tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85665911671766855262024-02-20T12:44:08.619-08:00Mi Dulce VidaArts, Lifestyle, Metaphysics, Occult, Photography, Poetry, Rants and Social Issues, Technology...poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-5834256098483580812024-02-06T05:16:00.000-08:002024-02-06T05:16:03.490-08:00The Visit to the Mystic Isle (Late Upload) <p style="text-align: justify;"> This has been on my bucket list for the longest time, a visit to Isla del Fuego, during the Holy Week. This trip has been planned, but always put in the sidelines since the fare and the trip also costs a lot.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Let me share my journey.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">April 1:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was Palm Sunday. I started my trip in Iloilo City, I went home last April 1 and connected with my family. Had a great time with my sisters and parents, visited the cemetery where my ancestors are interned, visited some friends that were available to meet. I also went home to my mom's hometown and offered my prayers to the dead. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">April 3: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was early in the morning and I asked my father to drive me to the fastcraft wharf and bought a business-class ticket (P800+) to the island of Negros, in the city of Bacolod. I have lived in Bacolod for more than six months and I have a lot of great memories there. Upon arrival, I stayed in SM Bacolod and met some of practitioner friends. Went also to Mcdonald's Megaworld and waited for a friend, where I will stay for the night. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">April 4:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We left Bacolod City around 6AM and we traveled for almost six hours to the city of Dumaguete. Dumaguete is the place where I will ride the fastcraft, going to the island of Siquijor. I went to the port to purchase a ticket to Siquijor but the line was picking up already, since tourists (both local and foreign) are already arriving in the city to travel to either Siquijor or Bohol from Dumaguete.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">April 5: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Left the port of Dumaguete at 7AM. The fastcraft will travel from Dumaguete to Siquijor, then Siquijor to Tagbilaran and finally go to Cebu. The trip went smooth and the Oceanjet business class seats are comfy. I fell asleep during the journey, and the captain woke me up, asking me if I am alighting in Siquijor. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Siquijor trip is “Mystical” if you can say that. I stayed in a small ABnB, non-AC (since the room is already unavailable) and I also rented a single motorbike. During my stay, I visited a lot of places in the island - I visited the biggest balete tree (with the little fishies eating your callouses), visited some great beach resorts, the mystic mountain (during the Healing Festival), the cave (near the Healing Mountain) and bars.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">During this trip, I bonded with friends that I haven’t seen for a long time. The “magical” moments will be posted soon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL8Z7X8Tqs-ObSl6rcFE3XNgKfXJuGhwhTaTc-U-2iPmeifnLZJb4qOtAaZUrmxQ62J2k6wqNGXAO3o3z7o_Y-SBTiyRmHL_QNZOO6ybwdmz3DgphOvXD4CQ13sVjXwgXxFq_5cbBlGcRctpzLilwRNZwA-aPLxVXBlHGlTqRKTqInjrhQ-dzRhy4FR4/s4032/IMG_0993.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL8Z7X8Tqs-ObSl6rcFE3XNgKfXJuGhwhTaTc-U-2iPmeifnLZJb4qOtAaZUrmxQ62J2k6wqNGXAO3o3z7o_Y-SBTiyRmHL_QNZOO6ybwdmz3DgphOvXD4CQ13sVjXwgXxFq_5cbBlGcRctpzLilwRNZwA-aPLxVXBlHGlTqRKTqInjrhQ-dzRhy4FR4/w400-h300/IMG_0993.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6tdSW8ATdSk6pdlR4RMHvl5DJigpgPqmAhnYNK8sezRBrLZf_jweUIP8A8R0BCsvO_U5Ibbq1yK7LYLn3yl3pX6bXDg66RV-BMJHDhSTYS1cQQqC-o8YrcjYU33V4Sp79dbYbAS-8rI1I-sJLBl2nPeq016Z-XFRAHTGrcltFKscRiQ9OL9UysL2Jhg/s4032/IMG_1006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8hN1RHbTkvu1G4Zsx9_Cq-E6TrHcIz8Fn9LayChxCOmIm8-IitXFQeTHODacky6Jesi-gsbA0-kMcx9p_BlBH8ad1STq21178xbNqnOOr5a9XpJkI8Dvs-8_byOmn5MjFwYCPIbKfDsRubzW6XzZZoMTVzYGN60cj1ZQgE9Lu8rNRNOU6KjzhrUqgjw/s320/IMG_1213.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-66903705454615450362023-03-31T04:53:00.000-07:002023-03-31T04:53:00.386-07:00From Cael to Kael - the importance of words and names.<p style="text-align: justify;">I have been using a lot of nicknames since I was young. I am called Toto to my siblings, Mike to friends and Pinto in highschool (since we have 3 Michaels in our section, so we were called by our last names. I also used the nickname "Yohann" when I am among online friends, at the peak of Yahoo Messenger and mIRC chatrooms. There was a time when I was in Cebu that I used the name "Chance" as my BPO personna, since Michael is very generic and people would always have a lot of questions about you sounding feminine but you have a man's name, hence, a unisex name was the best choice that time. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I worked in Davao City last 2009, I changed the spelling of my nickname to "Myke" because of my attachment to the Rune Algiz, which looks like a capital Y. My nickname had another change around 2015 (if I still remember it correctly), when I transfered to a different company and used the name "Cael" which is a shortened version of the name my grandmother used to call me - Mikael.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This year, I felt the need to change the letters in my nickname again. As a practitioner of the occult and as a person aware with the power of symbols and names, I felt it is the time to do it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Words always have power. This has been established in mythology and history. In the Christian religions, we all know that in the Bible, the Word of God became Christ (John 1:14) - "And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us". In ancient Egypt, when they want to curse someone, be it a commoner or the Pharaoh, they would strike down their names in all the obelisks and tablets and they will be forgotten. In fiction, we have seen the power of words, symbols and names used as a very powerful tool in the stories. One example of this is the Earthsea books by Ursula K Le Guin, where the Wizards of Earthsea controls and manipulates everything by the power of their names. In Eragon, to know the name of an object (and speak it using the Ancient Language), gives you power over it. That is why, names (at least in these fictional universes) are a heavily guarded secret, shared only to people you trust.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The significance of names and words are given weight in the occult. In the local practice of Kabbalah in the Philippines, LNK practitioners can use the names of people and entities to control them. We can also see this in the practice of Ceremonial magick, especially in the practice of summoning which has a very strong emphasis on knowing the names of the entities that you work with. In these grimoire practices, (Goetia, Legemetton) or even in Enochian magick, knowing the True name of the entity gives you power over it. This is the main method to call beings from the other realm into this reality - by calling their names over their symbols (seals/sigils) and bind them with a more powerful name (i.e. the names of God - AGLA, TETRAGRAMATTON, etc.). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is mainly the reason why in most magical practices and traditions, a naming rite happens upon initiation. This is where (in Wicca for example) a witch dedicant is introduced to the Watchtowers under different name, a Craft Name, separate from their mundane given name. That is also why some practitioners are hiding in different names (hence, a different persona), as to not be bound or controlled by others using these names. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another example of the power of names can be found in the story of Isis and how she ascended to be one of the most powerful Goddesses in the Egyptian mythos. It was said that Isis used snakes to bite Ra while he was walking in a path, and since he cannot die, he was in agony. Isis then offered help in exchange of the secret name of Ra. Isis became the one of the most powerful magicians in the pantheon.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The power of names and words can also be seen displayed in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Gods and Goddesses normally have epithets (names/titles) corresponding to specific aspect of a deity. Hekate is a very good example of this, as she is known to have a lot of names, tied to different aspects - when her worshipers call to her for protection, they might invoke her under the name of Hekate Alexeatis (Averter of Evil), Hekate Episkopos (the Guardian) or Hekate Epiteichea (the Stronghold). This is also true with other pantheons - Egyptian, Norse and even in Catholicism. Isis is known as the Lady of Ten Thousand Names, while Odin is, as he mentioned in the Neil Gaiman's book - American Gods - </p><div class="leftContainer" style="float: left; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 10px; width: 625px;"><div class="quote mediumText " style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(215, 215, 215); overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px; width: 625px;"><div class="quoteDetails fullLine" style="float: left; margin-right: 12.5px; width: 625px;"><a class="leftAlignedImage" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.Neil_Gaiman" style="color: #00635d; float: left; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-right: 10px; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="Neil Gaiman" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p4/1221698.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a><div class="quoteText" style="line-height: 21px; padding: 0px 5px 10px 0px;"><h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;"><br /></h1><h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">“I told you I would tell you my names. This is what they call me. I'm called Glad-of-War, Grim, Raider, and Third. I am One-Eyed. I am called Highest, and True-Guesser. I am Grimnir, and I am the Hooded One. I am All-Father, and I am Gondlir Wand-Bearer. I have as many names as there are winds, as many titles as there are ways to die. (<i>from the internet)</i></h1></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="leftContainer" style="float: left; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 10px; width: 625px;"><div class="quote mediumText " style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(215, 215, 215); overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px; width: 625px;"><div class="quoteDetails fullLine" style="float: left; margin-left: 12.5px; width: 625px;"><div class="quoteText" style="line-height: 21px; padding: 0px 5px 10px 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mary, in the Catholic religion also has a lot of titles and epithets. Her known titles - Semper Virgo, Stella Maris, Purissima, Mater Dolorosa, Regina Caelis, Dei Genetrix, Mater Dei, etc. also shows that she is viewed similarly as a Goddess with many aspects. </span></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div class="leftContainer" style="float: left; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 10px; width: 625px;"><div class="quote mediumText " style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(215, 215, 215); overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px; width: 625px;"><div class="quoteDetails fullLine" style="float: left; margin-right: 12.5px; width: 625px;"><div class="quoteText" style="line-height: 21px; padding: 0px 5px 10px 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Going back to my decision to change the first letter of my name, from a C to a K, these letters are viewed similarly in most scripts (Futhark, for example and even in our Alpabeto here in the Philippines - A, B, K, D...), however, as I am very particular in symbols, I choose the letter K because it is a combination of two runes for me... Kenaz and Isa. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMYG3w4GuWYh3KA7fzNFGFfUG2EI02I_V7DHXUCQwAxF06AiRRg8oleyQrkGCzZOvwRsVR-dFQ7luBFSeBRCw9Zq2G4_bKyOl71KcI4ZNflxGab5cUQA-AwEBeuwo4FQJST7jzLqCd591epu7OsoeQfLbIsbaViR_XJ8sfGgtGOvMRn6QvY8N5RQy-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="517" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMYG3w4GuWYh3KA7fzNFGFfUG2EI02I_V7DHXUCQwAxF06AiRRg8oleyQrkGCzZOvwRsVR-dFQ7luBFSeBRCw9Zq2G4_bKyOl71KcI4ZNflxGab5cUQA-AwEBeuwo4FQJST7jzLqCd591epu7OsoeQfLbIsbaViR_XJ8sfGgtGOvMRn6QvY8N5RQy-" width="230" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMYG3w4GuWYh3KA7fzNFGFfUG2EI02I_V7DHXUCQwAxF06AiRRg8oleyQrkGCzZOvwRsVR-dFQ7luBFSeBRCw9Zq2G4_bKyOl71KcI4ZNflxGab5cUQA-AwEBeuwo4FQJST7jzLqCd591epu7OsoeQfLbIsbaViR_XJ8sfGgtGOvMRn6QvY8N5RQy-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="517" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyb5G3M5IWWhqB3rK3QoMXfBI1NGT1p_0tQv2bYV-6u5g03sfcsiOQ8riZ-PmbpRudpQg8Xeokbv2Hay3k83Oba8EDRYed70l3kh41mYumZlZc-wZzIIXMvTdQ1iuOiXn9UHPP43IBgedM4Li5RKvn3E18FPwdvyKNqyeeVO79ImFn44VH7hzY_n6d" width="230" /></a></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">In my current situation, I can say that I am now embodying the attributes of both these runes. Kenaz, the Torch for me is the bright flame of knowledge that I am willing to share to the next generation, to those who are willing to walk the Path I am walking. Isa on the other hand represents Ice, the stillness of winter, of self control and focus. Putting them both embodies control and moderation, being innovative and curious, but also cautious and relaxed. This would constantly remind me that giving in to these extremes are dangerous and the best way to go is in the middle, where everything is "just right".</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">- <span style="color: red;"><i>photos from the internet - goodreads.com/www.runesecrets.com</i></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /></div><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-53707252917004364332022-04-01T23:14:00.003-07:002022-04-01T23:14:34.965-07:00New 2022 Suzuki Jimny GLX - Getting to know Taiki! <p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Suzuki Jimny is the smallest 4x4 SUV in the market. I have been dreaming of getting this car since forever and I only took the step to finally get this last March 2022. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RoAUxz_mkNF-Rap62x7RdoQ9ztc7i6KW59CL6Uq_5JAK-oZTIHGWAgxqUq5wn0NvwJDosKY32rS0Btt-ql5GPzOIGOhCEqUgEMuuhQ1iOeWJDCyfFdlKE7YwPWgzygjFE-oGfINqIJJkWz2A_DUPwcovaMlkofk_s12IUs9rlWwNOhOJx2lq36YP/s960/275899852_277558181081114_1589664615070930653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RoAUxz_mkNF-Rap62x7RdoQ9ztc7i6KW59CL6Uq_5JAK-oZTIHGWAgxqUq5wn0NvwJDosKY32rS0Btt-ql5GPzOIGOhCEqUgEMuuhQ1iOeWJDCyfFdlKE7YwPWgzygjFE-oGfINqIJJkWz2A_DUPwcovaMlkofk_s12IUs9rlWwNOhOJx2lq36YP/w400-h300/275899852_277558181081114_1589664615070930653_n.jpg" width="400" /></a>I own a 2021 Toyota Wigo (which I will be bringing home to Iloilo) as my first car, which of course has become a need since it is difficult to move around during this pandemic. However, using Stryx (the Wigo) to travel around Mindanao, I have observed that there are a lot of places and roads my hatchback can never go. There was one moment when we travelled to Maragusan via a short-cut in Mawab, which is a dirt road that cuts through the mountain. Stryx is not made for traveling around these challenging roads. It was then I decided that I need a vehicle that can take me anywhere I want to go, without the fear of getting stuck in mud, or get scratches while passing through dirt roads. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then I decided to get a Jimny. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Last March 2022, I was adamant to get a Jimny. Since I was looking at the Jimny since before, I noticed that the price of the 4th generation Jimny has been going up since 2019 (and more than 100K/year). The new Jimny looks really cool (they say it’s a “baby” Mercedes G Wagon) and is a bit larger than the previous generation. It also has a very cool 2-Tone color option, which are the top of the line. It has a more modern design, but still pay homage to the classic Suzuki design since the 1st generation of the vehicle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0NFXkPQlZ6cF1mUQsgymchKB6C88fRC4usZ1swCHmzMy8GK0GNmd9WDGY8iGaGuhM1re0NQjlmdI7jOXKraVksG3wOkObUJCUB8BKgApq8kSWZoKfchd-Jw7xl40ryFccn30x2i4SO17lAC2cymAJdK4vzQWsIawbrURJY2vmXJIAudUqdU2mIMg/s960/277264117_549135593151623_3661877259139848538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0NFXkPQlZ6cF1mUQsgymchKB6C88fRC4usZ1swCHmzMy8GK0GNmd9WDGY8iGaGuhM1re0NQjlmdI7jOXKraVksG3wOkObUJCUB8BKgApq8kSWZoKfchd-Jw7xl40ryFccn30x2i4SO17lAC2cymAJdK4vzQWsIawbrURJY2vmXJIAudUqdU2mIMg/w300-h400/277264117_549135593151623_3661877259139848538_n.jpg" width="300" /></a>The 4th Generation Jimny has a new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder naturally aspirated gas engine good for 101hp and 138Nm of torque—a significant improvement over the 81hp and 110Nm numbers of the old 1.3-liter unit of the previous generation. The exterior is obviously improved, the interior is a still a mix of modern and classic design. The safety features are <span style="text-align: left;">also upgraded, with the presence of rear cameras and sensors, equipped on the new Jimny. </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br />It still has the same 4x4 Offroad capability, and a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission that would take you anywhere you go. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The moment I laid eyes on this SUV, I totally fell in love. Aside from the fact that you rarely see this running around the roads of Davao City, the off road capability is the one that attracted me to this vehicle. Since I am doing a lot of road trips with Stryx, the Jimny’s capabilities to go anywhere – city roads, highway, dirt road and muddy off road trails, is something that I was looking for a “long-term” car. I am also NOT a fan of big SUVs and cars since I am very particular with space (parking at home), Jimny’s size is just perfect for me. </p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So here is my new 2022 Suzuki Jimny GLX/AT, 2-Tone in Kinetic Yellow the top of the line model and the “poster boy” of the Jimny line. I named it Taiki which means “Great Radiance”. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you're interested to get this amazing SUV, send me a message so I can hook you up with my dealer from Suzuki Lanang in Davao City. :D </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq10Ygz_eN5vQzHTmAUnVR200Wpdd6dMzDw-GucyCFWJGKrWPLG9gt-qlEc09ALfFkT51IgpzDfB1a1mjUeHOyoJz4xeNUkici9elr2f816_kUQh76Hav_QeR7c-GOTIres3eBqE_A6iigW5ATtWRH0aXuuoU18izfOY6WAH2wN9VNHAzxOFrNYt-Q/s856/277171855_3223375164597632_6548995055951954182_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="856" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq10Ygz_eN5vQzHTmAUnVR200Wpdd6dMzDw-GucyCFWJGKrWPLG9gt-qlEc09ALfFkT51IgpzDfB1a1mjUeHOyoJz4xeNUkici9elr2f816_kUQh76Hav_QeR7c-GOTIres3eBqE_A6iigW5ATtWRH0aXuuoU18izfOY6WAH2wN9VNHAzxOFrNYt-Q/w400-h400/277171855_3223375164597632_6548995055951954182_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEien4wLzAJ5UYMjF1VeWVeSGhdgN5ZyhSFbwQCnAA1Iv2QvbFw2Rw-OmOKALVtwUNFLparonshcTmadJALekROWkCLtWFS6NIOYMAyAPtvvgKlhAsMjkbDUgmG0Xthg__Ik4InsYo2Z6YZWpY0lgnby0O5XitOI8RSaVOPNjgyFqHBIe1YFOQhofu5B/s912/276013813_3219213454976599_5469929784239621654_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="672" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEien4wLzAJ5UYMjF1VeWVeSGhdgN5ZyhSFbwQCnAA1Iv2QvbFw2Rw-OmOKALVtwUNFLparonshcTmadJALekROWkCLtWFS6NIOYMAyAPtvvgKlhAsMjkbDUgmG0Xthg__Ik4InsYo2Z6YZWpY0lgnby0O5XitOI8RSaVOPNjgyFqHBIe1YFOQhofu5B/w295-h400/276013813_3219213454976599_5469929784239621654_n.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_YLeM3z43FfpwicDoNVS9_uTvXbA5p91BD3k9Gfju36t8cOeTjNbclx3j0k6Rhf7K2L8Ye70N-iMGNDRixyWh5QoeXGwrPXXxWhV8x0FyqM6UDTxWluU2B08olSyFvD5gGRkBetYxB6GrscqYt5LFGinf7BayZ--K2uHOd1Lz_O7vbMncZPO3mR0/s736/275894391_371427351497019_7850492150374081861_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="544" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_YLeM3z43FfpwicDoNVS9_uTvXbA5p91BD3k9Gfju36t8cOeTjNbclx3j0k6Rhf7K2L8Ye70N-iMGNDRixyWh5QoeXGwrPXXxWhV8x0FyqM6UDTxWluU2B08olSyFvD5gGRkBetYxB6GrscqYt5LFGinf7BayZ--K2uHOd1Lz_O7vbMncZPO3mR0/w296-h400/275894391_371427351497019_7850492150374081861_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHJ-o1ODrU4pcgAcrlZ0mf69tfPbrZBwREKWsNhuiQ-YJPejWGxv2FYhxrAy9flGLaDJl7UWl0o6D92vIFJIWuniJ42aae4GaQrJabGVSS7Ubl2vSnAMH8UTBGRMqh2xFs9QItQVTjVbx8I8LOldXdruA7uUmsEdybjSJaUuhPxJuzUDM3sxprWZ3/s960/275730557_359135186128295_8922182300765923125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHJ-o1ODrU4pcgAcrlZ0mf69tfPbrZBwREKWsNhuiQ-YJPejWGxv2FYhxrAy9flGLaDJl7UWl0o6D92vIFJIWuniJ42aae4GaQrJabGVSS7Ubl2vSnAMH8UTBGRMqh2xFs9QItQVTjVbx8I8LOldXdruA7uUmsEdybjSJaUuhPxJuzUDM3sxprWZ3/w640-h480/275730557_359135186128295_8922182300765923125_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines7.190708 125.455341-9.0242600035675373 107.877216 23.405676003567539 143.033466tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-81398313928865472012022-03-28T07:37:00.000-07:002022-03-28T07:37:03.616-07:00Here WIGO - a 2021 Toyota Review <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB9wxYaZ48Kjtvzw74VHr9e2Wehqqkp0EL27dr8g21EZGjrsHEHTiR_xRPTulFyqasP1Bks81l8WHol8ZNZ5zM6S_J_BaUGUv2KXkapblSxMjn-22xt4G5wgKoU5IYzbT-X5mAuTFXd47coXIXyxICls2hCaZZ21vTZGT321gOYRGog_eJa2GzVj6/s1250/Inked276127094_1400292237101807_4059217260212160889_n%20(1)_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="928" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB9wxYaZ48Kjtvzw74VHr9e2Wehqqkp0EL27dr8g21EZGjrsHEHTiR_xRPTulFyqasP1Bks81l8WHol8ZNZ5zM6S_J_BaUGUv2KXkapblSxMjn-22xt4G5wgKoU5IYzbT-X5mAuTFXd47coXIXyxICls2hCaZZ21vTZGT321gOYRGog_eJa2GzVj6/w298-h400/Inked276127094_1400292237101807_4059217260212160889_n%20(1)_LI.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Stryx, my 2021 Toyota Wigo G is my first car. I have waited almost 40 years before I decided to get one, since I do not see the use of getting a car before. When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit and I have discovered how difficult it is (not to mention, scary) to go from one place to another, made me look at getting a convenient car for daily use (if there is no ECQ, that is). </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was looking around for the best hatchback, budget cars that I can afford and are small enough to fit the garage of the apartment I am renting. I was down to four (4) options: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">1. <b>Suzuki S-presso</b> - an entry level hatchback from Suzuki with really good ground clearance and affordable monthly payment (Php 11K at that time). The only thing I didn't like about this car is it's only on Manual Transmission. When the banks I applied to saw that this is the car I wanted, they declined my application saying that they can only process loans which are above Php 700K, with the S-Presso, the loanable amount is just more than Php500K. So this option was scrapped. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. <b>Suzuki Celerio - </b>The next affordable car from the Suzuki line up. A hatchback which is also around 700K pesos. But again, the bank declined my application since the loanable amount will be lower than Php 700K. I need to look at other cars, or other banks. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. <b>Toyota Wigo - </b>The Toyota Wigo was one of the options I was looking at. The Wigo was something that I didn't really consider before because I was not a fan of the rounded design. However, when I checked the latest (2020 model) Wigo, I was amazed by the facelift. It became kinda bigger and boxy, which was very attractive to me. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. <b>Mitsubishi Mirage - </b>my last option was the Mirage, which was the last car I checked out. I have been comparing both the Wigo and the Mirage, and the former always beat it with Toyota's amazing features. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I started applying for an auto-loan, where I was assisted by some dealers from Suzuki and Toyota (Mitsubishi came last), and around this time, I was 100% decided that I am going to get a car. In my quest for driving, I started with getting a driver's license. I enrolled and attended the TDC (Theoretical Driving Course), a 2-day (16 Hours) class in driving. After I was done with it, I applied for a Student's Permit. This was around May 2021. I got a message that my loan application was approved and by May 31st, I got my new 2021 Toyota Wigo G (Black), even without a license yet. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Wigo, which I called Stryx arrived June 6th in Davao City. Of course, I still cannot drive it since the OR/CR has not yet been released, and I still need to get the Non-Prof license, a month after I got the SP. After I got my Non-Prof license and I started driving Stryx, I discovered the beauty of driving and the freedom of having a car brings. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Toyota Wigo G/AT is a very good "1st car". It's maneuverability is amazing and the safety features are top-notch for an affordable car. It sports a 3-cylinder 998CC engine with 89nm of torque. Though it is small to look at, it can surprisingly accommodate 5 passengers. It's equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system, keyless entry and push-button start system, a rear sensor and camera, automatic folding and auto-adjustable side mirrors, power windows and auto-lock. It also has 2 airbags, 14-inch alloy mags and many, many more. Truly, Stryx is a very reliable first car to professionals. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In driving Stryx for almost a year (this June), I have brought him to a lot of places in Mindanao and even though that it is designed for short city drives, Stryx was able to take us to as far as Agusan del Sur (Enchanted River), to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, to Glan in Sarangani. He has been a comfortable road partner which always takes me to adventures, whether its up on the mountains, watching the sea of clouds or in Kapatagan, looking at the majestic Mt. Apo. For me, one of the secrets of Wigo is it's fuel consumption which is really amazing. You can travel for more than 200KM and still wont empty your fuel tank (from full tank). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you're looking for an affordable (small) family car, I think Wigo is one of the best entry-level cars out there. Though I would be parting with Stryx in a few days, I will leave him in the capable hands of my family in Iloilo. Stryx will be the family's first car and I think he will be able to fulfill the family's needs for safe and convenient transportation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAFePFfoUEf-LTgePXJrOShBGW4KepvKxob3FeaZB1ra9YVNEbLyrZF4ZxLraf9Oz0hq500X4tUMgl-vA9iqkopOUvjejfqy6DgcpSt0ZOIe2SzzvSdP7eyCQaKEvIKKVnmxVqu2VSYZsWs7zfsrfbojsoJ_ryY7956BquXvzi8wo76mX8qpGEupp/s2025/277079247_1050401772354105_7591950783350418989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2025" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAFePFfoUEf-LTgePXJrOShBGW4KepvKxob3FeaZB1ra9YVNEbLyrZF4ZxLraf9Oz0hq500X4tUMgl-vA9iqkopOUvjejfqy6DgcpSt0ZOIe2SzzvSdP7eyCQaKEvIKKVnmxVqu2VSYZsWs7zfsrfbojsoJ_ryY7956BquXvzi8wo76mX8qpGEupp/w400-h370/277079247_1050401772354105_7591950783350418989_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzghkkPMgToPsroEtzzUmlVHvHpzX5LcfV5YLsEfF9tzdkfkFzSFkujwRnNltFxB9_um5cKScbPyKRy3mLPK5LPuFPkB-JQ60dDlm6Q9_7PDaZe_pVH-xFjZ7JB18g9zLUP_ugnVZn7V9m1pahOe_p_xwFm4AJ1HuoahJBIzefecNZqFeQkXVe1MRq/s1989/277419063_322896356500544_448427603520863430_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="1989" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzghkkPMgToPsroEtzzUmlVHvHpzX5LcfV5YLsEfF9tzdkfkFzSFkujwRnNltFxB9_um5cKScbPyKRy3mLPK5LPuFPkB-JQ60dDlm6Q9_7PDaZe_pVH-xFjZ7JB18g9zLUP_ugnVZn7V9m1pahOe_p_xwFm4AJ1HuoahJBIzefecNZqFeQkXVe1MRq/w400-h400/277419063_322896356500544_448427603520863430_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-47860503091583411172021-10-09T03:46:00.003-07:002021-10-09T03:46:28.987-07:00Politics and Media<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The Philippines is coming to a very tumultuous year again - 2022, the year of the Presidential Elections. During this time, Filipinos change color depending on their political affiliation. Reminds me of this poster from the new Netflix series #SquidGames. Where people become so engross with their political affiliations, that they lose friends over debates and their choice of presidential candidates. At the end of the day, these politicians do not even care about them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ew1HuuVNWRXp1MVipeEONMkXFtHLYVVnpG5maESNg4Rt25HVI4npot4qGFkkx8ot-_HMMiwYMlPKN6L6JPdelujcjptd4uJ00Nkfzu5aifkzR2M6bK3bqDGUskDIxQNI9lII7MdehWE/s1600/netflix-squid-game-01-ht-llr-211002_1633180332456_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ew1HuuVNWRXp1MVipeEONMkXFtHLYVVnpG5maESNg4Rt25HVI4npot4qGFkkx8ot-_HMMiwYMlPKN6L6JPdelujcjptd4uJ00Nkfzu5aifkzR2M6bK3bqDGUskDIxQNI9lII7MdehWE/w640-h360/netflix-squid-game-01-ht-llr-211002_1633180332456_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Media has played a very important role in swaying the emotion and decisions of the masses since forever. As they say, those who control information, controls the world. The media can make people see things in their own perspective, so technically, they can make or break a person, a company or an institution. They can make anyone a sinner or a saint, just by writing something about it (whether it is true or not). <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmsO3nhiRZf-C8QxAjuEopyse5kE6h6Ag396h-RQwCD4rUT2Ppa2ubXgXGknTasKPlpLWqjMrd7KsngK2GNWw8xq6xXXaD59g1h-E_7IPu4tMb66dA37wVMiaQIM32o0eu_TU0uBzJOw/s1156/f1dfe274ee347fcda6b627bde96fa239.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmsO3nhiRZf-C8QxAjuEopyse5kE6h6Ag396h-RQwCD4rUT2Ppa2ubXgXGknTasKPlpLWqjMrd7KsngK2GNWw8xq6xXXaD59g1h-E_7IPu4tMb66dA37wVMiaQIM32o0eu_TU0uBzJOw/w502-h640/f1dfe274ee347fcda6b627bde96fa239.jpeg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's look at the articles from local media just a few hours after the presidential hopeful Bongbong Marcos declared his candidacy. Most of the local news outlet (example - GMA 7/Rappler) immediately published articles about the Martial Law. This action can obviously stir the (dormant) emotions of people, especially those who have unpleasant experiences during those times. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, when the presidential hopeful Leni Robledo did a press release (as she always does), most of the media outlets started to circulate articles and pics of Mrs. Jessie Robledo doing all her kawang-gawa (photoshoot). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So going back on this premise, we can already see the role of Media in this coming elections. No wonder, media personalities and network owners are kept close by world leaders (often times included on their payroll). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This coming presidential election, I just hope that the media outlets would still uphold truth (I wish), and fair journalism. As a campus photojournalist in college, we are taught that we should be factual and fair. However, in the advent of social media, anyone can just write anything (whether there is evidence or not) and this can be passed on as truth. Anyone can even write their own Wiki pages and create a "real" online persona. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whether journalists would follow their principles or would allow themselves to be dictated by money, that is up to them. We, the masses, must be very vigilant and do our very own fact check before we even believe what we see on TV or read online. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">#Halalan2022</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><i>-pictures from the internet- </i></span></div><p><br /></p></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-74281199158852187142021-09-05T02:29:00.004-07:002021-09-05T02:29:20.968-07:00Of Turning 40 and (a Lot) of First Times<p style="text-align: justify;"> This is final. I would be turning FORTY (40!!!) years old in 4 months. As my "life begins", I was actually planning a grandiose trip of the English countryside (a plan made pre-COVID pandemic). However, with the this global catastrophe, we do not have a choice but to adapt. I have done a lot of things that I didn't really think about doing. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgCxuc9DFuq3hz0S7sjFAnyblNRDqW4-5hlebSgr5T-e7l91vnHqGOJCU2qwh5673mBYq53SRPvjW_dN7Jtg36FQtMFkF0P3MNmz4IUnsBnGxyb03vfv-1Qwa0a2kt1XXIFFts1Xplhs/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgCxuc9DFuq3hz0S7sjFAnyblNRDqW4-5hlebSgr5T-e7l91vnHqGOJCU2qwh5673mBYq53SRPvjW_dN7Jtg36FQtMFkF0P3MNmz4IUnsBnGxyb03vfv-1Qwa0a2kt1XXIFFts1Xplhs/w240-h320/IMG_7542+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>First on the list was getting Stryx, the car 🚘. I initially do not have a plan to get a car, thinking of all the expenses in the maintenance, the monthly payment, getting a car loan from the bank, etc. It's that fear of having to pay a monthly due, an obligation which would really affect my budget. The pandemic, however became a trigger for me to take the leap. As the pandemic imposed a lot of traveling restrictions, I have to rely to friends with cars to do any local trips as commuting becomes near impossible. Once I have decided, the process for getting the car became relatively easy (with the help of a well placed spell - simple Bay leaf wishing spell). I decided to get a car on May 1st, and successfully brought Stryx home by June 4 (he arrived June 2nd in Davao). Now, I am able to travel to Mati and Maragusan on a whim, if I feel it. This is a very big responsibility, yes, but it is also a good way of having freedom. <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The next first on my list is to get a tattoo. I am not really a fan of tattoos, since TBH, I find them unpleasant to look at (probably I see tattoos that are not really done well). Last August 13 (the Feast of the Lady of the Crossroads), I got a tattoo. The tattoo design I chose was Hekate's Wheel. - a sacred symbol, offered as a sign of devotion to the Goddess. I also chose the correct hourly correspondence, which was followed to the teeth by the artist - Hannah. I have planned to get a tattoo after I turn 40, however, I feel that this moment is the right time to get it, while I am still 39 years old. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aiRw_-HjXwLMPXJxN7jug374woWePVHnnViPlc1ldxvs2dlEt2puC6Hkvu87wVa2rkvdpet_Uj8gtbXY7J0JKSlHWbEdsw-nmYcmC5wXgiEuJVKquNCIVSilzQfPQMoNNow41Wqi9Gc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aiRw_-HjXwLMPXJxN7jug374woWePVHnnViPlc1ldxvs2dlEt2puC6Hkvu87wVa2rkvdpet_Uj8gtbXY7J0JKSlHWbEdsw-nmYcmC5wXgiEuJVKquNCIVSilzQfPQMoNNow41Wqi9Gc/w400-h225/IMG_7829.JPG" width="400" /><br /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This blog entry is kinda short since I don't really have anything to write now. I still wish to do a lot more "Firsts" when I turn forty, like travel to England to do a pilgrimage at the seven Isles in Avalon. I might probably just travel to Japan 🇯🇵 , since it is also one of the countries to visit on my bucket list. Probably go and visit Vietnam since I haven't had a chance to do it last year. Hopefully though, I would be given a chance to visit Europe next year. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'll end this entry here.<br /></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-65319345911849745602021-08-10T01:53:00.005-07:002021-08-10T01:56:26.107-07:00The Importance of Knowing yourself in the Craft<p><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1klVdokcn-Dd0QB9m9SZc2Gs5Bf-uBKfqeLn2ltbq6xqmMpODAE_qpVjDxsc8dSFqzly1VKdP8yrFHGhszV_x-YOZGcmIQ7-WTyRyRVcfJxXaksox-ZaEhYwsPam1Q7R66PgMiz7QUs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="295" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1klVdokcn-Dd0QB9m9SZc2Gs5Bf-uBKfqeLn2ltbq6xqmMpODAE_qpVjDxsc8dSFqzly1VKdP8yrFHGhszV_x-YOZGcmIQ7-WTyRyRVcfJxXaksox-ZaEhYwsPam1Q7R66PgMiz7QUs/w400-h231/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">Know thy self – an age-old rule
for practitioners of the Craft. We have seen this in numerous materials both in
books and on the internet. But how important is knowing yourself in your magical
journey?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The most important thing in
working your magic is giving all of yourself when you manifest that Will. Most
practitioners of magic would always say that crafting a spell requires not just
placating all your senses, aligning your thoughts and your mind towards a
specific goal, but also blending all these things together with foci in
different planes – Physical, Mental and Spiritual to manifest the intention or
the end goal of the rite. Doing these however would be very challenging if you
have not accepted yourself totally. If you’re hiding behind walls of denial and
rejection of your true self, this would really affect the outcome of your
working.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>Here are some advice that I would
give new practitioners walking in the path:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Acknowledging
you – your strengths and weaknesses</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">You are you. Let’s establish that
first. We are individuals with unique personalities and behaviors. We have a
lifetime to identify our strengths (develop it) and weaknesses. The first thing
we need to do is to assess ourselves. What do you think is your strength? What
are the things that you can consider your weaknesses and how to improve yourself
as a magician/witch? As you have identified these parts, the next thing to do is
to…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Embrace
all your sides – Darkside and all</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We are people with different
facets, unique parts that make us who we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone is a special mixture of attitudes, behaviors and
characteristics that are just ours, making us totally different individuals.
