If you are a true basketball fans, one probably notice not only did Nowitski was on a scoring tear, his teammates were unconscious as Kidd, Terry and Peja consistently hit 3-pointers. His play in the blocks with his unorthodox release on one leg was extraordinary. Game two, Durant was actually driving to the hole instead of forcing 3-pointers and when he shot the 3-pointers, he was wide open. Oh, by the way, a guy from Arizona was also making significant contributions.

Game three, Dirk and company will be back to take down OKC!

It was Saturday and we decided to let my two boys, Stephen and CJ, watch our newborn, Carlson. We have left Carlson before with the “boys” for periods of three to four hours so we left him with extreme confidence. Glad and I have not been to a movie for almost a year now and the last movie we saw, in a theater, was Clash of the Titans. Since movies are becoming expensive, I normally “sneak” in some salty snacks and bottle water. Well, I did not stray from the norm as I hid a handful of peanuts in my pocket I bought earlier from a Filipino stand. However, peanuts were it as we wanted to take the whole nine yards and take in the whole movie experience (eight in this case since I had peanuts).

We got to the Dole Cannery Theater in plenty of time so Glad decided to visit the snack stand (total movie experience) and low and behold, she came back with ice cream, bottle water and popcorn. I did not bother to ask her how much it cost because a visit to the snack bar is an expense in itself! Hawaii costs of living are expensive enough and picture the cost of snacks in a Hawaiian theater.

We were the second couple inside the theater and when it was all said and done, there were a total of ten to fifteen people…much to my delight.  And the actual movie was a pleasure. Thor is a series of Marvel superheroes perpetuating a superhero movie bonanza. But one has to wait as movie companies are still making millions for the likes of Ironman, Hulk and X-men en route to the “all star” superhero movie in the near term future. In each of these movies, a trend is or had been evolving in the movie making industry. You see, at the end of the movie and after the credits conclude, marvel fans are treated for one last trailer. Trailer or marketing or is it a way for the industry to ensure the third camera men and the security person for Natalie Portman gets acknowledged? To be honest, I don’t believe movie goers are actually reading the credits but a majority of moviegoers are staying to catch a glimpse of what will be. Expect to see this trend also in the upcoming Green Lantern and Captain America… I believe the trend is catching on.

In the ’96 -’97 season, the Lakers pick up a young Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion HS, PA and brought Shaquille O’Nneal from the Magic to form the nucleus for another title run but, initially, it was not to be as the Jazz and Spurs knocked the Lakers from the Western Conference playoffs in the next two years. It was not until 2000, when the Lakers returned to the finals and won against the Pacers, 76ers and Nets for the trifecta. Then trouble loomed as rumors of Shaq and Kobe began to surface as the latter individual wanted to be the focal point of the offense. The dynamic duo was not as effective as they were knocked off the Western Conference playoff the following successive two years and, eventually, led to Shaq being traded to Miami as the Lakers opted to stay with the younger Kobe.

Because of Kobe’s desire to be the focal point and wanting more notoriety, it caused the city of LA a couple of more championships and solidifies “my team’s” immortality and could have been spoken in the same breath as Red Auerbach’s Celtics during their championship reign. During the Shaq/Kobe championship run, the Lakers went to the Louisiana colossal  to pound the opponents with fouls and or points. It was a very effective strategy and a formula for success as evident of the Larry O’Brian trophies. However, Kobe discontent turned to selfishness, arrogance & egotistic and brought an abrupt end to their success. What a shame! By the way, if you are keeping score, Shaq and the Heat won the NBA championship during the ’05 – ‘06 seasons and Kobe went on to win the scoring title in ’05 – ‘06 and in ’06 – ’07 but were either ousted in the first round of the playoffs and did not qualify for the playoff in two successive year.

He became the main option for the Lakers and his accolade satisfied in individual accomplishments. I actually believe he enjoy that more than winning a championship until it dawn upon him that what he and Shaq had was the epitome of success. Soon afterwards, some of the games I witness, he actually tried being a team player and actually passed the ball when a teammate was open. Nevertheless the Lakers did not qualify for the playoff for the ’04 – ‘05 seasons and was knocked of in the first round by Suns in the two consecutive seasons. It was not until the Lakers added Pau Gasol, the development of Andrew Bynum along with Lamar Odom that they had enjoyed significant success as they lost to the Celtics in the finals. Of course the Lakers won the NBA finals the past two years as the “Big Three” big men were able to offset some of Kobe’s individual antics. Kinda see a pattern here Kobe? Something called team play.

Sure, I’ll be the first to say Kobe is a great talent and he’s made outstanding shots but he takes a lot of shots. I mean A LOT of shots! For each shot missed, it’s an opportunity for the opponent and he can’t make every shot so pass it for God sake. Be less spectacular and chances for high percentage shot will likely occur on team play rather than individual play AND it gets your teammates involve. Game three of the Lakers/Mavs series is a perfect example. Bynum was having a dominant game and they should have ridden that horse all night but, of course, Kobe had to get his shot albeit he did not have a typical “take a lot of shot” night; but a missed shot was still an opening for the Mavs. Like I alluded to earlier, Kobe is a great talent, an outstanding talent but I just hate his game. Lakers’ championship eras were all with dominant big men or three…again, a formula for success. Game four…who’s smiling know?!

