Part II: Puerto Galera, Mindoro: A Journey Back Into Finding True Love

I woke up the next day with some sun rays spotting on my head…literally. It was already 8 in the morning and the sun is already taking a peek on my silent room, waking me up. It always feels good everytime I opened my eyes to a new morning like this specially I am on a different place.

I didn't have much of Galera’s beauty yesterday so I assume and believe that this will be another day of fun and a crazy moment to spend with myself and maybe with some other people I would might meet just along the way today.

The sun's already up as if the heat outside burns like high noon. I have some bread on the table and I guess that would somehow suffice my morning hunger. I also have a tetra-packed choco drink on the side that I bought yesterday. Not pretty much satisfying breakfast, but I guess this would give me just enough fuel up until lunch.

It was 9 AM when I left my blue house. Towel, camera, keys, sunblock, water tumbler? Checked! I could just go along with these essential items today. So where to go first (and I guess the only place to go here)? 

To the beach...

I appreciated Puerto Galera’s beauty better today. I don’t know if it’s because of the sun illuminating the blue calm waves, the beige-to-white sand, and the gigantic Ala Rio de Janeiro mountains surrounding the this beautiful spot. The beach is a lot busier today than yesterday. Everyone was like chasing summer and has just found the right place to feel it.

At the beach

After walking from end to end, I ended up going to the place I was stuck to see the beauty of the sea. Yeah, same of place where I laid my head down to the sand. I didn’t think of going immediately to the water but I decided to just soak myself to the sun enjoying the summer heat.

Not Just a Beach Bum

I started to observe people again. By doing this, I started to realize a bunch of things that I never realized before.

Here are my ideas:

If you decided to do things on your own, don’t bore yourself but keep moving. Boredom is I think optional. In my case here in Galera, I felt that I was stuck on this just one corner here that could barely move. Boredom has bitten me in anyway but keeping your feet moving from one place to another is always a whole new adventure. Forget your itinerary sometimes; go out from your comfort zone.

Being solo is just a state of mind. You always have a choice to interact with people around you. I met this girl named Crissa while buying an ice cream at the shore. I also get the chance to meet her barkada too. Though we spent only two hours soaking in the beach since they need to leave by noon, this short experience was still worth remembering.

I also enjoyed a short chat with these young ladies here:

Happiness is as simple as playing with a pet dog. While sitting here at the beach front, I saw this kid playing with his “best friend”. Being happy is not status-based. Being solo, with a partner or as simple as the picture below, you have always a choice to be happy.

Finally, Life’s a beach. If you appreciate the beach, thus, you appreciate life. The beach for me is a metaphor of simple living, happiness and freedom.

The Search is Over

I had more of this realization as I went back to bed that night. I almost have forgotten one thing. I did not go here beach bumming anyway but I came here to actually get lost and find myself again. I guess the “finding” process is not easy and overwhelming; but would be the fun part.

Going back to the way-back-into-love issue, I realized that we don’t actually go to a place to forget about our heartaches but simply because we just wanted to create new memories and write new stories to cover them up. This way, we are like numbing down the pain inside. Many times, we search for true love but I guess doing it so just aggravate our frustrations.

On my two nights and almost three days of stay here, I could say that there’s nothing much special happened to me. The search is over and I accepted that. I don’t believe in destiny. It’s just that true love only falls perfectly on the right time. If you search for it like I did (here), you’ll definitely end up sour graping.

When I left Puerto Galera the next day, I promised that I won’t force myself again. This trip was more of emotional downpour (which I am not used to). I regret for setting up a mission—of finding true love here—which I found it crazy after all. True love has no expiration date anyway. I'm just maybe so frustrated looking for it now but I am still not losing my hope to find it soon somewhere down the road.

Part I: Puerto Galera, Mindoro: A Journey Back Into Finding True Love

May 24. I have packed my things that night and completed all the items I might need for a 3-day getaway. Of course, I have not forgotten to use the checklist I used last year when I backpacked Cebu. It was still useful—perfect for this spur of the moment, last minute preparation. I have only few bucks (read: pesos) left in my wallet now but I was hoping that I could still get through a round trip bus ride. Though I was also kind of hesitant because I don't have enough to spend, I could still say I was ready for this adventure.

