Clyde Was Here.

I am back in Manila but I would like to take this opportunity to delay any travel updates I have and have this certain entry entirely for my fellow countrymen who are in need right now.

The Philippines recently had an encounter with a typhoon which was locally named as Yolanda (and internationally known as Haiyan). It is considered as one of the strongest typhoon having gusts of up to 235mph. It is not usual for our country to raise storm signals up to 4 and most of the areas that the typhoon met on its way was truly combed- scattering house parts, uprooting trees, destroying homes, and livelihood, not even a single structure endured the strong rains and winds.

And I can't help but cry and feel extremely devastated with all the pictures taken and posted. It is only through these that we'll be able to know what happened with our fellow countrymen. It breaks my heart seeing them desperately looking for food to feed their families, people standing beneath their deceased relatives gazing at them in prayers that they're in a safer place now, children clinging to their parents with eyes full of questions, families in evacuation areas holding their family members nearer to them because they know that they may only be the ones they have left after the storm passes.

And now thousands of people lost their loved ones, families brought apart by the storm are looking for their other members in hopes that they're still breathing. A lot of people in other parts of the country's desperately posting names of their relatives in hopes that someone who has a connection near the area could be a bridge for their reconciliation.

It breaks my heart to see the aftermath of the storm and being one of those who happened to live farther from the path the storm has taken (we live in Manila and experienced light rains), I know I should do something to help them even in my own small way. Our family has decided to sort out our clothes and share it. It's the least we could do aside from prayers and I guess this is one of the best times to show to our fellow brother and sisters the meaning of the word "family".

You could also help and send your love to them by donating or pledging through these groups and websites:

Let's share the love as family and be a channel of blessing to others in this season. Together, we could help each other recover and create a new start.

It's been a long time since the last I watched a UAAP basketball game, live. And I am so happy because I was able to get a ticket (thank you so much, Philly! Really!) and support my college team (Go USTe!) in the first game of the UAAP Season 76th Finals against the De La Salle Green Archers. Yep, I am a Thomasian, an alumna of University of Sto. Tomas and ever since I got in the university, I've never fell out of love of the university's men's basketball team, the Growling Tigers.

It felt good seating there, cheering for your college team (even though we're seated in the midst of the opposing team's side) just like the old times. It felt good seeing Coach Pido (which we call Tatay Coach) doing his thing as the teams Tatay and the players may it be the alumni, those I was able to meet and cheer for when I was still a student, and those who are new on the team. I missed it. I missed the loud cheer, the school spirit, the never-ending cheers to support the teams, the nerve-racking shots, the adrenaline rush, the hope of winning this game, the crowd fighting along side with the teams. I missed them.

Well, it was an awesome game earlier. It was full of surprises, seeing the Teng siblings play head to head with each other, defending their respective teams (Jeric Teng plays for UST while his younger brother Jeron Teng plays for DLSU). I've been wondering, what would it be like to go against the team of your own sibling? And, and, on their parents' part, what was it like seeing your children in that situation?

The first half of the game, UST dominated over DLSU but much to their surprise, DLSU claimed themselves back by owning the third quarter. But fourth quarter is the most interesting one amongst the four. Especially the last two minutes of the game.

At around one minute something (or less. I'm a bad blogger, I can't even remember when that happened due to all the craziness and extreme, note: EXTREME cheering. I whole-heartedly apologize. Please, forgive me.) DLSU scored a three which brings the score to 72-73 in favor of UST. Last nine seconds or so, the ball slipped from Aljon Mariano's hands, DLSU got it and yes, they tried for another three (which missed) and a rebound (which also missed). It was so full of action, I've never even realized the buzzer that signaled the end of the game. And to be honest, it took me around five seconds (looking to the score board, checking the game time, and seeing the hard court action) before I realized that indeed, UST won the game. And just by then did I allowed myself to go bananas and keep telling myself that what I am seeing is real. We won the first game.

And with that, Congratulations my dear UST Growling Tigers and kudos to the DLSU Green Archers! You fought well, earlier. I admire your way of playing as well (clean and not extremely physical).

They've been asking, "So who will win the game? The Heart of UST or the Height of DLSU?". And even though I know the games hasn't reached the end yet, all I could say is that it was the heart that won on the first game. And that I am hoping that the heart would still fight its best on the next games to come.

The Happy, sleepy Tiger w/ her ticket & a photo of the official score after the game. Oh, look! There's Captain Jeric!

