Taal Volcano Island Trip: Worth Every Sweat

Yesterday was excruciating. This journeying better not happen ever again. So, let me write about all the  little mishaps of the week that was.

I’ve been worrying more than studying for an exam which took place a couple of days ago. And from the look of things, the results will surely be far from good. Since it was the good old Friday night, I wanted so much to relieve myself from stress. I didn’t care that it was the night before my field trip and I had to wake up at 4 in the morning of the next day. I just wanted to have a little fun. And I did. My friends and I went out to a videoke-han and kambingan just around my place. I drank a little, sang a little, and had a wonderful time. I reached my place by midnight. Four hours before I prep up for Taal and I haven’t even packed any stuff. Good thing I have my all-time saver who packed my stuff for me that night.

Morning came. My eyes were still droopy from lack of sleep for several nights straight. It was a lazy early morning and the sun hasn’t shone yet. I ate half a cup of soggy noodles and I was all set. I walked to the jeepney stop, a little groggy but excited deep inside, to find out that the supply of jeepneys was scarce on Saturday mornings. So, I hailed a cab and arrived 10 minutes before time for departure to Taal.

I was able to find a good seat beside the window but my friend had to endure the jump seat on the aisle. I couldn’t offer mine because I knew my back would complain if I gave up my seat so I didn’t. I got the back pain nonetheless.

And the journey began. (Long introductions are truly amazing and disappointing at the same time when they don’t really have a point.)

Lo and behold the view from Phivolcs Station. The white things lining up the horizon are settlements and fish ponds along the lake’s shore.

That’s Mr. Boatman and Binintiang Malaki (background, the one you usually see on postcards). The ride was great. The view was great. I enjoyed looking at white and black birds looming around the lake. I enjoyed the little splashes of water until our group leader mentioned something about the high fecal matter content of the lake. Imagine the horror painted on our faces right that moment.

Approximately an hour of walking under the scorching midday sun led us to one high point overlooking Taal’s main crater. See that chunk of rock in the middle of the lake? That’s the famous island within an island (Taal) within an island (Luzon).

After an additional 20-minute steep walk, we arrived at the lakeshore. It was the first time I felt savage hunger lurk within the depths of my existence. Yes. Remember the soggy noodles for breakfast? That was seven long hours before lunch. And I usually get hungry every after two hours.

We left the main crater after an hour and walked through scary 6-foot grasses through 2 feet-wide trails. I wore shorts that day because I knew that wearing pants would strain my muscles more and just slow me down. I went pale when I saw the tall talahib grasses. I knew I won’t come out of the trails unscratched. Until now, my legs and arms still feel itchy from minor scratches and rashes. After the winding trail, the view of this compacted sedimentary rock washed half of the stress away.

Next came Mount Tabaro. The field trip organizers told us about its violent eruption in 1965 killing approximately 200 people. The remnants of the eruption are still visible up to this date. Aa flow covered several parts of the plain beside Mount Tabaro. In addition, huge black basaltic rocks were scattered all over the place.

The worst, which also turns out to be the best part of the trip is the boat ride back to Phivolcs Station. Mid-afternoon’s winds were strong and going back to the station was a hell lot of fun due to strong waves splashing against the boat’s front. Yes, it’s called the counterflow. I’m not a swimmer and the lake looked totally creepy. I freaked out several times because the boat really rocked straight through the waves. My stomach kept lurching and it felt like my guts were going to spill out of my mouth. That was the kind of terror that boat ride showed me. And after 15 minutes of shock, I finally conquered my fear.

The Taal experience was wonderful. I just wish the tourists and the local people get to take care of the place better. And please, the price of bottled drinking water was a bit over the top.

To those who also want to experience Taal, set the date on a December when the weather’s cold and sunny. Also, take with you a few liters of water to replenish fluids. Oh, if you still have extra money with you, go rent a horse. You’ll be able to enjoy the scenery way better. No painful feet, no scratches, no rashes, no sweat. But, I’d still go for the long hard walk. My complaints would never be justified without it.

