Anawangin: The Tent City

01-02 May 2010. I did not sleep after arriving from Aurora because I found out that we were supposed to leave for our Division Teambuilding at 2:00 am. I only got roughly 4 hours to prepare (unpack and pack again) for Anawangin.

This trip almost did not materialize because of some fears about drowning and floating slippers which my officemates read from some blog warning people not to go to Anawangin, plus the low pressure area threatening to spoil our boat ride to the island. Thank God we were spared of that, and I still have my pair of tsinelas intact. But I don’t know if the lack of rain was a good thing or a bad thing because I never thought it would be as hot as summer in a tropical country in Anawangin. “Awan-Angin”-- Ilocano words coined to literally mean no wind (Awan Ti Hangin). And I never expected Anawangin, which I always thought as an island isolated and bereft of facilities, would be as crowded as Subic beaches on a regular summer day.

I’ve never been a fan of crowded beaches so Anawangin’s beauty was somehow eclipsed by the colorful tents beckoning in the beach front and the loads of city boys and girls looking for Starbucks and something else to do because of the lack of network signals and electricity.

So thank goodness there was something else to do other than sulk in the heat and stare at the crowd of half-naked men and bikini-clad women who seem to like walking in their garb rather than swimming in them. We walked on the crisscrossing trails, or paths of righteousness and wickedness as we like to call it (ang daang baluktot at matuwid, sabi nga ni Noynoy), which can be found in the forest of pine trees just after the sandbar that divides the sea and the river… or look for firewood while making sure we were still in the trail. Anawangin is actually a beautiful and unique place beset with pine trees and off-white sand, which, according to some, was the result of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption. Pine trees and beaches don’t seem to go hand-in-hand, but that’s what you get with Anawangin. The lack of facilities is also not for the faint-hearted and maarte.

What made my day, though, was the short hike in the mountain just before sunset. I never thought I would be able to hike barefoot just to get a glimpse of a beautiful sunset from atop a mountain. (Buti na lang kasama ko si Barry at Jan as bodyguards.) The view was very calming indeed, and far from the madding crowd. I wish I can go back when there are only 5 tents perched on the beach front and no tents and hammocks on the forest of pine trees. Hiking to Anawangin is also a must-try.

Anawangin Sunset

Because I'm a sucker for sunsets, I hiked barefoot to get these shots.

... and because I have sweaty feet that it won't do to wear slippers while climbing steep paths, so I opted to go barefoot rather than slip to my untimely death.

 

 

The Aurora Experience: San Luis

30 April 2010 (Day 3). Our last day in Aurora was not to be spent on traveling back to the lowlands alone. We made sure to make the most out of it, so we welcomed Ma’am Ting Martinez’ (San Luis LGU Treasurer) invitation to take us to the Cunayan Falls.

The Cunayan Falls is just one of the waterfalls in the town of San Luis. Going there takes almost an hour of traversing rough, narrow roads through vehicle and a little bit of walking. The road going to the falls is privately-owned so there is a minimal entrance fee. The sound of the waterfalls and the clear, cool waters, were a welcome respite for city-folks like us. It was a refreshing treat just before our not-so-worry-free travel back to Pampanga. Thanks to Ma’am Ting (who promised to tour us again if we go back after the elections) for accommodating us despite her busy schedule.

We thought we won’t be able to go back home just in time for our teambuilding the next day. The last trip for the bus was still at 3:00 pm and we didn’t want to take chances in the non-air-conditioned buses because of their reputation for driving like there is no tomorrow. It’s a good thing the van completed its passenger requirement after more than 2 hours of waiting, so we took off at 1:00 pm and arrived in Cabanatuan less than 4 hours later. And we had to endure another 3 hours of commute (1 hour for waiting) back to Pampanga.

We got home safe and sound, and that's what's more important.

The Aurora Experience: Casiguran

29 April 2010 (Day 2). Four hours from Baler is a town called Casiguran. Before the concrete roads and bridges were constructed, travel time used to take days, and during rainy season, you might not even get a chance to go to Casiguran at all. The reason for our sojourn to this place is because the municipality of Casiguran was nominated for an award in line with the Streamlining Project In the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit, and we were to validate data submitted to us by the Provincial Validating Team.

We left Baler early in the morning hoping to get to Casiguran before lunch time and wishing to get a glimpse of the hidden wonders of this very isolated place. Before this trip, I searched the web for some natural attractions and chanced upon a virgin beach located in Sitio Casapsapan which I hoped to visit. After our official business with the LGU of Casiguran, our wish was granted and our very helpful partners from the Provincial Government of Aurora (Sir Val and Sir George) agreed to take us to Casapsapan Beach for a photo-op. The trip was really worth it. If we had enough time, I could’ve donned my swimwear and frolicked in the beach, but alas, the real world awaits, and the road back to Baler is long and rough, and we can’t afford to delay the trip since there is a part in Dinalungan that is hard to traverse when there is not enough daylight to guide you (think falling off a cliff.)

A big thanks to Sir Val, Sir George (our very skillful driver), and of course Sir Jennings of the Provincial Government of Aurora for arranging the vehicle (a newly-bought Toyota Innova which looked like it competed in a 4x4 challenge after our trip to Casiguran.) We didn’t mean to be the first-time users, it so happened that the original vehicle assigned to us was still in the shop. At least the vehicle was subjected to a really meticulous test drive and there is a still a 7-day warranty in case something happens to it. A million thanks also to Ate Emily of DTI-Aurora for accompanying us to the LGUs of San Luis and Casiguran and for the over-all coordination, and to Tita Cora of the PGA Guesthouse who treated us like her children during our stay in Baler. I take pride for being the first from the regional office (according to Ate Ems) to go to Casiguran. I hope I can go back, this time for leisure.

The Aurora Experience: Baler

28 April 2010 (Day 1). Going to Aurora has always been a dreaded assignment for most of us DTI-3 associates (save for my officemate Jan who was so excited to go but was not permitted to join us) because: 1) our office vehicles are not allowed to go further than the outskirts of Nueva Ecija (the province before Aurora) for fear of not returning in one piece; 2) due to reason no. 1, associates are forced to ride the bus from Cabanatuan City which takes four hours to arrive in Baler (capital town of Aurora), and if you’re lucky enough, catch the last trip (which is usually before lunch time) and get a good seat, which is rare, because on some unfortunate days you’ll either get a seat at the back of the bus which sort of feels like being stuffed in a blender, or get stuck in the bus’ aisle with a monoblock chair with nothing to support your back while being bordered by loads of boxes threatening to fall down on your head when the road starts to get rough; and 3) when it rains, you might actually get stuck in Aurora or on the road while waiting for the heavy equipment to clear the roads buried by mudslides.

Luckily, this is no longer the case, as most of the roads leading to Baler are now concretized (but getting good bus seats is still a matter of good timing). On my nth time (I’ve lost count) going to Baler on official business, I told myself that this time, I’ll make the most out of it. So I did, and with the help of my officemate Toti who coaxed me to brave the rough waters of the beach in Baler, I tried my best not to be swallowed by the waves, which was actually a thrill. And for the first time since I went to Baler, I was able to take a dip in the surfer-friendly waters. Now, I wish I could surf. But then I have to practice swimming first.

But of course, before the leisure, we did our job and went to San Luis LGU to do what we were supposed to do. Sorry, but the official photos will not be posted here.