**Got 'em details about the scores.
1st Quarter - 13-23, in favor of UST
2nd Quarter - 31-38, in favor of UST
3rd Quarter - 54-50, in favor of DLSU
4th Quarter - 72-73, in favor of UST

** The shot that brought the score to 72-73 happened at 29.1 seconds on the clock.
On a totally unrelated note:
I asked Phil to accompany me to this Korean convenience store near the Araneta Coliseum to buy some Korean goods. And, I was able to practice respecting the elderlies: the Korean way, earlier! (the owner's a Korean and he was the one manning the store) Yay!

I bought this really yummy Watermelon Ice Cream. It's soft, has this peanut-like tasting seeds, and it taste REALLY good!

I'll try this by tomorrow since my sister would like to taste it. So, we'll do it together! Photo from: seoulcolors.com

I love traveling and with “love” I mean, it's something I would do without any second thoughts. There's this peace and independence that traveling brings and it also allows me to discover more not just about myself or the culture of the places I'll be, but the wonders and beauty of God's creation.

It helps me understand how God creates beauty and how he appreciates it little by little. It helps me to understand more of the world He created and see his view of how He wants man to enjoy and care for it. It helps me see how He placed each one of us on these places for a purpose and how much He really loves us.

Also, there's thing something inside of me that makes me giddy when it comes to learning other cultures and having a glimpse of what happens in their place and how they interact with each other. It makes me feel that I am learning something from my siblings from another country, it helps me understand them more and connect with them easily, see the world in their perspective as well.

And yes, I guess that is also part of being the nerd that I am, I am hungry for new information and excited to experience everything beyond the books and websites.

With that introduction (yes, too long for an intro, right?), I thought, what if I was given the chance to travel anywhere I would like without worrying about money, lodging, etc.? Which countries would I visit? And to answer that question, I made a scrambled list of ten places I would love to visit someday! (scrambled means which comes to mind first...)

Yey!

1. United Kingdom

London to be exact. My Fair Lady is one of the famous nursery rhymes I've learned when I was still a little girl. And out of curiosity, I read and read about the history of the song and how it was really about the London Bridge. And seeing it in the books, it became an item on my “Which Places to Travel When I Grow Up” list.
Also, I would love to see the Big Ben (which I've also been hoping to see ever since I was little), visit the Kings Cross station, ride the double decker bus, ride the London Eye, visit the museums, have a legit afternoon drinking tea, and see the very still Palace Guards.
Yep, I would also love to learn about their country and have friends as well. And I think I also got inspired after watching Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain.

2. Japan

- My grandfather had Japanese friends who would come over to our country and stay at our home. I remember being friends with most of them as well, having Japanese big brothers when I was four. They would bring us cute items from their country and we share to them the beauty of the Philippines. And they enjoy eating Balut!

And now that I am already in my twenty's, I would like to take that opportunity to visit them and their families. I know we have lots of catching up to do! Might as well be a Filipino big sister to their children, too.

Other than that, I've also been dreaming to visit Studio Ghibli Museum since I'm also a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki. A big, big fan that I even painted Totoro on my school shoes when I was still in College, drawn his creations on papers, notebooks and even my journal. I swear, if that happens, I'll probably cry in excitement!

A big fan of Ramen and Sakura Trees so that won't be lost on my list. I also hope to climb Mount Fuji, visit stores of cute items, clothing, and everything Anime as well. (One Piece!!!)

3. Israel

The Holy City. Jerusalem.

I would like to have the opportunity to walk through the streets that Jesus Christ have walked on. It would be wonderful knowing the places that Jesus Christ and his disciples have visited, see the locations in the Bible in real life and see the things, places that He has seen with his own eyes. It's like having a walk with Him, having this quiet moment with Him. See where He was born, the site where He was crucified, the Red Sea, pray as well in the wall of prayers and bask in His holy presence, listen to Him and contemplate.

4. Santorini, Greece

I am amazed with the beauty of this place. The location, the way it looks at night, the way each house was like painted with white and the Aegean Sea beneath all of it. It's a place where I was even inspired and dreamt of having my wedding located. Mamma Mia ang peg?

5. South Korea

My uncle got the opportunity to work in South Korea for ten years and along with those years come the tons of stories he shared to me and my siblings about the country. He told stories about the climate, the way people live, the job he had, the food they eat and of course, the gushing over actors and stars that happened to be hit in our country that time.

Of course, along with his stories, my curiosity got a real hold of me and I am really decided to visit it sometime in the future, when God permits. I've tried Korean food with the restaurants built around the area (Omu Rice, Kimbap, Chapchae, Kimchi, Dukbokki, Jjajang-myun, the ice cream, etc.!). I've heard stories and learned some words with my Korean friends (Annyeonghaseyo, Seok Jin, Sang Hun, Min Ji!). I've watched shows and dramas that gone viral in everyone's home. I've heard their music as well and learned about their culture. Might as well feel and see the real stuff!

