floating in a pond

majestic amidst the greens

white water lily


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spiraling petals
brilliant white water lily
showy with reason

This is my fourth post related to the October 15 earthquake that struck Central Visayas where our beloved province of Bohol took the greatest brunt. I seem not to have gotten over the trauma yet and this blog is one release. To my readers, I humbly ask for your indulgence.

Almost two weeks have gone by since that fateful day. With very limited evacuation centers, displaced families are still sleeping in open fields...in tents or just makeshift covers. Even for those whose houses are still standing strong the fear of aftershocks is driving them away from their bedrooms. We were no exemption. That very night after the quake our beds found their way to our front lawn. Just that one night and I barely slept, even with the moon smiling bright above us.

under the moonlight
thousands sleeping outside homes
life preservation


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big moon shining bright
no comfort to fearful hearts
trauma of tremors

Becoming attached to material things that have long been with us is just but normal. For one thing, the sentimental value adds an appreciable weight to its actual value. Understandably, giving away something we have come to love and treasure carries with it a certain degree of joyous pain, joyous on the thought of having made the life of another person happier.

Losing a thing is definitely another story. It's not a joyous pain but one of sorrow or even anger. However, circumstances matter. The pain may be completely absent and, surprisingly, in its stead...thankfulness and relief. This is exactly what I felt in the morning of October 15 - seeing the two jars shattered to pieces but realizing our house was unharmed by the  earthquake.

two precious big jars
helpless against the tremor
broken and shattered


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early tuesday morn
two jars yielding to the quake
a loss...and relief

Four days before that strong Tuesday morning earthquake devastated our province, I made a post featuring the bell tower of Maribojoc church. In the introductory paragraph I mentioned about human life and plant life. Was it, in some way, a premonition of things to come? I shudder at the thought...for in just a few days tragedy struck Bohol, claiming lives, houses, infrastructures. Historical landmarks were not spared. Among the casualties is the bell tower of Maribojoc church shown below. Sadly, this belfry which has stood for three centuries along with the church can be seen no more.

lying amidst ruins

daily tolling now unheard
bell with no belfry

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reduced to rubble
centuries-old bell tower
silence of church bell

Eight long and gruesome days have passed since our beloved province of Bohol was hit by a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.2. The unprecedented devastation  it has caused in many municipalities is really heartbreaking. Heritage churches in ruins, broken bridges and roads, big houses flattened, smaller ones completely destroyed. These are indeed grim realities our people have to face. Undoubtedly the most painful of all...loss of human lives. 

Six weeks ago in this blog I featured the centuries-old watchtower of Punta Cruz, Maribojoc. I was there with five others few days before my post. Sadly, it was not spared from the wrath of the recent earthquake. Today it lies in ruins, still standing though but in such a pitiable state.

the wrath of nature
unfolding before my eyes
watchtower ruins


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centuries in age
maribojoc watchtower succumbs
tuesday morn earthquake

blooming with flowers
crepe myrtle trees near a lake
pinkish canopies


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a hot summer day
feels like springtime still around
living near a lake

noonday sun blazing
ricefield workers unperturbed
day's reward foremost

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if not for the wind
blowing across the ricefields
workers drenched in sweat

A house full of human life but devoid of plant life, outside or inside, is for me a sad and dreary place to be.  Aside from the free and fresh supply of oxygen we get from them,  plants do add charm and beauty to a place. 

Seeing plants thriving on unusual places gives me a different sense of pleasure. The bell tower at Maribojoc church is one such unusual place. Have you seen this delightful scene of the greenery on its stone walls? If in the negative, then let me invite you to come visit Maribojoc church here in Bohol. Welcome folks!

a church bell tower
formidable christmas tree
plants growing...thriving


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a puzzling existence
plants on stone walls of tower
green revolution

On a visit to my hometown a couple of weeks ago,  to my delight I saw two plants right outside our fence. The crowns of white flowers topping the lush green leaves just captured my attention. Before doing anything else I readied my cellphone and took a shot from the second floor window of our house. We brought three of these beautiful crowns to our parents' grave the following day. 

Sorry folks, I don't have the exact name of this plant but it's another variety of the kalachuchi.

towering the fence

flowers amidst lush green leaves

immaculate white

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crowns of white flowers

blooming by the busy road

passersby's delight

Going out of the house on a rather drab morning can really affect one's mood. This was how it was when I got out for my usual walk early this morning. I saw the sun struggling through gray clouds covering the sky. Not inspiring. However, in just a few seconds, something caught my eyes - a couple of birds perched above a lamppost. What a delightful scene! 

a gray morning sky

two birds above a lamppost 

perching...unconcerned

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the sun still hiding

a twosome perched on a wire
on a rendezvous

viewed from cable car
sandwiched between green mountains
a winding river


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up high in the air
view of a winding river
soothing turquoise green 

wearing radiant smiles
freshly picked gumamelas
floating on a well


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greeting downcast eyes
warm colors and lovely smiles
floating hibiscus

minutes before dusk
the sun on final descent
behind panglao isle


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stirring nature scene
silhouette of panglao island
the sun just leaving

a framed morning scene
sun-caressed manao plants
smiling...goldening


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warm breath of sunshine 
captured between balusters
sun-kissed manao

playing in my mind
the music of his strumming
my eyes on guitars


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hanging in silence
waiting to play their music
guitars in a store

fragrance of roses 
with scent of burning incense
sweet and soul-stirring


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rows of red and white
flowers at sacred altar
devotion expressed

morning breeze blowing
as we slowly wade our way
shallow seawater


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overwater huts
showing mem'ries of rough times
brunt of gusty winds