https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/dhummhyp
On a rainy day, the mountain trails are my favorite place for a workout. While others stay inside their respective homes, I find that a little rain makes the forest thriving with life. The colors look brighter, the air smells clean, and the gentle sound of rain on the leaves makes the world feel peaceful and quiet. On one of my recent hikes, I found something really special, and I wanted to share it for this week's Fungi Friday.

AI Transparency Notice:

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/idiydnws
After checking out from a hotel in Pasay City, I began my journey towards a much-needed moment of calm, boarding a classic jeepney at the commuter area of SM Mall of Asia. The ride to Rizal Park in Manila was a trip down memory lane. It's been a long time since I've navigated the bustling streets of Metro Manila in one of these iconic vehicles, as I usually opt for city buses, the MRT, or simply travel on foot if the destination is within a comfortable walking distance. Furthermore, the jeepneys plying the Pasay-Manila route are noticeably shorter than those in other parts of the National Capital Region, a more compact feature that adds a special, nostalgic touch, reminiscent of the classic 80s model of the Philippine Jeepney. This feel made me hear Hotdog's iconic song "Manila," a big hit during my childhood days, echo in my mind.

Stepping off the jeepney, I was immediately taken by surprise. It had been so long since my last visit, and the improvements to Rizal Park were remarkable. My eyes were drawn to the imposing statue of "The Sentinel of Freedom," also known as the Lapu-Lapu monument, which stands proudly at the Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, a civic center located to the east of the main park grounds. This grand sight made my journey even more worthwhile.

As I entered the main premises of Rizal Park and walked toward the iconic Rizal monument, my attention was captured by several adjacent gardens to my right. The first one that caught my eye was the entrance to the Japanese Garden. Since I still had the luxury of time, I decided to enter. I was especially drawn to this space because I've recently become fascinated with "Shinrin-yoku," or the Japanese art of "forest bathing." This practice is about more than just a simple walk; it's a mindful immersion in nature to improve one's well-being. Studies have shown that it can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even boost the immune system. This was my opportunity for a near real-thing experience, and I was excited to finally be walking through a space designed for the very practice I love.

After I walked past the curtain of vines, I saw a path lined with bamboo plants. They formed a beautiful archway, leading me to a peaceful, artificial lagoon. I walked across the wooden bridge over the water, watching people relax by the pond and take pictures. The area was so calm, it was easy to forget I was in the middle of a bustling city. The gentle sounds of the garden helped me feel centered and relaxed. It was a perfect moment to just enjoy the tranquil ambiance .

This is my humble content for this week's Wednesday Walk by @tattoodjay and thanks everyone for keeping me in company.

AI Transparency Notice

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/eyinefit
Since I am on a dayoff, I went to the town market this morning to buy some stuff for my packed lunch tomorrow as I might be assigned once again to a faraway outpost. This is the best time for me to go to the market where as aside from the things that I am going to cook as my brunch while I am at work, I will also be looking for stuff that can be cooked for today's meals. While walking to the vegetables section, something caught my attention so I went closer to see what is it and lo and behold! My heart seemed to be jumping for joy when I saw it up close! They are bundles of freshly gathered ferns that I am craving to try so I asked the seller how much does a bundle costs and she says that it costs fifty pesos. Easy on the budget, I thought so I bought one and asked how to prepare the stuff to be eaten. She said it should be blanched first then I thank her before I leave and headed for home with excitement because at last, right on my hands, I am holding one of the rainy day staples that I am craving for. and that is no other than fiddlehead fern known as "pakpakô" here in my locality. I call this as rainy day staple because, like mushrooms, ferns came up in abundance during the rainy season.

Below are the simple steps to prepare a delicious bowl of fern salad, for me, I only used vinegar, salt, and shallots.

Ingredients and Preparation:

That's all for now and thanks everyone for dropping by to my vlog. Do you also eat this kind of vegetable in your place? if yes, can you share it on the comment box how is it being cooked or prepared in your locality?

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/yuyoatcj
Hello, everyone and welcome to barriotic2020tv! But before we start, please allow me to ask this question: Have you ever been to a garden... within a garden? I asked you that question because that's exactly what I featured on my vlog for this week's Wednesday Walk.

This beautiful and tranquil forest park or shall I say eco-park isn't just a random part of the park. It's a project developed and being overseen by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, or PMSEA and this organization is composed of various mining companies that is not only concerned with safety on mining operations but also prioritize in protecting the environment as well as in rehabilitating mined-out areas.

At the entrance of the garden, the visitors will be greeted by two signages associated with the organization. First is the PMSEA official seal of which tells a story with the mountains, a pine tree, and the tools that represents their strong dual commitment to mining as well as in environmental protection which signifies a powerful of their mission. Second is a signage that says "Pusong Minero" or Miner's Heart in English language. This is about the organization's deep care and commitment, not just for the industry but for the community and the environment as we can see a figure of a heart formed by a hands wearing safety gloves and a hard hat with a flashing light on it which symbolizes how their work is done with safety, passion, and care.

After passing to the area where the signages are found, a fern-covered arch will lead you to a flagstone walkway, and a concrete stair can be seen. At this point, one can immediately notice that some of the plants have tags to indicate their species or their scientific, common, and/or local names. These plants are composed of 50 percent native species, 40 percent are endemic, while the remaining 10 percent are plants that were outsourced from other Southeast Asian countries.

A very striking pink flower caught my eye near the bridge over a free-flowing spring, and when I searched its name via Google Lens, I learned that the flower is from an orchid known as Medinilla magnifica, or popularly known as the Philippine orchid, and is known as kapa-kapa by its local name.

As I continued with my walk, I noticed the lush greenery all around me. The garden was home to numerous species of ferns, from the short ones that carpeted the ground to magnificent giant ferns that stood taller than a person. In fact, it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between a fern and a palm tree in here! But that's part of the fun of exploring this peaceful sanctuary. It was truly a showcase of diverse plant life.And here was the one that took center stage, and this was none other than the Baguio pine, or as it can also be called, the Benguet pine. Its scientific name is Pinus kesiya, and as the name suggests, they're native to Baguio City or the Benguet province. The sight and scent of these pines are a signature part of the Baguio experience.

At the end of the video, a replica of a nipa hut can be seen which reminds me of our house from the lowlands and this is where I will end my vlog for this week's Wednesday Walk by @tattoodjay. Thanks for your time!

Music: As Leaves Fall

Music acquired from InShot video editing app. Want to try the app for free, CLICK my invitation link below: Now:https://v.inshot.com/invite

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/alpdpdxs
I went on a mushroom hunt after the recent rains, but it almost ended in disappointment! Arriving at my usual spot in the boondocks, I saw other people already heading home with their finds. Instead of turning back, I decided to trust my instincts.

AI Transparency Notice: The written portion of this post has been enhanced with the use of a generative AI tool to assist in editing and improving the language. All the original ideas, experiences, and content presented in the video are my own.

MUSIC:

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/vwjcmiru
It was past eight o' clock in the evening and I found myself walking in an unfamiliar place that is approximately 186.411 miles away from home. That was after I attended an event in SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Philippines, I decided to explore some of its nearby structures before heading to my hotel room at Sea Residences and since the mall is about to close for about a couple of hours and it was just a 1.3 kilometer walk to the hotel, I entered this place considering that the mall is not crowded at that time.

I was so amazed by its vast interiors perfect place for a person like me who loves to explore places while walking and though I prefer walking to places that is connected to nature found within the confines my rural community back to my province, I began to like this place and I enjoy walking at this new environment even for just a short period of time.

Join me and let's see how things gets going inside the SM Mall of Asia. Enjoy!🤗❤️🫰

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/rdhvefel
A rainy morning greeted me as I was about to go to sleep, exhausted from a long trip from Metro Manila. Suddenly, my dog started barking. My wife rushed to wake me up, telling me we had visitors. She calmed the dog and welcomed them in. When I looked out the window, I saw my uncle and two cousins. They were asking if I wanted to join them on a trip. It had been years since I'd seen them, so I quickly agreed.

Music: Ambient Simple Uplift

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/xrsfizsq
It's a strange feeling, seeing something you've known for so long become so... different. For years, my routine has been the same. I wake up, put on my boots, and head out to the coop to collect the eggs. It's a peaceful part of my day, a simple act of gathering the fruits of our free-range chickens' labor.

DISCLAIMER:

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/vjikarzj
My first visit to the Mall of Asia, located at J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila, was a cherished family memory with my two daughters. After a long day attending an event, we decided to walk from our accommodation at Sea Residences, and the evening air was a welcome treat. As we approached, we were immediately amazed by the sheer vastness of the complex, with the iconic illuminated globe serving as a spectacular landmark. Inside, the awe continued as we discovered a unique holographic aquarium, a mesmerizing, pillar-like display that drew us in with its lifelike marine projections. Our adventure concluded as we headed for the exit, where we were greeted by the friendly sight of Pawty the Corgi, a fitting final image of a vibrant and joyful place before we began our walk back to Sea Residences, our hearts full of wonderful shared memories.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=barriotic2020tv/mzmxwuws
Our home in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines recently filled with laughter and warmth as my father’s brother, my uncle from Pangasinan, arrived with my two cousins. It’s a rare occasion these days for us all to be together, so we decided to make the most of their visit with a trip to Coffee ARTea in the neighboring town of San Juan, La Union. The draw was twofold: a chance to catch up over good food and a visit to another cousin who works at this popular cafe.

Disclaimer on AI Assistance: