A birthday up north

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur

2015 November 19-22

One of the perks of being a government employee is that I get to know in advance the merits of holiday declarations. I'm just grateful that our office didn't have major tasking during the recently concluded APEC Summit (unlike some in the Department), so the Ilocos get-away that Gabriel and I planned for the past few months pushed through.

We originally planned to have a DIY tour with just the two of us, to celebrate my 25th birthday. But we thought the better of it and just opted for a package tour and invited our friends. At first, we thought not many would be interested to join us, but as the date approached, our group got bigger and we ended up filling the van with 13 people from my (and Gabriel's) different social circles. Hehe. 

I honestly thought that it was a good decision to have friends with us. Their personalities, despite coming from different backgrounds, melded so well. There were no awkwardness at all, everyone was game for the adventures (and the photo ops), and it felt like my different sets of friends knew each other since long ago.

Day 1

Our first day, straight from the eight-hour journey by land, was filled to the brim Ilocos landmarks and tourist spots. It was during the first day that we visited a handful of churches, witnessed traditional pottery, walked under the sweltering heat, tasted Vigan longganisa (but not hot choco hehe), strolled along the famous cobblestone street of Calle Crisologo, made to wait for an hour for our lunch at a famous restaurant there, wandered around Baluarte in search of the tiger Aiba Masaki took care of when he came to the country many many years ago, visited Marcos landmarks, enjoyed the rough road ride atop a 4x4 and tried sandboarding immediately after. It as a packed day, indeed. And I felt relieved that after all those activities, we didn't encounter untoward incident (save for Marifel's injury hehe) nor any foul weather.

San Agustin Church and the Bantay Bell Tower

 

 Atop the Bantay Bell Tower
© Bam Sun

PAS Ilocos Chapter. Haha.

Hidden Garden Restaurant in Vigan

Someone's not happy with her breakfast at Hidden Garden. Haha.

A National Folk Artist at work, at Ruby's Pagburnayan in Vigan

National Folk Artist for Pottery Fidel Go, in his 70s, still practices the traditional art of making jars in his shop in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Go said that their products used to be in high demand, locally and abroad, reaching as far as some renowned hotels in Europe. After the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, the demand for Vigan's clay jars plummeted. Today, Go's pagburnayan shop earns most of its keep from selling souvenirs and donations from tourists.

A photo posted by Riza Atienza (@noriza__) on Nov 30, 2015 at 10:37pm PST

© Toto

Turistang-turista! :))

Calle Crisologo, finally! :D

Dooooorrrr!
© Toto

© Claire

Mother and dowter. :))

Very very danger tiger at Singson's Baluarte

In Batac, the Marcos Museum was closed because of power interruption. It was actually funny how none of us were really disappointed about not seeing yet another Marcos estate, let alone the remains of the late president. Our tour guide wanted so much to take a photo of us outside, but we were like, "Nah, that's okay. We're not really Marcos fans." I know, it's kinda dismissive towards history to say that, but really, I believed then that there were more things to see and that another glorification of the Marcoses wouldn't be much of a loss.

Speaking of history, I asked the history major boyfriend how come Ilocos managed to keep (most) of its Hispanic architecture, while most of the provinces in the country didn't. According to him, aside from the strong grip of religion in the province, the residents had managed to establish a thriving economy on tobacco. Joining the revolt would have meant the disruption of their income-cutting ties with Spain-so they didn't.

Not far from the Presidential Museum was the Immaculate Concepcion Church. I asked our guide, who isn't Catholic, if I could drop by there and say a prayer. Inside, there were portraits of St. Josemaria Escriva De Balaguer, Patron Saint of the Ordinary. I whispered to Gabriel, "There. I found my patron saint." Actual thing he said as I was taking this photo:

"You have them for friends. So what's that about being an ordinary person?"

Point taken. :p

We traveled some more to Paoay, where we visited the (another) San Agustin Church, famous for its large buttresses. For me, the most distinct feature of the churches we visited was the presence of pulpits. I felt like I was transported back to the height of the Spaniards' rule, the new paint replaced by the gray-brown tint of adobe, and a prayle was standing atop that pulpit preaching to the masses.

San Agustin Parish in Paoay remains to be one of Ilocos' iconic churches.

Paoay Church's Bell Tower

 

©Bam

Malacañang of the North, the Marcos residence in Ilocos turned museum.
©  Bam

No One must know the tyrant's abode... :))

No One must blend well with the surroundings. :))

No One must take photos in a clearing. :))

I envy the Marcoses of yore, if only for this view.

Aaaand... we're off to our 4x4 adventure!
© Bam Sun

Desert renegades. :))

My phone's plastic pouch creating an instant bloom filter. :))

Saaaaand! And sunset!

#candid :)))
© Toto 

Chasing sunsets
© Claire

#AryaLakwatsera goes to... Dorne? :))

A video posted by Julio Gabriel Ubas (@julygrapes) on Nov 21, 2015 at 5:04pm PST

Actually easier than it looks. Sandboarding is fun! :)

When your travel mates have the eye for artistic photo shoots and all that stuff, and are fans of things cheeseballs, you get sunset couple photos. Haha.

Grinning because it was kinda silly in a kilig way. :))

♥
© Bam Sun

© Toto

Day 2 

Hello, Mindanao

Oroquieta, Misamis Oriental; Iligan, Lanao del Norte

September 25-28, 2015

A trip in the works since March, my first visit to Mindanao was made possible by the invitation of one of my office mates to visit her hometown. Together with some of her friends and Gabriel, I had my first adventure down South to the land of beautiful falls, fresh fruits at every turn, seafood on every table, colorful sarongs, and beautiful and kind people.

Adventures in a red multi-cab (also: bad case of zits huhu)

The trip was mostly a homecoming, so we were hosted at my friend's house where I got to sleep on a hammock, watch a lechon being cooked in the backyard, eat nothing but seafood for days (it was amazing), haggle for dried fish, eat halang-halang paired with pûso (also amazing), eat langka in such large quantities, eat durian (in smaller quantities - quite an experience),  eat sea shells (basically, eat a lot haha), learn to pick up context clues in conversations in Bisaya, be taught patiently of the language by an 11 year-old, try all the flavors of Tanduay Ice, and wake up to the sound of roosters.

Achievement unlocked! :p

On the first day, we went to Oro Extreme Adventure to try Mindanao's longest zipline at 2.3 kilometers across the beautiful Layawan River. Gabriel's a little (just a little :p) scared of heights, but we pushed through–arduous trek and all–and it was our first extreme adventure together.

It was also my first time riding a barge, going to Iligan. Our ports could use a little more modernization. (Our whole transportation system needs a reevaluation and advancement, but that's another matter.)

In Iligan, a lunch was also hosted by another one of our office mates. We had our fill of squid, humba, shrimp, fish, mango–and even durian–float. Happy tummy all the way, indeed.

We went to a couple of falls, traversed a hanging bridge probably 200 feet above ground at Mimbalot, trekked about 400 steps, rode a raft to get underneath the raging, cold waters of Tinago. We also crossed the border of Misamis and Lanao and stayed for a night at Midway Resort, where some of our companions took a glass boat ride.

 Mimbalot Falls

Tinago Falls

Wavy seas at Midway

Maria Cristina was a little shy that day

St. Michael's Cathedral

The ripples in the water were so mesmerizing to me.

 

Back in Oroquieta, I got to "swim" in the middle of the sea and marvel at the richness of the marine biodiversity of Mindanao. The sea, by the way, was practically just across the street.

Our four-day stay was brief, and I miss the simplicity of a rural daily life. My office mate's homecoming was also nothing short of a reason for her families to celebrate as if it's a fiesta. The warmth of their hospitality and the familiarity of being surrounded by such a closely-knit extended family made our stay feel like just being at home.

30

1. Tanda raw ng pag-ibig ang pagpapakumbaba; sa iyong pagpapaubaya at pagpapatawad ay natututunan ko na hindi ko kailangang paligiang maging tama.

8. Sa bawat haplos, bawat yakap, bawat akbay, nararamdaman ko ang pagkalinga, ang pagsalag mo sa anumang maaaring makasakit sa akin. Para bang sinasabi, "Ako na muna. Ako na lang."

16. Kung maaari sana, nais kong marinig ang lahat ng hinaing at tanong mo sa mundo. Hinding-hindi mo kailangang ilihim o ipagpaliban na malaman ko ang anuman na tungkol sa'yo. Hindi ka perpekto, lalong hindi ako. Kaya bakit pa itatago?

18. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang tila walang hanggan mong kabaitan at malasakit. Sa panahong tila uso ang pagsasarili at pag-iwas sa pagpapakita ng kahit kaunting kahinaan, walang atubili kang nagtitiwala at kumakalinga.

21. Bukas ka sa mga bagong ideya at pananaw. Lagi kang handang unawain ang mga posibilidad, mga kakaibang hinuha. Hindi sa hindi ka humuhusga, kundi bukas ang iyong kaisipan na maraming bagay ang hindi mo alam at handa kang matutunan.

28. Para sa isang taong tulad ko na tila isang diretsong pagkakasunod-sunod ang mga pinagdaanan, ang iyong mga naranasang liko at balikwas, mga hinto at karipas, mga pasulong at paatras, ay patuloy na pupukaw ng aking haraya.

29. Sa gitna ng duda at taranta, ng kawalan ng tiwala sa sarili at pangangamba, nariyan ka lang nagpapaalala at matatag na gabay. "Huwag kang mag-alala," tila iyong bigkas. "Hindi ka nag-iisa."


Tatlumpung Dahilan Kung Bakit Mahal Kita (O Mga Muni-muni sa Pag-ibig) | 20150816

Triumph and Loss

On Monday, my sister Dyan finally reached the end of her journey as an undergrad from the College of Engineering. After five years of grueling toil, exams, laboratory experiments, plant visits, papers, researches, not to mention quite a hectic social life at her org, she finally earned her degree in BS Metallurgical Engineering.

We couldn't be any prouder. :) As I have said, two down. Two to go. Haha. :3

But while we were all witnessing the ceremony conferring the degrees to the graduates of the University's biggest college, I received one of the most saddening news:

With great sadness, we inform everyone that Prof. Dennis M. Sabangan, a senior lecturer at the Department of Journalism,...
Posted by UP CMC Student Council on Monday, June 29, 2015

While on the ride home, I couldn't stop myself from sobbing as I remembered Sir Dennis and my probably most memorable class in UP ever, under the most amazing, one of the most talented and kindest teacher I ever had the opportunity to learn from. He was not only a mentor, he was an inspiration.

I've always said that 2011 was one of the best years in my life recently. It was a time when I had so many things to do, when I was so filled with zeal to accomplish things. I was in my third to fourth year in CMC, and was fully engaged in the course I was taking. I was learning so much--from the readings, from the classes, from the field trips, from the brilliant professors. I was making friends inside and outside the college. I made friends in my part-time job. There were (a lot of!) times when I get home in the wee hours of the night. I learned to drink! Haha. I was sleep-deprived, I was HELLA awkward, but I was so busy, so driven, so hopeful.

But probably, one of the best highlights of that year was my taking J123, Photojournalism. Every Saturday, I looked forward to attending the class, because I know that despite the okray my photos were going to get, I'm going to listen to Sir Dennis's tips and adventures. Those three hours were filled with amazing tales and laughter. Sir Dennis always wore his infectious smile, he was always ready to crack a joke.

In a college where the most vivacious students thrive, I've always felt like an outcast. But Sir saw through that. Or maybe it was in his teaching style to make even the shyest student voice out comments and questions. During our field trip, he was unabashed in acting as if he's one of us. And he was! But I did feel his guidance, even his fatherly protectiveness, whenever the situation called for it. It was such a privilege to learn from him.

He survived kidnapping, war zones, typhoons, earthquakes, mobs, rallies, demolitions. His portfolio is downright topnotch. I remember during Yolanda, I kept seeing his name in the credits of the photos of the typhoon's devastation. I kept thinking, "Sir, be safe please." Sabi nya lagi sa klase may agimat sya, kaya hindi pa sya namamatay. I can't believe that someone larger than life as he was would succumb to death so soon, so suddenly. Sabi nga sa isang post, it's ironic how someone with such a big heart died of a heart disease.

Looking back, I remember how enthralled I was by his guts, by his talent, by his humility. He kept telling everyone to just enjoy and have fun. And now, as my feed is filled by posts remembering him, I feel humbled to have known him even for just a short while, even as I regret not reaching out after our class ended. Because I let my shyness get the better of me--the thought that he might like to spend time with the other "in" students. Instead, I should've realized that he's not like that, and never was. He never discriminated. He found time for everyone. He checked up on people even as he was experiencing hardships of his own as well.

It's been the three days since he died, and I still can't stop my tears from falling as I type this. At the back of my mind, I keep thinking, he's just out there, in some far-off province, going on his adventures, meeting up with his friends, clicking away on his cameras. I still couldn't fully accept that he's gone, ever after seeing his remains yesterday.

But maybe up there in heaven, he's laughing at all the crying people are doing because of him. I'm sure he wants everyone whose life he's touched don the bright afro wigs and over-sized shades, pull off a pout, and party on through life like he did.

All this is making me remember how he motivated me during that wonderful semester. I should strive to be better at my craft, and give back as much as I can. I realized that the time he spent teaching at CMC was not something he had to do, but he did it anyway.  It was his way of giving back. And give back to the University he did. He touched the lives of each and every student he encountered, planted the seeds of excellence in all of them, all of us.

As one of his friend posted, it's highly unlikely that he's going to rest in peace up there in heaven. He's probably causing a ruckus right now and making the angels laugh with him.

Photo by Melo

Wherever you are, Sir, thank you so much. Your legacy will live on.

---

Two weeks ago, CASAA was razed by a fire. Even if I hadn't stayed in CAL for the rest of my college days, it was still in CASAA that I had some of my first lunches (alone) in UP. Next to the Sunken Garden, it was the place where the loner freshie me can stay for hours as I wait out some of my three-hour long breaks, or get my readings photocopied, or make a rush to the restroom before my 7AM class at AS, or just take a bite of sustenance in the middle of the combined electrifying energy and hubbub of the students.

Just this morning, I got the news that the UP Alumni Center, including the bowling alley burned down as well. I had my only uno in PE in duckpin bowling there! Oh, UP, what's going on? Please don't change so drastically, please don't lose your character. Please don't change from being the haven that you are, the one place I would always like to come home to.

---

Ah, UP. How you make my heart swell. But oh, how you break it, too!