Nocturnal Wisdom » Thou shall not sleep at seven in the evening

I don’t know if it it’s worth writing what I have to say, because basically I am talking to a half-sleep idiot – which is myself. But I’ll say it for the two or three of you who are not. 

I only got three hours sleep last night because of watching that damn TV series “The Legend of the Seeker” which, by the way, lacks depth. After watching a few episodes I find it has a very common story plot – but I’m still planning to finish season one, and even bought season two DVD. Isn’t it idiotic? Well, still nothing beats Heroes, Lost and Prison Break.

Nocturnal wisdom

But I digress, I force myself to wake up early for work – sleepy and edgy the whole day, drink a bottle of beer at 6:00 p.m. while waiting for the heavy rain to get heavier. I felt really tired and wish that a lightning would perhaps strike that nearby tree or the radio antenna of the adjacent Paragon building – you know, just to break the damn monotony of this damn Monday. Karen Carpenter is right – rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

Expecting nothing unusual will happen today, I decided to go home and violate the bachelor’s unwritten commandment – Thou shall not sleep as early as seven in the evening. 

The annoying thing is that I wake up before midnight having these random thoughts about life. I cannot force myself to get back to sleep so I grab my laptop and decided to write my random midnight rants. 

Here’s  my self-help nocturnal wisdom:

Opportunity is not a talking peacock

I repeatedly ignore opportunity so maybe it loses its interest in me too. I now realize that opportunity is like a bird suddenly showing itself one sultry afternoon at the veranda. Because I thought it is just a common bird I see everyday, I immediately lose interest and turn my back on it. Then it spread its wings as it flew away, showing its bright and rare color hiding underneath – but of course, I missed it, because I’m impatient and turned my back on it. If I look a little longer and waited, I might saw it and be able to grab it. I beg to disagree to those who are saying that opportunities are rare; it is actually presenting itself to us everyday, the problem is how we look at it. It’s not always appearing as the flamboyant-talking peacock saying “Hey moron! I am opportunity, would you like to grab me?”

I always leave self-discipline on my pillow when I wake up

I always buy a Stradmore organizer at the start of every year. Written on the first few pages of it are the things I accomplished the previous year and what I intend to accomplish for the coming year. For the past three years I realized that I haven’t fully accomplished what I set three years ago – because I lack self-discipline. I always start a plan or project with fiery enthusiasm for a few months, only to be neglected and abandoned without any solid result. I can’t imagine what I could have accomplished if I could simply get myself to follow through on my best plans and intentions no matter what and if only I could always carry with me the art of self-discipline. 

Next time, don’t leave discipline on the pillow you bastard!

I guess I need a round of LATIGO whipping

I heard the military are the best teachers of discipline – so maybe educational institutions should include in their curriculum a one month stay in a military academy to learn about discipline? But of course, in any school even in military, they don’t actually teach the important life lessons; like discipline, attitude, and life in general. You have to learn it in the real world, in actual interaction with others and oftentimes learning it all by yourself.

So here I am, in the middle of the night, writing this nonsense and feeling stagnant.  I’ve written a number of blog post about discipline and I know I’m sounding like a crazy cricket here, repeatedly screaming meaningless and annoying noise in the middle of the night.  I guess what I need now is a round of whipping with a latigo – yes, that old trick of gaining self-discipline over our behaviors with the latigo (Filipino term for a whip).

However, self-flagellation with a latigo is a crazy 14th century practice of those obsessed Opus Dei members. Hence, I just make an acronym for LATIGO to make a convenient way to remember self-discipline.

What? An acronym for LATIGO? Yeah I know you’re probably thinking of those corny Filipino acronyms like I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust And Love You) – I can’t believe they even make it a movie title, or C.H.I.N.A. (Come Here I Need Affection) or the worst - P.H.I.L.I.P.P.I.N.E.S. (Pumping Hot.. I Love It! Please Please.. I Need Erotic Stimulation!)

