That Thing Called Tadhana: Where Do Broken Heart Goes?

(Not The Movie but A Diary of a  Broken Hearted)        

I Exiled myself in Bolinao....... 
   

Palaui: One of my dream place and I don't know why    Credit to Juanderfulpinoy

          I turned 27 last May 2014 and I was broken hearted?!?!?! I need space! I need to unwind! I need to breathe some fresh air! I need to move on! choss!!! :p drama lang....hahaha....so I decided to try something new. I was thinking back then to try solo travel adventure but I was hesitant since I'm not sure yet if I will be capable of doing it that time. So, I decided to contact some of my traveler friends and asked them if I can join in their up coming trip / adventure. Some said yes and some declined. Then I remember someone with the same birth month and I know he always travels during his birthday so I asked him and he said yes.  
(I forced him daw kasi...nakulitan lang...hahaha) Then he made me choose between Adams or Palaui. (I can't remember if he still suggested other places.) Of course I choose "PALAUI"...matagal ko na gusto puntahan yun. To make it short we already decided to go to Palaui and started planning the trip. We already have date, reservation, etc...and then taaadaahhh!!!!!! Last minute cancellation!!! So, I get really disappointed that time, the excitement went back to zero. I don't know what to do but then I need to move on and continue my life and understand what just happened.

          Moving on, I decided to go to Palaui Island alone by myself until one day another friend of mine told me it will not be safe for a girl like me to go there alone, so he suggested he will accompany me instead but I need to choose a place just near Manila. Then the excitement was back, I was searching again, asking Mr. Google the best beaches near Manila (since I'm a beach lover and it's summer time). My searching ended when my eyes got caught by this blog post: "Where do [Traveler with] Broken Heart Goes?"...."this is it!" It was really a tadhana for me to see this post, I felt that time that it was really written for me, I can so relate....hahaha

credit to Darwin of trackingtreasure.net

          It was on May 6, 2014 at 10:08am when I posted my comment on his blog and I decided to plan my birthday trip again. I started searching about Patar Beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan and just seeing the photos made me love the place at first sight. "The Boracay of the North and The Golden Sunset". Perfect! So this is it! I told my friend about it and he get excited too because he said it will be just around his hometown. So, in a short period of time I planned the trip, this time I don't have a detailed IOT (Itinerary of Travel) I just searched how to get there, some places to see and made a  3 nights accommodation reservation.

May 9, 2014

          This is it! I'm 27! I woke up early, packed my things and I headed to church first to thanked HIM for another year and I asked HIM to guide me and keep me safe in this travel.

prints on prints and I'm ready to go

          I went to bus terminal in Manila and looked for buses going to Bolinao. Na-late lang daw ako ng konting minuto...kaalis lang ng AC bus ng Victory Liner...Sayang! So, I asked them ano oras ang susunod and they've told me 3:00pm pa yun alis ng AC na bus pero yun NonAC na bus will leave at 11:00am. So, nag compute compute ako...akala mo magaling sa Matematika...travel time to Bolinao from Manila would be 5-6 hours according to Google, kaya I grabbed the 11:00am bus kahit NonAC sya para hindi nmn super late yun dating ko sa Bolinao, so I expected before 6pm makakarating na ko, maliwanag pa yun. Safe pa, since first time ko mag-isa mag travel ng ganun kalayo, at dun pa sa terminal supposedly ang plano nmin magmeet ng mabuting kung kaibigan na manggaling sa company outing daw nila sa Subic.

palubog na ang haring araw nasa kalye pa din ako

happy birthday to me!!!

