NO. 1
SPRINKLES Leave No Story Untold
Go on an Adventure. Share it with us. Tell us your exciting travelogues and we’ll publish it here. Email us at sprinkles2014@gmail.com
experiment noun.
: to do a scientific test in which you perform a series of actions and carefully observe their effects : to try a new activity or a new way of doing or thinking about something ORIGIN Middle English, from Anglo-French esperiment, from Latin experimentum, from experiri First Known Use: 14th century
ISSUE NO. 1
C O N T E N T S July 2014
LEAVING A MARK
COLUMNS PAG E 8
Political Experiment: Is there still hope? B Y K RY Z A A M A E P I N ZO N
Of Failures and Second Chances BY LOU OPEÑA
Brave New World B Y L O U I E L A PAT
T R AV E L PAG E 1 5
When is green not a color? BY EDWIN LASQ UI T E
Raw and wild, Bucas Grande is a paradise B Y L O U I E L A PAT
The Streets of Al Khobar BY AP RIL SALINAS
MUSIC PAG E 2 5
Dissecting Jason Mraz BY AP RIL SALINAS
Love Never Felt So Good BY RIC KEVIN CONDE
What’s on your playlist? BY AP RIL SALINAS
ISSUE NO. 1
C O N T E N T S July 2014
INTO THE DARKNESS
COLUMNS PAG E 8
Political Experiment: Is there still hope? B Y K RY Z A A M A E P I N ZO N
Of Failures and Second Chances BY LOU OPEÑA
Brave New World B Y L O U I E L A PAT
T R AV E L PAG E 1 5
When is green not a color? BY EDWIN LASQ UI T E
Raw and wild, Bucas Grande is a paradise B Y L O U I E L A PAT
The Streets of Al Khobar BY AP RIL SALINAS
MUSIC PAG E 2 5
Dissecting Jason Mraz BY AP RIL SALINAS
Love Never Felt So Good BY RIC KEVIN CONDE
What’s on your playlist? BY AP RIL SALINAS
ISSUE NO. 1
THE EDITOR’S NOTE July 2014
The Places in Between
someone I love, enjoying each time nature paints
white sand still shimmers each time the seawater
sound of the sea breeze, I found myself in one
Under a deep blue sky and with the
the sky with yellow and red. This afternoon, I’ll
go ashore. The kids just quit from swimming and
corner of a beach resort in Banaybanay, Davao
be viewing it alone and with high anticipation
the lonely fisherman is now excited to go home
Oriental. It was a fine afternoon: the sea was
someone’s gonna stand beside me someday, hold
with his catch which will be shared by his family
gentle and calm, the white sand shimmers as the
my hand and cherish the moment that marks the
for dinner.
seawater went ashore and the only thing visible
passing of another day. From a distance, I saw
from where I stand are the children enjoying
couples sweet as lovebirds, flashing those sweet
knew what loneliness meant.
the heat of the sun on their skin and a lonely
smiles to each other and exhibiting those gentle
fisherman navigating through his banca amidst a
caresses.
sea of blue. It’s twenty five minutes past two in the
afternoon and I am perfectly lonely.
perfect place to dream than on the spot where
I am standing today. It’s fourteen days before
Davao Oriental speaks of legends and
I’m still here. Melancholy strikes. I
There’s no perfect time and there’s no
folklore and is brimming with nature’s wonder.
Christmas and I know --- more than anybody else
While many around me enjoyed the beach, here I
--- the true meaning of a Cold Christmas. Soon as
am standing still on the shore, missing someone
the night bites after a very hot day, I’ll be shivering
from a not-so-distant past. It’s been a while since
in the corner brought by the sweet zephyr.
I last saw the sun kiss the western sky with
The sea is still gentle and calm. The
LOUIE LAPAT Editor in Chief
ISSUE NO. 1
ANATOMIC COMPOSITION July 2014
OUR TEAM L O U I E B RYA N L A PAT EDITOR IN CHIEF LEO TIMOGAN EDITOR AT LARGE RIC KEVIN CONDE ART EDITOR
ON THE COVER
APRIL SALINAS RICHARD ARELLANO WRITERS APRIL SALINAS RICHARD ARELLANO WRITERS HAROLD SAGULO BERNIE COLITA WEB DE VELOPERS TRIKE JUPISTA PHOTOGRAPHER
Illustration by Ric Kevin Conde
NO. 1
contributors July 2014
July 2014
EDITED BY
LEO TIMOGAN
TRAVEL Q U E N C H I N G
T H E
ISSUE NO.
1
WA N D E R L U S T
A Paradise Unveiled
Holon’s Grandeur
Far Away from Home
This is to share with the public the course of action that government will take in decongesting ports in Metro Manila, thus facilitating the efficient processing and movement of goods not only in the capital, but in various parts of the country.
