tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16911709860269630722024-03-12T21:42:31.169-07:00The Way I See It...Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-60078115636344660892011-03-30T20:26:00.000-07:002011-03-30T20:47:29.142-07:00Black Nazarene visits Sta Clara<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnpOI_mY4rVqFBlaToNWg3MEzkZQBis7FIYT8V7UvJ9xnofCVHXGR4Pmd83BVqiH8tgKpONVJClHEZmAxxmnz3xocnMGCtKn64OO4is4btFb2y0XOQ5xgNrGtMIYo6efJzMnaTg_U5X4/s1600/Black+Nazarene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnpOI_mY4rVqFBlaToNWg3MEzkZQBis7FIYT8V7UvJ9xnofCVHXGR4Pmd83BVqiH8tgKpONVJClHEZmAxxmnz3xocnMGCtKn64OO4is4btFb2y0XOQ5xgNrGtMIYo6efJzMnaTg_U5X4/s400/Black+Nazarene.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590082422622462418" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We were devotees to the Nazarene of Quiapo a long time ago. We believe that the Nazarene helped me get well from a lingering illness when I was small.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We religiously went to the church every Friday. After which, we went to the Grandstand in Luneta (remember the Luneta Hostage Massacre, yes... the same place) to play and then capped the night with a snack at IR, a restaurant owned by a family friend, the Cedillas in Libertad, Pasay. I guess we stopped doing this ritual when the family decided to move to Moonwalk, Paranaque during my High School years.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My mom called me at work today and prodded me, almost pleading, to immediately go to Sta Clara. The Black Nazarene, she said was visiting and this was the opportunity to see, be with and touch the Nazarene again. I went, said my prayers, wiped my hanky on its feet and hand and snapped this picture.</span></div></span></span></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-2112833616577586542011-02-09T16:56:00.000-08:002011-03-11T07:29:53.329-08:00Planning the Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P-8tnv8peRCgYnaOvW_up2mUbes1893DLmH-mdTrx1aWcJd5v3OfMk1YrMlECIZTlymhDhp56pWoNunbn7DoDXmp_6QX4q1F3QCNsoj7teO_XxinddyYSPWn9HUHFuvUSROuPUEZhGU/s1600/Alona.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P-8tnv8peRCgYnaOvW_up2mUbes1893DLmH-mdTrx1aWcJd5v3OfMk1YrMlECIZTlymhDhp56pWoNunbn7DoDXmp_6QX4q1F3QCNsoj7teO_XxinddyYSPWn9HUHFuvUSROuPUEZhGU/s400/Alona.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582844874872672626" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We always look forward to Summer. At least for the past 6 years, we have made it a point to spend a few days of our summer time in a place outside Manila. We spent our last Summer Bonding time in Alona, Panglao, Bohol (see picture).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year's plan appears to be a bit complicated. The decision on where and when to spend it hangs up in the balance as we have to give due consideration to my wife's relocation plan. My wife is being reassigned somewhere in Europe and preparations for this move are getting in the way of our vacation plans.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps, our travel may just be to accompany her to her new location. And while this is not the most ideal, this is perfectly fine with us. What matters most is that we spend as much time together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-73867952991982331972011-02-08T11:21:00.000-08:002011-02-07T19:24:51.177-08:00Pila sa Lotto (Queue at the Lottery)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6voVvWlwJW2FqG-0isO7IntT5J7BUd_mJDaBm-6HxPzrgGraCvvVOladCGecJT6ZxTJDnbXPpPGPGcaXd2W5JMZZ5pkLrzbmHs0RkQUjrYQFui4yNX6kLT-bqHvXdocaEYvwLWytryWg/s1600/Pila+Sa+Lotto.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6voVvWlwJW2FqG-0isO7IntT5J7BUd_mJDaBm-6HxPzrgGraCvvVOladCGecJT6ZxTJDnbXPpPGPGcaXd2W5JMZZ5pkLrzbmHs0RkQUjrYQFui4yNX6kLT-bqHvXdocaEYvwLWytryWg/s320/Pila+Sa+Lotto.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571153319738287314" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">With a 6 num</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">ber combination from numbers 1 to 55, the probability of winning is 1 to about 28,000,000 for each ticket. This means that you need to bet nearly Php600 million pesos now to surely win the pot. Not such a great investment in my opinion.</span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Yet you see queues such as this in most lottery ticket stations. Our people have fallen into the lure of the possibility of "instant richness". They have probably lost hope and belief that hard work pays off and will improve their lives. Wrong as it may be, we cannot blame them for thinking so. No one can discount the fact that life has not been exactly rosy here for a very long time now.