Spending Christmas in Davao City

This is Davao City! It also known as the King City of the South.

Why?

This is the home of the Majestic Mt. Apo!

The biggest nest of the Mighty Philippine Eagle!

The grandeur of the Elegant Waling-Waling!

as The fruit basket of the Country!

and many more that the city can brag with pride.

This is my 3rd year to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Davao

after being dislocated for almost 9 years.

Home Sweet Home indeed.

Fireworks were banned but the city remained beautiful and peaceful

during this season.

And it is all right as long as your family and some close friends were there

to celebrate with..and as long as the places like the malls, Torres, Rizal, Samal Island, Eden, Time Beach,

Jack Ridge, San Pedro and Ilustre streets were still there, making its

own sound and rhythm...then its all sane for me!

 

Again, my moments are worth it this yuletide season. Til' next year!

 

 

Photographs by Marvin Kent 

A Campaign for (VAC) Violence Against Children in Facebook

On the 2nd day of December, my friend post this message on his wall "Change your Facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday(Dec.6) there should be no human faces on Facebook, but an invasion of memories. This is for violence against children.", and right that moment I immediately imagine who is the character which i will be uploading for my profile picture.

I honestly enjoyed reminiscing my childhood cartoon shows and remembering how they aided me to grow as a person  based on the lessons I've learned from each shows. On the other hand, I find the campaign really getting the account-members attention, that this is a serious and critical situation today as what the UNICEF is trying to relay. It is true that during our childhood, it is the stage wherein we can be more than someone else, and I think this right to the children should be kept safe and be enjoyed by every children in the world. 

 

The message is very clear, this maybe a good start on how we deal with current situation and how to stop the violence against children. In fact, the echo is massive, after 10 hours, it is very amazing to see people were really changing their profile pictures.

 

Who is in my profile picture?

 

The blue-small creatures "Smurfs", "Astroboy" and "The Flying House" were one of the most enjoyable kiddie cartoon series that I watched before. But my favorite cartoon series and I really grew up with it were "GI JOE", "DC's Super  Friends", "Robotech", "Macross", "Marvel's The Uncanny X-Men" and on the top of my list is "Thundercats".

 

 

 

I am a huge fan of Lion-O. He is the leader and Lord of the ThunderCats. They were cat-like humanoid aliens from the planet Thundera. When the dying Thundera is about to face its ending, the ThunderCats were forced to flee from their homeworld and with the aid of their elderly guide named Jaga, Lion-O and his friends, Panthro, Tygra, WilyKit, WilyKat, Cheetara and Snarf arrived in the planet named Third Earth.

Well, I find this a fun experience and I like that there are many who joined and answered the call, I hope this advocacy will not end after December 6, 2010.

 

                                                                          

                                  
 

Lala Bear and Friends!

Meet and greet Lala Bear and her funny and cuddly friends.

Lala Bear is a sweet and friendly bear. She wanted to stroll along with her friends, and loves to eat and open to try new things too. As very reliable and optimistic as she is on the group, her home is always open for her friends. She sings all the time too and she dance anywhere even without a tune. Lala Bear wont skip a day without visiting her social network account.

Get to know them more in this link: http://melanchonic-me.blogspot.com/

Kiss Me. Make it hard…harder!

It’s so real, a great and intimate kiss makes the world falls apart, makes our eyes roll, and makes us woozy and steamy with more desire.

I bet most people find kissing as an intuition and when your lips touch your partner’s lips. It’s not just like that. Kiss is like a language, a way of communicating one’s love, one’s passion, one’s desire, one’s affection and then saying I LOVE YOU.

For many years of receiving spam about the benefits of kissing; here’s my compilation on some of the peculiar but healthy things about kissing.

Health Benefits of Kissing

1.        Kissing is also good for the heart. A sort of desire causes your heart to pump more blood around your body. Regular kissing has scientifically been proven to stabilize cardiovascular activity, lowers blood pressure and decreases cholesterol.

2.       It dissolves stress. Passionate kissing relieves tension, lessens negative vibrations and lowering your Cortisol hormone (stress hormone). It triggers a whole spectrum of physiological processes and spruces you up to keep attractive onto it. Thus, kiss makes you feel younger.

3.       Needs more self-esteem and confidence? All you need is a kiss. You will light, being in the zone and you feel you are valued.

4.      Couples who kisses their partners each day has longer companionship and gets higher compensation or income.

5.       A great tongue-twisting French kiss burns calories, 2-3 calories a minute and can double your metabolic rate. No more diet, kissing is more recommended.  

6.      Kissing uses 30-34 facial muscles and it helps keep the facial muscles tight, preventing baggy cheeks, and the effort in the muscles caused by a kiss helps smooth the skin.

7.       During a kiss, our saliva contains a type of anesthetic that helps relieve pain.

8.      Kissing increases the levels of Oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.

9.      The endorphins produced by kissing are 200 times more powerful than morphine. It releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains such as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.

For me, while kissing it is like you are having a sugar-rush and it makes you happy. It is sweet and very tempting to ask for more but they do not recommend kissing after meals. Happy Smooching everyone!

By Marvin Kent

11/11/10

The Great Migrations: NATGEO Special

Great Migration was also the term used on the movement of almost 2 million African Americans from 1910-1930’s. They moved out from southern US region to Midwest, and some partition were directed to Northeast and West parts. And during those times, survival is not a game, the world is without sympathy and survival was indeed uncertain.

National Geographic Society is definitely commendable for not stopping in educating the world to care for our Earth and to understand each living creature in our planet. This year, the National Geographic Channel will be launching its one of the biggest projects, a global television event almost three years in a making. The NAT GEO’s “Great Migrations” premiers on November 7 8P ET/PT.

National Geographic Channel’s “GREAT MIGRATIONS” is a 7-part documentary and global television experience that brings the viewers in different continents on the movement or journeys of animal species, herd, pack, to fight for its survival. This presentation captures the high-definition images and videos on the actions and behaviors of millions of animals during their migration, and be narrated by Alec Baldwin.

The 7-part “Great Migrations” includes:

Born to Move- which will be telecast on November 7

                Introduce the epic animal migrations on all seven continents. The premiere episodes tells about the  wildebeest on a 300 mile journey, then the Christmas Island red crabs, which travel from forests to mate on the beaches and deliver their young.

Need to Breed- which will be telecast on November 7

                Elaborate mating rituals of different species are observed

Science of Migration- which will be telecast on November 9

Scientists track elusive elephant seals using an innovative tagging system and a radio transmitter is placed on a butterfly

Feast or Famine- which will be telecast on November 14

                Mali elephants embark on a 300-mile migration in West Africa; great white sharks travel from Hawaii to northern Mexico; golden jellyfish of Palau follow the sun in their daily migration.

Race to Survive- which will be telecast on November 14

                Wildlife filmmakers document an annual zebra migration in Botswana.

Great Migrations: Behind-the-Scenes- which will be telecast on November 14

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the NGC’s “Great Migration” miniseries.

Rhythm of Life- which will be telecast on November 20

                The miniseries concludes with amazing footage of animal migrations set to original music from five leading artists.

Imagine these, listening to the whispers of the wilderness, relying on the direction of the sun, follow the rains, avoiding traps and sharp objects on the trails, and abundance of resources. perhaps these are some considerable things for human migrations like on the 1930’s. Great Migrations, tells the unbelievable and outwitting stories of many of the Earth’s remarkable species, about their movement from one habitat to another, and from discovering their own ways of exploring the world, to fight for survival and seeing on how successful of a migration they can track.

 

By Marvin Kent

Disclaimer: Photos were from National Geographic website.

Anthrax: A Biological Agent

The term Anthrax was widely known and terrified the recent generation after the September 11 terrorist attack. For the past 2 months, this concern has emerged in the buzz stream after some of the countries were receiving reports for a possible and alleged terrorist attack.

What is Anthrax?

With the unique trait, which normally develops a black skin infection by the victims, the term Anthrax as a disease was derived from it.  In Greek, Anthrax means “black coal”. It’s the bacteria that causes the skin lesion or may lead to death. The biologist named the bacteria as Bacillus Anthracis, a member of Genus Bacillus bacteria family.

Transmission and Prevention

These bacteria can be latent in a spores form or seedlike form. It is lethal to both humans and animals when it will be digested, inhaled, in contact with an affected person or even inoculation. The catchy things with anthrax, it doesn’t spread directly from one victim to another. These spores can transmitted through clothing, envelopes, capsules, wallet, socks, and shoes until it will be inhaled or digested. Anthrax generally infects herbivorous and wild mammals by digesting the spores or bacteria by simply grazing.  Carnivores get infected and also humans by consuming affected animals through digestion or contact. And the dead body of the victim can also be a source of the bacillus anthracis spores.

