See the beauty of Pampanga! What a wonderful view!
<sorry for the grammar...>
Well,the memories and the epic experiences during my Pampanga’s escapade are still hooking me every morning. It was almost two weeks ago after my adventure to the beautiful province of Pampanga, with my traveling buddy, Mark, but still, I can’t let the experience just passed by without sharing my experiences on the three-day living with the Kapampangans, how delicious their cuisines and delicacies are (and how my tummy never get hungry because of them, haha), and the lessons I’d learned from them, that, I could say as one of the reasons why our Cabalens in Pampanga are such a great friends to have.
Before anything else, here are some trip advisories for those who are planning to have an out-of-town getaway with your friends:
(1) Make sure that all of you, or even some of you, are pretty sure of the destination where you are going.
With that case, I just know that we are going to Pampanga, but I don’t know how.Thanks to my traveling buddy for asking our friend (who invited us to their house) on the directions going there. And also, never be shy on asking other people for some help in directions. It’s better to look like ignorant than pretending you know something you really don’t know.
Haha! I took a photo of this local jeepney that looks like a mini-bus!
(2) If you ask somebody for something (especially for a direction), ask it again to someone else.
This is to make sure that what he said is really true. What happened to us was this: we asked first the bus conductor (also known as clippies) about our destination if the bus could drop us at SM Pampanga. So he said:“Pasok lang...” (He’s referring to us to enter the bus). The moment our bus was moving, our expected fare of P80.00 increased to P120.00. I texted abruptly our friend about it and he said that we should asked again the conductor about our destination. And see, he taught that we are going not to SM Pampanga but to SM Clark! So if you don't want to happen to you what happen to us: better learn from our epic experience and follow this reminder! Haha! Ask not once, but twice.
(3) Back up yourself with extra money,extra load, extra battery, foods and stories!
What make our trip more interesting were the endless stories Mark and I shared to each other during our trip while eating crackers and chips. We talked about our past experiences when traveling to other places, jokes and plans for the upcoming summer. But a friendly reminder: don’t be too overwhelmed about chitchatting to your traveling buddies that you almost forget to go down to your location!
My traveling buddy and I!
So going back....
A place that I will never forget... :)
If you are looking for a place where you can ease your mind from stress, where you can feel the beauty and exquisiteness of nature, where you where you can see friendly and approachable people, and where you can taste the best cuisines here in the Philippines, Pampanga is the best spot for you! The people there will not forget to smile when you look at them and they will try their best to let you feel at home at their place. The best example could be the Punu and Ingal Family who welcomed us for two days and three nights during our short vacation in Pampanga.
See the beauty of Pampanga! What a wonderful view!
San Sebastian Church, if I'm not mistaken. A very historical-like and beautiful church..
All of them were really nice people, indeed. Thanks to them for letting us experience the real essence of vacation: where you can just sit at the terrace, feel the cold breeze of the air, drink your milk and eat your breakfast; Speaking of,the temperature in the evening at San Luis, Pampanga (where we stayed) almost dropped to 24 degrees Celsius, same temperature when you are in Batangas and Tagaytay, that is why we are covered with multiple blankets while we are sleeping.
Happy Birthday Megan!
Going back, the mere fact that they just met us for a few days, the way they treat us was like they know us for a long time! I got closed with John Paul’s relatives during the second day of our vacation, which was also the day of the 1st birthday celebration of his lovely and beautiful sister Megan. Anyways, Megan’s smile is one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen in my whole life! The moment she takes a glimpse of you,she will response with her pretty smile plus baby chuckles! Some of the people I also get to know were Ate Jam, who is bestowed the prowess of beauty and brain and TALENT! She’s one of the great persons I know who can sing high-note songs painlessly and who has the distinct quality of voice that is perfect for amateur singing competitions. I told her once in my posts in Facebook that I really want to hear her voice again and perhaps I could see her on television as one of the finalists of The Voice of the Philippines Season 3! Some of the kiddos that I meet too are the smart English- speaking girl Andrea, the Caucasian-eye Denise, Denise’s brother Nicolo, Queenie, Genesis, Faye, CJ, Ie,and many more. They are all beautiful and handsome children, who have the future of being the next Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera in the entertainment and showbiz industry!
So great! Presenting: Ate Jam! got the chance to have a photo op with her!
