My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

The Beautiful Black Water Lagoon of Piat

By livelifeandlove on June 4, 2021

Catch the first glimpse of Black Water Lagoon on a beautiful clear day, just a short distance away, a little bit climb on the stairs to reach the top of the Iconic Piat hill (Itawis landmark) to see the panoramic views of the mountains from east to west, you’ll also witness your favorite time of day; the sunrise and sunset and grand view of the whole town. The Black Water Lagoon of Piat Cagayan is a family-friendly park and a part of People’s Integrated Agri Tourism Center, it’s just 10-min walk from Basilica Minore Nuestra Senora De Piat.

Photo taken during my recent visit to Piat, it reminds me of my beautiful hometown. Looking back is my own way to stay connected, I miss my hometown where we used to live, my birthplace Piat Cagayan. I miss not only the food but also the people I’ve known since childhood. Every chance had taken away by uncertainty brought by the pandemic. I’m longing to be home again soon when life return to normal.

Note: Stay safe! Protect yourself and follow safety and health protocols.

Thanks for reading my blog! Goodnight folks!

Callao Cave/Peñablanca, Cagayan

By livelifeandlove on May 21, 2021

Like other limestone caves it exhibits a wide variety of unique formations. Much of the interior of this cave is filled with stunning forms of stalactites and stalagmites similar to those found in other caves. In addition, you’ll see the fractured blocks of clusters, pointed forms hanging upward and sharp pinnacles grown into giant proportions rarely seen elsewhere. The strangest sights was a magnificent work of nature that goes beyond geological formations.

Callao cave– one of 300 limestone caves with seven chambers located in the barangays of Magdalo and Quibal in the municipality of Penablanca about 24 Km northeast of Tuguegarao city and within a well protected zone. Callao is named after a village in the area. It is a natural tourist attraction and a cultural treasure of the country. Callao cave has an elevation of 85 meters and a coordinate of 17′ 42 North latitude and 121 49 East longitude. The limestone formation consists of 540 meters of reef carbonates formed during the late Miocene and early Pliocene. It was first excavated in 1979-1981 by a team led by Maharlika Cuevas of the National Museum.

The discovery of Callao man in 2007

Excavated by a team of local and international archaeologist led by Dr. Armand Salvador B. Mijares at a site in Callao cave, human metatarsal confirmed the bone is 67,000 years old which is much older than the ”Tabon man” at 47,000 years old. The bones referred to as Callao man or ”Homo-Luzonensis” predates homosapien bones discovered earlier in history. In addition, similar skeletons and ancient tools and other kinds dating back 10,000 years ago. All discoveries are a reminder of early settlers, this cave serves as ancient dwelling and it is also a reminder that early people lives here 70,000 years ago.

Dr. Armand Salvador B. Mijares – a Filipino archaeologist , a professor of Archaeology at the University of the Philippines and the main author of ”Journal of Human Evolution.”

Note: Complete photos of Callao Cave from first to the fifth chamber. Only the entrance of sixth chamber shown. Chambers 6-7 have been sealed off to the public, access is restricted due to landslide and erosion.

Upon arrival , purchase your tickets here. For your safety and convenience, avail their services, student cave guides are available.

Operating hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 PM

Admission ticket prices

Adult— P20

Student with ID— P10

Senior Citizen— P15

Children below 12— P10

Wedding Pictorial— P500

Operating hours 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cave Rules

Always remember the Caver’s Creed > Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time.

Be a responsible caver > No food allowed inside the cave. Littering / Throwing garbage and vandalism inside the cave is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.

This is a well deserving break to explore the beauty of Callao cave. Like most visitors, my adventure starts here. Climbing 184 steps to reach Callao cave is the most challenging part of my adventure but fully excited to reach the top. I prepared everything in advance to make climbing easier for me, definitely, water is a must-need and backpacking makes a lot more to feel free and shoulder my balance. What a sweaty day! This is an intense workout catching my breath, you need endurance and it takes more effort before you’ll see nature’s beauty.

Not a first timer to visit Callao cave, I’ve been here a couple of times never had a problem. I was born in Piat Cagayan, my small hometown is just 40 mins away from Tuguegarao. Piat, my birthplace where I spent most of my life surrounded by people I grew up with. When I moved to Manila leaving behind my roots, I can’t help but to remember the good times and old memories of my birthplace, leaving my hometown that I love and community of friends was hard.

