Talisay, Batangas (pictures taken last 2005)
Taal volcano at eye-level.
Usually Taal volcano is viewed from Tagaytay ridge (somewhat superolateral view) but in Talisay, it is at eye level. We did not go to the volcano itself. Boating in Taal lake courtesy of Joseph Barrion. Thanks.
There are fish pens in the lake. More uploads next time.

Barya lang po sa umaga (Tagalog); please pay coins during mornings
sign in jeepney

There is a place in Cebu I dream of going back to. (Went there last 2006, a quick side trip. Embee was attending something in the city.) It is the porch of Hannah's restaurant in Basdiot, moalboal. Sunset best time.

Seen is Negros island:

Birds flock to this boat, they were very noisy:


The porch of Hannah's restaurant:



on this porch Embee and I talked and talked and talked. I didnt like the afternoon / night to finish.

Laiya (Batangas)

I woke Embee up while everyone was still asleep. Talks about work ruins the scenery.

Come, this place is viewed better with less people and less talk.

Out we went. What a beautiful day.

Southeast Cebu coast (if riding Ceres and other bus going to or from southeast Cebu, these are what one may see.

It was a side trip from Cebu City. Sometimes meetings can get boring, not because the topics are really uninteresting, but because one is thinking about some place.

We decided to extend for 2 days.

One of the most helpful people in one's life can be someone whom one can call not just when one is in distress but when one is in a seminar the venue of which is just 50-60 km from a lovely place.

Thanks colleague for exchange duties.

alcoy, cebu


is it lavish to feel good and go away with a loved one? we are frugal in some ways. but we were in cebu that time for some important matters and we thought we can go on a side trip to Alcoy.

how do you explain my insomnia in manila unknown in a place like this?

Argao, Cebu
There is a fishing village in Argao in southern part of Poblacion. They call it Lawis.
Been here for so many times during my childhood. Everytime I come back, I feel a punch in my chest...nostalgia they call it. There is also that realization that the Earth is the same, it is I who ages and passes. The terrain looks the same since thirty years ago and counting. It always tugs at my heart and sleeve when I stand up and go. I look back and wonder if ever I can come again.