the sagada story

I should have written this last Tuesday but I became too occupied with different activities, I lost my wi-fi connection at home (kapitbahay, asan ka na ba?) and I fixed some things for che’s wedding. So here I go. Before I leave for a lunch meeting, I’m writing down the things that I learned from the most physically challenging trip that I have ever been.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Sagada is all about nature. Not only Sagada, but Mountain Province as whole made me feel like I was in a different world. And I loved that world! It was a long trip. 6 hours away from Baguio alone, plus the travel time from Manila to Baguio. It felt like forever but it was not really boring because I got to see beautiful sceneries and they made me want to stay and stare in those perfect moments even for a while.

I went there with shine (my house/officemate), shie (my soon-to-be lawyer friend) and her officemates from BSP. I got to travel with wil’s only sis, neph and her boyfriend, Aljer. Plus, the whole bunch of travel factor participants. I am also happy because I met new people, and I learned from them. On our way to Bontoc, shine and I were seated beside a chinito man (he reminded us of marky cielo) who seemed serious. He had no company and he only had a small sling bag on his lap. About 30 minutes prior to the breakfast stopover, the three of us started conversing. My unstoppable mouth started asking him questions. We found out that he is an Igorot, a native of Mountain Province, is now residing in Puerto Princesa, is married and has two kids. I then asked about his profession and he told me that I would be surprised to know. Dyarann! He is an episcopal priest. In that short talk, I found Father Echanes Cadiogan to be a man of wisdom. He does not discriminate against other religions/religious beliefs and I truly admire him for that. No offense to other religions, but I don’t really like it when some say that they are the only ones who would go up to heaven. Darn.

We also met Kuya Erwin, the head of Sagada Genuine Guides. He speaks English fluently and articulately and I think he is an educated man. I was enlightened by his stories about their culture.He looked serious almost all the time, except when he cracked a joke about Shiela’s temporary confinement at St. Theodore Mission Hospital due to allergies. Shie got really scared, but I saw Kuya Erwin holding that laugh inside him. Marunong pala siyang mag-joke! =) Aside from Kuya Erwin, the other members of SGG are all tough men. They deserve the best tip for guiding us all throughout the cave connection moments. My hyperlink doesn’t work right now but I already linked the SGG site on my homepage. So if there’s anyone of you who would like to try the Sagada adventure, please contact Kuya Erwin and I’m pretty sure that they will all take good care of you. =)

There was also Peter, the guy from Czech Republic who speaks fluent Japanese. Kuya George, the Japanese guy who pissed Tita EJ because he kept on calling her ate, proved that aging is all in the mind. He is really strong and active for his age. The other TF participants were all there for adventure. It was indeed a bonding moment of different people from different areas of the world.

The food was great. Veggies. Lemon Pie. Yogurt. Yum yum.

Words are not enough to complete this story. And I’m running out of stolen office time. You have to see and feel the place. Hehe.

I have nothing more to say. I just love Sagada. =)

P.S. THis shot reminded us of Edward & Bella at the forest scene. =)