Month: June 2011

Fireworks for the new city

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8th Pujada Bay Festival and 4th Citihood of Mati June 15-19, 2011 – A five- day convergence of activities of the twin celebration of the 4th Citihood Day and 8th Pujada Bay Festival. The weeklong series of events brings together Matinians in a mood of celebration, giving honor to Mati’s most important natural attraction, the Pujada Bay. This double celebration is aimed at providing an avenue for commemorating the conversion of the municipality into a city per Republic Act 9408. Mati is the small town where I was born in Davao Oriental.  It is blessed with rich natural attractions which makes it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Southern Mindanao. View my published articles 101 Reasons to Visit My Birthplace, The Lure of Mati, Sambuokan Festival, and Visit my Birthplace Photography, Jojie Alcantara

Finding hope

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“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” ~ Dalai Lama Posted this image after my family survived the flash flood that almost wiped out everything we have, including our home last June 29, 2011.  We survived on hope and faith that things will get better for us. Sunrise in Mati, Davao Oriental by Jojie Alcantara UPDATE: One year later, I have revisited this post and remember the kindness of our community, of everyone trying to reach out and help. We have started all over again and the journey is still long, but moving out into a better home was worth the pain and stress endured. This was how I got immersed in creating an inspirational and motivational blog for everyone to learn lessons from. I have always been a positive person, and each downfall I’ve gotten are lessons learned about life, not a way for me to put blame on others.  One day soon, I will be able to write about the pain …

Soaring high

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“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings”. — Sir James Matthew Barrie Captured these two Brahminy Kites soaring around each other in the highlands of Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur.  These raptors are very fascinating to watch (if you don’t mind your stiff neck afterwards). Read my article, The Hidden Wonders of Sta. Maria, to know more about the location This is the Brahminy Kite in the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Philippine Eagle Center center up in Malagos, Baguio District in Davao.

Mystery

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“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” –Albert Einstein Captured this sight from a chopper in the middle of the sea  in Legazpi, Albay Province,  and wondered if this majestic relic was natural or manmade, and if it was ever ruined by forces of nature. My Salute to Nature album here

Hold on to your dream

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Amihan Boy, Pangoy in Dahican, Mati, Davao Oriental Hold on to your dream Author unknown There’s a voice that calls to some of us From somewhere deep inside A voice that will not give us peace, Until at least we’ve tried To catch that bright elusive star, Though foolish it may seem To those not driven as we are To hold on to a dream.

Unexplored paradise and the Grinch

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Sitio Colagsing, Barangay Tanglad, Sta. Maria Davao del Sur Photography, Jojie Alcantara Once upon a time, residents of Sitio Colagsing used to take small boats to get to the other side of town. Children ride bancas to reach school. With a newly developed road, they can now travel by land. Colagsing has a hidden paradise of long beach strip with sands like fine powder.  At the end of the coastline, there is Colagsing Point, which has a small cave and a jutting rock the shape of  head with a face like that of The Grinch. They call it “Lungag Bato” (Cave Rock). Excerpt from my article “Hidden Wonders of Sta. Maria”: There’s a tempting getaway from stress and urban hub in a matter of two hours or ninety six kilometers south of Davao City.  All it takes is a bus or private vehicle for a smooth and scenic ride to a little municipality called Sta. Maria in Davao del Sur. How do you know that you’re there? After a panoramic vista of Malalag Bay over …