Dumaguete's Best: The City of Gentle People

It's good to travel where you can unwind and feel the serenity of the place, and that may be why I was brought by my wishes to the city of gentle people--Dumaguete. 

Back in Manila, I was thinking of a place where I could rejuvenate and regain my energy. I am lucky to have a friend who can share something about his beloved city, and the desire was unstoppable--turned into reality. 

In the first few days of my stay, I met friends who toured me around. The boulevard can become a busy street but with a relaxing ambiance, and it is where I spent some time meditating in front of the bay. Sitting on a bench while observing the surroundings made me feel the spirit of gentleness in people. The smiles, laughter, kindness, and hospitality make this place beautiful and worth remembering.

In every city that offers specialty food, Dumaguete has different tastes to cater to every visitor.  'Casablanca' has a Mediterranean feel as they serve tasty soup and salad. In C&L Bayview, you can have a relaxing view from the roof deck overlooking the mystical Island of Siquijor and the southern town of Cebu. There's also a certain glow at night as you feel the cool breeze from the bay and the view of the mountains from its neighboring town. 

At Rizal Boulevard

           

Near the boulevard were bistros and cafes where I tasted mouthwatering pastries and a cup of coffee. 'Sans Rival Bistro' is an excellent place to dine with friends. Their old-time favorite silvanas and sans rival made me come back several times at any time of the day. After a meditation class at the stadium, there's Gabby's bistro to offer a good breakfast while having some chat. An evening chill at 'Hayahay" treehouse had a wonderful candlelight experience with relaxing music and a natural sea breeze. On a multi-tasking day, I spent lunch in 'Kyosko' with a friend while working on my computer for a writing task. In 'KRI,' a cup of warm ginger lemonade is soothing just before giving a talk to a youth group in Silliman. A sumptuous meal with new friends and enjoying shared stories and experiences. 

Since I've known a good friend at Silliman University, I am lucky to have been allowed to deliver a talk to the 'Rennaisance Youth Leaders Forum" which is an outstanding youth organization in the country. It's always good to inspire young minds to become active leaders with balanced energy to unleash their potential and eventually become world-class leaders. 

            

I had a campus tour with a friend, and we walked from the facade and hallways of each department and visited old structures like Silliman Hall, the oldest structure in the school. There's a vast auditorium used for cultural shows and other events, and they boast a 3-story building library full of historical documents. 

Outdoor, they have a good playground where students can sit or play frisbee. From the central ground overlooking the bay, an open-air amphitheater faces the church, and the acacia trees in the promenade offer a calming effect. This is truly one of the best Universities in the country, offering world-class education not only for Filipinos but also for foreign students who trust the quality of education they offer. A brief tour of the campus gave me nostalgic moments from the past, and I learned something about the university's history and culture, which is incomparable. 

At the Silliman University Campus

There's a reason to return and experience all the good things the city has to offer. There's more to explore and experience since Dumaguete is also a gateway to several natural wonders and scenic spots. There's an Apo island sanctuary to experience abundant marine life with corals, fishes, and sea turtles. Also, the Island of Siquijor would be a good summer escapade to experience unspoiled beaches and fresh air. Another activity which is snorkeling with the whale shark, would be an exciting experience in the southern town of Cebu. All these are worth experiencing as everyone would talk good stories about it. 

Dumaguete is one of the best destinations I've visited in the country. With all these beautiful places, the gentleness and hospitality of the people summarize the overall experience and wanting me to return.  I've been to places in the region, but the city of gentle people is fascinating and worth remembering.

© 2014 Del Cusay

Resilience of the Filipino Spirit: A Year After Typhoon Yolanda

Today, we remember the innocent lives lost, the cry for help, and the desperate actions, but we also recognize the unsung heroes. These heroes, from the brave rescue workers to the selfless volunteers, have sacrificed their time, energy, and sometimes even their lives to help our countrymen start another chapter of their lives. We thank those who have shared their sympathy and delivered humanitarian services to our people. We are not alone and are blessed by your kindness and generosity.


A year ago, the Philippines experienced one of the worst catastrophes ever experienced. Typhoon "Haiyan," with the local name"Yolanda," became our land's deadliest calamity and a global humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people risked their lives. However, some were not lucky enough to survive. Several families lost their loved ones. They also lost their homes, properties, and sources of living. It was perhaps the most unforgettable and painful emotion ever felt by those greatly affected by the tragedy.

