Early Morning Shots of Laoag City's Belfry

Most of the time, tourists staying in Laoag, Ilocos Norte are unaware that the best time to take a walk around the city is on early mornings just a few minutes before sunrise. Plus, make it a routine during the early days of December because the cold breeze is just too much to ignore.

If the sky will permit, you’ll be able to witness an amazing picture of the belfry silhouetting against the sunlight. Save for some electrical lines, you’ll get a decent shot.

Philippine Sea Sentinels: Corregidor Lighthouse

As my first sentinel, Corregidor Lighthouse will always be special.

I made the visit during my JPIA days sometime in November 2002, when my friends and I were scouting for a venue for the JPIA Regional Convention that year. We were informed by our friends from PUP-Bataan that there was a casino resort in Corregidor Island (our JPIA Bataan Provincial President actually was vouching for the pretty casino girls). From Subic, Zambales, our group travelled at two in the morning to reach the shores of Mariveles, Bataan just before sunrise. From there, we were greeted by a World War II Veteran who happened to own the fishing boat we rented. His domain, as I recall it, was full of World War II memorabilia. Mariveles was a quiet industrial and fishing town then.

One thing I remember about our boat ride then was that our boatman caught a barracuda with his bare hands during the trip. That was all the excitement we had during the 20-minute transfer. Upon arrival at the island, we bargained with the Tranvia operators for a discounted trip around the island. One of the several stops in the tour is a drop over the lighthouse.

I didn’t bring my camera during our trip back in 2002. However, I came back with a camera and with my beautiful Lola last 2007 thanks to Sun Cruises.

Specifics

The lighthouse stands at what was known then as Top Site, the highest portion of Corregidor Island. The original was built on January 20, 1935. Equipped with 2nd order lens, it primarily served as a guide to vessels entering and leaving Manila Bay.

The Spanish tower was built using rocks originating from Meycauayan, Bulacan. Unlike most Spanish lighthouses in the Philippines, the Corregidor lighthouse is uniquely built by leaning away from the design prevalent in the former. The base of the lighthouse was composed of quarters before. These quarters are now boutique shops catered to tourists visiting the island. The rooms outside were the kitchen and the storeroom then.

Unknown to many, Corregidor Island served as a prison, hence the Spanish word “corregir” or to correct, during the Spanish and American periods. During the Japanese siege, the original lighthouse, like most structures in the island, was not spared from the bombs. It was eventually rebuilt and the tower was redesigned and emblazoned with a crucifix to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives to defend the Philippines. It was recently upgraded and ironically, it was the Japanese government which funded its rehabilitation.


How To Get There

Just like what we did, you can rent a private boat to Corregidor Island from Mariveles, Bataan. There are also boatmen in Ternate, Cavite who can bring you to the rock. Just a warning though, the sea can be very rough during the afternoon.

If you like it hassle-free, there is always Sun Cruises.

Reference:
Manuel Maximo L. Noche, Lonely Sentinels of the Sea: The Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines, (UST Publishing House, 2005)

Philamlife Christmas Concerts

The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (Philamlife) maintains the Christmas tradition of conducting, at its Head Office in U.N. Avenue, Ermita, Manila, a series of nightly concerts featuring some of the country’s best chorale groups.

Here is the schedule for this year:

December 5 (Monday) – Philippine Madrigal Singers
December 6 (Tuesday) – UE Chorale
December 7 (Wednesday) – UST Singers
December 8 (Thursday) – University of the Visayas Chorale
December 9 (Friday) – Kilyawan Boys Choir & Voces Aurorae

Admission is free. Programs start at 6:00 PM.

Filtering What's Important

Youngblood : Forgetting

By Raoul Felipe, M.D.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: May 03, 2011

“How do you measure a year in the life?... Measure in love.”—“Rent”

IT WAS your usual Monday morning: the hustle and bustle of patients, papers and clinical abstracts that needed to be written, spilled coffee—you know, that kind of Monday. In fact, you would have missed it if you were too busy texting or going about your business. (And indeed, most people did.) There was no fanfare after all, no parade or entourage or flower girls or sweet music, and yet there we were in the middle of Ward 1, a huddle of doctors slowly gathering for the culmination of a most captivating love story. You could feel the charm flitting about the place, a contagious energy infecting a group eager with anticipation yet hushed by the sacredness of what was happening.

Lola had been diagnosed with stage 4 nasopharyngeal cancer (a brutal disease), and doctors had given her only weeks to live. The mass had grown beyond normal proportions (it was the size of a football) and it didn’t take long to know that her prognosis was beyond awful. She was unable to stand anymore, crippled and bedridden by a sickness that not only drains you physically but mentally and emotionally as well. She had become dependent and needy, relying on Lolo for pretty much everything, including going to the bathroom.

Throughout all this, I never heard Lolo complain. Not one bit. And he never left her side. In the months that I had been rotating in Internal Medicine, I never saw a more committed bantay—running around like a headless chicken, trying to cope with whatever orders we gave: “Lolo, paki lakad po itong dugo sa laboratoryo. Lolo, kailangan po natin bumili ng gamot. Lolo, dalhin niyo na po siya sa X-ray.”

It didn’t matter how demanding the task or how intimidating the Philippine General Hospital can get (I actually still get lost here) or how expensive the medicines were, Lolo never failed to deliver. I didn’t know how he managed to make ends meet but every time we needed something, it was Lolo who supplied it.

So there we were in Ward 1, underdressed in our scrub suits, trying to contain our kilig. The other patients paid no attention—they had, after all, their own sicknesses to worry about. And the other doctors didn’t mind us too, being too busy doing what was important for them. The nurses were apathetic as well: a celebration like this didn’t need attending when you are too busy doing your job and what-not. But those of us who came, those of us who thought that we couldn’t let the event go unwitnessed, we all learned a lesson we will never forget.

And so on Sept. 13, 2010 at 10 o’clock in the morning, Lola and Lolo got married after spending nearly 50 years together. They had spent every waking hour together—literally in sickness and in health—and now it was time to end it together, too. It was Lola’s last request, her dying wish.

In a world that values resumés and bank accounts and positions and accomplishments, Lola had nothing to offer. She was beyond poor, had no resumé to brag about, and certainly had no position except what she was by choice: a humble mother and wife who spent her afternoons doing laundry and frying kamote-cue on the street. She had done nothing out of the ordinary, either. She never played in a band or reigned as prom queen or appeared on TV. But when she smiled, she smiled like she meant it. The edge of her eyes were creased with the lines of age and wisdom and her laugh penetrated through you, making you wish that you could smile like she did and laugh like she did—with sincerity and substance. Her bald head, long battered by bouts of chemotherapy, was always covered with a bonnet (the ones you find along Minesview Park, with “Baguio” embroidered along the edge, which never failed to make me smile because like hers some of my best memories were of Baguio).

Lolo was as unassuming and normal as Lola. He was a fisherman. His dark skin had been baked by the sun, his hands callused by hauling nets all day, his thin body no longer framed by taut muscles because they could barely afford one meal a day now. When I looked at Lolo I was always reminded that what I was doing was nothing compared to what he did.

In spite of all they had done—or rather all they had not done—they taught me what I had known all along but chose to disregard: that life is not about remembering or even re-learning what is important, but about forgetting what is not.

I believe that deep in our hearts we already know what is important. We were created with that truth and beauty in us. Yet along the way, distracted by a world that places value on what is seen and measured, we have replaced what is important with what is not.

We need to develop the habit, we need to develop the skill of forgetting. We need to because every waking day is a constant battle between what is valuable and what is not. We already know what matters, but we need to forget what doesn’t.

In the twilight of her life, as the sun set and the end of her journey neared, Lola had already forgotten what was unimportant. After 80 years worth of living and working and smiling and laughing, she knew love is all there is to it. That money lasts weeks, positions last years, careers last decades—but relationships are forever.

(Raoul Felipe, M.D., 25, is a graduating medical student at UP-PGH.)

Can you Dig’ Bus Disasters?

The "Can You Dig’ It?" series is this blogger’s attempt in hitting the ratio decidendi of a particular case decided by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. This series of self-authored compendiums is this blogger’s way of suppressing the rigorous life in law school.


BATACLAN v. MEDINA
G.R. No. L-10126 October 22, 1957
Montemayor, J.

"In case of death of or injuries to passengers, common carriers are presumed to have been at fault or to have acted negligently, unless they prove that they observed extraordinary diligence."

