A Sunday Stroll Through a Manila Neighborhood

My Dear Great Ones,

I find walking through a neighborhood an incredible cultural experience.  Seeing how people really live is interesting to say the least.  Last Sunday morning I went for a little stroll, before the church service I was attending, through an average Manila neighborhood.  It was an interesting twenty minute walk to say the least.

To get around the neighborhood one can rent one of the motor trikes above for a few pesos.  Not built for western size men so I do not recommend long journeys with these things.

Roosters, to eat?  Or roosters for cock fighting, were on the side of  the streets.  Hmm interesting.  My filipino friends said the roosters were mainly taking a break from the chickens nearby.  

In this neighborhood those with some money live in well barricaded townhouses.  Close by are rough makeshift shacks.  So typical third world.

Electrical cables hung everywhere.  Scary to think what would happen in a major storm.

Many homes had laundry hanging out to dry.

In many parts of the neighborhood the streets were alive with kids.  

See it is possible.  Kids don't need video games to be happy.

Many families were hanging outside chilling and enjoying the sunshine.

This little fella was doing his part for a clean Philippines.

Filipinos love basketball and makeshift games on the streets of the neighborhood were everywhere.  Note the key drawn on the road and the boys foot wear.

Some people had important things to discuss.

Proud dad holding up his little one.

A troop of kids in Sunday best heading to church.

Everyone I encountered were friendly and wanted their picture taken.

This little guy was not sure what to make of me.

Everyone seemed happy being with one another.  

A family in front of their home.

This little girl was in front of her home.  Note the coal and the slippers on her feet.

Families would set up in front of their homes and watch the action on the lively street.

Some more basketball.  

People were very friendly and said hello.

A few local stores selling their wares.  Here you can get a coke for about 20 cents Canadian.   

I remember before the advent of cable tv, video games, and computers that neighborhood streets in Canada were alive with kids playing and neighbors outside saying hello.  Kind of sad that for the most part in Canada neighborhoods resemble ghost towns as everyone stays inside.  Ok weather is an issue, but I think gadgets and maybe even fear are keeping people in Canada from the healthy interaction I saw and experienced while wandering a Manila neighborhood.

God bless you all.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk  

Reverend Roberto Z. Rigodon

Reverend Roberto Z. Rigodon

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever.  Amen.
Romans 11:36

My Dear Great Ones,
Celia's father Roberto Z. Rigodon passed away on September 17, 2015 after a lengthy illness.  He was 68.  It is truly a testimony to how Roberto lived that he will have three funerals.  The demand from people to pay their last respects has been so great it has to be done this way.  Roberto was a husband, father, reverend and missionary.  He studied and read the Bible and hundreds of Christian theological books extensively throughout his life.  Really he should have been considered for a doctorate degree, so deep was his knowledge of the Bible and Christian theology. Roberto was a founding father of almost twenty churches in the Philippines.  Most of these churches continue today, with some growing so much they have had to add new satellite churches to their fold.  He also lived in Hong Kong with his family and it became his base for many trips into China, where he delivered Bibles and encouragement to hundreds.

Yet, Roberto will be mainly remembered for his loving concern for his family and for the less fortunate in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China.  He was also the spiritual father and mentor of many pastors and others in the Philippines/Hong Kong and his love and wisdom will never be forgotten.  Roberto did the hard work of discipling many.

I personally did not get to know Roberto very well, but his blessing for my marriage to his daughter Celia was a great gift.

Roberto Rigodon reminds me of the great line from, "Its a Wonderful Life."  Near the end of the movie George Bailey's brother proposes a toast to him, "To my brother George, the richest man in Bedford Falls."  He was not referring to the amount of money George had, but to the positive impact he had on his community.  An impact that made everyone's life that he touched better and richer.  Roberto was a man like that.  His faith in God, his deep love for Him, touched everyone he meet in a special way. He stored treasure in heaven and it was priceless.

Rest in peace Roberto and I am sure someday we will be with you in sweet heaven.

God bless you all.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk     

Some Very Interesting Plants

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

I have a soft spot for plants.  I just find them amazing and a great example of God's genius.  I wish however that I was a genius in terms of remembering their names.  So for your amusement I will give those I don't know my own nickname.  

 This thistle can be found on Nose Hill, Calgary.  My name:  Purple exploding nova thistle.

 Ok I got this.  Wildrose.  Alberta's flower.

 Got this one too.  Brown Eyed Susan.  Found in Alberta.

Seen in San Francisco botanical garden.  A must see.  My name: Sweet pink daisy.

 Hey I know this:  Snap dragons found on Prince Edward Island.

 San Fran Bot Garden;  My name:  Orange swamp pansies.

 Seen on Lamma.  My name:  White lady slippers.

 San Fran Bot Garden.  My name:  Pink volcano thistle.

 San Fran Bot garden.  My name: Yellow crown swan flower.

 San Fran Bot garden.  My name:  Mini white lady slippers.

So thats it for this week.  Don't forget to stop and admire the flowers.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Cool Panoramas

My Dear Great Ones,

Here are a few panorama shots taken by Celia and myself this past summer:

Logan's Pass:  Montana USA

At the border between Alberta and Montana.

On Nose Hill: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

View of the  Alberta Prairie. 

Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada

Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Confederation Bridge, Prince Edward Island-NewBrunswick, Canada

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Taal Volcano, The Philippines

Reyes Point, California, USA

AT and T Park, San Francisco, California, USA

Celia and I both feel very blessed that we were able to see some wonderful people and places this past summer.  God is great!

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk