Ironwulf En Route
For a coffee-lover like me, riding to the coffee capital of the Philippines, Amadeo, Cavite was more than just a trivial endeavor. Just being at one of the country’s largest coffee producer and tasting it’s famous “pahimis” blend was enough to pedal my way to Amadeo. Besides, it’s just short of 30km from Biñan where I’m staying. For this ride, I took the Davilan road to Silang, Cavite to Amadeo then a sidetrip to Tagaytay on my way back.
I catch my breath as it escapes me. It’s getting shallow. I knew I’m almost at the edge of my capacity to pedal. So I stop. They call this stretch “2 kilometers of Pain”, now I know why. First time I passed through REVPAL was coming from Tagaytay side. I was screaming with exhilaration as I descend these slopes from Mt Sungai. Going the “reverse” way and negotiating up to 15% gradient (9 degrees) incline was a different experience altogether. But hey, we’re here for the thrill right? Like any other cyclist, we’re always trying to test our mettle. Am I? I’m really here for the sightseeing.
(This is an advertorial). A slew of reggae music blared through my portable speakers at the front seats of the van. It was Deng, our driver’s playlist, interplay of songs from Indio I, Coco Jam, Tropical Depression and Popong Landero to keep him into his driving groove while we head to Batangas coast from Tagaytay. At the back my cousins, mom and brother were amused by the two toddlers own song performances during the drive. We were already mid-way through our 6-day vacation and everything was going well.
Lounging in the waters. A cover study I shot at Sabin Resort in Ormoc.
The scorching heat of summer has placed its veil upon us puny humans. Lest no choice but to bow to its wavering heat and succumb us to unending sweat in the summer days. Thus our instincts dictates us to flee in comfort. Come beach and pool and wallow endlessly in its cool, calming waters. Alternately, voyage to higher altitudes where the breeze of the mountains still emanates a nurturing coolness. Yes, summer is here!
The Ronin returns after a brief respite.
As compensation of not writing for some time, let me recap in brief, highlights for the past few weeks:
Holy Week. For a change, I spent holy week in Manila. Instead of thinking I got left out of the vacationing crowd, I instead thought of it as rest from my vacation. The past few months was like a vacation for me and I guess it’s time to slow things down and see what has changed here. What did change? Holy week is not is used to be. Then, “all” establishments were closed during good friday, even the convenience stores, now some are open, the Video Stores are open to take advantage of crowd, internet Cafes are open to attend to those MMORPG gamers. Pasyon is still alive but now they have political undertones as well?! (talking about seperating the church from the state). Imagine those elderlies singing the pasyon in lyrics of protest against the upcoming VAT (Value added tax) increase. There’s TV. Cable has drastically changed holyweek as well. No regular channels, there’s always cable to turn to.
