Khmer Temple in Thailand – Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima

One of the tourist attractions that can be seen in ISAN part or Northeastern is the ancient temple of Cambodian or Khmer.
The historian believes that marks one end of this temple is the ancient Khmer highway from Angkor Wat, located now in Cambodia. The enclosed area of 1020x580m is comparable with that of Angkor Wat. Phimai must have been an important city in the Khmer empire. Most buildings are from the late 11th to the late 12th century, built in the Baphuon, Bayon and Angkor Wat style. However, even though the Khmer at that time were Hindu, the temple was built as a Buddhist temple, as Buddhism in the Khorat area dated back to the 7th century. Inscriptions name the site Vimayapura (which means city of Vimaya), which developed into the Thai name Phimai.
The inventory of the ruins was done in 1901 by the French geographer Etienne Aymonier. Most of the restorations were done from 1964 to 1969 as a joint Thai-French project. The historical park, now managed by the Fine Arts Department, was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on April 12, 1989.
Many believes that Khmer temples was the greatest engineering of ancient time of the world.

Why Khmer?

Khmer is the name of the Empire that was the largest empire of South East Asia based in what is now Cambodia. The empire, which seceded from the kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or visualized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand,Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia. During the formation of the empire, Khmer had close cultural, political and trade relations with Java, and later with Srivijaya empire that lay beyond Khmer's southern border. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, which was the capital during the empire's zenith. Angkor bears testimony to the Khmer empire's immense power and wealth, as well as the variety of belief systems that it patronised over time. The empire's official religions included Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, until Theravada Buddhism prevailed after its introduction from Sri Lanka in the 13th century.

Bangkok scene

When you talked about populated cities in Asia, you're talking "Bangkok" the most populated city, where 30% of the total populations in Thailand were people reside. Most of them are come from the northeast and migrated to the central part, to have a good business opportunities and works, many of them sending their salaries to their families and relatives in the upper portion of the map. As an example of my place in Yasothon where mostly of the parents are working here in Bangkok. The one who take care their children are their old parents so basically the students in the remote provinces are no parenting when they grew up. Majority of them would like to live in the city as they have many opportunities to live with. Well, city is a nice place to leave for leisure’s. Wide-roads and expressways, smooth skyway train and subway train, big malls to shopping, versatile pub and bar for drinking and socializing, extravagant sport recreation and amusement centers, you named it, all of that are easy to see in Bangkok.

My Journey to Roi-Et

It was Friday morning after logging; the school van is rushing to Roi-Et province where the walking Buddha statue stands. The Name Roi Et translates to 101, which refers to the original 11 satellite cities around the main city as well as the 11 city gates. To express the importance of the city the number was exaggerated to 101.

What a lucky day to capture this longest standing Buddha statue in Thailand. Geographical area of this province is covered by plains about 130-160 meters above sea level, drained by the Chi River. In the north of the province are the hills of the Phu Phan mountain range, with the Yang River as the major river. The temple is home to Phra Buddha Rattana Mongkon Maha Munii, also known as Ong Phra Chao Yai or Phra Suung Yai, the tall standing Buddha. Believed to be the tallest, standing Buddha in the kingdom, Phra Buddha Rattana Mongkon Maha Munii stands 67.8 metres high, measured from the base to the top of the crown. The highly revered principle Buddha image stands in the ‘Offering Blessings’ (prang prataan porn). Several rooms located in the basement of the statue serve as a museum. Opening hours: 08.00 – 17.30 hrs.


Camping time – after visiting the Buddha statue, we drop to a small restaurant. One of the famous foods in Thailand is Somtam (papaya salad) that mostly serve and usual food to eat with my companions. A few hours we arrive to the teacher’s camp and chat with some Thai teachers in different provinces. I installed the tents that they give me as my shelter in the night. Chatting and eating is all about in that camp and of course drinking as I remember most Thai teacher’s really good of alcohol drinks. After dinner, I and my friend play cards for an hour. I’m not totally good as they are in playing cards so I bored of playing. Anyway, I feel like I’m bit sleepy, so I start to walk through my tent to sleep. The place is quiet and humid but even that I couldn’t sleep my mind still revolving. I go out my tent and take a look the surroundings, one notice me is the old dead tree that looks so weird to me. I go back and get my camera and take some pictures.

