by: ANNE BERNADETTE VILLEZA
Ugh…I’m missing that place, the place where my mom and her siblings grew up together. The sacred place where all the memories were we all once shared. It’s where my grandma’s ancestral house has stood proud. Once but not anymore…
As modernization took place, everything changed rapidly. Every little thing turned into something I’m not used to. Invaded by those tallest buildings and wide concrete roads from what seems to be alien to the natives of that place. No more trees and grasses and flowers and carabaos that once seen in that muddy road. The little nipa huts are nowhere to be found, replaced by mansions, two storey houses painted in pink, green, brown colors.
Though I don’t blame the people behind those changes because I know that all they want is the convenience those changes provide. And so do I.
But let me take you to the memories of my childhood days in that virgin place of my ancestors.
Back then, I used to play with my twin sister, Toni in that river which by that time the water is crystal clear. After our long hours of fun baths, we run with my grandma’s dog named Ringgo to what seems to be the longest rice fields of my uncle. And picking wild flowers and catching pretty butterflies in the virgin forest are far more fun. Afterwards, we take turns with the fishing nets in my uncle’s man made pond trying our luck to catch one.
During night time, my grandpa will take us to the backyard to let us watch the fireflies from that huge tree. It never fails to amaze me of that very scene that as if taken from a fairytale story where the tree seems to be the palace of million fairies. I always remember him say that those fireflies are symbols of how virgin that place is. He said that now that he is old, the duties of taking care of the place are now passed to us young’s of our generation.
I loved that place very much not because of the memories I have had there but because it is one of the best place I have been to. It will never be replaced by any city, even Manila where I and my family currently resides. Why? Simple, it’s like my childhood days, the place is fresh and worth remembering.
Monday, February 1, 2010
My Experience ...at Isabela
by: Nea Mirizma P. Gaspar
Tracy, Arlene, Mar and I left the house at Manila at around 7PM last last last friday. We’d meet up with Jeanne, who still needed to attend a work-related event, at the Victory Liner for our 9:20 trip to Isabela. The New Moon special screening where she would be serving as an usherette would start at 6:30PM. Before 8, she texted that she and another colleague had already left the place.
The four of us reached the bus station at around 8:30PM and had enough time for a late dinner at Jollibee. At this time Jeanne texted that she was already in Libis. When we finished dinner at 9:10, she texted that she was in Cubao already. We boarded the bus and just informed the driver and the conductor that we were still waiting for someone. At 9:20, Jeanne was still not in the bus station and we could no longer stop the bus driver from getting the bus on the road. We begged him to just drive slowly so that the van Jeanne was on could catch up. The driver was kind enough to oblige and stop at NIA, Quezon Ave when the van finally closed the distance. We were really anxious that Jeanne would not be able to make it (her laptop and things are already with us…hehehe) so it was quite a relief when we saw her boarding the bus.
Before 6AM the next day, we reached Santiago, Isabela and was fetched by Mar's father at the bus station. We rested for a while in the room assigned to the four of us. We had breakfast when we woke up and then went for a drive to the Magat Dam after. The park-like place was nice, quiet and peaceful and we had fun taking pictures. The dam personnel also allowed us to get inside the place where they monitor the voltage/amount of electricity produced by the dam. We returned to Mar’s house after for the tinola and tilapya lunch her mother prepared.
Saturday afternoon was spent in Santiago city. Karen and her mother bought needed goods at the supermart for Erin’s birthday party which will be held the coming Monday. Tracy, Arlene, Jeanne and I went to buy chips and drinks for the night’s swimming plans. We also scoured the mall for affordable shorts because we didn’t bring enough clothes. Jeanne and I also bought pillows.
Contrary to Mar’s prediction that we won’t be able to wake up in time for the 6AM mass because we had been swimming and had consumed a bottle of The Bar the night before, we made it to the nearby church before the service started on Sunday. The mass was in Ilocano so we hardly understood a thing said. There was even a moment when the four of us were standing up while the rest of the churchgoers behind us were seated. Needless to say, our attendance wasn’t as solemn as it should be.
On Sunday afternoon, Mar’s father drove us to the Transfiguration Chapel. It was situated on top of a hill and would be a perfect site for a Holy week station of the cross. I don’t know if the 13 stations are complete though. I only remember passing by life size figures of the Last Supper, Pieta, and Jesus and the two thieves on the cross. The place also features a playground if one happens to have kids in tow. After a merienda at Chowking, we saw Arlene and Jeanne to the bus station. They would be returning to Manila earlier. Mar, Tracy and I then proceeded to the mall again to get a gift for Mar’s mother who would be celebrating her birthday the following week. Done with our purchases, we proceeded to Big Brothers where we had our dinner.
