tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83957532012-02-16T08:17:23.492+08:00Was: a blog about Baguio City and Dolores, Quezon in the Philippines. Now: weekend pursuits, hobbies, and interests.Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.comBlogger4021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-81350263646089265662012-02-15T17:38:00.000+08:002012-02-15T17:38:12.914+08:00

Police Action at Project Jericho Uncalled For: At 6 pm, we started marching peacefully towards SM, some 500 of us. But even before reaching Sunshine Park, I knew something was wrong. There were policemen everywhere. Upon reaching Sunshine Park, I went up the gates of UP Baguio expecting the UP Jodera and UP Endangles groups to be coming out. Instead, some 50 policemen were near the gates,

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-79209615356522023642012-02-14T07:38:00.000+08:002012-02-14T07:38:05.409+08:00

IFUGAO Representative Teodoro Baguilat Jr. joined groups opposing the planned cutting and earth-balling of pines trees along the Luneta Hill in Baguio City to give way to the SM Baguio mall expansion. Baguilat, chair of the House of Representatives national cultural communities committee, said the planned uprooting of some 182 alnus and pine trees is almost criminal. continue reading at Sunstar

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-32100608117398911832012-02-10T18:24:00.002+08:002012-02-10T18:24:28.316+08:00

Aquino ally seeks talks on SM trees Domogan defeatist over SM deforestation Cut the greed, save the trees, Baguio residents tell SM

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-6756566562702089932012-02-04T11:50:00.002+08:002012-02-04T11:50:44.514+08:00

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-72900417798037784662012-01-31T06:43:00.000+08:002012-01-31T06:43:00.332+08:00

Like Palawan, Baguio City on the verge of losing balance due to environmental destruction, expert says SM Baguio expansion sparks uproar SM Baguio announces redevelopment plans Earth-balled trees harmful to Baguio Citizens Outrage VS “Massacre” Of Trees In Baguio Begin

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-79768309512642824632012-01-30T05:52:00.000+08:002012-01-30T05:52:00.496+08:00

February 5, 2012 2PM onwards (right after the planting of 182 seedlings starting at 9.00AM in protest of the planned earthballing, cutting and harming of 182 trees on Luneta Hill to pave the way for SM City Baguio's expansion plans)

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-80252819146948158572012-01-29T06:00:00.000+08:002012-01-29T06:00:01.610+08:00

Help the Ifugaos restore the Batad Rice Terraces by becoming a Batad Weekend Warrior starting Feb 3, 2012. Bachang ('vfa-dchang) or Baddang means "Bayanihan" in Ifugao dialect. Traditionally, the Ifugao's held the Bachang to assist a farmer in performing farm chores or house repairs. Bachang will be a work-in progress activity in Batad Village. On top of the usual tour packages and itinerary

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-66442746756932573712012-01-27T08:32:00.004+08:002012-01-27T08:32:56.327+08:00

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-40733409274094612132012-01-26T07:00:00.000+08:002012-01-26T07:00:02.749+08:00

BAGUIO CITY—Sometimes, it takes a woman to make a point about Baguio City’s diminishing pine cover. A 200-year-old Benguet pine (Pinus insularis) that was declared dead by the environment department last year has been reshaped into a 50-foot tall “Mother Earth” monument to the city’s remaining pine forests. Blessed by a mambunong (native priest), the giant sculpture was unveiled by artists on

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-4503587322327535282012-01-25T09:00:00.001+08:002012-01-25T09:00:48.244+08:00

This timeless song by ASIN is dedicated to the people of Baguio.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-44695213849281590092012-01-24T06:53:00.001+08:002012-01-24T06:53:33.378+08:00

Really great to see thousands turned up to protest SM's expansion plan which will mean the demise of over 170 trees at Lunteta Hill! Lots of photos up in Facebook too. I'll see if I can ask permission to post some photos in this blog. In the meantime, take a look at some videos which I was able to discover at YouTube. The protest is not yet over. Help by including your voice in the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-47654134417794716372012-01-19T06:31:00.000+08:002012-01-19T06:31:26.372+08:00

Here is what we are up against, as taken from their weebly page: Look at this monstrosity.  The hill itself has virtually disappeared!