An infected human will normally be quarantined. And we can be infected through inhalations, ingestion, skin contact and same clinically symptoms depending on the site of entry. If infection is not quickly treated then it may be fatal. Anthrax vaccines licensed by US FDA, the Bio Thrax can aid in maintaining the immunity of the strain. And effective decontamination of its spores is washing antimicrobial soap and water. Waste water should be treated with bleached and the contamionated clothes or any materials containing the anthrax spores should be burned in the furnace. Burial does not kill the anthrax germs.  it may spread and contaminate the soil.

Biological Warfare

The 2001 Anthrax attack in several cities worldwide scares everyone for its impact and the danger it may bring. However, on the biological world, this is not young in that sense. The Vollum Strain of Anthrax produced on World War II was one of the most dangerous as they considered, but it was not used as a biological weapon. It was documented that anthrax was also tested to the prisoners of war, as a biological agent on 1930s. Many had been infected and died since 1930’s until the latest record incident last 2009 in New Hampshire.

It significant now, that Anthrax spores can and has been used as a biological weapon. And it was used as a bioterrorism attack in 2001, delivering the mailing postal letters containing the anthrax spores.  And the company where I worked by that time was also one of the recipients of the said letters.

A switch to Acrylic Paints

Artwork by MarvinKent

Acrylic painting is one of the youngest mediums used in the world of visual arts. Acrylic paints were introduced in the market around 1950’s. Since then, it has been the favorite of many visual artists, and art enthusiast.

Acrylic paint is a water-based medium, its solid vibrant color, its texture and consistency is closely similar to Oil paints. But the advantage of the Acrylic paints is its viscosity property. These Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, while in Oil paints it is not possible. Also, since it is less dense, these Acrylic paints have the ability to dry faster than any other mediums. Since it has a resemblance of Oil and Watercolor, thus, the Acrylic painting medium provides new and professional artist a very wide range, flexible ways of painting, and adaptation with other art supplies. Experienced artists added some substances such as sands, plaster of Paris, glue, and paste, on the Acrylic paints to create a wide variety of texture.

Not more than a decade ago, many artists also discovered that Acrylic paints can offer a better emulsion when added with additives, and impasto or paste effect in any artwork or surfaces. Since it can be diluted with water, its usage was made possible for airbrushes, face painting and even textile printing. However, most artists used the old watercolor style to change the thickness depending on the desired output and quality. 

My experience in using Acrylic paints is like switching from an old shampoo to a newly introduced and developed brand of shampoo. Acrylic is more fun and creates more movements in my artwork. It is applicable in any texture and any surfaces. When you had mistake along the way, I really find it so easy to cover it just brushing or coating a new layer on it.

Well, aside from the quality it offers and unique characteristics, Acrylic paints are much more affordable than Oil paints.

by Marvin Kent

I'm Movin' On

by Marvin Kent (Sept 16, 2010)

I've been trapped with my past and I find myself so coward to face the present and to feel the sharpness of reality. First, I tried to fixed things but every actions being done is pointless. That thought was a mistake, it was too late for me to see the bigger picture that nothing was broken, and the truth is, I've lost someone. Someone that I considered as a friend, a lover, a companion, and a partner. So then, I tried looking anywhere, but still, I was not successful. Well, I'm starting to believed that how can I find that someone if that person has no intention to be found and be claimed.

Time has passed and I've learned to accept it. It was very painful but it was the only way for me step a little forward in my hopes. I thought that “time” itself would be helpful and would heal my wounds but “time” is not in my side. Loneliness and longing was still there, even the face of the ghost I chased was already forgotten. It was by then, a personal testimony that emotions, feelings are far greater than logic.

I am no longer expecting to find what I’ve lost or waiting to the resolution of the unanswered questions. My boredom leads me to what you call closure. It was a dead end already, and that kind of gesture or closure should have done a long time ago.  

Maybe there was a denial but acceptance was really a long process. And on that process, I’ve learned that the key for me to move on is to decide, that I should put an end on it. Pushing the button or just click enter was the gesture that I missed for more than three years.

I understand that there was no resolution on both parties but there forgiveness on my side was achieved after clicking that big red push-button. Then, I’m moving on.



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After the said closure, I find this song from Rascal Flatts fits my current situation and recovery.

(disclaimer: This one of my fave song from Rascal Flatts)

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons

Finally content with a past I regret

I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness

For once I'm at peace with myself 

I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long

I'm movin' on

 I've lived in this place and I know all the faces

Each one is different, but they're always the same

They mean me no harm, but it's time that I face it

They'll never allow me to change

But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong

I'm movin' on

I'm moving on

At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me

And I know there's no guarentees, but I'm not alone

There comes a time in everyone's life

When all you can see are the years passing by

And I have made up my mind that those days are gone

I've sold what I could and packed what I couldn't

Stopped to fill up on my way out of town

I've loved like I should, but lived like I shouldn't I had to lose everything to find out

Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

Ready the bonfire. It's Halloween time!

by Marvin Bandibas

Halloween is indeed a worldly celebration in our current time. It was originally celebrated in Celtic region, and annually observed largely in US, UK and Canada then other countries begun its sort of adaptation.

Halloween is also associated with Christian’s holiday also known as All-Saint’s Day and the Irish old folklore festival of Samhain.  All-Saint’s day is Christians way of paying respect and remembering the memory of the lost love one’s through prayers and divinity. However, in this festival of Samhain, a cleansing ritual was followed and bonfire and slaughtered livestock played a significant part.  Around 16^th century, the word Halloween was knowingly uttered when some Scottish nomads observed such tradition of divinity during the evening before the All Days of Hallows.

Like other occasions, if you want to have an extravagant and imagery Halloween party, then here are some themes that you may reconsider, the themes of death, devil, evil, cults, Gregorian outfit, magic, mythical beings, or scary monsters, witches, werewolves, vampires, and ghosts.

How secular this event? These are the common ways in celebrating cheerful Halloween…

telling ghost stories

sharing frightening tales

staying at haunted houses

visiting known haunted places

ramping with weird costumes

joining costume parties

dancing under a blood bathe

enjoying ghost trip

ironing the shrouds

seasoning the cauldrons

sewing the costumes

preparing the tricks

preparing the treats

dusting the skeletons

letting out the ghost

lighting the jack-o-lanterns

sharpening wooden stakes

shooing away the bats

reanimating the dead

igniting the bonfire at the barn

imagining prank stunts

inviting the witches

dipping the apples

carving pumpkins

hanging garlic

steeping over black cats

cleaning the graves

partying in the cemetery

and for boring individuals, they can end up in watching horror movies at home.

Halloween is not as scary as the old days. Most of the Halloween parties were held in the malls, in the office or work place, at the school, at the beach or even outside our lawns. So, who still cares of calling a priest these days? A priest could be a nice addition to the theme.

Celebrating Christmas the Filipino Way

By Marvin Bandibas

On the other side of the world, Thanksgiving Day is the most awaited occasion.  Well in this part of the world, Filipinos here and anywhere all over the world, Christmas season is the most festive and longest occasion. Filipinos start filling the air with Christmas spirit from the first day of September and on the first Sunday of January.

It’s 125 days of warm smiles, 125 days of love and 125 days of fun and excitement.

These are the few ways on how to celebrate 125 days of Christmas; the Filipino way.

embracing the cold breeze

rushing to the malls

wrapping the gifts

retrieving the capiz-lanterns

making a wreath

getting up for Misa de Gallo

pulling out the Christmas tree

setting the nativity barn

caroling on the streets

caroling on the neighborhood

unending smiles

sending the cards

lighting the rice bulbs

strolling at the park

kissing under the plastic mistletoe

juggling the soda crowns

ringing the bells

igniting the bamboo canons

imagining of fireworks

cracking of firecrackers

lit the sparklers

taking pictures with an costumed Santa Clause on the malls

hanging the balls

stepping the ladder

swirling the ribbons

looking at the star on the tree top

waiting for Santa

hanging the stockings

preparing for Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)

collecting round fruits

seasoning of Lechon

slicing of ham

forming the frosted icing

eating candy canes

indulging some ice creams

rolling a Queso de bola

preparing for Medya Noche (New Year’s Eve)

riding the sleigh

tossing the beers

whispering many I LOVE YOU’s

opening a Coke

roasting a turkey

thinking of snow

opening of presents

sipping red wines

spending time with family

attending reunions

hanging around with friends

being friendly to your not so good friends

singing with the choirs

singing "Silent Night"

humming "Holy Night"

remembering baby Jesus

Indeed, it’s the season that is worth waiting for in this part of the world.

Happy Yuletide season everyone!

(moved from my Facebook Account)