Author: livelifeandlove

Hi! I’m Mari. My blog is all about me, my experience, wildlife, photography, travel and adventure, culture, tradition and other people that will give you a better perspective of the time in which you live. In here, You’ll discover the things I love most and passionate about. I usually focus to more educational and informative topics expressing my own thoughts using my own words, ideas, and honest statements. Included here are my collection of facts and dreams with beautiful photographs to make it visible for your inspiration and browsing pleasure. I would like to share my stories with the world, with photographs that will serve as a support to see what I’m describing as you read it.This is to share reality and show the best and good things in life. To the photograph itself, can make your own thoughts and my feelings visible to share with you and my site serves to store my thoughts and ideas. Of course, I can tell a lot of things by looking at the photographs alone following my explanation to achieve my purpose eventhough, photographs can speaks for itself, the author can simply fill up the missing part of it. This is what I want to do in my life, to write, share my learning and stories to make you a part of it. When you come to know more about yourself, you’ll know what you can offer to the world. This is what I can offer to you! I feel great to share with you not only my interesting stories but also to inspire you viewing spectacular and timeless photos. Read my articles about the birds, with my conservation message,and my lifelong dedication and contribution to wildlife.Thank you readers for the positive feedback.I have learned a lot from you. Note: If there is any oversight may have been made is unintentional and will be corrected. If there is any resemblance to any actual place, events, locales or persons is entirely coincidential.

The Beautiful Black Water Lagoon of Piat

By livelifeandlove on June 4, 2021

Catch the first glimpse of Black Water Lagoon on a beautiful clear day, just a short distance away, a little bit climb on the stairs to reach the top of the Iconic Piat hill (Itawis landmark) to see the panoramic views of the mountains from east to west, you’ll also witness your favorite time of day; the sunrise and sunset and grand view of the whole town. The Black Water Lagoon of Piat Cagayan is a family-friendly park and a part of People’s Integrated Agri Tourism Center, it’s just 10-min walk from Basilica Minore Nuestra Senora De Piat.

Photo taken during my recent visit to Piat, it reminds me of my beautiful hometown. Looking back is my own way to stay connected, I miss my hometown where we used to live, my birthplace Piat Cagayan. I miss not only the food but also the people I’ve known since childhood. Every chance had taken away by uncertainty brought by the pandemic. I’m longing to be home again soon when life return to normal.

Note: Stay safe! Protect yourself and follow safety and health protocols.

Thanks for reading my blog! Goodnight folks!

Callao Cave/Peñablanca, Cagayan

By livelifeandlove on May 21, 2021

It has a wide variety of interesting formations, typical of limestone caverns. The cave’s interior is largely made up of stalactites and stalagmites with beautiful shapes and colors. You’ll also witness the broken blocks of clusters, pointed shapes hanging overhead, and pointy pinnacles that have grown to enormous sizes. The most unusual thing I saw was a beautiful creation by Mother Nature that transcends normal geological phenomena.

Callao cave– one of several hundred limestone caverns, this one including seven chambers and found 24 kilometers northeast of Tuguegarao city in the municipality of Penablanca. Callao was named after a local settlement. It is both a cultural and natural gem of the nation. The coordinates for the entrance of Callao Cave are 17° 42′ North and 121° 49′ East, at an elevation of 85 meters. Reef carbonates dating back to the late Miocene and early Pliocene make up the limestone formation’s 540 meters. In 1979–1981, a National Museum team directed by Maharlika Cuevas investigated the site for the first time.

The discovery of Callao man in 2007

Excavated by a team of local and international archaeologist led by Dr. Armand Salvador B. Mijares at a site in Callao cave, human metatarsal confirmed the bone is 67,000 years old which is much older than the ”Tabon man” at 47,000 years old. The bones referred to as Callao man or ”Homo-Luzonensis” predates homosapien bones discovered earlier in history. In addition, similar skeletons and ancient tools and other kinds dating back 10,000 years ago. All discoveries are a reminder of early settlers, this cave serves as ancient dwelling and it is also a reminder that early people lives here 70,000 years ago.

Dr. Armand Salvador B. Mijares – a Filipino archaeologist , a professor of Archaeology at the University of the Philippines and the main author of ”Journal of Human Evolution.”

Note: Complete photos of Callao Cave from first to the fifth chamber. Only the entrance of sixth chamber shown. Chambers 6-7 have been sealed off to the public, access is restricted due to landslide and erosion.