I literally spent my birthday on a road trip, from eLBi to Manila to Bolinao. From morning till late in the evening, yes, nakarating ako ng Bolinao around 9:00pm. Mali ang computation ko, juicecolored, pag kadaming stop over ni ordinary bus!!! It was more than 14 hours of road trip. Buti na lang naaaliw ako sa paligid at sa mga tao na nakakasalamuha ko sa bus. The most unforgettable was a man in his 50s na msyadong madaldal at usisero. I can't remember kung saan stop over siya sumakay pero basta siya lang ang naglakas ng loob na tumabi sakin at makipagkwentuhan, the good side hindi ako nainip sa biyahe at may tagabantay ako ng gamit whenever I need to get off the bus.....but I was a bit alarmed ng medyo magtanong na s'ya ng mga something personal then that's the time I started lying and make imbento files to divert his interest?!?! (assuming lang si ako...)

......some of Manong's usi lines in between his kwento:

Manong: Neng, ang puti ng kutis mo no! Halatang hindi ka taga dito at halatang lagi nasa aircon. mayaman ka no?

Me: Invited lang po ako ng kaibigan ko, madalas na po ako napunta dito at hindi po ako mayaman nadaan lang po sa sabon yan.  (porke maputi mayaman?!?! at isa pa hindi nya sinabing maganda ako maputi lang...tagos yun ha! nyahaha)

he saw my ring, it looks like a wedding ring (A blogger tip: wear a wedding ring to help fend off unwanted attention)

Manong: May asawa ka na? Mali ata suot mo ng wedding ring.

Me: Yes po, meron na! Pumayat po kasi ako kaya hindi na kasya, di pa napapaadjust. (mapagmasid si Manong pati yun napansin at this time sinisimulan ko na ang nobela ng married life ko sa utak ko in case may itanong pa syang iba)

Manong: Bakit hindi ka sinamahan ng asawa mo? Ang layo nito ha. Hindi s'ya nag-aalala sayo?

Me: May trabaho po kasi, pero susunod din po s'ya bukas. Saka susunduin naman po ako ng mga kaibigan ko sa terminal. (nagka-asawa talaga ako bigla, nakalimutan ko tuloy na broken hearted ako...hahaha)

I tried to sleep and covered myself with a sarong (tulog tulugan) para makaiwas pa sa mga susunod na tanong ni Manong Usi. But I really can't sleep in a bus, my friends know this...Mulat ako all the time. Kaya na feel siguro ni Manong.

Manong: Muslim ka ba?

Me: Hindi po!

Manong: Mukha ka kasing Muslim

Me: Ah ok po! (I was wondering why he asked that pero di ko na lang tinanong baka humaba pa lalo usapan)

......that's all I can remember clearly, pero I know madami pa s'yang mga banat na binitawan during our trip

          Until may isang mag-ina na sumakay at pinaupo ni Manong sa tabi nmin so then I feel a bit relieved at least gentleman naman pala si Manong at dun na sa mag-ina na divert ang atensyon n'ya. Dumiretso na lang ako sa tulog tulugan mode ko. Pero si Manong consistent, lagi pa din ako sinasali sa kwentuhan nila everytime makikita nya ako nakamulat at sya pa nagpakilala sakin sa mag-ina taga dun daw sa pupuntahan ko. At nag paalam pa sya talaga sakin ng bumaba sya sa Mangatarem, Pangasinan. "Iha, dito na ko. Mag-iingat ka dun ha!" I just smiled and waved back to him.

just random photo along the road

          Speaking of Mangatarem naalala ko bigla ang mabuti kong kaibigan, so I texted him, "Asan ka na?"...aba nawala na, walang reply, samantalang nung umaga monitored ako kung asan na ako. Nakatunog na ako na wala na 'to....DRAWING na din 'to...at dahil malapit na ko sa destinasyon ko there is no turning back, sobrang sayang na yung mahabang biyahe ko.  So, I just decided to continue the journey. Sobrang late na ng makarating kami ng Bolinao, so I feel lost that time, I asked one of the woman in the bus kung saan sakayan ng papuntang Patar Beach and how far it is. Nakita ko sa mukha ni ate na nagworry sya, sabi na lang nya "Iha, masyado malayo yun at msyado na din gabi para magtravel ka mag-isa, maghanap ka na lang ng tutuluyan mo dito sa bayan." Pero tapang tapangan ako that time, I insisted na dumiretso na lang, so buti na lang mabait si Ate, inihanap nya ako ng tricycle driver at binilinan nya 'to na ihatid ako ng safe dun sa pupuntahan ko. Sinabi ko sa driver na ihatid ako sa Bing's Beach Resort mukhang alam naman nya kaya sumakay na ko.

this is the road going to Patar, so imagine travelling alone here at night

          Mag-isa lang ako sa loob ng tricycle pero may backride na mag jowa, sabi nung driver uunahin daw ihatid yun dalawa, ako naman nagOO lang, wala na sa sarili sa dami ng iniisip that time. While traveling that night saka ko lang narealize why ate in the terminal was so worried for me. Kaya naman pala, ang layo nga, madilim ang daan at may part na halos walang bahayan, so I was praying a lot that time, nilabas ko ang aking sandata in case of emergency, naging alert ako, walang kurap kurap, lahat ng madaan ko binabasa ko at tinetext ko sa isang kaibigan to know my where about in case may mangyari. (praning lang) Tinawagan ko si Ate Michelle yun may-ari ng Resort at pinaparinig ko talaga sa tricycle driver yun usapan namin para alam n'ya na may nag-aantay na sakin kaya di n'ya ako pwede iligaw. At ng matanaw ko na yung signage ng Bing's Beach Resort para akong binunutan ng tinik sa dibdib, nawala yung matinding kaba ko. Sinalubong ako ni Ate Michelle and ng assistant nya na si Ate Amy (I'm not sure kung yun nga name nya), hinahanap yun kasama ko, I just said "susunod daw po". Napaka accommodating naman nila, before nila ako ihatid sa room ko inalok pa nila ako ng free dinner, pero sa sobrang pagod at antok mas pinili ko na lang dumiretso sa room at matulog. Pagkahiga higa ko sa bed tumunog ang phone ko, yun nagparamdam din ang drawing....hahaha...nalasing daw sa company outing nila, nakatulog sa bus at nakalampas sa terminal, nakarating na daw s'ya ng Manila. So, ano pa ba naman magagawa ko kalokohan na ang maniwalang susunod pa s'ya kinabukasan at wala na ko magagawa, hindi na ko umaasa at hindi ko na din nagawang magalit pa, inisip ko na lang yun magagawa ko para mag-enjoy ako mag-isa sa travel na to. Nagplano na lang ako ng gagawin ko kinabukasan at nagpahinga ng matiwasay ng gabing iyon. Natapos ang araw, lumipas ang isang pinaka hindi ko makakalimutan na birthday ko.

May 10, 2014

beachfront just few steps away from Bing's

just set the timer and 1..2..3...run...pose

           Rise and shine! Parang ang gaan gaan ng feeling ko pagkagising ko that day. Kumpleto ang tulog ko. Ang ganda ng sikat ng araw. I decided to start the day early habang nagprepare ng berakfast si Ate naglakad lakad muna ako sa dalampasigan. Dahil nag-iisa ako at maganda ang view I mastered the art of The Selfie, buti na lang wala msyado tao that time. Mukha lang akong engot while running and smiling after setting the timer of the camera. But it was a fun experience,  masaya din maging mukhang engot paminsan minsan. hehehe....

a free breakfast dahil birthday ko daw :)

           Pagbalik ko, naka prepare na breakfast ko. Buti na lang complete package na sila sa Bing's, may paluto, may resto, may sari-sari store, they've got it all for you, hindi ako magugutom kahit sky flakes lang at chocolates ang baon ko. Very accommodating ang mga tao and hospitable kaya hindi naman ako nailang kahit mag-isa lang ako, habang nagbreakfast ako chinichika lang nila ako at pinakilala nila si Kuya Manuel ng magtanong ako kung paano ang pagtour sa lugar nila.
          

