QUEZON: Borawan, Puting Buhangin, and Dampalitan Island Tour

It is during the Christmas season that me and my college friends travel to a place we haven't been. We are about to finalize the Puerto Galera trip but with some spoiler around, it didn't push through. So I did the reasearch and eventually planned for our next Christmas getaway. And so we decided to have it in an uncommercialized place like one in the province of Quezon.

We stayed in Brgy. Marao in Padre Burgos, where we rented a house for two nights courtesy of Ate Irma Saniel. The house is located by the shores of Marao beach but that isn't a place you would love to bum. The place serves as a jump-off point to the islands of Pagbilao Grande & Chica and Dampalitan. Seen from the shores of Marao is the Borawan beach, situated in the Pagbilao Chica Island (A small island, the reason why it was called 'chica', annexed to a larger island of Pagbilao).  Due to its proximity, we opt not to land on Borawan first but rather headed straight to Puting Buhangin on Pagbilao Grande Island. As the name of the beach suggests, the beach takes pride of its white sand shoreline. 

We were welcomed by the so-called guardians of the beach, Wanay and friends. 

Puting Buhangin, with its crystal clear water. Sea urchins and jelly fish can be seen even without using a snorkeling gear. We used to play with the jellyfish, I think the specie is stingless as we were not harmed when we touched it. Not an itch or so but please be extra careful with the urchins.

Stroll along the shore and you will reach a small opening which is popularly known as Kwebang Lampas. You can pass trhough the cave which will lead you to the other side of the island. Writings on the wall and ceiling of the cave can be seen, which simply testifies the irresponsiblity of visitors who already visited the place. 

According to a local of the place that I talked to, there is a dispute regarding the ownership of the beach. A signage tells you that the beach is privately owned by Lukang Family (the place is also reffered to as Lukang Beach) but a governement official of the province takes the claim. 

Borawan beach is our next stop. Borawan gives you an idea of its derivation from two famous islands, Boracay and Palawan. The 'Bora-" for its white sand and "-Wan" for its cliffs. 

Huts can be rented if you want to stay for a day or you may even bring your own camping materials. Mind you, there are no resorts found in the island so if you wish to stay overnight, pitching a tent is a must.

To complete our island hopping list, we visited Dampalitan Island. 

Going home, you may wish to drop by Pagbilao Park and Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Church just in front of Pagbilao Municipal Hall.

Grab some Longganisang Lucban for pasalubong. 

Breakdown of expenses:

Transportation/Pax

Bus: MNL-Lucena-MNL	Php 418
MiniBus/Jeep : Lucena-P. Burgos-Lucena	Php 70
Boat:Marao-Dampalitan-Borawan-Kwebang Lampas-Marao @Php2000	Php 225

Lodging

Php 500 / 3D2N

Food

Php 300/pax contribution for 3D2N

Entrance Fee

Dampalitan	PhP30
Borawan	PhP15
Puting Buhangin	PhP50

TOTAL EXPENSES

PhP 1,608

LAGUNA: Happy Climb at Mt. Romelo

Planned beforehand, we would like to chase the waterfalls of Mt. Romelo in Siniloan, Laguna on a day tour. Thanks to Lantaw for the captivating shots of the waterfalls that moved me. We wished to see Buruwisan Falls, Batya-batya falls and other waterfalls of the mountain. But the weather back then wasn't cooperating well as Typhoon Egay was hitting the Philippine territory and it would be difficult for us to climb on a muddy trail so we thought of another plan and that is to go to Calamba instead to witness how the locals of Laguna celebrate the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal. My jeans were on and ready to hit the road when one of my co-teachers insisted to pursue the climb. So I immediately changed for the reason that I'd also like to pursue the climb somehow.

We decided to take the Tanay route in going to Siniloan, which I think is most convenient by far. We hailed a jeep at Kapitolyo, Pasig bound to Tanay and cost us Php50 only. It took us about two hours just to get there. How unfortunate for us that the jitney bound to Siniloan that moment just got filled by the time we arrived. Standing in front of the public restroom, a tricycle stopped in front of us and offered to bring us to Siniloan in 40 minutes for Php300. Having said that the driver knew the place, we closed the deal only to find out that its more than what he promised but took us for another 2 hours. Tanay-Pililla-Mabitac-Famy-Siniloan-Mabitac-Famy-Siniloan: that's how he drove us! Instead of givng him Php300 for the service, he pleaded to add some amount and we did (evident it is for him that he doesn't have a pair of slippers when he drove us there.) So we have no choice but to ask the locals as to where the road to Mt. Romelo is located and pointed us to the road bound to Infanta,Quezon. I was very observant with the place as I keep on eyeing on every restaurant to find the resto having the name TROIS (the landmark). We decided to have lunch there as we arrived at around 12 noon already. The staff were saying that it would take us 2-3 hours to climb and be at the campsite, and we actually did. They also warned us about the thieves roaming around the campsite and stealing things out of the tent of the campers.

You may opt to have lunch here before the climb. :)

We looked for a guide to get us there and found Samuel (we called him Sam), the son of the bibingka vendor in front of TROIS. We haggled and made a deal to pay him Php250 for the six of us. We headed to the registration area, Php50 per head was collected. So there, we started the climb.