I would love to visit the places near the Han River, try their authentic street food, visit their historical villages, go noraebang! (ㅋㅋㅋ), and try to join some of their festivals, know more about their culture. In hopes that I'll also help my uncle reminisce his time in Korea with the experience.

And who knows, I might as well have the opportunity to meet Taeyang, 바로, 삭들 in real life. So, Mr. Dong, Young Bae, Mr. Cha, Sun Woo, Mr. Lee, Jung Hwan, I am Clyde, from the Philippines and I am a fan of yours. 안녕하세요. I hope I get the chance to meet you, someday. I hope you're having a wonderful day!~~~ ^^

And to anyone who's reading my blog who's from South Korea, 감사합니다 for passing by my hideout and yes, I would love to visit your country someday! Would you give me a free tour?~~~ ^^

6. Hawaii / California / US

Most of my family on my father's side lives in the US already and I would really love to meet them, know more about them and spend time with them reminiscing the moments we spent together back when they visit the Philippines.

Hoping to see Disneyland which got me curious since I was a little, Universal Studios, Las Vegas, Six Flags and to hug and spend time with my relatives.

Also, I would like to have the opportunity to visit Hawaii for tons of reason. On top of my list would be a visit to my grandfather, who died last year (Leukemia). I was not given the chance to pay my final respects, even the chance to take care of him when he got really sick. And who knows, I might finally be able to read my final letter for him which I've been hoping to read to him myself. Gosh, I miss my Grandpa. TT__TT

7. Paris

The City of Love. Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, you know the rest!

8. Machu Pichhu, Peru

I love mysteries and the Inca ruins in Machu Picchu is just one of those which caught my attention. Up until now, the mysterious village's function for the Incans has not been clearly identified and that leaves me pretty much curious about it, I've included that on my list here. And who knows what secrets the place might whisper in your ears.

9. Cambodia

Actually, anywhere South East Asia. It's near, rich with history and since we're planning on a trip here, why not discover places near your country first? Oh, and I would like to see Angkor Wat! (inspired by the film, Tomb Raider)

10. Germany

There's so much love I have for one of my favorite book characters that I felt like I will be able to see her and feel her character more when I go visit her country of origin.

So much inspiration, so many places I would love to discover (and since I promised ten, the rest is not written here. But it's a loooooong list!), so many people I would love to know and connect with. Isn't understanding one another a key to love as well? I pray that someday I'll be able to see these places and be able to blog about them here, too! Someday, someday, if God permits.

And while I'm waiting, I'll blog about the places in my country as well and share to others the beauty of it. Why not?

This is another blog, brought to you by your hopeful jet setter reporter, Clyde! Let's all travel together someday and spread some love to our dear siblings from another land as well! Yes?

Good night, God bless you and......

FIGHTING!

Cheerio!

Oh, I remember I blogged about our trip to Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Vigan but I kind of forgot to mention details about the places we've been. I just merely enumerated the places we visited without giving any details about it (which is sort of, not good). Teehee, oops, my bad. I'm sorry, will you forgive me?

Along with my apology, I bring you this post as a peace offering. Join me once again as I revisit the places and as I enumerate details about them in hopes that I'll be able to share the experience even through text. And I also do hope that you'll be able to see these places in real life as well. Visit our country and discover its beauty, truly I tell you, It's More Fun In The Philippines! (Really, believe me!)

So hmm, let's start the tour with the lovely, lovely Churches! (All of those who loves old churches let's all shout "Yey!". YEY!)

First stop: St. John de Sahagun in the capital city of Ilocos Sur, Candon!

Credits to the dear owner! I was not able to take a picture of the façade since we're in a rush. Sorry!

Ever since I was a little girl I've always been wondering what it looks like from the inside. Whenever our family goes to visit our province, we almost never had any chance to check the church so when I finally got the opportunity, I never let it slip. And frankly, it never failed to amaze me with its beauty! Gah, you should've seen the look on my face. It's like Christmas came early for me! (Too much for a girl who fancy old churches and other historical sites. I guess I'm an old soul. Hehehe) Let me show you why...

Here's the church getting prepared for Palm Sunday.

You'll definitely get mesmerized with the paintings on the ceiling which depicts most of the happenings in the Bible. This is my personal favorite, The Last Supper.

The Confession Box. Are you going to confess something? Have you reflected and confessed your sins lately?

