Adoring the stars of your night

Dreaming of a universe where your eyes are the stars of the night.

In a space that even your whisper attracts comets  to your mystery.

And the planets bows down in awe to your mystical delight.

For you are no less the epitome of an ethereal entity.

Meteors fall, shooting stars flies, and my dreamy eyes

Wishing upon, when only a wish is so much so than it is

If I could reach the moon and back, will fly to Jupiter no less

Then only then, the deity will notice my terrestrial existence

    

Solar flares erupts and my heart goes supernova.

Exploding a beat faster than the speed of light

Excited at the thought and my soul dancing like the aurora

The heavenly goddess herself smiling down tonight

 

 We may be light years away yet I am forever pulled to your gravity

For not a thousand parsecs can I avoid the sparkling lights

Even so, this may only be a dream far off world than reality

I will continue to dream in a galaxy that adores your night

*all images are from nasa.gov

Challenges of bike commuting

Bike commuting to work is not just a challenge...but at times a struggle too.

With bicycle commuting there a lot of concerns and things to consider, particularly with bike to work.

1. You will be sweaty and smelly once you arrive in the office.
2. You have to get up early and ride early to avoid the scorching sun and busy rush hour traffic.
3. Safety concerns when you are up against inconsiderate, unruly motorists.
4. Safety concerns with inconsiderate and undisciplined pedestrians.
5. The need to pack your change of clothes and carry them in your bag. Sometimes your clothes would want to be ironed again once you unpack it in the office.
6. Exposure to the elements, fumes, dust, other particles and rain.
7. Parking space. Yes, sometimes it is a challenge as there will be motorcycles taking your spot at the bicycle designated parking area at the office building parking. I really dislike motorcycles. Either they are plain ignorant and cannot understand parking rules or they just don't care and ignore it. Just the same attitude when they are on the road, complete disregard for traffic rules and lacks road courtesy.
8. It is a struggle to wake up early.
9. Sometimes, you'll feel tired in the office or when you are home later in the day.
10. Vehicles thinking they are entitled and that they own the road. These motorists should be banned from the streets and their driver's license revoked.
11. The proposed or rather new city ordinance for bike registration and biker's permit. -> whiskey tango foxtrot.

However, no matter what the challenges are, I always see to it that I go to work on bicycle at least once in a week. Why?

1. Bike commuting helps to clear my mind for a busy day. 
2. Keeps me alert and alive throughout my busy schedule. 
3. Helps with my savings ;) 
4. I am minimizing my carbon footprint and contributing positively to society by giving Mother Earth some slack and buying her some time to heal a little.
5. Sometimes, no need for a change of clothes, I ride on my office attire. Sometimes. And it is FUN!

Burgers! Burgers! Burgers!

I love eating hamburgers. Actually, whilst most Filipino's can't live without rice, I can on sandwiches alone.

Although I have not been to all hamburger and sandwich parlors in Cebu, there are a few here that are my favorites that I always keep coming back for more.

1. Big Tom's

Probably one of the best burgers in town. The patties are charbroiled, very juicy, delectable and full of flavor. A lot of different burgers to choose from. The Jalapeño burger is my favorite. Their home made sauce is also very good. The place is nice with good ambiance and they present the burgers on a wooden chopping board. I love how it is presented, classy. 

Big Tom's is located along Juana Osmeña St.

2. The Frontgate.

Also one of my favorite place to hang out. Conveniently located near my place in Paseo Banawa.

I come here not only for the burgers, but for their chili fries too. The chili fries is actually potato wedges with chili con carne. Their burgers are also full of flavor with lots of cheese. They also have a lot of burgers to choose from, however I do not like how it is presented in a plastic.

3. Burger Joint.

All time favorite street food burger. Though their burgers are a bit pricey, however still very appetizing and yummy.

4. Army Navy.

I find their classic single quarter pound burger to be very tasteful and satisfying. However it is the starving sailor that is my favorite here over their burgers. Their freedom fries is also something different from the usual fries. 

5. Flame it burgers.

Been around for a while now. Still in the game despite the so many competitors. Their grilled burgers are also one the best tasting that I have tried. Juicy, full of flavor and pure satisfaction. They used to be located in Escario, now they are located at two of the major malls in the city and a new branch at Mabolo. Definitely a must try for visitors of Cebu and for locals too.

I'm a cyclist, still not happy with the Tindak Sugbo Ordinance

Wheew, after a few days of reading news about the bike lanes for Cebu, I am still not over it.

After reading the ordinance (well at least the proposed ordinance before it was passed, I don't think much has changed) I can see some red flags.

