Due to factors beyond my control my life was shaken in a major way last January 6, 2017. It was a bittersweet day. Bitter because of the earth-shattering news I got at work. Sweet because it was also my wedding anniversary.
I've kept quiet too long. I won't post too many details since I now know the value of self-censoring. Let's just say I got beaten to the punch. And now I'm scampering to find a new sense of normalcy in my life.
I'm actually surprised I am handling these changes quite well. I'd normally be a depressed and angry person by now. I am not as depressed nor as angry as I was before. Maybe because I am growing up.
Anyway I've decided to ditch the 3 posts a month quota on my blog. I will not force myself to write random ramblings just to fill my blog. I will write when I feel like it. Like right now.
Two things I really want to improve this year are my health and photography skills. I want to force myself to walk at least 3 km five times a week. As for photography, I really want to start taking photos again.
Out.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
[741] Reasons to Drive to Vigan (Again)
Before I go on, apologies in advance if I get some of the names wrong. I should be bringing along a small notebook to take notes next time I travel.
A few weeks ago my family and I drove to Vigan for a three-day holiday. It was a long and tiring drive, about 10 hours at our pace from Metro Manila to Hotel Veneto de Vigan.
I won't be recapping what we did on our trip. I will be writing down reasons why I would happily do this again. Budget and schedule willing, of course. So here they are, the reasons why I would want to go to Vigan again via road trip.
The Food
Before getting to Vigan my family and I stopped to eat at Bistro Candon in Candon, Ilocos Sur. We intentionally did not have lunch anywhere to eat here. My mom mentioned how good the food was, and boy it did not disappoint! The two highlights of our meal were the Bagnet on Poque-Poque Pizza and the Sunny Vigan Longganisa Pizza. Great food, so great I would probably willingly drive all the way and spend a night in Candon if I can eat lunch, dinner, and breakfast there before driving home!
Another amazing surprise was the restaurant in Cordillera Inn. The food was also very good, if not a bit pricey. Pricey in the sense that in the eateries outside you can get a meal for around Php60. But the price here is definitely worth it. The food is just great. The fact that the restaurant is air conditioned is just a lovely bonus. I am just glad my mom also recommended we eat here. I honestly didn't have any plans to eat here since every time we passed by the restaurant it was always empty.
Another reason to go back is the Ilocos Empanada. I only had one the whole trip, and to be honest it wasn't as great as the empanada from Laoag or Batac. I think I have to go back there to try Vigan empanada and not just from one branch.
Finally a good friend of mine recommended we try Tongson's Royal Bibingka. Good thing Maica went there early to buy because the lines were already getting long. Their bibingka was heavenly. It was made of cassava and was a lot chewy and creamier than the usual budin I eat from Quezon Province.
The Sights
So on the only whole day in Vigan Maica, Martina, and I took a calesa city tour. We were lucky our kutchera (female calesa driver) was very nice and pleasant. Aside from that she was also a very experienced tour guide. She brought us to the two places I wanted to visit -- Bantay Bell Tower and the Pottery places. If ever you want to take a city tour in Vigan, look for Manang Ditas.
Calle Crisologo is the most famous place in Vigan. It is a cobblestone street and all the buildings there are Spanish-era restored buildings. This street is full of stores selling pasalubong and there are plenty restaurants to eat at. Calle Crisologo is also where Cordillera Inn is located.
Finally, Vigan has two Churches to look at. San Agustin Church with Bantay Bell Tower and Vigan Cathedral.
Family Bonding Time
Of course time spent with my family was the best reason to go to Vigan. It was a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company in a different environment. We spent around 72 hours together, for good or for bad.
Anyway that's all I have as reasons for going back to Vigan. I would definitely love to save up for another trip there.
Out.
A few weeks ago my family and I drove to Vigan for a three-day holiday. It was a long and tiring drive, about 10 hours at our pace from Metro Manila to Hotel Veneto de Vigan.
I won't be recapping what we did on our trip. I will be writing down reasons why I would happily do this again. Budget and schedule willing, of course. So here they are, the reasons why I would want to go to Vigan again via road trip.
The Food
Before getting to Vigan my family and I stopped to eat at Bistro Candon in Candon, Ilocos Sur. We intentionally did not have lunch anywhere to eat here. My mom mentioned how good the food was, and boy it did not disappoint! The two highlights of our meal were the Bagnet on Poque-Poque Pizza and the Sunny Vigan Longganisa Pizza. Great food, so great I would probably willingly drive all the way and spend a night in Candon if I can eat lunch, dinner, and breakfast there before driving home!
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| My favorite pizza - Sunny Vigan Longganisa. Look at that egg! |
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| Bagnet on Poque-Poque Pizza - also a great dish |
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| Good food is INDEED meant for sharing. |
Another amazing surprise was the restaurant in Cordillera Inn. The food was also very good, if not a bit pricey. Pricey in the sense that in the eateries outside you can get a meal for around Php60. But the price here is definitely worth it. The food is just great. The fact that the restaurant is air conditioned is just a lovely bonus. I am just glad my mom also recommended we eat here. I honestly didn't have any plans to eat here since every time we passed by the restaurant it was always empty.
 |
| Cordillera Inn's Bagnet Sisig |
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| Poque-Poque, Fish Croquetas, and Bagnet from Cordillera Inn |
Another reason to go back is the Ilocos Empanada. I only had one the whole trip, and to be honest it wasn't as great as the empanada from Laoag or Batac. I think I have to go back there to try Vigan empanada and not just from one branch.
Finally a good friend of mine recommended we try Tongson's Royal Bibingka. Good thing Maica went there early to buy because the lines were already getting long. Their bibingka was heavenly. It was made of cassava and was a lot chewy and creamier than the usual budin I eat from Quezon Province.
 |
| Tongson's Royal Bibingka - bite sized and very delicious |
So on the only whole day in Vigan Maica, Martina, and I took a calesa city tour. We were lucky our kutchera (female calesa driver) was very nice and pleasant. Aside from that she was also a very experienced tour guide. She brought us to the two places I wanted to visit -- Bantay Bell Tower and the Pottery places. If ever you want to take a city tour in Vigan, look for Manang Ditas.
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| Manang Ditas with Maica and Martina taken at Baluarte |
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| This building is older than me. Obviously. |
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| One of the Spanish era houses in Vigan |
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| Calle Crisologo at night |
Finally, Vigan has two Churches to look at. San Agustin Church with Bantay Bell Tower and Vigan Cathedral.
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| San Agustin Church |
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| Bantay Bell Tower - Decorated for Christmas Season |
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| View from Bantay Bell Tower. The left mountain range is Cordillera and the right is Benguet. |
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| Vigan Cathedral at Night |
Of course time spent with my family was the best reason to go to Vigan. It was a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company in a different environment. We spent around 72 hours together, for good or for bad.
 |
| Our family photo just outside the hotel. The start of our city tour. |
Anyway that's all I have as reasons for going back to Vigan. I would definitely love to save up for another trip there.
Out.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
[740] RIP Grandma
My paternal grandmother passed away a little over a week ago, November 18, 2016. She was 96.
It was her time, and as much as I was saddened to see her go, I was also relieved that she was not suffering here anymore. She did have cancer, and she was in pain. What little improvements I saw when I last visited were minor victories for us, not for her. Maybe she fought through the pain for a few weeks to be able to interact with everyone. Just to say goodbye.
I am just very happy that I managed to visit her a few weeks before her passing. I was glad she waved goodbye to me that time and I was glad I was there in her wake and in her funeral.
You will be missed, say "Hi" to Lolo Pabling for me. Also to Lola Berting and Lolo Turing in case you see them.
Out.
It was her time, and as much as I was saddened to see her go, I was also relieved that she was not suffering here anymore. She did have cancer, and she was in pain. What little improvements I saw when I last visited were minor victories for us, not for her. Maybe she fought through the pain for a few weeks to be able to interact with everyone. Just to say goodbye.
I am just very happy that I managed to visit her a few weeks before her passing. I was glad she waved goodbye to me that time and I was glad I was there in her wake and in her funeral.
You will be missed, say "Hi" to Lolo Pabling for me. Also to Lola Berting and Lolo Turing in case you see them.
Out.
Monday, October 31, 2016
[739] Lucena Weekend
We spent Saturday and Sunday in Lucena visiting my Lola Jinny.
Call me naive but I thought she had improved from the last time I visited her. She was responding more when we spoke with her, and I was surprised she was making an effort to speak with Martina when she saw her.
I give all the credit to the physical therapist they got for her. She was doing a good job not only with making her body move but also giving her some speech exercises.
This does not mean everything is good of course. I did notice my grandmother would groan a lot whenever she was in a "sitting" position on the bed. I have no idea why, but according to my aunt it's because my grandmother is in pain when she sits.
Still, it was good to visit my grandmother and bring here even a small bit of cheer knowing that people still think of her.
Out.
Call me naive but I thought she had improved from the last time I visited her. She was responding more when we spoke with her, and I was surprised she was making an effort to speak with Martina when she saw her.
I give all the credit to the physical therapist they got for her. She was doing a good job not only with making her body move but also giving her some speech exercises.
This does not mean everything is good of course. I did notice my grandmother would groan a lot whenever she was in a "sitting" position on the bed. I have no idea why, but according to my aunt it's because my grandmother is in pain when she sits.
Still, it was good to visit my grandmother and bring here even a small bit of cheer knowing that people still think of her.
Out.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
[738] Podcasts
The moment I got a smartphone last year I bought a podcast app. It turned out to be a good investment.
I usually listen to them as background noise during work. They are my first option now rather than listening to music.
It's unfortunate that most of the good podcasts come out around Wednesday night here in the Philippines. Usually I have a hard time listening to podcasts during the weekends and if I try to listen to them the next week they aren't really as relevant by the time I listen to them.
So what podcasts do I listen to? Mostly NBA and WWE related stuff with a sprinkling of car podcasts. I also started listening to some other podcasts just to increase the number of episodes I can listen to every day at work.
Out.
I usually listen to them as background noise during work. They are my first option now rather than listening to music.
It's unfortunate that most of the good podcasts come out around Wednesday night here in the Philippines. Usually I have a hard time listening to podcasts during the weekends and if I try to listen to them the next week they aren't really as relevant by the time I listen to them.
So what podcasts do I listen to? Mostly NBA and WWE related stuff with a sprinkling of car podcasts. I also started listening to some other podcasts just to increase the number of episodes I can listen to every day at work.
Out.
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