The Second Time Around

(Disclaimer: The pics are big. Sorry. I will crop/resize them to fit this entry page when I have all the time in the world already…)

This isn’t a replay. More of a second time around thing. Also, our last hurrah for the year that was.

I was also shocked that my friends and I were back in Sagada on the noon of December 27, 2006. We just went to that place last November! While traversing the road to Baguio from La Union at around 4 in the morning and they (Candice, Anj, Kel and Ryan) are already there at the Dangwa Terminal in Baguio, I can’t help but think, “What the heck are you thinking? Coming to Sagada again after barely two months from your first visit?” The answer to that is simple: MYSTERY.

I’m sure you all know the feeling of going out of your way and pushing your limits just to unravel the mystery behind something. This journey feels like it. We have a mission. We have to know something. And more than the want to go traveling for myself, this is more of a desire to help a friend. (Now that I thought about it, our simple getaways during the past years have never been just about the place, it’s about celebrating a friendship, which I’ve been so grateful since its beginning six years ago.)

I always say I won’t elaborate on the real reason why we went there again. Nope, I’m not just being secretive for the heck of being one. (You know naman how talkative I can get noh.) It’s just that I’m not the right person to say it. Someone will tell the real story behind Sagada (the second time around adventure). But it will not be me. All I can share with you is this: what we did and where we went.

The air is much colder now in Sagada. It seeps through the skin and to the bones and sometimes, we find ourselves shaking every time the wind blows. I also found myself buying a scarf after I felt a scratch on my throat. That’s my way of preventing a case of tonsilitis (with fever) in Sagada. I wouldn’t want to get sick in the middle of an adventure!

There are more tourists than before. Just after Christmas is one of their peak seasons. That’s one of the reasons why we didn’t get rooms in inns or guesthouses or pensiones. But our accommodation is way much better.

After reaching the house (courtesy of the Tauli family of the George Guesthouse) at noon, we immediately cooked our lunch of corned beef with cabbage and rice. We figured out we can save more if we bring canned goods and instant noodles and some other knick-knacks. And yeah, the plan worked out real fine. (We brought so many food combined as if we’re planning to stay for a week!) We ate and left around 3pm to do our first activity: trekking or hiking or just plain walking.

Waiting at the Tourist Info Center for a guide.

The package with the guide was to cover three Sagada tourist sites. First one: Kiltepan. The Kiltepan viewing point is way on top of a hill. And from there, we saw the Kiltepan terraces. I’m sure the Banaue Rice Terraces is more beautiful and outstanding but I’m glad I saw these terraces. Brings me closer to the grand thing. I learned that I like viewing scenes in their panoramic splendor. A larger than life portrait that any camera can’t and won’t be able to capture.

Sentimentality goes a long way when you’re looking at a scenery from above. It’s such a nice place to reflect. Good timing since the 2006 is capping off in just a few days. Anyway, we took our photos there. Laughed and smiled and posed. And then slowly made our way back down the trail. The pine threads on the trail made it more slippery.

Next stop: Bokong Falls. It’s a small waterfall. I was a bit disappointed to see the murky water but then again, it might have been just the rain (if it ever rained on the days before).

The (Muddy) Way to Bokong

There’s an “incident” in between the talks and conversation here but I’d rather not say what it was. It somehow changed our Sagada adventure… and the way we see this town and some of its people.

We passed by Masferre’s Photographs on the way but we didn’t have time to check it. Anyway, we’ve seen his aged but still captivating photos on the walls of Masferre’s Country Inn and Restaurant.

We didn’t have enough time to go to Echo Valley since it’s getting dark so we went home. I felt more tired compared to our first activity in Sagada last November. Maybe it’s because of the cold. Or maybe, it’s something else.

We had a bonfire in Sagada’s football field during our chilly first night courtesy of the friendly and warm group of Waan, Ngali, Andrew, and Rexon. In between tagays of gin mixed with lime, we exchanged stories. Them as proud Sagadans, we as awed “tourists” to their hometown. Our banters went from life, discrimination, life, ghosts, life, foreigners, life, and a whole lot of others including LIFE.

