Waiting Commuters at Talaba, Bacoor, Cavite -- ang tagal dyan kahit bukana na ng Maynila!

The first is, have you tried combat commuting? I think if you live in Manila, it is essential to know combat commuting. Its a war waged every single weekday in the Philippine capital. The climax of the war at Hell’s Gate? Rush hour madness. Everyday, people try to cram themselves in buses, jeepneys and metros. Well, asi es la vida en Manila! Can’t deal with it? Might as well leave for the provincias.

Now, for a Cavite resident like me, traveling from home to work is a fact of life. Manila has become crowded and the urban expansion reached the doorsteps of its neighboring provinces, one of which is Cavite. There may be 12 million residents in Metro Manila but including the Greater Manila Area (encompassing Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan), we may even be comparable with the population of that of Mexico City, Tokyo or Mumbai! Cavite has the largest share of GMA residents–3 million people, tw0-thirds of it lives in towns near Metro Manila and along Aguinaldo Highway–the sole main artery of the province. Three million, the most populous province in the country–and with real estate blooming like lumot in the pond, its like a heart chocked with cholesterol! After all, Cavite IS a bedroom of Metro Manila.

Counterflow or locally known as "Buhos" at Aguinaldo Hghway, Panapaan, Bacoor, Cavite

How does it feel to be a Caviteño commuter? Well, either your still in school or working, you SUFFER the same fate as the rest of Cavite’s commuters, most especially rush hour. How so? Try to imagine yourself, waking up while the sun isn’t yet shining. Took a bath, get dressed and rushed your way to Aguinaldo Highway. Reaching the bus stop, you’ll be with lots of people waiting for the bus to stop for them to ride. Yet, the buses by-pass the said loading and unloading area. You wait, the sun is up, the buses still pass by you, and more people are coming to wait for the bus to ride on. Lawton, Pasay, Buendia, Cubao, Baclaran, Ayala, Ortigas–San Agustin, Jasper Jean, Solid Star, Erjohn and Almark and a lot more bus companies, just–don’t mind you guys at the bus stop at all. Weird no? Why? Because these buses are already full to the brim! Malapit nang magsuka ang mga bus sa sobrang puno, di na nagpapasakay ang mga tsuper ng bus!

Traffic Congestion near SM Bacoor

Then luckily, you rode a bus…but damn! It’s butt-cramped! You can kiss the windshield or make manyak to the person beside you. The only thing that separates us from sardine cans would be the sauce! You have to be an expert in yoga to perform such positions far too uncomfortable for a morning ride! As we went by, we’ve passed by several bus stops along the way…pity, the commuters have been waiting and will be waiting for a bus to ride on. Punong-puno ang sidewalks ng mga mag-kokomyut.

Ooops…its not the end. Then, you came near Bacoor Rotonda–that’s in SM Bacoor, the traffic halted and you’ve waited…and waited…and waited…and waited…until the bus driver went down to puff some cigarettes while…waiting. 20 to 30 minutes later, you’re still waiting…until…swoosh!!! BUHOS TAYM!!! The Manila-bound cars and vehicles head for a mad dash towards Coastal Road…to escape the agony of waiting and the hell called Aguinaldo Highway! You’re lucky if you caught the first hour counter-flow…because it runs all the way to Coastal Road. By around 7AM, its good luck to you! Hephep! Kala ko bawal na ang counterflow sabi ni President Noy? Hehe!

As we reached Coastal Road, as if it was reaching nirvana! Usually, Coastal Road during early mornings is a paradise to motorists. Except for the toll plaza of course. If Aguinaldo Highway was hell, Coastal Road was salvation!

Caviteños have lived for this kind of life for more than a decade already. I can still clearly remember that rush hour traffic was only up to the Revilla residence in Bacoor. But now, it goes as far as Anabu in Imus! That’s umm, almost 10 kilometers of traffic congestion…of hell on earth! No traffic travel time from Anabu to Longos Junction in Coastal Road, less than 30 minutes. Travel time during rush hours, a lovely 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the “mood.”

Approaching Longos Junction in Bacoor Cavite, nearing Coastal Road -- the Gates of Heaven and Hell!

For now, we have to deal with it. Finding innovative ways so that we wouldn’t be scolded by our professors and bosses. But we pray for so long, sana naman may magawa naman para sa mga komyuter ng Cavite!

The morbid fact: CAVITE LACKS URBAN PLANNING OR IS THERE?! It’s a mess! And the residential areas are still growing while the infrastructure for roads and public transport is snail-paced! What the?! Haven’t they forgotten that eating too much pork is dangerous to Cavite’s health?! The incoming flux of migrants, residential and industrial developments of this province is clogging the arteries…and I have no idea if the body of the province, the local officials, are doing any drastic measure to change Cavite’s lifestyle…pero parang di masyadong maramdaman! Daang Hari and Molino Boulevard may be there but it’s not enough for the three million souls to move along! Regarding public transport, LRT South Extension project has been shelved–I heard about that crap since I was GRADE 5! For those who want the Coastal Road Extension to be stopped–kayo lang ba ang babara sa ugat namin dahil sa mga tahong at talaba? May mga ibang trabaho din naman po sa paligid, kumilos naman po tayo at huwag masyadong umasa palagi sa gobyerno! Pigilan nyo ang extension project at 2 milyong katao ang mas maapektuhan!