There is also a “dark side” in everyone, which most people hide and ignore.
However, to become a “complete” person, this shadow self must be accepted and
embraced, since this is part of who you are. Once you have embraced all of you
the next thing is to…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Work
on your Strengths – There is always a room for improvement</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Many practitioners claim that
they have this and that skill. I knew someone who told me that she is a psychic
with a range of abilities such as telepathy, telekinesis, empathy, astral
projection, psychometry, etc… and the list goes on. Most of practitioners that
I know would have a variety of “USABLE” talents that they can utilize when
needed. Some have varying degrees of clairvoyance (for example) and other
skills. However, most are still in the “infancy” stage, where you know that
there is a hint of that ability, and it needs to be practiced constantly to
improve it. No one is a Supreme with all 7 Wonders under their belt. It takes
hard work to develop abilities (unless one is born with it) and not everyone
would have all of them at once. Which brings us to…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Know
that you are limited – Acceptance is Key</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Let’s accept it, sometimes no
matter what training we do to develop some psychic abilities, we are not just made
for it. Sometimes, people wanted to develop an ability that they spent their
entire lifetime developing it, while disregarding the ones they have. By
knowing your limitations, you will be able to work on the ones you have and
cultivate it. Once you identified these limitations and accepted them, you must
strive to move forward. Understand that …</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Knowledge
is ALWAYS power – Stagnation is worse than regression</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Most seasoned practitioners have
become so lenient in their practice that they stagnate. Most of us (myself
included) would plateau in the practice that we sometimes feel stuck. What I
normally do is to go back to basics, revisit the rites and rituals I did in the
past and check if I can improve them. Amassing knowledge is always a good thing
and is a sure way to improve your workings. What I do is to eat up every book
and materials that I can find and gobble them up, expanding my knowledge in
different topics of metaphysics/occult etc. However, after a few years of getting
the knowledge from books and mentors, you would have that feeling that you
still need to learn more. This is where you need to…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Listen
to the Inner you – Jiminy Cricket Speaks</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When we have learned everything
(at least “everything”) that we can from books and mentors, we need to learn
from other sources. This is where our intuition or our “higher self” will play
the part of a mentor. We need to listen inwardly for wisdom and new knowledge.
Sometimes this voice is from our Spirit Guides, Ancestors or Gods. In the
absence of these worldly sources, the best way to go forward is to learn from
these ancient sources. Once we have listen and learned from these spiritual
sources, this is the time to…</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Ground
yourself with what is Real – Tama na ang Drama Recipe!</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This is usually the pitfall where
“famous” practitioners in the country fall victim into, losing themselves in
the blanket of “mystery” and being special. Most of them label themselves
masters, tagapagpangalaga ng Brilyante ng Apoy, Caster Keeper, Pulis Pangkalawakan
atbp. My advice to practitioners is to always ground themselves. Though we are bending
the laws of reality, we are still governed by these laws, whether we like it or
not. As practitioners, we must always remember that we are still operating within
the physical realm where certain limitations are being imposed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Some of these practitioners that
I heard of often claim outlandish things that might be “amazing” to newbies but
is very laughable to someone who is also knowledgeable about these things. We
need to remember that sooner or later, we will be challenged to prove these
claims. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">These are the things I want to
put out there for new practitioners and to end this entry, I wanna leave these
to you all – Live, Seek and Learn. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">-Photo from the internet-</span></b></i></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-12521472741671294292021-08-08T02:35:00.002-07:002021-08-08T02:35:19.628-07:00State of the (Magical) Nation Address<p style="text-align: justify;">In the current situation where some “practitioners” in the country are being bombarded by scandalous claims – (fraudulent and scamming allegations), the question of who are “legit” and who are not came again into the spotlight. There were plans in the past to create an umbrella organization, who was (supposedly) tasked to “regulate” Tarot reading and other “divination” services being offered to the public. However, as groups around the country aim to be autonomous and “self-governing”, the idea then was scrapped, and Arcanum (the umbrella org) was dissolved. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the recent scandals that involved “Masters” in the community, there were a few accusations of fraudulent “fortune-telling”, overpriced “anting-anting” – amulets, cleansing rites and “pangontra”. These businesses and services offered spiked when the pandemic started and face-to-face negotiations were halted, you will likely see more online “readings” and spellwork – I saw one who was blessing everyone with her healing water by sprinkling it to the camera, during a Facebook live.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Online reading, by virtue of some psychic skills that enable the reader to remotely connect or “see” their clients are still legitimate (as I have seen), giving the querant the information they need to know. We have also seen remote workings like – cursing/kulam/, healing, protection etc., though not as effective as a face-to-face work, but MAY still work, nonetheless. Distance is not an issue most of the time to skilled practitioners, as zooming in and connecting to their clients can be done outside the physical realm. Seeing someone however, doing this casually on a social media platform, without preparation and entering an altered state of consciousness is casting some doubts on my mind. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Going back to the increasing numbers of “masters” and other claims (insert Sang’gre/Pulis Pangkalawakan/Reincarnation ni Freya/Grand Poobah here), I agree that there should be an organization to “endorse” readers or practitioners that they see as “legit”. Though they can never really police the practice, or label anyone as fake or legit (at least publicly), they can at least endorse people within their organization to clients, vouching the legitimacy of the practitioner. The question is though, how will they gauge the legitimacy of the practitioner? Will there be a test of Seven Wonders to identify the next Supreme?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Arcana, where moving up in the ranks of the organization requires not just knowledge but the skills needed to move to the next level, we are very careful in naming someone an “Adept” in a specific field of study. While no one is a “Master” in the group, Adepts or Skilled members must prove themselves to the officers by undergoing trials and ordeals, before the title is added on their names. These ordeals normally last for years, just to make sure that the skills the members think they have are legit and are proven.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The good thing about us is we rarely go out in public and expose ourselves to the media. We study and accumulate knowledge, help out people in need (without asking for ridiculous payments), and test our skills so we can improve. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For now, we will just grab some popcorn and watch as things unfold. Let the dog show begin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ-G1Ew3GadnW-vAWkAg9_izeIs_sFV5a45REdsdOUf7_3U8JWy3dgpW9SKTaK2sjywtuSTxMoPpZoCZaIrHrRME2XXwsO5ZuC2AxvPjd6tzMosiEvGpJWHxlSC9gehsSQGXEXxsmUPo/s1000/Wizengamot_1995.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="1000" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ-G1Ew3GadnW-vAWkAg9_izeIs_sFV5a45REdsdOUf7_3U8JWy3dgpW9SKTaK2sjywtuSTxMoPpZoCZaIrHrRME2XXwsO5ZuC2AxvPjd6tzMosiEvGpJWHxlSC9gehsSQGXEXxsmUPo/w640-h294/Wizengamot_1995.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Image from: https://harryalbuspotter.fandom.com/wiki/Wizengamot</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-47161430801763993352021-04-14T00:02:00.000-07:002021-04-14T00:02:06.604-07:00Poco F3: First Impression and Initial Review<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Poco, a brand of Xiaomi, has given us some Flagship level phones with a very affordable price. It started with the release of Pocofone F1 (which I also bought and used) and most recently, the release of Poco F3 last March 27th, 2021. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Poco brand do not shy away in putting top of the line processors and specs in their phones. In the new Poco F3, it comes with the latest Snapgragon 870 5G (7nm), an Adreno 650 GPU, 6.67-inch AMOLED display with <span style="background-color: #fafafa; text-align: left;">120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) brightness. It also has Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and back. There are two </span>versions that you can choose from - a 6GB RAM with 128 GB of storage and one with 8GB RAM and of 256GB Storage. This phone is also equipped with two front firing DOLBY speakers, triple camera set-up at the back, with a depth-sensor and a 20mp selfie cam. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurG3Uujdrh9aGMi4sQZQ76_6vs6FLvFdKj9jidiQaP7F3gVUxF5D7vl50J523Yq-FuqxnuL6gP9ZnbqU7FrtyP1mKZYwapil9HuCJM-BSzE3pZ1qq6BpUlomL1-XIFVMOnHfmAu8LJDU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurG3Uujdrh9aGMi4sQZQ76_6vs6FLvFdKj9jidiQaP7F3gVUxF5D7vl50J523Yq-FuqxnuL6gP9ZnbqU7FrtyP1mKZYwapil9HuCJM-BSzE3pZ1qq6BpUlomL1-XIFVMOnHfmAu8LJDU/w400-h225/image.png" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurG3Uujdrh9aGMi4sQZQ76_6vs6FLvFdKj9jidiQaP7F3gVUxF5D7vl50J523Yq-FuqxnuL6gP9ZnbqU7FrtyP1mKZYwapil9HuCJM-BSzE3pZ1qq6BpUlomL1-XIFVMOnHfmAu8LJDU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG6Wnw97ggVGs8BMM8gRomjAtdvbpmQONYW_e6TvqFSfqmUQFubH76BjFN0d3H337HAdO5Eumk8oq21j9xIZ5ukGzMOWOGyOFDjSHkqaZTQxVfyAlWD4vG4qagzrNJXvqSmBUBWzLKhQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="938" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG6Wnw97ggVGs8BMM8gRomjAtdvbpmQONYW_e6TvqFSfqmUQFubH76BjFN0d3H337HAdO5Eumk8oq21j9xIZ5ukGzMOWOGyOFDjSHkqaZTQxVfyAlWD4vG4qagzrNJXvqSmBUBWzLKhQ/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I ordered my Poco F3 during the pre-order launch at Lazada, who exclusively sell it with the early bird discount. The Phone costs for Php 17,990 for the 6/128gb, and Php 20,990 for the 8GB/256GB variant. I purchased the Arctic white, with two other color options available - </span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">Night Black and Deep Ocean Blue.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">The phone looked really sleek with a semi glossy back and a plastic frame. It also shipped with a free screen protector and a transparent plastic case. Transferring the apps from my Red Magic 3S to the new Poco F3 was seamless too using Google to copy the old phone's content to the new one. Icons are also smooth to the eyes, and with the 120hz refresh rate, you would rarely feel a lag in the UI. It comes with a fast charging brick that is able to charge the phone's 4520mah battery quickly using Quick Charge 3+. The phone uses MiUI 12 based on Android 11 as its OS. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;"><b><u>Camera: </u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Poco F3 triple camera set-up is okay, especially if you give it enough light to work on. We have a 48mp main shooter, 8mp ultrawide lens and a 5mp macro lens. Using it under favorable conditions (better light), the camera can give you outstanding pictures and videos. Though you will observe some struggles under lowlight conditions and when you're moving as this phone doesn't have OIS. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Main Camera:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73CAhABR7Tg0fKTUC3V_-cXlgpx9tUFNJ0vw2658g_CAVSJbanjE5mkryxhKWcuQQxAYN1UePDxw1FQBpxfqemOmKWMxxpTvjHJQC9IYycHRLGwgANOQLZFxMKhTbwYM1s3DTsE-54K8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73CAhABR7Tg0fKTUC3V_-cXlgpx9tUFNJ0vw2658g_CAVSJbanjE5mkryxhKWcuQQxAYN1UePDxw1FQBpxfqemOmKWMxxpTvjHJQC9IYycHRLGwgANOQLZFxMKhTbwYM1s3DTsE-54K8/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">0.6 Ultrawide: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDbS1MdIUo5RklXkFCbnbJNLuPvxoAVaRe3C4nVvFeprUs2xk8o0TnUMgw_EXE7kafVPWebtvaLl6A_JNTb9krNCcD4sqAirdTqs1bUsbj9OqM8ILcmEjNaDgmGYgEORsKBILgRCiyb8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="616" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDbS1MdIUo5RklXkFCbnbJNLuPvxoAVaRe3C4nVvFeprUs2xk8o0TnUMgw_EXE7kafVPWebtvaLl6A_JNTb9krNCcD4sqAirdTqs1bUsbj9OqM8ILcmEjNaDgmGYgEORsKBILgRCiyb8/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">x2 Zoom: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7QGfmp9wgiTw48b4SHntl_LA3iJHdPsV27-mKAvUlk3zQcxkETyn_YUW8k1-meJP6rzPDnkyv8N56VX32Yj7qejcQbMMpFY4N1CK2a6xWpj9H4pultixEEFuHGqW9BwUFoN-ukgbIKQ/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlj80SdhEXQuifLOeVNHufVqDhhFo1qX2_bNBDqphApbQW7TSvlZkTiLeJiK5mBBx7gWAIhAPVaM42WTg-Eu5c315D5I9Z7EiyowtgKFyjpW73d0OQ34pSR3BBuu4JeH69sQzTEZaock/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlj80SdhEXQuifLOeVNHufVqDhhFo1qX2_bNBDqphApbQW7TSvlZkTiLeJiK5mBBx7gWAIhAPVaM42WTg-Eu5c315D5I9Z7EiyowtgKFyjpW73d0OQ34pSR3BBuu4JeH69sQzTEZaock/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7QGfmp9wgiTw48b4SHntl_LA3iJHdPsV27-mKAvUlk3zQcxkETyn_YUW8k1-meJP6rzPDnkyv8N56VX32Yj7qejcQbMMpFY4N1CK2a6xWpj9H4pultixEEFuHGqW9BwUFoN-ukgbIKQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Macro Lens: </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Krg_J5V6_zeNhliyy6G-EGYA57CirNpROuVax5p4jmCHs2XIfQ7j79-wL3-5ah-irNiV1ItAY_LRl3vAz823VhBl_2J2IlfwSZTP0zz7UdSC7Lbi6BuBLLEc2_HAJsJVITM25kWeja8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Krg_J5V6_zeNhliyy6G-EGYA57CirNpROuVax5p4jmCHs2XIfQ7j79-wL3-5ah-irNiV1ItAY_LRl3vAz823VhBl_2J2IlfwSZTP0zz7UdSC7Lbi6BuBLLEc2_HAJsJVITM25kWeja8/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">20MP Selfie Camera: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkjN5AgFhjc3wO_QBKJQwsRrcWXuiNfth0EhynNdKlNnkNQ7m-BWUIfyHFsz8eYfLyUSN9Mc1R6PvBk_Lxsk-7vkSbJz4mudoXiL_twVFKVpuYeDhgx9_J-acr1OQsCYpdXh2vk3t_ko/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="719" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkjN5AgFhjc3wO_QBKJQwsRrcWXuiNfth0EhynNdKlNnkNQ7m-BWUIfyHFsz8eYfLyUSN9Mc1R6PvBk_Lxsk-7vkSbJz4mudoXiL_twVFKVpuYeDhgx9_J-acr1OQsCYpdXh2vk3t_ko/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6FHx5unxJC1L23g2HOGs0D_KA5K71-CKrvH094Sgi9f3MMr3K0K-IebHcN7h90mYROHC4I8lHK1fxOBiWOf3Xk8IIfe6vEiv4fu_1TA3OXMo2GHad-wSi564mIUD9QZ74yKbrPRdfNo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6FHx5unxJC1L23g2HOGs0D_KA5K71-CKrvH094Sgi9f3MMr3K0K-IebHcN7h90mYROHC4I8lHK1fxOBiWOf3Xk8IIfe6vEiv4fu_1TA3OXMo2GHad-wSi564mIUD9QZ74yKbrPRdfNo/w303-h400/image.png" width="303" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Gaming</b></span>: </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With gaming, I used Poco F3 for Mobile Legends on very high settings, with no issues. The game is smooth and the heating is tolerable, thanks to the built-in cooling system. However, I also saw some reviewers experiencing some overheating in their heavier games. I probably need to try it with graphics heavy game.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;"><b>What I think could have been better: </b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">Though Poco F3 is a very good phone given its very affordable price, there are a few things that needed improvement. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">The first one was the pre-installed apps present on the phone. When I first set the phone up, I noticed a lot of applications present on the phone. Some of them are games, or other utility apps that I do not really need. Though, you can uninstall them, it will require some effort to go through all of them and remove them from the phone. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">They could have put a bigger battery. Compared to the phone that was also launched together with the F3, it could have at least come with a 5000mah battery. In the few days that I was using the phone - playing games, YouTube viewing and social media apps use, it can stay on for a full day before it would require you to charge it again. However, comparing it to the more affordable Poco X3 Pro (5160 mah battery), the F3 should have at least reached the 5Kmah level. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">Though you will get a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack converted, I would have preferred a dedicated headphone jack built-in on the phone. This would let me use a wired headphone, watching videos or listening to music while the phone is charging. Though, I often use a JBL wireless headphones and an AirPods Pro, I would appreciate my Poco F3 to have a headphone jack. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR1lfVZqO1h4VKmB6kBxpALt3XoHUSMLKpPNZnh1nru5VRrFy-X2ZjqDjZC-1Tti1qo-Zd0HjOWJW4IOHhW40bRtWqz_NnP-qjkbxlNPhmSMd5_cM1xKEHMv2FgnrKFbfdaC6-tRAZW0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR1lfVZqO1h4VKmB6kBxpALt3XoHUSMLKpPNZnh1nru5VRrFy-X2ZjqDjZC-1Tti1qo-Zd0HjOWJW4IOHhW40bRtWqz_NnP-qjkbxlNPhmSMd5_cM1xKEHMv2FgnrKFbfdaC6-tRAZW0/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR1lfVZqO1h4VKmB6kBxpALt3XoHUSMLKpPNZnh1nru5VRrFy-X2ZjqDjZC-1Tti1qo-Zd0HjOWJW4IOHhW40bRtWqz_NnP-qjkbxlNPhmSMd5_cM1xKEHMv2FgnrKFbfdaC6-tRAZW0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVNINUn8wS92Wtnx1ze9uVPQMFd0H0lt6m2Vn-w-8I2dmCikBGZlNmOZkmR3ajBoarfH1e-33He_PfXAyJdg82YYj4jPFRLP06ga4Q5GO2lbMzojSUIKS9dK7UHBqJERSVpm6VUdgoEA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1652" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVNINUn8wS92Wtnx1ze9uVPQMFd0H0lt6m2Vn-w-8I2dmCikBGZlNmOZkmR3ajBoarfH1e-33He_PfXAyJdg82YYj4jPFRLP06ga4Q5GO2lbMzojSUIKS9dK7UHBqJERSVpm6VUdgoEA/w323-h400/image.png" width="323" /></a></div><br /></div><br />Despite of the features I personally want for the Poco F3 to have, I do not have any complains on how the phone looks and performs overall. It has a very good processor, amazing screen with an equally amazing refresh rate, very good DOLBY speakers, responsive fingerprint sensors and most importantly, a very affordable price for its specs. <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Arimo, Arial; text-align: left;">Now, do I recommend this phone to friends? I definitely do. This is one of those mid-range priced phones with a flagship level specs that we need for our daily use. Comparing its price vs value, Poco F3 is definitely a flagship killer. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-8662906336908286942021-04-09T01:32:00.001-07:002021-04-09T01:32:19.431-07:00The Next Phase of Belief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8khA-OD2L2XOd0vMruUZGClVVfHB1EgSq9_gHO1i_qg_acblhKy03Av5v7Spn5rjys4qHKbToCHuWyPVdCCggkN00Y-e2UoZ2YP7qiR41l5GpBRxEmWBREw_ILBgKU2VrpLwSLkIR5EI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8khA-OD2L2XOd0vMruUZGClVVfHB1EgSq9_gHO1i_qg_acblhKy03Av5v7Spn5rjys4qHKbToCHuWyPVdCCggkN00Y-e2UoZ2YP7qiR41l5GpBRxEmWBREw_ILBgKU2VrpLwSLkIR5EI/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Belief is a cycle (at least for
me). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As we learn and experience
divinity and hone our magic, we open to different experiences and thus, forge
our beliefs. Belief as defined is an “acceptance that the statement is true or
that something exists”, so in this premise, we may see things and accept it
differently from others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The journey of my belief is quite
a gradual change. I was baptized as an Aglipayan, then converted to Catholicism
when it was needed (since I was in a Catholic Church choir – for my scholarship
during college). The belief in the Monotheistic godhead which has “three forms”
was a curious topic for me. When I was still a “Christian”, I discovered an
affinity with Mary, as the intermediary between me and God. I always feel that
God (The Father) was too far, and the only Divine aspect of this monotheistic
God who is accessible is either the Holy Spirit (The Will of God), and Jesus
Christ, who is God made flesh. Since Mary is the Mother of God, her presence
and her intersession is a “short-cut” to reaching God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When I was in high school (way
back in 1995), I discovered the joy of Wicca. Looking at the belief of the
religion, it is mainly Duotheistic – the belief that there is a God and a
Goddess with many form and faces. What I believed this time was that God (or
the Divine) is not somewhere far, but is here, around us. This, together with
the belief that Mary is a Divine being and should have been worshipped as a
Mother Goddess, opposite to the Father God. During this time, I familiarized
myself with the different forms and faces of the Goddess, believing that She is
like a diamond, with Her different forms (including Mary) as the different
facets of the gem. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As I have continued becoming a
Wiccan for a few more years (1995-2012), I have immersed myself in the lore of
the Goddess. Here I started to research on my favorite Goddesses (or aspects of
the Goddess at this time), looking at their cultural and historical background,
their beliefs, and places of power. Here my belief evolved into what it is
right now, polytheism. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY-qeeqw-2rIEK4xYHIeW5cRTRcUlhmaybstabg6eXDIoAT1n96VejmIZkpfJUVdJTbP7wZ8fS2_Y9n4wha-KSyMZ72iwpfvzouoTn9eq14Qb9PYra7nSS9-PDpRba9NOs2qgBUY-7kQ/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY-qeeqw-2rIEK4xYHIeW5cRTRcUlhmaybstabg6eXDIoAT1n96VejmIZkpfJUVdJTbP7wZ8fS2_Y9n4wha-KSyMZ72iwpfvzouoTn9eq14Qb9PYra7nSS9-PDpRba9NOs2qgBUY-7kQ/w292-h400/image.png" width="292" /></a></div>My journey as a polytheist
stemmed from the belief that the Gods I worked with, have their own culture and
worship. Cerridwen for example, has a different story than Hecate, although
they are both a Cauldron goddess. I became interested in serving the gods in
the religion that they belong to and the how they are being worshipped in their
own culture. That is the year (2012) where I moved out of Wicca and moved to
Religio Romana, a reconstruction of the old Roman religion.<br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Comparing the way the Goddess
Hecate is worshipped (and the spirits in general) in Wicca versus how She is viewed
and worshipped in Roman paganism (as Hekate or sometimes Trivia), is quite
different. She has her own set of worship, with sacrifices done in the
crossroads. She is not just a form of the Great Goddess, but a separate Deity altogether.
As a crossroad Goddess, She was deemed as a protector of the roads and travelers.
She is also seen, not just as a crone aspect or face of the Great Goddess, but
also a motherly midwife goddess who takes care of the young. This along with so
many titles and epitaphs make Hekate a powerful and complex deity, not just a
crone and the symbol of the Waning Moon in Wicca. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>In Wicca, the Great Goddess is
the center of the worship, with the God of the Hunt, her escort who comes
secondary. The Great Goddess is also viewed as the same being who “appears” or
is the different goddesses in so many cultures. One of the centers of belief in
Wicca is also in the observance of the cycle of death and rebirth, the movement
of the life from one season to the other.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpeeeqx58_q9iKyzHGKUQiwReDi3dz0SpLuAl_z6zWvaJGUPsWH_mroGDpJn0SrinbuK4zMA2L3m-nZHxdL3XtUA7X8TIbw1yG2fUsi7cFhSYgnadowf2mjemtlpN0rViB8Rgo7M6Ve8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpeeeqx58_q9iKyzHGKUQiwReDi3dz0SpLuAl_z6zWvaJGUPsWH_mroGDpJn0SrinbuK4zMA2L3m-nZHxdL3XtUA7X8TIbw1yG2fUsi7cFhSYgnadowf2mjemtlpN0rViB8Rgo7M6Ve8/w611-h640/image.png" width="611" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Roman Paganism on the other hand,
focused first on the spirits of the place. The formless nameless gods that
interact with us daily and giving them respect and prayers as form of an
obligation. The ancient Roman belief started with the veneration of the Numa,
the Divine presence in a place. People regardless of their skills to perceive
the spirits, would always “feel” if the place has something in it. When they
start to bring offerings in these places, creating shrines and altars, the
Deity of the place is “born”. They will also make representations of the Deity’s
form and give it a name, then worship it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the worship of the deity grows, and temples
are erected in their honor, their following becomes so big that they are
sometimes regarded as the patron/matron god of the place. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtISXIIbSv62MXRvhRdphwM9nsbf4xA3D7_eRI3nSPgAeZatrpAsrl9WpddHdneczRNJ-oh6zkQQRmWVFNaAyEbtpQMzV5XrrEgvQUf6wVZOSJLpwPUYxO_UqEm-EH-_Vt9earrNeufA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="965" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtISXIIbSv62MXRvhRdphwM9nsbf4xA3D7_eRI3nSPgAeZatrpAsrl9WpddHdneczRNJ-oh6zkQQRmWVFNaAyEbtpQMzV5XrrEgvQUf6wVZOSJLpwPUYxO_UqEm-EH-_Vt9earrNeufA/w640-h614/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This way of worshiping the
spirits is also evident in most animistic practices – in Shintoism, Native
American Shamanism, Philippine Babaylanismo, to name a few. The spirits of the
place are also closely tied with ancestor worship, as some believe that the ancestors
who are interned in a specific place become the guardian spirits of that
location. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the evolution of my belief
system, my polytheistic view of the Divine fit with the beliefs of the Roman
religion I am in. Gods within the Religio Romano are individual beings with different
personalities and attributes. The reverence of the ancestors is also a very
strong system in the religion, as well as the veneration of the spirits of the
place (The Lars). In this structure, Religio Romano can also accommodate the
native Filipino spiritual belief system – and that makes it better as this hits
home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGALXqmlA0JIHtOxvvpYarfeN28f-qwWMn_GroJgThTjT6SFOCZOVizEWN2xa291pJSEo7ZzE-uzpH98ZS6ztn5ZGDCo__qd9jshhPdp4xFrQ41Thtwz8A-Mf87ks71a3OUkmdLfEMdNE/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="548" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGALXqmlA0JIHtOxvvpYarfeN28f-qwWMn_GroJgThTjT6SFOCZOVizEWN2xa291pJSEo7ZzE-uzpH98ZS6ztn5ZGDCo__qd9jshhPdp4xFrQ41Thtwz8A-Mf87ks71a3OUkmdLfEMdNE/w400-h263/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Growing up in Iloilo, I have been
familiar with tamawo and engkantos. I read them in books, heard it from neighbors,
but most of all, they are characters in stories my grandmother used to tell us.
