Damires Hills Tierra Verde - A Great Weekend Getaway

A haven for the weary soul. That is what came to my mind when I first entered Damires Hills several months ago while I, together with a friend, was looking for a venue for a retreat. Though it was my first time to be there personally, I knew about the place several years ago when a former student posted pictures of it. They just started working on it at that time. In effect, I can say that I witnessed its transformation to what it is now. 

Owned by the Tirador Family, Damires Hills can be found in Januiay, Iloilo. Its very picturesque landscape is a sight to behold. The big and small open cottages that dot the

Light of Peace in San Enrique: How to Join

Saturday, August 26, 2015, will be a very big day for the people of San Enrique, a tiny municipality in the province of Iloilo. The Light of Peace in San Enrique will finally happen. For those who would like to know how to become a part of it, just read on.

Light of Peace in San Enrique: The Road to Inner Peace Town

Students and parents meditate in Catan-agan Elementary School
(Photo Credit: MMI)

What does it take to create an Inner Peace Town? Or some would even change the question and ask if it is possible to have one. After working with the people of San Enrique in the Province of Iloilo for about a couple of months already I can truly say that it is possible albeit challenging.

Leaders from the Church, San Enrique Local Government Unit, Academe, Barangays
and MMI light candles to celebrate the 10,000 Brightness

Challenges. Now that was a very common thing  encountered in the course of  the project and even now that the Light of Peace in San Enrique is fast approaching. Yes, there were a lot of challenges

Light of Peace in San Enrique: The Beginning

It may be fate or destiny. Hon. Ramona Go, the Mayor of San Enrique, calls it providential. I am referring to the first meeting of Mayor Go and the Director of Middle Way Meditation Institute - Iloilo (MMI), Ven. Burin Thitakusalu. I have heard the story told several times but I also would like to share it with those who do not have an inkling about it.

I first heard about it from Ven. Burin himself. It was when we were choosing the schools to be included in the list of model schools for the Inner Peace Leader Philippines Project. He wanted to include San Enrique Central School which is a small one unlike the other schools which are quite big in terms of area and population. He said he knew personally the Mayor in this tiny municipality in the Province of Iloilo. He then proceeded to narrate how he was approached by Mayor Go in the airport

Lighting Up San Enrique

It was only last year when I got to have a chance to join the Light of Peace in the Philippines and that started the ball rolling. After that I told myself that I won't miss the next ones and that's exactly what I am doing right now - getting involved in another Light of Peace in the Philippines event. How different is this though from the previous ones?

Visiting Bacolod

Bacolod here I am!

The last time I was in the island of Negros was in September just this year. Just like most of my travels, it was something unplanned. We just went to DepEd VI office to present something and when we asked how we can get in touch with the different schools division faster, we got invited to join in their management committee meeting in Campuestohan, Talisay. It was an opportunity too good to let go. What else do we do but to go.

Light of Peace - Where to Get an Event Pass

Courtesy of  https://www.facebook.com/lightofpeaceevent

The event day is fast approaching. The excitement can already be felt all over the City and Province of Iloilo. The  question is where to get the event pass. Though the volunteers can get in and out of the event area without it, the participants are required to have an event pass. This is quite important because the pass will determine the number of people who will attend the event. This will be monitored closely since it will be used by the organizers and the Guinness Book of World Records.

Be a Part of the Light of Peace 2014

T-shirt Design for the Volunteers
photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/lightofpeaceevent

It's possible that you were there personally in Miag-ao for the Lantern of Peace event last year or it might be that you only heard about it or saw it on TV and the internet news. This time around there are tidbits of information for another undertaking and that is the Light of Peace 2014. You are interested but might not really know the details. So here it goes.

There are two ways in which you can be a part of the event.

Light of Peace 2014 - A Gathering of Thousands for Peace

Please click on these links for the video of a live interview Part 1 and Part 2 in Angtanay sa Katin-aran in the CPU Channel. The video clips are courtesy of Ven. Pisut Thanasudtho.

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As we go around  to invite people to join the Light of Peace 2014 event many questions were raised. Some were as easy as those just asking for the venue or the date  but there were also those who would like to get to know more than that. They wanted to find out what exactly motivated the main organizers as well as their partners to hold such a grand event.

Let's Dance for Peace @ Robinson's Mall Iloilo

(Courtesy of  https://www.facebook.com/lightofpeaceevent)

Things are heating up. We don't have much time left since the event will be next week already. There are still many people who might want to know more about Light of Peace event but there's no need to worry. Volunteers from Thailand and Philippines will be at the Robinson's Mall Iloilo this evening (April 6 @ 6pm) will be most happy to share information about it. Actually, they will even share their talent in dancing to make it even more interesting.