Facts:
A bus operated by its owner defendant Mariano Medina was on its way to Pasay City. Among the passengers was Juan Bataclan. While the bus was running, one of the front tires burst and the vehicle began to zig-zag until it fell into a canal or ditch on the right side of the road and turned turtle. Bataclan and three others could not get out of the overturned bus.

After half an hour, came about ten men, one of them carrying a lighted torch made of bamboo, evidently fueled with petroleum. These men presumably approach the overturned bus, and almost immediately, a fierce fire started, burning and all but consuming the bus, including the four passengers trapped inside it. The lighted torch brought by one of the men who answered the call for help set it on fire.

"Come to think of it, my tenure is filled with bus disasters eh?..."

By reason of his Bataclan’s death, his widow brought the present suit to recover from Mariano Medina compensatory, moral, and exemplary damages and attorney's fees in the total amount of P87,150. After trial, the Court of First Instance of Cavite awarded P1,000 to the plaintiffs plus P600 as attorney's fee, plus P100, the value of the merchandise being carried by Bataclan to Pasay City for sale and which was lost in the fire. The trial court was of the opinion that the proximate cause of the death of Bataclan was not the overturning of the bus, but rather, the fire that burned the bus; that at the time the fire started, Bataclan was still alive, and so damages are awarded, not for his death, but for the physical injuries suffered by him.

The plaintiffs and the defendants appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals. The latter endorsed the appeal to the SC because of the value involved in the claim.

Issue:
Whether or not defendant is liable for the death of the victim

Held:
Yes. Pursuant to the provisions of the civil code, in case of death of or injuries to passengers, common carriers are presumed to have been at fault or to have acted negligently, unless they prove that they observed extraordinary diligence.

The SC disagrees with the trial court’s ruling. Proximate cause is defined that cause, which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred.

In the present, the proximate cause was the overturning of the bus, this for the reason that when the vehicle turned not only on its side but completely on its back, the leaking of the gasoline from the tank was not unnatural or unexpected and that because it was dark, the rescuers had to carry a light with them. In other words, the coming of the men with a torch was to be expected and was a natural sequence of the overturning of the bus, the trapping of some of its passengers and the call for outside help.

Moreover, the burning of the bus can also in part be attributed to the negligence of the carrier, through is driver and its conductor. According to the witness, the driver and the conductor were on the road walking back and forth. They, or at least, the driver should and must have known that in the position in which the overturned bus was, gasoline could and must have leaked from the gasoline tank and soaked the area in and around the bus, this aside from the fact that gasoline when spilled can be smelt and directed even from a distance, and yet neither the driver nor the conductor would appear to have cautioned or taken steps to warn the rescuers not to bring the lighted torch too near the bus.

YAMBURGER CHRONICLES in GMA7's Misteryo

A very popular entry of mine got featured in GMA7's Misteryo, a horror documentary show hosted by Ryan Eigenmann, last 01.01.11.

Ford Expo 2010: Meeting the Fiesta and the Shelby

Last October 16-17, Ford Group Philippines staged the largest ever Ford Expo at the SM Mall of Asia open grounds. Since Mechanical Engineering is a class of its own, I decided to drag my Mapuan brother to witness Ford’s lineup of vehicles.

The Ford Fiesta

The event featured Ford’s newest baby and the most anticipated car in the Philippines, the Fiesta. For European peeps, the Fiesta needs no introduction since it has been plying their roads for years already. Very unique about this car as compared to its competitors is its Voice Control Technology which is available in the Sport version. You can literally talk to your car to control your mobile phone (via Bluetooth) or your music. It’ll also make a pretty good surfer’s car if you ask me.

Although it bears some external resemblance with the Mazda 2, the Fiesta has the upper hand because of its engine power (121 bhp at 6,000 RPM and peak torque of 15.1 kg-m at 4,050 RPM in the 1.6-liter version). Also, the best part is the price. It starts at Php. 670,000 for the 1.4L sedan with a manual transmission and goes at Php. 816,000 for the top of the line Sport version. This is the Fiesta’s advantage over the Honda Jazz. In comparing it with the Chevrolet Cruze as to fuel efficiency, the Fiesta is our winner because basically the former weighs more.

