Panibugho
Charlie Fox
Gabi gabi naghihintay
Oras oras nag-aabang
Bakit ba wala ka pa?
Hindi ka pa umuuwi
Saan ka ba naroroon?
Sino ang kasama mo?
Ano ang 'yong ginagawa?
Masaya ba sa piling nya?
Puso ay naninibugho
Sa tuwing ika'y nasa isipan ko
Damdamin ay nasasaktan
Tuliro at gulong gulo
Nais matulog nang mahimbing
Kapayapaan sa isip aking hiling
Subali't sa tuwing maaalala ka
Isip ay ligalig at aligaga
Paano ka maaangkin?
kung ikaw ay hindi akin
Hanggang kailan titiisin?
Damdami'y di na kayang supilin
Kung iyong naririnig
Daing ng aking puso't isip
Ikaw ang nais kapiling
Sa tuwina ay makasiping
Pilit mang sugpuin
Nag-aalab na damdamin
Tawag ng aking laman
Init ng iyong mga labi
Sa iyong mga bisig
gusto kong magising
Sa halimuyak mong taglay
nais na malasing
Pananabik ng damdamin
Nag-uumapaw at humihiyaw
Sa gitna ng dilim
Tahimik na sumisigaw
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
Ligaw Tingin
Ligaw Tingin
Charlie Fox
Sinusundan araw araw
Hinahabol-habol ng tingin
Mula hagdan hanggang bintana
Sa bawa't hakbang mo'y nag-aabang
Masilayan lamang ang iyong ngiti
Pakiwari ko'y naabot na ang langit
Ano ba ang sa iyo ay nakita?
pagkabighani ay di na maalis
Kapag ikaw ay wala
Araw ay malumbay
Sa paligid pilit hinahanap
Kahit batid na ika'y wala
Lahat sa iyo ay aking alam
Maging ang iyong lihim na sinta
Maganda sya at bagay kayo
Subali't di pa rin magawang lumayo
Paano ka aangkinin
kung hindi ka naman akin
Matuto na lamang makontento
sa pagliligaw tingin
Ang araw sumisigla
Ang oras tila anong bilis
Puso ko'y lumulundag
tuwing ngalan mo'y maririnig
Lumipas man ang panahon
Damdamin ko'y di magbabago
Ikaw pa rin ang sinisinta
Kahit alam kong hanggang pangarap na lamang
Dumating din sa wakas
At kailangan nang magpaalam
Mabigat man sa damdamin
Alaala mo'y kailangan nang iwan
Charlie Fox
Sinusundan araw araw
Hinahabol-habol ng tingin
Mula hagdan hanggang bintana
Sa bawa't hakbang mo'y nag-aabang
Masilayan lamang ang iyong ngiti
Pakiwari ko'y naabot na ang langit
Ano ba ang sa iyo ay nakita?
pagkabighani ay di na maalis
Kapag ikaw ay wala
Araw ay malumbay
Sa paligid pilit hinahanap
Kahit batid na ika'y wala
Lahat sa iyo ay aking alam
Maging ang iyong lihim na sinta
Maganda sya at bagay kayo
Subali't di pa rin magawang lumayo
Paano ka aangkinin
kung hindi ka naman akin
Matuto na lamang makontento
sa pagliligaw tingin
Ang araw sumisigla
Ang oras tila anong bilis
Puso ko'y lumulundag
tuwing ngalan mo'y maririnig
Lumipas man ang panahon
Damdamin ko'y di magbabago
Ikaw pa rin ang sinisinta
Kahit alam kong hanggang pangarap na lamang
Dumating din sa wakas
At kailangan nang magpaalam
Mabigat man sa damdamin
Alaala mo'y kailangan nang iwan
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Killing a Minor
The Filipino community and even the world is currently abuzz about the killing of a minor during a drug bust operation. Is it moral? or is it even legal to do so?
According to the police's version of the story, the boy fought back. He had with him a gun given to him by his father. His father is said to be a known pusher in their community. The son, on the other hand, serves as a courier. This strategy is commonly adapted by drug syndicates. Minors can not be arrested and will not serve jail terms. Father and son are the run to persons if someone needs a high.
