SO LONG PHILIPPINES!!

Our last night in Philippines and it is very sad.  We have spent the whole day with the Erese family.  It was really sad for me to say goodbye to my Kuya Rey.  It was very fulfilling to see Boy with his family and they came from miles and hours away to spend time with us.  I will truly miss this place.  My hope is that this trip went really well and we saw a side of the world that is worth exploring.  I would be very intrested in coming here to work for a year.   It is a shame that most people will never get out and experience what another country  has to offer.  It may be considered a third world country but the simple meaning of life lies underneath any seat here.  I find it refreshing that i alone found peace and solice amongst the locals and the natives and I ate everything in sight and loved every last bit of.  I weighed 145 when I arrived and now I way 165!!!   Loving it...

I am also thankful that I was able to enjoy this trip with my Tatay and learn all the secrets and here all the stories from his childhood..  It was a really awesome bonding time for us!  I know he wants to stay but I think we are all ready for a big bed.

I marked my reconection with my faith with a tattoo on my ribs in the original scroll or launguage Baybayin..   I will forever be greatful to God and my filipino family for such a life changing experience.  I am forever changed and greatful!  May God bless you all and keep you safe.  I shall return very soon.....

I am tonight finishing my Philippines playlist.  I have discovered some amazing music here and look forward to my blu-ray player to jam it when i get home while i post 2000+ pictures..  I think we will take one last walk through town and have some Halo Halo.  Maybe some last small gifts although we have 7 damn suitcases full of stuff and it is not our clothes because we gave it all away.  I am going home with only one pair of shoes out of 4.  and 3 shorts out of 15.  I do believe it is the only way to travel now......   

To All our family in Philippines " Me sing you Berry Much"

Van & Angelo

So long Puerto Galera

Sometimes you say "I want to stay he forever" or "I don't want to leave yet"  well I DONT!  Today we board for the Batangas pier, headed to Makati.  I am really gonna miss this place, it is so refreshing.  It was easy to connect to the earth, the ocean, and God.  I feel so relaxed, almost like a warrior! (That was an inside joke).   I am gonna miss the little crabs on the beach and all the gang at Pacific Divers, DD is from Paris France and he is so funny.  They have all been great with us on our dives.....
All the he she's that would say"lawdy, I am getting married today" when i walk by, thank you for boosting my ego!!  LMAO!  Night life is fun around here, all about dancing on the beach.  To all the locals, thank you for all your kindness and smiles!  I have learned on this trip that, it takes less than 10 seconds to say hi or smile at someone, that acknowledgement can save a life!  Doing all I can to practice that everyday, even when i feel down, someone else could be worse...

God Bless to all,

Aah mazing!

Peace & Hair grease y'all

Island Hopping and diving.

It is Chinese New Year here, well I guess everywhere but it is a holiday here and we are all 6 going island hopping today with some clam diving.   As always I am graciously looking forward to it.  Ready to get some sun and see some amazing things.   This trip has been absolutely amazing.  I honestly do not want to even think about leaving this island, unless a typhoon hits, lol.   Regardless of the economic situation here, it is paradise.  I do not have a lot to compare it to but, if you have a passport you should take flight to Philippine  island of Galera.   We have adjusted very nicely to island time and pretty much h become sponges and absorbed all the energy of peace and happiness here.  I know I have found new respects and new faith as well as humbled from within.

Last night we all had dinner at bamboo house and it is basically a house on the beach which is primarily all bamboo.  As a family, we have all been eating together, what feels like nonstop, having fresh coconut juice and mixed fruit right out of the peel/husk.  I have gained damn near 20 lbs as of now and i can totally feel it. Amazing.  After dinner we took a walk on the beach, (about 9:30 pm)  and sat in the sand and looked at stars, and told stories and jokes, can I just say that we laughed our buts off. 

There is a great sense of peace and serenity here that is so powerful it can almost make your stress melt away, I wish I could bottle that up and use it for when i am driving on the 405 in L.A..    we are here several more day before heading back to Barabbas and Manila, I am excited for my little day trip to Makati, I have read and seen so much about its metropolis that I can't wait to see the buildings and architecture. 

Attached are two pics, one is my view at 5 am sitting on the beach and second is the bamboo house which we recommend for anyone to stay and to have dinner. 

Peace and hair grease y'all!

Puerto Galerea, Talipanian island.

It is about 4 pm and we are just back from a dive of white beach and talipain beach.  It was so amazing.  Got a ton of underwater pictures but will have to post them upon return to the states as I forgot the plug to my marine camera.   Angelo, Victoria  and i had a blast.  It is definitely time for siesta.  Here is a pic from the porch ....  oops, we are headed out for another dive.  Victoria we wish you were here still!!

I hope everyone is well and happy!!!

