Ayala Terraces: An Urban Green Lung in Cebu

Sustainable Use of Space & Cebu's Urban Green Lungs

Ayala Terraces:

cafes & restos,

outdoor concerts,

open space....

and yes a few trees:

that give oxygen

to clear the mind of the asphyxiated consumer;

that cool off the heat

from the cemented shoppers' paradise;

that give positive vibrations

to the commuters crossing over to the puv terminal;

yes, even a few trees --

can make a big difference

in the mind, 

the temperature 

and the aura 

of the place and the people...

University of the Philippines- Cebu Campus Grounds: An Urban Green Lung in Cebu

Sustainable Use of Space & Cebu's Urban Green Lung

U.P. Cebu in the 80's

Naked man,

brown gate,

noy osting,

student council days,

street protesting,

pajama wear & slippers,

noisy library and empty laboratories,

challenging teachers & exams,

rundown classrooms...

Of course, now U.P. Cebu

is somewhat modern & equipped,

the quest for academic freedom & excellence continues...

Another thing endures...

The giant trees 

that dwarf 

the wisdom of the u.p. "intellectuals"...

cool place to hang out when missing classes

near the old "new" building

in front of basketball court

tree lined lahug road

The students at U.P. Cebu and the residents of the area

have something valuable,

a green lung---

that they can breathe everyday

as they go about studying and doing their daily toil.

Just like wisdom,

trees are great treasures...

No wonder there is a naked man,

our version of the thinker,

free to explore his mind,

under the shade & influence of a great tree.

San Miguel de Archanghel, Argao, Cebu

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Sustainable Tourism and Heritage Churches

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

 The cathedral conjures memories of:

a moss covered stone facade church,

multistorey saint-filled altar,

ionic and corinthian columns,

squeaky old church pews,

Memories of attending masses there evoke images of:

veiled elderly women clad in black,

CWL ladies in their trademark maroon uniforms,

burning red candles in metal barrels,

boring and judgmental priests,

being denied communion because of outfit issues,

 a unique scent of urine, burning candles and sweat,

it was like living  in the pages of Noli Me Tangere...

Now the Cathedral is all cleaned up and air-conditioned,

The facade, bell tower and plaza where restored,

But the altar and interiors have been modernized...

which is sad and tragic...

shows  that good intentions need to be tempered by informed effort... 

It would be considered BEST PRACTICE, 

if the local archdiocese do INFORMED restoration projects,

in order not to destroy historic buildings 

like heritage churches...

Although the church may have dominion over the properties,

the heritage of historic churches belong to the people,

thus its proper restoration-

 a moral imperative.

Now, there is a prayer room,

the grounds are open to the public,

and there is a decent rest room...

Attending mass may now be more comfortable,

the priest more prepared and informed...

Perhaps a restoration of faith in the church,

could also come next...

An INFORMED RESTORATION,

as well...

More Bisaya Vegetarian Dishes

Sustainable Eating and the Bisaya Vegetarian

Steamed Tofu in sesame soy sauce

Steamed camote tops and kangkong stalks
in lemonsito soy sauce with tomatoes

Mixed veggie soup (mungo sprouts, corn, beans, petchay)

brocolli and couscous

wheat pita and hummus

The Mancao Historic Home, Carcar, Cebu

Sustainable Tourism & Historic Homes

Carcar,
Chicharon, ampao, bocarillo,
Good Friday cruxificions,
Leon Kilat's assasination,
Rotunda, St. Catherine's School,
Nuisance tricycles,
Horrific traffic,
Lawless and ignorant drivers....

ok, ok, will stop here...

it is also an excellent place to see Historic Homes...

What is a historic home?
It is an old home worthy of historic preservation,
at least 50 years old,
and looks almost the same way as it did in the past.
It is a home associated with significant
events, people and developments in the past.
It is a home that may have some landscape,
architectural or engineering significance in the past.

In other countries,
they have special historic societies,
and historic registries,
that document, fund,
and restore historic homes.


Here in Cebu and in Carcar in particular,
there are many  noteworthy historic homes,
one of them is the Mancao Home.