Exotic Candon Beaches

I was in Vigan when my mom decided to take a break from her usual business mood and visit our relatives in Candon, Ilocos Sur. Candon is approximately an hour and a half drive from Vigan. The city boasts of kalamay, a native delicacy made of coconut jam, and exotic beaches lined with corals, tall coconut trees, and warm seaweed-hospitable waters. My siblings and I were thrilled when we heard the news. So there, we all jumped in the car with excited faces after packing stuff to hit the beach with.

The trip to Candon abounds with delightful scenery. The highway serves as a boundary between luscious green mountains and clear blue coasts.

We arrived at our cousins’ place safe and still full of energy for the activities of the afternoon. Their backyard is an open field of coconut trees and a few meters away, the beach awaits.

The food is always topnotch: fresh catch straight to the grill.

The beaches are a home to a rich ecosystem of seaweeds and eels. This can be weird and even disgusting to some. But to many others who seek and love exotic places, Candon is a great sight to behold and experience.

The most wonderful thing about this place is it’s very clean and quiet. The beach is still far from the city’s center and only a few know of it. I had a good time just resting my head and looking out to this view in a hammock and a glass of fresh buko juice in my hand. A good book would have made it even better.

The Impurity of Light

Pretty white spots drop like snow. They make me think of cold fingers traveling every inch of my skin. They remind me of the emptiness I feel. Still, I can not deny myself the soothing sensation they provide my weary soul. Treacherous, you are.

Now I’m left with what little hope these fleeting things can offer, a madness beyond pardon. I know you. You will not forgive.

Rock Infinitum Part 2

A mllion thanks to all our sponsors: Slobberchops Sports Bar, Home Guaranty Corporation, Foamy Brews Music Bar, Dawal Beach Resort, KEAANA, Alvin Lights and Sounds, Cabrera Brothers, TJ’s Clear Art, Dicor Technologies, KE UST Alumni, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Garces, Mr Jose Chanyungco Jr., Mr Andre Alip, and Mr Rocky Cabato for the support and participation in the event.

There, I’m actually getting tired of thanking people and companies whose probability of seeing this post ever is close to nada.

The night was fun. Seeing dear old faces, meeting new people, listening to live music, having really good laughs, destressing after being stressed, all these rolled in one big night. It was great getting to know the bands who shared their talents with us. And priceless is the time I spent with my dearest friends especially those I rarely see. I’m looking forward to organizing more events such as this if I can get more people to come together and spend time to savor these little moments that make this topsy turvy world a sweeter place to live in.

Rock Infinitum 2009 Part 1

Krus Na Ligas: The Point of Origin

I remember that 10th of October afternoon when Mike, Nikki, and I were sipping our regular dose of cheap coffee and talking about common stuff common people talk about. We three were bored to death that we thought of organizing an event, a rock band competition in particular, triggered by our “kakainggit noh?” feeling in reference to our brothers’ and sisters’ annual RocKEumentary in UP Mindanao. Ideas came rushing down after and finding a venue was the only thing left to do. In a few minutes, Bro Willie Zamora replied via SMS and agreed to hold the event in his own Slobberchops Bar. Three similar smiles of excitement were instantly painted on our faces. We knew we could pull it off.

And we did. Two months of irregular sleep writing down, proofreading, and revising all kinds of letters from proposals to receipts to authorizations, a month of cracked voices and heated keypads from calling and texting sponsors  and friends, a month of painful feet and aching muscles from walking and commuting from UP to Makati to Ayala to Shaw and back: all these paid off as we headed home after the event this early morning.

Thanks to Ariane Cinco’s shot of the electric guitar and Levi Lusterio’s initial design. Thanks to Cams, Nico, Mitz, Badj, and all those who helped out in the preparations and inspired us to keep pushing forward despite rejections, conflicts, and fatigue. More thank you’s on my next update.