City Hunter

Should you want to watch other Kdramas and this City Hunter, go to this: KimchiDrama.

Just last month I've been addicted watching Korean movies, and these guys do have a taste and a say in comes of romance.  Yeah, I'm quite a fan of these sorts. For me, their works are "little overrated", but real good ones.

Anyhow, I thought of watching Korean drama (Kdrama) even it would mean longer hours of sitting. City Hunter was just my fourth time to watch foreign Asian episodic/serial. First was way back Summer of 2002: Meteor Garden. Actors were Taiwanese. I was really into this one! Well, most Filipinos since it was aired in Philippines.

Wrong Turn 1

I am not such a sucker of horror or thriller films, but I watch a few if someone enticed me to, or if my mood aks for it. Blame it the other day. With the rainy weather (just a while ago), I found myself searching for a different movie genre.

Go Baguio in One Day

When a friend of yours told you he/she had a vacation in Baguio, it would not leave you so interested curious.

Baguio has earned the most visited parts in the country thus named as Summer capital of the Philippines. One can opt to spend a day or two or some more days here to escape the busy city, especially when sun is at its best. Since it's a city on top of the mountain, its environment teem with cool set of air; its pine trees play a major factor to it.

Baguio for me is like a walk in the park. You can find most of its tourist spots in one full day. Or if it's possible with your time, you can stroll around in two days and have better a grasp of it.

Excuse me for overwhelming you with photos. Anyhow, these were sites where you can wander for few minutes and head right after to your next agenda.

Scary Night in Baguio

You'll know you're in Baguio when you get stuck in traffic.

Baguio is 6-7 hours away from Sagada, likewise going from Manila to Banaue, the road is steep, but the reward your eyes get is amazing.

The difference I've noticed between Mountain Province (Manila to Sagada) and Cordillera (Sagada to Baguio) was that the latter have more towns, or so I thought.

It rained midway our destination. If you seldom go to such areas (just like yours truly), raining in a cliff area with fogs elsewhere would be a fright. But somehow I was over with my oh-not-again moments. The perks of laughing with your friends and being on the second row of a mini bus do.


Baguio welcomed us with small drops of rain at past 3 o'clock pm. Kuya Mike needed to be back in Manila on that day, so it's the three of us again. With the aimless people walking around, with no maps nor people/number to contact to, with the city in front of us, we found ourselves hitting for another adventure.

Farewell, King of Comedy

Photo courtesy of Definitely Filipino

Just like the others, I do not know Dolphy personally, neither had I met him. I am not sure if I am a fan, but I grew up watching Home Along Da Riles and sorts of his movies. 

"Umuuga, lumilindol! Kumapit ka, kumapit ka kung ayaw mong magkabukol!"

Yesterday I watched two of his hundred movies:
Home Along Da Riles and Home Along Da Riber. He portrays everyman in almost all of his roles and leave values at the end of the show. Perhaps that's the way "Pinilakang Tabing" goes before, but how he delivers makes him unique. His antics and his being spontaneous maybe are only some of the reasons why he was named as King of Comedy. 

Sagada

It was a drizzling afternoon when we arrived in Sagada. I included umbrellas in my bag while I was back home packing, but since it would make my bag heavier, I abandoned to bring it. Luckily, Sagada's Municipal Hall was only steps away. 

I saw a man who looks familiar upon heading their municipal. Ah! He's the Filipino guy (all of the other tourist there were foreigners) we saw in the place where we ate in Banaue. But why was he not with us in the van was my bubble thought.

He was just done talking to other Filipino tourists (there were also foreigners) when my friends and I approached him. This was the conversation we had:

Kami: "Hello, Kuya. Kayo po 'yung sa Banaue, di ba? Saan po kayo sumakay?"

Siya (Kuya Mike): "Oo, ako 'yun. Nag jeep ako."

Kami: "Nako, sayang! Dapat dun lang din kami eh. Naloko pa tuloy kami."

Siya: "Yayain ko nga sana kayo kaso baka magalit 'yung sa van. O baka magaway pa sila nun sinakyan ko."

Then we shared to him all of our frustrations, and as he quote, "Hayaan niyo na lang. Charged to experience."

We were happy to have finally met someone who we can talk to, someone who we can share our room expenses (at first we thought, a larger group will lessen the price, but learned that price remains same regardless of people) and yeah, we're stoked to share our adventures with him, too!

Kuya Mike is on vacation from Dubai. He's a first timer in Sagada as well. People who go to other places solo, is a real traveler for me. Going with my friends to places we haven't been, also is considered one, but going alone is something else.

