Articles:
Here's why we love Susan Boyle
Just who is the singer Susan Boyle?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Kuwaresma
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, Easter midnight
(April 9-12, 2009)
Taal, Batangas, Philippines
(Click on any image to see more photos from my hometown)
(April 9-12, 2009)
Taal, Batangas, Philippines
(Click on any image to see more photos from my hometown)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Branded for life
My birthday-Christmas-New Year's-Valentine's-Easter gift to myself, etched for eternity by Ricky Sta. Ana's Skinworkz studio. I have a feeling this could be the start of a new relationship with my skin (darn it, Miami Ink!).
Now for the geeky part: This reads "malaya" ("free") in baybayin (later known as alibata), the ancient Filipino way of writing. I know the message is a bit corny, but it's an ideal, a truth, that I truly believe in. Anyway, not many people know that there were many variations of baybayin, used by Filipinos before the arrival of the Spaniards, who then successfully erased it from the face of the Earth (well, ha ha, not entirely; a handful of minority groups in the Philippines still use variations of it). So which variation to use? The first character, "ma," I took from the variation used to write "Doctrina Christiana," regarded as the first book ever published in the Philippines, in 1593, used by the Spaniards to Christianize the "indios" (who of course could only read and write in baybayin). The second character, "la," is a modern variation/interpretation circa early 20th century, which I chose over the others for its simplicity. And since I'm a proud Batangueño, the third character, "ya," is the closest I could find to a variation used in the province of Batangas, when it was still called Kumintang, circa late 18th century (I hail from the town of Taal, which used to be called Bonbon, and was the capital of the province).
So it seems that, in spite of the funky tats, I am, in fact, a nerd. I think I should put glasses on them.
Happy Holi!
(3.23.08)
Holi is the full-moon springtime festival of colors celebrated in India, Nepal, and neighboring countries. On this day, people come out and throw colored powder and douse each other with water. Some use water guns to spray each other with colored water. (Air can relate because in Thailand they also use water guns on New Year's Day). This year the Holi falls on March 22 (Saturday). According to Mukti, the "hilly people" of Nepal celebrate it on this day, while the Terai people (and the people of India) celebrate it the day after. We're in the Terai, but since a lot of hilly people have settled here, we were guaranteed to see some action.
We had a deadline for our preliminary report at 7pm, so we set out early in the morning to give us enough time to finish writing after lunch. Yep, we decided to watch the festival, and possibly participate as well (Air wore a plain shirt and jogging pants, just in case. I did not intend to join so I didn't dress down.) Mukti said Butwal would be the best place to find people doing the Holi, so we drove for almost an hour from the Hokke hotel in Lumbini to reach Rupandehi's biggest city.
Upon reaching Butwal, we first stopped at a store selling colored powder. There were kids throwing powder at each other and splashing each other with water. Air immediately joined the kids, running around like crazy. Air was so into it that in no time she looked like a huge mess, her shirt and pants (and hair) wet with colored water. I managed to avoid the powder. I just wasn't in the mood. The people were laughing and clapping as Air ran after the kids (and vice versa). Good thing I asked the hotel for a clear plastic bag to cover my camera with because I knew it could get wet.
After that, we drove further until we reached the hills. It was my first sight of Siddhartha Highway, a scenic route that is almost 200 kilometers long that weaves through several districts including Palpa and finally Pokhara (more on them in later entries). We came upon a group of young people who had set up a road block. They wanted to put Holi powder on us and to ask for donations. They were friendly, if a bit stubborn about the donations. We tried to shake them off until Mukti asked for 10 rupees. Air opened her window and threw powder at one of the guys and they laughed. Another group involving old folks wearing colorful clothes sang and danced for us, and even asked Air to join them.
As we went on, we were stopped by at least three more groups asking for money. It seems they were really letting nobody pass without getting money, although I saw a guy in a motorcycle just zoom past. I got irritated and nearly lost my cool. I thought, hey, you cannot coerce people into giving you money. I mean, in the Philippines, people also do this, but not this much, certainly not a few minutes apart in the same highway. And a no is a no. And I know that this seems to be common in Nepal. I feel it's like institutionalized coercion. Young cadres of the Maoist party of Nepal have been known to block roads and trekking trails to ask for specific amounts (I read they even issue receipts, and if you don't pay, well the next collector will ask to see your receipt, so if you can't produce one, then you have to pay him).
We stopped at a roadside teahouse at the edge of a cliff. The air was crisp and the view amazing, reminding me of Tagaytay in the Philippines. There were other tea shops around, selling yummy-looking food. The place seemed a popular stop for buses and other travelers. At the side of the road, an ancient-looking water spout shaped like a lion's head gave out water continuously, where people washed their hands and faces.
On the way to the city, we were stopped again several times by groups asking for money. I got so irritated that I just closed my window and paid no attention, pretending to understand what I was trying to read. I don't know if it's because of the age gap, but I was also a bit upset that Air seemed to be so into this merrymaking that I felt my blood rushed to my head when some green Holi powder flew into my direction when she was trying to horse around with some of the people outside. I didn't mean to be rude, but all I could think about was finishing our report and not getting powder on my clothes. I swore Holi's not my favorite festival in the world.