Upon arrival , purchase your tickets here. For your safety and convenience, avail their services, student cave guides are available.

Operating hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 PM

Admission ticket prices

Adult— P20

Student with ID— P10

Senior Citizen— P15

Children below 12— P10

Wedding Pictorial— P500

Operating hours 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cave Rules

Always remember the Caver’s Creed > Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time.

Be a responsible caver > No food allowed inside the cave. Littering / Throwing garbage and vandalism inside the cave is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.

Taking time off to marvel at Callao Cave is well deserved. My trip, like that of most tourists, will begin here. The hardest part of my journey so far has been the ascent of the 184 steps leading to Callao cave, but I am eager to finally reach the top. Water is an absolute necessity, and carrying all of my gear in a backpack allows me to feel more at ease and in control while climbing. That was one sweaty day! This is a challenging exercise that has me gasping for air; you need stamina, and you have to work harder before you can appreciate nature’s splendor.

Not a first timer to visit Callao cave, I’ve been here a couple of times never had a problem. I was born in Piat Cagayan, my small hometown is just 40 mins away from Tuguegarao. Piat, my birthplace where I spent most of my life surrounded by people I grew up with. When I moved to Manila leaving behind my roots, It was difficult for me to leave the friends and family I had grown up with and the city of my birth for the bustle and excitement of Manila.

I never fail to visit my hometown, the place where I’ve started from. Every chance I have, I travel back to the place where it all began. The good news is that I was granted the opportunity to return to my hometown. If you go away for a long time and then come back for a little visit, I feel like a stranger in my own home. Here I am once more! After having so much fun and not wanting to go home, it’s hard to believe that.

The aerial view of Peñablanca Cagayan taken from an elevated point of Callao cave.

A good view comes after the hardest climb. You can just imagine the amount of effort put forth , I was so relieved it was over! I must be honest to you > Climbing 184 steps was truly exhausting, my fitness level is good but my strength is nowhere near the strength that i had back in my heyday..

The entrance of Callao cave

The First Chamber of Callao Cave

The first chamber converted into a chapel where masses are held during scheduled Sundays and Holy Fridays.

Callao cave, the best known limestone cave in Cagayan.

The first chamber is the welcome area, large and spacious. It is considered as the best chamber.

The 2nd Chamber of Callao Cave

Hiking around passing through the chambers. Memories come flooding back my past visit to the same old cave. I was trying to recall and compare current changes however, I didn’t see any except for the excavation site at the side entrance. My mind thoughts, as you get older, you’ll face connectivity issues out here.

I’m adopting myself to life in the dark for a while . I’m experiencing a strange feeling to see multiple bats hanging, the atmosphere was dark and cold. It creeps me, life inside this cave is totally different from the life outside world.

The best day tour companions, from the left; Elvie, Baby Lanz, Dr. John, me and Kuya Tom Marvie. My unforgettable memories: taking photos and to bond sweet moments.

As I go deeper to the higher chambers, you’ll see unique rock formations.

The Third Chamber of Callao Cave

Sun rays through the cave, pretty enough to illuminate the third chamber.

Hanging stalagmites grows upward of the cave, column formed under many process of wind-born sediments and water dripping from the cave.

Pausing for a break before entering the next chamber. That Girl in yellow shirt named ” Mary Ann is our cave guide for 2 hours.

Cave formations carved by mother nature.

The Fourth Chamber of Callao Cave

This is how mother earth was made. Incredibly beautiful!

Inside the cave is a combination of light and darkness.

A hard climb going to the fifth chamber, the floor is too slippery.

Moving deeper and darker..

Following the hiking trails

Pretty light rays glows in the dark, the big hole up there was carved by mother nature.

The Fifth Chamber of Callao Cave

Callao cave interior looks like another world, it’s a hidden world of light and darkness, peace and tranquillity.

Hiking and trekking can be a pretty thing for a while, I can still manage to smile after an hour climb.

Entrance of fifth chamber of the cave.

The Sixth chamber of Callao Cave entrance. My three hours cave adventure twists through all sorts of wondrous rock formations.

From my last visit, I stayed for more than a week but no matter how long I visit for, it was never enough, time wasn’t sufficient enough to explore the whole of Cagayan. Hoping next year life will return to normal, will get the chance to visit Cagayan again. Thanks God for meeting old friends, relatives, town mates and all people I’ve known longest time. Sadly, we weren’t able to make our way to Sta. Ana but soon..

