Habal-habal: What's in a Name?

 

In the southern part of the Philippines, a motorcycle ride behind a driver for a fee that is common especially in rural and hinterland areas and even in some urban communities is a mode of transportation that is patronized mostly by lower income group of Filipinos is called “habal-habal”. This is also patronized by almost everyone when no other means of transportation is available.

People may wonder how the term “habal-habal” came from. Some people say, especially in the social media, that the word “habal” means to sit close next to each other. That is not correct. The straight forward answer is to copulate. However, this word is only limited to copulation between animals especially pigs. Even though the word “habal” has sexual connotation, this is never used to refer to sexual intercourse between a man and a woman.

“Habal” is a word used in areas that are mostly populated by Cebuano speaking people in the Visayaz and other parts of Mindanao. But most of those who used the word are older generation people. The younger generation do not even know the word. What they know is “habal-habal”, which is a mode of transporting people by means of a motorcycle.

There are people who suggested that the word “habal” has its origin in the Spanish word “jabali” which means boar or an uncastrated adult male pig in English. This is not really a convincing statement for me because “jabali” is not “jabal”. These two words might have different meanings in another language. However, an old method of breeding hogs in the rural setting may give a plausible explanation on how the word “habal-habal” came about.

In the past, especially in raising pigs in the backyard, it was the practice of people owning a boar or “jabali” in Spanish to lend it to others who had a sow in order that the pigs would breed and both parties had to share with the offspring in proportion to what they had agreed upon. In that context “habal”, a verb, is the act when a boar mate with a sow. So, therefore, the Spanish noun “jabali” which is turned into a verb has taken a completely different meaning.

As years go by, with the increase in people’s population and the need for more public transportation even a motorcycle is used to carry people to their destinations for a fee. Sometimes, there are even more than one passenger that sit behind the driver. Maybe, at first, people had no word to use for this type of conveyance. And somehow, perhaps, a person with a naughty mind had likened the sight of two or more people riding a motorcycle to that of copulating pigs and coined a new word for the ride. And that word is “habal”. In some cases, in Cebuano, to turn a verb into a noun, one has to repeat same word separated by a hyphen to create a new word. In this case “habal” becomes “habal-habal” which literally means a copulating look motorcycle ride.

Maybe the person who invented the word “habal-habal” out of fun or sheer naughtiness has not imagined that his creation which is a very native and funny sounding word to describe a motorcycle taxi is now a generally accepted word not only in the Visayan regions but also in other regions in the Philippines.

“Habal-habal” is regarded as a poor man’s taxi, but regardless if one rides it, or a real taxi, a motorela, a trisikad, a bus or a private luxury vehicle, the essence of a ride it is to get to his destination. What’s in a name?

My Sony FDR-X3000 Action Camera and Its Accessories

I wanted to upgrade to 4K video resolution since my old Canon EOS 600D is only capable of capturing 1800p video. It is a discontinued model but still works fine for taking still picture and even video up to 1800p which is a high-definition resolution. I did not want to buy a new camera body or switch to mirrorless interchangeable lens camera because that would be expensive for me.

I thought that an action camera was the gadget for my purpose and if I buy one it would be my first. When I went to the mall, I came across little cameras in a store that sells Sony electronic products. They looked much different than the traditional ones I used to have. They were small, compact, and light. I gave that Sony FDR-X3000 a go because it was sold at a much lesser price than when it was first originally introduced into the market in 2016.

My action camera came with Sony RM-LVR3 live view monitor. This separate device functions as the remote control and display monitor of the camera which does not show the image the lens is seeing. The remote came with a charger and a cradle where the remote is mounted on, and a wrest belt where the cradle and remote are fitted into. On my wrist the remote looks just like an ordinary digital watch. I felt that the belt which came with the monitor was not comfortable on my wrist so that I replaced it with an ordinary NATO watch strap which I found to be a better fit and good on my wrist. And since then, use the remote with that NATO watch strap.

In addition, the action camera also came with an underwater housing that should enable me to go underwater up to a depth of 60 meters continuously for 30 minutes. The remote control though is waterproof only at 3 meters with 30 minutes of continued use. Other items included in the bundle were the micro-USB cable, rechargeable battery pack and an attachment buckle.

The 4K resolution Sony FDR-X3000 is primarily a video camera although I can also take still pictures with it. Other useful features include time lapse capture, loop recording and live streaming. Using the camera, I found it convenient and practical especially for recording video. I can say that it is an improvement to my Canon DSLR as far as the quality of video even at 1800p is concerned. In addition, it is also much smaller and lighter so that using the camera and remote alone without any other accessory makes using them unnoticeable to most people. The action camera is also ideal for use in action filled scenes like hiking, mountaineering or mountain biking and other activities where a hands-free operation would be preferable by mounting the camera to the appropriate accessories which is available online.

