Trip Lang #3 - Food Trip Bonding

Jean and Adi.

Third week of March - I was invited by my Boss and one of my colleagues to climb Mount Makiling Traverse or what they call MAKTRAV climb. I wasn't able to visit gym for  three weeks now so I had second thoughts. I feel not healthy enough to do a major climb so I opted to stay and rest at home. I've been very busy for the last two months and always have something to do every weekend. This time, I thought I give myself a break and sleep for the entire weekend.

Sleeping for more than twelve hours after I went home from work made me feel bloated. My body craved for something to do. My feet itched to go out. So I texted Jean, Jazz and Adi and invited them for a Sunday coffee bonding. We agreed to meet each other around 3PM at Kopi Roti Katipunan.

I took a cab from Eastwood to Kopi Roti which I paid 70 pesos for the short ride. Jean and Adi was just parking when I arrived. Just in time. We said our hi and hello with quick hugs and headed to one of the tables outside where it's allowed to smoke. Then we  headed to the counter to order coffee. Since it's summer and the temperature is so high, we decided to get cold drinks. Adi had Iced Kopi with Milk (65 peso), Jean had Milo Dinosaur (65 pesos) and I got myself a Tea Tarik (70 pesos). We paid 200 pesos in total, a fair amount for the three drinks we ordered.

We barely bond due to our schedules but if we do, we make sure that every moment is not wasted. So we faced our phones and started facebooking. Hahaha. Not a single moment wasted. Well, this is one thing we can not avoid. We have to have every moment documented so we check in on facebook and start taking pictures. Once we're satisfied with all the pictures we took, then we talk. Catching up on things we missed while we're busy with our work.

An hour or two is not enough to talk all about things we wanted to share so we decided to change venue. Original plan was to head to UCCF in White Planes where the ambiance is great and you can have an overlooking view of what I think is Marikina and Cainta area. Due to Adi's hesitation of what seemed to be the way people look in the cafe, we changed our mind and decided to have an early dinner in a Japanese Restaurant in Antipolo.

It was a 30-45mins drive so we busied ourselves with more talking. It was almost 7PM when we get to the restaurant called Cafe Dozo. The place was located at Circumferential Road in Antipolo. The place was small and can accommodate 30-50 people at the same time. The place and the food are Japanese inspired. We took one of the table outside and ordered. Yakisoba, a platter of mixed fresh vegetables, Tempura Combo, Pork Teriyaki Combo and Grilled Salmon Combo. The Combos were served in a bento box with California Maki, Gyoza, a small portion of mixed vegetable, rice and my favorite, their version of potato balls. This also came with a regular iced tea but since we thought regular is not enough to quench our thirst, we asked for it to be up sized. Prices are very affordable for the amount of food we have on the table and it was overwhelming. It was more than enough for three hungry people. It took us almost two hours to finish our bento and prayed our way through consuming all the yakisoba and mixed vegetables which we failed to finish. So we decided its best for us to take home the leftovers.

Our night was full of sharing stories and laughter. It's not always partying and going gaga when we see each other but were happy. Its always nice to have true people around that you don't have to pretend and worry about being criticize and being talked behind your back. With dynamic, crazy and strong traits that we all have, most people we know would question how we maintain our solid bond. None of us is perfect. We have our flaws. We have our insecurities. We have our own point of views but we know how to respect each personalities. And this is what makes our friendship grow stronger. ;-)

Trip Lang #2 - Anawangin.Capones

Team Valkyrja.

Team building is one of the stress relievers for people who works on the BPO industry. This is also one way of spending quality time with each team members. I had attended and orchestrated so many team buildings since I started working in the call center industry. I've been to few places where I enjoyed a lot.

Summer 2013. The most awaited season of the year. My team had our first team building in Borawan Quezon (failed to create a blog for that) last November 2012 and everyone is now so ecstatic to go out of town after three months. We've been talking about Anawangin Cove since December and that's where we're headed this time.

March 8, 2013 PST - I was on leave relaxing and preparing for the trip the next morning. I have all my things packed and good to go. All eleven of us (JM, Khyle, Alvin, Bebe, Tian. Bhebs, Cams, Ernalyn, Tin, Iya and Me) agreed to meet at Starbucks Eastwood by 9:00AM March 9, 2013.

I was waiting for Ernalyn at home as she committed to be there before 8:00AM, but she was late for 45mins (in all fairness to her, she came from Cavite). It was almost 9:00 when she arrived and we have to hustle to make sure we're at the meeting place on time. After a quick breakfast (like-3mins-quick-breakfast), we sprinted our way to Eastwood and luckily we were the one to arrive first.