The City of Candon was named after the "Candong tree", named by the natives and is the biggest tree in the village where life and culture was centered. Sadly, when the Spaniards came to colonize the area, they cut the big tree down and used its lumber to build the Church Bell Tower, a strategy to convert the locals into Catholicism. Some people say that the church's wooden doors were made of that same tree that gave Candon its name.

Second stop: Apo Caridad de Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Apo Caridad de Bantay at 5:30 in the morning. Very serene.

We got on this church at around 5:30 in the morning so it's pretty cold and still dark. You won't see the church immediately as it is located somehow on the higher part of the hill but the short hike sure won't let you down. Passing through the arch, you'll sure appreciate the serenity of the place, adding the early morning rays of the sun slowly peeking through the horizon. Surely serene, I believe the early morning peace brought that attribute of the church more, it gives you the feeling that God is sitting beside you as you watch the sun rise.

The Bell Tower. Hope I'll be able to visit and climb you soon!

Historians say that Galende and Javellana, the builder of the famous Bell Tower of Apo Caridad feared that it might crush the church once a huge earthquake happens so they placed it farther, up in an elevated land not less than 50 steps away, an act that is considered new since the bell tower is usually built beside the church.

A devotee early in the morning. A glimpse of what the inside looks like.

We're able to spend around fifteen minutes then the group has to move onto the next church. I was hoping to get up close to the tower but due to time constraints, I'll just add that to my bucket list and do hope that I'll be able to come visit again in the future, spend more time in the area to have a better look. Either way, I do love old churches!

Third stop: Shrine of Santo Cristo Milagroso, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Sunrise at the façade of Shrine of Santo Cristo Milagroso

In preparation for Palm Sunday.

It took us 30 to 40 minutes of travel from Apo Caridad and sure a lot of people welcomed us. The mass just finished and a pool of devotees, decorative palm fronds in their hands, lining their way out of the church. This church is smaller than the first two mentioned but still fat with history just like former ones.

The church houses the Sanctuary of the Miraculous Statue of the Black Nazarene (El Santo Cristo Milagroso, widely known by the folks as “Apo Lakay”. It was washed ashore in 1620 in Barangay Dadalaquiten, near Sinait and tracing the origin of the statue, it came from missionaries secretly operating in Nagasaki, Japan, who sent it floating in the ocean in fear of prosecution.

Fourth stop: The St. Augustine Church of Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Finally, we meet!

I've been looking forward to see this church in person and knowing that this will be our next stop made me too giddy, I can't help but keep shifting on my seat. The wide lawn in front of the church sure would want you to wish you get the opportunity to be married in this church or just simply witness one. And standing in front of it felt so surreal, finally there's the famous church right before my eyes.

You're in front of me! Am I dreaming? Is this real? Hehehehe

A mass is being held.

St. Augustine Church of Paoay, also known as Paoay Church was inaugurated in 1894 and was designated as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best example of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. It was also known for its amazing architecture and enormous buttresses lining the sides of the structure. A mixture of Baroque, Gothic, and Oriental architecture, the church is made up of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks. Oh, and the bell tower was used as an observation post by the Katipuneros during the Japanese occupation.

Fifth stop: The Cathedral of Vigan

The glowing Cathedral of Vigan

Since the bus took another route going further north, they chose to put this church on the last part of the itinerary thus the shorter time to see it. We came here at around 7:30 in the evening and though there are lots of people roaming around the streets, the church still stood out with its white appearance and the Baroque style wide buttresses which reminded me of Paoay Church. Seeing the inside of the church made me feel like I'm standing in the entrance of the UST Church, a part of my university days as a student where mass is usually held.

People in whispers of their wishes to God

The church seen in the picture is like, the fourth version of the church. The first cathedral was built around 1574 by Juan de Salcedo. Another version was made in 1641 but it was destroyed by an earthquake. The next one built was gutted by fire in 1739. The current one standing was finished by 1800.

I hope I was able to share some ideas and facts about the churches we've visited. And I am still in hopes that I'll be able to see these places again in the future and spend more time in the area and be able to ask for more facts, gather new ideas, bask in the history that its walls whisper about my beloved country, and of course, to also appreciate the beauty that God shared through these built history.

So, let's go travel! Come visit our country, yes?

So, until the next post! This is your Field Travel Guide Reporter, Clyde, reporting! Fighting!

*And in line with my apology post about churches right here, I'll be tackling about the other places we've been on the next posts.

First stop: St. John de Sahagun in the capital city of Ilocos Sur, Candon!

Second stop: Apo Caridad de Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Third stop: Shrine of Santo Cristo Milagroso, Sinait, Ilocos Sur

Fourth stop: The St. Augustine Church of Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Fifth stop: The Cathedral of Vigan

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