Light of Peace 2014 - An Event Not to Be Missed

I was taking a short nap right after my morning classes when suddenly my phone started ringing. It was a good thing that the ringer was on since it is usually off whenever I have my class. A very familiar voice greeted me. I thought he called because of some business transactions but I was mistaken. He asked me if I remembered the Lantern of Peace event held last year. Though I gave him an affirmative answer I also told

Missed Opportunity...Lantern of Peace 2013

Video Courtesy of https://www.youtube.com/user/simplyiloilo

Goosebumps...touched...overwhelmed...teary-eyed. Those are just some of the things that I can remember feeling when I saw the thousands of Lanterns of Peace floating in the air last May 2013. I would have

A Summer Trip to Boracay at a Cheap Price?

                             (Photo copyright: BoracayMag, TriptoBoracay's partner magazine.)

Many people would ask whether it is possible to have a summer trip to Boracay Island at a more affordable rate. The answer to that would be a resounding YES! It was and still is a common notion that people will have to allot a big amount of money just so they can enjoy the pristine

Discovering the Foods in the Visayas

(Talaba, Backribs from Tonino's, Pata, Lechon in Tapaz)

The dictionary might define food as something that is taken to nourish the body but for me it is more than that. I have this love-hate relationship with it. I really love eating and it is really apparent even if I won't verbally declare it. That is where the hatred comes in. I hate the fact that it seems like whatever I eat would directly go to my hips. The thing is that I would rather waddle like a duck than give up all the scrumptious food that I can have.

I love foods and when I eat I can really say that I eat a lot. Eating for me is not just to appease hunger. It is an interesting experience for me. One of the things that I tend to do when I eat something new is to try to guess the ingredients and the process used in preparing the dish. There

Iloilo...My Home

Iloilo is such an interesting to live in. It has a very diverse culture and a much laid back atmosphere compared with other cities in the Philippines.

What makes Iloilo interesting?

Hhmm...It might be the Ilonggos themselves - what they do and have achieved. There are many Ilonggos who made a name for themselves and excelled in their respective fields. They can be found in almost all fields

Inasal (Grilled Chicken) in Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City

Food, food and more delectable food. When an Ilonggo is asked what's good in Iloilo City, the delicious but affordable food is oftentimes mentioned. It seems like restaurants and eateries are found just about everywhere. Yes, Iloilo City and Province may just be a food haven for a lot of people. The wide array of restaurants offers just about any kind of cuisine - Chinese, Korean, Thai and of course, the all-time favorite, Pinoy (Filipino) to name a few.

In the evenings, food stalls would appear in the various streets of the city. One can then smell the heavenly scent of grilled food. These stalls are located usually near the universities and hospitals. For a measly amount, one can have a full meal. Just last week when I visited my friend, she had this craving for grilled pecho (chicken breast) from the food stall just outside the gates of St. Paul's Hospital in Gen. Luna St. It has been a

Enjoy a Budget Trip to Boracay? Yes, You Can!

Affordable Summer Treat Courtesy of www.triptoboracay.com

Most people think that going to Boracay for a holiday would entail a lot of money. I would say that it is true. It can be expensive if they book in the hotels which are considered high end. On the other hand, there are actually many hotels that are quite affordable and yet comfortable and cozy. I was actually able to visit Boracay without spending too much. I have learned to restrain myself from giving in to the lures of the attractive displays in the shops and from over-indulging in the restaurants and bars. All I needed was a comfortable place to stay and the breathtaking view of the beach. These days, a trip to Boracay is even more affordable because of the choices of  package tours that are offered. Those who are interested in basking under the sun and getting the best holiday ever in a shoestring budget can actually do it.

Breakfast Stop-over at Culasi, Antique

The trip back home from Boracay will be longer than usual since instead of going directly to Iloilo City from Caticlan, we will be taking another route. We went via Antique. We left a bit early in the morning after sending off some guests at the Caticlan Airport. We weren't able to have breakfast yet at that time so while

Reminiscing After a Trip to Boracay

After two nights spent in Boracay, I am already on my way home with some friends. While sitting in the van, I glimpsed at my red backpack and realized that for the last two months, I have actually gone to the four provinces in my island, Panay. I have been to various places which I would never have had considered as part of my trip. I experienced a lot of things both good and bad. I also got to meet locals who proved to be very interesting. I also had the chance to get to know a lot of people who showed their concern for the plight of those who were affected by the super typhoon, Yolanda or Haiyan. The trip to Boracay was not a part of the those that I had to do volunteer work. This one was business and leisure.