Life in Pixels | Mt. Batulao

  

Life In Pixels: Ang Climb Na Parang Pag-Ibig ;)

spent my weekend with Sutsot / Hugot Mountaineers.

Mt. Ping-As

Pakil, Laguna

When you found the group who never doubted you and believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself, KEEP THEM.

our breakfast. lakas maka-jollibee! :)

on our way up.. sobrang dulas!

~~~

Hugot ng mga Sutsot Mountaineers ;)
#hugotpamore

Yung ahas, parang pag ibig, nasa harapan mo na pla, hindi mo pa namamalayan!

Ang cobra, parang pag-ibig. nakakamanghang tignan pero sasaktan ka lang naman pala.

Sabi nga ni lola sa ping as, natuklaw ka na ng hindi mo alam. parang pag ibig bulag lng, sinasaktan ka na pero ok lng na mag muka kang tanga. tsk!

Ang pagbaba ng bundok, parang pag-ibig. Dapat baby steps lang. Wag magmamadali at baka madapa ka't masaktan lang. Hahaha

Ang pagakyat ng Mt. Ping-As, parang pag-ibig. Kasi hindi siya para sa mga taong hindi handang masaktan.

Just A Thought: Wednesday Morning

milktea to cap off my Wednesday morning... paid bills • bank duties done (cant remember the last time I put some moolah in my savings acct! Thank God for the Christmas bonus!) • redeemed some gcs • & visited one of my favorite places -- National Bookstore! ...everything is incredibly upgraded since the last time I bought some art pens. Meron na pa lang twistable color pencil & watercolor pencils na babasain mo lang using a brush then viola! gah. getting old is amusing! Ha Ha

Just A Thought: Preparing ;)

I've been challenging myself to keep this trip as cheap as possible without compromising the essence of this ramble.

Surprisingly, the process was fun! Researched a lot, read numerous of personal blogs (thank God, nauso ang blogging!) and talked /  befriended the locals of these countries (online).

plane tickets • hotel vouchers • bus tickets • embassy contact information • maps ~ all set! i guess we're ready! ☺️ #indochinatrip #CambViet2014

Life In Pixels: Trek, Plunge, Crawl, and Hung

*super late post ;)

This is suppose to be a Wanderlust post but I already forgot the details. Ha ha!

July 2014

 - Mt. Gola

 - Mt. Manalmon

 - Bayukbok Cave

Start of a great friendship!

the buwis buhay shot of mam arlene

midnight buddy

the susutsutin girls

Another I almost quit but then I did it moment. :)

daddy?

the susutsutin boys

Mt. Gola on left / Mt. Manalmon on right :)

xx

Excerpt: When An Article Spoke For You

This is exactly what I am feeling right now.
PS. Can we change the title, Ms. Kopp? It would be better if it's THE ONE HE WILL REGRET LOSING. ha ha :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How To Be The One He Regrets Losing

Juliette Kopp

Everyone’s eyes were on you. The way you held an audience with such ease was admirable. You were funny. Not that juvenile-one-liner funny either. You revealed a sincere sense of humor that even cracked up the old men at the next table over. Your personality was much too large for this foreign tavern; it barely contained your laughter directed at your own foolishness. It was to the point where it took everything in me to not stare and giggle aloud at your animated gestures from across the bar.  I was drawn in immediately. The way you carried on a conversation with a stranger you had just met, the way you leaned in close to make sure every ounce of your attention was focused on each person you spoke to.

I waited patiently for the split second when you were alone to move closer. The whiskey and smoked cola was supporting me in this audacious move, something very unlike my usual character. But I was far away from home…and, more evidently, far away from the person I was when I was there. I spent the rest of that night listening to your adventures. The very adventures which had somehow brought us together in this shady pub. You made every effort to make the ordinary appear as the utmost excitement. A habit I would later recognize as a defense tactic, to ensure you would always keep me guessing. Your enthusiasm for life was undeniable. I nodded my head along, unable to turn away from your captivating story telling. I had no chance. I was a believer. Of you. This place. That I’d see you again.

Our meeting was anything but forgettable. We were both in the midst of our own journeys abroad when we stumbled upon each other. We had unknowingly been deserting the same city back in the states. We laughed at the irony of planning our escapes from home…only to end up talking to the one person from the exact place we were running from. Perhaps it was this pure act of coincidence alone that made me respond to your persistence. The way you expected more from me even after we boarded a plane that would take us far away from our tryst overseas. As if our meeting was only a beginning of sorts. I didn’t believe in fate, but my skepticism alone didn’t mean it ceased to exist. Maybe I just hadn’t experienced it yet.

