I'll Be Home for Christmas

Finally, after 3-month of stay in Laguna, I'll be leaving for Leyte by the 23rd of December. I was supposed to take my flight tomorrow morning but decided to cancel it and travel home by land instead. Dami kasing dapat pang gawin, and to think na morning ang flight, problema ang paggising ng maaga. Hehe.

It'll be my first time then to travel by land, that is, a 24-hour trip. Kaya good luck to me.

It's Christmas

How i miss those days when all I would do is watch christmas videos on vcd from my cousin's collections... One of these videos that I love, and one that often gives me a feeling of nostalgia.. is from the Rosie O'donnell show. Love's in our heart on christmas by NSYNC.

Another day for Kuya Phany

November 30, 2011

I woke up from Kuya Ote's anxious words: "Boss, si Kuya Phany nalunod sa swimming pool." I realised it's 3 AM and from that, I just got a wonderful sleep and thought it was nothing but mere "kalasingan" of Kuya Phany. Then Kuya Ote kept pulling my legs, telling me to get up and see Kuya Phany. From that I realized something serious is happening and so I stood up and went to the swimming pool area expecting a Kuya Phany lying on the floor, being resuscitated. Thank God, I found him standing with Kuya Barok by his side.Assisting and supporting him towards our cottage.

I wanted to go back to sleep. But the idea that someone from our team had almost died, kept me awake. Kuya Phany kept telling me bout his mistake - that he lost his breath - that he miscalculated his swimming and everything. I wanted to scold him, but that would be to no avail for he was just so drunk that surely he won't be able to absorb everything I'm going to say and that he will just forget everything that had happened. And so, I kept my mouth shut.

I really got the chills with the things that Kuya Barok told me about the incident:

Phany was dead, as declared by the lifeguard, who panicked by the sight of Kuya Phany's unconscious body. He was seen floating on the water for a minute. And was later drawn out of the water with his tongue drawn back to his throat and his whole body on very stiff and lifeless state. Thanks to Kuya Barok's optimism and knowledge in first aide, he was able to revive Kuya Phany. Without it, I would have spent this night in Pampanga for Kuya Phany's wake.

I can't stand the thought of another one from my team would pass away. We've had enough already - Kuya Gary and my dear Kuya Bonong.

I've been away from my family for so long and I've tried everything to build a new family out of my new-found friends in the field. And it would be so hard to see someone bid goodbye. And though it would be ka-OA han to focus on this subject, I wouldn't mind sharing it for this has been a part of me. And though it doesn't always show, I consider myself as the most appreciative individual of the GE men in Certeza (of course, next to Ate Lala), most appreciative when it comes to relationships.

Well, I guess it was really not yet Phanoy's time to leave for God still gave him another day to drink and get drunk once more. Hahaha.

After all that has happened at dawn, I spent all my time waiting for the sun to rise, for I can't go to sleep. I was then so really thankful that Kuya Phany has once again survived.

Later, I found Art sleeping inside the van and Ruby Ann with Syd on one of the cottages.

PHOTO: Sunrise in Sariaya. Strolling by the beach, waiting for the sun to rise.

PHOTO: Picture-taking before demobilization.
From Left: Kuya Barok,, Broder, Arnel, Kuya Phany, Kuya Rudy, Eric Atinas, Kuya Toloy, and Kuya Otep (seated)

PHOTO: Dinner @ Kuya Barok's house. It was about 7 in the evening when we arrived in Sariaya. We found the survey team preparing the food for the overnight stay in Villa Del Prado Resort.
(clockwise from left: B-ann, Jefferson (OJT), Reyfel, Art, and Martin (OJT)

SAD GOODBYE

It seems just yesterday

When we first met

 It’s not so long ago, I guess

But now you’re telling me

You’re gonna leave me

I just can’t believe it

Coz I know I’ll be missing you

Without you, it’ll be a different show

Chorus:

When you go, please keep a smile with you

For all my sadness, I will never show you

I will try my best not to cry

As you say your sad goodbye

For a while, we’re like a family

Always there in every way

It’s just so sad to see you going away

How I wish that you could stay

A little while, for just a little more time

So it won’t hurt to say goodbye

Chorus:

When you go, please keep a smile with you

For all my sadness, I will never show you

I will try my best not to cry

As you say your sad goodbye

Adlib:

I know I will see you again

In another place and another time

Chorus:

When you go, please keep a smile with you

For all my sadness, I will never show you

I will try my best not to cry

As you say your sad goodbye

As you go, remember that we care

In our hearts the friendship will remain

We will try our best not to cry

As you leave with sad goodbye

….as you leave with saaaad goodbye.