Coastal Road in Parañaque City -- Its mostly light to moderate traffic on early mornings except the toll plaza and Mia Road junction

It is something that the new leader, Jonvic Remulla, and the rest of the Cavite’s politicos should think and act about swiftly and wisely. There will come a time when the present “Buhos” system wouldn’t work anymore! What’s with being the most urbanized if we don’t have the proper infrastructure? As early as now, the province is already showing urban decay–this early! With the new president installed, I hope they should start acting up…before its too late. Cavite is already heading for a cardiac arrest!

Now, how does it feel being a commuter from Cavite? Ask me, that’s me on the photo.

I say, mabuhay ang mga bagong bayani ng Kabite! Mabuhay ang mga dakilang komyuter ng Kabite!

I was a bit irked earlier this morning when a media person interviewed a NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) official regarding the flight diversion that happened yesterday, after strong thunderstorms lashed Manila that led to zero visibility around the airport. Of course, I know the fact that ordinary people doesn’t understand the technicalities of airport operations…and so do I. I may not be an official or an expert in aircraft navigation nor a pilot myself, but somehow, I understand the consequences that NAIA faced yesterday. What irked me though was a seemingly sarcastic tone of “mauulit nanaman yan muli?” (“Will it ever repeat again?”). Of course it will! That is about mother nature and life and death! Its the standard operating procedure whenever Mother Nature has gone nuts! Safety over convenience!

The Filipino travelers and commuters alike already knew about the problem that NAIA has encountered in the past recent days. The VOR or VHF omnidirectional radio range is a navigational aid for the pilots for them to land the aircraft safely, especially during poor weather conditions, had broken down. I don’t like to sound techie here but this is one main goal of the said instrument. Of course, it is a critical instrument since landing, in my opinion (and based on my flight simulator experiences) has been one of the most risky, tricky and even dangerous phase in a flight of an aircraft. A lot of plane crashes in the past were due to pilot error or weather disturbance, and a big percentage of it was during approach. With this instrument, at least it would provide help for a safe landing.

Of course, given the bureaucracy that we have in this country, the facility has to endure the long periods of time…napaglulumaan na kumbaga. Given also the appropriations and the conspiracy of corruption, the multi-million dollar instrument, broke down. Of course, being a critical instrument in airport operations, it has to be replaced. But lo and behold the politics. Don’t tell me, we’re gonna get some another spanking from foreign aviation organisations?

Anyway, its a good thing they made a “first-aid” treatment by transferring the unused instrument from Subic Bay to Manila…but that too needs to be changed as soon as possible. And I hope Noynoy wouldn’t dilly-dally on this issue or its another blow in our “Philippine pride.” Worse, lives are at stake!

All right, to cut the story short, kahit anong moderno ng airport at kumpleto ang facilities at top of the class na mga air traffic controllers at piloto, kung Inang Kalikasan na ang nagbibigay ng kanyang banta’t galit, walang magagawa ang VOR-DME, ILS o kahit ano pa mang navigational aids sa airport! When the visibility is down to zero and the thunderstorm is great, there is a greater chance of having a fatal aircraft approach crash or crash landing. The possibility of microbursts or daluyong/squall is imminent and are avoided by aircraft worldwide. Ang daming bumagsak na eroplano nang dahil sa mabagsik na mukha ng isang thunderstorm na yan. Isa pa, kelangan din ng piloto kahit papaano ang tulong ng visual aids tulad ng ilaw…at dapat ding malinaw ito. Sa nasabi ko kanina, mahirap talaga ang landing, because it takes careful planning and estimating on how to safely land a plane safely. Its about the throttles, the flaps, the wind direction, the visual reference, the ailerons, the pilot, the flight attendants and most especially the lives of the passengers.

Yes, we all know about some dismal and anomalous things going on at the Philippines’ premiere gateway, but the situation yesterday was very different.

For those who felt inconvenience because of the diversion and was irked about it, I say…try to understand please. Buhay mo o ginhawa lamang? The pilot and the air traffic controller’s top priority has always been safety. Whatever technology that we have, we still cannot beat the fury of Mother Nature. The inconvenience of flight diversion and delay is a small price to pay for the safety of the passengers. Better live or have your lives being dramaticised on National Geographic’s “Air Crash Investigation.”

For some people who still view it as incompetence of NAIA–think again! Even the best airports in the world face shut down when the weather is awfully bad. Alam naman natin yun di ba? Its not about incompetence, politics or Category 2 rating of the Imperialist Yankees. Its about standard operating procedure for the safety of hundreds of lives flying over the air. So, even before the sarcasm, lets have a second look first. This time, please understand NAIA.

NAIA Terminal 3

The armada of floating rafts ashore Matabungkay Beach

Vivid memories of summer of my childhood. Floating rafts at the sea while watching the sunset over the western horizon. This is how I remember the ever famous beach of Matabungkay in Batangas Province. Tagal na pala nun! The last way I went here, it was during my childhood days. I remember eating our merienda to dinner in the middle of the sea…err, just a few meters off shore actually. Together with my family, I was reunited with the pigment of my past.