Back and headed to dinner with the family.  I have seen some amazing things here and want to share it all but it is one of those things you have to see and touch and experience yourself!  One of the greatest things ever is the time with the family.  Evence,  lalyn, and Novi as well as having time with Victoria has been a blessing in so many ways!  Love to all!

Peace & hair grease!,!

Puerto Galera Bound

It is 3 pm on Saturday and we are finally  aboards the "golden fortune" bound for Puerto Gal era, talipain island Philippines.   It is for sure  hot as hell and this boat is packed.  We could not be more excited.   There is seven of us and so far we are having a blast!!  Angelo is feeling a bit under the weather but we have him drugged up and by the time we approach the island to dock he should be feeling hopefully tons better.  Victoria and i are going to check out the possibility of either night diving or black light diving.  The water is as blue as my eyes and i can see rain, pouring rain in the distance.  And we are off.  Peace and more when we dock..............

In a Baguio State of Mind...

Last night in Baguio and we have finally decidie on our trip.  Evance is going to drive us to Batangas.   Evance and Novi as well as Lalyn, Tatay, Me and Angelo will be with my girl Victoria in Puerto Galera.   I am getting so excited for scuba in Galera that I probably wont sleep tonight!!!  I am however greatful to God for Evance, driving us to Batangas so we wont have to be on that damn bus again is a godsend~!!!!

We are headed out to SM one more time with my precious niece Mal...  She is absolutley amazing and just like I was when I was young.  Shee is so energetic and smart.  She got her report card today and she got all outstandings, so i think tahat warrants a 20 pesos bill.  I am so in love with her, so sad that she will not be with us in Batangas...

We all got masssages today here at the house and Sister Ate Flor is 65 years old with the strength of a salior.  I had to sleep for about an hour after because I was so relaxed.  I have also been able to spend a lot of time on my self here.  I have done a lot of reading and so much in my personal journal and it is very refreshing.  I really am blessed to have had the opportunity to take this trip..  It is nice to look at the world from a diffderent perspective and really reflect on how you make decisions moving forward.  I feel as though I have made a huge transformation here and it has only been 2 weeks!!!

I will say that given the opportunity in my future I would lovve to have a place here in Baguio City and be able to spend summers here with Nanay and Tatay!!

Angelo and I  have done nothing but eat non stop since we have been here and now today we decided to weigh  ourselves.  Angelo has gaind 7 lbs and I have gaind a wopping 15 lbs!!!  The funny part about it is that my Ate Evelyn has agreed with me that my t-shirts no longer look like blouses on me.

BaGIUO CITY 1/19/2012

I have been sleeping so heavy that when I woke up this morning my face and eyes were so swollen i could not hardley see.  I am so greatful to God for the full nights of sleep i have been getting.  We ahave been around the entire city of Baguio and been to 3 or 4 convents where i had the chance to pray and reflect.  Oh man can i tell you I have a whole new grace and peace in my soul.  My heart is full of awesome power.  We went to a museam/art galley that was a paradise in a world of its own.  on the other side of the river was the rain forrest and i wanted nothing  but to run and stay there the entire day.  I can not describe the peacfulness of this place.  See pics....

We, (me,Boy and Lalyn) went to the night market last night where they shut down this street and all the vendors come out and it was crazy.    I am sad that today will be our last day in Baguio before we hop on another bus for a 7 hour ride to Puerto Gallera and Batangas.  So what does that mean, 16 hour bus ride???????   I am convinced that i have restlest leg syndrome.....    I can not sit still for more than an hour and i am so sure that the locals are lilke "sit the hell down white boy Van" .   Oh well again I am not complaining as muchas i am just trying to see the silver lining! 

I sincerley want to apply for dual citizenship to be able to be here in the Philippines for longer than three weeks.  It is just not enough time.  I love the feeling of peacefulness here.  Me, boy and Lalyn went tree top shydiving yesterday and the view was sick!!  Video is attached. 

It is now about 9:30 a.m. and i have had a chance to do some reading, my journal and time of reflection.  I hope and pray to take this discipline home with me as i feel stronger and more present than ever and Gop I beg you not to let me lose this....   We are headed out to SM today and some picture taking timne, then coming back to the house where I am going to get a fresh shave from a local and a straight razor.  Looking  forward to this day.  Did i mention how present i feel.  It is all about today and the gifts that are in front of me... 
God Bless. 