I don't really have any plan of doing this at all. I have been to backpacking trips lately but I guess this trip is somewhat different. As a matter of fact, the reason why I have to leave in a heartbeat is I was having an emotional battle inside. I am not sad or happy. I just feel so alone. But the crazy thing is I want to do this trip all by myself again. I was also thinking of writing a love story again. This is not going to be like the same as the old stories I have written before but it's going to be more personal. It’s about me trying to find true love again. I am a fan of happy endings and endless romance and I still want to continue believing that so I thought that going out alone would be perfect to find a match. Call me miserable but I just wanted to write a whole new true-to-life romantic screenplay hoping that it's going to be a happy ending after all.

But then again, I was not sure if I will just go home and unpacked or otherwise go somewhere at this point. I don't even know if this will be like a dream come true for me either. Sometimes I am just a bit pushy without even considering the roughness of my decision making. But since I do not really mind going out from my comfort zones, I decided to just go. Then so I did—I finally ended up roaming around Cubao bus station looking for a bus to ride to bring me elsewhere. Bahala na! I just want to let go of myself and maybe want to write a new page again.

Brave enough, I hopped onto a bus going to Batangas Pier. What else? I finally stood up for my chosen final destination—Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental. My mission? To create new memories, end this emotional war inside me and find true love.

At the Batangas Pier

Arriving 12:30 in the afternoon after a nearly 2-hour bus ride from Manila, I finally reached Batangas Pier. I immediately rushed down to the booth to get a one way ticket to White Beach. The fare costs P275 not including the P30 terminal fee and P50 environmental fee. In thirty minutes, I’ll be boarding from Gate 3 and expectedly  in roughly one and a half hour, I’ll be in Puerto Galera.

As I sit on the empty chairs at the terminal, this emptiness began to eat me up again. I don’t know but I guess I was just a little affected by playing around with this girl last week—a girl that somehow knocked me off my feet. I was like playing the role of that frustrated little coward dude secretly and desperately in love with this  freedom loving lady. Thinking about her again and again made me sick and I was not really sure if she’s still the reason I felt this way. But I couldn't even say that I’m really in love with her because as a matter of fact, I am still on the search for true love—the reason why I am at this pier and about to leave in few minutes.

As I stare and observe the people in this terminal, this loneliness is getting more intense. I could now finally feel the challenges of being alone, of being single, of being not in a relationship. My frustration grew, becoming like a dog biting my legs deep to my bones as I see couples here who’re so excited to see Galera. I started to envy these barkadas who never stopped sharing a bursting laugh. I ended up imagining myself with someone right now. It’s crazy but it’s an unavoidable feeling that just popped along the way.

Arriving at White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental

Now here I am after less than 2 hours of boring boat ride. I arrived at exact three in the afternoon at the shore of White Beach, Puerto Galera. As we drew closer to the shore while still on the boat, I could now picture what would my life be in two nights and three days here—I’ll be a day dreamer, beach bum dude from sunrise to sunset.

I started to scout a cheap but a nice place where I could spend a night or two. I have met this guy just in front of the cottages at the beach front and he volunteered to help me find a cozy place to stay. Convinced by his guiding thoughts, he leaded me to this small, quiet, single-detached apartment, 10 minutes away from the lively, noisy, modernized beach front.

My small blue house...

And my neighbors

I did not get my desired price so I felt a little frustrated and consciously felt ripped-off. I tried bartering for as low as P500 per day (which for me, it’s still expensive since I’m solo) but the owner did not let me to have it as cheap as that. He insisted a higher amount of P750 per day! I ended up having no choice after all—I was there, too tired, I was already ‘trapped’—so I gave in. I okayed for P750 per day meaning I need to pay P1500 for two nights of stay.

Here’s my video (I actually took on my last day here) in the apartment. It was nice but paying P1500 was like being ripped-off with consent!

After dealing with the apartment rental fee, I decided to go back to see the beach again, explore, eat a late lunch and just enjoy the scenic view of the sea while sitting on the fine, beige sand.

Tired of the almost 5-hour trip to get here, I unconsciously found myself lying freely on the sand. I started to think about that old feeling again. I eventually closed my eyes but I still felt restless as I hear the voices and noises of the people passing by. I don’t know but I kept on thinking about more possibilities and thicker adventure here. It’s just the start of my day I thought though I could already see the sun setting down.

I was tired physically but still looking forward to get a good night sleep and wishing to have a brand new day tomorrow. The reddish orangey horizon would be so lonely enough to see but I still want to stick to my mission here—to create new memories, end this emotional war inside me and find my way back into true love…

Part 2 click here

Manila Walk: From The National Museum to Soup Number Five and Frog Legs

Manila is like a lady with a sophisticated and a timeless beauty despite of the odd that people  see her ugly. She has evolved for centuries but still maintaining the classic look of uniqueness. Being the uno primera capital city of the Philippines, this place has a lot to offer to both foreigners and locals residing or just touring the place in a day of two.