Bolinao Lighthouse

Entrance going to the Enchanted Cave

the crowded Patar Beach

Rock View Beach

 Si Kuya Manuel na daw bahala sakin, after kung magbreakfast nagsimula na kami maglagalag. Sinabi ko kay Kuya yun mga places nabasa ko sa net na gusto ko puntahan, so nag suggest s'ya kung ano uunahin namin at kung alin yun dapat talaga mapuntahan ko, so nagsimula kami sa Enchanted Cave, then nadaanan namin yung iba pa nila mga caves pero hindi na namin lahat pinuntahan, so next na namin yung Bolinao Light House kung saan nakakwentuhan din namin yung Lola na nagtitinda ng mga souveneir items, dami din chika ni Lola pati buhay ko binubusisi...hahaha...then sa Patar beach naman kami, sobrang dami ng tao at napansin siguro ni Kuya na di ko feel magstay sa magulong lugar kaya dinala ako ni Kuya sa isang peaceful na lugar, sa Rock View Beach Resort. Doon kami tumambay ng matagal, napaka peaceful ng place at magandang mag photo shoot, madami na nga daw nag shooting doon, pati yung "Kambal Serena" at commercial ng isang alak, syempre hindi ako nagpahuli, nag pictorial din ako. si Kuya Manuel ang naging slash slash ko..... driver/ tour guide / photographer / PA / kachikahan. Madaming kwento si Kuya, at buti na lang taga-Laguna din pala s'ya na nakapangasawa ng taga-Bolinao kaya matatas s'ya magtagalog, so madami s'ya nakwento about the place, about the people in Bolinao at may mga chika chika pa nga na na-ishare si Kuya. Natapos namin ang pag tour before lunch time, so sabi n'ya balik muna kami resort tapos if gusto ko daw mag tour pa text ko lang daw sya.

a peaceful spot para mag muni-muni

the golden sunset

          Pero dahil siguro sa pagod, after having my lunch nakatulog na ako ng medyo mahaba haba...nakalimutan ko na si Kuya....hehehe....kaya pag kagising ko nagdecide na lang ako na abangan ang paglubog ng araw since sabi nga nila na Patar Beach offers a “golden sunset in a golden beach”. I testify, it was one of the best sunset I've ever seen so far. Dami nga likes ng sunset photos ko, naka tsamba...hehehe....but it was really a magnificent view, kahit na mag-isa ako nag-aantay while waiting for the sun to set ayos lang, it was worth the wait naman, parang ang lapit lapit lang ng araw, saying good bye to me and making a promise that it will come back tomorrow. Dumami na din tao sa paligid ko pati mga aso nag labasan na so I guess it was the signal for me to go back to my room. Nang biglang mawalan ng kuryente...OMG!!! I was alone, ng biglang may kumatok...buti na lang si Ate pala, checking on me, wag daw ako matatakot,inaayos na daw ang generator, it's been almost 3 hours of darkness buti na lang kahit di ako sinipot ni "kaibigang drawing" sinamahan n'ya ako thru phone, so telebabad na lang hanggang mag ka kuryente kahit walang saysay naman yun pinag-uusapan namin...hahaha....peace!!! :P

Father and Son and the Sun

May 11, 2014

Thank you for mending my broken heart...hehehe

          Supposedly sa Bolinao pa rin ako mag stay ng isang araw pero due to some circumstances, change of plan na and I just decided to go home. I texted Kuya Manuel early in the morning na sunduin ako after breakfast and he was very accommodating naman kahit nabago yun plano namin, hindi na natuloy yung supposedley tour sa falls. While traveling back to the town saka ko narealize grabe pala yun dinaanan ko noong first night, kung nalaman lang ng nanay ko na it was that far at nagsosolo lang ako tiyak na hindi ako papayagan, pero dahil nakabalik naman ako ng buhay at kumpleto wala na sila nagawa noong makwento ko, but not really the whole thing, partial lang...praning din kasi si mother baka di pa ako payagan sa mga future travel ko.

