DAY 1 - MANILA to VIGAN

This is simply my story kung paano ako na-involved sa idea ni Ady (my partner) na libutin ang buong Luzon kasama si Babe ang kanyang super hero na motor (YAMAHA SZ16) and also ito na din ang story nadin unforgettable experience namin together. 

 

CALABARZON was the very first trip we took together kasama si Babe and after six months, nafinalize nadin namin ang plan na mag-travel sa Ilocos Region. Kung dati, Banaue lang ang pinakamalayong narating ko sa Luzon pero dahil narin sa consequent interest ko in travelling, na-inspired ako na i-try ang dream ng mahal ko.  

 

At first, kung iisipin mo, parang ang hirap! But discovering Luzon with its unique and vivid places, cultures and beauties eh talagang truly great and amazing place ito! Another important part of that adventure is we have discovered much about ourselves.

Dahil sa APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit. Travelling outside Metro Manila is our vacation option. With straight four days off the job, nag-request na ako to file vacation leave yung naipit na araw which is Friday. 

Hindi man natuloy ang original plan namin na makaalis ng Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015 dahil sa malakas na buhos na ulan, this led us to complete our itinerary and save some rest. 

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 – 5:00am ng magising ako sa alarm! Filipino time kasi kaya ang dapat na 4:00am ay na-extend pa ng one hour. Coffee at carbonara ang almusal ko (pasalubong  ng Nanay at Tatay ni Ady from Antipolo), si Ady naman as usual,  hard ang breakfast! Yun ang fuel nya to drive fast, and para maging alert and safe ang trip namin. 

We left in Ady’s house exactly 6:45am, baon namin bukod sa mga damit ay ang panalangin na maging ligtas ang aming byahe at gabayan kami sa lahat ng destinasyon na aming pupuntahan.

Gaya ng dati, naka-offline GPS lang kami para save sa battery and beneficial talaga yun kasi una, hindi ka maliligaw kasi nata-track nya yung pace and distance mo. Secondly, map and directions are accurately measured kaya we can find a new route easy. Third, you will discover something na hindi mo akalain at aakalain pa lang and we’ll elaborate it later on in this.

Day 1 namin was from Manila to Vigan.

Almost six hours ang byahe ng makarating kami sa Tarlac wherein dun na kami nakapag lunch. Sa halagang Php119.00 - Eat all you can na sya. All dish are cooked in palayok. Medyo modern nadin yung style ng resto nila but still they showcase our tribal bahay kubo style, a traditional Philippine house surrounded by bamboo furnitures and kawayan.

After luch, drive to Pangasinan na kami. Next destination is the church of Our Lady of Manaoag. Five kilometers na lang sana ng biglang nagstop muna kami sa ilalim ng isang puno, inaantok si Ady. Nagrest kami for about minutes lang yata yun and thankful kami kasi may mabubuting tao around the area na nagpagamit ng mug at magbigay ng mainit na tubig para sa kape. 

Upon arriving the church, I already felt blessed. Finding myself reminiscing and looking back, I recall kung paano na-grant yung prayers ko sa Our Lady of Manaoag nung first time ko na nakapunta dun and moving forward, I'm preparing for something much greater :) 

 

So before the sun starts to flee, kailangan na namin umalis. Waving our way to Mc Arthur Hiway mapapamangha ka sa gandang ng tabing dagat and masasabi mo na "there's nothing like a beautiful sunset". Parang gusto ko tumigil muna kami and watch the sunset kaso baka lalo kaming gabihin sa daan. Slowly the sky fades its color, gutom na din kami kaya we decide na kumain na muna. Ady craves for burger champ, ilang weeks na nya gusto kumain nun kaya sa Jollibee kami napunta. We are in La Union and three hours pa ang kailangan para makarating kami ng Vigan, Ady is too tired nadin but what so important is makarating kami ng safe dun. It was late ten in the evening ng makarating kami ng Vigan. It's such an overwhelming feeling of happiness na makita ang arko ng Vigan. I don't know why pero feeling ko, it is an open door papunta sa bagong dimension ng buhay na puno ng hiwaga, saya at pag-asa. Haha! Apparent to what I thought ng biglang na-call ang attention ko nung tinawag kami ng mga police officers dun sa checkpoint area. They check Ady's vehicle registration etc. accordingly and after further interviews, naghanap na kami ng matutuluyan. Lots of hotels and inns in Vigan are fully booked na, may vacant man, mahal naman and can't afford sa budget namin but we're glad to find a cheaper one. Vigan Riverside Hotel offers a comfortable room with Queen size bed and may bathroom nadin sa loob. Accommodation for two for only Php600.00 overnight. Walking distance lang din sya sa Plaza Burgos.