Christian Community - a Priest, a farmer (Northeast of Thailand)

Summer days ahead, more people are in vacation to release stress the from works or studies. I start prepare my things and start buying some souvenir to my relatives and friends. In this sunny season it is good to harvest the crops.

As I remember my journey to Loengnoktha (another district of Yasothon). Most of the villager are helping together to harvest their rice field. I took some pictures with them and they are smiling even the sun is so hot, which is quiet similar to my country when cutting the rice plant to get the grains out. But the rests are rarely different.

(1.) The farmer has their own farm.
(2.) All family members are helping together regardless of their works and profession.
(3.) Neighbors and friends helping each other with compensation amount of 200 baht a day.
(4.) the most I admired – Parish Priest is helping to harvest the rice and earned compensation too.

(The man wearing red scarf is a priest)

I never think that one of the harvesters is a priest of their village. The village is what they called as Ban Nongkhunnoi is where most of the villagers are Christian. The only village that I’ve seen that doesn’t have a Buddhist temple. Long time ago according to the old villager, that this village was converted into Christian (Roman Catholic) after the World War II. There was an epidemic on that time most villagers were sick and many people died. In some views that looks like they were abandoned. By the help of the French missionaries medicines and facilities, they were cured. So many villagers were converted and make their church at that village. Generation to generation they will pass it to families and friends that God exist.

School Campaign 2009

March 5, 2009. 8:00 o’clock in the morning, sitting down the bench waiting for some Thai teachers. I don’t have any idea about the activity as I was just informed the day later to come to school early of the said time. The school is already closed for this semester and will comeback to open on second week of May. This is not the first time for me to keep waiting for them, maybe I’m not yet lessoned or I’m too punctual for them. Some Filipinos are also not quiet concerned about the time, but I think Thais are more.

A flashback to my funny experienced for them is during our school trip to Chiangmai the second’s largest city in Thailand. Were the assemble time must be at 4a.m. at the campus, but nobody is there except me. I’m thinking maybe I’m late and they are gone. On the second thought maybe my wristwatch is too advanced for them. In short they arrived after an hour. lol look like I’m lost in the middle of the jungle.

Quarter to nine, we group into four. Me and a south African are in the same group with five Thais. That’s the only time that I understand that we’re going to someplace to campaign our school that we’re been working. Some teachers are in different places too. Our group target place is in Ban Kamek Elementary School with the student population of 134, from grade 1 to 6. A very fair number of students in the grade 6 class, 11 boys and 11 girls. About few minutes we arrive at the said school. The Principal was welcome us and had a few chats in his office.

I’m not interested with the discussion coz they speaking their own language, so I go outside with my two colleagues to look something unusual. This is what we saw.
Filtered water faucet from the plastic tank, where the water is come from the rain. One teacher told that they used to drink that water coz it safe as they filtered. Oh really? I’m so curious, I open the cover and gosh. Looks like many living organism inside, I saw some tiny black dots inside that tank. I turn around and look through the eye of the students and they look healthy. Alas… anyway some says there’s no such thing as clean as water.(lol) Because the water is used to clean so therefore water is clean. The one who said that is already dead.

I went back inside the room and they started the student are too much quiet even they are ask they don’t like to talked back. All grade six pupils receive the pamphlet and books as one of the strategy of my co-teacher to convince them to study in our school Saimonwittyaa. Each of us introduced to the pupils and said about the good things that they will get if they study in our school. 50% are raising their hand when they asked which is a good numbers for this campaigned. But the final decision is in their parents if where will be. There are five high schools in the Education area 2 and saimoonwittaya is on the top of popularity so they are quiet confident of it.

Rock the House - Kratos Band

(Photograph by Julius)

Kratos Band The phenomenon--- The most requested song in Hot FM station of Ormoc City. The first “Bisrock” band of Ormoc has ever floated to the air of popularity. The “UNEXPECTED” album, that rock the house of thousands Ormocanons and its neighboring towns.