I never fail to visit my hometown, the place where I’ve started from. The good thing, I was given the chance to re-visit Tuguegarao city and Callao cave again. I have this feeling that if you leave for so long and return for a short vacation, it feels like I’m a tourist to my own backyard. I’m back again! It’s hard to think that after having such a good time and reluctant to leave again.

The aerial view of Peñablanca Cagayan taken from an elevated point of Callao cave.

A good view comes after the hardest climb. You can just imagine the amount of effort put forth , I was so relieved it was over! I must be honest to you > Climbing 184 steps was truly exhausting, my fitness level is good but my strength is nowhere near the strength that i had back in my heyday..

The entrance of Callao cave

The First Chamber of Callao Cave

The first chamber converted into a chapel where masses are held during scheduled Sundays and Holy Fridays.

Callao cave, the best known limestone cave in Cagayan.

The first chamber is the welcome area, large and spacious. It is considered as the best chamber.

The 2nd Chamber of Callao Cave

Hiking around passing through the chambers. Memories come flooding back my past visit to the same old cave. I was trying to recall and compare current changes however, I didn’t see any except for the excavation site at the side entrance. My mind thoughts, as you get older, you’ll face connectivity issues out here.

I’m adopting myself to life in the dark for a while . I’m experiencing a strange feeling to see multiple bats hanging, the atmosphere was dark and cold. It creeps me, life inside this cave is totally different from the life outside world.

The best day tour companions, from the left; Elvie, Baby Lanz, Dr. John, me and Kuya Tom Marvie. My unforgettable memories: taking photos and to bond sweet moments.

As I go deeper to the higher chambers, you’ll see unique rock formations.

The Third Chamber of Callao Cave

Sun rays through the cave, pretty enough to illuminate the third chamber.

Hanging stalagmites grows upward of the cave, column formed under many process of wind-born sediments and water dripping from the cave.

Pausing for a break before entering the next chamber. That Girl in yellow shirt named ” Mary Ann is our cave guide for 2 hours.

Cave formations carved by mother nature.

The Fourth Chamber of Callao Cave

This is how mother earth was made. Incredibly beautiful!

Inside the cave is a combination of light and darkness.

A hard climb going to the fifth chamber, the floor is too slippery.

Moving deeper and darker..

Following the hiking trails

Pretty light rays glows in the dark, the big hole up there was carved by mother nature.

The Fifth Chamber of Callao Cave

Callao cave interior looks like another world, it’s a hidden world of light and darkness, peace and tranquillity.

Hiking and trekking can be a pretty thing for a while, I can still manage to smile after an hour climb.

Entrance of fifth chamber of the cave.

The Sixth chamber of Callao Cave entrance. My three hours cave adventure twists through all sorts of wondrous rock formations.

From my last visit, I stayed for more than a week but no matter how long I visit for, it was never enough, time wasn’t sufficient enough to explore the whole of Cagayan. Hoping next year life will return to normal, will get the chance to visit Cagayan again. Thanks God for meeting old friends, relatives, town mates and all people I’ve known longest time. Sadly, we weren’t able to make our way to Sta. Ana but soon..

Note: Callao Cave featured, fully illustrated throughout with informative texts. 22 Photos all in all. Callao Cave photos copyright protected.

@Copyright All rights reserved All articles fully illustrated throughout with photographs and informative texts. No part of my work may be reproduced, photocopying, and recording any photos and information storage without any written permission from the author.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Coming up next>>” Iguig Calvary” and ”Poor Claire”

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

The Beauty of Callao Cave/Cagayanos Pride

By livelifeandlove on May 13, 2021

A day in Tuguegarao gives you time to explore places that most day-trippers miss, an irresistible urge to go with just half an hour away about 24 Km. northwest of Tuguegarao, located in the Barangays of Magdalo and Quibal in the municipality of Peñablanca, is Callao Cave, a limestone seven-chamber cave and a cultural natural treasure.

Pleasantly cool inside the cave. The most alluring attraction is the dramatic rock formation, a landscape of extraordinary beauty.

A grand overview when panoramic views will make you forget the effort it took to get up there. Climbing the cave might be tough and challenging but it’s worth the climb.