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-26249071234825374232012-01-19T06:05:00.000+08:002012-01-19T06:05:20.846+08:00

SM City Baguio says that they will not cut down the Pine trees on Luneta Hill but rather earthball them and place them somewhere else in their locality. But earthballing these trees are tantamount to slowly killing them off.  The survival rate of earthballed trees are very low, as exemplified in this activity done at Camp John Hay.  Mr Michael A Bengyawan, Director at Cordillera Ecological

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-17156239374676371762012-01-16T06:28:00.004+08:002012-01-16T06:28:50.096+08:00

Video from the 2012 Reunion at the original Boys High Building. Wish I was there

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-15949107243341573212012-01-14T08:07:00.001+08:002012-01-14T08:07:40.405+08:00

Another protest action for your interest.  This one is for tomorrow.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-2415586884564526352012-01-14T05:31:00.001+08:002012-01-14T05:31:48.286+08:00

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-86547059971259696182012-01-13T10:56:00.000+08:002012-01-13T11:00:55.777+08:00

Why do I get the feeling that SM is building this parking lot for 6,000 vehicles only because (1) they can and (2) they want more money?  We do not need another parking lot in Baguio City.  We need more open areas with trees! Read this article at Inquirer News: New plans, new controversies for Baguio mall Related: Baquirin: the stand of trees Group threatens boycott of SM Mall

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-85227100517715701232012-01-10T11:57:00.000+08:002012-01-10T11:57:09.163+08:00

The SM Development Corp (SMDC) is set to cut 43 fully grown Alnus japonica trees while also intending to uproot 97 growing pine trees (Pinus kesiya) and 42 saplings virtually sentencing to death a total of 182 trees within the Luneta Hill area where SMDC is found to pave way for another parking lot.  This is is totally unacceptable, and callously insensitive to the importance of trees to the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-30674907423963475932012-01-09T10:14:00.001+08:002012-01-09T10:14:51.746+08:00

Ay ay Salidomay is an Igorot folk song. I have heard this in Baguio, though I do not have the proper mastery of the dialect to understand the meaning. I wish the singer wrote down the translated lyrics.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-2214073323243885322012-01-06T11:34:00.003+08:002012-01-06T11:34:55.516+08:00

The Philippines' Department of Tourism has launched the new slogan for its marketing campaign to boost tourism.  The catchphrase is "It's more fun in the Philippines" and the twitter tag #itsmorefuninthephilippines is currently trending in the Twitterverse. The website is still in the works though but it does look promising.  However, with the launch of this campaign I felt curious to know

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-51514672792598961042012-01-05T10:59:00.003+08:002012-01-05T11:00:10.778+08:00

Have you bought your ukulele yet?  Then try out this wonderful song, the Rainbow Connection, a song which I know by heart since the second grade.  Beautiful on the ukulele.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-15728196041237620362012-01-01T04:07:00.002+08:002012-01-01T04:07:54.392+08:00

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-77507229814053280272011-12-27T19:31:00.000+08:002011-12-27T19:31:34.836+08:00

*Umali means welcome in the vernacular

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-42116448891548412592011-12-20T10:46:00.000+08:002011-12-20T10:46:01.523+08:00

This video made me smile.  The most common comment they made is how the place is quite crowded but overall positive vibes all round :-).  I miss my hometown.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-42888366426641186022011-12-12T10:35:00.000+08:002011-12-12T11:17:17.402+08:00

Last weekend we spent a relaxing afternoon by watching one of my favourite movies: The Sound of Music.  I love this movie because it reminds me of the times when free movies were shown in Burnham Park during Holy Week in the late 70s.  I told my wife this interesting piece of 'Baguio history', and then I realized that there were actually lots more things that truly made my childhood days in

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-83620540188875196572011-12-06T07:00:00.000+08:002011-12-06T07:00:07.990+08:00

I've had my ukelele for a couple of weeks now and it's a real fun instrument.  I have managed to learn a number of chords, and the YouTube videos are really a big help, especially the tutorials by Ukulele Mike. Silent Night is one of the songs I was able to pick up and learn by heart because it's has a relatively slow rhythm which makes playing the chords just right for the beginner.  Plus you

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-52105847216424312012011-12-02T17:08:00.000+08:002011-12-02T17:08:00.897+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Baguio is most vulnerable to climate change, according to a study conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation.  WWF-Philippines studied the impact of climate change in four cities, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao, which were chosen based on the occurence of storms, floods, and other extreme climate events