Note: Callao Cave featured, fully illustrated throughout with informative texts. 22 Photos all in all. Callao Cave photos copyright protected.

@Copyright All rights reserved All articles fully illustrated throughout with photographs and informative texts. No part of my work may be reproduced, photocopying, and recording any photos and information storage without any written permission from the author.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Coming up next>>” Iguig Calvary” and ”Poor Claire”

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

The Beauty of Callao Cave/Cagayanos Pride

By livelifeandlove on May 13, 2021

A day in Tuguegarao gives you time to explore places that most day-trippers miss, an irresistible urge to go with just half an hour away about 24 Km. northwest of Tuguegarao, located in the Barangays of Magdalo and Quibal in the municipality of Peñablanca, is Callao Cave, a limestone seven-chamber cave and a cultural natural treasure.

Pleasantly cool inside the cave. The most alluring attraction is the dramatic rock formation, a landscape of extraordinary beauty.

A grand overview when panoramic views will make you forget the effort it took to get up there. Climbing the cave might be tough and challenging but it’s worth the climb.

Note: You may also like an evening hike where bats are active after sundown, you can stop to spot and snap the bats flying out of the cave. You’ll come to know more about Callao Cave next blog…

More Callao Cave blogs, ‘’Cagayan Vallley Tourist Spots’’ coming soon….

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Technology/ Learning Tips

Attractive Serving Dish for Fresh Fruit Medley

By livelifeandlove on May 7, 2021

There are times when you want to do something a little special that you may also want to produce an eye catching and attractive serving dish for fresh fruit medley. You can try this! After all, it is accompanied by a helpful photography to give you an idea on how to be creative and it is also easy when someone shows you how. This is very simple, it is a quick entertaining idea, half an hour is sufficient to prepare everything.

Instead of using a glass platter or bowl, you can also make use of fruit boats and cups as serving dishes for fruits itself such as; melon bowl, pineapple boat, dragon fruit boat, avocado boat, orange cup, watermelon bowl or winter melon bowl to name a few.. you can also use vegetable salad shells as well.

Different serving dishes for fresh fruit salad

Fresh fruit medley usually beautiful containing variety of nutritious fruits with contrasting colors and flavors.

Pineapple boat

Melon bowl

Dragon fruit boat

Watermelon Bowl

Avocado boat

Orange cup

Ripe fruits are best eaten in its natural state, it usually brings a nutritious flavor on its own. Can be served as a healthy snack or a perfect dessert in any meal.

Note: To follow> Attractive vegetable serving dishes next blog…

Stay healthy and always remember the benefits of eating fruit everyday

Thank you for reading my blog!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Rattan Fruit Tasting Experience

By livelifeandlove on April 16, 2021

My second time to taste rattan fruit and hoping that this time will seduce my tongue. Once again, let’s see if I can tolerate it. I think it’s one of the best fruits to eat during COVID-19 Pandemic because sour fruits usually rich in Vitamin C. This would be my tasting review the second time around. I can remember my first tasting experience was memorably terrible. Golly! it was incredibly sour that I couldn’t take.

Rattan fruit is a beige scaly fruit (fish-like scale) an oval fruit like lanzones or langsat. It tastes like combination of strong vinegar and green lime.

A good friend of mine gave me these fruits with other kinds such as lemons and pineapples. I was forced to taste it again since it was already there. I first picked up the rattan fruit, it seems interesting to try once more. I took one and my first bite, can’t finish the whole thing, Yakks! Strange and mysterious sour, it seems my eyeballs popped out from its socket. I had mentioned it once and again, it was so terrible. I felt a sharp pain through my tongue and decided to throw it away but with a last- minute looks, I’ve saved it and dry under the sun because into my mind, it looks good for home decoration. I ‘ve kept inside the clear glass jar. Holaa! it is good on the table better than to taste and love it as a good fruit. I will never taste these fruits again.. I swear!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Technology/ Learning Tips

Sweet Love and Good Luck 2021

By livelifeandlove on February 14, 2021

This year 2021 is a double festive event the ”Chinese New Year” (February 12) and ”Valentine’s day” (February 14), merging altogether sweet love and good fortune to start the year right although this year is a different one because of the existing economic crisis brought by the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions. The opening to normal life is very slow and uncertain, we don’t celebrate it the way we used to do in the past but It’s safe to celebrate at home with sweet and delicious simplicity.