People with poor eyesight like me may barely make out the image display in the remote because the screen is too small. Fortunately, I can pair the camera with a smart phone for control and display. A Sony apps can be downloaded from the Play Store for free. However, the phone works for the action camera only with a wi-fi signal. Without it I can go by with the use of the remote control which can pair with the camera all the time.    

             

  A Sony finger grip puts the camera and the remote on a single accessory which gives me convenient operation of the camera and view of the monitor. In place of the Sony finger grip I can attach the remote or the smart phone and the camera also in a single accessory with the use of a selfie stick or monopod by fitting it with a smart phone or a remote on a holder and clip. The advantage of a monopod is that I can take video with the camera higher over my head by pulling up its sections. It will come in handy when there are people in front of me blocking the view of my lens.

A monopod is convenient tool for taking still pictures and video with the Sony action camera. With it attached to the head of the monopod with tripod stand at the bottom, I can take selfie or regular still pictures and video of myself and other people or scenes by pointing the camera lens towards or away from me. And from a distance I will be able to control the camera and see the image display.

There are accessories that are made by the same company as the camera brand. And there are also third -party accessories that are much cheaper than branded ones. Go Pro is an action camera brand with many compatible third-party made accessories that are mostly made in China. Fortunately, these accessories designed for Go Pro can also be used with a Sony action camera. I have just to buy a screw adapter to mount the camera into the accessories. I have bought a set of accessories for Go Pro for use with my Sony action camera. The bundle contained many items, and the most useful ones are the chest harness mount, and the clip mount which can be placed on a backpack. The mountain bike handlebar clip and the adapter screws were separate purchases.

   

Kaffir Lime (Suwa)

kaffir lime is a shrub that belongs to the citrus family. It is called suwa in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The plant can grow up to about 4 meters tall and is easily distinguishable from other citrus plants because of its distinctive “double leaf” look of leaves. Like some citrus shrubs, it has no trunk in the base but stems and branches that have sharp spines.

Suwa has leaves with pleasant limy aroma and small white flowers. Its fruit is excessively sour even when fully ripe. It is ovate in shape with thick skin. Inside it is pulpy juice-containing segments. Because of its sourness, suwa is not commonly consumed by people as a table fruit but as ingredient and flavor for dish especially kinilaw, the Filipino version of the Mexican ceviche. Cebuano speaking people of Northern Mindanao such as those in Cagayan de Oro are fond of eating kinilaw, a fresh fish-based dish. Kinilaw is not complete without the indigenous ingredients of suwa, tabon-tabon, siling labuyo (bird’s eye chili pepper), tuba (coconut bud sap) and vinegar. Other ingredients can be optional depending on the taste or likings of the one who prepares it as well as those who consume it. A squeeze of suwa juice is also best to flavor a Filipino condiment called bago-ong which is made from a brine fermented fish.  

Because of its limited applications, suwa is not grown in commercial scale, but are just mostly grown in the backyard where it can be a decorative or fruit bearing shrub. A single plant of the ever-fruitful Suwa can provide the house owner enough fruits for his needs all year round.

Greening the Shore of Punta, Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro with Mangroves

One of the most visited sites for coastal forest conservation in Cagayan de Oro is the mangrove tree planting and rehabilitation area in Punta, Bonbon. With coordination from CLENRO, different government, non- government organizations, civic groups as well as members of the uniformed service government personnel such as those of the AFP and PNP have been going to the site to give their fair share of effort in planting the shore with mangrove trees.

The activity was halted during the COVID pandemic since people were limited of their movement or restricted to do activities that necessitated their gathering. Now, that the spread of the pandemic has slowed down and the number of infected people brought to a significant minimum, it will be expected that mangrove planting on the shore will soon resume.

Mangrove trees and other salt water tolerant plants are important for the protection of land especially those located near the shore because they keep the soil and sand from being washed away to the sea by the winds and waves that over time make the sea inch closer inland. During natural calamities such as tsunami and typhoons, mangrove forest serves as wind and wave brake that lessen the impact of the destructive force of said phenomena before they can reach and wreak havoc on human settlement area near the shore.  

A mangrove forest is a breeding ground and sanctuary for different aquatic marine animals such as fishes, crabs, shells, and even insects. It can also attract birds that hunt for foods therein. In this forest is an ecosystem where plant and animal species are dependent to each other for their continuing existence.

It is now evident that the effort of the people has now borne fruit. Cluster of trees planted long ago has evolved into a small forest. Other trees are now tall and young ones show sign of surviving into maturity. Patches of area on the dark shore are gradually turning green and probably in the future said places will also turn into a mangrove forest.

