Nomadic Experiences of 2010

Unknown December 23, 2010

2010 was a big leap from 2009 for me in terms of traveling. I've covered places from up North of Luzon to the Southern Part of the Philippines. From the mad swell of the Pacific ocean learning to Surf in Bagasbas beach in Camarines Norte to the kick ass, butt numbing and free flowing bus ride to Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley. In between are a number of magnificent Spanish Colonial Churches, quaint little towns, developing urban cities, scenic nature locations and a unique set of people who I met as strangers and eventually became friends of mine.

I started the year by celebrating my birthday with my close friends Tina (who also celebrates the same birthday as mine) and Lot at the latter's hometown of Cagayan de Oro City. We went river rafting, flew by hanging on the 814 meter zipline in Bukidnon and went on a roadtrip around the island of Camiguin.

Then goes trips to places such as Bolinao, Pangasinan and a holy week holiday in the fine white sands of Calaguas Islands particularly at "Mahabang Buhangin" where we pitched and stayed in a tent for the night and kind of rekindled my love for camping out and proceeded to the surfing place of Bagasbas and dropping by Camsur Watersports Complex in Naga City on the way back to Manila.

A few weeks after that I got reunited with my girlfriend and life is continuously good at all fronts - personal, and my nomadic life. Financially, I'm burdened just like everyone else. However, I'm at a point in my life right now that personally, it is not everything about what a person owns or have in the bank - for me, it's the kind of experience that I could invest in and gather that truly enriches my soul and this way of thinking has steered me away from being so obsessed about spending time in 'get rich schemes' or competing in the rat races held in the corporate world.

By May, I was able to join another set of friends a poet and writer in Chin, a photographer in Aileen, a free spirited Tin and Mina who is now married to an Indian guy and is now settled happily in India. In Iloilo we went to nearby Miagao Church and also took an overnight sidetrip to Guimaras Island. Since I stayed there a day more than my friends, I was able to spend my last day at my mother's hometown of Dumangas, a trip that meant so much to me as I've heard a lot about the place from my mom while growing up.

A few months went by without making a trip - probably because of the onslaught of a slew of typhoons that ravaged the country. Then, by August me and my girlfriend went on a weekend trip to the historic fortress island of Corregidor.

I've always wanted to visit the place and I was glad that I've finally able to do so this year. Sadly, or perhaps for the good of both of us, me and my girlfriend again broke up a few weeks after that. Maybe, it wasn't meant to be and it is now time to move on - on a personal level.

But that is beyond me and my control. This is a travel blog and I'll sum up the year based on my travel experiences, we will always have our own personal bullshits and such, but the passion remains and "on the road" is where my life is heading now.

In October, I went to Bacolod to experience the Masskara Festival for the first time. I've made a vow to myself that I will really try to see and witness each festivals that the Philippines have all year round. I did my first couchsurfing there when Kareen hosted me and a few other backpackers from Germany and New Zealand. It was a different experience because I get to travel and at the same time be inspired by nomadic tales from backpackers who've seen and threaded on numerous countries in the world.

November was probably the busiest month in terms of being on the road for me. I went out on a long weekend trip on the three weekends of this month. First to Baler, Aurora for some surfing experience and a journey to Alaminos, Pangasinan with new-found friends who were also fellow travel bloggers and lastly the long arduous but worth it, long ride to Tuguegarao City, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, Palaui Island then Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

I've also wrote three articles for a local travel magazine "Republic of 7107 island" this year. The first one (Dec-January 2010 - Capones Island, April-May - CDO River Rafting and Aug-Sept - Calaguas Islands).

2010 is a year that I've upped my desire to travel amidst personal shit-storm and all. I'm glad that my sanity is relieved by these travel experiences. I felt like I've grown enough to a level of maturity that I am now starting to appreciate even the smallest of things. I've met wonderful people who I won't mind manning the trenches if and when we all got sent back in time to World War I.

From iconic lighthouses, blinding white sands, sleepy towns, Spanish colonial churches, historic fortress, of homage trips, adventure, of breaking up, work, new friends, long weekends, the trivialities of daily living, the ups and downs and everything in between traveling. The journey itself was the one thing that kept me sane in the year 2010. I am so glad that I've come to this point in my life wherein, a rucksack on my back, a few bucks in my pocket, a half baked plan and an imaginary arrow pointing me to the road are enough to keep my desire burning and to make each year from here on now, better than the one it preceded. That, inspires me to no end.

I now look forward to 2011 with anticipation and giddly with 'ala porn-star' excitement as to where I would head next. So far, the only concrete plans for 2011 is Sinulog Festival in Cebu and the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo both are going to be held on January. See you there perhaps.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

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2010 Philippine Blog Awards' Finalist for Best Travel Blog

Unknown December 09, 2010

Yes, I'm not hallucinating but my travel blog, this seemingly badly written travelogue accompanied by a zombie like - post apocalyptic photography theme has been named as among the 10 finalists for this year's Philippine Blog Awards' Best Travel Blog category. I don't expect to win - unless the jurors are my friends and relatives, because other blogs I looked up to (and are way better) are also shortlisted.

