Don't you just LOVE Davao?

The most livable city in the Philippines gets today's limelight.

My dad is a Cebuano, but he preferred to stay here in Davao for good. Dawn Zulueta loves it here too. She says everything is nearer, easier, more peaceful and it's cleaner. And did you know that the owner of Blugre is actually not a Davaoeño but he coerced his family to transfer here because he found a good business opportunity? They never knew anyone...then eventually, his family liked it here and decided to enjoy the rest that Davao has to offer.

They all say that Davao is the perfect blend of a high standard of living vis-a-vis low cost of living. Everything is just cheaper and more. Here, establishments are scattered---so that means you always have somewhere to go whether you're from Lanang or Toril.

And so...where do I go?

*COFFEE : Basti's brew. But i don't really have coffee when in coffee shops. i'm usually there for the cakes and tea. Choco caramel cake of Basti's is SINFULLY good.

*DATES : Picobello (pizza is dee-li-cious! atmosphere is breath-ly). Phil Eagle(let wild flowers do the talking). And my most-loved tandem, movie and arcade(nccc mall cinema house and timezone).

*BIZ MEETINGS: Marco Polo perhaps.. and Grand Regal hotel.

*HOTELS: I love Grand Regal..but if you're on a tight budget, Roadway Inn(Bajada) will sure give you high quality accomodation at very reasonable prices. I mean it. Cheapest rooms are at P350(approx)/night, and that means you get to flirt with the ref, aircon and breakfast. :)

*HANGING OUT : Basti's Brew victoria. This billiards/bowling/snack place in Nccc Mall.

*PARTYING : I don't really party..but.. can i come over at your place then? *winks*

*PIGGING OUT : I looooove the food in Khash Persian Kebab in Jacinto(across AdDU). Menu is diversed and gravy is addictive. KFC! Gravy is as addictive. :) Penong's is also cool. It has a native "feel".

*MASSAGE : I love getting a foot spa in Jojo Cahandig salon, across Gmall. Friends na kami ng salon people dun. Massage, i love the scalp massage in hair pavillion(it's actually free when you get a hot oil treatment). I don't really go for body massage...but i will soon.

*WORKING OUT : II don't really work out but i like Smashville's amenities. I play table tennis there often.

*WINDOW-SHOPPING: Chimes(because everything is so damn expensive!). haha

*CHEAP FINDS: Chinatown in Uyanguren! Ukay2 rocks! hahaha! Lachmi and other stores in San Pedro also have a wide variety of clothes, shoes, bags and even appliances at rock-bottom prices.

*GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL: Phil Eagle(then again). Sto Niño Shrine in Shrine Hills Matina. Having dinner/beer/coffee while listening to piano and breathing in the city's incandescent lights? Jack's ridge is the place to be. and oh. speaking of getting away from it all...try my beau's place. I mean, get lost. ;)

KILLING SPREE

Two people were killed at the West Ambler Johnston Hall, a university dormitory, at 0715 on Monday. The killer was Cho Seung-hui, 23, a South Korean native.

Two hours later Cho killed 30 others, plus himself, at the Norris Hall complex across campus.
Authorities have not yet linked the 23-year-old to any of those he killed.

Police say the same gun was used at both locations but have not definitely proved that Cho was at West Ambler Johnston at the time of the shootings there.

The complaints by students against Cho were made in November and December 2005, around the time Cho's English teachers raised concerns over his writing and general behaviour.

In the aftermath of the shootings, teachers and fellow students have spoken of Cho's extreme moods, violent writings and unpredictable behaviour(this included stalking women, arson, making morbid films and his vehement hatred for the rich).

Follow this link for the VT shooting spree (during rescue and mourning) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5114929/?GT1=9246

Isn’t it fearful, how, in the blink of an eye, one deranged person could turn a happy place into a ghost town?

Isn’t it fearful, how, in the blink of an eye, your daughter's things will be the only ones that shall be brought home?

Isn’t it fearful how unsure we are of the people we live with, people we talk to and even with people we care about..?

The pictures in the link above made me pour. I cried. Suddenly elements of sadness began to clothe me; and envelope me in mixed fear, regret and solitary lament.

I asked myself. Had I been there, would I have called the police? Or would I be as shocked as most of the victims and won’t be able to think right? Had I been there, would I even try to save my classmates? How should I care for the gunman? What shall I tell him? Will I cry? Will I pray? Will I....survive?

This is an opportunity to reflect on the incident and realize how lucky we are to be here, in front of the monitor, reading a blog entry of someone whom we are not sure to still be seeing tomorrow.

I fear. Although I do not want to. And I cry some more..

And to Cho and to all the victims, I bleed with you.

Teach Me

Teach me how to kiss
The kiss that would change my world
Seep through all of me
The kiss that would
Make my soul wander a bit
Make my heart lose itself a bit
Then bring me together again
As is I was whole
From the start.

Teach me how to hold
The hand that would save me
The arms that would catch me
Even when I drew them away

Teach me how to sleep
With no worries of tomorrow
With no sadness of yesterday
And no uncertainties of the present

Teach me to dream as if
The universe is mine
When I have you close
I could conquer time,
And solitude… and hurt…
When together we shine.

Teach me how to open my eyes
To see and not just look
To you as an open book
To see the eyes that encourages me
To be the one I’ve dreamt to be

Teach me to have faith
To believe in things I don’t see
To trust in precious treasures
Like the waters that never leave the sea
Like the wind that keeps the earth company
Especially with things that last
Like hearts as you
And hearts as me
Hearts as fast.

When all of these are done
I will be the only one
Who’s been taught too much
Of holding on,
Of dreaming,
Of believing,
And of loving..
Then maybe you can
Teach me how to die
To die with no regrets
To die knowing that with you,
I have loved the best.