virile ego's perspective

March pick is Miguel's Ilustrado. Published 2008, but always associated in daily life.

I want to close my eyes and wish that when I open them, I'm back here, with you, The Weepies singing. And let's bring some beer. (at Sabtang, Batanes)

Those Christmas lights light up the street Maybe they'll bring her back to me Then all my troubles will be gone Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on. 🎄💡🎄💡🎄 #AlwaysColdplay (at Taal, Batangas)

Oh the sunken and hidden places. 🍃🌿

I would have never known, until these two told me so. 💯 (at Mariveles, Bataan)

There is this thing that I realized on climbing mountains. It is the best way to free your mind to the full extent. You will drop everything on your mind and just focus on how you can reach the summit and descend on the foot. You cannot worry about your work, your shaking relationships and any problem there is; because mountain climbing is just you, your strength and defying the height. (at Mt. Tarak Summit, Mariveles, Bataan)

The night was for unlimited bottles of below-zero beer, smores, nuts and trail mix, good ribs, cold December breeze and nice chats with old fellows from younger years over candle light, twinkling orange bulbs and bright Saturday night sky. Couldn't think of how it can get any happier. We slayed. #SlayBatch2005 #HighSchoolNeverEnds (at Batangas City, Philippines)

Sky is never the limit.

And sometimes I would ask myself, what have we done to deserve all these God's beauty? (at Marlboro Country, Batanes)

With all the magnanimous rock formations, greenest vast of land and relaxing echo of waves, one thing I would never forget about Batanes is its crisp, pure and unimpaired fresh air. It was like breathing for the first time. And if you're staying in the metropolis for quite a while, you would definitely know the difference. #WhenInBatanes #LxBatanes (at Sabtang Island, Batanes)

There lies a humble place for worship sitting atop a foothill and inspired by the traditional stone houses of Batanes. The Mt Carmel Church, locally known as Tukon Church ('tukon' means mountain in the Ivatan language), is rested by the shadow of nearby Mt. Iraya and resonated by the waves of the West Philippine Sea. #WhenInBatanes #LxBatanes (at Mt. Carmel Church, Basco, Batanes)

Stone houses compacted with cobblestones, coral rocks and limestones-- roofed with foot-thick cogon grass, and steadily standing for hundred years now, are truly a genuine Ivatan icon. They are made to withdstand heavy wind and torrential rains which by the way is a commom part of life to the locals; hance, tagging them as the most resilient province. Another icon known is the Talugong, a vest made of dried palm leaves, used to protect the Ivatans from rain, wind and sun. The female counterpart is the Vakul, which is worn overhead. #WhenInBatanes #LxBatanes (at Savidug, Batanes, Philippines)

#WhenInBatanes Tha Valugan (meaning 'east' in the Ivatan dialect) Boulder Beach offers a long stretch of big and small masses of rock facing the Pacific Ocean. Locals believe that these boulders are remains from the erruption of Mt. Iraya hundred years ago and and were formed and smoothened by waves and age. Goes to show that #Batanes will really rock your world. Lol 🌋⚫ (at Valugan Boulder Beach, Basco Batanes)

#WhenInBatanes one of the gorgeous spots, which is usually a prelude to the South Batan tour, is the Chawa View Deck at the west coast of Mahatao town. It offers a very nice vantage point of the western Batan Island, its extending coastline and the West Philippine Sea. One can also take the concrete stairs leading the rocky shore. This spot never fails to offer a view of the gorgeous fusion of Batanes' greens and bluest waters. 🌳🌞🌊 #LxBatanes (at Chawa View Deck, Mahatao, Batanes)

One Sunday by the bay and fragile walls.

Ordinary people in an ordinary place on such an ordinary time.

Genuine leather straps at their finest, made right before your eyes. Go support local. 😊 (at Blue Bay Walk)