August 31, 2006

Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union

The beach property project is underway as of yesterday afternoon when the men of Madrid Construction broke ground. They didn't want to begin today due to a spuerstition or belief that it is unlucky to start at the last day of the month. So today they continue breaking ground for all the 100+ cement posts they will erect for the perimeter of the lot. Hopefully, with the 5 men working there they will be able to finish this first step before any storm arrives - which they predict will be here soon.

Peter was there this morning hoping that there would be some surf. Unfortunately, there wasn't any. He was leaving the beach when he met up with the enginner, Jess and one of his men. They were able to clarify with the next door caretaker the property line to make sure that there won't be any problem with him in the future. Now that's taken cared of we are all set to go. My dad will be travelling by car from Manila today. He's quite excited, I guess, with this project. My brother has sent us his beautiful design for the property and we all agree that his ideas and our ideas merge. The canopy of trees covering the property are priceless. My brother plans to build around them and include that big reef rock by the entrance of the property to be part of the theme.

My Lola/grandma was impressed by the design my brother made and would really love to see this project happen in her lifetime. Hopefully, now with the ball rolling this will be granted to her.

The project aside, I am enjoying my visit here with my Lola and my little niece, Marianne (1 yr. old who thinks and acts like a 30 yr. old), and my aunts and uncles in the compound. My Lola has been telling me stories about her and her childhood as well as her experiences traveling to the U.S. by herself on First Class, and her travels with Lolo/grandpa for 6 mos. in the U.S., and the last few months of my Lolo. I am still trying to convince her to write her memoirs while everything is still very vivid in her mind. Maybe I should by her a typewriter to get her started.

Here in Lingsat, my Lolo bought this entire compound for only 20 cents per square meter in the 40s. The lots have been divided among the 5 siblings and them and the rest of the area leased or sold. So the street was named for my late Lolo. There are still lots of possibilities here. The basic needs in the community are boarding houses or condo units for the students as well as internet cafes and restaurants to serve their immediate needs. So, if you want to invest in property, the Philippines is a great place to do it. Everything is on the rise and a lot of foreign investors have come to invest in this country. Hopefully, with all these happening around them the Filipino people will feel that there is indeed hope for a better future for them and their families.

Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union

The beach property project has begun. We have gotten surveyors to do a plan of the property. Then a cousin-in law's brother who's an engineer and who also owns a construction company came to give us an estimate for the fencing of the entire property.

Yesterday, Noel, my cousin-in law, took us to Barangay San Agustin - a depressed area where the local government with the help of The Netherlands gave some 45 families compost toilet units. These compost toilets are made of nice looking plastic toilet units - one for washing, like a bidet, and one for the urine and feces - all you need to do is move forward if you are urinating and move backward for the latter, in Tagalog they say "atras abante". The newer models are already made of ceramic and are nice to look at - not like the bucket and hole Peter made in the Chinese Campsite in Keokea. The units we saw were actually the first ones installed in the barangay. The owner, Carmen, took us to meet the Barangay Captain. He told us that we could actually get free units for the beach property because their main aim is to spread the use of compost toilets in the area.

So now we are coordinating with my brother, who already has a design for the property, to start doing some site clearing once the fence has been erected. He just sent us his plans and they looke great!

While we wait for cost estimates and plans, we hang out in my grandma's property, read books and just watch the people er children pass by.

My grandma's property is located right next door to the Elementary School and St. Louis University. The area is filled with students especially before school, during recess and after school. This internet place, Netopia, is always packed with students at recess and after school, mostly to play computer games. Some of the children come to my aunty Esther's store to buy toys, candies and other interesting children's stuff. One time Peter was walking back home from Netopia when he saw a group of small kids crowding this vendor selling flavored pink ice slush. He said seeing them try to buy a cup is just too cute. Even at my aunty's store, I'd see them come excitedly from school and going straight for the toy display shelf and looking up at the assorted goodies they would want to buy. Some of them, Aunty says, have so much money you wouldn't imagine a child could possess. But there are also some that don't have enough to pay for the toys. One thing is sure, though, anything that these children like will bring you enough business.

Hmmm...how about a Fun Factory type of business right in the property? Also, apartment or boarding houses are big here since we are so close to the University and the Lorma School of Nursing. There's really so much oportunities here for foreign investors.

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My relatives here in Lingsat really show their love and appreciation by feeding us at all times of the day. Peter and I were just at my Aunty Esther's store where it gets a good breeze and very relaxing. The next thing she was already feeding us arroz caldo or congee. Before that she made pancit or noodles and gave some to us. Even my grandma feels she needs to cook for us all the time. But last night we were so stuffed that we had to convince her we will not be eating dinner. Even for breakfast, because we don't eat heavy on that meal, she too decided she won't eat. I guess it's also good for her.

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Lanzones is beginning its season. I am enjoying every morsel I eat since I haven't had this fruit for 4 years now. My thumbs will get brown and rough from the skin sap - a reminder that I've eaten too much lanzones. YUM!!!!

Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union

We took the Viron Transit Bus from Manila to La Union last Friday. From my parents' house in Lagro we took the jeepeney to the Petron Station in North Fairview to get a cab. We were fortunate to hail a cab in a few minutes. Along the way on every highway there were people lining up in the streets for the Green Philippine Highways project. Some rubber-neckers made traffic worse. Fortunately though the cab brought us to the bus station just in time for us to catch the bus leaving for Vigan.

The bus ride took about 6 hours stopping twice only in between. For about 398 pesos or $7, we travelled 277km north. It was a nice day for riding in the bus, we got to see beautiful sceneries along the way, as well as the long lines of people who participated in the Greening project.

In San Fernando City, the Viron Transit has its station in Lingsat. We got off a few meters before at my grandma's place. They were surprised that we came without even letting them know, except for grandma/lola. We were hungry when we arrived at 3 p.m. so we went to the local mall, CSI (Costsaver's Supermart, Inc.) and had lunch at Shakey's - yeah, it is still strong here in the Philippines and their choices more varied that Pizza Hut.

Of course, home cooked meal by Lola or Imelda, the househelp, is always part of the vacation. And always deliccious!

Saturday, Dad Dan and Auntie Casilda came down from Baguio to visit with us and the four of us visited the gravesite of Lolo Maximino, Lola Gregoria and Auntie Dorcas in Bacnotan, La Union. We also took a look at our beach property in San Juan. Then went back to Lingsat to have lunch at my Lola's house, of course. We have a wonderful time talking story with each other.

After lunch Dad Dan and Auntie Casilda left to drive back up to Baguio. Dad Dan was the guest preacher at the Baguio Church the next day.

Sunday, Peter wanted to surf but the waves weren't big enough. So we lazed around at home and waitied for lunch provided by my cousin's next door. My cousin LenLen is married to Noel who is a very good cook also. He was the one who prepared the grilled tuna, roast pork with dinuguan (blood) sauce, sinigang na hipon - shrimp in sour soup, and dinakdakan - grilled ear of pig with pig's brain, this one's really good! We were all stuffed after eating the scrumptious meal and the ice cream for dessert. My nieces and nephews were simply enjoying the desserts.

That same day, for dinner, we got tricked into treating them all at Max's Fried Chicken (the famous chicken restaurant here in the Philippines). We were actually invited by Renmar, LenLen's brother, to eat there but then he turned around and asked us if we were going to pay for it. This is what they're good at here so we ended up paying for the dinner for 14 people - for only $80.

Today Peter and I are happy that the beach property project seems to be starting with our prodding. The Surveyer went there this morning and did the survey of the property. Tomorrow we will canvass for fence posts in Bauang so we can begin the fencing of the entire property.

We might decided to stay here longer if this project starts this week. Anyway, if I'm not able to post, it's because I might be busily doing some clearing in the beach property or just too lazy to go out in the heat.

Anyway, we're both doing well and are very well fed, I mean, VERY WELL FED!

Till next post...

August 14, 2006

Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte

Sunday morning Peter and I woke up really early to get ready for our planned outing with the newlyweds, their officemates, and the groom's parents and brothers. Bootsie, PingPing, Nate and family, weren't able to come along as both Boots and PingPing weren't feeling good at that time and Nate and family needed to catch a flight back to Manila that noon. We were picked up at around 7 am instead of the planned 6 am. Breakfast was served at the Velasco (Jigger's in-laws) house in the city. Their home is one of the old houses built around the spanish occupation. Everything was made of solid wood. Anyway, Peter and I only ate the suman (steamed sweet sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf) and a steamed chocolate rice cake (which the muslims used to bring on their trek to Mecca in the olden days because this lasts quite awhile). They go together really well. By 8 a.m. we were on our way to one of Dapitan's tourist resort, Dakak. It took about 45 minutes to get there. On our way though we passed by a local supermart to buy bottled water and snacks to bring inside the resort (because if we bought it there it would cost double). The road to the resort was long and winding via a narrow cemented road the snaked the side of the mountain. Dakak is on the bay nestled in between to peaks. The water was a bit rough and kind of clear. The sand was an off-white color. The resort has its variety of swimming pools, cottages, gardens, play areas, and restaurants. We paid an entrance fee of PHP200 per person - about 40 cents). With the fee includes a free drink and snack provided by the resort - one small bottled soda and half a sandwich and cheese roll. Jigger and Joyce, the newlyweds, along with Rose (the office mate at the Call Center in Cebu), jigger's brothers, Eric and Aji, went straight for the ocean. The rest of us lounged near the beach wall. Peter and I walked around the resort to see what else they offered. We even hiked up the side of the hill to get to an old, quaint chapel they had built. Saw their clay tennis courts. Wished we had brought our rackets. After hiking and getting so hot and sweaty, we both went into the water to cool off. The tide got higher and the waves a bit more rough. I only stayed in for a few minutes then showered. The water wasn't as clean as I thought but at least it cooled my entire body from the heat. After everyone has had their fill of the ocean we boarded our van and went to Rizal Shrine (again!) to eat our lunch of lechon manok (roast chicken) and bread. Two small whole chicken and two loaves of bread fed all 14 of us. Quite surprising really. I am used to seeing more portions served for the number of people there were. But it's good though because we all had to think about the others and not overeat. We were dropped off at the hotel before the rest of them, except for the newlyweds, had to be dropped off at the Port to catch their slow boat to Cebu. By the time we got the the hotel, Nate and family had already left for the airport and Boots and Pingping for the Port, too. That same afternoon Peter and I went to my mom's ancestral home to ask someone to bring us to Gulayon so we could visit our relatives there. The day before we arrived in Dipolog we heard the news that my mom's first cousin, Aunty Nimfa, died of a heart attack while gardening in the field. Her family lives in Gulayon, where Joyce - Jigger's wife's family also lives. They all know each other. Anyway, Iyay Mending took us to visit the wake of Aunty Nimfa. There I met my other relatives I haven't met before: Aunty Nemia - an Austrian Consul's wife living in Seychelles, Aunty Nellie - living in Chicago, Aunte Naida - living in Zamboanga City, Uncle Jupiter - living in Tondo, Manila, Marnie and Noli - my cousin, the daughter of Aunty Nimfa, and her husband, Bobby - Marnie's brother, Aunty Ging - another cousin of my mom's. And many more. It was a reunion of sorts but sadly as a result of an unfortunate circumstance. We stayed there for about 3 1/2 hours just talking story and getting to know each other more.

