Mayo-Mayohan

The month of May is ending. All the celebrations for the youngs including the youngs-at-heart in the long vacation will go with it. “Mayo-mayohan”, “Santacruzan,” “Sagala”, or Flores de Mayo parades will again be shelved for the next season. But in my memory in the countryside, in our sleepy village, “Mayo-mayohan” is an exciting life of May and is a diminishing practice which we valued most in our teenage life. I will try to relate and recall this cherished tradition, less it will be buried to oblivion.

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Daanghari

It’s again a sunny day and I’m readying my gadgets for a long anticipated ride. It is my bicycle riding stretch to the famed “Daanghari.” I’ve been eagerly trying to compile my experiences on this uphill climb and I think it’s about time –less this will be left to the shadows and obscurity.

 

The last issue of my cycling adventure was the healing effect of mountain climbing. The purpose why I engaged in this cycling sport was to improve my health. Mang Bert, the heart-by-passed-man and seventy-two years old, is still pedaling in the mountain climb. He has just finished the 45-degree slope at the back of GSIS Holiday Hills’ “Christ the King” church in San Pedro, Laguna. This is the training climb in preparation for “Daanghari Expedition” via Victoria Hills and Tat Golf. And he is perspiring profusely climbing up and down without let-up, a mark of great health.

 

Actually, the cycling haven is the “South Portofino” portion of well-paved concrete road, adjacent to Daanghari and Victoria Hills and under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Las Pinas City. It has a total of five kilometers, two-lane stretch together with the opposite lanes. Meaning you will cover a 50-kilometer distance on ten-round laps. And it’s enough to drain your fats and other body excesses. Only few vehicles are passing this route as this is considered a dead-end road –nearby Victoria Hills Village requires payment in entering the road for cars and other vehicles without official receipt which is an illegal practice of homeowners’ associations. This road cannot be used for drag racing as the Las Pinas Police Precinct is located along this route and violators will be apprehended. I believed this is considered as the safest place for cycling enthusiasts.

 

At “Daanghari” I met many new friends; all are cycling “addicts.” But I’m interested with senior citizens engaged in bicycle riding who were actually conscious in improving their health. The oldest I met, so far, was “Ka Vidal.” He is frequently called as “Kapitan”, the captain. Would you believe he is seventy-three years old and an advocate of long distance biking! When I met him he right away invited me to join their group to go to Tagaytay. And he is not joking. I followed him one time and he was convincing. He was inviting many cyclists along the road. At one instant, we were already fifteen in a group. We took the route to Molino, Paliparan, GMA, Dasmarinas –a total of almost forty kilometers with only one stop-over to have a snack of “Beef Lugaw” with egg along the Paliparan road. And others have no food limit, took bottles of Pepsi and Coke –no concerns of being diabetics! It shows they are able and healthy.

 

I also met “Ka Romy”, a seventy-year-old cock-fighting aficionado who stretches all his body parts before riding his expensive bicycle; another was Conrad, a retired consultant from AMCOR, who cannot cross the street without assistance; and there were Americans, British, French, Italian and other foreigners frequenting the site.

 

As “Daanghari” is a cycling hub, there were also peddlers of cycling accessories who sell their wares at affordable prices –cheap uniforms, gadgets, and other special tools were sold on Saturday and Sunday only.

 

There were many events I encountered at “Daanghari” such as: keeping pace with the fast pedaling one-armed cyclist; the swift lady-biker wearing pink attire which we failed to talk with as my two aging companions who kept following her –their tongues already “hanging” and engulfing for breath- were not able to catch-up with; and other cycling stars who were champions in cycling competitions. I will be always there at “Daanghari” pedaling my health to great heights.

 

As I pedaled back home, descending fast at Victoria Hills and Tat Golf, there again I saw “Mang Bert” now easily climbing up to “Daanghari.” Read more on this article...

Ah! Where Is The Beach?

The long and hard days work and then it’s summer! Everyone is craving for respite and vacation. These are the sweet sounding words that not only kids are so delighted to hear but adults alike ... and the “travel.”

I and my wife, Thelma, leisurely conceived an idea of travel and vacation in Sta. Cruz, Occ. Mindoro. We have a newly built family house in the countryside and it is the least expensive place to spend the summer-hot vacation that we can afford. The house is near the sea with fine sand and comparable to any beach in the province in its grandeur. We made enough preparation for the vacation. We are on the go and ready for the “escapade.”