   
          Anytime pwede ako mapahamak that night, wala akong kakilala, walang tao sa paligid at dagat na pala yun kabilang ng kalsada so any moment pwedeng isalvage ako at itapon na lang doon. hahaha....well, morbid lang talaga ako mag-isip pero buti na lang talaga, pinag aadya ako, at mabubuting tao ang nakakasalamuha ko that time. God is really good!

  

The facade of Saint James Cathedral (it was under construction that time)

Upang magpasalamat sa aking kaligtasan, nagpahatid ako kay Kuya sa Saint James Cathedral, located in the town proper of Bolinao. At doon na din kami nag paalaman ni Kuya and I promised him na babalik ako para matapos yung tour namin, hindi ko pa nga lang alam kung kailan ko matutupad...hehehe....

inside the cathedral

          After saying my prayers, I walked around the town and headed to their public market to look for some pasalubong. Then after buying some stuff I boarded a bus going to Manila.

 

 This is it! It's time to go back to the reality. 
 
          When I'm already in Manila and waiting for a bus bound to Laguna some of the drivers and dispacther in the bus terminal were very eager to accommodate me, syemper pasuplada pa ako at first, pero di ko na kaya mag hintay ng matagal ng nakatayo so, sige na nga, nakipag chikahan na din ako at naki-upo. Then one of the driver asked for my number at gusto pa ko ihatid ng personal sa Laguna...feeling close na agad kami...Juicecolored! So, syempre gawa gawa na naman ako ng kwento at ng sabihin kong may boyfriend na ko, susunduin po ako sa terminal sa Laguna he walked away at di na ako pinansin pa hanggang makasakay ako....hahaha...basag ang trip ni kuya, na alaska pa ng mga kasama nya.

Sa isip ko naman, "Hay, naku...mga lalaki nga naman! Man hater ako!!! Nag mend nga ako ng broken heart ko sa Bolinao tapos kukuha pa ulit ako ng sakit sa puso at ulo?!?!" #hugot :P

...... and that was the end of my birthday trip, matiwasay naman ako nakabalik sa aking pamilya :)

 

Tatalon ako dapat dito, pinigilan lang ako ni Kuya, lowtide daw kasi...

if I know natakot lang s'ya na baka di na ko lumutang.

After this trip I've realized it was really "That Thing Called Tadhana"

1) The trip to Palaui was not meant to be that time because I was destined to go to Bolinao.

2) It was meant to be na makita ko ang post na to: "Where do [Traveler with] Broken Heart Goes?".

and while writing this saka ko lang nalaman na FB friends na pala kami ng blogger na 'to....hehehe...(mahilig lang talaga ako magbabasa ng blogpost ng may blogpost pero minsan nakakalimutan ko talaga kung sino yun blogger at kung ano yun url ng blog...sorry po... :D )

3) I was turned down twice kasi nga daw maniwala ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko mag-solo travel. Well, thanks to them I crossed another item off my bucket list, "Travelling Solo".

4) It was meant to be na mag travel ako alone para daw mahanap ko ang sarili ko. (nawawala ba?!?!) It was a good break from the previous travels that I had with my friends. This time I had the chance to know myself more and reminisce about the things that happened to me. Sometimes we need an alone time to recharge, reflect and learn. It gives you time for contemplation and personal growth.

5) Lastly, we meet people for a reason. Either they are blessing or a lesson. Not everyone will make it to our future. Some people are just passing through to teach us lessons in life. :)

          To all the people I've mentioned here....SALAMAT PO!!! You've been part of my unforgettable birthday, my first ever solo travel.

          So, if you will asked me where do broken heart goes, you know now my answer, its in Patar Beach :P I testify its a good healing spot.