Kratos background:
The group called Kratos was emerge last 1994, with the two original members namely: Mario Troyo, (Vocals and Composer) and Alvin Claros (Lead Guitar and Arranger). In 1996, Kratos joined the band show called “Ground Underground” of the DYRT FM station, Hosted by KA PEDRO, with the four (4) entry songs. 1. Kuya-ig, 2. Bato 3. Imperno 4. Pagbabalik ng bampira. The band was admired by some Cebuano’s, but due to some circumstances Kratos band faded in the air. In 2007, the two original members of Kratos made a comeback with intensity. The Kratos Band members, Mario Truyo –Vocal, Alvin Claros, Noriss Dinoy – Drummer, RJ Bacani – Rhythm, Manuel Concon Cuna – Bass. They rock the city with their first hits single “Kuya-ig” was recorded last September 15, 2007. The following hits was “Asaka” and “Miawop Nga Gugma”, recorded last December 27, 2007, with the help of their sponsors (Innah Lorreane Costa and Diosdado Cabulong AKA Bhoycabs). Bhoycabs was giving his moral support to the band and devoted his time and attention. He decided to manage “Kratos” for all his will. Another hit was “Boak Na Panumpa“, “Ligoy” was recorded last March 5, 2008, sponsored by Engr. Danilo Monte, Jr. Most of the members of the band and the manager are the residence of Sitio Katambisan, Brgy. San Isidro, Ormoc City.

Concerts:
First concert of KRATOS BAND with launching the first single hits song (Kuya-ig) at Ormoc City stage plaza last October 2007, during the HOT FM anniversary. 2nd was in Brgy. Alegria dated April 26, 2008, with the release of the album “UNXPECTED”. 3rd Concert tour: Brgy Can-Adieng. 4th, Brgy. Gacat, Babay City, dated last May 22, 2008. 5th the Point Mall, Tacloban City, dated last June 27, 2008. 6th Live in concert in Ormoc, as celebrating the Ormoc City fiesta, dated last June 29, 2008.

Kratos Band Albums
1st Album: UNEXPECTED
1.Kuyaig
2.Asana-Asaka
3..Miawopnga Gugma
4.Ligoy
5.Boak na Panumpa

2nd Album: AGUY
1. Aguy
2. Tambalan
3. Babae Makalilibog
4. Batang Kalye
5. Hotbisrock
6. Karpentero
7. Babaye walay Batasan
8. Super Indianera
9. Pangandoy
10. Bato Imperno – Tagalog version
11. Pagbabalik Nang Vampera –Tagalog version
12. Broked Hearted – English version

Awards and Upcoming Actities:
• HOT FM ORMOC - SEPT 20,2007
• POWER FM ORMOC - SEP 20, 2007
• DYLS.M.O.R-ABS-CBN CEBU -MARCH 29, 2008
• HOT FM CEBU - JULY 20, 2008
• SMASH FM CEBU - JULY 25, 2008
• DYRT GMA -CEBU - JULY 25,2008
• ENERGY FM CEBU - JULY 25,2008
• ABS-CBN CEBU
• (M.O.R 97.1) Lupig Sila , Tengog Bisaya---2nd Season Bisrock Award 2008
• Fund raising of BJMP Jail at Brgy. Alta Vista, Ormoc City,
• Fund raising for out of school youth and indigent, street children last August 2008

Plug:
VOTE KRATOS BAND ORMOC TALENT
Vote now by Texting the following Category
• MOR Cebu Kratos Best Bisrock Band Of The Year
• MOR Cebu Kratos Best Bisrock Artist Of The Year
• MOR Cebu Kratos Best Bisrock Alternative
• MOR Cebu kratos Kuyaig Best Bisrock Novelty Song
• MOR Cebu kratos Noriss Dinoy Best Bisrock Drummer
• MOR Cebu Asana-Asaka Most Bisrock Requested Song
For Smart/Talk&txt/Globe/TM/Sun just send to 2366

Yasothon Badminton Enthusiasts - Yasothon, Thailand

It was Sunday morning at exactly 8:30, I arrived at Pornwittaya Badminton Court. The place was quiet looks like there’s no tournament happening on that day. Curiously I look around inside the court as I never came here before. It has 3 courts only; the ceiling is so high and perfectly for a tournament. The lights is a little bit destructive as they incline in the sideways of the court, that sometime when shuttles passed it on the side and you may not able to see clearly. But it’s a minor for the player as they really enjoy the game.

I was just informed to my co-teacher to bring these 4 students to compete at the said area. I’ve never knew before that there’s a badminton court in Yasothon. As I also don’t know what’s caliber of my students to play this kind of sport. After an hour of waiting, the players are coming from different provinces, there’s Roi et, Ubon, Mahasarakam, and of course the players here in Yasothon. At first, I thought that this tournament is only for a student with in this province. But when I look out some men have their own outfit of badminton. So in short there is an open category.

