#dulag

Hello yes i made an orc oc..........he and ryth are mercenary pals

1. Taking a different route and a different ferry.

It took my friend/ now roommate a couple of times to convince me to go home with her to our province and to take her route (Cebu – Baybay) and try a different ferry because I thought the ferry we’d take would make me regret the day I was born 😁 since its travel duration (6 hrs) is twice longer than that of a fast craft which I always take. But kidding aside, when I finally got in, to my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best things ever invented and I couldn’t contain my happiness and amazement, although I had a couple of things running on my mind at the same time.

It is totally different from the fast craft from the Cebu – Ormoc route I take. The fast craft is small and it only has seats so people can’t lie down if they want to, while this one is big (probably thrice its size) and it doesn’t only have seats, but also decks (beds). There is a small prayer room, and a vip room for the staff. Everything I love having in one place are here — TV, aircon, CR, comfortable bedspace, and cafeteria, except the wifi, and it’s already a good deal for me because it’s cheaper even though it travels overnight. Going home is closer and cheaper from Baybay as well, but most importantly, the chance of me getting seasick is very low because even though it is slow, I cannot feel that it’s moving on the surface of the sea since it is a big ferry.

In the picture I look like I am upset or sad, but that’s just my face when I’m serious as I have an RBF. I was watching TV then. (I’m sorry I forgot to take photo of the ferry. 😦)  This experience taught me to not be afraid to try or to risk esp. when someone is or other people are there to support, and if not for my friend, I wouldn’t have experienced it and wouldn’t have been able to save much on fares. So nice of her. I couldn’t be more thankful for her kindness. ☺

2. Meeting new people.

She offered to stay at their house since it was around 4 am when we arrived and still dark so I went with her.

Staying at other people’s house isn’t something new to me but I still kind of find it hard at times to adapt. Good thing her family is nice. They were hospitable. They let me eat their food and use their stuff like the wifi and bed. It just felt like I was home when I was there. I also learned a lesson that is we don’t need to really know a person to give them help because anyone who’s in need of it is deserving.

I took this photo outside their house at around 5 am. I had missed this kind of sunrise.

Other photos from Baybay.

3. Visiting VSU (Visayas State University)

Before heading to my hometown Dulag, I made sure I’d get to visit this university which is popular in the province for its branches, the quality of education they provide and of course, its vast area.

I first learned about this when I was in 4th yr high school because some of their staff went to our school and they introduced to us their school and what courses they offer. I was totally amazed with their map on the brochure and since then I had been dreaming to get there.

Good thing a friend of mine whom I met and was one of my close workmates at a previous job and is studying there offered to tour me around. We met around 5 pm because she had exams on the day, so we only got to stroll around the upper part of the university but even though I didn’t get to see the whole area, I was already happy because another bullet has been checked off of my list.

By the way, there is where I’m planning to enroll this coming January but I’m still not sure if I really will be able to. Wish me luck. 😊

4. Visiting mom’s (stepdad’s) place

I headed here the day after I visited VSU because I had decided not to go for my plan to go check the other local tourist spots alone. I don’t know if it is only me, but sometimes I overthink. It makes me conscious when people start looking at me just because I’m the only one taking pictures. (Stupid, eh? 😁 Pardon me. 😊)

So I visited my mom, stepdad and sister in a barangay in our municipality. My mom’s partner isn’t really someone I like for her not only because the idea of having a stepdad never came into mind before, but also for the fact that his children don’t really like my mom even when their mom has already passed away just like my dad. However, there’s not much I can do for now. I cannot take them away from him because it’s not going to be easy as they are not like teenagers, and I don’t have my own place yet here in Cebu which I could let them stay and it’s not as if they would even like the idea of moving here. He’s actually okay and nice though, yet I still wish my mom didn’t entertain him. Call it selfishness or whatever, but I think some people could actually understand where I’m coming from.

Anyway, aside from the reason I mentioned on my previous post that I was afraid my uncle (mom’s only brother who really hates me for what I did) might visit there and see me and hurt me, I also don’t like staying there so I opted to stay at my another uncle’s (my late father’s brother) in another barangay. But before I headed there, my mom and I had a catch up talk. I also gave her shirts (from ukay ukay) I brought from Cebu as they are really cheap here but still good. (I’m not much a fan of ukay-ukay, though.)

