Saturday, October 5, 2013

Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Sun


Original text in Umbrian dialect:

Altissimu, onnipotente bon Signore,
Tue so le laude, la gloria e l'honore et onne benedictione.
Ad Te solo, Altissimo, se konfano,
et nullu homo ène dignu te mentouare.
Laudato sie, mi Signore cum tucte le Tue creature,
spetialmente messor lo frate Sole,
lo qual è iorno, et allumini noi per lui.
Et ellu è bellu e radiante cum grande splendore:
de Te, Altissimo, porta significatione.
Laudato si, mi Signore, per sora Luna e le stelle:
in celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle.
Laudato si, mi Signore, per frate Uento
et per aere et nubilo et sereno et onne tempo,
per lo quale, a le Tue creature dài sustentamento.
Laudato si, mi Signore, per sor'Acqua,
la quale è multo utile et humile et pretiosa et casta.
Laudato si, mi Signore, per frate Focu,
per lo quale ennallumini la nocte:
ed ello è bello et iucundo et robustoso et forte.
Laudato si, mi Signore, per sora nostra matre Terra,
la quale ne sustenta et gouerna,
et produce diuersi fructi con coloriti fior et herba.
Laudato si, mi Signore, per quelli ke perdonano per lo Tuo amore
et sostengono infirmitate et tribulatione.
Beati quelli ke 'l sosterranno in pace,
ka da Te, Altissimo, sirano incoronati.
Laudato si mi Signore, per sora nostra Morte corporale,
da la quale nullu homo uiuente pò skappare:
guai a quelli ke morrano ne le peccata mortali;
beati quelli ke trouarà ne le Tue sanctissime uoluntati,
ka la morte secunda no 'l farrà male.
Laudate et benedicete mi Signore et rengratiate
e seruiteli cum grande humilitate.
Notes: so=sono, si=sii (you are), mi=mio, ka=perché, u replaces v, sirano=saranno

English Translation:
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which You give Your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.

The Canticle of the Sun, also known as the Laudes Creaturarum (Praise of the Creatures), is a religious song composed by Saint Francis of Assisi. It was written in the Umbrian dialect of Italian but has since been translated into many languages
Source : Wikipedia

Photo : Image of Saint Francis from Kapangihan (San Francisco), Bulusan, Philippines
Note: October 4 is the Feast Day of Saint Francis

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Meditation


Don't pursue actions that can be repudiated, but don't resent it if people repudiate you. Cultivate virtues worthy of praise, but don't expect people to praise you.
You cannot cause calamity not to occur, but trust in yourself not to beckon it. You cannot cause fortune to arrive, but trust in yourself not to reject it. When calamity occurs, since it is not your doing you do not grieve when in straits. When fortune comes, since it is not your achievement you are not conceited when successful.
In this way you live at ease and enjoy effortlessness, yet there is order.

- Lao Tzu


[from 'Wen-Tzu : Understanding the Mysteries', translated by Thomas Cleary]. via Zen Poems, haiku and writings.

Photo: Ornamental plants and wild poinsettia by Alma P. Gamil 
           taken in Bulusan, Sorsogon
           Philippines

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Pili pulp oil: My Little Secret

Pili pulp oil with the upgraded label from Bulusan

The pili pulp is a by- product of the Pili. Its main product is the kernel  (pili nut) for confectionery uses.

My hair after a year of regular Pili pulp oil use, twice weekly.
I always regard my hair as my crowning glory. So when I hit the 50 mark and my youthful tresses started to show signs of the dreaded sign of age. I began searching for some remedies to slow down the process. I tried coconut oil and its great but the thing is, the stuff is not always ready (the freshly squeezed milk from the grated coconut) whenever it is time for my hair wash and bath. To make things easier, I experimented with the Pili pulp oil after reading an article about the olive oil as hair tonic. As a substitute for olive oil, I picked the locally produced Pili pulp oil which is always readily available at our neighbor's store. My choice turned out to be the perfect oil for my aging hair. The thick and richly nutritive oil seems to cling to every millimeter of my hair from tip to roots  making it bounce and shine after every regular shampoo. After using it (myself as the guinea pig) for a year, I am totally convinced of  its efficacy when the hair salon assistant quipped, "ang kapal at ang haba ng buhok mo" (your hair is so thick and long") as he gently shampooed  my hair during my recent hair cut visit.

Thanks to this Pili pulp oil - my hair will have its second wind hopefully stretching the youthful season of my crowning glory :)

Note: My back view 'selfie' photo with my hair that seems to be in an extended season of youthful glory was only taken a month ago (July, 2013).

Photos:  Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Bulusan Fiesta 2013 Images (1)

Saint James the Greater, Patron Saint of Bulusan

Bulusan's Ms. Tourism 2013 


Photo ops with Mr. Bulusan "Pretty boy" (in yellow barong) 

Contestants for the Ms. Bulusan Tourism 2013

Chickoy Pura  in his "homecoming" gig


Bikers all set for the mountain bike challenge, literally - route includes the scenic Mt.  Bulusan fringes.

