One Day Adventure - Bacolod City

Arrival in Bacolod 11AM

Departure from Bacolod 5.30PM

We all want to go to a different place every once in a while. Sometimes just to be immersed to the culture or sometimes just to be in a different environment. 

I am often in that mood, wanting to go somewhere foreign to me, somewhere that could break this monotonous life.

I often wonder how is it like to be in a place you're not familiar with, to be there out of your comfort zone - alone. Can you imagine the things you will learn from that kind of experience? 

Well, that's what I intended to do couple of months back when I received emails regarding airline promos. To go to a place I've never been and just be there. To a place where there's no me as a son, no me as a brother, no me as a friend, no me as a lover (well, this one do not exists as of the moment naman), no me as a professional, no me as what the world around me perceives me to be.

But I end up booking a flight going to a place I've already been, thinking I still can explore the city on my own. And since it's gonna be the first and just a trial, it will be alright to be on a 'safer' ground. So there, I ended up planning of going back to Bacolod and stay there for a day. I am sure there's one thing that I would not want to miss in Bacolod. The History and of course - the cakes.

My first experience in Bacolod was really amazing. I get to know people you don't get to meet everyday. I get to know the stories behind each structure, each family tree and the pieces of history that we only read from our textbooks. And it is right there in front of me.

So there, for some weird turn of events. The thought of my tastebuds meeting CALEA cakes was so overwhelming I forgot the drama of immersion. Hahahaha.

Backpack, Jacket and worn-out Chuck for a One Day Adventure

Queue to Naia 3 at 9AM

Cebu Pacific's Boarding Pass and a signage inside the craft before we take off.

Life vest under your seat. Life vested in your seat. :)

This is a picture of me before take-off. Sorry Im a shy type! hahaha

From Silay Airport, I took a shuttle going to Robinson's Place. Fare is P150.00 for each passenger. The ride took 30 minutes.

From Robinson's Place, I took a passenger jeepney going to 'Bata'. I get off the jeepney along Lacson Street upon seing the Bistro. On the second floor, there you'll find Pepe's Restaurant. I ordered Pesto-Crusted Grilled Chicken for P179.00. The smokiness and the taste of the basil really have an interesting earthly taste. Added with an ample of sour cream, the dish did satisfy my hungry stomach.

Then after having lunch, around 1PM, I walked along Lacson Street and passed by a familiar place, the Mendoza Residence where I stayed last year. :) Along Lacson Street you can find the famous 'Negros Showroom' where you can buy some pasalubongs and souvenirs.

After buying a t-shirt for my father, a bracelet for my mom and magnets for my sisters (yeah magnet lang. haha), I walked near the capitol to see the museum I missed last year.

(Forgive the photos not properly focused. Nahihiya kasi ako magpicture picture)

Taking of pictures is not allowed inside the museum. I spent almost an hour looking at the collection of the dolls from around the globe inside the museum. (I liked the Noah's Ark puzzle pieces and the Nativity scene being displayed there. Both pieces are from Denmark)

Then after seeing the museum, around 2PM, I took a jeepney going to Mandalangan to buy CALEA CAKES.

I bought 2 White Chocolate Cheesecake with strawberry sauce (my favorite is the one with Cranberry Sauce but was not available). I also bought "Imported" Chocolate Cake and a Blueberry Cake. I requested to have 2 cakes placed on top of the other inside the hard box. 

So there, I had two huge heavy box of cake to hand carry.

After buying the cakes, I had to go to the terminal at the Robinson's Place to catch the service back to Silay Airport at 3.30PM. The next schedule of the shuttle service was 5PM, my flight is at 5.20PM. I had no choice but to take the 3.30PM schedule. Going to the airport from the mall by cab will cause me around P600.00, so I chose to take the early trip.

Along Lacson Street on my way back to Silay Airport.

On my flight back to Manila, there have been flight delays, but only for 5 minutes.

Silay Airport's Control Tower

We landed in Naia 3 at 6.35PM.

Took a cab, and took forever before I was able to step my foot at our humble home.

8:30PM I'm already in our house. Put the four cakes inside the fridge.

