Sojourn in Baguio: Which Has Been Typical, The Place or The Experience? (Part 2)

[Continued]

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Much as we wanted everything to turn out fun, there had been some adverse incidents too.

On the second day, Den and I went to the marketplace to get what we needed for Saturday lunch. It was a fine sunny day that provided no hint of the downpour that came in the afternoon. Lalaine and I left the house by sunset to meet Den at the mall downtown after his licensure review classes. After having fun singing at a karaoke lounge for hours, we left the mall on closing time and had dinner at a restaurant near the cathedral.

While waiting for food, Den finally shared with me (Lalaine knew about it already) about losing his job earlier for unfair reasons. It was sad. The dinner relieved the tension caused by my friend’s troublesome situation for a while. But then we got into another misfortune after we left for home.

Dinner at Zola

The rain was pouring on the busy roads and all cabs were taken. We waited at Session road for quite long but to no avail. We descended to Harrison Road but still failed to flag down a ride. Summoning all our courage and vigilance, we walked through the dark and empty Burnham Park with the eerie sound of trees and water rushing down the sewers. It had not been easy to get a taxi that night even at Kisad Road which according to my companions is actually an express loading area.

Headlight-lit Kisad Road

On the other side of the road we saw in a silhouette of a man without an umbrella and heard him yelling at almost every passing vehicle. He was drunk. He yelled to us on a dialect that only my companions could understand but sounded to me like anger if not a curse and crossed the street towards us. Our instinct moved as to quickly cross to the other side as if playing checkers with the drunken man. Worst that man hastened and got the cab we had flagged down since it’s driving in the lane nearer to him. Thankfully, it didn’t took very long and another came.

We got home; shoes soaked from roughly two hours of waiting in the rain.


Baguio For Real

The experience showed me a different Baguio. In fact, it was more than I expected.

The City of Pines has always been known as “The Summer Capital of the Philippines” and is promoted as among the top tourist destinations in the country. While it had sustained such impression throughout the years, Baguio has some things known only by residents.

First, the press release regarding its being in a state of calamity due to waste management issues is true. Although no foul smell lingers in the city, only once has the garbage been collected during my 4-day stay. Garbage bags were hung on the garage and people actually sort trash into biodegradable, non-biodeg and recyclable. Hearsays tell about scholarships granted to students who take courses related to sanitation technology.

Crime rate had also increased in the area. Theft and holdups are common. The gates in Lalaine’s place are locked once someone leaves even if there are people in the house. The doors have at least 5 locks and the house is never left empty.

I’ve also experienced storm since the forecast I followed a week before my trip didn’t turned out exactly as estimated. The wind was howling throughout the day hence the itinerary my friends prepared for me was cancelled and we stayed indoors most of the time. When we go outside, heavy fog conceals the roads and vapor comes from our mouth when we talk. A knitted vest and a trench coat worn on top of a long-sleeved shirt couldn’t make me perspire.

Water in the pipes is not supplied round-the-clock. Homes have tanks filled with water ordered from and delivered by a refilling business.

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On my last day I was left alone in the house – Dennis had to go home since his mom will be discharged from the hospital, Lalaine went to work while her mom had left two days ago for some business. The power went out and I hadn’t heated water for my bath.

The typhoon didn’t cease but so did the thoughtfulness of my friends. Lalaine held an umbrella for me until I got a taxi while Dennis met me downtown and escorted and even stayed for a while until my bus departed.

It was a worthwhile experience for me. The ‘Be Happy’ phrase painted boldly on the fence has been true to its promise after all.

Thank You card I tucked in the bed


The bus that took me home

Sojourn in Baguio: Which Has Been Typical, The Place or The Experience?

To travel by myself is an experience I had long yearned for. The rather sheltered manner I was raised and the non-availability of personal finances then denied me of the independence I needed to fulfill that personal goal. The milestone happened months after I joined the workforce and weeks before my 19th birthday; a trip to a mall no two hours via public transport even without taking the shortcut. It was an achievement that ended my innocence but wouldn’t impress the majority who went to college in a far city at age 16. I was satisfied for sometime.

