A Fading Memory

A Fading Memory

April 18, 2020

Pure, innocent, otherworldly;

A fading memory of my love and pain -

You were but the best part of my every dream.

-Diary of the Earl

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Thanks God I've completed this art.
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It Is Not Good For Me To Be Alone

It Is Not Good For Me To Be Alone
December 7, 2018

At one peaceful night, I was sitting on top of a boulder near a coconut tree under the twinkling multitude of stars pinned in the black curtains of the night sky;

Beside the seas during a beautiful view of colorful orangey sunrise, I was sitting in the pebbles watching the waves race to the beach like white-clothed people marching forward in the streets to take down thrones of kings and queens vanishing in the sands of time;

Each time I climbed Mt. Casambat, I was immersed in the greenery of ricefields and guava trees and cogon grasses as their leaves sway like korean pop dancers at the sounds of the touch and whispers of the wind;

Yet amidst the beauty and serenity and peace and balance of these fab creations,

I still felt that it was not good for me to be alone.

The world was perfect and the creation should have stopped when I was created,

Yet when I was asleep and snoring at the comfort and security of flora and fauna inside the garden,

In the same manner that I was molded using bare hands, 

She was separated from me and received life.

There and thereafter without her returning to my embrace giving back the warmth that would make my heart beat faster, 

Like a stampede of horses running towards safety away from the fangs of the chasing lions and lionesses, I shall never be complete.

Behold, I raise my hands to the heavens,

My soul roaring at the top of my lungs, 

Praying for the fate to let me bump with the rest of my ribs and let me be whole again 

And never be broken for eternity.

-Diary of the Earl
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This is your fine start;
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Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

Echoes of Innocent Voices

Echoes of Innocent Voices
December 25, 2019

Homesick;
Nostalgic,
Singing silentnights in the streets of a backwater place at the heart of the pearl of the orient seas,
Peaceful nights,
Dark skies,
Firmament glistening with moon and stars,
Golden clouds and rainbowrings,
Cool breeze and its soft whispers,
Tempos and rhythms of the ocean waves,
Claps and clatters of Narra tree branches,
Orchestra of the crickets, bats and owls,
Little hands playing the tambourines made of bottle caps and iron wires,
Shabby clothes,
Young company and shuffle of innocent voices,
With drums made of tin cans, plastic wraps and rubberbands,
Kids singing, bickering and laughing,
What a melodious night,
Divine,
Oh night, Oh night divine;
Oh how time fades like the sound of a note in a Christmas carol;
Childhood memories echoing to my soul.

-Diary of the Earl
————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
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Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

How Love Is

How Love Is
December 12, 2019

Fog, mist and mystery,
That's how love is
Between her and me.

-Diary of the Earl
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Ngayong Gabi

Ngayong Gabi
December 11, 2019

Sa pagtulog ng haring araw at paggising ng maliwanag na buwan,
Ako'y nakatingala sa madilim na kalawakan binibilang ang nagniningning na mga bituin.
Sa pagkutitap ng mga alitaptap at pagsuyo nito sa reyna ng kadiliman,
Habang tumutugtog ang mga kuliglig ng musikang dinig ng puso,
Habang sumasayaw ang mga matataas na puno ng kawayan,
Ngayong gabi,
Iniisip kita.


-Diary of the Earl
————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
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Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

NaTisoy Yata Ako

NaTisoy Yata Ako
December 3, 2019

Nakadungaw sa bintana mag-isang nagbabantay sa saya nang muling pagsilip ni haring araw,
Pinagmamasdan ang pagtampisaw sa bubong na yero ng malalaking butil ng tubig na bumabagsak mula sa tila bang mga mata nang nagnanangis na kalangitan,
Pinakikinggan ang iyak nang malakas na ihip ng hangin na sinasaliwan ng lagaslas ng ulan pagbagsak sa kalsadang semento,
Parang malungkot na musikang pilit pinapapasayaw ang mga kawad ng kuryenteng tambayan ng mga ibong maya di alintana ang lamig ng katawang basang-basa sa ulan
Damang dama ko ang epekto nang malakas na bagyo
Bagyo
Bagyong Tisoy
Tinamaan ng malakas na bagyo ang aking mundo
Malabo, madilim
Balot sa maiitim na ulap ang aking isip
Para akong isang ibong kumakapit sa kawad ng kuryente mag-isa, nalulungkot, umiiyak
Nag-iisip na bumitaw
Tama na ba?
May tama na naman kasi

Tama ba na masaya akong kinakasama sya?

