SOUND TRIP 1: Wala lang. Trip ko lang i-cheer up sarili ko

Fallin' out, fallin' in
Nothings sure in this world, no no
Breaking down, breaking in
Never knowing what lies ahead
We can really never tell it all, no no

Say goodbye, say hello
To a lover or friend
Sometimes we could never understand
Why some things begin with just love
We can never have it all
No no no ohh

But oh, can't you see
That no matter what happens
Life goes on and on
And so baby just smile
Cause I'm always around you
And I'll make you see
How beautiful life is
For you and me

Take a little time baby
See the butterfly's colors
Listen to the birds
That were sent to sing
For me and you
Can you feel me?
This is such a wonderful place to me

Even if there is pain now
Everything will be alright
For as long as the world still turns
There will be night and day
Can you hear me?
There's a rainbow always
After the rain

from the song "Rainbow" by South Border

FOOD TRIP 5: Oh-wee-shee!!!

We were bone-weary and hungry, just in from a day in the mountains hunting randomly selected respondents for the baseline research. My crew of interviewers consisted of fresh graduates -- quite a jolly bunch of kids with social science background and determined to make this world a better place. We’re spending the night at the barangay health station. Beggars can’t be choosers, needless to say, but at least we will be protected from the biting cold.

Now, what to do for food? We had consumed our baon the last three days. We still had rice and that’s OK. Somebody brought in a big squash given by one of the families interviewed. Only problem was, we did not have anything to mix with it. No meat, no fish, not even a can of sardines.

Solution: Oishi. Oishi??! Yes, a small pack of Oishi Prawn Crackers one kid had on her backpack. And believe you me, the kalabasa con oishi never tasted better!!! It was soooo good we were sweating like horses after the meal.

Now I think about it, that toasted-light-snack-with-a-delicious-blend of-prawns junk had lots of MSG, iodized salt, spices, vegetable oil, garlic powder, and a whole lot of other carcinogens. No wonder the kalabasa dish was so flavorful.

Try it.

SIDE TRIP 36: Skimming in Samar

The kid stands on the beach -- a short running distance from the point of entry into the water – skimboard in hand and waits for a wave. As white wash from the previous wave recedes and a wave suitable for skimming approaches, he runs towards the water. Upon reaching a sandy area with a thin film of water, he drops the board on the water and runs onto it. Several other kids take off after him, sliding gracefully on their skimboards across the water. Sheer poetry in motion!

Right now I am simply a spectator, too afraid to fall flat on my ass and make a fool of myself, nyahahaha! But I’m going to try it if it kills me. At least it’ll give the locals some amusement to watch a middle-aged dork huff and puff on the waves, heheh.

(Just one of the perks of working outside Manila -- the beach is right across the office!)