2012 Edge Coaster Ride

Thursday, January 10, 2013

8:29 PM

The year that passed had been an edge coaster for me. There were ups and downs; laughter and tears; holding on and letting go; moments of bravery and cowardice; the tight grips and scary looks matched up to a carefree ego and candid smiles. These and a whole lot more, but amidst the circumstances,  I have managed to cling on - buckled on my seat, I felt and savoured every moment of the journey. Tasted its thrills, agonized in its misery, shouted, cried, laughed, giggled as the ride goes on to its full tilt then back again.

It was later on that I realized - I do have the controls, I am in charge of my own self, my own journey - I can tilt whenever I want to or go back at any time . Though, not in all situations; for a full tilt - which pulls your heart right out of your chest - can be made right then and there at the very start of the journey as the operator pleases. Coz' other than us, someone higher up there has the power and the control above everything else.  But with His great love, He has willingly given us the license to steer and the free will to deliberately choose whichever route we incline to.     

Right on the edge I was faced with uncertainties, apprehensions and fear. Yes, a lot of times I was dumbfounded by fright, worries and negative emotional  baggage that I've held onto for a long time. And because of this, I've missed out the fun, I have missed some beautiful views and profound experiences  --- because  I was looking down. 

However, as I looked beyond, I saw a different point of view. I have come to appreciate all that has been apt in front of me. Things that I'd truly say are wonderful blessings that I hardly took for granted.  I am indeed blessed, absolutely and definitely blessed just like everyone else.  Of this I am sure, thus I'm deeply thankful for the precious gifts that has always been laid out in front of me, mainly  - my family, friends, health and work...

As another year unfolds, new journey and obstacles are bound to arise. We may never know how our rides will go and turn out to be but we will always have something greater to grasp on to.  Keeping a firm grip and embracing on a little faith  -  our rides will certainly be all worth passing through…

This year I am believing for yet another roller coaster ride and an astounding 2013 right on the edge!

-Arji212”,-

1,2,3

Would you prefer to stand alone and be at a distance from the others?

  Or rather have someone by your side?

Or perhaps have some company around??? =)

Aurora - "A Province that's a Breathe Away From Heaven"

Featuring Sarah Geronimo's Baler Theme Song, here are some pictures showcasing a few of the many  splendid sites not just in Baler but of the different magnificent places in the Province of Aurora.

I may not be a true blooded Baleriano, but my more than a year stay here in Baler have made me come to love the beauty of the place and made me realize how wonderful and blessed our country truly is…

These are just but some of the marvelous sites you can visit in Aurora. There are still more and many undiscovered locations that will surely enthrall  you as you set foot in this province that's indeed a breathe away from heaven.

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Definitely an awesome experience I would forever remember.

Keep posted for more remarkable sites… hehe…

(Next would be the El Pimentel Falls)

Enjoy!",

Baler Historical Trails

Well, if the shoe fits",
We did try stepping in our shoes to these foot trails and wondered whose could these be??... 

“Ahh, now I know” ---- the words that came out my mouth as we marvelled into the different historical spots of Aurora province.

Not bad at all, for months of stay in Baler, it was just recently that I got to know the place even better.

And indeed, Baler is indubitably very rich in culture.

Starting off with these footsteps – which we never minded when walking down the street going to our favorite lunch cafeteria - are actually foot trails circling from the Baler museum to Manuel Quezon's house going to Dona Aurora's and then to the Church of Baler.

Here - in this statue of the late President Manuel L. Quezon  is the very spot where his home stood. Proximate to this area is a replica of the president's old nipa house. 

   

The General Douglas MacArthur car- this car was especially built by General Motors of America for the late President Manuel L. Quezon. It was turned over to Gen. Douglas MacArthur who use it all throughout his tour of duty in the Philippines. 

Museo de Baler

It was believed that the dead needed food and material possessions as he journeyed from the land of the living to the land of the dead.

 Beside me is the Julio's site -It is the only archaeological site ever recorded in the province of Aurora. This is a primary burial site associated with personal belongings and grave goods - a tradition among  prehistoric Filipinos where they buried their dead with grave goods or funerary offerings such as earthenware, stoneware, porcelain etc.

Mural painting depicting the history of Baler.

Awards received by of the film "Baler" featuring Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales.

The traditional clothes worn in the movie.

   

Outside view of Donya Teodora's house.

The Historical Church of Baler

Tromba Marina Sculpture as the locals call it, lies at the foot of Ermita Hill. This remind the Balerianos of the tsunami that washed out the province way back year 1735 wherein only 7 seven families - as represented by the statues - survived the said catastrophic event including the Angaras.

Ermita Hill Chapel and the ancient viewing point and tunnel.
The spot on which the chapel stand is the location of the viewing point from which the community of Baler receive advance warnings of incoming threats from raids by the moros.
In ancient times, the inhabitants of Baler devised an escape tunnel from the town leading up to this spot to elude raiders and hide here at the Ermita Hill.

Overlooking Ermita Hill - here you can see the whole of Baler.

Up, up...

and up the hill...

stands the cross built because of a promise...
A man sick from cancer (believed to be a locale) made an oath to God that he will build a cross at the top of the hill if he will be cured from his sickness. 
Now, there it stood, visited by locals and tourists especially during Holy week, the cross that symbolizes not just the healing of a man as well as God's fulfilled promise.