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Other people have decided to try their luck in another country. While others have turned to schemes such as the lotto to alleviate them from their woeful lives.</span></span></span></span></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-37561762141644906972011-02-08T09:52:00.000-08:002011-02-11T16:43:54.470-08:00Inang Ko Po?! (My Mother?!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XTeLbgZ6-4YBfvt8GmT5xuVYq8B_nsoq6WiMUtCr1SKnOazZ1FoUSQ-IWxx8aL8ciEJz0y4SDmVfCGq0DIRzRH0WJE-oKD-Ed183L6kkBMGBSyvzB0gKtV7qPbiUT46yMbJFiWEaCiM/s1600/Inang+Ko+Po%253F%2521.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XTeLbgZ6-4YBfvt8GmT5xuVYq8B_nsoq6WiMUtCr1SKnOazZ1FoUSQ-IWxx8aL8ciEJz0y4SDmVfCGq0DIRzRH0WJE-oKD-Ed183L6kkBMGBSyvzB0gKtV7qPbiUT46yMbJFiWEaCiM/s320/Inang+Ko+Po%253F%2521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571128458852996114" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I saw them slumped by the sidewalk of Don Bosco Makati as I drove to work. I was not sure whether she was the mother of this young girl and this baby. Having heard of stories on how syndicates take advantage and use these children to get alms from passersby, I was truly uncertain.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Whether she was the real mother or not of these children, I had mixed feelings upon seeing them. I felt pity yet felt so much disappointment that someone who cant even support herself was so irresponsible to have decided to have children who shall suffer as a result of this irresponsibility.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The above brings to mind, a constant reminder that my father had given to us. It goes this way: "if it isnt in your plan to give your family a good life, then dont get married and have a family. It would not be right to drag more people into your miseries. Better live alone!"</span></div></span></div></span>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-44287095901846596832011-02-07T10:49:00.000-08:002011-02-06T19:50:08.824-08:00Hanap Buhay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeT-OLashH1O4qffz8R2GloQKyXTsQZ69BpZ6gtamuISIsexRZBBa5qnRn8QOgL4gkRrK50RefLmzA_qs7NAKLsXtrRrg8pRh02-v8myM6yX20Ffyie3Nwnigo4Dp40HfnI51Qg7EMWk/s1600/Hanap+Buhay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeT-OLashH1O4qffz8R2GloQKyXTsQZ69BpZ6gtamuISIsexRZBBa5qnRn8QOgL4gkRrK50RefLmzA_qs7NAKLsXtrRrg8pRh02-v8myM6yX20Ffyie3Nwnigo4Dp40HfnI51Qg7EMWk/s320/Hanap+Buhay.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570774802124526850" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Shot taken morning, Jan 8, 2011 @ C6, Bicutan</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">C6 is a new road that begins in Bicutan and leads passers by to the province of Rizal. Here in Bicutan, the road provides a fresh morning glimpse of a glorious sunrise over the multitude of fish ponds along Laguna de Bay. ( Laguna Lake or Laguna de bay is a major source of fresh water fish for Metro Manila.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fish pens are a welcome contrast to the the city's chaotic icons of modernization, i.e traffic, pollution etc. They are the remaining reminders of the Metropolis' bucolic past. These private structures, however, are often blamed for the overflow of the lake and the consequent flooding in pinpointed areas in the city. The wooden fixtures impede the natural and smooth flow of lake water. They redirect water flow to particular locations and submerge these areas under water during the heavy rains.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had the opportunity to see off these fishermen as they set to "try their luck" in the lake. Before they left, I had a chance to briefly chat with them. They said that during the heavy rains, water rises very high and erodes the foundation at the side of this new road. In fact, the roadside allegedly has already been raised by an additional meter to anticipate potential flooding.</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-73464813934023696162011-02-07T04:08:00.000-08:002011-02-08T18:06:39.050-08:00Balay Indang<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc9KpRMsUGFYyaStposTLa4AhOv074L2r_Z9xX6z1eqmph3QvWIoH-y_-zuEv25eDjTlkuG5LqCIbixmmZJF3PL37_WvonfiK9h8g194AyU37VaJq0DqE5jQuOP20oc9pMIER7wcK_TE/s1600/Balai+Indang.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc9KpRMsUGFYyaStposTLa4AhOv074L2r_Z9xX6z1eqmph3QvWIoH-y_-zuEv25eDjTlkuG5LqCIbixmmZJF3PL37_WvonfiK9h8g194AyU37VaJq0DqE5jQuOP20oc9pMIER7wcK_TE/s320/Balai+Indang.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570918681595643074" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">My wife and I celebrated our 23rd Wedding Anniversary last December 26, 2010. In stead of celebrating it the usual way where together with our children, we go out as a family to the mall and dine, we decided to spend the night at a resort in Indang, Cavite, called Balay Indang.