We walked and searched for the Canaway Inn. It's not really far from the municipal, but with the rain drifting, it was. A month before the trip, I did research and also contact the people we need to. I want it to be polished. Better prepared than be surprised, right? But again, plans, won't go as expected (happens almost always). I tried to reserve room a month ahead, however due to changes in our trip, my friend and I decide not to pressure ourselves too much and just let time do its talking.

Affordable guesthouse rates in Sagada range from 250 to 350/pax and it could go higher than that depending on the inn or hotel. "Ay wala ng vacant eh. May darating din kasi bukas na nagpa-reserve na," said Ate from Canaway. I am eager to get the room for it's one of the afforadable yet has good service to offer (thanks to travel trips advises online). Then suddenly, these two friends of mine made goofy signals telling me to back off the idea. Kuya Mike and I followed them and said they were offered lower rate in George Guest House for only 200/head. Inclusives are hot bath, towel, and wifi! So glad towels are included! Not any of us was able to bring one. And with wifi is just cool stuff. We took a rest for a while. Snacks, shower, and get ourselves prepared for unexpected. Did I just say prepared? Let's see. 

Heading back to Sagada's municipal was easier; thanks to gravity. It's also where one registers (Fee is around 50php, I think. It's for the betterment of the town) and where one can arrange their tour: tour guides, fees, places to go, map, and things you want to ask. Every tour requires a different fee, depends on the place. Maximum of 10 pax. The more, the merrier, the lesser the fee. If you'll travel solo or with a small group, fret not. Tour guides are there to help you find group to fit in. Tour guide IS A MUST, especially in places which requires professional guidance.

Our initial plan was to hike first at Echo Valley, then late afternoon was to try Cave connection (Lumiang to Sumaging or vice versa). But because it rained, tour guides won't allow people to trek for trails could really be slippery. Of course, I don't want to risk my life just yet, so it's a no for that. And because we met not-so-good on the way, budget went limited. We agreed with Kuya Mike together with the others to head on caving. We were on a group of 7: 4 Filipinos, 2 Belgians, 1 Korean. Plus our 3 tour guides. 10 all in.

A little later a mobile service arrived to picked us. I was doubtful in bringing camera 'cause Kuya tourguide said we would have to go in small areas and even plunge ourselves to chest-deep water. Buti na lang they allowed me to drop by in our inn so I can leave my cam. We also had the chance to see Hanging Coffins from afar.

Photo credits to photo owner thru myspace. Same view where we saw it.

 

Friday the 13th

Who is frustrated today? I hardly met dreamland awhile ago. I was eager that we would get slots this second chance. I was stoked when I read Outbreak's post saying they will open another wave last Monday. I urgently sent SMS to my friends and was actually planning that that same day, I'll head off to any of the two branch assigned. They will only allow 200 registrants on each branch (Toby's Shangrila Mall and Runnr BHS ). Both of which aren't easily traveled from where I live. Hence I chose Shang.

Before I prepared, I google-d on their numbers so I could check first if there are still slots available. I called Runnr BHS and the lady seem to be not aware of the recent announcement of Outbreak. I didn't insist what I read because I haven't fully entertained thoughts of me going to Taguig. I called Toby's and they too didn't know the news, and just like that, there was a gush of words. Na-realize ko, it's on the 13th pa pala nila i-open and registration.

Banaue

 

Banaue Rice Terraces is quite a view from the place we ate. Hurrah!

I barely slept the whole trip. As soon as I saw light (considerable amount to wake up my senses) my eyes and ears didn't rest: my eyes for the wonderful view, my ears for the sound trip care of the dear driver. It was a bright idea that all, if not most, of the trips going to Banaue, Mountain Province, particularly, scheduled in the evening. For just when passengers wake up, they will see the beauty of the place, and won't see much of the hilly trail -- uh-oh, so I thought at that moment.

I was on a mixed emotion. Every town we came to pass, I surmised, was the unloading area. Likewise every mountain, I thought, was where I can see the renowned Rice Terraces. I kept my eyes on the window, not wanting to missed the chance. One hour had passed, two hours came, still no avail.

During sight-seeing, I can't help but be amazed on how infrastructures were done. Imagine, how steep mountains are. Not to mention the danger. And to have it done well is really commendable. Oh, I am not forgetting the dearest driver. Driving on place such is more than a skill. It's a talent.

Mom at Young

The seamlessly searing morning of June is mere beyond, making plants and trees withered; leaving dams and sees draining; and, letting humans and animals alike seem helpless as the scorching sun vents. I awoke with sweat seeping in me, troubled by the cry of my four-year-old child, Chad. After those months I’ve spent reading articles regarding know-how of parenting, mastering the basics I learned in college, and grasping by heart advices I was told by my family and friends and some people concerned; nothing of these all had prepared and welcomed me in the world I was never ready and scares the most—to be a mom—to be a single mom.
I met Elijah back on my first year in Institute of Nursing in FEU. We were classmates and since our surnames starts with same letter, we became seatmates and often belong to same group, that’s why knowing each other and becoming friends came as fast. We studied and did homework together, shared stories, confided secrets, and went out at times. And yes, we then became head over heels in love to one another. However, our relationship was not an exception to mishaps that life bequeaths.

