Quezon Escapade : Kamay ni Hesus

05/15/2010: Last Day in Quezon. Just like our first morning in Quezon, I and Nadine got up early. But Karen got up the earliest since she has to pack her things up cos she has to be in Manila at the afternoon. Nadine asked me to accompany her and Karen to the bus terminal so she could have someone on her way back. Of course, I didn't refuse. I was actually pleased in fact. LOL
In the terminal, we first took out breakfast from Jollibee and then walked to the bus going to Manila. It was quite sad that Karen has to go first and she won't experience our trip to Kamay ni Hesus.
Nadine told me that we'll be going to their house first and meet up with his dad so he can bring us to Kamay ni Hesus. I was surprised but happy. There, I met her mom for the second time and ate breakfast with Nadine. Unfortunately, I didn't meet Nadine's two younger sisters cos they're still sleeping. From their house, her dad brought us to Graceland. I tell you, it was really awkward inside the car with the girl you love and his dad, really! It made me nervous for some time. Then, when we got there, we picked up our friends and we headed directly to Kamay na Hesus.

There were a lot of people in Kamay na Hesus. It's sort of a big compound with a church and a lot of life-size stone statues of different saints. Also, it has the famous big statue of Jesus Christ situated on the topmost of a hill. I really don't know if that's a hill or what, you decide. You have to go up using the stairs and on your way up, you'll pass through statue-reenactments of the stations of the cross.

According to Nadine, there is a healing mass conducted in the Kamay ni Hesus Church and there were a lot of sick people who have been healed already. It's really miraculous. I believe.

I almost forgot, the guard in the entrance didn't allow us to go up the hill at first, cos all the girls are wearing shorts and one with sleeveless top. Rain and I were the only ones allowed. No matter how hard we try to please the guard, we can't get him so they decided to buy some sort of a cloth to cover their legs and shoulders. The place is considered sacred so everyone should be in proper clothing, but this rule is just newly implemented so Nadine didn't know about it.

TIP: Wear something proper like what you wear inside the church when you plan to visit the place. :)

It's me taking a picture of the girls with their scarfs.. JEJESCARFS as we call it, cos its somewhat jologs like the popular term now. jejemon Search the net if you want to know more about the jejemons. LOL
At the background is the hill I'm trying to describe earlier :D

And so the trip continued, we go up the hill, take pictures, rest, drink water, go up, take pictures, go up... until we reach the top. It was tiring but when you get to the top, every drop of your sweat is worth it. Nice view from the top and quite an achievement to got up there and pray.

REST.. though we just started. Haha!

Photo infront of the Blessed Virgin Mary

WE made it!

And we pray...

Then, we went down the hill. Still it's tiring to go down though you have the gravity to help you..

The Pieta. It's located near the church

We also, took the chance to pray using the 5-colored candles that they sell there. Every color has it's own purpose like health, money, etc.. We got hungry and had our lunch there. Then went back to Graceland to prepare for our trip going back to Manila :(

This Quezon Escapade I had with my friends is worth remembering. Actually, I'm quite nostalgic while doing this post. This has been the best summer ever with them. The ultimate bonding experience since college. Next thing we knew, a few weeks later, our block was dissolved and we were distributed to different blocks. It's so sad but this just means more bonding experience like this one! :)

Quezon Escapade : Pahiyas 2010

So after 4-5 hours of fun in the beach, we go straight to Nadine's house to drop his sleepy-headed little bro. Obviously he got tired for his non-stop swimming and he hasn't recovered yet from his circumcision :D From Nadine's house, we flew to Graceland and have ourselves ready for the Pahiyas. 30 minute-preparation for all of us ( we're 8 then) was just enough. Haha! No more bath, we just washed our face and changed our clothes. Good thing we didn't smell chlorine, that much? :D We were so eager to reach Lucban,Quezon by 8:30 or 9pm so we can have quite an ample time to go around the place.

First thing we did when we arrived was to visit the church... and pray of course :)

The Church at Lucban, Quezon's town proper. An amazingly old church with its historic look

Had a photo taken with this scarecrow or some sort.. let's just call it the Pahiyas mascot

Then, we started the HUNT! Hunt for those famous 'kiping' decorated houses of Lucban. At long last, I've seen a kiping up close and personal! Haha! I was really curious about this kiping since I first saw it on the television. And I was still a child back then.

The first house decorated with kiping that we saw was just a so-so.. but still nice

We were really got amazed with this house that we had several photos with this. Only to find out that there were a lot more beautiful kiping-decorated houses.. Haha!

By the way, ORANGE is my favorite color that night. Like orange equals love. LOL Haha! Since I and Nadine are both wearing orange that night. It's just a coincidence.

Another scarecrow. Haha! It even resembles Jose Rizal's face :D

Now, time for the best decoration we've seen.. Haha! Filipinos' creativity at its best!

This building was never second-best! Astounding! :D

It also has many miniatures of structures and buildings like this one..