Family, friends and witnesses, on the other hand, gives another version of the story. They said he was murdered. A CCTV footage shows the boy being dragged by two armed policemen. They said the boy even begged for him to be released because he has an exam the next day. Even so, he was brutally shot dead.
People marched on the street in protest of the alleged extra judicial killing (EJK). Politicians, left and right, condemn the brutal act. The social media burns ablaze with people debating on what is right and what is wrong. News media can not stop talking about it. It is indeed a hot sensationalized topic.
The yellows are at it again. In full force, they try their hardest to destroy the current administration's reputation. The barking dog, Trillanes, The jailed drug lords' bedroom queen, De Lima, The terrorist's sympathizer, Hontiveros, The henpecked, Pangilinan and their cohorts just can not stop riding along with this latest controversy. They give statements left and right preaching their own version of the truth. Robredo, the third wheeling lugaw queen, just can not wait to assume the presidency. She really needs to dip her dirty finger into this issue.
According to people in the know, all this drama was carefully staged by the yellows. Just in time for August 21, the commemoration day of their self proclaimed hero. The "hero's" son also said a mouthful regarding the issue, projecting an image of righteousness over their tainted one. Still another version of the barber's tale said that the operation was staged to cover the presidential son's current involvement with the Bureau of Custom's (BOC) failure to detect a large volume of illegal drugs that have entered the country. To blow down the issue, the drama was staged, a life was sacrificed.
Whatever the story, whichever is the truth, the life of a minor should not have been recklessly taken. The boy may have committed a mistake, but he is just a boy. He should have been spared. After all, he is still trying the walks of life. He hasn't mastered it yet. He may have fallen, he may have chosen the wrong path, but the road is still long. He could have been given the chance to right what is wrong.
To all the politicians gaming on this issue, Shame on you!!!!! you scums of the earth. All for your selfish endeavors. To all media practioners, Shame on you too!!!!! for fanning the fire even more. Eat your shit to your delight. To celebrities and netizens who banks on this issue to gain more likes, Shame on your foul ass face!!! Shit on your food and eat it too.
According to the police's version of the story, the boy fought back. He had with him a gun given to him by his father. His father is said to be a known pusher in their community. The son, on the other hand, serves as a courier. This strategy is commonly adapted by drug syndicates. Minors can not be arrested and will not serve jail terms. Father and son are the run to persons if someone needs a high.
Family, friends and witnesses, on the other hand, gives another version of the story. They said he was murdered. A CCTV footage shows the boy being dragged by two armed policemen. They said the boy even begged for him to be released because he has an exam the next day. Even so, he was brutally shot dead.
People marched on the street in protest of the alleged extra judicial killing (EJK). Politicians, left and right, condemn the brutal act. The social media burns ablaze with people debating on what is right and what is wrong. News media can not stop talking about it. It is indeed a hot sensationalized topic.
The yellows are at it again. In full force, they try their hardest to destroy the current administration's reputation. The barking dog, Trillanes, The jailed drug lords' bedroom queen, De Lima, The terrorist's sympathizer, Hontiveros, The henpecked, Pangilinan and their cohorts just can not stop riding along with this latest controversy. They give statements left and right preaching their own version of the truth. Robredo, the third wheeling lugaw queen, just can not wait to assume the presidency. She really needs to dip her dirty finger into this issue.
According to people in the know, all this drama was carefully staged by the yellows. Just in time for August 21, the commemoration day of their self proclaimed hero. The "hero's" son also said a mouthful regarding the issue, projecting an image of righteousness over their tainted one. Still another version of the barber's tale said that the operation was staged to cover the presidential son's current involvement with the Bureau of Custom's (BOC) failure to detect a large volume of illegal drugs that have entered the country. To blow down the issue, the drama was staged, a life was sacrificed.
