Maculot, Part 4

View from Maculot Rockies -- Taal lake

How to get there: Take a bus going to Lemery, Batangas. Alight at the town of Cuenca. Then take a tricycle, it will drop you off at the Mountaineer store where you can walk till till the jump-off. You can also pay the tricycle extra to drop you off at Aling Thelma's store instead, but it'll cost extra (around 50 bucks), since the road going there is a bit uphill.

Trail: Pwedeng day hike, pwedeng overnight. The trail is Level 1, supposed to be an easy trail -- a bit steep, but the whole route would take 45 minutes - 2 hours, depending on one's fitness levels (and provided you don't get lost). When going there, make sure to go to the "rockies", where the view is much much better than from the campsite.

Some pixellized pics (mali ata yung pag-minimize ko sa kanila, hehe) here.

Some notes: This is a bit of a "commercialized" mountain...there's a sari-sari store at the peak where you can buy iced banana, halo-halo, instant noodles, buko juice, softdrinks, etc, etc (you get the picture). There are rest stops along the trail, and during summer, some vendors sell buko juice at these rest stops. If you're staying for the night, it's a bit windy, so make sure your tents are secured. Rumor has it that there was a robbery incident that happened recently at the peak -- some campers were robbed while spending the night there. The incident supposedly happened one Sunday evening/early morning. Couple this news with what recently happened at Famy (Mt. Romelo), where a drunk mountaineer allegedly slashed some rappelling ropes and even attempted to stab a sleeping camper. Hmm. What has the world come to?

Tagay Tay

Taal Volcano in Tagaytay is listed in Patricia Schultz's book as one of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die. (There are only 3 places in the Philippines that's listed in the book).

But still, when my girlfriends invited me for a road trip to Tagaytay, I wasn't really excited to go. I mean, I've been to Tagaytay, and I thought, what more is there to see?

A lot, it turns out. There are charming coffee shops, cafes, quaint restos. The cool mountain air(well sort of) lends an exotic and relaxing ambience to the whole area. Sigh, makes me miss climbing mountains, where the fog contributes a certain mystery and mystical allure to the whole experience. Wait, I digress.

Our first stop was Breakfast at Antonio's. Well, I have to admit, I wanted to eat in this resto for quite some time. Practically all the articles I've read about Tagaytay sing praises for the food. So, what's my first impression?

It's white.

The chairs were white, the walls were white. It's bright and...well, white. It feels like what a resthouse should feel like. There's a great view of Taal Volcano. There's a great big painting of yellow bananas in the reception area. The food was great. Price is a bit steep though, but definitely not as steep as the actual Antonio's.

We had pancakes, omelette and a potato with steak dish that starts with "r" that I cannot remember at this time. But it was delicious. :)

The big surprise? Even the restroom had a view. A fantastic view, I might add.

But the biggest surpise for me would have to be Bag O' Beans, this quaint little cafe just a bit across the road from Taal Vista Hotel. It's just a small store if you look at it from the road. The store by the roadside sells Kape Barako, and Coffee Alamid -- Philippine Civet coffee! From what I've read, civet coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. The civet eats the coffee beans, and the civet's droppings are brewed to make civet coffee. Hmm, very interesting. :) Right beside the store is a small gate with the stairway leading down to the garden cafe. Very relaxing, very homey, very enchanting. Even if we were already stuffed from eating breakfast, we tried the meat pies (yummy). We stayed and chatted for quite a while (it was that conducive), and on our way out, I could smell the delicious smell of some pork chop inihaw. Hmm. Amoy masarap. :)

Civet coffee for 700 bucks; Big tall mango shake; Fell in love with this bird in the garden

In a roundabout way (we got lost along the way), we also passed by Ilog Maria, the bee farm where, among other items, I got to buy Honey Cider vinegar for my dad. (Well, para masulit naman ang pagpunta namin, medyo nasa looban kasi ito.) They also sell home made shampoo, soap, bee propolis, and other bee-products. You'll feel pampered, and at the same time, healthy. Just check out their website for directions on how to get there. We also passed by Nurture Spa. As usual, the spa managed to relax us all. On our way out, they asked us to fill out some survey forms -- it seems they're nominated as one of Asia's best spas. Well, they do seem to deserve it. Nurture Spa price range: mid-high range. Full body massages range from 900 above. They also offer spa packages.

Well, next time, we're coming back for another road/food trip. In fact, the whole day reminded us of the movie Sideways, where the lead characters went on a road trip through the wine region of California. Well, this isn't California. But still, you can't argue with the charm of Tagaytay.

For more places to visit, check out this Tagaytay map we got from Taal Vista:

The Tale of the Lizard

"I come in peace," it (the robot) said..."take me to your Lizard."

[A spaceship had just landed into earth. A robot comes out, demanding to be taken to our Lizard.]

This paraphrased excerpt* is from "So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish", the fourth book in the Hitchhiker's Trilogy by Douglas Adams. *Note that bits and pieces of narrative were deleted to emphasize the conversation between the two characters.