All right, all right let’s stop it. Here’s my acronym for L.A.T.I.G.O. (Lifelong Attitude Towards Initiating Goals Outstandingly)

See? I just gave my own definition of self-discipline meaning:

SELF-DISCIPLINE = LATIGO (Lifelong Attitude Towards Initiating Goals Outstandingly) 
{Applause! Applause!}
 
Ok, I’m not yet sleepy but I’ll stop this nonsense. Maybe a few pages of Umberto Eco’s Turning back the Clock and a glass of warm milk will help me get back to sleep.

…Oh shit, the milk carton is empty.

I didn’t expect comments but if you would like to drop one, I’ll appreciate it. Goodnight and Good morning folks!

Multi Level Marketing (MLM), Pyramiding and Networking Scams has Urban-Dumb Effect unless it is SugarFree

That night was supposed to be a good jamming, slam dancing night. All was set - the mood, the unintentional black shirts (thanked-goodness Anjho didn’t pursue her emo-laslas-pulso necktie outfit she was planning the other night), we got the best spot near the stage and we are really hyped up for a sweaty, energy draining night. Why of course, that was an ITCHYWORMS-SUGARFREE-URBANDUB Independence Day Rakista concert.

It was held in Crossroad 77 Convenarium in QC and as usual, we arrived a little late, but of course like all rock concerts, it started fashionably late. So our timing was also perfect – or that is what we thought.

Everything started with The Blast of the…What?

The invited bands turned out to be just "guests"

Weird things slowly unfold as soon as the front row guests in tuxedo  showed up – Oh my gums! They looked like preachers. The crowd is also not your usual jammers – there are lots of prim and proper Gen-X and Y and a lot of baby boomers. Can you imagine a concert with long speeches, a ballroom dance number followed by an amateur hip-hop dance?

We thought we attended the wrong event, maybe this is a charismatic group, a cult gathering perhaps and the band concert is in the other room?   

By the way, the concert was sponsored by Core of Infinity (Global Fusion Incorporated), which I thought was a new Internet broadband product and was dubbed as “The BLAST of the B.L.E.S.T.” We all thought it was a grand product launching, because there are raffle draws with cash prizes to over 220K Pesos and a downpayment for a BRAND NEW MAZDA 3! – cool eh?

This is Sparta!

Photo-op outside the venue before getting drunk

Then the real BLAST begins when the emcee shouted “Do you want to be a millionaire!!!  I didn’t saw any Spartans with Jesus’s abs but I heard them answered – Awoo! Awoo!

Beyond the dizzying strobe lights, all suddenly became clear now – This is not a concert, this is Sparta!!!  LOL

I heard that question before when my college friend lured me into attending an “opportunity” seminar in a company called Forever Living. That damn question, which is of course not actually a question, followed by an enumeration of answers - that include big incomes, a new house and lot and expensive cars, financial freedom and huge bank accounts while working part-time - confirmed our suspicion that we are attending a "business opportunity presentation" of a networking company.

Urban-Dumb Effect of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), Pyramiding and Networking Scams

Ok, let me set this straight. I don’t mean to offend anyone, and I just want to pour out my thoughts about MLM, this is purely my personal opinion, I’m entitled to it and you are entitled to yours which you can write in the comments section below. I suggest you stop reading at this point if you are a die-hard awoo-awoo fan of Multi-Level Marketing or you can read on and enlighten me. Maybe you can convince me and perhaps you could recruit me as your downline. I believe that the best downlines are those converted MLM non-believers. 

What the hell is Urban Dumb Effect anyway? Well, I just invented it, and it’s not a parody of the Urbandub band.

Based on my observation when it comes to convincing people, MLM die-hard tends to become aggressive and obnoxious more than ordinary salespeople. Usually there will be a mood shot of a large new home, a luxury car, a yacht, perhaps a beautiful family enjoying a luxury vacation, and so on. If you ever gave a hint that you doubt them or the product, they will defend their proposal like defending their religion – to the point of making you feel like an Urban Dumb, and dumber and dumber. 

Since most of them are not salespeople by nature, and MLM attract people without any experience selling that particular product or service, they usually sell by attacking the "conscience" or “I-just-want-to-help-you drama." Thus, sales pressure is exerted by focusing on their millionaire members (usually those on the top of the pyramid), as an example.