Note: You may also like an evening hike where bats are active after sundown, you can stop to spot and snap the bats flying out of the cave. You’ll come to know more about Callao Cave next blog…

More Callao Cave blogs, ‘’Cagayan Vallley Tourist Spots’’ coming soon….

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Technology/ Learning Tips

Attractive Serving Dish for Fresh Fruit Medley

By livelifeandlove on May 7, 2021

There are times when you want to do something a little special that you may also want to produce an eye catching and attractive serving dish for fresh fruit medley. You can try this! After all, it is accompanied by a helpful photography to give you an idea on how to be creative and it is also easy when someone shows you how. This is very simple, it is a quick entertaining idea, half an hour is sufficient to prepare everything.

Instead of using a glass platter or bowl, you can also make use of fruit boats and cups as serving dishes for fruits itself such as; melon bowl, pineapple boat, dragon fruit boat, avocado boat, orange cup, watermelon bowl or winter melon bowl to name a few.. you can also use vegetable salad shells as well.

Different serving dishes for fresh fruit salad

Fresh fruit medley usually beautiful containing variety of nutritious fruits with contrasting colors and flavors.

Pineapple boat

Melon bowl

Dragon fruit boat

Watermelon Bowl

Avocado boat

Orange cup

Ripe fruits are best eaten in its natural state, it usually brings a nutritious flavor on its own. Can be served as a healthy snack or a perfect dessert in any meal.

Note: To follow> Attractive vegetable serving dishes next blog…

Stay healthy and always remember the benefits of eating fruit everyday

Thank you for reading my blog!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Rattan Fruit Tasting Experience

By livelifeandlove on April 16, 2021

My second time to taste rattan fruit and hoping that this time will seduce my tongue. Once again, let’s see if I can tolerate it. I think it’s one of the best fruits to eat during COVID-19 Pandemic because sour fruits usually rich in Vitamin C. This would be my tasting review the second time around. I can remember my first tasting experience was memorably terrible. Golly! it was incredibly sour that I couldn’t take.

Rattan fruit is a beige scaly fruit (fish-like scale) an oval fruit like lanzones or langsat. It tastes like combination of strong vinegar and green lime.

A good friend of mine gave me these fruits with other kinds such as lemons and pineapples. I was forced to taste it again since it was already there. I first picked up the rattan fruit, it seems interesting to try once more. I took one and my first bite, can’t finish the whole thing, Yakks! Strange and mysterious sour, it seems my eyeballs popped out from its socket. I had mentioned it once and again, it was so terrible. I felt a sharp pain through my tongue and decided to throw it away but with a last- minute looks, I’ve saved it and dry under the sun because into my mind, it looks good for home decoration. I ‘ve kept inside the clear glass jar. Holaa! it is good on the table better than to taste and love it as a good fruit. I will never taste these fruits again.. I swear!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Technology/ Learning Tips

Sweet Love and Good Luck 2021

By livelifeandlove on February 14, 2021

This year 2021 is a double festive event the ”Chinese New Year” (February 12) and ”Valentine’s day” (February 14), merging altogether sweet love and good fortune to start the year right although this year is a different one because of the existing economic crisis brought by the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions. The opening to normal life is very slow and uncertain, we don’t celebrate it the way we used to do in the past but It’s safe to celebrate at home with sweet and delicious simplicity.

If you prefer indoors at least you can move and enjoy more, you can serve at-home delicious dinner or just order out, you can also arrange DIY Valentine craft decors. Safety and health our prime responsibility. When you won’t be able to get-together in all ways, it would be better to send best greetings online and meaningful chat on screen, this would be more meaningful for both parties to be safe.

Wishing you all Happiness and Prosperity, Give Love and be Loved, ”Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Chinese New Year”

February 12, 2021 is Chinese New Year, the ‘’Year of the Ox’’ it signifies the hardworking trait, this is a good symbol that will help us through the pandemic season, it is also a symbol of spring and agriculture in Chinese art. Ox is compatible with people of rat, snake and rooster zodiac signs.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

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Real Life Story/ Advanced Prostate Cancer

By livelifeandlove on February 4, 2021

At first, I don’t know where to start, I was confused as my tears rolling down my eyes, my hands are trembling, different tremors begin to interfere while writing but I felt the need to share my experience. Things don’t look good nowadays. I’m not sure what to do next, what the future holds, no one can tell what will happen but I’m trying to be in good spirit showing positive outlook to stay calm than countdown. I keep on encouraging myself like a brave soldier capable of must be seen up front showing a brave face and feeling.