The Opening of the tournament was started by the Pornwittaya Badminton Court. I forgot his name, but pretty sure he is a Thai-Chinese businessman. I was introduced by my friend with him, and in my surprised he wants me to play with him of MD VIP category. So shock coz I never expected and I’m not preparing for this matter. He let me borrow one of his racket and the result was sweating all over my body. It’s very long since I didn’t play this badminton game. So shy to my self to see those people that still can play really good in spite of their old age.

My backhand is not really enough to high clear from the back, netting and smashing is not doing well. The result 21–15 and 21–13, of course me and my partner loss the game. Well, need more practice again and it’s a surprised match-up for me, and gained a lot of pain after the play. After the VIP, the students followed. my 2 boys win in a single match elimination round. And doubles match were loss in the first round. More entry coming from Roi et province than the other provinces so I expect more of them to the finals. There were MS=Men Singles, WD= Women’s Doubles, MD=Men’s Doubles, VD=VIP doubles and XD=Mixed Doubles. Indeed more people with a high caliber player here in Thailand more than in my country in the list of World Badminton Ranking.

I can’t imagine how the Thais very athletic? Most men here after the work they have time to play football, badminton, and do exercises. In fact never heard of heart attack coz their blood pressure is often normal. Just by looking police in Thailand about 90% are sexy figure. Hope to see also our police in Phil will become aware of their body.

Maybe we will encourage our police force to play badminton in their physical activity as this sport is the quickest and fastest racket sports in the world. Easy to burn your calories, all parts of your body will work, the foot, legs, hand, elbow, waist, stomach, wrist, fingers, hearts & mind. Enjoy badminton everyday and you will have a good body.

Thailand’s Travel

Thailand is the land of smile, the most exciting tourist destination in Asia. The place where you can find striking historic landmarks. The ancient kingdom of Cambodia is emerging mostly in the northeast part of Thailand. Beautiful monuments, sitting, standing and reclining Buddha statues, Buddha Temples, Beaches in the south, Plateau in the Northeast, mountains in the North, River and lakes and the long border line of Mekong River to Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Nevertheless, why the call Thailand as the land of smile? Are the people here are always smiling? When I think about Asian is often smile to their guest so why only Thailand got this called? Why not Philippines? Lol..

To answer this question let me first dig some information. Long time ago, westerners come to visit Thailand is the one who founded this name. They are very welcomed by the King’s hospitality, and of course with the assistance of the beautiful smiling women around with them. Its quiet funny to look them smile often even they really don’t understand the visitors. But I think this is their best weapons for the world colonization of the westerners as they are the only one in Asia that was not colonized. They called it also as the land of free (Thailand). Thai greetings is simply executed by the touch your hands together and put it in the level of your nose with bow as they called that as “WAI”. The height level of WAI will also vary according to the hierarchy of individual.

By their unique diversity and cultures you can really amaze Thailand for this matter. Their dancing and singing especially in Issan part or Northeast were MO-LAM as they called is the most exciting part of their cultures. Ethnic’s type of dancing is also unique and well preserve for their guest and visitors. Every school have their own music bands to perform modern songs (rock, hip-hop, love song) but the trademark of their Thai-dancing singing always relatively shown in every occasion.

In my three fruitful years of being an expat in Thailand, I found more interesting places and things, where I can’t imagine how and why they got this? The huge and wide roads in the provinces, the well preserved historical parks, beautiful sanctuaries, sunflower plantation, colorful temples and different type’s festivity. Yet the English proficiency is still struggling. They are the least in Asia of speaking English but the technology is so amazing. Well for that, I can really say (Amazing Thailand). But let say if all the people become smart, that country become worst. As corruption will also increased, debating of the law-makers, and projects for the infrastructure will also stagnant. The bottom line is the economy will decline. In relation with Bangkok incidents last year. The two airports were close due to eagerness of obtaining the power. Every group has their agendas, to be right to rule. Anyway hoping to recover the lost that they had before is my wish to all of us here. I’m still proud of the Thai government to do the right things to their people. The most all the present King of Thailand, who was admired most by his people. The longest reigning monarch in Thai-history. 60 years of his throne is simply the best for the people to admire him as I do too. As I’m wearing the emblem of the Royal Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej. “Long Live the King” as the favorite quote and been written into the yellow wristband that most people wore.

