Philippine Travel Notes

My buddy said ‘this guy is too light-skinned for an igorot’. A companion joined in with ‘his physique does not seem to show he works in the farms, ang laki ng tiyan eh’! Then another said ‘baka politician yan or school supervisor’. But I was more curious about that thing in his right hand. And then… There it is, now transferred to his left, as if the plant could conceal what he is doing! Can’t that txtng wait until end of the parade? He is/was trying to represent/portray an indigenous people IN a grand parade and IN Manila – which is like or even more than a stage play. This float was one beautiful tableaux by the way (in concept that is). And all who participate in the Aliwan Fiesta are the best of the regions. Couldn’t the damn txtng have waited? Ah I went near to tell him just that hehe! Well, a friend pulled me away. I was supposed to add “you might as well also wear your rolex, your rayban, your rollerblades, and wear a baseball cap”! Oh well, when modernized folks of our times tr...

Well well well… who does not know Baguio?! The summer capital of the country, the place that let a thousand flowers bloom every February, the place where your mom and grandma would go for an AUV-full of vegetables so you end up eating ceasar salad from morning till night – in three consecutive weeks! Any more memories?! Yes, the ukay-ukay capital of the country – definitely with more choices than you have in all of Cubao and Aurora Boulevard, right? I cannot disagree. But for me, there are a lot of other (good or bad) things Baguio worth remembering! For now, let’s talk about the various ways on how we go up to this summer capital. Getting there Easiest is to take to the air and land at Loakan Airport, 4251 feet above sea level – which is actually still “below” the city of Baguio. Flights from Manila take less than an hour but you will need land transportation from said airport about 20 or so minutes to the city proper. Don’t worry, there are jeeps and cabs! For the commuters, most co...

Whatever happened to your bottled water? It now comes in a 'mouthful size'? Ows?! As we voraciously gorged on our barbecues over at the freezing Abanao Square, we had to meticulously ‘examine’ the dear little bottle. Some ingenious dude cut the middle portion of the plastic bottle and re-attached the top and bottom portions so that it perfectly became a handy toothpick container. Clever indeed! Oh well, the wonderful signs of creativity in these our times…

Literally! This broke my heart. Promise! We just came from a visit to the La Trinidad flower and strawberry farms and were driving our way back to Baguio City when I chanced upon this girl. I initially thought that was a Tagalog romance novel or a ‘songhits’ she was busy reading. Fortunately, my companions got attracted to the carrots in her stall. So we stopped and crossed the road (and I took this pic). When we got to her, she immediately closed the book and attended to my companions. I glanced and saw that it was a high school book on something like ‘social studies’ or something. We asked if she was a student. She replied that in fact she was getting ready for an exam at 1 o’clock that afternoon. Just waiting for her mother to finish lunch so she could start off for school. Ah! It was exactly 12:12PM when I took this photo. Oh well, the way it is to study in these our times…

We walked the few steps from Teachers Camp to this house popularly called as the White House or Haunted House or Haunted White House . Few call it Laperal House . Ah, for me it's yet another big beautiful wooden old house that's a feast for the eyes . All of us knew what it is or was. It's even mentioned in my Lonely Planet book. What I didn't know or understand was hindi pala kami papasok, magpi-picture lang sa labas ! I was first to arrive at the gate, and immediately called out saying "tao po". No reply. Most of the ladies asid "wag na, di naman tayo papasok" some even cringing hehehe! I continued calling, but still no reply. Then I saw that the gate was padlocked. Thus, I told everyone "there's probably no one inside, except for the resident ghosts" . Hiyawan! Pictorials continued - just on Leonard Wood Road, with the house as background. I tried taking pictures of it from every possible angle I could - also from t...

Let's continue the previous story . So we were in Baguio for no reason at all other than 'roam aimlessly' . Well, since we were in 3 cars (each with a toy walkie-talkie) , whoever said whatever wherever, we went there! At least that, is a semblance of order, di ba? When walking, whoever goes where, we followed. In my mind, I said "why would I not go with the flow, eh I have nothing else to do naman" . I guess we all thought the same. Aw, when others cannot, may not or do not want to follow, we set a time & place ala tour-guide style (e.g., in 5 minutes, all be at this or that) . Example? Nag-CR yung girls! We learned those little tricks from the various guided tours we've joined in the past. Me order naman actually. It's always great bumming around with 'the same feathers'! Teachers Camp Anyway, while some were still at their banyo shower CR morning rituals, we crossed to Teachers Camp for a peep (we already abandoned the idea of...

After 182 days I was back in the country's summer capital . But that trip in May was a bit more business-related, so I did not have much time to see how Baguio has been. This time, with no plans nor even thinking about it, we just took off as a convoy of 3 vehicles on a Friday, after an Eastwood nightout! Drivers ang non-drinkers - all girls! Come what may.., whatever... hahaha! Good that all 3 vehicles have maps. One car even had a "set-of-3 toy walkie-talkies"! So, we got to discuss where to stop, where to go, what to do, while already cruising! Checking all those - of course with unending alaskahan bangayan on the road - was already memorable fun! No plans, but all were ready to go. Ah, that is what happens when travelers suddenly decide to travel. Laging Handa! Birds of the same feather! It was a merry banter by over-over-roger-roger (2-way radio) among 3 cars moving at NLEX during the wee hours. Like what sorts of topics was "walkie-talkied...