When strong emotions pour out, that's basically the time when someone produces masterpieces and magnificent works of art. Though I can't say that the song written above is an obra maestra, I must say that I wrote it, out of my feelings to someone who's so dear to me...a person who served not only as a coworker but someone who treated me like a family - that's my Ate Lala.

A year ago. As I entered the surveys department, I immediately felt a certain connection to Kuya Leo, Kiko and most specially to Ate Lala. It was probably due to their wholesome and coming disposition that makes anyone who enters their area, feel so at home. I never can imagine that one year without Ate Lala's ideas and advice. And now, the time has finally come when we have to part ways.

Good Luck and God bless for all your endeavors Ate.

We will miss you.

Ate Lala in pink...

My "September 1" friends

Time just passes so quickly that I haven't realized that it's already been a couple of years when I was hired in Metrobank(where I stayed only for like couple of months).

September 1, 2009, that is. And it just feel so good to reminisce on the experience that I had. Setting my foot on Cebu and Manila for the first time, meeting new friends, and leaving the banking world after 2 months to have more travels around the country. I guess, the Metrobank experience just served as a first step, a commencement for more travels.Haha. After Metrobank, as I can remember, I've gone to Negros Occidental-Nueva Vizcaya-Baguio-Banaue-Benguet-Gen San-Cebu-Quezon Province-Pangasinan-La Union, and many places I never thought I'd be able to visit. 

Anyhow, I'm so thankful for these trips and travels but somehow a big part of all of these work experiences, that seemed so distressing yet heartwarming, difficult but influential, disturbing yet edifying, still belongs to the Metrobank experience. In a way, it taught me how to be more careful in making decisions and in managing stress at work. And most of all, it led to me to meeting remarkable friends, Some of whom remained good advisers in the religious and spiritual aspect of my life, Aimee and Genvieve to name the two.

A couple of hours of talk with Aimee and Genvieve seemed not enough to talk just about how the two years has been for the three of us. It's amazing how these girls have survived to the ever so stressful life in Metrobank. Perhaps it's mainly because of their faith in God that they can withstand whatever there is that will come their way.

Aimee sounded so tired when I called her @ 10 PM after her duty in their branch. But still Aimee managed to laugh about how we've called Metrobank's VICE-PRESIDENT of the Visayas Area while we were still in the middle of the employment process. Well, to think of it, it was really inappropriate for us to easily call someone of that level in the company complaining about our suspicion and vague assumptions about Metrobank's hiring process. haha. Thanks to Sir Bernie, for somehow he was so understanding and we made it through the whole process at that time.

But the best part of the process was the training in Makati where we've met a number of individuals from other parts of the country. Videoke at Music 21, that is, was the height of the momentous experience we had together with the Countryside Metrobankers.

Here are some pics taken 2 years ago:

Gino, LLoydie, Sir Cedrick, Genvieve, Nai2x, Toni, Aimee, Kim and Sir Arjay

Kantahan @ Music 21 KTV

Pose after the training

Remembering Kuya Bonong

 "I've survived!", I exclaimed as I realize that my first anniversary with the company has already passed. August 3, that is, and today's already August 13. I thought I couldn't survive working in such a company whose first impression came to me as a miser, wicked and unloving company, unworthy of love from its employees. I got these impressions from the people I met on my first day in the company. However, somehow these impressions have changed through time. Most especially when I was transferred to the Department that gave me a sense of belonging. If given the chance to live again, I probably wouldn't change a thing. For if I would, I wouldn't be able to meet a whole bunch of people who've made my one year a mixture of stressful and happy moments.


My first anniversary week however, I realized, has been marked by a series of mourning and I still can't imagine how things have gone in just about a week's time:


*August 3 (Wednesday. my first year in the Certeza), Ate Lala's father succumb to death after his struggle with his illness. Though I haven't met him while he's still alive, I've known details of his existence from stories told by Ate Lala.