They are part of the everyday life of people in our province, where they leave
offerings to the “tag-lugar” on altars, invite them during meals and asking
them for bounty – ex. in fishing and farming. People long ago are very
sensitive to these beings because they are not treated as something different
but are considered our unseen neighbors. As I grew in my practice, I have
focused far from home, studying Western magical practices and religions, paying
little attention what we have here. Now it is time to come home to our own
practice and beliefs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Though I cannot let go my obligation
to the gods I swore to, I am incorporating our pre-Hispanic belief of the
spirits in my practice. Now I am focusing more on the reverence of the ancestors
and working with the spirits of the place, formless, nameless or not. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Let’s go back to the basics,
again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQB5_WtqgBWnzuFLy7MWfqS5LwcZN6jkwnERfic2dtnjjwhnTZ8GOXrAwcveQh3gEV6THvxayCpIK-fcZ1JMBKnQoCx0PTq_XBwpIhsFECobuw0bnWvcpprraCYJ_VVT6jmSB1v0DbVk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQB5_WtqgBWnzuFLy7MWfqS5LwcZN6jkwnERfic2dtnjjwhnTZ8GOXrAwcveQh3gEV6THvxayCpIK-fcZ1JMBKnQoCx0PTq_XBwpIhsFECobuw0bnWvcpprraCYJ_VVT6jmSB1v0DbVk/w640-h429/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Photo credits: </b></i></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Moon Phases - </b></i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>https://www.teenvogue.com/story/witchs-guide-to-the-new-year</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>Shinto Shrine - https://www.greenshinto.com/wp/2017/03/16/hearn-14-ancestor-worship/</b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>Lalarium - https://arjuna-vallabha.tumblr.com/post/160389383012</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>Wiccan Altar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>Hekate Trivia - </i></b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>https://archetypicalwitchcraft.wordpress.com/tag/hecate-trivia/</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>Babaylan - </i></b></span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>https://www.aswangproject.com/filipino-shaman/</i></b></span></span></p><br />poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-47353785437771521782021-01-24T02:35:00.003-08:002021-01-24T02:37:40.925-08:00Occult Groups on Social Media<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Since the 1990s, my journey in the ever-elusive path of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Magick</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> has been challenging,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> intimidating and has encountered a lot of stops than the forking crossroads. As the interest in the study of witchcraft and the occult is on the rise, I have been scraping whatever information and knowledge available from books in the dusty, obscure corners of the library in UP Highschool. For the past five years, the only available source of information about it were a few Time Life Books, some Encyclopedia about ghosts and spirits, occult and other sociological studies of tribal beliefs and folk magic. One of the most influential </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">persona</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in my interest to study the local Visayan folklore is Dr. Alicia </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Magos</span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Her book, the “End</span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">uring Ma-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">aram</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Tradition” contains some information that painted the picture of the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">magickal</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> practices in the Tribes of Panay. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;"> </span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUo44AD_LLhA_vFw3N63-PuqiWBN_CRVe02vIbuaRA7ZWXt5ZdwOiwuJE6IQg2aWmID4MHYOusNtTZALljBmwLi5PuVBUnx34rXpgKI6MvF8wJ_ER6LkR2YeVwpoGRzVbL1yE2RxTh4I/s311/download.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUo44AD_LLhA_vFw3N63-PuqiWBN_CRVe02vIbuaRA7ZWXt5ZdwOiwuJE6IQg2aWmID4MHYOusNtTZALljBmwLi5PuVBUnx34rXpgKI6MvF8wJ_ER6LkR2YeVwpoGRzVbL1yE2RxTh4I/s16000/download.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">In the coming years, I have started the research group in Iloilo and have started corresponding with active practitioners on the internet. I have met some of these practitioners in my trips around the country, sponsored by my university, when I was sent to writing seminars and competitions. The correspondence continued via the chatrooms on Yahoo Groups, <span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">MiRC</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">MySpace</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and Friendster. During the “occult revival” here in the country, a few prominent groups have started from all corners of the country. Some boast of “direct lineage” from mentors connected to established occult orders and traditions from around the world. Most of us were eclectic fledging witches experimenting with substitution of herbs for </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">magick</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> if the actual spell ingredient can’t be found in the spice section of the supermarket. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div><p style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{c07b88e7-b321-4a29-b0eb-af168a56c812}{216}" paraid="853094644" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{c07b88e7-b321-4a29-b0eb-af168a56c812}{220}" paraid="2057972397" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">As the 2000s started, the desire to create a community of practitioners was sparked and with this, events all across the country started to gather the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">everyone</span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in parties, open circles and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">groups. In Iloilo, the Order of the Inner Circle was born and has become one of the most active groups in the country, coordinating and corresponding with various organizations. We have done some collaborative activities with groups from Bacolod, Cebu, Mindanao, and Luzon. We shared rituals, exercises and activities to create a more “codified” set of exercises and rites. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{c07b88e7-b321-4a29-b0eb-af168a56c812}{232}" paraid="101275381" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{c07b88e7-b321-4a29-b0eb-af168a56c812}{236}" paraid="926806570" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn4FGsJw2G2Nn6dL91jG5u95jFpHW6tpa_QCwJqVAE9NkygL8qntm1eVsjREfD-8ElLpp_ShOh35tuUvmFfkcTzNXSAE-yfh7j00EyDnsJnSweDR5M8afp9vTP9kvI-WKQmRh5bTHTp4/s623/Rq1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn4FGsJw2G2Nn6dL91jG5u95jFpHW6tpa_QCwJqVAE9NkygL8qntm1eVsjREfD-8ElLpp_ShOh35tuUvmFfkcTzNXSAE-yfh7j00EyDnsJnSweDR5M8afp9vTP9kvI-WKQmRh5bTHTp4/s320/Rq1.jpg" /></a></div><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">As the popularity of the occult and the lure of mysticism became more mainstream, the media has caught whiff of it all and has become the “platform” of a few practitioners who started to create a public persona of authority in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">magick</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Some of these “media personalities” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">became the unofficial spokesperson and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“authorities” on </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">magick</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, though some of them do not really know what they’re doing and talking about. These pressure from appearing “correct” on television and radio, for me has caused the existing issues that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">magickal</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> practitioners have since then. Most of them thirst for the lure of the spotlight and the 15-minute fame an interview could bring. This has caused a lot of discord in the community as people started to compete with others for interview spots, TV and radio guesting and newspaper articles. Groups have engaged in “witch wars” as a result of these competitions. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Now, 20 years after, the competition is still ongoing between groups and individuals to get their place on the spotlight, with clients or getting followers. Now, the new stage where these competitions happen is social media. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{adae56ae-fcc4-4566-af4c-b2789230011a}{11}" paraid="1753493599" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{adae56ae-fcc4-4566-af4c-b2789230011a}{15}" paraid="1554268216" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">We have seen a lot of groups popping on Facebook with claims of expertise and their promise of power to whoever follow or study under them. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">And when we have a couple of people, claiming to be masters, competing on a small stage, then conflict will rise. Some of these “masters” would also be quick to shut down other people they perceive as threat to their “kingdom” and will talk bad about them to remove them from their path. This is actually the reason why I decided to slow down and step away from these groups online. The community has become too toxic and the main goal of forming these organizations has shifted from learning to profit. Now people put themselves out there, not to educate people about the practice, but to get followers that are their potential clients in the future. For me, this “occult commercialization”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> has become such a norm that “energy exchange” for these lessons have been increasing dramatically. Now, instead of helping people and teaching them how things are done, it has become, “yeah just pay me, I’ll do it for you”.</span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{adae56ae-fcc4-4566-af4c-b2789230011a}{25}" paraid="1563563221" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116332451 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{adae56ae-fcc4-4566-af4c-b2789230011a}{29}" paraid="1965065806" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I just hope it is not too late to stir people back to become Seekers of Knowledge and the motivation of learning is not to monetize it but to look for answers. </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{adae56ae-fcc4-4566-af4c-b2789230011a}{29}" paraid="1965065806" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWJJVhPG9Jf50jY_qIqpFWLEWDRKTkHJEn4DjpYC_2qG5FtAwXISB0AH-OkI19ASn59YQxZ0CqAG6U3QmHb2-qbZFYG0ACJICWfsb5UVdCkyWpHC52zbDjh6RwE_T7xJz1ZhQLuAK2YY/s1500/occulttravel-hoiabaciu0%25402x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWJJVhPG9Jf50jY_qIqpFWLEWDRKTkHJEn4DjpYC_2qG5FtAwXISB0AH-OkI19ASn59YQxZ0CqAG6U3QmHb2-qbZFYG0ACJICWfsb5UVdCkyWpHC52zbDjh6RwE_T7xJz1ZhQLuAK2YY/w640-h427/occulttravel-hoiabaciu0%25402x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW116332451 BCX8" paraeid="{adae56ae-fcc4-4566-af4c-b2789230011a}{29}" paraid="1965065806" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW116332451 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Courier New", "Courier New_EmbeddedFont", "Courier New_MSFontService", monospace; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">Images from the internet.</span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span></p></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-14205822001947246832021-01-14T08:33:00.002-08:002021-01-14T08:33:19.202-08:00Long Lost Poems<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">KOLEHIYALA</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By MPPinto</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kasisidmon kung magmata,</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Para mag eskwela</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May kwaderno nga dala</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pero blanko kag wala sang letra</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maligo kag mag-ilis,</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sang bestida nga manipis.</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dala kurit kag kiskis</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sang make-up sa iya kutis.</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Madulum na ang kalye</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sang ikaw nagbyahe</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kay wala inugpamasahe</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ku-ot nalang ang plete.</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Karon handa ka na,</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dulom na sa Plazoleta</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tindog na kag mag linya</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ang Klase magasugod na.</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">KALIT</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By MPPinto</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dali-a wala si nanay</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kadto na di sa balay</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dala coke kag tinapay</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ang text ni Inday</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ini naman si Toto</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daw nagapala-is nga ido</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dali-dali nag paligo</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ari, libre naman ang igo.</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Linti kag bilatibay,</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ang yawyaw ni Nanay</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sang nakita naga sampawanay</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Si toto kag si Inday</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kay man mga bata pa,</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Di pa handa mangasawa</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ang solusyon sa problema</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Si Clara nga paltera sa Tanza</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pero ining si Inday naga luha</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kay indi na makabata</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sa malip-ot kag kalit nga kasadya</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dalayon nga pag antos ang gaba ya</span><span style="color: #887766; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-70183072365696106942020-12-07T06:55:00.007-08:002020-12-07T06:55:54.205-08:00Sounds of Sadness - Rainy Monday Musings and Melodies<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb5_QqlBCzmSwPER1XtwJmK-lMSs0OXtGc4wIHcSbZgobyXbl-5XNyFZVEJplMbKeoaG6YpbBDwOpI6nl-czxke7AgAeusgp0jWdJPWzvcvqWBuKfuiYd2ieuirfRhYuCJg3zbcC55Jk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb5_QqlBCzmSwPER1XtwJmK-lMSs0OXtGc4wIHcSbZgobyXbl-5XNyFZVEJplMbKeoaG6YpbBDwOpI6nl-czxke7AgAeusgp0jWdJPWzvcvqWBuKfuiYd2ieuirfRhYuCJg3zbcC55Jk/s16000/image.png" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>It's been a long time since I have written poems. It's probably because I haven't had any time to do any introspection related to, well just me. Battling in my head are voices that are constantly arguing about things - career, money, family. Today is the 7th of December, 2020, a very rainy Monday and here are some musings. <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>Image from </i></b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>http://astrikfu.blogspot.com/</i></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hard Rain</b> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: start;">Rain is falling hard,</span><br style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: start;">Like my pent up, hidden tears</span><br style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; text-align: start;">Loud yet hard to grasp.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><i>Cael Pinto. 120720</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-size: large;">MUSIC & MELANCHOLIA</b></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Music is my saving grace. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each line and tune lift my soul.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like the promise of day after the night.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each pause, each stop</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gives my mind a breather.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like the light at the end of the dark tunnel.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each note on the scale,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is like a drop of tear, a panel of emotion.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A color in the dark canvas of this world.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each sharp, each flat.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Conveys unspoken words.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hidden deep within my soul.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each rhythm, each beat</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is matched by my sad heart.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unable to speak.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">-<i>Cael Pinto, 12072020</i></div></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-54537394815343096252020-11-24T01:09:00.000-08:002020-11-24T01:09:06.062-08:00Pag Sug-alaw sa mga Kapapuan (The Meeting of the Ancestors)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YFjgX_iDvObIBxs_Iml9vepPS_kdIxoAi4l0lgfRiNaLQOJf407ebNjRA6QygS-SuX564uuMFdbBjnrRZXfCLI5SPqo50dyt6xjVt6WnjZTWRRg-xAjHKe1NgbgTdl1ByxZJ4C9PLlc/s1104/127442581_225068585713898_7954615894323522452_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YFjgX_iDvObIBxs_Iml9vepPS_kdIxoAi4l0lgfRiNaLQOJf407ebNjRA6QygS-SuX564uuMFdbBjnrRZXfCLI5SPqo50dyt6xjVt6WnjZTWRRg-xAjHKe1NgbgTdl1ByxZJ4C9PLlc/w300-h400/127442581_225068585713898_7954615894323522452_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>In the past 25 years of practicing the Craft, October 31st is always a special night. It is the night of Samhain and I have celebrated this without fail since 1995. Way back when I was Wiccan, this celebration is the "holiest" of the eight Sabbats and is usually celebrated grandiosely. This festival marks the "Witches New Year" and the preparation usually starts really early. We would normally go to secluded beaches or even rent out private resorts for a night so we could have it all for ourselves. Even when I started practicing Roman Paganism last 2012, I am still joining Wiccan friends celebrate this festival, where we still dress up with our ritual robes and crafted masks. Samhain became a moment where friends get together and honor the ancestors.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This year however, the rite has become less centered to the Pagan or Wiccan belief system as we have celebrated this night solely for the spirits of the land and the ancestors. The rite deviated from the conventional ritualistic set-up of Wicca and has mainly become a more intimate conversation with the spirits. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The night started with the preparation of the ritual space, the candles and the offering to the ancestors. I prepared a red candle, passed to participants where they engrave the surnames of both their parents on one side of the candle. When we were done etching the candles, I tied red yarn at the bottom part of the pillar candle and bury it on the ground. We also prepared the bonfire and the offerings to the spirits of the land (honey and milk) and for the ancestors (tobacco, bread and spirits). As midnight comes, we throw some incense on the bonfire and sit around the ancestral candle. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNJlT2JxwEzCPiZbxVAqV2mbj3Wp3zrS6c-CjlVEAizegeONR2ZAKiUrL8eJu3uMboCk-duvbvxZcHLIip1xNY_xp3XwLbTD91VkHfYFAvQ15eVEOxUM-5cmz0lxoPKCwKZ2_8hpjeg/s1104/127174570_190566919326713_4715944855873684657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJNJlT2JxwEzCPiZbxVAqV2mbj3Wp3zrS6c-CjlVEAizegeONR2ZAKiUrL8eJu3uMboCk-duvbvxZcHLIip1xNY_xp3XwLbTD91VkHfYFAvQ15eVEOxUM-5cmz0lxoPKCwKZ2_8hpjeg/w300-h400/127174570_190566919326713_4715944855873684657_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>After we ask permission from the spirits of the land to allow us to do the rite, offering them a libation of milk and honey, we faced Katulundan (West) where the sun sets and the dead resides, calling for the veil that divides the world to part and let the dead walk among the living. We hold to the red yarn that is connected to the red candle (red being the color of blood is the perfect color to represent the family blood line), I used blood to coat the yarn and yank it a little to represent the calling of the spirits from the Idadalmunon (the underworld). As we yank the yarn, we whispered silently the names of the ancestors that we are inviting to the rite. During this time, we have felt a change in the air, as it became colder and the I have personally seen a few "people" walking around and disappearing from the corner of my eye. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3guVrIfNNxSWse2jfTzPrRquwutgNlkTg1laeWYlwlzmoK6py2a1SlDm7Ei3G7j_LN1ymJvpe8ecui_8q8YK3pH0Vwb5zvdfynaYbw6492kwY6ZWlBYRBG7KH15is-ujM3clRAm81_eE/s1104/127243140_441714883895787_4907023584714825716_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3guVrIfNNxSWse2jfTzPrRquwutgNlkTg1laeWYlwlzmoK6py2a1SlDm7Ei3G7j_LN1ymJvpe8ecui_8q8YK3pH0Vwb5zvdfynaYbw6492kwY6ZWlBYRBG7KH15is-ujM3clRAm81_eE/w300-h400/127243140_441714883895787_4907023584714825716_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After the invitation of the ancestors, we took turns and told stories about our ancestors. I believe that our ancestors live in the stories we pass on to our descendants and we celebrate their lives through story telling. This would also make us remember them all the time. Aside from the unseen visitors, we were also visited by a really big Mariposa who flew and landed around the space where we did the rite, as well as a black millipede walking around the ritual space.