Banaue Rice Terraces and the Kids of Gohang

photo taken from The Viewpoint

This isn't my first time to visit the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces. In 2013, I had the first chance to take a glimpse of one of, I would say Philippines' pride when it comes to history, heritage and culture, en route to Sagada, Mountain Province. That's Banaue.

However, this trip back to Banaue is one of a kind. This time we got the chance to see the kids of Gohang Elementary School. This public school teaches students from grades one to six.

I was invited by office mates to come with them and share our time and little help for grades 2-3 of the said school.

How to get to Banaue

It was August 28, 2015, at around 7pm we went to Ohayami Bus Terminal for our 10pm trip to Banaue. Travel time usually takes 8-9 hours passing through the municipalities Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao. Fare is between P450 and P500 one way. But because of a vehicular accident somewhere in Nueva Vizcaya (i think), it took us 12 hours to reach our destination.

Getting around Banaue

People of Banaue are genuinely kind, hospitable and always has a smile on their faces. Just ask around for the place you want to get in and they will surely be glad to give you directions.

Seeing The famous Banaue Rice Terraces still gives me the same exact feeling when i first saw it 2 years ago. "Ang ganda!"

With me are my office mates, Supervisors/Managers and a newly found friend Andy who happens to be a well followed blogger. Go check out her website to see more about Ifugao and other places she have visited... 

The kids of Gohang

I was very excited to see them that day. Their innocent faces and genuine smiles really captured our hearts. Thru the combined pledges from all of us, we were able to buy school supplies, from pencils, crayons, pad papers, etc everyone felt happy and contented with what they have received. We also had book reading with the kids to which they listened attentively.

Accomodation

We had an overnight stay at Hiwang Village Inn. The place, overlooking the magnificent Banaue Rice Terraces was surreal. We slept in a native house and braved the cold water as the rest room does not have water heater. We definitely enjoyed our stay in Hiwang Village Inn. A native house costs between P1200 and P1400 and may change during peak season.

Must have's in your travel bag:

Extension cords for your charging needs. Have traveled many times and this is one opportunity every single inn's, hotels, transients should address. You don't want your friend to remove your phone from being charged while you are sleeping then find out the following morning that your battery level has not even reached 10%. hahaha :D

Power banks.  As you go from one place to another during your trip, specially if you'll be traveling for hours, this gadget should always, always be present in your bag.

Medicines. A simple paracetamol or ibuprofen or loperamide won't add much weight to your bag. Better safe than sorry.

Cash. If you are fond of going to remote places, where ATMs are not available, cash should always be in your pocket. have some extra in case you want to buy some goodies.

Jacket. Places like Baguio, Banaue, Sagada takes hours of bus ride. Specially when going to Sagada where travel time takes more than 12 hours. It gets really really cold at night inside the bus so this should never ever be forgotten.


Special thanks to my friends for most of the photos posted here:

Andy Dela Cruz of www.ann-d-explorer.com
Cris Mananquil
Carol Arcilla
Ryan Chua
Rodelyn Burdios
Gellie Delos Reyes

Lucban, Quezon: A #solotravel and #HolyWeek Specials

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Its almost 4:00 in the morning on April 3, 2015, Good Friday, when I woke up wondering where will I be spending my vacation leave. I didn't want to just let the day pass without doing nothing, I didn't want to let the day pass watching old movies from local channels. 

Traditionally, some local TV stations go off the air, but some TV stations broadcast old movies from Nora Aunor's Himala, FPJ's Panday, Vilma Santos' Relasyon, and many others. These and other old time movies are the ones I've been watching during Lenten week. I grew up watching them during holy week since we had our first black and white TV, back in the days where the whole family get together and watch TV without cellphones, tablets and other gadgets on hand, and yes I had an awesome childhood because I get to experience real quality time with my family wherein you get to stay together -  no social media, no Facebook, no Instagram, no smartphones.

Its Good Friday and I was eager to stay out and be with God to give thanks for all the blessings I had received and will be receiving :)

Its almost 6:00 AM and I found myself boarding an airconditioned bus in Buendia Pasay bound for Lucena in Quezon Province. Travel time takes 4 hours but since its Good Friday, I was able to reach Lucena Grand Central in 3 and a half hours. From Lucena Grand Central, I rode a jeepney going to Lucban, but it took me 2 hours before I reach Lucban because of heavy traffic due to the huge number of pilgrims going to Kamay ni Hesus. Travel time to Lucban usually takes 40 minutes or less but don't expect that to happen during holy week (if you know what Im sayin')

I was totally wowed by the huge number of pilgrims from all walks of life, all lined up, very disciplined and patiently waited for their turn to step in the gates of Kamay ni Hesus.

Kamay ni Hesus was founded by Rev. Father Joseph Ayala Faller in 1998. Fr. Joseph, a well known healing priest holds healing mass every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 in the morning.

You can't say that you've been to kamay ni Hesus without braving its 300+ steps going to the top of the hill where you can find the Statue of Christ, a 50-foot statue and is considered as the 3rd largest statue in the world.

On your way up to the hill, you will find a number of statues channeling the 14 Stations of the Cross. 

Upon reaching the the top of the hill, you'll see the entire Lucban which will surely take your breath away... beautiful!

I don't know, I was a bit disappointed with what i smelled when i sat down at the back of the statue. These may be from other visitors who were not able to hold their pee. I hope the management of the site find time to stage a temporary male or female urinals or better yet a small rest room where visitors can pee...

Kamay ni Hesus is not only home to the largest statue and the 14 stations of the cross, on the right side of this 5 hectare land houses some of the life size statues of Adam and Eve, Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark and others. I wasn't able to take pictures of these magnificent statues as i run out of battery...

Truly, Lucban is not just about Pahiyas Festival that is being celebrated every 2nd week of May but also a haven for pilgrimage and the faithful.


Lucban, Quezon...conquered! :)