We made it back to Hokke at around 1 pm. After taking a shower and putting on fresh clothes, we started with our report. I felt we took too much time already so we had to work.
Around 3:30 pm, there was a knock on the door. We were being invited by the hotel staff to eat something at their quarters to celebrate the Holi. Air and I looked at each other and said, okay, 10 minutes, because we're in a hurry.
Upon reaching the quarters at the back of the hotel, we were immediately met by a bucket of cold water and several pairs of hands putting Holi powder on my face! Nyaarrgh! And I'd just taken a shower and was wearing a new, white shirt!?! I was definitely taken aback, not just by
how messy I now looked, but also by how happy everyone seemed, which was infectious. It's not unlike when Filipinos celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist and people just go nuts splashing water at everybody, all with a sense of fun. I tried to escape from more buckets of water and more Holi, to no avail. Air started running around doing the same to everybody. My camera got wet so I gave it to one of the staff to put it somewhere dry. After several more minutes of craziness, we were given delicious food and drinks and posed for group photos. Air thought the celebration was the perfect ice breaker: after that, they were no longer faceless hotel staff. They became our friends. And my new white shirt, now soiled with colorful Holi powder, will remain unwashed for eternity, the perfect souvenir of this unbelievable day.
The celebration didn't end there. In the evening, after e-mailing Kathmandu our report at 7:30 pm, we were invited to join the staff for drinks and music. Under the full moon, we ate Nepalese snacks and drank whiskey and San Miguel beer (go Pinoy!). The staff also invited a group of senior Japanese pilgrims and a couple of Russian guys who were also staying at the hotel. One of the staff, Sachindra (Sachin for short) -- who tends the hotel shop and who strangely looks Spanish because of his Caucasian features (he is a
Newari, from the city of Patan; more on that later) -- started singing some Nepali songs with his guitar. He said he plays with his friends in a band in Kathmandu. But to my horror, he called me and asked me to sing something. Yikes, I don't really sing in public in the Philippines, certainly not with Japanese and Russian people around. He gave me a "songhits" with Nepali and English songs. I knew one song there, the Beatles' "And I Love Her," so I mustered up the courage to sing that, which surprisingly went ok. Next to sing was a couple of Japanese ladies, and then it was dancing time, with the cooks and the gardeners giving their all, Bollywood style!
After a quick tour of the kitchen (where they gave us more food), I sneaked back to our room at around 10:30 to call it a night. Mukti and Bhimji followed. Mukti was worried about Air being left alone with the other guys at the party. I told Mukti that I'm sure Air will be fine and I didn't think anybody would do anything bad to her. (You see, Nepalis retreat to their homes quite early, with shops closing at around seven. And women certainly don't stay out late, unlike where Air and I are from where people start coming to clubs at 11 pm. Although Mukti may have had a point, as I learned the next morning that some of the guys got drunk). I appreciate Mukti's concern, but maybe he's just not used to young women staying out late. Air meanwhile thought Mukti acted weird.
(Click on any image to see more photos.)
Holi is the full-moon springtime festival of colors celebrated in India, Nepal, and neighboring countries. On this day, people come out and throw colored powder and douse each other with water. Some use water guns to spray each other with colored water. (Air can relate because in Thailand they also use water guns on New Year's Day). This year the Holi falls on March 22 (Saturday). According to Mukti, the "hilly people" of Nepal celebrate it on this day, while the Terai people (and the people of India) celebrate it the day after. We're in the Terai, but since a lot of hilly people have settled here, we were guaranteed to see some action.
We had a deadline for our preliminary report at 7pm, so we set out early in the morning to give us enough time to finish writing after lunch. Yep, we decided to watch the festival, and possibly participate as well (Air wore a plain shirt and jogging pants, just in case. I did not intend to join so I didn't dress down.) Mukti said Butwal would be the best place to find people doing the Holi, so we drove for almost an hour from the Hokke hotel in Lumbini to reach Rupandehi's biggest city.
Upon reaching Butwal, we first stopped at a store selling colored powder. There were kids throwing powder at each other and splashing each other with water. Air immediately joined the kids, running around like crazy. Air was so into it that in no time she looked like a huge mess, her shirt and pants (and hair) wet with colored water. I managed to avoid the powder. I just wasn't in the mood. The people were laughing and clapping as Air ran after the kids (and vice versa). Good thing I asked the hotel for a clear plastic bag to cover my camera with because I knew it could get wet.After that, we drove further until we reached the hills. It was my first sight of Siddhartha Highway, a scenic route that is almost 200 kilometers long that weaves through several districts including Palpa and finally Pokhara (more on them in later entries). We came upon a group of young people who had set up a road block. They wanted to put Holi powder on us and to ask for donations. They were friendly, if a bit stubborn about the donations. We tried to shake them off until Mukti asked for 10 rupees. Air opened her window and threw powder at one of the guys and they laughed. Another group involving old folks wearing colorful clothes sang and danced for us, and even asked Air to join them.