Whatever the story, whichever is the truth, the life of a minor should not have been recklessly taken. The boy may have committed a mistake, but he is just a boy. He should have been spared. After all, he is still trying the walks of life. He hasn't mastered it yet. He may have fallen, he may have chosen the wrong path, but the road is still long. He could have been given the chance to right what is wrong.
To all the politicians gaming on this issue, Shame on you!!!!! you scums of the earth. All for your selfish endeavors. To all media practioners, Shame on you too!!!!! for fanning the fire even more. Eat your shit to your delight. To celebrities and netizens who banks on this issue to gain more likes, Shame on your foul ass face!!! Shit on your food and eat it too.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Overcoming depression
Depression is now becoming a rampant sickness in our world today. It has been bringing a lot of pain to people all over the world, yet it is just being recognized recently. Nobody dares talk about depression. Admitting makes matters worse. It makes one feel more vulnerable. This hesitation stems from wrong beliefs. The fear to be judged differently, holds us back from accepting and admitting the truth.
But truth be told, it is difficult to recognize depression. You may already be experiencing the symptoms, yet unaware that you are going thru it. The sudden feeling of sadness, the loneliness and emptiness inside which were beyond explanation. Have you found yourself waking in the middle of the night with tears welling in your eyes? Tears just continue to flow and you don't know how to stop them. In my case, it usually happens when I'm inside the toilet. Sitting on the throne, tears will just keep falling with no apparent reason. One time, I tried to analyze why but did not find an answer. There seems to be numbness as no feelings is felt yet the tears keep falling.
By the time we realize or recognize the disease, we were already engulfed by it. We have already entered the world of darkness. Everything we do seems meaningless. We find no happiness and satisfaction. Everything we do appears just like part of a routine. We are like robots programed to do each and every task and activities we do. No appreciation, no satisfaction. Then we feel tired. Always tired. The things that used to make us happy seems not to work anymore. We isolate ourselves yet feel like people are avoiding us. We avoid gatherings, we avoid friends and families.
Then we feel sick. Head aches, back pain, stomach problem, lost of appetite, etc. manifest one after the other. Lost of weight also becomes noticeable. Yet we attribute it to successful dieting, but no, just look at the image in the mirror. Those sunken cheeks, the dark circles around the eyes (which makes it appears like protruding), that awful almost like a skull looking face. Dreadful.
The choice of songs we listen to may also be a hint about depression. Listening to sad love songs even if one is not brokenhearted. Listening to those sad songs just seem to feel right even if we don't relate to it. We just want listening to the sad melody and pondering on the words of the sad lyrics. Our choice of color may also be a clue. the sudden fondness to wear black. Black shirt, black pants, black jacket.... an all black from head to toe outfit. Black everyday, everywhere. Not the fashionable black, but just black. The bedroom color also shifts to black. Black curtains, black sheets, everything black. Then the clutter piles up. Things that you don't need, things that you buy on impulse, ..... the mess just keep on piling up.
How do we get out of it? I too don't have an exact answer. How do we know what to do, when in the first place, we are not even aware that we are depressed? In my case, I would say I just got lucky. One day, out of nowhere, I got an invitation from a friend to visit her place in a far away province. I don't travel. But I took that invitation. Lucky for me, that is where and how I was healed.
I'm not sure if it was the change of environment. The Inn I stayed in is near the towns church. It was just a street across the Inn. Every morning or every time that I find an idle time, I find myself entering the church. I'm not a church goer but I found solace inside that church. I pray a little, then just sit there looking at the statue of the blessed Virgin, observing the inside of the church, looking at the people coming in and out of the church.
I stayed there for 3 days. By the second day, I already started feeling the change. By the time I went back home, I was healed. I just feel so refreshed. I know I was set free. Only then did I realize that I was indeed depressed for so long but luckily and happily, I am free. It was like a miracle or perhaps it truly was a miracle. I'm suddenly out of the dark. I feel lighter. My perception about things changed. I began to appreciate the people around me. Suddenly, I want to be out again. No need to hide in seclusion.
