The Wildest Dream, the movie

We are not mountain climbers but C. & I are somehow mesmerized by Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain 29,029 ft above sea level, located in the Himalayas on the Nepal (Sagarmatha Zone)-China (Tibet) border.

The Wildest Dream, released in IMAX theatres by National Geographic Entertainment and Serengeti Entertainment, chronicles US climber Conrad Anker with his British climbing partner, Leo Houlding's, attempt to unravel the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of George Mallory in 1924.

George Mallory was a talented British climber obsessed with becoming the first person to conquer the untouched Mount Everest. As they were close to the summit but severely fatigued and plagued, and with monsoon season starting which brings fierce and deadly snow storms, he wrote his beloved Ruth, "It would be rather grim if they summited without me." He was last seen 800 feet below the summit in 1924 with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine, whose skills for making mechanical improvements was valuable in the attempt to summit with oxygen tanks. Mallory and Irvine disappeared in the the veil of clouds.

Mallory's frozen body with his belongings intact was found by modern day climber Anker as part of an expedition in 1999. Mallory suffered a compound fracture to his right ankle. As he lay prone after a fall, he crossed his left ankle over his right ankle, perhaps, to ease the pain. He was said to have died within 30 minutes. Irvine's body was never found.

Anker, haunted by the find, wanted to unravel the mysteries of Mallory's disappearance. Did Mallory and Irvine summit, being the first to ever reach Mt. Everest's peak, disputing the current record that New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali sherpa climber first ever summitted in 1953? Mallory's snow goggles were in his pocket, meaning they may have summitted early on and he died at night. The only missing was his beloved wife Ruth's photo which he vowed to leave at the summit.

Anker & Houlding trekked through the same route that Mallory & Irvine took. They also wore similar garments that Mallory wore at parts of the climb and did away with the ladders anchored by the Chinese in the steep aspects of the climb. They used the same tool, the snow pick, to carve steps into the ice and snow and were tethered by a rope, just as Mallory and Irvine were. They simulated what Mallory & Irvine went through in their time.

Conrad Anker, who fell in love and married his former climbing partner's (Alex Lowe, who died in an avalance at Mt. Everest), wife Jennifer and adopted their three sons, appeared to parallel what Mallory was going through in his obsessions about reaching the summit and his feelings for his family. Mallory was deeply in love with his beloved Ruth, missing her when he was climbing, but missing the mountain when he was home with Ruth. They wrote beautiful letters to each other during his attempt to summit, beautifully incorporated in the movie.

Mount Everest was shown in all its glory; mighty elevations of rock and snow arising from the Himalayas.

Anker and Houlding summited, using the same route, tools, clothing (at certain climbs) as Mallory and Irvine. They concluded yes, Mallory and Irvine summited Mt. Everest, being the first ever.

Sunday p.m. at UoI on the Phils.

We were at UoI Belin Honors Center yesterday, did an educational talk on the Phils. with the Havran family & T. Norbe, who did the Tinikling instruction to the young college kids. The Bayanihan Dance Co. is performing in October, hence the interest.

Had to read up (!); presented the Phils, its people and culture in light of its history; brought interesting items representing the Phils.; related facts about the Phils. which they have read/heard about in the news. Interesting, some of them did not appear to be familiar with the Marcoses nor Mt. Pinatubo's massive eruption (they were not yet born at that time, and were just babies in 1991). I also spoke briefly about the Bayanihan Dance Company. I actually enjoyed speaking to the small group of students.

The Tinikling instruction was fun. Kevin, Celia and Matthew, a dancing family, were quite gracious to share their talent and enthusiasm. Issa dropped in from time to time as she was working at the front desk. Good job to have, she can study while manning the desk. Good to see our Issa again.

Gratitude

My dear friends and family,

Thank you very much for your birthday greetings and wishes, much appreciated. My inbox was full, gratefully accepted, pleasantly suprised after not being able to check it from days of what I consider a celebration of sorts. Each event was considered a celebration of the birthday to come.