Kahit alam kong inilaan sya para sa iba?
May mali yata sa pinaggagagawa ko?

Awit
Taenangyan
Aaaammmmpppp

-Diary of the Earl
————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

Ito Ay Isang Pangitain

Ito Ay Isang Pangitain
November 26, 2019

Bukas, sa makalawa, sa hinaharap;
Sa pagtigil nang takbo ng oras ng mundo;
Sa pagbagsak ng mga talang sumabog mula sa kalangitan;
Sa paglaho ng takipsilim at bukang-liwayway;
Sa pagnangis ng duguang buwan;
Sa pagkupas ng langit at lupa pagsapit nang nakatakdang wakas ng panahon,
Habang nagdiriwang ang mga bansang tinatamasa ang kalayaan at kalayawan;
Habang may mga tulang nabubuo at mga salitang nilalapatan ng musika;
Habang ang karamihan ay patuloy na nabibigo, nangangarap at umiibig;
Habang ako'y nakaupo sa gitna ng damuhan at nagpapakalunod sa kapayapaang hatid ng lawa ng bulaklak at mga paru-parong tila bang lumalangoy sa agos ng halimuyak na tinatangay ng hanging banayad;
Habang ika'y nasa aking tabi na ninanamnam ang tamis nang pagsalubong sa mga araw at sandali,
Na handang harapin ang nakatadhanang pagguho ng sangdaigdigan,
Nakatali ang ating mga kamay sa iisang pangakong di bibitaw hanggang sa pagdating ng bagong langit at lupa,
Na magsasamang naka hapay-yuko sa isang sulok sa bandang dulo ng milyon-milyong buhay sa harapan ng banal, banal, banal na kabanal-banalang Hari,
Hanggang sa dulo nang walang wakas na paghahari.
Ito ay isang pangitain nang ating kabanalang tagpo,
Na unang nabuo sa isip at sa mga panaginip.
Gumising na't ika'y aking kakatagpuin sa lugar na itinakda ni Bathala,
Bigyang buhay ang naisulat na tadhana.

-Diary of the Earl
————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

Thanksgiving Day 2019

Thanksgiving Day 2019
November 24, 2019

Nakahiga sa sahig na kahoy,
Nakatitig sa kisameng kulay ulap ng tanghaling tapat,
Nakaunat ang dalawang paang nakatapak sa puting dingding,
Nakatingin sa kurtinang pilit tinutulak ng hangin na tila bang nagpupursiging makapasok para ako'y yakapin ng lamig,
Nakikinig sa radyo ng kapitbahay na tugtog ay musikang makalangit,
Iniisip ang sinag ng bagong umagang di nasilayan, at
Inaalala ang gabing nagdaan na sakit ng ulo ang hatid kinabukasan.
Thanksgiving Day pala ngayon pero nakakulong sa kwarto,
Masakit ang ulo, naku po!
Pakisampay nga yung mga damit na nilabhan ko buong araw kahapon.
Last na to Jef,
Di ako bibigay sa kulit mo magyaya tuwing may mix kang pinagmamalaki.
Gagayahin ko si Bert na di natinag na naglights lang o di na talaga.
Si Jayr naman di nagpapapilit pag ako nagyaya at si PReyes naman di na bumalik dala dala ang hangin ng kabataan pag-alis.
Swerte nyo kasi masarap ang bangon nyo ngayong Thanksgiving Day.

