Journal 2088: Your Quick Guide to Sagada

Journal 2088: Your Quick Guide to Sagada

1.) Where I can book my trip to Sagada?
You can book online through this site:
http://codalinesph.com/online-bus-ticket-booking/?br=safari

By the way, travel time is 11-12 hours. :) So better to make sure to fully charge your phones and power banks.

2.) How much is the fare?
They have three classes of bus trips. But I took the Super Deluxe Bus (costs around P980.00)-- the one with Comfort Room inside the Bus. While my way back to Cubao, I took the Deluxe Bus (fare is P750.00). I also paid a service charge of P80.00. So total transportation expense is: P1810.00.

*Advantage for you if you are still a student, just present your ID for the discount (not available for paying online)

3.) Accommodations/Lodging
I booked using the Mobile App Agoda (available on Android Appstore). In my case, I stayed at Isabelo's Inn and Cafe where I spent my four-day-and-three-night vacation. I'm not sure if their free breakfast is available with their lodging rates or just a seasonal promo.

There are plenty of Inns available in the area so don't worry that much about if you can't book online ahead of time. (But it is still better if you can book beforehand)

4.) When I arrived, what to do next?
Pay a registration fee at the Tourist's Information Center located at the heart of the Town Center of Sagada, amounting to P50.00. Always keep the receipt with you, at all times. This will be your gate pass at all sites and tour destinations.

Please visit: Journal 2083: Where Do Broken Hearts Go for my story when I got there

5.) Where can I eat?
There are a plenty of choices. Just prepare your wallet for it! Haha. You might try the following:
a. Slabhouse Restaurant
b. Yoghurt House
c. Lemon Pie House
d. Strawberry Cafe
e. Gaia Cafe (if you will go to Sumaguing Cave)
f. (I forgot the name of the restaurant but it is located at the white building at the left side of the Police Station. Go the second floor and walk straight to its edge. They offer very affordable meals amounting to P100.00 only. Plus their Pancit Canton with rice costing P50.00. You can eat at their veranda to enjoy the weather of Sagada and having the view of the town center)
g. 79 Diners
h. and many more

Price range per meal- P140-P200

Please visit: Journal 2084: Extra Rice Please for some restaurants that I tried

6.) Where can I go to Sagada?
A variety of choices. By the way, after paying the registration fees, there are people you can approach with this question. They have a table on the right side with pictures and details of different tours. Fees are normally shared by a group of four to ten persons, depending on the destination you want to go to. But just to give you an overview, I paid a total of P1900.00 for the whole adventure which I finished only for a day. I went to Kiltepan Peak and shared the cost of P500.00 transportation cost by four people I met waiting for a tour guide (so P500.00 divided by 5 is P100.00). I also went to Sumaguing Cave, (please never miss this out), costing P800.00, which can be shared by five people, I think? And then, I also had an Adventure Trail, where several places and activities on one way amounting to P1000, which I believe can be shared by four persons. So, technically, if you have a group of four people, you can pay as low as P575 for a great adventure and experience! While mountain trekking costs about P3000 (inclusive of transportation fees and tour guide fee), a group of ten persons can share on the cost. Don't worry, there are lots of package to choose on. Just drop by on the Tourist Information Center and choose whatever that suits your budget.

Please visit: Journal 2085: Game Face On for other details and stories

7.) What else can I do there?
Yoga, jogging, meditating, eating, walking, appreciating the nature, talking to strangers, learning Kankan-ey, doing a reflection, sleeping, watching series, playing basketball, and all other things that can make your brain and soul relax.

You might visit: Journal 2086: Second Chances and Journal 2087: When I Go Back from Sagada for my reflections and how my meditations turned out

8.) Things to bring?
Please refer on this photo that I used while packing up my stuffs :)

9.) Can I enjoy staying in Sagada for one day or two days?
You can actually finish all the tours in one day, but make sure do not include in that one day the day of your arrival. haha. But the longer you stay, the better you can enjoy and free yourself from stress.
Or if you want, you actually plan like this: book a one-way trip to Sagada, spend a day or two, then jump to Baguio (estimated time of travel is 5-7 hours) then from there, book your way back to Cubao. You can also include a trip to Tingalan, Kalinga via Bontoc to visit our very own legendary Apo Whang-Od. :)