Call him Sam.

As what I've mentioned, it took us 3 hours to reach the campsite. But mind you, those hours were filled were laughter. The first few meters of the climb was a bit rough for us beginners, given that it was muddy that time. One of my co-teachers, Gen, would like to retract and go back to Manila at the first stop-over. But we didn't let that happen as we have to reach the destination together. We didn't bother to have a horse ride but walk the talk instead, CLIMB. On our way, we saw the Old Buruwisan Falls from a distance. How would I forget the leeches, the locals called it alimatik that sucked my ankle on our way back. And of course, the rise and fall of everyone with thick mud on our shirts which turned out to be humorous as we see each others faces of disgust and laughter.

Old Buruwisan Falls also referred to Binaytuan Falls.

We arrived at the campsite around 3pm and looked for a hut where we will stay for a night as we can't go back for the darkness of the night might come on our way. The three girls were dead tired and look for a seat to rest. We planned our dinner upon taking our seats only to find out the the store will close in a while so we bought some canned goods at Php50 each (not bad). Our guide even prepared our dinner! Thanks Sam! Right after dinner, we soaked ourselves in the cold water of the river, close to Buruwisan Falls and washed up before bedtime (oh! we didn't have any sleeping mat to sleep on but used garbage bag instead!)

With discomfort, two of my co-teachers wished to depart early the next day as one is having a fever that time but still chose to climb. We were not able to see the waterfalls up-close, not even one but still we did enjoy the climb. We departed at 7am and reached the registration area before noon. With the experience that we had, a first for all of us, the waterfalls maybe a bonus. Perhaps, someday we will get to see these wonders if weather permits.

Wash and brush!

HOW TO GET THERE:

EDSA Crossing (Parklea Terminal in front of Starmall) - Take a jeep bound to Tanay @ Php53
then from Tanay, another jeep bound to Siniloan at around Php45. Drop off at the junction going to Infanta and take a tricycle for Php15 per head and ask the driver to take you to KM3 Restaurant (TROIS)
.

Sidetrip: Back to ‘Normal’

Where do you study?
“PNU.” I said.
Ah! (with confidence) Philippine National University!
No, it’s PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.

Going back to where you were honed to become a teacher is of overwhelming feeling. Nostalgic it is for me to get back to the atmosphere where you feel like a student; in the rush to submit your projects, haggling with your professors to pass you in their subject and staying in cafeteria than to attend a tiresome-mood class. Four memorable years I have experienced gave me a pocketful of treasured moments. How could I forget the digits 2005-115664, the INCs on my class cards, cheer dance rehearsals till midnight, ghost hunting in the old buildings, ID being confiscated by the guards, having classes in one of the oldest buildings while the earth is shaking (our professor didn’t care at all!), “Ang Bulalakaw” (drum roll) during the Torch Ceremony, the pinning ceremony, playing childlike in the field (damn I missed this so much!), off-campus student teaching, class meeting under the mango tree (UTMT – that’s how PNUans call it), the dogwalk and its counterpart; the catwalk, sleeping in the couch of your chosen interest clubs, and the list goes on. Oh I love these things. I love being NORMAL!

I still have some pieces of memorabilia during my stay in PNU, evidences of being so-called normal.

Find the INCs. :)

The time card that I used during my practice teaching in V. Mapa High School in San Miguel, Manila.

Our graduation ball (invitation), held at the Manila Hotel.

Left IDs. My school ID had been confiscated several times which was surrendered upon graduation. All I have now are these. Plus my expired Alumni ID.


"Top the LET and I'll give you Php50,000." That's how our University President congratulates.
Though a motivation but it didn't drive me at all.

MANILA: History Amidst the City

Paco Park and Cemetery

Tagged as the Cosmopolitan Capital of the Philippines, one would think of Manila as a place of busy streets, endless night life and colourful streetlights. Well that could have been just one of the facets. Lies in the heart of Manila are historic sites that everyone should pay a visit. You have Intramuros, the walled city, and Rizal Park just to name a few. Walking along Padre Faura Street will lead you to Paco Park and Cemetery.

Sited inside the circular park is the Paco Church or sometimes called as St. Pancratius Chapel. Surrounding the chapel are walls of niches, the inner and the outer circle of the park which were made for the victims of cholera that was once an epidemic in the area.

Another thing that may surprise visitors is that this is where Jose Rizal’s remains were originally buried and not in Luneta. The old acacia trees inside the park are the silent witnesses of how Rizal’s remains were secretly buried which was then transferred to Luneta after a couple of years.

Aside from that, the remains of the three martyrs: Gomburza (Gomez, Burgos and Zamora) were also laid to rest in this place. A memorare that stands on the site of the burial was revealed to commemorate the martyrdom of the three priests.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Padre Faura Street is in between Pedro Gil St. and UN Avenue. Take LRT Line 1; drop off at Pedro Gil Station or UN Avenue Station. From Pedro Gil bound to UN Avenue; from UN Avenue bound to Pedro Gil, it’s just a short walk to Padre Faura Street. Walk along the street with Manila Science High School on the right side and at the end is Paco Park and Cemetery.