On SECTION 5. Rights, Duties and Obligations of Bikers/Cyclist

e.) To keep one hand on the handlebar at all times; 

    - Really? Why? It will now be illegal for a cyclist to keep his/her hands free for a while? We keep our hands away from the handlebar not to do exhibitions or stunts contrary to what non cyclist perceive it to be. We do that to relax our hands and shoulders. All cyclist do this.

h)       To procure the necessary biker’s permit, bike license plate and registration in accordance with existing laws and regulations, such as City Ordinance No. 801, as amended, otherwise known as “An Ordinance Establishing a Traffic Code for the City of Cebu”; and

- this really irked me. Seriously? I said it before in my previous post, this is just a scheme to milk money. Serves no other purpose. Bike lanes yes, registration and biker's permit - hell NO! I have been cycling around the city and outside the city. Nobody bothered about biker's permit and certainly no bike registrations. We get along well, why need this now? Not to mention, this will potentially damage or bicycles. Or just make our bikes look ugly, when we work hard to make it beautiful. Also, this will discourage would be potential bike commuters.

On SECTION 7. Prohibited Acts. The following are prohibited acts:  

g)       No biker shall do any exhibitions and stunts on the Tindak Sugbo Lanes, such as riding on the handlebars and “step nut” riding and the likes.

- I also find this disturbing. Because what non cyclist perceive as stunts are not stunts for cyclist.

Yes, riding on handlebars and step nut riding are stunts, but what about the "likes"? This is a concern.

Riding with my hands free from the handlebar can be considered a stunt to non cyclist, when in fact we are just relaxing our shoulders and hands. Riding while standing on the pedals can be considered a stunt when again we are just trying to relax our glutes and legs.

Under section 4, CITOM will be implementing this ordinance. Well, I do hope they implement first the traffic rules, the very basic traffic laws that are continuously violated in front of their enforcers. Like overtaking on solid yellow line, motorcycles, jeepneys, taxis and some private cars counterflowing traffic on the opposite lane so as to be ahead of others on his lane. And even jaywalkers, they seem to be so tolerable with jaywalkers.

Now with this new ordinance, they will start to police cyclist who do not have both hands on the handle bar, seriously?

While I am happy that Cebu is embracing bicycle commuting, I do hope that people responsible for this can implement this properly. 

I am for bike lanes in Cebu, but now is not the time. Certain issues on road and traffic needs to be addressed first. 

You can read the full article of the Tindak Sugbo Ordinance here.

If the city really supports green transport, then they better promote it - not discourage it.

On the IDEA of Bike lanes, yes I am all for it.

Implementing it now in Cebu, NO I do not support it now.

It is nice to dream of our beautiful city embracing and supporting green and alternative transport. As an avid cyclist, I do wish that my city has bike lanes and that the citizens support bike commuting like they do in Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, London and in any major European cities.

However, reality check this is not Europe and sad to say the citizens of the city lacks discipline and respect for bikers on the road. Traffic is chaotic. Adding bike lanes well not in any way help traffic congestion. More so it will only probably worsen it, at least here in Cebu and possibly anywhere in the country.

Motorists already lack road courtesy and driving etiquette. Cannot follow basic traffic rule nor at least respect pedestrians. Motorcycles driving on the wrong lane opposing traffic hoping the car "in the correct lane with the right of way" will give way so he can overtake all other vehicles and be ahead of others. Motorcycles do this a lot, but so does taxis and some private cars. Resulting to more traffic congestion. This typical driving attitude alone is already a big risk and major concern for cyclist. Adding bike lanes on the right most part of the road will only invite motorcycles to use that lane. Disastrous.

Another concern that should have been thought of is that, aside from the motorists, the general public does not respect bicycle commuters. They see bikes on the road as nuisance, as if cyclist has no right on the road. Pedestrians would just cross the road once it is cleared from motor vehicles, ignoring any bicycles. As a cyclist, you have to adjust even if you still had the right of way. And you'll hear from some of them complaining why cyclist are plying the busy streets.

Although the city is on the right track about alternative transport, the city council should have not done this in haste but in phases.

First, they can require all establishments, offices to have a designated bicycle parking or bike racks.

This way, we slowly integrate and promote bike commuting.

Then, slowly they would address unruly motorcycles and motorists by strictly implementing traffic rules. Actually, not slowly but implement it now like how it is supposed to be.

Third, improve our sidewalks so that it will serve its purpose. Pedestrians need not to walk on the road but on the sidewalks. Clear it from telephone and electrical poles, clear it from sidewalk vendors and other establishments (sari-sari store, hair saloon, food stand who are "squatting'). This alone will greatly improve traffic flow.

Improve the roads, then they can implement bike lanes once we have fluid traffic. That is, motorist would obey traffic laws, respect both pedestrians and cyclist and anyone using the road. Pedestrians and the general public will too recognize bike commuters as rightful road users.

Lastly, do an information drive and educate the public about bicycle commuting and alternative transport.

I do support bike lanes, but certain issues needs to be addressed first before jumping on the bandwagon on "going green" and alternative transport. And before I forget, trash the need for biker's permit and bicycle registration. If the city truly believes on a greener transport to slow climate change, then they better promote bike commuting and not discourage potential bikers.