The Talk

Batanes

Today, let's sit down.

I have brewed some coffee and bought some bread. I hope you like them. Even if you don't, it's fine. The sun is out, but the air is cool enough to give the fan a rest. It's quieter that way. Let us treat ourselves to silence. That is hard to come by here in the city. Don't worry about the sound your spoon makes as it clinks against your cup, stirring your coffee. If anything, it sets the mood.

Feel comfortable. You can look at me. Or look down. Anything you want to do. Or if you want me to turn on the fan, it's fine. The whir from the turning blades can't possibly ruin the day. It just makes it a tad bit noisier. 

It's been years.
We were going to own the world and smite the self-righteous, starting with the abusive landlady. But we were born with too much kindness, I think. We settled with turning her name to a verb- iv. to hurl all over the toilet seat after getting drunk. That was funny. Her being a word. I wish that had not been what happened to our dreams, though. That makes me sad. IS making me sad. Owning the world are just words we heard from a movie. The line sounded good and loaded. We never really understood it. Even so, it feels we're so very far from owning it. That's probably the only funny thing that's sad at the same time. 

Maybe it's not too late. It's ridiculous saying that when I told you I didn't believe in time that way. Change is more specific. But see, this coffee smells good. It has to. It is making me feel a little better, too. That's why I should never run out of it. I don't think we have to smell good. No, I like baths, but I meant that like the coffee smelling good. I think at any time of the day, we can either watch TV or look for homeless old people on the street to give food to.

Perhaps, after we are done with our cups, I will finally start learning how to grow rice. And you, you can start working on your smile. Or didn't you tell me you wanted to learn how to swim?
I am almost done. Let's do this again some time tomorrow, or next week or next year...maybe, many years later. 

I have to go. 

Good luck. 

Don't forget. 

Turn off the fan.

Never Stops

Oh, but it does.
Everything does. Even
our star. Long after
we are gone.
Still, it
does.

Muddy Piece of Meat and Weddings

Weddings.
My earliest recollection of them is learning how to walk down the aisle carrying rings on a heart-shaped pillow. I was the ring bearer, and I had to wear a ridiculous pair of pants and an even funnier shirt.

But the most interesting one did not happen until many years later. It was held in a remote town, at my grandparents' place. A cousin was getting married, and since I was the only one with a camera, I became the unofficial photographer. I took the pictures as the couple got on a big truck at the front seat, while the guests huddled together at the cargo area, laughing and getting ready for a bumpy ride. Then, I took more at the church and then at lunch, where everyone from the village (invited or not) swarmed for a free meal.

As It Falls

I am not one that's bothered by rain. The way it pelts the roof and the sound it creates are magic. I imagine the drops of water splashing on leaves, streets and colorful raincoats, forming puddles that reflect the sky. And though it usually keeps me home couched somewhere near the window, away from errands to be done outside, I do not mind. I keep still and listen to it slow down the world and see how it dims the sun, allowing for some time to look back on everything that brings forth a smile.

Capturing Pasig Palengke

Who knows where else my feet could take me?

It was a ridiculous idea to go to Pasig Palengke (Pasig Public Market) at one in the morning, and that's why I went. When my housemate asked if I wanted to go, I did not hesitate. Besides the experience of going there that early, it's a place I had always wanted to take street photos in.

I had never thought I could get vegetables and fruits at a much lower price at 1:00 a.m. Apparently, this is the best time to go if you want the freshest of goods at discounted prices. But it might not have been the safest hour.

Minalungao National Park

I could think of at least 5 ways to ruin a trip:
* Go on a trip with an idiot
* Go on a trip without checking the weather
* Go on a trip without knowing some things about the destination
* Get robbed or lose my baggage
* Miss the flight

And it is purely to satisfy my curiosity that I have experienced almost all, ok all, of the above. Really just because I was curious. But I never thought I would be adding to that list until last weekend when I went to see Minalungao National Park.

Add: Travel drunk or nurse a hangover the whole day.

So, over the weekend, I left a party at 4:30am after I got a call from friends I was taking the trip with. We were supposed to take the first bus at 5am, but they were running late, so we ended up taking the third one.

Afternoon Rain and Christmas

Oh, afternoon rain! How easily you dampen my clothes. Yet, how fast you can lighten my heart.

Christmas is still the most festive season of the year.
It would be a shame to shut it out while you stare at its colors.

