There's a good time... There's a good time.

You could be my luck

Even in a hurricane of frowns

I know that we'll be safe and sound

- Safe and Sound, Capital Cities

This band and their songs played a big part in keeping me sane during those sleepless nights while I was doing my undergrad thesis. "Safe and Sound" was my thesis anthem. Haha!

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I immediately fell in love with Capital Cities when I first heard their song on an app I was using back in 2011 and decided to look up their other songs. I hated how they didn't have a wikipedia page at that time, so finding more about them wasn't easy. I also hated how when I'd google (or when other people would mention) "Safe and Sound", Taylor Swift's song would always come up.

I was so ecstatic when I heard their song being played on Philippine radio in 2013, as it meant that the chances of them coming to the country were increasing. And lo-and-behold, it happened. Just imagine my joy and excitement they announced that they were coming to Manila! Heck, they were performing at Alabang Town Center, which is like my second home!

Words can't even describe how I was feeling upon having watched them perform live. They're amazing and the show was so much fun! Throughout the show, the band was engaging crowd to dance. And I love how by the end of the show, the concert became a dance party, wherein everyone, including the band, was jumping, dancing, and just partying. (click the link for a video)

I still can't get over seeing one of my favorite bands perform live. And for free, at that! Can't stop smiling 'til now. <3

Amphibious and Flood-proof Houses

Recently, a wild and crazy monsoon hit the Philippines that was followed by massive flooding in different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Buildings and houses near rivers or located at low points in the metro received the most devastation. People had to be evacuated or rescued due to severe flooding.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Filipino resiliency, optimism, and unity in times of calamity never fail to amaze me. People would gather old clothes, pool money, buy clean water and food for donations and even offer manpower to help out with the relief and rescue operations. You'd see people smiling even after their homes have been flooded. You'd hear stories like, "12,000 prisoners from the Muntinlupa Jail gave up their meals for the day, so the food could be donated to flood victims". Even with the little they have, they were still willing to help out. I am proud of my countrymen for having such spirit and heart.

images from Facebook, compiled by Anton Mercado

However, I was a little surprised and a bit disappointed that after the typhoon Ondoy, which brought similar devastation, the country is still unprepared to avoid such flooding.

Different solutions, such as the ones stated in this article, have been proposed to avoid such devastation; however, due to numerous reasons that I shall not elaborate (just take a guess on what those reasons are), these haven't been fully pursued, or if they were ever pursued, they weren't successful.

I think everyone, including myself, has different ideas on how to solve this problem of devastation brought about by flooding. As an Architecture graduate, I would focus more on the Architecture-related solutions, and one of these is to make houses amphibious and/or flood-proof.

Arch 360-Philippines posted different execution of this idea. Check out their FB page to see what they found, but let me share to you some of my favorites...

Fantastic Flood-Proof House Designed to Break Free & Float

Install hydraulic struts to lift the house from resting level during flood events.
Design and image by Daniel Smith.

Amphibious home (that floats above floods) by Baca Architects

Architect Paulo Alcazaren also posted on his FB account probably the simplest solution of all...

"Here's a 3-minute sketch showing possible required amendments to the national
building code and zoning if people persist in building their houses in vulnerable areas.
Naval architects will be required to sign the construction drawings and documents."

Simple, right? Well, okay, it might not be THAT simple, mainly because of monetary constraints. Retrofitting existing houses or providing such houses to residents in vulnerable areas would cost a lot of money. But, as Architect Paulo Alcazaren said, "... we lose billions anyways every time it floods." So, think of this as an investment and insurance to keep our homes safe from flooding.

Where in the world is reginadorothy? (1)

After 6 years, I'm back in the USA, but only for a short time. However, this will be my longest stay in this country, yet.

I arrived here last Friday, June 1 at around 10pm. I left the Philippines on June 2, 12:30am. (ooh, I traveled back in time! Haha!) My flight was supposed to be at 10:30pm on June 1, but we were delayed for 2 hours because of a last-minute change in aircraft. At least PAL had the decency to feed us at the airport (But, right before boarding? And, only one line? Seriously??).