The Mancao Home

balete tree at front of house

living room full of natural lighting

large and well ventilated kitchen

large stairwell

decorative air vents

period furniture

Redemptorist Church Grounds, An Urban Green Lung in Cebu

Sustainable Use of Spaces & Cebu's Urban Green Lungs

main entrance

What comes to mind when one thinks of the Redemptorist Church?

Masses, novenas, yearly fiesta and processions,

Fr. Rudy Romano and his disappearance,

Intelligent priests, Irish fathers,

Meaningful but concise sermons,

Ms. Ybanez & Jesuit songs,

Proximity to STC,

 & the obligatory First Friday mass...

Homeless families,

Motley crew of terroristic vendors,

Extortionists watch your car boys,

Horrible traffic during school hours and wednesdays...

altar

back of church stain glass

I can go on and on...

I have to stop now before I turn too negative...

near STC

Of course, the Redemptorist Church is all that...

But, it is also one of Cebu's Urban Green Lungs.

behind stc

What is a Green Lung?

A parkland near the city,

an open space where there are trees and plants,

where people can enjoy a healthier environment,

and engage in different healthy activities,

like walking, exercising, socializing, meditating...

elizabeth pond road

It is a place where one can breathe fresh air,

feel the positive energy of the trees,

bask in the tranquility of nature,

commune with God

and experience his power as the Creator 

and  the Supreme Being.

parking area

Normally, a green lung is a public park.

But since parks are a scarcity in Cebu,

I am on a mission 

to find alternative green lungs in Cebu.

magnificent acacia tree

So, first on my list is the Redemptorist Church Grounds...

When I was young,

my dad would purposely drive us by the area,

just to feel the cool breeze.

He said that if one whistles,

it stirs a breeze. 

Perhaps it is true,

maybe it is my untarnished naivete,

or  perhaps it is my way of remembering 

treasured moments with my father,

but everytime I go to the Redemptorist Church

and do my traditional whistle,

a cool breeze always comes.

big mango tree

seminary grounds

at the St. Alphonsus seminary entrance

So, next time you are at the Redemptorist Church,

try your luck at whistling for a breeze,

maybe God will send you one,

and let you experience his presence in Nature.

The best time to enjoy the Redemptorist Green Lung

is after the 7am mass,

the air is still crisp and cool...

But anytime is good,

just don't go there after dark,

coz it is not safe.

Good Luck!

my 74 year old mom doing her morning walk

International Vegetarian Dinner

Sustainable Eating and the Bisaya Vegetarian


Starting with Moringa (aka Kamunggay) Lemon Grass (aka Tanglad)  Soup

Steamed Mixed Veggie

with Teriyaki Sesame Dressing 

Corn Rotini with Tomato Veggie Flakes

Couscous with olives and pistacio in lemon juice and olive oil

Try them...

Sayote Juice- A great Bisaya Vegetarian Snack

Sustainable eating and the Bisaya Vegetarian

What do we Cebuanos like to snack on?

Fish balls, peanuts, ngohiong,
bananacue, white bread, spaghetti,
cakes, junk food, crackers, chocolate,
the list of unhealthy snack food goes on...
and on...

I admit, I am guilt of this crime,
A form of masochistic eating...
We all know it is harmful to our bodies,
yet, we do it anyway...

Recently at Ananda Marga Wellness Center,
I learned how to snack on vegetable juice...

Yup, a vegetable juice...
Yuck,
to my surprise,
it is actually tasty...

What did I snack on?
Sayote Juice.

Sayote, or chayote,
also called vegetable pear,
merliton, chouchoute, christophine, choko
is a Mexican vegetable
that has adopted quite well to Philippine soil,
that one would think of it as a Philippine veggie.
It is a member of the squash family.

At Ananda Marga Wellness Center,
they serve Sayote or Choko juice,
to lower high blood pressure.

Why not?
No harm in trying...
All healthy,
from now on and onwards!!!

A Simple Bisaya Vegetarian Lunch

Sustainable eating and the Bisaya Vegetarian


Three simple easy to prepare Bisaya Vegetarian dishes...

Dish 1: Steamed Kangkong in Soy vinagrette

Dish 2: Lato (sea vegetables) in Chili tomato vinagrette

Dish 3: Grilled eggplant in coco curry

Enjoy your healthy food revolution!!!