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I named this rite "Pag Sug-alaw sa mga Kapapuan", a Hiligaynon term which in English means the Meeting of the Ancestors. Sug-alaw means to meet, encounter or come upon, especially said of persons coming from different directions. We ended the night telling stories and thanking the ancestors for their wisdom and guidance, as well as their protection. It is just right to honor and remember them, not just on the day of Fiesta Minatay every November 1, but daily. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Kari kamo mga Kapapuan</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dungga ang amon panawagan. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amon kamo gina pasalamatan, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sa pagpalayo sa amon sa kalalat-an.<br /><br />Kari kamo mga Kaparyentihan, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pamati-i ining ambahanon, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kari kamo, palapit kag batuna, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ining amon mga dulot. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kari kamo mga katigulangan,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dugo sang amon Dugo, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amon kamo ginadumdom, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sa maragtas kag sa amon panumduman."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come, our ancestors, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Listen to our call.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We thank all of you</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">for saving us from misfortune.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come, our relatives, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">listen to our chants.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come forth and receive</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">all of our offerings. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come, our elders, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blood of our Blood. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are remembering you,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In our stories and in our memories.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">-Bane- </span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow4_L9BNw2tDn8UwTMNZ3HQAGzm6Ks2Ca4O_I87qPh5g6rFGt2Wkiwxbwz4d8iOEmXOxzVizHR63Y2ZjUt4sptjxGrsdnvgzcOb0f3hsP-8KSTXD6pPbsQZQ2BldSzugHzj-Fj67ivOQ/s1104/127032312_223249565816957_3551338628048655357_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow4_L9BNw2tDn8UwTMNZ3HQAGzm6Ks2Ca4O_I87qPh5g6rFGt2Wkiwxbwz4d8iOEmXOxzVizHR63Y2ZjUt4sptjxGrsdnvgzcOb0f3hsP-8KSTXD6pPbsQZQ2BldSzugHzj-Fj67ivOQ/w300-h400/127032312_223249565816957_3551338628048655357_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="word" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: start;"><br /></div></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-11399646144856407452020-10-23T00:20:00.001-07:002020-10-23T00:20:03.638-07:00The Hallows cometh!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l3LaXktYssbZt1S7p9dAUQX26929j7LcSHbRyOzhXBGh0Bpj9V06rIBKqxDBMuJnntyrLONzd7PXBRI-p8l-gqqlxC_7SPQLon0BXZ-lxhRBC6Nge_o2KbQwfTx073jFJqd3z4gZLgE/s612/istockphoto-1065624054-612x612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l3LaXktYssbZt1S7p9dAUQX26929j7LcSHbRyOzhXBGh0Bpj9V06rIBKqxDBMuJnntyrLONzd7PXBRI-p8l-gqqlxC_7SPQLon0BXZ-lxhRBC6Nge_o2KbQwfTx073jFJqd3z4gZLgE/w640-h426/istockphoto-1065624054-612x612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The time for the Halloween is here again and I am celebrating it as simple as possible. In the years back, we have been celebrating the Hallows eve in the point of view of Wicca, celebrating the feast of Samhain as it is celebrated by Wiccans around the world. In the few years that I have observing Religio Romano however, the celebration has become quite irrelevant to me since it was not a major feast or celebration to the religion. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, since the night of the Hallows has a significance to the Filipino culture (it being the night before Fiesta Minatay), I have always considered the time where the veil between the realm of the spirit and the world of men are starting to connect and would culminate to the closing of this connection on the eve of November 2nd. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The planned celebration this year would be more focused on the celebration of Death and Rebirth, as well as the honoring of those who passed before us. This will also center around the reverence of ancestors and the family. We will be letting go of the more ceremonial trappings of Samhain and stick to the simple folk/cultural celebration of giving prayers and offerings to the dead. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We will also stick with the more traditional offerings like alcoholic beverages, some local delicacies, tobacco, and all other favorite things of our loved ones. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I will be writing about the celebration after the Hallows' Eve. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">-<i>image from the internet-</i></span></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-83461476510486893242020-10-20T23:41:00.007-07:002020-10-20T23:41:56.030-07:00The Spirits in the age of Pandemics and Uncertainties<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrTGa4mOR9PcoRlzUMZsrMk-LYUHeQ31kUhKNgJV0rqqAc6tN1lMt-T0CY8EKYFsuCqFD5DXGWuo2mpg_NxiTizFziJk3f8jqVQ6sFfeLI179qICXmWjcNPk38Mb2eFSotafrztaT-9w/s2048/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrTGa4mOR9PcoRlzUMZsrMk-LYUHeQ31kUhKNgJV0rqqAc6tN1lMt-T0CY8EKYFsuCqFD5DXGWuo2mpg_NxiTizFziJk3f8jqVQ6sFfeLI179qICXmWjcNPk38Mb2eFSotafrztaT-9w/w640-h426/images.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> It has been half a year that we have started this life of isolation. We have been in this situation that brings a lot of stress not only on the body, but mostly on the mind. I have been in situations where I wanted to be alone, you may call it moments of being an "introvert", where I looked for peace and quiet in my fast-paced life. Now, it is a treat to get out and sit in coffee shops reading a book. <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have been locked in a cycle of work, eating and sleep - all mundane activities needed to survive. Most of us has lost the connection to the spirits and the Divine during these times, however, in this delicate times we are all too focused on the survival of the body and totally forgot the state of our other self.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A couple of months ago, I have tried to do a little something aside from my daily obligations. I learned that the path to the other side has now become difficult to tread, or at least have been barred to visitors. That's why I now thought that the gods and the spirits have distanced themselves from us, or at least became deaf from the millions of pleas from their devotees. They have been, for quite some time now, difficult to talk to (at least in my case). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I also think that people may feel something different even though they are not "psychics". Most people that are at least sensitives to these changes may feel the negativity from all of these happenings in the world. They might feel depressed or anxious in varying degrees. Some people may also become "recipients" of messages from the other side through dreams, and most of them are not aware of what they are or how make anything out of it. I just hope that whatever message they wanted to send will be understood and passed on. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This pandemic has caused a shift, not just what the new "normal" has become, but also the mindset of the people. This is the reason why we should protect ourselves from negativity and other "influences and intrusions" from the other side. Some people are very susceptible to these influences and may often act on it in a very bad way. One may wear protective stones and amulets to ward these energies off. People can also rely on their faith to protect themselves from these influences (if your are especially religious). Spiritual cleansing must also be done regularly to remove these negative energies around you and your home. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">During this time of pandemic, we always need to be very careful. Always make sure that we follow the protocols set to protect our friends and families against this disease.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">-<span style="color: red;"><b><i>photo from the internet- </i></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-26463706659905063522020-07-20T23:50:00.002-07:002020-07-20T23:50:58.017-07:00Phone Review: Using iPhone XR in 2020<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Is using a mid-range iPhone released last 2018 still okay for use in 2020?</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">iPhone XR was released last September 2018 together with iPhone XS and was part of that year's Apple release. This phone was criticized because of having an LCD screen and was released in a variant of colors, and was compared to Apple's 5C release.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO-RnwCrUut__SmErMCizgifnk5pogoi-DhYZVoLJ_EELsV0DhcJmmM_L3oAlNhBz0N47fRl0dVlyKVDmle6ZOWPoQ7H5V0Np0xjEt7-1SP8PX7LgWs7b2uFPxQtIjrzyElkVM8xGd-w/w300-h400/115750558_292354088549931_7058808674901673004_n.jpg" width="300" /><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJCWZWtWuN1KE1iMJsYtJpYFxZu_zcPiSMvoZy0uu_j1xlNTD1_o6nkdMnd00-liG24jPE4M1ZTXNLfQswYZzL3VgLEh1SWj0AWOiXZpM8xaiN2HdygH-v6Q3g1u1-SxM96FvrJeho-w/w300-h400/109971052_1595923357240425_1460991918578118126_n.jpg" width="300" /></div></div><div> </div><div>However, using this phone for almost two years now, I noticed that the "Liquid Retina" LCD display is not really different from Super Retina OLED displays of the iPhone XS. I love how Apple created the LCD so seamless that it doesn't really feel different. </div><div><br /></div><div>I got the 256GB Coral variant from #GlobePH. Here's the specs of the iPhone XR from GSM Arena (<a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_xr-9320.php" target="_blank">www.gsmarena.com</a>). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo771F5Rgm44m67AOf4SIj40ObpPdVx85BW3A2i4rgwoIYSjOcoYzo-dOSJMPGKBSasu_3rIdjvPGGtDyIez5VYDNoUTisQqGz4LQdG2uYDSTgR_HRHhCP-4UuNR6t_hzs1XoQamUuCSs/s763/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="737" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo771F5Rgm44m67AOf4SIj40ObpPdVx85BW3A2i4rgwoIYSjOcoYzo-dOSJMPGKBSasu_3rIdjvPGGtDyIez5VYDNoUTisQqGz4LQdG2uYDSTgR_HRHhCP-4UuNR6t_hzs1XoQamUuCSs/w604-h625/1.png" width="604" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9EESADBd3JVMI9QMjh7esdk2ZMxA_d2rhyphenhyphenAYf-mLONixuOkdZJv-AfQJ31hBxiauyu0bpI3_xmlSwPMQB8NcGBHR_mwk3nhcSJCV8mYDE4inM9cmhV-wjZG48xB_rZXtDMr8R8THDEk/s731/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="731" height="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9EESADBd3JVMI9QMjh7esdk2ZMxA_d2rhyphenhyphenAYf-mLONixuOkdZJv-AfQJ31hBxiauyu0bpI3_xmlSwPMQB8NcGBHR_mwk3nhcSJCV8mYDE4inM9cmhV-wjZG48xB_rZXtDMr8R8THDEk/w625-h619/2.png" width="625" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqoxprY6aww0bAGBFB81Y7MPWlgpWZQ2D6KMyMz81l-XUpnRodmKA9niGA-dbbGehJm8LflWDV0-KDMUe_n-tNQuvdPP1MEF_CQjC3kvrmE0y9W_-7orpl4JP1HG7RS_4P0dlLSvm5FQ/s730/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="730" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqoxprY6aww0bAGBFB81Y7MPWlgpWZQ2D6KMyMz81l-XUpnRodmKA9niGA-dbbGehJm8LflWDV0-KDMUe_n-tNQuvdPP1MEF_CQjC3kvrmE0y9W_-7orpl4JP1HG7RS_4P0dlLSvm5FQ/w625-h320/3.png" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">iPhone XR has lived to its reputation as always. The UI is seamless and you wont feel any lags when you navigate through the phone. I haven't feel that this was the most affordable of all the iPhone variants released that year. As an iPhone, the iPhone XR is very premium as it is made of glass and metal combo, making it very sleek to touch. The front and the back panels are both Gorilla Glass, however I am not suggesting that you do a drop test 😅. This glass back panel also enables wireless charging if you have compatible wireless pads. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">iPhone XR will be able to upgrade its OS to iOS14 come September, when Apple will release their new set of Apple products. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The seamless experience that I have using this phone is with how its very easy to access content across all devices you link it with. I am using a very old iPad, an iWatch 4 and a 2019 macBook, and it's just amazing to access apps and receive notification on all of these platforms when it arrives on the phone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now with the cons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The things that I do not like with the iPhone XR after almost two years of use is the battery. The iPhone is not really known for its battery capacity and this is reflected on the iPhone XR that I have been using. Early July 2020, I checked the battery health of my Phone and it is at 90% capacity, and as of today, July 21, 2020 here's its battery health - <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PjSAgkRW7WUCDEASGAvX6F4icrmGMecReY8azb76Lq0YcTvEmhyreYH_60INmFOg0BI0mLkLkzaaYOQP9frgMUfJryb55A0KIZjyv_IFbjrYHXGf5Vu1oSMJBYDjbvUUwM2I6TFPygQ/s1324/109809659_1944312192359137_4726677086220502812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="750" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PjSAgkRW7WUCDEASGAvX6F4icrmGMecReY8azb76Lq0YcTvEmhyreYH_60INmFOg0BI0mLkLkzaaYOQP9frgMUfJryb55A0KIZjyv_IFbjrYHXGf5Vu1oSMJBYDjbvUUwM2I6TFPygQ/w283-h500/109809659_1944312192359137_4726677086220502812_n.jpg" width="283" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I am always careful of my phone's (all my phones) battery management, because I don't want them to have lower charging capacity. Since batteries degrade as time goes by, I am making sure that I am charging them properly. However, I always get anxious to see this number go down. With my experience with using an iPhone before, the battery is not really its strong suite. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, let's now answer the question - "Is iPhone XR still a good phone in 2020?" My answer is <b><u>CERTAINLY</u></b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">iPhone XR is still a very good phone to use two years after its release. The design is still similar to the iPhone 11 they released last year and I would say it is still fashionable. The Apple A12 Bionic chip is working well and the upgrades to iOS 14 are coming. Once the upgrades come, you will feel that it is a totally different phone. Even though my iPhone XR battery capacity is at 89%, a full-charged phone can still make it up to a day before I recharge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you want to have a less pricey iPhone and still get iOS 14, amazing cameras and seamless UI, you may get an iPhone XR in 2020. But if you have the money to burn, wait for a couple of months and get a new iPhone that will be released this September. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-26099824017809093492020-07-15T23:15:00.000-07:002020-07-15T23:15:23.515-07:00After 6 Months: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 3s Review <div class="separator"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTM6IhblaFmtGyChSsGVL49sZxkIu4u1COxjpogZtc4qJtzYs3OVNk2RNxEYjH7RBbdDDNk1OMYTM-dNgASfNlkCS2oZeet-P-I3SPUiqTU1oGn81KCrBBtKLd-EZ0bjhLbF_RMI2zT0g/w480-h640/108860075_369339834041990_7366455790079110775_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" title="ZTE Nubia Red Magic 3s" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZTE Nubia Red Magic 3s<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Red Magic 3s, a gaming phone that is probably new to most people compared to the well known brands like ROG or Black Shark. I got this phone December 13, 2009 and have been using it since then. This phone has all the specs of a flagship from 2019. Here's what under the hood (<a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_3s-9839.php">https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_3s-9839.php</a>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><table cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 5px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Arimo, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: 727px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th rowspan="6" scope="row" style="border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px medium 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d50000; font-family: Google-Oswald, Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top; width: 86px;"> <span> </span><span> </span></th><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_3s-9839.php#" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dimensions</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="dimensions" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">171.7 x 78.5 x 9.7 mm (6.76 x 3.09 x 0.38 in)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_3s-9839.php#" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Weight</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="weight" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">215 g (7.58 oz)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=build" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Build</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="build" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=sim" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SIM</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="sim" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"> </td><td class="nfo" data-spec="bodyother" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">RGB light panel (on the back)<br style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: block; left: -10px; line-height: 23px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; width: calc(100% + 20px);" />Pressure sensitive zones<br style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: block; left: -10px; line-height: 23px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; width: calc(100% + 20px);" />Built-in cooling fan</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 5px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Arimo, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: 727px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th rowspan="5" scope="row" style="border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px medium 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d50000; font-family: Google-Oswald, Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top; width: 86px;"><span> </span><span> </span></th><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=display-type" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Type</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="displaytype" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_red_magic_3s-9839.php#" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Size</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="displaysize" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">6.65 inches, 108.6 cm<sup style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0.8em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2</sup> (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=resolution" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Resolution</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="displayresolution" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=screen-protection" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Protection</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="displayprotection" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Corning Gorilla Glass 4</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"> </td><td class="nfo" data-spec="displayother" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">90Hz refresh rate</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 5px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Arimo, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: 727px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th rowspan="4" scope="row" style="border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px medium 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d50000; font-family: Google-Oswald, Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top; width: 86px;"><span> </span><span> </span></th><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=os" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">OS</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="os" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Android 9.0 (Pie), Redmagic 2.0</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=chipset" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Chip</a><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=chipset" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">set</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="chipset" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=cpu" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CPU</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="cpu" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=gpu" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">GPU</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="gpu" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Adreno 640 (700 MHz)</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 5px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Arimo, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: 727px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th rowspan="5" scope="row" style="border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px medium 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d50000; font-family: Google-Oswald, Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top; width: 86px;"><span> </span><span> </span></th><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=memory-card-slot" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Card slot</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="memoryslot" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">No</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=dynamic-memory" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Internal</a></td><td class="nfo" data-spec="internalmemory" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">256GB 12GB RAM</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"> </td><td class="nfo" data-spec="memoryother" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">UFS 3.0<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 5px 0px 0px; color: black; font-family: Arimo, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; width: 727px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th rowspan="7" scope="row" style="border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px medium 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d50000; font-family: Google-Oswald, Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: top; width: 86px;"><span> </span><span> </span></th><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"> </td><td class="nfo" data-spec="batdescription1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery</td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ttl" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7d7464; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 110px;"><a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=battery-charging" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Charging</a></td><td class="nfo" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px medium; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, Arial; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: top;">Fast charging 18W<br style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: block; left: -10px; line-height: 23px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; width: calc(100% + 20px);" />Quick Charge 4+</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This phone has specs that can rival gaming phones Php 20K higher than it. Along with a very good interior, the phone's aesthetic also include what you can see in all other high end gaming phones. You can find RGB lights that are customizable. This phone is also equipped with left and right touchpads that you can assign game function when you switch the game mode on (physical button found on the upper left side of the phone). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>PROS</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I like about the Nubia Red Magic 3s is how seamless it is when you use it. I haven't encountered any lags or any hiccups probably because of the Snapdragon 855+ and the 12 gigs of RAM. This phone can also multitask, without crashing the apps or pages opened. Red Magic 3s also has a very good cooling because of a physical fan installed at the back of the phone controllable on its game center. The game center also displays the phone's temperature, fan speed, RGB light presets and screen recording. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, has an 80.5% screen to body ratio and has a 388 pixel per inch (ppi) and has a 90Hz screen refresh rate. The phone is bright and you can use it under direct sunlight. Sounds are also very clear and loud with two front facing speakers located both at the top and the bottom part of the screen. Battery life is large at 5000mah and has very good fast charging capability. It also has an 18 watts charge with the box. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The build of the phone is compact and made of aluminum so it feels really solid in your hands. You may also purchase additional items that you can use with this phone (a controller, a deck where you can connect a LAN cable, etc.). I purchased the Bluetooth controller for around Php2K. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>CONS</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cons that I can see using this phone for the past 6+ months is mainly in the UI. Red Magic 3s is still running on an Android 9 Pie with Red Magic 2.0 skin on top of it. I also noticed that the "Phone Name" reverts back to a default "Red Magic 3s" even though you already change it. I also found online that there is already an Android 10 OTA released in China, I still cannot find any news for a global update online. I also find the UI very "basic" looking with a limited option when it comes to personalizing the themes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The support for the phone is also a little difficult, I tried asking questions on their website regarding the Android update, but I haven't got any reply. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another cons about this phone is there is absolutely no Water/Dust resistance, because of the fan exhaust installed on the phone. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The camera of the phone is so-so, sporting a single 48mp f/1.7 main camera at the back with an LED flash that takes decent pictures. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>VERDICT</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">ZTE Nubia Red Magic 3s is a very good solid phone, especially if you are into games. I tried playing Moonton's Mobile Legends Bangbang and experienced no Lag. I also played heavy graphics game like Black Desert Mobile on it, and the game looks good and the game play is seamless. After six (6) months of using this, I am amazed of the battery life and the user experience. It is still snappy and responsive with all the apps running in the background. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am just hoping to have this phone upgraded to Android 10 sooner than later so I won't get bored with it and to give it a new UI overhaul. After six months, I give this phone the following ratings: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Performance: 9/10</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Graphics: 9/10</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Battery Life: 9/10</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>UI: 7/10</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Camera: 7/10</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Overall: 8/10</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVNwfVrnC0hyphenhyphenSoQXuvAvx9ejqQL7ClsvRPBb4-9szAdP2ZY7Cidk2Fz8thMBSN3weXiwQM78Ocr49LqLu00PBI6RfdoaUQ3t9IZXwufcILLcwmz2rDATJhPyWuop_RLKY4j0rfPZrhr0/s1488/108819968_568464160696804_542878987547921829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1488" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVNwfVrnC0hyphenhyphenSoQXuvAvx9ejqQL7ClsvRPBb4-9szAdP2ZY7Cidk2Fz8thMBSN3weXiwQM78Ocr49LqLu00PBI6RfdoaUQ3t9IZXwufcILLcwmz2rDATJhPyWuop_RLKY4j0rfPZrhr0/w500-h375/108819968_568464160696804_542878987547921829_n.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Customizable RGB Lights at the back<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkKysjEYoGHLxPw0r3hmbF48VA0MejxqlaU58nwfu8RmdIy1vGCaVnku4JPNzVg7dWA4TGfgp5MnBZ8EDwnS9vXHaVf-ObfhhOX6gSdaCKbJVcALiJyrHnbSbxfdKzV9Uo2n57VZm8IQ/s1474/108819968_568464160696804_542878987547921829_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1474" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkKysjEYoGHLxPw0r3hmbF48VA0MejxqlaU58nwfu8RmdIy1vGCaVnku4JPNzVg7dWA4TGfgp5MnBZ8EDwnS9vXHaVf-ObfhhOX6gSdaCKbJVcALiJyrHnbSbxfdKzV9Uo2n57VZm8IQ/w500-h493/108819968_568464160696804_542878987547921829_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game Mode activated via a physical button at the left side of the phone<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines7.190708 125.455341-25.74008478365387 90.299091 40.121500783653872 160.611591tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-11778643834794405102019-11-19T23:07:00.002-08:002019-11-19T23:07:48.277-08:00The Witch's Brew - Poems from Witchvox.com<tt><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #770000; font-size: small;"><b>The Witch's Brew</b></span><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><img border="0" height="6" src="http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vnpx/clear.gif" /></span></tt><span style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">by Bane Serpentmoon, AP</span> <br style="font-size: 12px;" /><img border="0" height="6" src="http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vnpx/clear.gif" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: small;"><b><tt>Come now when the moon is full, <br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Where the earth is damp and the wind is cool<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Outside the room, in open sky<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Let’s cook our brew and then we’ll fly<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Gather, gather all we need, <br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Fresh leaves, dried roots and powdered seeds.<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />No Dragon’s Blood or eye of newt<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Just mint and lemon and ginger root<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Put it all in a boiling cauldron, <br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Stir it clockwise with a wooden spoon.<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Add some crystals and fragrant oils, <br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />the brew is done, after it boils.<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Now its ready, our healing brew, <br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Which will get rid of cough and flu.<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />With leaves and bark, roots and stones, <br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />It’ll fix the muscles, then skin and bones.</tt></b></span></span>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-1096045281593961922019-11-19T23:06:00.001-08:002019-11-19T23:06:59.835-08:00Lunaris Umbra - Poems from Witchvox.com <tt><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #770000; font-size: small;"><b>Lunaris Umbra</b></span><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><img border="0" height="6" src="http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vnpx/clear.gif" /></span></tt><span style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">by Bane Serpentmoon, AP</span> <br style="font-size: 12px;" /><img border="0" height="6" src="http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vnpx/clear.gif" /><br style="font-size: 12px;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: small;"><b><tt>Dangling from the Endless sky<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Majestic as we see<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />In Magick we watch Her fly<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Diana, Hecate, Selene<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />chorus...<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Shadow of the Moon<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />veils the Secrets told<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Hidden but will come out soon<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Wisdom of the Old<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Silver Goddess, Triple One<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />We watch Her rise<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Sister, Wife to the Sun<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Patroness of the Wise<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />We watch Her wax, we watch Her wane<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />Her gentle face She hides<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />to cast out all the ills and bane<br style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />In the ebbing of the tide</tt></b></span></span>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-52193722432831882742019-11-19T23:04:00.001-08:002019-11-19T23:04:16.041-08:00The Craft on the Other Side, my Journey to the Unnamed Path- My Article from Witchvox.com<br />
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<b style="font-family: geneva, arial, helvetica, helve, sans-serif;">Author: </b><span style="font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bane Serpentmoon, AP</span><span style="font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Posted: </b>April 2nd. 2006 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">"Yours is Wicca, mine is Unnamed</span></div>
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We all serve the Goddess, One and the Same."</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This is the story of our family. Some may question the validity of this claim, but this is the story of our practice: an Unnamed Path, an unknown Tradition. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_It0uzggOlfAJPCzXspo9vPF_W_47p1QLPyMCwCesSa8HhM7gWV5wYuw9VDdyflL0mGxFUagZpR27ygOEwFL2IPigzKB-CDFVhPKWo5jHkOBjVKRpAi3PRGnNLPEMynJisYD5hGovHdE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="536" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_It0uzggOlfAJPCzXspo9vPF_W_47p1QLPyMCwCesSa8HhM7gWV5wYuw9VDdyflL0mGxFUagZpR27ygOEwFL2IPigzKB-CDFVhPKWo5jHkOBjVKRpAi3PRGnNLPEMynJisYD5hGovHdE/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Since I was a child, magick has fascinated me, and I have known that I am special, unique, and a child of the Goddess. My childhood was filled with experiences that I can call magickal, including seeing "Dwendes", or earth elementals, in our hometown. I grew up to be weird in the eyes of society, but not to my family; my family has shamanic roots, and my grandmother and aunts are local healers (though in modern times, we can call them Hedge Witches.) Acting as medicine women in the barrio, they heal people using herbal remedies and prayer to the ancestors and spirits. They also climb the mountain in the front of our ancestral home to gather herbs they use to make oils. I guess it is normal in the family. I grew up with that same passion for Nature; during high school, I found books in our library that pertain to the Craft. Wicca, as they now call it, is not just an old Religion: it is the continuation of an ancient one. And it has changed my life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The folks of the barrio (I live in the Philippines, by the way) used to call out to the spirit of nature to aid them when they hunted in the forest. Our elders chanted to the sky to ask rain for their crops and offered their best grains of rice to the gods of the fields. And personally, this amazed me. Some from Europe and the Americas call this Wicca, some Shamanism, others call it by the name of the tradition they founded. Ours, however, is unnamed, though by the modern standards it can be called Shamanism or even Wicca; this is a Craft that is slightly different from the practices of these other Paths. This Path can also be called Traditional, since it has been passed down from generation to generation (with me being the fifth generation), but I know some trads would dispute me in this claim (since in order for a tradition to be called one, it must have a basis in practice and a minimum time since its founding.) Our has existed only since during the Japanese occupation in the 1940's.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The story of our founding was told by my grandmother, who is now in the world of the Spirits. Since our country was under the Japanese rule, the times were very dangerous. The Japanese soldiers would often invade homes to get women as their sex slaves (no offense meant to our Japanese brothers...these are the facts of the time.) In this frightening climate, magickal practices began to rise again. As people were oppressed and no one could help them, they called out to the spirits of the woods and the mountains and the fields to aid and protect them. It was at this time that the Skill of Apo Ino, my ancestor, was seen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">It was said that when this great-grandfather, the first in the family to show this skill, was cutting wood in the forest, he saw a book...a <i style="background-color: transparent;">libreta</i>, as we call it here, full of incantations. It all began there. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Our great grandfather began to display skills that amazed people from the community and roused curiosity in the onlookers. It is said that he could move fast, fight fast, leap very high and dodge bullets, all verbally documented by the elders of our generation. But the secret of the family was in the creation of Illusions...the “Tigadlum.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The term <i style="background-color: transparent;">Tigadlum</i> means “to change”, and the family practice was called that because Apo Ino had the ability to project illusions to the people around him and trick their senses. One example occurred when my grandmother and her sisters, along with their parents, were moving out of the barrio because of the invasion. It was then that Apo Ino used his Craft. He had the family sit in a circle facing him, and as the center and focal point of the circle, began waving his staff. The illusion worked: the Japanese soldiers following them saw anthills in their place. Many called our great grandfather a Baylan (a term from "Babaylan" of the Spanish era, which means female priests) . My great grandfather did this until it was time for him to pass into the spirit world; as the time of his passing drew near, he swallowed his book, his <i style="background-color: transparent;">libreta</i>, and the knowledge that was in it was lost. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">As the next generation, that of my own grandmother, came of age, her sister Alice was the one given the gift. She was able determine ailments by using ginger as a focus. She would then determine, if the ailment was caused by spirits of the dead, by <i style="background-color: transparent;">mga Taglugar</i> (elementals), or by <i style="background-color: transparent;">mga Tawo nga Buhi</i> (living men.) She told me that the signs were usually whispers to her ear, but that she might also hear burping or yawning.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Lola Alice (Grandma Alice) would then tell us stories about the “amigos,” elemental friends in the mountains just facing our ancestral home. When I was quite young (seven), we used to follow her in the woods and were fascinated to see her talking to the trees and asking for permission to pass or to take some leaves. She would then use those leaves to cure illnesses after whispering a prayer (a spell?) She heard murmurs of the creeks and the bamboo and understood what they said. She said that nature is our friend and our protector; that's why we usually see her up in the mountains planting trees and gathering herbs. As time passed, this practice of the Craft still amazed me. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">When the next generation arrived, three of my aunts were chosen to thread this Path— cousins by birth, yet sisters by Path and bounded by blood. The Tradition lived on; the practice, however, is corrupted by the Christian Faith. Though some of the incantations now have Christian undertones, the reverence for nature has never vanished, and the magick lives on. Around this time, though, the family has suffered casualties. My first aunt, suffered and died when all the sickness she had healed was used against her by another witch. She died bedridden; Lola Alice did what she could, but it failed to save her. When we attended the wake for the husband of this dead aunt, Lola Alice asked me, and I told her that I was also interested in the Path, Lola Alice told her if it was time that she would give me the “black book.” But my aunt said no. She told my grandmother that I was not yet ready. I asked my grandma why did she think that way, but Lola Alice just smiled.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">After a month, another tragedy struck. A second aunt, also a healer (I prefer to call them Hedge Witches) met an accident. A <i style="background-color: transparent;">Bulalakaw</i>,a mystical bird made of fire, passed over her. In the old folk legend, when the Bulalakaw passed over someone, she would die. My aunt did indeed suffer the effect of the Phoenix (I named it the Phoenix because, when I saw it at a distance when I was small, I saw it as a ball of fire with its tail changing colors from red to yellow, orange, green and blue). Blood began to come from her mouth and ears. They brought her to the hospital, but the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. Then my Lola Alice tried to heal her, using the Craft she knew. She succeeded in stopping the bleeding, but when a Witch enemy of my Aunt attacked her in that state, she died. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">With these events that we all witnessed, my interest in the Path increased (excluding the deaths which just happened two years ago.) As young as 13 years old, I studied Wicca from books and libraries. I gained a lot of knowledge, from the esoteric lore of Ceremonial Magick, Kabbalah (I even have a Teacher, but this is another story), Druidry, Shamanism, and other magickal knowledge. I saw Wicca and loved its philosophies. I learned to love the Goddess, Nature Herself, which my ancestors revered and worshiped; in everything from their rites of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, to rain calling, to whispering spells in the wind, to offerings in large spirit trees, the tradition lived on. My parents see this and they never tried to reprimand me for the practice. When my mum saw my altar beside the bed, the books and the herb bottles under the table, or the candles and offerings in the roots of the tree at home, all she told me was to be careful. I know that she understood, that the urge of the blood is strong. My family is gifted with the Spirit as both sides of the family practiced the Craft: my mum’s with its five generation of Crafters, and my dad with three generations of healers. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">But where does this put me? I am into Wicca and Goddess worship, but I still seek for a Path that would fit in my beliefs. I searched from Tradition to Tradition but sad to say I failed. Though Wicca as a religion satisfied my craving for the Goddess, the Path of magick did not. It was then I started reviving the practice, the tradition of my family, if indeed it can be called a tradition. I went back into the barrio to ask my grandmother to initiate me, but she told me she could not. Since my great grandfather Apo Ino had died before the initiation happened, Lola Alice told me that the spirits would take something from her if she will initiate me (meaning she would die.) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">However, I can remember when we were young, when Lola Alice took us to the forest. She called out to the woods, saying, <i style="background-color: transparent;">Mga Migo, ari akon nga mga apo. Bantayi nyo sya kag ubayi asta magdako sila</i> (“Friends, here are my grandchildren. Guard and guide them till they grow.”) When she said that, the wind would blow and the trees rattle; the sense of being welcomed was palpable. So I feel that even though there will be no initiation that could happen “formally” (there are no formal initiations in the family, only the presentation by the elder of the next in line to the spirits of the woods and the ancestors), in spirit I feel that I am initiated. I can feel that nature embraces me every time I am in the mountains and the forests, or the sea in our barrio. There I know nature—the Goddess—accepts me as Her own.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Here ends my story of our family, a family that has preserved some of the old knowledge of the Craft of the Wise in ways that a simple village woman does: not as some traditions or other Paths have, but in a way that our grandmothers and aunts knew. Just trade the knowledge within the piece of land that our family owns, over the picket fences, over the thick hedges. The Craft will continue. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">“You dance by the bonfire, we by the moon,</span></div>
