an afternoon with National Artist BenCab

It took me two years to post this four-part entry (such an atrocious, lazy blogger that I am, no?), but it's finally up on my other blog! 

Ladies and gentlemen, my impromptu interview with National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera!

Please be patient and watch for the other three parts, which will be posted this week. I promise it won't be a long wait. 

Hope you enjoy it!

back in baguio

So I went to visit my Cold Lover again, this time with my mom, who's a first-timer. We left Manila early Friday morning; since Francis still has work and can't afford to take a leave (like I can), we decided that he'd just follow on Saturday.

Anyway, instead of going through the details of the trip in words, let me allow pictures to speak. These photos were taken using my phone's RetroCamera application. I'm not really a fan of lomo photography, but I couldn't help but use RetroCamera to capture my favorite Baguio City in a different light.

So here's another Baguio story...

it was indeed a baguio bliss

It seems like happy things follow me whenever I'm in Baguio. My husband proposed to me there, and this recent trip, our prayer has been answered.

It was our last night in the City of Pines when we got the good news from our broker. We weren't even expecting to get a slot, considering all the 40sqm units in the mid-rise building we're eyeing have already been sold out. So when I got the text from our broker that a unit was opened for sale, I knew right away it was meant for us; and the news was made even sweeter because we were in our favorite city.

This recent trip is more special, actually. Aside from that answered prayer, it was during that four-day stay when I learned how to embrace spontaneity. I learned how to let go of being in control; I just let every day take me wherever it wants. It was really emancipating. I got to spend almost three days of loitering around Baguio alone (while Francis got busy with his convention), taking in the sights, sounds, smell, everything, and being thankful for each and everyone of them. The happiness I felt during my stay was different--it was deep. It's this kind of happiness that was enveloped with the repose I needed.

I went to Baguio to find peace from the past months' events, and I found it. I knew I would. God was gracious enough to hand it over to me, generously.

Looks like I have more and more reasons to come back.

***

Here are the trip's highlights:

(From top) The tunnel that tells me Baguio is barely 30 minutes away already; surprisingly, I even love the traffic in this city; Francis and I got gutsy and tried civet cat coffee--twice! First time in Cafe by the Ruins and second in BenCab Museum (Francis tried cupfuls; I only dared teaspoonfuls); the cozy and budget-friendly Brentwood Apartelle, which became our home for four days; Vocas Art Gallery, which houses Oh My Gulay restaurant, never fails to liven up the senses; another sensory overdrive in BenCab Museum along Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet; An interesting creation by Anna Varona (the time is read counter-clockwise); the picturesque view from the museum's balcony; the very beautiful garden at the museum

unplanned happiness

On the roads of Pangasinan, a few hours from Baguio

This is my second day here in Baguio, and this stay is one of those rare occasions when I deliberately have no concrete plans as to what I'm going to do here. If there are plans, all are sketchy. So yesterday went something like this.

Husband registered for his three-day convention
in Teacher's Camp, then...

breakfast of waffles at Volante along Session Road
before hubby went back to his convention.


Met up with friend Mari-An, hunted for books and had late lunch
(that's Talong Parmigiana for me) at Oh My Gulay resto


Came back to our hotel with these reads


Dinner with the hubby at Ayuyang


And then we capped off the night with a yummy blueberry
cheesecake at Vizco's on Session Road

I feel like I'm Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation, only that I'm not lost here in this beautiful city that's saccharinely familiar. I like that I still don't have concrete plans for today's solo jaunt. All I know is that I'm going to have late lunch somewhere in SM Baguio, and then come what may.

Spontaneity is so emancipating!

a repose in the mountains is a beautiful idea

I never had the opportunity to visit Baguio--not even once--last year. I terribly miss it.

Usually, the opportunity comes in perfect timing, say after a very stressful week from work (more often than not, that's the reason). This time around, the timing again is perfect, but not because work stress is killing me.

