Batangas 2013 ☀

After years of endless beach outing plans, me and my high school friends finally pushed through this year. You know how spontaneous plans work more often than those that are really planned out ahead? It happens all the time for us; so this time we didn't care much if everyone else was coming as long as the outing happens. And so it did.

April 16-17, 2013

With only twelve of us who were able to come to this outing (from the original headcount of 21 to 12), we still decided to leave for Batangas at 3 in the morning of the 16th of April. Stocks of food and other necessities were bought a day before to avoid cramming. But for me, I still crammed. Hah. Fresh from another outing in Laguna, I packed my things late night of April 15 and was sleepless the whole trip 'til night. 

7AM touchdown // PLAN: Take a nap first. REALITY: Went straight to the beach, took a dip, and savored the sunlight. 

A Supposed to be Escape-from-Reality Trip

PLAN: Rent a house in Tali, Batangas (cliff diving venue in the Philippines) REALITY: Everybody got broke and decided to stay overnight in my ex-boyfriend's resthouse. Nice. Perfect, just perfect.

Let's not take this into detail; but I wanted this trip to be an escape yet it didn't seem pretty much like that. Though, the place was great. It was very spacious, home-y, and very much far away from town so I really liked it. The beach was a few walks away from the house; no white sand though and it was rocky near the shore. I even got splinters on my feet that day. Nonetheless, it was a perfect view with perfect company.

With two of my closest friends, who are leaving for the States this year: Tawny & Kriza. :( 

Top of the World

First outing of 2013. First hiking experience, never again.

January 13, 2012


Every semester, I get to have an out-of-town trip for a major class. This is probably because I'm taking up Philippine Arts and learning and experiencing hands-on activities are better for this kind of course.

For my PA 110, Philippine Indigenous and Ethnic Arts, class we went to Mt. Arayat, Pampanga and was able to meet one of the outstanding Pampangeños for 2012, Sir Mike. He served as our guide tour and brought us to Gintong Pakpak, located at the foot of the mountain.

Magalang, Pampanga - the hometown of National Artist Emilio Aguilar Cruz. It was said that some of his ashes are kept here and the rest were scattered in Mt. Arayat.

Gintong Pakpak is located at the foot of Mt. Arayat. 

The waterfalls is said to be the bathing quarters of Apong Sinukuan, their deity god. Unfortunately, it has been damaged in the long run. Natives still continue to use this place as source of food, and place to unwind. 

Wanderlust: Bataan 2012

I've always wanted to go to places and make a travel blog in the future. It's a dream that I plan to start now.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine  

September 01, 2012
Bataan, Philippines

Three hours away from Manila, I went to Bataan along with my college blockmates for a major class, Philippine Arts 198 (Introduction to Cultural Heritage) outing. We had to take the Bataan Transit bus from Doroteo Jose station in Manila at around 6 in the morning and arrived at Bataan at exactly 8AM.

Upon our arrival, the jeepney we rented was already there and the driver brought us to Jollibee for a quick breakfast stopover before the whole trip starts. We met our professor at the terminal and drove our way to Mt. Samat.

9AM: Mt. Samat, Bataan

Mount Samat is the location of the historical marker for the Bataan Death March. Also found here is the Shrine of Valor or Dambana ng Kagitingan which is found near its summit.
From the terminal, we drove our way through the zig-zag roads around the mountain to reach almost the top of Mt. Samat. There we found the Holy Cross/Shrine of Valor which was really a great view up close. We also found ourselves inside the museum that showcases artifacts (Japanese soldier uniforms, bullets, grenades, rifles, pictures, flags, etc.). Unfortunately, picture taking wasn't allowed inside the museum. My professor was also able to buy a framed bullet which only costed Php 2000. Other historical collectibles are sold for a great price (in case anyone is interested, do visit because items are really a great addition to a historical collection).

Shrine of Valor/Dambana ng Kagitingan

 All the while, I thought we could view the Shrine of Valor only by standing from afar. What I didn't know is that we could still hike up going to where the cross actually stands. It took us 400+ steps before reaching the summit of Mt. Samat, and we were able to ride an elevator all the way to the TOP OF THE CROSS. Yes, the view was really breath-taking. The cross showed carvings of the lives and struggles of Filipinos who took part during the Bataan Death March.

Captivating view from the top of the Shrine of Valor.

 1PM: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

It was a very wise decision for us to push through our trip by going to the "living museum of Philippine customs and traditions" (www.lascasasfilipinas.com). At first, we had second thoughts because of the price rates they implement. But since we were already in Bataan, me and my blockmates decided that visiting Acuzar would be a first for all of us and it would be nice to have that first experience altogether.