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We may part in some lifetimes, but we will all meet soon!”</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , "helve" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Bane Soulmoon, </span></div>
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Craft of the Unnamed Path</div>
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Iloilo City, Philippines<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>- picture from the internet-</i></span></div>
</span>poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-25859462438483921952019-10-24T09:16:00.000-07:002019-10-24T09:16:08.058-07:00Southeast Asia 2020 Trip: Brunei to Kota Kinabalu<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque</td></tr>
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In my professional life, I always make sure that I have a "me time". A sort of a short respite from the daily grind of office work. I always made sure that I saved enough money to travel both locally and abroad, even just an Asian trip. Last August, I went to a couple of places that I haven't gone yet. </div>
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The first stop was in the Sultanate of Brunei. I arrived late from Manila and was waiting for a cab inside the airport, only to find out that there are no metered taxi. Since I just landed, I didn't have any Brunei Dollars to pay the cab and all the money changers in the airport are already closed (it was during the Eid'l Adha that I visited the country), so I used my Philippine bank card and withdraw from one of the ATMs. I also discovered that Globe doesn't have any roaming signal in the country, so this actually posed a challenge when you want to navigate Bandar Seri Begawan.</div>
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I took one of the airport taxi and was charged 30BND (almost PHP 1,200.00). I asked to be dropped on the hotel that I booked, but the driver, who only speaks Chinese took me far into the city center. When I told him that it was not the place, he checked his map and we went back all the way since the hotel is located there. I thanked the manong and I went into the hotel. The hotel was small but very cozy, I got my room key posted on the door with a welcome letter. </div>
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Brunei was a small country and I was able to visit almost all parts of the country for a couple of days. Buses are the main public transport, cabs are rare and since roaming is not available, its difficult to get one. Buses are affordable, for 1BND you may be able to travel from the bus terminal to any point of Bandar. I was able to travel around and visited some mosques, the city's two malls, the park (which was closed), and the Empire - a really nice looking resort. However, after a couple of days you can visit almost all the sites in Bandar. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset At the Empire</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire Beach Area</td></tr>
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After a couple of days, I took one of the longest trips (at least one of the most exhausting trips) I took. I prepared some nuts, tea eggs and water for an eight hour trip to Kota Kinabalu.<br />
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I crossed borders for like eight (8) times so I had my passport stamped a lot of times. The thing is, you cannot really sleep on the bus because you have to alight and get in line at the border. Upon reaching KK, I have to find the hotel that I booked through Traveloka and as I was navigating the city through Google Maps, I passed by a mall and I found a travel booth. I booked a Sabah tour for a few hundred Ringgit and then proceeded to Lavender Lodge.<br />
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Kota Kinabalu is a bustling city. The city is alive and there were a lot of restaurants. I spent the first night walking around the city and checking the things to visit. First there was Center Point Mall where you will find a lot of sale since it was almost Merdeka Day or the Malaysian Independence day. It was also the feast of Hari Raya and the stores are putting a lot of things on sale. I spent the next day joining a tour around Sabah- Mount Kinabalu, Poring Hot Springs, Desa Dairy Farm where I bought some milk and cheese, super delicious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2wvsdWfKJq8RioWWbhQ2gkooIKEOuCnHYHTOGHXHjWKHm0_DMOF8RhHuxdG4-MW_TC7cGrhqaMPwdPq7WNJJMEccVuWa9nnZ_D6B9vEK8OLBd3JMp3l_LfF9wpsvFzvKTeFv9IVxaKE/s1600/IMG_20190814_093121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2wvsdWfKJq8RioWWbhQ2gkooIKEOuCnHYHTOGHXHjWKHm0_DMOF8RhHuxdG4-MW_TC7cGrhqaMPwdPq7WNJJMEccVuWa9nnZ_D6B9vEK8OLBd3JMp3l_LfF9wpsvFzvKTeFv9IVxaKE/s400/IMG_20190814_093121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Kinabalu</td></tr>
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Mount Kinabalu was majestic. Taking pictures near it was amazing and looking at the mountain capped with clouds was magical. I took a few pictures and our guide brought us to Desa. Desa is a dairy farm and it gives off a "New Zealand" feel, with all the milk cows grazing. We were toured inside the farm where they sell mozzarella and other types of cheeses. They also sell yogurts and chocolate milk drinks. It was very delicious since these products are fresh. The tour also took me to Poring Hot Springs where I experienced for the first time doing a canopy walk. Luckily it only rained when I was done, or else I cannot really handle the fear of the heights and the fer of getting struck by lightning since we are on top of the trees.<br />
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I also spent time visiting the wet market where near it, they have the Night Market. It's a place where you will find a lot of food stalls selling chicken, live seafood and Indian and Malaysian food. I ended up eating some Malaysian street food and had Indian food for dinner. I also booked another tour in Kota Kinabalu where I get to visit the city. I visited the beach, Puh Toh Si Chinese Temple with a big statue of Kuanyin on the courtyard, the Sabah State mosque, the Atkinson Clock tower together with the deck overlooking the entire city.<br />
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After a couple of days staying in KK, I returned to Brunei for my flight to Manila. It was another amazing adventure around Asia and I cannot wait to have more. Next year (2020), I am planning another budget vacation. I loved Kota Kinabalu and I want to come back soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Kinabalu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats near the Night Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating Mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phu Toh Si Chinese Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanjung Aru</td></tr>
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For more pictures please visit my FB Page: www.facebook.com/ambientshadows and my Youtube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/johanpaul">https://www.youtube.com/user/johanpaul</a><br />
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poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-79462112385809249852019-06-08T09:05:00.000-07:002019-06-08T09:05:38.456-07:00In God(s) we Trust?<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the advent of technology and fast-paced everything, a lot of us are still trying to do things on our own. After all, most of us has this notion that we are, most of the time, independent. That we are outside the tapestry of fate. </div>
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Though most of us has been able to control our "destinies" by ourselves, I believe that there are some parts of us that still believe that we can influence it using our own abilities and skills. Fate in some part is something that is very difficult to change or even motivated in the right direction. Magicians and Sorcerers since the dawn of time are always proud of being able to move fate and shape reality with their will. Though some of these movements and shaping has given most of us some monumental advantage over some people, people are also in a way shaping and moving reality on their own, by prayers.</div>
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For those of us who have been studying the "Art and Science" of magick, we are used to shaping reality as sculptors shape clay. By putting our intentions into action, using specific correspondences and formulae, we are able to coerce fate to do things for us. Most of the people in this planet, however, are not aware that they can make subtle changes in reality, some who are aware, refuse it all together. </div>
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Majority of us actually has some ability to change reality in small "coincidental" ways. Some people follow certain "superstitions" that are giving them great luck, or some people light candles and wish upon it, most pray. </div>
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Belief for me is the fuel that powers certain rites and rituals, making sure that spells work. These belief may be in different forms, belief in one's ability, in spirits, ancestors and the deities. Belief in self is the very foundation of this, the belief that one can affect and change reality. Belief in the spirits (nature, ancestors, angels, etc.) require people to give some offerings to them to connect and work with them. The most powerful type of belief for me is the belief in the Divine. </div>
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The practice I am in is Roman paganism, where in its earliest form believe in the Numen. This "divine presence" was where the belief in the Lars came from, the formless gods that are tied in specific place. It is their belief that once these Lars are worshipped and given form and name, they became the anthropomorphic gods we see in mythology today. My devotion to these gods are the core being of the way I do magick. As a priest of this path, I do my obligation to these gods and win their favor by giving them offerings of wine, water and incense, just to name a few. For me, humans have the capacity to change reality on a minute level, however, if we need to do something major, we then take out the big guns. We do our best and the gods will do the rest. </div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-<i>photo from the ALAMY Stock Images- </i></span></span></div>
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poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-69550308736908290212019-03-18T04:23:00.001-07:002019-03-18T04:23:57.878-07:00Wicca: Then and Now<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hi everyone. It’s been a while that I haven’t written on my blog and I am thinking of really good topics to discuss. It’s been a lot of years since I have started practicing Wicca, and during those years I have seen the evolution of the practice.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Practicing the Craft in the early 2000’s, I have seen how I have seen how practitioners approach the practice differently. There were only a few witches practicing in the country and the community was really so tight and we see the support for each. The first interaction that I have with fellow practitioners was in the chat room of MIRC- #kulam. This chat room was composed of practitioners from different parts of the Philippines and most of us were starting in our journey. During this time we spent a lot of time researching about Wicca, and we constantly talk to each other sharing information and discoveries about the craft. When MIRC was at a decline, we move to Yahoo chat and Yahoo! Groups During this time we created organisations based on the location that were in to support people physically. We also have gatherings scheduled during either the full moon or the Sabbats to celebrate each other’s journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As the religion of Wicca grow in the Philippines we see a lot of groups sprouting like mushrooms after a rainy day and most of them already have a lot of claims, saying that they descended from a long line of witches and warlocks. Fast forward to the present day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the recent years, we see a lot of practitioners in the country and you can type the word witch on Facebook and you’ll be seeing pages upon pages of online groups and online covens. Seeing this many practitioners online makes me happy, knowing that a lot of people became very interested in the study of the Craft. However, talking to a lot of these people made me realize a lot of facts regarding the difference between the practice of witchcraft from the early 2000’s versus the practice today. Here are 5 differences is that I noticed (there's a lot more, but let's settle with five).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Witches before spends time to really study the craft and mastering it. You see a lot of witches browsing through the catalogs of libraries just to look for books related to the Craft. With information readily available to practitioners today, we see practitioners become so lazy. Some wouldn't even know information essential to the religion they practice and when asked, click their cellphones and visit Wikipedia. </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Sometimes the information that they got online are not really complete and they won’t even bother to cross-reference it with a different material. With the availability of the information online some witches prefer to just study it and not even go through constant experimentation and trial and error when it comes to spell casting.</span></li>
<li style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The Craft needs crafting, which means a witch is expected to be knowledgeable when it comes to creating satchels, poppets, herbal remedies, ointments and other materials needed for the spell. Witches nowadays rely more on buying things online even though it’s a relatively easy thing to do. In the advent of online shopping, witches are sometimes not even familiar with materials that they need in the rituals. Some online witches sell ready-made “spell kits” and ship it to their customers.</span></li>
<li style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Witches in the early 2000’s discovered the practice they go along. They spent time and effort to master the Craft that they’re studying. They do experimentation, with a lot of trial and error to make sure that their spells and potions come out correct. Witches nowadays are sometimes too lazy to check on the spells they got online. They will just try it out, do the spell base on the book, and quit witchcraft if it doesn’t work (or transfer to a different magickal system).</span></li>
<li style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">We still see witches from the early 2000’s that are still practicing. That means these people created a very strong foundation in their study of the Craft. Now we see “Witches” on Facebook and after a month or two they would already post about Jesus (and condemn witchcraft). I don’t blame them if they go back to their previous religious practice, I just want to understand the reason that they were curious about witchcraft in the first place.</span></li>
<li style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Witchcraft is supposed to be a hands on practice. That means which should make their hands dirty by doing things, harvesting herbs, crafting their own wands. Witchcraft isn’t supposed to be a desk practice. Reading books is just a small part of the Craft.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUqWBBuQoexvGncn0cfhVXmj1OAl5L_xBOFfBr6SrK_JjpNGwftKCiOyNH5-dwt-9bnP3K7vkZwPtQgCimDXGR4GstPAZQ2m319SOHaQ01iMvx0sLrKjtVAyoBGa2mNtT5ejW81Vcy_0/s1600/Kitchen-Witch1-255x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUqWBBuQoexvGncn0cfhVXmj1OAl5L_xBOFfBr6SrK_JjpNGwftKCiOyNH5-dwt-9bnP3K7vkZwPtQgCimDXGR4GstPAZQ2m319SOHaQ01iMvx0sLrKjtVAyoBGa2mNtT5ejW81Vcy_0/s400/Kitchen-Witch1-255x300.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
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Practitioners from the early 2000’s are not perfect and we made a lot of mistakes as we discover the Craft. There were times that we have to defend our faith from a lot of people who questions us. Most of the time we need also to practice witchcraft in secret and under the cover of darkness just to do our rituals. The faith in the Gods made us believe that what we’re doing is the right thing. We continue on, struggle to discover the inner mysteries of Wicca.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">-photos from the internet-</span></i></div>
poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8566591167176685526.post-36856729080610578672018-10-16T03:17:00.000-07:002018-10-16T03:22:01.702-07:00Journal #1: The Luy-a Experience<div style="text-align: justify;">
Luy-a or ginger (<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Zingiber officinale)</span> as it is locally known is one of the "root crop" widely use as medicine in folk healing and in magick. It can be seen cultivated locally and sold as ingredient in Pinoy meals. Luy-a is a well known ingredient for fish dishes and pork stew, it is known to remove "fish smell" in dishes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1fneLPYSP0c71gDd6ABoPJefTkcJhK4aUi8wZCscw3HkTvAbIGEO4GoNpS6OyRXqbj6MYuffx9-QHI2KM5v1b5Bx1Z36QZPtoxiRtBVVJaPL-n2w2jHmGuhMSM_y-EVIp4VuCxDxAIo/s1600/ginger+root.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1fneLPYSP0c71gDd6ABoPJefTkcJhK4aUi8wZCscw3HkTvAbIGEO4GoNpS6OyRXqbj6MYuffx9-QHI2KM5v1b5Bx1Z36QZPtoxiRtBVVJaPL-n2w2jHmGuhMSM_y-EVIp4VuCxDxAIo/s400/ginger+root.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Medically, luya is also known to have a lot of chemicals that are beneficial to health. It is anti-microbial and is quite effective against salmonella and parasites. The plant's leaves when grounded can be used as a poultice and the root can be made as a tea to alleviate sore throat and helps with cough. The root can also be sliced and heated and can be a remedy for rheumatism. It can disinfect wounds when used with alcohol, and it can be a cure for headache, diarrhea, constipation and a lot more. </div>
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The magickal uses of ginger are also a lot. It is used by ancient priests to invoke the power of fire, Mars and the Sun and to raise the energy of the body. Ginger is also used in rituals to "speed things up" and used for prosperity and to spice things up in bed. As a healing herb, one may chew ginger and spit it on the afflicted part of the body. It can even be used to charge tools and amulets when burned and to calm a storm. </div>
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Here in the Philippines especially in the magickal practices in the island of Panay, healers and Babaylans all use ginger to "diagnose" the illness of their patients. My maternal grandmother and some aunts use this to diagnose the source of the illness. My lola would get a piece of ginger and whisper prayers to it, asking the spirits to help her out. She would then pray "Our Father" then make crosses on your head, your forehead, the pulse, stomach, knees and feet. After that she would ask the luya the sources of the illness, while chipping off the luya as she asked. She would ask it if the illness was caused by spirits of the forest, the dead, the living, the elementals of the air, of the rivers, the waters, etc. The confirmation that she was waiting for is if she yawns or burps after she mentioned the "cause" of the illness. Once she determines the cause, she would then blow at the ginger, touch the top of your head and pray for healing. The ginger would then be pinned to your clothes for protection. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AmlaAVRW9sNsqkMaK1X2Br2jmPhVvk62Tp0jZiA3nTr51yC3TDOwumc-JC3QfQB_PZXy6H6G06NjQ7FFCq94-mAw6ZLQm1phhf6GttchpUfz9XphU_FMCXV_7qwk58gBimGRQgK293E/s1600/Luya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="669" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AmlaAVRW9sNsqkMaK1X2Br2jmPhVvk62Tp0jZiA3nTr51yC3TDOwumc-JC3QfQB_PZXy6H6G06NjQ7FFCq94-mAw6ZLQm1phhf6GttchpUfz9XphU_FMCXV_7qwk58gBimGRQgK293E/s400/Luya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AmlaAVRW9sNsqkMaK1X2Br2jmPhVvk62Tp0jZiA3nTr51yC3TDOwumc-JC3QfQB_PZXy6H6G06NjQ7FFCq94-mAw6ZLQm1phhf6GttchpUfz9XphU_FMCXV_7qwk58gBimGRQgK293E/s1600/Luya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Last October 16th, I tried my luck in doing a diagnosis with ginger. Since my spiritual path is Paganism, I tried revising it, different from what my grandmother used to do. First, I did the usual devotional to the Gods I worship, then to the spirits of the place. I then say a prayer to my ancestors and from there, I called to them to assist me in my rite. I called to the spirits of the "Dis Manes", the ancestral spirits and call to them by invoking the bloodline. Once I was done calling them to help me, I started asking the ginger to inform me of my body's weak points. I started chipping off part of the ginger and mentioned all the possible "causes" of my perceived "sickness". However, the moment I asked the ginger to inform me of my body's ailments, the areas of my body, which I felt something wrong started to throb in pain all at once. As I held the ginger in my palms, I was shown a few things, body parts that are weak and needed to be healed, some other images that I cannot remember anymore since they flashed really fast. The two things that stuck to me were one- a red entity, as if drenched in blood and a woman with a crown, with a very dirty face. I don't know if these beings are from my bloodline, or if they are benevolent or malevolent. I guess I need to study this diagnostic method more. Holding a ginger feels different as I have felt the same exact feeling I feel when I raise energy. Probably there is more to ginger than using it to diagnose illnesses. It might be a conduit to contact the ancestors and the guides, to make communication with them, easier. </div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>-Images from the Internet-</i></span></div>
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poetryandpotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446829313804127598noreply@blogger.com0