A Whole Year of Updates (4/5)

By far, this is the part where I'm most excited to talk about (and my friends have been bugging me to tell the whole story).

May-June 2012. The Ilocandia Tour.

I have always wanted to go to Ilocos and experience "the old, the ancient, the history". In some days when I have less to do, I would browse the internet on must-visit places. One day, I felt everything was too much - I needed to get away from work, disconnect myself to social networking, run away from the boyfriend and try to be a different person, I decided to embark to Ilocos in the weekend.

Thursday. The boyfriend and I dined at Hawkers and we talked very casually. Then I told (not asked) him that I wanted to travel to Ilocos on Saturday. He was astonished at how absurd this idea was. He asked if I'm sure. I said yes immediately. I made up my mind and there was nothing he could do about it.

So come Saturday morning, I woke up at around eight o'clock - which is my usual first wake up call on weekends. I looked up the internet for a bus liner which can take me to the North, the schedule, rates and contact number. Turned out I had one freaking hour to prepare because the bus would leave at 9:45. I packed a few clothes, made sure all my essentials are in my backpack and hailed a cab to take me to Partas station in Pasay. I remembered it was raining like hell. But not Mother Nature stopped me. Then I got my ticket, waited with the rest of the passengers and called the boyfriend that I was there waiting already. Friends and my boss texted to remind me to take care of myself. I planned to go back to Manila Sunday night so I could still report to the office on Monday.

But no. The bus ride took away 12 hourssssss of my supposed get-away tour! I dreaded CDO-Davao bus rides and this was tooooo much. I didn't realize until my phone was on critical battery level, when my butt felt sore, my stomach was grumbling (I do not eat when on travel because I easily get sick) and there was nothing else I could do but remain seated. On my window seat, peeping from the curtains, I saw rainy Pampanga, La Union and and Pangasinan pass by. I was supposed to contemplate, meditate, ponder upon everything that's happened (and will happen) in my life but I could not. It was the worst part of the trip.

Saturday 10PM. I arrived in Vigan (but had to keep asking the bus driver and its assistant where we were already). I picked the most friendly looking driver from the line-up of trikes infront of the terminal. I was fortunate that he knew where Grandpa's Inn was and told me that it was nice and affordable. So there I checked in at the old mansion which was refurbished into a lodging house.

Wait, let me tell the story by just posting the photos instead. Then I'll just blog about THE QUARTER LIFE CRISIS.

An old coffee press (I think) at Grandpa's Inn, Heritage, Vigan.

Longganisa was a staple.

More than 10 tigers at Baluarte, Vigan.

Random bus rides. Didn't know where to go.

Vigan Empanada doesn't have added coloring.

Kesong puti cheesecake and black coffee for that rainy afternoon.

Spicy longganisa pizza at Herencia.

Laoag empanada from Johnny Moon (Juan Luna hailed from the North)

Bangui windmills going to Pagudpud.

One of the highlights: meeting The Dictator (at his Mausoleum)

A Whole Year of Updates (3/5)

March 2012. The boyfriend and I were supposed to celebrate the actual fifth year together on the 18th but plans had been made with girl friends to tour Cebu. I pushed through with Cebu, enjoyed three days of sun, food, shoes and more food. Only to come back to Manila with the boyfriend mad at me.

It was my second time in Moalboal and I hoped earlier that the girls would arrange for a Camotes or Bantayan escapade. Still the same fun as last year's except that ALL the girls got drunk. Imagine six girls finishing two bottles of vodka and I-couldnt-remember-how-much bottles of beer. Everyone shared their heartaches and sorrows. It wasn't easy. Each one of us had a lot to deal with. But anyway, I wouldn't want to talk so much about this because as they said "What happens in Cebu, stays in Cebu".

The morning after.

April 2012. This month came by so fast. I couldn't remember any out of town trips except maybe for the random Tagaytay roadtrips the boyfriend and I do.

When Manila's temperature goes up and becomes unbearable, we take refuge in Tagaytay. An hour or so of driving and we're engulfed in cold air and very light atmosphere. The city boasts of scenic view of the Taal Volcano and Batangas bulalo. We preferred going to Mahogany (the meat market) than in those expensive restaurants. It felt more authentic because the karinderyas are fronting the market which sells beef only.

May 2012. My birth month. Quarter-life crisis got me a year earlier. Being 24, working in Manila, in a multinational company, having a boyfriend of five years, being far away from my family, I had a lot of questions in my mind.

The boyfriend and I had an extended misunderstanding (because I pushed through with the Cebu trip on our fifth anniversary). We weren't really arguing. We were simply drifting apart. I went out with my girl friends, shopped alone, worked myself out. He had extended hours with officemates, on beer, playing basketball and work as well. Our differences were more emphasized and seemed irreconcilable. What made it harder was the fact that we shared an apartment together. At home, we talked about nothing. We pretended there was nothing wrong with our relationship. We'd still hold hands while walking, kiss each other goodnight and hugged when he picked me up from the office. But the "I love yous" had been rare. Pretensions. Lies. Cover-ups.

Things at work were getting heavier but it was fun. My colleagues are loud, funny, perverts (hahaha), noisy, talkative and ate a lot. Pantry discussions made lunch more tasteful and pancit meriendas became venues for more adult talks.

Coping with what I call as "quarter-life crisis" will be in the next portion.



A Whole Year of Updates (2/5)

On a happier note comes the year 2012.

January 2012. New Year's eve was of no difference. The festive atmosphere was absent. Crackling of firecrackers, videokes in each corner and roaring laughter were replaced with eerie silence. Cagayan de Oro was different. And recalling what I heard and seen was heartbreaking.

February 2012. The boyfriend and I spent the Valentine weekend (and celebrated five years together) in the land of Chocolate Hills. We boarded in Bohol Bee Farm, where everything is "organic".

Dinners were awesome at Bohol Bee Farm. They always include their yummy breads and spreads, and spicy flowers salad.

Bohol Bee Farm is in the island of Panglao. The boyfriend and I stayed at the "Buko" Garden Bungalow Room. Everything was made of coconut - the soapdish, ash tray, bedside table, lamps and all the decors. Infront was a flower garden where chilled the afternoon away.

They also boast for diving and boating. We weren't into it at that time since it was just the two of us (meaning more expensive). Instead, we, again, lounged and relax infront of the water and breeze.

We also enjoyed the beach in Bohol Beach Club where it boasted pristine white sand that stretched for a kilometer or so. It was the perfect sun and sand combination. There's a swimming pool, for you non-beach lovers. Entrance is at Php350 on weekdays, and Php500 on weekends. Take out Php150, and the rest can be consumed on food and beverage at the restaurant. It was sulit. If we weren't that scared of getting our skin burned, we would've slept under the coconut trees, on the hammock, for much longer.

 

Our Bohol getaway wouldn't be complete without the countryside tour. Chocolate Hills, Loboc River Cruise, Baclayon Church and Museum, the man-made forest and seeing the tarsiers.

The Heat is On

It's the second half of April and the sun's heat is scorching. Four days of rest meant non-airconditioned rooms.
My company is on a financial crisis and with that, it means there won't be a company summer outing. The previous years were in Bohol, Club Manila East Rizal and Subic Ocean Adventure. It's sad for everybody but it doesn't mean we will stop partying the summer away.
Last March 11-14, the boyfriend and I were in Cebu with Manila friends for some beach loving. It was the first time I enjoyed Cebu, the other times were just connecting trips between Manila and Cagayan de Oro. There was a lot of walking, swimming and walking. Cebu displayed such an old city, with the wooden houses and community buildings, stone churches and a festive feel of being the Queen City of the South.
Newly-found friends from Davao and Cebu completed our 4 days and 3 nights vacation. The boys were so into photography and the girls posed readily as models. Everybody was fun and definitely behaved trying to have more fun.Here are some snaps of our Cebu escapade:

The boyfriend playing in the sands of Moalboal.

Meeting good, old friends - Sienna, Alfie and his girlfriend.

Cebu downtown.
At the Magellan's Cross

The Sto. Nino Basilica