As we went on, we were stopped by at least three more groups asking for money. It seems they were really letting nobody pass without getting money, although I saw a guy in a motorcycle just zoom past. I got irritated and nearly lost my cool. I thought, hey, you cannot coerce people into giving you money. I mean, in the Philippines, people also do this, but not this much, certainly not a few minutes apart in the same highway. And a no is a no. And I know that this seems to be common in Nepal. I feel it's like institutionalized coercion. Young cadres of the Maoist party of Nepal have been known to block roads and trekking trails to ask for specific amounts (I read they even issue receipts, and if you don't pay, well the next collector will ask to see your receipt, so if you can't produce one, then you have to pay him).
We stopped at a roadside teahouse at the edge of a cliff. The air was crisp and the view amazing, reminding me of Tagaytay in the Philippines. There were other tea shops around, selling yummy-looking food. The place seemed a popular stop for buses and other travelers. At the side of the road, an ancient-looking water spout shaped like a lion's head gave out water continuously, where people washed their hands and faces.
On the way to the city, we were stopped again several times by groups asking for money. I got so irritated that I just closed my window and paid no attention, pretending to understand what I was trying to read. I don't know if it's because of the age gap, but I was also a bit upset that Air seemed to be so into this merrymaking that I felt my blood rushed to my head when some green Holi powder flew into my direction when she was trying to horse around with some of the people outside. I didn't mean to be rude, but all I could think about was finishing our report and not getting powder on my clothes. I swore Holi's not my favorite festival in the world.
We made it back to Hokke at around 1 pm. After taking a shower and putting on fresh clothes, we started with our report. I felt we took too much time already so we had to work.
Around 3:30 pm, there was a knock on the door. We were being invited by the hotel staff to eat something at their quarters to celebrate the Holi. Air and I looked at each other and said, okay, 10 minutes, because we're in a hurry.
Upon reaching the quarters at the back of the hotel, we were immediately met by a bucket of cold water and several pairs of hands putting Holi powder on my face! Nyaarrgh! And I'd just taken a shower and was wearing a new, white shirt!?! I was definitely taken aback, not just by
how messy I now looked, but also by how happy everyone seemed, which was infectious. It's not unlike when Filipinos celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist and people just go nuts splashing water at everybody, all with a sense of fun. I tried to escape from more buckets of water and more Holi, to no avail. Air started running around doing the same to everybody. My camera got wet so I gave it to one of the staff to put it somewhere dry. After several more minutes of craziness, we were given delicious food and drinks and posed for group photos. Air thought the celebration was the perfect ice breaker: after that, they were no longer faceless hotel staff. They became our friends. And my new white shirt, now soiled with colorful Holi powder, will remain unwashed for eternity, the perfect souvenir of this unbelievable day.The celebration didn't end there. In the evening, after e-mailing Kathmandu our report at 7:30 pm, we were invited to join the staff for drinks and music. Under the full moon, we ate Nepalese snacks and drank whiskey and San Miguel beer (go Pinoy!). The staff also invited a group of senior Japanese pilgrims and a couple of Russian guys who were also staying at the hotel. One of the staff, Sachindra (Sachin for short) -- who tends the hotel shop and who strangely looks Spanish because of his Caucasian features (he is a
Newari, from the city of Patan; more on that later) -- started singing some Nepali songs with his guitar. He said he plays with his friends in a band in Kathmandu. But to my horror, he called me and asked me to sing something. Yikes, I don't really sing in public in the Philippines, certainly not with Japanese and Russian people around. He gave me a "songhits" with Nepali and English songs. I knew one song there, the Beatles' "And I Love Her," so I mustered up the courage to sing that, which surprisingly went ok. Next to sing was a couple of Japanese ladies, and then it was dancing time, with the cooks and the gardeners giving their all, Bollywood style!After a quick tour of the kitchen (where they gave us more food), I sneaked back to our room at around 10:30 to call it a night. Mukti and Bhimji followed. Mukti was worried about Air being left alone with the other guys at the party. I told Mukti that I'm sure Air will be fine and I didn't think anybody would do anything bad to her. (You see, Nepalis retreat to their homes quite early, with shops closing at around seven. And women certainly don't stay out late, unlike where Air and I are from where people start coming to clubs at 11 pm. Although Mukti may have had a point, as I learned the next morning that some of the guys got drunk). I appreciate Mukti's concern, but maybe he's just not used to young women staying out late. Air meanwhile thought Mukti acted weird.
(Click on any image to see more photos.)
Lunacy
How do you deal with a crazy person?
You can't!
