We arrived from our trip from Agra/New Delhi, India last January 31st with mixed feelings – tired and exhausted from the travel; frustrated from the stressful airport requirements (too complicated to explain); but contented and happy that we completed our bucket list to see The Seven Modern Wonders of the World!
Trini and I went directly to her cousin’s (Bobot Antonio) in Project 4, Quezon City where we also had our luggage “stored” while we traveled. Patchie and husband Danny Morales arrived from the U.S. the previous day and Patchie was already out for her beauty treatments. The first thing Trini requested from TsinTsin (Bobot’s house caretaker) were several dishes of Filipino foods (the Indian cuisine was a great gastronomical experience but we’ve had enough).
Patchie arranged the road trip even before we left for the Philippines. Initially, we planned on taking the bus but as it turned out, Patchie’s cousin (Cecil Arce who lived in Dagupan, Pangasinan) loaned us her driver and a spacious van. There were six of us – Trini, Patchie, Danny, Bess Ayson (another cousin of Trini), Joan Borja (their niece), and me. All from the U.S.
It’s been more than twenty years since Trini and I traveled this part of the Philippines. I was surprised with the progress of the country’s infrastructure and was impressed with how the rest areas/gasoline stations improved their cleanliness!
Our first stop was to have breakfast in Bobot’s house (yes, he owns another house) in Angeles City, Pampanga. Angeles is where the U.S. Clark Air Force Base (the largest in Asia at that time) was located until its closure in the early 1990′s. The house is located in a gated community and I was impressed with the floor plan as it was so homey and welcoming to visitors! The floors and walls are adorned with marble galore!
After resting a little bit, we hit the road again to go to Manaoag, Pangasinan where the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag is. Like the shrine of Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan, a visit to the shrine is a “must” for Catholics passing this way. The surrounding area was lined with stalls selling souvenirs, fruits, local pastries, etc. The one-lane street was jammed with vehicles of all sizes and religious visitors. Our driver dropped us off and instructed us to call him when we’re ready to leave. It was hot and humid and smoke from burning candles wafting in the air. The air was suffocating!
The mandatory buying of fruits (Trini’s favorite) had to be done and the obligatory haggling had to happen or the shopping would not be complete! It was already mid-afternoon and we had one more stop before we make our “climb” to Baguio City so Patchie called the driver to pick us up. Meanwhile, traffic was agonizingly slow like a turtle with three legs. But we finally got out of there!
The food from Bobot’s place barely digested and here we are again – crabs, assorted meats, fish – the whole “enchilada”! Wow, we were bordering on breaking one of the seven deadly sins – gluttony! I had to pace myself since I noticed my waistline slowly expanding.
I will talk about Baguio City in my next post!
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