Matabungkay Beach is situated at the town of Lian (nope, its not Nasugbu which is north of the town), more than a hundred kilometers south of busy Manila. Passing through the panoramic Tagaytay and down into the foothills of  Batulao and Pico de Loro, Matabungkay was 0nce one of the most popular recreational sites near the big city. Because of its easy accessibility from the capital and the rest  of the Region Tagala, it became a tourist fave. Kaya pag-weekend, dagsa ang mga tao dito, mula noon hanggang ngayon!

The floating cottage raft of Matabungkay

What made Matabungkay distinct from other beach destinations in the country? Well, we all know that beaches here in the Philippines have cottages at the beach coast right? Matabungkay offers something different–floating cottage rafts a few meters of the coast. Yes mi cmpadres y compadrinas! Tama narinig nyo. Cottages are floating at the sea! You get to experience eating at the sea. Roast your barbecue, seafood and have your picnic offshore and just swim just beside your cottage! No need to endure running the sandy shores just to get your refreshment under the sun and salt water! Andyan lang ang tubig sa tabi ng cottage mo!

Nope, hindi sya na-Ondoy. He's just selling ice cream to customers at the floating cottage rafts

Banana Boat anyone?

Don’t panic! The shores are shallow enough for a grown-up man to stand. Of course, safety first. Have a life vest or salbabida–pero wag naman yung built-in na sa katawan mo ah!

Like any popular beaches in the islands, it has its own share of water and dry activities. You can rent a jetski (I don’t know the price) or your own pedal-powered boat for P200 per hour per person. What I took though was that banana boat experience for umm, P200 for 15-minute ride-to-experience-thrill-falling-at-the-sea activity. If those doesn’t sound interesting, try singing your hearts out at the nearest videoke–basta walang ‘My Way’ at “Skyline Pigeon.”

Cottages crowding at Matabungkay Beach's shore

This is Matabungkay Beach Today

However, over the years, the beach became overcrowded. Due to its over-popularity, urban growth has somehow became uncontrolled. The view of the sea from the coastal road that runs through Matabungkay is no more. The coastline is full of structures of concrete and makeshift houses. And the once tranquil and relaxing beach is now like Boracay or Copacabana–crowded. Even the floating cottages crowd the shores now–therefore its difficult to maneuver your floating raft at sea!

Summer Girls at Matabungkay

I even saw a discarded floating diaper while swimming. For crying out loud, can you just practice being a responsible and mature citizen of this republic! Kung kanino man yun, nanay naman huwag ka namang burara! Di lang kalikasan ang napapahamak! Pano kung ikaw ang nasampal ng diaper sa mukha no? Anong pakiramdam ‘nay?!

Talk about dating far from the crowd!

Despite its shortcomings, I still would go back to this beach. I just hope that Ate Vi, the local government and/or the Tourism Department to execute proper  urban planning in this place in order to promote sustainable growth of tourism and environment–wag na po sanang humantong sa isa nanamang sakit ng ulo tulad ng Boracay.

Fortune Island looming over the horizon. Beneath the sea lies the shipwreck of the Spanish galleon San Diego

Too bad, we need to leave before sunset. We have to rush to Taal to visit the Sanctuario de Virgen de Caysasay to fulfill the Sunday obligation. As the sun sets over South China Sea, that vivid memory of orange and pink gave me a flashback of my childhood memories. As we leave the beach and headed inland, the escort of hundreds of fire trees gave a fiery and breathtaking colour of the afternoon. Indeed, Matabungkay still lives in my memory…and its nice to be back once more.

P.S. There is something with the official barangay emblem…hehe!

The barangay seal of Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas...something peculiar, hehe!

More photos of Matabungkay Beach and Western Batangas here:

The kiping at Pahiyas Festival

Now, for the main dish. The number one reason why I went to Lucban last May 15th was because of Pahiyas Festival. Yup, that’s right. The fiesta of splashing colours, food, alcohol, revelry, religiosity and the invasion of the paparazzi. Pahiyas Festival has been known all over the Philippines as the fiesta with colurful buntings decorated in the town’s houses called kiping. Seen at post cards, text books and even foreign TV shows, Quezon Province’s most famous festival brings thousands of people to the rustic yet cool town in the foothills of Mount Banahaw, Lucban.

For the record, perstaym ko po pumunta dito! Nope, di lang Pahiyas, pati na rin pagpunta sa Lucban! Yes, nakarating na ako sa bayan ng Pahiyas, longanisa, pansit habhab at ang sagot sa vodka ng mga Tagalog, ang lambanog!

The fiesta of a thousand colourful kipings is a celebration and thanksgiving to the bountiful harvests to the farmer’s patron saint San Isidro Labrador (Saint Isidore the Worker), held every 15th day of May. One thing’s interesting though, Lucban’s patron saint is not San Isidro Labrador, but San Luis Obispo and the town’s patronal fiesta is held every August. But nonetheless, an agricultural-based town offers its best to the saint of its workers.

It starts from here. No jeeps were allowed to enter Lucban town proper

The Centuries-old Church of San Luis Obispo and The Religious Procession

We reached there at around 7AM. Wow, no traffic yet! Jeepneys weren’t allowed to get inside, so we took the tricycle all the way to the centuries-old San Luis Obispo Church (Lucban Church). The procession of the saints has just started with the images of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and San Isidro Labrador leading the faithful through the streets of Lucban.

Lucban Town Plaza

Mount Banahaw looming over Lucban--The main reason why its cool around here

The cool crisp mountain air sure is refreshing. You ain’t going tired that easily even if the sun is up 12 noon! Iba talaga kung naglalakad ka sa arawan na may preskong malamig na hangin.

Panorama of Lucban from Kamay ni Hesus

That morning, since there are no activities yet, we decided to climb Lucban’s tourist and religious site, “Kamay ni Hesus” (Hand of Jesus) [I'll post an article later this week about it] and went back to the town centre for some lunch.

One of Lucban's Old Houses restored

After lunch, then came the people. Peculiar since most festivals I’ve been through, its in  the morning where its most crowded. People here start to trickle in after lunch! Simulan na ang mahabang paglalakad para makita ang kagandahan ng piyestang Pahiyas!

Unlike most fiestas that I’ve covered, the main attraction here is not street dancing, but the houses decorated with colourful buntings. They vary, from the simplest to the most ostentatious (o masasabi nating huling araw na ng kiping). Kiping are colourful leaf-shaped buntings that are hanged or plastered at the facade of the houses. Take note, its edible–made from rice with some food colouring on it. Kids actually munch on it after the feast! Green activists rejoice! It’s not plastic! Its totally biodegradable!

For San Isidro Labrador

Other than kiping, fruits, vegetables, fabric and other decor make the houses unique. (And a lot of old bahay na bato here too! Me like it!) At most, the decors display the lifestyle and the bounty of Lucban, its people and its industry. Vegetables abound the decorations, and so are the tourists. It was already 2PM and cameras has start shooting Lucban’s celebrities! Ang daming turista, may it be local or foreign. Overnight, Lucban was turned into Disneyland! A lot of photo booths with decors await the tourists…daming camwhore, dami ring jejemon!

Whew! The road was long, we managed to get back to the town’s main plaza for another Pahiyas’s highlight: The procession. Dandararan, this is the beginning of the infamous May 15 Traffic Jams of Quezon Province.

Pancit Habhab mobile trolley

The escort and the muse

The procession started with some local officials and bands with their “tunog-lata” marching ensemble.

The decorated carozza

The carabao and the farmer -- the celebrants of today's feast

Healthy living starts here

San Isidro Labrador and kipings

From decorated pansit habhab mobile stores (mga nagpapadyak ng pansit habhab), to the procession of escorts and muses in their costumes that are surely 100% Pinoy, to the decorated carabao carts (with kids) and to floats with some celebrities on it. The procession was full of spectators and brought the festive mode a notch higher. Love the atmosphere!

The procession goes on!

The crowd at Lucban's main road

As the day ends, the whole town itself is in fiesta mode. Traffic was halted into a standstill. The roads leading to and from Lucban were parking lots! Still, the people goes up with the revelry. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see the lighting of the kiping decors or pailaw. I saw some photos of it and it was darn beautiful! Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed the feast much.

And traffic was halt to a standstill

Splashes of colour and revelry filled up the streets of Lucban. The creativity, hard work and love for life mirrors Pahiyas. Ingenuity, celebration and faith at its best the farmers and the Lucban residents could offer to the Almighty. For tourists and culture afficionados, its a feast of awe-inspiring creativity. For the photographers, a paradise. For the jejemon, it is somewhere to make porma!

The farmer--the "bida" for this revelry

I’ll come back to this town next time, with or without Pahiyas. Lucban would be on my list.

For more photos of Lucban and Pahiyas:

Pancit Habhab at Lucban...Served Hot with a smile!

Well, what do you know. I came up here for two things: The fiesta and the food. In every fiesta in this country, food is always associated–and it means a whole lot of it. When I was at Lucban, although I wasn’t able to go house-hopping for food, the streets of this quaint Quezon town is a feast of gastronomic proportions. Yup, its beyond your usual delicious chorizo, if you know what I mean. There were three things that made my tummy satisfied all throughout the day in Lucban during the Pahiyas.

Oh! Those juicy, plump, Lucban Longanisas...they're uhmm, delish!

Lucban Longaniza

O ayan, pinakasikat na marahil sa lahat ng pagkain ng Lucban. Perhaps the most popular pasalubong and product is the variety of longaniza (sausage) in Lucban. The longaniza is made of pork spiced with garlic and other “secret spices” (I know, trade secret for some) and then stuffed in thin pork intestine. Fry it and dip it in spicy vinegar (that coconut vinegar for that authentic taste). Voila! A sweet yet spicy (with a strong garlic taste) delight to brighten up your day!

They're making longanisa o!

The longaniza is sold in two sizes. One small, one big. The smaller one costs around P50-P60 per dozen (they don’t sell per kilo here), and the bigger one for half a price more per dozen. Either way, it’s still great with sinangag (fried rice) and egg for breakfast!

I love it when its crispy fried! Yummy!!!

Those dangling longanisas...yum!!

By the way, I brought home some 1 and a half dozen of small longanisa at home. My bag was reeking with the scent of longanisa. Kulang na lang, kainin na ang bag ko!

