Me at the Heritage City of Vigan

This post might be a bit late, but I wanted to share an experience anyway.

I never saw it coming; me, going to the Heritage City of Vigan. I’ve heard of the place before and known it to be a City of Heritage but I shrugged the thought of it, and never considered it on my lifetime itinerary.

I went to the Vigan to participate in the 5^th Political Science Students Association of the Philippines convention and join an essay writing contest. I went there with my fellow Political Science students who’s also gonna join competitions like debate, quiz bee and political discourse. We also had an adviser with us who doesn’t look much like a Professor. :D

If I were to tell everything that happened for 5 days in that historic place, this post would be pretty leeengttthhhyyyyy. Yet, if I were to sum it up, I would just say, I had fun and it was nice. Haha

The travel experience was really back, butt, and knee breaking. Why? Because we sat in the bus for 11 hours with 3 or 4 stopovers on Pampanga, Pangasinan, La Union, and Candon. But before that tiresome land travel, of course, boarded a plane for 1 hour.

At NAIA with Sir Reymund, Jude, and Nong Arvill

Partas Terminal, Partas bus, and us. :D

By the way, we befriended a Finnish girl named Laura Heino who was off to La Union with a Malaysian guy. We befriended him too, but I forgot his name. I mentioned this coz im gonna let her see this post. (Hi Laura!!! Hope you had fun in La Union, but most especially the Philippines. It’s more fun here. haha)

Me and Laura. Why does her hair look so messy yet stay so pretty? Haha. I have a messy hair too, but, oh well. Haha

What’s so sad about bringing a camera is that you have fewer pictures. Worse is not having pictures of yourself at all, but worst is not having any picture of anything. So better bring a camera, a good camera especially on places like Vigan. It was such a pain carrying a DSLR around but it was worth it.

We arrived at Vigan around 9 PM. We haven’t had our dinner yet so, after settling down at Green R Hotel, we went straight to the Plaza. We were unfortunate and fortunate because food chains were almost closing. McDonalds was still open but it didn’t have rice anymore so we headed for Jollibee, and had nothing but chicken joy value meal. But we were all pretty hungry so, it was still good food. :D

The Ancient McDonalds, Chowking, and Max's

The next day was our first daylight at Vigan. We had breakfast at the market across the hotel. Note, we’re still in our night clothes. During the whole course of the day, we walked around Vigan, settle things we have to do, and took some rest before heading out for the opening ceremony of the PSSAP Convention.

UNP’s venues were extravagant maybe because the local government of Vigan helped them too. So to fast track, we had the opening ceremony, got bored and took lots of pictures of our selves.

Boredom is eminent. haha

The next day was contest day. I was really nervous. There are lots of what ifs on my mind. I know within myself that I haven’t read much about the theme. I just read the previous night, and just hoped I’ll manage. I read all night, and tried to formulate a general introduction related to the theme and a conclusion. I also asked Sir to give me a few possible questions for me to think over.

Before being confined for an hour

Co-essayist rather than opponents :D

 I was really not confident with how I’m gonna write. The essay’s guidelines were to write in an hour with 700 words maximum and a few other things I forgot.

1 hour was really quick. I had no time to think much of what to write. I only wrote what came on my mind first, and expounded. I’m happy that I was able to finish my essay in an hour. I was even happier when I knew some of my opponents haven’t finished theirs, or just had their drafts passed. It means I had more chances of winning. I was really happy about that.

 I entitled my piece, “Cultural Preservation: Commencing at Oneself.” Well, I didn’t win. I wish I had known my rank, but it was already impossible because of certain circumstances. Though I didn’t win, I made few friends with my co-essayists, and that a win in itself.

The rest of the afternoon were just contests. Essay, quizbee and debate and boredom and vain moments. haha.

Quiz bee

debate

The next night was spent roaming around the small city, and of course pictures were taken. Vigan was definitely breathtaking especially at Calle Crisologo. It was like entering a portal which brought you back at the Spanish era. I'm gonna post another just for picures of Vigan. At the moment, enjoy our faces. :D

Just so you know, i haven't edited anything except putting them all together in a frame. The lighting is really orange. Cool, isn't it? The retro ambiance is perfect.

The next day was another set of lectures and contests. After having my own competition done, I felt relaxed and decided to just enjoy our stay in Vigan, and of course support our remaining contestants.

I don't want to mention in detail what happened at the convention and other contests coz it really sucks and the contest guidelines and results were really disappointing. I'd rather tell you about other stuff aside from those.

The night worth noting is the solidarity night where all of the delegates have to wear a Filipiniana or our cultural clothes. This would be my second time wearing a Filipiniana. The last time was when I was in grade 2 or 3 and participated in a balagtasan as the tagahatol. This night was also the awarding night. I was really nervous with the results because I know within myself that I at least have a chance to win. Well, unfortunately i didn't. I did my best, but i guess my best wasn't good enough. haha.

I was also so proud of my self because I was the one who did my own make up. So here we are in our cultural attire. 

I also had a few pictures with certain people.

with beautiful Nang Rudilen

With Lorraine, Nong Reyky, and Meg (who wasn't aware the world will end any minute)

With the best debater I've ever known and always will be, the bitch, Honeelee (haha)

With Lloyd from Bohol with his Professor. I do not know the person beside me.

With Christie, from University of San Carlos Cebu, the first among the delegates I befriended, 2nd place  essay writing.  Congrats, Christie!

With my section's ever devoted careerwoman, Henna. I aso have Honee and I don't know who but seemed very familiar.

With Laurence/Lorence from St. La Salle Bacolod.

With Junnel from Romblon, who looks much like my bestfriend Honey's boyfriend, Chester. haha

Lalaine, of USM Kabacan, my friend since last year's PSSAP Convention.

With Sir Reymund, our Professor, who doesn't look(all the time) and act (sometimes) like a Professor. Oh. haha

As you can notice, I have some people I don't know in the pictures. Just to be polite, of course I invited them to join us. But I only intended to take pictures for two. Oh well.

The night we first visited Calle Crisologo, we jested about going there in our Filipinianas after the Solidarity Night. And hell yeah, we really did. There were no taxis at Vigan so we had no choice but to ride a tricycle in our Filipinianas and Barongs. We really haven't thought of riding a kalesa. (My greatest disappointment).

Please brace yourselves for the pictures that will unfold before your eyes. LOL

My favorite picture. hahaha

Wacky naman.

Nong Kazper's Mystery girl

And presenting. . . The calendar models!

We toured around Vigan the next day, and by the 4pm, prepared to be encapsulated in the bus for 11 hours again. So here are some photos of the tour. 

 I was disappointed with how the PSSAP Convention went. It wasn't like yesteryear; though I wouldn't say this because we were the host last year. I know within ourselves that we did our best in organizing this huge event, and it was a success. Though it's not that extravagant as this 5th National Convention. If it hadn't been because of Vigan, this event could have been a disaster. I was really sad about not being able to ride a kalesa, but I somehow managed to see one and took photos of it.

We enjoyed Vigan's scenery, the heritage houses, the ancient ambiance. Just having pictures of it, was a real treat. See you Vigan. I hope I could go back.

Happy Feb 14th

I can't help but smile observing guys do their romantic gestures on this day. The school was really filled with love on valentines day. Girls having flowers, balloons and bears walking around the school. I somehow felt a pang of envy as I see the efforts shown before my eyes. The worst case was i actually felt a slight remorse on breaking up with my ex. (I hope no relative of mine reads this.) But it was okay. I also came back to my notion that he's the reason why I don't have a boyfriend. It means, that experience made me realize that I actually wanted to be single.

The envy I feel is maybe because people close to me are actually having their love life and I am left alone having none. I do not want to feel alone which is why I also felt a desire to fall in love again and be in a relationship. But I wouldn't do that again. I want to fall in love naturally, be in a relationship when the time comes and be free of the chains of peer pressure. If my friends will eventually have relationships before I do, I will still be there for them, and wait for my own perfect moment. I will not repeat the same mistake I did when I was in high school. I'm not saying it's a complete mistake. I actually fell in love, but maybe it was too soon.

So Happy Valentines for now. Till the next hearts day.

THIS Man

Love definitely is in the air. Especially today (Feb 14). But maybe, love isn't for everybody. As many people's hearts overflow with love, there are also people who weeps because of love - unrequited and impossible.

Love has various forms. Love can give you a lot of meaning. Love can give you your greatest happiness, it can also give you your greatest despair.

Being in love with someone so near yet out of your reach is the hardest. You know deep within yourself that you cannot be with him, because circumstances won't allow you. Even being with him alone even in broad daylight has implications and mindful stares. You would love being with him, and love people see you together, it's just that, you cannot let people think that way, because it would be too complicated.

You can't exhibit jealousy, because you are not in the right place. He's someone that's way out of your level, and you are way down below his. He steps on cobblestones with aristocrats yet your feet stays on dirt and mud with peasants. Someday, you will reach his level, but when that time comes, you might not feel that way anymore.

You are not on the list of the possible girls he might go out with. That's a really sad story. It's not that I look down on you, or I think about the worst possible case or pity you but it's just something that there's nothing you could do, because the words "I'm not for you and who are you" are emblazoned on his forehead.

This man, is the most difficult man to get entangled with. Once you trip over his charm, its hard to get up. He's the kind of man who beckons you to his place, and then pushes you away when your near. He's hard to understand - his actions and stares are the most mind boggling puzzles of all. It's like being stuck on an unending loop.

You know, it would even be better if you have fallen for a friend, a possibility  that he might fall in love with you is always there. Your friend - someone at your level. But you know, falling in love with this kind of man will give you headache, heart pains and a challenging life. It's unusual, it's unique. So, if I were you, enjoy whatever affection you currently feel. Give color and sparks to your boring life. He may not be yours, but I know someone better will come for you. And I reiterate, HE IS NOT FOR YOU.