PhotoHunt: Light

It's the time of the year when colorful lights adorn our homes.

"And the dancing lights, both bright and clear

Mean Christmastime is finally here!"

(Christmas Lights)

Maligayang Pasko

The Philippines is known for celebrating the world's longest Christmas season. As early as September, Christmas carols can be heard over the airwaves and people start putting up Christmas decoration.

I have been a U.S. resident for more than 4 years and the Christmas holidays still make me homesick. It is the time of the year when I feel most nostalgic, remembering the good times I shared with family and friends. Christmas in my country has more meaning and is more festive. I am sure my sentiments are shared by a lot of my countrymen who are also away from the Philippines.

When I put up my Christmas decoration a couple of weeks ago, I wanted a "Filipino" touch to it. I am glad I found a "mini parol", a tiny Christmas lantern made of wood and sigay shells. I attached it around a sugarcane shaped candle (a cottage industry product of rebel returnees from Negros Occidental, my home province) placed atop a ceramic carabao (water buffalo) pulling a cart of sugarcane cuttings (this ceramic tabletop decor was a going-away present from my bowling teammate and friend).

Something to remind me of home.


A carabao pulling a cart filled with sugarcane cuttings is a typical countryside sight in my country, especially in my home province, touted as the sugar capital of the Philippines. A "Parol" is a traditional Filipino Christmas decor. It is a star-shaped lantern, usually made of bamboo and colored paper.

"Maligayang Pasko" is a Philippine greeting meaning, "Merry Christmas".

Mary, Did You Know?

One of my favorite Christian hymns is the Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?" Below is Donny Osmond's version of the song.

If there were no Jesus, there would be no Christmas.

He is the Reason for the Season.

Typical Backyard Scene

Our backyard overlooks a beautiful, albeit man-made, lake. From inside the house, one can see through the glass sliding door the view of the lake.

Early in the morning, I can see ducks swimming around the lake

or huddled together

or walking, er, waddling in one line.

Others are just seated beside the lake by themselves, as if in deep meditation.

The ducks are very 'sociable'. When they see me walking outside, they waddle towards me.

Unlike the ducks, the other birds "visiting" our backyard are kind of 'anti-social'. They would scamper away at my slightest movement or sound.

The other day, I woke up early to a cool morning and saw four water birds seated on the grass in one row, with their necks strained in the same direction. They were a lovely sight and I wanted very much to capture them with my camera. However, as soon as I opened the door of our lanai, they hurriedly jumped into the water. I must've scared them away.

On midday when the sun is up, I see ducks "cooling" themselves underneath the big mango tree

or under the shrubbery.

Others would sit out in the open "sunbathing", probably taking advantage of the warm-cool weather.

Dusk is my favorite part of the day. When the sun sets, the waters in the lake remind me of the movie, "On Golden Pond". I love gazing at the "dancing" lights reflected in the water.

The ducks must love it, too.

Sometimes I see a couple of ducks on an "early night swim", enjoying a refreshing dip in the water before calling it a day :)

I love our backyard lake.