5. Staying at my uncle’s place and visiting our abandoned house.

Their house is close to ours (my late father’s house) and I used to go there when I was a child so it wasn’t my first time to stay there and sleepover. They are also the immediate people we would run to every time there was a problem at home and when we needed help. They have always been welcoming esp. now that my uncle is the chairman of the barangay.

My aunt knows that I don’t like staying at my mom’s so she welcomed me. Her daughter who is my age and has been one of my best friends since we were kids was also there so staying, using their stuff and eating their food just felt normal. It was as if I was home. They gave me the same treatment that my friend’s family in Baybay did, so I was able to contemplate on my options and relax although the phone signal was very weak I could barely get online.

We have to cross this river to get to our houses so my uncle had built this improvised bridge.

      So my supposed backpacking trip turned into a staycation trip, staycation at other people’s places. My bad. 😁

When I was there, I took the chance to visit our abandoned house as I really had missed it. I felt sad upon seeing it because its roofings are still good but then its other materials are slowly rotting. Weeds are surrounding it but it’s still liveable. I wonder if mom is willing to let other people use it, or if there are people who would love to stay there.

This is our house and our more than 15 year old well.

This house has a lot of memories I’ll forever keep in my heart and I would love to pay it a visit every once in a while in the future so it should be maintained, I thought to myself.

6. Taking my younger sis to Tacloban City.

It’s the only the city that’s close to us (There are two other cities — Ormoc City and Baybay City in Leyte, by the way.), so I decided to take my sister out on a date because I know my mom barely takes her when she goes to the town and esp. to the city.

So I took her to the mall, had window shopping yet we bought some groceries and we dined at Jollibee. We couldn’t make the most of our visit, though, because the weather was bad and when we arrived home, it was already 9 pm which is already late in the province (’cause it’s too early for the people in the city). But at least we got to spend some time together and that’s what matters.

7. Having fun at Camp Cawayan Resort.

The day before I headed back to friend’s in Baybay, I, together with my only one younger brother (who stays at mom’s sister, because my other younger brother who stays at mom’s brother was busy and we didn’t get to take our youngest sister ’cause we weren’t sure she can swim and we were in hurry as we just rented the motorbike we used,) and 2 cousins went here as I’d been itching to swim in a swimming pool like I always do.

I really love plunging into any body of water because not only it is refreshing, but also I get to improve my swimming skills each time and I become more confident with myself when I’m in the water. (Also, the supertyphoon Yolanda wayback in November 2013 made me realize more than any occassion, about the importance of swimming.)

8. Taking a look at our barangay.

Before leaving for Baybay, I went to the center of our barangay to take a ride to our town proper, but while I was waiting I visited my two aunts whose houses are close to this momument. I checked on them and had some catch up talk.

I used to hang out and play around this monument of General Roxas (which our brgy is named after) with my childhood friends when I was a kid.

This is where I studied Grade 1 until Grade 5. (General Roxas Elementary School) 👇

9. Roadtripping (not literally, though 😁).

On my way back to Baybay, I was lucky to be seated on the front seat of the van because it’s my favorite spot as I get to enjoy seeing the views of the places we pass along and I love it more when there is a good music in the background.

  View this post on Instagram

What do I love about road trip? It is this. 😊 #roadtrip #travel #leytephilippines #destinationsph #countryside #nature

A post shared by Erma Lazada ♡ (@lazada.erma) on Nov 2, 2017 at 10:38pm PDT

I was so glad that there’s not so many houses on the national road from Dulag to Baybay because I find the nature’s view more appealing when I’m riding on a van, although it seems like it’s boring in those places, and it is what I love about the country side. The view of the mountain ranges, the seas, the rice fields, the vacant lots, the coconut trees and especially the sky fills my soul with so much peace.

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So, that’s it. I hope you learn a thing or two from it. Thank you as always for reading. 😍

This was an unplanned weekend trip. My college barkada back in Kalai (UP Diliman) is currently in Leyte for a 3-week project with different LGUs. The surfer that she is, I knew when she told me in advance she was coming that she will want to go to the beaches here in Leyte. She told me like a month before and I didn't notice she was here until she messaged me “San tayo sa weekend?”

I had no concrete plans for last weekend. Pintados and Tacloban fiesta was this week so I knew there were events here and there. When Ishy told me she’s in Tactown, my first instinct was to bring her and her friend to Burauen (Yes, the spring capital of Leyte who just won the Pintados Kasadyaan Festival 2017— yesterday #TribuBuraburon Wooohoo!). Leyte is just too hot for June. I was longing for that cold spring swim in Cansiboy since summer but was too busy.

