Flashback to Callao -Tuguegarao

I visited my friends' hometown, Tuguegarao, during one semester break when I was still in college (four years ago). It's a 12-hour bus ride up north.

We went to Callao where we had to take a boat to cross the river in order to get to the caves. The river was so clear and everything so pristine that one can't help but to be left in awe. The cave is really beautiful as well. 

Hana Bananaaa

See how clear the water is?

Boat ride with Hana and ate Max

Fast fast fast! :)

Altar by the entrance of the cave

The cave has a couple of holes like this where sunlight peeks through

Beautiful sunset :D

NOTE:

This was Mitch being mean. I will never forget how loud and long she laughed at me.

Oh, what charming places!

What a pleasant weekend it was. It was my first time to try to drive and I was so excited but our driving lessons as my friend Reuel said, turned into a fun adventure! :)

Since it was my first time to try driving, we needed to go somewhere where there are long roads and not so much cars, Marikina seemed like the best place. We got there and apparently got lost several times (I din't notice) but it made the trip enjoyable because we got the chance to explore the city, and that it has so many hidden hole in the wall restaurants that piqued my interest. One of the more popular places there is Pan de Amerikana, where we had our lunch. They serve local dishes at a relatively cheap price, their Bicol Express is so darn delicious! And being a lover of all things beautiful and antiques, I absolutely adore the interior of their restaurant.

Pan de Amerikana facade

Can you see the vines/branches hanging from the ceiling? Their lamps are so pretty too!

Colorful pots / Wash area

Every detail and each display had so much personality that made the place almost enigmatic. It seemed like there was a story behind everything in that place and I think that besides the delicious dishes that the serve, it's what makes this restaurant special.

Another thing I like about Pan de Amerikana is that it seems like such a humble place, nothing too extravagant (and they even practice self-service). I find that the most beautiful things are those that are in it's simplest form and maybe that's why I have so much appreciation for their place. 

They have a tree house and a bridge connects the two areas on the roof top. I would love to see it again when the vines have completely covered the chains that hold bridge.

Tree house

Floor details

Rules!

While driving, we came across a place called Greg and Sally Tree Garden Cafe. It was closed but I couldn't help but peek inside and when I did, I saw herbs (which I believe they are selling) and I wanted to buy, we actually peeked a couple of times again later on but unfortunately they never opened. From their gate, the garden looked nice though it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. However, after I saw their facebook page, I noticed how pretty their garden is. I copied the photos below and posted it here. I definitely need to eat here in the near future! Is there anyone who wants to go with me? (preferably someone who can drive, or else we're never getting there haha)

Dining area inside

That was pretty much my Sunday, but going back to Saturday, I met with some friends for some drinks and dessert after work. We ate at this place called Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino. It was my first time (so many first times!) to eat at a vegetarian restaurant and interestingly enough, not only did the place look nice, and smelled great, their dessert was really really good (well I just had a Lemon grass+Lime+Ginger cupcake and juice with the same name, but they were good!).  I also copied photos of the restaurant off of their facebook page haha

So that was my weekend. And sadly, today was another manic Monday. Mondays are the worst, I'm telling you. It has a way of bursting your bubble and slapping you back to reality. haha, it's an exaggeration but you know what I mean :) Work is great though, so much to do, so little time! 

Pahiyas Festival!

It was colorful, earthly and rich.

I have never gotten a chance to attend a fiesta and my excitement woke me up 1:30 in the morning. It was the 15th of May and people of Lucban were going to celebrate their yearly Pahiyas Festival as thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and as prayer for a better year ahead.

The morning fog made the long walk from the fields where vehicles were allowed into the town proper quite pleasant. And having a full view of the majestic Mt. Banahaw didn't hurt.

When we arrived at the town proper, we looked for the restaurant where breakfast was and we had a simple meal of Lucban longanisa. After which, we went around the town to look at the colorful houses adorned in kiping, fruits, vegetables and rice stalks.

I must say, the whole town embodies everything that a Filipino is - simple, welcoming and lively.

Kiping displays in different colors

Kiping, rice wafers that are used as decoration can be seen in almost (if not all) the houses.

Mga dalagang bukid 

San Isidro Labrador is the patron saint of farmers

This is one of my favorite houses

Bahay Kubo!

A sunflower made of kiping!

C Bar with it's colorful facade

The highlight of the festival is of course, the beautiful houses. However, there was also a parade of higantes and of pancit habhab mini-stores/display being pulled by carabaos.

pancit habhab mini store display (i think?)

carabaos are used to drag heavy equipments in farming, but for the Pahiyas, they also get to take (and pull) the mini stores/display around town. 

And the higantes that made some children laugh and some children cry.

Dianne and I by the Suman display 

Lucban is famous for two of their local food; langgonisa and pancit habhab.

stores like this can be found in every street in town

This is the only photo I can get of pancit habhab

Pancit habhab, according to a friend is called so because 'habhab' is actually the term for how you should eat it; that is on the banana leaf with no utensils whatsoever. It is extremely tasty and delicious, and is eaten with a little vinegar but I wouldn't suggest eating this on a first date, it gets very messy ;)

Another thing in Lucban is that they have prohibited using plastic. So they have all of these native bags or bayong for sale at a cheap cost. I think that this is a great initiative of their LGU because not only does it lessen their carbon footprint, it also provides livelihood to their people who makes these bags/ bayong.

Bayong for sale!

Colored palay

And of course, Pahiyas was a thanksgiving to God, so we had to visit their Church which was beautiifuuuul! It looks old and plants are growing all over but I think that it's what's charming about it. Knowing that it has withstood time and has been the focal point of so many variations of the Pahiyas and has remained exactly the same makes it all the more interesting. 

Church windows

The bell tower. The sound of the kampana signals the start of a mass and is heard all through out the town. 

After the long and enjoyable day, we left Quezon around 6pm. We had dinner at this beautiful restaurant called Kamayan sa Palaisdaan where you can eat Filipino food in their floating nipa huts.

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan

I was such a long long day. But I had learned and experienced so much in one day. I'm glad to have had the chance to immerse myself in the culture of the people of Lucban. It makes me all the more proud to be a Filipino.

PS
Many of the photos, I stole from charm. ;)