*August 4 (thursday), Kuya Gary, one of drivers, was found unconscious in his jeep and died a day after being admitted to the hospital.


*And just this last Monday afternoon August 8, Kuya Bonong, with whom I spent the First Order South Luzon and NGCP Projects, passed away just a week after being rushed to the hospital after a stroke struck him leaving the other half of his body dead for about 7 days.


I really thought he'd make it. The morning of August 8, I heard Kuya Godo saying, "Bonong is striving and is improving, he can now lift his hand and even smiled at me when I left for Manila yesterday". I was expecting then to see Kuya Bonong probably in a wheel chair but able to speak. I was even planning to visit him in his house while he'll be undergoing his therapy. The sad part is, by the afternoon, a text came from someone from the hospital in Lucena informing Kuya Godo that Kuya Bonong is gone.


"Too soon", I told myself. Kaso, hindi ako si God. And if only I could, I would have given him another chance. For his children...for his loving wife... for his friends... for the people who needs his service... and for the people who needs to see his smile. Of the three persons that left, Kuya Bonong has been the dearest to me. For I've spent almost all my wanderings in North and South Luzon with him. And whenever I think of North Luzon, he'll always be a part of it. I can still vividly recall how we've spent the Holy week working in La Union. Away from our families, our loved ones, but still managed to survive the loneliness by singing along in the resort's videoke. Spending a week in Nueva Vizcaya with him has also made me feel like I have my father beside me, all ready to help and support me. I can just remember the time when I have to go the internet shop in the town of Bayombong at 12 AM yet he still offered to fetch me up. Those times when we have to wake up at 1 AM to travel from one place to another, ugh, those were the stressful times we've shared but had somehow became lighter because of my wonderful team.


And though Ate Lala has been disappointed with him when he intimidated Philip during the last league of the NGCP South Luzon flight, I AM NOT and NEVER WILL I BE. For I know the exact reasons behind Kuya Bonong's action, and Ate Lala can never relate to it.


Kuya Bonong's burial will be on Saturday, August 13 in Perez, Quezon. Though the First Order Team will never be complete again without you, the beautiful memories will forever remain in our hearts.

    Farewell Kuya Bonong. Drive Safely to heaven.

     A Big THANK YOU!!! for a Big Man.

November 8, 1961 - August 8, 2011

Constant Change

4:44 in the afternoon and I suddenly felt so sad. The gloomy sky, the depressing sound of the waves, and the thought of spending the night alone added up to the cheerless and depressing atmosphere of the place. Tonight will be my 4^th night in Pinamalayan. And it’s just become boring each night. The first night was spent with the 3 teams, with drinking sessions; the 2^nd and 3^rd with one team; and now, I’ll be all alone. The survey teams have arrived at 12 noon after their 10-hour observation in Bongabong and Bulalacao and left after I've downloaded the data from their instruments.

I know there is more to what I have described that put up the sadness that’s in me right now. “I’m just on emo-mode”, I thought. But no. I just found out 2 reasons: (1) the projects going to end; and (2) Ate Lala will soon be leaving for Australia probably by October.

Life is a constant change ikanga. Ang ganda nga naman ng lyrics ng kanta ni Jose Mari Chan:

Photo taken during our trip from Batangas to Romblon

We’re on the road
We move from place to place
And oftentimes when I’m about to call it home
We’d have to move along
Life is a constant change

The friends we know we meet along the way
Too soon the times we share form part of yesterday
‘Cause life’s a constant change
And nothing stays the same, oh no

Clouds that move across the skies
Are changing form before our very eyes

Why couldn’t we keep time from movin’ on?
Hold on to all the years before this moment’s gone?
Why must we live the days at such a frightening pace?

We’re all like clouds that move across the skies
And changing form before our very eyes

Have we outgrown our Peter Pans and wings?
We’ve simply grown too old for tales of knights and kings
‘Cause life’s a constant change
And nothing stays the same, oh no.

Indeed, nothing really stays the same. Everything changes. At lahat ay may hangganan...This is just the sad reality of life. Though we want to hold on to something that we love so much... Something that we've become accustomed to doing or feeling -- still we have to let it go. Masakit nga lang isipin at tanggapin na kung kailan nakita mo na yung isang lugar kung saan ka masaya ay kailangan mong bitawan ito at pakawalan.