Francis has a three-day seminar he has to attend in Baguio, which is a great excuse to tag along. It's actually more than great. With our house in Taytay almost catching fire for the second time around, my ectopic pregnancy and the emergency operation I had to undergo, and now, someone dear is not in, um, good shape (which is such an understatement), I have reasons to believe that Baguio is heaven-sent; it's like God had just patted my back, saying, "After all the crazy things you've been through, I'm giving you this opportunity to find repose. You deserve it, my child."

And so here I am, two weeks and a couple of days before I go up the mountains, so stoked that I've actually drawn up a mental list of what clothes to wear even before the trip was confirmed. Now all I have to do is plan where to go and what to do while the hubby is busy with the seminar. I've already imagined myself sitting at the veranda of Oh My Gulay resto/Vocas gallery one nippy afternoon, with a perfectly brewed cup of coffee beside a plate of tasty eggplant parmigiana on a wooden table, as I pour over a good book. I can pass my time there as I wait for Francis' seminar to finish. We can just cap off the night at Cafe by the Ruins for some dessert and hushed conversations.

Whatever I plan to do and wherever I decide to go, I'm sure I'll enjoy my alone time taking in the city's beauty while I let it soothe my soul. The prospect of exploring Baguio alone--first time for me--makes this trip more exciting. Baguio shall be mine and I shall be Baguio's for 3 days. I shall surrender myself to the cold as it gives me the repose I so badly need.

baguio's going to pick me up again

Baguio, Feb 08: with Archie, Cindy, Mems, and Mari-an.
Taken by Francis

I find it a blessing that whenever I'm feeling down in the dumps, a trip to my fave place comes around—be it for work or for leisure (of course I wish it were always for leisure). And as mababaw as I may seem, I find myself feeling all excited about another trip to Baguio this weekend (for work, yes).

It must be the cool air or the pine trees or the notion that Baguio is in itself this very quaint little town where everyone knows everyone and you can do or wear (layering and boots and coats and mufflers are so cool) just about anything and no one would stare at you like you’re some strange person. I may be wrong (I’ve read in a dismayed friend’s blog that Baguio has changed), but I’d like to think that I’m going back to a place I fell in love with. It’s good to not be too familiar with it because that way, I don’t have to stare at the ugly face of Baguio (oh yes, there is Panagbenga. Now I understand why Mari-an detests stepping out of her house and into the festival’s riot). Maybe because every time I go there, I feel a happy familiarity, a sense of belonging, a sense of I-can-grow-old-here feeling. Add the fact that that’s where I said “yes” to Francis’ proposal.

It’s funny because my assignment in Baguio only requires an overnight stay. Yet I still look forward to it and feel as if that short stay would do me a lot of good. I can actually imagine myself there already: after the shoot, me and my colleagues-turned-friends would hit a place where we can relax and have a nice afternoon snack, then probably head to Tam-Awan to catch the glorious Baguio sunset. Evening might be spent at some cozy place with good food—50’s Diner or Little John’s maybe. And as we all decide to call it a night, we’d still end up yakking the night away in our room, all comfy in our PJs. The morning would be a wonderful mix of damp air, cool breeze and soft drizzle, best spent having a hearty breakfast at Café by the Ruins (Cindy and I would definitely drag the gang there). I would be ordering their divine French toast. The rest of the day would probably be spent loitering around Baguio and being the usual noisy bunch of tourists. Then we’d all be sad to be going back to Manila by early afternoon. I know I’d be really sad, but happy at the same time because I might have found another reason to go back. Hopefully, when that time comes, Francis would be missing Baguio so much he’d talk me into taking a week-long vacation leave just so we could go back.

Oh dear. Evidently, I’m getting all worked up here. Just thinking of how cool and damp and drizzling Baguio is at this time of the year gets me all giddy. Perhaps this is God’s way of rewarding me after days of feeling terribly miserable.