Your good intentions were obvious. The way you adjusted so seamlessly from our time away to our time in the real world.  You invited yourself into my life, blurring the lines between summer fling and lasting relations. My guard quickly dissipated as you made yourself a stable fixture in my little apartment. You dropped by after work and called me at night to check in. You acted interested in my daily musings and made a point to recognize how I was feeling at any given point in time. I met your parents two weeks in, barbecuing in the back yard as if we’d been together for ages.  My hesitance faded quickly, this was only further reinforcing what felt like a preface in the book of us. We would spend our Friday nights trying new recipes and splitting local beers we found in the back corners of obscure stores. We even woke up early to meander farmer’s markets before grabbing our usually bagel sandwiches. Coffee for you, tea for me. A routine was established, a sign of permanence in each others’ lives. It seemed.

I didn’t realize it at first, for this I will take the blame. I couldn’t pinpoint the moment in time when I felt off. When we felt off. But it was persistent, like a constant jab in the rib reminding me that out interactions were off kilter. A subtle, yet lingering, notion that something wasn’t fitting together as it should. You would make sly comments regarding your forever bachelorhood, and craft a quiet effort to look at other women when they passed us on the street. We had never held hands; there was no sign of affection when others were around. Yet you hung on to me so tightly when we were alone, a gesture that could so very easily be mistaken as love. But this could be excused, even overlooked, had I not been consciously aware of you purposely positioning yourself away from me in the outside world. I began to resent your fictitious story-tellings and the lengths you would go to in order to make others laugh. I soon realized you had been using them as an excuse for your actual shortcomings. Your instability. Your lack of commitment. Your need for attention from not one person, but all.

There were days you would mysteriously disappear and forget to mention any detail but you’d call the next morning to see where I was. I ignored my suspicion. I was working at all costs to avoid being labeled as that girl, the untrusting one, the one who questions and seeks answers, clarification. You’d comment offhandedly to make sure I felt it, too. Don’t you trust me? We don’t need a label to know we care for each other. You’d recall the great plans you had for us, all the things we would do. The road trips we would take, the next foreign city we would visit, the adventures we would plan. You used my desire for spontaneity and pinned it against me.  After all, you were only being spontaneous, I reassured myself, as you disappeared for another week. Again.

I had done this before. Yet, still, it was such a tedious balance between trying to clarify what you had intentionally made so vague, and pretending I could withstand your lack of commitment.  We were together, yes, but not in the way I wanted. There was no promise, no pledge of us as a pair. We were being held together by our makeshift routine, not any real desire to remain in each other’s company. You made me feel weak for wanting to tie you down, as if it was a flaw on my behalf.

The constant jab became unbearable.  I broke it down to you, piece by piece. We either abandoned this current skeleton of a relationship and made a meaningful decision to be together, or, I moved on, completely, and alone. Your silence told me everything I needed to hear. I left quickly enough for you to catch nothing but my shadow as I walked out.

You pursued me, determined to change my mind. You’d send silly articles I’d like or details of trips I wanted to take. Something, anything, for me to give you a second glance. In years prior I would have fallen for this ploy a billion times over. But, you sorely mistook my need for clear boundaries as a sign of desperate vulnerability. I had unapologetically grown to be confident of my worth. I refused to be an afterthought. Your persistence only pushed me further and further away.  It would have been so easy to fall back into your wooing ways. Even if I had turned around, it would have only been a matter of time before you sank back into your fraud of a man. It’s what you knew. Fleeting, short-lived impermanence. Your temporary lifestyle conflicted so greatly with my desire for stability.  I could never truly be with someone who viewed me as an option and only pleaded with me after I pulled away. I could never be with the one who saw my standards for a relationship as insignificant, misguided…irrelevant.

I did not want to be one you reconsidered. Nor did I want to be the one you consciously let go of. I wouldn’t want the chance to love someone so flippant, even if you begged me to try. I’d rather be the one you regretted losing, anyways. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know what I'd lost.