If you prefer indoors at least you can move and enjoy more, you can serve at-home delicious dinner or just order out, you can also arrange DIY Valentine craft decors. Safety and health our prime responsibility. When you won’t be able to get-together in all ways, it would be better to send best greetings online and meaningful chat on screen, this would be more meaningful for both parties to be safe.

Wishing you all Happiness and Prosperity, Give Love and be Loved, ”Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Chinese New Year”

February 12, 2021 is Chinese New Year, the ‘’Year of the Ox’’ it signifies the hardworking trait, this is a good symbol that will help us through the pandemic season, it is also a symbol of spring and agriculture in Chinese art. Ox is compatible with people of rat, snake and rooster zodiac signs.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

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Real Life Story/ Advanced Prostate Cancer

By livelifeandlove on February 4, 2021

My hands are shaking, my eyes are filling with tears and a variety of tremors are interfering with my ability to write but I feel compelled to write about my experience. These current circumstances are not promising. No one can predict the future. Nonetheless, I’m trying to keep an optimistic mindset and not freak out as the clock winds down. I keep telling myself to put up a brave front and carry on as though nothing has changed.

My husband’s issue began about midnight, he was uncomfortable and restless that night. He claimed that he was having trouble peeing and that, only a dribble was coming out. He enters and exits a comfort room every ten minutes. He was also having trouble walking thereafter, as though the right leg had become tight.

When morning arrived, I wasted no time in bringing him to the hospital for an urgent check-up directly to the urologist. The doctor conducted a rectal examination and right away, the doctor felt a firm lump which led to the suspicion that it was a prostate cancer. It was terrible and felt like the entire world had collapsed on me. It was a major setback as we were both surprised. I am speechless. Beforehand, we arrived with the understanding that it would simply be a urinary track infection.

Immediately, his doctor recommended a biopsy the following day, the legitimate outcome to identify malignant growth. The biopsy result ”Grade 5 Advanced Prostate Cancer” with a Gleason score of 9. The outcome was so discouraging and painful that it destroyed any little optimism I had.

Followed by a nuclear imaging test, a bone scan at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global city to check for a number of bone problems. I hoped and prayed for a good outcome and the result, increased activity seen in T8 right ilium and left, shoulder, joints, etc. on bone scan or skeletal scintigraphy report.

The time for the next scan had already been set, the CT scan was to determine the extent of cancer spread and to locate tumors and masses with pinpoint accuracy. The result were already disheartening and the delay in announcing the findings just made things worse. Malignancy was suspected in many areas, including the urinary bladder, liver, kidneys, hepatic lobes (segments 11, 11, and 1v), sigmoid diverticulum, and esophagus.

The cancer has already spread to other organs by the time it is detected. I cried out of disappointment. I pray it’s not an aggressive form of cancer but with modern methods of diagnosis and prevention, I know there’s still hope. When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it requires more intensive care. I know that once it reaches an advanced stage, it won’t be cured and the chance of survival decreases dramatically and that scares me.

Cancer treatment is already complicated by the COVID-19 Pandemic breakout, you have to worry about adhering to the hospital’s health protocols as you receive increasingly extensive palliative care.

We continue to make treatment decisions as a team and he just completed Antigen Deprivation Therapy the doctor had recommended as a crucial step in halting the spread of cancer. What will work best for him among the available treatments is still unclear. From that point forward the next step is an infusion for possible skeletal issues. In addition to these, the doctor prescribed oral prostate medications, all of which are expensive treatments for advanced prostate cancer; bicalutamide bicapros (BiCAPS), abiraterone acetate (Abiraterone), and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Our problem here is the risks associated with oral and intravenous cancer treatments are now my primary concern.

This time around, I appealed to God in prayers frantically seeking God’s help and guidance since I was associated with bad hopes and emotionally needy. It was terrifying not knowing what to anticipate as the cancer spread but we’re determined to finish the treatment course in the hopes of saving his life. The final phase, the expected lifespan is a terrifying prospect. Do you know how much longer my husband has to live? I find myself wondering, “Is this all a dream?” If so, someone rouse me! It scared me to the point where I thought the cruel thing would be death.

Meanwhile, we’re doing our best to carry on as if nothing has changed and we’re committed to being there for one other no matter what the future brings with expectations that the remaining time will be blissful.