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-44677447752066328962011-11-30T07:31:00.001+08:002011-11-30T07:31:51.960+08:00

Voters of Baguio City: please please please vote wisely next time! News item: Baguio orders Sitel to remove ads on waiting sheds BAGUIO CITY — Members of the City Council ordered Sitel Philippine Corporation to repaint and restore the waiting sheds of Baguio. Aside from that, Council committee on Laws chair Richard Cariño recommended the disapproval of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-9789958147971470682011-11-28T07:00:00.000+08:002011-11-28T07:00:00.843+08:00

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-36163150799239647802011-11-25T05:50:00.000+08:002011-11-25T05:50:00.626+08:00

*** My comment about this news item: Sorry about being the skeptic in this rather welcome news, but back in 2008 when the local government started renovating the Children's Park in Burnham, their press release stated that it will be transformed into a world-class park. Look at it now. I will believe this when I see it happen. *** President Benigno Aquino III fulfilled his promise to help the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-22976844084182912652011-11-23T16:59:00.001+08:002011-11-23T17:00:16.308+08:00

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-8089127501803093302011-11-15T09:15:00.001+08:002011-11-15T09:18:02.248+08:00

I found this helpful in my early days at learning the ukulele.  I borrowed some books from the library and it was mostly about memorizing a number of chords.  At times it's no fun to just see the diagrams and trying it out.  Videos make learning more fun! Another reason to check out this particular video is because the progression shown is commonly used in various music pieces.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-17188098002663886942011-11-10T09:59:00.001+08:002011-11-10T09:59:25.794+08:00

I've bought a Concert Ukulele yesterday! I had fun starting my music lesson last night, and my son Jo-Lo seems to be taking interest as well. Don't know what I meant by Concert Ukulele? There are actually five different kinds. This video from Hawaii Music Supply talks about this exact topic, complete with play samples.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-31456914447837315492011-11-07T11:25:00.000+08:002011-11-07T11:25:19.467+08:00

Christmas is fast approaching and between blogging and learning the ukelele (which I have yet to buy), I will need to start making Christmas lanterns soon.  Last year, I also started making Kudusama lanterns at around this time and I did not have sufficient time to give friends, and those who missed out were really disappointed (thanks to my other friends who proudly announced that they received

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-50156190424540652192011-11-04T19:30:00.000+08:002011-11-10T10:00:17.313+08:00

I woke up one morning and from out of the blue I wanted to learn how to play the ukulele.  That was last week, and I thought it was going to be one of my temporary obsessions (which includes playing the piano and learning japanese) but one week hence and I still could not think of doing anything else after work but to learn how to play the ukulele.  Perhaps this is mid-life crisis at work? At

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-77745887902773675292011-10-28T07:51:00.000+08:002011-10-28T07:51:00.281+08:00

This will happen on 13-14 January 2012.  Wish I could be there! Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-45295962497265632342011-10-25T16:47:00.001+08:002011-10-25T16:48:00.346+08:00

Yipee!  We got another Smurf from Kinder Surprise! He's the partner to the Gargamel we got earlier actually.  See how their expressions match?

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-21982297329828107612011-10-13T09:48:00.000+08:002011-11-24T05:16:00.013+08:00

I first heard of the Cordillera Pine Tree Festival through the Twitter feed of a Philippine news agency. I decided to Google the event for more information. Unfortunately, my first impression was that there wasn't a concerted effort to centralize information. I saw three different places that appear to be the "official" websites because of the way they were represented: http://

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-90398044331437092532011-10-05T11:01:00.000+08:002011-10-05T11:01:00.895+08:00

Benguet (of which Baguio City is part) is a landslide-prone area.  It is increasingly more so in the city istelf where people are now indiscriminately felling trees and building anywhere.  It has been said time and time again that the city is no longer able to cope with the ever increasing number of residents there.  The recent rubbish landslide is just one indicator. So what is the local

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-30806077958780352702011-10-03T07:00:00.000+08:002011-10-03T07:00:01.796+08:00