Asia Mall (SM), Manila Bay

Yesterday morning we were getting ready to go to Asia Mall when Peter felt his stomach feel weird with some sharp pains. He took his Milk Thistle herb for his daily dose to clean the blood system when he felt a bad reaction in his gut. He read the fine print on the bottle label and saw that if you have any intestinal disorder do not take the herb. Too late. He was really having a hard time lying down as it feels worse that way so he just sat on the chair, head down, and trying to visualize healing. I was a bit concerned because it felt like Berlin all over again. In 2003 when we were in Berlin he got sick and so weak due to bad instestinal bacteria eating him up inside. Literally. This time it was almost the same except that he was just in pain from the morning until early afternoon then felt better in the later hours. As usual I told him to simply fast on water the whole day. While he recuperated, I took that time to do more cleaning around the house, checking under the beds to see if there are more stuff to give away. Yep, indeed, there were more things that were so old that it either had to be thrown away or given away.

It was a blessing that the reaction to his stomach happened just before we left the house. Otherwise we would have been on the bus or MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and probably have gone straight to the hospital.

Anyway, that's over now. He's much better already - even thinking about what he wants to eat here at Asia Mall.

This morning we took a bus to the Victory Liner station to check on times and fares for our trip to La Union tomorrow morning. Then we took another bus to the nearest MRT station in Cubao. From there we took the MRT straight on to Taft Avenue - which took only 20 minutes or less. From Taft Avenue we got a jeepney that goes into Asia Mall. Very convenient and very fast!

Asia Mall is located on top of reclaimed land along the Manila Bay. It's so enormous that it spans about a quarter to a half mile. The design makes use of the cool breeze coming from the bay. The main sections of the mall are air conditioned but if you want to hang out at a cafe or restaurant or listen to concerts they are all located outdoors in the breezy section. They have 2 IMAX theaters, about 12 full screen theaters, Ice Skating Rink, loads of restaurants with a variety of cooking style, loads of food carts, tons of small stores, internet cafes, etc. One would have to spend the entire day just going around the place. And to try out all the restaurants would take about half a year or so. But do not come here when it is a holiday or a weekend because it will just be too crowded. If you live in a place like Maui, you would have culture shock or people shock or loud sound shock - all of the above!

Today the mall is pretty quiet, not too many people, so it is quite nice to stroll and see everything Mall of Asia has to offer. Later I'm sure we will have a hard time choosing where to eat lunch.

Tomorrow we leave for San Fernando, La Union via Dominion Transit or Viron Transit. My next post will be from Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union.

SM City, Edsa, Quezon City

Monday, Ninoy Aquino Memorial Holiday
Usually if it's a holiday in Hawaii we go to the beach or do something outdoors. Here in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila, everyone goes to SM (the largest malls with branches all over the Philippines and now with the recent MALL OF ASIA, located at the reclaimed area near Manila Bay). People from all walks of life spends their free time in SM or some other big mall around the area. Outside, in the main highways and small city roads, it is congested with lots of cars. Inside it is congested with too many people. Traffic along the corridors, the walkway, everywhere is too much to handle if you're not used to large crowds of people. So, being that it was a holiday and that everyone is at the Mall, we decided to just stay at home. Anyway, I was in the midst to doing a major clean up at my parent's house and, if you know me, I usually do not let up until everything has been cleaned.

This cleaning began Saturday and finished Monday night. Now I feel I can relax. Hay.....

Tuesday, Project 6 at the home of Auntie Casilda
Peter and I went to visit Dad and Auntie Casilda. A half hour after we have arrived Nate, Neala and her cousin, came from Paco. We had a great time talking story with them. Telling them about our adventures and our trips. Neala and I were fortunate to have been given free Japanese gifts from Auntie Casilda. Nate got some Sake and Tea Cookies and other extras. We had our own "home shopping" experience.

The entire day was just a wonderful time of sharing. We hope to do some more of this as we see each other again maybe in La Union and Bohol or in Maui.

Thanks for the delicious home cooked lunch, the desserts, and the gifts - Dad and Auntie Casilda.