It has almost been five years now since I found that I was conceiving, and it was during those times that I felt utterly alone, confused. “We will do everything we can to raise the child well. We will get a degree and have a good life… No… It’s we will have the best life. And as long as we have each other, we shall overcome challenges as they befall. I love you.” Those words were exactly what I needed to escape bewilderment I was contained. We survived the two months thereafter and since both of us were still students, we experienced rough times, especially when managing our time.

I started to experience morning sickness, became picky to foods and sometimes had difficulty in sleeping.  Soon, the growing of the child inside me was becoming more visible.  I began wearing loose clothes, cut classes often, and got upset most of the time. Moment came when I can no longer conceal the truth, so Elijah and I decided to confess everything to my mom.

Way Up Mountain Province

Our Banaue-Sagada-Baguio experience, though well planned, one can't really decode what's going to happen. Here's ours:

My time was reasonably stiff at that time. Why? My father was only in a 21-day vacation, I ditched going with him on Ilocos and when he arrived back in Manila, I'll be leaving the next day for the trip. What's sweeter was the day that I'll be heading home, was the day of his flight back.

Anyhow, blame me not. I needed and wanted to do this. So... :)

Am I prepared? In all honesty, not yet. I've had these strange feelings beforehand. Or was it because my childhood memory going to Isabela (somewhere in the mountain as well) was crystal clear. I can recall how steep the road (mala-bangin), how the bus moved every snake-like route. That pessimist part in me, yeah. Not to mention, the rainy season and simply the thought of going to place I'm not familiar with. But yes, there's also this inquisitive side of me wanting to be like Dora. :))

The Weeks That Were

What have I been up to lately? If you have read my previous posts, I've been "quite" addicted to movies, Korean to be exact. How can I not? There movies are top-of-the line! Well, if you're after romance and a tear-jerker. I've been introduced to this era by my brother, back in highschool. But I can't say that I was so into it then. My inclination then was sporadic; however recent I had was momentum-like. Just what I did when I reviewed for board exam, just what Sir Jerome of Pentagon said, "Keep the momentum." Just what I'm doing now. Thoughts. Writing.

Anyway, I'm weeks over with it. The next thing I drooled on was cosmetics! This was just few of those times that I spent time researching what would fit me. But when I say cosmetics, it isn't make-up like mascara, eyeliner, eyebrow, etc. What I meant was about facial cream, facial wash, moisturizer, and the like. I'm yet to have a review 'till I have those things I have mentioned not. (Ano daw?) 

I was just looking for a running shoes on a Wednesday night, and lucky to have found one of my old buddies. Another interesting, it's still alive and still good on my feet. I hurriedly showed it to my cousins and a friendly neighbor of us invited me to jog that very night. Like a swift. I'm a yes person that night. It was around 8pm, jog place was vicinities of Malacañan. To be honest with you, it's my first to do it, aside from school activities. And boy, it's relaxing! Though I had a hard time at first. I was catching my breath the whole time. I stopped a lot. Walked a lot. Rest a lot. But it's over-all fun and healthy. Plus, the area is safe and I'm guessing a heap of jogger also go there. I've seen some. Bikers, joggers, runners. And... it's a great deal thing. Ya know.. HAHA. *make a familiar expression here* Btw, I've done it on purpose. I'm conditioning my body for the Outbreak. Sadly, we ran out of slots. Still, I would continue this one. Exercise produces endorphins, which is a happy hormone, thereby doing a combo with my neurotransmitter, serotonin, which will then boost my good mood. What did I just say? Haha.

And, and.. Felt like I left my soul in the trip that my friends and I had. I'm quite not sure though where I left it. I'm gonna [sic] go find it soon. 

So fourth place was for... travel. :D

Passion of the Christ

Yeah, just watched it. I recall attempting to watch it before (it was summer of 2004), yet attempt failed. Blame it on the pirated DVD. I had the chance to download it. Once or twice, I'm not sure. Due to overwhelming activities, which I barely remember, attempt/s failed thereafter. So here now. 

I felt guilty throughout the movie. I felt sorry for not being able to compensate His love. Someday I want to be the person He wants us to be -- at least. And this quote I would always want to remember: "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first."

 

It will move you to tears, unless you don't have feelings. BTW, photos almost says all what I want to share. :)