We also didn't miss the opportunity to taste the famous Lucban, Quezon's PANSIT HABHAB. It's a must-try dish! The only pansit I know that tastes good with vinegar :D

Pose, before we eat.. :)

And...

Eat! You should try it yourself!

After we got our stomach full with pansit habhab. We spent some time watching Pinoy bands performing at the town's plaza.. And before we go back home to Graceland, we bought a few souvenirs like key chains and a few pasalubongs. :D

We didn't make fun with all these keychains.. sarcastically speaking. Hahaha!

Quezon Escapade : Graceland and Pueblo Por La Playa Resort

How can I forget to make an entry of this best summer ever with my college friends?!...

May 13-25, 2010. We left Manila at around 8pm.. and arrived at Graceland Estates and Country Club, Tayabas, Quezon by almost 12mn. The next morning, I and Nadine( the girl mentioned in my previoust post) got up early. She was cooking breakfast for us that time so I decided to help her a little though I know nothing much in cooking. After having breakfast, we decided to get ready and have some exercise. Biking! It's been years already since my last bike ride. Haha! Unfortunately, a friend doesn't know how to bike so she was left at a bench. She was kind enough to take pictures of us while we're biking.. The place was really huge and nice. It was very peaceful and perfect if you want to have leisure time and relax,of course, away from the busy atmosphere of the city.

We had so much fun biking around the man-made lake. I think we went around the lake for about 3-4 times :). It was fun but tiring as well..

REST after biking.. On my right side is Julie, the one who doesn't know how to bike :D


My first jump-shot! This was truly remarkable for me. I turned out to look like a launching rocket here.

Next thing we did was to prepare for the beach. We went first to Nadine's house to have lunch and meet his little bro. We still waited for 2-3 hours before we headed to the beach cos two of our friends are just coming from Manila. We picked them up first in the bus terminal.
Nadine decided to bring us to Pueblo Por La Playa Resort in Pagbilao, Quezon since it's the nearest from their place and the beach that we were supposed to be going in needs a 30 minute boat ride before we got there, and sadly, no boat was available :(

This photo taken infront of the shuttle or some sort, that fetched us when we got to the entrance of the resort

The resort was really nice. It's a Mexican inspired type with cute villas and houses, infinity pool and white sand beach :) Though the beach would not be as deceiving as it is in the picture. Haha!

L-R: Kate,Karen,I,Miel,Nadine

Banana boat ride costs Php 6,000.00 per hour. Damn! It was expensive so we just took a photo with the Banana boat itself :D

The DECEITFUL beach
L-R: Rain,Julie,Jett(Nadine's bro),Karen and I

Nadine's little bro was just like me when i was younger.. haha! 7 or 8 years ago :D I didn't miss this opportunity to spend some bonding time with him. Being close to him is like being close to his Ate's heart :D

Jett and I

And of course, bonding time with the girl I love should never be forgotten. Haha!

Nadine and I being sweet to each other under the sun :D (one of my friends told me)
This photo has been liked by 17 people and counting... :D

'Young Forever' by Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson

damn! this song, is just the best!

the moon tonight

quite unusual right? the moon having a bright star above it.. and it wasn't just a star, it's planet Venus!

a ticket.. to love?

'the ticket'

with this piece of paper that is merely half the size of the usual bond paper, i can travel. well this would be a different and extra-ordinary kind of trip. this is sort of a ticket, to my unforeseen future, whether sadness or not. also, this would give me two more years to study.. should i be happy? 2 years of studying without the people i learned to love for the past 3 years of college.
i remembered a conversation i made with a friend a week ago. she's going with me with this trip by the way, along with 9 other friends. i told her that i can't imagine how would it look like when classes open on june. different environment, familiar faces but with unknown personalities. she told me that it's just ok. yea.. i guess so, quite ok in a way. i can have new acquaintances and new friends for that matter. but certainly i'm gonna miss my block so much.
then she added this. "Ayaw mo nun? Pede mo na siya ligawan." -- siya referring to my classmate/close friend whom i'm having a crush on. let's just say, the girl i like... and love

don't we make a good couple?

'my heart is where you are, in every beat, in every beat.. we're closer'

maybe i should just let things happen the way they were meant to. let them fall into their proper places. i should not control over all the things. anyways, i will just travel.. i maybe not be beside you all the time but one thing's for sure, i won't bid goodbye to you and to the people i'm leaving for a while. to you, we might not see each other that much like what we're used to, but my world is still you world. perhaps i should start courting you now since it's quite obvious that i have this feeling for you and according to a friend, you still feel the same way. i guess i should act now before it's too late.

Harry and Charlie -- "Charlie bit my finger again!"

i'm not really fond of kids but these two boys are too cute to be ignored. they're like my nephew and niece when it comes to 'kakulitan'. and they got a blogger account, so why not follow them too? Harry&Charlie

MRT

Metro Rail Transit --- from south to north or vice-versa, you truly give convenience. this is even quite better than driving your own car, well of course minus the unfriendly and insensitive people. i wouldn't know where i'm now on my internship if you weren't here. thank you for the less travel time you provide..