With a new-found friend/blogger, female counterpart, Katerina Bianca (katerinabianca.blogspot.com), we chose Manila to be our destination. This place is somewhat a shopping district too but we're not actually up into this. Today, it's going to be a very short travel aiming to appreciate the place better. It's a trip of history and cultural story telling.

The National Museum

I would consider this place a haven of all people who love to see the Philippines closer in a different perspective. Seeing hundred pieces of Philippine cultural art and bio-diversity collections here, I better understood  and appreciated who I really am and what I am as a Filipino.

Here are the things we loved seeing here:

Spoliarium is a painting by National Artist Juan Luna submitted to the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884 in Madrid where it won the first gold medal award. 

The Old Senate Hall

With its over powering beauty, this old Senate Hall inside the museum holds unforgettable stories of the past Philippine government from 1926 to 1996. Through PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation), it was said that P20 million has been funded to completely restore the hall. 

I guess these millions of pesos is all worth in bringing back this timeless masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance art back into life.

Galleon Trade: Getting Back on Track

The Galleon Trade was dated to be active 250 years ago. These were the huge ships that traveled across the world once or twice per year using the route discovered by a well-known circumnavigator named Fray Andres de Urdaneta. Aside from carrying thousands of people, these ships also carry gold, jars, spices, silk, porcelain, ivory and some other valuable commodities.

According to Nick Joaquin, the Galleon trade is "the first medium to reduce the world to a village". Well true enough, the Philippines has become like a sponge for centuries--collecting all the treasures of the world from these navigating Galleons.

Side Trip, Food Trip

So after the afternoon fun at the National Museum, Bianca and I decided to track our way down to Binondo. A little bit of a food adventure seeker, we decided to drop by here to try some "soft core" exotic food.

First in line is the rumored Soup Number 5:

Rating: ★★★★

We dropped by at one of my favorite restaurant here, Four Season Restaurant, just to taste this unique exotic soup. Just so you know, Soup Number 5 is a stewed cow's balls (part of the male's reproductive system). You don't have to close your eyes before tasting it  because the soup is so good and the texture of the meat is cartilaginously tender!

Picture on the right: Miss Lily, Bianca and I

We also had a short chat with the owner of the restaurant, Miss Lily. She's very bubbly and full of fun. She even offered us to try their turtle soup, eel soup and the black chicken dish. Thanks Miss Lily for this wonderful experience. For sure, we'll come back again to try more of your enticing dishes there!

Frog Legs, Oh La La!

After the soup tasting at Four Season,  Bianca and I immediately proceeded to Kainan sa Estero. Literally a restaurant located near the estero, this place offers a wide array of seafood (always served in bunch orders)--Chinese and Filipino food--in cheap and reasonable price.

Aside from ordering adobong pusit, we also ordered one delectable dish here one might find it a little exotic-- the fried frog legs:

Rating: ★★★★★

I already expected that Bianca will love this. As what she said after taking a small bite: "It tastes like chicken!" Well, I agree and that is true. I wonder why frog legs tasted this way. But it tastes even better than chicken for me.

Wrapping Things Up

View from the Jones Bridge

It's been a day. A long one. We planned to visit Fort Santiago too, but due to time constraint, we have not made it. But I strongly believe that this won't be the end of this tour yet. I'll go with what everybody believes--"It's just the beginning."

Manila has a lot more things to offer and I know that. One should just learn to appreciate these big and little things so he or she can appreciate this place better. Manila is not just about malls and jeepneys. It's not just about Manila Bay and Luneta. There are small details out there that we might have not discovered yet about this city. It's mysterious but it has no secrets at all. One only needs time and an open eyes to see how beautiful this place is.

More fun here in Manila, Philippines!

The Ayala Museum: Priceless as Gold of Ancestors

This was the image that once circulated on Facebook a week ago. It appeared to be like an invitation to me to visit the Ayala Museum (for the first time) for free. Why free? Since Ayala Museum is part of the World Museum Community, an event was organized that every May 18th, admission to the museum would be free. This annual event invites everybody to visit the museum so people would be able to realize how museums play an important role in preserving our cultural heritage.

