Life is a Beach

It’s been years since my wife and I have been planning to hit the beach to savor the sea, sand and sun. The last one we had was way back in 2006 when I tagged along with her as she was one of the top employees of the year. They were treated for free in Boracay – love ones included. It was one of the memories we will have with our company that is worth remembering. So on April 2, just April Fools ’ Day in the US, we embarked on another road trip down south.

That trip was a trip full of mixed emotions. It was a trip taken with anticipation of fun and excitement in spite of the impending uncertainty and anxiety. The trip is the farthest we’ve both ever had going south. The driving alone was fun as we passed good roads and sceneries; luckily, we also located the La Luz beach with ease with the aid of the directions I jotted down from the internet. Only the last 4 kilometer stretch came as hurdle due to the rough and dusty road with a couple of hill climbs as a finale to our destination.

 

One of the old houses we saw on our way to La Luz.

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Last stretch of rough road to the beach.

4X4 preferred. One of the hill climb going to the beach.

 

Although we’re a bit disappointed when we learned that the resort is already fully booked that time, we decided to settle in one of the local’s rental place – a nipa hut managed by Aling Ely – instead of going back and looking for another resort. Besides I’ve been curious what if feels like to sleep, even just overnight, in one of those rooms. Sadly, as soon as we got settled, it was in that small room when we learned thru SMS from a colleague that the long standing rumor is now confirmed. The company’s top bosses flew in from the US that same day and have already break the news to all Cavite employees that they’re pulling the manufacturing operations out of the country in 6-9 months. An April Fools’ day joke? A thousand Filipino employees for sure wished it was, but unfortunately, it was not.

 

Aling Ely’s nipa hut

Our rented room. Take note how the bed’s size is relative to the room’s area. Small but comfortable enough for a good night sleep.

 

Setting the expected news aside and having had my “mandatory” siesta, we checked out the beach. The weather that afternoon appeared just as confused as we were. It rained hard but it quickly dissipated just as it had started. The sun beams came out of the dark gray clouds after a brief but hard rainfall.

La luz shore line.

My wife taking a dip.

 

The beach at that time is rather serene which I find unusual as I’m expecting it to be crowded and filled with activity given the fact that it’s summer. The water is fairly clear yet the waves tend to be strong. Some portions underwater are also uneven and may surprise anyone unfamiliar with the area. And one thing I can’t help but notice is that the sand all over the place is quite loose; we kidded it’s where the name La Luz was derived – from being La “Loose”. Ti abi. I can’t think of any other beach I’ve been to that taking just a leisurely walk didn’t come as it should be. A few meters of treading in this beach drained most of my energy. With every step we took, my stomach protested. Hunger eventually sets in.

Kainan Express. Cheap yet worth it.

Taramandu bar.

 

Looking for food was also unexpectedly hard. Other than being not able to get reservations in La Luz’s dining, the surrounding area itself is scarce of bars or restaurants. Although there are some kainan or carinderia (local restos), the choice of food that you expect to eat while in the beach is just not available. I find it ironic that we had a difficult time finding fresh inihaw na isda (grilled fish) in one of those kainan. Thankfully after crisscrossing and thoroughly combing the nearby area like two thin hungry cats, one resort’s bar accommodated us as walk-in customers. But then, they have no choice, because believe it or not we’re the only customers at that time. Weird.

Without the flash coming from my P&S camera, this boat is totally blanketed by the pitch black night time.

Night time at the beach is quieter which of course is a good thing. So with my “to go” San Mig lights beer from Taramandu bar, my wife and I settled in one of the cabanas with the dim incandescent light coming from the distant posts as the only illumination. It was a perfect time to talk about lots of things – our job, for one. It was also a perfect time to do some star gazing which as far I can recall I haven’t done for years without the distraction of honking cars, TV shows, noisy neighbors and interference coming from the innocent street lamp post. The beach that night was almost pitch black. The only star that night…well, are the stars.

We went home the next day after sleeping over at the nipa hut. I had a very good sleep that night even with just having only an electric fan for ventilation. The native materials from roof (nipa) to flooring (bamboo) indeed allowed good ventilation. It was a change from the usual air-conditioned rooms we’re used to as accommodations. Except for the toilet where my wife discovered some friends from Joe’s Apartment (go figure), the overnight stay at Aling Ely’s place was worth the price (Php 1.2K) and the experience.

This trip will be one of the memorable trips I’ve ever had. Indeed, life is a road trip. Life is a beach.

It’s my 33th Bday…or is it 34th?

Life is full of ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy the ups and have courage during the downs – Author Unknown

Nov 30th 2006 was one of the most exciting times of my life. The week prior was eventful either.