I just believe that someday, life will naturally sort things out.

xx

Excerpt: Be A Traveler

Wanderlust: Eat, Talk, Ride the Waves then Repeat - Baler, Aurora

It had been an exhausting day for me and since there would be a long weekend, we decided to check out this 6hr bus ride place called Baler. It was actually an urong-sulong trip. We were not prepared at all. We weren’t able to purchase bus tickets going to Baler and we had no reserved accommodation for 2 days and 2 nights.

Nonetheless, we decided to push it through. Who wants to stay at home for a long weekend, anyway? Nadah.

One of my friends agreed to leave Laguna as early as 6:30 in the evening just to make sure we could get tickets for the first trip which is 11pm. Then after hoursss, he sent a group message that he already got the reservation numbers for the 4^th bus. Yes, 4^th bus! So technically, if the Genesis Bus Company will follow their rule of 1 trip/hr, we will leave at 2 o’clock in the morning and arrive in Baler at 8AM. Good thing, they didn’t. ha ha! Dami ko pang sinabi diba.

TIP #1: If you want sure seats going to Baler, purchase the tickets on the following websites:

• Pinoy Travel
• I Want Seats

At dahil Friday is super hell day in Manila because of traffic, I settled to leave Calamba at exactly 8:30 in the evening. All busses going to Cubao was full packed! At sino bang may gustong mag-standing ovation sa kalagitnaan ng traffic sa Manila? Wala. So what I did is ride a bus going to Alabang and transfer to another bus going to Cubao. I got to the Genesis Bus Station by 10:45 in the evening.

"Pwedeng Mahalin, Hindi Pwedeng Angkinin" - Bus going to Alabang.
...and prolly the main reason why me and my friends are off to this trip. To mend our broken hearts. Ha ha ha!

While we were waiting, we checked blogs about others’ Baler trip and we found several accommodations. Well-known resorts, transient houses, etc. We sent text messages to all of them hoping one of them could accommodate us. And one of those replied! Aling Thess Cunanan offered her transient house for 1,500 for 4pax. Not bad! – we thought.

By 12:45 in the morning, our bus left Cubao. According kay manong konduktor, that would be the last trip. So yung iba, pinush na nila kahit sa aisle sila nakaupo. The ride going to Baler was smooth. No hassle at all and I actually got a 5hr solid sleep! I know I may not mention this but I want to; ang bango ng konduktor! Please, wag nang lagyan ng malisya to! It was just very rare! Di ba?! Ha ha

The amusing part of this trip is the exact 6hr bus ride from Cubao to Baler. We arrived in Baler at 6:45 in the morning! Napaka-husay lang! Ha ha

First experience? The tricycle driver and the Gabriela Silang of Baler, Aling Thess Cunanan! Ha ha! We hailed a tricycle to bring us to this famous eatery called Rolling Stores. Famous sa bloggers dahil mura. For only Php50, you already have your meal. Kanin at ulam. Very carinderia ang peg just like what we usually have in Laguna or Manila or wherever. 

our breakfast @ the Rolling Stores

After breakfast, we asked the tricycle driver to bring us to Aling Thess Cunanan but he told us that he didn’t know her. He also advised us to check other lodges baka daw kasi mas makamura. At dahil gusto talaga naming makamura, we agreed! On our way to check another lodge which is very far from the beach, the tricycle driver offered us a tour package worth Php800. Mapupuntahan na daw yun lahat. But! Since 4 kami sa group, we need to rent daw 2 tricycles kase they have an ordinance na maximum of 3 lang per trike. It will cost us Php1,600 or Php400 each. We told him that Aling Thess Cunanan was also offering a tour package worth Php2,000 for 4pax using her nephew’s car. Pero hindi nagpatalo ang tricycle driver. According to him, if we’re going to get that tour of Aling Thess, we still need to pay Php500 for the accredited guide going to Ditumabo Falls. And that car could not bring us to the starting point of the trek since it’s a rough road so we might need to pay daw another Php200 for a tricycle. Konti na lang, malapit na kaming maniwala kay Manong. He looked so kind and very concern for the 4 of us kase.

After 5 minutes or so, we reached this lodge and it costs 2,500 for 4pax. Yung totoo, Manong Driver?! Pano kami mas makakamura?? So we decided na kuhanin na lang yung kay Aling Thess. We called her and told her where we were. She insisted to fetch us since Manong Driver doesn’t know her. When she arrived, inaway nya yung driver kase kung saan saan daw kami pinagdadadala. Aling Thess pala is the vice-chairman of tourism in Baler. AND! Kilala pala sya ni Manong Driver. Liar! Anyways, we transferred to Aling Thess’ tricycle and checked her transient house. Our bad, naintimidate / nadala kami sa strong personality ni Aling Thess. We weren’t able to check every details of our room. After we settled our things, Aling Thess called us to give us the details about her tour package. Again, it’s Php2,000 for 4pax and she allowed us to use her van instead of the Picanto Car. At lahat ng sinabi nung Manong Driver are apparently all lies. The van can bring us to the starting point of the trek and we don’t need to pay Php500 for the accredited guide going to Ditumabo Falls.