Thursday was RAGBRAI, Register's (Des Moines Register) Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, a 7 day bicycle ride across the width of Iowa from the west to the east. This was participated by 15,000 bicyclists plus their support staff, estimated to be 20,000 total, the largest in the USA. Traditionally, riders dip their rear wheel at the Missouri River at the start of the ride (Sioux City), and dip their front wheel in the Mississippi River (Dubuque this year). Waterloo was an overnight stop on Thursday. We hosted 14 bicyclists, strangers at first, friends after the overnight stay. My Yoga friends prepared our yearly lunch fete, had TaiChi (instead) 1st, then shared the feast to all the Ragbraiers from IA, IL, FL, NE. They enjoyed and appreciated the food made for them, Pinoy food and sweet, sweet Iowa corn. They stayed in the house, occupying 2 rooms, the 1st floor, basement, even the utility room (!) They had a good night's rest after hearty meals & meeting some of our fun friends. We were glad to help them be comfortable in their journey.

The next day was a celebration of our Pinoy friends' summer celebrants with a lechon at our dear Carmelita's house. We call her a renaissance lady, dabbling in the sciences, gardening & culinary arts. Janet, another dear friend, our pastry chef, prepared the delicious blueberry tiramisu, rum cake and white cake with blueberry filling,beautifully decorated with flowers from her garden. The afternoon was a cacophony of talk, jokes, laughter, enjoying Carmelita's home made and home grown feast.

Today was a day of prayer and thanks of the daily blessings received. The Holy Mass was specially felt today.

This afternoon, we had a send off party for Randy, Angie's hubby, who is going to Afghanistan. Again, a feast, coupled with dancing with music by T. Ric. We went home tired, happy; sending our prayers and ardent wishes for safety to Randy and his family.

C. came home from RAGBRAI and was there through the many celebrations. Our Issa is still working at the university; Maia is with her BFF and family, summering in Europe. They will be home soon and we will celebrate again.

Happy, thankful, peaceful, joyful; hoping to be a bearer of loving kindness to all. Maraming salamat po sa mga pagbati ninyo.

The Razones Festival, July 4, 2010

July 04, 2010. The day has come, the Razones festival in Singapore has come to a fruition. Mama's 85th, Papa's 84th was celebrated by all with kuwentuhan, tawanan, kainan, pasyalan; the authentic Chinese dinner with Soky's BFF and very kind & gracious Chingbee and mom T. Norma; the stay at the newly opened grand Marina Bay Sands right at the heart of the city centre; 2 casinos and 1 church with a beautiful mass at Our Lady of Angels (Tessa jokingly said, nakita mo kung saan ang priority); the photo ops and digital moments; and the elegant celebration at Au Jardin Les Amis in the heart of the Singapore Botanical Garden.

Dodo's pakulo of making my attendance a surprise revealed that Mama "can walk!" per K. Guy, who along with all of us, were the two celebrants' domestic helpers, ang mga DH. We were at their beck and call, pushing them in their wheelchairs throughout Singapore.

The pamangkin boys' gift of flowers was extra special. Nico, Niji, AJ and Moon, looking dapper in their blazers, gave Lola a beautiful bouquet made extra special by their effort.

July 4 was a day of photo ops, Mass and the evening celebration to come so they were tired to start with in their quest. Flowers at Marina Bay Sands were quite expensive and our Moon, despite his fatigue, egged the boys to look for the flowers outside the resort so "Lola will have more flowers." They did walk quite a distance in the heat and humidity of Singapore to get Lola her beautiful bouquet.

Thank you to all family and friends who helped Dodo with the letter from pamangkins, family and friends. Thank you to Ate Gigi who penned the words to the heartwarming letter. I watched it the 1st time tonight, what a beautiful tribute. This is the iyakan part, fueled also by Nancy''s, Paco's, Chino's Awesome at 85. Ate Issa, your video from your dorm; Maia and C., your greetings made Lola and Lolo very happy.

Yes, all Dodo's and Dey's work, along with sons Nico and Niji, our very gracious, generous, and very giving hosts. Some prework by Soky, also. Our hearfelt thanks and appreciation. Mabalo, dacal a salamat, Dios ti ag ngina to your beautiful family. Much love & appreciation from us.

We bonded again; our hearts filled with happiness, gladness, and gratitude. God is good. And we are very thankful.