Mangrove tree planting on the shore of Punta, Bonbon is only one of the activities conducted for the preservation of the environment. Other activities done by cause oriented people in the city include tree planting in such vulnerable areas as river sides, hills and mountains and cleaning of waterways such as creeks and rivers to rid them of obnoxious garbage like plastic bags and other plastic products.

It goes without saying that the development to the greening project is symbolic to the people’s desire and determination to work together to attain an eco-friendly environment which is livable and safe to the community.

See related post by clicking on the link below:

Mangrove Planting, the Making of Mangrove Forest on the Shore of Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro https://lapasan-myblognoel145.blogspot.com/2017/04/mangrove-planting-making-of-mangrove.html

Tubajon Aquamarine Park

 Tubajon Aquamarine Park is a 22-hectare government protected area in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. Its terrain features include a vast mangrove forest and coral reefs along the shore.   

Protecting natural resources such as those in Tubajon is important for our environment because mangrove forest and coral reefs serve as breeding and feeding grounds and sanctuary for fishes, sea turtles and invertebrates. Coral reefs and mangrove forest can also mitigate damage to offshore area inhabited by people by cushioning the impact of big waves caused by natural calamities such as tsunami and typhoon.  Without wave brakes, the impact of said natural phenomenon could be catastrophic.

Since 2002 local government units have made the place not only a nature park but also a tourist destination for local and other visitors. One must pay 50 pesos for an entrance to the park. Its attractions include a walk through the mangrove forest via the bamboo bridges that lead to the makeshift bamboo dock for boats. The dock also serves as a platform for visitors who wish to swim in the water. Along the bamboo bridges are cottages for a fee ranging from 200 to 1,000 pesos if they wish to stay at the forest for several hours.

For visitors from other places, his stay at the park is somewhat not complete without a short trip to the waters where the coral reefs are located. To do it, he must hire a boat for the tour. The fee is about 700 per hour. It should be desirable if the boat is a glass bottom one to see what is under the water. On board he can see the corals and fishes, and if he is lucky enough the sea turtles. Sometimes, sea turtles are not on sight during a ride on a motorized boat.

It is best to go there on a private car or a public utility van. The reference point is a road junction with a wet market on the corner in Mauswagon, Laguindingan. Just follow that road going north or toward the sea and it will lead you to your destination.

A Sunflower Farm In Kinawe, Libona, Bukidnon

Sunflower is an herb that produces brilliant, mostly big yellow flowers. The plant is still not yet so plentiful in the Philippines that a farm growing it attracts people’s interest. For cut flowers, people prefer roses, orchids and other flowers. Most people grow sunflower as ornamental plant because it is a beautiful sight in their garden. The flowers face the direction of the sun or the east in the early morning and follows the sun as it goes westward. When they mature, the flowers stop that movement, and just face east and droop down because they become too heavy for their stem to stay erect. The seeds of the sunflower can be extracted with oil for various industrial applications including cooking oil.

In Libona, Bukidnon a farm called Kinawe Blooming Farm is growing sunflower and other flowering plants with sunflower as its main produce. People go to the farm to see a sunflower, and to have a picture or video with the sunflowers and other plants as a backdrop. Entrance fee is 50 pesos which is consumable which means that the amount can be used to buy a farm produce of that amount.

Visitors to the farm can eat at the Blooming Farm Café when their presence there coincides with their meal or snack time. Other amenities include a ride on a cart drawn by a Brahman bull at a fee of 25 pesos per person. The cart axle though is not provided with leaf springs so that when one is on the cart he should prepare for a jolt on the buttocks when the wheels hit a bumpy ground.

The farm is about a 20 to 30 minutes ride from Cagayan de Oro through the Indahag- Kiliog route. It is best to go there if visitors have their own cars. One can also avail of a public transport on a PUJ that ply the route. But having that ride back home when its late in the afternoon might be difficult.                     

The best time to be in the farm when one’s purpose is to take pictures or create video is in the early morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not yet too high up in the sky. Hot sunlight is harsh to the skin and body. In addition, a very bright sunlight will create undesirable shadows and contrast to pictures, whereas a cloudy weather with no rain and a diffused sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon shortly after sunrise or before sunset will give an appealing contrast and look to pictures.

My Watches

Time was when the local watch market in the 60’s was dominated by Swiss made brands. But as the years went by the advent of Japanese made watches made them the choice of the locals because of their durability, quality and price.    

