Quirino – the sound of its name does not make any impression. Have you heard of it? Do you know someone who came from this place? Where is it in the Philippine map? What to see in Quirino?
These questions that can’t be answered in an instant ignited my curiosity and made me want to visit the place. I wanted to find out for myself. Continue reading
I, n.
Me without anyone else.
– The Lover’s Dictionary, David Levithan
I often read about people who have been broken-hearted and took a solo trip. They were thinking and hoping that traveling solo will mend their broken heart. I have crossed this familiar street several times, but I have never thought about going for an adventure on my own. It was when I met thrill seekers a few years back that this idea came to me. I once included a solo climb on my bucket list. It did not turn out well; I lacked courage and time to research (just procrastinating). The dream of going on a solo trip has been haunting me for quite some time now. But why go for a solo trip? I have my logical and non-logical reasons. For the moment, I’d also like to know if going solo is for me.
So I decided to test the waters by going alone in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. I’m not quite sure though if this can be considered as a solo trip. I prepared the itinerary with the help of a friend and searched for other information on Google. I originally planned for an overnight stay, but my sanity told me that the room is too expensive for one person, so I opted for a day tour instead.
On the day of the trip, I went to Five Star Bus Station in Cubao, and rode Bataan Transit bus bound to Balanga. I felt excited that I could have the window seat for myself and that nobody sat beside me. I enjoyed watching the scenic view of the green grass while munching cashew nuts and listening to Jason Wade. The travel took almost 3 hours to reach the jeep terminal in Balanga.
In Balanga terminal, I rode the jeep bound to Bagac. While traveling, my friend advised me via text to ask the driver to show me where the tricycle terminal is. The advice was too late; I was already sitting far from the driver because I thought that I knew the directions already. So I asked the old woman beside me where I should get off. Luckily, a couple sitting in front of me was also headed to Las Casas. “Sumabay ka na lang sa’min”, the man said. I was relieved and was able to close my eyes for the first time in this ride. I was then able to fully appreciate the smell of the grass, trees, leaves, and the earth that were surrounding the road to Bagac. I have felt and breathed the cold fresh air (amuy probinsya), and it calmed my spirit. I joyfully watched the markers of Bataan Death March and a few bikers on the side of the road (a runner must appreciate).
Finally, at Bagac, I rode the tricycle together with the couple, who I found out to be working there. The woman asked me why I visited the place by myself and I gave her a lame answer to satisfy her curiosity (oops! sorry). They had been nice to me and I am thankful. They even paid for the tricycle fare (yey!).
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a resort where heritage houses from different places in the country are kept and preserved. Some of the old houses are still original. They used the same materials and reconstructed the inside of the resort using the original design. Some are only replicas. The original was either destroyed during the war or has not been approved to be transferred there (Alberto House). These houses are rented like modern hotels today. That is basically the attraction the resort offers.
I registered for a day tour only, which includes a heritage tour and workshop tour. There are several packages offered. It may include food and other amenities. The staff members were warm and accommodating. They gave an accurate information about the place and they can attend well to my needs.
Upon entering, I started to look around while waiting for the next heritage tour. The beautiful architectural designs made me took a lot of pictures. That’s also why the place must be a favorite spot for prenuptial photos. It has a romantic appeal brought about by its heritage themed background.
Replica of Paseo De Escolta
Replica Hotel de Oriente. The original was destroyed during the war. It was the first building in Manila to have electricity.
A warning though, food and other amenities inside are pricey. I ate lunch at an Italian food serving restaurant in Alberto House. They are the only restaurant to serve a smaller size meal (good for 1 person). I ordered fettuccine pasta with homemade tomato sauce, served with a complimentary bread. Though expensive, it’s a five-star rating in taste and quality for me.
The Royal Lunch
I joined the tour after lunch. Our tour guide was Dexter Manansala. He was well-prepared and obviously a fan of heritage houses and vintage collections. He’s lucky that our group was small and the guests were not asking too many questions. The guests were allowed to enter few houses while the guide narrated its history. I got engaged in the beginning of the tour, but eventually got bored and sleepy in the middle until the end. I guess I’m not that much of a fan of heritage things, though I have respect for some old traditions.
The Heritage Tour with Casa Binondo as background
The heaviest Milk Canister
Flat Iron, believe it or not
Function room – Casa Quiapo
Hogwarts
I left the group immediately after the storytelling. I did not join the workshop tour anymore because it was already late in the afternoon and I was hoping to visit Mt Samat Shrine, but I still failed to visit the shrine because the receptionist at Las Casas was doubtful that I could make it on time at the junction, which is still 1 hour away.
Solo Trip for Me
I had two major failures in this trip – late and unfinished itinerary. But generally, I enjoyed it. I loved the feeling of freedom being on my own. I’ve made all the decisions on how I wanted the trip to turn out. I had to admit though that I was scared on several occasions during this trip, yet it taught me to think and decide quickly, and that I had to trust that decision no matter what so I could keep moving. My stood by mantra – “Just stay calm in order to think straight and just enjoy the view outside the bus window.”
Have you had that wanderlust too? If yes, then go for it!
Get out, dear!