Worst of all worst, they will even mention God. In that concert I attended, I heard one speaker said “Those of you who wants to be a millionaire, raise your hand!” Of course not all raised their hand, so he said “God is watching you, those who didn’t raise their hand will not get the blessing.” And so the speaker will repeat the question again. It is also common for other networking companies. Well it is an age-old tactic, when men talk of God, it always give an impression that they are doing something that should not be taken lightly. Even the Pope, I suppose, will find it absurd and pointless.

Funny enough, I always feel sick in my gut that there is some hidden agenda or deception. These tactics definitely turns me off, it definitely makes me feel treated like an urban dumb. 

Greed is always not Sugarfree

Marketing presentation of the most tricky pyramiding or multilevel marketing groups often start by appealing to the materialism and greed of their prospects – new home, cars, weekly cash, grand vacations. This works most of the time because, in general, we want to have everything we like. To do this, we must take from our fellow human beings who like the same thing – in our case it’s about money, and I don’t mean illegally robbed them or something like that. Yes, greed is universally condemned but it is ever present.

Homo Homini Lupus

Sometimes, it is very obvious that some MLMers are the ones who badly need money – to the point of “sponsoring” others or paying the membership fees as loan just to make them their “downlines” so as not to lose the “opportunity.” Maybe they have not only conned them and profited at their expense, they also made them feel like losers, since they are not able to make a success of the hopeless MLM scheme. Why not simply ask friends and family or relatives for help rather than taking money from them under false pretenses – and also selling them products?

Homo homini lupus – Man is a wolf to man.

Is Multi Level Marketing Illegal?

Scary question eh? So which is legal and which is illegal?

Pyramiding involves the investment of money in which you have to recruit your downlines and earn a certain percentage from their membership fee or whatever they call it, and earn again from the recruits of the recruits. That is illegal!

To make it legal, some companies offer products, mostly food supplement, vitamins beauty products and other services which they called Multi Level Marketing.

So yes, we have to acknowledge that some multi level marketing based companies are completely legit and reputable. They are not all scams waiting to trick and lure you. But most of them are – especially the aggressive one. 

However, according to the report by Max de Leon appeared in Manila Times (April 28, 2003) there is a very thin line between multi level marketing and a pyramid schemes. De Leon also mentioned that in MLMs the product is not the real reason people are enticed to join. The product offered is merely the excuse to legitimize the real and probably illegal moneymaking scam.

Anyway, it is always up to you if you will let your naivete and greed guide your decisions.

Why are they acting like itchy worms?

Do you observe it too? Most MLM scammers are like itchy worms – they always have that very high confidence. Some of them will even proudly tell you that they gave up their hard-earned profession to focus on this business full time.

On the contrary, Dean and Laura Vandruff [in the article “What’s wrong with multi level marketing?”] argued that if their product or service is so great, then why isn't it being sold through the customary marketing system that has served human society for thousands of years? Why does it need to resort to a "special marketing" scheme like an MLM? Why does everyone need to be so inexperienced at marketing their product! Is the product just a thin cover for what is really a pyramid scheme of exploiting others?

The Vandruffs further summarized that:

1. MLMs are "doomed by design" to recruit too many salespeople, who in turn will then attempt to recruit even more salespeople, ad infinitum.

2. For many, the real attraction of involvement in multi-level marketing is the thinly veiled pyramid con-scheme made quasi-legal by the presence of a product or service.

3. The ethical concessions necessary to be "successful" in many MLM companies are stark and difficult to deal with for most people.

4. Friends and family should be treated as such, and not as "marks" for exploitation.

Ok, enough of this long post. I now subject all my beliefs and what I learned to your criticisms. But please pay attention to common sense.  
  
____________________________
You might also want to check out:
» The Myths and Facts of MLM (Multi-Level Marketing)
» What's Wrong With Multi-Level Marketing? 

» A very thin line between multilevel marketing and pyramid schemes
» The Mirage of Multilevel Marketing
» List if Networking companies in the Philippines  

» MLM vs. pyramiding scams: Know the difference
» Section “k.” and “Article 53” of the Republic Act 7394 or The Consumer Act of the Philippines.
» Concert Photos

UPDATE: MLM SCAMMER ALERT!

