A last meal (before our flight back to Manila) on my recent trip to Iloilo was a bowl of pancit molo at the JD branch at the Iloilo airport. This was not the best molo in the town but was a good meal nonetheless.
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| This bowl of molo fills not only the stomach but the soul. |
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I previously wrote about recharging my batteries. That simply won't do by just traveling to Iloilo. I had to go to the hometown of Tatay, which I have always called my hometown, too. I spent many summer breaks there including when I was already working and wanted to have some days off and a change in environment. Though I am heartbroken every time I see what looks like our old house there in ruins, I just had to go around and see the place on a drive-by.
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| The main altar and retablo of the San Nicolas Tolentino Church in Cabatuan, Iloilo |
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| Pathway to the main gate of the Cabatuan Catholic Cemetery |
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| The cemetery's mortuary chapel is currently under renovation. |
I always feel emotional when on a homecoming no matter how brief. There's just so many memories of so many places there including our home that is now practically unrecognizable from what I have in my mind and heart. I would like to keep those happy memories that I cherish and remember with fondness. They keep me calm and grounded in life.
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These days, we often refer to our gadgets when we say we need to charge or re-charge. I think "re-charging" is still a term used by a lot of people when referring to themselves needing some 'time out' or rest time or recovery period. I'm not sure the younger generations use it to refer to themselves. Perhaps its mostly people of my generation and closer to it especially if referring to one's 'batteries'.
There was a time when I had my annual 'battery re-charging' in my father's hometown. That started when we accompanied Tatay on his almost annual homecoming, usually during the Holy Week. That was when most of our relatives also come home from elsewhere including those who were abroad. Their high school usually organized a homecoming every other year and Tatay seldomly skipped that. So it became a routine for me especially who didn't want to just stay home in Cainta. I recall a couple of times when I extended my stay there for a week or two since it was summer break from school anyway. I was already in high school then and could already take care of myself.
Later, when I was already working and had my own money, I continued my homecomings to Cabatuan even for just the Holy Week. That stopped only when I was in Japan for 3 years. I went back to my routine after my return in 1999. I can't remember when I stopped doing this personal pilgrimage (if you can term it that). Perhaps it was after I got married in 2002? When I became too busy for work? With family life? Or was it because of something else more personal that made me think twice about coming home?
In recent years, I have had the opportunity for some homecomings no matter how short these were. I have made it a point to at least hear Mass in Cabatuan and visit the cemetery before my flight home. I intend to do this whenever I can. I really miss close relatives but there seems to always be something more urgent o attend to.
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| Panoramic photo of the Molo Church, Iloilo City |
I go back to Manila on Sunday but I feel like I already look forward to the next time I will be in Iloilo. I think I have rediscovered a way somehow to recharge my batteries here.
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A clear view of Mt. Isarog was denied to us when we arrived in Naga last week. Clouds usually covered the volcano. So we were glad to see the volcano revealed while we were en route to the airport for our return flight.
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| View of Mt. Isarog from the highway |
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| View of Mt. Isarog from the tarmac as we walked towards our plane |
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I was in Naga City again last week for a few meetings. Instead of making the trip via land, we opted to fly to and from Naga in order to save time. I was seated on the left side of the plane and didn't have view of Albay as our plane approached the runway. Fortunately, the similar seating upon departure gave me a nice view upon take-off. As our plane rose from the airport, an all too familiar form became visible from afar. It was a rough take off yesterday but I think I was distracted enough by the images and the scenery below for me to take photos instead and not worry about the turbulence.
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| The unmistakable form of Mt. Mayon (Mayon Volcano) |
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| Mt. Asog and Mt. Mayon as viewed from our ascending and banking plane upon take off from the Naga Airport in Pili, Camarines Sur |
Mt. Asog is located in Iriga City, Albay and is also called Mt. Iriga. It is also a dormant volcano. It should be noted again that Bicol has a relatively high concentration of volcanoes with at least two active ones in Mt. Mayon and Mt. Bulusan (in Sorsogon). You can check out a map of the region to see so many volcanoes especially from Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon. Mt. Isarog is also a dormant volcano.
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One model that has eluded me for some time is the ANA Pilot watch My source for the watch informed me that it was difficult to get a pristine piece. That meant not only for the case to be in good condition but also for the leather strap to also be in good condition. Often you see significant scratches on the case or crystal. The leather strap might be worn out, too.
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| Wrist shot on the first time I wore the watch |
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| The watch has a fluted bezel and day and date complications. ANA appears on the dial and the letter S (for Seiko) is prominent on the second hand. |
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| Side angle view showing the textured crown |
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| ANA's emblem etched at the side of the watch case. |
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| Case back showing the watch model number and features (magnetic resistance, water resistance and serial number). |
As I mentioned earlier, it was difficult to get one that's in great condition. This one was as near mint as I could get including the original leather strap. Most you can get from shops including those on the internet have replacement straps or have the original but already worn out strap. Of course, it is the watch head that's quite important. Many being sold have scratches on the case and/or the crystal.
I've been trimming my collection in recent months but just had to get this piece that's been in my 'most wanted list'. This one's definitely for keeps.