Around 10PM when I pull 1 box out and took below pictures.

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce. HEAVENLY TREAT.

Imported Chocolate Cake. SINFULLY DELICIOUS.

I wanted to get a slice from each cake when captain tiresome has gotten over me. I still have to take a pic of the BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE. 

So there, the one day adventure is really like namalengke lang pero naka-eroplano.

Oh by the way, I won a tote-bag from CEBU PAC in a fun game during our flight back to Manila. :)

It's because it's the same set of game we had during our flight from Manila to Bacolod earlier.

Now, there will be more LEK LIKE ADVENTURE for the coming months or perhaps years.

For Now. It's just like cake shopping. 

On Musicals and Plays

Someone asked me why am I so interested in theatre arts.

According to her it is not a manly thing.

I don't know where is she coming but as far as I remember there are men who are watching theatre arts. As far as I'm concerned, equally numbered with that of women watching.

But of course, we all know, there's no point in generalizing.

All I told her regarding her question is that she needs to extend the limits of her imagination so that men, like me, will be included.

Well, maybe it is usual that the guy you know will prefer to watch movie than to see play. Kanya kanyang trip lang yan. 

For you to understand, it is really like hearing your favorite singer sing your favorite song live.

The feeling is like that, seeing your favorite story live.

Most of us loves story telling.

In a form of movie and sometimes in a form of gossip.

But I find it really amazing telling the stories through plays and musics.

So there, I guess that is why I watch plays.

I appreciate great talents.

No take twos, no director shouting cut but still can portray each character, in flesh.

I love poetry too, which seldom included in any movies but in theatre plays.

This interest in story telling thing and reading fiction started when I read Les Miserables. A compulsory reading back then.

I was so moved by the novel, I was a 15 year old student then.

I started to think I and my generation are lucky enough to live by the era where oppression like in the 1800s  is not likely to happen. Us involving in a war is far from happening. 

Accounts of history, i think, is well written in fiction novel. Of course the gist is fiction but the setting is taken from a piece of human history.

Then I saw a television special regarding Les Mis Musical. I was able to associate the songs from the snippet of the story I had in mind. I told myself I would watch a musical if I had the chance.

Back in college, i think year 2000, I was able to have a free ticket for the Romeo and Juliet play in RCBC. First time I saw play with a production, with the real theatre artists.

I was in awe with their talents. Being always tapped to play some characters way back in high school, I know it is not an easy task to act and express in front of an audience.

I don't dream of being a theatre actor, i just have much respect to them.

It is their passion, the love of acting that earns my respect and definitely it is not because of the money they get from it, otherwise they'll just go mainstream.

One thing I promised myself when I was still in college, if I have some money to spare, I'll be seeing musical plays/theatre plays that interests me.

So far, I've seen. RENT, The Music of Andrew Llyod Webber, The Wedding Singer, Peter Pan, Rock of Ages, Potted Potter and most recently, The Phantom of the Opera.

I've already missed CATS and Mama Mia because of the people who said they'll be coming but backed out too late that  at the time i'm about to buy a ticket, it was already sold-out. So there, lessons learned. When you want to see a play, just buy a ticket without depending to other. It applies to life as well with "If you want something, do what you have got to do."

I'm still waiting for another Manila run of Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and if ever a production of Wicked.

Being in love with this kind of arts, doesn't tell you anything but being 'cultured'.

Bleh!

Posted 04/01/12 - "Weekend in Calaguas Island"

The Camp Site

Pure Shores

The Beach

The Trek

Surf Bagasbas

Calaguas Island

Discovering Me Through You

A couple of years ago, 2007 if I am not mistaken, when I first stumbled upon pictures of Calaguas Island on the net. I was searching for a summer destination then. But because of the boat ride being mentioned on that particular blog I did not dare to suggest it to my friends.

Yes, I am afraid of boats crossing the seas, I am afraid of falling into the waters - of drowning. I can do short boat rides as long as I can see where we are headed, just like what we are doing during island hoppings. But the thought of riding it for hours, it's a different matter. The thought of being in the middle of the sea, seeing its vast expanse, my twisted mind will spin like a twister. Thoughts after thoughts, imaginings after imaginings, shiverings after shiverings scares the hell out of me. 

