getting sick… getting well…

Got sick last week It started with a cold and minor headache… it got worse by Thursday so I didn’t play hockey because I was afraid I’d be crawling home if I did. I tried to be heroic on Friday and went to work only to ask my boyfriend if he could take me home after lunch. At home, I just slept and drank water. I also took the medicine the doctors gave me to relieve me of my clogged nose. Slept most of Saturday morning and by afternoon, I was ready for some mild uwhockey practice

PUHCing madness

Don’t get offended, PUHC refers to the Philippine Underwater Hockey Class that I am currently enrolled in. I am part of the 2005 class and I am now in deep PUHCing shit because I got elected batch head just because I am active on the email loop Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not normally shun responsibilities but this time, I really just wanted to have fun, to enjoy uwhockey but NOOOOO!

We just finished our 8th of 12 sessions last night and we need to prepare for a tournament amongst ourselves. The regulars will group us, distributing the “strong” players accordingly. We also need to decide when we want our tournament to be, I hope it’s a Saturday so we can go straight to having the party.

I can’t wait for this class to finish… but then again, I am not even sure if my “responsibilities” end after the class because I am the batch head. Hay naku, I am the mother goose again

Ilocos Sojourn – part 2

After our hearty sojourn in Vigan, we proceeded to Bacarra, Ilocos Norte to meet up with friends. We then went to see San Nicolas pottery, Batac (Marcos Museum, Batac Church), and Paoay (Paoay church). We also tried to see the Malacañang of the North but the place was only open til 4:3opm (Tue-Sundays) and the guards wouldn’t even let us see the grounds.

The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum shows some memorabilia of the late President Marcos like his desk name plate, some hand written speeches and pictures. We saw the wax-covered remains of the late president and had a funny chat with the caretaker, especially when one of us asked whether the late president was wearing underwear

In Paoay, the church and bell tower is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It was built in 1704 from coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks. The architecture is a combination of gothic, baroque and oriental. The bell tower was the Katipuneros observation post during the revolution. We didn’t see the inside of the church because viewing is only from 8-11 and 1-3 pm only and needs permission from the Parish Office.

Then we were off to Fort Ilocandia for some sunset viewing. It was fun seeing/observing other peoples’ beach antics There was this odd couple, the pot-bellied guy walking like a drunkard kept on scratching his butt with his wading ladylove who didn’t seem to want her hair to get wet.

tata for now…

Colonial Ilocos’ historic marvels – part 1

11:30 pm Friday night we hit North Luzon Expressway to venture up north to marvel Ilocos’ colonial history. After 6.5 hours of driving (1 pitstop) we traveled 405 km and reached Vigan just in time for a hearty miki breakfast at Plaza Burgos. This Plaza is a tribute to Fr. Jose P. Burgos, a Vigan native who was martyred alongside 2 other priests (Fathers Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora). Popularly referred to as GomBurZa, these 3 priests were executed in 1873 fighting for reforms and leading the secularization of Filipino priests. Plaza Burgos is a favorite promenade among locals and tourists, it has kiosks that sell local delicacies like sinanglao, miki, okoy and pinapaitan, a large stage and a my favorite — a children’s mini park. In the afternoon, these kiosks would sell Vigan’s famous empanada’s, a type of pie made of tortilla bread with meat or vegetable fillings.

Beside the Plaza is the Vigan Cathedral. This resplendent baroque style church adorned with carvings of Chinese heritage was completed in 1800. Also found along this complex is the Vigan Capitol