On the following day, we were alarmed and heard a weather announcement on TV of a tropical depression. Later it was repeated as a storm. The weather bureau raised the storm signal on the path including the provinces of Mindoro where we are planning to go. An unusual weather disturbance on summer! How come we have a storm and it will be rainy days? We are expecting a “red hot” summer days and not the chilling clouds.

This is not global warming. This is the only summer in the Philippines or in Southeast Asia that typhoon developed in the South China Sea in an untimely period. We have already five weather disturbances that occurred in the country. This is very rare considering that we are expecting a warm weather as being espoused by the global warming alarmists. They are accusing carbon dioxide as the causes of global warming. How come that it is during summer, when we generate more carbon dioxide but instead of warming, we experienced raining and cooler morning breezes? If there indeed global warming, it must have ended and we are approaching the cycle of cooling or the time of “The Little Ice Age.” The sun is least active this decade and least sunspots and solar flares are being observed as previously reported by David Hathaway, the NASA Solar Physicist.

We want to go to the beach water in beating this summer heat; but it is now flooding in our backyard. We can no longer enjoy our summer vacation plan... Ah! Where is the beach? Summer ends leaving our summer vacation plan with disappointment. Read more on this article...

Mountain Biking

Have you been in an uphill climb with a bicycle? Eking it out by engulfing more air to reach the top? Trying to expend all your energy, sweating it out to pull yourself up a few more meters and seems you will not last long to conquer the great height? But in just three paces … you’re there! Draining all the fluids in you and … at last all the excitements and sense of fulfillment realizing that you are in the top of the world! The great joy one must enjoy anyone can afford!

I have been in mountain biking this summer and in the last five weeks I can feel the great improvement on my health. Before, I’m easily get tired, with aching joints, unsound sleep, heavy weight, and great mark exhaustion as the result of aging process. Now, I’m full of energy like a rampaging bull ready to dominate in the arena of less capable competing players –ready to charge against all odds!

Mountain biking is my medicine. I realized this when I was having a short jog on a well-paved uphill road near my barangay residence. I observed that when I get tired, I just simply stop and squat beside the road. Then in a few more walks I go back home with something still lacking in my exertion. In cycling, you can’t just stop. You will fall. While on the road moreover, I noticed several cyclists pedaling uphill passed by me and it brought to my mind, why can’t I join them; see more views and breath fresh air while exercising?

When I got home, I fixed an aging bike of my son –a BMX Carraro by brand or by patch- instead of buying a new one. Seeing the bicycle frame is still good, I decided to install a Shimano gear transmission system, replaced the 26 x2.10 worn-out tire to 26 x 1.95 sizes to lessen the appearance of bulky and heavy type inasmuch as I’ll be using it in a smooth and well-paved road. I replaced the screeching bearing and applied the necessary lubrication and then found myself pedaling on the level road. On the first few days, I biked only up to the foot of the mountain road. The next week, to a quarter climb, then to the half climb level. On this stage, I’ve been meeting new friends with remarkable health recovery experiences and encouraged me to stretch more and go to the higher level. I said: “This is enough for me, I’m only a newbie, a neophyte; and I’m satisfied with the great improvement on my health.” However, I tried to keep on although I’m having an aching muscle legs and signs of weariness. But later, I increased my stamina and resistance to fatigue and then preparing for the challenge.

I do the biking daily, 2-3 hours a day and maintain a high gear on an uphill grind to strengthen my leg muscles. One day, I met an old man biking up and down the hill while we are taking a rest with Rene –my cycling buddy and an old hand cycling aficionado. Likewise, he encouraged me to go up the mountain, the same way the old man did. Rene told me that this man we met, was already 63 years of age, have a heart trouble and undergone a by-pass operation. But now, this man is already very strong and he can go back and forth to the mountain six rounds before taking a rest. We had the chance to talk to him and he said he now seldom see his doctor after spending thousand of dollars in his heart operation. His blood pressure which he regularly monitors is normal. He also no longer takes medicine but keep a daily sustenance of vitamins and mineral supplements.

With the endurance of this man which served me an inspiration, I steadily improved myself and now am ready to challenge the great height.