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This cozy resort does not accept walk-ins. You need to pay a deposit to reserve.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The entrance of Balay reminded me of Hacienda Isabella, a property owned by Kuh Ledesma. The gates were made of wood and they were heavy. The walls were tall to ensure the privacy of the guests.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The villas were retro designed. They were like small spanish villas surrounded by a lush botanical architecture. The rooms were cozy and warmly lit. There was no TV or any entertainment gadget in the room. This obviously positioned the resort, in my opinion, as an ideal place for reflection, peace and quiet - the place to be if you are on a budget honeymoon or on a retreat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bathroom in the villa was a delightful sight. They were clean and well maintained. I particularly liked the flooring of the bathroom. It was elegantly made up of wood and soil that was covered with white pebbles. There was no drainage in the shower area and water freely flowed to the soil when one takes a bath. There was also a small plot of soil by the shower room wall that housed some in door plants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The resort fee included 5 delicious meals - 3 main meals and 2 snacks. There was variety in the generous servings in each meal. And to my surprise, food is free flowing at no extra charge!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only entertainment available in the resort is a pool and a pavilion where one can lazily sit in cozy lounge chairs and watch TV.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over all, I consider the experience in the resort - a delight!</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-69180185409613463342011-02-06T19:13:00.000-08:002011-02-06T22:10:11.446-08:00Manila, Manila....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5pYWwkr11e5uHsy_dama1-8d4mFZZNrBqwBY8nj2120YBzDrjmzhB7Pnmod9zMWFQQuXd2g4EU1Z74DFPPm4f-q2yLJjOf2QJZ79mCGgvGL0XNSGri9PQUXRCb_ibC6c0hyphenhyphengqkWvb7Q/s1600/ManilaFinal.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5pYWwkr11e5uHsy_dama1-8d4mFZZNrBqwBY8nj2120YBzDrjmzhB7Pnmod9zMWFQQuXd2g4EU1Z74DFPPm4f-q2yLJjOf2QJZ79mCGgvGL0XNSGri9PQUXRCb_ibC6c0hyphenhyphengqkWvb7Q/s320/ManilaFinal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570780687102509042" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The Popular Manila Sound band "Hotdogs" sang this song with gusto! Its catchy melody caught everyone's attention in the 70s that you hear this song hummed, sang by any Tom, Dick and Harry during this glorious OPM era.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> "Hinahanap, hanap kita Manila. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Mga Jeepney mong nagliliparan</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Mga babae mong nag gagandahan</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Take me back in your arms Manila</div><div style="text-align: left;"> And promise me you'll never let go!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Undoubtedly, the song emulates the burning love for country in spite of its backwardness. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Almost 30 years after, though, the question is: Can we still sing the above song and mean it?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Can we truly say that we remain steadfast in this belief after the recent spate of violence that took the lives of innocent beings? Can we hold our heads up high when soldiers die in miserable conditions while generals allegedly gift themselves in millions of pesos when they retire? Can we be truly proud to be a Filipino when people die of hunger in the streets?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I wince at the thought of the above, but for some strange reason, I still prefer to live here, amidst the turbulence and chaos. So help me God.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-53629061281871495872010-07-23T07:23:00.000-07:002010-07-23T07:50:29.509-07:00Happy Birthday to the Missus!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5XBEYmig3bjZa3PQweMgbS8EoXSRLq8xRpEOKuN5a-uC1NprQPlK0mfcGvdY1p0-4Wl8tCDH5tEh4a6irfGKzs6H5OAZ1nq5Ne3fZj9sLpgMWd2Gng2CMt8o6qDu5gMpwd-im0UYeZU/s1600/PHH+in+Green+(1)_pp+v2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5XBEYmig3bjZa3PQweMgbS8EoXSRLq8xRpEOKuN5a-uC1NprQPlK0mfcGvdY1p0-4Wl8tCDH5tEh4a6irfGKzs6H5OAZ1nq5Ne3fZj9sLpgMWd2Gng2CMt8o6qDu5gMpwd-im0UYeZU/s320/PHH+in+Green+(1)_pp+v2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497113136245124434" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is the birthday of the wife. She is a Golden Girl now. We spent the day quietly as she requested. We had lunch and watched a spectacular movie, Inception with the boys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How time flies so quickly. But one thing is for sure, she has remained to be as beautiful as the time I first saw her.