Pahiyas 2010: Achieved!

What else could you ask for if the two things you loved most comes handy? For me, that's what we call pleasure and I'm thankful that I'm back to blogging and photography. I finally had my second Nikon DSLR cam after several weekends of abstinence in gimmicks and fancy resto visits. Good job, right?

Last week I was also able to experience my first ever solo out-of-town trip in Lucban, Quezon to attend the Pahiyas Festival. I was actually reading blogs about Philippine festivals and randomly browsing photos as the month of May is when feasts like this are being observed and among all, my eyes captured the wonderful colours of Pahiyas in the most vivid state. Eager to learn more, I checked the date for this year's festivity and then boom, that's just 2 days away, May 15! Being the adventure girl in most ways, I planned and read everything that I can absorb so I can make things possible to reach Quezon with or without a company.

Waking up at 330 am Saturday May 15 was never dragging, unlike typical work days! I was in Cubao at around 4am choosing which bus should I take, JAM or JAC. JAM looks better but it was full and may take another hour before the next bus leaves so I crossed and took the Lucena trip care of JAM Liner, fare was Php 218. Unfortunately, the traffic was really crazy in Alabang, I didn't notice that there was a huge fire causing the delay as I was enjoying my cozy seat and superb air-conditioning. It took me 5 hours to reach Grand Central Station in Lucena and mind you, there was no stop-over at all so I was really holding my pee, my goodness! Then as soon as you stepped out from the bus, jeepney barkers would of course welcome you with their husky voices yet screaming "Lucban, Lucban! Pahiyas, Pahiyas!". So over all, commuting there is not really a challenge and taking a jeepney ride made me feel like a grade school so excited as I get near to my destination. I am also overwhelmed with how beautiful Mt. Banahaw is, God's creation is again at its finest. I don't know how to describe it but there's some sort of mystery and magical feeling just seeing its summit covered with clouds, is that eerie? Nope, I  guess the holiness of Mt. Banahaw radiates that it would want you to think, look back and take part for caring our mother nature.

I took another tricycle ride going to Lucban proper as the City  Council organized the parking slots in the town to give way for the tourists who's as amazed as I am looking at the gigantic, colourful and extravagant decors made of Kiping. Sobrang kinilig talaga ako! And silently, I told myself that I made the right decision to come here. It's nice to see foreigners all around, appreciating the Filipino culture, having those wide smiles as they pose in every house they passed by. A lot of photo enthusiasts were also there, flashing their high-end cameras and lenses, and enjoying each pictures they took. And me being alone also made the most of it to capture every moment and every colours that my eyes set in to. I have accepted beforehand that no one will take photos of me so I made myself busy instead configuring and setting my aperture and shutter speed to produce vibrant pictures which I will be proud of when I come back to Manila.

I also went to this restaurant, I was there twice but I don't know why on earth did I not ask for the name of the establishment. For all I know, the ceiling is inspired by a Japanese Minimalist and the Longganisang Lucban and Pansit Habhab deserves a one big burp! The sun was really perfect that day, its rays made the colours more lively but made people really exhausted I think. There was a huge human traffic in the area and I can feel my sweat flowing all over my body, my small towel didn't help at all. By the way, I also had a chance to meet Rochelle and her friends near the Parish Church. Finally, somebody took a picture of me and when I saw it, I looked like Dora the Explorer, matched with a pink hat and a backpack, haha!I left at around 4pm because I'm afraid that I might get stranded if I go home at night, I'm pretty sure that a lot have only planned for a day trip as well.

This phototrip is my kind of adventure. Mind you, if I'll get paid for taking photos and writing travel guides for a magazine, I will definitely trade my career for this. I am very proud for this achievement because not all girls can do the same thing, not all girls have the courage to go to a place they've never been before, all by herself. Not all girls are willing to step out from their comfort zone. But me, I made a difference and I strongly believe that this defines the "Independent Woman" within me.

~ Colorful hats ~

~ This house seems to be very much prepared ~

~ This is where I had lunch. Minimalist design. ~

~ The only hotel I've seen ~

~Pahiyas is all about magnificent colors ~

~ Looks like the carabao hates paparazzi ~

A politician's goal is always to manipulate public debate. I thinkthere are some politicians with higher goals. But all of them getcorrupted by power.

Dean Koontz

Mom, You Will Always be My Number 1...

I bumped into this quote this morning and I just fell into tears as I relived the moments when I was such a pain-in-the-ass..

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

God knows how much I missed my Mom. It's different when she's there, when you feel so weak, demoralized and losing hope. I can really say that there is no way we can thank our Mother's for everything she's done for us.

For all our mistakes, for all the troubles we've caused, for all the tears we gave her, she NEVER left us, she never lost her patience, she would always be there to listen and to forgive.

So today, let's pay our humble tributes to our Mom's and make her feel that she is never taken for granted. There's no amount of gratitude for raising me to the best that you can and for standing as a Mother and a Father at the same time. I salute you Ma and I love you, always..

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

I welcomed the month of May, summer of 2010 with an unexpected, fun-filled, effortless and one of a kind beach trip!It all started one evening when I was googling for beach photos. I got carried away that night when Jessica Soho featured a few unexplored beaches up North, the one in Santa Ana Ilocos captured my attention. Though the place is not covered in white sand, it can be totally relaxing as it is miles away from the city with perfect shapes of stones. I have been a fan of Jessica's show (and it was one of OUR routines every Saturday before). One text message came from of course you know who, asking if I watched the said show, so I simply replied "Oo, pero parang hirap puntahan. Mas madali pa rin ata sa Zambales."

I was clueless of what's running in his mind that night (which he admitted eventually that he really intend to invite me), but on the spot, he asked me if I wanted to go to Nagsasa.. Ako naman, nagulat! (Just a bit of a backtrack, we haven't spoken in a month after that One More Chance revelation night - which I don't question because he has all the right not to talk to me.) So there. I've been really wishing to go to Nagsasa even before we broke up. We even planned it but didn't push through. And me, being a beach bum even if obviously I gained weight recently, never had any second thoughts of saying YES! Ba't ganun?! Why did I decide so quickly not even anticipating where this may lead to? Such a risk! I am still thinking about it until now. But maybe, just MAYBE, what he said to me before gained an ample amount of my trust.

So there, two weeks of planning ahead. To be honest, this time, I have not contributed anything during the planning stage. It's like giving him the whole arena and letting him perform on his own. Which I think is good! This thought helped me: "If you think I deserve you, then by all means, prove it, now!" I even thought of ditching him the last-minute, but why scared? This person's not a stranger to me, not to mention that Mom would always ask for him whenever I call her.. Mama naman eh!

So from the tent, to the cooking set, to my drinking water, to my earth pad, to our food, to our Manong Banker (boatman), to my Off lotion, to my toilet paper.. Gosh, he prepared it all! When we were in San Antonio (bus drop off), he looked so prepared and organized to know what to buy in the wet market for our lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day. In all fairness, it was really something and me being a silent observant got really impressed!

The one hour fifteen minutes of boat ride going to Nagsasa was really wavy. I was never scared for myself or for our stuff if, God-forbid, our boat drowns. I'm more scared of how I will save this guy behind me who doesn't know how to swim at all! But I'm glad we arrived safely, though I must say, I got really toasted under the sun. My skin's peeling now actually.

 

The place is indeed magnificent. Until now, I can see myself silent, looking far away, up in the mountains then back to the beach, amazed with God's creation.

 

It's also a haven for back packers, for those who enjoy outdoor lifestyles. I would say that sleeping inside a tent will never be comfortable for me, in any way, but it's worth another try. Maybe it's different this time, yeah? And yes it was. Why? Because someone stayed up all night just to look after me, ensuring that I'm safe and sound, no ants which I've been complaining before on our last hike, and that's there's enough air inside the tent (damn, there's no wind that night). Well, it looks like I'm getting what I want! I even woke up at around 3am and he's still awake, he even handed me my bottled water. Aba, impressive ha!

 

This beach trip was really worth it. Like I said, there's no amount of regret that I agreed to join him. And it seems that through these baby steps, who knows, things can be fixed and may return to its normal state. Let's just see if magic and miracles still exist. :-)

You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurtyou and feel the power to wish them well.

Lewis B. Smedes