My mom was invited to go on tour in her close friend's hometown - Lucena, Quezon. It's Tita Flora by the way. Since I don't have any plans for Holy week, she asked me to go with her.. Why not coconut? Couch surfing ito! Actually, I have never browsed anything about Quezon on my favorite blog sites. Kaya aside from being known for Pancit Hab-hab, I don't know anything much about the place. Being a newbie lakwatsera, tourist spots are my weaknesses. Luckily, Jessica Soho featured Borawan Island, one of the pristine beaches there, a few days before we went. Pak na Pak talaga! Lakwatsera de Primera's site was of great help - claps for a very detailed entry.
We never practiced activities related to Holy week at home before. Ewan. I asked my mom how come I don't know Bisita Iglesia, Salubong, Stations of the cross.. She replied, "hindi rin kasi namin alam yan nung araw". It's not that their not religious, siguro hindi lang talaga sila naturuan ng ever busy kong lola. (FYI, 9 silang magkakapatid.Naman diba?) Ok so much for that...
Lucena is 4 hours away from Manila - another pain in the ass road trip (literal!). Ngunit, Subalit, Datapwat, I was surprised to see that it was really worth it. You'll see later why..
Pakikisama is no longer an issue for me. My friends can prove it. Kaya even if it's my first time to meet Tita Flora's relatives.. keribells! (Hey guys looking forward to seeing you again).
Day 1: Lucena City Proper, Luminous Cross in Agdangan Quezon, Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban
(Siksik liklig at umaapaw na iskeydyul whew!)
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| St Ferdinand Cathedral |
Kumpisalang bayan pala. After 10 years, nakapag-kumpisal din ako sa wakas. Nakakahiya mang aminin pero totoo yan. 10 years. Goshnezz! What am I doing with my life? Siguro nga sobra akong mahal ni Bro. Kaya kahit marami akong kasalanan sa kanya, I never experienced major, tragic, traumatic experience all this time. He even surprised me last week (forgive me for not disclosing it). Sobrang thankful talaga ako. I love you Bro! Alam mo na po yun...
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| I saw our branch in Lucena.. la lang.. hihii! |
Next Stop, Luminous Cross in Agdangan
I've always been a Pasaway specially when someone prohibits me to capture beautiful sceneries or artworks and preserved parks. Hindi sila umuubra sakin promise. Pero dati yun. Iba ngayon. As much as I wanted to take you there through my pictures, the holiness of the place is something worth-preserving. I then realized, tama ang tour guide, its a place to remember the life of Jesus... at hindi para gawing tourist spot.
I don't want to spoil the details of what you can experience inside. You really have to go there to see for yourself. I highly recommend it. It served its purpose well. Truly a work of art. Click here to read it's history.
Quezon pala is a top destination for Lenten Season. Ang galing. Kamay ni Hesus is the famous spot for pilgrims. Based on my research, it is the largest image of Jesus placed on top of the mountain with his hands wide open. You need to conquer more or less 300 steps to get there. Along the way, you can pray Station of the Cross as you pass by life sized replica of the life and resurrection of Christ.
What I don't like about it is that, nagmuka na siyang palengke sa loob - tindahan, kainan, name it! My mom said, there is a particular story in my toddler books wherein the Lord was dismayed after seeing such. Parang nawawala na yung pagka sacred nung place. Sayang. Let start the trail!
Sisiw! Hahaha! I reminisced my Mt. Tapyas experience. Surprisingly, hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan.
Matapos ang mahaba habang lakaran, we took the opportunity to experience what Lucban has to offer..
Masarap nga siyang kainin ng hinahabhab. Hahaha! Enjoy. And it only cost 10 pesos would you believe? Hang mura! Kaya kahit san ka tumingin, nuknukan ng daming taong naghahabhaban (parang ang weird ata nung term hahah!). After 30 minutes, nakababa na rin mg kasama namin. Naghuhulasan na ang make up. hahaha! Thank you Recy for accompanying me go through Mama Mary's image. It's almost the same as Kamay ni Hesus but instead of Stations of the cross, you can pass through images of the Rosary's mystery.