TIP #2: Looks can be so deceiving. Wag magpadala. Kung sino pa yung mukhang mabait, sila pa yung sinungaling. (this tip also goes for love) ha ha!

After all the chit-chat and quick change of outfits, Aling Thess asked for the payment. Matalino. Ha ha! We paid her a total of Php5,000 for the accomodation for 2 nights (Php1,500/night) and for the tour (Php2,000). Before we go into details about the tour, let me give a quick review for Aling Thess Cunanan's Transient House: mahina ang aircon, no shower, curtains lang ang panakip sa CR, no TV, no wifi, and no LOCK for our room! In God's grace, He kept us safe.

Tour!!

We realized na isa pa sa mga kasinungalingan ni manong Driver ay ang sinabi nyang 3pax lang per tricycle. NOT TRUE! When we were on our way to Balete, we saw several tricycles na may 4 na turistang sakay! Nkklk. Anyways, these are the places included in Aling Thess' Tour Package:

• Millenium Tree aka Balete Tree

• Ditumabo Falls

• Ermita Hills

• Fish Port - nothing to see. We didn't even bother to leave the van.

• Rock Formations

• Museum

TIP#3: If your group is more than 4, it would be better to rent a van instead of a tricycle for convenience and power nap!

We finished the tour around 3:30 in the afternoon and since we haven't eaten a decent lunch, we decided to roam around and look for some places to eat. According to some blogs, Gerry Shan is one of the best restaurants in Baler. I doubt. When we went inside this restaurant, there were flies, ventilation is not good and it's madilim. I wonder if it's because it's almost 4PM and they're almost close? Anyway, we just ate on the pizza parlor in front of this restaurant and went back to Aling Thess' Transient House.

...power nap then off to the beach for some appetizer, beer, margaritas, et al.

Since this is the nearest resto with wifi, we stayed and ordered our food here:

literally for HUNGRY surfers!

We ordered mojos, buffalo wings, lechon kawali, juices, beers, and cocktail drinks. And guess what? 30 mins after we ordered, they served our drinks. After 1 hour and 45mins, they served our mojos. I was already getting irritated so I asked the waiter for our bill. Srsly, eto na yung pinakamatagal kong pinagintay para makakain! Malapit ko nang sakmalin ang kamay nung waiter dahil sa sobrang gutom. Chos! At dahil nalibang kami sa kwentuhan, naabutan pa rin namin yung buffalo wings and lechon kawali after 2 hours and 15 minutes!! Nkklk!

Need proof?

nakatulog na yung isang customer kakaintay sa burger and fries nya!

TIP#4: Don't dare to dine at Hungry Surfers if you're hungry. Ha ha!

Before going back to our room, we checked first the Aliya Surf Camp & Resort since they're hosting the The 2nd Annual STOKEDinc. Philippine Wahine Classic. It was a party!! There were DJs, lights, drinks, hot surfers, et al.

TIP #5: It would be a lot nicer if your accommodation is beach front. Mej mahal pero worth it naman siguro unlike what we did.. Nakamura nga pero hindi pa din sapat. Ha ha!

Second morning means SURFING!

I woke up my friends before 5 in the morning thinking na sana magpakitang gilas ang sunrise ng Aurora. But unfortunately, it didn't. It was a gloomy day. Cloudy! Hindi makasilip si haring araw. Anyway, we proceeded to our main agenda for the day: Learn how to surf! They usual payment for a Surfing Lesson is Php350. Pero natatawaran naman sya.. We got it for Php300/pax.

It was fun! and frustrating! and funny! and everything. Ha ha!

After surfing, we had a quick nap, went to the main town to check their church and this Baler sign, then stayed @ Aliya for our last night drinking session. 

October 2014

3rd morning:

...early call time so we can catch the first bus going to Manila. We woke up around 3:30 in the morning. But apparently, Genesis Buses going to Manila was not organized unlike what we had in Manila. It's not even on a first come, first served basis. Unaunahan talaga sa loob ng bus. Kesehodang 2am kpa nsa bus station, kapag turtle ang peg mo para makasakay ng bus, hindi rin uubra ang pagiging early. Hindi powerful ang "early bird catches the worm" motto. ha ha!

Expenses:
  49 - Calamba to Alabang 
  60 - Alabang to Cubao
450 - Cubao to Baler
750 - accommodation for 2 nights (1500/night x2 /4pax)
500 - Baler tour (2000/van/4pax)
  10 - Balete fee
  10 - Ditumabo Falls fee
300 - surfing lesson
450 - Baler to Cubao

...for food, it will always depend on your group. If you want to make your trip cheaper, go for Rolling Stores or other carinderia for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. :)

xx