I'm just happy that for the second straight year - my travel blog has been included as among the finalists. (last year the nod went to Estan Cabigas' langyaw.com).

To the other finalists, I say congratulations and hope that we'll continue doing what we love, which is primarily to travel north and south, walked through east and west, meet kindred souls in-between, sleep in strange places, wonder aloud, think freely, embrace the wild, fornicate with nature, hop on buses to sleepy towns, chill on mountaintops, ride the waves, fall in love with someone (hopefully) on the road, dare to be thrilled, rest only when needed, fly like superman, come home with new set of wisdom and afterward, as Jack Kerouac said “Write in recollection and amazement for yourself”

Best Travel Blog (from: http://www.philippineblogawards.com.ph/2010/12/08/finalists-travel/)
Nomadic Experiences
lagalog
soloflightEd
flipnomad
The Pinay Solo Backpacker
The Kayumanggi Trails
Chasing Philippines
Explore Iloilo
Ambot-ah
Just Wandering
Walk This Way

There is an abundance of places to see and fellowships with other human beings to kick-start, all within our grasps and what better way than start realizing it right now. So, to the others who still haven't bitten by the nomadic bug, pack your bags now and head out for the road.

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On The (Long) Road to Palaui Island | Cagayan

Unknown December 05, 2010

Our long Bonifacio weekend trip to Palaui Island was far from easy. It's difficult for my buttocks, which became numb 5 hours into our bus ride from Cubao to Tuguegarao, and that's only the first half of the 10-hour journey. We left the Victory Liner terminal in Cubao around 10 p.m. and arrived in Tuguegarao around 9 a.m., with brief stops in Tumauini and San Pablo, Isabela to visit two Spanish colonial churches.

We spent the day in Tuguegarao, visiting Callao Cave and taking a leisurely boat ride along the scenic Pinacanauan River to witness the circadian flights of over a million bats –a sight which left me in awe. The next day we woke up early to prepare for another 3 hour trip to Sta. Ana, Cagayan by buying some things needed for camping out at Palaui Island. We passed by the Metropolitan Cathedral of Tuguegarao and rode the Sta. Ana bound van by 9:30 am.

The sun was shining brightly, and I was wide awake for the majority of the journey. We passed through charming little towns that I'd love to visit if we had more time. Out the window, I see endless rice fields dotted with ducks, cows, and carabaos. I also paid attention to the kilometer markings on the side of the road because the final kilometer marker of "642 KM" is located in Sta. Ana.

I enjoy the sensation of long rides when my butt becomes numb and my mind races to something, such as plotting a bloodless revolution, and what better way to do so than by passing through God's painted creation? Another thing I noticed were the bridges; I lost count of how many we passed through, probably because the Cagayan River is a complex river system that branches out in all directions, including the aforementioned Pinacanauan river.

I also saw Port Irene, a place where car enthusiasts can buy imported automobiles at a much lower price; however, given Cagayan's political ties, I can only speculate on the legality of those imported cars. We arrived in Sta around 1:00 p.m. Vicente Port is located in Sta Ana, Cagayan. Following a brief rest, we rented a boat for 800 pesos two way (good for 6-8 people), a reasonable fee given our group of six.

Palaui Island is home to approximately 500 people, the majority of whom are fishermen's families. A Navy detachment is also stationed on the island, where we registered our names. There are always fishing boats coming and going from Palaui to Sta Vicente port, so you won't be stranded on the island.

We were accompanied by two guides wearing shirts that said "Turismo Solusyon sa Kahirapan". Accordingly, it is the slogan of a tourism program that allow visitors on the island help local residents earn extra money. I don't consider paying for a guide as a "tourist trap" unless the location is easily accessible. These trained guides also help bring awareness on how to become a responsible traveler. We must all remember the importance of being responsible by refraining from bastardizing or vandalizing the places we visit. What I saw inside Callao Cave, where people etched their names on the rock formation, disgusted me.

Along with Benoit and Franco, our guides together with Franco's dog "Lambert", we took a hike that would take us another two hours to reach the other side of the island which is more ideal for camping.

During the summer, the boat can take you directly there, but because we went at the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the cold season in December, the waves aren't ideal for small boats to navigate, so we were only dropped on the part of Palaui facing Sta. Cagayan, Ana.

The hike requires a brisk pace but is not too strenuous because the terrain is almost straight throughout with little elevation change, but we took our time navigating the muddy section of the trail because your feet can get sucked by the mud up to a foot below your knee.