I received a text (SMS) message today (July 08, 2010) from an unknown mobile Number, there's something fishy in the message, so I checked some forums and found out it's an MLM scam: Here's the text message F.Y.I.

From: 09196296589

Greetings! Attend by special invitation only. You're one of those chosen to attend AIM Global's Entrepreneurial Workshop on July 9, Friday 2:45 pm to 5:30pm at Unit 301 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower ADB Ave. Ortigas Centre Pasig City (at the back of Robinson's Galleria).
Outline of events include : >Business & Livelihood Opportunities >College Scholarship Assistance >A chance for an all expenses paid to USA trip with multiple state entry visa assistance. R.S.V.P. If interested, please text in your fullname with the phrase "YES! I WANT TO BE PART OF IT" for seat reservation. Come and be part of this life changing business education! Reserve now! Thank you so much and God Bless! ~Mr. Nestor Gonzaga of AIM Global, Inc.

Are You A Duck or an Eagle?

Years ago, my friend, Harvey Mackay, told me a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey . He handed my friend a laminated card and said: "I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement." Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement: "To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment."

This blew Harvey away, especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf." My friend said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink." Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice." Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke." Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today."

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio." And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

"Tell me, Wally," my amazed friend asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?" Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called "You'll See It When You Believe It". 

Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. 

Don't be a duck. Be an eagle.
Ducks quack and complain.
Eagles soar above the crowd.

"That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more." "I take it that has paid off for you," Harvey said. "It sure has," Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it.

You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action." Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call.

The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting. Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice... He decided to stop quacking like the ducks and start soaring like the eagles.

No one can make you serve customers well. You make the choice. That's because great service is a choice.
___________________
Another powerpoint presentation I made for my boss.

Here's the link to download: Are You a Duck or an Eagle Powerpoint Download 

Are you a Carrot, an Egg, or Coffee Bean?

Click Play to view slides

This story was included in the speech of my boss in one of our company event during the height of the global financial crisis which focus on the right attitude during hardship.

I was asked to prepare the powerpoint slides for the story which I want to share here. Although the financial crisis is almost over, I am still inspired by this story.

Here is the complete text of the story:

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life, and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it, and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.

In the first pot, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she, turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take the egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to smell and sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity- boiling water-but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside, am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or, am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation.

Like when there’s economic problem, you’d rather find remedies instead of whining and complaining.

How do you handle adversity?
Are you a CARROT, an EGG, OR a COFFEE BEAN?

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just MAKE the most of everything; that comes along their way.

_____________________

Here's the link to view the slides :  Are you a Carrot,, an Egg, or Coffee Bean?

Contact me if you you want to download and edit the complete presentation. 

Metro Manila workers to get 22 Pesos wage increase

Well, I guess I have to share this news article to all corporate drones in the blogosphere and hope somebody can clarify this line: “The adjustment will be added to the daily basic pay, but it will only cover minimum wage earners in private companies in Metro Manila.”

Here’s the article:

Metro workers to get P22 wage hike
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated June 08, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced yesterday that workers in Metro Manila are finally getting a P22 increase in their daily take-home pay after two years of waiting for adjustments.

NWPC executive director Ciriaco Lagunzad III said the wage board in Metro Manila came out with a new order granting a P22 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers after a series of deliberations.

Sources from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) said the increase brings to P404 the daily minimum wage rate in Metro Manila.

“The adjustment will be added to the daily basic pay, but it will only cover minimum wage earners in private companies in Metro Manila,” one of the sources said.

The increase will take effect 15 days after the publication of the new wage order in national dailies or probably before the end of the month.         

Labor groups led by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) had filed a formal petition seeking a P75 across-the-board increase in wages.       

While welcoming the latest wage increase, TUCP expressed disappointment over the minimal salary hike.

“TUCP is disappointed at how little the wage board thinks the workers deserve, so although we do not want any delay in the implementation, we will be filing a motion for reconsideration of the decision,” said TUCP official Raffy Mapalo.

