Life has a wicked way of making you realize how vulnerable you are. That despite your tough will and ready soul, you are nothing but a hungry and lost little kid waiting for the last train home. That despite your determination and hardwork, you have no choice but to wait for things that are yet to happen.
I sat at the airport lounge thinking about tons of things. Leaving Cebu is easy, I thought. But leaving the memories behind can get even the bravest heart. You can’t easily let go of the things that are dear to you. No. Letting go is never easy. Am I ready to leave the place that I call home? That, I cannot answer.
Indeed, life has a wicked way of making you realize how vulnerable you are. That despite your tough will and ready soul, you are scared, and fragile, and weak.
Okay, so what exactly was that about? I was gone for only five days! Hahahaha. That’s what I call taking melodrama to the next level. Nyahaha.. Mura’g pra-pra. LOL.
So, anyway, I left our beloved Cebu last December 27 to go to Northern Luzon with my officemates. They’ve been talking animatedly about Sagada and Baguio and the rice terraces for like forever. So, when Cebu Pacific had a zero-fare promo last July, they swiped those credit cards and swore that before the year ends, they’d be sipping hot tea in the Mountain Province. Hahaha. Cel willingly paid for my tickets (through credit card) and said that I could pay her in December. As expected, I was like, “Sure! Why not?” Hahaha.
Well, I hope you enjoy the photos that I took. I had a grand time in Luzon! 😀
The arrival area at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Looking really nice.
The famed Quiapo church in Quiapo. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside. 🙁
The Nazareno. Each year, thousands of devotees risk limbs (and life) just to see him during his feast day.
Billboards in front of the Quiapo church. That’s Judy Ann and Pauleen Luna. Hehe.
A vendor and her goods in front of the Quiapo church.
The giant Christmas tree at the lobby of the Manila Ocean Park.
Watch your step!!!
A huge aquarium with huge species of fish. Really nice.
Wow! Look at that. I hope we’ll have one like this in Cebu soon. Hehe.
‘Midnight breakfast’ before our 6-hour trip from Baguio to Sagada.
When I woke up, the bus was parked in front of a road-side Sari-Sari Store. Our location? Atok, Benguet!
The marvelous view of the municipality of Sagada. Isn’t that gorgeous?
The mountians of Sagada. Wow!
Sagada Philippines 2000. Go Sagada! Hehe.
Rice terraces. Nope, we didn’t reach Banaue. But we saw some of them during our trip from Sagada back to Baguio.
Ang sapatos ni Uzi ug nako. Hahaha.
The Lourdes Grotto in Baguio. Can you make it to the top?
Candles. Each color has different meanings.
The image of the Virgin. The grotto is visited by hundreds of devotees every day.
An old lady finally makes it to the top of the stairs – slowly but surely. Her devotion is much stronger than pain!
Just a few minutes after I lit my candles. I don’t know why it burned so fast. Must be the altitude. Hehe.
Personalized key chains. Only 25 pesos each!
Horseback-riding in Baguio is a must for tourists!
My first time on a horse. Nyahahaha. The guide just gave me quick instructions and then he hit the horse on the back. Next thing I knew, the horse was galloping away and the guide was no where in sight. Hahahaha.
Shadow play. That’s me and Line (who was taking pictures).
Mobile shades vendor. Hehehe.
To The Mansion – President GMA’s home in Baguio.
Pine trees are aplenty in Baguio City! It even rhymes. Hahaha.
A dog looking for something in the bushes.
This flower is everywhere in Baguio. Looking really nice.
A nice big pond in Wright Park.
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus…
THE Mansion. Looking really nice.
SM City Baguio. It’s looks really fresh and fun.
Baguio City’s UC. Not University of Cebu but University of the Cordilleras. Hehe.
Line taking photos in Burnham Park.
The boats in Burnham Park and SM City Baguio on top of a hill.
Then, we went back to Manila and spent the rest of the days there waiting for our flight back home.
That’s the Christmas Tree inside the Mall of Asia.
If you don’t have strong legs, the MOA is not for you. LOL.
Before we left Cebu, we swore that we’d try Wendy’s. And indeed, we gave it a try. The place was expensive! Hahaha.
Some pins in Star City in Pasay.
Ferris Wheel! Weee!
Juliet looking really anxious. Hahaha.
The Star Flyer. I thought I died when I gave this thing a try. Hahaha.
Hang on to your slippers!
Bumper boat. Look at that dude! Hahaha.
Tuwad-tuali! Hahaha. Sa malipong lang!
Surf Dance. I lost my voice here. Hahaha.
Dino Island. We weren’t able to get inside, though. Hehehe. We went to Snow World, instead. But cameras are not allowed inside. 🙁
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
Skyscrapers of Manila. Wow!
Our ride. Here I come, Cebu!
It was a trip I wouldn’t soon forget!
Payt Bisdak!
Nice photos Ley!! Well done!
lingaw au inyong trip to luzon. wa jud ko kajoin ninyo. wa na man jud koy budget ato. nice pics. lols.
lol
love the captions! 🙂
i too rode my first horse in Baguio… oohhh memories…. 😀
thanks
The Baguio pics were nostalgic for me…. 🙁
I hope I could visit there again soon…
By the way, the SM mall in Baguio has the least air-conditioning cost… Haha!
Have you tried the ube jam from Good Shepherd? The best!!!
Have you visited the strawberry plantations in La Trinidad Valley?
Coolwaterworks
murag wala mi katry sa ube jam. pero puto bumbong ra sa may burnham. wala pud mi kaadto sa la trinidad kay pag agi namo from sagada, murag traffic man kaayo. wala na lang mi nibalik didto. hehehe.
baguio….having spent 3 years in baguio in college and seeing those pics, whewww… it’s like I am back there again. I leArned before that the architecture of SM baguio is the most unique when it comes to design, faxing burnham park is indeed a good vantage point. Yeah, you should have tried the ube and strawberry jams of good shepherds…… Cool pics as usual. Thanks for sharing..
Very nice pics. Looks like you had a grand time!
i love Baguio! used to go on vacations there. glad you had a great time
It’s the same feeling I had when I left for a vacation outside Cebu. Scared, fragile and weak. But exciting and full of anticipation. Hoping to see old and new acquaintances. (I almost had the chance to meet Mr. Goyo, but we talked only on the phone.)
Thanks for the pics… it’s rekindling old memories too.
wow.. mga nice au inyong pics..
so mao diay ning lugara imong giadtuan…
na curious gyud kung mahibawo after nakita nako ang pic sa friendster.
abi nako nagtour ka sa gawas, kay duna man gud similarity ang “WRIGHT PARK” sa nakit-an nako pelikula…ehehehe
anyway, nice pics…
nice photos ley! i especially find the picture of the melted candles enigmatic.
Ley,mate, i hope that one day you’ll be able to travel… work… and maybe live in a country like Australia.I live in Melbourne… i work in TOYOTA… and there’s at least 130 different nationality work in this company.I think that you should check out the available jobs that Australians company are looking for.As much as i love CEBU…i think that Australia is one of the best country in the world.Work hard,try to learn different things,be opportunistic,always try even if you fail.Remember mnm song…failure is not a motherfu##ing option…GOOD LUCK MATE…
nice holiday Ley,
kanindot pod ani adtoon wue :)… nice pics au…
gnahan ko sa focus sa imong pic sa candles bai Ley!
^_^m/
payter!
ley kaingon kog unsa jud nga ‘leaving cebu.’ kaingun kog leaving for good na jud.pero duda ko nahadluk ka nga musakay sa eroplano.nanggilok imong lapa-lapa ug kiting.ug nialsa imong butt pag-take off.hehehehe.pwerte pud imong entrance oi melodrama effect man jud.pero nice twist ha.
pag abot ninyog manila unya niagi sa mga tag as nga building,nihangad mo?ako, badlungon jud kos mga kauban nako sauna kay hiliga jud nakong muhangad.naihas.hehehehe
nyahahaha. wala ko nihangad kay taas man pud ang crown regency diri. hahaha
mahadluk ko maglakaw dihas crown regency.mubaybay jud kos may dan.ang ako basin nay kalit matagak.sin or taw ba roy matagak unya diris akong ulo.morbid
mao jud akong gibati pagbiya nako sa cebu first time padung ko diri sa akong second home, dili masabtan ang kamingaw nga naay dalang excitement. pero karon kamingaw na lang gyud ang magpabilin kada biya nako sa cebu. magtan-aw ko sa imong pictures sa cebu kay mingawon kog samot pero okay lang kay panginabuhi man ning atong giuna. as always, great pics! when i visited baguio in the ’90’s wa pay SM atong panahona pero the rest mao lang gihapon. wa lagi mo picture sa Mine’s park, which is also one of the most visited places in baguio.
ley, nice kayo imo shots. suya ko. your pics make me want to explore areas outside of makati.
Been to Quiapo Church, Ocean Park, Luneta (kalisa ride) and MOA early this month. Sa MOA nice kaayo at nightime sa Baywalk.