Lanesboro and Preston, MN adventure

Hi,

I am in Preston (pop. 1426), MN's library waiting for C. to pick me up with the car.

As you know, we are in Lanesboro, MN, the bed and breakfast capital of MN, (pop. 788) for bicycling (it has 60 miles of paved bicycling trails meandering along the Root River amid 300-foot bluffs).

Our bike adventure started this mornng at Lanesboro, into Preston, about 10 miles along a nice easy bike trail along the Root River. The weather was cool, the ride wonderful. However, there was a trail blocked into Preston so we took a 5 mile ride along County Road 17 into Preston, where instead of bicycling into downtown, we sort of biked into the highway for several miles. We realized we were going the other way & found our way back into downtown Preston (if we only saw the old weathered sign, and the rows of Americana flags leading into town).

We had a nice soup & sandwich lunch at the Sweet Shop in Preston; then back on the trails for 5 miles x 2, because the road was closed. We biked back into Preston where a deluge of rain fell on us. We were ready with our rain jackets and rested under the highway brdige until the storm eased up. We met a nice couple at the rest stop who was going further than us into Whalen. They were familair with the trails and said they were told they can walk along side the road block, or walk along the golf course if the road block was still there. C. rode with them.

I stayed behind with my phone, the bike lock and walked thru downtown Preston where most business seemed to be closed on Mondays. I am here in the library (the librarian was very kind and gave me a free guest pass to use the computers), will do some grocery shopping. and the prinsesa will wait for her ride. We rode 25+ miles to this point.

Memorial Day 2010

Today, May 31, 2010, is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honour those who died in service for the United States of America. It was originally called Decoration Day. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.

Moina Michaelin 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," wrote a poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Ms. Michaelin founded the National Poppy Movement, where red poppies are worn on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. In 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. The VFW ladies provide the red poppy flowers to all naturalized US citizens; remember having received yours during your oath taking? Small American flags are placed at the graves of our veterans. Congress made the day into a three-day weekend with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

Today, Memorial Day is also celebrated to remember all those who have passed on, not just the departed veterans. In the Philippines, our beloved dead is remembered during All Souls' Day on 2 November which follows All Saints' Day on November 1, which commemorates the departed saints. This is a long weekend, when families go to the cemeteries, to their provinces, where their beloved ones' graves are cleaned, painted, bedecked with flowers; candles are lit, prayers are said, and parties celebrated by the graveside(!)

The "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on December 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans are asked "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

Our freedom is not free, let us remember and honour those who have died that we may have freedom.

Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon them.

Most of information was gleaned from: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

I met a Tibetan monk... (By C.)

I met a Tibetan monk... (By C.)

Well, actually I was just one of several thousand yesterday morning (May 18th, 2010) who attended the panel discussion entitled “The Power of Education” at the University of Northern Iowa that featured the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The event was held at the McLeod Center, and had the atmosphere of a rock concert, with long lines at the entrance, metal detectors and armed security, including the Secret Service. But instead of the obligatory rock music blaring in the background, there were calming notes from wind chimes, flutes & strings. The vendors outside were hawking prayer flags & meditation mixes. The large video screen scrolled images of praying monks, snow-clad peaks, and the ancient cities perched atop the roof of the world.

When Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama finally appeared on stage, what struck me the most was his ordinary appearance and demeanor. Yes, here was the spiritual leader and head of state of Tibet. Yes, here was a man surrounded by world-wide celebrity, carrying a title rooted in geo-political strife & intrigue. Even before he arrived, the local Chinese student association lodged protests regarding the planned visit. The Chinese diplomatic corps objected to the conferring of an honorary degree. There he was dressed in traditional red robe & sandals, he offered the crowd the traditional anjali greeting, and apologized that he was late. I’ve seen presidents & presidential candidates up close in the past, and maybe I was imagining it and buying into the image of the title, but here was a man whose presence emanated serenity & calmness.

My teenage daughter thought he looked like a cross between her grandfather & Yoda. He spoke a slightly accented English, occasionally asking his interpreter for the right word to express his exact meaning. The morning’s discussion ebbed and flowed, the crowd would burst into applause many times during the almost 2 hour discourse on the role of education, non-violence, and moral ethics. For the duration, I was transported out of my ordinary day & concerns, hearing & seeing people who have achieved and are involved in extraordinary endeavors.