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| Wow Bro! Box-office King! |
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| Noah's Ark |
What I don't like about it is that, nagmuka na siyang palengke sa loob - tindahan, kainan, name it! My mom said, there is a particular story in my toddler books wherein the Lord was dismayed after seeing such. Parang nawawala na yung pagka sacred nung place. Sayang. Let start the trail!
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My mom and I had to go up first since our friends had to pray in every station. It's their yearly devotion because the Lord grant them their special intentions. Sabi ko nga kanina, hindi namin alam yun. Next year, I promise I will practice it.
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| Yey! I had the glimpse of sunset at the top |
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| Finally.. sobrang overwhelming ang feeling pag kaharap Siya! Worth the little sacrifice.. |
Sisiw! Hahaha! I reminisced my Mt. Tapyas experience. Surprisingly, hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan.
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| Look how high it is! Whew! Kalanggam na ang tao sa baba. |
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| You've never been to Quezon if you never tasted their Pancit Hab-hab |
That ends Day 1.We went back to Lucena at pagod na ang mga kids..
Day 2: Lucban City Tour
I instantly fell in love with their cathedral - San Luis Obispo. I find old churches beautiful. Don't you agree?
We passed by the pioneer branch of one of the best food chain in the metro, Buddy's. Actually, yan yung bahay nila sa taas. I didn't eat there anyway. Sosyal version na siya e. Mas gusto ko yung hahabhabin sa kalye. hahah! Oo na.. ako na ang hindi maka-move on sa habhaban.lol!
I never knew that Lucban is known for native handicrafts. I can't help but buy one of those. Mark my word.. magdadala ako ng bayong sa "Takbo para sa Papa" days. (I call it like that because there were a lot of yummy running mates whenever I jog in Ayala Triangle. hihihi!)
There's nothing much to see.. Well not because pinapagbayad na ko ng entrance fee kahit hindi naman kami talaga magstay sa island.. I've been to a lot of beaches before kaya I'm thirsty for a much nicer spot. Unfortunately, uhmmm.. kinulang kasi siya. Sorry.. You really cannot please everyone right? hihihi! I'm not sure why the bangkeros did not tour us around other islands. It's just Dampalitan and Borawan.
Next na tayo yehey! Borawan island is called such because you can have a sneak preview of Boracay and Palawan in one. The name itself is so catchy for those who have itchy feet (Ehem!). When I saw this on Kapuso mo Jesica Soho, sinabi ko na sa sarili kong hindi pwedeng hindi ko siya mapuntahan. We're all first timers by the way. After 10 minutes of travel by boat from the Port, finally we arrived.
The huge rock formations truly reminded me of Palawan. I haven't been to Boracay so I cannot compare the sand though, but being in two places at once is definitely not a bad idea. Ang lapit pa niya sa Manila.
It was a small island yet it was jam-packed by the locals. Kasalanan to ni Jessica Soho e. hahaha! Akala ko we can own the place by ourselves.
The water is not that clear. Siguro dahil na rin sa dami ng taong kasabay namin. Puro fail ang underwater shot promise. Napahiya tuloy ang cam ko. hahaha!
We spent 500 for a small cottage, 1200 for the boat rental and 90 for the nine life vest. Wala ng banlawan. P30.00 kasi per timba. Masyado na silang sinuswerte kung papatulan namin ang mga kapritcho ng mga tagabantay dun. Unang una, hindi kalinisan ang island. Hindi rin ka-linawan ang tubig. May nakita pa kong pampers na palutang-lutang. Ako na ang maarte... Ok sana yung island kung hindi OA sa mga fee. Chaka na kayo magtaas pag maayos na siya hane?
We stayed in the island until 3pm. Ulikba mode na naman tuloy ako. We were supposed to go home Saturday night pero nagkatamaran ng gumayak kaya pinagpabukas na lang. We had a sumptuous dinner as usual. Pag nasa bahay ka nila, walang lugar ang salitang gutom. Eat all you can parati. I highly recommend Lin Lin Dimsum specialty Lomi. It can be found in Zamora St sa town proper ng Lucena. Ayoko talaga nun pag sa Manila. Mag-a-asin ang wiwi ko sa alat.. Dun lang talaga ako napakain ng lomi. Actually 2 consecutive nights namin siyang dinner. Ganun siya kasarap. Same with their lumpiang shanghai. Kahit hindi mainit hahanap hanapin mo. Siyempre hindi mawawala yung Longganisang Lucban. Two thumbs up. Kasama pati paa. Iba talaga dito sa Quezon. Perfect place para mag food trip. We went to the church around 10pm to witness the "Paschal Vigil". At first time ko na naman. Ang galing. Nakapatay lahat ng ilaw tapos naghihintay lahat ng tao sa labas bago ang misa. I failed to finish the entire ceremony. After the mass umuwi na kami kasi antok na antok na ko talaga. Hindi ko na naantay ang Salubong.
Sunday morning. Nagsawa na kong gumising ng maaga. Sinulit ko ang huling araw ng pahinga. I was surprised to see the kids on the street. Nakalatag lahat ng inflatable pools. So I asked, "Anong meron?!" Inaantay daw nila ang bumbero. Lalo nakong nagtaka. hahah! Nakakatuwa. Cooperative ang bumbero nila. Talagang dadayuhin lahat ng may pool sa harap ng bahay. Para palang San Juan dun. Too bad we have to go home that day. Hindi ko tuloy naexperience ang basaan galore.
All in all, I had so much fun with these people. I never felt that I was a stranger kahit some of them na-meet ko lang first time. Feeling ko ang tatagal na naming magkakakilala. Salamat sa masasarap na pagkain. Sirang-sira po ang diet ko dahil sa inyo. hahaha! Kasabay ng pagdiscover ko sa Quezon ang namuong pagkkaibigan na ittreasure ko ng bonggang bongga. Charot! hahaha!
PS: Sa kanila ko nalaman na may prutas pala sa kantang Happy Birthday! It's for you to find out. lol!
How to get there:
Ride a Jac Liner bus in Cubao QC and get off at Lucena Grand Terminal. Fares range from 200 to 250. Ride a jeep going to Agdangan or Unisan and get off at QCRB in Padre Burgos. It's only P30.00. Travel time is about an hour. There are also van in SM Lucena going to Padre Burgos that can cost you 80.00.
You can stay in Tamarind Tree Resort. It's one of the decent resort there. Contact (02)9850929. It's their Manila Office.
Ride a tricycle to the port. P9.00 each and look for Kagawad Vic (09129178637). He's the one in charge arranging the boat ride for you going to Borawan and Dampalitan. It will cost you 800 to 1200 depending on the size of the boat and man count.
If you plan to visit Lucban and Agdangan, there are a lot of jeep in the Grand Central as well. You won't have any problem with the transpo.
I instantly fell in love with their cathedral - San Luis Obispo. I find old churches beautiful. Don't you agree?
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| Woah! Old indeed. Mahihiya ang mga Babaylan sa katandaan niya! |
We passed by the pioneer branch of one of the best food chain in the metro, Buddy's. Actually, yan yung bahay nila sa taas. I didn't eat there anyway. Sosyal version na siya e. Mas gusto ko yung hahabhabin sa kalye. hahah! Oo na.. ako na ang hindi maka-move on sa habhaban.lol!
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| That's Tita Flora.. hayok sa picture. hahaha! |
I never knew that Lucban is known for native handicrafts. I can't help but buy one of those. Mark my word.. magdadala ako ng bayong sa "Takbo para sa Papa" days. (I call it like that because there were a lot of yummy running mates whenever I jog in Ayala Triangle. hihihi!)
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| Bagay! hahaha! |
We went home in Lucena after visiting Tita Flora's brother. Thank you for the great food.