10.) Other things to remember
- ATM in Sagada is only located at the tourist's information center and i am not sure how reliable it is. So better if you already have cash with you so you don't need to use an ATM, unless really need to so.
- If you want to go the caves of Sagada, make sure to wear light clothes only, slippers or a waterproof caving shoes will do, bring a flashlight (but a lamp will be provided by your tour guide), gloves for your hands, headlamp, and waterproof bag.
- Don't forget your registration receipt at all times.
- Never leave your trash! Keep it inside your bag or your pocket. Respect the community of Sagada as well as our nature.
- Enjoy enjoy enjoy!
- Best months to go there: December to March, they almost reach 11 degrees celsius and imagine how cold is that.

Journal 2087: When I Go Back From Sagada

Journal 2087:  When I Go Back From Sagada

Edited by: Gelai Alera

Note to Myself:

11.)    It is not too late to be better

Each and every one of us have our own set of flaws. We make mistakes and sometimes, we hurt other people because of those flaws. But then, always believe that you can be better. Trust yourself that you can overcome those imperfections. Channel your energy into something positive to help you become a better person. Put in mind that the only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

22.)    Always be nice

Being nice is something that does not cost you anything. However bad or rude or mean a person may be to you, always be nice. Kindness is something that can build you a good relationship and sometimes heal a broken soul. Kindness is an innate virtue that just lies beneath us all. No matter how big or small it is, your kindness will never be wasted. Kindness is like a drop of water that can cause a ripple in a stagnant pool. Sometimes, being nice to someone can change other persons’ attitude toward you. So be nice, ‘cause it will make you happy too.

33.)    Learn to forgive others and yourself

You are not perfect. You will always come to the point where you are going to fail or do something wrong. Whether you, the other person, or both of you cause the problem, then, learn to admit your own mistakes, apologize to the person you hurt, and learn the lesson that it teaches you. Forgiveness is a form of love that you can give to those people who offended you as well as to yourself. Just like how God forgives you, do the same thing to others and to yourself. You can’t change what happened, but you can take charge of the things that are going to happen to your life today and tomorrow.

44.)    Some things are just meant to be

There are things you cannot control in life. You cannot alter everything just to be in accordance with what you want. Same thing about people and circumstances, some are meant to leave and some are meant to stay. Some are meant to hurt you. But whatever it is, it should not stop you on learning to understand why it is like this instead of resisting why it is happening. Channel your energy into focusing on how you can be better than refusing to let things be.

55.)    Humility

It is a mixture of being kind and being aware that you are not someone higher to be looked upon to by others. Accept your weaknesses (while working on it) and embrace other people’s compliment but don’t let it go over your head. Continue on seeking knowledge and remember that someone is always better than you.

66.)    Learn the law of attraction

Focus on the positive things in your life. Focus your energy into something that’s optimistic to help you do better with your work, with your family, and with your friends. Avoid thinking about negative thoughts but instead, concentrate on the positive chakra around you. Be grateful. Be proactive. Be happy. Believe you can be better.

77.)    Be simple

Let go of things you don’t need. Be happy with what you have and be thankful about it. Always appreciate other people’s efforts to you. Be better but stay as simple as possible. Avoid buying things you don’t need. The simpler your life is, the better. Eat healthy foods, exercise, read books, and meditate once in a while.

88.)    Love yourself

Whoever you are, love yourself. Accept that you are flawed, with excess fats, pimple-prone face, dark-colored skin, and whatever you have and then work on it. Forgive yourself for the things you’ve done in the past. Love yourself like how you love others. There’s no other person who knows better than yourself, so you are the only one who can love yourself to the fullest. Don’t starve yourself for the best love of all. People might come and go, but you are the only person who will stay in your life. So don’t leave yourself just because you don’t like yourself.

Thank you, Sagada!

