One Laiya Experience

May 17-18, 2008. Laiya, San Juan Batangas.. This experience I've shared with my Kanlungan Family is I guess the best summer experience this 2008. The planning was a little bit hard but I was happy we were able to push through with it. Sayang naman ang uwi ni JR from UAE if there wouldn't be any major event together with his Kanlungan Family, though it actually was triple treat, it was a late celebration too of me and Cha. I felt bad when some weren't able to come, but I'd feel really bad when the whole thing won't push through, kasi naman biglang may dumating na bagyo sa Pinas, good thing it headed to the north.

The early schedule of our departure was delayed for some unexpected circumstances but nothing could stop us from continuing the event. The travel to Lipa City was a bit fast, where we are going to meet Happee and head to San Juan Market to meet JR. When we arrived at San Juan Market, Cha, Lem and I bought the ingredients and supplies we need for our food. We had snack at a nearby 'turo-turo' and then head to Laiya
afterwards.

Anyway, the experience was a little different than the previous outing we had. Though we assigned Madj to think of activities we never had any, aside from the fact that she wasn't able to think of any. :) But it still was a great experience, and I could say that just being together, sharing food, the long chit-chats, drinking beer and
grilling someone in the hotseat, asking for "issue-provoking-and-secret-revealing questions", videoke and doing just about anything under the sun and under one cottage is a whole lot fun.









I pride myself when I was the only one who caught the sunrise. Walking in the shore and sitting on the sand while waiting for the sun to rise gave me a peaceful and magical feeling. The silence and beauty of the shore and the water as the sunlight shines on it is truly a magnificent grandeur!

Whatelse? Hmmm.. I don't want to talk about this but, okay, there are some unexpected annoyances and little problems along the way, but it's up to us to allow it to spoil the event, which we didn't!

Well, the good thing about Laiya is that you just can't have enough and surely we are coming back in 2009 to open our 'test tubes'!!

One Relaxing Trip to Pagsanjan Falls

May 10, 2008. With Nil, Mari, Ivan and Kara. Saya-saya mag-hike, trekking, rappelling going to the famous Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna. Though I grew up in Laguna, it was my first time to be there! The hike was tiring but it was fulfilling naman when you've finished the trek. Sarap mabasa sa ilalim ng Pagsanjan Falls!, the best yung feeling, lalo na pag tumatama yung splash of waters and yung mist sa mukha mo! Relaxing! We had a sidetrip din sa Liliw Laguna which is famous for their footwears! It's like 2 hours ata yung travel time namin but it was worth it! Here are the pics!!

BAKASYON NA!! ^___^

At last! The term has officially ended. After the exams in bus. org. Nil, Mari, Hazel and I had dinner at Giligan's. The planned metro bar qc thing was not pursued, instead we went to Tagaytay, with Jamie and Jem (Nil's sister). It was one cool night to remember, Jamie was so funny and Jem was full of stories!! It was really fun sharing laughs and stories with them!!

A lot of things happened for sem that was, but somehow it made me realized a lot of things and learned a lot!

Despite, the stress that the sem gave me, academically and with the relationships I have with others, well I managed to survived and I know that when another school year begins it's going to be back to square one! And definitely when that day comes, I know I will be ready, but for now I should be enjoying the summer!

Balik-bayan

It such a great feeling when you had a chance to go back to your hometown. A place which was a witness to your childhood and immaturity. I just did last Saturday.

I grew up in the birthplace of our “National Hero” Dr. Jose RIzal, Calamba City. A few kilometres drive from Manila and since I am living in Muntinlupa City right now I actually had to travel less than an hour to get there.

The promulgation of an Act making Calamba a city gives rise to a lot of changes in the town, it was a lot more urbanized than before. There were many establishments present right now, but somehow, I still could feel the breeze of the old Calamba.





First stop. I went to the famous Rizal Shrine. The actual birthplace of Rizal, where I actually was assigned during college to be a tour guide. I went inside the shrine and look into the different parts of the house, Rizal’s bedroom, her sisters’ bedrooms, master bedrooms, the kitchen and others. There were no changes at all from the last time I saw it. Too bad, there was some renovation going on in a museum located near the house, so my companion and I headed to the garden.



The wide garden of the Rizal Family was very much relaxing, there were lot of trees and plants in there. Just sitting on the benches and breathe fresh air truly made me feel good. In the garden as well you could see the statue of a young Rizal and a dog which purpose was to inspire the kids who tour the place. The “bahay-kubo” where the Rizal siblings played during their times was still there.

Second Stop. After my visit at the Rizal Shrine I got the chance to eat again Lomi, “Calamba Style”, luckily there was still a stall there selling it. The Lomi we ordered was actually good for three persons but we almost consumed the whole bowl of Lomi! It was good!



Third Stop. After eating Lomi, we went to the famous “BANGA”. It was a structure located in the plaza of Calamba, which was actually a “Kalan” and “Banga” (these were early forms of cooking utensils during the Spanish era). According to History, these “Kalan” and “Banga” were the origin of the name “Calamba”. A woman, carrying a “Kalan” and “Banga” during the Spanish era, come across a Spanish military man, and asked of the name of the town. Because the woman, didn’t understand Spanish, she thought that he was asking what she is carrying. She answered back, “Kalan”-“Banga”.
And from then on the town was called Calamba.

Last stop. Calamba Parish Church. I got the chance to kneel and pray in Calamba’s parish church again. I remembered my childhood days where in I was involved in participating in religious activities for kids, the days where I’ve been assigned to read the first or second readings for a particular mass, as well as in the collection of contributions from people.

It was really a nostalgic feeling when I went back to Calamba, and it’s like I want to go back for more, since there were still a few more spots and nice sceneries in the town. But I don’t have the luxury of time to visit them all. Well I just hope I would have the time again to visit my hometown and relive the moments which somehow became a part of who I am right now. I’m proud to be a Calambeño! and a Kababayan of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

By the way, Happy 146th Birthday Rizal on the 19th of June! =]