....I hope in my next visit in Bolinao I don't need to mend a broken heart but instead I will create beautiful memories with my special someone (libre lang naman mangarap...malay n'yo di ba :P )

Someday you will find the one that will hold your hand, who will watch every sunrise with you until the sunset of your life ....Just be patient....

-----  Au revoir MJ 
 

Good bye 2014 ... Hello 2015

A Year End Post:

Bigyan natin ng isang magandang farewell party si 2014. Its been a roller coaster ride for me, ang daming loops, ang daming up and down at most of the time pa nga puro down lang. Pero kahit na its been a rough year for me there are many things that I should be thankful for and I should feel bless. 

Before 2013 ends I'm already broke, financially, emotionally, physically?!?! Basta! But nobody knows it, no one out to notice. So, maybe it was not a good start for me for the year 2014 and thus the chaos continues through out the year.

The earlier part of 2014 was a big struggle in my almost more than 2 years fairy tale love story. I will not tell all the details about it but all I can say this relationship taught me a lot of lessons and experiences that will help me to be a better version of me. 

It is raw and it is so damn real you want to run away just to soak it up and take it in. The soul mate. The one you feel vibrate when they are a thousand miles away. The one you hear whisper when they think about you. The one who lets you move freely but embraces your shadow from afar. That one. The one you feel like you have known for a million years.

- from www.rebellesociety.com

While I'm having a major heart break, family issues arises alongside at may humabol pa nga bago matapos ang taon. No one knows that I even suppressed my own happiness to resolve such issues. It is always family first motto. Calamities hit the country and even us experienced it. It was painful seeing your family in that situation. It was hard to see them suffer and made me realized that being heart broken is not the most painful thing you can experience in this world. 

Then there are my friends who had been struggling with their own issues too and being their best friend they counted on me and their struggles became mine too. At dahil tingin nila pusong bato ako they don't know that I'm having my own struggles too! Pero, keribels lang. They needed me!!! Si Superwoman nga daw ako. hahaha....

....work...stress...work...stressful people at work...basta!!!

...and before the year ends another heart break, another family issues....what's new?!?! I'm almost used to it.

...All year round I'm almost like a walking zombie. Nobody knows that I'm struggling a lot inside, that I'm almost crying everyday, that I almost give up!!! But I'm proud to say that I know God is with me. He made me strong enough to face all those shits in my life. Even me can't believe how I managed to get through it, how I can just joke around about it. Maybe I should just be thankful that my Dear Lord gave me this strong personality and I should be thankful that He sends me people who gave me advises and comfort those crying days.

So, now instead of counting all those bad things that happened to me I will instead count all the blessings, experiences and lessons that I had this 2014. Also, I will take this opportunity to say "THANK YOU!!!" to all the people who never leave me in my journey.

First of all, I would like to thank my soul mate!!! hahaha...You know who you are! Though you have been my greatest heart break you know I still consider you as one of my trusted best friend. I still appreciate your friendship after all those shits that happened to us. Thank you for teaching me the real meaning of LOVE. Thank you for being part of me and letting me be part of yours as well. Thank you for making me realized my worth! I will still hire you to be my tour guide in Atacama and in Easter Island. hahaha...see you in the future! ;)

Next, to the 3 best people who have been my virtual confidant, since I'm too weak to show my real feelings in the real world they are the one who absorbs my crying moments. To my long-lost sister in Taiwan, my pretty dear Tin-ting Chu, I owe you big time!!! Thank you for being there, for being the median between me and him....hahaha....Thank you for trusting me, for sharing me your own life too. I'm still hoping I can visit you someday. Stay pretty always and keep the fighting spirit alive! :) ...To my Granny Goose (Papi Terrance) big thanks to you. I know you have been pissed with my bullying...hahaha...forgive me, you know it is just my way of showing how much I love you. But seriously, thank you for always being there, for the advises, for the not so kind words that stopped my craziness, for always making me smile. Thank you!!! I'm always including you in my prayers. I know you will be bless soon and your own struggles will be relieve too in God's will. Lastly, to my "BIG man", Gonzalo, thank you very much for being a good man. You never failed to put smile in my face. Thank you for everything. I will never forget your promise that you will adopt me when I became an old maid....hahaha....I will always be your little MJ forever. :)

