Northern Samar To Eastern Samar
Exit time!
Time to leave the Pacific towns of Northern Samar. I wish I had more days. In fact, I even wish I could live in this place, at least for a few months, years, or kahit forever!
Anyway, leave I must!
Now, this was a trip full of learnings - I dedicate to you, fellow commuting roamers!
Planned itinerary for this day was: 1] walk to the highway in Potong (~100 meters); 2] hop on a vacant 'anything' going to Lapinig town proper (~3kms); 3] roam around Lapinig town proper; 4] take a bus or van going to Oras (~65kms); 5] stay overnight.
There were other alternatives I considered - like going via Catarman, then Calbayog, down to Catbalogan and finally Tacloban. But I remembered: avoid the 'holy roads'!
Flying out of Catarman, Calbayog or even Borongan were also options, but I already had a ticket out of Tacloban. So, reversing how I came was the best option this time.
However... (eto nanaman ako) things do change.
What actually happened?
Waiting for a ride, I marveled at this big old wooden house by the highway in Potong.
The childhood barkada cousin of mine came by, also to wait for a 'scooter ride' going to Japan (Jipapad nga yan, I already told you!) for some errands and to visit his mom.
We talked a bit. I learned, there are other big old wooden houses in this barrio. Wow! We talked about my itinerary too, and that's where my route changed for the better!
'Di naman ako lolokohin ng malalaglag na yan, eh barkada ko na yan - since forever!
He told me, getting a ride out of Lapinig going south is trickier in the afternoons - as there are few in the first place, and those that may pass-by could already be full. Da!
Item 4] of my itinerary was now a bit questionable but still doable!
I listened, and I also remembered the Lapinig issue on my way to Palapag days ago. The cousin added: "besides, you've already visited Lapinig kelan lang". True rin naman.
So, Item 3] of this itinerary now suited cancellation! If that was to happen, then Item 2] would be useless! Ta! Done with Item 1] (sa hiway na ako) nothing left but Item 5]!
So what was the suggestion? Take a scooter back to Gamay terminal (~5kms); wait for vans or buses there, as many of them originate from Gamay, for better chances.
Plausible. I would be into Item 5] na, but from Gamay Terminal straight to Oras.
When we were just about done talking, 2 scooters came along. I took one to Gamay Terminal (~5kms away), while my cousin took the other to Jipapad (~13kms away).
So my itinerary changed pronto. Well, the only thing permanent on earth is: change!
Yes gad, hindi lang ako bumalik sa Marcela's at Mika's, nilampasan ko pa sila. Fun!
At Gamay Transport Terminal.
Got to take a picture of the terminal entrance again, but this time, I was entering it!
And I said to my self... bakit ang tahimik, will I really be able to get a ride fom here? But I tried to calm the worried part of my head saying that's how it is in many rural towns.
Local Transport Quirks
Meaning? Ah, well.., waiting (for a ride) is not counted by-the-minute, but by-the-hour!
Especially at noon. This was 10:32AM, considered tanghali na for those going to the cities. All who wanted to depart will already have left from 2 to 7AM. Yes, that early!
Why? Because (if it takes 6 to 7 hours on the road), leaving your home at office hours, you won't catch any office at the region and/or you won't be able to return same-day!
Btw, region is another weird terminology. Warays usually mean their regional offices (in Tacloban). Aadto hi ma'am ha region = My teacher is at the (DepEd) regional office.
After mid-morning there would be few commuters, so why field your buses or vans? Only few vehicles run to serve the few who do still commute. Sila ang aabangan ko!
Walang "Ceres Bus every 20 minutes" dito, like you would expect on Cebu Island!
The sure bottomline though was: there would be a ride - just not sure what time!
Let me expound on that "bottomline".
From any of these towns, there are always a lot of scooters that can take you to the next or nearby destination. Note: Potong to Jipapad (about 13 kms) is still "nearby".
Lapinig to Arteche (~26 kilometers) I still would probably find some willing scooter drivers - at the right price! But going straight to Oras (about 60+ kms) would be rare.
If push comes to shove, I would love to take those "connecting scooter rides"! Kung wala na talagang van, bus, jeep, they're always just around as an option. So, meron!
Hoping for a van direct to Oras, is even also sure today, but not sure what time! That's because vans come from previous towns like Mapanas, Palapag or even Catarman.
And the big buses from Manila pass even at night or dawn! So, meron nga talaga.
Nakaka-inip at nakaka-kaba lang maghintay at this terminal that seem deserted!
The unfinished building at the back is Gamay's already operating New Public Market, yet it looks devoid of any human activity! The big bus at left, mukha ring 'uninhabited'!
Hehe don't mind my exaggerated use of words - for 'horror highlight' lang hahaha!
I entered this administration building, the main waiting area for passengers...
Oh mi Jesús, perdona nuestros pecados, lÃbranos del fuego del infierno! "It" was the 1st first human I saw, tas di ko pa alam kung buhay pa o minatay na hahaha! Gino-o ko!
No exaggerations, wala talagang tao in this whole godforsaken edifice - aside from her! How did I even know it's a "her"? Wheh ayan me dibdib eh! Tulog sya, I guessed!
How and why? Eh kung sumakabilangbuhay na yan hindi naman siguro gaganyan pa ang mga braso nyan hehe! Even so, I couldn't sit down, lalo na facing away from her!
Eh lalo namang ayokong umupo na nakaharap sa kanya! OMG ano yan, lamay?!
Ayan, yung backpack ko nalang ang ini-upo ko, and I turned around, looking at this:
I was at least rather sure there'd be people at those 3 eateries open. Note: there is a young girl playing at left, near the pedestrain entrance. She, was the 2nd human I saw!
Those eateries had tempting food especially pork-steak, newly cooked at 10:55AM!
Yet I only got "Princess". I wasn't hungry yet. But "Charmaine" was/is very tiny for me!
I sat some minutes at the left-most store (na bukas) where I bought my coke mismo while my backpack remained at the passenger waiting area (no worry, I could see it).
Soon a tricycle arrived at that area. A scooter too. The woman was awoken hahaha! I sat beside my bag, waiting for whatever may come-by, that could take me to Oras.
Scooters came and went, but the tricycle stayed-put. I think he was family or friend sendng off that man he delivered to this place, I overheard he was riding to Alugan.
A van came and went but nothing happened (no one took the ride), it was on its way to Catarman. Another van came from Catarman, 3 ladies got off with 5 big luggage.
Oist, it looked like of them 3 ladies, isa lang ang galing abroad. OFW yata who came in via Catarman Airport. I noticed ang dami namang dala - parang 35 kgs yata each!
Yep, I'm now good at guessing luggage weight, just by looking at them hehe! And all 3 of them were going to Arteche. Hmn, I counted 6 of us needed a southbound ride.
Tsismoso? Yep, you need that in these situations. In such areas, there is no "I came first" ek ek! Parang Baclaran ito! Pag dating ng jeep, takbo! Thus, I needed to size up my mga kalaban! So that, pag-dating ng van or bus, I would know sino babalyahin ko!
Joke lang yan ha?! I'm not that 'physical'. But I know how to win my contests!
I got a ride but...
Alright, exactly 2 hours and 2 minutes of waiting, a white van came. The trike driver said "aw adi na, Borongan ini". My heart jumped faster! Alert level rose to 1,000%. Da!
I particularly noted that the front seats were empty. Yeah!
Ready to run for it, I watched the van park, few passengers got off, (some remained), driver got off and seemingly seething. Mumbling madly, he went straight to a store.
Not a time for us to scrimmage hahaha! But I overheard the trike driver explain to a disembarking passenger, that vans or buses are not allowed to stop at town center.
Ah okay, I got it why the driver's head seemed to be afire hahaha!
Almost immediately that tricycle driver (he knows a lot!) told us joining passengers, to just wait a while for the driver to return. I saw the 3 ladies dragging their luggage!
Hmm, kung umihi lang si driver, it was too long. Kung kumain naman sya, it was too quick! Whatever he did, I waited - patiently. I always remember, ganyan ang Pilipinas.
Who ever has the upper hand, kung sino me hawak ng susi (ng kaldero), siya ang hari! Aba eh, lalo na kung nang-gagalaiti sya sa galit kanina. Wait Pinoy Traveler.., Chillax!
And so he came heheh. I was first to (amiably) approach him saying "para Oras la ak, pero akon nala it Seats 1 and 2". Arg! He said those seats were already reserved by 2 passengers joining at Arteche, going Borongan. I said sige, seats 1 & 2 until Arteche.
We agreed that: I will transfer to any other available seat from Arteche to Oras. Fine with me. That would be about half the 70+km distance so mga 30+kms na lang. Go!
I was all good, settled at my usual Seat No 2, while backpack happy at Seat No 1.
But! For whatever other reason there ever was on planet earth from the back, when he returned to his driver's seat (for us to finally leave) nagdadadabog at galit nanaman!
We left anyway hehe! And in my mind I said "bahala you, wag mo lang ibabangga"!
Parang napaka-buntugin naman ng driver na ito! Not at me anyway, so gora!
And off we went towards leaving Northern Samar!
In less than 15 minutes, we were already traversing the Lapinig Bypass Road...
Lapinig town center is to the left, some 200 meters inwards from those trees at left.
Imagine that, if I still strolled at Lapinig, and waited there for a van or bus ride, baka namuti na ang buhok ko, wala pa rin! Many PUVs passing, do not anymore go there.
Even if I opted to wait for a van/bus at the start or the end of this bypass road, there is nothing at both sites to 'humanely' situate one's self! No waiting shed or the likes.
That's the south end of the bypass road. Turn right to Arteche or left to town center. Where will you "rest" your self in peace (ano ba yan, parang RIP na!) sa araw at ulan?!
Besides, even if there was a cozy place to wait by either end of this bypass road, by the time a van reached this area (take the case of this van I was riding-on), puno na!
Lucky I had Dodong (my cousin) who told me to go back to that Gamay Terminal!
That's a learning worth sharing with fellow Pinoy Travelers. Di ba la?!
Pero weh, we all know the 'technique', diba? Why ride the MRT at GMA Station, when you can do it at North-EDSA or Muñoz going Ayala, diba? Para sure ka me space pa!
Ganun ang scenario. You have to know where 'most' PUVs emanate from. I do, now!
On the SPCR or Samar Pacific Coastal Road, southbound vans mostly emanate from Palapag (D'Turbanada, remember?) going Tacloban or Borongan. Others come from Catarman, some even just from Mapanas. But, all of them drop by Gamay Terminal.
The big buses all come from Manila, going to many locations in Eastern Samar, like Guiuan, Lawaan, Borongan, Can-avid, Oras, Taft, etc.! Yep, every town is a final stop.
Aw, I still don't know the rationale or algorithm that big buses observe. For example: a Silverstar Bus can have Dolores as final stop, but another will have Can-avid as its final destination. They're only 7kms apart on the same hi-way at walang ibang daan!
I tried observing though, those big buses from Manila are usually bound for just any of the Eastern Samar towns. Seldom do I see one that goes all the way to Tacloban.
Nor do they go to Marabut or Basey in (Western) Samar. Looks like going to those 3 places, they still do the usual route via the OMG bad roads of Calbayog & Catbalogan.
So, that's the scenario when going out of Northern Samar southwards. Look at this:
Breathtaking views off the pacific seaboard! Still at Lapinig, 6 kms to the boundary.
I took some video clips. I'll put that here soonest! Aw, eto na:
And at 1:17PM, after about 3 quarters of an hour on the road, we arrived at Arteche.
But something untoward happend - that I, oh so thankfully liked, haha!
Let's talk about that next. Coming soon. Pramis!
Time to leave the Pacific towns of Northern Samar. I wish I had more days. In fact, I even wish I could live in this place, at least for a few months, years, or kahit forever!
Anyway, leave I must!
Now, this was a trip full of learnings - I dedicate to you, fellow commuting roamers!
Planned itinerary for this day was: 1] walk to the highway in Potong (~100 meters); 2] hop on a vacant 'anything' going to Lapinig town proper (~3kms); 3] roam around Lapinig town proper; 4] take a bus or van going to Oras (~65kms); 5] stay overnight.
There were other alternatives I considered - like going via Catarman, then Calbayog, down to Catbalogan and finally Tacloban. But I remembered: avoid the 'holy roads'!
Flying out of Catarman, Calbayog or even Borongan were also options, but I already had a ticket out of Tacloban. So, reversing how I came was the best option this time.
However... (eto nanaman ako) things do change.
What actually happened?
Waiting for a ride, I marveled at this big old wooden house by the highway in Potong.
We talked a bit. I learned, there are other big old wooden houses in this barrio. Wow! We talked about my itinerary too, and that's where my route changed for the better!
'Di naman ako lolokohin ng malalaglag na yan, eh barkada ko na yan - since forever!
He told me, getting a ride out of Lapinig going south is trickier in the afternoons - as there are few in the first place, and those that may pass-by could already be full. Da!
Item 4] of my itinerary was now a bit questionable but still doable!
I listened, and I also remembered the Lapinig issue on my way to Palapag days ago. The cousin added: "besides, you've already visited Lapinig kelan lang". True rin naman.
So, Item 3] of this itinerary now suited cancellation! If that was to happen, then Item 2] would be useless! Ta! Done with Item 1] (sa hiway na ako) nothing left but Item 5]!
So what was the suggestion? Take a scooter back to Gamay terminal (~5kms); wait for vans or buses there, as many of them originate from Gamay, for better chances.
Plausible. I would be into Item 5] na, but from Gamay Terminal straight to Oras.
When we were just about done talking, 2 scooters came along. I took one to Gamay Terminal (~5kms away), while my cousin took the other to Jipapad (~13kms away).
So my itinerary changed pronto. Well, the only thing permanent on earth is: change!
Yes gad, hindi lang ako bumalik sa Marcela's at Mika's, nilampasan ko pa sila. Fun!
At Gamay Transport Terminal.
Got to take a picture of the terminal entrance again, but this time, I was entering it!
Local Transport Quirks
Meaning? Ah, well.., waiting (for a ride) is not counted by-the-minute, but by-the-hour!
Especially at noon. This was 10:32AM, considered tanghali na for those going to the cities. All who wanted to depart will already have left from 2 to 7AM. Yes, that early!
Why? Because (if it takes 6 to 7 hours on the road), leaving your home at office hours, you won't catch any office at the region and/or you won't be able to return same-day!
Btw, region is another weird terminology. Warays usually mean their regional offices (in Tacloban). Aadto hi ma'am ha region = My teacher is at the (DepEd) regional office.
After mid-morning there would be few commuters, so why field your buses or vans? Only few vehicles run to serve the few who do still commute. Sila ang aabangan ko!
Walang "Ceres Bus every 20 minutes" dito, like you would expect on Cebu Island!
The sure bottomline though was: there would be a ride - just not sure what time!
Let me expound on that "bottomline".
From any of these towns, there are always a lot of scooters that can take you to the next or nearby destination. Note: Potong to Jipapad (about 13 kms) is still "nearby".
Lapinig to Arteche (~26 kilometers) I still would probably find some willing scooter drivers - at the right price! But going straight to Oras (about 60+ kms) would be rare.
If push comes to shove, I would love to take those "connecting scooter rides"! Kung wala na talagang van, bus, jeep, they're always just around as an option. So, meron!
Hoping for a van direct to Oras, is even also sure today, but not sure what time! That's because vans come from previous towns like Mapanas, Palapag or even Catarman.
And the big buses from Manila pass even at night or dawn! So, meron nga talaga.
Nakaka-inip at nakaka-kaba lang maghintay at this terminal that seem deserted!
Hehe don't mind my exaggerated use of words - for 'horror highlight' lang hahaha!
I entered this administration building, the main waiting area for passengers...
No exaggerations, wala talagang tao in this whole godforsaken edifice - aside from her! How did I even know it's a "her"? Wheh ayan me dibdib eh! Tulog sya, I guessed!
How and why? Eh kung sumakabilangbuhay na yan hindi naman siguro gaganyan pa ang mga braso nyan hehe! Even so, I couldn't sit down, lalo na facing away from her!
Eh lalo namang ayokong umupo na nakaharap sa kanya! OMG ano yan, lamay?!
Ayan, yung backpack ko nalang ang ini-upo ko, and I turned around, looking at this:
Those eateries had tempting food especially pork-steak, newly cooked at 10:55AM!
I sat some minutes at the left-most store (na bukas) where I bought my coke mismo while my backpack remained at the passenger waiting area (no worry, I could see it).
Soon a tricycle arrived at that area. A scooter too. The woman was awoken hahaha! I sat beside my bag, waiting for whatever may come-by, that could take me to Oras.
Scooters came and went, but the tricycle stayed-put. I think he was family or friend sendng off that man he delivered to this place, I overheard he was riding to Alugan.
A van came and went but nothing happened (no one took the ride), it was on its way to Catarman. Another van came from Catarman, 3 ladies got off with 5 big luggage.
Oist, it looked like of them 3 ladies, isa lang ang galing abroad. OFW yata who came in via Catarman Airport. I noticed ang dami namang dala - parang 35 kgs yata each!
Yep, I'm now good at guessing luggage weight, just by looking at them hehe! And all 3 of them were going to Arteche. Hmn, I counted 6 of us needed a southbound ride.
Tsismoso? Yep, you need that in these situations. In such areas, there is no "I came first" ek ek! Parang Baclaran ito! Pag dating ng jeep, takbo! Thus, I needed to size up my mga kalaban! So that, pag-dating ng van or bus, I would know sino babalyahin ko!
Joke lang yan ha?! I'm not that 'physical'. But I know how to win my contests!
I got a ride but...
Alright, exactly 2 hours and 2 minutes of waiting, a white van came. The trike driver said "aw adi na, Borongan ini". My heart jumped faster! Alert level rose to 1,000%. Da!
I particularly noted that the front seats were empty. Yeah!
Ready to run for it, I watched the van park, few passengers got off, (some remained), driver got off and seemingly seething. Mumbling madly, he went straight to a store.
Not a time for us to scrimmage hahaha! But I overheard the trike driver explain to a disembarking passenger, that vans or buses are not allowed to stop at town center.
Ah okay, I got it why the driver's head seemed to be afire hahaha!
Almost immediately that tricycle driver (he knows a lot!) told us joining passengers, to just wait a while for the driver to return. I saw the 3 ladies dragging their luggage!
Hmm, kung umihi lang si driver, it was too long. Kung kumain naman sya, it was too quick! Whatever he did, I waited - patiently. I always remember, ganyan ang Pilipinas.
Who ever has the upper hand, kung sino me hawak ng susi (ng kaldero), siya ang hari! Aba eh, lalo na kung nang-gagalaiti sya sa galit kanina. Wait Pinoy Traveler.., Chillax!
And so he came heheh. I was first to (amiably) approach him saying "para Oras la ak, pero akon nala it Seats 1 and 2". Arg! He said those seats were already reserved by 2 passengers joining at Arteche, going Borongan. I said sige, seats 1 & 2 until Arteche.
We agreed that: I will transfer to any other available seat from Arteche to Oras. Fine with me. That would be about half the 70+km distance so mga 30+kms na lang. Go!
I was all good, settled at my usual Seat No 2, while backpack happy at Seat No 1.
But! For whatever other reason there ever was on planet earth from the back, when he returned to his driver's seat (for us to finally leave) nagdadadabog at galit nanaman!
We left anyway hehe! And in my mind I said "bahala you, wag mo lang ibabangga"!
Parang napaka-buntugin naman ng driver na ito! Not at me anyway, so gora!
And off we went towards leaving Northern Samar!
In less than 15 minutes, we were already traversing the Lapinig Bypass Road...
Imagine that, if I still strolled at Lapinig, and waited there for a van or bus ride, baka namuti na ang buhok ko, wala pa rin! Many PUVs passing, do not anymore go there.
Even if I opted to wait for a van/bus at the start or the end of this bypass road, there is nothing at both sites to 'humanely' situate one's self! No waiting shed or the likes.
Besides, even if there was a cozy place to wait by either end of this bypass road, by the time a van reached this area (take the case of this van I was riding-on), puno na!
Lucky I had Dodong (my cousin) who told me to go back to that Gamay Terminal!
That's a learning worth sharing with fellow Pinoy Travelers. Di ba la?!
Pero weh, we all know the 'technique', diba? Why ride the MRT at GMA Station, when you can do it at North-EDSA or Muñoz going Ayala, diba? Para sure ka me space pa!
Ganun ang scenario. You have to know where 'most' PUVs emanate from. I do, now!
On the SPCR or Samar Pacific Coastal Road, southbound vans mostly emanate from Palapag (D'Turbanada, remember?) going Tacloban or Borongan. Others come from Catarman, some even just from Mapanas. But, all of them drop by Gamay Terminal.
The big buses all come from Manila, going to many locations in Eastern Samar, like Guiuan, Lawaan, Borongan, Can-avid, Oras, Taft, etc.! Yep, every town is a final stop.
Aw, I still don't know the rationale or algorithm that big buses observe. For example: a Silverstar Bus can have Dolores as final stop, but another will have Can-avid as its final destination. They're only 7kms apart on the same hi-way at walang ibang daan!
I tried observing though, those big buses from Manila are usually bound for just any of the Eastern Samar towns. Seldom do I see one that goes all the way to Tacloban.
Nor do they go to Marabut or Basey in (Western) Samar. Looks like going to those 3 places, they still do the usual route via the OMG bad roads of Calbayog & Catbalogan.
So, that's the scenario when going out of Northern Samar southwards. Look at this:
I took some video clips. I'll put that here soonest! Aw, eto na:
And at 1:17PM, after about 3 quarters of an hour on the road, we arrived at Arteche.
But something untoward happend - that I, oh so thankfully liked, haha!
Let's talk about that next. Coming soon. Pramis!
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