A replica of the Ford Fiesta DC-Ken Block Rally Car was also available for special display. Ken Block hails from the U.S.A. and is widely known for his amazingly insane stunt driving. He is reported to be visiting Manila this early December (Update: His visit will not push through.). I was stunned after watching him do donut tricks with the Fiesta. Try searching “Ken Block gymkhana video” at youtube to see what I mean. Pity the tires.

The Ford Shelby

The event also showcased the 2009 Mustang Shelby GT500. Expect 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque with this muscled-up car’s 5.4-liter 32-valve Quad Cam V-8 engine. This eye candy also sports a set of 18-inch alloys aside from the racing stripes. Of course, don’t forget the requisite Cobra badge.

Test Drive & Racing Simulators

All vehicles were available for scrutiny. We were supposed to check out the Fiesta in both its sedan and hatchback variants for ourselves but unfortunately the test drive was only until 6PM.

Visitors were also treated to test their pro driving skills through the Focus-TRS Racing Simulators. Winners in the challenge received prizes from DC apparel and Ford Philippines. I did not participate and only tried the simulator because my gaming skills are already too rusty for competition.

Vroom!

In total, the Expo was a huge success and a great weekend alternative for the driving public. Aside from parading the usual steaming models, Ford Group Philippines did a great job in introducing the Fiesta. The marketing guys are also worth commending because of how informative they went in presenting the product while maintaining client interest all throughout, as compared to other dealers.

Farewell Message: JPIA Region 3 Council 2002-2003

As I write down this message of mine, I can’t stop from taking a glimpse of my experiences with the council. I placed a photograph of the group in front of me so that each stroke of my pen resembles a fond memory I had with these loving individuals.

The council reminds me of the game Chrono Cross. This game gave significance to the Threads of Fate. It says there that every person possess a special and unique kind of thread. Serge, the main character, has a very strong thread. As he embarked on his adventures through time, this thread of his engulfed the threads of his comrades whom he met along his journey. His thread is so strong that whenever Serge makes decisions for himself, the results of his decisions magically affect the fate of his friends, each being different and suiting for that particular individual. This fusion of threads of fate by his team not only made them victorious at the end of the game, but also accomplished each member’s goal by linking their fates together as one.

A year ago, the council engulfed my thread the same way Serge did in the game. Conventions, meetings, and gatherings became tonics of togetherness and elixirs of unity. Our term became a sphere of camaraderie.

My thread of fate grew stronger in each of our gatherings as it interconnected simultaneously with the others’. What made it more special is that by being a part of the team, my relationship with my two college buddies grew stronger and into the most shining part of my thread.

Since our threads of fate became bonded together just like in the game of Chrono Cross, we can now face the challenges that bound us as future Certified Public Accountants and emerge victorious.

God Bless us all!


Author: This is a partly edited version of this blogger’s farewell message published in the second issue of The Disclosur3 for the School Year 2002-2003. The aforementioned issue featured the 9th Grand Annual Regional Convention held at the Subic International Hotel in Subic Naval Base last January 24-26, 2003.

How To Report Internet Scams In The Philippines

If you think you have received a fraudulent spam email, forward it to the National Telecommunications Commission at (+632) 926 7722 or e-mail at ospac@ntc.gov.ph .

Pisamban: Church of St. James, Bolinao, Pangasinan

"Pisamban" means "Church" in Kapampangan. Philippine Catholic Churches have always been fascinating not just because of their historical significance, but also because of their grand structures which symbolize the strong foundation of the Catholic faith. Come and join this blogger as he documents the Catholic Churches all over the Philippines.

The Church of St. James was built by the Augustinian Recollects in 1609. Located at the town’s center, it also served as a fortress for protection against pirate attacks.

The church’s façade has positioned columns alternated by windows with arches on the side. You can see wooden statues of saints properly positioned on the façade.

The church features a special antique side altar which contains sculptured faces which are Aztec-like in nature. Its monolithic wooden door was beautifully carved with floral designs.

Bolinao is 348 kilometers north west of Manila.

Law School Partying: Curiously Awesome

Last December 18, 2008, my friends from SBC Law & I went to attend a party sponsored by the Law School Government. It was a Gossip Girl themed party. The male to female ratio was really surprising, deflecting from the fact that the law profession is purely dominated by the male species. Besides, what’s the use of a Gossip Girl theme if all the attendees were bro’s. Big Bry was also spinning that night so we’re also there for support.

I never expect this side of law school to be so much fun. Events such as this give us more than just a break from studying and digesting cases--- these events enable us to get to know the fun side of the community we thrive in as law students. Hey, we can’t be serious all the time.

Study hard, party harder!

Can you Dig’ Boorish UP Products?

The "Can You Dig’ It?" series is this blogger’s attempt in hitting the ratio decidendi of a particular case decided by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. This series of self-authored compendiums is this blogger’s way of suppressing the rigorous life in law school.

Atty. Melvin D.C. Mane vs. Judge Medel Arnaldo B. Belen
June 30, 2008
Carpio Morales, J.

“An alumnus of a particular law school has no monopoly of knowledge of the law.”
–Supreme Court of the Philippines

Facts:
This case involves a Calamba City regional Trial Court judge who told a lawyer that since the latter is not a product of the UP College of Law, they could not be equals.

In the court proceedings last February 27, 2006, Belen boorishly asked Melvin Mane, the petitioner, if he graduated from the UP College of Law. The petitioner replied that he graduated from Manuel L. Quezon University and was proud of it.

The judge then responded: “Then you’re not from UP. Then you cannot equate yourself to me because there is a saying and I know this, not all law students are created equal, not all law schools are created equal, not all lawyers are created equal despite what the Supreme Being [said] that we all are created equal in His form and substance.”

During the subject hearing, not only did the respondent judge make insulting and demeaning remarks to the petitioner but also engaged in unnecessary lecturing and debating. Belen even directed a court employee to show Mane the judge’s statements of assets and liabilities, among others.

Mane filed an administrative complaint shortly after the incident, and the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) found cause to file an administrative case, although the lawyer later withdrew the complaint, admitting his “impulsiveness.” The OCA declared that the withdrawal or desistance of a complainant from pursuing an administrative complaint does not divest the Court of its disciplinary authority over court officials and personnel.

Issue:

The issue at hand here is plainly whether or not the statements and actions made by the respondent judge during the subject hearing constitute conduct unbecoming of a judge and a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Held:

The Court held Judge Medel Arnaldo Belen GUILTY of conduct unbecoming of a judge. Respondent clearly went out of bounds.

An alumnus of a particular law school has no monopoly of knowledge of the law. By hurdling the Bar Examinations which this Court administers, taking of the Lawyer’s oath, and signing of the Roll of Attorneys, a lawyer is presumed to be competent to discharge his functions and duties as an officer of the court, irrespective of where he obtained his law degree. For a judge to determine the fitness or competence of a lawyer primarily on the basis of his alma mater is clearly an engagement in an argumentum ad hominem.

The Court cited Belen’s violation of Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which mandates that a judge should be courteous to counsel, especially to those who are young and inexperienced and also to all those others appearing or concerned in the administration of justice in the court. He should be courteous and civil, for it is unbecoming of a judge to utter intemperate language during the hearing of a case. He should not interrupt counsel in their arguments except to clarify his mind as to their positions. Nor should he be tempted to an unnecessary display of learning or premature judgment. He may utilize his opportunities to criticize and correct unprofessional conduct of attorneys, brought to his attention, but he may not do so in an insulting manner.

A judge’s official conduct and his behavior in the performance of judicial duties should be free from the appearance of impropriety and must be beyond reproach. He must at all times be temperate in his language for the noble position in the bench demands courteous speech in and out of the Court.

Respondent judge’s insulting statements which tend to question complainant’s capability and credibility stemming from the fact that the latter did not graduated from UP Law school is clearly unwarranted and inexcusable. Respondent opted for a conceited display of arrogance, a conduct that falls below the standard of decorum expected of a judge. If Belen felt that there is a need to admonish complainant Atty. Mane, he should have called him in his chambers where he can advise him privately rather than battering him with insulting remarks and embarrassing questions such as asking him from what school he came from publicly in the courtroom and in the presence of his clients. Humiliating a lawyer is highly reprehensible. It betrays the judge’s lack of patience and temperance. A highly temperamental judge could hardly make decisions with equanimity.

The Court also reminded Belen that judges should always be aware that disrespect to lawyers generates disrespect to them. There must be mutual concession of respect. Respect is not a one-way ticket where the judge should be respected but free to insult lawyers and others who appear in his court. Patience is an essential part of dispensing justice and courtesy is a mark of culture and good breeding.

Respondent Judge was REPRIMANDED and was further warned that a repetition of the same or similar act shall be dealt with more severely.

Can you Dig’ Piracy?

The “Can You Dig’ It?” series is this blogger’s attempt in hitting the ratio decidendi of a particular case decided by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. This series of self-authored compendiums is this blogger’s way of suppressing the rigorous life in law school.

People of the Philippine Islands vs. Lol-lo and Saraw
G.R. No. L-17958 February 27, 1922
Malcolm, J.

Facts:
On or about June 30, 1920, two boats containing Dutch subjects sailed from one Dutch island to another. After navigating for a number of days, the second boat, while still on Dutch East Indies territory, was surrounded by 6 Vintas containing 24 armed Moros, which includes Lol-lo and Saraw. The Moros pretended to ask for food to board the boat. Once on the boat, they attacked some of the men, violated two of the women, and took all of the cargo. The Moros took the two women to the island of Maruro and repeatedly violated them. The two women escaped afterwards. After returning to the island of Tawi-tawi, both Lol-lo and Saraw were captured and charged with the crime of piracy.

Issue:
Whether the Philippine Courts have jurisdiction over a crime that happened in the high seas

Held:
Guilty. Pirates are in law hostis humani generis. Piracy is a crime not against any particular state but against all mankind. It may be punished in the competent tribunal of any country where the offender may be found or into which he may be carried. The jurisdiction of piracy unlike all other crimes has no territorial limits. As it is against all so may it be punished by all.

Piracy is robbery or forcible depredation on the high seas, without lawful authority and done animo furandi, and in the spirit and intention of universal hostility.

Precious Adona's FHM Autograph Signing

Slim Oriental Morena Chick with Curves at the Right Places = AWESOMENESS

I attended the FHM Autograph Signing of Precious Adona at Robinson’s Movieworld in Robinson’s Galleria last May 9. The line was long and it was filled up by nerds like me (yeah right! :P).

Presh was really nice to her fans and she was the exact opposite of everything that is snobbish. She was “kalog” enough: she gestured a peace sign like a Japanese Girl whenever her picture was taken. Presh hugged and kissed her female fans. I think that was very sweet of her. And yes she was hot… she wouldn’t be a cover girl if she wasn’t noh? I don’t know what the judges of Be Bench were inhaling when they eliminated her, but hey Presh got up when she fell and right now she’s in front of a huge standing ovation. Pun not intended…

I really think she’s that type of girl you can introduce to your Mom that’s why it saddens me whenever I recall that she did “this movie” to elevate her career in showbiz. What’s even more saddening is that she had scenes in the movie with this asshole. Sigh…

"So Are You..."

Pilipinas: Laoag City & The Heritage Town of Paoay

The “Pilipinas” series is this blogger’s way of expressing how beautiful the Philippine Islands are. This is a detailed account of his experiences while backpacking through the majestic islands of The Pearl of the Orient.

I have always wanted to go to Ilocos Norte. The province is very rich in culture and heritage. Good thing I was able to avail of Cebu Pacific’s P1 fare. While Senator Trillanes was busy in his latest A-Class Hotel hopping, I was busy preparing for my own personal vacation. This would also be the first time I’ll be traveling with Wiks.

My flight was delayed for an hour (yes, they still get delayed). That gave me an opportunity to see what kinds of people are in the passenger waiting area. I noticed that most of those bound for Laoag City were Chinese businessmen. It seems that the article I read about Ilocos Norte as a casino haven was right after all. After flying for an hour, my plane landed on very rough tarmac.

Laoag International Airport was built from red bricks giving tourists an idea how old school the province is. Also, Ilokanos are known for crafting really nice pottery.

I boarded a jeepney after getting my baggage. Making things a little spontaneous, I decided not to book a hotel beforehand therefore missing an opportunity for a free airport transfer. The jeepney driver and his son provided me assistance in locating my preferred hotel. The driver was so nice he addressed each passenger as either “madam” or “sir.” This strengthens the notion that Ilokanos indeed are one of the nicest peeps here in the Philippines.

It was a good 15 minute ride from the airport to Laoag City proper. Before entering the town proper, you’ll be welcomed by a huge arc before the bridge. The town proper is not that huge but very urbanized compared to other provincial cities.

Because most reviews I read promoted Tiffany’s as the ideal place to stay in downtown Laoag, I decided to book there. Its proximity to the plaza is a plus. Also, there is a Jollibee nearby which is open for 24 hours. I was also excited to have breakfast there… because breakfast at Tiffany’s is always cool. >

Tiffany’s interiors were frolicked with old Hollywood pictures. The rate for an overnight stay in a single room was P675. My room rained with blue, orange and purple spots. It somehow looked like a hospital room to me though.

After parking my things in the hotel, I was off to Paoay Church. On my way to the terminal, I noticed that Calesas here are quite wide. I boarded a jeepney and paid a fare of P25 to Paoay. I discovered that jeepney passengers in Ilocos Norte pay only upon arriving to their stop that’s why drivers here make sure they have enough coins for change. The ride to Paoay is approximately 35 minutes with stops at Batac Public Market, which I heard was the largest in Ilocos Norte, and General Ricarte Park.

Paoay Church is heavenly! No wonder it was classified as a heritage treasure by the UNESCO.

At the side of the church are benches made from original Paoay bricks. Behind the church is a tennis court (Ilokanos sure love to play tennis) and a basketball court. I even took a picture of Paoay hoops!

Across the road fronting the church is a souvenir shop. I bought some Ilocos Wine and tried some of its famous empanada. I found out that they use the same breading for Kwek-Kwek. I tried tuna. It took them 10 minutes to cook my order but it was all worth the time.

On my way back to Laoag, I met Vicente Ocol. He was kind enough to make a stop in front of Immaculate Conception Church in Batac for me to take a picture. He also shared a ranting about our country’s current political system and how abundant life was in Ilocos Norte during Macoy’s time. I find him very educational and will share his story on another blog post.

Manong Vicente dropped me in Laoag’s “Barangay Liga Gym” located beside the city hall. I witnessed the championship game between St. Joseph and the team wearing FEU Tamaraw-ish uniforms. I can tell you that they got game. The fans were also very supportive yet very organized. I miss that type of fan support in Pampanga.

I visited St. William’s Cathedral after the pre-Sunday mass. The lighting was superb inside which very well supported the church façade. I saw some of the passengers from the morning’s flight visiting the cathedral.

Outside the church were talented skateboard junkies. The kids were about the age of 7. They reminded me when I got my first skateboard. It was then that I also realized how peaceful it is in Laoag City. If you do those skateboard stunts in the streets in Manila, you’ll get ganged up.

I was excited to try Macy’s Diner below the hotel. Unfortunately, it was too late for me to discover that restaurants here close at 8PM. I had no choice but to grab my Chickenjoy. It was a first for me to have Jollibee on my breakfast, lunch and dinner. Before I went to bed, I watched the Suns burn Superman and his Superfriends. It was an awesome first day for me.

Cleaving Myself to Photographs

I love visiting malls on weekday evenings because you don’t get stressed out from the crowd. SM Mall of Asia (MOA) is no exception. Actually, it would be a perfect time to visit MOA these days because the Philippine Institute of Architects is celebrating its 75th Anniversary and is sponsoring a photo exhibit from March 12 to 15, 2008 about the rich history of Pasay City.
I am a photo hobbyist myself so seeing some old photographs provided me tips in improving my angles. There were also pictures of Pasay City’s current structures such as MOA and One Esplanade. Wonderful stained glass shots of catholic churches were also featured.

Sanukness

Last night, I got myself a pair of Sanuk shoes uhmm… I mean sandals because these are not shoes.

Sanuk sandals are very comfortable and very easy to wear. These are perfect since summer is just around the corner. Plus, I get to wear some surfer merchandise. Sweet!

ROAR!!!

The results are in and it’s now official: I’m returning to my Benedictine roots.

I received a superior rating with only a couple of points shy of an excellent rating. This news may be nothing for you but it is a big deal for me, especially when the other law school denied my admission last year although I know deep inside that I passed its admission tests.

The Big Guy Above always has His reasons. “Salamat po!”

Fine Time at San Fabian

My Pa is an ardent devotee of the Virgin of Manaoag. Last year, after he got this cool job in an oil company, Pa drove us to the famous pilgrimage site in Manaoag, Pangasinan to give thanks for all the blessings the family has received from The Big Guy above. After hearing mass and lighting our candles, we went to the nearby seaside town of San Fabian.

I have been to San Fabian before and my memories of that trip are somewhat bleak. It was during my kindergarten years when Angel Mama tagged my sister and me along in this pilgrimage trip sponsored by the Golden Babies, a parish group for ladies above fifty years of age. ‘Ma Sisa (RIP), my Grandma’s younger sister and our neighbor, invited us to join the trip. ‘Ma Sisa was also one of the prominent members of the Golden Babies. I think we went there during the rainy season. I remember this because we visited typhoon ravaged churches, one of which had its roof totally destroyed. All I can recall of San Fabian is me building sand castles and catching crabs with other kids along this long stretch of beach.

Our trip last year made me anticipate the enjoyment of coming back to a place I almost lost in my memory. Pa brought us to this spot perfect for reminiscing: San Fabian PTA Beach Resort in Barangay Bolasi.

SFPTABR was established during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos and was formerly known as “The Presidential Resthouse.” It served as a place for the first family to unwind whenever they were in the area. Because of its obvious native characteristics, the main building of the resort is much like a Bahay Kubo Hotel. I was also informed that SFPTABR also has a Presidential Suite. It’s always fascinating to imagine getting pampered in a room fit for a President.

SFPTABR also has a good share of the tourist market which is quite impressive for a simple town resort. I spotted some Caucasians having coffee at the resort’s spacious veranda. I also saw this American lady playing with the local children by the beach. At the beach entrance, there are two markers, shaped like tombs, commemorating the landing of the Japanese Troops at San Fabian Beach during World War II.

The resort also has a swimming pool near its beach front rooms. Its picnic sheds are ideal for relaxation and comfort. I took a nap in one of these. The addition of the sea breeze blowing right through your face and the soothing sound of sea waves just made napping more special. The picnic sheds are also a good venue for studying alone. I saw a girl reading her books in preparation for the Philippine Nursing Board Examinations in one of the sheds.

My return to San Fabian is just as special as the sparkle of its clear blue waters under the summer sun. It would always be nice to escape the city hustle once in awhile to enjoy the serenity of San Fabian beach. My felicitations to Pa for the experience.

The City Hall of San Fernando, Pampanga Employs Lebron James & Dwyane Wade Wannabe’s

Before 2007 came to an end, I went to our city hall to voluntarily pay our real property tax due for 2007 & 2008. As I entered the city hall, I saw cashiers staring blankly towards space. I can’t blame them for being completely useless since people usually go to the city hall to ask for help rather than to pay taxes.

I went to the helpdesk and asked for directions. The girl behind the help desk required me to log my name for every question I asked. I guess she needed proof for her quota or else she won’t get paid.

I went to the real property tax window for my payment but the guy behind it, after being disturbed from his conversation with his peers, requested me to proceed to the real property assessment office because he doesn’t have access to the official receipts issued for real property tax payments from 2006. So instead of making payments easier for the taxpayer, the city hall actually wastes taxpayer time by having an awful, or should I say terrible, document management.

In the real property assessment office, I stood in a small line to wait my turn. I was accommodated by a nice old lady whose name I forgot because she was not wearing any ID. I was there patiently waiting for my turn when D-Wade, aka The Flash, bumped me hard as he drove his paper ball to the makeshift basketball ring inside the assessment office. He was followed by King James who hit my knee as he hurriedly followed The Flash. After driving to the hoop, the former screamed "Dwyaaaaaaaannneee Waaaaaaaaadde!" I was a witness! I was pissed!

The mayor has always been criticized for hiring too many people, not to mention incompetent ones, to do redundant jobs. Witnessing such lunacy is too much for me. If these two douche bags think that playing basketball inside a government office will raise them to NBA glory then the mayor must be a real crack to hire these people. If only they had any form of identification, I swear their names would be posted in this blog entry larger than their butt-fucked assholes.