EDSA traffic hell is back. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
I just conducted my first face-to-face interview today in more than a year. And I was caught off-guard by the onslaught of the dreaded Payday Friday traffic. It took me at least 1.5 hrs driving back home, almost like my daily commute during BC (Before Covid) years. It’s like, what lockdown are we talking about?!
I will be filing for my vacation leave two weeks from now. I’m so tired and need a recharge…My day today, save for the interview, was garbage. My edit was subpar, which my boss in Tokyo caught. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), I was already beyond caring that it didn’t cause hyperventilation and tight stomach muscles in me, which under normal circumstances would have happened.
I’m thinking of driving to Caliraya Lake, bike around, and camp. Hopefully, there won’t be thunderstorms.
I had a lovely drive yesterday to my hometown to pick up my other daughter after she spent three weeks with her grandma and cousins.
On the way there, I passed by a huge fire along the highway that was causing some traffic build up. When I passed by the houses engulfed by the flames, I could feel the heat even inside my airconditioned car. Even the trees were on fire.
Fire! Photo by CallMeCreation.com
Before proceeding to my mom’s house, I drove around the campus to catch a glimpse of my old stomping ground.
I used to bring the girls here every summer when they were younger, with mats for some kind of picnic so they can run around. We flew kites too. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
It was beautiful but eerie due to absence of humans. I would have loved to lie on my back on that green grass to stare at the blue sky. But the roving police will surely apprehend me as they are still on a lockdown.
Football field without the goal posts. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
I spent countless afternoons here playing football in high school and college, rain or shine. This used to be teeming with football players and athletics varsity players. I remember plunking on the grass with my sports bag every afternoon to put on my knee pads, knee socks and football boots. And gloves. Yes, I was a goal keeper. Oh how I *loved* rolling in the mud.
On the way back to Manila, I dropped off my nephew at their house and took this photo of the road that leads to bypass mountain road. I love taking this bypass road.
Photo by CallMeCreation.com
It was already dark when we arrived at home. It was nice to get out of my cave and drive to see some greenery.
Sunset over Laguna de Bay. Photo by CallMeCreation.com
The urge to get out was so strong that I endured one hour of driving just to see this sunset (and a little bit of bicycling) in Eastridge yesterday. During last year’s Lunar new year holiday, we went to have lunch at Balaw-balaw in Angono, went to see the Petroglyphs, Morong Church, and then the Tanay Lighthouse until the sun had set.
I promised myself that I will show the girls this place and will watch the sunset with them here. Which we did yesterday.
The last time I was here trying to appreciate the sunset, he didn’t pay attention to it, to me, or to our surroundings. It was as if he didn’t want to be there with me and just wanted to ride his bike and be done with it. He didn’t talk to me. He only did talk to me when he wanted to buy the orchid being sold along the main road in Eastridge.
I want to bury those memories. I am supplanting it with better ones that didn’t stab me like a thousand knives.
I’m letting this all out so I don’t suffer in silence. I wanted to tell the world about this but of course I can’t. Where is the dignity in that? Unlike some of my friends in social media, I don’t air my dirty linen in public. But I’m looking for ways how to air this out because keeping it all in is killing me.
That sunset was so beautiful and yet fleeting. It only lasted about 10 to 15 mins then we were enveloped by darkness. It was like that episode in my life.
The best revenge is to live my life to the fullest. To be better than I was when I was with him. To be a kickass journalist. To be a better photographer. To be a better homemaker and parent. To be a better human being.
The clock doesn’t move backwards, so I shouldn’t.
Never struggle to chase love, affection, or attention. If it isn’t given freely by another person, it isn’t worth having.
So it seems like everyone is making plans for 2021 after wasting an entire notebook/planner for 2020 because that year was so fucked up.
My 2020 journal was actually almost empty except for some really revealing entries about how insecure my relationship with J was. There were so many things to write about 2020 because anxiety was running high and all that shebang that came with the pandemic but i didn’t. Was too wound up to even write about my anxieties, my feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
Photo by Callmecreation.com
None of my plans for 2020 pushed through. Well, except for the training part. It’s heartbreaking. I even planned to go to S. Korea with him in May. Coron in February.
I don’t know if there’s still a point in planning for 2021.
When the world has gone mad, take a breather and have some Vitamin Sea.
Back in Anilao again.
Bagalangit Hideaway, Mabini, Batangas. This photo is owned by callmecreation.com
Booked Bagalangit Hideaway on Agoda, which was on sale this past weekend. The weather was good for freediving. The resort had a seafront access, unlike its neighbor, Bontoc Seaview Guesthouse/Bontoc in Batangas, the customers of which had to use the public access road/footpath to be able to swim. The food at Bagalangit is ok, not spectacular. And like in any other Anilao resort, meals are a bit pricey. It has a dive shop but for other equipment like underwater flashlights and diving donut, you’re better off renting it from other resorts like Anilao Diving. Their office in Marimar Building just a few km from the Anilao Port also rents out motorbikes.
On the way to Anilao Diving to rent the flashlight (PHP 400/night), I saw this beautiful sunset.
Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. This photo is owned by callmecreation.com
The cost of a boat ride to Sombrero Island and some diving spots like the Cathedral and the Castle is standard at PHP 3,500. If you want to go to Masasa Beach in Tingloy Island, it could go up to PHP 5,000.
My boatmen said tourism in Anilao dropped significantly after the Taal volcano eruption. Then it took another hit from the corona virus/COVID-19 outbreak, reducing foreign tourist arrivals, that boatmen like them were barely scraping by. They said if it weren’t for the locals, they wouldn’t be able to earn a living.
After visiting the Cathedral/Castle, I decided to go back early to Bagalangit because I was not feeling well and the water was choppy. Even at Sombrero Island the currents are strong. So I only spent 2 hours diving.
The rest of my stay there was spent sleeping and gazing out in the sea.
Road trip
On the way back to Manila, I decided to take the semi-Taal Lake loop. After Mabini, I drove to the town of Taal, which I have not visited in 30 years. My maternal grandmother had a store there that sold embroidered items like table napkins, table cloths, bed sheets, etc.
Taal Basilica, St. Martin of Tours. This photo is owned by callmecreation.com
The old church is under repair as I understand it sustained damage from the strong Mindoro earthquake some time ago. Then came the series of volcanic earthquakes when Taal erupted in January. Thankfully the interior is still intact.
Taal Basilica, St. Martin of Tours. This photo is owned by callmecreation.com
Then after lunch at Taal Bistro, I drove straight to Starbucks at Twin Lakes in Laurel, Batangas to have a view of Taal Volcano after the eruption.
That brown wasteland is Taal volcano island. Viewed from Twin Lakes. This photo is owned by call me creation.com Watched the sunset at Starbucks at Twin Lakes. This photo is owned by callmecreation.com
It was getting chilly at the outdoor sitting area of Starbucks so I had to get inside to warm myself. And jump to another restaurant in that dining complex to have a savory crepe before driving back to Manila.
From Anilao to Taal, it only took me 1 hr then from Taal to Twin Lakes, it was about 1.5 hrs. Another 2.5 hrs from Twin Lakes to Quezon City. I was almost dead from exhaustion when I got home.