Ford Prefect, of course, had an explanation for this, as he sat with Arthur and watched the nonstop frenetic news report on television...

Ford: "It comes from a very ancient democracy, you see..."

Arthur Dent: "You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?"

Ford: "No, nothing so simple. Nothing anything like so straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."

"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."

"I did," said Ford. "It is."

"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"

"It honestly doesn't occur to them," said Ford. "They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates to the government they want."

"You mean they actually vote for the lizards?"

"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."

"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"

"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard," said Ford, "the wrong lizard might get in. Got any gin?"

"What?"

"I said," said Ford, with an increasing air of urgency creeping into his voice, "have you got any gin?"

"I'll look. Tell me about the lizards."

Ford shrugged again.

"Some people say that the lizards are the best thing that ever happened to them," he said. "They're completely wrong of course, completely and utterly wrong, but someone's got to say it."

Bohol

The weather was perfect...not too sunny, and not too cloudy. It was raining cats and dogs in Manila, but it didn't rain a bit in Bohol. Finally, took a break. Had a kit-kat. And despite it being the rainy season, the weather cooperated nicely. Ahh...the life. :)

Some points of interest:

• Baclayon Church -- The Philippine's oldest Church. Built in 1596 under the Spanish regime, the Baclayon Church still retains its original stone structure. There's a museum beside the church which showcases old statues of saints, and other church paraphernalia. An old old piano with a big big music sheet reminded me of old ghosts. The museum is made of wood, entrance is 25 pesos per head. Beside the Church and the museum is the school where Cesar Montano studied (according to our guide). Nagkamali pa nga ako ng rinig eh...nung nabanggit kasi ng guide si Cesar, sabi nya, "bakla yun". Natawa ako. Napagalitan tuloy ako...sinabi pala nya, "Baclayon", hindi "bakla yun."
• Chocolate Hills -- What more can I say? The Chocolate Hills of Bohol is one of the tourist spots that elementary school kids memorize whenever they're asked what's unique about the Philippines. A viewing deck is constructed on top of the highest hill. 200 steps lead up to the top of the hill. A small grotto lies halfway up the hill. Entrance is free.
• Loboc River Cruise -- Loboc River was immortalized in Cesar Montano's Panaghoy sa Suba. One can have a buffet lunch meal cruise for around 250 bucks. Some barges even have a karaoke machine on board. Ours had manong serenading us with good old acoustic favorites.
• Tarsiers -- Yes, the world's smallest monkey. They're cute, they're small, and they're being protected by the DENR. It's now illegal to actually hold one, the tarsiers have a tendency to die after being handled
• Panglao Island -- The beach is heaven. Fine white sand, clear tranquil waters. 'Nuff said.
• Blood Compact Site -- The original blood compact site was private property, so they erected the monument a few steps away from the actual site. This site commemorates Legazpi and Rajah Sikatuna's blood compact way back in 1565. Entrance to site is free (just donate something).

There are lots more to do (whale watching, diving, hiking, biking)...next year ulit. Sana libre naman ako. Hehe.

**Mura daw sa Nuts Huts, sabi ng guide namin na si Tata. May sign sila along Loboc River. Meron din mga foreign backpackers, at madalas daw marami nagste-stay duon. May bundok din daw na malapit, di na nga lang namin nakita.

More pictures here.

GMA Resign

Confetti rained down on the streets. No, it wasn't really a parade. Banners swayed in the air, ice cream vendors plied their trade.

People swarmed the fishball stands and corn vendors. Thirsty? The friendly neighborhood tricycle sari-sari store offered soft drinks, chips, sky flakes, yosi and candy. On a normal office day, dirty-ice-cream vendors would be nowhere in sight (I should know, I look for them during lunch break). But today, they're there.

A mom brings her kids along. People stroll the streets casually, no hurry in their steps. In the middle of Ayala, 3 portalets take center stage. At the corner of Ayala and Paseo, politicians make their speeches.

"May concert ba?", a friend asks. Intermittently a musician would play a tune.

This is not a parade.

But if you pretend not to hear, it could be.

Giving up, part two

I spent Sunday nursing my mini-hangover. Yes, I really should quit smoking and drinking these days. Well, I call it a mini-hangover, because a) i wasn't really drunk -- i think =p; b) i just had a slightly dull headache, nothing really too painful; and c) i didn't really feel like puking. Hmm. Maybe it wasn't a hangover after all.

Anyway, Sunday evening, I watched Bok bowl, withdrew money to pay for that Bohol trip, catched a glimpse of Neil Gaiman at the Fully Booked bookstore at the Greenhills Promenade area (laki pala ng eyebags nya), and indulged in another serving of bbq-chopped chicken salad from CPK ASAP. Quirky name for CPK...hindi na ba available ang SOP? Hehehe. (Pinoy TV joke).