I am planning and eager to reach the famed “Daanghari” via the treacherous Victoria Hills road. Daanghari is a cyclists’ haven. Cyclists from Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Metro-Manila; Cavite; and Laguna converge everyday in an early morning work-out. Oh! Such a prominent road track! (I will describe further the natural amenities of the place on my next blog issue.)

Meanwhile, I met again the heart-bypassed-old-man in my daily work-out. He has a hearing aide on his right ear and although he did not clearly understood my greetings, he just yelled: “I’m now in my third lap and getting stronger.” Read more on this article...

Yes, you didn’t think I would stop blogging did you? Most often the lulls of doing regular activities are protracted to a longer period of hibernation. My dormant state will not last long and trying hard to regain my composure. Soon I’ll be going out to socialize and gather more information to be shared by Pinoy Barking Hall. Read more on this article...

Veterans’ Honour and Benefits: Won At Last!

Great news for the Filipino veterans of World War II! The United States of America has finally recognized the “Heroes of Bataan” –the people whose only obsession is to be free and the official recognition of their long march to death. Such recognitions and benefits are included in the $787 billion sitimulus bill scheduled to be signed into law by US President Barack Obama.

 

It was six decades ago since 1941 –when then U.S. President Roosevelt ordered Filipino soldiers to fight against the enemy- the veterans of devastating war kept on hoping that their cause will not just be laid to a shelf but be acknowledged with financial aid. All other nationals who just unmindfully participated and claimed to be a part of American War were recognized to the dismay of the true Filipino heroes. It has been a long and wearisome way for US recognition –the same way as has been the way for the long march to death- before the US congress finally gave way from their refusal to admit responsibilities and promised restitution.

 

Today the veteran heroes will be remunerated not only for honor and gallantry at war but for the display of courage in defence of democracy. The monetary assistance, although it is just a pecuniary benefit in exchange of the lives and blood they shed, is a welcomed development they longed for.

 

It is hoped that the people in-charge, particularly, the Philippines Veteran Affairs Office personnel will not take advantage of less-oriented veterans in claiming such benefits. It should be off-limit to by-standers and fixers who will entice veterans of smooth and speedy outcome of their claims in exchange of hefty amount for petty and menial job. An information and free assistance desk should be installed in aiding the aging veterans and beneficiaries.

 

I think this little advice will be of help in any way. “Mabuhay and beteranong Pinoy.”

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My Waning Respect With Secretary Gonzalez

DOJ and PDEA are in cahoot before. Now they are in mess of stinking garbage. With the exchange of verbal accusations of bias and misjudgment on the so-called "Alabang Boys", the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)are now in hot oven. It appearing from media reports that DOJ should be blamed and that PDEA is the one doing its job. DOJ is bent on dismissing the charges and of releasing the drug culprits.

DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez has been supporting the actions of the prosecutors in spite of the reported 50 million pesos bribe offer of the suspects' parents. He downplayed the used of his department's letterhead by the lawyer of the accused in preparing the dismissal order which is highly irregular. There are reports that his undersecretary called his "mistah" (a classmate at PMA) at PDEA relative to the dropping of the charges which the PDEA agent admitted that he is being offered three million pesos during the hearing of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs. Gonzales also castigated the PDEA agent in the manner of apprehending the drug suspect and his military exploit in Mindanao tending to deride the agent's capabilities. With his actuations, I am inclined to believe that he is for the dismissal of the charges filed against the "Alabang Boys" and suggesting pressure for the review of the qualifications of agents assigned in PDEA.

In my opinion, PDEA is doing its jobs. They are the one complaining why the cases of drug suspects are easily dismissed repeatedly. DOJ prosecutors have been freeing the drug culprits while PDEA agents are trying hard apprehending the drug syndicates.

I support the move to suspend Secretary Gonzales -whom I have been admiring for years but this admiration have just been diminished. There are now basis on the accusations of former President Estrada that there are many "Hoodlums in Robes" in the Department of Justice and they are more daring in the administration of Gloria Arroyo -and these are attributing more in her low popularity ratings. DOJ should be reorganized and to replace its personnel with new and incorruptible officers.

Note: State Prosecutor John Resado -the one being alluded to as who prepared the resolution dismissing the charges of the "Alabang Boys" is threatening to file libel charges against PDEA officials and some members of the media who implicated him in the alleged bribery attempt in the drug mess, based on GMA News, Jan. 13, 2009. Is he obstructing the transparency rule and the rights to public information?

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