So we bought another Kinder Surprise chocolate egg, hoping to find another one of those coveted Smurfs inside. But, we found something else instead. It's a Hippo.  Not even remotely related to the Smurfs.  It's composed of three parts, which you can mix and match with others of its kind.  So you can end up with a half-fish, half hippo, for instance.  Or a griffin without wings perhaps. Am I

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-57490341734842584702011-09-30T13:29:00.000+08:002011-10-01T13:35:53.291+08:00

I bought another Kinder Suprise chocolate egg when we did our groceries.  Alas, I did not get another Smurf.  Instead, it's Gargamel! Looks like I'll have to try again!  Perhaps Jo-Lo should choose the egg this time around, he might be luckier.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-17818410480005451952011-09-24T04:46:00.003+08:002011-09-24T04:46:55.427+08:00

Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs, that is. We spotted the Kinder (as in Kindergarten) Surprise ad on TV yesterday and I was delighted that they were having Smurfs!  Smurfs is an 80s cartoon.  I just had to have one (or two?).  Problem is, it's a random pick.  Not sure what you're going to get. This prompted me to Google for Kinder Suprise, owing to the rather unique name.  It turned out that

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-91076364232284811642011-09-18T16:18:00.001+08:002011-09-18T16:19:20.563+08:00

We saw these cute figures at The Countdown in Johnsonville awhile ago.  Jo-Lo and I are big fans of Mario games, and we just had to buy these. The figures are actually part of candy dispensers.  Each one costs $4.29. We have our favourite action figures on display (read: not meant for play) and these two will definitely stay there.  Or occasionally become Monopoly tokens! Get yours

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-35898582708163125712011-09-13T17:46:00.000+08:002011-09-13T17:46:11.033+08:00

Featuring the usual haunts of tourists visiting my hometown.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-10209172675343201932011-09-10T18:41:00.004+08:002011-09-10T18:42:01.964+08:00

SENATOR Loren Legarda scolded Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and environment city officials after she visited the Irisan dumpsite. “Officials need to adhere to the law. It’s pathetic as they can be held liable for incompetence,” said Legarda, a staunch environmentalist and chair of the Senate committee on climate change. Continue reading at Sunstar Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-39142370041543877522011-09-04T16:30:00.000+08:002011-09-04T16:30:20.681+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Baguio City officials are liable for the collapse of a dumpsite in the city that killed at least 3 people last Saturday, Presidential adviser on environmental protection Nereus Acosta said on Monday. Acosta said local officials could be held liable for violating Republic Act 9003 also known as the Solid Waste Management Act for failing to shut down the Irisan dumpsite,

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-20330032359917655072011-08-30T07:00:00.003+08:002011-08-30T07:00:00.449+08:00

An ilocano rap song by T.Max and company based in London, UK.  I've never heard of an Ilocano rap song before, so this is quite a novelty for me.  Here in New Zealand, there is growing awareness of the Maori culture which was nearly decimated a couple of decades ago but is seeing a revival and popular support in recent years.  Adaptation to modern culture, such as in song, is also a popular form

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-84181367016172161242011-08-26T07:00:00.002+08:002011-08-29T12:01:02.191+08:00

Wright Park in Philippines Enjoy! Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-9408815117206059542011-08-23T07:00:00.008+08:002011-08-23T07:00:01.747+08:00

One of my favourite songs by Lea Salonga

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-25411327595229962982011-08-20T07:00:00.001+08:002011-08-24T17:06:05.664+08:00

This is part of my online protest for LGTM to refund our money.  We will also be suing them soon. Itogon Officials told to sue Developer | Baguio Midland Courier 24 July 2011 issue The Cordilleras might put to test the effectiveness of the Writ of Kalikasan if the local government of Itogon decides to pursue filing of a petition against LGTM Corporation, a subdivision developer in Kias barangay

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-49511241336454969062011-08-17T15:59:00.000+08:002011-08-17T15:59:03.676+08:00

A report by GMA 7 program Tunay na Buhay Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-26299220965946749612011-08-10T12:58:00.002+08:002011-08-10T12:58:00.125+08:00

Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-30183424590241418052011-08-07T12:50:00.001+08:002011-08-07T12:50:00.812+08:00

Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-76965273182186313422011-08-04T12:20:00.000+08:002011-08-04T12:20:50.522+08:00

This happened last June.  Just wanted to share this video; it felt like I was right there, back in Session Road! Couldn't help but smile while listening to the conversations in the background. Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-42185177776447634022011-07-29T09:53:00.009+08:002011-07-29T09:53:00.878+08:00