Weekend warriors here we come!

Day 1 Saturday

8 AM - van Tac to Burauen (P50) 9 AM - prep & bfast at Delloro residence who are all so very acommodating I love them to bits! 10:30 AM - habal habal ride to Cansiboy (P50)

Entrance P20 Tables & Chairs P100

11 AM - swim & socials 12 NN - head back to town proper (P50) 1 PM - ginataang native manok and pansit lunch! 2:30 PM - Burauen to Dulag c/o Ate Juna and Kuya Allan who were so kind to come with us to the beach 3 PM - Sabang Surf Camp, Dulag Leyte

Entrance - 20 adult Table & Space Rent- 200 Extra Chairs - 10 Liempo for ihaw @Monterey Burauen - 150

6 PM - pack up and head back to Burauen

Day 2 Sunday

7 AM - Breakfast & Chika 8 AM - Decide where to go and prep for an overnight trip anywhere 9 AM - van Burauen to Tac (P50) 10 AM - pass by SaveMore to buy needs 10:45 AM - tryk to VanVan’s (P8) 11 AM - van Tac to Maasin (told the driver to drop us off at Inopacan since all we could think about was Cuatros Islas) (P170) 2 PM - Inopacan port/jump off point to Cuatros Islas

We were only 4 and the minimum boat rental was 2500 plus 500 overnight for max of 10 passengers. Boatmen urged us to hire a private bangka right then and there but we knew we could wait for some more joiners. Thank you to the rich kids of Cavite who filled the boat together with us! We saved a few hundreds from paying the 3k.

Boat 10pax - P2500 includes island hopping Overnight - plus P500 for the boat Environmental Fee - P60

As soon as the passengers are complete & the manifesto signed, you are good to go. The boat ride duration felt like 30min from jump off point to 1st island– Mahaba.

MAHABA ISLAND

We docked at 4pm so the boatman said we had about 30 min to explore the island. It was pretty like the other beaches in the Philippines. Mahaba had clear waters, fine white sand but lots of corals so you have to wear aqua shoes/slippers.

The ebach had a long stretch of white sand so it was tempting to play frisbee. We didn't have time so we went swimming instead. The other side of the island was a marine sanctuary so naturally, it was off limits. We were happy to see a big school of flying fish somewhere near the island while taking our first dip in Cuatros Islas.

The swim was sweet and short. Before we knew it, we were on our way to the 2nd island– Apid.

APID ISLAND

Apid is a smaller island with a short stretch of white sand. Our boatman told us there was nothing to see on the island as it had only a small community & a school. Since we were with environmental planners, they took the chance to explore the structures up close. They questioned why a community was allowed when the 4 islands were supposed to be protected land and seascapes.

The other group chose not to come down. So after about 10min, we sailed off to the last island where were are supposed to stay for the night– Digyo.

DIGYO ISLAND

Digyo is a peaceful island. The water was so still I missed the sound of the waves crashing as I we went to sleep. I was concerned about food and CR before coming to Inopacan but our friends wanted to try some backpacking adventure. We crossed the seas with only biscuits and 2L of water.

Suprisingly, the island stores did not price the commodities too high. We thought it was just enough for them to earn some living. Like 1 san mig grande was P100. Blue Marlin was P200 per kilo. Rice was 30 per kilo. Cooking services per dish was P50. 1.5L of mineral water was P50. The smaller bottle was P35. One container of fresh water for bathing was P40 – it was enough for soap & shampoo of 2 people.

The local store owner was very kind to offer us tables, chairs & light for the night. He had let us borrow some utensils too though paper plate & plastic spoon & forks are needed to eat. They charged for that as well for a few coins.

Sleeping at 1am the night before and a 3 hour van ride at the back was too tiring we could only finish 1 bottle of Grande. After taking a refreshing bath, we went ready to sleep. The sky was very beautiful with stars we rented a banig (woven mat) for P50. Almost slept outside but I knew it was going to get too cold in the wee hours of the morning so we went inside the tent.

Day 3 Monday

6:00 AM Good morning, Digyo! 6:30 AM Coffee & bfast for some 7:00 AM Walking and photoshoot 7:30 AM Pack up tent and things 8:00 AM Boat back to main island 9 AM van back to Tacloban (P160)