ENDEMIC BIRDS OF LASAM, CAGAYAN

Cagayan Province is the most picturesque place in northern Philippines. It is also a center of rich biodiversity, both fauna and flora. With its mighty forests arching on its back, the northern Sierra Madre is yet to be the last frontier in the country to be explored. The province is therefore a haven for biologists, conservationists, spelunkers and travelling scientists.

The Philippine blue mountain bird (Sialia currucoides) perches hideous amid alibago leaves. Captured in the canopy forest of Bantay Kulian at Brgy. Malinta, Lasam, Cagayan, it was a living evidence that Cagayan Province possesses a place in biodiversity conservation.

CAMOUFLAGED

In life, most of the time we see clearly other people's small faults, weaknesses, failures and flaws without considering how big is the person's good side. Nobody's perfect. But understanding is the key to appreciate one's dark side. Don't force people to change. They will.

A juvenile short horned locust, sits prettily amid the greenery, avoiding predators. One wrong move, this little creature may turn into a meal.

THE RIVER KNOWS THIS: NO NEED TO HURRY. WE CAN GET THERE SOMEDAY

Even the river knows that in everything we have to accomplish, we need not to be in a hurry. Take it slowly and we can someday get there. Our vision is what makes us go further. Our hope is what makes us strong. And our faith is what makes us continue. Yet, God does not promise us an easy path but He assures us that He will direct our ways.

We may not be as successful as the way other people see us, but yes we are! If only we can see ourselves the way God sees us.

A remnant of a hermit crab shell, locally known as "komang" rests among the huge rocks that was part of the mountain range of Cordilleras (Ifugao - Isabela boundary).

FIND BEAUTY IN DISASTERS

We as humans are imperfect. We are continuously being bombarded by sins, problems and disasters. More often than not when under these circumstances, we often forget our refuge - the Lord God. We resort into solving such problems by our own understanding and limited capabilities. The book of 1 Thessalonians (Ch. 5 v. 17) teaches us to "pray at all times", so that whatever circumstances we are into, we can still see beauty from the aftermath of every catastrophe.

It's not actually the circumstances that make us sad, it is how we view them wrongly. Remember that in every worse thing that happens, there is still beauty concealed in it. See it instead. The brighter side. Appreciate it.

July 5, 2015 typhoon Egay hit northern Cagayan. It left a beautiful rainbow arching the hut of Tata Abat Cadoy of Malinta, Lasam, Cagayan. Not a common scene.

A FRIEND IS...

A Friend is...
Sonnyboy P. Pacursa, RPh.
 
Happy for those who cheer
Patient for those who care
Faithful for those who hear

Shameful for those who fear
Jealous for those who dare
Selfish for those who never share.

But for those who love,
a friend is FOREVER.

Yenyen and Maiah in Nanang's Garden, Malinta, Lasam, Cagayan

SECOND CHANCES, NEW BEGINNINGS

We are a human being. In our blood runs the immortal seed of failures and ordeals. We stumble upon, we fall back, then we rise again. And in that stumble, we'll find the real ones to count on. In that fall back, we'll find the only One to lean on and in that rising, we'll find our one life, never be the same again.

Second chances, new beginnings.

Our life.

When we stumble, we do not go back from the start but instead, we pick ourselves up then run again forward.

LOVE IS STILL TRUE EVEN IN THE FACE OF SAYING GOODBYE

A POEM - This is a story of a man who, over the years, has kept for a long, long time a photograph of his demised girlfriend. Whenever he sees the picture, it brings so much pain and melancholy, ripping his heart. Read the poem to continue the story. I have written it in my mother tongue. 

Sunset at Matabungcay Beach, 4:00PM