Sanyapak

Me and my friends from highschool just decided to be mountaineers. Well, me and Tonio used to be it but the schedule for family and everything are very tight.



Two weeks ago we plan for it. We decided to climb Mt. Maculot in Batangas. Egay, Niel and Enan are the newbies of the sport and Tonio and I will just adjust a little bit on it.



We met at our house except for Tonio whose waiting for us at the bus stop in Batangas. When we arrive at the bus stop Tonio is waiting with her two lovely daughters. Egay and Niel take a leak and Enan and I were talking to Tonio when he showed us his newly bought hiking sandals. I asked him how much he paid for it and he said it's on sale. Since Egay doesn't have one and I wearing a size 10" I decided that I think I should be more comfortable on size 11" and lend my size 10" to Egay. And we have to hurry because the mall will close at 8:00pm.

When we went all to Tonio's house, Niel cook us a Menudo and a Liver Steak. Enan pealed two mangos and Egay gave us his home cook Bagoong. Before we ate our dinner, Tonio send her daughters to his mother-in-law.

We drink two liters of Red Horse Beer that Tonio bought. We repack our backpacks and talked our plans for tommorows climb and after that we decided it's lights off for now. But guys like us when together acts like kids sometime. Egay told us that he saw something unusual at the window and Niel just scared out of it. Well, anyway its all just for laughs.

And now we climb.........






After our climb we all agreed that day on our group shall be known as the SANYAPAK!


details of the climb at sanyapak

Pi Yao

My wife just gave me a bracelet. I really don't know what it is but she said it is a chinese charm. It's a Black Ivory Pi Yao.

Since I've decided to hike or to be a mountaineer again she thinks that this chinese charm can protect me from any harm or danger. The Pi Yao can also bring good success to me or good wealth since the Pi Yao is attracted to silver and gold only. Wow! If this stuff works and if I could win a Lotto right now maybe I should buy her a new car of her choice....

Dragon Fruit

My impression to this fruit that it is weird. A flame like egg of a fruit and a very unique one.

Only this new year's eve that I tasted it. Well... I was expecting something else but I was really surprised when I cut it i half and it taste like plane water. Aha, not a sweet or sour one but just a plane taste for me.



When I searched it on the net I learned that the Dragon fruit has more to offer. It has protein and carbohydrates. From Wikipedia this is the nutrition facts of the fruit...

• Water 80-90 g
• Carbohydrates 9-14 g
• Protein 0.15-0.5 g
• Fat 0.1-0.6 g
• Fiber 0.3-0.9 g
• Ash 0.4-0.7 g
• Calories: 35-50
• Calcium 6-10 mg
• Iron 0.3-0.7 mg
• Phosphorus 16 - 36 mg
• Carotene (Vitamin A) traces
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1) traces
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) traces
• Niacin (Vitamin B3) 0.2-0.45 mg
• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 4-25 mg

Now that's what I call a real deal fruit. And this fruit has more anti-oxidants properties.

According to Dr. Eufemio Barcelon a Filipino scientist that the Dragon fruit can be mix to sports or to any power drink. Dragon fruits are high in fiber, rich in vitamin C and a good source of antioxidants.

This fruit can now be included in my diet. A sporty guy like me needs this and maybe Dr. Barcelon may found more interesting facts about this fruit.

So guys, buy a basket of this fruit and have a healthy snack!

Guònián Hǎo! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Happy Chinese new year to all!

May we all be prosperous this year of the Ox!

Fiesta of Señor Sto. Niño de Pandacan and Buling-buling

Happy new year guys, it's been a while since I posted here.... hehehe.

Anyway, we just celebrated our fiesta here in Pandacan last sunday (January 18). Our beloved patron is Señor Sto. Niño. The usual date of our fiesta is January 14 but we Pandaqueños celebrate it every third week of the month of January. Besides from our Sto. Niño of Pandacan (or Roman Catholic - can be found along Jesus Street) we also have another Sto. Niño that resides near the church about more or less than 50 meters away. It is call the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI - can be found at Labores street corner Central street). The Sto. Niño of the Roman Catholic is much more historical than the later (as I have known). The Sto. Niño found in the well near the established church (you can find or know more about it at pandacan1011.com) and the rest is much more of our history. The IFI never changed their date of fiesta unlike we do but 2-3 years before the Roman Catholic and the IFI agreed or maked a historical event. They both agreed to celebrate the fiesta every third week of January and also celebrate it in every 14th of the month which is the real date of fiesta. From that on, the two church and the people of Pandacan is much more livelier and more extravagant in celebrating the fiesta. The two churches also make a procession that signifies unity and harmony.

At six in the morning on the third sunday of January you can hear marching bands and an "ati-atihan" roaming the streets of Pandacan. People usually gather at Beata street or in the highway of the President Quirino Avenue to march and dance their way to the church. The "ati-atihan" is the main attraction this time because when they meet at the church at Bayan (Roman Catholic) they have to make a showdown to the other "ati-atihan". A dance competition in other words. Besides from the dancing their respective ati-atihan band beat their all made from scrap or not to a bang to wake up all the resident of Pandacan. This is for me the most pleasng site. There are some participants from other areas too to show their wares. After the ati-atihan dance craze the people of Pandacan can dance along with them as the Priest of the church bless all the people there. Then, a huge roar of joy can be hear and felt in the air for the signal of the feast of our Señor Sto. Niño.

Every third saturday of January we also celebrate our street dance or also known as the "Buling-buling". All people of all walks of life can be found there dancing. As I have known the Buling-buling is now included as one of the tourists to watch or join when they visit the Philippines and we are proud of it. All colorful dresses or filipiniana and barongs can be noticed in the parade that the participants wear. From children to adults are all in it. So colorful and yet so very historical to us.

you can see more pictures and facts about the buling-buling and the Sto. Niños of Pandacan at pandacan1011.com