We arrived at the beach where we were camping for the night around 4 p.m., giving us plenty of time to set up camp, cook our late lunch and dinner, and go for a quick swim. We purchased crabs from Ate Simone, a local whose family makes a living by fishing around Palaui island.

Lauren prepared bacon and sausage, and Belle and her two other friends contributed hotdogs and corned beef. I also got to use the first tent I bought for myself for the first time. Yeah, having a "home on my back - wherever and whenever" is quite an accomplishment for me.

We drank alcohol and waited for stars to appear to illuminate the pitch black darkness around us. It briefly rained before the stars appeared. We attempted to sleep around 10 p.m., catching a few snatches of sleep before deciding to start the new day around 3 a.m., when we began cooking our breakfast.

After sunrise we went atop the hill where the Cape Engano Lighthouse is located. Its a hike upward of about more than a hundred steps that affords you a magnificent view of the blue waters and other islets around the island breaking the waves while a strong wind tries to erase your face and attempts to blow you off your feet.

It takes a long journey to Palaui Island when doing it by land; you could cut travel time by flying from Manila to Tuguegarao, but who would want to do that? We all wanted to take the expanded route so we took the bus from Manila to Tuguegarao for 10 hours, then another 3 hours to Sta Ana before hiking for another 2 hours for a total of 15 hours.

Not bad spending the Bonifacio long weekend with a pilgrimage up north that also gave us an additional day when we passed by Ilocos on the way home to Manila by having a stop-over in Vigan.

I'm glad I was able to fulfill a year-long dream of visiting Palaui; I've been fascinated and intrigued with the place since seeing it on TV one boring Sunday, and what a great way to fill another supposedly boring weekend by living it up, packing my bags, camping gears and all, and dragging a few friends for the long, arduous but very memorable trip to this northernmost part of Luzon.

Shout out to my new friends, Carrie aka Lauren (her real name), who used to model for well-known photographers before quitting because "it has become a bastardized practice," she tells me, and Sharlyn, who wakes up late but goes to the bathroom half-asleep and of course, to the Deuter brand, who gave me a 50% discount on my backpack "Deuter Futura Vario 50+10," a sturdy backpack ideal for long weekend camping trips.

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Circadian Bat Flights Over Pinacanauan River | Cagayan

Unknown December 01, 2010

I had a hard time pronouncing Pinacanauan River that when I told a friend about it I just described it to her as "Like a scene out of a Stephen King novel where the bats flew out of the cave, millions of them covering the dusk sky with darkness".

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Chamber Hopping at Callao Cave | Tuguegarao

Unknown December 01, 2010

There are many massive cave systems in the town of Penablanca in Cagayan Valley. The most popular of these is Callao Cave. Another cave one ought to visit is the Sierra Cave, a cave almost similar to the caves of Sagada where one would twitch and turn his/her body to enter small openings. This is in contrast with the vastness of Callao Cave which has a huge underground dwelling with an entrance as wide as the gates of Gothic palaces. After a brief rest in Tuguegarao we proceeded to Penablanca by taking a 45 minute tricycle ride. Callao cave is located near the scenic Pinacanauan River where we witnessed the circadian flight of over a million bats.

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The Church of San Matias in Tumauini | Isabela

Unknown December 01, 2010

Given the opportunity, I always make an effort to drop by old churches of towns I pass by when I travel. I always admire the architecture, the brick walls, the grand altar and the history churches such as this has and the manner which it was able to test time through earthquakes, fires, wars and other natural calamities.

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San Pablo Church Ruins | Isabela

Unknown December 01, 2010

We've been sitting on the bus from Cubao for almost 10 hours and after a stop-over at the town of Tumauini to see the Church of San Mattias, we followed it up by stopping over the town of San Pablo in Isabela just before we reach the next town of Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

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Feels like Sparring with Bobby Pacquiao in Vigan | Ilocos Sur

Unknown November 30, 2010

Vigan was our last stop-over during our long Bonifacio weekend trip. A journey that started in Cubao and passing by the towns of Tumauini and San Pablo in Isabela, a pit stop for the night at Tuguegarao then to Sta Ana in Cagayan for an overnight camping at Palaui Island.

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Puerto del Sol Beach Resort in Bolinao

Unknown November 26, 2010

I must admit that I am not the typical "beach resort" kind of person. I don't see the need to stay in a fancy beach resort because I tend to explore more than lie around the pool. However, last weekend was an exception when I found myself together with some friends on a trip to Bolinao in Pangasinan.

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Rediscovering Hundred Islands in Alaminos | Pangasinan

Unknown November 24, 2010

I first visited the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan when I was about 8 years old. The memories of that trip has become blurred, fuzzy and like a handwritten note kept for so long in one's pocket, the details have slowly faded. I've forgotten the formations of the islands, how white was the sand and how clear are the waters. It's like that infatuation in highschool that you don't bother to include when asked how many lovers you had before. So, technically, yes I've been to Hundred Islands, but memory-wise, I've yet to visit the place. So, when an invite from a fellow travel blogger Myca reached my facebook inbox I hurriedly took the opportunity of tagging along.

Marky Ramone Go, Darwin Cayetano, Gael Hilotin, Cai Abass, Ada Lajara, Josh Uy, Mica Rodriguez

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Bolinao Falls | Pangasinan

Unknown November 22, 2010

Bolinao falls is located in Brgy. Samang Norte in Bolinao, Pangasinan. If my memory serves me right, its about 30 minutes from the town center of Bolinao and the path leading to the falls is a stretch of rough road a kilometer off the main highway. We went there on a van arranged by the resort where we stayed in, but one could always rent a tricycle going there.

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Baler, Aurora Part II: The "Apocalypse Now" Surfing Scene

Unknown November 10, 2010

I'd be the first to admit I suck at surfing. I still believe I'm 15 pounds overweight and I'll have more success if I get a bit lighter. Anyway, It was inspiring watching the residents of Baler twist and turn up in the air riding shotgun on the waves, some are big enough to swallow em, you'd think they've crashed into the water then bam you see them still zooming across the wave gliding into the water with uncanny balance and grace.

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Baler, Aurora Province: Part 1

Unknown November 10, 2010

My friend Belle who is starting to get the hang of surfing invited me to travel to Baler, Aurora. We were supposed to leave the weekend of Nov. 1 but it did not pushed through so we rescheduled it the next weekend. Soon, Gretz came on board to join us on the trip. I have traveled with her to Caramoan way back in 2008. Yolanda, a facebook friend also joined us. It was my first time to meet her in person at the Genesis Bus Terminal in Cubao, on the eve of our departure. Belle, Gretz and Yolanda all met each other for the first time.

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The Best Place I've Been to in the Philippines as of 2010

Unknown November 09, 2010

I've been asked this question many times by friends of mine before. I always struggle to find an answer, first I have not made it yet to all the provinces of the Philippines. I've been to a number of places that are really beautiful and has its own charms and things that one would describe as "best". Choosing the best of em all is like looking at my bookshelf and selecting the best book I'd want to take with me to an island for a prolonged time.

On any given day my choices would vary, some days I'd pick the Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" novel, some days I'd either pick "Crash" by J.G. Ballard or Albert Camus' "The Stranger", or "A Clockwork Orange", "Neverwhere", HST's "The Rum Diary" or even Alex Garland's "The Beach".

It's the same with the few places I'm fortunate to have traveled in the past. Since 2007 when I told myself that I should get out on the road as often as I could and afford I've set out to places I could easily pick as the best of em all. However, just like the case of picking up my favorite book, the answer I might give will vary from day to day.

From the sweeping landscape of Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces to the charming town setting of Tagbilaran, Bohol, the Manila-like but more laid back Cebu, the marvelous Calamian group of islands in Coron, Palawan, Mount Apo in Davao, the rush of river rafting in Cagayan de Oro, the Mardi gras like Masskara Festival in Bacolod, the butt numbing ride to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Caramoan Peninsula and Calaguas in Bicol region, passing by Sierra Madre region on the way to learn surfing in Baler, Aurora, the historic fortress island of Corregidor, the Moriones Festival, friends who were like families and over flowing rum and beer in the town of Mogpog, Marinduque, visiting my mother's hometown in Dumangas, Iloilo, the beautiful crater lake of Mount Pinatubo which was once a source of violent eruption is now a paradise-like place. The heritage districts of Vigan, Silay in Negros that takes you back in time.

Not to mention, the urban jungle of Manila - a city which I have a love-hate kind of relationship, at some days its this awesome lover that takes your breathe away and at times its this place I longed to escape. My 'bipolar' attitude towards Manila makes it "best" even at its worst times.

How can I choose one, its almost unfair to single out one best place. And I have just started, try asking me that question 3 or 5 years from now and by that time I will probably have set foot on all the provinces of the Philippines maybe I can name one that stands out, but now that I still have a long way to go in terms of personal journey and getting to know more of my country. All I can think of is set out for more and possibly retire in the place I'd consider the best of em all.

Right now, if you point a gun on my head and asks for an answer, my reply would be simply "Home"

And "Home" is composed of more than 7,107 islands, with abundant knowledge to gain, culture and tradition to fully digest and unlimited things to explore and do. It's always good waking up in the morning knowing that home is out there for me to explore and wander in the coming days. It gives me the urge to live my daily existence no matter how mundane it can be, but knowing that in between all of these struggles, the opportunity to travel around my home is right there in front of me and I'll have to do is move my funky ass and stinking feet and carry my dirty backpack and tag along a few friends.