For anyone vaguely familiar with Korean culture, two things are as clear as day: First, North Korea is not going to listen to any foreigner, unless it greatly benefits financially from said foreigner. Second, North Korea will probably blink only if its main benefactor, China (and Russia? and Iran?), will completely cut off financial support to its ideological ally. However, for anyone vaguely familiar with China's modern history, one thing is also as clear as day: that's not going to happen!
In the meantime, the situation in the region (and that includes all of us Asians) is more unstable than ever, a crazy man holding our sense of security and peace of mind hostage.
God save the Queen
On his first trip to Europe as president, Barack Obama visited Queen Elizabeth II and gave her an iPod. An iPod! Pre-loaded with Broadway tunes. The woman lives in London. Didn't they think that show tunes must be coming out of her nose by now? I'm pretty sure she hasn't recovered from that bombastic Andrew Lloyd Webber royal celebration a decade ago.
Click on the CD cover to hear snippets of those songs, that theoretically she's currently listening to as she stares lovingly at the family jewels.
Monday, March 23, 2009
In the spirit of the season...
Take out the sandals, polish the headresses, wave the coconut leaves, and get set for the Lenten Costume Extravaganza movie marathon!
What you need:
1. Food and drinks - lots of them!
2. Tissue - for your tears (from laughter from watching some of the movies)
3. Medicine - for the inevitable headache
4. A good excuse - to not go to work after
5. THESE 10 MOVIES:
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(Cecil B. DeMille, 1956)
"Get your stinking paws off me you damn, dirty..." oops, wrong movie. Moses parts the Red Sea. 'Nuff said!
SPARTACUS
(Stanley Kubrick, 1960)
BEN-HUR
(William Wyler, 1959)
The chariot race alone is worth the price of the admission.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
(Norman Jewison, 1973)
In which a bunch of hippies get high on drugs then stage a musical in the desert.
THE LIFE OF BRIAN
(Terry Jones, 1979)
Classic romp from the Monty Python gang.
BEN-HUR
(Fred Niblo, et al, 1925)
A much better film than the 1959 version. But then again, it doesn't have Charlton Heston. (Watch the whole movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqI8hwTTN54&feature=PlayList&p=FED1E7A3ECE05BF1&index=0&playnext=1)
QUO VADIS
(Mervyn LeRoy, Anthony Mann, 1951)
THE ROBE
(Henry Koster, 1953)
"Victor Mature." That name is right up there with "Afrika Bambaataa" and "Iñigo Montoya."
GLADIATOR
(Ridley Scott, 2000)
Almost didn't make it for taking themselves too seriously. Whatever, Russel Crowe. You're in a skirt, dodging CGI tigers!
What you need:
1. Food and drinks - lots of them!
2. Tissue - for your tears (from laughter from watching some of the movies)
3. Medicine - for the inevitable headache
4. A good excuse - to not go to work after
5. THESE 10 MOVIES:
CLEOPATRA
(Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1963)
The costumes! The gargantuan sets! The stupendous grand entrance to Rome! Elizabeth Taylor inside a carpet! I challenge you to sit through this movie with a straight face! (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1963)
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(Cecil B. DeMille, 1956)
"Get your stinking paws off me you damn, dirty..." oops, wrong movie. Moses parts the Red Sea. 'Nuff said!
SPARTACUS
(Stanley Kubrick, 1960)
BEN-HUR
(William Wyler, 1959)
The chariot race alone is worth the price of the admission.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
(Norman Jewison, 1973)
In which a bunch of hippies get high on drugs then stage a musical in the desert.
THE LIFE OF BRIAN
(Terry Jones, 1979)
Classic romp from the Monty Python gang.
BEN-HUR
(Fred Niblo, et al, 1925)
A much better film than the 1959 version. But then again, it doesn't have Charlton Heston. (Watch the whole movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqI8hwTTN54&feature=PlayList&p=FED1E7A3ECE05BF1&index=0&playnext=1)
QUO VADIS
(Mervyn LeRoy, Anthony Mann, 1951)
THE ROBE
(Henry Koster, 1953)
"Victor Mature." That name is right up there with "Afrika Bambaataa" and "Iñigo Montoya."
GLADIATOR
(Ridley Scott, 2000)
Almost didn't make it for taking themselves too seriously. Whatever, Russel Crowe. You're in a skirt, dodging CGI tigers!
Suggested alternative Lenten/Holy Week/ summer movie marathon programs:
PROGRAM A: Himala / Itim / Kisapmata / Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang / Nunal Sa Tubig / Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag / batch '81 / Moral / Sister Stella L. / Oro, Plata, Mata
PROGRAM B: Grease / My Girl / Stand By Me / Forrest Gump / Lost In Yonkers / The Royal Tenenbaums / Do The Right Thing / Lilo & Stitch / 50 First dates / Meatballs
PROGRAM A: Himala / Itim / Kisapmata / Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang / Nunal Sa Tubig / Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag / batch '81 / Moral / Sister Stella L. / Oro, Plata, Mata
PROGRAM B: Grease / My Girl / Stand By Me / Forrest Gump / Lost In Yonkers / The Royal Tenenbaums / Do The Right Thing / Lilo & Stitch / 50 First dates / Meatballs
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Kapilvastu
(3.23.08)
We stayed in Lumbini to do observation work in the district of Kapilvastu. We wanted to stay in Taulihawa, the center of the district, but there's just no suitable accommodation available. A local observer suggested that we rent a house instead, but we thought it's too much of a hassle since we'll be staying in the district for several days only. So we decided to just stay in the Hokke hotel, which is about 17 kms (45 minutes) away from Taulihawa.