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Birthday, Masky! May God bless you with a lot more years of prosperity and health. We love you!</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-29835995300784452822010-07-22T08:22:00.000-07:002010-07-22T08:52:02.295-07:00"Nagiisa.." (Alone)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdDUbvUvRNlT5-9j18l0-JPiUW5u-fSoWjixTKO0Mv5Z9CIW-cjoFxAlG6sL7WdT_-l_siduvu29_UNDp9Debc-2prVS-Z27nAlsMkm0ZmOtw2r61KnBzdceN-mYM2yRrzO0vKtgGDd4/s1600/Ako'y+Nagiisa.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdDUbvUvRNlT5-9j18l0-JPiUW5u-fSoWjixTKO0Mv5Z9CIW-cjoFxAlG6sL7WdT_-l_siduvu29_UNDp9Debc-2prVS-Z27nAlsMkm0ZmOtw2r61KnBzdceN-mYM2yRrzO0vKtgGDd4/s320/Ako'y+Nagiisa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496752378145766386" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw this man sitting quietly in the early morning of Wednesday at a vacant lot near the Terminal 3, the new airport here in Manila. He stared blankly at the field, watching closely the planes that came and went.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The man seems to have lost his mind, perhaps unable to take anymore the serious blows of life. He prefers to shut himself out from the world around him. His lonesome state appears to be his escape to a harmless environment where he feels no hunger nor pain. He feels no reason to return. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I took this shot, I could not help but count my blessings for being gifted with the life that I have. It is nothing perfect as I have my share of troubles. But my path is rosy and trouble free when compared to what this man seems to have been through. </div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-21058720160263761942010-07-14T22:03:00.000-07:002010-07-14T22:42:34.413-07:00"Mahimbing" - The Calm after the Storm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nF4rF3jcYNsCTggj3j78f1emYAoF7iscXKvQyDjkxVf2yt3mh8336s3D6NYaPZsPYWZOZLtcUF8PWklPePExbIzbTHNoHORlZ26Y1Ax-gJfqMq_9jKhys2ia-b0-F5iF1a27DMfwAvM/s1600/Mahimbing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nF4rF3jcYNsCTggj3j78f1emYAoF7iscXKvQyDjkxVf2yt3mh8336s3D6NYaPZsPYWZOZLtcUF8PWklPePExbIzbTHNoHORlZ26Y1Ax-gJfqMq_9jKhys2ia-b0-F5iF1a27DMfwAvM/s320/Mahimbing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493994731616347954" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Typhoon Basyang came to town hardly announced and surprised everyone. It came unexpected and its path and strength caught a lot of people by surprise. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It signaled its entry at midnight by wiping out the power lines in the entire Luzon grid. Communication lines like hand phones, FB etc were compromised too and the only thing left that kept us abreast with what was going on was a small Philips winding radio.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As everything seemed to be calm in spite of the black out, we decided to retire.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two (2) hours later, we were awakened by whirling winds. The strong winds whistled loudly as if to warn every one of an onslaught. The roof of our house shooked as we all waited helplessly for an eventuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rains poured hard and sifted through every possible opening in the house. We tied the windows, mopped the floors and did everything to minimize every possible damage that this wrath of nature can do. Afterwards, we could only hope and pray.</div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After 4 hours, the havoc stopped. At around 4 am, nature finally gave us some rest. The sun shone timidly in the morning and I saw its gentle rays touching my youngest son's face. I took this shot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now we go back and rebuild what nature took away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-52839510091207056532010-07-05T01:12:00.000-07:002010-07-05T01:19:14.662-07:00Hubad na Katotohanan (the Naked Truth)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN0aGwGGieaXckjpU-ARXVQxFBoi0qUPJr2aVHf6KbpVYsuP5yua_Cqxg-46YNbxw59ZOgYC8FtsgQHy72Ccn1IwyQC-PK39EL-wUgmwUmWZW3mizKL403aAUWZTRq32t4i1Bhha7K7o/s1600/Hubad+Na+Katotohanan.