Panseeet! Habhab!

Pansit habhab is another specialty that Lucban offers. Its basically pansit (parang pansit kanton) with a few ingredients such as sayote, onions and fried pork. The tindera would give you the pancit either on banana leaf or plastic.Put some spicy vinegar (yup, not your usual ol’calamansi) on it and eat it…STOP! Eat it from your hands! No forks, no chopstiks…straight to your mouth from your hands. That is why its “habhab” because you are going to eat it without any utensils nor use your hands to grab the pancit and put it in your mouth. Baka pagtawanan ka ng iba kung gagamit ka ng kubyertos! Take a look at the picture below and see how you eat pancit habhab.

Yes folks, that's how you eat your longanisa. Now, huwag mag-inarte!

We were lucky to meet and encounter Aling Lita on the streets of the town with her famed cry, “panseeeeeeet!” According to the locals, she has been selling habhab for years now. If I’m not mistaken, she was also at Discovery Channel one time…and yes, I think she was also in Tado and Erning’s Strange Brew show.

Panseeeet! Here comes Aling Lita!

Aling Lita with my kabarkadas Arjay and Biboy (Photo courtesy of Arjay Goldara)

Serving your pancit habhab

By the way, pansit habhab became my “pantawid gutom” for the rest of the day. It’s so cheap yet it one order fills me up. Price range: P5.00 to P10.00. Wala na akong nakitang sumobra sa presyong yan nung Pahiyas, kaya wag mangambang magutom sa piyesta!

Salud!

We had a very tiring day going around the town to see the decorated homes and witnessed the parade. My friend Biboy (which his family hails from Lucban) took us for some refreshing snack. For a dose of halo-halo!

Ooh! Refreshing Halo-Halo at Salud's!

We went to Salud Refreshment, just a few meters away behind Lucban Church. For locals, it is where you go for a refreshing mais-con-yelo or halo-halo, served the Lucban provincia way. For a serving of halo-halo, I think it was P35 per glass.

Some of halo-halo's basic ingredients

You know that this place is an institution already...Classic chalkboard!

It’s really fiesta time when we went to Lucban for the Pahiyas. Thank goodness, the locals really know how to satisfy your appetite during the feasts, and I bet I haven’t seen the rest of Lucban’s gastronomic jewels!

Full to the brim Salud's

P.S. In case you might wonder, those colourful leaf-like decors that hangs at homes in Lucban during Pahiyas–they’re edible! Yup, its just a product of rice with a bit of food colouring. Kids like it when its roasted.

Pahiyas kiping--they're edible.

Oops, control your appetite!

More photos of Lucban Pahiyas Festival here:

To Lucban!

Well, I guess I was excited back then. It was my first time going to Lucban for Pahiyas Festival. The feast that I could only see on telly or on books. I’ve seen Sinulog, Dinagyang and Masskara for countless times already but this crowning jewel of Quezon Province’s feasts is something that I would look forward into. Such colourful and attractive feast has made me like a bee, attracted to the colour of the kipings and revelry. It was my first time going there and I’ll be commuting. May 15 is a notorious date to any commuter or motorist going south, as horrific stories of traffic jams linger. But I dared!

Which is which?

I called in the Quezon Provincial Tourism Office and sought advise on what’s the best route going to Lucban. My friends from Quezon and the tourism people have a unanimous answer: Go Laguna-Pagsanjan instead!

Here’s why:

The Notorious Traffic at Lucban

1. We all know that Lucban is in Quezon Province and the main route is through Maharlika Highway which passes through San Pablo City in Laguna and towns of Tiaong, Sariyaya, Candelaria and of course Lucena City, the kabisera. Well, they’ve warned me of the infamous traffic that said to have spanned all the way to Laguna (San Pablo). Reason: Tiaong and Sariyaya have their own version of Pahiyas fiesta. Expect traffic that may last for hours for the whole day. Commuters and motorists are advised to avoid the Maharlika Highway route unless visiting the affected towns or necessary. Much better if mapa-aga na lang kayo pumunta ng Bicol o Lucena.
2. The Laguna Route, which passes by Santa Cruz and Pagsanjan, is the easiest and fastest way to go to Lucban. Besides that there are no feasts in this side, the distance to Manila is much closer. It only takes an hour or less to travel by jeepney from Santa Cruz to Pagsanjan.

So obviously we went on the easier one.

A long and winding road to Pahiyas

Bus Arriving at Santa Cruz Laguna

Travel Log:

• 15 May 2010 | 02:30AM – My friend and I arrived at the Green Star bus terminal at Taft Avenue corner Buendia in Pasay City. It was too early. The guard told us that the first trip leaves the terminal by 3:30AM. So we went to KFC and have our late midnight snack/early breakfast.

Note: There are several bus companies that serve Manila-Santa Cruz route: Green Star (Pasay City terminal/Aircon bus), HM Transport (Cubao Bus Terminal/Aircon bus) and Calamba Megatrans (Alabang Bus Terminal/Ordinary/Non-Air Conditioned bus).