SM Lagro, Quezon City

Saturday, Aug. 19 -
Peter went to see his Dad in Project 6 and hoped to play tennis with him. I decided to do some house cleaning since it's tiring to go out in all the traffic and pollution. Boy, my parents got an imported maid. Lucky for them. :-P I cleaned and cleaned and still I haven't finished.

The weather was beginning to get dark by the time my parents left for choir practice. My sinus was acting up too. True to my sinus forecast, it rained that afternoon just as soon as Peter came back from Proj. 6. (He had an adventure when he rode the jeepney to get there as well as when he took the FX - a/conditioned public cab coming back to Lagro).

That night the rain poured so hard, it felt like a huge dam was being dumped on our roof. By golly, it was the first time in years that I've heard it rain this hard. And, to them this was not the hardest it had rained. Well, it's monsoon season so we should expect some rain quite frequently.

Sunday, Aug. 19 -
My parents left for Church at around 7 a.m. Peter and I followed an hour or so later. It was still raining and Peter felt he'd rather stay in but I reminded him that here in the Philippines even if it rained hard people were still out and about.

We got the first jeepney out of our place. It was an empty jeep, which was the worst choice. We could have gotten that jeep and got out in Fairview where we could have gotten a taxi or fx which could have brought us to the Church on time. Because the jeep was empty he had to stop frequently to find passengers which took about more than an hour. So we missed the start of the service and missed my Aunty Marissa and her husband Johnny who were waiting for us - they are leaving tomorrow to go back to Geneva. Shucks! That means we'll have to visit them in Geneva again. :-P

The guest speaker at church this morning was the Rev. Dr. Ed Agnir, who was a former UPCYMian and minister at CRL. He is in the Philippines to attend the Silliman Founder's day celebration beginning this 24th until the 28th. The CRL choir sang well this morning - one John Rutter and one Dougles Warner song.

Tito Manny drove us home in his car. But before that my dad treated us to the Sangkalan restuarant in Fairview. Thank goodness for frat brods, we got a free ride home.

Soon after arriving home Peter and I got ready to come here to do some long awaited posting. Hopefully, the next post won't be that long.

SM Lagro, Quezon City

Friday. Aug. 18 -
This was our last morning in Dumaguete. We woke up a bit late and decided to eat the fruits we had left - a whole marang fruit, a few bunches of tart lanzones and others. Instead of going into town to pass the time we decided to just stay in the compound to spend time with our relatives. First with Bootsie and husband, Ramonette. They showed us around their house and talked story with them. Second with Aunty Cherry and her maids, Lina and Judith, to have some "butong", young coconut, snack before Aunty Cherry goes to the hospital for a check up. She definitely looks great and acts normal, she no longer laughs and cries but rather she respond to anybody who talks to her. Next, we visited with Aunty Grace and lastly, with Andy (PingPing was still under the weather). Andy had asked Edwin, our caretaker, to open more butong for us. We sat under the tree in front of the Shalom house and had our snack. The weather was nice and refreshingly cool. By 12 noon, he drove us to airport, less than a mile a way.

At the Dumaguete Airport, we met Johndie Flavier, our old friend from Church who is also the son of Senator Johnny Flavier. He talked to us about his organization that helps men be educated about vasectomy - to help with the over population problem in the Philippines. He is not actually a barrio doctor like his dad but he's got the drive and motivation to help the local Filipinos. He and his wife, Patet, help this organization called C-Men (I'll post the meaning of this acronym later).

Back in Manila after an hour and 5 minutes, we took a cab out of the airport. About two miles, the cab driver said his brakes weren't working so had us take another cab. Some cab drivers pretend that their vehicle is not working because they actually do not want to travel to your destination if it's traffic. They simply will tell a lie to get out of driving you. The second cab we took almost got us to our destination only to have his vehicle die in the middle of a busy highway, C-5. We were fortunate to have crossed that busy area to find another cab. Finally,he took us out of our desperation and requested that an additional PHP20 be paid on top of the metered fee. Oh, boy. What an inconvenience really! That's one of the reasons I seldom take cabs here because you can never tell if the driver will take you all the way to the destination or something might happen in between. One cannot relax until you've reached the place. Anyway, I'm just so glad that we were light travelers and we didn't have big luggages with us.

The cab dropped us off at the University of the Philippines College of Education where my mom works. There we waited an hour or so for my brother to pick us up and bring us to Lagro. Peter and I refused to take the public after that experience with the cab transfers.

Finally in Lagro, we were able to relax and talk story with my mom about our adventures in her hometown of Dipolog and our experiences in Dumaguete as well as show her all the pictures we took on the trip.

SM Lagro, Quezon City

This post will be a summary of the last few days (from Thursday to Sunday).

Thursday, August 17 -
Peter and I had a good night's sleep at the payag because we had installed the new mosquito net we purchased at Malatapay the previous day. We woke up rather early and decided to try the local breakfast of bugbug kabog - sticky rice in banana leaf, and hot tableya - dark cacao drink to dip the bugbug kabog in. We took the jeepney into town and stopped at the tiangge, city market, to go to the pa-initan, the place where we can get hot food and snacks.