The Project is ending, and Ate Lala will soon be leaving. Should I be sad? I just am but I know I shouldn't be. I remember the negative impacts of being attached to this world from the homily of Fr. Mario. Sabi ni Father, being attached to your talents, your beauty, your wealth -- makes you proud and being too attached to your loved ones, friends, and even experiences -- makes you weak. You'll be too weak to let go of these things and when they go - you'll just go broken-hearted and frustrated. 

Hence, it is my challenge now not to get too attached to either of these things. Pero andito na eh. I remember myself in the past, secluding myself from people and it didn't turn out well. I guess, the remedy would be to hold to God and to always look on the brighter side. 

May takipsilim man, may bukang-liwayway din...hehe.(don't know if this is the right phrase). There's a rainbow always after the rain. Kung may katapusan, may bagong simula. With God in command, I shall be waiting for the new start to happen.

Romblon, Romblon

 Gumaca to Batangas = 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. We needed to catch the 5PM trip bound for Odiongan, Romblon 'cause if not, we shall have to wait for the next trip which will on the other day..thank God, we have this remarkable driver...na grabe magpatakbo..hehe.

  Batangas to Odiongan, Romblon = 5:00 PM to 3:30 AM

Montenegro Shipping Lines.

 Marble polishing...

Picture Lamination on marble stone plates...

Their marble products...

Romblon Plaza @ night.
Of course the flooring and posts are made out of marble.

Overlooking the town of Romblon, Romblon...

Pictures taken on top of the hill near RML-4 monument.

A day in Pagsangahan

We've decided to stay in the town proper of San Francisco, Quezon (a.k.a Aurora) to communicate with the other teams on other locations. Wala daw kasi signal sa Brgy na pupuntahan namin for the GPS observation. San Francisco, Quezon is about a 3-hour drive from Lucena City. And from the town proper, we have to travel about an hour and 45 minutes to get to Brgy. Pagsangahan.

RJV Lodging House. The only lodging house in town of San Francisco

We departed from our lodging house @ 5AM.
Getting to Brgy. Pagsangahan (also known by the locals by its former name - Brgy. Pugawan), means one have to travel a rough road which becomes so muddy even after a slight rain. 30 minutes of travel and the phone signals went off.

When we were about to arrive in the area, our vehicle finally was stuck up on the deep mud after its tumultuous battle against the sticky mud. There were no houses around the area, we worried no one would help us push the vehicle out mud. But God is still in control. A man in his motor bike, stopped to help us and so we were able to arrive to the area in time.

There we met Sgt. Angelo Jesus Tanteo; and the First Kagawad of the Brgy who also happen to be a Bisaya. After setting up the instrument, we literally spent the whole morning chatting with these guys.

Sgt. Tanteo, is now on his 4th month in the Barangay. An army with a Bible and a Copy of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines always in hand. He said, you need to know both the law of man and the law of God. From the conversation we had, i learned a number of facts about being an army:

• Paid by the Government Php 3,500 monthly food allowance
  
• Starting basic monthly salary of Php 16,000 for the newly-recruited armies
• Vacation Leave is every after 3 months (equivalent to six working days)
• Spends most of the time in the barracks ( they have more time to read books and to search for possible love interests. =D )
  

After having lunch the military way (nilatag na pagkain sa mesa), I and Kuya Lito strolled around the Barangay to search for phone signal and found some beautiful spots of Brgy. Pugawan.

By the Beach of Brgy. Pagsangahan

From the stroll that we had in search for phone signal, I learned some unbelievable things about the beliefs of other religions as told by Kuya Lito, who happen to have spent bible study discussions with different religions - Iglesia ni Cristo, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Kuya Lito is a Roman Catholic but now being convinced to be baptized to be a Jehovah's witness. Though he now believes in Jehovah's witnesses' teachings, he refused to be baptized as he often says "no religion can save you". A very good alibi or reason indeed to refuse being baptized to a religion. Things I learned about Jehovah's witnesses' teachings include:

• Man has no soul.
  
• Jesus Christ is St. Michae, the archangel sent to earth
• The apparitions of Mother Mary is the work of the devil.
  

