Gala Pinoy Redux

“Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It’s time to leave this town
It’s time to steal away
Let’s go get lost
Anywhere in the U.S.A.”
- Road trippin’, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Our ride of choice: a Honda CB 110.

I put my helmet on and secured my bag on my back, as N and I prepared for our 110-kilometer ride south from Borongan to Guiuan, two towns of Eastern Samar, to attend a high school classmate’s ordination to the priesthood.

Many people I’ve encountered are remotely aware where Eastern Samar is, or if it even exists. I don’t blame them though. But to me, Eastern Samar is home, at least for the 6 years I stayed there while studying in the seminary.

N cranked up the engine of his red Honda CB 110, and we began our journey across Eastern Samar’s roads that beg for a dose of asphalt or cement, with its vast expanse of houses, trees, hills, and farmlands on the side that create a perfect backdrop to any road trip.

We estimated that the entire trip would take 3 hours or less, since we wouldn’t have to battle with craters of what used to be paved roads. Unlike larger vehicles, we could simply drive around them. However, rains constantly battered us along the road, so we had to take frequent stops to take cover from the rain.

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Story behind the photo: I sat along the sidewalk of Universal Studios Singapore when I saw these two couples sitting side by side. But although they’re both couples, the similarity ended there since you can draw a lot of contrasts from them by simply looking at the photo.

Story behind the photo: It was a particularly hot day when I went with my family to Universal Studios Singapore a few months ago. I was quite tired from all the walking under the intense heat, so you could imagine how envious I was of this kid when I saw her sleeping soundly in her stroller. Ah, the life indeed.