When I was alone myself and worried too much, I resorted to the internet and read about other people’s experiences with the same or comparable health problems. There’s nothing to be done but to accept what life has already predetermined.

I need to be resilient in order to tend to his requirements which includes keeping a close eye on his diet and only feeding him nutritious options (and doing the same for myself). I’m mustering all my might so that we can have a peaceful evening with our children. Spending time with loved ones is the best thing we can do at this time. I just need to be more compassionately patient and God will take care of the rest. I’m interested in hearing from people who have gone through a similar experience.

In spite of everything, at this pivotal time, being with my children makes me feel like I’m not alone and gives me hope for the future. I am grateful for the love and care shown to me by my closest friends and mentors who helped me figure out what to do and what to expect in the most difficult of times. I’d like to express my gratitude to my family, my siblings, my friends, my classmates, and my best best friend nearby. I appreciate it a lot. I write this in the hopes that it would give hope to others, especially those who have been through something similar.

Note: For more> MG life, works and writings, Follow me Twitter, Facebook page and Instagram

Thank you for reading my blog!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Happy Halloween 2020

By livelifeandlove on October 30, 2020

Halloween may not look quiet the same this year for the kids, it would be a different one. It’s a NO NO to a party, NO spooky costume and NO pumpkin carols but still we can celebrate it at home with some spooky ideas.

This year’s theme goes well with a greater sense of purpose in connection with nature, I love gardening, my most pleasurable activity, the most relaxing during quarantine. For my Halloween accent, not so creepy as you think, it’s miniature garden props.

It’s about time to take a look into my spooky and creepy skull pots, a Halloween indoor planter.

My skull pots are cute decorative pots that can become plants new home, it is good for cactus, succulents and other mini plants.

I don’t like the creepy outdoor decorations like the white ghost, skeletons, zombies and witches that keeps me up at night, it scares me!

How about you? How do you celebrate the spookiest time of the year?

Anyway, Enjoy the fright night!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Weird-Shaped Radish

By livelifeandlove on October 26, 2020

It’s unusual to come across veggies that are outfitted with peculiar characteristics, and the sight of a completely white radish with an atypical form is an interesting example. Vegetables can develop into a strange bizarre form due to environmental conditions, and most farmers have to deal with this kind of difficulty at some point throughout harvest season.

**There’s a deformity at the end roots that looks like a fork in a distance.**

In the same family as turnips and mustard, radishes are among the simplest plants to cultivate for their peppery edible roots. The giant winter variety and the long variations are the two sorts of radishes available. Grown for use in salads and vegetable soup, usually eaten while they are fresh and tender.

Other radish produced strangely funny features but remarkably unusual. It’s quiet amusing! My best example, the long variety in form which is common in the supermarket. Instead of growing long and straight, it produces unusual course and abnormal fibrous in form.

These vegetables are a comical gag gift that look like a human limb has been split in half when there is an issue with their growth.

Thank you for stopping by, I love to share funny vegetable features.

Stay safe and healthy!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies

Fresh Fruits in a Cocktail Glass

By livelifeandlove on October 24, 2020

Serving whatever you have on hand is the most laid-back method to host guests. There’s no need to scramble to come up with a meal idea; just open the fridge and pull out whatever gives you the most energy. I’m sure they’d appreciate a plate of fresh, healthy fruits as they arrived, and any variety of fruit is always on hand and ready to be presented.

The good thing about serving fruits? It can be ready in a matter of minutes and is an excellent way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. The option for today is healthy and delicious. Serving fruits in cocktail glasses isn’t my normal procedure, but when time is of the essence due to a rush, I always go for it! Self-prepared fresh fruits have no equal, and they only take around 10 to 15 minutes to prepare, requiring no cooking on your part.

Fill your fridge and table with as many different kinds of fruit as possible. You can often tell which fruit flavor goes best with which by experimenting with different combinations. I have experimented with combining fruits of varying flavors and textures, as well as arranging fruit slices in a wide variety of containers, including bowls, plates, cups, boats, and cocktail glasses.

To ensure a clean cut, I used a paring knife because it is lighter and more manageable than a regular knife. The fruits should have a high concentration of sweetness and aroma for the best possible mix.

Note : When buying fruits ,make a good selection of family favorites. It must be firm, free of bruises and fresh.

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