I really can’t wait for Friday. Yay!

li'l kid on a field trip

At Sky in Baguio, July 2007

Here I am again feeling like a 6-year-old, all excited about another Baguio trip. Though this will be the first time for me to go to my fave place without Francis (it sucks). Nevertheless, there are still reasons to look forward to the trip, three of which are: (1) it's going to be an escape from all the fatal stress from work; (2) it's the Panagbenga Festival, which means lots and lots of street dancings and photo ops (I just have to really wake up early and not be contented to watch the festivities on TV despite being in Baguio already--this happened a few Panagbengas back, to Francis' dismay); (3) it's in Baguio. Period.

Baguio really comes in good timing. I think it wants me to go back and again. I don't really mind.

Speaking of Baguio, Francis surprised me when he mentioned about relocating there. We were starting with the wedding planning last night when we came to the topic of where we'd be living as a married couple.

I wasn't prepared when my fiancé told me he's considering relocating to Baguio. At first I was scared. I mean, there's no doubt about it that I love the place. But what would happen to our career then? And besides, I'm really not ready to live in a place that far away from my family.

But now that I think about it, the prospect excites me. Like what Francis said to me last night when I asked him about leaving our jobs, I can always go full-time freelance and he can find a new job there in the Baguio mines (hehe), and then maybe we can apply for gigs at Ayuyang Bar...

My heart skipped a beat thinking about the possibility. Oh, Baguio...

Maybe. Hmmmmmmmm...

The Million Dollar Question Answered in Baguio

He's now officially my fiancé!

Thursday afternoon, Francis excitedly told me that he was asked by his boss to go to Baguio for a day to do something work-related. Though it seemed crazy to go to Baguio for a day trip (I already did that months ago), I still got excited nevertheless. So we planned to leave for Baguio come 12mn of Friday so we’d be there by 6am Saturday. Then, come late Saturday evening, we’d be on our way back to Manila.

We were going on a daytrip to Baguio for an official business. Francis said so.

BUT HE LIED.

The Roadtrip
I never liked the idea of going on a day trip to Baguio. I’ve already done that for a writing assignment, and it was an insane trip. For me, the majority of the day trip would only be spent getting there—that’s double the time you’d be actually spending touring the place. The only reason why I agreed to that assignment was because it’s Baguio—beautiful, marvelous Baguio.

Francis proposed that to make the day trip less exhausting, we’d leave Manila at midnight so we’d arrive there in the morning the next day. Then on that same day, we’d just take the late-night trip back to Manila. That way, we’d have enough time to enjoy the place without tiring ourselves to death. Practical enough, I thought.

Since there’s still work to do that Friday, we went home first to Francis’ place to have dinner and freshen ourselves before going to the Victory Liner terminal. Fifteen minutes before eleven in the evening, we were on our way to Cubao.

It was weird lugging only my camera bag and a shoulder bag for the trip. Whenever we go to Baguio, I always have big bags with me. But the fact that this particular trip was just like going to a mall here in Manila thrilled me.
The six-hour travel was extraordinarily cold. Francis and I, and I bet most of the other passengers as well, were trying our best to catch some sleep despite the very cold air conditioning. I actually had a really difficult time snoozing, because I've been losing sleep lately. Being a doting mother to our newborn puppies is a difficult job. That road trip gave me the break I needed, never mind if two stopovers managed to interrupt my attempt to get a good night’s rest.

The Buildup
A few minutes before 6am, the glittering lights that dot the mountains of Baguio greeted us a good morning. Upon alighting from the bus, the mountain air embraced us with its very cool (literally) welcome. Because we assumed that it’s still too early for any restaurant or fast food to be open for business, Francis and I decided to kill time taking pictures and chatting in the cold at the bus terminal. “Let’s catch breakfast at 7am,” Francis said. That was the first itinerary for the day. I checked the time—it was just fifteen minutes past six. Still feeling drowsy from lack of sleep, I was not able to control dozing off on Francis’ shoulder. And finally, after 30 minutes that seemed like hours, we got up from our seats and hailed a cab to The Manor in Camp John Hay.

A few years ago, Francis went on a ten-day assignment to Baguio. That trip introduced him to the wonderful but a bit pricey buffet breakfast at The Manor. Therefore, with that sumptuous buffet still in his mind, Francis declared The Manor to be the breakfast place for us. “He must have a hefty budget for this trip,” I thought.

A while ago, when I asked him about budget concerns (definitely, he was given enough money just for himself; I was worried that we’d be spending a lot in this daytrip, when we should be saving for another Baguio visit for the Panagbenga festival), he assured me, saying he’ll take care of the extra expenses. All I need to do was pitch in whatever amount I can. Fair enough deal.

The sun was still slowly making its way to the sky when we settled ourselves at a table. It was a perfect breakfast, what with the splendid garden view and the many choices to satisfy our gastronomic desires. Not wasting any precious time, Francis helped himself to rice, pancit, pork steak, bacons, buttered veggies, champorado (chocolate porridge), baked potatoes, and some fruits. Meanwhile, I busied myself with bacon, waffles, champorado, mango slices, a bowl of cereals with milk, two servings of sunny-side-ups, and a piece each of blueberry and cherry croissants. I don’t normally have coffee (due to health reasons), but that beautiful morning made me order for a cup. Actually, it’s also because I needed it to keep me awake.

I’ve never had a beautiful breakfast like that in a long time. The place was relatively quiet, except for a little chatter of some hotel guests. And there was a bonus for my camera (aside from the photographic food on our plates): two birds were happily pecking away crumbs of bread from the empty plates that the waiters hadn’t collected yet. “This is a perfect morning,” I said to myself.

While enjoying our fare, I was telling Francis of my plans to bring my mom and my sister to Baguio before we get married. Then came the talk of spending our honeymoon there in Manor. Other small talks about sketchy future plans occupied us.

Happily satisfied, we took a stroll before proceeding to our impromptu plans for the rest of the day. But I had to remind myself that half of our stay in Baguio would be devoted to his work. What were we there for but his weekend work assignment, right?

“Matagal ba yung gagawin mo for your work? (Would it take long for you to finish your work?),” I asked, worried that it might eat up the rest of our short stay.

“Mga two hours. May pinapatignan lang sa akin na establishments (About two hours. I just need to check out some establishments),” Francis replied—to my relief. After strolling a bit more while taking pictures of the place, we sat down to rest. Not too many guests were loitering around the hotel’s garden. But because the area where we were was getting a bit crowded, we decided to transfer to another less occupied spot. While walking to get there, a Japanese man approached us and asked if we can take a picture of him with his family. I happily obliged and was rewarded with their sincere thank you’s. Sitting down on a pavement at this curved corner separating the garden from the cliff, we proceeded to take some more pictures. And because I wanted a decent picture of me (worthy of a profile pic)  wearing my newly acquired (and current favorite) flat suede boots, I asked Francis to take more photos.

“Sandali lang, may props ako para dyan (Wait a second, I have props for that pose),” he declared while rummaging through his backpack.

“Props?” I asked surprised. “Ano yan, buri hat? (What’s that, straw hat?)” I added laughing.

Then, everything happened so fast.

The Proposal
The last thing I remember was that I was reeling. When I saw Francis in front of me, kneeling down with a ring in his hand, mouthing the words “Will you marry me?” I felt like I was falling. I was so dumbfounded and stunned and shocked, I had to ask him if what’s happening was real.

“Toto, totoo ba ‘to?! (Toto, is this for real?!)” I asked him more than five times (Toto is one of his pet names at home). And when I finally realized that what was happening was not a product of my imagination nor my lack of sleep, I blissfully replied, “Yes! Kailangan pa ba itanong yan? (Yes! Do you really need to ask that?)” Hugging him tightly, I still had to make sure that all that was not just a very happy dream (as cheesy as that may sound). Finally, I was able to convince myself that what was happening is true. The oversized ring on my right hand (we had it resized the following day) smiled at me with winking eyes. And as much as I wanted to shout with glee, I can’t—up until now, I’m a bit hoarse. I just managed a suppressed scream while trying to figure out who to call first to break the very wonderful news. Of course, my mom and my sis were the first on the list. It was so nice to hear them laugh and gasp with me in disbelief. Then it was my friends’ turn to hear the news (sorry, my dear pals, for ringing you that early!). I was like an insane little girl pacing here and there, alternately making calls and hugging my former-boyfriend-now-fiancé Francis.

After the shock, Francis told me about all his plans leading to this proposal—how he conspired with: my office pal Mari-an, who helped him find the perfect place in Baguio to propose; our college friend Sheryl, who used her "connections" to help Francis find the perfect engagement ring; our long-time friend Ate Jha-jha for some important advice; and other friends who he consulted with—most of them my friends, too. He met with several of them in secret, telling me he’d do some work-related errands when in fact, he was already on his way to meet these friends of ours for some “planning session”. Now I’m left to wonder if they really are my friends—how dare they conspire against me?!? Haha!

But of course I can’t complain. Who would, if the conspiracy leads to such a beautiful revelation like this?

I have to give it to Francis—he’s so good at pulling off surprises like this. But what he doesn’t know is that he’s the biggest surprise that I received. And for him, I only have God to thank…

To all our friends who helped make this moment come true after 9 years, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Now it’s time to upload all those pictures that tell the rest of that magnificent day’s story.

P.S.
Yes, there really was no official business assignment. It was just one of those many lies that Francis made up so he can get down on his knee and “beg” me to say “yes”. Hahaha!

Photos here.

i fell too much in love...

The Baguio night sky is as magnificent as the place.

Finally, I've uploaded those gazillion of photos from our recent Baguio trip.

Went with Bubs, A, Mems and Francis last weekend for a much-deserved vacation; never mind if that's just for 1 and a half day. Left Manila on a Friday night, arrived in Baguio at 2am the following day, and waited 'til we're all drowsy. Come 9am, we were off to prepare to meet Mari-an, our friend/official tour guide who made us ate leaves the rest of that day. Haha! But all went well. To start off the pseudo-vegetarian lifestyle, we went off to Tomay farms, a little farther away from the famous Strawberry Farm. The owners of Tomay have been very, very kind to treat us to free lunch and a complimentary trip to their wonderful place. We were supposed to watch the sunset at Tam-awan Village, but there was a heavy downpour. We just decided to let it pass at Arko ni Apo (thanks to Bumbo's hospitality), which is just across Tam-awan.

The late Saturday afternoon was spent at the ukay, then veggie snack at marvelous Vocas, then on to SM Baguio (Bayo sale shopping!), then it was off to dinner at the newly renovated Cafe by the Ruins. We were all pooped from the day's trip. Every one was quiet as a mouse come bedtime (well, except maybe for the hyper me; but I've been relatively quiet that night, really).

Sunday, we were up early and feasted on tuyo, tomatoes, longganisa and fried rice for breakfast. It's just sad that Bubs and A had to get going for their bus to Manila, so Mari, Mems, Francis and I were left to enjoy the rest of the day's trip. In the itenerary was Sky, a homey place full of greens and two lovable dogs, Nina and Sushi. (Thanks to Shiila for the warm accommodation and coffee.) Lunch was spent at Little John's (at the Mile Hi Complex in John Hay). I insisted on this, only to get dismayed. There was no fondue available, Francis and I almost sobbed. But the rib-eye tapa still made our lunch. After that, we were left with a few minutes to shop for pasalubongs at the local market. Our bus for Manila would be leaving at exactly 2:20pm. But despite almost committing suicide from huffing and puffing and rushing uphill with luggages in tow, the three of us still failed to make it. Good thing the 2:40 bus could still accommodate a handful of chance passengers (us included). We just had to bear sitting at the back, being tossed about every time there's a bump on the road.