Three years after, the yearning for similar adventure resurfaced but with more intensity. I wanted to go somewhere farther yet no idea where. Until the recent company trips to Baguio City for 2 years in a row made me consider it a destination. ‘Consider’ underrates Baguio for there are no options. If it has to be done now, only Pines City is achievable.

• Seven-hour travel = farther destination. Check.
• Friends who reside in the area = assurance of good company plus savings in accommodation and tour services. Check.
• Three special leave privileges sandwiching 2 days off = longer stay. Check

3 out of 3 in the criteria made Baguio perfect for the purpose


Arrival

This took me there

The second bus departed at 4AM; the schedule I chose so I’ll arrive in my destination by lunchtime. Dennis and Lalaine have their tutoring jobs in the morning and won’t be free until noon. Eventually, I overestimated the travel time and arrived earlier because I forgot to take into account the improvement of roads and bus engines over the years. Good thing that the bus terminal there – known for its unique architecture – has a neat waiting area.

The book I brought along kept me busy while waiting for my hosts to fetch me. The only problem was much as I felt the need to pee I can’t leave my bags unattended but are too bulky to bring with me in the CR.

Lunch out was first in the itinerary after reuniting with my friends then rode a taxi to Lalaine’s place.

Ascending Marcos Highway – major entry road to the city proper

Waiting at the bus terminal

The House

The residence is on a hill. A message that reads “BE HAPPY” boldly hand-painted on the fence welcomed me although I guess it had been there for some time already for it is of the same color as the gate’s. The garage serves as kitchen and laundry. Upon entering the living room, I immediately noticed the framed cross-stitch crafts and had to compliment Lalaine’s mom for her skill and diligence. The house itself is small but very cozy and tidy; its wooden floor almost as glossy as a bowling alley.

By the corner of the reception is a small dining area with a mini-bar without the liquor bottles – basically an elbow-high shelf where stuff was kept and where we stood by while having coffee. Blinds that identify the doors of 4 bedrooms hung from the sides of the short corridor. I was given Lalaine’s room; her pictures are displayed everywhere. She no longer sleeps there thus it serves more as a study-slash-wardrobe area recently. I opened the window and felt the cool mist brush my face. It revealed a vast array of rooftops and distant winding streets enveloped by fog. Dennis had mentioned that the hill is among the places that are always foggy even when the sun is high over downtown Baguio.

I dozed off while my friends attended their classes by 4PM until evening. Aside from it’s a good chance to rest, I insisted that my stay should only alter their routines as little as possible.

It’s funny that they both complained later and regretted attending their respective classes when there was nothing significant in school for that day.

The Living Room


View from my window (Day 1)


View from my window (Day 2)



View from my window (Day 5)


Clouds blocking the view of Marcos Highway from the balcony of the house

Unmatched Hospitality

My hosts are the best one could ever have. I was wowed and moved by the hospitality of our own people which is internationally recognized as one-of-a-kind.

Lalaine offered their place even when we were just introduced to each other last June.

The night before my arrival, Dennis rushed his queued homework so as “not to get in the way during your [my] stay”.

Lalaine was a dutiful host. She planned and cooked meals according to a pescatarian’s diet. This lady’s a good cook who could turn the simplest recipe into a very satisfying one!

Her mom is equally endearing. Despite the natural firmness in her voice, she’s kind and an interesting conversationalist. We chatted on various things while my friends were out and I took the chance to ask how she raised her children to be diligent students since all 5 siblings each finished at least 2 degrees; 4 are now professionals. Lalaine herself took up Law immediately after completing her AB Political Science last term.

I also learned that it was by her mom’s order that Lalaine bought a plastic table wrap before they picked me up from the terminal so we could use a new one.

Dennis on the other hand kept me company most of the time although I knew beforehand that his mom is scheduled to undergo chemo that time and was actually confined on the day I arrived. I actually offered to pay a visit to the hospital or help him with errands but he said everything’s taken care by his dad and siblings.

Before they left me the afternoon of the first day, Den said that he’ll be seeing me again the next day already but nonetheless returned to spend the evening with us.

These plus the extra expenses for our needs during my stay they willingly provided.