Compared to Bhairahawa, Taulihawa looks very rural. There is a small commercial area where basic necessities are sold. There are also several shops selling traditional clothes. I bought myself a complete Madhesi get-up: a long-sleeved shirt that extends down to my knees, white drawstring long pants, and a white cotton scarf (which Fernanda really liked so I also bought her one). Air had a field day buying an armful of colorful dresses from a sidewalk stall, she attracted the attention of a crowd of guys of all ages. I noticed that people were selling by the gram powders of different colors. People usually use this for the tika (that red or yellow dot on the foreheads of Indians and Nepalis), but now they're buying it in bundles in preparation for a certain festival.
We also noticed this donkey in the
town center. No, he doesn't do anything, he just stands there. Sometimes we see him in the shade, but still just standing there, with eyes closed. Very funny.
One of the funniest sights was a "school bus" being pulled by a rickshaw (or to be exact, a "school rickshaw"), which looked like a small cage, but with children inside instead of chickens!
Kapilvastu is also said to be a significant place for Buddhism because this was the Buddha's hometown, where he grew up before he got his calling. There are supposed to be archaeological sites near Taulihawa but we have not been able to look for them due to lack of time.
(Click on any image to see more photos.)
We stayed in Lumbini to do observation work in the district of Kapilvastu. We wanted to stay in Taulihawa, the center of the district, but there's just no suitable accommodation available. A local observer suggested that we rent a house instead, but we thought it's too much of a hassle since we'll be staying in the district for several days only. So we decided to just stay in the Hokke hotel, which is about 17 kms (45 minutes) away from Taulihawa.
Compared to Bhairahawa, Taulihawa looks very rural. There is a small commercial area where basic necessities are sold. There are also several shops selling traditional clothes. I bought myself a complete Madhesi get-up: a long-sleeved shirt that extends down to my knees, white drawstring long pants, and a white cotton scarf (which Fernanda really liked so I also bought her one). Air had a field day buying an armful of colorful dresses from a sidewalk stall, she attracted the attention of a crowd of guys of all ages. I noticed that people were selling by the gram powders of different colors. People usually use this for the tika (that red or yellow dot on the foreheads of Indians and Nepalis), but now they're buying it in bundles in preparation for a certain festival.We also noticed this donkey in the
town center. No, he doesn't do anything, he just stands there. Sometimes we see him in the shade, but still just standing there, with eyes closed. Very funny.One of the funniest sights was a "school bus" being pulled by a rickshaw (or to be exact, a "school rickshaw"), which looked like a small cage, but with children inside instead of chickens!
Kapilvastu is also said to be a significant place for Buddhism because this was the Buddha's hometown, where he grew up before he got his calling. There are supposed to be archaeological sites near Taulihawa but we have not been able to look for them due to lack of time.
(Click on any image to see more photos.)
At peace in Hokke
(3.20.08)
The Lumbini Hokke Hotel is located right smack inside the Lumbini Development Zone, a huge, generously funded Buddhist complex (in Rupandehi, Nepal), which is (or will be) probably to Buddhism what the Holy See is to Catholicism. The hotel is in the northern part of the Zone, a stone's throw away from the World Peace Pagoda (more on the Development Zone in a later entry). A room in Hokke is not cheap, but since budget permits it, we took two rooms, one for Air, and one for us guys. We got a discounted price, the NGO price. Hokke has a strange pricing system: a room is priced less if more people will share it (Air's room, though smaller, is actually a bit more expensive); you pay less if you're a Buddhist pilgrim, but you pay more if you're from the US or Europe (which means you'll probably get the best deal if you're an Asian pilgrim with a group). Come to think of it, maybe all hotel rooms should be priced this way.
There are only 16 rooms in Hokke, which come in two styles: the Western style, and the Japanese style. Of course we took Japanese-style rooms. It was love at first sight. The rooms are immaculately designed, and very comfortable. In other words, you know where your money goes. My first reaction upon seeing our room was, where's my camera? Tatami floors, sliding paper panels, minimalistic furnishings. They even provide Japanese robes for all guests, and complimentary green tea. A Japanese bath is also available for free use by tour groups.
The grounds are well-kept, and the ambiance nothing short of tranquil, perfectly suited to Lumbini. There are ponds at one side, a prayer and meditation area at the back. Just outside the grounds is a crane sanctuary. Two beautiful peacocks roam freely in the grounds, especially in the morning when they make the strangest sound, like a cross between a truck horn and a really loud fart!
