Tour of the Fireflies 09

Have you seen the fireflies lately? I can say that I miss them for quite some time now. I live in the province of Bukidnon half of my life, but I only saw less than 10 fireflies of my lifetime. How sad for me to think that they are getting rarer and rarer.

Then I realized this. Life is always unfair especially to the lesser power such as animals, plants and insects. These living beings which God has placed us to watch over have long been neglected in favor to our personal wants. Hence, the balance of life and the joy of art that the fireflies bring is getting extinct. Sometimes, we just have to stop with the our artificial source of happiness. We must search for ourselves the true happiness which can only seen within the natural realm - His creation; art and design. Hey, that's why I am here. I believe it is also the reason why the Tour of the Fireflies is here.

The Firefly Brigade is an action group formed ten years ago. It promotes clean air and habitable, people-friendly, lung-friendly environment in the city. It is because of the fireflies who have long left the streets of Manila, the tour of the Fireflies directs a point that soon we are going to face certain disease that have caused by our own actions. The tour is about biking since it is the only vehicle that would be considered as cheap, environmentally-friendly, quiet, and fast. The tour will start at Tiendesitas, it will run for 50 kilometers at a relax pace of 12-15 kph allowing the kids to have fun without straining themselves. Moreover, the relax pace will allow the public to know that we bring clean air and that biking is truly an alternative for those who are working. 

I have joined the tour two times already. I have been a participant of the tour since 2007. That was my first time being in Manila with my bike and I never imagined an event such as this. There were many bikers who felt were a family; united as one carrying the same message to our beloved countrymen. This experience of bringing back to the environment is very different from what I usually do everyday. The whole 7,000 bikers who participated last Sunday really brought a message of hope to Mother Earth. Bikers love it. People appreciate it. Mamang driver should like us too! So next year, if you have a bike... Come and join us too!

The Kids love TOF!




The pretty can smile under the sun...

See you next year!
Greetings from 3739!

Order My Steps Lord! (The Life of a Firebrand) Part 1

I want to share my life half a decade back because life is just too wonderful. This was me, in which I think was my first time being able to bring back to the community. I love the feeling despite having to ride our bikes 30-45's kilometers something... (It took us around 2-3 hours to get to the place). Forgive me of the bad pictures, you have to think the technology is quite not par with today's standards, hehehe).

I am a member of KAPATID that time. We were doing a street clean-up program near a spring in Quezon, Bukidnon. It was me, Brian, Alfred and my best friend Griffith who were present that time.

I was also part of the school paper. I was the Photo Journalist that time, which I believe I am still today. I don't know for a reason why I love writing even though I don't get all my words right most of the time. Now, I work for Tsikot.com whenever they need me for an assignment. I test drive cars and make reviews of them after wards. I've been a car enthusiast ever since I was born. Sadly, this job has been frustrating me. Many motor journalist out there have far better experience than I am. I don't want to be labeled as 'wanting to fit in' so I take everything slowly. Someday, maybe the Lord will bless me my own car magazine? Time will tell, obedience is the key to opening the flood gates of heaven right? Now, I am offered a position to be a photo journalist at the CenterPost. It's not yet an official recruitment, but someone advised me to take the job. Eheheh... What are the benefits? Anyway, I also want to contribute for the future publication of ICHTHUS - a Christian organization newsletter at school. Again, I am still the photographer. :D

Some 365 days last 2004, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior (I have to dig up some photos of it to remember it well). It was the night before me and my classmates have to perform this big theatre show in an open ground where thousand of people in Valencia, Bukidnon will be watching. The show is about the effects of drugs to the youth and their families. I was happy to know that everything went successful that day. These were one of the events that inspired me to take up Theatre Arts, but the fam didn't support it. Soon after that, I never really got the hint of Christian living. I parted my ways from the Lord but my close friends at high school (mostly Pastor kids like Jethro and Daven) showed me how great it is being a Christian. Without them, I think my high school life would be considered dull and not worth remembering.

October 5, 2004 - Got baptized this day. It was my public declaration that I am officially a Christ follower. Did you know that I love singing "I have decided to follow Jesus"?

Another blessing that came upon my life is winning to computer quiz. It was me and my close friends (Jethro, Daven, Griffith, and I) who were one of the participants. Each of us won an award despite the fact that were dumb with showbiz questions instead of computer-related ones. This is one of my life's testament that the Lord really works wonders for those who love Him. We really experienced a great deal of pressure that day, we were silently praying and worshiping to calm our frustrations. It was our school's first time to join such contest.

The Lord has carried me with His grace all over and over again. I love what I am doing, I don't know why? Probably because His love shines unto me. And now, I can't believe I am nearing my reach of being a graduating student! 4th year na!

Missing the Mountains

It's been a while since I haven't gone out for a real fresh air. I've been writing this because I miss peace and the mountains - Bukidon, wherever! Many of my bike buddies and Christian friends ask me, why don't you ride no more? I can't say anything better than this...

We'll to frank, biking has been like a spiritual thing to me. I can sense God in the midst of my rides. I love it! I can't just contain my happiness when I see nature in its total glory. I think I am covered with peace, serenity; inside of me feels like a thousand lightning bolts. Call me insane or crazy, but you will actually see me smiling without any reason. I think God just wants to tickle me on the head.

Anyway, why don't I ride no more? I can simply say that I no longer have the time for a ride. Most especially the budget to maintain a bike. I miss my much loved river crossing experience which will cost me a lot of maintenance on my bicycle components. Ever since I decided to stay away from the Lord because of this "Feeling-based Faith" I have, the bike was unused most of the time. So I have come to a decision to sell some of the parts.

If I can just have the time and money once again. I would surely ride all by myself even for the whole day. :D