When I was young my first watch was a Swiss made hand wound hand-me-down from my brother. Becoming a soldier later I used to buy either a Seiko or a Citizen as my timepiece. I couldn't remember anymore where my old watches went. For all I know, they were probably lost because in the military I didn't have a permanent place of residence. Most often, I moved from one place to another depending on the contingency of the service.                                                                        

As a person I always like to have a watch on my wrist to glance at the time at any moment. This is the reason why I sort of having a watch collection. But my watches are not expensive they are just cheap to modestly priced ones from reputable brands. I don't buy expensive watches because I don't consider then as investment. If I had the means, I would rather buy jewelry because gold appreciate in price overtime.                                                                                                                                                       

Most of my old watches were automatic. Their movement is powered by a rotor that spins with the motion of the hand. In the late 60s the quartz technology was introduced taking the watch industry by storm. This technology enabled manufacturers to make more accurate watches at a much cheaper price than the traditional mechanical watch. Furthermore, the watch can be easily manufactured thus facilitating the mass production of cheaper watches. Quartz watches keep time through a battery which electrifies its tiny crystal. They can measure exact time to within half a second per day whereas an automatic watch is accurate to within 5 to 10 seconds per day. Battery of a quartz watch can last for about a year or two.

Despite their soundness, quartz watches are frowned upon by some people because they looked cheap and not durable. And they don’t look good enough to be seen on one’s wrist. On the other hand, mechanical watches are more expensive, built like a tank, and can even outlive their owners. A quartz movement looks like a piece of electronic parts while a movement of mechanical watch is composed of tiny metal gears and other parts that display great craftmanship and precision engineering in their production.

After several years when I settled back for good in my city, I bought an automatic Japanese made Orient watch. Although its movement is run through the traditional mechanical technology, its make and some features have the trappings of a modern mechanical watch. It has an open-heart black dial, a case back display, and a bracelet with push button clasp. In addition, it has a hackable second hand, and the movement can also be hand wound.

Although I had some Casio digital watches in the past, my first experience with analog quartz watch came when my sister gifted me with a Timex watch. When its battery ran out, I thought that it was totally broken so that I replaced it with a newer Timex version- a field watch. Sending my old broken Timex to a watch maker, I found out that it only needed a new battery and crown replacement. Since then, that watch is still active with me although I use it only sometimes. I like both of my Timex because of their indiglo feature which give sufficient illumination on the dial in the dark.

I like simple looking watches, but on the other hand, I am fascinated too with watches with sub dials and multiple hands. In this regard I have with me my Timex chronograph, but I didn’t like it because the second hand is small and situated in a sub dial. In its usual place is the chronometer second hand which is still when the chronometer function is not activated. I wanted something other than a chronometer, so that I bought a Fossil stopwatch. I like it because its second hand is placed where it should be in an ordinary watch. I like to see the second hand always moving and not stopping. I’m not really into the special functions of these watches because I rarely use them anyway. It is their aesthetic look that draw me into them.

Being a former soldier, I also have a watch whose features I can associate myself with. Casio is a leading producer of multi-function digital watches. Mine is a solar-powered Casio Pro Trek that aside from keeping the time is also equipped with features that are useful for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. This watch can give compass direction, as well as barometer and altimeter or elevation readings among others. Although these features are not a big deal today because they are accessible through apps in Android phones provided there is an internet signal. In addition, my Casio can determine sunset and sunrise time as well as a stopwatch and chronometer functions. Since it is a solar-powered watch it needs to be always exposed to a light source especially sunlight to keep its battery energized.

Some time for a change especially in social event, I would like to wear a watch that suit the occasion like a dress watch. I have with me a cheap quartz dress watch. This is a Citizen watch with a rectangular shape with the dial markers or indices set in stones which make it look distinct from all the others that I owned.

In today’s age, a person can just get along without having any wristwatch at all. His smart or other phone can tell him the time. I for one have a Vivo smart phone that can also serve as a timepiece. It can be downloaded with apps of my own likings through the Android play store. I can even download GPS navigation apps for free. An internet signal though is needed to access those apps.

The advantage of a wristwatch over a cell phone in keeping up with the time is that wristwatch is made to withstand adverse weather condition such as rain. One should not worry to get caught in the rain with his watch drenched in water. But not so with cell phone. Contact with huge amount of liquid may permanently damage the phone.

At present I tend to prefer a quartz watch over a mechanical watch although I will say that ’m still a fan of the latter. I don’t wear my Orient every day, and when I take it off my wrist and put it away in my drawer or somewhere else for several days or a week, it stops running. And this is really something I don’t like since I must reset the watch hands and shake its automatic mechanism to reactivate it. My quartz watches on the other hand can keep on running even if they are off my wrist for days, weeks or even months. And when I want to wear them again, I just have to put them back on my wrist without any bother at all.