blog of a frustrated traveler: May 2014

Friday, May 9, 2014

Ilocos Sur Getaway

Ilocos Sur, October 2012

Another semester's over and I was looking forward for an exciting semestral break. Me and my friends planned to spend a week away from home and we're bound to Ilocos. Erica offered their rest house for a place to stay. She invited some of her friends too. I was too excited because my break's gonna be jam-packed.

Breath-taking scenery along the trip so we seized the opportunity to take a picture. By the way, the wind is extremely blowing in the area.

I'm surprised that Erica's house has a mini basketball court. This made me happy.

Calle Crisologo is a preserved beauty. Try going at night.

Before we turn in for the night, a game of cards and a bowl full of pumpkin seeds were our midnight snack.

Rise and shine! We took a picture while waiting for our turns in taking a bath.

Fritzie was totally head over heels to lose weight.

Bad luck? Maybe. The car leaked almost all the gasoline and took half a day to repair. We had no choice but to ride public transportation.

Vigan Empanada at Hidden Garden. Nahid looks hungry!

Another photo of us at Hidden Garden. We're ready to leave and visit Baluarte.

There's not much people around. The weather is just not so stable at the moment.

We are crazy. That's all know.

The church at night.

We get to spend the day at the rest house of Erica's uncle. Videoke, baby!

We gotta love this secluded place with its own private pool. It's a vacation all right.

Cool afternoon breeze and a hammock is definitely the definition of relaxation.

Black and yellow. Hmm.

Tong-its! An addictive card game! Must-try. Ha-ha!

The night went on with a toast.

Sorry to be leaving this place. It was a nice ride. :|

Last stop for the trip: Bell Tower, in which it was rumored to be the taping area of the movie, "Sukob".

The bell. The wooden steps were unstable but at the top, the view was fantastic.

Souvenir and gift shop, Marsha's Delicacies.

It was one hell of a trip. Looking forward for more adventures with my friends!

BenCab Museum Fieldtrip

Art Gallery, August 2013

For almost four years of stay in Baguio, I have often heard about the BenCab museum from friends or other travel blogs. I never had the time to visit great places within the city because most of my time is devoted to academics (just joking). For certain reasons, I made my way to the roster of Humanities 2 that opened up an opportunity to visit the museum before I leave Baguio (hopefully).

My artsy side does not often come naturally. It’s usually impulsive and at times, dormant. Due to my extensive exposure to science, my perspective shifted to complexity and symmetry. I knew I needed to join this trip not only for the extra points but also for the restoration of my lost interest in art.

One look at the museum, I knew that it’s gonna be great, but hot, day.

As soon as the doors were opened for us, few paintings were already waiting for us. They were large, just like a mural. The planning of the museum was impressive for they categorized the paintings, this way, it’s better to look at them by their similarities.

I noticed that most of the works are inspired by the Cordilleran culture. This may be due to the geographical location of the museum and/or Ben Cabrera’s fascination of Indigenous People’s culture. From weaved cloth to pottery, it became a depiction of the once thriving culture.

If only our tour guide’s voice was louder and clearer, it would have been great. I could only stare at paintings without knowing which is which. The precision and undefined boundaries of the paintings impressed me the most.

On the other side, abstract paintings were abound. It was really hard to discern what the artist wanted to depict in the paintings. In the end, it leaves the viewer something to ponder on. This left me questions dancing in my head which I held on for some time. But for the record, abstract paintings are constant reminders of that sometimes, imperfections are perfect.

What's that? :D

It may look odd but I enjoyed staring at the paintings in the Erotica Gallery. At first, the idea of erotica, for me, was absurd and harassing. But upon integrating the human body to art, the definition became clearer. To me, before, it should be talked of privately, but somehow this notion changed. It’s fascinating how the human body is being portrayed and given importance to. In my opinion, the artist may be a fan of Freud.

Erotica miniatures.

This trip, somehow, uplifted my interest in art. I wasn't supposed to join this activity for the load of requirements waiting to be accomplished. At the end of the day, the time that I intend to devote to my requirements, gave a much better consequence in return. The experience and the bonding was worth the sacrifice.

From Baguio City:
Take a Public Utility Jeep that is bound for Asin Hot Springs. The terminal for these is located in the public market. Ask for directions (this is vital). From there, ask the driver to drop you off at BenCab museum. It is not hard to notice for the said building has a modern design that differs it from the surrounding environment. Make sure to bring enough money for there is an entrance fee plus there is a cafe resto inside that provides a scenic view.

From BenCab Museum:
Wait for jeeps that pass by the museum. The fare is Php 28.00 (as of now) for one-way back to Baguio City. If you have an afternoon to kill, head a bit further (ride a jeepney) until you've reached the Asin hot springs. Along the way, there are numerous resorts (Riverview, Palm Grove, etc.) to relax upon.

Enjoy!

Sablan, Benguet Fieldwork

First fieldwork, August 2011

It was the first semester of my 2nd year in college. Rainy season and yet our fieldwork in Botany 109 (Plant Taxonomy) pushed through. The location (Brgy. Bayabas, Sablan, Benguet) is just an hour-thirty from the busy streets of Baguio City. I found myself and my other group mates inside a large Public Utility Jeep. The long ride had soon started.

We had numerous large polyethylene bags, where our collected specimen will be temporarily stored. A fieldwork, for us biology majors, is an activity wherein we survey an area and take note every plant that intersected with the transect line. The length of the transect line varies according to the professor's instruction. So basically, it is data and specimen gathering, alongside with description of the place. These collected specimens will be further analyzed and processed back in our laboratories and execute a thorough research of the identity of the certain plant. I did these for four years. Amazing!

Brgy. Bayabas is not usually the place where vehicles normally pass by. It is located in the inner parts of the mountain and the trip to get back in the national road is quite long and bumpy, and rather, undeveloped. It is quite far from the city and the place is a bit lonely. Also, the road can only accommodate one vehicle at a time, and there are some instances that the road lies in a cliff; one mistake, well, you know what will happen next.

(c) Arianne Gamboa | 2011

After some time, we had collected ample amounts of specimen and we stopped by in one of the residential houses. We were surprised that the elder, who owned the house, willingly told us stories of the place. She was so accommodating that she even invited us for lunch.

(c) Arianne Gamboa | 2011

After a hike of thirty minutes from the Bayabas Elementary School, we witnessed this breathtaking view. Although we were hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, this view made us forget what pain we were enduring at that time. We rested at a nearby shed while waiting for the 12 NN break. Shortly after, we left the beautiful view to have lunch.

(c) Arianne Gamboa | 2011

(c) Arianne Gamboa | 2011

The locals were also very friendly and accommodating. They offered us some of their produce, such as bananas and mangoes, to bring home. Before leaving Brgy. Bayabas, we decided to purchase Pineapple wine (their primary product) from the community. As soon as we are already packing up and ready to go back, the rain started to pour. At 4 pm, we left this peaceful place.

I can feel that the community were delighted to have such visitors once in a while. I can see the children's smiles turn into frown as our vehicles march the way out of the vicinity.

(c) Arianne Gamboa | 2011

Although the trip was quite dangerous, it is in these instances that make you think life once more. The simplicity of the locals without the need to buy extravagant things and the moist environment due to its 'foresty' appeal add up to an enviable life.

I want to visit this place again. Not collecting specimens, but keeping up with the locals.

From Baguio City:

Ride a jeepney or a bus that will pass through Naguilian road. Ask the driver to drop you at Sablan. From there, ask the locals where to ride a jeep or a tricycle going to Brgy. Bayabas. The trip is quite long and make sure to stuff toiletries and lots of food. There aren't any sari-sari (convenience) stores around. Once you get there, talk to the Barangay Captain. He will surely give you a tour around.

Sablay

Sablay = Graduate, April 2014

The 'Sablay' says it all.

For the 4 wonderful years of my stay in UP [Baguio], the 'Sablay' can summarize it all.

Graduation paraphernalia

I wasn't aware of its existence since my third year in college. I was so busy trying to pass my subjects. The number of majors I'm taking extremely grew as semesters pass. And I admit, passing UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) is just the beginning of hell and staying in UP is one heck of a long, bumpy, sleepless ride.

I can still remember my first step inside the campus. It was the medical examination. As I walked through the corridors, I can imagine myself sitting on the floor, killing time, which I habitually did a year after. I can't exactly describe what I'm feeling that moment, but I'm sure it was mostly fear. Yes, fear, and insecurities. Maybe because I am not included in the list of the brightest students in our batch in high school. Yet, opportunity knocked right in front of me that I can't even resist. And here I am, calling myself soon-to-be 'Iskolar ng Bayan'.

Belonging to this premier state university, gave me nothing but worries--always! Specially when a new semester's about to start, I really don't know how to handle stress and my only goal was to pass my subjects. I once dreamt of graduating with flying colors, but being in this university makes it too impossible for me. I'm already happy seeing grade of higher than 3.0s in my TCG.

I endured eight semesters plus three summers(yes, I don't take a break. Nah, kidding.) with this kind of mentality. I will always remember the sleepless nights trying to review everything and rushing the papers (lab and field reports) due the following morning. I also experienced going to class without taking a bath (it's Baguio City guys, come on! Water problems everywhere!). Also those times when you need to wake up any time of the day and get ready by packing things for the fieldwork. Oh, how I'll miss being an undergrad, a Biology student. Most of all, a UP student.

Last April 28, I bid farewell to the university that exposed me to the extremes of life. To the university that opened my eyes to significant situations that continuously shape the nation and made me exercise and use the extents of freedom.

The 'Sablay', that was in my right shoulder the whole time, is now finally resting on my left. This is gonna be the last time that the university will be having its graduation in April, as the academic calendar will be synchronized to the international one.

UP was and still my second home. I will always be a true Maroon, an activist by heart. UP did not only provide me with knowledge, but it showed me how this knowledge can be utilized.

*Insert UP Naming Mahal here*

As our chant says, "Iskolar ng Bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban! Ngayon ay lumalaban, Iskolar ng Bayan!"

Thank you for the four wonderful years, UP!