I Am No Mountaineer

I am no mountaineer. I am merely somebody who climbs mountains when I am not lazy enough to pack. I am just somebody who gets excited when invited to go camping at some peak with friends. I never think I am a mountaineer even when I climb two mountains in a day just for the sheer fun of doing it. There is just something about climbing mountains that makes me feel rejuvenated. You may accuse me of riding contradictions for I do not hide the agony of surviving steep ascents but still claim it gives me rest. There is something about mountains that calm my nerves and muscles, that give me peace. But again, I am not a mountaineer, so do not call me one.

Finding Home in the Mist of Sagada

Pathway beside the church leading to the cemetery and
to Echo Valley

I wouldn't say I was soul-searching when I went on this trip to the north. I was really just sick of my couch at home. No, really. It was light brown when I first got it, but now, no matter how hard I try to clean it up, it's gotten so dark. I needed to be thinking about something else or my obsessive-compulsive behavior would finally get the better of me. So, I took off and got inked.

After getting my traditional tattoo from Bang-od in Buscalan (read Buscalan story here), I headed for Sagada (see travel notes below). The thought of hiking again in this misty town had seemed inviting. The cool fresh air was what I needed. This was going to be my third time here, but would be my first hiking around alone.

Getting Lost in Buscalan, Kalinga

Buscalan, Kalinga

I traveled sixteen hours northward without a particular plan in mind  (see travel notes below). I had no idea how many days I would be there or where I would be in the next couple of days. No expectations, just the hope of finding peace, of again appreciating the world in silence, as it changes from second to second. I had imagined patiently minding the sound of drops of water while recalling smiles. I just wanted a break from a maelstrom of pressure of going beyond mere survival, towards realizing a dream of a purpose-driven life.

I was, at least, clear about one destination- Buscalan, but where after that would be dependent on what I'd feel like doing. I thought, "Bahala na". For sure, things will just unfold, and I would be quick to seize opportunities if worth taking.

Your facebook Posts and the Awesome Life

A print on a shirt says, "I truly hope your life's as awesome as your facebook posts say." Amusing. But more than that, it got me thinking.

Of course, I understood it as sarcasm, a bitter remark from somebody who has seen "awesome" posts of another on facebook, but does not believe it's half the truth of that other person's life. It could also be a well-meaning wish, but that would be a weak conjecture considering that it is printed on a shirt, and it just has to be funny, at least attention-getting. It cannot mean what it says. Even if it does, it would still sanction disbelief, otherwise, "hope" should be replaced with "believe" or just remove the first four words altogether.

Finding Joy

It may sometimes seem as if it is always about pushing a rock to the peak on days end...

...but even a blade of grass can turn to joy if you only know how to look.

Hike to Tarak Ridge: A Lesson on Taking Breaks and Breaths

Nanay Cording

"When you feel like you can no longer go on, stop, turn around, look back on the trail behind you, and take a deep breath." These were the wise words of Nanay Cording, orienting the first-time hikers to Tarak ridge. If I think about it, these are words I should be living by.

The trek to Tarak Ridge was not easy (see travel notes below), especially for the unprepared. What helped me were the preparation I had had a week before when I went on a hike to both Pico de Loro and Mt. Talamitam on the same day and Nanay Cording's words of wisdom. A couple of times, I did feel like my head was going to burst, but I would compose myself, pause, look back and take a deep breath.

Elevator Conversations

That I am not able to speak at the top of my lungs in an elevator full of people is a little frustrating. 

It's just not normal. 

Almost every day, I leave the office at 11 o' clock. I tap the magnetic door control with my ID after I log out through the biometrics (I am not required to do this, but well, if I am not disallowed to do it either, then why not? It makes my day more complete), then step out of the office to take a scenic elevator to the ground floor. This time, there would already be a long line of people waiting. 

Up to the last of the routine I just mentioned, everything would be something you would probably call non-out-of-the-ordinary.

Things become a little weirder when I fall in line. Yes, it starts there. Everyone except me, seems to be screaming at each other. At first, you would think they are squabbling over some lunchbox that went missing, but then you would notice that's not it. They couldn't be fighting and smiling and giggling at the same time. So, perhaps, they are all deaf. But then, reason would tell you this is something improbable, unless of course, you have the improbability drive that Douglas Adams invented. 

Why?

Let's see. First, you have a long line of people who happen to be all deaf waiting for their turn at the elevator, and you waiting with them. This is in a building that houses BPO offices, which would need people who are able to hear and understand someone over the phone. Second, you will need to multiply this phenomenon by the number of days that you would take the elevator. You would never consider this something probable.

The only thing that I could use to explain this is that I had missed a lot of days at school! Oh, and there is another one, I am not really as normal as I thought I was!

Well, to fit in, I tried doing this (yelling inside the elevator) once with a friend. I went, "HEEYY!" That was also the time I figured I needed training on this fast. It sounded like a croak more than a greeting. 

For these people, the normal ones, the yelling is something natural. They do it effortlessly, like the other person, who is actually standing beside them, is some 1 kilometer away. Once, I heard one say, "NOOOO! I THIIINK! YOU DOOOON'T HAVE THE RAAAAIIIGHT INFORMATIONSSS!" The other replies, "MAYYBEE. I DOOON'T KNOOOWW STUFFSSS LAAAIIIKE THAAAAT EEHH." 

I have been doing this routine for about 500 days now, since I got transferred back here in Eastwood, and I am amazed at how they efficiently manage to keep their voices. I would have a sore throat after a minute of talking like that. I also tried glancing at their ears to see if they are bleeding there, but they all seem ok. I have been smart with my own ears, though. I always put my earphones on and listen to music I skillfully arranged on my phone, with a volume that's just enough to eavesdrop without breaking my eardrums. At least I have learned a skill, being not-so-normal.

In envy, sometimes, I think of ways to evade them, or to learn automotive, so I could sneak into where the cables of the elevator are, and fix them in such a way that it would get stuck trapping them inside. I would only let them out when they have lost their voices for good.

Or to be less violent, I should just find a trainer. 
Where's my to do list...

Coming Home

It takes thirteen steps

up to my place in the sky

where a balcony houses a vase
that is out of place just across
from a guitar that is out of tune.

I get home and sit at the balcony past the thirteen steps,
to take off my shoes and wonder what  music to put on.

It's noisy that is shallow she is bitter classical
is too heavy I need a shower it's dusty here
did i send all the reportsand...where
did i read hurry up now
it's time

I reach for the knob inside
through the window. The door
clicks open and still what  music to put on?

I get in, close the door, open the lights.
The piano is soothing but
that is what I listened to yesterday and
the other day I am full did I have breakfast
I need to take some stress tabs the floor is
dusty

It takes thirteen steps
up to my place in the sky.
I mind only them on my way up and
that store across the street.
What music to put on is the door locked-
they are as fleeting as when I strum
the guitar that is
out of tune. 

Pico de Loro - Mt. Talamitam

On the way down to Nasugbu

Without sleep, we pushed through with our plan to climb three mountains in one day. Our performance would let us know how much more we can push our limits in terms of climbing mountains. I imagined it would be fun to have the tales to tell about how I climbed Pico, Talamitam and Batulao in one day.

And we failed.

Like wet fledgling attempting flight for the first time, we failed. But this is probably one failure I will always look back on with pride. 

To Pico de Loro

At 12 midnight, we left for Ternate, Cavite to get to Pico de Loro's jump off point early (see travel notes below). With three mountains in our list for the day, we could not waste time. After napping for an hour and a half (I didn't, though, as I was busy tinkering with my headlamp, and chatting with the DENR officer. I also found out, thanks to Rosie, that my TNF bag has a whistle!), we started our climb. The way we trekked truly brushed off any thoughts of sleep, as we only took two to three breaks on the way up. We were determined to get to the peak before sunrise and start the traverse as early as we could. Sadly, the sun rose earlier than we hoped, so we had breakfast and coffee when we got to the campsite, instead. 

The peak was just 15 minutes away, so we went for it. This was no walk in the park. Getting to Pico's peak is like going up the stairs to your office on the 20th floor, maybe more challenging. But the view is spectacular! Even for the second time, I was still in awe. 

Our breakfast: Goto

We stayed at the campsite longer than we should have, and started our traverse at 7:30am. The first time I had done the traverse to Nasugbu, we had followed the trail from the peak, which passes by the famous monolith. This time we took a different trail, so I thought we were headed for another place. 

I should have asked more about where exactly in Nasugbu we were going, so the group could have saved one and a half hours of useless trek through an almost impossible trail. But this was fun. It felt like real adventure getting through thick bushes, cutting through branches of fallen trees.

We gave up.

We headed back to the campsite. Pretending like we had just gone looking around (it was embarrassing to say we got lost after we told the guide we could find the way on our own), we told the guide we were finally hiring him to lead the way down to Nasugbu. To my surprise, he took the trail I had gone through 8 years ago. And boy, was it a clear trail down! We could have made it ourselves! 

My lesson? Mind where you're going. Simple.

I have heard that Pico is considered a minor climb. Yes, probably. But that really depends on which trail you are talking about. The one coming from Nasugbu is heaven. That is if you are fond of pouring ethyl alcohol on your deep cuts. The steep descent from the peak to Nasugbu is a curse, though, for people who just want to climb three mountains in one day. It was 2 hours of pure agony, as it is simply not fun to support the weights of your body and your bag going down. If you want to know what I mean, try loading your backpack with a good 8 kilos of stuff, then take the stairs from the 30th to the ground floor of your office building. Multiply that by about 10 times. You will know what I mean.

Cut the long and painful story short, we got to Nasugbu 2 hours later, took a tricycle to the Nasugbu town proper, then had lunch. We were already hesitating whether to still go for the next climb. I guess our lunch gave us happy energy,and decided to go for the next mountain on the list.

Travel Notes

Bus Terminal: Coastal Mall
Fare: Php 81
Travel Time (to Ternate): 1.5 hours (12am; there is a bus every hour)
- Get off at Ternate municipal hall (tell the conductor you are going to Pico de Loro).
- At the municipal hall, there are tricycles you can take to DENR (jump off)
Tricycle fare: Php 225 (we took two tricycles, so we haggled for Php 200)
Registration (DENR): Php 25
Registration (at the house on the way up): Php 25
Trek up: 2 hours
- There is a store at the campsite where you can buy water, food and some supplies (a bit pricey, though, since the goods are delivered from Nasugbu- a very difficult trail)
Trek down: 2 hours (to Nasugbu)
Guide fee: Php 500 (from the campsite) Php 1500 (from DENR)
- There really is no need for a guide since the trail is not difficult to find, but if you are not confident, you can always hire one.
- There are tricycles once you get to the driving range in Nasugbu.
- According to the tricycle drivers there, they would be the only mode of transportation allowed there. If you arrange for a jeepney or a van to wait for you there, the vehicle will not be allowed to park anywhere.
Tricycle fare (to the town proper): Php 500
Travel time: 30 mins

To Talamitam

View from Mt. Talamitam. I believe that's Mt. Batulao.

The 40-minute bus ride to Bayabasan (our jump off to Talamitam) was a welcome one, as we needed the nap to get us more energy for the hike. When we got to Bayabasan, our guide was already waiting for us (Talamitam can only be trekked with a guide). 
And with him was the rain. 

It was not a surprise that we would be trekking wet. First, who could trek and remain dry? Second, it's the wet season, so even if it is not raining, it will. My bag's been water-proofed, and my outfit's just ready. 

What was not ready was my feet. They are tired of the hike, yes, but that's expected. What I did not expect, which is stupid, was the blisters. I am not comfortable wearing trekking shoes, so I wear sandals when I hike. I could not remember getting blisters during my other treks before, so I thought I would never have them. 

Lesson? Learn to wear shoes.

At this time, I was already worried, as we were just on our second mountain, and my toes were beginning to spell disaster. Of course, I brought my first-aid kit, but the band-aid would not do sh-t as I would soon learn.

Talamitam is considered a fun climb. It's a mountain that beginners should try out first (arguably so). It took us 2 hours to get to the peak, and that's pretty fast, relative to another group that went ahead of us. They took as long as the time we spent up and back down. Kidding. But they were slow. And wobbly.

I thought that without the rain, that hike would have killed us or worse, our dreams of ever reaching the mountain peak. Talamitam is all grassy and...grassy. With the sun high up in the sky, you would probably swear off climbing mountains for a long time. The farmers have cut all trees for their vegetables and crops. But the hike up is easy if not for the slippery trail, the most slippery being the paved way near the jump off (very mossy concrete). All of us were told to stay in the middle, but a girl got courageous, and took the leftmost part, so off she fell bum-first.   

We were lucky it was raining, indeed. Luckier, since when we got to the peak, the rain let up, offering us a magnificent view of Mt. Batulao- our last mountain for the day.

We rested for a bit at the saddle, where I nursed my blisters and covered them with band-aids. It was here when we decided that yes, we could still make it to Batulao, but with the following consequences:
1. We would be trekking with hatred. Hatred for going for it, for each other, for the mountain, and for ever deciding on this weekend craziness.
2. We would miss the last bus trip back to Manila and hire a jeepney that will cost as much as a brand new pair of trekking pants.
3. With the strap of my sandals constantly brushing my blisters, I would not only be singing happy melodies like a mad dog, but will leave the mountain with my toes' flesh all gone.

So, we thought for a while. 
We came to a logical conclusion that maybe, it was not a good idea to go for it.

After enjoying the view at the peak and a little more rest at the saddle, We started our climb down with renewed energy, now that Batulao was off the list. It only

Trekking in the mist

took us about 1.5 hours down, but not without difficulty. We trekked through the mist, then in the dark, with a little bit of rain. The trail was so muddy a lot of the mud would get between my foot and my sandals and some into my blisters. The band-aids were taken off. The pain was terrible, but I was more busy minding my balance. In the middle of the trek, I laughed like crazy, since the pain was too much. My sandals were slipping off my foot in a fashion that I can only imagine (since it was dark) is like wearing them as anklets. It was that painful.

But even difficulties end. 
We finally got back to our guide's home, where we had dinner and a quick wash. Chicken soup is good after a wet hike, that's for sure.

We still could have made it to Batulao, but we knew that we were deciding for the best not to. It is necessary to know how failure sometimes needs to be decided on to be victorious. This was not about winning, but I did feel like we won.

I am glad that the people I was doing this memorable trek with were smart besides having endurance like that of a camel and speed of a horse. 

Travel Notes

From Nasugbu
Bus fare: Php 31
Travel Time: 40 mins
Guide fee: (no set price) Php 375
- Before the trip, we asked the guide to cook dinner for us. Food, and 1.5 liters of soda, and use of their bathroom cost us Php 625, so we gave them Php 1000 including guide fee.
Trek up: 2 hours
Trek down: 2 hours
- The trek could be longer depending on your pace. If you could avoid the sun, do so. This mountain does not have trees to shield you from the heat of the sun, so it is a good idea to trek really early or at night.
- Buses to Manila are only till 8pm.
Bus fare: Php 124
Travel time: 3 hours (depending on traffic)

Gallery

Attempting traverse through the bushes

Mt. Talamitam Summit

Night Trek

Trekking in the rain to Talamitam

On the way to Pico's summit

Pico de loro's peak

Campsite at Pico de Loro

Pico de loro

Blood Moon

A beauty that flits is made more beautiful when it is born out of a shadow.

This was taken during the lunar eclipse on October 8, 2014,

Familiar

It is a joy to discover something new about something thought of as familiar. It almost makes traveling cliche. I was going around my neighborhood, and I was very surprised to see several photographic opportunities. This being one of them.

Dingleberry

Four days before my last day at work, I was asked to vacate my desk.
I thought it was fine, since I had resigned, so the new manager could have it. I chose to leave all these, didn't I?

While I was clearing my desk, I started to feel strange. Bad strange. There was something wrong, but I could not decide what. But I was sure I felt...small.

And because I could not yet find some rational explanation why I should be feeling that way, I kept it to myself. Maybe I was just sad to leave, after all.

Then, I realized that I was not told where I should transfer. That made me feel worse. Good thing I found a vacant desk, where I could put my stuff (not a lot since I like my desk uncluttered)- a paperweight, pen and business card holders, a notebook and a calculator. There were some important documents in my drawers, but the new manager (nm) should have them, anyway.

Once I was done, I even helped NM settle (she pretends to need help all the time, though I know she can very well do things by herself). I felt the need to help her not because I was feeling helpful but because I felt increasingly mortified for no apparent reason (at least to me). If I had just sat there and entertained the feeling, people would have noticed, and that was unthinkable.

Later, I sent a chat message to a friend and told her how I was kicked out of my desk. Her reply made me realize something I had been dreading; I was being treated like dingleberry without even knowing it! For my idiocy, I will award myself a pack of tissue paper when I get the chance. (But I already got good, sweet expletives from this friend, so maybe, mocking myself would be too much.)

It's funny how, at first, I was in denial. I tried to tell myself that I was just being sensitive and that it was my huge ego being trampled on, but as minutes passed, that rationalization made less and less sense. Everyone around me thought it was weird, since she could have the spot after I'm gone. Ok, so I had to accept that I was treated unfairly and that I should have done something to uphold my dignity. The more I thought of this, the more I thought about having them (my boss and nm) chew on that desk! They made me angrier by the minute. So, I took to social media and ranted (only select few could see it, of course, although I was tempted to make it public for the world to see how unprofessional these people are). Yes, I thought this was the most appropriate response, since it would be strange to go back to my boss and nm hours later and tell them I just realized how they were being unfair. And that, you know...they had hurt my feelings (right hand clasped against left chest)!