The hotel is also supposedly known for its Japanese dishes, but I've not tried them because they're probably very expensive. The fabulous complimentary continental breakfast is enough proof that they serve immaculate food. They even bake their own bread.
(The Hokke is my favorite hotel in Nepal, and the staff are some of my favorite people in the country.)
(Click on any image to see more photos.)
The Lumbini Hokke Hotel is located right smack inside the Lumbini Development Zone, a huge, generously funded Buddhist complex (in Rupandehi, Nepal), which is (or will be) probably to Buddhism what the Holy See is to Catholicism. The hotel is in the northern part of the Zone, a stone's throw away from the World Peace Pagoda (more on the Development Zone in a later entry). A room in Hokke is not cheap, but since budget permits it, we took two rooms, one for Air, and one for us guys. We got a discounted price, the NGO price. Hokke has a strange pricing system: a room is priced less if more people will share it (Air's room, though smaller, is actually a bit more expensive); you pay less if you're a Buddhist pilgrim, but you pay more if you're from the US or Europe (which means you'll probably get the best deal if you're an Asian pilgrim with a group). Come to think of it, maybe all hotel rooms should be priced this way.There are only 16 rooms in Hokke, which come in two styles: the Western style, and the Japanese style. Of course we took Japanese-style rooms. It was love at first sight. The rooms are immaculately designed, and very comfortable. In other words, you know where your money goes. My first reaction upon seeing our room was, where's my camera? Tatami floors, sliding paper panels, minimalistic furnishings. They even provide Japanese robes for all guests, and complimentary green tea. A Japanese bath is also available for free use by tour groups.
The grounds are well-kept, and the ambiance nothing short of tranquil, perfectly suited to Lumbini. There are ponds at one side, a prayer and meditation area at the back. Just outside the grounds is a crane sanctuary. Two beautiful peacocks roam freely in the grounds, especially in the morning when they make the strangest sound, like a cross between a truck horn and a really loud fart!The hotel is also supposedly known for its Japanese dishes, but I've not tried them because they're probably very expensive. The fabulous complimentary continental breakfast is enough proof that they serve immaculate food. They even bake their own bread.
(The Hokke is my favorite hotel in Nepal, and the staff are some of my favorite people in the country.)
(Click on any image to see more photos.)
Isko/Iska
Another Facebook tag.
1. ANONG STUDENT NUMBER MO? 93-16168
2. NAKAPASA KA BA OR WAITLISTED? sa kasamaang-palad, waitlisted (see no.4 and 5)
3. PAANO MO NALAMAN ANG ENTRANCE EXAM RESULT? sinabi sa akin ng pinsan ko who was already in UP. sa halip na matuwa, kinabahan ako dahil sa mga kuwento nya about UP ROTC!
4. ANO ANG FIRST CHOICE MO NA COURSE? Business Administration
5. SECOND CHOICE? Business Administration and Accountancy (I did not know what I was doing)
6. ANO COURSE NATAPOS MO? Tourism (or according to many, Turiiiiisiiiim.) But before that, English major ako. Frankly, medyo nagsisisi ako at sa Tourism ako nag-shift. I was 17, and at that time, I really did not know what to do with my life. I only realized what I really want to do nung nagtatrabaho na ako. I think I should have taken Political Science or Anthropology. If only I could go back in time...
7. NAG-SHIFT KA BA? see no.6. At that time, I was seriously considering taking up Film, pero nung time na yun, wala pang digital. We just couldn't afford that.
8. CHINITO/CHINITA KA BA? yes, if I squeeze my face enough
9. NAKAPAG-DORM KA BA? hindi! I wish I did. Sana na-experience ko hindi maligo dahil walang tubig sa Kalayaan!
10. NAKA UNO KA BA? yes, sa Thesis.
11. NAGKA-3? twice, sa Math 17 at Accounting! I got a 4, but I was able to turn it into a 2 by taking the subject again. But I never got a 5.
12. LAGI KA BANG PUMAPASOK SA KLASE? yes. Although sa likod ng notebook ko meron akong chart kung naka-ilang absent na ako per class. Di dapat lumampas ng tatlong beses. Umaabsent ako pag may magandang sine sa SM!
13. MAY SCHOLARSHIP KA BA? STFAP
14. ILANG UNITS NA ANG NAIPASA MO? everything
15. NANGARAP KA BANG MAGING CUM LAUDE? amazingly, hindi. I wish I did. At that time, wala sa akin yung magka-honor. One of the reasons why I want to go back to UP is to sort of correct that. I think I'm capable of doing a lot better.
16. KELAN KA NAGTAPOS? 1997
17. FAVE PROF? Winnie Monsod sa Econ, Prof. Rodriguez sa AIT, and that really cool lady who made us listen to the Beatles sa Humanities
18. WORST TEACHER: I had this professor sa Kasaysayan. This old-ish guy who smoked a lot in class. Plus, our class was at 7am, and he had this really low voice. We just wanted to sleep!
19. FAVE SUBJECT: Humanities II, Economics
20. WORST SUBJECT: all the Math subjects, Chemistry, etc.
21. FAVE BUILDING: the Main Library
22. PABORITONG KAINAN: Beach House, and also that burger place sa Vinzons. Anybody still remember Green House? All the ulam there tasted the same dahil lahat "sinasabawan" ng gravy nila na nag-iisang klase. Second sem na nang nakapasok ako sa Casaa. Never ako nakakain sa Co-op.
23. NOONG ESTUDYANTE KA PA MAGKANO BA ANG BINABAYAD MO SA JEEP? P1.25 sa Ikot, P1.50 regular fare
24. LAGI KA BA SA LIBRARY? lagi. When I had free time, nandun ako, either Main Lib or AIT lib. Since elementary, close ako sa mga librarians, even when my classmates hated them for being too strict
25. NAGPUNTA KA BA SA CLINIC NUN? nung medical exam lang prior to entering UP. Ang sabi ng iba, hindi pa sila pumapasok ng UP, na-harass na sila, kasi pinaghubad at pinatuwad sila during the medical exam!
26. MAY CRUSH KA BA SA CAMPUS? yes, blockmate ko. ganda nya. she's now married.
27. ANU-ANO ANG MGA NAGING PE MO? Social dance, PE 1, bowling. I waited till my senior year para kunin ang marksmanship. In demand yun, at pag-senior ka, priority ka. Pucha, hindi in-offer nung graduating na ako, bumagsak ako sa Philippine games!
28. KAMUSTA NAMAN ANG BLOCK NYO? we got along well. English majors kami; many of them went on to become lawyers
29. MEMORIZE MO BA ANG ALMA MATER SONG? ngayon yung umpisa na lang
30. MEMBER KA BA NG VARSITY TEAM? duh
31. NAKA-PERFECT KA NA BA NG EXAM? I think so
32. DITO KA BA NATUTONG UMINOM NG BEER? no. never hung out with anybody in UP while I was studying there. Pathetic no? Wala akong org (well, I had for a short time, before the org ceased to exist). I nearly joined Kontra-Gapi, but my blockmates did not show up para samahan ako. So I just went home that afternoon. Kainis!
33. NAHULI KA BANG NAKIKIPAGLAMPUNGAN SA SUNKEN GARDEN? no. Pero memorable syempre ang Sunken Garden, not just because of ROTC, but because dun lagi ako sa grandstand pumupunta noon para manigarilyo. I didn't want anybody to see me smoking. I felt really guilty.
34. SAAN PINAKAMASARAP ANG FISHBALL? Anywhere in UP
35. ANONG BATTALION MO NUNG ROTC? Charlie, then Alpha, Infantry. Hated ROTC, but a day after our last day of training, na-miss ko sya. I still see some fellow former cadets every now and then, usually sa malls. (I see one on TV, another one plays in a band.) I don't know their names (except the popular ones), pero di ko malilimutan ang mga mukha nila. We shared a past, parang Vietnam veterans!
36. ANO PABORITO MONG MERYENDA SA UP? yung pritong lumpia na nilalako ng mga ale sa bilao
37. NAIKOT MO NA BA ANG ACAD OVAL? hello, ROTC
38. INULAN KA BA NUNG UMATTEND KA NG UNIVERSITY GRADUATION? hindi. medyo mainit nun
39. ANO ANG PINAKAGRABENG PILANG NAPUNTAHAN MO? there was a time na if you want to sign-up for a class, you had to be there either really early morning or the night before
40. KUNG MAY QUOTE KA PARA SA UP, ANO ITO? wala akong maisip
1. ANONG STUDENT NUMBER MO? 93-16168
2. NAKAPASA KA BA OR WAITLISTED? sa kasamaang-palad, waitlisted (see no.4 and 5)
3. PAANO MO NALAMAN ANG ENTRANCE EXAM RESULT? sinabi sa akin ng pinsan ko who was already in UP. sa halip na matuwa, kinabahan ako dahil sa mga kuwento nya about UP ROTC!
4. ANO ANG FIRST CHOICE MO NA COURSE? Business Administration
5. SECOND CHOICE? Business Administration and Accountancy (I did not know what I was doing)
6. ANO COURSE NATAPOS MO? Tourism (or according to many, Turiiiiisiiiim.) But before that, English major ako. Frankly, medyo nagsisisi ako at sa Tourism ako nag-shift. I was 17, and at that time, I really did not know what to do with my life. I only realized what I really want to do nung nagtatrabaho na ako. I think I should have taken Political Science or Anthropology. If only I could go back in time...
7. NAG-SHIFT KA BA? see no.6. At that time, I was seriously considering taking up Film, pero nung time na yun, wala pang digital. We just couldn't afford that.
