The Kapilla at Kamia, Escario, Cebu, Philippines

For those folks who grew up
in the Capitol Area,
We are all familiar with the
Kapilla at Kamia, Escario.

The area residents
often had novenas and prayers.
During fiestas,
they had a diskoral and baile
(fenced disco).

Kapillas serve many purposes-
it is a kind of community center,
where people converge
to pray, dance and grieve.

For those who cannot afford
a funeral parlor for the wake of a loved one,
there is always a Kapilla in every neighborhood.

Kapillas also show us-
vernacular architecture,
unique grill interpretations
of sacred art
and folk design.

These days, they are fast disappearing.
With city lots becoming very expensive,
many kapillas have been demolished
to make way for progress.

The latest kapilla to get axed
is the Kamia Kapilla.
In one of my walking photography adventures,
I unknowingly took a last shot
of a community structure.

It is sad, that so many of our memories
are being erased by so-called progress.
We seem to forget
that without our heritage
and cultural landmarks,
we are virtually erasing
our shared history as well.

May these photos remind you
of something from your childhood...

Kapok Seeds

In Search of Kapok...

While most people go window shopping,
our family goes seed hunting.
It's amazing how ignorant
we have become of the natural world.

Where do pillows come from?
When we were growing up,
pillows were stuffed with real cotton.
From the great Kapok tree.
You know its real
because you can feel the seeds.

Now kids have pillows
made out of synthetic cotton.
You buy it from the mall
and its made up of artificial materials
and fire retardants.

Imagine how much time
we all spend with our pillows.
Not only do we sleep on them,
we breathe on them.

In one of our seed hunting trips,
we found kapok fruits,
and kapok seeds....

Kapok ( Cotton Tree)
Ceiba pentandra is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae, 
native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, and to tropical west Africa.Wikipedia

Cool bike business designs, Legazpi, Bicol Region, Philippines

Rice Hull Stove, Bicol Region, Philippines

Cococut Products, Bicol Region

Words of Welcome at the Dedication of the Belen Japzon Children's Library

Written by: Letecia Osmena Canoy, Chairperson, Cebu City YLac School Board
on the occasion of the 1st Death Anniversary of Belen Japzon
and the Dedication of the Belen Japzon Children's Library at YLAC School


Dr. Francisco Japzon, Rev. Fathers, friends of the late Mrs. Belen Japzon, Cebu City YLAC Ladies,
Ylac School Faculty, staff, guests, ladies and gentlemen- Good Morning and Welcome!!

Today's gathering is not an ordinary day for us to be together, for today we are here to celebrate the life and legacy of a gentle YLAC Lady, popularly known as Mrs. J, especially among her close friends. We are here today, not to celebrate her death, for we are sure she is with us in spirit, but to celebrate the legacy she has left behind-- not only to the YLAC Family, but above all to her family.

Because of her dedication, committment and service, not only to the many other charitable organization she was part of, but most particularly to YLAC, she left behind two sons and grandchildren who have admired and appreciated what their mother have done while she was still alive.

She left behind a legacy to her family- the legacy of service and concern for others who need support and care. Thus, YLAC is one organization most loved by Mrs. J and for this reason, her children through her example, are also demonstrating the same concern and love in helping YLAC attain its vision and mission, of educating the children of the marginalized in Cebu.

In this regard, it would be most appropriate for me to mention that the Cebu City YLAC, our own school, became recently a recepient of several donations (both material and monetary) from the family of the late Mrs. J- not only from her two sons (Dr. Francisco and Engr. Eddie), but also from her grandson. We received 10 balikabyan boxes, containing children's books and school supplies through the efforts of her grandson- Anthony Japzon, who happens to a be the Principal of Medfield Heights School. The renovation and improvement of our school library, as well as monetary donation to buy audio visual equipment, musical equipment, computers and other school needs are some of the current assistance that the Japzon family have given to our YLAC School.

Why are the children and grandchildren doing this for YLAC? All these kind gestures and concerns that the Japzon family are doing for YLAC is but one proof that indeed a legacy has been passed on to Mrs. J's family. The love and concern that the Japzon children have for YLAC is a concrete proof that they too recognize, believe and appreciate the value of the YLAC Ladies (most especially their late mother), in assisting in the education of the marginalized children of Cebu.

Thus, we are here together to celebrate the wonderful life and not the death of Mrs. J. We are here to share the wonderful memories and time we have spent with Mrs. J, who have touched our lives in one way or another. We teasure the many values, the example she has shown to us, which we must carry on..

We are here also here to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Japzon Family for the many support and concern for the YLAC children...

Today, let us welcome each other and thank the Lord for this special day- in remembering the legacy that Mrs. J wants us to carry on....

For this is the challenge that together we must face, and pass on to the next generation...

Thank you and  Good Day- We Love You Mrs. J

Segway Ride at Embarcadero, Legaspi, Albay

The Trikes at Embarcadero, Legazpi

Paranormal Activity in Legazpi, Albay, Bicol

You've probably met the Tribe of Higantes

that were spewn out

of Mayon Volcano....

I thought I had seen them all...

then the earth shook and the skies rumbled

and 

all these odd creatures came...

from where...

the volcano?

the genetically modified laboratory?

the creative minds of Legazpi?

or is this proof of paranormal activity in the Volcanic region of Bicol...

sign of  forthcoming paranormal activity...

this guy ate too much pili from his pot

clinical studies test creatures

the mommy

the daddy: clinical studies proof of the muscle stimulant

genetically modified  baby 

gmo at  puberty

gmo at adulthood

at old age