More Space for New Things

I finally got around to cleaning my closet and dispose some of the things I don't need and won't be needing. Thanks to Ate Ivee's insistence (courtesy of Lingkod's rummage sale thingamajigs, which by the way happens December 1 at Essel Park,  Telabastagan, City of San Fernando), I was able to motivate myself to sort out my clothes, shoes, bags and reading materials two weeks ago.

Though I know giving away some of my stuff was for a good cause, I can't help but feel a bit hesitant especially when I call to mind the memories attached to them. I also had a hard time deciding whether to give away this particular pair of skinny pants I love but rarely able to wear 'cause there's hardly any event I could wear it to. Now, it doesn't fit anymore but it crossed my mind to still keep it 'cause it might come in handy if I just lose a few pounds. Yes, I know that kind of reasoning always gets a lot of people hanging on to false hopes. Luckily, my better judgment took over.

It is a fact that if you keep a lot of old stuff in your closet, there won't be space for new ones. It’s also true in life.  You can't keep living in the past, so they say. There are things you don't need that others may want, things you want but have to dispose of 'cause it wouldn't serve its purpose anymore, things you thought you like but ultimately proves to be useless, things you lose for some reason, and yes, there are also things you still want to keep no matter how worn out and damaged they may be 'cause you still use them and they give you something no new things could ever replace. It’s kinda like the same with people. They come, they go, some you deliberately cut off from your life, others deliberately drop you, and only a handful stay. And these people that stay are the ones worth keeping, no matter how flawed they are. In apparel term, they're what you call "comfort clothes."

But what a relief it is to see all those empty hangers lying around. I just realized I've been keeping a lot of things that I don't need any more, things that someone else might find more useful. Now that I cleared some space in my closet and shoe rack, I guess it’s time to find new ones to fill it. What do I know; I might find a handful that would later become my comfort clothes.       

What Curfew?

I did get a text message from my sister about the curfew, but what the heck, we already scheduled this meeting before anybody had a clue of what Trillanes was up to.

This is how we talk about politics (mostly on the local side)... over coffee and chips (preferably Oishi). If Goi wasn't such a Cinderella ('cause of some errand her sister asked her to do), we'd probably have time to cover 3rd District as well, hehe. I did beat the 12 midnight curfew. Got home at 10 minutes before 12 mn. =p

Windy and Far-Flung Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

October 28-29, 2007. The last stop to our Ilocos trip, though we spent less than 24 hours in this place. From Vigan City we had to ride a bus to Laoag City for an hour and a half, then another hour and a half to Pagudpud. We arrived at Polaris Beach Resort in Barangay Saud at past 5pm with light rain tailing us. From the town of Bangui (where the windmills are), you'll already feel the strong winds and see the cloudy skies ahead. I almost expected a storm ('cause that's how it felt like). The owner of the resort said that the gloomy weather is normal in Pagudpud in the months of October to December. Nevertheless, its no bad timing for me as I was able to get good shots of the beach and the weather's just fine with the sun hiding behind the clouds. Good thing the rain was light enough to ignore. The waves though are too strong even at low tide, its a bit scary swimming specially if you're not that good like me (that's South China Sea for you).




Despite the delay in arriving at the resort and a few glitches with the resort's service (paghintayin ba naman ang mga gutom), we were able to enjoy the last hours of our stay, though we weren't able to see the Cape Bojeador lighthouse and the Bangui Windmills up close as there wasn't enough time for a side trip. The long walk to the rocky beach past Saud Beach Resort and all the other hotels was comforting because of the view and the windy weather. I don't even remember seeing most of the sights though I've been to Pagudpud 7 years ago. Perhaps the weather gives it a different look... or maybe its more developed now that's why its a bit unrecognizable apart from its golden sands and strong waves.



We almost got delayed checking out of the resort because we couldn't get enough of the view. I took more than 200 shots in Pagudpud beach alone... and that's only in a span of 3 hours. Our swimming time was only about 20 minutes on our way back to the resort, and we forgot to apply sunblock. We thought we wouldn't be able to swim because of the weather, but with a beach as beautiful as this, who could resist?

The Ilocos Highway

The road to Ilocos is long and winding and filled with great sights. Its a nature lover's delight that's why I barely slept during the long ride.