8. CHINITO/CHINITA KA BA? yes, if I squeeze my face enough
9. NAKAPAG-DORM KA BA? hindi! I wish I did. Sana na-experience ko hindi maligo dahil walang tubig sa Kalayaan!
10. NAKA UNO KA BA? yes, sa Thesis.
11. NAGKA-3? twice, sa Math 17 at Accounting! I got a 4, but I was able to turn it into a 2 by taking the subject again. But I never got a 5.
12. LAGI KA BANG PUMAPASOK SA KLASE? yes. Although sa likod ng notebook ko meron akong chart kung naka-ilang absent na ako per class. Di dapat lumampas ng tatlong beses. Umaabsent ako pag may magandang sine sa SM!
13. MAY SCHOLARSHIP KA BA? STFAP
14. ILANG UNITS NA ANG NAIPASA MO? everything
15. NANGARAP KA BANG MAGING CUM LAUDE? amazingly, hindi. I wish I did. At that time, wala sa akin yung magka-honor. One of the reasons why I want to go back to UP is to sort of correct that. I think I'm capable of doing a lot better.
16. KELAN KA NAGTAPOS? 1997
17. FAVE PROF? Winnie Monsod sa Econ, Prof. Rodriguez sa AIT, and that really cool lady who made us listen to the Beatles sa Humanities
18. WORST TEACHER: I had this professor sa Kasaysayan. This old-ish guy who smoked a lot in class. Plus, our class was at 7am, and he had this really low voice. We just wanted to sleep!
19. FAVE SUBJECT: Humanities II, Economics
20. WORST SUBJECT: all the Math subjects, Chemistry, etc.
21. FAVE BUILDING: the Main Library
22. PABORITONG KAINAN: Beach House, and also that burger place sa Vinzons. Anybody still remember Green House? All the ulam there tasted the same dahil lahat "sinasabawan" ng gravy nila na nag-iisang klase. Second sem na nang nakapasok ako sa Casaa. Never ako nakakain sa Co-op.
23. NOONG ESTUDYANTE KA PA MAGKANO BA ANG BINABAYAD MO SA JEEP? P1.25 sa Ikot, P1.50 regular fare
24. LAGI KA BA SA LIBRARY? lagi. When I had free time, nandun ako, either Main Lib or AIT lib. Since elementary, close ako sa mga librarians, even when my classmates hated them for being too strict
25. NAGPUNTA KA BA SA CLINIC NUN? nung medical exam lang prior to entering UP. Ang sabi ng iba, hindi pa sila pumapasok ng UP, na-harass na sila, kasi pinaghubad at pinatuwad sila during the medical exam!
26. MAY CRUSH KA BA SA CAMPUS? yes, blockmate ko. ganda nya. she's now married.
27. ANU-ANO ANG MGA NAGING PE MO? Social dance, PE 1, bowling. I waited till my senior year para kunin ang marksmanship. In demand yun, at pag-senior ka, priority ka. Pucha, hindi in-offer nung graduating na ako, bumagsak ako sa Philippine games!
28. KAMUSTA NAMAN ANG BLOCK NYO? we got along well. English majors kami; many of them went on to become lawyers
29. MEMORIZE MO BA ANG ALMA MATER SONG? ngayon yung umpisa na lang
30. MEMBER KA BA NG VARSITY TEAM? duh
31. NAKA-PERFECT KA NA BA NG EXAM? I think so
32. DITO KA BA NATUTONG UMINOM NG BEER? no. never hung out with anybody in UP while I was studying there. Pathetic no? Wala akong org (well, I had for a short time, before the org ceased to exist). I nearly joined Kontra-Gapi, but my blockmates did not show up para samahan ako. So I just went home that afternoon. Kainis!
33. NAHULI KA BANG NAKIKIPAGLAMPUNGAN SA SUNKEN GARDEN? no. Pero memorable syempre ang Sunken Garden, not just because of ROTC, but because dun lagi ako sa grandstand pumupunta noon para manigarilyo. I didn't want anybody to see me smoking. I felt really guilty.
34. SAAN PINAKAMASARAP ANG FISHBALL? Anywhere in UP
35. ANONG BATTALION MO NUNG ROTC? Charlie, then Alpha, Infantry. Hated ROTC, but a day after our last day of training, na-miss ko sya. I still see some fellow former cadets every now and then, usually sa malls. (I see one on TV, another one plays in a band.) I don't know their names (except the popular ones), pero di ko malilimutan ang mga mukha nila. We shared a past, parang Vietnam veterans!
36. ANO PABORITO MONG MERYENDA SA UP? yung pritong lumpia na nilalako ng mga ale sa bilao
37. NAIKOT MO NA BA ANG ACAD OVAL? hello, ROTC
38. INULAN KA BA NUNG UMATTEND KA NG UNIVERSITY GRADUATION? hindi. medyo mainit nun
39. ANO ANG PINAKAGRABENG PILANG NAPUNTAHAN MO? there was a time na if you want to sign-up for a class, you had to be there either really early morning or the night before
40. KUNG MAY QUOTE KA PARA SA UP, ANO ITO? wala akong maisip
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