Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Random Thoughts: Mga Pamahiin (Filipino Traditional Beliefs)

With Undas (All Souls Day) coming up, as a child, I remember Noli de Castro would have these scary tv shows and I loved watching them! 

Anyway, here's my random thoughts on Pamahiin that I have heard since I've been back in the Philippines, most of them relating to deaths/funeral and other scary situations). Note:  the explanations here are purely based on my assumptions)

1.  Bawal mag uwi ng pagkain galing sa burol (Don't take home any food from a wake).  Not even candy! I don't know why, because its the food of the dead?

2.  After attending a wake, don't go home directly.  Stopover somewhere else for a few minutes, i guess to shake off any spirits that might have followed you (mag pagpag?), and you don't bring them home directly.

3.  The casket has to enter the chapel first before anyone else... I dont know why, maybe respect?

4.  Never wear red to a funeral unless your a child.

5.  If the wake is at your house, cover up all mirrors.. You never know... Lol

6.  When driving and you seem to be going round and round through the same place (which happened to me by the way in Lucban, Quezon with GPS too! Scary!),  wear your shirt inside out and soon you'll find your way.

And that's pretty much all I can remember now!!



Thursday, October 17, 2013

Bicol Trip Weekend Getaway

 General Info:

Manila to Legazpi is roughly 10-12 hours driving time, including rest stops.  Less rest stops, the faster we get there hehe
Pabalik, Matnog to Manila is about 14-16 hours, including rest stops.

General Itinerary:
Oct 25 - Friday - Leave Manila
Oct 26 - Saturday - Arrive Legazpi - Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Bay, Embarcadero de Legazpi
Oct 27 - Sunday - Lignon Hill, Matnog Overnight
Oct 28 - Monday - 10am Leave for Manila, we can stop by Naga, Camsur, Gumaca Quezon

Target Arrival in Manila:  12am Oct 29 Tuesday

Daily Itinerary
Oct 25, Friday


8pm - Leave Manila

Oct 26, Saturday
12am - Lucena/Sariaya - Rest Stop
1am - Leave Lucena to Naga City
7am - Rest stop in Naga, Breakfast
9am - Leave for Legazpi
11am - First Stop - Cagsawa Ruins, Lunch
2pm - Check-in Hotel (TBC)
3pm - Daraga Church
4pm to 8pm- Lignon Hill, Dinner
9pm - Sleep

Oct 27, Sunday
6am - Leave for Matnog
9am - Boat for Subic Beach, Juag Lagoon, Tikling Island
Boat Man: Alex Geneblazo - 0918-3045437
Over night stay in Matnog - or pwede na din bumalik ng Legazpi and start heading back to Manila

General Expenses
Gas - 5000 (to be shared) 1000 per pax (if 5)
Meals - 300 per day x 3 days = 900 pesos
Island Hopping Boat - 2500 pesos - 500 per pax (if 5)

Tourist Spot Expenses (per pax)
Cagsawa Ruins - 10 pesos
Lignon Hill entry - 20 pesos
Zipline - 350 pesos
ATV (optional) - 1800/hr
Matnog Environmental Fee - 60 pesos

So per person: 1000+900+10+20+250+1800+60+500 = 4540 pesos excluding Hotel.

Links:
http://wowlegazpi.com/lignon-hill-nature-park/
http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com/island-hopping-in-matnog/
http://www.thewanderingjuan.net/2013/06/to-end-of-luzon-matnog-sorsogon.html

What to Expect in Legazpi City:

So game na kayo? We will be riding Junior (Honda City).  Dress comfortably.  Bring water only, and biscuits (no need for tons of food)

What to pack:

Comfortable Clothes for 4 days
Socks
Rubber Shoes
Slippers
Insect Repellant
Swimsuit
Towels
Pillows
Blankets
Camera
Chargers

Monday, June 17, 2013

On being 30

Ha!

So here I am.. sitting alone in our Cebu apartment.. waiting for my love to get home..

Yes its been 3 years since I have been online.. and ready my previous blog.. hahaha some striking out is required..

So to continue the story of my life?

I came to the Philippines.. to settle down.. had my broken into a million pieces... suffered a swollen hand which had to wrapped up for weeks... lost myself in work.. did nothing but work work work..

Travel and work!

Oh the perks of my job is I get to travel all over the Philippines.  And damn I have grown to like my own country.. and no longer feel a tourist in my own country.. (well a tourist in other provinces or places).. but otherwise.. I am at home..

And while at it.. I was just minding my own business.. working as usual.. THEN BOOM!

MAGIC HAPPENED!  and I'm going to skip all the details.. since things started out as a secret.. hehehe and I would like to keep it as it is..

Again.. yours truly is madly inlove... and happier than ever...

I am now with someone who loves me as much as I love her!