A Quick Guide to Las Casas
0700 ETD Five Star Bus Station, Cubao, QC (fare php200)
1000 ETA Balanga Transport Terminal. Take jeepney bound to Bagac (fare php47).
1130 ETA Las Casas. Register (entrance fee Php685).
1230 Lunch (Php295)
0130 Heritage Tour
0300 Go back to Manila (same route)
0800 ETA Manila
Polen currently works as a professional accountant for a top wellness company in the country. She is known by her colleagues to be a quiet girl. At these moments, she must be thinking either about her next destination or a subject to write on her blog.
“Run until you can’t feel the ground,” said the pilot. Those words, which sounded like music to my ears, were all I needed to hear. All my hesitations were gone in an instant. To be able to do the thing I love the most, running that is, on air – it was surreal.
Paragliding – a recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing comprising a large number of interconnected baffled cells. The wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
Paragliding
It has been on my bucket list for some time, so when I got an invite from a friend to celebrate her birthday in the sky, it didn’t took a minute for me to say “Yes!”
And so I drove to Carmona, Cavite on a Saturday morning. I hate driving (believe me), but it would be easier to get to the fly site by private car, so I had to. As they say, “kapag gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan” (if there’s a will, there’s a way). We arrived at the fly site earlier than expected and thought we’re well prepared. When the pilots arrived at the site, everything happened so fast! The pilot said, “Let’s go!”, and then the three of us were brought to the take-off area. I left my car in an open field parking lot where we are supposed to “land.” I accidentally left my water bottle, food, and all other things I planned to bring with me to the cliff, but not my cell phone (whew!). Activities like this have to be immortalized through photos and videos! It’s not every day that you get to fly. 🙂
The sky was clear and the sun was bright. I thought it was a perfect weather – but in paragliding, a clear blue sky is not enough; the wind is the most important element. The ideal speed is between 10-20 kph, according to the pilot. While waiting for the perfect timing, we were given instructions and briefing by Sir Jason Luengo (one of our pilots) on what to do and what to expect. It sounded easy; all you have to do is to listen very carefully to what the pilot would say from take-off to landing.
When my turn came, I wasn’t scared at all. I just kept on mumbling and wishing that the wind be good to me so that I’ll have a longer flight. “Go. Run.” And after a few steps, I’m running on air! Woohoo! That felt good, really good. I couldn’t describe how light I felt that time. I was in awe of the view I saw from the sky. After a few minutes of staring at the sky and maneuvering the Go-Pro, I tried to sing, but then I realized that the pilot can hear my not-so-pleasant voice so I stopped and initiated a conversation with him instead.
With my tandem pilot. I’m ready to fly, yay! ^_^ [photo by Jeena Llamas of PPHGA]
Taking off – run, run, run!!! [photo by Jeena Llamas of PPHGA]
Up in the Air! Woohoo!
After almost 8 minutes on air, the pilot decided that it’s time to prepare for landing. “Perfect timing,” I thought, as I was starting to feel nauseous and thirsty. I was imagining the steps I had to do for landing. I need to make sure my legs won’t get injured! I’m a marathoner; the legs are our bread and butter. Before I could even prepare for landing, THUG!!! I fell on my knees. The wind suddenly stopped blowing and we landed earlier as planned. The pilot was lighter than me so I didn’t had any problem with him falling on my back. My knees were fine. Yey!
It took us the whole day before all of us were able to fly. We were sooooo hungry by the time we finished, but the waiting was all worth it. We were able to avail of the February promo, which was almost half the usual price; we met amazing and passionate people who we can look up to; and the best part is, we were able to fly! 🙂
With the PPHGA Team – Jason Luengo (leftmost) and Jeena Llamas (rightmost)
Now, stop looking at these pictures and stop wondering if you’ll have the courage to run on that cliff and fly. Face your fear. Before you even know it, you’re up there, gliding like a bird. Just get out there, my dear! 😉
Philippine Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association
The Philippine Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association offers this exciting activity to those who want to experience flying in the air. Simply contact them via their Facebook page (click the link) or send an email to flycarmona@gmail.com for more information.
How to Get to Carmona Ridge, Cavite
The place can be reached in about an hour from Manila by private car or by public transportation.
By private car, drive through the South Luzon Expressway and turn right to Carmona/Biñan Exit. After paying the toll gate, turn right and follow the main road until you cross the bridge, where you need to turn left when you see the Petron gas station. Follow this street and turn left when you see the Andok’s store, then turn right to the street before the Police station. Just follow this street. You will pass by a grassland, a cemetery, and a public park. When you reach the Carmona Estate Phase 9 gate, drive a little further until you see a sign going to Phase 1, where you need to turn right. From the Phase 1 gate, drive straight until you see the church, then turn left. Follow the narrow rough road until you see an open grassland and a guard. Pay Php 50. There is no definite parking space, but I advise you to park near the hut which will serve as your resting place and picnic area.
There are two ways to get to the site via commute – by bus and by jeep. From Buendia, take a bus going to Biñan (regular bus fare is Php 52) and alight after the toll gate. Ride a jeep bound for Carmona (jeepney fare is Php 8); alight at the end of the jeepney route. Hire a tricycle (fare may vary) and ask the driver to bring you to the paragliding site. The downside of commuting is that you may not reach the site at 8:00AM because the earliest trip in Buendia is 7:00AM. Another option is by going to the Alabang jeepney terminal, which may have earlier trips to Carmona.
Para-Waiting Tips
The sport is humorously tagged as “para-waiting”, because you need to wait for the perfect wind condition in order to fly. So here are some things to remember on the day of your flight:
Get Out Dear 