A Boracay Memoir

Today's weather is as perfect as yesterday and its even more pleasant because the moon is at its biggest and brightest full moon glow. Times like these bring back fond memories, it makes me think of Boracay. Every time its nice and windy or so sunny that I could feel so warm to the bone or whenever the moon looks so dashingly handsome... such nights send me back to the island I just need to close my eyes and I know its real and tonight is one of those very nights.

I leave my little hut perched up in the hill, secured my key in my pocket and took my trusty lighter with a built in flashlight --oh what a firefly this is. I turned to face the narrow path that would lead to the main road and it was already illuminated,no need for firefly then, so I just light a cig. It's a pleasant night, I opt to walk the entire way. Its so quiet that I could hear the island in orchestra -the sound of the wind against the leaf blades of the grass and bamboo trees; tricycles and motorbikes slowing down offering a ride, I decline and they go like resonating notes of violas and cellos, the distant videoke singer (probably drunk) reaches for the high notes falters and tries again and it goes on like shreiking violin but distance is a friend, it sounds good; then I hear the cicada's love song --the erotic call for a mate, but the cicada is not alone, everyone is seeking a match. Driven by insatiable lust, crickets, cicadas and God knows even butterflies and fireflies have songs of love --all of them sing in chorus (no shame in sex). I could stay and listen to this exclusive six-legged insect band and learn from them but in fact, my mind has drifted off already about human sexuality and *bang* the cymbals, I hear the crashing of the waves and my side tracking ends. The waves can be predictable at nights like this one, they just crash within a definite time or interval or momentum or pace. The waves make a hushing sound when it withdraws and moans loud when it claws back to shore. The hushes and moans of the sea and shore an incesant erotic love affair.

Someone is playing the didgeridoo, that means the party is about to start and I'm not missing it.
Red Pirates Pub Full Moon Parties are nothing like anything else in the island and for that it has a special charm to backpackers. Its a place where people come barefoot, dressed down, guards off, all-pretentions stripped-off and sometimes just plain stripped off. Its a very secluded nook where people come for chats, drinks, fire dance and live drum jams of Boracay's very own. I come here often for the very same reasons plus mango rhum, a game of poker or two, scrabble and dinners. Joey and Jen (the pub's owners) are very generous with their Friday dinners and I am very grateful.

I love nights like this one.


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Gone Surfing

"Uy, pasencya na. Late ako.
Pero malapit na ako. Hintay lang."
- Bagyong Reming

Alam kong super bagyo ang parating pero mahirap itago ang tuwa ko sa pagdating ng bagyo dahil ibigsabihin mataas ang alon. Lakasan na ng loob yan sa pag surf. Wala na tong urungan

Sana lang hindi gaano kalakas para muling mapinsala ang mga ciudad at probinsyang dadaanan nito. Sana lang talaga...dahil nakokonsenya ako dahil masaya ako kasi may bagyo... hehehehe

GONE SURFING ...

Isang Gabi sa Nippon Maru

Ang Nippon Maru sa North Harbor

Dumaong ang Nippon Maru sa North Harbor at bilang consolasyon at pampagana, naimbitahan akong maghapunan sa Nippon Maru kagabi. Consolasyon dahil di ako nakasama sa SSEAYP 2006 Delegation at pampagana dahil magpapasa na ako ng application ng mas maaga para sa susunod na delegation.

Naisip ko na ang pagikot at paglakbay sa 5 bansa sa Asya lulan ng isang malaking Barko ay hindi magandang ideya sapagkat ako'y allergic at asthmatic sa maraming bagay. Pero naisip ko rin na ang pagiging allergic at asthmatic ay overused excuse na para sakin. hehehe. (idagdag pa ang pagiging late)

Nailarawan ko sa aking isipan na ang barko ay hindi ligtas na transportasyon. Nakasakay narin kasi ako ng barko at hindi maganda ang ala-ala ko don (First Impression, lasts.) Sa unang paglakbay ko ng karagatan, ang dumi ng ship cabins, yung bintana ng cabin nadrowingan naming magpipinsan papuntang Boracay...at pauwi pagkatapos ng isang linggo, nandun parin ang drowing na lumulubog na ship. Gumegewang-gewang ang barko sa lakas ng hangin habang pumapalaot magdamag. Mejo hindi komportable talaga.

Pero iba ang Nippon Maru. Ang Nippon Maru ay isang 3 Star Cruise Ship at mula sa Japan. Alam kong 5 stars ang pinakamataas na antas ng luxury pero sa nakita ko sa Nippon Maru, masaya na ako sa 3 stars.

Nais ko sanang libutin ang barkong Nippon Maru ngunit sabi nga ni Frankie "Bata" Ong ang presidente ng SSEAYP Philippines "Everything has changed since 9-11", mahigpit ang seguridad sa loob ng Nippon Maru. Sa lobby at ballroom suite lang ang maaring pasyalan. Ok narin dahil ang pagtitiis ay ayon sa kaligtasan ng lahat naman.

Gusto kong mapabilang sa susunod na paglayag ng Nippon Maru.

SURFING

It is never too late to learn a new skill.

Never too late to learn surfing and

Never too late to make animated photos

I "giffed" the photos sent to me by stonemoney surf of my first wave at Zambales! yay!

Dreaming of Surfing Again

one week na.... gusto ko ulit mag surfing.
at mag surfing pa

Just A Quick Release.

This will be just quick since I am in Urdaneta when my grandparents house is in Pozorrubio. I went all the way here just to find an ATM and net cafe.

A week ago, I was with my friends riding a bus going to Baguio. We only planned to stay a night but ended up staying two nights.

SO SAYA! Hindi ako hinika. We're going back at the end of June.

Anyway, when we left Baguio, I decided to surprise my grandparents. Thus, prolonging my stay here. Although, I am going home tomorrow and then leave the next day for Quezon...for the surfing camp.

I'm excited. It is getting dark. I should go back to my lola's house na.

Miss everything already.