Since I’ve got to learn to write my birthday, I’ve been writing it as Nov 30, 1973. Lately though, while I was processing my Transcript of Records from where I got my Bachelor’s Degree, I had a frustrating and confusing time at the Registrar’s office. I learned that they’re reading or interpreting my birth certificate’s photocopy as showing 1972 instead of 1973. Ti abi. How could this happen? I argued. I’ve been using 1973 in my passports, government issued ID’s, licenses, including gun license (I don’t know if it would have helped in convincing them if I brought this one along). But it all fell on deaf ears. I was short of choking someone’s neck that day. Good thing, my good side prevailed (Psycho thriller movie music playing).

I left school that day with a confused mind, wondering if I would be turning 33 or 34 this year.

So yesterday, I anxiously went to claim my birth certificate from our NSO (National Statistics Office). And there it was. 1973. Legibly typed written on my birth date space. I’m a certified 33-year-old man, indeed. Never before have I appreciated my age.

November 29th. Coming from Starbucks near Shangri-La Makati, by the wee hours of the morning, I drove and made my way to SLEX on our way home. At one intersection in Pasay Road, going East, I was made to decide which way would took me to where I should be. I have the right, which is Skyway ramp. I have the left, which looks like a direct way to where I am going.

So left road it is. Wrong decision. Upon exciting that lane, I was apprehended by what appears to be a policeman and was asking for my license and who radioed for back up. The back up came and was implying that I could get an easier way out of it. Now this is where another dilemma occurred. To bribe or not to bribe. I was anxious to go home and get over with it. But I’ve been a firm believer that bribing someone, in this case a policeman, is making one a part of the problem and not a part of the solution. So I chose the path less taken – i.e. I got my ticket and left the policemen with nothing but my driver’s license. I drove away disappointed but proud of what I did. That would cost me more, but at least I stand up to my belief.

November 28th. This day was unique for the T3 folks. That’s what I call my wife’s group. Instead of the usual Japanese buffet at Saisaki, this time, they’re turning Chinese (sort of). We had dinner at Tong Yang Hot Pot in SM Megamall. Majority of the guys is newbie to this sort of dining. Nevertheless, they enjoyed preparing their own hotpot and grilled foods coming from a variety of selections from the counter. There are oysters, dimsums, tuna bellies, chicken innards, tuna, salmons and veggies just to name a few. And the boys’ favorite was of course not missing – free flowing beer for P50 ($1). And surprisingly, it was San Miguel beer. I was at first thinking that it was home-brewed. And if you’re wondering, yes I followed the 1 bottle per hour rule for a driver like me.

Other than the beer-deal surprise, my wife went creative too. She got me a cake, delivered right into our table by the waiter while a repertoire of birthday songs played over the whole restaurant. And that was all for me. What a wonderful way to have an advance birthday party.

Right after that belly busting dinner, a bowling match followed. Yes, bowling. Good thing I didn’t got confused if I was picking a bowling ball or some else’s round stomach.

To cap the night we went to Nipa Hut bar in Pasig where we met up with a couple of ex-intellites, had some chitchats. We also had a couple of killer sisigs and killer gambas. And what could be more perfect match to those killers than beers. Yes. Beers. 1 bottle per hour again. Hik.

November 27th. The longest day. At least for a badminton game, we have ever played. We played and stayed at Lotus Badminton Center Inc. for almost 6 hours (rest and lunch included). If I remember it right, we started playing badminton since 3 years ago. Fairly enough, we have improved our game (in my opinion). We left the court by past 3 pm.

While on our way to the mall and pondering on pampering ourselves with much needed body massages and hot oil treatments, our car broke down. Luckily I was able to park it at the mall and did the troubleshooting right there. It was a busted alternator (again, since I replaced it approximately 6 months ago). I have no other choice but to buy and 2nd hand part that cost the same as the painting my wife was planning to buy. Ti abi. Good thing she hasn’t bought it yet.

I went home tired and dirty instead of refreshed and shiny.

November 26th. As a Sunday routine, I bought my copy of the Philstar (www.philstar.com). I was surprised upon reading that one of my favorite writer Max Soliven (also this paper’s Publisher) passed away last Friday, November 24th. While on his way home from Japan. Sanamagan.

I’ve admired him for his articles in By the Way. He wrote with courage and charisma and his style of writing almost never fails to amaze me. Well, that’s life I guess. Although I know that the list of writers with such caliber as Max are now dwindling in numbers, I just do hope that someone will come at par with the way he does.

Wherever you are, may you rest in peace.