The city market is located a bit off-center. Produce are found in one section, the meat in one, the supplies in another. The place to have something to eat is right near the pedicab stops. You have a choice of where to have your breakfast, lunch or dinner. Vendors, with their prepared foods and drinks, lined up at one section with their benches and tables. The customer would already have their usual place, if you are a local, but for a visitor, you would have to just choose with your nose and eyes, or if someone has recommended a place.

We grabbed the bench and sat down. Immediately after sitting a girl came up getting our orders. Of course, budbud kabog and hot tableya for us. The budbud was a lot thinner and smaller from what we remember it used to be. The taste wasn't as good as when some locals bought it for us. This time it was just for tasting's sake.

After we had our breakfast we walked into town passing by the old Catholic Church and the plaza. We went around some shops looking for fish netting to put over the roof of the house to prevent the birds from grabbing the leaves for their nests. Fish nets were hard to find around these parts so we decided to just go straight to the Buglas Bamboo Institute near the end of the city limits. There we were able to talk with the sales assistants about helping us treat the bamboo house once and for all before the termites or birds or mice eat it. This BBI is an NGO (non-government organization) started by Hans and Franz, both Danes married to local Filipinas. Any bamboo house or furniture they make are 100% treated bamboo and will last more than 20 years. The sales assistant said that the payag can still be treated so it will last longer. Hopefully, the surveyor will check the property and give us good recommendations on how to improve the payag - bamboo house.

Now that was accomplished, Peter felt a bit better knowing that someone will take a look at the house and hopefully improve it.

We had lunch at the Lee Super Plaza food court eating some of our favorite local dishes for only $5-6. Then we took the Sibulan jeepney back to the house. We rested a bit until our 4:30 pm appointment with the owner of Jo's Chicken Inato restaurant - 21 branches all over the Philippines. Andy, Peter's cousin PingPing's husband, was a classmate of Josephine in Piapi, Dumaguete. He's a retired Colonel, Chief Chaplain with the Armend Forces. He knew that Peter and I were interested in looking at properties around the Visayas and that we're quite fond of unique places. Josephine has a 5 hectare property in Ahong which overlooks the island of Cebu. The property is called Our Lady's Garden. As we drove through the highway your eyes will focus on this huge monument/statue of Mary standing tall on the left side of the road. The steep incline is landscaped beautifully with assorted flowering shrubs and ornamental trees. One could actually walk up the steep incline through the 12 stations of the cross to get to the foot of the statue.

We drove up the narrow winding driveway lined with rock formations with bonsai plants and other ornamental flowers and trees. As we go through the bridge walkway, we see a vast area overlooking a spectacular view of the rolling hills of Negros Oriental. We also see three bamboo huts (made by BBI) symbolizing the three main islands of the Philippines - Luzon (with the Ifugao Hut and replica of the rice terraces), Visayas (with the replica of the Chocolate Hills of Bohol) and Mindanao (with the Muslim design roof). Still in construction is the cross-shaped chapel that will only fit 12 people. A very nice place for a garden wedding.

We got to tour around the entire area and to hear Jo's humble beginnings in the early 70s and how they managed to succeed despite marrying at the age of 15 and 21. Her story is full of inspiring messages for anybody who is fortunate to hear it. (I hope to write about it when I can spend more time posting.) We stayed there from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We really appreciated her generous time and hospitality. Thanks to Manong Andy, too, for if not for him we would not be able to visit this extraordinary place.

Since Jo told us about her restaurant and their specialty, Andy took us to Jo's Chicken Inato for our dinner. The chicken was the best! Unfortunately, the Buko Halo specialty was all sold out. Shucks! Next time...

During dinner Andy told us lots of stories about his teen age years and also about his experiences as a Military Chaplain and ultimately the Chief Chaplain for all the Armend Forces. Very interesting guy. As a newly retired person, he is now starting a new ministry to fellow retirees - both local and foreign, by offering them opportunities to talk story everyday near the Boulevard. He parks his Westfalia VW, opens the camper, sets up his Bose speakers, brings out folding chairs and puts on the coffee percolator. Then whoever comes to check out the vehicle they invite to sit with them for a cup. His opening line is: What do you want to do for the rest of your life? Now he has more than 5 regular retirees. They jog in the Boulevard for an hour, do Bible Study and maybe talk about their stories. He said they will call this ministry, Wayside Ministry: We care for your Souls, We care for your Bodies and We care for your Volkswagen!

We got back to Maslog at almost 11 p.m. This was the first time we were out late, and we were with a retiree too. How funny is that!

Silliman Unversity, Dumaguete City -

(If my grammar or spelling is off, please bear with me because as I type my post I have to do it quickly for fear of rolling black outs.)

Peter and I met Bootsie at the Bethel Hostel right in town and across from the Boulevard. As soon as she was free we took a pedicab to the jeepney stand for Zamboanguita. Our itinerary was Malatapay.