So there, that's one thing I am proud of during my Calaguas trip. I think I became smarter after this weekend vacation. The island was mine for a time, my personal pure shore...

Backtrack.

January 2012.

Yedi with some of our UHG officemates talked about summer vacation and he came up with Calaguas as the destination.

That rings a bell and he showed us some pictures of Calaguas. I committed myself to join in an instant! :)

I was the first to accept the FB event invitation hehehe, that's how excited I was. Pretty cheap and the itinerary looks fun. It actually reminded me of 'THE BEACH', one of my favorite movies. 

In between that timeframe (the creation of invite to the trip itself), there have been a lot of deciding, convincing and backing out. Friends who accepted the invite will bring some friends with them. Then I realized, I was the only one going there alone, might as well bring some friends. I sent an invitation to my best buddies, but because we have an annual summer trip of our own, most of them declined but one. Actually I have four 'weekend-friends'. hahaha. We always do road trips almost every weekend. But 2 are busy, one is out of the country and 1 actually accepted my invite. He and his girlfriend will join the trip.

Then march came, this friend of mine told me that his girlfriend will not be able to join because of some work she needs to accomplish. To make the long story short, there have been efforts and hassles of negotiating and re-negotiating, planning and thinking of how can we accommodate each request. Then the slots were taken eventually.

Yedi's friend will take one slot left by my friend's GF. My Friend Charm will take my friend's slot. (Got that?)

:D

Charm wanted to go to Calaguas but quite hesitant. It took a lot of convincing to make her join the unusual vacation. She even texted me 'Give me more reasons why I should?' (or words to that effect).

And this was my reply (or something similar to this.. hahahaha)

"We'll be stepping into something unknown. It's gonna be pure shores. You and your friends know each and everyone's stories. How about the strangers? Can you imagine what you can learn from them. When will you have the chance to do something like this again? No other day but this weekend."

And I think she was convinced.

YEY!

I don't need to pay for the slot without someone enjoying it.

Friday. 

March 23.

Charm texted me she's sorry she can no longer join the trip. 

HUWAATTT? is she kidding me. Is it another charm moments? haha

Then I learned she lost her iPhone 4S to some scammer.

That was really a horrible, despicable, abominable thing that could ever happen to someone who just bought it. haha (gatong pa?)

so there, it took another rain showers of convincing power to make her join as planned.

But then again, wanting to see the sands and the sea took over her emo moments from losing some metal and silicon product.

(It's just it Charm, I know we worked hard for something we want, but we don't need to sulk the whole day to something that cannot be undone.) hahaha

We are supposed to meet the van at 11PM.

5 minutes before 11PM, my counterpart wanted me to do much work. I can sense he doesn't want me to leave and would want to ask me to extend sometime.

Are you kidding me? Of all the dates???

Anyways I left at 11PM.

Changed my trousers with my walking shorts with Piey.

Said bye-bye to my UHG friends.

Meet Charm at TGIF.

Then we found the van, actually the driver has some attitude. Ewan ko ba? basta asar ung mamang iyon.

Hindi sya nag park. He actually drove around eastwood that we had to go in front of TGIF.

anyways

We settled ourselves, unfortunately me and Charm are situated on the side seats.

Good luck.

No way to sleep.

March 24.

Saturday.

Around 7am when we reached DAET.

On the way there you can see the fog on the streets. :)

I really wanted to go outside and take a walk, but then again hindi pwede.

We met Ed sa Jollibee, took out some breakfasts then off to the port we go.

I saw small boats lined at the port.

I am thinking that was DEFINITELY NOT the boat we are going to get aboard. It looks like a fisherman's boat. Not a passenger type of boat.

But there are no other boat that was as big as that of Puerto Galera.

This is bad.

Mind was racing. Anticipating what might happen.

Looked at the skies.. DAMN!! not that clear.

I still put on my best smile but inside, heart was pounding.

I looked around, everyone seems so excited to ride a boat. YOU ALREADY!

So there, I have made a decision to join the trip, there's no point to look back and rethink.

Lets get it on.

It took like forever before we moved.

Then we sailed.

Smooth sailing. 

I can handle that.

I can still see the shore.

I sat in the middle where I can easily grab on the planks or whatever I can hold on to.

Then we are in the middle of the sea.

Not that great waves but the thought of being there for more than an hour and forecasting what might come our way really overwhelmed me. I tried so hard to keep it cool (but I think I managed naman).

After a year less than forever, we saw the shores of Calaguas.

Without exaggeration, it is breathtaking.

The sands glitters.

The waters glisten.

Its as if there is a lighted tile at the bottom of the sea.

It is the perfect beach for me.

We settled ourselves and picked our tent.

We picked the one under the coconut tree.

I shared the tent with Charm and Chester.

Then Shoot!

I just remembered that my phone and the rest of the fee for the van was on my side pocket. On the side of my knee.

:(

My phone was drenched with salt water as well as the 5K+ bill.

Immediately took the battery out.

And as suggested, pour a cup of drinking water into my cp.

Left it under the sun to dry.

Howell. The place is so beautiful, it will not do to sulk over a cheap phone.

After some picture taking and taking all in the beauty of the beach.

We decided to take our manila clothes off and bring on that superbod!

I took a quick shower. Applied SPF 50 sunblock. hihihi

Then I joined Ed and Chester swimming in the beach.

There I met Ed's awesome backpackers. 

Cris - the guy in a rash guard.

Jojo - the guy with the summer hair. :D

Ronnie - the guy with the balik ayos hair… hehe

A little later, Charm and Ankur joined us.

While swimming, we just talk about everything we could talk about.

Like the lost iPhone 4S.

Ooops not lost but a 'snatched' iPhone 4S.

The swimming HTC phone.

The misfortunes some of us have experienced with the holdupers.

Yeah. That was the first topic before we talked about more of each other as an introduction. :)

We immediately clicked. (or it is just me?)

Then I knew, it is gonna be a great weekend.

We started playing 'MUSIC BOX'.

I actually slipped a little when I said 'Lets play DO-RE-MI' instead of MUSIC BOX.

hahahhaaha

We practiced ZIP ZIP BANG WEE too.

Lunch was served almost 1PM.

We had steamed vegetables.

A fish.

A yummy spicy chicken.

And a Banana.

It was a buffet lunch.

Eat all you can!

Thinking and writing about it makes me want to go to the kitchen and scram the fridge.

A little after lunch was SIESTA time.

Some of us took pictures of Calaguas.

Some did a little of exploring.

Most took a nap, including me.

After recharging and refreshing.

We explored the island.

We went to the rocky side of the beach and went over it.

And much to my surprise there's another piece of paradise in there.

There we took much of our photos.

Jump shot.

Model shot.

Whatever shot.

Shot of a shot.

shots after shots..

shots and shots..

and another shot.

Chilled a bit.

Banter a bit.

Kid a bit…

relaxed a lot…

Then we head back to camp.

We are going on a trek to see a FALLS.

We were instructed to take the whatsoever route and then traverse to go back to camp.

(hindi ko alam tawag talaga)

So yey!

another first for Lek. TREKKING

I really am not liking the idea but I hate the idea of being left alone more. 

So I joined.

A local ate (I forgot the name) guided us the way to the FALLS.

We took the bushy area.

Then there's mud.

Then there's a little pond.

A tiny swamp.

A steep uphill course.

Saw New Floras.

New Faunas (huha!)

Big and small plants with every shades of green.

Then there's Whitey the dog, eagerly guiding as to our trek.

Then they stopped.

Then ate shouted as if she was talking with someone.

I cannot hear a thing replying so I had to ask them if she is indeed talking with someone.

And they say yes. And it was Piey and the gang's group not able to follow us, taking another route.

Then we continue walking, or i must say 'TREKKING'.

My back started to ache.

I was panting.

Good thing I had my water with me.

Everyone was seems so up to the challenge I was the only one panting.

Luckily we have reached the summit.

We had the clear view of the entire island.

I was already convinced that this is actually like 'THE BEACH' when I saw a community  on the other side of the island.

As in a community of brick and iron houses.

