Nowhere found in Manila last weekend, I went to where I was just two weekends ago. Lost in the moment –of which I always find myself in at Crystal Beach Resort. This is where I have been disappearing to. In between my anxiety of water, the thrill of winning against it, breathing fresh air, laughing my joy out loud with friends, communing with nature and finding God in the midst of all the organic beauty, this is where I have pitched a tent of temporary haven.
I’m a Manila girl, growing up in the concrete jungle with never having access to provincial fiestas and an answer to, “san probinsiya mo ne?” But I drew close to Zambales. I remember joining Conquer Zambales in 2009 – an adventure race organized by Living Asia with Sidetrip magazine that had me and CW speeding all over the province finishing one challenge after the other. The tasks were daunting and super fun, like jumping off a 15-feet dive board at the military camp, scaling big smelly fishes and gutting them (my first time to do in my life), seeing my partner hop on an old rickety boat and climbing the mast to get the next clue, cooking rice in a bamboo, crossing the sand bar between Camara island and another island with a heavy bucket of water, and many other tasks for a full 2 days. I’ve joined many adventure races but that one is top 3 of the most memorable even if I wasn’t near anywhere placing a spot since it allowed me to see the beauty of Zambales, both in the many places we went to and in its people.
In 2008, I also found a secret spot off the port of Pundaquit, a 30-minute boat ride to the beautiful off-white powdery sands of Anawangin. The lighthouse in Capones island. Chasing flags in Potipot island. Climbing a huge rock in Camara. Buying bagnet in the Zambales market.
Early this year, Shell Journeys had me planning another adventure trip and I picked Z, got reacquainted and now I couldn’t keep away.
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The Journey a Weekend Can Give
Dear Jane: Conquer Zambales Mate
I met new friends. I found a new challenge. I am learning from my surfing coach, Vergel. I rally behind a community that enjoys a simple life, genuine smiles, the sun, sand and of course, riding the waves.
Zambales became my home town. Crystal Beach, my new home address.
Here I don’t have a problem waking up early in the morning, sneaking out the room while everyone is still in la la land. I just take in the beauty of the morning and the fresh smell of hope.
Next time, I look forward to dawn watch. And giving praise and worship to the Father who has loved me so much.
This weekend was one of the best weekends of the year. I don’t know if it’s coming from a real “low” as this week brought news that saddened the heart that there was nowhere to go but up… it was also a toxic week at work more than usual… but boy, the joy soared on Friday. I always feel God’s overwhelming love but I felt it so much more last Friday. I can’t explain it but I was just laughing and laughing, with no guards up, bonding with the people I was with –new and old, reconnecting with my “sole” sister Maddie…
because our stronghold is God.
#love #contentment #simplejoys #friendships#family #happiness #faith #truth
…and receiving texts and calls from friends / groups in Manila who I felt missed me and wanted to spend time with me. If you’ve seen my craziness, you’d know that would be rare and people would normally excuse themselves around me… unless I’m wearing a straightjacket.
We are grateful since the forecast was totally flat but there were baby waves (a.k.a. white water) that also helped me practice minus the fear of the big waves.
Mac teaching new kids on the block
Too bad that the schedule was full and all the instructors and surf boards were booked Friday afternoon. While we decided to rest and relax, enjoy the sunset by the beach, and play Frisbee in between, my heart still yearned to go out and play with the baby waves. I looked out at the horizon and watched with longing.
Sunset Water Babies
Glad Abby read into my spirit and asked surfer Jay-R to lend me his personal board. She led me to sea and Jay-R took over, giving me a few tips and helping me catch a baby wave or two. I was able to do 4 rides that afternoon, 4/4 short ones but enough to make me happy.
We started out early Friday on a road trip and came home late Saturday night – set it two days so we have the 3rd day to rest. If the waves were not forecast as such, we would have stayed until Sunday but we were meant to avoid the heavy rains Sunday brought like God has provisioned us to fully enjoy the 2 days and fully rest on Sunday. How perfect the plans of the Lord are!
I can’t even begin to tell you how fun the weekend was. I had a blast.
Instead of just blabbing about it like blah blah blah ha-ha-ha blah blah blah.
I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
Road Trip: Zambales (August 9-10, 2013)
Morning from SCTEX! 
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Maddie and Janey
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Roadkills
SnR Shopping
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Checkpoint. What are all those stash?
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Anyone buried under there?
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Are we ready or are the waves ready?
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Abby, Mildred, the lovers, Janey
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The Breakfast Club: Baby Pancakes
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Speculoos
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The Swing Swing Crazy
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Let’s Save Rock and Roll!
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Hello from monkeys up the tree!
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Now, how in the world do I get down?
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Jumpshot. Girls v. Boys.
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Some tight competition but who won?
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What fit inside the Pajero
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Childhood Memories
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Like our cheesy smiles?
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Remember to bend your knees Janey
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Memories are like the waves in the ocean
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The Maddie and Janey show
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Naks, is that CeeJay? The 6th man out?
(Nakaka-offend ka na…. hahahaha)
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Thank You Lord for a beautiful weekend and a beautiful life with YOU!
Thank You for hearing every single prayer I had this week.
Living with a grateful heart.
The waves of happiness return.
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