Trip to Albay

I’ve been meaning to blog about our journey to Albay last March but I’ve been so busy with a lot of things lately.

This trip was one of the most unforgettable so far. 

It was my first time to ride on a plane, and we were (I and my group) compelled (more than willing to oblige)  to feature Bicolanos way of living and visit every attractive places there.

I know you expect me to tell you about how beautiful the place was, but it’s not gonna be the first thing I'll write about.

I was more astonished by Bicolanos hospitality. 

I may not been in a lot of places but I think I have more than enough share of experience to say that Bicolanos hospitality is exceptional.

Most of the people there has been friendly and helpful.

On the third day of our stay there, (we've been there for 5 days) 

we decided to go to Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave located in Camalig, Albay.

Honestly, I wasn't that thrilled going there because I never really like muddy and dark places. 

But as we go inside the cave, I had a change of heart.

The cave wasn’t what I expected it to be. 
It wasn’t suffocating like other caves.

In fact it was somewhat chilly inside, reason why it was named Hoyop which means “to blow”. 

Also, it didn’t stink at all. 

There were a lot of narrow passages inside the cave which makes the tour fun because you have to squeeze yourself to pass through. 

The entrance fee was 10 pesos each but you have to pay the tour guide 300 bucks and you can’t go inside without being accompanied by one.

It was at lunch time when we left the cave. 
We were really hungry at that time but unfortunately it was raining and we can’t just get ourselves soaked in the rain because we have cameras, lapel, mic, and tripod with us.

We saw a store on the way and decided to stay there and wait until the rain stop. 
We were all laughing and noisy while complaining how hungry we were. 
Each one blames each other why we didn’t eat before going to the cave.

We were all whining that we didn't notice this local sleeping in another bench.  

He heard all our complains and told us that we can buy something at the store 
and offered to cook it in his house. 
Because he looks really nice, gratefully, we agreed and bought 3 canned of tuna. 
To our surprise, when we entered his house, there was a lot of food for us in the table. 
A lechon kawali, this kind of vegetable that I don’t know what to call, a newly cooked rice, 
and the tuna that we bought from the store.
 The guy even introduced us to his family and they welcomed us warmly.

We were so touched by the gestures that we thanked them unstoppable.

And everywhere we go people were really accommodating that made my friends asked, 
“are we still in earth or we’re already dead and we’re now in heaven?” 


(haha, no, I’m not exaggerating, they really asked me that.)

We also did a cooking show segment in this particular restaurant called Global kusina wherein the owner entertained us without letting us spent even a penny and thoughtfully served us Bicol express, this another menu that I forgot the name and their own version of pizza for free.

Even the mayor spared us some of her precious time for an interview.

See what I’m talking about? Weren’t they too good to be true?

I’m done with their hospitality, now it’s time to brag about how magnificent the place was.

Ok im just kidding. I'm not gonna bore you with my writing, 

I’ll let these pictures speak for themselves. J

Busay Falls

This falls was so magnificent and we even came here twice during our 5 days visit regardless of its distance to where we stay)

(i was the official camerawoman)

(at lignon hill where climbing is a struggle for someone like me
who isn't used of a long walk. It's like a mini tagaytay where you can
have a nice view of Mayon Volcano.)

(chili flavored shake)

A letter for a friend

I know you expect us to be by your side at this seem so lowest point of your life,

but how can we, when we too are struggling?

You should know that we too are wounded.

we were left here, though you may not be aware but we're still trying to protect you the best way we can.
we were left here cleaning up the mess.

We were hurt and damaged.
I hate to say this but you’ve inflicted us this pain. 

You’re the reason of it.

So as much as we want to be with you, we can’t. 

Cause we’re in the process of nursing ourselves too.

Please don’t think as if we’ve abandoned you , we didn’t.

It was you who forgot to remember us.

And the things that happened lately were only the consequences of those times you've forgotten about us.

We understand you, what you did and why you did it,

it's your justification that we don't.

it's the lies that we don't.

Others don’t have the right to judge you. But we do.
I believe we have the right to.
Because we know you.
we know things that others don't.
And because you’ve hurt us. So much.  That everything became hard.

we've been friends for years.
all of us used to eat in one plate, same food, one spoon, one drinking bottle.
we used to sleep in one pillow, and shared a blanket.
we used to laughed in the same joke, etc., etc., blah! blah! blah!
all of us used to do a lot of things together.
so yes, we have every right to judge you without being judgmental.

Do you know that everytime someone mentions your name, an awkward silence follows?

But sometimes I purposely mention you in the middle of a conversation because I want them; I want us to be immune of your memory. Not so we can forget all about you, but because I want us to be able to move forward.

and if we do, maybe, just maybe, everything will get back to normal. Don't lose hope.