Ryan Lochte Takes Over!

London Olympics 2012
London, England

This is what Lochte said when NBC's Matt Lauer asked, "What will the headline be after the 400m-Individual Medley? Against a 4-time Olympian-14-Gold-2-Bronze-medalist who’s pumped up to snatch 3-more to become the most be-medaled Olympian in history, this declaration may just be a dream or wishful thinking. But if 6-time Olympic medalist Lochte performs as well as he did at the US Trials and the World Championships, it could be a self-fulfilling prophesy. When asked to comment, Phelps hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let the pool talk...."

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Fresh Sea Water

Bantayan Island

Cebu, Philippines

With a red plastic container a boy drew water from the sea. It was low tide and the rocky seabed emerged showing patches of sea-grass, underwater crevasse and a fresh-water well - amidst salty seawater! How is it possible? Earthquake - "It does dramatic changes to a landscape and may sometimes make overland streams go under while allowing it to continue to flow." 

So, subterranean streams, from the surrounding hills, feed this well. I removed my shoes to have a closer look then buried my face on this extraordinary sprout to taste it. “Fresh water!”
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Poks

Urbiztondo

La Union

After smooth cutbacks and floaters and airs, he rode the wave all the way to the shore where I sat. “Nice ride.” I said. He nodded and hopped for his walking stick stuck on the sand. It was 2008, the year I met my friend Poks for the first time. With only one leg, he's showing determination and courage every time he paddles out to surf. We’re still shocked at his loss. The point was firing but no one paddled out yesterday because he might be out there waiting for that perfect wave. “All yours bro. They are all yours….”
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Tiger Man

City Hall subway station

Seoul

An elderly was selling hand-painted tigers at a subway station. They were quite impressive and I decided to buy one with my 10 dollars. He shook his head and explained the price (30 Dollars) in Korean, but I pretended to be confused. This went on for a while…. Finally, he took my Ten Dollars, rolled the tiger print and handed it over to me. I took a deep breath smiling broadly saying, kamsahamnida!  But he just mumbled in Korean. I think I knew what he meant: “Forget the thank you wise guy. Just get the tiger and go!”
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Sleep Walk

Cebu

Philippines

She said she bumped into a man on the street because she slept while walking. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but by her looks, I can tell she wasn’t joking nor was she in the mood to make one. It was already passed midnight. To make ends meet she has to sell chicharon during daytime then balot at night. After finishing all balot in the basket I said, “Here, and keep the change.” She managed a faint smile, took the basket and walked away….

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The Terminator

Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles

I was cruising along Santa Monica Boulevard when the light turned red. I stopped. Beside me on the next lane was a familiar face. He was driving an inconspicuous black Toyota sedan. With the thick forehead and square jaws, his features were unmistakable despite the dark glasses. It was Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has that same countenance when he uttered the immortal "I’ll be back!" He felt my stare. But before he could turn, the light turned green. "I’ll catch you again Terminator!" I said to myself with a grin....

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Cuffed Limbs

The Galleon
Talima, Cebu

This dive site is now called The Galleon, home to huge sweetlips and groupers. A wooden-hulled boat was sunk here. Brought so close to the wall, the surge pushed it to the edge, breaking it in two. Now what is left is the bow, perched on the reef front, rigged by steel wires to rocks. And since most of the wooden planking already decayed, what remains is the skeletal framework shaped like a ribcage. With the rigging, it looked like cuffed limbs outstretched to the heavens. It's only a matter of time before the steel wires pull the bow apart....

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Mixed Up

At Home

Los Angeles

My four-year old asks non-stop questions, mostly ridiculous. Then she said: “Dad why do skins of carabaos tight while those of cows loose?” This is actually a local legend back home. I answered, “Because the ones carabaos wear are for cows and those worn by cows belong to the carabaos.” Here’s the story: Once upon a time, their skins were removable. One day, instead of working in the field they swam by the river when the master suddenly arrived! In their haste, their skins were mixed up! As punishment, the master made their skins permanent…. “Really?” “Really....”

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Windy

Wind Farm
San Gorgonio Pass

In jest, I told Carla, “It’s good you have huge electric fans here otherwise, the heat will be unbearable.” For miles on end you see nothing but tall, white columns topped with oversized propellers all lined up in this endlessly rolling hills. They face different directions to catch wind wherever it blows. Some turning, some still. These are wind-powered turbines generating electricity for this town and beyond....
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Rattled

Willits, Mendocino County
Northern California

When we came, a patch of mountain was cleared to let sunshine in, in this dense woods. We moved heaps of tree trunks cut in one-meter logs to be used as steps in the terraced slopes. Matt was resting after being stung by yellow jackets nesting in the ground. I lifted a log to the wheelbarrow when I heard hissing. I looked down - a rattlesnake was aiming to strike at my face! Out of reflex, I dropped the log and jumped. It kind of jumped also before retreating. Apparently, man and snake were startled together....
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