To my all my real friends, you know who you are. I may not be able to mention all your name here but deep in my heart I'm always grateful that you have been part of my life and you made me your friends too. To all the people I've met in my gala moment / travels, thank you too. More gala to come and may we build real friendships too.

For the people who hate me. Thank you for always thinking about me. hahaha

For the people who think I hate them...uhmmmm...I love you all!!! hahaha

For the people hurt by my words or by actions please accept my sincere apology. SORRY!!! You know I'm just joking around most of the time and yes I admit sometimes I am really tactless. 

For the people who have done no good to me, to those who betrayed my trust, I already FORGIVEN you.

...and to 2014, THANK YOU!!! May you rest in peace! Please let 2015 give me a good year.

P.S. Dear friends...

Don't be makulit! Huwag n'yo ako pilitin magkwento. hahahaha. You know that I'm not good in telling my own stories. Basta pagnagyaya ako kumain or gumala samahan nyo na lang ako. Alam nyo na yun kung bakit. I just need to unwind. 

The Highlight of Year 2014 (yun mga tumatak sa isipan ko)

- Major Heart Break (hahaha...major talaga!!!)

- My First ever SOLO travel (in Bolinao, Pangasinan...soon I will blog it...pag sinipag...hehe)

- Ang Binondo and Si Meisum

- The controversial Enrichment Program in Patnanungan and Jomalig Island in Quezon Province

- Ang Bagyong Glenda

- D'Project in Patyay, Mayoyao, Ifugao / Meeting Andy in person / Meeting Dojie and adding as friend...hehehe / Meeting Ma'am Brenda and the people of Patyay and the Belinda Dance / Meeting Madz and family

- First Career Orientation Talk to High School Students (Akalain mo yun, ako nag-talk?!?! hahaha)

- First-time na Speaker in one of the Scholar's Assembly (nagiging madaldal na talaga ako...ginagawa na ko resource speaker :P )

- The lugaw in PUP / The Psycho Test

- The Malabon Food Tour / Meeting Sir Migz este Sir Jun in person (the crispy pata) / Adding April, Sir Librero and Boy 'kulit' Tokwa in the list of "new friends"

- I did something that I thought I cannot do (my deepest secret....wahahaha....huhuhuhu)

- Another heart break. (this time I'm the one who move away...I just wanted to make it right this time...nyahaha)

.......uhhhmmmm...so far, that's all I can remember.....

Happy and Prosperous New Year Everyone!!!

See you again next year!!! :)

-----  Au revoir MJ 
 

The Majestic Bantay Belfry

     After strolling around Calle Crisologo we decided to go to Bantay Belfry. Going there you can ride a tricycle or a calesa. For us, we choose the calesa to complete the experience. 

the bell tower on the top of the hill

     Bantay Belfry is the most famous bell tower in Ilocandia because the classic movie "Panday" starring FPJ was shot here. But before Panday pulled the sword through the bell in this belfry the tower already had a big part in our history. The belfry stood there since the 1950's together with the St. Augustine Church. It was built on top of a hill and it is said to be the people’s watchtower which is part of the city’s defense that helps in alerting people or warn them against possible enemies. In our history it is said that Bantay Belfry is where Diego Silang and his troops were said to have fought with the Spaniards in 1763.