(I'm sorry! haha! I'm stalking for more pictures for my blog! haha! These are Andrea, and... ooops. I'm sorry, didn't have the chance to know her and the lil cutie girl wearing a pink shirt... :/
I could say that the Ingal and Punu lineage are one of the extractions of gorgeous and good-looking, smart and talented people of Pampanga. They are the living proofs that Pampanga received all the blessings of beauty (of the ladies) and the charm (of the menfolk) when God showered it to the world. And I was asking myself:”why only them?” Hahaha! Kidding aside, their aesthetic feature also reflects their thoughtful hearts. Tita Pines told me, when by accident that I visited their house, these words:
“Mayayabang talaga ang mga Kapampangan… Kapag gusto namin ang isang bagay, pinaghihirapan talaga namin. Kapag nasa kamay na namin (yung bagay na iyon) talagang ipagyayabang namin yun…”
Well, I agree to her because they really could be proud of what they have- they are actually not bragging something that they do not have but only those things that are the fruits of their sweats and efforts. A best example could be John Paul. All of his family are proud of him since he is really someone to be proud of! He’s one of the best students of Accounting major in Polytechnic University of the Philippines, he has the charm that could attract lots of beautiful woman, and he has a hidden talent in singing, just like his cousins and aunts. But then, it is very ironic, that “boastful” thingy is not what I can see to them, but a modest and down-to-earth people. I would not be tired of telling that having a Kapampangan friend is something that you can be proud of and be thankful of too. Anyways,thanks to Tita Pines, Ate Bonna and Kuya Miko for being such a hospitable family who offered a lunch for me that moment when I was going home to the Punu residence (after the mass). I would like to thank also the other beautiful aunts of John Paul, namely Tita Dorie, Tita Day, Tita Dey, Tita Laida, Tita Bel, Tita Cynthia, and Tita Pines as well. Also to Kuya Mikko who offered me a ride going back to my destination so that I would not walk under the scorching heat of the sun! God bless to your upcoming board examination, my prayers is with you Kuya!
Tita Dey and I! Thanks po Tita! :)
If I'm not mistaken, Tita Cynthia and Ate Jayann!
Kuya Miko and Tita Dorie with their serious faces. hehe!
Tita Pines, Ate Bonna, Kuya Miko and I! Thanks for the lunch!
Also, I want to prove that Kapampangan people seems to have magical powers that they can turn a normal dish of meat and barbeque sauce into a very delicious cuisine! Believe me that your tummy will never get hungry when you are with them, especially with the Punu and Ingal family! I asked John Paul about who cooked the subtle, tender and delicious meat sauced with sweet and savory barbeque sauce, which became one of my favorite dishes that time! Tito Ben along with John Paul’s aunts were the people behind the delicious banquet during Megan’s birthday. Kudos! Maniaman I Pamangan!
Say hi to these beautiful moms!
During our last day in Pampanga, I attended an English mass during my stay in Pampanga and the church was celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Jesus Christ.Rev. Fr. Rivera told in his homily the story and the values on how the three kings persevered to follow the shining star that guided them to find the manger of the Lord Jesus Christ.While listening, I was thinking about Tita Connie and Tito Ronald. They are a perfect image of very hardworking parents who only think for the future of their children. Fr. Rivera also said that the bright star symbolizes Jesus Christ- the one who will shine forever for all of us. His light is a symbol of life, hope and love. Fr. Rivera added that within us is a star- Jesus Christ, that we should take care of. Comparing to the Punu family,as one of John Paul’s classmates and perhaps, friends, I could see that he is studying very hard for his parents, his brother and sister. The undying effort of Tita Connie and Tito Ronald is one of the secrets why John Paul is doing his best to become a successful accountant, indeed. No doubt that someday, John Paul would be one of the best accountants in the future because of his caring and supportive family! To Tito Ronald and Tita Connie, thanks for letting us experience this wonderful experience by allowing us to be with the Punu family in the same roof for half a week. More blessings to come to your family!
<From left to right> Yours truly, Tito Ronald, Baby Megan, Tita Connie, and Mark.
Tita Connie and Baby Megan!
Also let me use this opportunity to say thank you to Nicolo, my translator buddy! I hope we could play more of the Uno with your cousins! To Christian as well, my brother in the Ministry of Altar Servers. He is older than me when it comes to service that’s why during our second night, he shares lots of stories about their ministry. I’m hoping that we could talk more about the ministry we both belong with! To the ever beautiful Megan, I just want to tell you that I am pretty sure that when you grow, you will raise as a sweet and smart lady. God bless to all of you! Also thanks to Ate Kay for a short chitchat about the commonalities of our courses! And to Ate Jayann, I want to commend her beautiful voice, just like ate Jam!Thank you for being so nice to me and to Mark!
Nicolo buddy! :)
Brother Christian, Baby Megan and I
Lastly,to all of the Ingal and Punu family whom I met for three days, I want to say,from the bottom of my hypothalamus, thank you very much po! Dakal a salamat po! I hope that we could spend our vacation time with you again po! ‘Til next time!
By the way, I won’t forget my traveling buddy, Mark! Thank you for being my companion in the epic traveling going to Pampanga, our walk-a-thon down the road, until our departure! Thanks for helping me to pick the gift of our appreciation to the Punu family. Thanks to John Paul as well, despite the fact that we really disturbed him during his study hours. Thanks for inviting us to celebrate the birthday of your sister! Hoping for a next time! haha!
we'll never forget for a DOCU- thingy! :D
Well, I want to end up this journal with a six-word sentence:
“There is no place like Pampanga!”
'Til we see again!
Your toddler friend,
McDen
Thanks to these two smart buddies who made my short vacation unforgettable!