With no hesitation, I marked my calendar and made sure that there should be no other activities that could hinder me from going to this special privilege.  For me, visiting museums is more interesting than going somewhere during the weekends. I can spend almost half of the day here sometimes. I know it may sound boring and absurd to some people, but doing it would be as relaxing as a warm bath or a whole body massage.

Tagging along Andrew with me, one of my closest friends in the office, this museum visit became much more interesting as we discussed art and culture. This activity turned out to be an eye-opener to me by starting to realize a lot of things about who we really are, what we are and what would we might become.

The Highlight: Gold of Ancestors

Photo Credit: Asian Traveler

Since this museum restricts the bringing in of cameras, I preferred to bring with me a piece of paper and a pencil (which are the only item allowed inside) so I can note everything I see while touring within the museum's vicinity.

There is one area in this museum that caught my entire attention, fascination and excitement. This is the tripartite exhibition called Crossroads of Civilization. Here it features the luxury and richness of the Philippine community during the 10th to 20th century, and even the time as early as five hundred or more years before Magellan came to the country. This area displays our early forms of linguistics,  beliefs, social organization, material clothing and adornments. But I guess the most spectacular highlight of this exhibit is the Gold of Ancestors:

Gold of Ancestors is a gallery that shows how intense the desire of our early ancestors to gold. Rare pieces, one-of-its-kind ornaments fascinated me as I take a look at them closer.  Being recovered from the 10th to the 13th century, these more than one thousand unique golden masterpieces displayed here that includes chastity covers, hilts, bangles, ear pieces, sashes  and necklaces have become the earliest symbol of social class. True enough, I realized that we really have a rich cultural heritage...literally.

More than just What Meets the Eyes

Would you dare to wear a golden sash weighing almost 4 kilograms? The picture below (Gold Regalla)  shows that our ancestors once wore sashes as heavy and as precious as this:

While keenly observing these unique golden pieces at the forth floor of the museum, I felt a certain degree of pride knowing that we once owned these pieces. Picture started popping out in my head on how do people those early days wore them. I wonder how rich we were all before.

But as I observed each pieces, I started to feel that I was no longer staring at them superficially. I started to imagine, reluctantly wanted to dig deeper on their "historical DNA". Questions started popping up on my head and I was beginning to be bugged by these.

Though I can't imagine what exactly the kind of life Filipinos have during the "golden" times, I couldn't help myself compare our present scenario. I was thinking that maybe during the time that the Philippines was rich like gold, I could imagine that there could be no individual suffering from hunger and extreme poverty as what we are having today. I can picture a community with no illegal settlers, no homeless beggars, and no corrupt authority . I caught myself reconstructing a bigger image of happy living and an abundant life.

But I just ended up forcing a smile. I ended up shaking my head while saying "Wake up!" I might just be day-dreaming again.

I ended happy though that even once in our history we were once rich. Though we are now sliding down slowly on the economy ladder, at least I could still own the fact the we really had this richness before. Though I think we could no longer revert our present situation, this museum illuminates who we are and what could we have become.

More about the Ayala Museum

Reading books is not enough if you are really a history buff like me. You must go out and explore. Visit Ayala Museum today.

More museum exhibits? Click here to see their website.

Disclaimer: Photos used without the "What Michael Likes" logo are solely property of ayalamuseum.org. "What Michael Likes" do not own these images.

Huat Chan Restaurant: Chinese Goodness, Seafood and More!

It's been quite a while that I have not done this with my family again. I have been staying here in Manila and almost have forgotten to come home again.

Now, here I am with my family chilling out here and enjoying one good dinner to a place that we used to go every Sunday evening. This place is called Huat Chan Chinese Restaurant. I have been here for many times now but still enjoying the good Asian food. Their restaurant mainly serves Chinese cuisine, seafood and Filipino-inspired dishes. Noodles here are amazing. Soups here as starter are always enticing. You'll get your free halo-halo for dessert too!

This place has become one of our favorites; thus, it already embarked some happy memories to our family Sundays. My little bro had all his first Chinese food experience here! I could say that eating here is sulit—you are getting what you have paid for.

Now let's see...

The Food

Cold Cuts

Mini Shabu Shabu

Scallop Seafood Rice

Beef Broccoli

Lapu-lapu Sweet and Sour

Fukien Noodles

Family bonding never felt this good without these Chinese goodness. That is the reason why we always wanted to go back here. Sometimes a Sunday for us will never be complete without our free Sunday drivings and this Huat Chan food adventure: