Patchwork of Joy

Shot taken 5:53AM “There is relatively little "color" in the life of the Bontoc Igorot. [...] this lack of "color," the monotony of everyday life, has to do with the continuation of head-hunting. The life of the Igorot is somber-hued indeed as compared with that of his more advanced neighbor, the Ilokano.” - Albert Ernest Jenks, The Bontoc Igorot (1905), Aesthetic Life, page 184 Around 2019, I have put Bontoc on my travel bucket list after reading a heart warming blog about their visit. Coincidentally, I downloaded an old random expat travel book from Archive.org about their stay in this town. Four years have passed then and I have forgotten about it —  the blog, the book, and all my thoughts about it. Until, my former colleague posted about their own visit and so I thought it was familiar. I  quickly made an impromptu trip for it and dragged my brother to accompany me. Stopping by the terraces (on descent) It was a Friday in November when I arrived at the Coda Lin...

After a lovely encounter with Ambon-ambon Falls, I have put Buntot Palos on my go-to list ( like forever ). The trip was originally planned for my brother's birthday, but the month elapsed ( because life always gets in the way ). I scoured a few blogs and guides but missed important notes. My familiarity to the area preceded me ( like how it could breed contempt! ). We came under prepared ( It's my 3rd visit to Pangil, afterall ). At 6:30AM, we were on board the jeepney to Siniloan in front of Big-R, Cainta. It left at 7AM. The two-hour, full-load seat capacity jeep trip was butt-burning, hip straining ( pain calling for the love of gerunds ). Road music was the only interesting thing happening on the winding road〰 the tire grinding and biting on mostly fading asphalt road ( not as cool as Rd. 67 though ). Still, I found the sound comforting and pleasing. This route never bore me ( But again, it hurts me ). The road at Mabitac, full of twists and turns, could get nauseous ( at ...

Jump to Itinerary and Expenses   The Bus Ride from Manila to Cabanatuan      At almost noon, we arrived at Cabanatuan after 3 hours of travel from Manila. At first, I was hesitant to take the non-AC bus bound for Dingalan, opting and hoping we could take the van to avoid the scorching heat. Quickly, we were time pressured to jump at the next available public vehicle (t his ride appealed like it would tarry no man ). And so, we were en route to Dingalan on an open-windows, non-aircon bus at the peak of the afternoon heat. But as the wheels ran, I could only think of my anticipation as we got closer to our next destination.        Next to us, an old lady accompanying a big group of fellow passengers asked the bus conductor for a fare discount. She claimed that her son, whose name she mentioned twice though I didn't bother to catch, works for the bus company. The conductor with his subtle anxious look explained in detail how or where the fare will b...

The dry months have finally arrived. It’s March! Although it's still a bit early for the beach, we couldn’t wait to meet everyone after a long hiatus of meetups due to pandemic. And so, this trip was a post-pandemic reunion with my colleagues from my previous company. Except for Jo, I haven’t seen them for over a decade. They’re actually my seniors but they’re from a different team so I feel comfortable hanging out with them. Except I get some missing-out-moment when all they talked about was their work. I don’t really mind much since I know how to occupy myself when travelling– and that’s taking lots of pictures! Tsoi drove his car so we’re on a fancy trip to a private resort. The house’s interior was painted in European-style white walls. The living area was so cozy and dreamy. There were 2 underground bedrooms and another comfort room. We really loved the view of the balcony and the overlooking sea but it takes 200 steps to get to the beach.  The house was equipped with branded ...

"Let us rendezvous in Rodriguez." Where is that? In Montalban... It's where the  Katipuneros wrote " Viva la Independencia Filipina " on the cave walls using charcoal to    declare independence from Spain.  After hiking Mt. Pamitinan, I get to read the lore of this little rich town renamed. Along the way, the name gets confusing for a noob traveler, especially when people still use the old name Montalban. I get the impression that renaming a town to celebrate a politician is a bit of a whim (but IDK, my complaint is a bit of a personal whim). Mama Sierra Madre is quite vast. My first encounter with her beauty was hiking Mt. Pamitinan. I was in love with her landscape. Its slowly declining beauty is a bit bothersome to observe but again what do I know? A much needed short break after resuming to work again in Metro Manila was just all that I truly know. Rizal became my home again and Sierra Madre was such a healing place. I was so amazed by how close it was from ...

Going to Masbate felt like going to another country. The language barrier made the island somewhat familiar but unfamiliar. My friend’s prepared itinerary made us find our way, but I’m fond to remember it as “life is like an island trip full of surprises”. At Masbate Port, the  tricycle driver offered 100 for 4 persons going to the public market, a less than one kilometer ride. We declined, and walked just outside the Port  and the regular fare was 25 pesos only. In the UV, Jef sat on the passenger seat. He twice requested from the driver to drop us off at Dimasalang public market. We were at the rear seats laughing because the driver was not responding to him. I was tracking our location against our destination using Google Maps. Eventually, we were at Dimasalang public market and the driver did not drop us off until I told my friends that we have arrived. At Dimasalang public market, we ate lunch at a carinderia. We bought canned goods as our emergency food. The grocery owne...

Catanduanes is second home to my good friend Jessa. We were stoked when she agreed with our idea to visit the island. She even prepared our itinerary and met up with Jef to finalize the plan. Since I was working in Metro Manila, I wasn’t able to attend their meeting. So, I've only recently realized that her nerdy itinerary has exactly 10 best spots that match our short but fun-filled weekend vacation. Day 1:  May 19 (Friday) Mamangal Beach, San Andres Twin Rock Beach Resort, Virac Virac Town Proper / Night event at Town Center / Sea Breeze Restaurant   Day 2: May 20 (Saturday) Maribina Falls, Bato Bato Church, Bato Pag-asa Radar Station, Baras Nupa Green Lagoon, Gigmoto Balacay Point, Baras Puraran Surf Beach Resort, Baras   Day 3: May 21(Sunday) Binurong Point, Baras The numbers exactly follow our route/directions... When I think about Catanduanes, I think about resilience. Also, I think about our promise to return and complete the 360 island tour. After all, we’ve onl...