30 Minutes Up Close with Baliuag

As childish as it was, i didn't let the visit in Baliuag pass without chasing the flock of white birds in the rice paddies. I saw them while i was playing with my nephew along the road separating my ate's place from the plots tended by her in-laws. From a distance, the birds seemed to me only feathers playing with the breeze and settling finally. As it is, they were feeding on the leeches and snails on the empty frames. It was almost planting season again, and there were already farmers tending thier own with the help of their best-friends, the carabaos.
Had the rain didn't pour, i could have stayed in the plains longer.







The B and C Orchids Exhibit

Along the way, we stopped over at Razon's Halo-halo Baliuag Branch, but what caught my attention was the colorful orchids displayed 5 paces away. My papa and mama during my teen years have collected some rare and beautiful species of this flower and the whole family was fascinated with their vibrance and variety. Even now, we are still awed by the silent sophistication of this beautiful flora.

Happy Birthday Ate Ghalie!!!

we had a great time this weekend in my sister's place in Baliuag, Bulacan. she will be celebrating her birthday today and since most of the family are working during weekdays, we agreed for a saturday trip. fortunately for me this time, i was allowed a weekend day-off to tag along.

It was supposed to be a surprise visit but hey when there is something exciting coming up, there will always be someone giving the leaks, hehe. My sister just had a liver operation and the family was really very thankful that she bravely got over the process and recuperating just as strongly. It was a heartwarmingly celebratory day and the Gamboas welcomed us heartily and prepared delicious meal for us, especially ginatang alimango with just enough spice- really yummy.

My mom hardly ever travels now, but this time she ignored her own sickness to be with her daughter. i am myself a sentimental and had i not compose myself , i could be crying just seeing the family get together again. but hey, aside from drama sessions, this family had shared enough hilarious and unorthodox humor, making fun of each other and indeed the day was filled with contagious laughters.

another get together is being planned, and we are looking forward to that another whacky day!

Finally: The SUMMIT (Mt Kalisungan II)

to say that i was overjoyed was an understatement. it felt like taming the wildest of them all. this mountain certainly has "more bite than its bark".


Months after the failed attempt to the summit of this mountain, i was once again getting ready to trek on the slopes of Mt. Kalisungan. This time, again a blinding hope to reach the peak despite the typhoon that was brewing on the south luzon.

do not blame me for the daredevil that i was, the trip was long planned, since the first climb and the schedule was plotted a fortnight before. Even the typhoon was an unexpected adversary. Had this trip failed though, had there been troubles after, i had no excuse but my own obsession to meet the challenge. Though i am already humbled once by the forces surrounding this mountain, i came here for the second time with only one goal-to heal the constant ache alluring me to its summit.

I was nervous. There was no mountain to welcome us, it was completely covered by the fog and the drizzles were obstructing my line of sight. Little by little, i was feeling the pull of my nerves. I had no windbreakers, and the rain steadily pursued us. Not long after we started, the dampness covered us from head to foot.

The only push that motivated me was the familiarity now with trails. They seemed more friendly and pronounced now. We took cover from the fruit trees and released the muds we accumulated thru twigs and leaves. At times cutting off the amorsekos which deliberately clinged on us.

Midway through the climb, we were already addressing the mountains' resolute stand. And two hours after we jumped off, we came to the same hut where we lunched the first time. It was a couple of "we've been here before". Certainly. But instead of resting now, this ignited our desire to follow the trails we had overlooked before.

Had we trailed west as advised by the local we met on the first climb, it was sure that we made it the first time. Had we not confused steepness with direction, we could have made it the first time. Lessons were learned, and this was another time. the object of the day was to keep ourselves from slipping trough the muddy trails and to ensure safety for everyone.

Indeed we were close. The dalandan farm we trekked before was directly below the trail towards the peak. Inching up, the trail whirled through another grassland. We needed not to make our own paths now, it was all evidently tracked. But believe me now, climbing trough the wet and sharp grasslands, and muddy-packed soil was not at all enthusiastic. And even if we wanted to get inspiration from the vista we might see from that viewpoint, that was completely obscured by the thickness of fog that clouded us.

I was not complaining, huh, i had only developed total respect for this mountain. Thirty minutes after the hut,i honestly felt that we were almost there. I was waiting for the cross on the peak to emerge over the waving cogon tips and every time i didn't i felt i was cheated by the trails.

Slowly i struggled until there was no way up. I was battered by strong winds from all directions and i was stil painfully looking for the landmark cross. I looked beyond to where i thought was the town but saw nothing, we were completely covered. Madness.

I felt the mountain was making fun of me until i saw this piece of rock, a crevice in the middle. The Cross wasn't there anymore. Typhoons had claimed it. Inspite of myself, i decidedly posed atop it. With or without the Cross there is always faith, and yes i couldn't have done it without my Help. Going down, i felt the mountain finally smiling on me and in one split moment, it gave me a second to glimpse right down to the town and the surrounding farms.

Linked Post:
> Understanding Gravity - Mt. Kalisungan Part 1

North Pandan Island: My Sister's Island Escape

Puerto Galera is the prime tourist destination in the island of Mindoro especially because it is so much closer to Manila and boasts of a number of diving destinations. So who would have thought that going beyond this border, following an off-the-beaten track, there lies a tropical paradise waiting to be explored?



My sister and her co-employee friends were on to a beautiful island they had only known from an officemate. A relative of whom is a local of Sablayan town (the biggest in South-east Asia). The teaser was this remote island 20 minutes from their town, a wide range of activities to choose from, and certainly beyond reach of the city that control their busy days most of the year.

Their exciting trip began when the plane left the group. One of them took the time checking out the closet for the best swimwear (hehe) and ended up paying for eight people's land and sea transfers (huhu, that was pricey). What could have been an hour of unincidental plane ride towards the island, turned out to be a tiring yet fun, awakening and at the end exciting land and sea transfers thru Batangas city, Abra de Ilog, and Sablayan-a welcome sight after the long journey through rural and at times untamed roads.

From the rustic and scenic port of Sablayan, it was all for them a escape to paradise. Tucked in the sea surrounding this bay is an island where curvaceous sand and tropical forests converged, where easy trails fenced the boundariesa and the luscious paradise perfectly complemented with the dive spots scattered around and doubled up by the nearby Apo Reef National Park.

They all stayed in cottages separated only by palms from the sea where she and her husband played around the huge hermit crabs, and sang along with the crickets at night. She even played me the music of the morning waves of the sea as they greeted her when she went around a bend and discovered for herself a powdery white-sand cove, a contrast to the coarse sand from where they were staying. Indeed, one can never have enough to explore around but in the end it is the laidback simplicity that drives its visitors up to a paradise they never have known before. And ultimately, all these are so much worth of all the hours and humps of travel.

Getting there:
Bus to Manila -Batangas City Pier(175.00) - 3hours
Batangas City Pier - Abra de Ilog (192.00) - 2hours
Abra de Ilog - Sablayan (250.00)- 3hours
Sablayan - Pandan Island (100) - 20 minutes
Alternatively, the resort can arrange plane transfers.

Accomodation:
on the island: Pandan Island Resort (700-1500)
in Sablayan: Albert's Place, Emily Hotel, LandManz Hotel

Special Interests:
Libauo Lake
Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park
Sablayan Prison Farm

What Remained Of All Saint's Day

On a sad nOte:
While Halooweens and All Saint's Day are attoned to family gatherings, it also is a sad recollection to the discipline that we sometimes bury with them...

Here's the aftermath:




I am already mourning for the neglect our environment is suffering...

In Memory Of Our Loved Ones

In memory of our father, our old folks, our little angels...



All land, sea, air transport peaked at this time of the year. As a tradition, Filipinos travel all the way from Manila to the northernmost or southernmost part of the country to remember their departed loved ones. In remembrance of them, millions flock to the cemeteries,both lavish and public to visit the families they missed. They brought all characters and designs and shapes of candles, all sorts of flowers, bouquet, or picked out from the gardens they tend, some prayed and held special masses.

Yes, the way we remember our beloved families may vary, but the life they shared with us when they lived will always transpire in our hearts, a beating memory and one pulsing hymn for their journey beyond this world.