Digital World of Photography

In a recent world, many people linked in the fanatic activity of digital photography. Concerning of the facts that many are involved of photography organization, seminars and gathering with relation of photography. Maybe it is because of the internet are flooding everywhere and no matter of your age, you can easily get or inform of whatever you want it too. It’s obviously due to modern era that makes things happened easily and accurately.

We back 15 years ago. Taking pictures is not easy task to do. Need more time, money, and effort with the skill of photographer is a big factor to get a good quality picture. All of that was done in trial and error. No word as perfect, every time you click the shutter. Angle of shoot, Subject poses, Availability of lights, Background of the subject, Color combination of the entire scene, setting arrangement of the camera pertaining to Shutter Speed and Focal Opening or Aperture. The longer you are working in photography the more you become skilled. And also the more you wanted more gears and gadgets. It’s very expensive equipments for a professional photographer. It’s unusual to become a photographer of that time.

But now a day, photography is rampant all over the world. It is maybe due to the fact of easiness and speedily of the digital technologies. Digital Camera is one of the most sold items in the world. As many people get into fun of taking pictures in an easy way. No need to memorize those settings arrangement of the camera to get a good quality of picture. No need of waiting the result of you’re captured from any printing laboratories to develop the film, just looking and scanning to the LCD if either it’s good or not or retake. And of course with the help of the software’s (Photo editors – like Photoshop and etc...) is big factor of todays. As I’m surfing the net, I’ve seen a lot of good quality pictures most of them were been processed by some photo editors (software). Surfing around flicker.com and you will see how some people get enjoyed of taking pictures as a hobby.

In my time as a photographer, I took pictures coz it’s my business or job. I cover weeding, birthday, burial, graduation and any special occasion. It’s indeed help to get my profession, as I’m a working student during my high school and college days. It almost 50% neat gained per coverage. I invested all to my education without regrets. But today freelance photography business is not really doing well as I’ve heard as friend who manages and shift from still to movie coverage. Many individual now covering their own activities as we all know digital technologies is everywhere. Cellular phones, Compact Digital Cameras, Single Lens Reflex Cameras are growing.



Mid year of 2006, the second coming to Thailand, is the year of flashing back to my memory in photography as encouraging and amusing of photos that I’ve been browsing on the net. Knowing some people who engage in photography in my hometown was the key to my excited mind to comeback shooting as a part of my hobbies not on the business but who knows maybe I will?.. I’m really proud of the Ormoc photographers, The (OPS) Ormoc Photographic Society for their work of art. I can say that some of them are now masters of digital processing. Another that I admired too is the work of Master J, of the (SPAS) Siam Pinoy Aperture Society.

Dry Day for the Rough Green Snake

It was Sunday around twenty past one after my lunch. I started my lesson plan for my Monday working day. The sun is so angry and arrogant to all living and non livings things. It turns out to 42 degrees Celsius hotness I’ve never encountered before in the month of February. Maybe due to the facts of Global warming the weather is changing. After 2 minutes of typing my lesson, I’ve heard my dog (Vincent) is barking so loudly. So I have to stand and check what Vincent barking for. This is what I saw; a rough green snake is hanging on the tree wanted come down to find a cool place to stay. I’m very worried that might Vincent bite by a snake coz it looks poisonous to me.I momentarily tied-up Vincent to my garage and finally snake is on the ground. Based on curiosity I’d like to touch that snake how beautiful is it? with a very nice green color.

With the blink of my eye the snake is crawling fast inside to my house and chases it until to my bedroom now finally I corner him. I used a stick to catch with a little hesitation that he might bite to my fingers. I brought it in the garage and start taking pictures. It’s a very beautiful creation despite of its name. It is indeed a very attractive to people who do not wish to feed live rodents to their pets. Thin and lengthy green snake for about 1.2 meters with a creamy white belly and the head is almost the same as my thumb finger.

After couples of shoots I return it to the tree as no one would like to kill this snake even my neighbor. In my entire life I killed snake once; back in Philippines, its king cobra A.K.A. babuyun in my dialects. This is not the only time that I’ve captured snake in this area. Last 2007 two weeks later I arrived and start working in Saimoonwittaya, inside the room that I’ve been teaching was a usual size of python lying under the bookshelves. Unfortunately I don’t have a camera. According to wikipedia this Rough Green Snake likes to eat crickets, waxworm, butterworms and other insects. Rough Green Snake live in a moderate humidity level; however they cannot stand stagnant air. It can easily see in plants, trees, and waters.