I'm back, balakubak! I've been back from vacation for a week now but it's only now that I get to write this post about it because I've been very busy with a few things~ our graduation project (Yes, we're graduating, but that's another story) and the order due next week. So without further ado...
Day 1: Disappointment has a name, it's, well~ disappointment
Our flight's not until 1:45 in the afternoon but we had to wake up early since it was election day and we had to do our responsibility as a citizen of this country and that is to vote. Both excited and worried regarding the election. Luckily, our precinct was still located inside the village as opposed to what was previously reported that they would cluster ours with other precincts and transfer polling place outside the village. Together with my sisters, we went to the polling place around 8 in the morning but then I had to go back to our house cos I left my ID. Anyway, I was #117 and was patiently waiting for my turn. After half an ear of a corn and several Trefoil games on my phone, finally it was my turn. The process took one whole, sweaty hour.
Again, I'm not very good at packing my things and I was pressed for time so I just threw in my bag clothes that I know fit me. Had lunch at the airport and I had the most tasty sausage ever. Winner ang wienerli! I have this love affair with Hungarian sausages but right now I think my heart belongs to the wienerlis of the world. Arrived in Roxas City around 2:40pm. Mommy and Tito Jim fetched us and we went straight to my dad's hometown. We just waited for the votes to come in which took a looong time since voting wasn't finished until 8-ish in the evening. We went to their polling place and the people were in some kind of chaos tapos the electricity went out TWICE! Anyway, although I did pray very hard to God and wished that my daddy would win, it was easy for me to accept that he didn't win again. Maybe because I don't want him in that field. He is deserves better. It's just disappointing that vote buying is still rampant. People from the barrios sell their votes ranging from P300- 1,000. They vote for the highest bidder, who in turn will make kurakot more money when they're in office. It has become a vicious cycle. They say we deserve the government that we have, pero bakit ako nadamay dun?
got my stash from AB: my April 2010 teenvogue and Eucerin facial wash;
plus tank tops from MR
I'm okay with Noynoy. It's Mar Roxas I loathe. I campaigned against him and must have convinced a good number of people to vote for anyone but Mar. And if Mar does not become VP of the Philippines, I will be very fulfilled.
P.S. We saw Maria Venus Raj in the airport. Hindi siya magiliw. Hindi rin siya makinis.
Day 2: Seafood Capital or just Food Capital
It's official. Daddy lost the election. The figures were in and he lost in most baranggays but I'm happy to know that he won in the baranggays where the educated people, so to speak, are. Ever since, he always got the vote of the people in the town proper. Anyway, since he lost and there's no point in lingering there, we headed for the city.
We stopped over at the Panay Church, home of the largest church bell in the Philippines and if I'm not mistaken, in Asia. I think it wasn't my first time there but this was definitely my first time to go up the bell tower.
1. the replica; 2. the real big bell; 3. Panay Church marker; 4. one of the original beams of theChurch which is already 300+ years old; 5. door (wala lang, gusto ko lang kunan)
al lado de la iglesia de Panay
I think it was just our luck that one of the priests there is a relative of my mommy. What was supposed to be a short kodakan moment by the bell took longer. It was a good thing that the priest who is also our relative told us we were having our picture taken with an impostor, a replica. The original bell was housed in the church's bell tower, 80+ steps up.
On our way to our tita's house, mommy and daddy stopped by the market to buy fresh seafood. I swear I was in FOOD HEAVEN =) I ♥ seafood. Any food, actually. But the crabs, hito, scallops, etc. in this part of the country is just delightful. It sure tastes yummier when it's fresh. That's for lunch.
In the evening, my cousin and his husband (my daddy's running mate who also lost) invited us over to their GARGANTUAN house for dinner. Again, the food was yummy. Super busog. Anyway, I like my cousin's house. The house is not really very big but the land area is B-I-G! I am envious! Imagine, if you have a lawn/garden that big, you could jog in there everyday!
Day 3 to 5: A-beachin' we will go
We took the land trip from Roxas City to Caticlan, Aklan which is a 4-hour ride. We rode an L-300 van and AD's husband wasn't very comfortable the entire duration of the trip. It wasn't really the most comfy trip since there wasn't much leg room and inefficient airconditioning.Finally, after what seemed like longer than 4 hours, we arrived at the Caticlan port. Boracay, here we come!
the cleanest (less moss) beach we can find
pagilas
Nakikipicture lang =)
I forgot where we stayed but it was this very simple room, nothing fancy, just a place to sleep in. Well, we'll be out of the room most of the time so might as well not splurge on the accommodations. We didn't swim on the first day we were there. We just walked around, explored the place which I last visited just three years ago. Nothing much has changed. It pretty much looks the same it did three years ago~ still mossy. We swam on the second day and we reached all the way to Station 1 cos we looked for a beach that isn't as mossy. Judging by the look of my nasty sunburn, nasulit naman ang swimming. I was already looking like a crispy lechon by sunset. Had a massage at the Palassa Spa, al fresco. I opted for a shiatsu massage because I like "pindot," compared to "himas." Haha.
the original (not-so) Boys of Bora
breathtaking sunset
Though I'm not really a beach person, I still enjoyed that two days and three nights of carefree, beach living lifestyle~ Lakad. Lublob. Kain. Repeat.
Took a bus back to Roxas City which was waaay better than riding an L-300 van. There's more leg space and a TV, but I opted to play Trefoil on my phone for 3 hours. Mommy and daddy fetched us in Sigma, a town in Capiz.
We passed by Auntie Teling's house in Roxas City to invite them for dinner at the
baybay (Ilonggo for beach). We didn't know Auntie Madre was there, she just arrived from Manila. So there, ihaw-ihaw dinner by the beach with five, super kulit senior citizens. Haha!
Day 6: Petiks lang
Went to Pilar, my mommy's hometown. Played mahjong for a wee bit with my mommy, aunt and cousin. I know how to play mah jong (and other card games) but I forget so I just have to be reminded. For someone who last played a real mah jong game 15 years ago, I could say I'm good because I beat those who play it almost everyday.
Lunchtime ♥ with crabs, scallops, inihaw na bangus, hipon and my forever love, inihaw na baboy. I really don't go for fancy barbecue marinade and sauces, just sprinkle salt on raw meat, ihaw-ihaw for a wee bit and voila! the best tasting grilled liempo ever!
After lunch, we went to daddy's fishpond...
this trip was a wake-up call for me to lose bleepin' weight.
I look like a frickin' pink blob :/
Day 7: Back to reality
...but not quite. Flight back to Manila~ happy, because I will be once again in the comfort of my own house, my own bed, my own banyo; sad, because we're leaving daddy behind. It was rather a quick flight home but got turbulent as we approached Manila. Happy to be back home to kiss and hug and smother my cutie patootie nephew.
Enjoyed the vacation even if we lost the election and I honestly think that we weren't actually the losers. I've given up hope that I'll see change for the better in my lifetime but I hope that in our children's times, times will actually be better. I wish for public servants and less politicians in the government because as it is, most people who are in position are only there for their own selfish reasons.
one of the things I'll miss~ long, scenic drives
Hasta pronto~
