Oh, UP.

Biglaan. 

Kararating ko lang galing Korea ng bigla kong naisip na dumaan sa UP.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit, di ko alam kung para saan, pero parang hinihila ako ng tadhana 

na pumunta sa lugar kung saan ako ay natutong magmahal at masaktan.

Naglakad-lakad, nagkwentuhan, para bang tinatapon ang oras sa parang.

Naghihintay, nagaabang, hindi alam ang pupuntahan.

Umupo, tumayo. Nakita ang artistang o, kay ganda po!

Nagpatuloy sa paglalakad ang dalawang batang aligaga.

Makukulit na paa nakarating sa isang lumang sinehan,

Oo, kami lang. 

O kay saya namang balik-balikan, ang paaralang 

nagturo saakin kung paano magmahal at masaktan.. 

Ma ma ma MY SIruma

 

Finally! Got the chance to enjoy the summer vacation. Our destination: the beautiful paradise of Siruma, my hometown, my hiding place, my love.

 

It was Friday the 13^th when we decided to finally leave Naga. Original plan was to take the fuso (boat) to Siruma via Tinambac port but for some mystical and dark reasons of this superstitious day, we were convinced to ride the jeep to Siruma which took 8 lovely hours from our supposedly 2-hour trip.

 

 

The powerful jeep. 

 

It was a fun and exciting 8-hour trip. We got the chance to see the beautiful view of Tinambac and Siruma. More than this, the trip made me realize how inefficient and ineffective the government of the 3^rd district was in implementing road construction projects.

 

 Ralph's EPIC FAIL moment.

 

 The road may be exciting for us but I know this is a serious issue to the locals of Tinambac and Siruma.

 

 Nonetheless, Ralph, Marlon and I had fun riding the jeep on the "topload".

The 8-hr rough road trip was all worth it! We were welcomed by a beautiful view of 

San Miguel Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

San Miguel Bay (LEFT) - Pacific Ocean (RIGHT)

DAY 2

Devoted the whole day to have an intimate bonding with the SEA.

I've been always proud of our beach. As soon as we arrive at Amuris Resort

 (government-owned - open-to-all resort) I heard my friends saying - WOW! Beautiful! etc.

Ahhh. Ayos! Nagustuhan rin nila.

 

 

 

Say what? This isn't Boracay and will never be Boracay. This is only in SIRUMA! :)

Marlon and Ralph

Me and Edda

 

Marlon, our beautiful mermaid. 

LOVELY SEA! Good thing about this place: UNTOUCHED by irresponsible tourist.

Ended the night with some sort of a meeting with the Mayor. Happy to know that she's pro-environment.

Would be helping her implement some environmental programs for Siruma. I'm excited!

Gin and Chippy accompanied us all night.

 Kuya Joan (Mama's powerful right hand) was so strict. He didn't allow us to HOHOL outside the house.

DAY 3

Again, a special reunion with the sea. 

 

 So sad. We didn't got the chance to visit the other resort, Angelica, which is managed by my kinakapitid.

Siruma is giving us more reasons to really go back.

After this, we went home and had a feast! Edda and Kuya Joan (oooy <3) cooked ginataang bangkulis, prinitong bangkulis,

and pancit. We also got a special package from Coke. Haha. Thank you Coke! #Chos

We took the 1.5-hr fuso trip back to Naga, way way way shorter than jeep trip.

Some notes:

 1. You don't need a lot of money to enjoy the lovely Siruma. 

2. People are very nice especially Kuya Joan (nice Edda), Patrick (nice Marlon), Phillip (nice Ralph) and more.

3. Ginebra San Miguel is an awesome drink. It drives the locals crazy! HAHAHA

4. Bring toothbrush. You can't HOHOL if KWAYTIANGMAWTMELCH. (mabaho ang bibig mo) :))

5. Love the environment. Mother Earth has special ways of saying THANKS to those who love her.

Will miss you, Siruma! Until we meet again. I will always be proud of you! 

  

Nagmamahal,

RAMBOY :D

(Ramboy is my nickname in Siruma. It is the only place where I openly appreciate this "manly" nickname")

Photos: Marlon Martirez

Random Monday

Started my day at 1:00PM. Went straight to Ateneo to eat - but... I ended up going to the College Guidance Center to make HOHOL (hang out hang out lang) with my friends. While HOHOL-ing, I decided to finish our final requirement in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 

Around 5:00PM, I heard my tummy crying so I finally decided to eat my first meal of the day. Went to Coko and had Sisig and Bagoong Rice. 

Then, I slept at Bibit's. (O diba, very productive). Around 6:00PM, we went back to Ateneo. Have to meet a friend to finalize our requirement (HUHUHU. Hell week pa eh). 

Then, I went to MCDO to eat (again). Oh my. Okay lang! HOORAY for today naman! 

With Bibang and Bibit

Jaime and Jamiel

HOORAY for today nga! 

After MCDO, we went to Moonleaf - Naga! Yay! So nice to end a very productive day at Moonleaf especially if you're with your friends!

With Marky! Naks! Graduate na siya!

@markyvillaran

With @macbongon Thanks for the awesome photos! 

Thanks for the Wintermelon Milk Tea! 

Enjoy the rest of the week guys! Don't forget to visit 

Moonleaf- Naga! :) 

@moonleaf_naga

Dream Wedding

It is a common thing for our barkada to meet everyday, exchange thoughts about something, count the cars passing by, pose for an unplanned photoshoot, drink a beer or two, play patintero, laugh over our crazy activities, listen to our endless dramas, crack jokes which are sometimes not funny at all, etc. It's as if everyday, there's always this common instance in our unplanned destinies that we have to meet. 

Last night wasn't different from all the other nights at all. We had coffee at Starbucks, availed of the free coffee tasting, moved to Moonleaf, exchanged thoughts and opinions, went back to Starbucks and decided to eat Pancit Canton for midnight snack. Before heading to Ryan's, the group decided to eat bulastog at plaza and pass by our sacred place at Camaligan. 

After a melodramatic conversation and MOMOL-ing attempts at the water hyacinth capital, we all went to Ryan's. Just like what I told you, it wasn't very special until we all sat down and watched several weddings on youtube. Watching the videos moved and touched me to the bones. (Gusto ko sanang umiyak kaso baka ma-solo ko ang moment, kaya sa bahay na lang) HEHEHE. I'll share some of the videos we've watched. 

Tuesday and Coy's wedding was my favorite. I really admire their kalog yet very sophisticated wedding. I also like their exchange of vows. Sana matagpuan na rin ako nung taong sasagip saakin sa bangin. <3

Beach weddings give me tons of tears. For me, it also symbolizes a special union with Mother Earth. 

Gavin and Juris' wedding. Aside from I love Juris as well as Gavin (CHOS!), I truly admire this wedding because it's held at Mary the Queen Parish. And oh, I can't deny the fact that Gavin is very handsome. 

 

Yes. I love how they let their personalities shine on this very special day. I love how Kristine wears Chuck Taylor. The design is simply awesome. Made me reminisce twilight saga's wedding. 

Wedding inspires me a lot. I guess this has something to do with my conscious desire to walk down the aisle someday. I don't know if this day would come but one thing is sure - while I'm patiently waiting for that very special day so that I could marry the person who will "sagip me sa bangin" there will always be a group of beautiful and lovable individuals who will tirelessly join me as watch my dream wedding videos while they are playing Temple Run. Chos! :) 

Thanks for the wonderful and colorful journey mga gands! Cheers for the friendship that we (HAD). HAHAHAHA :) <3 Let's visit the water hyacinth capital often! :)