-Diary of the Earl
————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

The Sunset is Beautiful in Cavite

The Sunset is Beautiful in Cavite
November 22, 2019

Each time when it is not very cloudy in Cavite, I always find a good spot to watch the beautiful sunset. Then I pray and thank God for creating day and night, morning and evening, sunrise and sunset.

Sunset is a sign for me to take some rest, a terminal. When the sun sets and the bright stars illuminate the dark sky, there I was slumbering in my deathbed. Each night at the corner of a dark universe I die. It's a goodbye for yesterdays, a closure, an ending.

Then I wake up taking with me the experiences of yesterday: happy and sad, glorious and shameful, thankful and vengeful. As I wake up, I undergo rebirth with showers of all things new: love and hope, grace and mercy, favors and blessings.

We reached a terminal in our relationship - a sunset. This isn't a goodbye, this is a goodnight. Let's rest our sleepyheads, move forward and dream sweetly. Maybe tomorrow we'll be guided by the morning star and our hearts will meet again. Maybe.

The sunset is beautiful in Cavite. The sunrise is spectacular in Romblon. And maybe swimming in the shallow waters of Siargao is more refreshing during sunny days.

-Diary of the Earl
————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

My Life is Yours

With your dazzling light, my imperfect face is hidden;

My tarnished name bathes in Your honor and glory;

With your abounding grace and mercy, there is forgiveness;

With me beneath your wings,

I am secured;

Under Your leading, my battles are no longer mine;

In Your doting eyes, I am favored.

O God, let this servant shout Your fame!

Let this heart of mine be overwhelmed by this privilege!

Let my mind never stop thinking about Your holy name!

O soul, sing praises! 

Bow down in worship with all your strength!

O God, my life is Yours!

With Your careful and wonderful hands, You shook me.

I can see Your tears while my spirit crumbled and broken,

All for the sake of promise bound to be fullfilled;

That I may soar with You as You bring me to greater heights.

Shake the shakeable,

And let loose all that bind my foot.

May I become unbreakable

Forever still in my perfect hiding place.

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This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

Ang Nag-iisang Utos (Unang Bahagi)

"Bawal Magtapon ng Basura Dito! by Order: Utos"

Basa ni Takot sa nakasulat sa tabla na nakapako sa puno ng mahogany sa tabi ng gabundok na basura. Ang mga letra ay nakasulat gamit ang kulay puting pintura samantalang ang buong tabla naman ay may pintura na kulay dugo. Glossy paint yata ang ginamit dito at halatang bagong gawa pa lang ito dahil sa amoy na parang kerosene. Agaw pansin ang karatula dahil sa kanyang kulay at laki.

Magdadalawang taon na akong nagtatapon dito ng basura tapos pagbabawalan mo akong magtapon dito ngayon ng basura?

Magdadalawang taon nang nagtatapon si Takot ng basura dito. Lahat ng kanyang kapitbahay ay dito din nagtatapon ng basura. Makikitang ang gabundok na basura ay galing sa mga nakatira dito sa purok.

Ang tapunan ng basura na ito ay mas matanda pa kay Takot. Bago pa lang sya maging limang taong gulang, ang kanyang tatay ay dito din nagtatapon ng basura simula pa noong bagong kasal pa lang sya. Mahigit isang taon din bago naipanganak si Takot. Kung tutuusin, ang edad ng tapunan ng basura na ito ay nasa walong taong gulang.

Utos, kung sino ka man... Who you ka sa akin!

Binuhat ni Takot ang dala dalang sako ng basura paakyat sa gabundok na basura. Nang nasa tuktok na sya ng gabundok na basura, hinawakan ng kanyang dalawang kamay ang ilalim ng sako pabaliktad habang kanyang ibinubuhos ang buong laman na basura. Kumalat ang mga dahon, mga papel, mga plastic at mga tira ng gulay at isda.

Yikes. Inuod na yung mga nabulok na basura sa bandang ilalim ng sako. Ambaho!