So as I left the venue heading back to the real world the random question that popped into my head was: what would anyone do if you were told at the age of 2 that you were the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama? Or in pop culture terms, if Morpheus told you “You are the One”? As a teenager, I barely looked beyond what was ahead the next day, the next hour & the next minute. Sure I had dreamed of taking a certain career path in a certain field; but in my early teens, I wasn’t sure I would make that turn in the road that led to where I am now. Some events were certainly beyond my control. Actions by others influenced the course of events. But where does one’s own actions, wills & desires actually make the difference and defines anyone’s path in life? Or is it an illusion that we made or can make a choice? How much is the result of random events and and unintended consequences?

The next random thought dwelt on the good fortune that I had support from my family that allowed me to take the small steps that led to where I am today. I share this life with a wonderful wife, and two daughters at the cusp of adulthood. I now have an extended family that spans several continents. Friends both real & virtual that allowed me to expand my view of the world. My work provides the intellectual challenges, societal rewards & responsibilities in the health-care field. Physical challenges are usually just the self-inflicted ones associated with powering 2 wheels with a nearly 50-year old motor.

I can only admire people whose chosen life & work influences the greater number of people beyond their local community & family. Or those who sacrifice their own well-being for the greater benefit of people in other parts of the world. My efforts pale in comparison. So my apologies to "hte laujne" for my indulgence in these random musings. It was a welcome break from the ordinary events that characterize my daily life.

Easter Sunday 2010

Christ has risen, allelujah! It felt like Christmas today with the church filled to the brim with parishioners celebrating Christ's rising from the dead. Everyone in their Sunday best, the little girls in pretty spring dresses, little boys in suits and shirts, celebrated this most auspicious day, second only to Christmas. The Church was filled with spring blooms, light green and white tulle provided the backdrop of a big branch of cherry blossoms abloom.

The Service of Light, Baptism and Confirmation of new adult members are held at the Easter vigil. The Paschal candle was blessed and lit, from which all of our candles were lit. This is the candle that will be used for all services, baptisms, funerals to remind us that "Christ is light and life." We renewed our Baptismal vows and were sprinkled with the Holy Water.

The Gloria in Excelsis Deo was sung for the first time since before Lent except on Holy Thursday, and the church bells rang. I remember being part of little angels growing up in Tuguegarao, as organized by Sr. Felici duRosaire of SPCT, with the choice angel taking the veil off Mother Mary. Where there was silence during Lent, now there is music and gladness.

Happy Easter - peace, joy, light and graces to you all.

Good Friday 2010.

Maia's birthday.

Good Friday Service. Quite and solemn.

The procession with Father Kopacek and Deacon Larson was silent, after which they lay prostrate at the foot of the altar.

The Passion of the Cross was read during Gospel, the Liturgy of the Word (I remember it being sung/chanted," passion").

In the homily, Father spoke of Christmas, Christ's birth, so the we may have a Goof Friday, where Christ laid down his life for us.

The Veneration of the Cross was most touching, were we quietlly knelt, kissed, touched the cross with the choir chanting "Remember me when you get to your kingdom." We received Holy Communion, which were consectrate don Holy Thursday is the Eucharist is not celebrated on Good Friday.

We all departed in silence, with the priests just going straight into sacristy ( no Recession). The altar cloth was removed, leaving it bare except for the cross and two candlesticks. We also did not have Holy Water this Holy Week. A prayerful day to you.

Holy Thursday Service, 2010

The Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper was beautiful. Solemn and touching.

The blessing of the 3 holy oils started the service: the Oil of Chrism (used in confirmation), Oil of the Sick, and Oil of Catechumen (used in baptism and ordination). The Gloria was accompanied by the ringing of bells, which are then silent until the Easter Vigil.

After the homily the washing of feet of 12 apostles was performed. In John 13:1-17 Jesus instructs his apostles, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet."

The service concluded with a procession taking the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose (where the consecrated hosts are kept for Good Friday since Mass is not celebrated that day). The altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the church except the Altar of Repose. We all left in silence.