HOLLAND - For more than two decades now, a small community of elderly Dutch has been collecting donations from all over Holland and sending them to the rural areas in the Philippines. Everyday, big heavy boxes of donations for the Philippines are dropped in a warehouse in Heeten, a tiny community here in Holland of mostly elderly Dutch citizens. The warehouse will be filled up with boxes of

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-67752846894098890822011-07-26T05:19:00.001+08:002011-07-26T06:51:00.476+08:00

State of the Nation AddressofHis Excellency Benigno S. Aquino IIIPresident of the PhilippinesTo the Congress of the Philippines [Delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on July 25, 2011] Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-22715188723717254612011-07-22T07:00:00.004+08:002011-07-22T07:00:01.210+08:00

Couldn't stop laughing. I definitely had to share this!

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-15462086931725968642011-07-19T10:43:00.000+08:002011-07-19T10:43:36.110+08:00

Gilbert Bergano Alberto from Hungduan, Ifugao won Silver at the 10th International Scuplture Symposium in Geneva, Switzerland.  His work "Echo of an Old Ma" won him the award.  He also won the Audience Choice Award. Gilbert came from a family of wood carvers; he started carving at 13 years old.  You can view his works at The Igorot Gallery.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-60922733648078405192011-07-14T17:35:00.000+08:002011-07-14T17:35:01.631+08:00

Who hasn't heard of the L Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?  I've known this story since I was in grade school.  The details get murky over time, but I am luckily able to borrow a copy from the library to travel over the yellow brick road once more. It's been many years since my last read (can't seem to get tired reading the classics!) of this story, and I was quite happy to find this

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-50164666210579662102011-07-09T07:00:00.004+08:002011-07-09T07:00:03.733+08:00

Filipinos are known for their creativity (not the creative outburst kind, if you know what I mean!) and “passion” in the arts. This can be attested to by the popularity of videoke machines that Filipinos both abroad and in our country loves to have especially in celebrations. Dancing is also popular; it is a mainstay in our variety shows and as contests on TV and in fiestas. And we have taken

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-86143008084190756272011-07-05T07:00:00.000+08:002011-07-05T07:00:02.438+08:00

Some of my colleagues here at the office would ask me how Philippines is like and if it's safe to travel there.  I would go to marketing mode and declare that we have the most wonderful beaches, an awesome variety of fruits and fish, the food is amazing and so is the beer and company. However when pressed on, I would advise them to head straight to Makati's central district and not wander much

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-35801507265839082762011-07-01T07:00:00.014+08:002011-07-01T07:00:01.767+08:00

We have a small corridor that serves as the junction between the toilet, bathroom and the bedrooms. There's nothing extraordinary about this corridor, which I realized was the problem. It was underutilized. It was just one of those spaces where you pass through. It can be so much more, I thought. The idea of a space where you can gaze at glowing stars came about when my son and I passed through

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-57538798318222526062011-06-26T18:51:00.000+08:002011-06-26T18:51:48.953+08:00

Ghostopolis is a graphic novel that I had borrowed from the Library.  Every now and then I veer off from the Marvels and the DC Comics and check out the other stuff.  I have found a number of gems, and this is definitely one of them. A regular boy named Garth Hale was in a not-so-ordinary circumstance: he had an incurable disease, and so his time on earth is counted, a situation his mother is

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-19925255464484393482011-06-16T18:28:00.000+08:002011-06-16T18:28:52.330+08:00

Lisa Araneta shared these photos in Facebook a few minutes ago.  This happened at around 5PM today.  Very intriguing cloud formations interspersed with an otherwordly light.  With such a vision, who wouldn't stop and wonder what's happening? Thank you Lisa for the permission to post these interesting photos! Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-71824524481693067432011-06-14T07:00:00.000+08:002011-06-14T07:00:00.210+08:00

You will no longer see the Chinese Garden in Baguio City because it had been replaced many many years ago with an Igorot Garden instead.  I am not sure why it was replaced, but the Chinese Garden was a beautiful park, with koi in the pool, dragon fountains, and lions guarding the entrance. This park was part of the old charm of Baguio...

