Sagada Scene

The last time I didn't join my family on All Saint’s day was when I got pregnant. I had a major reason since they said it’s bawal daw. And this year, I didn’t join my family again. Why? Destination: Sagada.

I posted a Sagada tour on my travel page for October 17-20 but Ira emailed me and wanted to have a schedule for October 31-November 3. OMG! This is business, how can I say No? I arranged the tour.

October 31

After persuading a 1 day leave at work, well I was still on training as a PAS at that time so I wasn't allowed to take any absences, finally he said YES. But it will be considered an absent. That’s fine, as long as I can take a day leave from the office.

I woke up early as usual, 3pm, packed my things and got ready to go. I brought 2 green bags full of clothes and travel from Sucat all the way to Cubao. It was traffic since the most were going to the bus stations for the holiday break. I was kinda scared cuz I haven’t paid yet, baka maubusan kami ng ticket, although I have made my reservations already.

As early as 6pm, I was surprised arriving soo early seeing only 2 people on the Cable Bus Station aside from the drivers and a so-called cashier. I went straight to Jollibee to have dinner and kill time as well.

7:30pm – went to the station to make payment.

The bus station. It's kinda small, you'll miss it. The only description that you'll make to see it -- It's in front of Trinity University of Asia.

the bus that we took going to Sagada. Kinda dark tho :)

8:00pm – met Ira’s group. All of them were related except for the 2 guys which are Ira’s officemates

8:30pm – rode the bus, expecting that we will leave the station on time, however, we left the station at 9:03pm. My seatmate was a native and I asked too much questions re Sagada. Well, he was too informative but soon, transferred to the other bus for some reason.

traffic @ NLEX. What can you expect during holidays?

Waking up as early as 5:30am at the bus is better when you get a good view. We were at Banaue at that time and I was kinda hesitant which from the terraces that I saw is the infamous Banaue Rice Terraces.

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banaue rice terraces, not a good view to see houses all over

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mejo malabo, I was on seated on the other side of the bus :D

and before we knew it, we passed through sooper daming bangin and zigzag roads

few more steps, laglag ka. :(

one rocky road

9:30am – arrived in Bontoc. Bontoc is like a city next to Sagada. Streets were modernized and there were hotels all over the place.

bontoc town proper.

and their first pic on this tour :)

10:00am – as we waited for the other Cable Bus because two of the boxes were mistakenly transferred to the other bus. We rode a jeep, which didn’t look like a jeep bound to Sagada.

bangin ulit going to Sagada

11:00am – arrived in Sagada. The jeep took us straight to George Guest House. It was Saturday and a market day in Sagada and we were soo crazy seeing some people wearing their bahags. (unfortunately since we had limited time, I wasnt able to take pics of them :()

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we stayed at the penthouse which is kinda roomy and fit everyone. THe two straight boys stayed at the 3rd floor.

picture taken before going down Bangga-an terraces

As I have talked to my contact persons in Sagada, I finally met my guide, Kuya Andrew. We had our lunch buffet which was prepared by Bana’s coffee and filled our starving stomachs with great food.

We rested for a while cuz at 1:30pm, we will start our adventure.

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sos

It's a bad day for me because of traffic so I sat on my chair lazily. But Anna approached me and told me that Thea has a problem with her pregnancy.

I was soo shocked when I learned the news. Her baby's intestines were out. I cannot imagine myself carrying that problem. I mean, you may wanna check on the mental hospital and check out my name. Im gonna be insane.

After a while, Thea arrived. With no spoken words, I hugged her. Misty eyed, I suggested to join her and look for a better hospital and check for second opinion. She agreed.

We went to Medical City, which is located near our office. Thea is just new in the company and is not eligible to use the priveleges of a health card. sayang...

We were too early as we arrived 8 o'clock in the morning but we went to the information desk to check for an available OB-GYN.

I had a chance to meet and know Thea deeply. Well, she's just new in the company and never been an agent. She applied as a QA Analyst since she came from ACS with the same position. She's pretty as everybody says. And we were so amazed by Elaine's simple comment, "tumataba ka ata mare a" and she said she was pregnant. Whoa, that pretty girl's pregnant.