Howell. That seems far anyways. It won't affect my imaginings and musings with my thought of a super remote island. hhehehe

While in the summit, I had the chance to catch my breath and recharge.

We were waiting for the other group to catch up with our pace. huha!

Then we continued with our trek.

I can feel we're going downhill but there's no sight of a FALLS.

Not even a sound of it.

They started to think that it is infact a FALSE FALLS.

But then again, we just enjoyed the moment.

We reached a small community.

This is the first time I actually saw them right in front of me.

The locals living their simple lives with all the riches the nature has to offer, all around them.

We asked where the FALLS is and they pointed us to the direction we were heading.

BUT WAIT!!!

DID I HEAR ATE RIGHT?

DOES SHE REALLY WANTED US TO GO BACK TO THAT TREK WE'VE JUST GONE?

CANNOT BE.

We insisted to traverse and see the FALLS.

A little walk in the mud and there's the sound of water.

NANGTOKWA!

eto na un?

I was thinking something like the PARADISE FALLS on a Disney Movie UP.

I don't want to say something bad but it is disappointing.

Anyways!!!!

We then found out that the FALLS is actually just behind the 'little paradise over the rocks' I mentioned earlier.

That's okay.

Adventure happens. :)

After a lot of picture taking we were back in the camp.

No time wasted. We played under the almost setting sun.

They played Frisbee and I joined some playing volleyball.

Beach Volleyball

With Jimboy

A very sporty kid.

Jimboy is a show off. hahaha but in a good way.

He spikes.

He dives.

He ran after the ball.

He's like a pro.

Then after playing, we headed to the waters.

Enjoyed the waters with the company of an old friend, a new friend, an older friend and a not much that old friend.

Danced BOOM BOOM BASS in the water.

Did a little water yoga (instructed by Ed)

Laughtrip at some points of the trek.

Then one by one, stars started to peek at the horizon.

Awesomeness…

this is the life, i told myself.

Not worrying about the time.

Not worrying about the books yet to read.

Not worrying about the work yet to learn.

Not worrying about making the most of what you have.

This is the life we all need.

A breather.

An hourglass on pause.

A day when I left everything in Manila.

Then dinner was served.

Laing - so yummy

Fish - freshness was so there

Bicol Express - toned down but nonetheless tickles your tastebud

Mainit na kanin at matamis na mangga.

I had a second round to the buffet table which I don't normally do.

After dinner we refreshed ourselves.

Naligo kami sa poso.

The last time na naligo ako sa poso I was in grade school.

:D

But during that time, di mo kailangan magtanggal ng buhangin sa brief.

And during that time also, walang spot light habang naliligo ka.

hahahaha

After that thank-god-relaxing-shower. I went back to camp.

Felt so exhausted I just wanted to lie there.

I lay myself inside the tent with my head on the 'door'. 

My goodness. I've never seen the velvet sky so dark and so full of stars my entire life.

But only in Calaguas.

But exhaustion, I thought, is getting on me.

I decided to continue with my reading. (yes, may dala akong libro. hahaha)

Intay ko sila kasi nakaschedule ang inuman namen ng gabing un! hihihi

Pero I felt so sleepy I decided to look for them. Baka kasi makatulog ako and mamiss ko ang masasayang moments.

I found them in the cottage, just talking.

Then a little later it drizzles.

We rushed back to secure our things from the rain.

A little later. Ed is walking with the tequila and a beer tower which actually does not contain a beer but a punch. (when i say punch, it is really a punch with a punch)

To make the session memorable, these TWISTED souls had these idea.

FIRST ROUND: Introduce yourself.

We all did.

SECOND ROUND: Why you left your prev company/stay in your company.

We shared a little.

THIRD ROUND: Tell your greatest fear.

We all did.

We ran out of questions.

We played ZIP ZIP BANG WEE.

THE NIGHT JUST BEGAN.

It became hilarious.

laughtrip kung laughtrip.

There was a moment of Ankur being stunned.

Laughtrip.

Chester being clueless at some round.

Laughtrip.

Charm with a lag of processing.

Laughtrip.

Yedi raising his hand on a ZIP.

