My Barangay

The name hasn't changed. I don't really know why it's called Golden Ribbon. Can anyone help me find why? I walked on this road thousands of times during my childhood. I remember, before it was cemented, walking to and from school, I would wish that I find coins on its gravel surface. I did find some occasionally. The coins must have fallen off from tricycles.

Disparities

A beggar in Langihan Market. Photo taken October 2006.

When I was a child, I would ask these questions: "Why are some people rich and others poor?" Why are others sickly and others healthy? "Why are others suffering and others enjoying?" "Is our creator unfair?" These are just a few questions I have had that I will bring up here. These are some of the questions that come into our minds that make us different from animals. The animals' concerns are only centered on eating, sleeping, mating and defending. For us humans, there is more than these four principles.

A very rural setting

Just a short walk from home, on a dirt road leading to Pangabugan I saw these cows unmindful of my camera. Cows are very gentle animals. They provide us a very valuable commodity - milk. They are just like our second mothers. Without milk from the cows many of us would not have passed childhood. And yet we enjoy eating them! Are we that ungrateful?

Photo taken October 2006.

Mt Mayapay

Mount Mayapay is the nearest mountain to Butuan City. It has been overlooking our city since time "immemorial". A silent witness to all our actions.

Photos taken May 2008 - from Villa Kananga.

Agusan River

I swam in this river countless of times when I was a child. At seven, I nearly drowned. This is most likely the same spot I would bath during my childhood. Agao can be seen farther. I also swam across this river a few times. I wanted to take a swim during my last visit but was advised not to. I was told the water now is too contaminated.

This photo was taken in September 2006.

The Urios Gym

The FSU University gym. Look at the tangling overhead wires in the foreground. Messy, isn't it?

Photo taken September 2006.

It shaped my thinking about life

One very important place in Butuan to me is the cemetery located in Philippine Match. I'm not really sure now of its barangay name but until I left Butuan in 1978, the place was known by this name due to the presence of a match factory. When I began going to school, everytime I passed by the cemetery, I would ask, "Why would I have to go to school?" I would continue asking, "Why do I have to succeed in this world and at the end I will end up in this place?"

I will continue writing on this subject in my later blog entries.

These photos were taken in October 2006.

Looking forward to my next Butuan trip

I'm just staying home at the moment, relaxing and enjoying having a day off from work. I'm also contemplating on things that I will be doing in Butuan during my eight days stay there (September-October). I guess, most of my time in the day would be spent roaming on the streets hoping to meet old acquintances and former classmates. Will I recognize them? In my last year's visit I meet a few of my former classmates and I could not remember all their names. Many of them have not changed so much. I could still recognize their faces but many have gray hair and protruding bellies, both men and women. Yes, we cannot stop the effects of time - everything is in constant flux. For us humans, we take birth, grow, produce some by-products, dwindle and vanish into oblivion. This is life in the material world...This is all for now...

The Old Magsaysay Bridge - May 2006

I remember walking on this bridge with two of my classmates in Grade 4. I was scared to death. The two boys sensing that I have phobia of heights, tried to take me farther into the middle of the bridge. They stopped when they saw me almost crying.

The Newly Completed Bridge - May 2008

Here are a few photos of the completed bridge.

Visiting my former schools

Inside Butuan Central Elementary School.

Just taking a jeepney ride...approaching Agusan National High School.

Our "International" Bancasi Airport - Oct 2006

whew....having been to a number of airports, bancasi airport is just....oh...yes..just bancasi airport...gamay gyod - photos taken through the plane's window.

Philippines' most wanted men/women - Oct 2006

...if you want to get rich quick, become a bounty hunter in the philippines...find these guys in the pictures...these posters were posted at bancasi airport's departure lounge...

Flying with Cebu Pacific - Oct 2006

..we now have first class planes that fly daily from butuan to manila...

GMA "Cares" - Oct 2006

...the second bridge was still under construction then..and look at the sign...our lady president really cares...

The Provincial Capitol - October 2006

..it's nice to see this building still in good shape..i did not go inside though...

Another "church" - Gaisano - Oct 2006

..on sundays i guess, many of our "paisanos" in butuan visit gaisano instead of the church...

Street kids asking for some money - Oct 2006

this is a common sight in our streets in the philippines not just butuan...this was taken along Montilla Blvd, just near the intersection with Zamora St..

Inside St Joseph Cathedral - Oct 2006

...the faithful in prayer mood...let there be peace among men...love thy neighbor as you love yourself...do unto others as you would like others do unto you....from the rising of the sun 'till the setting of the sun, the names of God shall be praised.....praise the Lord...allelujiah!

The three-legged dog - Oct 2006

...it is very rare to find supposedly four-legged animals walking in three legs....i was lucky to see this poor "fellow".

The Garbage Truck - Sept 2006

..we are used to see big garbage trucks in the cities of western countries...in butuan, due to narrow streets, a smaller truck works just fine...

Rizal Park - Sept 2006

Around noon time, I was just strolling around the park. I had not tried visiting the park in the evening...

The Road to the Post Office - October 2006

On board a jeepney, it was a Sunday I think, I took snap shots while riding along....

Butuan Central Elementary School - Sept 2006

I could still remember the names of my teachers from Grade 1 to Grade 6. There had been so many changes to the school since I graduated in 1973.

Some street scenes - May 2008

You will be surprised of what you see as you walk in the streets of Butuan. This "Harley" is just one.

...and look at these five people on a motorbike....no helmets, no seatbelts, no protective gears....what else can you say - only in Pinas...

Nasipit Port - May 2008

When I left Butuan in 1978, I remember the ships can still dock near the city. The pier was just near the Post Office. Now the pier is in Nasipit. I guess the Agusan River now is too shallow for the ships to pass through and the ships now are larger of course.

...and you will also see these guys asking for coins to be thrown unto them...