One morning when I went outside home, I was having a quick look to my place. I did this for the reason I don’t know when I’ll be back to this sweet surrender – a serene view of the sky and Mt. Mayon (tip seen above). Recent fond memories were beginning to sink in such as those happy, frat, jologs and jejemon moments. Also, a ride of sikad-sikad or padyak (pedicab) when I go to a market or perhaps attend online game invites is now what I’m missing too. The exquisite taste of raw pili soaked in boiled water was what I’ve craved for. All of these I want to exprience again. Well, I’m pressing my luck I would come back sooner.
:)
Tabaco City is really close to my heart. I would not let time pass without having a glimpse on Tabak Festival that was celebrated on June 16-25, 2010.
Aside from street presentation that amazed locals and tourists, the city also offered lots of varieties of our culture like cutleries, specialties, etc. In the evening, pageants for men, women (Ms. Tabak), and gays (Ms. Tabakla) can brighten up the nights. The contestants of Ms. Tabakla were such entertaining to the mass because muscles were still all over the place. But wit wise, they have answered questions really good, they can really kick butts.
We also had Vhong Navarro, Side A, and Claire dela Fuentes performed in front of Tabaqueños giving us great cheers. It was really nice to watch them especially in my own city. It’s also very nostalgic.
Tasting beers with my friend while listening to the gigs of our local bands was nice to end a day.
Rakrakan na, mga jejemon! 4reebh4 4lbh4y! $4r4ru s4r4bh4i, M4buh4Y! (Arriba Albay! Sararu, Sarabay, Mabuhay!)(Arriba Albay! Long live together as one!)
Claire having fun with Tabaqueños.
Locals at the central park as they watched Ms. Tabakla
:)
It was a hot night of last week while I was puttering something with my computer, I heard this unusual noise. Just outside my door was a repetitious little noise but not futile. I came quickly to look for it. Little did I know, a cute little squishy puppy was already born. “A celebration of life!”, I thought. Then the other one followed after few minutes, and so on. When I woke up in the morning, I counted seven puppies which eyes were still closed, and steps made were still crawling. Among these cuties, only one is a dirty white which I named “Nognog”, and the rest was all white, no names yet.
Nognog in his Styrofoam bed
His six siblings having their siesta
:)
In January of 2009, a very good friend brought me to Hoyop-hoyopan cave. I remembered it was drizzling but I insisted to be there. Then, we finally reached the place. Inside, I felt the wind blowing my slightly wet body. It gave me chills, sort of rare refreshment (that’s the reason why the cave was named from - “blow-blow”).
After minutes of touring, I saw translucent stones the lady was selling. “Sain ‘yan hali?” (Where did you get those?). Because of that curiosity, I found a new terrific spot that I wanted to go to – the Calabidongan Caves. I told myself that I am going to get the gem myself too, probably a souvenir for that adventure.
The Calabidongan cave is dubbed as “cave of the bats”, located in Camalig, Albay and 2-km away from Hoyop-hoyopan. It has an underground stream that can be very dangerous when heavy rains approached. It is said that there were also traces of ancient pottery, ornaments and human bones that have been retrieved and housed in Camalig Church.
Just after “Undas” in November 2009, I was blessed to visit the cave with my friends. We had our little bumpy road trip to the place.
Arrival time: 2 PM. This is the entrance with deep water. I was the one who decided to go inside and get the gem. My friends didn’t accompany me may be because of their near-drowning experience. It was really dark but I was eager. Good thing I have four tour guides with me (cost: P100).
After several steps of spelunking, the first stop made me say “Wow!” I partially submerged myself in cold water under this grotto- or dragon’s mouth-like formation to have picture taking.
We saw these human bones caught in the net. Scary, right? But it was just a joke. Those were from the bats.
This cute little dude appeared before us.
All 5 of us were swimming across this seven-foot lagoon called lizard’s gate.
The lizard’s gate has stalactites nearing to touch the water. It was fun swimming with limited light. You don’t know what’s beneath or after it.
Finally, a sand! No more stones that can hurt my feet. The noise from the bats was getting louder and I still haven’t seen any gem. “What’s up, Doc?” Bugs Bunny isn’t here to take this large carrot. This is my second “Wow.” I had wished to extend my time swimming around here. The formation is just like in the Sagada Falls. It’s beautiful. The streak of light in the ceiling was the last pic of the trip. The camera’s battery was about to be emptied. We chose not to pursue in obtaining the gem. It was almost 4PM and my friends were worried waiting for me. 
I really enjoyed that my experience here was such a huge blast. I promised that I’ll be back to swim more and find that token for me.
Things to bring: Flash light; slippers or shoes; water.
Spelunking: heavy
Road: from well-paved to bumpy
Travel destination: more than an hour from Legazpi City to Camalig, Albay
