As fate would have it, at 6:00 am I was abound bus #12 with my pamangkin and his bus group of grade II, III, VI students, four teachers and 10 companions. Being the first for him, I saw him eagerly on watch and keen on pointing me places familiar to him.
1st stop:
Chips delight Laguna. upon reaching the first leg of this trip, Ms Kay the tour facilitator gave us briefing and then the students were given each a white hair net and ushered to the tour site to get a glimpse of how their "favorite snacks were made". We were initially informed that we were not allowed to tour and were directed to the kiosk which sells their product at discounted prices. (got to buy there a pasalubong for the twins).
2.The Apolinario Mabini Shrine
My role here was to take pics and to take care of my nephew, but since this was his first, he was so scared of being left by our bus. he kept reminding me its #12. So when I said pause for a pic and smile, he ran toward the classmates.
This place is small but it houses a couple of mabini memorabilia and a hut which is a replica of his original. there is a lifesize statue and a couple of paintings which relates his life as our hero.
3. Bluroze Farm
This i loved the most. The place is an excellent team-building setting with its wide selection of activities. We took our lunch there, then proceeded to our tour. we were rounded (all the trippers, a couple of hundreds participants) and were shown the place highlights. we were first let out to see the bird varieties, bats, monkeys. Then we passed thru a garden that housed lifesize saint icons, then thru the biking area, the huge snake and ostriches. There were also wild boars, and sheeps. (my pamangkin and my 1st time to see them). We were then guided to the deck area, however the kids were not allowed to went up the steps. Then we went to the maze (like that you saw in harry potter 4 where harry nd cedric find the portkey, only it was smaller) and find our way out. The trick, we walked on all fours and glided thru a make-shift tree-trunk tunnel. Whew!
I was amazed and of course curious as to what to see up in the viewing area. The first chance I got when we were given time to relax after the exhausting walk-around, i settled my nephew in the bus and went to see what's up.. Haha. I understood why the children were not allowed there since the steps were not concrete, and it was a possibility that they will slip in between the flights. There are 6 flights, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9 steps consecutively then another 4 steps and 9 then voila! u get a 360 view of the surrounding mountains of lipa city. I did want to stay there longer but there were lovebirds before me and well, i left the place to them.
4. the Gardenia
Last stop for us was the very efficient and organized tasty making and packing company. the tour area was very neat (showing how they have really prepared themselves to this kind of informative tour, and to their potential investors). there is also an area to have souvenir photos taken. however i had already been battery-emptied since we left the farm. So what lingered was the softness and the aroma of the newly baked breads they gave us for free taste. And it was really delicious, yup the commercial is right, no spreads needed. Yummy.
In conclusion, im glad i did become my nephews chaperone today. Im grateful to witness such childish joys and innocence and curiosity. To be a part of his journey on that day, guiding and sharing with him his fears and taking part in his happiness is a fulfillment in itself.
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