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN0aGwGGieaXckjpU-ARXVQxFBoi0qUPJr2aVHf6KbpVYsuP5yua_Cqxg-46YNbxw59ZOgYC8FtsgQHy72Ccn1IwyQC-PK39EL-wUgmwUmWZW3mizKL403aAUWZTRq32t4i1Bhha7K7o/s320/Hubad+Na+Katotohanan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490332500818135554" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw this little boy, running half naked in the middle of Sucat Road here in Manila. He was unmindful of the on rushing traffic as he chased cars to ask for alms. Such a sight is common in our current environment, the dreadful scene of hunger and poverty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we mark the beginning of the term of our new president, we pray to the Lord to implore upon us and our new president His Divine Providence. May He help us as a nation to recover from the decay that we are in.</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-86707279576804889082010-04-04T20:01:00.000-07:002010-04-04T20:16:48.935-07:00Passage of Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMQQ7G5TRph3bbKCavOBFU_T1vD1dE6QHMzRDW4icOUMKThbr38qpQE_4lVQNSsjMo-djTQw1QJ4fd8OErRkPe8t41wmE7cMbogdeGNf2PhNoVzTbWrH2c-veHGdB1Ono4fZeYFyC8vY/s1600/Passage+of+Time2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMQQ7G5TRph3bbKCavOBFU_T1vD1dE6QHMzRDW4icOUMKThbr38qpQE_4lVQNSsjMo-djTQw1QJ4fd8OErRkPe8t41wmE7cMbogdeGNf2PhNoVzTbWrH2c-veHGdB1Ono4fZeYFyC8vY/s320/Passage+of+Time2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456484434080969330" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">A sudden illness kept me away from photography for some time. I am better now. Over this Easter Weekend, I decided to restart my camera activities. I decided to go back to a place near my home where I first started my IR photography.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This place was formerly called Tropical Palace Resort. A quiet, hidden resort where one used to enjoy the amenities of a country club/resort.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, the resort got burned down. The owners neglected the place and never attempted to resurrect this place. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is left now are ruins of the resort. The imposing pedestals remain at its driveway. One can notice though that trees have sprung in one of these pedestals. Such a pity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the way, this is an IR shot taken with an R72 Hoya Filter.</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-40192087336042605132010-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:002010-02-08T16:35:18.614-08:00Making that decision and moving on..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qZqBO1t42u8HToE5Qnrw5FmGxpsG-QOg_4AhfS8qjEEQX32JBYb7bMfAdtLaJfqc3i1lE4btTnWLts6jVHaQzzHh5i2kY2ZYqpBbWTemxKcMyhKnkajDH4Utki6lSzO7GDwW8HxUsLw/s1600-h/Cerah+with+Veil+and+Background.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qZqBO1t42u8HToE5Qnrw5FmGxpsG-QOg_4AhfS8qjEEQX32JBYb7bMfAdtLaJfqc3i1lE4btTnWLts6jVHaQzzHh5i2kY2ZYqpBbWTemxKcMyhKnkajDH4Utki6lSzO7GDwW8HxUsLw/s320/Cerah+with+Veil+and+Background.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435671504309638466" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Often times, we are faced with the dilemma of making a choice. And often times, as we rush to make those decisions, we opt to choose the more obvious, the more convenient popular choice - the more beautiful, the cheaper one etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are times though that the popular choice may not always be the best choice. And this becomes the reality which we have to live with. No point crying over spilled milk. What is important is that we learn from this, we cope and we move on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the saying goes, "it is not how many times you have fallen that matters, but what defines you is how many times you have gotten up from a fall". Don't fall too many times though.</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-53538940775569666672010-01-17T17:03:00.000-08:002010-01-17T17:11:41.243-08:00Glance...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitENCocm2IICqraLygpqB_VANw-jJSeDyOsZFTFBpNkLQpVdeK4Aws73HVbgnHiu00h5qYHJ5I0D3zvYbhxJr4S-AOPuqoix4TjXsFhh7FpVCXeVQedldcehE_bubVc8RZF9P5vGN1hwo/s1600-h/Jopes+2+copy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitENCocm2IICqraLygpqB_VANw-jJSeDyOsZFTFBpNkLQpVdeK4Aws73HVbgnHiu00h5qYHJ5I0D3zvYbhxJr4S-AOPuqoix4TjXsFhh7FpVCXeVQedldcehE_bubVc8RZF9P5vGN1hwo/s320/Jopes+2+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427879336582075458" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I took this snap shot while my son, Jopie, was busy studying yesterday late afternoon. I seemed to be bothering him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I just could not resist capturing this particular moment of diligence and industry, virtues he regularly exhibits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year he graduates from an accountancy course. His mom and I are so proud of what he has accomplished. We pray for God's grace and guidance as he threads towards the real scenarios of adult life.</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-34116753101900113972010-01-11T08:19:00.000-08:002010-01-11T17:07:52.687-08:00A show of Passion...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_n8k2MpkwLrMLUPwiQMbPEx3p7OlnY6C1vgTKXffOhS9ywjYw_XLcJVMQ_08aZ2QOe_GM89urmM65xxZ8zmb6bPdq7SGIT6xC-kXKj5VWuWxviYE2KLU6SW9a3s3gw1idtY0220m8xg/s1600-h/Clara+with+Hat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_n8k2MpkwLrMLUPwiQMbPEx3p7OlnY6C1vgTKXffOhS9ywjYw_XLcJVMQ_08aZ2QOe_GM89urmM65xxZ8zmb6bPdq7SGIT6xC-kXKj5VWuWxviYE2KLU6SW9a3s3gw1idtY0220m8xg/s320/Clara+with+Hat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425518068521788146" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I assisted my friend, Mitch Bautista, in covering a fashion show organized by fellow friends in Lipa, Batangas. The shoot started with the coverage of the actual fashion show. After the show, a pictorial happened in the house of the designer, Michelle Hernandez.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mitch had to shoot 10 models. And I should say, it was not easy given the need to customize the lighting in the different scenes to keep them interesting. We wrapped up nearly 9pm tired, weary, but definitely happy to have helped our wonderful friends.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-70867968120307188562010-01-08T02:02:00.000-08:002010-02-08T16:33:25.173-08:00Coming soon...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qjZXgwO-UuESHjedHvZowGbJ39KIWsqGnwrBkkIRUVtegKDi2XIfTblLQ0plFpKUzNGxxrwhz116dqRpC2FS4nYNr_X5P2Y8sgo1KdN37M-n52b_Wz5VmGNUrbV2i561wagOppJUc3o/s1600-h/Iyi+Robed.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qjZXgwO-UuESHjedHvZowGbJ39KIWsqGnwrBkkIRUVtegKDi2XIfTblLQ0plFpKUzNGxxrwhz116dqRpC2FS4nYNr_X5P2Y8sgo1KdN37M-n52b_Wz5VmGNUrbV2i561wagOppJUc3o/s320/Iyi+Robed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424307639933723906" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">yi is about 9 months pregnant and set to deliver her baby anytime. A first time mother, she wanted to have her picture taken before she gave birth. Her mother in law who is my friend asked me to take her pictures. I wish her and her baby well.</span></div></span>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-51153813024777326772010-01-04T23:22:00.000-08:002010-02-08T16:27:00.602-08:00Looking forward to New beginnings...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN-y_BCE_bAtyYs3s99Sqc8HltjyxUC-BWP4fORYdORYYp0uC6SqgW4EDThpl8P1cmY6xIGFfU_hoOYfKhyphenhyphenpqF3LRVhOEwUnZjp-1JXUAKRYrqcSKkwrk3X9yyQ0_caxV63Xgf81Aqvo/s1600-h/Aidz+and+Tin+with+Layers+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN-y_BCE_bAtyYs3s99Sqc8HltjyxUC-BWP4fORYdORYYp0uC6SqgW4EDThpl8P1cmY6xIGFfU_hoOYfKhyphenhyphenpqF3LRVhOEwUnZjp-1JXUAKRYrqcSKkwrk3X9yyQ0_caxV63Xgf81Aqvo/s320/Aidz+and+Tin+with+Layers+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423153492627409426" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My son and his girlfriend Tin just got the good news that they have been accepted in the university of their choice. They now prepare and look forward to this new phase in their lives.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wish them well and pray that they continue working hard and use education to prepare themselves for the real life.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Congratulations to both of them.</span></span></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-51107727073797320552010-01-02T03:56:00.000-08:002010-01-03T07:17:16.167-08:00A Vibrant New Year to everyone!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGH3B8XiSVsjTf410YCE2wyb3BUQGZln9a-MR-wigHa-KB4S6N8M7dp3N1hWbICLHCfIzUz4kkoos9rFVYVMk61pJAGgz3j1aOMfMrcCr1Z0602cbkstvIjiH3HPSCPnrHJIG8eXdM-U/s1600-h/Bey+Santiago+Textured.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGH3B8XiSVsjTf410YCE2wyb3BUQGZln9a-MR-wigHa-KB4S6N8M7dp3N1hWbICLHCfIzUz4kkoos9rFVYVMk61pJAGgz3j1aOMfMrcCr1Z0602cbkstvIjiH3HPSCPnrHJIG8eXdM-U/s320/Bey+Santiago+Textured.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422110877222728274" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">2009 has not exactly been my year. It was supposed to be my Golden Year and yet a lot of things did not turn out to be the way I expected them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we turn to a new leaf, to a new decade, I pray for vibrance. I pray for things to turn around and allow us to survive this challenging phase.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pray for health, enough courage, patience and determination in order to meet these.