Basa. Nang maaliw at matuwa… oks ba yon?
by Willy Silorio
January 05, 2009 – Monday
After a well-spent Christmas with our loved ones, Team 8lien joined forces again, but this time, setting aside business chores and putting on our leisure suit! It’s time for Sagada!
Freeze in a Flash. The 8liens, boarding Autobus 701 left Manila on schedule, December 26, 11:30PM. The ride to Banaue was a 10-hour long trip and a cold one. (AB 701 transforms into a freezer in a blink of an eye! Commuters, beware!). And with each covered distance that got us closer to Sagada, the night became even colder. Thank goodness for stopovers as we were able to reload and unload our kidneys and intestines. And of course, do the “yosi buddy” breaks.
But in fairness, manong AB 701 bus driver was very understanding, readilly acceding to my need when I had a natural miscarriage syndrome (sa bangin walang papel!). Thanks manong driver for finding me a restroom :-).
By 9 o’clock the next day, December 27, we finally reached the Autobus Banaue terminal. While waiting for our jeepney ride to Sagada, we had our breakfast in a “pangmarangya resto” called People’s Lodge and Restaurant. Its verandah offers a sneak view of the rice terraces, and a top view of a village and a hanging bridge.
Full and ready for the 3-hour long drive (3 and a half to be exact. We got a flat tire! But thanks to Dolphy-in-the-making Junior, the ride was a comic relief!) to Sagada, the team cramped themselves in the hired AUV. We were promised a good view of the Rice Terraces. It was a nice view alright, if not for the thick, as in cold thick fog! But again, the promise was made—Banaue will not be just a stopover the next time we take a leisure trip in 2009 (right bossings?). Yesss!
On our way to Sagada, we stopped at the Mt. Polis Store, the only store in the mountains that offers a “pay per pee” comfort rooms. There, we we couldn’t resist but to buy our Dennis Trillo & Ann Curtis drinks. Liquors at Mt. Polis Store are all “on the rocks”. The whole place is a freezer!
Heaven in the Mountains. SAGADA – AHH! The town is a true paradise – fresh air, scenic views… and Marky Cielo look-alikes all around. I thought I was already in heaven. 🙂
Our first hour started with excitement. Mind you, we hadn’t yet started the tour. Excited we all were choosing which room to occupy. Baw-Et’s House was a good find (Thanks, Gareth!) and Baw-Et was a kind host too, making sure that we had all that we need (firewood, especially). We now know how it felt living the half-American dream, (Hehe, may chimney kasi!)
After taking our “lunchrienda” (that meal between lunch and merienda), we happily made our way down the Echo Valley and proceeded to see the hanging coffins (after passing through the “haunted” St. Mary’s Church and the town’s cemetery). It was a fat-burning activity for me, hehe. Good thing, Nanay Deng cooked a sumptuous dinner (replenishing the fats I burned, haha!) of chicken adobo and sinigang na bangus with matching organic red rice.
As the night becomes colder, our CTO/CEO/Tatay/KGC survivor (Redeye) declared “BAREK TIME”! Mere followers as we are, we can only say, “Yes, Sir!” And so it happened. The Kuya Germs Challenge Sagada Edition with two teams battling to stay un-drunk and sober: Team Dennis (Generoso advocates) and Team Anne (Gin Blue believers). Who won? Sudden death. Both bottles spent, the teams decided a truce and consumed the last bottle, Vodka. (Bitin!)
Making THE Connection. Second day, I proved to be unsuspecting. (Akala ko mamasyal lang kami sa Luneta!) While everyone was so excitedly looking forward to explore the Lumiang-Sumaguing caves, I had no choice but to give in. C’mon, this would be my first time inside a cave… and I couldn’t help but imagine myself falling down the core of the earth (scary!).
The 8liens, less three (What misfortune they missed my bravery! Haha!), were cave guided by Lester (who became my very bestfriend… read on and you’ll find out why!), William (glub glub, yea!) and Lee (on mute mode) of SaGGAs (Sagada Genuine Guides Association).
The cave connection was a real and daring challenge, at least for me. Especially the cliff hang… that feeling lost and trapped, me and my footage! All stood still, except my breathing… And there, like a knight in shining armor, Lester came to my rescue, with William waiting for my drastic cliff hanging finish. (Love you mga pare!) Whew! Second life, what a blessing!
The rest though became bearable, exhilirating and enjoyable even. It was bloopers time seeing Junior’s four butts and his own style of flushing himself into a cave hole (Way to go, Dolph!). At last, after countless butt-walks, shoulder-lifts (ni Lester), pusod-markings, and group shots galore, I came back to my senses in finally seeing sunlight at the end of the Sumaguing Cave. Sunshine at last after 5 hours of ultraviolet ray deprivation!
Meanwhile, trailing behind us were Sir Meric, Miss Deng and Ate Jaja finishing in less than 3 hours! They started around 2 o’clock in the afternoon with President Reagan guiding them. (Partida daw, may sakit pa si Sir Meric!).
Sagada by Night. No, there’s no curfew in Sagada. Or else, there’s no bonfire night! After the physically challenging adventure in the caves, armed with what we thought were warm enough jackets, we venture our way to Lake Dannum for the SaGGAs-organized bonfire activity, with President Reagan driving us there.
Chillingly cold was the Sagada night, but it sure was exotically fun and truly made memorable by our team’s participation in the “talent portion” with me, Henyo, Roz and Kuya Rey’s dramatic rendition with complete gong accompaniment of We Wish you a Merry Christmas. Miss Deng, Battorney, my better-half Earl and Ate Jaja also gamely took part in the ceremonial dances.
What made the night special (and romantically warm!) though was witnessing a marriage proposal (Lourdes and Art, our heartfelt wishes and congratulations!) right by the bonfire with all of 50+ guests of us hooting and joining Art as he reached the chorus of How Did You Know. Aaaahhh, so sweet!
The bonfire night was culminated by a boodle meal of Pinikpikan, and, tantararan, 8layer winning a free tour of Sagada! The more reason for us to stage a come back. Yeess! (No cave connection for me… please!)
Returning to our lodging was another adventure. Imagine losing a tire?! Nonetheless, we were able to schedule an ALI-PAKYAW match while waiting for the rescue jeep.
For the KG (Kuya Germs) Challengers though, the night had barely started. It was then our turn to be hosts to our former guides, Lester and William. Trivias on Manila by night were shared, ringing as far as the Echo Valley.
No Goodbyes. Although we were scheduled to hike down Bomod-Ok Falls, our sore bones from the cave connection (and hangover from the KGC Part 2) prevented us from getting up from our comfortable sleeping positions. And so the whole morning of our third day in Sagada was spent shopping for pasalubongs. Battorney even gave us hand-woven coin purses, and to Sir Meric, a hairy drum. (Watch out for the doom of the drum!)
After lunching at the Municipal Canteen, our hired jeep arrived to transport us to the Autobus Banaue Terminal. It’s bye-bye Sagada for us, but WE SHALL RETURN!
At exactly 6 o’clock, amidst the thick crowd of AB commuters, we validated our tickets and to my surprise, we were ushered to our bus… transfreezer AB 701!
But no, not the Cryogenics of AB 701 dampened the warm 8lien spirit. As for me, I truly am a genuine Sagada Survivor… and AB 701’s! Brrrr!
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