We also sang a bit. Our group (barely) sang Torete courtesy of Anj and a guitar. The four sang the Sagada Hymn. Beautiful song. Now, I won’t ever doubt their love for the place. I saw myself in them. They also have to go to other places to follow a career path but missing their hometown every single minute of their absence. I feel that way too when I’m in Manila. And sometimes, all we/I need is to go back to ease whatever it is that’s boggling us. It’s being “home.” That feels great, you know.

After a bottle of gin/lime and a half-empty bottle of rice wine, it was time to go. I was already freezing. I wonder how they can stand the cold. Waan wasn’t even wearing a jacket. Kel was throwing up. All the drinks he had got all mixed up on his stomach and awoke his stomach illness. Candice was still feeling energetic while Anj was as sleepy as I am. Ryan was refusing to stand up. We should have known he was too drunk to stand up. (And all the while we were thinking he was our pambato after Kel’s stomach gave up.)

Ngali led us down the path. Turned out we were “neighbors.” Aside from Ryan’s sudden slips, hushed cursing, and non-stop daldal (spilling secrets along the way), the walk back to the Tauli’s residence was shorter than usual. Nearing the house, we came upon several cute puppies, whom Ryan labeled as “kutings” and later on, “pigs.” Hay… We bid goodbye to Ngali and thanked her for bearing with us.

At the house, Kel was still sick. Candice was in her “bangag” state (just for a different reason this time). Anj was minding some other things. Ryan was muttering ideas way beyond our league while rolling over and over on the sofa. I… I was too sleepy so I said goodnight after washing the dishes and went to sleep. A sound sleep… but quivering under the sheets.

We woke up around 9. After eating our breakfast of soup, bread, rice, and canned sisig, we prepared for the day’s plan: caving/spelunking. I already made my self clear on our way to Sagada (or even days before) that I won’t go caving inside Sumaguing. Not on that day or in the near future. Maybe three years from now again. Aside from my belief that the cave’s mystical allure to me might be lost on my second entry to the cave, I also don’t want to spend the new year celebration writhing in pain. NO WAY! So I just have to decline the caving and spelunking part.

It just so happened that on the same day, the president of the Philippines also has a Sumaguing schedule. On the early morning of December 28, military helicopters were already invading Sagada’s skies. They landed on the football field and stayed there for hours preparing for madame’s arrival. After that, they left. And then, several minutes after, GMA’s helicopter arrived (yes, the blue/white one). Her whole entourage was on the other helicopters. And just because she’s going caving, our group’s 1pm schedule was moved to 3pm. Imagine, Sumaguing was like closed for 2 hours for the president of the Republic of the Philippines… Hahaha!

Anyway, after she left, we started our walk to the cave with Waan as our guide. On our way there, it just occurred to Candice and Kel to try the cave connection. They’ll gonna go inside Lumiang and traverse their way out of Sumaguing. Since Anj also opted not to do the caving activity, we just saw Waan, Candice, Kel, and Ryan off at the mouth of the Lumiang Burial Cave. When they were gone into the depths of the cave, Anj and I took photos. We stood near the coffins made of big pine trunks. We even saw some bones inside.

At the mouth of the Lumiang Burial Cave.

After taking pictures at the site, Anj and I retraced our steps to the rugged road up. Of course, we took pictures along the way since the view of the “valley” is beautiful. Sometimes I wonder why the heck am I living in Manila when tucked somewhere in the Philippines’ many islands is Sagada. Or places like it. Why oh why?!

The three arrived at the house around 7pm just when Anj and I are deciding to go roaming the streets of Sagada. They were tired but happy. They’ll be the ones to tell you their stories inside the caves. You should hear their stories (esp. Ryan’s). They’re hilarious! Maybe you’ll have one reason more to try spelunking while singing, “Wag kang bibitiw bigla. Wag kang bibitiw biglahahahah!”

Cave connecting in style.