Mapalo said workers are doubly disappointed because the wage increase is not across-the-board.

Any thoughts, comments?

Debris of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle 1 (KSLV-1) to Hit West of Philippines

Manila Philippines -- South Korea plans to launch its domestically assembled satellite-carrying rocket into space on June 9, 2010 informing both the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation of the launch plan to warn aircraft and ships.

Accordingly, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Flag State Administration issued Advisory No. 2010-09 dated June 3, 2010 to inform all shipping companies of the impending launching by the Republic of Korea of its Korea Space Launch Vehicle I (KSLV-I), wherein the 1st stage falling area is said to be west of the Philippines.

Yonhap news agency reported Monday, that 228 seconds after launch, the engine of the first stage main booster will be turned off and second stage rocket with satellite payload will separate 316km from Naro Space Center at an altitude of 196km, with main booster falling near the Philippines.

The planned launch, meanwhile, follows the "half successful" blastoff of the first KSLV-1 last August.

All concerned are advised to take all necessary precautions and if possible, avoid taking the aforementioned route in the western area of the Philippines.

News Report by: Yodz D. Insigne, Manila Philippines: 07 June 2010

Attachment Details: 

» Control Zone of ship traffic around Naro Space Center

» Control Zone of aircraft flight around Naro Space Center

» Falling areas of KSLV-1 and 1st Stage

» Information on the Launch of the KSLV-1 (Korea Launch Vehicle-1 Schedule), Launch Site and Direction

Sources:
» Photo Credit: The rocket, named the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1), will seek to place in orbit a 100 kg satellite by fyjs.cn

» Yonhap News Agency: (rocket launch) Launch sequence of S. Korea's space rocket

» Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Flag State Administration Advisory No. 2010-09  

Getting High at Majayjay » Taytay Falls, Laguna Escapade

Our original plan for the weekend was to have a barkada picnic at La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City but decided a group hitch with Anjo’s friends at Majayjay Falls Laguna. I’ve never been there and I only know the place because my friends told me that “Tabing Ilog,”
the ABS-CBN television drama series from 1999 to the early 2000s, which I like watching on its first year, and tagged as the Philippine version of Dawson’s Creek, was shot mostly on that place. We also got excited because they said that it is not a place with nice comfortable resorts but a rainforest camping-survival gig. Therefore, aside from my usual travel stuff, I also packed a blanket and a small pillow.

So, how high is Majayjay?

Majayjay is a municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, and stands 1,000 feet above sea level. It is bounded by the municipality of Majayjay on the north, by Lucban in Quezon province on the south, by Luisiana on the east, and by Liliw on the west.

Cool Info: “Majayjay” was derived from the word “Ma” which means many. Some say that in the old days, to reach this town of hilly terrain, one had to pant, saying “hay, hay” and later the name became Majayjay. Cool eh? If the Jejemons will make this place their official hometown, and I suggest they must, they will be called “Hehemons.”

 
The place is 120 kms south of  Manila and we left at around 2:00 pm, but because of the damned heavy traffic, we endured a butt-aching 4 to 5-hour ride to reach the place and it was already dark when we got there. The place was already crowded with other campers and it’s hard scouting in the dark so we didn’t got a nice secluded spot to put up our tents. We just decided to settle near the river and immediately set campfire to cook our “survival” dinner - 1 pc. very small eggplant, 1 hotdog and a slice of tilapia for each of us. Anjo didn’t warn us that her friends also planned this as a survival-of-the-stomach camping gig. Although there are sari-sari stores in the jump-off area, which also served as the parking lot, it’s a kilometer away from our camp and the trail is steep and dark plus we are all exhausted from the trip. It’s a good thing we have leftover biscuits with us.

 After dinner, our group just enjoyed nice bottles of vodka and beer in the river against our flickering campfire till daybreak. We had nice loud talks and whatever it is we talked about, I can’t remember because I really got drunk and cut myself at the back. It is nice place to get drunk because if you need to immediately get sober, just dive on the icy waters - hang-over is also not a problem.

   
Majayjay Falls, Taytay Falls or Imelda Falls?