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With God's help, off we go through a vibrant New Year!</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-71524307037526144232009-12-24T18:08:00.000-08:002009-12-24T18:11:32.965-08:00Happy Holidays!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQz9W2QBvq6UoZ-cjTw7rHwELcvAr7lz94OL2vP3MhcfaaExNzb0nYibN9QHgg5YDGMyeGRpEF2Zt5eJZ56JF_In3v_2KGebOToLZhgs9e4itO0ZDyL-6v6ECQNEyQ929JtfGJmF5uw8/s1600-h/Christmas+Card+Blue.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQz9W2QBvq6UoZ-cjTw7rHwELcvAr7lz94OL2vP3MhcfaaExNzb0nYibN9QHgg5YDGMyeGRpEF2Zt5eJZ56JF_In3v_2KGebOToLZhgs9e4itO0ZDyL-6v6ECQNEyQ929JtfGJmF5uw8/s320/Christmas+Card+Blue.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418990219587723522" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I wish everyone the Happiest of Christmas and the very best of the coming year!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cheers!</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-85708570824046479272009-12-23T06:53:00.000-08:002009-12-23T07:11:40.694-08:00Simple life...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrtdXlcy6OH0OrmjNtd67_zKzPCHoIEEmu4ZS3UtlJ7E7HoKQU9RTlitQYJ2Q1hsjeELVkgXgAHaMbAL-6EtHTCPDageSc9EiApp7yTeIhTmijwBidoYICiGGZ5Md6YdCMQbcW_eNex8/s1600-h/Bike+BnW.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrtdXlcy6OH0OrmjNtd67_zKzPCHoIEEmu4ZS3UtlJ7E7HoKQU9RTlitQYJ2Q1hsjeELVkgXgAHaMbAL-6EtHTCPDageSc9EiApp7yTeIhTmijwBidoYICiGGZ5Md6YdCMQbcW_eNex8/s320/Bike+BnW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418445941480222338" /></a>I saw this bike this morning parked right in front of our house. It reminded me of my first bike. It was a gift from my aunt. We bought it in a store close to the Binondo Church in Manila and it cost I think Php105.00.<div><br /></div><div>Life was much simpler then. Traffic and pollution were not much of a problem. Electronic stuffs were left to the technocrats. And in the absence of these, life was less tedious and rushed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Must be nice to have things much simpler.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-55208804580424513532009-12-18T21:08:00.000-08:002009-12-18T22:35:27.222-08:00Happy Birthday Tin!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn7XyX7fe_STSgbI71DXtOYIO0C6xZaYaZPJuRWtx0lIgDQIdQ2MNCl8gpVb0yvj2vZK_Nuf76wcqo38sTOX3XdWM8ZIBO4kFO9EiX2VNcPsyqbuvSVEqdaHyG9_Djt8bCT48F9Yi3Z8/s1600-h/Tin+Peace+copy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn7XyX7fe_STSgbI71DXtOYIO0C6xZaYaZPJuRWtx0lIgDQIdQ2MNCl8gpVb0yvj2vZK_Nuf76wcqo38sTOX3XdWM8ZIBO4kFO9EiX2VNcPsyqbuvSVEqdaHyG9_Djt8bCT48F9Yi3Z8/s320/Tin+Peace+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416818258403863490" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">We have two boys. And we are basically happy with what we have. Would have felt doubly blessed, though if we had a girl. Never the less, we go on with our lives thanking God for giving us two fine boys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With our sons now grown up, we go through the usual "meet the girl friend" routine that most parents with sons go through. Meet Christine, my youngest son Aidz special girl. She is like a daughter we never had. Intelligent, responsible and beautiful. More importantly, she inspires our son to strive hard and excel in school.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is her 18th birthday today. We wish her good health, happiness and a great future. Happy birthday, Tin!</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-19610443152060396702009-12-17T18:30:00.000-08:002009-12-17T23:24:46.430-08:00When you wish upon a star ....Ask and you shall receive!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bd75AOVet9rJ59NQUp-3u-zsmjeUTlKIdWDSt4imp6vTsIdvAZ25ZjrR9slOV0AgPdSqzPsbn9S11jZ3Wr3hD0pPhZBH5zvvQt2FO9LEEE9UK9sKyo7xw8T9zCCgIlu_zhILINypVz0/s1600-h/Manila+Bay+copy+%281%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bd75AOVet9rJ59NQUp-3u-zsmjeUTlKIdWDSt4imp6vTsIdvAZ25ZjrR9slOV0AgPdSqzPsbn9S11jZ3Wr3hD0pPhZBH5zvvQt2FO9LEEE9UK9sKyo7xw8T9zCCgIlu_zhILINypVz0/s320/Manila+Bay+copy+%281%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416398572710683778" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">When we were little, dreams apparently came true when you simply wished on a star. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many years after, to be exact, a day before our thesis defense, my best friend and I knelt before the Redemptorist Church (Baclaran) altar, fervently asking God to intercede and wield His infinite power to make our defense panel overlook a mistake we had in our project. The panel spotted our mistake never the less. But thanks to the Divine mercy of the Lord, we passed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I write this, I stare blankly and wish that getting our problems solved was as easy as just asking for a super natural intercession. I beat my brains finding ways on how to rev up and reverse the negative momentum of things. When my brain drains out, I will bend my knees again and plead for the Lord to take over.... to bless us with one Divine push. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ask and you shall receive, knock and the doors shall be opened up to you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-25308990451438034992009-12-15T04:11:00.000-08:002009-12-15T04:26:17.848-08:00Stale air at 10 days to Christmas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi7KwViGJYtRiDEuEONayr8o3jdvl3_gPuQHWwmqCiY4Fl31kXrSGi3uIZJzUfkdFOVtUBVaSnj4tgTn9SWtRXWgAFDd2hV_6OCmNrSPc-h5GthBf4bxOBwtQfTZW6Vxo2DoCNSpGkUc/s1600-h/Christmas+Card.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi7KwViGJYtRiDEuEONayr8o3jdvl3_gPuQHWwmqCiY4Fl31kXrSGi3uIZJzUfkdFOVtUBVaSnj4tgTn9SWtRXWgAFDd2hV_6OCmNrSPc-h5GthBf4bxOBwtQfTZW6Vxo2DoCNSpGkUc/s320/Christmas+Card.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415434866259758530" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Our tree is up. We have ornaments all over the house to usher the festive air of Christmas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It must be the weariness from the nearly concluding year, however, that I feel the staleness in the air, the emptiness of spirit amidst the colorful lights and ornaments. I currently have no appetite for celebrations. My mind is glued almost permanently to the material issues at hand....not only for ourselves but for those who depend on us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pardon me from bursting your cheery bubble. I hope this mood changes soon.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-87628587886863794142009-12-08T07:36:00.001-08:002009-12-08T07:39:49.550-08:00Imus Cathedral - HDR IR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9UAF3tKSE_vI7TAkqq8vtf3CaMuqg_pMGkzTJTd5pqqvn7shQj_H322dzYVja8Yhp5l-YLneAcA8V5hQniRyQZ8NhafvB0n3zTmrNy37e7FnEq34fG7rl4ZHWaJEzSQEQGItxwmhEKo/s1600-h/Imus+Cavite+Cathedral.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9UAF3tKSE_vI7TAkqq8vtf3CaMuqg_pMGkzTJTd5pqqvn7shQj_H322dzYVja8Yhp5l-YLneAcA8V5hQniRyQZ8NhafvB0n3zTmrNy37e7FnEq34fG7rl4ZHWaJEzSQEQGItxwmhEKo/s320/Imus+Cavite+Cathedral.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412890032177650018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">This is a historic church built in the heart of Imus Cavite. First buillt in 1795 in Toclong by the Agustinian Recollect fathers. The first parish pries was Francisco de Santiago. The location of the church was transferred to its current location in 1823. The diocese supervision was taken over by the secular fathers in 1897. It became a Cathedral and the seat of the diocese of Imus in 1961.<br /><br />I went with my parents to this majestic Cathedral. I took the opportunity to take some shots of this historic edifice.<br /><br />3 Exposure IR Shots using an R72 Filter. 30 sec exposure @ F/8.0, Focal length of 17mm. Processed in CS3.</span>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1691170986026963072.post-17273616698597542792009-12-06T07:18:00.000-08:002009-12-17T23:28:11.489-08:00Happy Birthday Adrian!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vNv7M0t1Ed7whXmR_s74PFTZpMygBXvPSYJaKuKwnxre4GbumZ-jylApqa4e6IHyLb9it5wFtQaN1tf7GON3gyLet-3PN11MaL6rIOq2oDGb2WNjABiVxWhAnSIndeaDNTaa-SS5g9Q/s1600-h/Aidz+Bday.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vNv7M0t1Ed7whXmR_s74PFTZpMygBXvPSYJaKuKwnxre4GbumZ-jylApqa4e6IHyLb9it5wFtQaN1tf7GON3gyLet-3PN11MaL6rIOq2oDGb2WNjABiVxWhAnSIndeaDNTaa-SS5g9Q/s320/Aidz+Bday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412143342660855490" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">My youngest son, Adrian, celebrated his birthday today. He is now 17. He has long waited for this day as at this age he becomes eligible to get a driver's license, a long time dream of his.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I reminded him though that at this age, he needs to step up and act more maturely. Being the "baby" of the family, his needs are always taken cared of by every single member of the family. At 17, I emphasized to him the need to work out things on his own.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It would take some time for me and my wife to realize that we have a baby no more. Our young boy is now a young man. Sad but happy in a way that we have raised a very fine young man. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Birthday , Aidz!</div>Mario G. Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16004101989961846459noreply@blogger.com0