The Grandeur of Tinuy-an Falls

The name itself sounds uncommon to most of us I guess.  When this falls was spoken to me, I paid no special attention at it for I was not able to read any interesting facts about it.  In short, it was a total stranger to me.  However, considering that it is within the area where our first destination place is located, I gave a nod when the idea of exploring this not so familiar place was brought up.

2014 Nationwide Holidays

Before you hit ENTER for your travel bookings this 2014, please be guided of the nationwide holidays.  The following is a list of holidays for 2014, declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 655, s. 2013, unless otherwise specified:

Hiatus?

Happy new year guys! I hope that this 2014 would bring us prosperity and good health, not to mention the unlimited discoveries that this year has promised.

You might be wondering why I have not updated my blog since the second week of December of last year.  Well, it is not due to some drought of ideas but I just paved to more ventures which required my presence the most.  I gave and provided quality time with my family whom I ignored a bit due to work related matters.

An AFS Escapade at Tuka Beach

Gwen and her Ate Camille do the awkward pose.

It is located at the relatively untouched coastline of Kiamba, Sarangani Province.  It is just a two-hour  drive from the bustling city of General Santos City.  There are available vans for hire at Bulaong Terminal of the city to transport any tourist willing to exploit the verdant scenery of Tuka.  It would only cost 200 pesos for a back and forth fare.  Upon reaching the municipality of Kiamba, you may tour around its simple and yet semi antiquated municipality.  Why I call this semi-antiquated?  It is because of its old houses that were built as early as during Japanese occupation.

A Pro in the Making

I love taking photos.  They remind me of the memories I have.  Those memories that ought to be captured because they happen only once.  Those memories that would linger in your mind as your thoughts wander.  Those memories that sometime uplift our spirits in the midst of calamity.

Thus, every time I brought with my camera, I would take pictures of anything that interests me much.  I do not care if those pictures could launch a thousand ships.  What matters is I have, in my own little way, satisfied my own senses.

Here are some of the pictures that I captures with my humble camera.  These were not taken with a high-end camera but with an ordinary one.  

The first photo was taken when we visited a family friend in Tupi, South Cotabato.  But they are actually residing in Midsayap, North Cotabato.  She is actually my god child Kyle Almerol.  I was fascinated by the innocence of her smile and her angelic face, thus, I took this shot to capture this priceless moment.

My god child Kyle Almerol flashing an angelic smile.

Hermosa Preciosa Zamboanga

The first time I stepped my footprints in Zamboanga City - the only Latin City of Asia - was in 1988 when my brother was wedded to a local girl of Riondo.  I was just 10 years old at that time.  

It was in Zamboanga when I experienced first the thrill of riding a moving stairs or escalator.  It was also in Zamboanga when I met friends whose houses were relatively built in a boat.  It was too in Zamboanga when I saw how Christians and Muslims lived in harmony because we were able to dine with our famous pork lechon in the midst of a Muslim community.

After almost 15 years, I was able to visit Asia's Latin City again.  What greeted every visitor was a beautiful melody of city's hymn.  Though, it was sung in an entirely broken spanish dialect or Chabacano, one would never feel bored but fully entertained.

Here is the lyrics of Zamboanga City hymn.

Zamboanga hermosa, preciosa perlita
Orgullo de Mindanao
Tus bellas dalagas son las que hermosean

Tu deliciosa ciudad.
Flores y amores que adornan tu jardin
Eres la imagen del bello eden
Zamboanga hermosa, preciosa perlita
Orgullo de Mindanao.
Zamboanga Hermosa was written by Vicente Orendain during the early part of the 20th century

Links to Chabacano and Zamboanga Song Lyrics