Time flew by quickly on Monday. It was Arlene’s birthday party and I hosted the games. Before long, we were bidding goodbye to our gracious hosts. Karen’s family is wonderful. We could sense the genuine hospitality. And Isabela is a town you could retire to. It’s clean, it’s quiet, it’s progressive. And with the kind of company I had on this trip, I sure would love to come back.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Unwinding in Tundaligan Beach
by: Nathaniel P. Silvano
After a long wait, a paradise fascinated me and added coolness into my mind.
It was 12 midnight when we decided to leave our home and started to travel the winding roads just to get to our destination. The surroundings our vehicle, which is a jeep, passing by was as quiet as the night, all were still resting. It felt like we were just the awake people that time, driving so fast instead of sleeping on a soft bed and dreaming of great and cool things.
It was almost six hours trip and what I did is just sitting and feeling the cold blow of the wind, until I yawned and felt sleepy. The feeling was good resting on a jeep with an excitement in my heart to reach the destination.
When we got there, somebody woke me up and by the time I opened my eyes, a beautiful environment astonished me. The breeze of the air is very different from the city. It is so cold but it is so relaxing. It was a beach! The ambiance is really perfect for a vacation. When my feet landed on the fine sand of the beach, that time I really thought that I could escape from my problems and I would really unwind.
The water of the sea was inviting me to swim there so even the sun had not yet risen that time, I already swam and played in the flow of the sea.
It was really fun and enjoying, especially doing it with your family.
The cottage was just simple but inside of it was a videoke where you can sing without putting coins into it. The fee for the videoke was already included on the payment for the cottage; and there was no entrance fee.
It was one of the most unforgettable moments in my life. It was once a year but for me it was a lifetime.
Hope to visit again the beauty and glamour of Tundaligan Beach in Pangasinan.
After a long wait, a paradise fascinated me and added coolness into my mind.
It was 12 midnight when we decided to leave our home and started to travel the winding roads just to get to our destination. The surroundings our vehicle, which is a jeep, passing by was as quiet as the night, all were still resting. It felt like we were just the awake people that time, driving so fast instead of sleeping on a soft bed and dreaming of great and cool things.
It was almost six hours trip and what I did is just sitting and feeling the cold blow of the wind, until I yawned and felt sleepy. The feeling was good resting on a jeep with an excitement in my heart to reach the destination.
When we got there, somebody woke me up and by the time I opened my eyes, a beautiful environment astonished me. The breeze of the air is very different from the city. It is so cold but it is so relaxing. It was a beach! The ambiance is really perfect for a vacation. When my feet landed on the fine sand of the beach, that time I really thought that I could escape from my problems and I would really unwind.
The water of the sea was inviting me to swim there so even the sun had not yet risen that time, I already swam and played in the flow of the sea.
It was really fun and enjoying, especially doing it with your family.
The cottage was just simple but inside of it was a videoke where you can sing without putting coins into it. The fee for the videoke was already included on the payment for the cottage; and there was no entrance fee.
It was one of the most unforgettable moments in my life. It was once a year but for me it was a lifetime.
Hope to visit again the beauty and glamour of Tundaligan Beach in Pangasinan.
MY BORA GETAWAY
BY: ANNE BERNADETTE VILLEZA
It was summer of last year, I just get lucky when my family decided to go on a trip to the place I always dreamed of. I thought my sister was just kidding around when she made that announcement. I was expecting for a “ you got punked” to spoil my excitement. But it never came, I just spilled my usual “oh really?” sarcastic statement just to let them know im not gonna play their victim again. But, guess what? Their too serious. Hehehe and so I jumped.
I remember the days when I just lay around looking amazed at the pictures from my cosmopolitan magazine. Dreaming of me sitting on that soft fine white sand while sipping my ice cold lemonade. Or dancing in my summer beach dress untill the wee hours of the morning. Yeah, its really a fun fun summer days that anyone will die to spend for.
Finally! It as if I just walked out from that beautiful picture. I can feel that white soft sand and immediately stunned by the crystal clear blue sea infront of me. The breeze of the air and the ray of the sun made it more picture-perfect.
How did I make it there? From my Aunt’s grand house in Mantiguib, Makato Aklan, we ride a two hours van trip to Caticlan. It was exhausting but the view is really breath taking. From there, we ride a ferry boat to Boracay Island. The view is ten times picturesque than what my friends told me. Ugh, a perfect summer getaway indeed.
Our day kicked off with a lot of walking and strolling around D’ MALL, the place was jampacked by locales and foreigners in their skimpy beach wears while shopping for their perfect shell-beach accessories. We stopped for lunch in Mang Inasal and dig hungrily in our inihaw na fresh sea foods. Afterwards, we made our way to our friend’s rest house to changed for our night out getaway. Ugh, it was so much fun. The place was crowded with celebrities and tourists drinking and dancing with the beat in a dj mixed music, an open dancefloor offered by Globe. We dance and get drunk all night long. Its my uber fun night out in my entire life.