Thanks to my friend, I learned that it was not the desk I was angry about. It was the manner in which the whole thing was done. (I don't remember them saying, please!)

See, I tendered my resignation four months ago. Employees are required to give just 30 days of notice, so I had initially planned to leave 30 days later. My boss asked, no, begged for me to stay four more months to help with the transition; my position is very important to the company, he said. I obliged. I did not really want to leave my teams in shambles. I love working with them. So, this was a win-win proposal. Now transition's over, and NM’s ready, the boss could toss me away and treat me however he wanted.

He is lucky I have always been cool-headed. And dense.

For what it's worth, I was reminded of how bad it is to be treated like that which creates a bad mess on the underwear of someone in a hurry to finish his fecal business. And how right I was to finally hand in that letter.

Ciao!

Clarity

In three months, I will be without a job.
This is a clear decision, but what is next still eludes me. I don't know if it's right not to be worried, but something tells me I am making the right choice.

The saddle to Mt. Pulag (Akiki)

It is the uncertainty of the future that's fueling my excitement. Everything has opened up to countless possibilities. Unlike the decision to work for a company 9 years ago, this one is more daring in that for the first time in many years, "I" am actively defining my future.
However, time is not one to take a break. And I have to think and act fast. Moments can flit like a shooting star.

---x---

I was listening to music, then I went out for an unhealthy lunch, there was a moment of hesitation to go to a birthday party and now this. In a few hours, Saturday will accede to Sunday, and that feeling of not having accomplished anything will leave a bitter a taste.

So, let this be a mission. A simple one for now. I have some time to go back to perceiving the world as it turns. I will try objectivity, but I will fail.

Like listening to the sound of metal clanging from a distance. It's a ghastly one that makes me grab the glass of water in front of me and break it. Anything to drown the infuriating noise that seems to never end. But I also hear laughters- the kind of sound that's more musical than music. Then I will think to myself, life is good.

Time is ticking. I cannot waste any more as I have these many years.

The sound of metal clanging, the laughters, the indecision. My bed is not yet made.
Perhaps, I should start with that. With the bed.
And then, maybe, I will have the heart to let this day pass with some embarrassments and to answer questions I have always avoided. Of course, I want to be left alone arguing against time. But there is also beauty in doing that which is out of the ordinary. It is really no different from sleeping on a beach under a moonless night.

And the bed is still not made. Time is running fast.

I remember voices and images, perhaps from a movie or past conversations. That everything is pre-writing and writing starts with typing what is in your heart. I still think how it was unfair that his mentor dies in the end, but why defy inevitability? Why waste time and energy on something that is lain as a matter of fact? Why not think about unpeeled mangoes or uncooked lunch?

Yes. I might have wasted some time on truths. But they seemed very interesting, then. They were a perfect excuse from dealing with simpler issues like pollution. Or maybe not. Let's try "dust in the living room".

And why is it that when you are in a hurry the clock seems to tick faster and louder? I am not pressured, but I could feel my heart beating faster.
I think it is that I would soon be jobless. It is because what happens after is something that needs to be decided.

What is truly annoying is that for now, it is just because I know that I will be going to that party, and I would be uncomfortable.

And the bed is still not made.

Cagbalete

Cagbalete is an Island off the coast of Mauban, Quezon, and a great destination, especially, for those who do not want to be with a big crowd at the beach. It is not as impressive as the beach in Calaguas or El Nido (not as white or as fine), and the water disappears during low tide. But what I like about the place is the peace and quiet. I also hear that sunrise is beautiful here, but sad that we missed it.

Accommodation could still be improved in Cagbalete, but that's nothing if all you want is respite from stress. There are lot of resorts to choose from, where camping is also allowed. We stayed at Villa Noe, where we paid Php 1000 for the cottage and Php 200/tent for the pitching fee (They also rent out tents). It was a good deal for the price. The cottage has a dirty kitchen where you could cook your meals. Just don't forget to bring your cook set and stove.