BOK-LIT : Si Bok at si Tolits

While on the road after the GPS observation, di ko maiwasang mapangiti sa dalawa kong kasama sa sasakyan – Si Bok at si Kuya Tolits. I was seated at the back, while the two were in front. Laging nagdedebate ang dalwa:



ROUND 1: Marriage
Lito : Okey yung sabi ni Kagawad ahhh. Katorse anyos na dalaga, pwede palang makasal dito.
Bok : Child abuse yun. Di naman pwede yun. Katorse anyos? Di pwede.
Lito : Eh, kung payag naman ang dalaga, paano magiging child abuse yun.
Bok : Child abuse nga yun. Menor de edad eh. Di yun pwede. Yung sa ospital nga, di nakakapag decide ang mga menor de edad.
Lito : Pwede yun. Eh, kung okey yung mga magulang na pakasal yung anak nya eh.
Bok : Di nga pwede makasal yun. Di naman papayag ang Mayor nyan.
Lito : …sa Mayor nga hindi..pero sabi ni kagawad pwede sa Kapitan…Kasalang Kapitan nga eh.
(Kuya 2lits wins)


…at biglang sumayad ang ilalim ng sasakyan sa putik.


ROUND 2: The Right Way
Bok : Sabi ko na nga eh… Dapat kanan pinili mong daanan..
Lito : Eh kung kanan pinili ko, lulubog din tayo dun…ang lalim at ang lambot dun oh…
Bok : Kita ko na eh…matigas na yung lupa dun. Dapat kanan pinili mo.
Lito : Hindi. Kaya ko naman yung daanan yung sa gitna. Nabitin lang ako pag bwelo…


Pinaatras ni Kuya 2lits ang van at pinili ang kanang part ng muddy road. Umusad na ang van.
Bok : Oh, tingnan mo... di ba okey? nakita ko na kasi yun eh...matigas na nga yung putik sa kanan.


(Panalo si Bok)


ROUND 3: Pagpapa-cemento
Bok : Dapat kasi ipa-cemento na lahat to. Dapat dumiretso na sila sa Senator. Magrequest dapat yung mga ofisyales ng Barangay eh.
Lito : Di pwede yun. Di ka pwede dumiretso sa Senator. Kailangan ka muna dumaan sa Mayor. Yung Mayor ang dapat magdecide.
Bok : Pwede yun. Eh Senator na yung lalapitan eh…Magagawan agad ng paraan.
Lito : Di nga pwede yun..
Bok : Pwede yun…Lalapit ka lang sa Senator eh.


Kung ganito ba naman mga kasama mo…di ka tatahimik at matatawa sa isang tabi? Hehe. Kulet nang mga ‘to.


-to be continued-

(next round: RELIGION)

Back to FIRST-ORDER (South Luzon)

After being pulled out from the First Order project last April 14, to lead the Ground control Team for the NGCP Flight, ngayon I'm back in the adventure-filled project. Adventure kasi, you'll be spending a day or two either in an island, in a place so remote, sa bundok, or if you'll get lucky, in one of the tourist spots of South Luzon. Di mo expect ang tutulogan mo.

First Stop - Catanauan, Quezon.

The team spent 3days (if I'm not mistaken) in one of the hotels in Catanauan. Now, I'm back in the very same Hotel, only that I'll be spending the night by myself, all alone. The receptionist have even given the same room we used a two months ago. Kaktauwa yung receptionis, galing the memory. hehe.

TIDAL OBSERVATION in Sariaya, Quezon

Indeed, it was great to spend time with people who share the same interests as you do – who jams with the music you like, eat the food you like – people whom you could freely laugh your heart out with.

Dominggo, March 13 – Mobilization kunohay. Gibati pa tawn kog pamugnaw niadto sa dihang miabot cla Kiko og Ruby ann aron kuhaon ang mga gibiling instrumento sa balay aron dalhon sa Sariaya, Quezon. Maayo nalng nadala nako ang akong jacket kay bugnaw jud intawn kayo ang aircon sa bus. Alas 12 sa udto nakaabot kami sa Sariaya. Diretso mi sa balay ni Kuya Barok. Og sa dihang, wala diay tawo sa ilang balay. Wala ang iyang asawa. Haha. Naniudto mi sa balay sa iyang inahan, who entertained us so well. Gitabangan pa kami nya actually sa pagpangitag balay nga katulgan og beach nga kaobservahan sa among tidal. Didto nako hinay-hinay nga nailhan ang mga tawo nga I believe has just become part of my life (syempre, pirmi nimo clang kauban sa trabaho – part na sa life, di ba?.hehe).