I watched her checkin on her diet most of the time until she changed her appetite. Malakas na ring kumain, starving every hour for pantry and 4th floor foodie.

rocel and thea :)

...just until that big news arrived. She cried when she told the story and we're there to support her.

She consulted at the children's hospital and had her daily check ups there. She was never supported by her doctor since she was just given regular vitamins and the check ups were not regular and when they found out through ultrasounds about the baby's complication, the doctor didnt setup another consultation date, as well as there was no assurance given by the doctor that there's still a chance for the baby.

Heck! those people need not to be in the hospital, else they must resign their job if they treat their patient as stupid just like that. Phew, headache and depressing moment for Thea..tsk tsk.. `thas bad!

We soon found out a scheduled OB named Dr. Campana and was there in the office at 9AM. While we're waiting, we checked on good views while sitting on Starbucks.

Hotel? or not?

Information desk is like the reception area on a hotel. Staffs were so friendly and approachable.

inside Medical City. We went there early in the morning. Nice and clean.

we're sitting ok. and this is what we got...

pocket garden. niceeey..

more???

we went upstairs and a nostalgic view seemed to be just there to get our attention.

whole Pasig

ateneo de manila college of medicine

pocket garden we saw from afar

nice nice nice.. hay

We went upstairs after indulging to these beautiful views in and out of the hospital. The doctor was so hospitable and has better and more options for my friend. She asked her to go down to do an ultrasound again to double check if the first check-up is right.

We went down. I knew that Thea was soo nervous that time but she wasn't crying anymore. Good thang. At least. I guess that's because the doctor handled it well. And as seen as the previous tests, indeed the baby has a complication. :(..

After that, we parted ways. Thea never came to the office again. I guess she resigned. Nobody knows even the bosses have no clue since Thea didnt contact them. She needs a break. Real break. Hopefully, the baby will come as healthy as we all wished her. :)

Thea's OB-GYN

kakulitan ko. :P I've seen this lady sleeping with his mouth wide open :) saging na lang pwede na hihihihi

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rocel's wedding

When I transferred floor from tower a 3-c to unit tower a 24-b, Rocel and Lanie became my condomate. Only those two were the closest to me when I live in the condo. Those guys were too kind. We share food, stuffs and stories. We were always together on occasions like weddings, bday and other things. But Lanie and I decided to move to a different unit so we left Rocel on 24-b with Albert and his wife living with her.

Although we moved, we never changed the friendship and companionship that we have. Rocel sometimes dropped by at our unit with their common friends and we just share stories and eat food. Rocel always invited us to dinner whenever she prepare food. (Rocel's a good cook!) And she always invited us for dinner in preparation for her and Bog's wedding.

I've seen those two couple together when I had a girlfriend but I just ignored Bogs at that time. I was too busy then to ignore them, which right now I regretted the most ;) They were too sweet. Bogs dropped by after office hours while Rocel prepared for their dinner.

And now, after my tripple shift and I haven't had a sleep at all, I prepared to go back to the condo to meet Lanie as we will be attending Rocel and Bogs wedding in Malolos Bulacan.

on the way to Malolos, Bulacan. wala lang, mahal lang namin ni Lanie ang sarili namin :P

barasoain church..they'll be tied as married couples here.

nostalgic..

lanie and her cute abay..

rocel.crying while walking down the aisle. tears of joy

finally..

they have beautiful flower arrangement in the church

the bridal car

abay's bouquet

...we followed them too late on the reception at the goldridge estate. we bought pasalubong first ;)

the cake, wedding motif is brown and pink..

mouthful plate huh

flower on the table?

the pool, they designed it with a couple made of baloons

whew...

enjoying with jess.. my newly found friend

nice flower with candle on our table

the newly wed

with the bride

with Lanie

overall the wedding is almost perfect. Like what I've told others, this is the most beautiful wedding that I've attended so far. Food is good, sobrang dami, ambiance is soo nice and the wedding is very organized.

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