How to get there:

Bus Terminal: Jac/Jam liner (or any bus passing by Lucena) 
Fare: Php 220
Travel time to Lucena: 3 hours (but on long weekends, that could go up to as long as 6 hours)

- From Lucena, take a mini bus to Mauban (1.5 hours; Php 50~). You may also take the van, which is slightly more expensive, but also 30 minutes faster.

- From Mauban, walk or take a tricycle to the port.
- You can either look for private boats (we got ours at Php 3500) that will bring you to Cagbalete and back or take the public one (Php 40~). First trip to the island is at 10 am, and the next one's at 4pm.

Gallery

Coconuts and Probability

The only time I am open to surprises is definitely not on my birthday, but when I take trips. I know that however I plan things, there will always be a situation that will require flexibility, like adjusting the time, finding alternative transportation and even sleeping in terminals. These are all part of the adventure that my travels are usually about. Of course, I hope that good surprises outnumber the bad ones. More often, this is the case. In some rare occasions, I chance upon people that become a part of the memories I have with the place, with the trip.

This Holy Week adventure was a bit of both. 

I met people who enjoy nature, away from the comforts of the city. They were there for just a night, but the time was enough for us to share stories about what we do, who we are. Over some bottles of beer, we talked about our travels and how it took them 6 hours to get to the beach when it could have just taken 3 on other days.

The next day, hours before they had to go back home, we went around to explore Kwebang Lampas and took pictures. It was a different experience enjoying a trip with people I just met. Of course, before they left, we had exchanged contact details so we could look each other up on facebook. 

But my trips are not always about fun times. This one was especially made eventful by coconuts. Yes, what I thought was improbable happened. 

As it was not possible to forever stay under the scorching heat of the sun, not even at the beach, I had to find some shade. There was a coconut tree beside my tent, so I took the chance. It is no secret how dangerous it is to sit under this tree, so I checked if the coconuts are still green as an assurance that they will never fall. Well, I misjudged.

I was sitting under its shade, lost in thought about something I could no longer remember, when I felt a heavy blow to my head. The first thing that came to mind was, who the fuck? It was only after I saw the coconut roll when I realized I had just become statistics. I waited for myself to fall down and lose consciousness, but that did not happen. I just touched my head and looked around to see if I had made a spectacle out of myself. Well, a couple of people saw what happened, and had this anxious look as if asking me if I were ok. I just smiled at them and said, "That hurt!"

What happened next were days of thinking that any moment I would just drop dead on account of a brain injury that I wasn't aware of. I know how a blow to the head like that could be lethal. However, since I did not feel nauseous, nor did I vomit, I agreed with the doctor not to undergo a CT scan. (I went to the emergency room after I got back home on a Saturday after friends have forced me to consult a doctor. You can just imagine the embarrassment as I recounted what happened to nurses and the doctor at the hospital).

After the incident, I am never getting anywhere near a coconut tree. I am also never going back to Kwebang Lampas. Not because of what happened but because whoever were running the place did not know anything about courtesy. They also charge campers ridiculously high. But that's a different story. 

Still, I don't regret taking this trip. Though the coconut falling on my head hurt like being kicked on my balls, I met great people there. I also enjoyed the swim and the sun. I really just had to be smarter next time, I guess.

Dampalitan - Borawan - Kwebang Lampas

Manila to Padre Burgos

To get to Padre Burgos, get on a bus to Lucena. That will take about 3 hours. Then from Lucena, take a bus going to Unisan and ask the driver/konduktor to drop you off in Padre Burgos.

To Lucena
Bus/Terminal: Jac Liner, Kamuning Quezon City
Travel time: 3 hours
Fare: Php 218 (as of 4/16/2014)
Lucena to Padre Burgos
Bus/Terminal: Lucena Grand Terminal (we took the bus going to Unisan, but you can ask around for buses that would pass by Padre Burgos)
Travel time: 1 hour
Fare: Php 40

Padre Burgos to Dampalitan

We got off at a waiting shed in Padre Burgos. We bought supplies at the store along the highway and had brunch at a nearby eatery. The sales lady at the store offered to help with the boat. Apparently, the boat fare to the Islands has already been standardized.
Php 800- one island (Either Dampalitan or Borawan)
Php 1200- two islands(Borawan and Dampalitan)
Php 1800- Borawan, Dampalitan and Kwebang lampas

Dampalitan 

We decided to visit two islands, camping overnight in Dampalitan. From mainland Padre Burgos, the boat ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It is not a rough one, so you can really enjoy it.
Dampalitan is nothing like the beautiful beaches I have been to. The sand is coarse and its color not impressive. I was told that there is a lot of jelly fish (sometimes box jelly fish), though they have put a net enclosing the swimming area.

