Patchwork of Joy

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...

My friend wanted to go camping, so my brother and I impromptu joined her. We just tagged along with her itinerary, and went without planning or bringing our own tents. We made a quick stop at the public market to buy ingredients for our dinner cooking. At Stella Maris Beach Resort, it was crowded and noisy with KTVs playing on all cottages. After our lunch, we decided to pitch the tent far from the crowd. We made it really far far away. We would walk a lot every time we needed to use the resort's amenities.  Hammock with a view We explored the rocky point of the beach while appreciating Mt. Mariveles, which I climbed a few years ago . Then for dinner, Jo prepared the ingredients. W e grilled stuffed bangus but it was messy since we lack skills and cooking tools. Although a bit burnt, it was tasty. Sunset with Mt. Mariveles background The next day we walked near the resort's amenities to rinse and change clothes for our departure. We saw a cordoned area on the beach and a dead w...

We all grew up learning in Sibika at Kultura about hundred islands. So I guess, it's every Filipino kid's dream to get a glimpse of this unique geological formation. Since we can't afford to go on school tours, it became our life goal to complete our education once we started working. In the words of Albert Einstein, “once you stop learning, you start dying”. So, welcome to the post-school educational tour... This trip wan't easy. I left work on Friday at 10PM. Commute to my apartment to pick my things. Then, I travelled to Cubao at 11PM.  We departed at Victory Liner Cubao at 2AM. Woot, we were hyperactive kids on the road. We arrived at 7AM at the bus stop. We ate breakfast before heading for the Wharf.  We hired a tricycle to go to the Wharf but instead the driver acted on his own and drove to a transient home. We requested the driver to drop us off the Wharf but he brought us to the Park's Tourism Office Extension Site. It's starting to get convoluted so we ...

A family that hikes together, likes forever! Look at those they call unfortunate and at a closer view, you'll find many of them are unwise. -Young My sister calls our family activity as an “Hike All-In”. Under the scorching heat of the sun, all of the family members hiked for the trail going to a place the villagers call “Busay”. The hikers include: my parents who are in their 60s, my cousin around 50s, my brother in 40s, my sister and sister-in-law in their 30s, my sister, brother and me in our 20s, my nieces and their friend aged 6, 9 and 10, and a one-year old baby. I listed them down to point out our age gap. As we walked on the trail, father told us his stories of planting rice on the fields that we passed by. He pointed to the area that used to be kadlagan (forested) but most of the lands are now kabasan (rice fields). Some of the fields looked like mini-rice terraces. The hike was simple except we had a baby to carry. Finally, we arrived after more than an hour of walking. ...

1 2 3 Quick! Let's go to Subic Beach! To prepare the trip or not to prepare much, that is the question. To spend money without work, that’s the bigger question. ( this is a bum trip! ) You have the money but you don’t have enough time. You have the time when you have no money.  Well honey, there’s always a way if there’s a will. Amen. Have I just said too much? Here's a really simple guide for a trip to Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon. If you’re coming from Metro Manila, I suggest go to Calaguas , too!!! HEHEHE Well, it's nearer when you travelling via bus.  Unless you've been there.  If you’re coming from Metro Manila, take a bus to Daraga (or Legazpi ).  Or if you had your flight ready and set, from Legazpi you can take a jeep to Daraga.   Vans bound to Sorsogon City are both available at Daraga/Legazpi. But it's faster to take it at Daraga (near Shell Station), the locals think so ( more passengers are here, I suppose) ...

2NE1 - HAPPY M/V Watching 2NE1's Happy MV. Then I was listening in infinite loop that I checked the translated lyrics of the song. It was a happy tune, with a sad lyrics.

It Does Not Once Say Me I found an old Lutheran digest in the house. I used to read it when I was in high school. The articles are pretty inspiring. The picture above I still remember copying it and putting in my scrapbook.I find it meaningful, keeping it by the heart.  This reminds me of the usually sang finale song in church Paninimbaga n: Daing sisay man na nabubuhay Para sa sadiri lamang. Daing sisay man na nagagadan Para sa sadiri lamang. Kita gabos may paninimbagan sa lambang saro. Kita gabos tiniripon nin Diyos sa pagkamoot. Indeed, an pagrokyaw sa Kagurangnan pirming kaiba an gabos.