Chasing Gavin
Race the sun
It's summer again...gone are the days of note-taking, lectures, exams, and the customary scene of students lurking in one corner, along with the loads of gargantuan books of every thickness, grasping the lingering minutes for the occasional cramming. It feels like I merely sped through an entire school year, overlooking events as new-fangled ones turn up before I could even notice the previous ones drift away hastily. And you know what? It seems as though as I went through them as quick as Harry Potter chasing after the Golden Snitch, exhilarated to get his hands upon the glistening, silver Quidditch cup.
But like all other summers, spending the two months off wouldn't be complete without the traditional existence of boredom, always at hand to keep you company...during those dull days of much wall-watching, or ceiling-gazing, or better yet, floor-gawking. If matters turn out to be worse, you might find me spending countless hours trying to conjure a spark from my "wand" before even realizing that it was a measly garden twig all the while. It wouldn't be satisfying without the occasional nagging-your-mom-to-go-to-the-mall-because-you-have-nothing-to-do. And of course, the sentence "I've nothing to do!" would become the most prominent expression of the week (or the month); moreover, the word "boredom" would be residing in your thoughts longer than the "Periodic Table of Elements" ever did.
So here, summer's half way through, and I've another four weeks to spend with boredom (in which, by the way, happens to be a close friend of mine) that happens to be just sheer torture, in any way you might want to endow it with flowery descriptions. But hey, I might be just exaggerating a bit too much. On the other hand you might consent with my idea...that is if you now resemble a depraved little pixie, lost in Treasure Island.
Summer's not all that bad like I describe it. In fact, it's the only time of the year in which you have the freedom to strain your eyes from watching the television too much, without your mom complaining on you for your excessive laziness. Apart from that, it's the only time of the year in which you can merely enjoy the pleasure that summer simply endows you with: traveling.
Due to my everyday nagging, my mom settled on enrolling me on a summer workshop. It's not much like school, really...in fact it's not like school at all, except for the homework-I guess I can't do away without that. On top it all I got the pleasure from earning new friends, and from enjoying the benefit of traveling to Taal town with them.
On the Way
T'was four-thirty in the morning when I felt my dad shoving my blanket aside to wake me from my sleep. Feeling the rapture of being able to say "Finally..." or should I say bellow and declare, "Finally!" I felt the sudden rush of excitement to my head as thoughts of what-to-dos came across. In fact, the only nature that I know about Taal was the stunning view of the volcano and the cool air that goes with it; never have I heard that there was such a place as Taal town. That was the reason why I had way too much thrill and anticipation that I can hold.
In twenty-five minutes, my dad was able to bring me to Makati. The bus was already there, waiting for its passengers to fill it in soon. I wasn't really expecting to see parents that were joining the trip, so it made me realize that I should've agreed to let my mom to come along. Moreover, I wasn't expecting to see more workshop participants. Never had I known that we would be able to consume all the seats available in the bus.
Our bus left for Taal by six-twenty. We started the trip with a short prayer, then we carried on with the essential activity: introducing ourselves. It was rather exhilarating to watch the progress of the game. The good thing was when my turn came, I got the special chance of receiving a simple marble cake slice for celebrating my birthday last Sunday. Yeah, surprises awaited, I never knew when they were coming.
I got the chance to see sit beside Tin-tin, which was very fortunate, because I knew no one else in the bus but her. Given that, I was able to chat with her all throughout the trip, without even realizing that I was already enjoying the expedition. I never used to find amusement from traveling by bus because I usually get carsick. But thanks to Tin-tin, I never felt the attacks of boredom at all.
At five past eight we disembarked at Lipa town to visit the Cathedral of San Sebastian. Armed with my camera and thirty-six shots of film, I got ready to climb down. Due to the mass that was going on, we weren't able to move around that much. But I didn't fret-it was the first time that I've been to that church, giving me the chance to ask for three simple wishes (You'll never know...they just might come true). Before we left, those who had the guts tried to take a glance at the belfry. I was one of them; curio dragged me out of my unavoidable fear of heights.
The first flight of steps seemed endless! I was literally gasping for breath, but I couldn't stop with everybody else following me from behind. Finally, after much panting, I reached...the first level. Okay, that wasn't much of an achievement was it? But it was worth the try. The walls and the floorings looked so old and brittle, it reminded me of the owlery at Hogwarts. Gee, I was half-expecting to see an owl swoop down from the sky. Afterwards we climbed up the next level using this very steep ladder, and before we knew it, we finally got to the floor before the next story where the lower bells were placed. I preferred calling it the suicidal story because it was high enough for anyone in the depths of despair to jump down. After enjoying the view and appreciating the killer whiff of bat urine (which was very difficult to endure because we needed large intakes of air), it was time to do the easier-said-than-done part: stepping down. By the look of things, everything was going on quite well. It was quite a cinch for Tin-tin, but not for me! I experienced the time when I was sensibly itching for a wand so I could simply "apparate" out of the belfry without much effort. To my disappointment, I didn't have any, so I had to do it the conventional way.
The Biggest Church in the Orient
It took us another hour until we reached the Taal town, which didn't seem as though as it was an hour at all. Everyone was too pre-occupied with eating and chatting, including me. We busied ourselves the momentary pleasures that we earned from making more friends and conversing with them. And before we knew it, we've already pulled in-oohs and ahhs filled the air as we focused our views upon the biggest church in the Orient.
As it happens, I was never actually aware that the biggest church in the Orient could be found here in the Philippines. I haven't given that much thought though, but yeah, where else could you find the biggest church in the Orient? The Philippines, but of course...
we happen to have the largest population of Catholic citizens!
Naturally, a colossal basilica would need a tour guide to lead us around. So we took on Betty to help us-and boy was she good! The only nature that u used to know about tour guides is that they bore me even more than they could give me information. But not Betty-not only does she know a lot of details about the history of Caysasay and St. Martin de Tours, however she was able to narrate them very well. In fact, she sounded more like a storyteller form Adarna house rather than a tour guide like she really was.
The basilica was really beautiful-but what really amazed me was how they were able to embellish the ceilings with such stunning paintings! And they were not only stunning paintings-they were detailed paintings, with matching calligraphy. Astounding, I must say. It must've taken them so much effort to paint those masterpieces while enduring the twinge of trying to stay up there in the ceiling.
Unfortunately we weren't given the permission to explore the mystery hidden in upper decks (the belfry). All the same we went to the municipal hall to enjoy the view of the town from the balcony.
Houses of the Old
Since Taal is known for its Spanish influenced houses it was then called a heritage town, just like how Vigan is also known for. The streets are lined up with old houses of every size, all sharing a common trait: the presence of capiz windows and large wooden doors. Each one is finely decorated with its own furnishings that were restored through the years. Some of the houses were donated to the government and were opened for the public, namely the Apacible and Agoncillo house.
First, we took a look at the Agoncillo house. (It reminded me of our house back in Sorsogon where I broke this fine vase, but that happens to be another story.) The house was in its original state, but apparently I wasn't able to point out some details because I wasn't feeling very well that time. But nevertheless I especially liked the view from the balcony of the house. Everything that you can see below was nothing but greenery, which was rather exceptional for someone like me who lives among the infuriating sounds of the grimy, and disruptive city. I did wish that I had a house that rests amid towering trees and uplifting gusts of wind. But it came upon me that in this age, people like me consider "modern conveniences" as an essential ingredient for survival. Gee, imagine life without electricity to assist you with.
Our next stop was the Apacible house, which was the one that I favored more than the house of the Agoncillo's. Apart from its remarkable ceilings, the rooms were furnished superbly even though they weren't that very big. I especially liked the four-poster beds, which reminded me so much of Harry Potter's dormitory, endowed with fine, curtained beds. I was also able to take a quick glimpse of the early fridge, making me imagine how hard it must've been to get a mere glass of cold water back then, in which you would have to wait for the galleon that brings the ice to come once every month. Ice must've cost them a lot of money back then, but nowadays, you can pamper yourself with a refreshing bag of ice for only a peso.
The Domination of Heat
T'was already noon and the sun was really taking its toll on me. A measly fan wasn't enough to make me feel better, so I resorted on taking short rests every five seconds of walking under the sun. I was wary that it was another attack of my occasional aversion to extreme heat. Well it was, in reality-it was a mild heat stroke, and though it wasn't that serious to be alarmed about, I wasn't feeling very well. And just what could make me feel better? Food of course, lots of food!
My face lit up when the sign came upon me...Casa Punzalan. Yeah, there it was...behold thy only means to salvation...food! I was obviously craving for so much food, because I have never felt so sick and hungry before. Though I only considered Value meal no. 8 as the only medicine, hey, I had no other choice! All the same I utterly enjoyed the meal. Along with Tin-tin, I shoved ample amounts of food into my plate like I just came home from a four-week battle. We had rice (duh!), chicken, pancit, chicken, chopsuey, chicken, and a few side dishes. Oh, and did I mention chicken?
We strode back to the bus after lunch (and with much energy and vigor! Yeah!), getting ready for our next destination. It was only a short trip to the factory of balisong. And like the trip, the visit was also short. There wasn't a lot to see anyway.
Clambering Up the One Hundred and Twenty-five Stone Steps
So okay, now that we already possessed the much needed inspiration and energy, we had all the will to clamber up the steps of Caysasay. But before we spilled our guts on that matter, we visited the chapel of the Our Lady of Caysasay. It was so much like the other churches that we visited, because the paintings upon the ceilings and the walls weren't absent at all. And like all the others, the masterpieces were just as beautiful. Legend has it that the Lady of Caysasay appeared before the fishermen in that town. Apparently she was only eight inches tall back then, which explained the reason why her image in the chapel was of the same size as well.
Afterwards, Tin-tin and I breezed through the steps, which made me end up huffing and puffing like I was having a bad case of asthma. Anyway, the one hundred and twenty-five steps broke my former record of climbing the steps in Baguio, which was only one hundred and eight. It was an accomplishment, actually. Even Tin-tin and I were complaining that the steps were only one hundred and twenty-four in total. Oh well...that didn't matter much anyway.
Homeward Bound!
Finally, it was time to go home. Yeah, it was *sniff* time to go home. Sad as it was, leaving wasn't a reason for me to mope around for. After all, I was able to satisfy myself with a lot of pictures, and of course, a handful of memories to remember by. Aside from that, the fun wasn't ending yet. If the ride towards Taal town was to my liking, then the trip back home was just as exciting and just as enjoyable.
Along the way, we had some games to busy ourselves with. Everyone participated on it, including me. In fact, I even won myself a t-shirt (after many trials of replying on measly questions I can't even answer). But thank heavens I didn't get myself that box of milk...otherwise my brother would've laughed his head off for that reason.
Apart from the lunch, I enjoyed another part of the trip just the same. It was the time when we stopped over at McDonald's. After eating one hearty Quarter Pounder meal, for that moment...I felt completely home at last.
With the exception of walking under the tremendous heat of the sun, I enjoyed everything on our trip to Taal town. Besides I was able to earn the exceptional chance of being able to escape the agonizing attacks of the door on me (it won't budge open), and to finally emerge from imprisonment to the much-awaited freedom.