My problems are still there. The things and situations that brought me to my depressed state were still there, but I don't care. Problems are problems. But each one has a solution. We just have to face them and work on them. The burst of positive energy just keep on flowing. The sudden change of outlook and perception brought about the change that I needed. It helped me manage every situation I'm in. No more darkness.
The whole thing is a process. Just be patient because it will take time. It is not easy and it certainly does not happen in an instant. But do keep your hope alive. Nothing in this world is permanent. Nothing last forever, and that includes our problems. We may have to live with them but rest assured they do have an end. To end these problems, we must choose to end them. Start from something or maybe just anything. Before you realize it, you are on your way to recovery.
To be happy is a choice. Happiness is a feeling. It can be controlled. As we age, we must learn to live a life of and with gratitude. Be thankful always. Grateful for everything that comes our way. We may not always get what we want, but work hard anyway. Do that fervent wish you have, work on that impossible goal you've set, follow that dream your heart most desired. We may fail in some of them, be sad or upset for a while. But hey! that's life. Its not always about that trophy at the end of the game. Mostly, its all about how we get there. Win or lose, its the journey we took that matters. When we look back, its not the medal or the prize that brings back memories, its the story behind each of those journey.
Live healthy, eat healthy, think healthy. A Healthy body leads to a healthy mind and vice versa. Be positive always. The positive things we do attracts positive things back. People will start reacting positively if we behave positively. The positive energy radiates. Avoid the negative stuffs. Stay away from troublesome people. Learn to ignore. We can not change the way people around us were, but we can certainly change the perspective we have about the world around us. If we change our perspective, the world we see also changes. Easier said than done, I know. But believe me, it can be done. If you want something to happen, start the ball rolling. Go on a trip, start a new hobby, look for professional help if needed, ..... One of them will surely work for you. You just have to believe and of course act on it. And when I say act on it, act on it NOW. Go go go!!!
Monday, April 17, 2017
Sa paligid ng bahay
Hindi ako palalabas ng bahay kung kaya't hindi ko napagmamasdan ng mabuti ang anyo ng aming kapaligiran. Noong aking kabataan mas madalas akong nakalalabas. Madalas kasi akong utusan upang mamili sa mga kalapit tindahan. Malayo-layo rin ang aking nilalakbay sa tuwing mauutusan. Andyan ang magpunta sa palengke na 20-30 minuto kung lalakarin. Minsan naman ay sa botika malapit sa hospital. Malayo rin ito. 30 minutong lakaran din sa kabila namang direksyon. Mas malapit kung sa supermarket at grocery. 10 minuto lang kung lalakarin. Nguni't minsan ay nagbibisikleta ako. Wala pang 5 minuto ay nararating ko na ito.
Malaki na ang ipinagbago sa kapaligiran ng aming bahay. Ang dating puro residential houses ay napalitan na ng mga townhouses at mga konkretong gusali. Noong araw, mga ancestral homes ang mga bahay dito. Mga 70's inspired homes. Yung mga bahay na yari sa kahoy. Malalaki ang mga lote kung kaya't bawat bahay may garden o swimming pool. Yayamanin ang aming mga kapitbahay. Lahat sila may mga maids at drivers in uniform. Masarap magbisikleta sa kalsada tuwing dapit hapon. Safe pa ang kalsada noon. Tahimik at malinis ang kapaligiran.
Lumipas ang panahon at unti-unting nagbago ang anyo ng aming neighborhood. Ang mga may-ari ng magagarang bahay ay isa-isang nangibang bansa. Yan ang trend noon. Ang mga mayayamang ninuno, pinapadala sa abroad ang mga anak para doon makapagtapos and hopefully doon na din manirahan afterwards. Magulo pa kasi noon matapos ang EDSA revolution. Walang katiyakan ang lagay ng ekonomiya sa bansa. So ang ending, ang mga magagarang pag-aari naiwan sa mga matatanda na di na kayang i-maintain ang kanilang ari-arian. Siyempre in their old age na libre na sila sa mga responsibilidad, sumunod na din sila sa kanilang mga anak sa ibang bansa.
Ang mga naiwang pag-aari ay isa-isang ipinagbili. karamihan nga nito ay na-convert sa townhouses. Ang mga 1000 hanggang 2000 square meters na mga lupain ay mainam nga naman para sa mga ganitong proyekto. Ang iba naman ay pinatayuan ng gusali. Tulad ng aming tirahan. Hindi kasi kami nag-migrate. Bagkus naging multi generational ang set-up namin, kung kaya't mas akma ang pagtatayo ng gusali na mayroong maraming palapag.
Unti-unti ring nagbago mula residential area patungong semi-commercial area ang aming komunidad. Isa-isang nagsipag-usbungan ang mga komersyal na establisimiyento. Ang mga sikat na fast food chains at mga convinience stores ay nagkalat na sa paligid. Nagkaroon na rin ng mini Chinatown. Samu't saring restaurants at kainan ang nagsipagbukasan. Napapansin na rin ito ng mga taong labas. Sa tuwing weekends, napupuno ang kalsada sa dami ng dumadayo. Makailang ulit na ring nai-feature sa TV ang ilang mga tindahan at kainang patok sa publiko. Sadyang malaki na nga ang pagbabago sa aming kapaligiran. Ang minsa'y tahimik na kapitbahayan ay isa nang maunlad na distritong komersyal.
Ganun pa man, sa kabila nang mga nabanggit na pagbabago, nanatili akong mangmang sa mga ito. Gawa nga nang di naman ako palalabas ng bahay. Nung nakaraang bakasyon, naisipan kong mag-photo shoot ng aming neighborhood. Pero sa tuktok lang ng aming gusali. Laking gulat at pagkabigla ang aking nadama. Halos di ko na makilala ang lugar kung saan mahigit 20 taon akong nakatira. Panahon na marahil upang ako'y mamasyal masyal. Babalitaan ko kayo sa aking mga matutuklasan.
Back from the long holidays
So what happened during the 4 consecutive holidays (The Holy weekend that is)?
As planned, I did my Aloe transplanting. I did all 39 pots. I did the transplanting in 2 days. Too much for a 1 day job. It was indeed back breaking. My legs were numb and my back was sore from sitting for a long period. It was worth all the sweat and pain though. The plants are all looking great now. Not visually appealing as of the moment, as I have trimmed their leaves to a bare minimum. I did so to encourage healthier new growths.
They all look like babies now with leaves and roots trimmed. But in 2 to 3 months they will start to show their beautiful form. And in the 6th and 7th month, they will be as wild as they used to be. Hopefully this time, transferred outdoor, they grow back into their lushly selves. Its summer. With the hot temperature and high humidity, the aloes will surely grow back those thick juicy leaves. The constant sun exposure (not fully direct though) they love will provide them enough energy to create food they need.
The soil is a mix of soil less potting mix, vermiculites and a little of compost and vermicast. (For those who are not in the know) Vermiculites are soil enhancers. They make the soil lighter and also provide the much needed drainage of potted plants. Vermicast, on the other hand, are worms manure used as natural fertilizers. This mix is much better than soil or dirt. They keep the plants free from diseases and unwanted pests. If you don't have them, its not a problem. Aloes are easy to grow. Ordinary garden soil mix with sand will be good enough. Just make sure to provide good drainage. Aloes do not like wet soil. The roots will rot if soaked for too long. They will also not grow roots if the soil is constantly wet. Moist soil is good but not wet soil.
Anyway, I have 22 in L size pots (about 12" diameter) and the rest are in S size pots (6" diameter). After 7 months, I hope to be able to transplant some of them into bigger pots. That is if they will grow large and fat as they used to be. Given the right conditioning they love, an abundant yield is expected.
---------------
Aside from planting, I also had the chance to organize my computer files. The files are now organized and labeled properly. Ready to be transferred to an external hard disk. The computer I have is an old one purchased in 2009. It is running on Windows Vista. I already received a message that it will no longer be supported by Windows as the support for Vista has already expired. The hardware is Intel Centrino, so there is no way it can handle Windows 10 if a software upgrade is carried out. I guess, its time to buy a new PC. I am contemplating on having a tablet, but can it do what a laptop can do?