Hinigpitan ni Takot ang kanyang apat na daliri na nakahawak sa sako. Ipinanganak si Takot na dalawa ang daliri sa bawat kamay. Mayroon syang hinlalaki at isa pang mas malapad na daliri na parang pinagsanib na hintuturo at hinliliit. Winasiwas ni Takot ang sako para mailabas lahat ng mga naiwang basura.

Makapag-igib na nga ng tubig.

Bagamat ipinanganak na may kapansanan, si Takot ay masipag. Simula noong limang taong gulang pa lamang sya, naaasahan na sya sa mga gawaing bahay.

Dala dala ang sakong pinaglagyan ng basura, pumunta si Takot sa may poso para mag igib ng tubig. Makalipas ang limang minuto, narating ni Takot ang poso. Ang poso ay nasa limandaang metro ang layo sa tapunan ng basura.

Kinuha ni Takot ang kulay bughaw na balde na nasa tabi ng puno ng langka. Inilagay nya ang balde sa ilalim ng bunganga ng poso. Dahan dahang ibinomba ni Takot ang poso hanggang sa mapuno ng tubig ang balde. Ang balde ay nagkakalaman ng anim na litro ng tubig bago ito umapaw. Nang umapaw na ang tubig, binuhat ni Takot and balde at itinabi ito sa may puno ng langka.

Kung didiligan ko ba ang langka na ito, babalik kaya ito sa dati nyang malagong buhay?

Noong makalipas na dalawang taon, ang puno ng langka sa tabi ng poso ay may mga malagong dahon at minsan ay nagkakabunga pa. Ngunit ngayon, ang puno ng langka ay nasa bingit na ng kamatayan.

Ibinomba ulit ni takot ang poso para hugasan ang sako. Matapos ito ay tinupi ni Takot ang sako at binuhat ang balde pauwi sa kanilang bahay.

Araw-araw tuwing alas singko ng umaga, si Takot ay nag-iigib ng tubig. Paminsan minsan, si Takot ay may dala ding sako ng basura. Ang sako ng basura ay napupuno makalipas ang tatlong araw, minsan ay apat na araw.



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This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

I in Your World

You are a noble,
Exalted upon birth,
Matchless in qualities,
Grand in bearing,
Superior in character.
Your face,
As beautiful as the sun
In the summer noon time,
Shines,
Mesmerizes,
Dazzles.
Your eye is a universe;
Boundless in compassion
Like its space,
Abundant in mercy
Like its stars.
Your ears hear
My every heartbeat
Expose the hidden
Desires of my heart.
You hold the planets
In one hand;
Time is like an ornament
To your finger;
Your glory is antique
But never aged
And will never be.
Your footstool is Mount Everest;
The Earth's standard
Is beneath your feet.
This is you in your world
Yet you loved me.

Then in my world
You came,
That I may grasp
Your beauty.
You are like mandarinfish
That walked on land,
Colorful, eye-catching
But a freak,
A defiance,
Below ordinary.
You are like a princess
But of a falling kingdom
Waiting to be exploited,
To be freed
Just to be hunted;
Hopeless,
Helpless,
Bound to die.
You are like the full moon
At an April noon time in Cambodia,
Obscure,
Unattractive,
Useless.
You are like a diamond
Amid a famine
Disfavored,
Ignored,
Rejected.
I tried to kill you,
Yet you cried with pity
And embraced me instead.

But I in your world,
Am better off as a servant
Than be deprived of your kindness;
Desire to be a pebble in your garden
Than be shunned.

————————————————————————————
This is your fine start;
Explore the arts;
Read more;
Practice styles;
Then create your own -
Your finest art.

Thanks God I've completed this art.
I'm excited to create my finest art after this.

The Twists

2017 is about to end so for those who I walked with in the twists of my life, thank you so much. You are a twist in itself, a beautiful twist. Happy New Year!

The Twists
Living has a lot of twists.
I may have walk farther
But ended up at the starting point;
It's a second chance for a new beginning.