It was fun watching Ate Lala scream when crossing a tiny canal and a river in getting to Paraiso beach resort. Haha. Kakatuwa na cute. The beach resort was good – safe for everyone, hindi kasi “kantilado”. With a swimming pool na walang masyadong naliligo at the time of our stay - (natakot daw kasi ang mga parokyano ng resort dahil sa tsunami) – kung kaya naman inangkin namin ang swimming pool ng resort! Haha.

PHOTO: Me, nagbabasa ng reading sa rod.

72 hours of observation...san ka pa? at every 15 minutes mong babasahin ang reading ng rod. Si Machele at Kuya Alex sa umaga, kami naman ni Kiko, Ruby, at Ate Lala sa gabi. Haha. Kakapagod but then enjoy naman kami sa panonood ng Glee sa laptop ni Kiko. Yun nga lang, nabibitin cause every 15 min kailangan mong lumusong sa tubig para basahin ang reading ng rod. Magdamag kang pa-lusong2x sa tubig.

PHOTO: Inside the Cottage

                                                        

   PHOTO: Sa tindahan ni Aling Nena...namili ng maiinom

                                       

     PHOTO: Si Machele ginising namin para lang magpapicture. :D

                               

Huwebes, end ng observation pero naa pa diay pakapin nga leveling... og GPS observation. Ug sa dihang alas 9:30 na nahuman ang GPS obsevation. Sa Batangas City port ang among point. Ug tungod sa kalaay didto gihimo og gipasundayag ang Concert ni "Kiko and Abai", with only one audience -- si Ate Lala. Haha. Included in the repertoire were songs by the famous Boybands of the 90s...Boyzone, Boyz2men, Westlife og uban pa. haha.

Mga tomjones nah... just look at Kiko.

Ginabi na po kami...Dito kami nag concert ni Kiko

It was so nakakapagod kasi wala pa kming mga tulog. After kasi ng duty namin di na kami natulog in the morning dahil nag leveling pa. And in the afernoon, diretso nang GPS Observation. Di pa namin naabutan ang 10PM trip pa Maynila kung kaya nagantay pa kami ng next trip -- 11PM. I was so tired, kung kaya nakatulog ako sa bus (na hindi ka madalas ginagawa). Nagising nalang ako ng nasa Ortigas na kami. Diretso sa office nang parang nakalutang. 30 hours na walang tulog. At may pasok pa kinabukasan. Hooh...

But it was worth it all. Ang saya ng experience.

And from the "Glee" movie marathon that we had during the night hours, I came to love and learn the song "I look to you" sung by Amber Riley on the "Glee" show.

I Look To You lyrics


As I lay me down
Heaven hear me now
I'm lost without a cause
After giving it my all


Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun
After all that I've been through
Who on earth can I turn to?


Chorus:
I look to you,
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you I can be strong
I look to you,
I look to you
And when melodies are gone In you I hear a song
I look to you


Have to lose my breath
There's no fighting left
Sinking to rise no more


Searching for that open door


And every road that I've taken
Led to my regret
And I don't know if I'm go'n make it
Nothing to do but lift my head


Chorus:


My levees are broken
My walls are coming down on me
My rain is falling
Defeat is calling
I need you to set me free
Take me far away from the battle
I need you
Shine on me!

Byaheng Southern Tagalog

The last two weeks I’ve spent with the 1^st Order GPS Re-Observation Project has been an adventurous ride—from the Island of Jomalig to Alabat Island; Tabaco City to Virac, Catanduanes, and to the remote outskirts of Albay and Sorsogon – Whoah! It was a whole lot of travel. So much than I’ve expected.

The experience seems so appealing to the adventurers, I believe, but surely the vanity-infected individuals will abhor such a thought of spending the night in an uncomfortable place, without aircon, or electricity. I can only imagine Ate Lala spending the night in the Barangay Hall and how she’d manage to sleep a night or two in such a place (hehe. I’m not saying that she’s vain though.). Good for Ate, she’s already a manager before she could come across such an experience. Hehe. Peace Ate!

