The Hen and the Nestling

When I went to my auntie's back yard, this is what I've seen, the hen and its chicks. The hen was scratching the soil looking something to eat while the chicks are picking the prospect food. Memories in my childhood came flashing back how the hen covered its chicks on its wings when a seagull or an eagle hovered over them. I've seen how brave it is to fight to anybody who came near its nestling. In fact it is very protective to its youngsters. Hen is the icon of protection. Though they are animals yet the hen shows its mother instinct.

Nipa roof.

Nipa roof. The Philippine national house is called Nipa hut. It is called Nipa Hut simply because its roof is made up of Nipa leaves. The wall and the floor was made from the bamboo. Every time I personally see a Nipa hut, my desire of building a Nipa Hut refreshes and played in my mine. Nipa Hut symbolizes the whole aspect of a Filipino. Simple yet it has a naive beauty. Filipinos are as simple as Nipa hut yet it has a beauty that others do not have. A hut made of Nipa attracts people. Even us native Filipinos still get attracted to it. Beaches and cottages are usually built by bamboo and Nipa.

Stitching Palm leaves

Another thing that keeps my sister busy is stitching palm leaves. This is called Nipa. Nipa is another kind of palm that grows beside the river.The leaves are being removed from the stalk. After removing them, they will be filed by six and folded them. The piece of sliced bamboo has to be inserted in the folded leaves. When it is done, that is the time stitching begun. The type of stitches used is running stitch until it reaches to the other end of the bamboo. When it is already locked, then the finish product is ready for delivery.

Weave Bamboo

This is the finish product of the weave bamboo. We call it Amakan. This can be used as wall, ceiling or decorative. Those who would like their house to be looked like native one, they will use this as decorative. For the ordinary people who can hardly afford to concretize their house, this can be used as a house wall and this will look awesome. This is what I want to be the wall of my dream house. One finish product is worth less than 200 pesos. This is cheaper than the other kind of product. What is good with this is that anything made from a bamboo is cold. It has a natural coldness than can soften ones temper.

Weaving the pieces of slice bamboo

We just came back from the province. We went there because our aunt died. We stayed there for two days and three nights. After the burial, this is one thing that keeps my sister and the children busy. They are weaving a slice bamboo. It looks very easy and simple so I even tried it my self. To my surprised, I realized that it was not as simple as it looks. Each piece is so hard to hold that can cut our skin if we will not be careful. This work needs patience because you need to slice the bamboo into thin pieces before you can weave them. It also needs presence of mind, otherwise the design will change. Good imagination has to be applied to create different designs.

My Obsession

Working in flowers makes me happy. While in fact making a wedding bouquet is my greatest obsession. The first time I made a wedding bouquet was unintentional. My colleague asked my best friend to do it for her wedding. But my friend received a call from somewhere in Mindanao. He went there without prior notice. For that matter I was obliged to take over. Despite of my obsession to make a wedding bouquet, I was still reluctant to do it for I did not have enough confident. When it was done, for me it was a big fulfillment in my part. From then I was able to gain confidence. That event had a greater impact because it was then that my hesitation disappear.

Simple Life

Life in the province is very simple. It is extremely different from the life in the city. Though there are many job opportunities in the city, but, every move you will make needs money. Unlike in the province, the lifestyle is so simple. Even though there is a scarcity of job, yet if you only persevere and use your resourcefulness, then you will never get hungry. Just like these few people in the picture, they are not there just to enjoy but to look for shells or anything that can be served for dinner. You do not need to look for an employer, everything needed for meals are just there around the corner all you have to do is to be an industrious, work hard and be contented.

The moon

Many times I tried to take picture of the moon specially when there is a star near it. Of all the moon's picture that I took, never did I get a clearer one. But this time, I would say I made it. It was as early as six in the evening, the moon showed up. That was a twilight time where there was still a blue part of the sky that can be seen. I was able to have a timing. I took my camera with me and stood up between the fences trying to get an angle of the moon. I was so glad of the result. At last, I've got it.