Today I feel slightly down. Bilog ang mundo, the commercial for gin goes. Well, the world is round and right now I'm being trampled upon. Or rather, I feel like I'm being trampled upon. There's a difference you see. And I just want to feel sad.

Everyone's going away. I resist the urge to shout out and cry. It is nothing, I tell myself. I missed the chance to leave. I could leave if I really wanted to. He ranks frisbee higher than me. Sigh, it's a running joke, but it's true. There he goes again, no money for an engagement ring, no money for Bohol, but lots of money for that Singapore league. I don't know what to think. Am I too demanding or dramatic if I sulk over that? I cannot go to that league with him, I am not that good a player. Look at me, Monday night pickup and I'm the office attending to a call. How the hell can I be a good enough player? The fun suddenly seems to be stripped off the sport. The fun seems to be stripped off of everything. I want to sulk and smoke a cigarette, but the memory of my mini-hangover stops me. So I just sulk. In my own corner. Who the fuck cares anyway if I don't work out.

I give up.

Today, I live life on my own terms.

Beautiful Day

Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my it's a beautiful day
-- Daniel Boone, "Beautiful Sunday", 1972

It wasn't a Sunday, but the cheery song lifted everyone's spirits. It was a Saturday, and it was my mom's birthday. Most everyone was in red...her favorite color, aside from being the staple Chinese birthday color. The "harana" started with the requisite "Happy Birthday" song, proceeded to the melodramatic "Ikaw", and ended with the oldie "Beautiful Sunday."

We were having buffet lunch at Dad's Ultimate Buffet at West Avenue. Sushi, sashimi, lechon, steak, pasta, paella, adobo, turkey, noodles, and lots of cake and ice cream! The glutton in me tried to make the most of it... hmm. Halfway through my second plate, I was feeling quite full already. Ahh, signs of getting old? =p Or maybe I just had too much to eat the day before as well (Thanks to my new Portal-let team mates for the hearty lunch at Amici de Don Bosco!)

Anyway, the main memory that I would like to remember from Saturday is the song from God knows when.

"Theme song siguro nila yun," my cousin remarked. Hmm. Perhaps. But even if most of us didn't know the song, we clapped along anyway. The musician at the Dad's Buffet area gamely sang on.

Birds are singing, you by my side
Let's take a car and go for a ride
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day
We'll drive on and follow the sun
Makin' Sunday go on and on
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

Everyone was happy, and my mom was laughing along. The scene never quite got caught on camera, but I'd like to take the memory of that smile with me. Happy thoughts. Happy memories. Happy celebrations.

Happy birthday to the mom that reared me.

Ang Lamok

Ang kulit ng lamok.

Habang nakaupo ako dito, pasikot sikot sya sa may paanan ko. Nanunundot, nangingiliti.

Naaasar ako sa kanya.

At nalulungkot ako sa nangyayari sa bansa natin. Magulo, at parang walang malinaw na solusyon sa lahat ng problema. Kung boyfriend nga ito, matagal nang iniwanan at pinabayaan ang relasyon na ito.

Sa mga politiko...mahiya naman kayo. Ayusin nyo naman ang sarili nyo. Masaklap, nakakalungkot, parang wala nang solusyon ang mga problema, padagdag pa ng padagdag. Parang soap opera, may bagong plotline ulit. Ika nga ng textmate ko, "tragic". Mas exciting ba pag ganito? Sana wag maging tragedy ito...sana may magandang ending ang soap opera na ito.

Malaking usapan kung guilty nga si GMA. Malaking usapan rin kung ano ang gagawin natin kung wala na si GMA. "Last hope" daw sya, sabi nya. Last hope ba ang ganito? Nahahati ang bansa. Meron pang mga email na nagmumura sa mga masa (sulat ni jawbreaker). At meron ding mga radio commentators na galit sa middle class at mayayaman. Nung pinag-usapan yung pahayag ng DLSU na magbitiw na ang Pangulo, ang sabi ba naman ng commentator: "Di naman sila masa ah! May masa ba sa DLSU?" (Sorry kung may ma-offend akong taga-DLSU. Hindi ako DLSU pero na-offend ako dun).

At bakit, masa lang ba ang pwedeng magreklamo? Masa lang ba ang naghihirap? Masa lang ba ang importante, dahil sila ang nakararami at sila ang mabilis bilhin? Sila lang ba ang may karapatan sa bansang ito??

Pilipino tayo lahat, mahirap man o mayaman, nasa iisang bangka tayo. Palubog na nga yung bangka, nagsisisihan pa tayo at nagtutulukan.

Tragic.

Kung dati hindi ko alam kung dapat nga bang umalis si GMA o hindi, heto food for thought.

"What political order we should have after GMA goes, we can all debate to our heart's content. What fate GMA should have, we may not. The answer is cut and it is dried."

--- Conrado de Quiros

Ano nga ba ang sagot?

Teka lang, magpapatay muna ako ng lamok.