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We were on a storm watch the past two days. Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) was probably the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. There were already comparisons with Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and its approach immediately caused a lot of damage from the strong winds and storm surges. Fortunately for us in Rizal, the winds were not so strong last night and the expected heavy rains didn't materialize. The rains, however, came today and its been dark and pouring the whole morning. The sun took a peek but that was only a while before the dark clouds and rains took over.
This morning, we had to go on some errands. We left when there only some wind and a slight drizzle. On our return, it was already "raining cats and dogs." Here's a photo of the road taken by the wife as we drove home. The rains required the wipers to be at full speed and this was one of those times when you have to slow down to reduce the risk of crashing due to the slippery pavement.
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| The view as we drove home this morning. |
I think I wrote here before how I didn't like driving in heavy rain. However, when caught up in a downpour, it is advisable to drive slowly, exercise more caution, including turning on your headlights (not you hazard lights) for increased visibility.
I thought we were spared from the probably maximum impacts of the typhoon. Whether that's due to mountains helping out, it looks like the worst is over. We can only hope that not too many people were hurt and that those affected would be able to recover quickly from this.
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We were at Opus Mall last weekend. It was our first time to go there despite often passing through the area. We decided to have lunch there and as we ate, I noticed the people at the nearby table splitting a pack of piaya among them for dessert. I suddenly remembered getting these wonderful piaya from Balay Dako in Tagaytay. They also make them at Opus.
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| Freshly made piaya being placed on the basket at the cashier's counter - they are still hot so they don't tie up the package at this time. The price per 6-piece pack is shown in the photo. |
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| The newly made piaya are place on a tray before they are packed into plastic bags. |
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With the recent release of the latest Seiko limited edition watches for the Philippine market, I thought I had to finish this draft and finally post about the 5th LE watch. I mentioned in a previous post that I passed on the 4th LE as it was not impressive or attractive to me. Whether I will eventually get one of the Banaue Rice Terraces inspired piece is still up in the air. I did defer acquiring the Whiskered Pitta as budget constraints prevented me from getting one when it was released last year. That turned out to be a good thing as apparently, not so many people wanted this watch and prices for new units decreased. I think it's still a buyer's market for this watch despite its features that to me makes it a good beater if not a part of one's collection.
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| The Whiskered Pitta is a limited edition Alpinist. |
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| This watch is powered by a 6R35A movement that beats at 21,600 A/h. The power reserve is an impressive 70 hours when used regularly. This unit is 792/1800 |
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| This is Made in Japan and has 20 bar (200m) water resistance. |
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| Close-up of the textured dial and the rotating inner bezel. |
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| There are two crowns - one is a screw down crown for time and date adjustment and the other is for the inner rotating bezel. |
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| The other side view |
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| Wrist shot when I first wore the watch last May. |
The watch is in my current regular rotation that includes my AGS Landmaster, ANA Pilot's watch and Dr. Yellow chronograph. It's easily one of my favorites among my newer Seikos.
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This Undas, we remembered many of our loved ones who had passed in many years ago, in recent years and the past year. They include beloved relatives and friends. As is our custom, we light candles for them on both November 1 (All Saints Day) and 2 (All Souls Day).
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| Candles lit yesterday on All Saints Day |
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| Candles lit earlier this evening on All Souls Day |
I have a personal panata or vow to light candles in memory of loved ones and to pray for healing and good health for those still among us. I do this almost daily at the chapel in our community and at the local churches whenever I travel.
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| We took this photo yesterday morning at our village chapel |
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Seiko just released three (yes, not one) new Philippine limited edition watches. It has been doing so since 2020, when they first released the Tubbataha, which has a Monster design. They followed up with a Turtle in the Philippine Sunrise. And a third in the Philippine Eagle. It was clear that Seiko will be coming up with Philippine exclusives every year. Previously, there were two models that were supposed to have been released exclusively in the Philippines - the SKX399 and the SKX401. Both were diver's watches and had a cult following until the new batches eventually came out.
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| The first two watches were somewhat "must haves" and I thought were priced fairly. The Tubbataha on the right is the first official Philippine limited edition release. My watch was a gift from the Clairvoyant. The second one was a chance purchase. I wanted to get one but the stores near me were out of stock. A couple of months after the release, I was looking at watches at the Seiko store at SM Aura and casually asked if they still had one of the Sunrises. After conferring with each other, the staff informed me that there was an unclaimed unit and they will sell it to me since it was already months after it was reserved. |
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| I got the Philippine Eagle right after it was released. I was able to reserve one but was abroad and couldn't claim it from the shop so they sold it to the one next in the list. Fortunately, I had another source who's quite reliable and got my watch after I returned from travel. Though the Sunrise is still my favorite, I think the best design should go to the Eagle including the box, which all the more made it a collectible. |
I was disappointed with the 4th limited edition, which was supposed to be inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces. I thought it was a downgrade I ended up not getting one and I still don't have any intention of getting one at present. The design just didn't top the Eagle, which set a high bar. But note, too, that the trend was supposed to be towards a better watch model and design. I thought the Rice Terraces didn't have that. Which now brings us to the 5th limited edition model...
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| The Whiskered Pitta was interesting to me as this was an Alpinist model with a screwdown crown. I had wanted the original Alpinist model (the green non X model) but this one's a nice alternative to that. It took me a while though to acquire one as the initial price was not in my budget. Apparently, there was already a collector's fatigue of sorts for the limited edition watches and so I was able to get a new one for a discounted price. |
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