A month ago, my husband was having a problem, the rushed need to urinate more often than usual at night, he’s having difficulty passing out. Days after, He was having a pain in the pelvic area radiating one leg. An immediate need for medical attention, I brought him to the hospital, skipping GP and straight to the urologist, it was our first visit and treatment started immediately. After receiving medical history, the doctor immediately performed Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to check for any abnormalities inside. Shortly after, the doctor discovered a hard spot inside and I was shocked to hear the immediate result” It’s a suspicious prostate cancer” Our first visit was very stressful following diagnostic test of Prostate urinalysis and (PSA) Prostate Specific Antigen, the findings of PSA level was extremely high associated with a chance of having prostate cancer but because it is still just a suspicion, there’s still hope that the next screening test would be better because I was told by a certain friend that PSA is not always accurate to conclude. A number of reasons to continue and follow for the next procedure.

Comes next the (MRI) Magnetic Resonance Imaging performed at the hospital (St. Luke’s Medical Center Global city) it was a painless procedure that lasted for 2 hours. To go ahead with the plan, we signed a consent form, he was asked to remove all things that will effect the magnetic imaging. Two days after we received the result from my email add. I was bothered because the interpretation can be seen immediately and it was a detailed result of” T4 N1 M1” and back to the doctor for the official reading and again it was big blow.

I firmly believed to hope that it won’t be known until the next stage, the initial test suggests sample tissue to confirm. Not too long, Biopsy was done -to find out if the cancer is really present. The biopsy result ” Grade 5 Advanced Prostate Cancer’‘ with a Gleason score of 9. it was a very disappointing and heartbreaking result breaking down my courage to hope completely.

To continue with the remaining test, The Bone Scan or Skeletal Scintigraphy report’‘ Increased activity noted in T8 right ilium and left, shoulder, joints etc.

The CT Scan was performed, this is to check how far the cancer has spread and to pinpoint the definite location of masses and tumors. The delay in releasing the result was even more disappointing thinking something bad was found in the scans. The impression was malignancy from the urinary bladder to hepatic cyst, bilateral renal mass, hepatic lobes segment 11,11 and 1v, sigmoid diverticulosis etc..

At the time of the diagnosis, cancer has metastasized to the distant organs. I was dismayed breaking down. I just hope it’s not a fast moving cancer however, with the advances of treatment and routine screening, there’s still hope. Once cancer has spread in distant areas, it needs a more aggressive treatment. It’s hard to cure once reaches the advanced stage, I know that it couldn’t be cured and survival rate will fall.

With the COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak, cancer treatment is very difficult, it’s hard to sort out things ahead of time adding the hospital health protocols to follow as you need more supportive care.

Ongoing treatment, we make decisions together, The Antigen Deprivation Therapy was done, receiving this kind of therapy as the doctor suggested is very important to stop cancer cells from spreading. There are many treatment options or what will be best work for him. The Bone injection is the next to follow, this is to delay the skeletal complications. Aside from the two The doctor prescribed Oral prostate medications; Bicalutamide Bicapros, AHCC, Abiraterone Acetate which are all costly medicines for advanced prostate cancer. What worries me now are the side effects of cancer treatments both intravenous and oral.

When alone with too much worrying, I turned to search, reading stories of people who had similar health issue and in the end of the story, it was all very disappointing. No choice but to accept fate of what is already destined in life.

This time as I was associated with negative hopes and emotionally needy, I turned to God in prayers urgently seeking God’s help and guidance, for him to answer all my prayers and have faith in him. It was a worrying time awaiting on what to expect as the cancer progresses, we will continue with the remaining treatment to save his dear life. I hate to think of the end stage, the life expectancy . How long my husband has left to live? I sometimes ask myself” is this a dream? if so, pls wake me up! it led me to believe the cruel thing would be death, how scary hard to take.

In the meantime, we are trying to live normally as if nothing happened, we continue to support each other whatever lies ahead. We can beat this! I would always be an optimist, that is looking forward through the brighter side. We will continue to have a good life and partnership, the remaining time has to be best memorable every second, we will always be together as we hold on to what is already destined.

