7 THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT VALENTINES

1.   Traffic. While couples prepare for their dates, I am preparing myself for a long walk home. I am sure as hell the traffic is going to be terrible.  Wear extra patience on the drive honey!

2.   Books. Hmm, you really do not hate the book per se. It’s the characters there whom you adore so much but can’t just come to life. Ugh! Frustrating! (Not to mention they are my dates tomorrow).

3.   Gifts.  Valentine’s Day is for all—lovers, friends, singles, doubles urggh couples – and gift giving is but mundane. The thing is you have run out of ideas on what to give this year because you are so done with jewelry, chocolates, flowers, blah, blah, blah… try DIY this time bro! E is for effort.

4.   Chocolates.  Because it might trigger your diabetes or you are on a hard core diet and all of a sudden this dark food for the gods just ruins everything. Okay ladies, just give them to me. I would love to share your calories. Haha!

5.   Flowers. Because maybe you have allergy or simply you receive the same kind of flower over and over again! Red freakin’ roses for the last 5 years? Hmmp, maybe a freshly picked ginger lily (just make sure you are not caught stealing it at the neighborhood) will be appreciated.

6.   Movies.  Should I say more? Good luck to the infinity queue.

7.   Friends. Only one in the group who’s got no girl/boyfriend? Aging 30 and has currently no date? Friends bugging you about it? I could feel you!

RANDOM THINGS YOU HATE: GIVE A HAND TO EXPLAIN PLEASE

Hey, hey! I know you are brilliant, hon! That’s why I want to pick up your brain understanding these people and situations that creep at the core to irate my day. These might sound really petty but I tell you, they are annoying.

Igan D' Bayan Collection. Art Fair Philippines 2015, Makati City.

Those people who like to cram at the bus’ door. Like it’s the end of the world! Giving no space for those who also want to go home. I do not understand why they have to jam pack in one place when the rear screams, ‘Hey, I’m vacant here!’ Mabuti pa ang sardinas di nagsisiksikan sa lata! I heard and noticed that passengers do it so they could get off easily. Isn’t it lame my friend? Drivers stop if you tell them to do so. Or you could ask the bus conductor for a halt and walk your way. Think of others sometimes!

Now let’s go to the mall where security guards check your bags. And I am referring to those who just dip their stick inside bags with eyes wandering somewhere or mouth busy chatting. Then something happened and they all go back to that full alert thingy! Huli na po ang lahat...

Those selfish creature at the street. I am talking here of those people who cross the street even if the traffic light says stop with the traffic enforcer raising his hand for the same signal. I find this really insulting to the enforcer. Kaya di umuunlad ang Pilipinas eh, simpleng bagay di makuha.

Opinions on opinion. I admire people who express their thoughts on certain subjects. I do not understand though those people who have to say nasty opinion on an opinion. I just don’t understand why you need to say something and argue like hell if the premise does not agree with yours. C’mon it is your responsibility to filter what to take and leave so shut up! Okay, this might sound like breaching your freedom of expression but just saying it is annoying (and I know you don’t care).

Like to be liked. You checked your Twitter or Instagram and received a lot of likes. You feel flattered then it dawned unto you that half of them are just making their way to you to find your way to them. You realize that when you check the account and find they are selling something that is not even related to your post. There are also those who flatter you with ‘Awesome shot!’ even if you know it’s not. Here’s the deal baby, if you like it, then like it. Thank you very much. But liking it for me to like and follow? Spare me.

Holiday Getaway at Sagada, Mt. Province

Christmas is over—looong way over but I guess there’s no need for a solstice or any special

Good morning at Sagada, Homestay. 

occasion to talk about the… teng-ni-neng… infamous Sagada! 

Okay, don’t expect too much activity I did there. The best verdict I can offer is that if you want to sleep real well and lose track of time, go to Sagada, Mt. Province and you’ll get what you fairly need. More than. I should say. Evil smile. 

Spelunking at Lumiang Cave.

Spending Christmas alone somewhere was what I have planned for 2014 but where to? I do not have any idea. I am just a poor lass on a tight budget who can’t afford cheap luxury. Okay, enough publicizing my poverty. But as my mantra goes, ‘You ain’t need to be rich to travel’. And my sincere gratitude to Ate Robs (a former university colleague) who mentioned Sagada accommodation is fairly affordable. A P250-300 per night stay is not bad at all!

Most of the time, I am a solo backpacker who does not believe in itinerary. I don’t want to hurry seeing a museum because another one awaits. Or move from one site to another just for the sake of finishing the must-sees. I take things as they come. I am good spending the whole afternoon sitting while drinking the sight before me.  

I do not celebrate Christmas. I wear it.

Cookies and yogurt of the popular Sagada's Yogurt 
House; Salt and Pepper's heavy heart breakfast of 
brown rice, tapa, longganisa, egg, banan bread, 
and fruits; Dave's Restaurant's soup and chicken 
BBQ.

There are a lot of things to do in Sagada—checking out the hanging coffins, watching sunset at Lake Danum, spelunking, food hopping, blah, blah. I ignored all these on my first day though (and the days to come). In lieu, since I am quite too behind catching up books, I crunched with the very famous series of The Song of Fire and Ice. Game of Thrones is that popular. Glued is an understatement I even failed to tell what time of day is it. Reading is gripping. And sleeping is insatiably awesome at this rugged and cold mountain.

Sagada orange.

I am never a fan of Christmas but this place is very subtle to make you feel the celebration. It’s chilly and simple colorful lights are everywhere. Few restaurants host Christmas Eve buffet dinner at 500 pesos. I am not a foodie and thought it would be practical to order a la carte so I decided to head to Dave’s Restaurant where food is really good. I guess Ryan and I were the only Filipinos dining. Oh, I forgot to mention I got a last minute travel buddy. Ryan whose vacation to Palawan has been cancelled messaged me if he can tag along and I said sure why not! Spending Christmas with a stranger is on my bucket list. He does not fit too much for the criteria of a stranger though because he’s an officemate and good friend but whatever. As long as ‘di maarte’ go rah!

What I find really cool in this place is the bonfire and the beer and the guitar with the missing B-string (courtesy of Homestay). And I would dare not forget the free flowing brewed Sagada coffee.  Staying there for three days is maybe more than enough to see what needs to be seen and do what needs to be done.

Top load off to Bontoc.

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