As usual, super bitin. I'm seriously considering to retire in that cold, cozy place someday. You can never fall too much in love with Baguio...

And like I always say, let's allow the pictures to speak for themselves.

short but sweet

The handsome pine trees at Camp John Hay.

The weather was weepy, which made Baguio even more harder to leave.

Our daytrip assignment to Baguio started at 11pm here in the office. Cindy and I decided to leave for home early last Wednesday so we can prep ourselves (meaning, take a bath and have dinner) before we go back to the office again and wait for 3am. So we just managed to busy ourselves with pending work and Youtube. Come 3am on Thursday, we were off to Ministop to pick up our photographer, Harold Tapan. Then it was the long and winding road to Baguio.

We decided to stop over some gas station along NLEX to grab some snacks and coffee. A few ours into our trip, Cindy and I found ourselves still perky, even at 4am. That's what lack of sleep can do to us–turn us into these giggly girls who seemed to have been drugged. Hahaha! I just hope we didn't cause Harold any discomfort; I believe he was trying to get some snooze amid our giggling.

After a routine of sleep-laugh-sleep, we're finally in Baguio. It was a little past 9am. So as to function properly, we stopped by Pancake House to grab some breakfast before heading to the Good Shepherd Convent.

It was around 10am when we got there. Not wasting any precious time (actually, we want to get over and done with the interview and the shoot as quickly as we possibly can so we'd have more time to go around), we proceeded to interview Manang Julie and Sister Guada, learning about how their best-selling product, the Mountain Maid goods, came to Baguio. We were so grateful to have been served hot cups of delicious brewed coffee and yummy chicken empanada, but we were kinda full from our Pancake House tryst. We ended up slipping the empanada into our bags.

After the chit-chat, it was off to the shoot. I'd like to thank Sister Guada, Manang Julie and the rest of the Good Shepherd/Mountain Maid staff and working students for being very much accommodating and cooperative. Despite the scattered rainshowers, we were able to go thru the whole shoot without any problems.

The official payong girl: Cindy Dy.

Cam-whoring at Good Shepherd's view deck.

Come 12:30pm, we were off to Mile Hi Complex at Camp John Hay to have our lunch at Little John's. Of course, I had to recommend their Rib Eye Tapa and fondue (though there were no strawberries. Sob.). I just hope they like the fare much as I do. However, we had to go back to Good Shepherd to drop off something we forgot to give Sister Guada. Actually, it was a bit late when I was told to give that to her. But since it was mandatory, we had no choice but to go back, cutting short our already limited time to stroll.

Cindy with Mang Bart

With our photog for the day, Harold Tapan

Then we were on our way back to chaotic and hot Manila by 3:30. Along Marcos Hi-way, we saw this accident involving this truck. I just hope no one got hurt.


To ease out boredom and extreme sleepiness, we feasted on the many food we had with us (unfortunately, there was no music to keep us entertained; the radio is broken; listening to my iPod and not being able to share the music with others can be sad sometimes). So now our new routine was eat-sleep-chat-eat. It was raining hard in some parts of the North, like in Pangasinan and Tarlac, but we didn't have to worry about being stranded–we've got our stock of goodies from Good Shepherd (including this yummy giant cookie that Sister Guada gave us).

Back in Manila, we stopped by Petron along NLEX for a KFC dinner. Then...it was back to reality. Back to the grind. Back to daydreaming.

Oh dear fog, take me with you!

Harold said that a rainy weather is what Baguio really is. I say it's true. And I think I left my heart in Baguio. Again.

P.S.
Special thanks to Mang Bart for the patient drive and the office chismis (hahaha!), and to Harold for bearing with our insanity.

(Click me for more photos!)