When faced with this kind of distressed, I really need to be strong so I can take care of his needs, watch his diet serving him healthy foods as well as mine too in order to be in the best position to take care of him. I’m trying to be strong to organize things quietly for the family, a quality time for all of us. There is no better way of spending your time during these times than being with your family. I need to be more caring and patient among other things and God will do the rest. I hope to hear from others who have been through the same process.

Throughout all this, at this critical time, when I’m with friends, it makes me feel I’m not alone, it makes me feel hopeful for the future to come. My closed friends and mentors gave me an idea on what to do, what to expect, I appreciate the love and care through the toughest times. Thank you very much dear friends, my sisters and brother, my classmates, my bff. Thank you very much! I hope others will read my story to give them hope especially to those who’s been in similar situation.

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Thank you for reading my blog!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Happy Halloween 2020

By livelifeandlove on October 30, 2020

Halloween may not look quiet the same this year for the kids, it would be a different one. It’s a NO NO to a party, NO spooky costume and NO pumpkin carols but still we can celebrate it at home with some spooky ideas.

This year’s theme goes well with a greater sense of purpose in connection with nature, I love gardening, my most pleasurable activity, the most relaxing during quarantine. For my Halloween accent, not so creepy as you think, it’s miniature garden props.

It’s about time to take a look into my spooky and creepy skull pots, a Halloween indoor planter.

My skull pots are cute decorative pots that can become plants new home, it is good for cactus, succulents and other mini plants.

I don’t like the creepy outdoor decorations like the white ghost, skeletons, zombies and witches that keeps me up at night, it scares me!

How about you? How do you celebrate the spookiest time of the year?

Anyway, Enjoy the fright night!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Weird-Shaped Radish

By livelifeandlove on October 26, 2020

Another amusing features to see, a perfectly white radish with abnormal form, it’s surprising to see vegetables that are equipped with odd features. Most farmers have to contend with this kind of problems at some time during harvesting season, it can come as quiet a surprise to find something intriguing, veggies can grow into a strange weird shape because of environmental conditions.

**There’s a deformity at the end roots that looks like a fork in a distance.**

Radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow primarily grown for its peppery edible roots, the same family as turnips and mustard. There are two types of radish; the large winter type and the long varieties. Grown for use in salads and vegetable soup, usually eaten while they are fresh and tender.

Other radish produced strangely funny features but remarkably unusual. It’s quiet amusing! My best example, the long variety in form which is common in the supermarket. Instead of growing long and straight, it produces unusual course and abnormal fibrous in form.

When growing problem arises, these vegetables make a funny present that appeared to be like a split human leg.

Thank you for stopping by, I love to share funny vegetable features.

Stay safe and healthy!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies

Fresh Fruits in a Cocktail Glass

By livelifeandlove on October 24, 2020

The most relaxed way to entertain your friends is to serve whatever you have. On the spot, you don’t need to rush on what to serve, all you have to do is to check what’s inside the refrigerator and look for something that will boost their energy. It would be a refreshing day to welcome them with nutritious fruits, I’m sure, any kind of fruit is always present and available ready to be served. The good thing about serving fruits? it’s a great source of vitamins, minerals and it only takes minutes to prepare it. Today’s choice is something fresh and nutritious. Not daily routine to serve fruits in cocktail glass, just my home-style way of serving when rush hour calls, I always go for it! There’s no substitute to self-prepared fresh fruits, it requires only 10 to 15 minutes of your time to serve these kind, just a short time preparation without cooking at all.

Make your table and refrigerator overflow with different kind of fruits. Mixing and matching flavors of fruits, sometimes, you’ll discover which one is ideal for, which one is not. I have tried mixing and matching all flavors of fruits in different ways as well as arranging fruit slices on a bowl, as individual serving, on a platter, in a cocktail glass, salad bowls, cups, boats and many more.

Cutting of fruits must be neatly done, I used a paring knife to cut my fruits, it’s easier to handle and more comfortable with it. Best blend is completely good if the fruits has both the intensity of sweetness and fragrance.

Note : When buying fruits ,make a good selection of family favorites. It must be firm, free of bruises and fresh.

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