What is great about the island, though, is that it is not crowded. There is enough space to pitch your tent comfortably. You can also make bonfires (you can buy a pile of wood from one of the caretakers for Php 50), though I personally think this should not be allowed. When we were there, the weather was not very good, so I was not able to see its famed sunset view.
I enjoyed my stay here since it was a very quiet place. We also found spots good for taking pictures. Just go all the way to the left (if you are facing the sea) of the island during low tide.
However, I don't think I will like going back there. The beach is not very inviting and I think the pitching fee is ridiculous.

Here is some information about staying in the island:
Php 60- entrance fee (I think this is dependent on the number of nights you stay in the island)
Php 200- Pitching fee (even if you bring your own tent, you still have to pay)
Php 500- tent rental
Php 35- beer (SML)
Php 200- Red Horse Beer
Php 30- charging fee (1 full charge of phone or camera battery)

Tips:
- Bring enough drinking water if you are camping in the island, as everything at the store is very expensive.
- Camping in Dampalitan is advantageous if you consider space, since Borawan is too cramped.
- Take advantage of the fact that it is still possible to make bonfires at the beach.

Borawan

If I am not mistaken, I stayed in this island for about 40 minutes only. We visited Borawan on our way back to the mainland.
Accordingly, its name is derived from Boracay, because of the sand, and Palawan, because of the rock formations. It did slightly feel like you were in Boracay and Palawan at the same time. However, I think it is a bit overrated. The sand is not as fine as in Boracay and rocks are much better in El Nido and Coron.
Still, this island is worth a visit.
Borawan Information:
Php 80- Entrance fee (I think it is a bit more if you stay overnight. Not sure about that, though.)

Kwebang Lampas

It was my second time in Kwebang Lampas. Considering that I don't usually go back to places I have been to, this means that this place really made an impression on me. I like the white sand (albeit not as fine as I would like it to be) and its blue green water that does not disappear during low tide. Sure it is nothing like Calaguas, Boracay or Palawan, but it is so much better than Dampalitan and Borawan...combined. I thought, then, this was a place I could go back to many times, if I want to go swimming at a beautiful beach not so far away from the city.

Kwebang Lampas

All that changed this time. Of course, the cove is still as beautiful as I remember, but the care taker just ruined everything. The caretaker does not seem to know much about courtesy and customer service. I know that it was such a busy time for them, considering that the entire Philippines goes on vacation during Holy Week, but that's not an excuse for treating visitors without respect. Cut the story short, I am not going back to this place, and I am not recommending it either (especially after my misadventure with a coconut).


Check out Cagbalete travelogue here.

Travel Notes:

Padre Burgos to Pagbilao
Trave time: 40 mins
Fare: Php 30
Pagbilao to Registration Area (Kwebang Lampas)
Travel time (tricycle): 1 hour (could be faster if taking a jeep)
Fare (tricycle): Php 400 (split by the number of passengers)
Fare (jeep): Php 30 (Tricycle at the junction to Bgy Polo will cost Php 150)
Entrance fee: 80/night (no pitching fee unlike in Dampalitan)
Ten Rental: ranges from Php 300 to Php 800 depending of the size

Tips:

- Bring enough drinking water. The store at the island sells drinking water but at a very expensive price, sometimes, they run out.
- Fresh water for bathroom use is also sold but when there are too many people in the island, they could run out of it, too.
- Bathrooms are available but sometimes, you have to wait in a very long line. It's not as clean as you would like it to be.
- If you are coming from Padre Burgos, you do not need to go all the way to Pagbilao market. You can just tell the van/bus/jeep driver to drop you off at the junction to Brgy. Polo. From there, you take a tricycle that will take you all the way to the registration area. That would cost you about Php 150.
- Make arrangements with the tricycle driver to pick you up on your way back, as tricycles are not always available, unless, of course, if you are going with the crowd during peak season (like Holy Week).
- Note that the entrance fee is per night. I am guessing that whoever is running this place would like people to enter the premises several times. :P
- From Kwebang Lampas, you can walk it out to the Jeepney terminal. That way, you can save the P150 fare. Note that the tricycle ride will not take you all the way to Highway-Polo junction, but just up to the jeepney terminal in Barangay Polo.

Kwebang Lampas

See more of my travels here.