The Truth About My Hot Air Balloon Festival 2010 Sojourn

Early this week, everyone seems to be busy planning where to go for the Feb. 13-14, 2010 weekend.  Everyone want to go out somewhere! Well…they have all the reasons to be excited about, because it is Valentines Day and at the same time Chinese New Year.

As for me, I was spared of the hassles of thinking where to go because as early as last December 2009 I have already decided where to go on this weekend i.e. at the 2010 Hot Air Balloon Festival at Clark, Pampanga.

Originally, the plan was that I am going there together with some officemates. Unfortunately, due to some unavoidable circumstances they can no longer make it this weekend.  And so I decided to go by myself.

Honestly, I wasn’t prepared to go there alone because I am not familiar with Clark, Pampanga.  But the sound of the adventure/misadventure of going to an unfamiliar ground never fails to excite me. Am I weird?

Armed with the sole knowledge that I have to be at the venue for the festival at 5:30 am, I started my adventure which started at Lipa City, Batangas at exactly 6:00pm.

My first task is to secure a ticket to spare me the hassle of falling in line at the festival’s venue. Unfortunately, I arrived at SM Megamall at around 9:10pm , their cut-off of selling show tickets is at 9:00pm. Grrrrrr!!!     

My second task is to catch the late night bus ride bound to San Fernando, Pampanga in Cubao. Well…that was where my friend told me to go. I was surprised to know that there are several bus terminals in Cubao and I ended up in the terminal bound to Bicol Region at 10:00pm. By then, I was already fuming mad. Grrrr!!! Luckily the security guard at the terminal taught me the right way which is in Kamuning. At around 10:45pm , I got my seat in a bus bound to Bataan. The bus conductor promised to drop me off in San Fernando.

At around 12:10am, I made it to San Fernando , and there my next task started : getting an accommodation. Where the hell are the hotels?! All of them are fully booked for the weekend. Good thing, I saw a Sogo Motel near SM  mall. At first, I was hesitant since I already know what I will see inside i.e. a long line of lovers waiting to get a room. Pero bahala na. I got a room at around 1:00am and paid for a short time rate. Hmmmm…it wasn’t a  bad experience at all, as a matter of fact I found it  a bit funny to check in at a motel by myself.  I actually spend some time in my room to take picture to capture my first motel experience. Hehehehehe

At 4:00am, I started my last task: to get to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga.  With just two jeepney rides  and a tricycle ride, I made it to the venue at some time past 5:00am. People are building up already by the time that I arrived, so I skipped breakfast and going to the restroom so I can get a good spot at the site.

The Hot Air Balloon Festival did not start on time. Well, I am not surprised, I am in the Philippines! In fairness, it was delayed by only a couple of minutes, not hours. But it’s all worth the waiting when the festival started with some guys sky-diving  (including someone with the Philippine Flag) having the Philippine National Anthem as their background sound.

After which, one by one they started inflating the balloons. The view is simply spectacular! Some of my favorites hot air balloons are the beer, the farm, the sun and the turtle. There are some paragliding exhibitions and some street dancers too.

More than the show, it was equally delighting to look at the reactions of those who went to the festival. I took some pictures of the images that captured my heart during the event.

It was also nice experience to see how ordinary people interacted with some members of our armies. Too bad, I was alone. I envied those who come in groups because they had the opportunity to be taken a picture wearing some camouflage and armories.

All in all, it was a very wonderful experience. I had fun!

As early as now, I am already looking forward to go there again when they have the next Hot Air Balloon Festival on 2011.

Cheers to the good life!

The Truth About My Choices for Election 2010

If there is a day in the life of the Filipinos when both rich and poor become equal, it is on that the day they exercise their rights to elect their public officials.

Campaign period for the National Election 2010 has officially started two days ago (Feb. 9, 2010) in the Philippines. Unofficially, it ridiculously started Q3 2009 when political infomercials started to flood our television screens. It is simply crazy how one presidentiable is willing to spend more than a billion of pesos just for his infomercials. How the hell will he recover his investments?! Your guess is as good as mine.

A few weeks back, someone asked me who I will vote for this coming national election, I didn’t answer back… I am still undecided then.

But now, I am almost 90% sure of who I want to vote on May 11, 2010. With my head held up high, I will say that I am not basing my vote on mere popularity but on the following merits: their capacity to create a vision for the Philippines and their political will to execute their vision.

Given those to qualifiers, I can not really think of any other person to vote for but the forceful tandem of Sen. Dick Gordon and Chairman Bayani Fernando. Both guys, have sterling records of creating visions for Olongapo City, Subic & Marikina City. And more importantly, these guys brought their visions into reality. What the Philippines needs now are not just good rhetorical speakers…we need men of actions! We need someone who has the political will to carry-out what is right, no matter how unpopular he may look-like because he can stand for what will bring forth a long term good effect for the nation.

People hated Bayani Fernando when he waged an all-out war against the sidewalk vendors and implemented various schemes to address the heavy traffic in Metro Manila. But look at the improvements in Baclaran and EDSA now.

On the other hand, Sen. Dick Gordon is very charismatic. He has the gift to share his vision and spark up spirit of volunteerism. We need this kind of leader nowadays, someone whom we will follow without any doubt. Someone whom we can be confident enough, to be willing to work for without even thinking of anything in return.

Sadly, I know the tandem of Gordon & Bayani does not have a very strong chance of winning in the 2010 Election, because Filipinos have the tendency to go for the candidate who most likely to win. Everybody wants to side with a winner. Damn culture! Very frustrating! But I am not joining their band wagon, I will still go for the candidates who I believe the Philippines truly need. My candidate may not win the coming election, but I can have a sound sleep knowing that I did make the right choice.

I appeal to all voting Filipinos of today, let us vote for who we think can positively affect our nation. Let us take time to hear our little voice within, our conscience.

The Truth About Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island

I first came to learn about Cagbalete Island from an article written by Gibbs Cadiz in Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle Section. Mr. Gibbs vividly narrated his experience to the still “unexploited” Cagbalete Island. His article created a spark of fire in me …longing to experience Cagablete Island as well. Unfortunately, due to a very tight schedule last year, I wasn’t able to make it to Cagbalete Island on 2009, but I promised myself that I will see her on 2010.

And so after some months of delay, I finally make it to Cagbalete Island last weekend (Jan. 30-31, 2010). Honestly, I underestimated the task of getting there since I have been to farther and more remote places in the Philippines than Cagbalete Island.  But I was WRONG! To my great surprise it was a whole lot challenging. For one, there are only two schedules of sea transfer to Cagbalete Island : one is at 10:00am, the other at 4:00pm. If I miss it, I will have to rent a boat which eventually cost me more. So as early as 5:00am, I am already traveling to Lucena City where the terminal for the buses bound to Mauban, Quezon is located. Mind you, the buses are non-airconditioned and are moving at a very slow phase. There are airconditioned vans at SM Lucena, but it takes century to get filled-up. It will wait until 10:00am before it leaves Lucena City, you can pay the van Php 900.00 and it will bring you to Mauban in less than an hour but why pay more when regular bus only charge Php 50.00 to Mauban. 

At Sabang Port, there are two big bangkas : Neneng & Anthony … I wonder if they are boyfriend-girlfriend. I rode Anthony because it was bigger. Unfortunately, they are putting a big colored plastic material infront of the Bangka so we don’t get wet but because of the big plastic I wasn’t able to see the view of the sea during my travel. At Neneng, the plastic is translucent so you have opportunity to see the view. 

There are two resorts at Cagbalete Island: Pansacola Beach Resort and Villa Cleofas. Three weeks ago, I contacted Villa Cleofas through their email account in the net and immediately I received an email from Mr. Ed Jacob, unfortunately after stating that I might be just alone, I never hear from him again. I guess, I am not worth it … I am just one customer. Too bad! Fortunately, I found in the internet that there is Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island, I called up the number and I was entertained by Ms. Fe who referred me to her husband Mr. Rommel who in spite of being alone, I was treated well. They are ANGELS! 

Honestly, I was a bit scared on how Pansacola may looks like, because not much information is there in the net about them. So when I got to Mauban, I asked people around which is a better place to stay at Cagbalete: Villa Cleofas or Pansacola Beach Resort? Three out of the three people I asked answered that Pansacola is a better resort. Whatta relief! And true enough, it was a good place! I got a house with two rooms plus a loft which normally cost Php 3,000. The resort owner, Mr. Rommel politely asked me though if I could just use one of the room so the other two guests can get the other room. How can I say NO to a very polite request and the opportunity to meet new friends. He then just charged us Php 1,000 for each room. The best part of the story was that my housemates availed of Pansacola’s meal package which I encourage everyone to avail. Pansacola’s serving was big enough to serve a family of four. Can you imagine serving a whole crispy pata , paco salad, inihaw na isda and leche flan for two guests? My housemates whom I now consider friends shared their food with me. Ang sarap!!! 

I spent the rest of the day chatting with Signet and Cheng (my housemates), taking pictures and occasionally looking at their very serene-looking beach. Shortly, before the sun set I got myself a sweddish massage at the loft of the house. The view of the sun setting from the window of the loft while getting a massage is magical. The massage costs Php 250 and when I asked the masseur how much part of the Php250 goes to them, the masseur answered back Php250. Unbelievable! Little by little I am gaining so much respect for the resort owner. At night time, bonfire was set for the guests to enjoy. Like a kid: Signet, Cheng & I  alternately posed at the bonfire. Sometime in the evening, Mr. Rommel Pansacola set a videoke machine for his guests to enjoy at no cost at all.  He also joined his guests on a videoke session that night and surely he can carry a tune. He toned down the volume after 10pm which the guests understood. From time to time, we talked about the humble beginnings of Pansacola. He honestly answered all my question even the most controversials one. 

In all objectivity, I will say that while Cagbalete Island is not the best island that I have been in the Philippines, but my experience at Pansacola Beach Resort is one that I will truly remember for years to come. As a matter of fact, this is the very first time that my beach resort experience upstaged my island sojourn. 

I will definitely comeback in Pansacola Beach Resort in Cagbalete Island.