Living has a lot of twists.
It may hurt when I heard I was wrong,
But it hurts more
When all I believe in were twisted lies.

Twist so beautiful,
Twists around me,
Twists inside me;
And I am perfect with a twist.

Living has a lot of twists.
One day I feel exhausted,
One day I feel like
I accomplished nothing.

Living has a lot of twists.
Yesterday I was healthy.
Today I am ill,
But it's a perfect day to rest and breathe.

Tomorrow is a new year -2018.
Tomorrow I'm older.
Tomorrow is another beautiful twist.
It will be a twist to turn me around,
A twist to loosen me up.

It's a twist that I am grateful still.

Note: This is a repost from my FB account dated December 31, 2017. Also, I resigned from my job in Maybank Kim Eng effective January 1, 2018 to rest and help myself cure the complex right renal cystic mass.

This is your fine start;
Strive to create your own -
Your finest art.

Soliloquy of the Redeemed

Beware, all of you

Because I am a Christian.

Beware of my limits;

Beware of my sinful nature.

If I am perfect,

I don't need saving;

I don't need Christ;

I won't be a Christian.

Rejoice, all of you

Remember I am a Christian.

Grace knows no limits;

Blood washes off sins.

Since I'm made holy,

And I was saved,

And I have Jesus,
I have a Lord.

Ati-Atihan Festival and Sampaguita Gardens

by: Christian Duran

I am not really a fan of festivals. In fact it was just last week that I went to the streets and watch an actual procession for the first time. But it's not hard to fall in love with Ati-atihan festival in Kalibo Aklan. I guess the fact that you can mingle with the dancers in their complete costume and props and dance to the beat of the drums to your feet and heart's content makes you feel at home and part of the celebration. Me and my girlfriend made sure that we won't miss the fun by joining the performers and taking these photos.

We also went to Sampaguita Gardens owned by Mr. Sam Butcher, the artist behind the Precious Moments brand of characters based on American-Christian themes. We entered two houses/mansions. One is filled with antique and sophisticated furnitures.

And the other one is filled with Precious Moments' dolls and figurines with a year-long Christmas theme.

We also went inside the chapel where paintings of Mr. Butcher adorned the walls. The chapel is indeed a good place for meditation.

Monuments and cute animal statues surrounding the place also add to its beauty.

It was really a fun and memorable experience especially because I've spent those moments with the one I love the most. :-)

Pencil Sketch

by: Christian R. Duran


paying attention to shading now.. :-)

Pencil Sketch

by: Christian R. Duran

Sketching has been one of my hobbies since I was a child but I haven't really paid attention to shading. Thanks to my younger brother who's also fond of drawing, I've started to practice shading techniques..

This is my first attempt paying attention to shading. Hopefully, as I continue to sketch, my skill will improve. :-)

It's More Fun in Siquijor

by: Christian Duran

I spent my 2-day vacation leave with my family touring around Siquijor.


Siquijor is a small island. As a matter of fact, it is the 3rd smallest island in the Philippines; you can go around the island in just 4 hours.


But unlike other places where tourist attractions are just one stop spot, Siquijor is literally surrounded by white sandy beaches, waterfalls, natural springs, caves, etc. You can hardly pick which tourist spots you want to visit first.


If you're a nature lover, what more can you ask?


The pictures I have only show about 30% of what the island offers. I haven't explored Siquijor's caves, mountain peaks, mangrove sanctuaries, and all other tourist attractions yet.


Salagdoong Beach - Maria Siquijor

Cambugahay Falls - Lazi, Siquijor

Capilay Spring Park - San Juan, Siquijor

Enchanted Balete Tree with natural spring - Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor

Kawayan Holiday Resort - San Juan, Siquijor

Lazi Convent - the biggest and oldest convent in Asia

Siquijor Bell Tower - Siquijor, Siquijor

Siquijor Port - One of the cleanest ports you'll ever see. The first thing you'll notice when you arrive in Siquijor is that even the port looks like a beach resort.