Blogs from Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines, Asia

The unwelcoming dark, silent, rough road greeted me inhospitably. In an instant, it threateningly challenged my passion and my courage to begin. Mt. Makiling did not seem to be very inviting. It was strange though that I did not even have qualms about climbing. For a first time climber, I love the very idea of communing with one giant piece of nature which will present me a grand showcase of her riches. Yes, my climbing buddy was a securing presence; he certainly made me feel protected even amidst the vast darkness of the beginning trail. But, more than anything else, it was the unexplainable resoluteness and bizarre confidence in me that actually drove me. That dawn of March 29, I was to put my lame, lazy, skinny frame to a great ordeal. The entrance trail, though ... read more

The rain was continuous, threatening to become stronger and storm signal no. 1 was up in Metro Manila. To go or not to goDennis wanted to race and got registered in the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) leg but the sky was dark and raining when we woke up that day. He called up the organizers and was told that the race would go on - we wondered why??? Manila was experiencing storm signal no.1, so maybe it wasn't raining at all in Laguna. Dennis decided that we must go, so we prepared for the race and good thing the race would start at 3pm. This was unusual - starting race is 3pm. Usually, by 3pm, the sun is hot and the heat from the sun makes one become ... read more

Holy Moly Week We’ve spent most of the week maxin’ and relaxin’ at Xandra’s house, enjoying soccer, trying to eat a little healthier, and getting some work done. Holy Week is upon us, and Manila is emptying out. Most people have Thursday through Monday off, and it seems like everyone in the city is leaving for their hometown in the provinces. Traffic has been insane, with buses jampacked up to late hours of the night. TV news has been interviewing people at bus stations who complain of long waits, crowded buses, and the fear that they won’t make it home for Holy Week. Most people have had to work until Wednesday, so that night the traffic was particularly bad. About 85% of the Philippines is Catholic, so Holy Week is a big deal. You’d think that ... read more