THE RUINS

This visit was not planned, as always. My friends are the spontaneous type. I was sleeping after my graveyard shift when I received a text message from Lee that later in the afternoon we will rock THE RUINS in Talisay. It's sad to note though that LEE (next to me) is leaving bacolod so soon. And I think that's the major major reason for this escapade.

I googled THE RUINS IN TALISAY for some basic information and I found an article written by Mini Javellana - J. Here it goes:

The structure of The RUINS is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque twin columns. In New England, they often were homes to ship's captains. The father of Maria Braga was a captain of the ship. The mansion was built after the death of Maria Braga and it became Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson's mansion residence with his unmarried children.

It was the largest residential structure ever built at that time. Felipe, one of the sons, supervised the construction making certain that the A-grade mixture of concrete and its pouring was precisely followed.

The structure met its sad fate in the early part of World War II when the USAFFE, then guerilla fighters in the Philippines burned the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from using it as their headquarters.

Despite the inferno that it underwent, bringing down the roof and the 2-inch wooden floors, the structure still stands and has withstood the test of time mainly due to the oversized steel bars and the A-grade mixture of concrete used to build it.

The monumental size and grandeur of The RUINS bespeaks of the lifestyle of the "Hacienderos" in the not-so-distant past.

The pipes used to channel the electric wires, imbedded in the ceiling are still used today. The 4-tiered fountain was done after the mansion was built. Angelina, one of the daughters, maintained a beautiful lily garden in and around. A Japanese gardener painstakingly took care of the plants until the burning of the mansion.

A belvedere at the second floor, facing west, in a glassed-in sunroom with bay windows affords a beautiful view of the sunset and the coast line of Talisay City.

The tiles seen today in the mansion are all original. Arrays of varied designs of tiles used throughout the mansion have been grouped together at the foyer of the back entrance of the mansion.

The flooring used for the mansion were alternating red and yellow long-span, 2-inch thick, hard wood running from the main entrance facing the fountain all the way to the end of the dining room with no joints. They were a meter wide and 20.5 meters long. The living room near the veranda and all the bedrooms were all of wooden floors.

R and R plus More!

TM Jam Grandea, VP Membership of Riverside Toastmasters Club, received her new name plate as Advance Communicator Bronze from DTM Wilson Lee, District 75 Governor.

TM Glory Hernia, Area 33 Governor, also received her new name plate having achieved the Advance Communicator Norm.

TM Deanna Mae Nonato, VP Education of Riverside Toastmasters Club, another recepient of the name plate after achieving the Competent Communication Norm.

These pictures were taken during the Family day/Sportsfest of Division D at La Salle Ecopark, Granada, on November 05, 2010.

Toastmasters - Not Speaking English

So you think toastmasters group themselves with the rostrum, gavel, and microphone in their midst? And speak in kilometric phrases?

Not until March 13, 2010 when Div D let go of their consciousness to say ah’s, uhm’s, and other verbal crutches and headed their way to CICM, Talisay City for a day of physical activities, food trip, endless chit-chats, relaxation, nap, sleep, singing, and even not doing anything or “sight-seeing”. The last word is in quotation to mean their connotations. Well, that’s just a theory.

A day before, I made sure that I have my required 6-7 hours of sleep to be in attendance of what they officially call “Division D Sports fest”. This means I canceled my Friday nocturnal socializing. Oh, there’s the quotation again. That’s because I destined that day as a day to relax, sleep maybe in 10 minutes, breathe another quality of air, and not think of anything. If you have read my previous blog, you will know that I badly needed this R and R.

Mcdo Lacson served as the assembly place but ironically when I arrived, not a single soul is present. I sent a text message to TM Jaclyn whom I met before I came in and replied that all of them including Gov. Cherrie flocked to Jollibee for their breakfast. Poor Mcdonalds!

Eight o-clock ticked in my cellphone clock when I saw a group in yellow polo-shirt and the hair of the long-absent toastmaster Jabez. Then I saw Gov. Cherrie in grinning face and waved hi and hello. And suddenly TM Grazy caught my vision as she made a pose beside the huge façade of Mcdo. And the talking went louder and louder. The people around us might just be very tolerant. Forgive our being us.

And then I saw the “demanding” presence of TM Boy. Demanding because he was wearing fuchsia pink. Ahah! And here comes myself in black and white not knowing, it’s actually our official color. Who to blame? Not me.

Off we paraded the long but not winding Lacson street and before I knew it, we were at the venue, CICM. This is my second visit of the place which is really best for contemplation, retrospection and introspection.

The main event commenced with football with a twist. A perfect start maybe? I played football in college as part of my four PE subjects. I could still remember we trotted for long hours under the sweltering heat of the sun with my classmates in the huge Silliman ballfield for the love of the sport and the grade as well. Did my introduction reveal the winner? Hehehe.

Then volleyball came in next. I was told by TM Cyrus that we can’t possibly participate for the lack of a 6-player team. Out of my ferocious spirit, I made myself near to TM Boy G and said that we will compete anyway. The ambitious 4-player team is composed of TM Jabez (serves us our inspiration), the equally strong in spirit Cyrus, and the gregarious daughter of a toastmaster from Sparkle TMC. The sun at 11:30 am may be fierce but not as fierce compared to our doggedness to topple the complete 6-player team from NOCECO. We may be quantatively deficient, but we are qualitatively superior. Peace to Gov Cherrie. Hehehehe.

The “Dama” event was quite interesting. For the innumerable times that I have played the game and at some point in time considered myself a “dama” elite, I didn’t know that it is governed by international rules. Whoa! A game for the prisoners behind bar has international rules?! If you can’t play chess, you play “dama” and that’s me. Hehe. And by the way, if you are interested with the international ruling, you may contact Cyrus of FFTMC.

The cheering competition was the most exciting maybe. It was a showcase of cheers and yells which are statements of exaggeration and falsehood. Peace with a smile. Sparkle amazed the audience (composed of Emmylou, Jabez, Cyrus, and I) with their multihued costume and props, grace in dancing, unity in singing, and mastery in choreography. OMG! I didn’t know I am evaluating already! Huh! Am I in for a trouble! Wait, let me find my way out. Two other clubs also kissed our eyes with beauty and our ears with wit should I say.

We kissed the serenity of CICM with happy thoughts. Enough to create bonds together. Enough to foster new friendship. Enough to forget the busyness of city life.

Mambukal Ascend

Guimaras Trip

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

The article will follow.