Greeting tarp with interesting Saint James the Greater images

Winner for the 'Tiriladan' (pili nut de-shelling) contest

Event organizers with Mr. Bulusan 'Pretty boy' winner.

Local flowers adorn the stage 

Karagumoy weaving contest


Ms. Bulusan Tourism with the DLC winner



Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Haen an langit? (Where is heaven?) : Playing with a praying mantis








The praying mantis is a harmless insect and likes to play, so it seems to me. This was shown in several of my photo captures with the creature staring at the camera in a pose-like manner. It was at this point of my photo shoot when Jomabel, our young house assistant started asking the praying mantis  this question : "Haen an langit (Where's heaven?)," then I remember and pointed out this observation to Jomabel that our usual question (addressed to the praying mantis) when we were kids was different. Our question was : Haen an sirangan?(Where is the sunrise?) . But it doesn't matter. I was busy taking photos of the lovable creature.

Overhearing our conversation, Oya Choling, our elderly neighbor smiled at us with a knowing look and a glint in her eyes that only means that she too is reminiscing her own childhood. So, I thought this 'bayi' (local name of  the praying mantis) conversation play is as old as any senior Bulusanon can remember. It is a traditional Bulusanon children's play that has been going on for so long and  most often taken for granted but nevertheless have brought joy to Bulusan kids from generation to generation.

The praying mantis after the play was over is always released unharmed by Bulusans kids then and now. The question still remains however on why the praying mantises involved  in those play conversation always do their part willingly with playful gesture to boot.

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Scarlet beauty




Growing wild along the curved highway of Porog is this eye catcher red clump of what seemed to be little berries but as soon as these opens turn into minute flowers with interesting features.

To anyone from Bulusan who is familiar and knows exactly the local name of this indigenous flower,  I will appreciate it much if it can reach me via comment or my contact info. Much thanks in advance.


Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Friday, June 14, 2013

Bulusan Volcano Fenced



Bulusan Volcano appears to be fenced here in the above photo. Well,  in reality it can happen. If and when the Bulusan Geothermal Power Project will be pursued, the area of around 26,000 hectares surrounding the volcano will become a Geothermal Energy Field zone. This means this area will be literally  fenced! No entry  for even the residents without the consent of the big geo company.

The planned industrial development will convert irrevocably  the last remaining rainforest of the Province of Sorsogon  from a pristine state to an industrial state. No amount of cosmetic 'greening' will hide this fact.

Hopefully this will not happen with the vigilance of the pro nature conservation sectors of Bulusan and neighboring towns.

Photo: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon

Thursday, June 13, 2013

What caught my eye in the recent Bulusan Ecotrail Run

Look who is promoting the Bulusan Ecotrail Running Cup! At first glance the National hero appears to be running too in the fun run. The only thing that is out of place here is the overcoat. But with running shorts and top, Jose Rizal will blend in naturally with the tarpaulin ad.



Photo: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Moonlight


Moonlight floods the whole sky from horizon to horizon;
How much it can fill your room depends on its windows.”

                                                          ~ Rumi, Essential Rumi

Photo: Alma P. Gamil 
Full Moon, May 25 2013, viewed from Sabang Bridge, Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines
           

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Farm to market route


The shortest route to the market to sell their farm produce from the outlying village where this couple lives is by following the ocean's water edge. And this means a hike to the endlessly shifting beaches of this part of Bulusan. 


Part of a long stretch of  Bulusan Pacific Ocean coast where beaches shift from boulders to pebbles to black sand  and finally to the the lighter sand at the farthest end.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Miligabiga: Bulusan's Most Enchanting Beach

Miligabiga beach  -  like a morning dance.

Miligabiga beach in Bulusan - enchanted place according to the locals. Enchanting for sure.

The morning sun still casts its magic upon our arrival  in Miligabiga after a long beach walk rather trek of what seems to be a parade of beaches: boulder beach, black sand beach, rock beach,  pebble beach and this (photo)!


Getting there requires a long beach hike. It is worth the effort though for Miligabiga is so enchantingly beautiful. I can stay there for several days without getting bored. Provisions are needed however for this is around 2 km from Poblacion Central, my place.

The beach sand of Miligabiga is the color  fusion of grey to cream. A very pleasant light  khaki hue to me at first but I settled to the color cappuccino which is more nearer to the dominant color of the Miligabiga sand. Obviously clean from the non-stop movement of the waves.

Full bodied ocean waves are the norm in this area with crest suitable for advanced surfers. These waves are always in constant motion producing the most dynamic ocean sound I have ever heard. It is as if there is an unseen maestro conducting a nature's orchestra. Be prepared though because the sound  of the waves sometimes becomes so primal it evokes the awesome power of the ocean.

The entire length of Bulusan coast faces the vast Pacific Ocean.


Full-bodied crest of the ocean waves of  Miligabiga.

Freshly  wave-swept beach sand of  Miligabiga reflects the morning sun.


Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines