Thursday, January 21, 2010

I wish someone from the Philippines would follow his example...

Sana na lang...sana!

China teen seen as hero for killing local official.

BEIJING – When Li Shiming was stabbed through the heart by a hired assassin, few of his fellow villagers mourned the local Communist Party official many say made their lives hell by seizing land, extorting money and bullying people for years.

Instead, villagers in the northern town of Xiashuixi have made Li's teenage killer something of a local hero. More than 20,000 people from the coal-mining area petitioned a court for a lenient sentence.

"I didn't feel surprised at all when I heard Li Shiming was killed, because people wanted to kill him a long time ago," said villager Xin Xiaomei, who says her husband was harassed for years by Li after the two men had a personal dispute. "I wanted to kill Li myself, but I was too weak."

(full story here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100121/ap_on_bi_ge/as_china_killer_hero)


Monday, January 18, 2010

Taytay Falls

Spent my Saturday night at Taytay Falls. I didn't know the place is icy cold, I was literally freezing. The falls is located in Brgy. Taytay, Majayjay, Laguna, thus the confusion - people would call it Taytay Falls or Majayjay Falls, sometimes Imelda Falls.

It was raining when we arrived, which didn't stop until we left. Nonetheless, I had fun. I actually couldn't believe I was able to spend a night away in this place knowing that work is waiting for me at the office just the day after.

We took a one hour jeepney ride from Sta. Cruz to Majayjay. The place may have been badly hit by the 2009 typhoons, this is what's left of their bridge:

Commuters have to walk to the other side and take another ride to the town.


We were there at around 2:00PM and the Brgy. Taytay-bound jeep has just left. We hired a tricycle for another 30 minute ride.

We didn't bring tents, so we rented one of the (unfurnished) rooms here:


View at the front yard:



Below is the pathway leading to the falls. It's still about half a kilometer away.


View from the top...



The falls, at last!


Breath of fresh air...


It was raining and the water is extremely cold, most campers are actually staying in their tents. Despite us freezing, we stayed for at least 30 minutes and managed to take pictures under the rain.

I'd say summer is the best time to visit the place.

We left early the next morning. I saw the Majayjay church when we arrived the other day and I thought the trip wouldn't be complete without a stop over.

The side entrance.



I'm sure this is more than a century old structure. I am happy to see that they're actually trying to restore what is left.

Impressed with the huge, massive walls!


It was a breather... really.

I wish I didn't have to go back to work.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take a bus from Manila to Sta. Cruz. You often see them along EDSA. Hourly trip is available if you go to HM bus, their terminal is located in Cubao (near Victory). Manila to Sta. Cruz is about 3 hours. Get off the bus at the Sta. Cruz plaza.

Jeepneys going to Majayjay are found along the Sta. Cruz Market. The jeep ain't leaving until it gets full, so you'll have to wait for a few minutes. You're lucky if you're the last passenger. Be bored for around 30 minutes more of travel time.

UPDATE: Yes, THE BRIDGE going to Majayjay HAS BEEN FIXED!

In Majayjay, you'll see "This way to Majayjay falls" signage everywhere. The people are friendly, you won't be having a hard time hiring a tricycle to bring you to Barangay Taytay (where the falls is!). But if you get there before 4PM, the last jeepney trip to Taytay may still be waiting for you.

In Taytay, you'll be welcomed by some Barangay officials who'll ask you to register. They are more than happy to entertain your queries.

Enjoy the icy cold waters of Taytay, err Majayjay Falls!

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Pyramid by Charice feat. Iyaz

The long wait is over...



Whether this was intentionally leaked or not, I'm loving it! Can't wait to buy her album.

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