Dec. 22:- Arrived in Baguio before sunrise. Slept a bit then helped out with buying stuff for Christmas eve.
Dec. 23:- Went to the Baguio Taekwondo Christmas party in Wangal, Benguet. We had lunch, helped with the raffle, then headed back to Baguio just in time for dinner with some old family friends now based in Cebu. After dinner, we grabbed a few beers at Jesse's Bar.
Dec. 24:- Manila relatives decided to come up to Baguio. Deciding this late has its downsides, one of which is having all the hotels fully booked. They had to stay in our place. The house was suddenly full, from the usual 5 people to the somewhat crowded 13. The day was spent preparing for the eve and entertaining visitors. We ended the day with a bonfire, wine, hotdogs and marshmallows over the fire.
Dec. 25:- Had lunch with relatives. Met up with Benj and had a couple of drinks at Alby's place. We later met up with Joselle and friends before calling it a night.
Dec. 26:- We drove up to Vigan to meet up with the Vigan Surf club. As soon as we arrived we grabbed a quick bite then headed to the motorpool for some Airsoft action. We couldn't believe they played in full gear in this heat! We then headed to Ian's place for dinner, mangoes and a round of beers. The last stop for today was in Frankie's place where we were crashing for this trip. A few more beers later and it was 4am.
Stopover at The Backyard- We got up early, or as early as we could, had breakfast and drove out to Area 69. According to Ian, he hadn't surfed here in quite a while and was glad to be here again. When we got there we were met by an almost deserted beach and a few good 3 footers. By noon, the swell had died down, so Ian introduced us to sandboarding! Yes, sandboarding. After a few rides, we drove home to wash up then headed to town for lunch. We were having Sinanglaw today. Airsoft at the motorpool followed and went on til early evening. We were then invited to one of the wargamers homes for goat! Kilawin, kaldereta and sinanglaw, YUM! After a great meal, we headed back to homebase for beers and a lot more stories. 4am, need to sleep.
Area 69
Ian in action
Pepsi break
Washing up before airsoft Dec. 28:- Getting up relatively early, we rushed to town for fastfood then drove back. When we got back Benj and Ian were having breakfast as well. We loaded the boards, and when everybody was ready, headed to Area 69. But, when we got there the spot was already covered, by fishermen. So, wanting to keep the peace, we drove up to a spot called Shipwreck. After 30 minutes or so, we were there. A road with a beach on both sides. One as still as can be and the other lined with white water. It was a great sight. We parked here while Danette and the Delica 4W'd their way to the edge of the shore. Semi white sand, clear waters and a working swell, what else could you ask for? We played til early afternoon then drove around a nearby town looking for good buys (fish and mountain bikes). A few bike stalls later we drove back to Vigan and stopped by the market for grilled bangus and dalag. When we got home, we prepared mangoes with tomatoes, red egg and bagoong. Today's lunch was perfect to end this trip with. We then hit the showers and drove back home to Baguio. Benj still stayed in Vigan so we picked Chris up at San Juan.
Park and Ride at the Shipwreck
4WD-ing to the edge of the shore
Gearing up
Headingout
Hungry and all surfed out
Last view of Vigan
Dec. 29:- I set this day aside for a little work. I was scheduled to be online late afternoon to help out with problems in the plant. So, before I sat down and got to work, I drove Ma, Waf and Ten to Peredo's Lodging House (our ancestral home). They were helping out with the setting up for tonights Peredo Clan reunion. From PLH, I met up with Sonny and had my rims fixed. I'd hit a bad pot hole in Kennon road on the way up and dented the rims, dang! By 5pm I was home accessing the tester 300km away thanks to broadband connections. A few years ago some engineers from PILTEL laughed at the idea of high speed internet access on existing copper lines. I wonder where they are now. Before 8pm, my bros and I arrived in PLH a bit late for dinner, but just in time for the games. This is the only was we get to meet a lot or our cousins, titos, titas and grandparents. By midnight, a sudden shower hinted that it was time to leave and catch up on sleep.
Dec. 30:- This was the first day I actually had time to shop for gifts. Yes, I know its kinda late, but give me a break, this whole weeks been super hectic. I got gifts for godchildren in Baguio and for Ma, Dad and my bros. The afternoon was dedicated to getting the gifts to the inaanaks. By dinner time, I was hanging out with Wits for coffee before heading home. Later that evening, Wits, Roy and I went out for a couple of rounds and a lot of laughs. On the way home, Wits pickup conked out, so we left it there and took the cab home.
Dec. 31:- My family and I had a late lunch then I met up with Jux and Benj then headed to Elev8 Magazine's HQ. I was here to copy new beats. On our way home somebody suggested meeting up after midnight driving our muscle cars. So, I headed to Sonny's place to get my mustang running in time for midnight. By 11 pm I was driving the mustang home when it suddenly stopped. It wouldn't even crank and sounded like the starter was busted. So, with a lot of help, we parked the mustang safely and rush home just in time for the midnight countdown. The muscle car meed didn't push through because we all fell asleep.
Jan. 01:- Wow, the first day of 2007! We went out for a family lunch. Then I met up with Benj and ended up drinking the day away.
Jan. 02:- Drove back to Cavite. Back to work, back to reality...
Melvin in action:.jpg)
Melvin in action:.jpg)