Twas my second time to travel internationally all by myself. The first time was 6 years ago. I was still underaged back then, so I had special treatment; I didn't have to wait in line, I had a ground steward accompany me to different gates and stations in the airports, my seat (from PH to HK) was upgraded to business class for easier supervision, to name a few. However, I'm no longer a minor, so I had to do everything on my own, just like everyone else. Thank you, UP, for training me to get used to waiting in long lines.

My flight was pretty quick as it was a direct flight from PH to SFO. I was blessed enough to have an aisle seat and okay seat mates to my right who barely went to the restroom. The dude seated across the aisle to me, however, was snoring while he slept. Thank God for earphones and in-flight movies.

It was my first time at the San Francisco International Airport. On previous travels to the country, we/I'd always arrive in LAX. I can't comment on it as much because I barely had a glimpse of it coz it was night time when I arrived and because I didn't have time to explore the place coz no one's supposed to loiter the airport and I was set on not getting lost. Haha! But, I love the bas-relief artwork on the walls of that long hallway you have to walk to to get to the immigration area from the airplane.

Surprisingly, I wasn't hit with jetlag. I slept right after we arrived at my cousin's apartment and assured my family that I arrived safely. I woke up the next day at 9am, which gave my cousin and I more than enough time to go grocery shopping and tour the place.

I shall update this blog with more of my so-called adventures soon.

that summer in Samar

The other day, I was talking with my grandmother who's going back to the province on Monday. She was inviting us to come and visit her in Samar, but this time, during fiesta on the last week of September.

I'd love to visit Samar again. I've only been there once, and I loved it! My sisters and I spent about a week there 3 years ago, and it was one of the greatest trips I've ever had.

flashback mode...


Upon arrival in Calbayog, we dropped off our things at our grandmother's house in Gandara and went straight to the Blanca Aurora Falls.

Blanca Aurora Falls (left side)

Blanca Aurora Falls (right side)

The water seemed clean, so we felt safe swimming in it. You can also jump from the top of the falls.

a local kid jumping from the waterfalls

One downside of this place is its shabby bathroom. Although, we enjoyed the place too much to care or complain.


The next day, we went to San Antonio in Northen Samar. It was quite far from our grandmother's house; it took us a long jeepney ride, a pedicab ride, and a boat ride to get to the island, but it was all worth it. The beach was exquisite; it reminded me of Laiya and Anilao.

San Antonio

the beach reminded me of Laiya

the clear waters reminded me of Anilao

The place was not at all crowded, but there was a fair amount of people. The place isn't very commercialized, but the facilities aren't bad. We rented a cottage and spent the night at Haven of Fun Beach Resort. The cottage was fully airconditioned, the beds and pillows were comfy, and the bathroom was very decent.

That night, we had dinner by the beach, under the starry sky. And in the morning, we were greeted with a beach-front view of the sunrise.

sunrise on San Antonio

Upon leaving Northern Samar, we headed south towards Leyte to see San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the country.

the bridge that connects Samar and Leyte

it spans over 2km

steel trusses

We arrived Tacloban City, Leyte at around night time, so we spent the night at another relative's house there. The next day, we took a tour of Tacloban City. Since this post is about Samar, I will not elaborate on our trip around Tacloban. But, if you're visiting Samar and are going to see San Juanico Bridge, I highly suggest taking a tour of Tacloban, as well.


After our tour of Tacloban, we went back to Gandara, Samar to take a break from our "busy schedule".
The rest of our trip was spent resting, hanging out with other relatives in the area, and visiting the farm.

We took a bangka ride along Gandara River to get to the farm. In the farm, we hung out at this hut where we had coconuts and played with the chicks. We also got acquainted with the carabao, whose name I have forgotten, and with the farmers who were talking to us in Waray like we can understand them (well, thanks to context clues, we sort of can).

Gandara River

the farm

Our last day in Samar was brief as it was our flight back home. On our plane ride back to Manila, the pilot announced that we were passing by Mt. Mayon in Albay.

Mayon Volcano, as seen from our plane

I felt the plane being tilted sideways for us to have a better view of the volcano. I also noticed how the plane circled the volcano a few times. That was pretty cool. Good job, Cebu Pacific!

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Apparently, there are more places to see in Samar. I can't wait to return; hopefully during fiesta! Hope you guys could also visit and enjoy Samar! :)