This is to share with the public the course of action that government will take in decongesting ports in Metro Manila, thus facilitating the efficient processing and movement of goods not only in the capital, but in various parts of the country.
This is to share with the public the course of action that government will take in decongesting ports in Metro Manila, thus facilitating the efficient processing and movement of goods not only in the capital, but in various parts of the country.
Louie Lapat
Edwin Lasquite
Jio Managbanag
RAW A
B U CAS
I S A PA
Considered by many as Mindanao’s best-kept s
Norte is undeniably a must-see for ever
Louie Lapat lists the things you
P H OTO G R A P H S BY L E O T I M
ND WILD,
G RA N D E
ARADISE
secret, the Bucas Grande Islands in Surigao del
ry tourist that lusts for water adventure.
u can do in this charming island.
M O G A N A N D L O U I E L A PAT
WE WERE WARNED: THE TRIP GOING HERE COULD TAKE FOREVER. ALMOST FINISHING ONE CLOCK CYCLE, THE JOURNEY COULD MEAN DOZING OFF INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE, PASSING BY POT-HOLED ROADS AND EXPERIENCING PROVINCIAL SCENES ALONG THE WAY.
“Are we there yet?,” was asked on an hourly basis, perhaps a reflection of either weariness or excitement. But as expected, there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now seven hours on the road on the waning days of blistering summer, we reached the reddish town of Claver, our gateway to one of Mindanao’s best destinations. From there, a 45-minute banca ride took us to paradise. Welcome to Bucas Grande Islands, where different shades of blue and green serve as an effective killer of exhaustion. It’s the color of sweet escape, too, where all over the place the sweet marriage of blue and green are pleasant for the eyes to see. The truth is, everywhere you look—and I’m talking 360 degrees—the panoramic vistas are just perfect background for a photograph. Bucas Grande lies in the northern part of Mindanao and shares the famous waters of Siargao. It’s under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Socorro of the Province of Surigao del Norte—a province known for wide array of sea-based activities. Here, happiness abounds, thanks to the frolic waves, the awesome coves, the white sand on distant shores, the cliffs, the caves, countless lagoons, lakes and the jellyfish.
Stingless jellyfishes make Bucas Grande as their abode, living calmly and peacefully in a solemn cove with waters the color of a posh swimming pool. One has to pass a narrow passage to enter this cove, But the bliss in Bucas Grande doesn’t end in jellyfishes. There’s the Sohoton Cove which is designated as a national park by the government of the Philippines. Described by many as a pristine emerald paradise, the 60-hectare Sohoton National Park is one of the many islands that comprise the Siargao Group of Islands.
JUMPING ON A FIVE-SECOND FREE FALL TO THE DEEP BLUE WATERS, THE EXPERIENCE REWARDS YOU WITH UNPARALLELED FULFILLMENT.
Sohoton derives its word from its entrance and exit points, where you have to stoop / pass through a narrow and low passage to the extent of crawling. It was a dark passage, its current like that of a flowing river. But once you get inside, it’s as if you’re transported to a whole new paradise. Aside from its inviting waters, the many caves of Sohoton are also a treat. Hagukan Cave is my personal favorite which has a tiny passage, and “closed” by the seawaters once it’s high tide. It produces a sound mimicking that of a snore, thus the name Hagukan. As like in many caves, it’s dark inside, and the only light visible is the reflection of the light from the entrance of the cave. The dancing little waves seem to make the green color as a disco light. It was like I’m in a sci-fi movie. An equally-beautiful cave that should be tried is the Magcocoog Cave. But here’s the caveat: once you’re in, there’s no going back. The only way to go out is through jumping from a cliff 10 meters high… and with no lifevest on! You have to summon all your courage to jump, otherwise you’ll stay there forever. Jumping on a five-second free fall to the deep blue waters, the experience rewards you with unparalleled fulfillment. Tiktikan Lake should also be on the list of your must-see places in Bucas Grande. A short climb uphill will lead you to the picturesque
BLESSED WITH THICK FOLIAGE OF TREES GROWING IN ALMOND-SHAPED ROCK FORMATIONS, SOHOTON COVE IS SUCH A SIGHT TO BEHOLD.
placid lake, which is enclosed by rock formations in all its sides. The place is a perfect place to finish reading a book, to hum that nearly-forgotten song, to reflect or just to laze around. A diving platform is also a plus, where you can treat yourself to an unlimited jumping! People going to this paradise and intend to stay here for a couple of days must prepare themselves of the rawness of the things that it can offer. It’s far, yes, but it’s definitely worth the trip. With its pristine waters, white sand and coves that are perfect for a sweet escapade, it’s easy to see why travelers don’t mind roughing it up just to reach the place. There’s a big possibility you’d also ask this along the way: Are we there yet? It will not be the exhaustion that drives you to ask that, but the excitement to experience first-hand the wonders of Bucas Grande. • How to Get There?