It was first-class service that could have spoilt me. A good treatment I cannot believe I deserve but was given to me.

As gratitude, I tried to lend a hand with the chores, volunteered to do the dishes every time and share with the purchases.

Dennis and I while having a snack @ a coffee shop


And this is what I had...

[To be continued]

Motivating the Graduates of 2008

For this year’s graduation, an Alma Mater invited me to be their guest speaker. The first time it was announced to me by a former mentor who now works as Admissions Officer in the institution, I felt more apprehensive than excited because as a young civil servant who’s still pursuing a college degree, I don’t think I deserve the merit as compared to what most would expect of commencement speakers – those who have impressive academic and professional achievements. Even so, they said they wanted an alumnus to be the guest speaker and since the school is more of a technical learning center than a formal college, a stable job in the industry I guess gauges the success of their graduates.

The big day came and I did my job as speaker. I delivered the message which I prepared for a couple of days making sure that it doesn’t sound too scholarly and wouldn’t exceed 15 minutes; something I myself as an audience could relate to and endure. I just provided some personal pointers about knowing one’s passion and strengths, going the extra mile, the importance of listening and never taking things for granted. To make my young audience at ease, I shared my personal experience how I was nobody in high school belonging to the bottom of the class before I became the better student that the institution knew. I also injected sufficient humor (isn’t it evident in the photos?) and refreshed their attention by asking questions that would make them raise hands. It was a choice to include just a little something of the theme about how business and IT provides boundless opportunities because I don’t want to elaborate on something everybody have an idea about. Thankfully, I still achieved my goal on substance and the time frame.

This experience was truly a privilege: to be warmly welcomed, be given a proud entrance by passing through crossed swords (my sibling was one of the cadets and she had a share of the limelight answering queries from her curious colleagues), see my name on a tarp, be seated next to distinguished officials, receive a standing ovation, shake hands with all the graduates and have the lion’s share of a sumptuous dinner. Above all these is the opportunity to be reunited with people who I know believe in me.

BD's Birthday

BD is my boss’ son; he turned five today. I do have fond moments with this lad so even though at his age all he can do with the computer is watch kiddy videos and play games, I’m dedicating this post for him.

Here are among my best memories with BD:

• For quite some time, he would often stop by my area upon arrival (as if a courtesy visit) before proceeding to his mom’s to show me one or two toy cars from his collection that he brought that day or those very good star stamps he earned at school. Now, he knows he ought to say hi to his mom first.
• Once, he was at our office early morning and I was on the phone when he climbed on my chair, found the chocolate drink I bought for breakfast and sipped until the box is empty. That happened in a minute.
• He used to always borrow the Transformer toys I got free with some meal from a fastfood store until he broke it but during when he still loved playing with it, he would open my drawers to search for Optimus Prime and Barricade when he didn’t see them where he expected to. He does that even if he comes in late and I’m already out of the office. Next day, my boss would tell me that she had to arrange the mess of my desk because of BD’s scavenging.
• The little décor tree on my desk that he borrows to provide shade for his toy cars’ parking, he once placed in the pot of a real plant by our door. I only noticed when I poured old water from my drinking bottle. On a separate instance by the way, he borrowed my staple remover and pretended that it’s an herbivorous monster that gnawed the real plant.

He would always rush to see the photo even before the camera captures us. For this reason, I wasn’t able to focus my phone well to fit us both and I wasn’t able to retake either because he’s just too excited. Anyway, he’s the star today.

Oh well BD boy, happy birthday still.

Trees for a Birthday Gift

For the second consecutive year, a tree-planting activity was organized through the efforts of our Ecology Center as part of the celebration of the birthday of our incumbent Chairman.

Despite the grilling heat and blinding glare of the sun, this one had been more fun. Last year, our department was assigned in a shady part and had planted a few seedlings hence the only challenge was maintaining balance while working on the slope. Recently, we were assigned in a longer stretch and had planted more than 10 Fire tree seedlings. A double-decked bus brought us and other employees to and fro our respective areas.

Ok, it may seem in the pictures that I was not very cooperative but I swear I planted 3 seedlings myself.

I hope to see those trees sturdy and full of red-orange flowers in years