• 15 May 2010 | 03:00AM – The bus is parked and calling in for passengers. Good! We sat comfortably.
• 15 May 2010 | 03:15AM – Whoa! Was there a group booking. A bunch of excursionists went into the bus…At this rate, we’ll be leaving early! The bus is almost full…5 minutes later, the last seat was occupied.
• 15 May 2010 | 03:30AM – We left Pasay and bound for Santa Cruz
• 15 May 2010 | 03:45AM – We have encountered traffic somewhere between Bicutan and Sucat. Skyway construction on-going. We were stuck in the traffic for 30 minutes…ang aga naman ng trapik sa SLEX!
• 15 May 2010 | 04:20AM – We finally made it out of the traffic but saw this huge fire engulfing some houses in Muntinlupa. Only later to find out that it was one of the worst fire disasters in Muntinlupa City.
• 15 May 2010 | 05:00AM – Finally, we reached Calamba City. Ang aga ng trapik dito! The narrow roads and on-going developments (there is a SM mall being constructed near the public market. Good luck for the traffic though).
• 15 May 2010 | 05:30AM – We were in College, Laguna (UPLB junction)
• 15 May 2010 | 05:45AM – We passed by the town of Pila. For the first time, I saw the old houses and heritage buildings in this town. I’m planning to go back here sometime soon.
• 15 May 2010 | 06:15AM – Finally, we reached Santa Cruz. We have to take a ride through a jeepney (a big one) to Lucban. At pila ng bigas ang scenario! The bus stops over at the junction where Lucban-bound jeepneys are parked. Just tell the conductor to advise you to bring you to the jeepney terminal. Most likely, the bus conductor would mention it anyway.

Jeepney bound for Lucban

And those who dared! I wish I was there, hehe!

• 15 May 2010 | 06:20AM – We left Santa Cruz and passed by Pagsanjan. Off we go up in the mountains between Laguna and Quezon Provinces.

Pagsanjan Gate

The Long and Winding Road from Pagsanjan to Lucban

Passing by Pagsanjan Church

• >> Note: Nakakatakot ang daanan! The jeepney was full to the brim, and we have people on the rooftop! The curves were sharp and ravine is just beyond the road gutter!Yet, fear was replaced with appreciation of nature and the sun rising in the east. The air was cool and crisp. May nagpa-andar ba ng aircon? The cool air would remain all the way to Lucban for the rest of the day! Sarap naman! Refreshing!
• 15 May 2010 | 06:40AM – Passed by the town of Cavinti in Laguna

Luisiana Plaza

• 15 May 2010 | 06:50AM – Passed by the town of Luisiana in Laguna (take note of the pronunciation: “Luwisyana”…you might thought its the State of Louisiana in US).

Inside the jeepney

• 15 May 2010 | 07:00AM – Crossed the border of Quezon and Laguna! Yehey! And Mount Banahaw welcomes us!

Bawal na ang Jeepney sa loob ng bayan ng Lucban! Tricycles line up for passengers bound for Lucban's town proper

• 15 May 2010 | 07:15AM – Junction Lucban. Jeepneys are not allowed to enter the town proper. Nagsisimula na! So we rode a tricycle that brought us all the way to San Luis Obispo Parish Church (or Lucban Church). We were just in time for the first activity of the day: The religious procession!

Procession of San Isidro Labrador at Lucban

Its just the start of my Pahiyas de Lucban experience…something that I wouldn’t forget! Mga wala kaming tulog pero nagsisimula pa lang ang araw namin.

Transportation fare:

Okay, for those budget-conscious or just plain cheap, here are the fares:

• Pasay City to Santa Cruz, Laguna (Air-conditioned bus) – PhP149.00 (US$3.00)
• Santa Cruz, Laguna to Lucban, Quezon (jeepney) – PhP45.00 (US$1.00)

More photos here:

Basilica Minore de San Martin de Tours - Taal Batangas

Standing 96 metres long and 45 metres wide, the Basilica Minore de San Martin de Tours is said to be the largest Catholic Church in Asia. The church is located at the highest point of the hillside town centre of Taal in Batangas Province, surrounded by centuries-old houses or bahay na bato. She is  likened for a palace and a sentinel over the whole town. Kitang-kita at animo’y kastilyo sa isang fairy tale story! It sits prominently and majestically in front of the town plaza. This grand edifice is dedicated to the town’s patron saint, San Martin de Tours.

Details on Taal Basilica's facade

Built by the Agustinian friars, the basilica that you see now is the third incarnation of Taal’s church of Saint Martin of Tours. The first church was built somewhere in today’s San Nicolas in Batangas in 1575 by Fray Diego Espina. However, the eruption of Taal Volcano in 1754 destroyed that church. Later, it was moved to its current location and started constructing the new church in 1755. An earthquake toppled the church to the ground in 1849. It didn’t stop the Agustinians and the Taalenos to construct a brand new church designed by Spanish architect Luciano Oliver. The current church was built in 1856 to 1878. From that point on, it became the crowning jewel of the historical and heritage town of Taal—declared as a basilica in 1954 and as a national shrine in 1974.

If my Humanities 2 in college serves me right, Taal Basilica’s architectural design was more of neo-classical since the presence of Doric and Corinthian columns, two triangular and one arch pediment dominate its facade. Sometimes, I even thought that this was more of a civil building rather than a religious edifice. However, the facade is reminiscent of some great European churches. The basilica somehow differs from the usual baroque architecture that seems to dominate Philippine Spanish colonial churches.