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-88972215633279931472011-06-11T07:00:00.000+08:002011-06-11T07:00:01.174+08:00

This marker, placed near the entrance of Puso ng Baguio Building, commemorates the opening of the said building in Session Road.  Wish I also wrote down what was on this marker, as it's quite difficult to read from this photo. Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-35537439183063091982011-06-08T07:00:00.010+08:002011-06-09T04:20:45.274+08:00

An open letter of Dr. Michael A. Bengwayan to DENR: Our very dear Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, Last May 8, 2011, I wrote you a letter regarding the destruction of a large part of the Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reservation which was declared in 1940 by the late President Manuel L. Quezon. I went there with a team of environmentalists and a local government official and discovered that the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-42883454447587212642011-06-05T16:21:00.001+08:002011-06-09T04:18:14.914+08:00

It was a musical journey that started with Bugs Bunny. Yup, it's no other than that varmin critter that spoke those famous 3 words (What's up, Doc?).  I bought a CD many years ago entitled "Bugs & Friends Sing the Beatles" which contain their rendition of popular Beatles songs.  I am an 80s kid by heart and did not really care much for anything 60s-70s, but I like Looney Tunes so I thought I

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-72176379488802790612011-05-30T17:24:00.000+08:002011-05-30T17:24:22.742+08:00

Thursday night is Fringe night.  No matter if it's on at 10:30 in the evening (which is much later than I am accustomed to for weekdays) thus making me late sometimes for work on Fridays, but Fringe had caught my imagination and so I'm sticking to it, even if TVNZ moved it to this unholy hour. It's just that Fringe tackles things that have baffled science since time immemorial.  And I can relate

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-7307510396843300432011-05-25T09:27:00.000+08:002011-05-25T09:27:09.359+08:00

Location: Crystal Cave, December 2010 Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-66668402068257360762011-05-19T12:31:00.002+08:002011-05-19T15:26:36.416+08:00

The St Vincent Church is memorable to me not because of the Church itself, but because of the Gym to its right.  Back in high school, my friends Sonny and Leo and I would industriously take the long walk from SLU Boys High to the Gym.  Nope, no jeepney rides for us because we're saving up every cent we have to buy... used stamps!  Yep, we were philatelists in our youth, influenced by Leo.  The

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-50829000958293143162011-05-15T06:08:00.001+08:002011-05-19T12:32:26.148+08:00

Just like any other parent who would like to have a place to retire to and pass on to their kids, we started to invest on a plot of land in my hometown of Baguio City in the Philippines. We have been paying a monthly amortization since the middle of 2007, with the property developer stating that in about 5 years' time, the place would have been developed already - roadworks, pipelines, basic

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-17945739511375953272011-05-11T07:00:00.002+08:002011-05-11T07:00:02.083+08:00

I just love this song, and would like to share it with you.

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-29151377310415157642011-05-08T07:00:00.005+08:002011-05-08T07:00:00.965+08:00

Happy Mother's Day po sa lahat ng mga Nanay sa espesyal na araw na ito! (Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers on this special day!)

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-41879962000114068362011-05-04T11:57:00.000+08:002011-05-04T11:57:29.842+08:00

They are the recent addition to our family. They've been with us for about a month and a half now (how time flies!) and they are doing splendidly well, considering that the last time I took care of fish was back in high school. A friend phoned us last year if we were interested in an aquarium because his work is eating up much of his time and so he was thinking of donating this to the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-31878779849539832252011-04-26T17:57:00.000+08:002011-04-26T17:57:17.062+08:00

This two-storey building is located along Bonifacio Street near Malcolm Square, and houses a number of shops, notably Pang-Hoi and Tiong San Bazaar which have been there for as long as I can remember. Back when I was a working student in University, Tiong San was the place to go to when we have refunds from our school fees.  And when I was much younger, we bought our fishing hook and line from

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-57779787013886087472011-04-20T07:00:00.000+08:002011-04-20T07:00:01.830+08:00

Naguilian Road is one of three main roads linking Baguio City to the lowlands.  We used to frequent this area as well because one of my friends live near here.  To the left is the Lourdes Grotto, which is one of the places I bring my friends to whenever I play Tourist Guide. Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-7537410973596127782011-04-17T10:13:00.036+08:002011-04-25T16:21:13.151+08:00

