Category Archives: Thoughts

2012: Of Sunrise and Sunsets

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2012 has unfolded the realities of life. It was a bittersweet year of farewells and hellos, of sunrise and sunsets, of laughing and crying, of taking risks and embracing challenges.

My travel life in 2012 can be summed up in these numbers: 14 local and 3 international destinations covering 6,003 miles.

January

January was a glimpse to independence. I started the year traveling solo to Iloilo, where I witnessed the Dinagyang Festival for the first time. Since Guimaras was just 15 minutes away, I didn’t miss the chance visiting this rustic island known for its sweet mangoes.

February

February brought love in the air. J and I went to Clark to witness the Hot Air Balloon Festival. I happily took photos until I realized that my polarizing filter was missing. Oh well, my fault. I didn’t guard it enough. Or maybe, it was loosely attached to my lens. I was so upset. Thank God for the patient boyfriend who’s always there for me.

March

March was a busy month of traveling locally and abroad with just a week apart to pack and unpack. After eight hours on the road, I was acquainted with the pristine beauty of Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte. The aquamarine waters was surreal. I was one happy camper. I promised myself to return soon this 2013.

The supposed one-week of backpacking in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia and Singapore was shortened to 57 hours around Southeast Asia. Family’s important. I didn’t regret cutting my trip short to be with my family for my brother’s graduation.

April

April didn’t fool me on its first day as I got my story published on Philippine Star’s Starweek Magazine—Visita Iglesia on a Budget.

The days that followed were dedicated to adventure. April raised the adrenaline to the nth level as I went 6 hours spelunking in Sagada’s Lumiang and Sumaging caves and survived the death-defying hike to Pongas Falls.

May

Ain’t no mountain high enough. May tested my endurance as I conquered my first summit- Mt. Pulag. Despite the rainy night, I saw the sun rise above the clouds the morning after. It was a bliss.

It was also in May that I almost got cooked in Antique. hehe. Antique has lots of surprises to those who dare visit it.

June

June was not as rainy as expected. It was a month of fulfilling another Philippine dream destination–El Nido.Thanks to seat sales. Nothing is impossible especially if you book months ahead. Putting up a travel fund really helps.

June was also the month  when I brought my family to the serene Lake Pandin where we enjoyed a bamboo raft ride amid the greens. We feasted on fresh tilapia, fresh fern and seaweed salad and ginataang hipon. Little did I know that it would be our last summer outing with Papa.

July and August

I dedicated the rainy months of July and August to working and being with my family.  I was glad that I didn’t book anything during these months. Little did I know that these were the last months that we have with Papa. I can still remember how he initiated that we watch Bourne Legacy as a family one Sunday afternoon.

He was so happy. But according to him, the other Bourne series were definitely better. This was my last memory of him in a jolly mood. Two Sundays after, August 19, he suddenly fell into a coma due to brain aneurysm. I was shocked. In the five days that he was in the ICU, he taught us to keep the faith. On the 23rd, God has given him rest.

Death has become real for me when he died. But knowing that he would meet his maker and have eternal life made me accept the reality. When it’s time, it’s time. We have to be ready. Life should indeed be lived to its fullest. And he did live his last months traveling in Asia, Europe and the Holy Land.

September

I was supposed to go to a media junket in Malaysia but due to the untimely death of Papa, I didn’t push through. I promised myself to give the 40 days to him and just be with the family; thus, my travel hiatus.

While in grief, I devoted my September arranging tours for other people. Yes, my travel agency, Explore Eight Travel, became fully operational in the month of September. The entrepreneur in me has been awaken once again.

September has motivated me to start my driving lessons as well. In two weeks, I learned how to drive and got my license from the LTO.

October

As soon as my travel hiatus ended, J and I boarded a bus and survived the 12-hour ride to the landlocked province of Kalinga in the Cordillera Region. Kalinga may be out of the usual touristy routes but it definitely gave us a worthwhile experience.

It was another memorable trip as we met the 92 year-old traditional tattoo artist, Fang-od. Despite the grueling four-hour hike to Buscalan, it was worth immersing with them. Their simple life in the mountains maybe the reason why they have long lives.

November

November was a month to celebrate life as I turned a year older. I took the PLUNGE from a cliff in Bohol and felt how great it was to be alive as I swang back and forth observing the blue sky and the lush forests. It also felt good to travel with my friends. Thank God they were able to file vacation leaves.

The last day of November was a benchmarking event in my life as I led travelholics to Kalinga for Explore Eight Travel’s Captivate Kalinga Tour. We braved the rapids of the Chico River and got a glimpse of the tribal life in Tinglayan.

December

The last month of 2012 was a blessed month. December treated me to a kilig-to-the-bones (chilly) weather in Sagada. Sagada is one of those places that deserve another visit.

December was also a peacemaker. A friendship has been renewed and strengthened. Time healed the wounds. Humility was key. Friends do argue but in the end, the bond remains.

2012 has taught me to be stronger in the face of adversities. It taught me to see hope in times of hopelessness. My faith in HIM kept me standing on the ground to gaze at the sunset and wake up to a beautiful sunrise.

The Long Way to El Nido

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Are we there yet?

I heard the Fil-Am kid asking his mom who was seated in front of us. It was the same question that I had in mind. My butt was numb. My legs wanted a stretch. I peeked through the window and saw nothing but darkness. I remembered how this day started.

At 2:00 pm, we boarded the RORO Bus at the San Jose Terminal. I closed my eyes to sleep hoping that when I wake up we’re already in El Nido. I tried to sleep yet my mind was awake. The way to the north of Palawan was winding. I peeked through the window but all I saw were trees in a panning motion. I returned to sleep.

At 5:30 pm, the bus stopped. The conductor said that we’re already at the Taytay Bus Stop. I felt my stomach looking for food. My friend Janet decided to stay in the bus with the thought that we’ll be arriving in El Nido at around 8:00 pm. I went out and grabbed a dinner.

There were no restaurants at the Taytay bus stop but carinderias. J was apprehensive of eating at the carinderia (Maarte kasi sya! haha). Nonetheless, he shared the meal with me.

After 20 minutes, all of the passengers returned to the bus. I was happy that finally, we’re nearing El Nido. Taytay was the last stop. I estimated that we’ll be arriving around 8:00 pm considering that it’s a six-hour trip according to my research.

Darkness fell. The smooth paved road ended as we leave Taytay. The road in between Taytay and El Nido was rough and bumpy preventing me to sleep further. I was bored.

I looked around and others still managed to sleep. It was already past 8pm but still the bus continued to move like a turtle.

Are we there yet? Where art thou El Nido? 

It seemed like our roadtrip to El Nido was never ending until signs of civilization showed up. It was already 9:00 pm. The driver finally stopped the bus. I checked on the bus ticket and saw that we traveled 267 kilometers from San Jose Terminal, Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The travel time summed up to 7 hours.

Welcome to El Nido! The rains continued to pour as we went out of the bus. Tricycles were waiting for passengers. We hailed one trike and told him to bring us to Tay Miloy’s Inn. We paid him Php 50.00 (the fare that they usually charge coming from the terminal).

Kuya Rodrigo Carag welcomed us to his home. He told us that the RoRo bus slowed down its pace of travel as some passengers complained feeling dizzy due to the bumpy ride.

We left our bags in our rooms and off we went to the town proper since Janet and J haven’t eaten dinner yet. We called it a night at around 12midnight. It’s time to finally get a long sleep.

RELATED:

DOT announces new tourism campaign

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new tourism campaign

A new leaf has turned for Philippine tourism. The Department of Tourism revealed the most awaited campaign for the Philippines.

“Finally the Philippines has a simple truthful answer to what has always been a simple question,Why should I go to the Philippines?” said DOT secretary Mon Jimenez.

“When you are asked, why the Philippines? Because, it’s more fun in the Philippines,” said Jimenez. The secretary then showed the new logo to the media.

Jimenez furthered that the new tourism campaign will be more competitive. It’s a campaign designed for the people.

“We have to challenge for attention. Tapos na po ang adjective campaigns [We're done with the adjective campaigns],” said Jimenez referring to campaigns that use adjectives such as amazing and incredible.

“It’s the Filipino people that make all the difference. The people are the differentiating factor. The Philippines is not just about beautiful sights. Tayo ang unique,” added Jimenez.

The tourism secretary also announced that starting 2012, there will be no 21-day visa restriction.

?”Starting this 2012, no more 21-day visas. If our competition offers 30-day visas, that’s what we’ll offer. We’ll give visa on arrival,” said Jimenez.

The Department of Tourism also disclosed the new website of Philippine tourism: http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

Here’s a video of the logo:

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What do you think of the new campaign of the Department of Tourism? What will you do to promote our country?

Special Post: Boots for the barefoot

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Hiking on uneven terrain and crossing a wooden bridge are considered to be leisure activities for outdoor enthusiasts. But what if these activities are part of your daily life?

In a village tucked in the forest of Mt. Makiling, the children hike everyday on their way to school in Brgy. Bagong Silang, Los Banos, Laguna. Some are lucky to have good slippers but others don’t.


With the rough terrain that they have, slippers can easily wear out. And when it rains, one can easily slip on the muddy soil. Wearing boots during the rainy days can be a great help to these kids. This was what we learned from Mrs. Treasure Millera, one of the four teachers in the elementary school, during our ocular visit for our Christmas outreach.

“Natutuwa naman ako dahil napili nyo itong barangay namin. Marami na rin namang pumupunta dito at tumutulong simula nung sinalanta kami ng Milenyo (I’m very happy that you chose our village for your outreach activity. Many people have been visiting us and extending a hand since Typhoon Milenyo in 2006),” said Brgy. Councilor Ronnie Javier.

“Pero karamihan ng mga pumupunta dito, lagi nalang sa mga bata, wala bang para sa mga matatanda? (But most of the time, people only hold outreach for the kids. I hope there’s also an outreach for us adults.),” He jokingly asked.

“Pwede naman din po kayong sumali sa games (You can also join the games),” I answered.

If you want to share your blessings, then you can either donate in cash (through Paypal. See donate button bellow) or in kind (toys, slippers, boots for the rain). For donations in kind, kindly email author for details: hello [at] tripadora [dot] com.

Barangay Profile:

  • Population: 146 families
  • Livelihood: Agriculture (Copra, Bananas)
  • 1 Elementary school for Purok 1-3 / 4 teachers (Only 1 of the 4 lives in the same barangay. The others live far from the school)
  • School Children (age 7-12): 72
  • No clinic in the barangay
  • No electricity
  • 3 sari-sari stores
  • Lacks good roads
  • Bridge is made of bamboo. Old bridge was destroyed during the typhoon in 2006. It was not repaired since then.
  • Mode of travel: On foot from brgy. Kabulusan/ Ride a small horse (locals use small horses to carry their crops)

These were the information that we got during our meeting with the teacher and the official of the village. My friends and I planned to hold our outreach activity this coming December 15 (tentative date) in this remote village.

We’re not an organization but just a group of friends who wanted to give back to the community through this activity. This is our way of saying “Thank you Lord for all the blessings that you have showered us.”

You don’t need to be extremely rich just to extend a hand to the needy. You can make a difference and make kids happy this Christmas season.

Travel Notes:
How to get to Bagong Silang:

1. From the public market of Bay, Laguna, ride a jeepney with the route of Bitin. Fare is Php 20.00

2. Alight at Brgy. Kabulusan. You know you’re there when you see the Geothermal Powerplant sign. / Travel time from market to Kabulusan: 30 minutes.

3. Hike for about 35 minutes on rough road. Don’t forget to breathe fresh air from the mountain.

Here are other photos of Brgy. Bagong Silang:

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Special Thanks to Ms. Darlene Pagaduan for the assistance and for Kuya Jonas Llamas for being our guide in going to Brgy. Bagong Silang.