With all my heart,

Mcden

Journal 2086: Second Chances

Journal 2086: Second Chances

Edited by: Gelai Alera

Refluctunt

My third day here in Sagada was quite a challenge. Every ligament in my body was aching as a result of a whole day-long of trekking, spelunking and other physically exhausting activities. But then, it didn’t stop me to go back to the Gaia Café. I walked for almost 30 minutes from the town center having to bear the throbbing pain with my every step. Everything was soothed away because of the delicious hot chocolate served with organic muscovado sugar and peanut butter banana sandwich I ordered. It was really amazing and inspiring as well to stay in this beautiful and peaceful place. The ambience was also great—books stacked on shelves everywhere that you can borrow while staying, chilly weather, wide stretch of green fields and pine trees spread across the scenic view, plus relaxing music played inside the café. Imagine how tranquil the feeling was! What a coincidence that the playlist of the owner had some of the songs I usually listen to when I want to calm myself.

1.)    Don’t Dream It’s Over (a reggae version)

2.)    The Show

3.)    I’m Officially Missing You (acoustic version)

4.)    Love yourself

5.)    Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

6.)    The Scientist

7.)    And so on.

Je vais vous raconter une histoire

How I wish every time I go home from office, there is a nearby coffee house like this where I can spend a couple of hours thinking about how my life is going. Well, the moment was really perfect for my reflection. I thought of my family who’s actually very supportive at all times, including this solo vacation. I am just very thankful for having a family like them. Just like what they say—you don’t choose your family, they are God’s gift to you, as you are to them. Each of us has those gap in our hearts that can only be filled by those people around us, primarily our tatay, nanay, kuya, ate, bunso, tito, tita, lolo, lola and pinsan. They are the ones who we spend our time with during most of the years of our life. Whether we like them or not, or whether there are misunderstandings going on between family members, they are the ones we can go back to in the end. There is no better place than home, as the famous maxim says. The love that made us from the beginning of our own existence are the same love that molds us of who we are right now. They are also the ones who our deepest, darkest and ugliest sides. You definitely experience once in your life to fart while your brother or your little sister is around—because it doesn’t matter to them at all! They will just tease you for doing a gross thing. It is kinda cool to imagine to have a family whom you share laughter and tears with—and I could say I am super blessed to have one. Not really a perfect family, but a family that is perfectly meant to be together.

With the best people closest to my heart! 

12 o'clock on the 25th, My Inmenzo-Lleno Family! 

Nothing is also greater than to have a friend whom you can always count on. I am super thankful that God gave me so many friends that I consider as a blessing. I couldn’t mention their names here because it will definitely consume a couple of papers with font size of one and no margin just to list every one of them. I normally don’t spend time with the most of them but I definitely make sure to hug, or to fist bump, or to tap, or just pinch their bellies whenever I see them. Having a great time with those people add some colors to my life. They are those people who know my embarrassing and memorable moments inside and outside the classroom, office, or wherever place I’ve been. Likewise, some of them are those people whom I can lean on in times of my worst days. They are the ones whom I normally talk with when I feel sad or depressed or when I just feel to have a companion. Especially in my case, I am honestly a drama king and because of that, I am super thankful to have those friends who are willing to lend their ears for me. While a portion of them are those I spend with inside the office—who tease me whenever I go home on the dot like saying their goodbyes in a volume loud enough to be heard across the whole area. Those are also the people I’m with when I got to experience my first quervo with matching lemon and salt and other liquor drinks—but don’t you worry, these people will definitely take care of you if you get drunk; except on the part when you are not in your consciousness anymore—they will re-enact what you’ve done to make you remember your awkward, unconscious self on the next day. A small percentage of those friends are those dorm-mates I normally share stuff with. They are the ones who typically share the meal-for-a-week which their mom packed for the group, and also the ones who normally surprises you with not-so-surprising chocolate cake for your birthday. Normally, I also consider their family as my family too. But most importantly, a few of them are those who can see you far more than those normal friends around you. These people are those who you are comfortable with to share all your stories. These people who would always be there for you to guide you when you’re lost or whenever you’re in a complete disaster. I am just so thankful to have those people in my heart. Those people are the ones that I would definitely tell about to my kids in the future. Sadly, life is not that perfect because there are also broken ties that I experienced and honestly, it still hurts me. But then, you can’t decide for your friends’ behalf because it is their choice whether they want to stay or not in your life. That’s a painful thing about those people you have invested so much emotions and moments with—it is hard to let go, especially when you have already built a strong relationship with that person. It is not only a lesson about friendship and relationship but a lesson of forgiveness, humility, and acceptance. It is either you, the other one, or both of you that caused the fight. But I learned that no matter who that person is, you have to admit what you’ve done, say sorry, accept the consequences, and most importantly, learn for what it is supposed to teach you.

My Tito and Tita and my dear Maeann at Arnedo, Bolinao, Pangasinan! 

Ala Eh, I'm their legal third party, Love these two- Dang and Anle! <3

My (the) first batch of students in our ministry!, Once a Sakristan, always a Sakristan! 

Friends for keeps! 

Punu Family would always have a part in my heart. 

Getting stronger- highschool classmates forever! 

The Bigger, the Better! My love for these buddies! Welcome to the new member of the family- Jep! :) 

Pushing Beyond the Limits, BSA 4-2 Family!

The JBM Angels, and I! <3 We miss you Lou! 

We will always make it! 

The Unbeatable, My JPIA-FINEST Family! 

Hooray for today! Feat. my anakis, Resty and my dormie-beshie Manilyn! 

Mah Boys! <3 Marlo and Pepsy! 

The Long Ride, Escapade in Pangasinan with these people- Kuya James, Lester and Ate Maeann! 

SSG: We Make it Happen! I miss you all guys! 

My dormmates fam! I miss you all! 

When we are still young, My SSG Family! 

Second chance, please! 

Once a tropang P, always a tropang P! (Feat. Tropang Bowl)

JBM Family

Wish things get better?

Things will be alright. 

In my 21 years of existence, I always aim to be nice and kind to others, just like how my mom taught me to become a good boy when I was a kid. It is always a life mantra to me that whoever it is, kindness is something you can give without any cost. It is something that could bring smile to the other person you’re interacting with and would surely resonate back to you. It is a virtue that would cultivate other good things too—like being polite, being persistent, being respectful and so on. It is the first thing that was taught to us by our parents and passed on to our little brothers and sisters. It is the thing that builds friends and relationships. It is something that is innate to all of us, only needing to be showcased. That’s what I also learned and felt for the people around Sagada. They always treat their neighbors, including the tourists everywhere, with gentle heart and kindness. It is something that makes visitors choose to stay or to come back again. I remember one nice thing about the residents of Sagada that was shared to me by Kuya Duvan (my tour guide yesterday). Whenever there is a wedding in town, everyone is invited, that even if they don’t know the person’s name, they know each and every one in face. It was really true since I saw it with my own eyes and felt by my heart when Kuya Duvan and I were heading to Sumaguing Cave and all the people we passed by greeted each other with genuine smile.  It is something that really makes me smile because the place is not only filled with beautiful destinations but filled with people with beautiful hearts. It is one thing I will really miss about Sagada. Sagada will always have a part in my heart that I would be proud to share to all. If there would be a place where I can stay for a few days or so, alone or with families or friends, I would definitely choose Sagada. I cannot wait for the second chance I get to go back there and drink hot coffee while enjoying every single thing in Sagada.

Journal 2085: Game Face On

Journal 2085: Game Face On
Edited by: Gelai Alera

Instead of Sea of  Clouds, It is the Bluer than Blue that I saw that time. So beautiful! 

The small barangay of Ambasing, sitting below the mountain, behind me. 

Tall pine trees evverywhere. 

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. on my second day for the sight-seeing of the astonishing Sea of clouds at Kiltepan Peak. I incidentally joined two couples who were also going to the same place and luckily, we shared the transportation cost totaling P500.00. It turned out to be an unfortunate moment of waiting since we were not able to see the well-known sea of clouds, so we just decided to go back to the town center. I tried my luck to check whether the destinations were available for tour and the favor was on me since the suspension of tours were lifted on exactly the same time I inquired. So the whole day was really exhausting but unforgettable for all the places I went to (with my tour guide Kuya Duvan). 

Our first stop was the most visited site—the Sumaguing Cave. It was actually my first time to try on a multi-activities adventure. I did spelunking, rock climbing, walking, swimming and sliding, all at one place! I was on my “let’s do this” mode and the challenge was 100% accepted. My favorite part of this first site was when I had to climb a tall rock with strong stream of water rushing against me! And there was this one epic moment when I had to go down from a slippery rock taller than me and after trying to be as careful as possible, I slipped on it, descending like a child in a slide! Thanks to the water that smoothened my drop without my bones getting broken. Since I was alone in this journey, I shouldered the whole cost of the tour that would normally be shared by a group of four persons. But then, one good thing about being alone is my tour guide became my personal second-hand of capturing those beautiful, instagrammable, and epic moments of the experience.

Pause for a while

The Walls inside the Sumaguing Cave

Our only light inside.

-_-

Me: I'm-afraid-to-die-inside-this-cave-because-I-just-carried-away smile 

It is where the Queen and King are hiding behind, according to Kuya Duvan

And if you can't find the light around you, then let yourself be the light. 

When all the stress and problems temporarily fade away.

I felt like I came from the deepest part of Sagada and got back to era of civilization! 

The next sites were totally breathtaking and challenging! So let’s recall it from the beginning. Still with Kuya Duvan, I went, for my second time, to the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and took some photos inside and out. This was followed by a long trek where we crossed the town’s cemetery, with few SAF 44 members buried on it. Kuya Duvan shared to me that instead of using candle as part of their offering to their loved ones, they use Saling, a piece of red wood with different aroma compared to a normal wood. After a series of ups-and-downs of uneven stairs, we reached the Echo Valley! And yes, it really reverberates back when you say something out loud! Since I was already there, I took the chance to shout all those things I wanted to say. My heart was exploding with mixed emotions—both emptiness and serenity. It somehow took a piece of thorn nailed on my chest after saying everything I wanted to say. 

This is the original bell used by the church to call the attention of the people, way back in 1950.

Outside the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin.

How to start your adventure trail? 

Then we continued the trek where my unprepared feet were greeted by a cycle of sticky muds, gushing water, prickly grasses, and spiky rocks. We reached the hanging coffins and it was creepy and at the same time bizarre to see coffins dangling at the side of the gigantic rock formations. It’s kinda awkward when Kuya Duvan took a photo of me and I couldn’t prevent myself from smiling (since it was not exactly the perfect spot for a “say cheese” pose with coffins hanging behind me). 

Close your eyes, make a wish. 

The old way of burying the dead of our ancestors. 

When you are both tired and excited. 

After a couple of minutes, we continued the bloody trekking which I thought would be easy since I already defied a series of challenges until I realized that the real game started only after we passed the hanging coffins. So just to mention a few of it: we crossed a muddy narrow trail of the forest with hanging vines and tall grasses around, followed by a river with water current that can take you away from your position! It was quite exciting and frightening for me because I had to walk with my bare feet against the freezing water. 

Thinking if I can do it.

Crossing this killer river was the best! Challenging, thrilling and amazing!  

Too dark inside

Black and white

Photo taken before I slipped (for the second and third time)

My legs were shaking, which added to the challenge since I was also having a hard time looking out for my feet’s next landing. Thanks to God I safely traversed the river! But it didn’t end there (there’s more)! There’s another river with much stronger current than the former—the river is connected to the underground river where we headed next. It was where we needed to climb on the muddy steps where I accidentally slipped (again). Happily, I managed to reach the top with my hands covered entirely by sticky mud. After we reached the main road with my breath almost running out, we had to sit for a short break at the roadside. I had my Sky Flakes crackers and Kuya Duvan enjoyed his three-piece-chocolate-cookie biscuit.

With Kuya Duvan! 

If I can, you can do it too !

Finally, as we continued our walk, we took the main road and we reached the entrance to the Bokong Waterfalls after 20 minutes. The trek going to the falls was pretty easy, with cemented tramps connected to a small forest where we entered into. Getting a glimpse of the cascading waterfalls and hearing the sound of its splashes from afar got me excited to go as near as possible. It was truly a beautiful, chilly, and wonderful creation of God! But then, since I don’t know how to swim, I just sat a few meters near it and enjoyed the water flowing against my submerged legs. The trek going back up was quite long—we walked past a red bridge where I took a few instagrammable photos. And then we crossed wide rice terraces fields, stepping higher and higher until we reached the end, and finally climbed atop going back to the main road.

Photo from the top! 

The smile caused by this beautiful falls! 

Wala eh. Mag isa lang ako eh. 

Another challenge accepted! 

Thank you Kuya Duvan for making this experience extra amazing! <3