To all parents out there, never name your kid with exactly the same name as your favourite super hero, tv character, holiday, or worse, restaurant food. He/she will be traumatised from grade school all through his golden days. Consider Clark Kent from this comic book Superman: Secret Identity. He isn't really Clark Kent of Superman fame. It's just that their family name is Kent and so his

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-38407529819537611862011-04-14T11:51:00.016+08:002011-05-06T10:56:38.015+08:00

Call me sentimental, but one fine afternoon I found myself looking for the song Hiram sa Diyos because I dreamt I was at Baguio Cathedral and singing this song while celebrating mass. This led to more YouTube discoveries, which I am posting here so I can come back to these time and again... and I'd like to share these with you as well! We make the most heartful songs... this one, Hiram sa

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-30832978723237959962011-04-11T09:08:00.001+08:002011-04-25T16:24:12.135+08:00

Long before Red Ribbon and Goldilocks, even long before Sunshine started its own line of baked goods, there was only one cake for us for our birthdays. It was the Streamline cake which we bought at U-Need Bakery and Grocery near Malcolm Square. We chanced upon this food store near the public market and we stopped by for some noodles. We simply had to order a couple of slices of this

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-11038964319834643722011-04-05T12:57:00.002+08:002011-04-25T16:23:38.091+08:00

This is one of our visits to the Baguio Cathedral during our stay in our hometown last January 2011. This area has changed a lot since the last time we were here two years ago. To be honest, majority of these changes are not aesthetically pleasing... but I'm getting ahead of myself. On to the story. On this visit, we went by way of the entrance opposite the Post Office area. In one of the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-67352823024249901872011-03-31T12:14:00.000+08:002011-03-31T12:14:25.763+08:00

Two iconic images of Baguio City: the pine trees that naturally scents the air (get it while you can - this is fast disappearing, unfortunately) and the radar on top of Mt Sto Tomas, said to be the airconditioning units of Baguio City. Photos taken January 2011 Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-73932698694022124822011-03-22T11:31:00.001+08:002012-01-05T07:11:39.027+08:00

We were actually just strolling by upper Session Road (right next to SM) when we saw Casa Vallejo.  This is a building built in 1909 and for much of the past decades, was closed down.  I actually thought it was going to be another victim of "modernization".  In fact, just a few blocks from it, two new building constructions were underway. We were quite pleased to see that Casa Vallejo is back

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-63856663549506742182011-03-14T09:38:00.000+08:002011-03-14T09:38:54.084+08:00

The Notre Dame is one of the places I have never been to during the entire time I was living in the city.  One, there was never really a reason for me to go there; two, I heard it was being run by nuns and places run by nuns are - I assumed - off limits to those who do not have to be there (case in point: Pink Sisters' chapel where a gate separates the general public from their praying area, and

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-49466659341560878572011-03-08T11:23:00.000+08:002011-03-08T11:23:15.327+08:00

This photo was taken at SM.  It's been many years since I've seen the fountain on this man-made lake come alive.  Boating is a popular pastime here. Taken December 2010 Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-91294517808366134332011-03-02T15:53:00.000+08:002011-03-02T15:53:11.968+08:00

Marbay is located right behind the Maharlika Livelihood Center in lower Session Road.  Most people - especially the tourists - would visit only the section of Marbay where there are silver craft, weaving and wood carving.  But aside from a thriving tourist industry, the same building has tailoring shops as well as a number of stalls selling military gear. On a couple of occasions I have tried

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-76344230831824871762011-02-26T07:00:00.005+08:002011-02-26T07:00:01.320+08:00

Saw this 1986 photo from MLQ3's Tumblr.  The Marcos Bust was constructed in the early 80s on a Mountain in Benguet.  This was a familiar sight when you travel the winding road of Marcos Highway to and from Baguio.  But in 2002 the bust was blown up.  The face is mostly gone.  Nobody has gone to prison over the travesty, but there were a number of theories as to why it was destroyed: hidden

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-32120729581731454462011-02-22T11:33:00.000+08:002011-02-22T11:33:19.644+08:00

 Above: the entrance to the park.  Wooden slabs have been placed in areas for sitting on.  Below: this "hut" was originally covered with dried grass, simiar to those used on the kubo.  That was in the 70s.  I guess they did not bother to maintain that. Fun place for a picnic! Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-86414723904026616632011-02-15T11:37:00.000+08:002011-02-15T11:37:14.524+08:00