The Main Retablo of Taal Basilica (From 2008 photo archives)

Side retablo and the church pulpit of Taal Basilica (From the photo archives of 2008)

Go inside and you’ll see how humongous this church is! Spacious and somehow, the baroque interiors are ever present—from retablos to chandeliers.

Outside, before you get into the church, you’ll be flocked by children selling red candles with a human figure on it. It’s kinda’ creepy for a first time but later on, you’ll get used to it. People here are friendly and are willing to help you out whenever you’re in need…something I’m longing for a buhay probinsya.

It was not my first time coming to the Basilica but somehow, it never fails to give me that gasp and awe that out Filipino ancestors left for us to marvel upon. Indeed, this goes to show that we Filipinos can aim for the best or even the greatest!

Taal Basilica peeking

Next stop…teka, lilipad na tayo. Tawid dagat! From the land of Kapeng Barako, we’ll be flying to the land of Batchoy–Iloilo, my hometown.

More photos of Taal Basilica and the Batangas quick trip here:

From the archives

Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay

In observance of the Holy Week, HabagatCentral.com would embark on a journey similar to the Filipino tradition during these reflective times. With seven churches visited within the past three weeks in Batangas and Iloilo, tara na at bumisita tayo sa mga simbahan. More than just sites of Filipino religiosity, but also a mirror of the richness of Filipino culture and heritage. Our first stop: Batangas!

It was one hot summer Sunday when my family and I went on to Batangas. Just for a change of environment, especially church days, we went off to Taal. I’ve been here several times but I wanted to bring my family to this famed heritage village. Instead of heading to Pink Sisters in Tagaytay, we decided to go to the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay—believed to be the patroness of the Batanguñeos.

Caysasay Belfry

The Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay is found besides Pansipit River, just at the foot of the hillside town proper of Taal. The Shrine was believed to be where the image of the Virgin Mary was found amongst the casay-casay or kingfishers, sitting on a sampaguita bush.

The Legend of Juan Maningcad and The Blessed Virgin Mural

According to a legend, in 1603 at the town of Taal, a fisherman named Juan Maningcad found a six-inch image of Our Lady of Caysasay grabbed by his fishing net. Awe-stricken by its aura and presence, Maningcad began to praise the image and returned it home. Having learned the account, the priest of the town went to Maningcad’s house and requested that the image be venerated and celebrated a feast. From then on, under the guardianship of Madam Maria Espiritu, the image frequently disappeared. In 1611, the “Lady” was found on top of a sampaguita bush surrounded by kingfisher birds. Also, there were recorded miraculous appearances by the Lady and has done miraculous things. The people believed that the Lady would like to have her shrine built in the place where she was found, therefore the construction of the Shrine.

Ang Birhen ng Caysasay

The news spread like wildfire, first within Batangas, then beyond.

Inside the "pyramidical dome" of Caysasay Shrine

Up to this day, Batangueno Catholics go here and pay homage to the image of Caysasay. Believed to be miraculous, the image is located at the retablo in the church. Pilgrims have the chance to touch the image’s hair by going to the stairs behind the shrine.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Stairway

I have been here before, passing through Taal town proper then down to the grand staircase linking the uphill poblacion to Caysasay Shrine. Built during the Spanish colonial era, the grand stairway of San Lorenzo Ruiz is one major pedestrian link from the Basilica to the Shrine. Good exercise area too!

Our Lady of Caysasay Seal at the pediment of the shrine

Anyway, while I was taking a photo of candles at the front of the shrine, a local approached me and asked “Nakapunta na ba po kayo sa may balon?” I said, I haven’t. She replied, “dun po kasi huling nakita ang Mahal na Birhen, sana po pumunta po kayo din doon.” I wish I had the luxury of time–the Santa Lucia Wells, as they say, is worth exploring.

Red candles with a human figure

Something tells me that I’ll be returning in this shrine over and over again. Although small as compared to the Basilica just a few metres away, it still maintains its charm to be one of Batangas’s most significant religious places.

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine Retablo

Next stop: That grand Basilica uphill! Basilica Minore de San Martin de Tours–said to be the largest of its kind in Asia!

Inside The Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay

More photos of Caysasay, Basilica, Batangas and more here:

The Balisong family

Sinong Pinoy ba ang di nakakikilala sa balisong? Perhaps, there is no dagger as (in)famous in Philippine pop culture as balisong. The small, light and foldable dagger is really easy for anyone to hide it in their pockets—that is why it’s a crowd favourite. Being a “star” in Gus Abelgas’s show in the crime scene, balisong’s infamous legacy has developed a stereotypical image that “if you have a balisong, you’re feared by anyone.” Wow, seems that Panday has met his match! But people still wonder where does balisong came from, and they’ll soon find out that its origins are from the Land of A’la eh!

Welcome to Barangay Balisong, Taal, Batangas!

Balisong is a barangay in the heritage town of Taal in the province of Batangas. With more than 2,800 souls living, it’s only about two hours away from Manila via Tagaytay or even through SLEX. Kapeng barako may be strong but true enough, this province forged by fire has a fiery product that most Pinoys either feared or praised—the balisong. In other words, that famous “butterfly dagger” comes from Barangay Balisong, hence the name.