Laugthrip.

Jojo WEEing even if its not his turned.

Laugthrip.

Ronnie doing stuffs in a bad timing.

Laughtrip.

Cris saying WEEEE with conviction but actually doing the ZIP gesture.

Laugthrip.

Piey on an idle mode during the BANGs.

Laughtrip.

Heads starting to ache every time we roar our laughs.

Then we played 7-UP.

With vocals on, everyone had the shares of their misfortune.

Charm actually had a lot.

Then a silent 7-UP.

If I could just recount everything….

That was fun filled night.

A bottle of tequila and 2 rounds of punch on a beer tower.

We were calling it a night when the only girl started to become impossible.

SHE WAS SO STUBBORN THAT NIGHT.

Wanting to sleep in the cottage???

Are you serious tsarmina?

Anyways after a lot of convincing, she walked straight to the tent and gone to the dreamland in an instant.

I guess the sandman was there.

Lights off.

Sunday.

I woke up I guess around 7am.

I went out and brushed my teeth.

I just sat and watched the waves.

I saw Cris jog the stretched.

I saw people carrying weird things everywhere.

I walked the stretch.

I saw stupid people's litters.

I really wanted to yell at them.

Breakfast was served.

Coffee, Fried rice, hotdog and egg with dilis na parang danggit.

After that hearty breakfast.

We played beach volleyball with JIMBOY.

(Which by the way is John Paul, Jimboy is actually his brother, he just did not correct everyone with his name. hahaha)

After that we were advised to leave early because of the weather condition.

We started to pack our things.

Took our final group shot.

And headed back to the boat.

Getting onboard is really a challenge.

Piey's sister lost her reading glass just getting aboard.

We were the last to board the boat so we were situated in front.

I managed to get a place in the middle part of the boat.

I am a little scared. But I kept telling myself I already did fine yesterday. I'll do better today.

But the waves are so great.

And for the better part of the day, it started to rain in the middle of the sea.

It was pouring.

I held on to my dear life. hahahaa

Annoyed at first at people laughing. Can't they be a little considerate to other people who are not liking the ride?

People like me? hahahaha

But of course, I am not entitled to that privilege. I pretended to sleep.

But who am I fooling? hahaha nobody can sleep on a pouring rain in the middle of the sea?

I held myself together.

After a lot of shiverings after shiverings. I managed to calm myself down.

I tried so hard to hide my knees shaking, buti na lang di ko kakilala ung nakapansin.

But the good thing is, I was able to open my eyes.

Ikaw ba naman ang halos 2 hours sa dagat eh di ka ba masasanay.

So there… half of the ride, I can proudly say I am okay!

We finally reached the port.

Headed to Bagasbas to surf.

We had lunch there.

The food suddenly tasted so dull.. we got used to the yummy food we were served in the island.

Rest a little.

Did some complicated orders of Halo halo. None of which are special.

Anyways, we watched the waves of Bagasbas beach.

Watched people surf.

Took some photo.

Then we decided to freshen up and be ready to go home.

It was just around 2 and we still have hours to spare.

Me, Chester, Ed, Charm, Ronnie, Jojo and Cris had a round of beer in the nearby bar.

A KTV bar.

Sooooo

Lahat pala sila ay singer.

2 of them were actually a diva.

First time to hear BEER. 

and I liked it.

yeah weird that I haven't heard of the song before.

But reading the lyrics is like reading a poetry hiding behind the humor.

anyways..

there have been a miscommunication but that was sorted out.

We had to leave the guys who will take the bus back home.

We were all set to our ride in Manila.

Bought some pasalubong.

Hated the driver that much that I don't want to write about it.

The next thing I knew is I was getting a cab in Eastwood eager to go home.

With new memories.

With new friends.

With new experiences with old friends.

With the thought of being scared of the boat at first then ended up liking it.

Thanks to all the people I am with in this vacation.

We may be on a different pace, lane or wavelength but there's one thing that will remain we are in common - we have lived a day in Calaguas and actually enjoyed it.

Pictures are so great I wanted to go back soon.

If possible with these people again….

Thank you very much Calaguas.

My personal pure shore….