Malatapay is a happening place every Wednesday. This is the place where all vendors come to sell their wares, their produces, their animals. This is also the place where tourists can take a small pump boat to go to Apo Island. And for locals to hang out in rented huts and cottages along the beach. There were so much stuff being sold. Mostly food, dried salted fish, fresh seafood and wares for the house. Right near the beach are small covered places that offer fresh seafood for lunch. The three of us chose one place and had puso - rice cooked in a small coconut leaf woven basket-type, fish soup, grilled fish and lechon - roasted pork. The food was cheap and fresh and yummy!

After lunch we headed back home to Maslog as Bootsie needed to get ready for her two party engagements that day. Boots is the local party clown. I'll upload the pictures of her and Gaga all dressed for the party and riding a red pedicab - as soon as the connection is faster and better (which might take a while.)

The rest of the day was just spent relaxing at the Payag.

Then dinner was at Aunty Grace and Uncle Joel's house. A delicious seafood dinner.

Silliman University, Dumaguete City -

Before anything else let me just apologize for not posting daily. It is not easy to go to an internet cafe in Maslog (where Peter's family lives). We'd have to go into the city to check our email and post. Of course our relatives in Maslog do have computers and internet connection but we wouldn't want to inconvenience them. So, it takes me a day or two before I am able to post. So please bear with me.

Prior to our arrival here in Dumaguete City, in Dipolog, we spent some time with my mom's cousins in Gulayon. We were met by Aunty Nemia and Uncle Jupiter at Hotel Camila to bring us to her property in Hikayas - an upcountry place that overlooks the ocean, the airport and the city. If you are on an airplane and are descending into Dipolog airport you could actually see the big upside down "U" shaped house with red tiled roof.

Aunty Nemia's house is still in the construction phase. The walls and roof are in place. According to her the contract says that everything will be finished in 150 days. Looking out you could see great views of the city and the ocean. It's like Upcountry Maui but warmer. The breeze from the ocean does bring cool wind to make the place really "hayahay" (comfortable).

While we were up there Aunty Nemia called her nephew, Noli, to ask if we could set an appointment with the seller of the neighboring lot to see their property. It turns out the owner was free to take us around that morning. So we waited for him. It wasn't long before he arrived and Peter and I went with him to check out the 2 hectare property. It is behind Aunty Nemia's and much higher except that this one, at the top, the views are even better. Walking around the property was like hiking up the 3,003 Linabo Peak in Dipolog, except that this didn't have steps. Peter and I are quite interested in the property. As we got down to Aunty Nemia's place we expressed our interest in purchasing the property. Since we were leaving for Dumaguete the next day we decided to let Aunty Nemia be our representative to talk with the owner some more and negotiate the price and terms. Hopefully, if this is the property for us, everything will happen while we're still in the country.

We went back to Gulayon for lunch. My cousin, Bobby or Beboy, i forgot, cooked all the viands. The best one was made with unripe jackfruit and made into a stew-type dish. Really good! What we've noticed so far with the food being served (well, in Dipolog so far) are all meats. Not a hint of anything green. So when they served us the jackfruit stew we both went for it. After lunch Peter and I excused ourselves and left for the city to get some time to relax and just do nothing.

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The morning of Tuesday, Peter and I went back to the Dipolog City Market to buy one medium sized durian for our breakfast. We had the guy pry the segments open so it was easy for us to get to the seeds. We ate the durian by the Dipolog Boulevard. At least the odor of the durian will immediately dissipate.

We had about a couple of hours to spare before we needed to go to the port in Palauan. We just hung out at the hotel. Relaxed and took a short nap. By 12 noon we checked out of the hotel and the driver took us to the port. At 1 p.m. the Ocean Jet (fast ferry) left the port to Dumaguete and Cebu. We were fortunate that, this time, the ocean was much calmer than when Nate and family rode the ocean jet to Dipolog. The trip took us one Shrek 2 movie and a short part of a Madagascar movie - less than 2 hours.

Peter's cousin-in law, Andy (a retired military chaplain and avid VW enthusiast and restorer) picked us up from the port using his fully restored old VW van. It's a beaut.

In Maslog, we settled into the Payag. Visited Aunty Cherry, recovering from a recent operation after suffering from aneurysm. Peter spent a few moments doing reiki on her, which she felt (she's quite sensitive to energies). Then we took the jeep into town to buy some bottled water and have some snack since we haven't had any real meal that day.

Back in Maslog, dinner was served at Andy and PingPing's house. Unfortunately, PingPing was still feeling under the weather so she wasn't able to join us. Bootsie soon joined us too after arriving from work at the University.

The Newlyweds along with Joyce's brother came bringing their wedding pictures. They had a 2 hour layover from the slow boat to Cebu so they took a pedicab and visited with Aunty Cherry first before visiting with us at Andy's house. They left a half hour later so Peter and I thought we should head on back to the Payag.

Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte (in Southern Philippines) -

I woke up early on Saturday morning. Excited to go to the market and buy more marang fruit (somethingl like jackfruit but smaller, the meat is white and much sweeter) and maybe a durian fruit. Peter and I invited our cousin Bootsie to come with us. The three of us walked to the market - about 10 minutes walk. At the market we saw all the marang fruit in season. This fruit only lasts a day or two so it cannot be exported even to the next province or Manila. When you buy it that day it needs to be consumed in the same day. We bought 4 marang fruits for PHP15.00 (about 20 cents each). We also bought a huge durian fruit. Yum!!!

Instead of walking back to the hotel we took a pedicab (a 100cc motorbike with a sidecar that can accommodate 3-4 people inside). Back at the hotel, the three of us went immediately for the durian fruit. It was so yellow and so fat and sooooo delicious! We had about 2-3 seeds each and were quite full after that. But we didn't want to waste the marang fruit so we opened one for the day. Just couldn't help but gush all over the fruit as we ate the meaty seeds. Really ONOlicious!!!

While we were still finishing our marang fruit Nate and family came knocking at our door wanting to go down to the Sunburst restaurant for breakfast. For Peter and I, the fruits were already our breakfast. But for them, it has to be something warm and heavy. So Bootsie, Peter and I went with them. At the restaurant, Nate and family ordered the Filipino breakfast (choice of longganiza, beef tapa, spicy sardines - which Dipolog is known for, and other Filipino meats, with egg). Bootsie, too, ordered the same. While Peter and I just had something to drink. Later, Peter brought down the mangos we also bought at the market.

After everyone has had their fill and was raring to do something we separated ways: Nate and Neala to the internet cafe next door, and the rest of us to the Dipolog Mall (very small) to buy stuff we needed for the wedding and to snack on later. We only had a couple of hours before we were going to be picked up by the Groom. After the mall, Peter and Bootsie went to take a nap, Nate and family were still at the internet cafe, while I lounged in front of the TV.

By 12:30 pm we got ready for the wedding. Cousin PingPing arrived from Dumaguete a few minutes earlier and was having her lunch at Sunburst so we all went there and kept her company. It was close to 2 pm (the time the wedding was supposed to begin) when the Groom arrived. It was also about the time the Bride was coming down the hotel stairs to get to her Bridal car. So the Groom had to close his eyes to make sure he doesn't see her before the wedding. Anyway, by 2 pm we all, including the Groom's family, were on our way to the church in Galas.

The wedding was a typical Filipino wedding that incorporates a regular mass with communion. Peter and I were secondary sponsors in charge of lighting the candles. PingPing was also one and was in charge of the cord. At this wedding the priest also served as the cantor and the "american idol" song leader. He really had a great voice. Peter thought it was funny to hear the priest sing as if he were singing at a karaoke bar. After the wedding he even rendered on love song dedicated to the newlyweds.

The reception was held near the city at the Convention center. The room was small that tables were added outside to accommodate the rest of the guests. The Roble clan were too late to find seats inside so we ended up sitting outdoors. There lots of people, lots of food and lots of fun. Peter spoke in behalf of the Roble clan. After about 2 hours the party ended. Cousin Bootsie missed the reception due to a stomach ache (from the fruits we ate that morning, her body wasn't used to eating fruits like Peter and I do so she didn't feel well enough to sit through the reception. It's our fault for persuading her to eat that early in the morning. :-( ).

We walked back to Camila hotel and rested for the night. Later on though Nate came to our room to eat the rest of the marang fruit we bought that day. It was so hilarious when Peter tried to open one of the fruits. He had a hard time opening it up that Nate and I were screaming with laughter seeing him struggle so hard just to pry it open. Early that morning cousin Bootsie simply pried it open with her fingers and it came apart. This time Peter had to get some good leverage to open it - only to find out it was not ripe! Ha, ha, ha.... Nate tried the other one and in one crack it opened up willingly. All the more we laughed because of Peter's hard luck with the unripe fruit!!! :-D But, boy, the ripe fruit was truly delicious.

That was Nate's last night there. It was good that we were able to spend some time with him. (Neala and Nyvia were at the internet cafe next door till late. So we didn't get to see them before they returned to Manila.)

P.S.
Nate told me that what I wrote about eating more than 4 times a day here in the Philippines is not an exaggeration. It indeed is true, he said to me. People we've visited have fed us so much in a day that the reality of weight gain is not too far away. :-P

To be an "accidental tourist" is something one needs to a experience in his or her lifetime at least once.

This morning Peter and I left the Hotel Camila early this morning - 7:30 a.m. to be exact. Most establishments were still closed. The only ones open were the bakeries that sell hot pandesal. We wanted to look for a new place for us to eat instead of going to the downstairs restuarant. We walked east. Following whatever road we feel like checking. We found ourselves in the city market then to the Dipolog Boulevard which is like the one in Dumaguete - a boardwalk type near the ocean. This morning the ocean waves were roiling. Harder than what we've seen yesterday. The salt water pushed and formed this incredible waves that splashed into the boardwalk. I was lucky to capture this one particular wave on my digicam and set it for video. It splashed high above the boardwalk and almost drenched Peter if not for his quick reflex of running backward.

After walking the entire length of the boardwalk we decided to go a different route. We next found ourselves in one of the main streets that led to the Dipolog Bus Terminal. We learned that this was the place for us to catch a bus to Dapitan. So we went, got on the next bus to Dapitan just on a whim.