As for me, the travels I’ve made for the last two weeks were superb. We departed from Manila on a Sunday. I barely had a good rest then after our 72-hour Tidal Observation in Sariaya, Quezon and Batangas City Port(that was from Monday to Thursday), report for work on Friday, and a GPS Observation for the calibration of the instruments on Saturday. And here’s the team, all ready for the mobilization just a day after the calibration.

I wish I had a digicam with me so I could capture more vividly each remarkable moments spent during these times. Nevertheless, here’s a simple account of the trip that made and pics from my phone:

Sunday, 20 March 2011 Mobilization Day. It was getting late in the afternoon when we finally get to travel to our respective points after hours of negotiations with our hired drivers. We departed from Manila at 5PM and arrived at Real, Quezon at around 9PM, spending the night at the house of Kuya Godo’s sister-in-law. By the morning, we were fortunate to know that a boat was scheduled to arrive and depart from Real, Quezon by 10AM.

Monday, 21 March 2011 - Island of Jomalig, Quezon.

The boat departed from Real at 12 noon and after 5 hours of sea getting dizzy and nauseated caused by the smell of the boat’s engine, we finally arrived in the island at around 5:30 PM. It came to me as a surprise to see the rich light-brownish sand of the island. The beach was so pure you could right your name on it so effortlessly. It was getting dark then and the sun was setting beautifully by the horizon and all I could do was to wonder how simple the life is on this island. The children sit by the sand, watching the boat being fully emptied. We were invited for a cup of coffee but Kuya Wapo refused the offer (knowing that there were cases of people being poisoned in the island).

I thought after the boat ride, just a few steps and that’s it, we’re on the point, QZN-2. But then a tractor was waiting for us by the basketball court to bring us to the airport, where the point is located. It was farther than I really thought. We passed by tall Cogon grasses, on a rough road that seemed like eternity. There were no street lights (you couldn’t even call it a road or a street anyway), and the light from the tractor was the only light guiding our way. It was scary hearing the sounds of the nocturnal insects as we passed by an uninhabited field of grasses and itchy shrubs almost covering our path. And if you’re a scary movie addict, you could immediately imagine the villains of the movie “Wrong Turn” surprising you and dragging you on the thick shrubs.

There were 7 of us on the tractor: a young ECE (of my age, I believe), checking on the SMART tower in the island as what he’s told me; his 3 co-workers, who’ve just had trouble carrying the ever so heavy dynamo, Kuya Wapo, the driver, and I.

By 8PM, we finally get to the airport and met Kuya Wapo’s ex-girl, whom he’d never seen for more than a decade. She’s fair and beautiful (she’s gained too much weight though as Kuya Wapo has told me), chatty, and conversational, as expected from an elementary school teacher. She led us to the old house she said she’s renovating. No light, no water – we have to settle for what we have, I told myself. And I survived two nights on that same house. Haha. The last night was spent drinking lambanog (my first time) with Kuya Danny, Kuya Wapo’s friend.

5-hour trip from Real, Quezon to Jomalig Island on this motoboat

March 24, 2011 - Island of Alabat, Quezon

After our observation in Jomalig, I went with the NetRS instrument to monitor its performance during the observation. The TA was supposed to bring the instrument in the mainland for ease in monitoring. However, the TA left the instrument’s antenna in Alabat Island when all teams went mainland for downloading. Hence, I was left with no other choice but to cross another island. I was still anxious then crossing another sea after our 5-hour wild and turbulent boat ride from Jomalig to Real, Quezon. Thank God, the ride was not as rough as we had in Jomalig.

Alabat is already a well-developed island with all the internet shops and a University (I never thought I’d find one in a small island). With about 5 barangays, Alabat has its own port with 3 regular boat trips daily. We stayed in the house of Brader’s grandma and saved on our hotel and food budget. Haha.

1.5-hour boat ride from Atimonan to Alabat

House of Brader's grandma

Church of Alabat

 

 March 26, 2011 - San Narciso, Quezon. 
                                      Now, after a while that I've been unable to attend mass, God has somehow   assigned me on areas near churches.

St. Joseph the worker Parish of San Narciso, Quezon

A mass held on a saturday night in San Narciso marketplace

QZN-8. Observed point inside the church compound

March 30, 2011 - Virac, Catanduanes