungan. There is an stigma para sa mga 'laya'. The society will name you names but don't be discouraged. What you learned here could very well change the way society will look at you after serving time in prison.

There is no glory in what you have done na dahilan kung bakit kayo nandito sa loob. I would not even justify it. But it is not also for us to judge you. We are not in a position to make conclusions and to judge your character dahil hindi namin alam at wala kaming ideya kung ano ang pinagdaanan nyo at anong mga pangyayari ang nagtulak sa inyo para gawin ang inyong mga nagawa. Ang mahalaga ay matuto kayo mula sa pagkakamali at pagsikapang huwag nang ulitin pang magkasala.  Kung nadapa ka, bumangon ka at ang pagtatapos niyo ngayon ay senyales ng inyong unti-unting pagbangon.

Katawan niyo lang ang nakakakulong. Ang inyong isip, diwa at puso ay malaya. tandaan niyo yan. You are free to learn, read, dream and wish for as long as you want to. Libre kayong maglakbay sa malalayong lugar sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa ng libro. Mararating niyo ang anumang gusto niyo sa buhay by believing that you can, and you will. Isa sa mga susi diyan ay ang pag-aaral kahit nasa loob kayo ng kulungan.

Life is all about second chances. Siguro naman pamilyar kayo sa pelikulang Iron Man. Yung bida nyan, si Robert Downey Jr ay naging pariwara ang buhay. Labas-masok sa rehabilitation centers at kulungan dahil sa pagdo-droga at anupang mga kasalanan. He was given a second chance to make a film. At mula noon, palaging no 1 sa takilya ang mga ginawa nyang pelikula. Siya ngayon ang highgest paid actor sa Holywood and his was the most successful comeback in the film industry. Hindi niya sinayang ang kanyang second chance.

Si Manny Pacquiao, tinalo sa una nilang laban ni Desert Storm Timothy Bradley, pero binigyan siya ng second chance at hindi na nagkaroon ng tsansa si Bradley na talunin siya sa ring. Ang kauna-unahang pagkatalo ni  Bradley sa larangan ng boxing ay naranasan niya sa pambansang kamaong si Manny Pacquiao. Hindi sinayang ni Manny ang kanyang second chance.

Hindi niyo kailangang maging Iron Man at maging Pacman para magtagumpay at malampasan ang mga pagsubok sa inyong buhay.  You just have to be yourself and believe that you can make your life turn around for the better.

Huwag niyong sayangin ang pagkakataong matuto at magkaroon ng kaalaman sa buhay. Huwag niyong sayangin ang inyong second chance sa buhay. 

biyahera's note:
( A message I delivered during the Borongan City Jail graduation ceremony (the first of its kind inside the jail ) under DepEd's Alternative Learning System which I am personally advocating and supporting. Thanks to the ALS team, BJMP, the graduates and my media friends for introducing me to this laudable program. I'm in awe! )       

'No matter how hard the past was,

you can always begin again'

- unknown

ILOILO (gastronomically speaking)

You first taste the food with your eyes more than any other of your senses. 

Presenting some of my favorite hunger busters in Iloilo.

 Seafoods' fare @ Tatoy's ( 5 minutes away from Iloilo Airport)

Halo-halo, Korean style. An iceless bed of diced ripe mango, pineapple and strawberry topped with a generous serving of ice cream, wafer stick and biscuit.

@ Ice Spot, Robinson's Mall

Korean waffle with chopped pecan nuts, blueberries and strawberries 

served with tangy yogurt (Ice Spot, Robinson's Mall)

 Fruity Croinuts (that's what the bakeshop calls it). A double-decker of croissant and donut filled with pineapple, mango or strawberry jam. Warning: this is not for the weak of heart. It is sugary-sweet and with a quarter of a piece, you get a taste of heaven without entering the gates of hell (JD Bakery)

 

Molo soup with chicken meat. Ultimate comfort food even during summer. Brings back happy memories of childhood, The aroma alone is to die for. Hands down, my favorite of 'em all

'There is one thing more exasperating 

than a wife who can cook and won't, 

and that's a wife who can't cook and will'

~Robert Frost

 
 

SUMMERTIME (It's more fun in the Philippines)

I feel the summer creepin' in and i hate the city once again.

This could be the mantra of  fun and sun-loving peeps waiting to take a dip in pools and white-sand beaches that the Philippines is famous for.