Ilocos Sunset

I love sunsets. That's why even if we were on the move, I just had to take a picture. One of the benefits of riding a mini-bus is you get to take good pictures without the window glass' reflection. Its hard to catch a perfect shot from a moving vehicle... I wasn't able to get a good shot in Pagudpud because the sun's almost gone when we got there (really long ride) and it was a bit cloudy.

The Charm of Old World Vigan

October 27-28, 2007. Arriving in Vigan after 8 hours of travel from Dau (with minimal sleep and still with OPES hangover), we went straight to Grandpa's Inn for our breakfast.

Our itinerary for the morning was to pass by the Heritage Site and go straight to Sta. Maria and back to Vigan for a night cap. I've always wanted to enjoy Vigan at night what with the full moon and the soft lights... very romantic, quaint and old world. Shopping for pasalubong can wait the next day. I had fun taking pictures during the night walk... I even met new playmates who gamely posed in front of the camera. The night didn't only reveal the splendor of the old city, it also revealed some of its oldest residents (see those orbs?). My sister (who's kind of clairvoyant) even saw a kapre in one of the photos.

 We dined at Cafe Leona right at the end of Calle Crisologo. Their tables have been set outside the streets so you really get that Vigan feel while eating. I also like their menu--you get to choose between Thai, Italian, Japanese and Filipino food. Talk about variety (best for food lovers like us).

The next morning was scheduled for shopping. We were supposed to check out at 10 am because we had to travel 3 more hours and take two more buses to Pagudpud but we ended up leaving the place at 12 noon. It's hard to leave the place without taking a second look, though this is already my second time in Vigan after almost 7 years. Buti na lang 1 GB ang memory card or else there won't be pictures of Pagudpud. My Canon's first outing was really worth it.

 

Historic Ilocos Churches

October 26-29, 2007. An Ilocos tour would not be complete without seeing its historic churches. We weren't able to cover them all, but we were lucky enough to see three of these landmarks: Sta. Maria Church, St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral and Laoag's Sinking Bell Tower.



The Sta. Maria Church in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur was built in 1769 and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. A very picturesque church in a quiet town. If my digicam's battery wasn't drained, there would've been more shots. Thank God for my SE W800i or else there wouldn't be any pictures of this church to post.

 

St. Paul's Cathedral is located in Vigan City. It was built by the Augustinian friars and has a "distinct "Earthquake Baroque" style of the Ilocos region and features Neo-Gothic and pseudo Romanesque motifs," according to www.dotpcvc.gov.ph. The full moon gave the night shots an eerie feel, and if you look closely you'll see orbs. Spooky.


Seeing the Sinking Bell Tower was only by accident as we we only made a stopover to Laoag City for half an hour before going to Pagudpud. We only ate a quick lunch (at 3:00 pm) before proceeding to the bus terminal. Good thing I remembered to buy my contact lens solution from an optical shop which incidentally sits in front of the bell tower. So I got my digicam and took some photos. If you find the shots a bit off-center, that's because the Sinking Bell Tower sinks an inch every year, much like the Leaning Tower of Pisa... But the good thing is it's still working just like the bell tower in Sta. Maria. Unfortunately, the Sinking Bell Tower is 85 meters away from the church so we weren't able to get a peek at St. William's Church, which is older than the Paoay Church also located in Ilocos Norte.

If churches here were as beautiful as these ones, I'd probably hear mass everyday. =)

Pristine Pinsal Falls

Located in Barangay Babal-lasioan, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, Pinsal Falls became part of our itinerary during our weekend Ilocos getaway last October 26-29, 2007. Thanks in part to the MNTC calendar hanging in my room that I found out of its existence.

More than an hour away from Vigan City, Pinsal Falls can be reached through the Municipality of Sta. Maria. From the town proper, it is almost an hour's tricycle ride away. Its location is really remote that you can't help but wonder how special it could be to be hidden from mortal eyes. Yet when we got there, we found out that locals practically pass by it in going to and from Pilar, Abra, hence the steep stone steps which reminds me of the path of Cirith Ungol in the Lord of the Rings.

Boat ride to the falls is only Php15 per person, but you have to wait a long time for other passengers. One of the locals even told us about the hot springs at the topmost part, but we weren't able to get there and soak in it for lack of time... and lack of boat to take us back. There was only one boat traversing the calm river to the falls when we were there and we seem to be the only tourists.

If only we got there a little bit earlier, then there'd probably be plenty of time for a few more hikes... But then again, there's always another time.