THY WOMB

Shaleha Sarail(Nora Aunor),a Badjao midwife hails from a coastal village in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi. The province is a seaweed-producing spot in the southernmost part of the Philippines all the way down the Malaysian and Indonesian archipelagos. Aging and still smarting from three miscarriages in the past, Shaleha agonizes over her failure to bear a child. Though an adoptive parent to her nephew, she still feels that her husband Bangas-An (Bembol Roco) desires to be a father. She struggles to cope with the irony of her own infertility amidst the deprivation of her community.

To fulfill her husband’s only wish and to be blessed by Allah—in her belief that having a child is a tangible proof of divine grace—Shaleha resolves to find a new partner for her husband. Night and day, she and her husband sail away from their floating village and to nearby island communities in search of a fertile woman. As if by providence, Shaleha finds the girl through friends' recommendations. But on the eve of her husband’s second marriage to Mersila (Lovi Poe), jealousy gnaws and consumes Shaleha. .

A saga of island life stuck between the devil of passion and the deep blue sea of tradition.

MT. PICO DE LORO

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK

MOUNT PULAG

Mount Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon. This mountain is considered as a sacred ground to the Ibaloi and Kalanguya. Mt. Pulag National Park anchors the Cordillera’s largest national park.

This trip started from an invitation from my new found friend Weng (ByahengJologs) and Mina (Adventures of ManongUnyol). It’s been a month of preparation. Thanks guys for the efforts. Were supposed to go on this DIY (do-it-yourself) trip the three of us! I created a group page on FB for easy exchanging of thoughts and ideas and also inviting some of ours friends.

As the date of climb near approaching more and more were interested in joining us. From 3 we ended up into 15 in the group. Most of the joiners were members of The United Climber Organization (TUCO).

DAY 0

9:00 PM ~ Meeting place is in Victory Liner in Cubao. Long lines of passengers were queued. Its long weekend and we don’t anticipate the heavy crowed of travelers. Most of the trips going to Baguio City were fully-booked. We don’t have a reservation that is why our group decided to check the Genesis bus station. After some hours of waiting finally all our group members arrived.

11:00 PM ~ We boarded Genesis bus bound for Baguio City.

DAY 1

5:00 AM ~ We arrived at the city of pines Baguio City! From there we boarded the monsters jeep going to Kabayan, Benguet. A four hours top-load ride passing thru the scenic mountainscape of Cordillera. The jump-off point for our climb.

ready to topload

10:00 AM ~ DENR office for registration, payment of fees and orientation. Buy a souvenir shirt.

group picture with TUCO, Cecile,Racky, Weng, Freddie and Mina

climbers of mt. pulag

1:00 PM ~ Lunch at the Ranger station. Start of the trek Mt. Pulag via the Ambageg trail. Along the trail are the different kinds of flora and fauna that is endemic.

4:00 PM ~ After 4 hours of trek we reach the Grassland Campsite! We set-up our tent and fix our things.

grassland campsite

5:00 PM ~ we witnessed the breathtaking Sunset and embracing the Sea of Clouds.

sunset

sea of clouds

DAY 2

3:00 am ~ Wake up call to prepare for the Sunrise viewing at the Summit. I can’t resist the very cold weather that I decided to stay on our tent.

10:00 AM ~ the start of the trek going down.

12:00 NN ~ Finished the trek. Surviving the Mt. Pulag!

2:00 PM ~ boarded the monster jeep going back to Baguio City.

I’ve meet a bunch of good friends, awesome company and maybe some travel buddies in my future travel/adventure.

This adventure is one of the most memorable trips of my life. A journey that I will cherished forever!


Check out my friends' blog regarding this adventure!

• BYAHENG JOLOGS
• ADVENTURES OF MANONG UNYOL

A STORMY TRIP TO CAGAYAN VALLEY

Despite the typhoon hitting the Cagayan valley I pushed through with my plans of travelling the north. I was in the middle of traffic jam along EDSA boarding a bus going to Victory Liner terminal in Kamuning QC when my officemate texted me what she heard in the news. I replied to her to pray for my safety and my bahala na si Batman attitude rules.

It was raining when I left Manila that evening. After 8 hours of traveling I safely reached Santiago City in Isabela. I eat in one of the fast-food there to fill my stomach for the rest of the day adventure. I strolls the city even if it’s raining. I don’t want to waste a single minute of my time.

Places I visited:

•         Balay Santiago
•         Magat Dam
•         Callao Cave
•         Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
•         Lady of Piat Church
•         Buntun Bridge
•         Cagayan River

Food I eat:

•         Pancit patil-patung
•         Pawa
•         Chicharabao

I stayed at Hotel Candice.

My original plan is to navigate the northern Luzon loop, from Isabela to Cagayan down to Ilocos Norte and back to Manila. But due to the typhoon some of the bridges that connecting Cagayan valley and Ilocos region were damaged so I have no choice but to go back to Manila boarding a bus from Tuguegarao.

Spending two days in Cagayan Valley is a memorable trip that I will try again soon. Hopefully the weather would cooperate with me the next time! :)