PagAsa & the Kalayaan Islands: Where Only Filipinos Live

I went there. In Pag Asa Island.
A part of what they talk about, the controversial.
Kalayaan islands or part of the Spratlys.
Those words are familiar to few.
But a word of life for the Navy, Marines, Army. 

The people I call Men & Women in uniform. 

The ones I can call Friends.

 

Batanes: Vuhus Island and Nothingness

There was no plan for me, as usual.

But the universe collides to make this time more unique than my first three trips to this place.

Seeing the other islands from the peak makes me wonder what is in there.

So I went.

I circled Adequey Island, the Goat Island. And I go, “where are the goats?” It was bare and rocky.

There was almost no shore to dock a boat. There was nothing much. Only silence, big waves, and short chasms.

Batanes: Not My One Last Ride

Batanes: Circling Adequey Island

Batanes: My Forever

Sabi ng madami, happy place ko daw ang Batanes.
Konting beses pa lang naman ako nagpunta doon.
Apat na beses. 13 days, 4 days, 5 days, 9 days.
Halos isang buwan na din pala pag pinagsama sama.
Pero para sa kanila, parang lagi na akong nandoon.
Parang namumukhaan na nga daw nila ako.

Parang ang saya saya ko daw palagi kapag andoon ako.
Kapag andoon ako, bahala na talaga ako sa buhay ko.
I can live. Madami daw kasi akong nakikilala kahit saan doon. Pakalat kalat ba naman ako.
Sabi nila, tumira na ako dapat doon.
Sabi ng kaibigan ko, pag nagpatayo sya ng bahay, papagawan nya ako ng isang kwarto.
Sabi ko naman, bilisan na nya at aayusan ko na.
Sabi ko, bigyan nila ako ng gagawin ko doon.
Magkarpintero daw muna ako, para matapos na yung bahay ng kaibigan ko.
Sabi pa, iwanan ko na lang daw yung bike ko.
Lima silang nagsabi na iwanan ko na si Purple Heart.
Iwan ko na din daw ang mga damit ko.
Para kapag lumipad ako papunta doon, sarili ko na lang ang dala ko.
Kase naiwan ko na yata doon ang puso at damdamin ko.





Kase kahit nandito ka sa Manila, nabubuhay araw araw,
Sinisigaw ng puso mo, Oh my Batanes!
Na sana nandoon ka, nagba bike ng nagba bike, nakatingala sa langit sa gabi, nagbibilang ng shooting stars, sa tabi ng lighthouse natutulog hanggang sa maulanan, kumakain ng pritong isda na bagong huli, ng lobsters, kumakain ng cake sa sdc...at maraaami paaang iba!

Yung inlove ka lang palage. Sa lugar, sa mga kausap mo.
At sa mga bagong kaibigan. Yung happy ka lang.
At tinatanong mo sa bawat minuto sa hangin, bakit ba hindi pa ako pwedeng magtagal ng matagal dito?
Sabi ng mga kaibigan ko dito, baka daw may lovelife ako doon. Wish ko lang, sana meron. E wala. Wala talaga.
Sana nandoon na lang ako forever. And ever. And ever.
And ever...

Minsan natatakot akong pumunta doon. Kase alam mo naman, kapag nabaliw ako. Baka ayoko nang bumalik. Yun naman talaga yung plano ko palage. Yung hindi ka na babalik, ever. Yung doon ka na lang.
Kapag tinanong mo ako, kung baket. Hindi tayo matatapos sa dami ng dahilan ko. Kung bakit ko gusto na doon nalang ako.

Minsan, gusto ko na ngang magnakaawa sa mga ulap, sa dagat, sa mga isla, na doon nalang ako, pleeeaaase.

Aah Life! You make me crazy. Sooo crazy. Keep me sane, baby. I need more time.

My Woohoo Ride: An Evening Bike Ride in Sabtang

Summer. Or Something Like It.

Summering has always been fun.

Even under the blazing heat of the sun.

But this summer was more than hot. I got burnt.

Toasted, both sides.More on the inside.It hurt, big time.

West Philippine Sea’s Kalayaan Island: Project GIVE PagAsa, An Unexpected Gift Giving

Giving has always been something my heart leaps to. 
Something I really do not write about. 
Or talk about.
Something I just do. 
Because for me it is an act where language would not be enough to articulate how it feels like. 

Puerto Princesa, Palawan: A Sanctuary at Subli Guest Cabins

After an almost three hour ride from one of the Spratly Islands, Isla PagAsa, a home-y cabin is apt to shelter a warmed heart. Subli Guest Cabins .

Makati: Rain or Shine At The Junction Hostel

I live by myself in Manila and I really do not need to be sheltered in another home. But sometimes, I just feel the need to visit friends or relatives, eat, and sleep in their homes around Manila. For a change. 

Staying in a hostel in Manila would be the last option. Because I can always go home or knock at my friends’ or relatives’ homes. But when I travel, I go to a hostel. When I went to Beijing, China; in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia; in Melaka, Malaysia; in Banwa, Puerto Princesa; in Camotes Island, Cebu; in Siquijor; and many others. I love staying in hostels.

When I entered Junction Hostel in Makati, I was thrilled. The wide common area, which is also the dining area, looks comfortable and friendly. 

Vigan, Ilocos Sur: Part 2 ~ Where Angels Emerge in Heritage Town

I roamed around the city. I hopped in a salon, had caramel coffee at Marsha’s, and let the hours pass by at Calle Crisologo, again, watching people,  with Purple Heart parked beside me. Still overwhelmed by the people I have met, Vida & Tita Ima. 

I tried to contact a fellow blogger, Edmar of Edmaration.com, for an empanada dinner. We motorbiked around, and met his breezy friends. Then we went dancing in the club. I shook the hands of the Governor, and the Vice Governor, and had some cocktail drinks with new acquaintances.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur: Part 1 ~ Where Angels Emerge in Heritage Town

I claim that I always go to Vigan. I do not really go as much. I pass by all the time. Or stay hours. Not really stay stay, if you know what I mean. I pass through Vigan all the time because I love its romantic, lovely mood.

I carried my bike Purple Heart in the bus. Whatever is going upnorth. And bam! Vigan!

I slept in a deluxe bus and woke up past sunrise just in time for this picturesque view. Then I realized, since I biked from home to the main road in Manila to get a cab for me and Purple Heart, and I only carried the lightest backpack ever since I started to travel, I forgot all of them, my camera.

I did not worry, though. I am not after photos in this trip, anyway. But am thrilled to see this, even if it was the millionth moment, captured it, while I am in a speeding bus.