Philippine Travel Notes

This was a short hop, but with interesting views too. Actually, the tip of UEP White Beach Resort is already the town of Mondragon, in its western-most barangay, Doña Lucia. But to the middle of Mondragon town proper, that would be some 9 or 10 kilometers more. Like I was admiring the greens of where we were passing and my driver seemed to be having a hard time overtaking that multicab... I stared at it... OMG, it is not a multicab! Its a trike called "center car" or " center cab " in Calbayog! No wonder it was way too slow. My driver did not (of course) like being "delayed", but what can we do?! In fact, I noticed the reason this "center cab" was not veering right to let us thru was: it was in itself also trying to overtake another 'vehicle' - a pedicab, the original "traysikul" of Samar - you can see it at right, ahead of this center cab! What a cute chain of slow moving "conveyances"! I said "okay ang colo...

After that hefty lunch at Michz's , we proceeded onwards to my joyride destination for the day, Laoang Northern Samar. Alas buenas, going to any eastern town of this province from Catarman, one must pass via UEP - University of Eastern Philippines main campus! So there, we passed in the middle of UEP main campus (because the highway does so)! Very unusually, although I took those pics above, I was not my usual excited self passing by this campus. Why? Because, 1) I've been here some time ago. I conducted a workshop in one of the buildings, and I stayed at one of their hostels; and, 2) I know there's a white beach somewhere here, that I have not even seen yet - THAT is what occupied me! I was like asking the driver to hurry up, get out of the central area, and find the beach! For those not in the know, UEP is a "ridge to reef university". Just like VSU in Baybay or UPV in Miagao, this university's campus starts from high up the hills and mountains, to...

This is only about 8 or 9 kilometers of a joy ride. I heard many people even just ride tricycles or habal-habal between these two towns. I actually just passed-by yesterday on my way to Allen from Catarman, remember? But, when you love traveling, "going to" is not really the same as coming back! Many wonderful things always await to delight you! Like these... I whispered "ang lakas ng loob mo manong!", noting that that habal-habal has a heavy load but its driver had the nerve to overtake the trike! Look beyond, a vehicle is coming! In my curiosity, I asked my driver to tail the habal-habal closely for me to see the load. I couldn't make out what the contents were. Definitely not rice. But still, that's 15 sacks, and definitely it could not be as light as cotton! Might even be heavier than rice. I think! And hey what a chance! Look at that vehicle on the opposite lane. It's not "kuliglig", but it also has just three wheels. Therefore ...

On the road again, on a lovely bright morning! Yehey! This time I was on an easy run from Catarman for an 8AM meeting at Allen - the north-western edge of Samar Island. We knew it takes about an hour (50kms?) but we left early at 6AM, so we'd have enough time for the morning traffic (kids going to school) as many schools are by the highway. Then, still ample time for a hot 'tinola' breakfast at Allen, and be cool until the meeting! We opted to pass by the (fairly) new road at the end of the runway, instead of the usual (a street that crosses it), as we knew the PAL flight to Manila departs at about a few minutes before 7AM - where that street would be temporarily closed to land vehicles. Nice plan. All set. And here we go! Let's start with this corner going out of Catarman towards the west.. Going straight is back to where we came from yesterday - Lope De vega, and onwards to Calbayog if you like. While my route today goes rightwards to the end of runway 22 (or ...