changing seasons

I grew up in the province of Laguna, in a small town called Liliw at the foot of the mystical and legendary Mt. Banahaw, which is one of the few mountains in the area which is not yet spoiled by kaingin [a term we use for illegal logging in the Philippines]. Though our town is small, it is a bit congested because houses are built close to each other. Though our town is small, the roads are well-paved even the one going up the mountain. And though our town is small, it is already considered as a bustling business district due to the booming slipper industry and the presence of McDonald’s in the plaza. And for these reasons, if you really want to commune with nature, smell the flowers, and be carried away by the magnificent scenery… you either have to go up the mountain or go somewhere else to do just that. You can seldom see trees in the town proper because of those big houses and mansions that my rich town-mates have built for their abode. You can rarely see animals roaming around freely because they are all caged, chained or in the slaughter house. You can hardly have peace and quiet because of the earsplitting sound of the tricycles passing by. But don’t get me wrong. I love my hometown. I love its people… its scenery… its noise. And I miss it so bad.

Hubby strolling at Liliw Resort

Hubby in front of Liliw century old Catholic Church

Liliw’s century old St. John the Baptist Parish Church

A Holy Week Procession in Liliw, Laguna Philippines

I have been away from home for more than a year now. Living in Maine for more than a year now… I can say that I am adapting well to its changing seasons… its way of life… its culture. Being in Maine, I can say that I found a great opportunity to be one with nature… to be able to smell the flowers [in the real sense of the word]… and to be carried away by the magnificent sceneries around me. And being in Maine, I can also say that animals around here enjoy the freedom they rightfully deserve.

During the first few months of my stay here, I was so amazed by a pair of nosey chipmunks and a prying squirrel seemingly checking me out while I was raking fallen maple leaves in the backyard. I was thrilled the first time I saw the deer circling the lone crab apple tree in the middle of the yard outback. And I had fun following a rafter of wild turkey a month before Thanksgiving Day apparently looking for a place or a tree to spend the night. During my first few month here in Maine, I had to get used to the idea that our backyard or the entire state of Maine is an open zoo. And during my first few months in Maine, I realized that wild life – is the Mainers’ way of life.

The nosey chipmunk.

My first snow fall… my first deer sighting.

Turkey family enjoying their stroll at our backyard.

Being able to have the chance to live in two different places… with two different cultures… in two opposite sides of the world, I won’t dare compare them. Though there is much obvious difference between the two, still I can’t choose which one is the best. Though one could have more importance to me, the other has specific significance too. And though I could choose both as my favorite places in the whole world… sadly, I could only live in one… or the other.

Additional Important Information:
About Kaingin - meaning, pictures, solutions and news
For Mt. Banahaw… go to Bundok Philippines
For Laguna Province… go to WOW Philippines
For Liliw, Laguna… go to Bulatlat and Backpacking Philippines and Asia
For Maine Wild Life… go to Maine.gov Wildlife and Plant Life