It’s more fun in the Philippines– a catch phrase that anyone who has been in the Philippines can understand. It’s the people who make every visit memorable. The Lonely Planet guidebook calls the Filipinos “among the most easy going and ebullient people anywhere.”
My last visit to the Philippines wasn’t scheduled as a
fun visit. ( I went to say farewell to my Lola Inay, my grandma).
Every time I visit, I take time to bring Mom to her
little paradise near the equator – the Manila Seedling. I still remember how
excited Mom was when we took her to the Botanical Garden in New York . But anywhere there’s a plant
blooming, it can be on a sidewalk or in a little pot, Mom feels like she’s
in paradise. My brothers and I can see it her eyes and smile. So earlier this month, I took Mom and Dad to Manila Seedling in Quezon City.
With my iPhone, I tried to capture the simple things that
make this place, Mom’s little paradise:
“As a lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and
rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so I, born in the world, raised
in the world having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world” ~ Buddha
Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature” ~ Gerard de Nerval
"Happiness held is the seed. Happiness held is the flower."
“If we could see the
miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” - Buddha
“I held a moment in my
hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I
dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity.” ~ Hazel Lee
“Love is the only
flower that grows and blossoms Without the aid of the seasons.” ~ Kahlil Gibran
Can you believe, there's a Mickey Mouse flower?
This was accidentally taken by my iPhone -- and it came out beautifully!
“He is happiest who
hath power to gather wisdom from a flower.” ~ Mary Howitt
Find the seed at the
bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower.” ~ Shigenori Kameoka
“To keep the body in
good health is a duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of
wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. Water surrounds the lotus flower,
but does not wet its petals.” ~ Buddha
One of Mom's favorites, orchids!
Kalachuchi, this reminds me of my childhood years!
Doesn't this remind you of Christmas?
Yes, orchids!
I use to call this gumamela.
Isn't this a very intriguing flower?
Taken from afar, and yet, I can feel my Mom's joy -- I can see her smile radiating from afar!
Mom's little treasures for the day.
Images compiled using a photo collage apps in my iPhone.
Photos enhanced using instagram.
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace."
Keep smiling!
Quotes taken from thinkexist.com
Love the Mickey Mouse Flower.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Those are ones of my favorites, too.
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