It was around 9:30AM MNL when we left Eastwood. It was Saturday so traffic was expected along EDSA. Our target was to reach Victory Cubao before 10:30AM as that's the last AM trip to Iba Zambales. We paid 110 per taxi for that trip. To our disappointment, the schedules posted on Victory's website were not updated. Upon arriving at the terminal we found out that the last AM trip left at 9:00AM. It was a disappointment. Three of the guys we were with tried to look for other bus that travels to Iba Zambales, unfortunately there were none near Victory Cubao. We didn't have a choice but to go to Victory Calookan where buses to Iba leaves every after an hour. We paid another 150 for the taxi.

This is the second time I am travelling to Anawangin with my Minipinscher, Phoephie. the first trip was smooth and no bumps. She was with us on several climbs too and all those trip were fine and dandy. However this time, upon reaching the terminals entrance, we were stopped by two guards who were checking the baggage. We were told that and shown the photocopied paper where it says live animals are no longer allowed to travel on board Victory Liner's air conditioned buses. I felt panic creeping up on me but I choose to stay calm and ask when it was implemented. The guard told me it was more than a week by then. We were told that live animals can only travel on ordinary buses. Alvin was the one who insisted to bring along Phoephie. Him feeling guilty of the trouble its causing us, volunteered to travel on an ordinary bus. He went to the other side of Victory Calookan where the ordinary buses are parked and waiting for passengers. I was not feeling ok for him to travel alone so I tried talking to the bus conductor and driver to see if he can travel with us. I was so happy and relieved that the kind hearted driver (not going to mention the bus number as this may get him in trouble) allowed us to bring Phoephie along. Manong Driver was so handsome, not the typical driver you'll see driving these big buses. He may be half american-half pinoy as his features are not the Filipino type. He instructed me to tell Alvin to wait in front of Mercury Drug Store, just outside of the terminal (lalo tuloy sya gumwapo sa paningin ko). *Sigh* Good thing there are people who still understand these kind of situation.


Our Kind Driver

My Phoephie

 

We started our bus trip at 11:45AM. Expected time of arrival in San Antonio was 3:00PM but due to the road constructions everywhere, the 3hours travel time became 4hours. My butt was numb by the time we reached the municipality of San Antonio. I thank the bus driver and the conductor for their kindness before alighting. We have no time to waste so I started dividing the task and started buying things we need in the island. San Antonio is the last stop where you can buy things you need for your Anawangin stay otherwise, you'll be stuck in buying expensive necessities in the island. Good thing the market is just behind the municipal hall. It took un less than 30mins to find all the things we need.



Then, we took four tricycles to Pundaquit where Kuya Jay-R and Liesel Agasa (09173809104), were waiting for us. When we get there, we waited for Ate Liesel to prepare all the things we need for cooking then we're bound to Anawangin aboard Kuya Jay-R's newly painted boat. Since it's almost 5PM, the boat ride was bumpy but nevertheless we enjoyed it so much, well at least I did, don't know with the rest of the folks.

We arrived in Anawangin cove before dusk. Enough time for us to pitch out tents and make sure that all our foods have been well prepared for cooking. We bought pork liempo and tilapia for dinner and grilled them. Everything was so fresh when we got them that they tasted great even with-not-so-much-seasoning to add. Grilling takes time so we decided to start drinking to jump start the night. A bottle of GSM Blue long neck was on the table and we took turns with the shot glass (or rather improvised shot-glass). You learn to adapt to these simple things when you're in the wilderness and talking about surviving for the night. The alcohol made us all hungry for food and good talk so we ate while talking of what we can do during our stay in the cove.

We spent the whole night eating, drinking, talking about scary stuff where we share stories of the paranormal and ghostly encounters, even aswangs (witches) and barang (evil witch craft) experiences and the best of all, laughing our heart out with Bebe's punchlines. All lines were delivered in a Balagtasan manner which made it more hilarious for everyone. Camping is never complete without one person who makes the group dance with laughter. Thanks to Bebe who made our night full of gas, if you know what I mean. ;-)

 

 

We ended the night with smiles on our faces and in our hearts. This team building means a lot to everyone in the group since this may be the last bonding moments for others who've been transferred to other teams. March 1, 2013 was the effectivity of the new team distribution and some of those peeps I've been handling for the last six months will no longer be part of my team until God knows when. More important to me as it is hard to let go of people who you've learned to care and love. Hence, we will still be working in one account and one building. Guess we can still do it again, one team or not, we'll still make it happened. Plus I have new additions to the team whom I can start caring and loving just like what I did to the rest of my babies. We'll make the best team ever again! =)