On November 8, 2013, almost the entire Visayan region was severely hit by a massive and destructive force that others wouldn't have expected to happen or even experience. Even when there was enough preparation by the local government and the announcement of the weather bureau, the effect was so strong that it washed out the coastal village and destroyed the entire city of "Tacloban" in the province of Leyte located in the central Visayas region. This place was severely hit by the onslaught of the typhoon. 

I was in a foreign land when the calamity happened, and what I could do was offer a prayer to the people and the place, as well as to my loved ones who are also residing in the affected region. It could break a heart to see images and videos on television about the aftermath of the typhoon. Some people might have survived, but they are not totally survivors since they fought for food, water, and shelter and died from hunger. Although they may have survival instincts, others have sacrificed dignity and virtues and resort to looting and fighting to feed their family to survive.

Despite the calamity, the Filipino spirit remains unbroken. Two weeks after the catastrophe, I witnessed how Filipinos, united in their resilience, faced one of the most significant challenges in their lives. The Resilience of the Filipino Spirit has proven to the world that we are brave enough for any battles in life. We may have been deeply wounded from within, but the painful mark will leave a lasting memory of bravery and valor, a testament to our unity and solidarity. 

A destruction phase was experienced; however, a year later, we built our land again. We've put a smile on our faces and learned to laugh hard as if we have forgotten the worst nightmare. Yet, the journey is far from over. We are now rising above adversity and even prepared for a more substantial force beyond our control. We still need your support, your prayers, and your kindness. 

We have witnessed the signs of destruction happening here and there and are learning something from all these things. This may only be the beginning, but we must prepare for the worst thing to come. We are now dealing with uncertainty and may never know when another life will be lost. If there are lessons we need to learn, we must ponder profoundly and do our best to share. We are not only responsible for our own lives; we have something to do with our environment, nature, and our precious land. There's a more powerful message about why we must learn about adversity and reform. After all, we don't want to risk thousands of lives again and experience miserable lives. But in these lessons, we find hope and preparation for the future. 

Today, as we remember the innocent lives lost and the cry for help, we also recognize the unsung heroes. These heroes, from the brave rescue workers to the selfless volunteers, have sacrificed their time, energy, and sometimes even their lives to help our countrymen start another chapter of their lives. We thank those who have shared their sympathy and delivered humanitarian services to our people. Your sacrifices are not in vain, and we are blessed by your kindness and generosity. 

The Philippines may be a small archipelago, but Filipinos have bigger dreams and significant global contributions. We are becoming stronger and wiser; we will rise again when we join hands together. In our hearts, we do not commemorate struggles and misery but celebrate a life full of gratitude and mercy. Our global contributions, resilience, and unity are sources of pride and inspiration for us all. 

© 2014 Del Cusay

Moving Forward and Awakening the Power Within

If you have a talent and ability in something, you must learn to share it so that others can emulate and be inspired by your ways. Inherent talent can launch you into the distant future if you realize your potential and the awakened power of your soul. 

In our society, how many have natural talents and skills to offer and contribute to the betterment of the people? Who can speak up and start the actual change? We may have many potential talents, including you. 

In a material world with greed and lust for money, people lose trust in some of our leaders entrusted to deliver basic needs and services. Someone must arise to offer help to the people, and you can do your share by tapping into your own powers. Just like Mother Teresa of Kolkata once said,  Mother Teresa of Kolkata said that we should not just wait for leaders, but we can do it individually. 

It's evident that our societies are ailing, desperately in need of healing from corruption, conflicts, and wars. The world is reeling from the effects of natural and man-made calamities, with global warming causing catastrophic droughts and devastating typhoons and hurricanes becoming more frequent. The time to act is now. 

There is still a chance to renew and build up to something good. If the foundation seems weak, it is time to correct it and build a stronger one. We have been stuck for a long time due to our psychological traumas and insecurities; we dealt with fears and phobias that could be real enough for us not to move forward.

We are all suffering from the ill effects of our actions, and there is a destruction phase during which we can realize our faults and begin a wiser life with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude.

Life purpose: why on earth are you here for

Our true life purpose is not merely to satisfy our own desires but to serve with a compassionate heart and noble intentions. Regardless of your profession or passion, serving others aligns with your dharma or life purpose. Touching the hearts of those you serve can elevate your impact to a higher level, bringing you a profound sense of satisfaction and gratitude.

When you reach out to those in need, you'll discover the goodness of your soul and the power of your spirit to effect significant change in society. Your actions will uplift others, creating a ripple effect of goodwill that empowers them to stand on their own and initiate transformation in their lives. This is the power of individual action. 


© 2014 Del Cusay