A Poem: "Tulala"

I was inspired to write this poem when I went to bega falls located at prosperidad, mabuhay, agusan del sur just to relax and see the beauty of God's creation. I cannot contain myself to be overwhelmed and got star struck how it was made by God... so, it just came across in mind to think a piece of script and in my broaden imagination I made one, and its a poem I wrote in tagalog version.

"Tulala"

Ako'y tulala
Sa agos ng tubig
Na aking nakikita
At ako'y namangha sa Dios
Na Siyang lumikha

Di ko man lubos maisip
Kung paano ito ginawa
At kung saan ito nagsimula
Ang tubig na aking nakikita

Kaakit-akit itong tingnan
Kung ika'y lumingon sa kapaligiran
Sapagkat marami pang agos ng tubig
Na iyong matutunghayan

Kaya't huwag ng mag-aalinlangan
Na ito'y pupuntahan
Dahil problema mo'y talagang maiiwan
Sa walang pag-aalinlangan

Kaya't akoy tulala sa tubig na aking nakikita....

An Escapade to Baywalk Skipping, Tiklas Falls and Alibuag Cold Spring

April 9, 2016 (Saturday) is the day of enjoyment, relaxation and recharging after a long, long week of doing our job in the work place. Weeks before the planned day to hang out in a beautiful place we decided to go somewhere from the west of Butuan City like Gingoog City and Medina, Misamis Oriental. The scheduled travel was postponed several times because of the schedule conflicts with the group. But as the song goes “Nothing can stop us now” we travel and experience our wanderlust after all. It was Me (Sharon), Cora, Eden, Allen, Mark, Dwight, Derwin, (insert ate Gaea who is absent), Charry with her hubby Wilsam and Kid Owing who are ready to pack our bags and experience the day with a blast of water falls and cold spring on the way. I was late by then of the scheduled time... hahaha… sorry guys, I’m too afraid of the dark walking alone… expect the unexpected… (LOL).

Here we go…

 Jump shot at Baywalk/boulevard park @ Gingoog City

Our first stop was in Baywalk/Boulevard area in Gingoog City. It was pretty cool looking at the ocean full of bundle of small fishes. There were some locals fishing in the area by catching through “bingwit” and waited for an hour to catch a fish. The place is a good stop-over for travelers coming from either way. There were stalls place-in beside the boulevard where you can buy some foods and eat while having a chat with your buddy and find time to relax in a moment or have a date (LOL... hahaha). Sadly, we were not able to buy some delicacies in the place because the stalls are still closed and will be open only in the afternoon. The place is also quite impressive because the surroundings are clean and garbage-free. It is more beautiful during sunrise/sunset especially when you want to take snapshots because the scenery is splendidly beautiful and feels like you were only one inch unto the sky. Since it was about 8:00 in the morning where we get there we did not stay longer because the heat of the sun is getting hotter and over the normal heat condition.

Posed at the "Giant Fruits" near boulevard park @ Gingoog City

After a while, we dropped-by to their known “Giant Fruits” statues. It is just a few minute walk from the park and baywalk area. Again, we did not stay longer in the place because we still have to buy some foods to bring out going to our destination since the area does not have any food stalls and the group also is a little bit excited and hurry to see the falls. So, we just had a quick looked at the fruit statues and took a snapshots at the same time.

Posed at Tiklas Waterfall @ Gingoog City

Next, we headed going to Tiklas Falls. It is a 7 km away from the highway going to the waterfall. We paid Php 20.00/each for the entrance and 100 for the cottage. We still have to walk for a few minutes before getting into the exact location of the waterfall. While going there, you will see different ornamental plants, trees, birds, native small houses, etc. Finally, we got in the place and as I looked at the view I can say that it is not totally well developed and the surroundings is not well taking care of because there are some pieces of trashes you can see in the area. I was startled in the place because you are not allowed to go near to the waterfall to dip on the water because it was too deep and dangerous for you to swim. There is a knee-length deep swimming pool for kids and one for adults that is about 6 feet deep but it is not quite fascinating. So, since no one want to take on the swimming pool we just eat there and think of other place to relax and spend more time to bond for a moment and enjoy the weekend. I don’t think if the management has a plan to fill up the deep waters with stones so that it will become shallow enough to be safe for those who wants go there. (I just hoped).

Dipping @ Alibuag Cold Spring Resort, Medina, Misamis Oriental

Sometimes, "it is better to do things unplanned" just what we did. After the Tiklas Falls, we rode back in the city and drive straight to Medina, Misamis Oriental. We finally found our final destination and landed our feet on the ground in Alibuag, Cold Spring Resort. We arrived about 2:30 in the afternoon, the place was very crowded and we were not able to get the chance to have the cottage but it doesn’t stop us to immerse ourselves in the water. Surely, you’ll find total rest and relaxation because of its natural, cold and crystal clear water coming from the mountain. We were so happy and delighted enjoying the moment by chilling, freezing and dipping in the water.

Posed while waiting the best and delicious halo-halo @ Andie's Snack Break, Buenavista

Afterwards, about 4:00 in the afternoon, we headed back in the city of Butuan. It’s time to go home… but, wait! It is not our final say to go in our respective homes. Along the way, we dropped by in Buenavista and stopped over to their known and best snack place at Andie’s Snack Break. It was almost full of customers, so we just got another chairs to fit all of us in the table, were so closed diba, (LOL). When ice cream and halo-halo is just around, this place is right for you to taste and see the difference among others!

Joyride going home to Butuan City

After all, it is a fun-filled experienced as we allowed ourselves even within limits to enjoy the bonding and time together as good and true friends. The heart of the matter is, we really enjoyed the RIDE.

Our Being behind our Acts Of Doing

This morning when the sun still to show up the brightness of its rays I was been moved by God to wake up and struck me in the book of Proverbs chapter 21 verses 2-4. While pondering in His word, God is whispering me in the stillness of his voice saying, is your motives by doing is on the right track and in accordance of the desires I want you to be? Many times we think that our doing seems to be right in the eyes of other people and think that God honors it by doing so. Our thoughts inflicting us that we have done a lot of right and good things, but in the end our convictions realize that God looks to the heart of the matter. His word says, "People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin".--Proverbs 21:2-4 (NLT). Have you ever been wondered "why we do what we do?". You and I barely think of it, right? We help others who are in need, attending church, giving offering, taking care of someone, etc. But the question is why do we invest our time, effort, resources, even our talents such stuffs as these? We may stop and pause for a moment the real reasons behind why? Are we doing it out of a pure heart or are there any underlying selfish motives? Or for worst, are we doing it because of pride or guilt? What is our disposition then when other people see us as a good person by doing so, for personal or professional reasons? Surely, none of us think of it to inspire by others for such motives. However, we observed others driven by such motives rightfully or suspiciously. Many times we are like that but failed to recognize it that God considers the attitude of our heart. Now, as to my convictions, why we do what we do is simply because we choose to obey God and that is the desires of God that He really wants us to be dependent on Him by obeying his commands not wanting for something in returns. We do it because we want to show God that we love Him and we want to know God better. I've been reminded in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him".

Have you ever checked your heart? Your motives? -- Your being behind your acts of doing. If not, God knows and sees any desires that stirs within our heart.