Day 3: Dampalitan Island and my much awaited highlight for this trip -Quezon Prov Edition, Borawan Island.
We woke up early because that was really the plan the night before... 8am dapat nasa Port na kami. I admit, naiimbyerna talaga ako sa mababagal kumilos. I just realized, Holy week nga pala to. I don't have the reason to brag about it. Hindi nga dapat ako nageenjoy sa panahong ganyan e. Ganun pala talaga siguro when you have kids.. mahirap silang gayakan at gisingin ng maaga. hihihi! It's okay.. After all, the trip wouldn't have been fun without them.
First glimpse of Dampalitan..
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| Anawangin perhaps? Of course not... Kamukha niya lang |
There's nothing much to see.. Well not because pinapagbayad na ko ng entrance fee kahit hindi naman kami talaga magstay sa island.. I've been to a lot of beaches before kaya I'm thirsty for a much nicer spot. Unfortunately, uhmmm.. kinulang kasi siya. Sorry.. You really cannot please everyone right? hihihi! I'm not sure why the bangkeros did not tour us around other islands. It's just Dampalitan and Borawan.
Next na tayo yehey! Borawan island is called such because you can have a sneak preview of Boracay and Palawan in one. The name itself is so catchy for those who have itchy feet (Ehem!). When I saw this on Kapuso mo Jesica Soho, sinabi ko na sa sarili kong hindi pwedeng hindi ko siya mapuntahan. We're all first timers by the way. After 10 minutes of travel by boat from the Port, finally we arrived.
 |
It was a small island yet it was jam-packed by the locals. Kasalanan to ni Jessica Soho e. hahaha! Akala ko we can own the place by ourselves.
The water is not that clear. Siguro dahil na rin sa dami ng taong kasabay namin. Puro fail ang underwater shot promise. Napahiya tuloy ang cam ko. hahaha!
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| O yan! Maumay kayo... |
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| Hay si mama.. Kahit kelan. |
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| Hindi ko na ishshare kung ano man ang nangyari behind the scene... baka ma-ban na ako sa bahay nila hahaha! |
Sunday morning. Nagsawa na kong gumising ng maaga. Sinulit ko ang huling araw ng pahinga. I was surprised to see the kids on the street. Nakalatag lahat ng inflatable pools. So I asked, "Anong meron?!" Inaantay daw nila ang bumbero. Lalo nakong nagtaka. hahah! Nakakatuwa. Cooperative ang bumbero nila. Talagang dadayuhin lahat ng may pool sa harap ng bahay. Para palang San Juan dun. Too bad we have to go home that day. Hindi ko tuloy naexperience ang basaan galore.
All in all, I had so much fun with these people. I never felt that I was a stranger kahit some of them na-meet ko lang first time. Feeling ko ang tatagal na naming magkakakilala. Salamat sa masasarap na pagkain. Sirang-sira po ang diet ko dahil sa inyo. hahaha! Kasabay ng pagdiscover ko sa Quezon ang namuong pagkkaibigan na ittreasure ko ng bonggang bongga. Charot! hahaha!
PS: Sa kanila ko nalaman na may prutas pala sa kantang Happy Birthday! It's for you to find out. lol!
How to get there:
Ride a Jac Liner bus in Cubao QC and get off at Lucena Grand Terminal. Fares range from 200 to 250. Ride a jeep going to Agdangan or Unisan and get off at QCRB in Padre Burgos. It's only P30.00. Travel time is about an hour. There are also van in SM Lucena going to Padre Burgos that can cost you 80.00.
You can stay in Tamarind Tree Resort. It's one of the decent resort there. Contact (02)9850929. It's their Manila Office.
Ride a tricycle to the port. P9.00 each and look for Kagawad Vic (09129178637). He's the one in charge arranging the boat ride for you going to Borawan and Dampalitan. It will cost you 800 to 1200 depending on the size of the boat and man count.
If you plan to visit Lucban and Agdangan, there are a lot of jeep in the Grand Central as well. You won't have any problem with the transpo.
