Patchwork of Joy

Today, I visited this blog again. Reading post after post, I've become sentimental. " Ah, this is what I wrote some 10 years ago?! " It was cathartic and I had a sudden awakening to revive this blog. I quickly set this to public again.  You see, I've been feeling empty since my mother died last February. The indefinite work time-off was much wasteful but I've been reading and writing on my daily journal. Social media drags me with unsettling feeling of not being seen by people and even by close friends. The overload of ephemeral information and the algorithm drive for monetization made us insincere at what we do. Parts of me constantly feel vulnerable and misunderstood, putting work for prying and preying incorrect audience.  As I read further, the slightly polished posts I made long ago were somewhat like a online diary too. It was private and yet not obsolete for universal feeling of connectedness. This reminds me of the essay "The Diarist on Diarists"...

"Pinatubo" means made to grow ⛰ Are we going to Tarlac or Zambales? The answer was both. The jump-off point is in Tarlac but Mt. Pinatubo crater is located in Zambales. Now this trip ticks two provinces in my A-Z PH province bucket list (counting badly, huh). Going to Mt. Pinatubo seemed daunting to me in the beginning as I couldn’t understand why reading multiple blog guides doesn’t really help when creating a DIY itinerary. Eventually, I read that taking a tour package was recommended instead of DIY since the latter was more costly. The payment of fees, the waiver signing and the 4x4 share ride was efficient with group tours. I found a Reddit recommendation and availed the package from Mt. Pinatubo Tour-Danny's Adventure (transaction via Facebook). The tour fee was ​​2,850 at time of travel (March 2023). Upon our arrival at the jump-off, it was cold. My choice of footwear adds to the chill. I wore my Merrell hiking sandals since the trek entails some river crossing. I...

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 ...