My last day there was super tiring. We swim the whole morning to our hearts content . The trip there was so memorable. I cant imagine my summer days would be that fun. hayy.. Im looking forward for my next Boracay trip, by that time Im sure I can afford to try everything.
It was summer of last year, I just get lucky when my family decided to go on a trip to the place I always dreamed of. I thought my sister was just kidding around when she made that announcement. I was expecting for a “ you got punked” to spoil my excitement. But it never came, I just spilled my usual “oh really?” sarcastic statement just to let them know im not gonna play their victim again. But, guess what? Their too serious. Hehehe and so I jumped.
I remember the days when I just lay around looking amazed at the pictures from my cosmopolitan magazine. Dreaming of me sitting on that soft fine white sand while sipping my ice cold lemonade. Or dancing in my summer beach dress untill the wee hours of the morning. Yeah, its really a fun fun summer days that anyone will die to spend for.
Finally! It as if I just walked out from that beautiful picture. I can feel that white soft sand and immediately stunned by the crystal clear blue sea infront of me. The breeze of the air and the ray of the sun made it more picture-perfect.
How did I make it there? From my Aunt’s grand house in Mantiguib, Makato Aklan, we ride a two hours van trip to Caticlan. It was exhausting but the view is really breath taking. From there, we ride a ferry boat to Boracay Island. The view is ten times picturesque than what my friends told me. Ugh, a perfect summer getaway indeed.
Our day kicked off with a lot of walking and strolling around D’ MALL, the place was jampacked by locales and foreigners in their skimpy beach wears while shopping for their perfect shell-beach accessories. We stopped for lunch in Mang Inasal and dig hungrily in our inihaw na fresh sea foods. Afterwards, we made our way to our friend’s rest house to changed for our night out getaway. Ugh, it was so much fun. The place was crowded with celebrities and tourists drinking and dancing with the beat in a dj mixed music, an open dancefloor offered by Globe. We dance and get drunk all night long. Its my uber fun night out in my entire life.
My last day there was super tiring. We swim the whole morning to our hearts content . The trip there was so memorable. I cant imagine my summer days would be that fun. hayy.. Im looking forward for my next Boracay trip, by that time Im sure I can afford to try everything.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Pasig Ferry from San Joaquin to P.U.P.
by: Nea Mirizma P. Gaspar
The first time I rode on the Pasig Ferry Service was last year. I went to Polytechnic University of the Philippines then to submit the entrance exam requirement of my cousin. Recently, I was able to ride on one of the Pasig ferry boats with my mom on our way to Rockwell for the havaianas event we were supposed to attend. From San Joaquin station, we hopped off at Guadalupe station (P35.00). It was one of my memorable rides ever. I took photos and observed my surroundings. And here are the things I found out.
The San Joaquin station has yet to be given a make-over (after more than years of operations). Compared to the other stations that are made of steel and concrete the one in San Joaquin is just a make shift station. Basically, you’ll find a security guard doing the inspection, a small ticket booth, radios and television, but fully air-coned accommodation and a few monoblock chairs for the passengers to use.
Inside the ferry boat and while cruising along the stretch of the Pasig River , you are greeted by various infrastructures, examples are Shanties factories, dilapidated residential and commercial buildings, school buildings , government buildings, public parks and etc., and that range from pleasant sceneries of Metro Manila.
Each ferry boat is air-conditioned and can accommodate as many as 15 people. Passengers are provided with rest rooms and there’s a voice over that announces the station you’re in each time the ferry stops. There’s also a big t.v. that plays D.V.D. movies for everyone to chill and enjoy.
Overall, my Pasig Ferry trip was pleasant and fun. The crews were attentive and friendly. The passengers were well-behaved, composing mainly of college students. Our travel time may be long, approximately 45 minutes to an hour but we, especially, I, were comfortable inside the ferry and arrived to P.U.P. station, the first time, safely.
And then I walked inside the P.U.P. main up to gate and rode on a pedicab to College of Communication.
You can also check other ferries , routes , maps and services at other stations at
http://ph.images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fph.images.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dpasig%2Bferry%2Bstations%26sado%3D1%26ei%3Dutf-8%26fr%3Dyfp-t-711%26fr2%3Dsg-gac&w=600&h=400&imgurl=www.prrc.com.ph%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2Fferry%2520stations%2Flambingan%2FLambingan%2520Ferry%2520Station.JPG&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prrc.com.ph%2Findex.php%3Fpage%3Dthe-pasig-river-stations&size=63k&name=Lambingan+Ferry+...&p=pasig+ferry+stations&oid=691ea08564d04f14&fr2=sg-gac&no=2&tt=19&sigr=11u5sca7s&sigi=12pq986lp&sigb=13e7339co#FCar=543816b332cd21b6
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