Bicol

One of the main events of my life this year was the vacation I had with Kuya Roger, Tatay and Mama in Bicol last June. I’ve been so caught up with other things right after we came back, as a result, I didn’t get to make a journal entry for it the same way I did for the vacation we had in GenSan and Davao in Summer 2007 and my summer break this 2008.

Since I am feeling great at this moment I would like to do one. Besides that trip was such a great experience. Memories of it give me nostalgia.

So here it goes…

Our flight to Legaspi City, Albay was scheduled June 22, 7am but then hours before that time typhoon Frank was already waging terror upon Manila. By 2am the wind was blowing so gustily and the rain was pounding very hard. In a while the power was out also. We were all in a daze. We doubted whether we should go on. But then my brother summoned that we should still proceed to the airport because if ever the flight continues and we got left behind there would be a list long of fees that we have to pay. So, amidst the terrible weather we drove to the centennial airport. We feared of running into falling billboards or lamp posts along the way. We reached the Centennial Airport, in the domestic flights section, when got out from the car we run into the turbulent weather conditions.

We checked in and then we waited for any notice about our flight in the passenger lounge. The lounge was full of anxious foreign and local travelers. The employees were commenting that it would be so nice to stay at home because of such bed weather.

After sometime it was announced that the flights to Aklan and Naga were already cancelled. We thought ours would be called off too but by 7:20 the passengers of PAL flight PR277 bound to Legaspi City were called to board. At first I was nervous but then the adventurous side of me prevailed. I thought it would be a thrilling experience for sure. We shall be above the storm.

I experienced the thrill that I thought of. Outside the plane’s window was nothing but dark haze. Momentarily it seemed like we were in an off road track. In my mind I was thinking of what would I do in case there would be any peril. I was just preparing myself, I thought. It’s better to be ready than sorry. Fortunately there was no unpleasant incident. I haven’t even finished off reading the news feature about Ces Drilon’s captivity it was already announced that we were already about to land.

For the first time I saw a part of Bicol. Legaspi was a progressive city. That’s why we wondered why there was no baggage conveyor at the airport. Anyway, we didn’t stay long. The Mayon Volcano was nowhere in sight too although the weather got a little better.

sobrang hangin sa labas. bumabagyo.^^

We rode a passenger van to reach the next pit stop of our trip which was the port of Tabaco City. After thirty minutes we reached it. The sight of bored stranded hundreds of passengers welcomed us. We learned that the ferry’s voyages were on hold for two days already.

At the Tabaco port whilst was crowded gave me a peek of the part of life I don’t usually see. It was a nice surprise that there were still things for free. The people, including us, were handed with free three meal rations each day.

To kill the boredom we would watch movies in Kuya Roger’s laptop and we also roamed around Tabaco City. Tabaco was a picturesque sight. It mirrored long history and seemed to carry grotesque stories of the Spanish colony as what can be seen through the very old cathedral.

When the storm has passed the following morning, we boarded a ship for a four hour long journey that would take us to another pit stop – Virac City. While I took a picture of people boarding through the ships very early that morning a word immediately came in my mind that would aptly describe the event – exodus.

When the day broke. The weather was gray but it was not as poor as before. For the first time, Mayon Volcano came into sight. Clouds covered its clouds. So its yet to be confirmed that its cone is indeed perfect.

Because of the storm, the voyage was dizzying. The surrounding was dark and grey. There were a lot of interesting sights to be seen throughout. Just like the islands that lined the coast. They were like the Chocolate Hills nested in the ridge of the sea.

After four hours we reached Virac. Another historic city. Then, we had less than an hour drive into our final destination – Catanduanes. My parents home town.

In Catanduanes I met my father’s siblings. It was my first time to meet them but it felt like I have known them all my life. They were very warm. I felt so much loved. I saw my aunts cried as they tell my parents how much they missed them. It’s been decades since they last saw my mother.

I had a lot of fun. Since that time was also the town’s fiesta, foods abound the tables and beer pitchers were bottom less. One time, we all went to the house of the family’s matriarch. Oldies sure know how to party!

We enjoyed our time. We wished to stay longer but then the time came to say good bye. We promised that it wouldn’t be the last.

During our travel back the weather was fine. Virac’s scenery could be seen better.

We stayed at Pepperland Hotel in Legaspi City. The hotel was comfortable and cozy. I liked the art whose subjects were pepper of course. A vintage car was parked in the lobby. I also heard a selection of ska and jazz music being played at the hotel restaurant. I would have loved my life that way all the time. But then its just a holiday I reminded myself.

We had dinner in a restaurant near the hotel. We ate there an authentic Bicolano treat _ Bicol Express.

art pepper ^^

The next morning was our flight back to Manila. We woke up early and had our complementary breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Afterwards we were chauffered to the airport along with two good looking yuppies. ^^

This time it seemed like summer again. Finally we saw the splendid Mount Mayon. Oh yes, it was perfect.

At 10:25 am we’re air borne. I carefully observed the inside of the plane. The fit and right flight attendants and my fellow passengers. Someone held my attention for sometime. He looked familiar. I rummaged through my memory to remember him but I failed. But I was sure that I’ve seen him before. He’s the one who sang the song which lyrics was something like “…dahil ikaw ang saigaw ng puso ko, dahil ikaw ang nasa isip ko…” The sound track of one of Piolo’s teleserye. Maybe it was after a month before I remembered – True Faith’s front man!

There was a blooper when we’re at the arrival area in the airport. A Korean tourist fell on her butt while she was toying with her luggage. She was so embarrassed. Her face literally turned red against her very fair face.

I remembered when we arrived from GenSan last year, the blooper was the sako, takuri, and planggana of the travelers from the Middle East. Their baggage banged through the conveyor noisily.

Kuya Jun fetched us at the airport.

Supposedly we would be coming back to Baler the next day but it was the same day of Manny Pacquiao’s match against Diaz so we postponed the travel. Since tatay was a big boxing fan and of Manny, kuya Roger treated us to watch the fight through the big screen. Early Sunday morning we went to SM mega mall. At first i was kind of out of place because the crowd was predominantly male.

As the fight started and ended, the Filipino spirit was ablaze.

Monday morning, I, Tatay and Mama finally came home. Kuya Roger flew back to Gensan.

We brought home not only pili nuts and pictures but most of all wonderful memories that would last a lifetime.