KALIBO: Sleeping in a shuttle (Part 2 of 4)

KALIBO: Memories, shuttles and strangersI arrived in Kalibo around 2:40 pm. I wrote the details down and even if this serves at posterity et journal, I will keep those notes to myself. I rode the tricycle to the jeepney terminal to Caticlan. After haggling about the fare, I managed to get one who lowered the fare down to P20 less. He suggested I take the shuttle instead of the jeepney. I felt he was lying, but I was in such a hurry I didn’t mind. The shuttle cost P20 more, but faster. Time was my only treasure. Arriving two days later than my friends, I could not afford to lose more time for this trip. I was third to fill the van. They needed...

Read More

Lonely Whale

I've heard of lonely people. I've heard of lonely planet. But I've never heard of a lonely whale. This is disquieting, not really in the deepest sense, but I wonder if this whale is suicidal. Humans tend to think of death when faced with utmost sorrow. I wonder if this whale is aware of her flaw. If the scientists had to follow her for years to find out, I wonder if she has the right knowledge to lead her to her epiphany. I pity her. But then again, some humans are bound for more misery. Please read here for the informati...

Read More

Boracay: First and Last Night (Part 3 of 4)

First and last night: Cooold water, no game, Pearl Harbor, best friend bonding, earthquakeNo game was aired. I was looking forward to watching the football game in Boracay, but it was impossible. We took photos of the sunset and took a dip later in the afternoon. The water was cold. My body felt bad immediately. But the water was so nice I didn’t mind. We heard of an earthquake occurring in Manila. Personally, I didn’t mind. Some of them did. No calls from my mom, so I knew it was dismissible. Her calls are my alert warnings. Very entertaining. Especially whenever she puts in something theatrical in her texts, highlighting her being histrionic....

Read More

A break from my holiday posts: POVERTY

I am currently viewing a website for the Philippine elite. It makes me think, "My God, where have all those rich people come from." It makes me wonder whether I am living in the wrong Philippines. Must be have been dreaming for decades. And to think that I came from this "elite" university and sat beside children and grandchildren of these creatures, the reality of their existence only caught up with me just now. Blame it on the weather or the different news coming in nowadays in my twitter feed, (or my overhearing my publisher over the conference table)  but the catching up is disheartening. Not for me, but for those I see everyday on my way home (I do not at all dismiss the fact that I not poor, I can't lie about it). I thought the meaning of bourgeois is "high class" or anyone at...

Read More

Boracay: Flight to Kalibo (Part 1 of 4)

Before I go on with my continuation of the series of blog entries dedicated to this paradise called Boracay, let me give you glimpse of a flashback. It dates back to the early 2000. The day was completed by a sip of fruit juice from this local restaurant called Jonah’s. It served fruit juices and shakes. The rest of the earlier hours were dedicated to island hopping and sailing late in the afternoon to watch the sunset. “One can actually enjoy this place in one day,” said I, who, in my high school brain, was getting bothered with teenage ennui. “It’s possible. Just get the earliest flight, schedule all the activities ahead, and leave in the...

Read More

I phone. You?

...

Read More

Jet Ski: More than a ride

It was not my idea, but it was my long-time dream. I have been salivating over it ever since I set foot on the island. Never tried it. Always wanted it. Thanks to GnA's passion, I only paid a small percentage of its already discounted price. We were supposed to check out at 12, but the other room extended to 3 pm so we had three more hours to do anything. The idea was that GnA, Ch and I were to share the allotted time, with GnA taking 10 minutes alone. He paid for 3/4 of everything anyway so it was logical and fair. Ch, Cra, Nki, GnA We paid at their office the full amount. It was a few yards from our hotel. GnA and I went upstairs and chatted...

Read More

Boracay: Then and Now

Boracay frisbee Unless you just want to relax, don’t go to Boracay. It is not a place to do that. There are plenty of other beaches in the Philippines for that. I am not ruling it out for lazy sunbathing though. If you are for the appreciation of nature, Boracay is a perfect contender. But you shouldn’t miss out on the things you can do there as well. I went there alone. Just like most of my trips, I took a flight alone. To review Boracay, I had to jump in a group of friends who already planned their four-day vacation there. For a couple of summers, my parents had made it a habit to bring me to Kalibo every vacation. It dates back to the...

Read More