The drive to Dapitan was beautiful and short. We saw rolling green hills and quaint homes. After about a half hour of travel we reached the end of the route which was the Rizal Shrine - where the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, was exiled for four years. We walked the entire area - which we also learned Rizal acquired for himself during those years. He had a clinic, a classroom, a thinking rock where he would spend time in deep thought, a beautiful ampitheater and of course, the replica of the house he lived in. It was raining that time we were at the shrine but the canopy of trees protected us from being drenched with rain. After circling the property we took a pedicab into the plaza where we saw Rizal's monument at the center of town, the relief map of Mindanao which Rizal made out of dirt and grass. We had lunch at Jana's place for a late breakfast and early lunch.

Around 11 a.m. we took the bus to Pantalan where the Ocean Jet docks. Nathan and family plus cousin Bootsie were arriving in 45 minutes. We wanted to wait for them but there wasn't any place for us to wait. So we took the pedicab back to the crossing and took the next ride back to Dipolog.

It was serendipitous that we got back at that time because my cousin, Josephine and her youngest son, came to visit us at the hotel. We spend some time talking just before Nate and company checked into their rooms and we were taken to Gulayon for lunch with Joyce's family.

The next few hours were spent talking story with them and going back to Rizal Shrine with them, this time in a hired van. We also went to Gloria De Dapitan, a nice commercial place with food, rides and entertainment. Dinner at Gulayon followed next.

The entire day was just fun and exciting for us. To simply go where your feet take you is a great way to discover new things. I highly recommend that you try it the next time you travel.

Till next... (Tomorrow's the wedding so it might not be until Sunday for the next post.)

Mabuhay to all of you!I am unable to post in my blogspot weblog (the-globetrotters.blogspot.com or huakai69.blogspot.com) due to the slow internet connection they have here at the internet cafe in Dipolog City.We arrived Manila safely on Tuesday night. My dad met us there with his former driver (from BFAR until he retired this year). The weather is bearable but very humid. They are actually expecting two typhoons any time soon. It took us about an hour to get to my parents home in Lagro. My mom was there waiting. What was missing was the sound of barking. Their dog, Gabi, was given away to a trainer after he bit my dad's arm about three weeks ago. Gabi was, most of the time, tied up because he was just too aggressive. It worsened after awhile. Despite the deep puncture wound from the bite my dad is doing well. It was fortunate that it was him who got bit an not my mom. Anyway, this is actually a first for us not having a dog around the house. I just miss it.On Wednesay, my dad stayed home with us, being retired yet re-hired or re-cycled as a consultant for the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) for the next year. He now has the luxury of being able to go to work when he feels like it or not. Peter and I spent half the day just resting. My mom went to the University just to do some work then came back. In the afternoon we all went to SM (Shoe Mart Mall) to cool off from the humidity. There we got tickets for our trip to Bacolod for my cousin's wedding at the end of September. Had some snack at Goldilocks bakery. Peter went to the internet cafe to check emails while the three of us went shopping. BTW, because my dad is now retired he had to give up the car. So now we do not have the luxury of getting driven to and from whatever place we want to go. I am equally suprised to see him ride public transportation after being spoiled by having his own driver. It's just hard to imagine. But after riding the jeepney with him to SM I am just glad that he can still adjust to being just like the other people who only ride public. Today we took a cab from Lagro to the domestic airport dropping off my parents in between to go to their respective offices. It took more than an hour and about 400 pesos worth of fare (which is less than 10 dollars for 24+ kilometers). We were very early for our flight to Dipolog. About 2 hours early. But time went by quickly, thank goodness. It took us an hour and 15 minutes to get to Dipolog City on the north of Zamboanga (in the island of Mindanao). Dipolog City is my mom's ancestral hometown. This is where Peter's cousin, Jigger will get married to Joyce Velasco (a Dipolog native) this Saturday. We were billeted at the Camila Hotel right in front of the Capitol Building. It was a nice suprise because adjacent to the Capitol is my mom's old spanish-style house which my brother is planning to renovate into a commercial building and apartments. Joyce, Jigger, Peter and I had lunch at the Sunburst Restuarant just below Camila Hotel. Their chicken is what they are famous for. And, indeed, it was delicious. Afterl lunch, we were left to our own devices. We decided to visit my mom's family home. Fortunately, Tia Mending and her daughter was there. Her daughter, I forgot her name, saw me from outside the fence and recognized my face as someone who looks so much like Mildred or Inday, her pet name. Immediately, she came out and called out my name. It has been 28 years since I have seen and visited this place. I do not remember much except for the set up of the house. We spent a few moments talking story with them. Hopefully, we'll get the chance to visit again before we leave on the 15th.Tonight we will be having dinner at Joyce's parents house in Gulayon. And, maybe, we'll get to visit the wake of my mom's relative who passed away yesterday, also in Gulayon. I'll sign off for now....

It's the eve before our trip to the Philippines. I have done almost all that I have on my "to do" list. Only a few more items I need to do tomorrow before we leave.

The house is ready for the carpet people on Wednesday. We have left the huge furnitures for them to move while the rest were moved to our rooms. Fortunately, we do not have that much stuff so it all could fit in our rooms and the kitchen. It will be a wonderful surprise for us when we return to see new carpeting in the house. Thanks to Jack, our landlord, for taking really good care of us.

Well, I'll be getting ready for bed now so I can have an early start tomorrow.

Will post next from Manila. Mabuhay!