Monday, June 14, 2010

Now this one's called a "journey".

I have had lots of travel before. I treasure the memories of each place I visited. Never have I thought that I'd have a journey that is so packed with experiences. How did I take on such a trip? Let me count the ways.

4 airports, 4 flights,
3 bus rides
& 7 cities
It was May 30, 2010 at 9:45 am that I flew from Zamboanga International Airport and landed at Mactan International Airport at 11:00am. After buying an item at a mall in Cebu, I took the 4:20 pm flight for Silay and got to the airport at past 5 in the afternoon. I even got a rare chance to take a shot on the craters of Mt. Canalaon, which is situated at Canlaon City, Negros Occidental. Going home last June 9 (While on the wait for the trip to Cebu, I witnessed the proclamation of Noynoy, which was shown on the TV screens in the airport), I traveled from Silay to Cebu and then on the 10th of June, from Cebu to Pagadian City.
It was my first time to set my foot in Negros Occidental. I was there for two seminars in Nature's Village in Talisay City that would run from May 31 to June 9. I also got a chance to go to the cities of Bacolod, Silay and Victorias.

Heritage Homes, Haciendas,
"The Ruins" in Talisay,
& Vast Sugarcane Fields
June 4 it was when the sponsor CICT got us participants visited many historical places in Negros. While inside the shuttle, the tour guide introduced many ancestral homes that can be seen along the streets of Silay City. We particularly got to Balay Negrense and HofileƱa's Ancestral House. Many artifacts and collections can be found inside these houses. As we traveled further to Victorias City, we could see the vast fields of sugarcane. We finally stopped by "The Ruins" in Talisay City. The 1920's house was put on fire during the 1942 Japanese occupation. The house should be made of quality materials that its framework have withstood burning and time.
3 Unique Churches
The church inside a sugar milling compound in Victorias City was once put to controversy because of a journalist's misinterpretation of the Lord's painting. The tour guide however gave us the rightful explanation. Then we visited another one - "The Chapel of the Cartwheels", which is found in a sugarcane surrounded hacienda. It was rather more symbolic than architectural. The cartwheels, the stone altar and seats, plow blades, the sculptures of Our Lady and the Lord Jesus are so indigenous, that they represent the farmers and their struggles. Finally, I joined in the Eucharistic Celebration at the crowned-shaped church of the Queen of Peace Parish in the provincial capital City of Bacolod. It was there, where I found serenity and comfort after all the busy days in Negros.
1 momentous Bloggers' Reunion
The one I had been so excited about the travel was the meeting again of the camp blog 1B classmates. It was indeed a great time having seen them one more time. I was also so glad to have seen again our trainers - Sir Rodel, Ma'ams Lei & Alex and Sir CP at 1B. More to these are also the addition of more friends from 1A, and participants from Negros and new mentors in Camp Blog 2A in Negros. Camp blog 2A also gained me a brother, Ericson and a big bro, Stephen. It is also in camp blog 2A that I learned how to make a web-based interactive learning object, thanks to Ma'am Rein, I produced one. This journey would not have been possible without the sponsorship of the iSchools Project, managed by Ma'am Toni. Forever grateful I am for the CICT, which helped me grow professionally.
2 Happy Moments with My Sis in Cebu
Dyan and his husband Atan were so kind to me that they gave me good times in Cebu. Last May 30, they accompanied me to a mall to buy a digital camera. Then on my way back home last June 9, they treated me a scrumptious dinner at Mooons' Cafe in IT Park in Lahug, Cebu. We finalized the night with a video k madness in Banilad. I also had a great time with my cute niece Danna and grown up nephew Jonas.

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