Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Stranded in Bohol

My partner-consultant, Engr. Jun Rusiana and I just finalized our draft of the 5-year business plan of the Metro San Pascual Waterworks Service Cooperative (MSPWASCO). We agreed with the coop management to present the output in the holidays toward the end of December 2014.

December 28

Following the same route as in my first visit in November 2014, I traveled to Ubay, Bohol via Cebu. I met Sir Jun at Pier 1 and together took the boat (fast craft) to Tubigon, Bohol. Then hired a private car to bring us to San Pascual, Ubay, Bohol.

We arrived at the coop office at 10am. We immediately did the output presentation to the Board of Directors and Management staffs of MSPWASCO. The activity concluded successfully at 4pm.

The rains that afternoon started pouring heavily. As we also did before, we spent an overnight at GV Hotel in Ubay Poblacion.

December 29

Then Typhoon Seniang landfell in Bohol, cancelling all boat trips to Cebu. Now that most stranded passengers crowded Tubigon port, the chance to find seats in the boat once cleared by Customs would be slim. So we decided to spend the night at a hotel in Tubigon, Bohol. The competition for a hotel room in the town was too tight, given its limited number of paid accommodations. Fortunately, we were given one room to share at Monina Inn.

December 30

Another day has gone and the typhoon passed by but the storm signal was still raised so all boat trips to Cebu has not resumed yet. I actually had hotel reservation at Cebu Bayfront Hotel for the night but it seemed like I really couldn't cross the sea. It would be too late to cancel the reservation. So I offered it as a gift to Ma'am Stella. I later knew that it was unused because she tied at home entertaining visitors.

I decided to reroute my flight to Manila via Tagbilaran City instead. I spent another night at Hotel Soledad in the city.

December 31

I finally flew back to Manila at the eve of the new year. This was my very first time to be stranded in a faraway place around New Year holiday.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Family Christmas in Subic

December 25



Our first Christmas together as a family here in Metro Manila. Most of our family Christmases were shared in our hometown, Anao-aon in Surigao del Norte province. Since Papa Tantong and Mama Dulcing were invited to stay with us since 2013 to help care my niece, baby Wanwan, this was the very first time that were complete (Papa, Mama, my Sis En and me). Last year supposedly but was interrupted by the super-typhoon Yolanda, when my elder bother's family were among the victims. Papa Tantong went home to welcome my nephews and nieces.



Now that we're complete, except of course for my older brothers' families, I decided to bring us all to Subic Bay in Olongapo City.





We departed from our place in San Jose del Monte City at 6 o'clock of Christmas Day; Jun, En's hubby driving. We arrived in Subic around noon. En had reserved a family room at the Venezia Hotel and Casino but the check in time was at 2pm yet. So we visited the Ocean Adventure Park and lunched there. I was grateful that Papa Tantong, who's no longer fond of the crowd had ignored this kind of phobia and enjoyed all the shows, from jumping-diving dolphins, to tricky sea lions, and to African acrobats.


That night after check in, we check the Harbor Point and dined there before spending family slumber party inside our suite.


December 26

We did our city tour that morning after our breakfast at the nearby Jollibee outlet. We drove through the almost empty streets of SBMA, reached the beach area, took a pose at the harbor, and the remnants of the old fortress. After which we headed back home.




I was more grateful to have such a wonderful, out of town family Christmas getaway, to later know that it was our last Christmas to share with Papa Tantong.