My La Union Escapade

After I learned of his invitation, I wanted to jump to the next bus right away but considering my work schedule, I patiently work around with it a couple of months. I found a very opportune time when the internet connection of our Internet bistro was being cut-off by the Internet service provider. I had to close the shop so I was free to roam around, at least, for the weekend.

I left Antipolo last January 20 and had to pass by SM Megamall to get from my girlfriend the photo book I and my girlfriend had received as Christmas gift last December. Tito Tom wanted to see it. I also had to pick up her pasalubong for Tito Tom and family. I left Cubao Partas station by lunch time and was supposed to arrive San Fernando, La Union by six in the evening. Unfortunately, the bus broke down in Capas, Tarlac, and that made me arrived to my destination 5 hours late. Thanks for the mobile text messaging technology, we had constant communication with Tito Tom so he was picking me up at the bus station using his white sedan. When we arrived in his house, I was greeted with a warm welcome by his whole family. It was already past 11pm when we arrived at Tito Tom's house. Tito Tom accommodated me in his daughter 'Tina's room. Had I came in group, he probably must have allowed me to use the bamboo rest house at the back. And I thought that should be cool.

Day 1

 
The photos above are the first batch of photos I had taken from the balcony of Tito Tom's house the following morning. I was just playing with bokeh using my Sigma telephoto lens. I was preparing for an adventure to the adjacent surfing ground that I playfully referred to here as "Tito Tom's stomping ground" or "Tito Tom's backyard."

This surfing area is actually called Urbiztondo, already a part of the municipality of San Juan yet just a stone throw away from Tito Tom's house which is situated at Dalumpinas Oeste, probably the last barangay of San Fernando.

 
These are just few of the girls right there waiting to be caught by my lens so they can be discovered here in my blog.

 
While most visitors go to place for surfing activity, some are just satisfying themselves basking under the heat of the sun.

This couple probably is waiting for their surfing instructor.

Others seemed to be local, but I still guess they are not. This pretty young girl is crossing the street heading to a concrete house in the area. She just emerged from her dip and probably had just finished catching some waves.

 
I guess you know who this man, is - surveying around his mesmeric and prepossessing abode.

You should know how humble this big guy we know as Tito Tom is. He was the host, the chauffeur, the tourist guide, the interpreter (No, I'm just kidding). He can also be your photography mentor or workshop master if you ask him. Without any exaggeration, I must say Tito Tom has a big heart and can win any soul. And in this particular occasion that we were having our photoshoot, Tito Tom made it a bonus for us another destination which is San Gabriel, La Union. It is the next town after San Juan. We moved to our next destination and together with us is Ate Julie, Tito Tom's better half, and a househelp.

The market day of San Gabriel had just ended when we arrived. People from the farm are preparing to go back home.

 
From San Gabriel, we proceed to the house of Ate Julie's brother where we had our lunch. The place we went to was again a part of San Juan, it's called Barangay Allangigan. After that sumptuous lunch and we were already on our way back, I was very privileged being photographed by Tito Tom beside a kuliglig parked head on with our sedan.

Oh, I love my haircut and my lens :)

Day 2

A grand breakfast awaited me the following morning. Other than the food preparation, the breakfast was so special because we had it overlooking the sea front where you can hear the sound of the surf. The whole view from the balcony is very pleasing to the eye. I also had photographed a part of Tito Tom's balcony but since it is a private property, I decided not to post it here as my blog is for public viewing. It is up to you to discover such when you accept Tito Tom's invitation.

Tito Tom's balcony is so peaceful you only hear the sound of the waves. It was our chance with Tito Tom for a long conversation. Prior to that, he was viewing my photo book while I was eating my breakfast. After that, we talked about just anything under the sun. We talked about politics, photography, history, the life story of Jesus not recorded in the Bible, and even Mulawin. Tito Tom is a good conversationalist.

After lunch time, Tito Tom and wife decided to bring me to the Capitol site. The provincial capitol of La Union is just in San Fernando and located on a higher ground, overlooking most part of the city. We dropped by at the provincial tourism office and was warmly received by Engr. Joseph A. Dumuk, the provincial information officer. He's very kind and have a good sense of humour. He, in fact, sang me a few songs in Hiligaynon and Cebuano after knowing that I came from Mindanao and that I also speak Hiligaynon. I almost thought he was in the military service before because of his singing a few inter-ethnical songs. He confirm to us that being in the military service was his aspiration during his younger years, unfortunately for him couldn't pass the test because his eyes are near to the ground. Tito Tom got his joke right away and suggested he should have provided himself a sole lift. Laughter followed.

It is as if the provincial capitol staff posed for Tito Tom and me. No, actually they are not. They're having their official pictorial taken by their own photographer right after our appointment with Engr. Dumuk (the one in the middle wearing Barong Tagalog). After the pictorial, Engr. Dumuk became our tourist guide in a short while. Earlier, he was giving each of us map to different tourist attraction in the province. We were also informed about a surfing competition to be held on February 2-4, 2007 at the same place where I took my surfing photos - Urbiztondo in San Juan.

 
This is the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Pagoda, just a few meters away from the provincial capitol.

If to your left is the San Fernando Bay, to your right is San Fernando's mountainous side.

There are so much of Tito Tom's place more than what I can describe here. So, for those who wanted to go to the North, take a peek at Tito Tom's humble abode. You'll never know what he has in store for you. I guarantee you sure would enjoy a lot of surprises that I uncovered myself during my stay.

Note: You may also see the photos here:
http://dodongflores.multiply.com/photos/album/49 and
http://dodongflores.multiply.com/photos/album/50