In addition, Louie, my wife’s brother, also accompanied us as it was sort of a family retreat. We first took a taxi from the hustle & bustle of Davao City which at that time was a welcomed relief from Manila–which was really congested! When we arrived at the outskirt of Davao City on the shoreline, we then took a twenty minute ferry ride to Samal Island. The commuter boat itself was an amusing transition and a prelude to a very serene and majestic location as I or we were in for a treat. Upon our arrival on the island, our trek had just begun to our final destination.

When we reached the shores of Samal Island, there were several options for transportation as the locals competed for passengers like sharks in frenzy. Needless to say, negotiation was key although we are talking about a difference of a couple of dollars, nevertheless, it was fun as the locals tried to maximized their return on their investment as they too were the victims of high gas prices. When the dust had settled, we were able to rent two motorcycles for 400 pesos or 50 pesos per person–a total equivalent of approximately $9.50! The two wheeled beast transported all four of us–if you can imagine a motorbike with a total of three individuals, one driver and two commuters as we raced through pave, unpaved and side roads. All a while, I hastily hang on for dear life, yet not allowing myself to scream like schoolgirl. At least not in front of my wife as I rapidly hung on to her waist a little more tightly–an option I took to preserve my adulthood. After trekking for twenty minutes but seem like an hour as the back of my chum can truly attest, we stopped at a little cantina for lunch. In the midst of taking all the transition of the scenery from the city to the sea and all the grandeur for it had to offer–we forgot to eat and it was definitely on queue. I welcomed the time to dine number one because I was hungry, number two my adrenaline had to taper a bit and my back side really needed a break. But what truly took me for a surprise was the drivers.

As we ate our rice and some concoctions of Filipino dishes which were forgettable by the way, the drivers were contented to wait as we ate! They did not try to increase our fares or hurried us in any shape of form but is if this was the norm. That was one note I myself have taken but was unbeknownst to no one else…hmmm how odd. Okdokie, lunch is over and it was time to ride the mechanical monster once again.


As we continued traveling, the ride was much more manageable maybe because of the full stomach, little rest or possibly the scenery was getting lush & green as the sound of nature was becoming more the dominant reverberation. The latter definitely had a more profound affect as we were reaching our destination and, shortly thereafter, we did. We had reached the cover of our “retreat magazine”…we had arrived! After a nominal fee at the gate, it was a short hike before the sounds of water rushing over rocks were mildly heard but as we continued to walk, the unmistakable sounds of a waterfall was upon us and, once it grace our eyes, it was truly breathtaking. So much so that I went for a swim at the water’s edge. There were other people there too immerse in the water and, subsequently, more friends or family members joined in which appears to be a party of twenty. It was a typical Filipino gathering as food and picnic basket soon came out from under the table. After drying off, we continued to walk towards the waterway and we had come upon another waterfall. It seems this cascading water was more magnificent than the previous encounter and we continued to be further tantalized. However, the third waterfall was spectacular and majestic as the water traveled through a series of water ways and climaxing into what it look like two separate falls…truly picturesque!

Sure, I’ve experience larger and taller waterfalls but this was undisturbed, rural and a peaceful entity and I can’t help myself to wonder if I may be one of the few westerners to experience this exploitation.  And although it is within ten miles of Davao, Samal Island is a world away from the city. I’m glad I was one of the lucky few and want to thank my wife, Evelyn and Louie not just the tranquil scenery but for the whole day event.

I have a theory! Travelers to the PI normally land and stay in Manila and one forms their opinion on the entire country based on their experience in the capital…big mistake! The rest of the country is unlike Manila. To further exuberate my point, few travelers venture into Mindanao due to the Muslim population and numerous travel advisories. Sure there is some instability in Mindanao but writing off the southern PI is like saying gang issues in LA or Oakland would deem California unsafe. Californians will be the first to tell you that is ludicrous and nothing can be further from the truth; hence, the same analogy can be made for Mindanao…my advice, do some homework and analyze for yourself the risk versus the reward. I saw many foreigners living in Davao and even met one who has been living in the city for over ten years and no known threat ever came across his lips during our conversation.

I recall numerous years ago when I was stationed in Clark AFB and there were, for example, an incident where a spouse was involve in the shooting of a service member for financial gain. But when I vacationed back to the continental U.S., the incident categorized the PI as lawless country with savage rebels running amuck! I remember echoing, I was safer in the vicinity of Clark AFB than in some cities in the US such as New York, LA and Atlanta. And I’m sure the US Department of State of Consulate Affairs would have these cities on permanent travel advisories or restricted if the playing was similar to the PI.