Bantay Belfry & St. Augustine Church

the belfry with the statue of the Virgin Mary

  >>> going up <<<

      Bantay Belfry is made up of bricks and the stairs inside are made of wood. The spiral staircase going up from first floor to second floor is still made of bricks but on the next level the staircase is already made of wood as well as the floor at the top of the tower. I'm not afraid of heights but I'm getting paranoid because the wooden floor creaks whenever we walk around. I was thinking that when people are not careful and get overloaded at the top floor the wooden floor might collapse. So, it was good that we are the only people up there at that time.

 >>>inside the belfry<<<

at the staircase made of bricks going to the 2nd floor

the wooden staircase

"The Bells" (too bad, they are already victims of vandalism)

          On one of the tower's windows, you can see two mountains meeting together and also the town’s cemetery.

The Mountains & The Cemetery

The Cemetery as their background

My most favorite shots...........

The "Pang-teleserye" Pose

 >>>The St. Augustine Church<<<

at the entrance of the church

inside the cathedral

the altar

     The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the Municipality of Bantay, Ilocos Sur province in the Philippines. The church is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity (Nuestra Señora de La Caridad) housing the miraculous image of Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Charity, crowned as the patroness of Ilocandia on January 12, 1956. The church was named after its patron saint St. Augustine of Hippo.


     The old historic belfry of the church known as the Bantay Tower, which served as a watchtower for pirates back in the Spanish colonial era, gave the town its name - bantay (meaning to guard). Established in 1590, the church is one of the oldest in the Ilocos Region. (from wikipedia)

part of the Biyahilo sa Norte - Escaped in Region 1

-----  Au revoir MJ 
 

Picturesque Calle Crisologo: No Filter!!!

     The first thing that comes to our mind when we hear Vigan City is the Spanish-style houses and buildings in the cobblestone road of Calle Crisologo. This well preserved street has been declared a World Heritage Site because it retains its look and feel from the Spanish colonial period. Though it is located in the city center, only calesas and people are allowed to traverse in the road. At daytime, you'll see souvenir shops along Calle Crisologo. Some of the century old houses with stunning architecture were transformed into commercial shops, hotels and restaurants. 

     You must explore Calle Crisologo by either walking or renting a calesa to get the complete experience.

>>>>The postcard perfect Calle Crisologo<<<<

     Calle Crisologo was named after Mena Pecson Crisologo, an Ilocano writer and politician. Crisologo is also known as the Ilocano's Shakespeare.

early morning strolling

picturesque Mestizo District

some of the old houses transformed to souvenir shops

 >>>>The Calesas (Kalesa)<<<<

     A Calesa (also caritela/karitela) looks like an inclined cart, and is drawn by a single horse used in the Philippines. It was one mode of transportation introduced to the islands in the 18th century by Spanish colonisers, and was initially reserved for only nobles and high-ranking civic officials. These are today rarely used in the streets except in the tourist areas of old cities and some rural areas.

The Calesa

Traffic?!?!

  >>>>The Souvenir & Antique Shops<<<<

     It is always expected in every trip that we buy "pasalubong" for our family, friends, love ones, etc. so it is good that some of the old houses in Calle Crisologo were transformed to commercial shops. You can already do your shopping while you stroll along the streets since almost all the authentic products Vigan is known for are available in every shop. 

Trying the "Salakot"

they've got it all for you...hehehe

Ref Magnets

 

      But if you are looking for authentic shopping finds at the best possible price for your pocket, the best place to go is to the public market. This is where you can find good stuff at affordable prices specially made by the locals. Shoppers can buy local crafts, food and almost anything else that are offered in Calle Crisologo at a much cheaper price. One must remember though that only cash is accepted and haggling is okay. Vigan’s Public Market can be found within proximity of the Partas Bus Station. You can reach it by riding a tricycle or a calesa.

 >>>>My favorite postcard shot<<<<

The Iconic street + Emoterang Frogs = Postcard perfect

Next time you set your foot here do your own iconic pose too.  ;)

part of the Biyahilo sa Norte - Escaped in Region 1

-----  Au revoir MJ