A road trip.
A convoy composed of ten vehicles.
A group comprised of fifteen families.
An assembly of dried fish vendors and their families, all taking that much needed vacation.
Northbound.
should be the most overrated question of the day, err, night to be precise.
( we left Manila, 7 o’clock in the evening.)
A twelve hour road trip is serious matter.
It was our first longest road trip as a family.
It was our first trip to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
It was also our first caravan trip so to speak, as we were travelling with other families, as well.
Most, if not all, had that trip as a first, to the Ilocos Region.
Everyone was responsible for each other, while having to look after the cars, ahead and/or behind us.
Not to mention, the numerous pit stops which included,
having to wait for three other cars,
that took the old road through Tarlac City, instead of taking the exit at SCTEX.
Then of course, having to regroup later on, at Gerona, Tarlac.
Then there is of course, us, who were following the lead of two other cars,
which suddenly back tracked, after having realized that the direction taken,
had a sign that read:
” To Baguio .”
( Had we not, then this blog piece you are presently reading, would have been about strawberries, PMA and Baguio City, instead.)
It had also made me conclude that the words, gas station and free range chicken were actually forgotten synonyms for the word, STOP.
You most surely would, when you saw any one of them along the road.
The way leading to Ilocos, terrain and all, appealed to me,
as something that took the more serious sides, to the meaning of the words,
BEND, CURVE AND FORK.
I now see all of them, in the same light, as OVERTAKE and O.M.G.
BUT IT WILL ALWAYS BE WORTH IT.
Not that I could say the same for my husband, who must have been exhausted, driving all the way, just to bring us there.
But I guess, having seen our son enjoy his vacation, might had made it all his while.
I, on the other hand, am just grateful.
Most especially someone like me, who was born and raised in Mindanao.
I’ve always had the least of all chances, to frequent the north.
In addition to that, my perception on ” places in the Philippines “, aside from my own, was as lonely as the words in my gradeschool text books.
Besides, our history books’ words did not leap from the pages, just as those did, in story books.
( The story of Lam-ang would be a better read for me, than the place called Concepcion, where Gregorio del Pilar died defending Pasong Tirad. )
Therefore, the beautiful people, the picturesque land, the rich history of what embodied the place, pertained to as Ilocos Region,
was to the best of my knowledge, represented in my mind only, as a mere chapter of a Zaide history book:
Chapter 3: The Ilocos Region
Sad but true.
Admittedly, my knowledge on the captivating north was just too naive if not ignorant.
Something that could be enumerated as,
Diego Silang, Gabriela Silang , Tirad Pass, President Ferdinand Marcos,
Manang Biday, Tobacco and the 1991 Film,
” Hihintayin Kita sa Langit” which was shot entirely in Pagudpud.
But all that, had changed.
A very special thank you, to my husband who brought us there.
My son enjoyed his vacation immensely, for he did not want to part with the beach, the pool and the sun.
I, on the other hand was in commune with nature, as I strolled along the shoreline of Pagudpud.
I definitely enjoyed our stay at Hannah’s Beach Resort, Pagudpud.
I felt a different sense of awareness while walking, on the cobblestone covered street of Calle Crisologo where the old spanish houses were.
The trip had enriched my vocabulary pretty much, with shall we say, beautiful ” sight words ” such as:
” Pilapil, tanawin, bukid, bundok at lawa.”
A far cry, from how it used to be a week ago.
What used to be, just a mere chapter of a book, in my mind, had now turned into, a recollection of a beautiful vacation.
It was a vacation filled with treasures of rich experiences, interesting historical information, naturally beautiful sceneries and of course, undeniably palatable dishes.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN…
NO BRAIN.
Best believe, I have found my true North!
All in three dimension and true living color.
It is more fun in the Philippines!
Pagudpud beach front
Pagudpud: Hannah’s Beach Resort
http://www.hannahsbeachresort.com/
Paoay Church
Malacañang of the North
Vigan City: Baluarte
Vigan City: Hidden Garden
Vigan City : Old Spanish Houses at Calle Crisologo
Vigan City: Cafe Uno
Lechon Baka
( not necessarily an Ilokano dish, but we thank our host for this treat.)
( salamat sa lechon baka at lechon pabo.)
Thank you to our host in Vigan City, Kuya Alex and his family.
( especially Ella, who brought us around.)
Thank you for the company,
to the families and members of The Dried Fish Association of Balut, Tondo.
( Simple lang ang buhay sa tuyo, pero rock!)
And of course, thank you to my husband, Richard Ang Sen, for bringing us there.
#kuyagerms #walangtulugan #extrajoss