Balisong daggers

Along the highway going up north of the town proper of Taal (only a few metres away from the historic town center), you’ll see several stores along the highway, selling different kinds of balisong—and its affordable too! May Tatay, Nanay, Ate, Kuya, lolo o lola na balisong and whole lot more! Whew! Talk about expanded family!  Passers-by may want to purchase a key chain with a balisong for PhP50 (less than a dollar) or all the way to the size of a Japanese katana (or we know it as “samurai sword”). The handles come in at different colours and designs—choose what fits your lifestyle.

I look at Balisong as somewhat like a swordsman’s town. Seemingly, this would reflect perhaps on the warrior society of the Tagalogs and the courageous attitude of the Batangueños. This is the barangay’s main product, and people make swords and daggers for a living. I might even seek Batangas’s own Hatori Hanzo here (see Kill Bill)!

Balisong For Sale!

Unfortunately, I really don’t have the luxury of time to ask the sentiment of the people of Balisong on their product and their place’s name associated with dagger on a crime scene. However, the way I see it, this swordsman’s community testifies the fine craftsmanship and creativity of the Batanguñeos—a dagger that may rival Japan’s katana. Just take care and be responsible in handling balisong—it does wield power over life and death.

More Balisong and Batangas trip photos here:

It was my first time I went to this festival…or fiesta. It is not the usual street dancing competition or handaan sa bahay-bahay festivities but it was a perfect way of celebrating Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year out of the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila. Nah, not the “Age of Aquarius” song again, but it’s “up, up and away, my beautiful, my beautiful balloon” in Clark Field in Pampanga as the people celebrate the 15^th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. The feast of hot air balloons and anything aviation has been running since February 11 (Thursday) and I was just in time for the final day of the said event (Feb 14)! Hurray for Flight Sim!

Mister Gong pagong and Mister Sunshine, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Pampanga

Together with Ohmski and Flow, we went to Pampanga in the wee-hours of the morning. It has been said that it is a tradition that hot air balloons are launched by the time the sun rises in the east and its rays kiss the cool land of Pampanga morning…naks! As early as 4AM, the road leading to Air Force City in Clark Field was already jammed with spectators, tourists and uzis. The sky was then dark.

A Panoramic view of the 15th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga (Click image to view larger photo)

By the time that the clock struck six, I saw an aircraft flying over our vicinity…and three men jumped…err, skydived. What’s dramatic about it was one of them was carrying and unfurled the Philippine republic, 3,000 feet above ground, escorted by two army personnel…and the crowd stopped and sang “Bayang Magiliw”…oops, its “Lupang Hinirang.” What a way to do a flag ceremony!

Now that the sky diver was on the ground, giant hot air balloons started to unfurl from the ground. Aided by those big stoves flanked above the basket, it fills up the balloon with hot air (remember that hot air rises and cool air sinks lesson in High School Science?) so that it could rise up from the ground and fly away.

Candaba's Ebun-Ebun Festival contingent performing at Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Pampanga

The atmosphere was festive. While the balloons gently inflate themselves, the Ebun-Ebun Festival of Candaba contingent entertained the crowd with their dance and revelry (although the choreography seems very familiar). Somehow, the flight of the birds relate to the flight of the balloons which started to float in the air.

Sunrise at Hot Air Ballon Fiesta, Pampanga

As the sunlight passes through the shadow of Mount Arayat, the balloons launched up in the air. From afar, they do look like jellyfishes floating in the air. How I wish I ride in one of them but the price is…umm…$250 per ride…that’s almost P10 kiaw! Oh well, I’m happy watching them fly away…someday, I’ll have an opportunity riding with ‘em.

Gong Pagong. Mister Sunshine, Floating Bottle of Beer and Farmville

From the usual hot-air balloons, I saw “designer” balloons such as “Mister Sunshine,” “Floating Beer Bottle,” “Gong Pagong” and “Farmville.” (Disclaimer: I was the only one who named those balloons, I think they have their official names…pero yun lang ang tawag ko sa kanila, hehe!)

The Launch of Hot Air Balloons, Clark Field, Pampanga

The event was full of people until mid-morning. It was like a perfect picnic grove, with kites flying and those small propellers spread all over the area. It was indeed a Sunday for the family, barkada and lovers too…

It was noontime. We already felt tired. Most of us haven’t slept the night before, and we decided to go back to Manila. As we left the gates of Air Force City, indigenous Ati as I call them (Ita in Central Luzon) sold their products for a bit “touristy” price. Indyan pana, mouth dart and my favourite, bird twitter were some of the souvenir goodies that were sold by these creative people. I bought one “bird twitter” and went home with good memories.

An aviator’s festival turned into a major festival. A lot of people came, saw and conquered Clark. A lot were entertained. Like balloons floating in the air, the people saw a new year coming in, defying the gravity of obstacles in life and love. As I say, belated Happy Valenties and Chinese New Year to all! I had a great time!

An Aeta Lady sells indigenous crafts at Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Pampanga..They are very creative, in my opinion. Kudos!

More photos here:

Vicinity map (Courtesy of Google Maps)


View Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in a larger map