Still doing my research and canvassing. With so many choices out there, it gets really confusing. Not an urgent matter though, hope to pick a right choice soon.
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Below are my Hibiscus plants. Not yet flowering. Will have to wait 2-3 months for their first bloom.
And here is my ZZs. They are also known as welcome plant so I have them at our entrance. I have their soil refurbished. I added tea leaves to the mix. I hope they like it.
Lovely aren't they. I will make an update 2-3 months later to show you their progress.
They all look like babies now with leaves and roots trimmed. But in 2 to 3 months they will start to show their beautiful form. And in the 6th and 7th month, they will be as wild as they used to be. Hopefully this time, transferred outdoor, they grow back into their lushly selves. Its summer. With the hot temperature and high humidity, the aloes will surely grow back those thick juicy leaves. The constant sun exposure (not fully direct though) they love will provide them enough energy to create food they need.
The soil is a mix of soil less potting mix, vermiculites and a little of compost and vermicast. (For those who are not in the know) Vermiculites are soil enhancers. They make the soil lighter and also provide the much needed drainage of potted plants. Vermicast, on the other hand, are worms manure used as natural fertilizers. This mix is much better than soil or dirt. They keep the plants free from diseases and unwanted pests. If you don't have them, its not a problem. Aloes are easy to grow. Ordinary garden soil mix with sand will be good enough. Just make sure to provide good drainage. Aloes do not like wet soil. The roots will rot if soaked for too long. They will also not grow roots if the soil is constantly wet. Moist soil is good but not wet soil.
Anyway, I have 22 in L size pots (about 12" diameter) and the rest are in S size pots (6" diameter). After 7 months, I hope to be able to transplant some of them into bigger pots. That is if they will grow large and fat as they used to be. Given the right conditioning they love, an abundant yield is expected.
---------------
Aside from planting, I also had the chance to organize my computer files. The files are now organized and labeled properly. Ready to be transferred to an external hard disk. The computer I have is an old one purchased in 2009. It is running on Windows Vista. I already received a message that it will no longer be supported by Windows as the support for Vista has already expired. The hardware is Intel Centrino, so there is no way it can handle Windows 10 if a software upgrade is carried out. I guess, its time to buy a new PC. I am contemplating on having a tablet, but can it do what a laptop can do?
Still doing my research and canvassing. With so many choices out there, it gets really confusing. Not an urgent matter though, hope to pick a right choice soon.
-----------
Below are my Hibiscus plants. Not yet flowering. Will have to wait 2-3 months for their first bloom.
Lovely aren't they. I will make an update 2-3 months later to show you their progress.
Labels:
aloes,
gumamela,
Hibiscus,
Intel Centrino,
long holidays,
weekend,
Windows Vista,
ZZ plants
Monday, April 10, 2017
Lenten reflection
We have once again entered the Lenten season, one of the most sacred season for every Catholic believers. In this Holy week, we commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ, our Lord and Savior. It is a time for us to do inner reflections. Finding and rediscovering our path to a renewed and stronger faith.
Talking about faith is not easy. In this day and age, we are distracted by so many things. Our minds clouded with varying information. With too many goals to achieve, our faith weakens. We tend to prioritize our daily needs over our relationship with God. In an overly demanding society, with bills to pay, jobs to accomplish, people to satisfy, our time with God is also compromised.
We sometimes say we wish we could have more time, so that we can have time with God. But do we really need that extra time? How about giving up on some of our daily chores? or perhaps quitting some of our extra curricular activities? Time management may somehow help. We only have 24 hours. How we use them sets us apart from each other.
Some people use this holiday to go out of town and relax. They deserve that break after all. The corporate life with all its struggles and challenges is not easy. An escape to the beach or to another country refreshes the mind and soul. An extra time with our family and love ones is surely guaranteed. But that is not the essence of the Holy week.
This year, in this Lenten season, may we find time to dedicate ourselves to renewing and strengthening our faith. It doesn't have to be boring as a lot of people think. We can do it with friends and family. It can be done while we are on our summer escapades. A moment to reflect and recollect is all that we need. Reminding ourselves about the path to righteousness. Finding God in our heart and let His love fill our mind and soul. Its like having a battery recharged to 100%. We feed our body as we do our mind. It feels great to feed our soul too. A well fed soul knows how to deal with everyday struggles. Let God show us the way. Let Him be the light. Let His love warms our hearts and feeds our hungry soul.
Read the Bible and reflect on it. Find God in every beauty that we see and perhaps also in our despair. In our every struggle, He is with us, as in our every triumph. Let our minds be filled with His words that our words may speak about Him and our actions do His will. Let us rediscover that path to greatness, the path to the truth and everlasting grace.
May you enjoy your holidays and make your Holy week virtuous.
Sunday, April 09, 2017
Having a bedroom plant
I'm not sure if it is a good idea to have a plant in the bedroom. I got the idea from several Youtube videos that I've seen. As I've mentioned in my previous posts, I do grow a lot of aloe vera plants. Propagation of this succulent plant is quite easy. They produce offshoots every so often which can be cut to produce another full grown plant. The offshoots may come from the roots or in between their thick succulent leaves.
From 1 single medium size plant, I was able to reproduce my now 35 pots of aloe vera collections. 12 of them are full grown while the rest are still in their growing up stage. In their growing up stage, they can be vulnerable. A miscalculated step may result into their demise. Common mistakes that affects them are : over or underwatering, under or over exposure to sunlight, and wrong type of soil. It takes time with keen observation to identify their needs. With the right know how, growing aloe vera is quite easy. They are in fact low maintenance.
Of all the offshoots that I have propagated, I fancy one that has an odd appearance since the beginning. It sprang from the side of one of the full growns. It is multi-headed. At first, it was not too obvious. What I noticed is that it has more leaves than the other offshoots. It sprang in between the leaves, so it did not have roots when I plucked it out. It being multi-headed is also not evident. It appeared like it has only 1 body.
The moment I saw it, I grew a liking into it. I took extra care when transplanting it. This one has to grow, I told my self. Months has passed, It now shows its true form. It has turned into a multi-headed plant. It did not grow big like its siblings though. It has 9 heads.
Last weekend, I have it transplanted as I want to place it in my bedroom. I have it cleaned and dried up before transferring it to its new pot. Unfortunately, 1 head fell off, so it now only have 8 heads. Still a good number though. I put some pebbles on top of it and two used perfume bottles as decors. They now sit near my bedroom window. They have their 1st watering yesterday morning. I love the way they look. I hope they like their new home. Plants can be choosy with regards to their environment. It is still too early to tell if they will adapt. I certainly hope they do.
Since it will be my bedroom companion, I have given it a name. Let her be known as Ameerah, the 8 headed aloe vera. Go, grow and glow Ameerah. Gambatte ne.
Some BTS photos:
After being uprooted, washed and let dried.
Pebbles for toppings in 2 colors. They came from an old aquarium.
Pot with floral shaped base
ready for transplanting
Initial look after transplanting
The final look with additional decors.
Friday, April 07, 2017
Weekend anticipation : April 8 and 9
Oy weekend na uli. Pahinga pagkatapos ng mahabang linggo.
Papasok na ang Holy week. Palm Sunday na sa Linggo. Next week, 3 araw lang ang pasok.
This weekend, busy-busy-han tayo. Bukod sa regular weekend chores, maglilinis ako ng terrace. katatapos lang kasi ng renovation. Ibabalik ko doon ang aking mga alagang halaman. Sa Holy week break ko pa sila ililipat. Sa Linggo ang pre-work. Kailangan pa kasing linisin ang terrace. Ihahanda ko rin ang mga kailangang gamit at kasangkapan para sa replanting ng aking mga halaman. Matagal-tagal din silang nailipat indoors. Tiyak na matutuwa sila at muli na naman silang masisilayan ng araw.
Mostly, mga aloes ang tanim ko. May mangila-ngilang gumamela. Sila ang mag-ooccupy sa terrace namin. Kailangan pagplanuhan ang bagong landscaping. Gusto ko rin sanang magsimula ng vegetable gardening. Good luck to me. Sana maging successful.
Sa landscaping, gusto ko lang naman lagyan ng arte yung arrangements ng mga halaman. Hindi ko kasi pinag-iisipan noon yun. Basta salpak lang ng mga paso ang ginagawa ko. Some here, some there. Tabi tabi sa iba't ibang sulok. This time, I want to make the arrangement look visually appealing, since bagong pintura yung terrace. Yan ang project ko sa Holy week break.
Mamimili ako ng kakailanganing gamit mamayang uwian. Sana may stock. Hindi ko kasi naalalang mamili. Lupa, soil enhancers, planters, pots, composts, etc. Wish me luck. Sana may available stocks. May next week pa naman if walang mabili mamaya.
Excited ako kasi, Last year pa yung huli kong pagrereplant nung aking mga halaman. This time hindi maganda ang tubo nila since nilipat ko sila indoor. Hindi maganda ang tubo. They will need some trimming. With the right amount of sun exposure, sana manumbalik ang sigla nila. Every year kasi kapag nagrereplant ako, tinatapyasan ko ng dahon yung mga aloe vera ko. meron akong 12 na malalaking paso ng aloe vera, then about 20-25 nung mga maliliit. So every trimmings, maramirami rin yung harvest ko. Personally hindi ko sila nagagamit. Hindi ko naman alam paano gamitin ang aloe vera. Sabi nila pwedeng ipahid sa balat at pwede rin daw kainin. Kahit sariling tanim ko at alam ko namang malinis, ni minsan hindi sumagi sa isip ko na kumain ng aloe vera.
Yung mga harvest ko iniiwan ko lang sa garahe namin, nakatali yun, 4-5 tali siguro naiipon ko. Bawat tali is approximately 10 kilos or more. Di ko naman tinitimbang. Approximate weight lang siya compared sa isang bag ng bigas. Kinukuha yun ng either tita ko or hipag ko. Pinamimigay nila sa ofc nila. Ginagawa raw oil. At least di nasasayang. But this harvest, mukhang kakaunti lang ang mapapakinabangan. halos 10 months kasi indoor yun mga halaman. Payat at kakaunti ang tubo.
Meron din akong isang ZZ plant. Mananatili siyang indoor. Binilhan ko na sya ng decorative pot. Soil refurbishing na lang ang kailangan. Nag-ipon ako ng mga dahon ng tsaa. Yun ang gagawin kong pataba. Hahaluan ko rin ng kaunting vermicast. Hangga't maaari nais kong natural ang mga sangkap sa aking mga paso. Mas malusog ang mga halaman at safe gamitin. Mas mainam din kasi nirerecycle ko yung mga lupa. Kaunting refurbishing lang naman, tataba na uli ang lupa.
Di ko na maalala kung kailan ko simulang nakahiligan ang pagtatanim. Nagsimula ito sa isang tumpok ng aloe vera na kinuha ko sa mga pananim ng lola ko. Doon nagsimula ang aking aloe vera collections. Di ko naman binalak na paramihin sila. 1-2 paso lang sana ang nais ko. Subali't sadyang mabilis silang lumago at kumalat. Di ko namalayan, magsisingkwentang paso na pala ang alaga kong aloe vera. Bukod sa mga aloe vera, nakawilihan ko rin ang mga halamang gumamela. yun nga lang nagkamali ako ng tabas nung huli akong nagtrimming. So mula 7 pots, 2 na lamang ang natira. Pero ayos lang, sa tamang pag-aalaga dadami uli sila. Alam ko naman kung anong pagkakamali yun nagawa ko kaya may precautionary measures na.
Happy weekend sa inyo. Sa mga uuwi na ng probinsya at dun na rin sa maagang magbabakasyon, ingat kayo and enjoy your vacation. And of course, take some time to pray and make some reflections. Make the Holy week holy and meaningful.
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