Bus Trip to Baguio City

Oh holy Shit!!  What i thought was going to be a 4 hour at the most bus ride from Alongapo to Baguio City turned out to be damn near 12 hours.  No wifi, no room to move.  I am definatley taller than most here and whhen you have luggage to tote as well it can be a bit un-nerving.  All in all we made it and I couldnt be more pleased.  The weather is so fresh and cool and maybe a bitter 73degrees.  The rain comes and goes and anyone who knows me knows how much I love rain.  It reminds me of home back in Texas.  
We had dinner waiting for us when we got to Kuya Clarence and Ate Evelyns.  I must say with great certainty that I have gained 10-15 lbs.  Which i am so not complaining but am so greatful.  I have been eating non-stop.  my body is in friggen shock....
The family and the locals are so greatful and kind and so incredibly intresting.  Education is big here.  I am in love with Baguio City also.  I cant believe it has been two weeks.  I want time to stop so i can absorb all this beauty.  I have been trhough so much transformation since we got here that I am processing it everyday!!!!  I am so very greatful to my Ate Evelyn for our talks everyday  about God and what it means to be faithful and greatful to God.  She has also given me so much to think about and taught me to pray like a real believer....  It is not really the way you pray or talk to God (or your higher power) but the way your actions reflect your grace and gratitude.  I love my new foundf faith, or shall I say freedom....  Thanks be to God!!!

Farewell dinner

Tonight we had fresh crabs, prawns. Dinner was amazing and most all of the family came over and we had a blast....

Farewell Iba.

We are on our way out of Iba and I am tearful and full of greatfullness .  I am saying good bye to my old self, and saying hello to the new self!  For some who do not know I have been on a great journey here, I have my own battle and while on vacation here I was able to look on the inside and decide that I had to say goodbye.   The Rhianna song "farewell" is playing over and over on my iPod while tears run down my face.  I made great strides here in Iba with my self and my faith in and with God.  I will always have a battle in me, but to remember what I have seen and witnessed in this province I will always be able to look back and reflect and be greatful for the small things in life...   I have chosen to be healthy and strong and truthful as well be of service to mankind.  I will miss this little hut but I have memories with my kuyas, Tatay and Angelo that I will cherish for a lifetime.  I look forward to new days to come and living  them to the fullest.  I made a promise to myself on the beach one day that I would not take this life for granted.  It was a gift and from this gift I will do my best to teach others that same concept.  I am greatful for so much.  Be well and may the lord be with you!

Sunday Afternoon cockfights!!!

We are spending the afternoon with Kuya Rey and Kuya Boy at the cockfights.  Watching Kuya NoNo  fighting his bird.  Dude his bird cleaned house and had to have something like 125 stitches.  It is amazing  how crazy the guys get just to bet.  I have to say I Love love love it!!!

Monday in Iba

Monday in Iba-

This is our last full day in Iba, we are going for a massage, and Mani and pedi with Cathy.  I just love hanging out with Cathy, she laughs at me always eating with no fear and we have some awesome conversations.  We are taking he for a facial today and then gonna hang on the beach.

Angelo and I did our 2 mile run and workout on the beach this morning, man I am sore. But I committed  to insanity for 60 days.  I think I have gained 10 pounds so far and yup you can totally  tell.  Love it.  We went for our normal morning swim in the ocean and at the end just  floated and the rain started, it was heavenly.  

We had our first rain last night which I prayed for to wash away some of the smoke that lingers over Iba  from the tricycle exhaust and the locals burn the trash all days which is hard to take some days.  

I will tearfully miss you Iba.  Lets make it a good day.  God bless and peace be with you!!!

5:00 p.m.-  we are taking a quick nap and then getting our bags in order.  Our bus leaves at 6 a.m. for Baguio City.  The web shows that the weather there is rating and storms with a 70° temp.  We will be there 4 days.  I believe  the bus ride is about 6 or 7 hours by bus...oh well, I know we will see so much on the way there.  Not sure when I will get the next Wi-Fi connection so for now, thanks for reading and be well. 

Slept for 5 hours straight.

I have finally slept for five hours straight, I can't say why but I can not sleep past 4a.m.  and finally could be adjusting.  Is this jet lag??? 

So the fishing and diving day was priceless.  The fish were small in the beginning  but as the day progressed we got a 15 lb blue fin tuna and another 10 lb'r of what I call the ugly fish.  I cannot say it in English or Tagalog.  The guides Manny and Freddy were incredible, they would try to take care of all the bait and unhooking  the fish but I was like "um, we fish in America,man"  they were thrilled to see we were not silly lazy Americans. 

So not far from where we were fishing we boated about five minutes from there and Manny said "sir", "you dive here and see the caves" I said OK, we geared up and oh holy cow.  This reef was like the size of a small town.  As you swim over it you could see a dark blue and once you are over it it would be a 10 to 30 foot cave.   It was a bit un_-nerving but I sucked it up and dove as deep as I could.  My God it was so beautiful and serene.   I caught a couple of crabs in the shell which my Tatay was like "van get me more get me more"  he loves the food here.

We went back to Kuyas  house and had sashimi, just cut right out of the fish, it was the best I ever had... 

I have loved every single minute so far and have truly loved seeing my boy Angelo with his family.  He has started speaking the language even better and it is just heart warming to see him light up when he sees places he remembers from his childhood...  would not have wanted to miss this for the world!
I love you Zambales, Philippines .........