Well it’s confusing. I was told that we are going to Majayjay Falls, but I discovered that Majayjay is the name of the municipality where the falls is located and the falls is actually named Taytay Falls. If it’s your first time there and you asked for direction, it’s better if you will asked for Taytay Falls, although others call it Majayjay Falls.

So where the hell is Imelda Falls? Well, if Cavinti, Laguna has the Pagsanjan Falls, Majayjay has the Taytay Falls which is also called Imelda Falls, because ex-First Lady Imelda Marcos financed the promotion of tourism in this place. Never get fooled because Majayjay Falls, Taytay Falls and Imelda Falls are just one same falls. It is the 7th of a series of Falls that form the Dalitiwan River which eventually joins the Pagsanjan and Sta. Cruz Rivers, the two largest tributaries of the Laguna Lake.

It is a two-storey high falls located in a remote scenery inside a tropical rainforest. To reach Taytay Falls or whatever you want to call it, you have to go down the stone steps leading to a kilometer-long cemented foothpath; with clear water flowing in a stream beside it against big boulders covered by green moss held tightly by roots of lush trees. 

Camping near Taytay Falls is a cool experience – because of the cold waters of the falls perhaps: But I must repeat – very very cold, it’s like swimming in ice water, really good for hangover.

What to expect in the area.

» Entrance Fee:  35.00 Pesos per head
» Sari-sari stores, carinderia and videoke bar at the jump-off (but I suggest you bring your own food. Bottled water is available at the stores.)
» Comfort rooms and shower rooms at the camp site
» For overnight stay, you have to bring your own tent, camping gear and whatever-things-you-need.

» Cooking and campfire is allowed at the camping sites.
» The place is not for senti-type, stare-at-the-view-and-unwind person because the place is crowded and noisy as locals and visitors spend the night there, drinking and littering especially on weekends.
» The best way to enjoy the place is to bring cool friends or family and have quality bonding moments.
» Perfect place to enjoy booze and tell all your contempt and hatred against your boss, your company, the whole world, or even your friends who are there – Don’t worry the icy water will eventually cool everything down when things get heated.
» If you want to avoid the crowd, plan a hiking spree, but you really need hiking gears and experienced hikers to accompany you.   

Irresponsible tourism

The place definitely needs urgent protection from the threat of irresponsible tourism. Campers and other visitors just left their trash on riverbanks and camping sites even directly on the river itself. They are allowed to take full bath in the river – with their shampoo, soap and even brushing teeth. Too many campfires also have a direct effect on the forest for sure.

Policies and rules must be strictly imposed on all visitors. I hope local officials will craft better policies to improve the protection efforts of Majayjay waters.

Majayjay really get me high

It’s been a long time since I last saw fireflies. I used to play with these when I was a kid and the experience of seeing them again at Majayjay bring back those carefree feelings when I was a kid, and life isn’t complicated yet – enough to de-stress me. The place is also very much like Calawagan Mountain River Resort, my favorite place in our town.

With cool friends, cool water, nice booze hit and a nostalgic rainforest (with fireflies) – I can say that it was a perfect weekend and yes, Majayjay really get me high!


IF YOU WANT TO GO ON TREKKING IN LAGUNA OR ALSO WANT TO SEE BURUWISAN FALLS CHECK THIS OUT:
Mt. Romelo (Famy) Laguna Hiking » How to Torture Yourself to a Trek and Be Happy About It 

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More Majayjay pictures CLICK HERE

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Sources of Facts and Citations:

» Wikipedia Article "Majayjay, Laguna" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majayjay,_Laguna]

» All photos are from the author

Disclaimer: Information such as entrance fee, amenities and what you can do in the area  are correct at the date of posting. I work hard to try to ensure my articles remain up to date. Unfortunately local policies are always in transition and changes happen without prior notice. With the sheer number of articles on this blog it will not always be possible for me to update everything instantly unless I am made aware of an inaccuracy directly. I therefore cannot accept liability for any out of date or inaccurate information that may change or prove inaccurate after the initial creation date of the article. Thank you for visiting my blog.

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