We feasted on ham for dinner. This ham, brought by Candice, has also survived the rough roads and terrains of the Sagada journey. Haha! The three also bought yoghurt from Yoghurt House (Kel kept on insisting to call it Yoghurt Country for some unknown reasons) for dessert. And we exchanged stories, jokes, and illogical tales on the dinner table. I wonder how we understood each other on that table conversation. Haha! Oh well, that’s what friends are for. Kailangan magkakawave length. Although iba ang level nina Candice at Ryan! Hahaha!

The following morning was spent on shopping. If Candice would have begged to go trekking to Mt. Ampacao, we could have just give in but she didn’t so she unknowingly let a “moment” pass. Anyway, I finally had the chance to buy the bag I’ve been eyeing at the Sagada Weaving ever since our November trip to the place. The PhP355.00 I spent was worth it. Anj also love her PhP500+-worth bag. Both our bags are made of woven cloth. Nice, really nice. We bought some shawls, hats, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and pouches along the way.

Tambay sa sidewalk. We were supposed to see destiny somewhere here but we didn’t so we just sat on the sidewalk and posed for the cam. Hahaha!

We passed by St. Mary’s Church on the way to the football field and we had a “photo shoot” outside. Haha! The church was closed so we didn’t go in na.

In the afternoon, we decided to watch a soccer game at the football field. It was a Sagada vs. Baguio game wherein Rexon was playing. Before the game, my camera (Pyneapple), unfortunately, broke after it slipped both my and Kel’s hands. The lens refused to budge. Waaahhh! So I didn’t have the chance to take photos of the game. The Sagadans lost 1-4. I rarely watch soccer but I found out it was an exciting game on its own. It was fun watching the players scramble for the ball… using their feet. But scoring was harder on this game compared to uh, baskteball. (I sound really dumb when I talk about sports!)

We went back to the house. While Anj and I stayed underneath our own flanel blankets taking naps, the three wandered off again to the street for some rush shopping. Hay… they never just get tired. We sang at the videoke after dinner. We learned one thing: Never let Ryan hold the mike. Or else, he won’t give it back to you. And don’t let him join you in singing or you’ll actually doubt yourself if you’re still singing on-key or if you really know how to sing. He actually snatched the Videoke King and Queen crowns off Kel’s and Anj’s heads! His score was the highest ever on that videoke night. His winning piece: Lemon Tree. That said, we rest our case.

We have to leave Sagada early. Really early. As in 5:30 in the morning early. When we reached the bus stop (with the help of the Kuya Marlon and their van), there were already some people waiting for the six o’ clock bus bound for Baguio. It arrived a couple of minutes after. And then we’re heading to the summer capital, which is six hours away.

When we reached Baguio, I have to leave early for La Union coz I have a mini Christmas party (with my high school friends) to catch. The four stayed in SM Baguio for a while. They had coffee and on-the-spot shopping. Then, they also head home on a Victory Liner bus.

Thus, I end the Sagada II story.

But before the real ending… allow me to thank the following people…

To the Tauli Family (esp. Kuya Marlon, Ate Joan, and John Michael) for accommodating us (despite the fact that we already used your house for our stay). You’ve all been very warm. To Felalyn who came to our rescue nang kabugin kami ng aso ng kapitbahay, thank you very much. Hehe.

To Waan, Rexon, Ngali, and Andrew, thank you for bearing with us, for sharing your beliefs, customs, and Sagada’s history with us, for bringing the rice wine, for the music and the song, for the bonfire and the warmth, for the beginning of a friendship… Thank you for teaching us how to be passionate about the places and things which make us who we truly are.

To the guides that we had on our treks, thanks for showing us the way. Next time talaga, we wouldn’t venture out on our own. We wouldn’t let ourselves be lost again. Due to his gratefulness, Ryan made this proverb for you and for all the other people outthere lost on their ways:
Ryan: Life is like a cave…
Kel (insert): You don’t know what’s inside…
Ryan: All you need is a [tour] guide.
Ryan’s a really serious person, you know. Swear. Hahaha!

Because of this newfound love, we’re planning to make Sagada an annual getaway. But of course, we can’t promise that. Though we’ll surely miss YOU.

To the SAGADA BARKADA… next trip ulet.