Clean toilets!  Years ago, clean toilets were hard to come by, so this is a huge improvement. Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-21156893758427671582011-02-11T17:24:00.001+08:002011-02-11T17:26:43.133+08:00

 My wife loves steamed corn  Stalls selling various knitwear and handicrafts Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-88429541008799157942011-02-07T15:56:00.001+08:002011-02-07T15:57:43.139+08:00

When we asked the taxi driver to bring us to the Centennial Park formerly called Botanical Garden formerly called Imelda Park, our young driver was surprised to learn it was called Imelda Park before.  Well, he learned something that day.  We also learned that we are very much a part of Baguio's history! Imelda Park is a very memorable childhood playground.  From Session Road, we used to hike

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-8191312950503896522011-01-27T07:00:00.001+08:002011-01-27T07:00:02.141+08:00

I know little of Camp Henry Allen, but I am aware that this area is a place for military servicemen.  Many years ago this was a well-kept place.  The houses that can be seen from the road are immaculately white and the roofs well-maintained.  They actually reminded me of the cottages in the old Camp John Hay.  So it was really a surprise to see the houses in such neglect. Quite sad. Photos

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-83445551414046330642011-01-23T07:00:00.014+08:002011-01-23T07:00:01.790+08:00

I was a grade school student here in the late 70s.  I had the opportunity to visit the school recently.  The building itself is the same as it was but I only have vague memories of my time there.  I think, though, that the current Principal's Office used to be the Library. Photos taken January 2011 Technorati tags: Baguio

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-51491549711274672672011-01-19T08:32:00.000+08:002011-01-19T08:32:12.115+08:00

This is the section adjacent to the Rizal Park.  In my youth, this was just a wide section of green, sloping land.  We used to let ourselves roll down the slope, or play kites.  Today, the sloping section now has a wide, concrete stairway and areas were bordered for roses.  The lower section was left as a wide expanse, cut in the middle by the concrete walkway.  Still lots of room for kids to run

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-88724557793555395642011-01-14T11:38:00.000+08:002011-01-14T11:38:22.676+08:00

When we were leaving for New Zealand in 2008, the Children's Park in Burnham was closed for renovation.  The allocated budget was PhP4.48M.  Two years after, let's see what has changed at Children's Park. The entrance has been relocated to the left of the original, making it more spacious.  A wide, circular space wlecomes you to the redeveloped Children's Park.  My reaction: looks good! On

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-18065445136213732302011-01-06T13:59:00.000+08:002011-01-06T13:59:52.919+08:00

We've been to the public market a couple of times.  I especially wanted to see the area where fruits and pasalubong can be bought.  It's now airy and its looks more spacious now. At the left of the above alleyway is a row of stalls which sell coconuts, tapioca of various colours, sweet potatoes, galapong, and lots of other ingredients needed to make sweet delicacies. Dried fish is also a

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-60393010488105285452010-12-27T15:46:00.000+08:002010-12-27T15:46:27.242+08:00

The last time I saw the fountain activated at Burnham Lake was in the early 80s.  I heard that the multi-coloured lights are on as well in the evening.  Something to look forward to when we visit the park soon. The football field is constantly being rid of its grass because people usually cross the field from the lake to Harrison Road at right as a shortcut.  The big building at right is the

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-66945528128378861012010-12-22T10:13:00.000+08:002010-12-22T10:13:00.521+08:00

Photo credit: The Catholic Hack

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-33166812977732934242010-12-17T07:00:00.006+08:002010-12-17T07:00:05.111+08:00

This is how the Butterfly Type III Kudusama looks like when you use patterned paper.  Looks really nice. Technorati tags: Kudusama

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395753.post-50690482973866635102010-12-14T05:35:00.000+08:002010-12-14T05:35:50.538+08:00

Looks like the sNOw show in Baguio City isn't taking off anytime soon as it faces one hurdle after another.  This is starting to sound like a conspiracy was involved, especially since the winner was a supplier of SM (who seems to be having a LOT of vested business interests in the city - think forest cover along Convention Centre) and the two other bidders were disqualified.  I would very much

Nick Ballesteroshttps://profiles.google.com/102230086458952412430noreply@blogger.com0