The days are longer and the nights are shorter. Temperature's rising and vacays have been planned and booked all over the country. From the surf  capital in Mindanao to the world-class beaches in the Visayas and the quaint, rugged landscapes and  meadows in the north. Ours is a vacation paradise like no other.

Don't expect the TV networks to produce new shows this time of year. After all, everybody's gearing to get out for some adventure and explore new places fit for selfies and groupies. Nobody's going to raise the survey bars for the networks this time around.

People are heeding to the beach. Ready to be kissed by the sun and make the most out of this season while it lasts. Climate change could take in drizzles in no time.

Every backpacker has a destination spot in mind and so do I.

This is PARADISE...

In solitude. Picardo Beach, Dolores, Eastern Samar

GOD's little wonders. Japitan Beach, Dolores, Eastern samar

View of the Pacific. Binogawan Beach, San Policarpo, Eastern Samar

fruit of life

 

Communing w/ nature. Josie's Beach Resort

Binogawan, San Policarpo, Eastern Samar

'Write about winter in summer'

-Annie Dillard

NAGALAND (of paper charmers & italian sodas)

Rarely a sip of soda (softdrinks as we Filipinos call it) in this English-themed diner and bar at the ground floor of Nagaland, one of Camarines Sur's many-a-thriving hotels located at the heart of Naga City.

The diner will not satisfy your whim for a soda. Not your ordinary canned sugary favorite anyway. It has better in mind. An array of original concoctions of fruity-flavored Italian soda mixes that you'd surely drown to the last drop. It's a bit pricier but who cares, it's new, it's fresh and tastefully done. A way lot better than your fave one..

And the food, not on your ordinary run of the mill menu too. It comes with poached salmons and cream dories smothered with buttery strawberry sauce. Madness at its best. 

Quaint, unassuming but at the same time a world of its own. Just sitting and killing time at the corner table, you'd be transported to another plane of existence not of your own. For a moment, you feel you're somewhere in the English countryside doing what they (the English) do best, enjoying the food and everything around with an attitude, 'proper' attitude.

And did I say that every table is adorned with paper charmer centerpieces? Shaped in hearts and  'not moving' pinwheels of different colors, they're bunched together in a bottle half-full of sand and stones. 

Cheesy but very well thought of.  

                                                                           

                                                                               

                                                      

The good man suffers but to gain

And every virtue springs from pain

As aromatic plants bestow

No spicy fragrance while they grow

But crushed or trodden to the ground

Diffuse their balmy sweets around

-Oliver Goldsmith

 

HEART to HEART

Blessed are those who have loved and are loved back for theirs is today. The passion, feelings and whatever they feel good to one another would be profounded with unspoken words, bunches of flowers, endless traffic of sweet text messages and of course, boxes of chocolates for the uber cheesy and  believers of love.

Blessed are they who have  hands to hold, shoulder to lean on, lips to kiss, someone to cuddle with and share a glass of wine after a romantic dinner or date. They are what this day is all about.

But more blessed are those who have loved and lost for whatever the reason was and for whatever it was worth. Blessed more are those who broke their hearts and got rained on with so much pain and hurting that came with love. 

Today more than ever, is theirs to celebrate and remember the past with a lighter heart and saying out loud 'I survived and ready to take a chance on love again'.

For today is not solely for those in love as of this moment but for those who have loved, lost and ready to fall in love and get hurt all over again.

Because if you did not get hurt in the past, you have not loved. And if you don't want to get hurt in this lifetime, then, never ever love at all.

'In the end, we only regret the chances we did not take, relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited to long make'

-unknown

PUSO-PUSUAN

"Di ba ga't maraming puso sa sagingan

May pusong saba, may pusong latundan

May pusong  tapat, may puso-pusuan

May pusong wagas, may pusong salawahan.

Ngunit ang puso ng magulang,

Ang syang tunay na nagmamahal"

I grew up listening to this song. Every February, the classroom is filled with this beautiful, melancholic melody. Our way of honoring the month of love and remembering our dearest ones with a song and doodles of hearts on paper. 

Now, I'm singing it again like a love song.

'We loved with a love that was more than love'

-Edgar Allan Poe

Photo Credits: 

www.loveqoutepicture.com

www.vectorss.com

www.santabanta.com

www.moderatefashion.com