 The next morning, I woke up early and headed to the beach before the sun comes up the horizon. Ernalyn, Phoephie, Alvin, Tin and I were in the water in no time. We enjoyed swimming in the dark water although Tin was just really playing and dipping half of her legs cause she said she was cold. Well, it really was cold but I was a beach sucker so I didn't care. :-p

 

5AM Swimming

 We waited for the sun to come up before deciding to head back to our camp so we can start cooking breakfast. We have grilled hot dog, hard boiled egg, salted egg with diced tomatoes and grilled eggplant. We've also decided to cook pork adobo for lunch. Our plan was to climb the Capones light house and have lunch on the beach so we have to prepare all the food before sailing to Capones Island. Every one was so full and decided to venture Anawangin while waiting for 11AM for Kuya Jay-R to pick us up. The river behind the camp site was the first place to visit. Since most of us are cam-whore, whatever spot we pass by we stop to take a picture.

The moment all of us have had enough with the scenery we went back to our camp. Some got their sunblocks on and headed towards the ocean for a taste of salt water. Some have settled with chillaxing inside the tent with the music plugged in their ears. Me and Alvin were the once to clean our table and made sure that all the foods are ready for our Capones trip. There's no cottage or picnic table in Capones Island so we'll have to be cavemen in terms of surviving until we're back to Pundaquit by 3PM.                                                              

                                                                             

 

It was 10:30AM when Kuya Jay-R arrived and helped us with breaking camp. We paid 100 pesos at "Tindahan sa Anawangin" for our overnight stay then we're off to Capones. The trip was smooth and short. It took us about 15-20mins to get to the back side of the island where we will leave our things in the hands of our ever trusted guide before starting our 30-45mins trek to the light house. The thought of walking under the raging heat of the summer sun makes me wanna shrink. It was really hot. And I mean really, really hot, it can cause heat stroke to anyone who's not used to beach bumming. Sunblocks and sarongs are not enough cover from the heat of the sun. We also need to bring water to hydrate ourselves along the way. Phoephie, my dog was so exhausted that she drunk whatever water she saw stuck in the hole of the stones we pass by.

 

We reached the light house in no time. Everything was as beautiful as the first time I saw it. The only difference was the grass that surrounds the area. When the first time I was there, all the grass were green because it was the end of the rainy season, now its all brown due to the summer sun. Nevertheless, the experience was as great as before. And since the view was astounding, the cam-whores were back with their Capones Infestation. Hahaha!!!

We love to stay for a long time on top but we still have another 45mins to go back where we've left our things and it's going to be hell hot soon. So after 15mins of cam-whoring, we started our descend. Coming down was easier than going up so it only take us a few before reaching where our bags were at. Everyone was hot so we stayed under the huge rock to cool down before eating our lunch. It was about to get hotter on the area where were at so our guide suggested we move to somewhere cooler and nearer the beach where we were dropped off by Kuya Jay-R. We have less than an hour to enjoy the beach so as soon as we were able to move our stuff, we jumped right in the ocean full of creepy seaweeds. The water was so clear you can see what's under you. You'll feel creatures swimming beneath which made most of us decide not to go further away from the beach. Everyone enjoyed dipping and soaking with sea water. Few more minutes and we saw Kuya Jay-R approaching the beach on his boat. Time for us to get our bags and start our journey back home.

 

 The boat ride back to Pundaquit only took us about 15mins. We headed to Kuya Jay-R's place where we will rinse before traveling back to Manila. There are three bathroom where you can rinse off simultaneously. A hut where we can put our things while waiting for everyone to finish. Some of us bought halo-halo to further cool down. Some started packing the dirty and wet clothes and some where just sitting, waiting for all to get done.

 About 5PM when everyone was ready. We took another tricycle ride back to San Antonio where we waited for the bus to take us to Olongapo. There are buses that're bound to Cubao or Pasay that passes San Antonio but most of them are full so we decided to stop over Olongapo to also grab dinner in Jollibee before heading home. We were all exhausted and tired that everyone fell asleep on the bus. We were at Victory Cubao Terminal by 11PM. We said our goodbyes and went on our own way home. Another happy and enjoyable weekend for my team. Another happy memory we will surely treasure as a group. For sure, comes Monday, all that have happened in the island will surely be the talk of the team at work.

 

Summer has just started and sure there's more beach bumming and out of town to come! Let's plan that next destination, shall we!

I'm on top of the world. I own it. It's scary... but I don't care!!!
I love life!

 

Amount based on 11 pax traveling.