(1) Why are most of your posts focused on Cavite and the South?

Debate thought me to ask more than the 5W’s and 1H. It thought me to ask, “so what?”

In third year high school, arguably one of my favorite teachers ever gave us a challenge: to try and save the Imus River. Now that I think about it, that was such an ambitious, impossible project. But we were never really taught to aim low.

We researched about the projects being done by the municipal government to bring the river back to life. Our group got so far as to research environmental microorganisms that were being used in Japan and how the local government of Imus was looking into it.

So what? 

Suffice to say, the river is no better that it was almost seven years ago.

That project was what actually got me to take Public Administration in college- I wanted to work for the government and help make programs and projects that actually made sense, came through and helped society at large. On a smaller, more selfish scale, I wanted to help my municipality.

So what?

It’s been two years after college and I’m in the corporate world. The river is also still no better.

True, I do feel like the company I’m in really is in the business of improving living conditions (\m/), but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t feel like I’m helping out my home town.

Then, a few months ago, we had a project for work where we featured the best food from the areas we serviced. Of the 20 or so caterers we hired, none of there came from my province, let alone my municipality.

So what?

So, challenge accepted. I’m going to let the world see why I was so driven to help develop my hometown and my province- I want to prove that the past isn’t the only interesting thing about Imus, Cavite and what lies south of Metro Manila.

So the long and short of it is this: For now, I'm writing what I know and what I'm discovering about my home province. I feel like I owe it that much.

How Nagsasa taught us about climate change

While many people have heard about how great and wonderful Anawangin in the western coast of Zambales is, our group decided to go a little further to Nagsasa Cove. Not that we did not appreciate the lake and beach and the pine trees of the former (which was also the venue of a John Lloyd movie, I was informed), the place was just a tad too crowded for our liking.

Nagsasa is about a slow-boat’s ride away from Anawangin.  While the place has also started to become popular recently, there’s still plenty of space to enjoy the beach which is roughly twice the coastline of Anawangin, the gery-white sand and the clear waters.

According to a friend who has also visited the place two or three years back, there used to not be any commercial establishments in the Nagsasa. Now, though, there’s the Beach Place where people can rent gear and recreational equipment in case they didn’t come boy scout-ready.

 

Still, I’d recommend Nagsasa for the more adventurous and not so high maintenance. You’d have to be able to build a tent, a bonfire and be able to go to the bathroom (yes! Thankfully, there is a true bathroom) in the dark.

Nagsasa also offers a trekking trip for those who want to squeeze in all the adventure they can from this little cove. For only P50-P100/person, your guide will get you from the beach, through some grasslands, through rocky paths, through a river, over boulders and finally to the falls.

Unfortunately for us, the river dried up when we did the trek and the falls was down to a trickle. The water was cool and (for those who drank) sweet.

TIPS:

·         HOW MUCH?  For commuters, the budget for this trip is roughly P1,500 (AO May 2012). Includes fare (bus to Olangapo, bus/jeep from Olangapo to San Antonio, tricycle to Pundaquit, boat rides, camping fee). Excludes individual meals.

·         HOW TO GET THERE? The Victory Liner bus station in Cubao doesn’t have trips directly to Iba, Zambales. You would have to stop over at Olongapo and get a bus/jeep to San Antonio. If you're coming from Pasay though, you can just ask to be dropped off at San Antonio. Also take note that the said bus terminal sells tickets to Zambales starting 2:30 AM but leaves around 3:30 AM. When at the San Antonio Municipal Hall, get a tricycle to the resort of your choice from there (each ride is usually P30/person). Remember to ask your boatman/guide if he's meeting you at the resort or at the municipal hall.

·         WHEN TO GO? Come to Nagsasa during the dry season (April to late May; or November to February). For us, though the weather forecasts said we should have expected thunderstorms, we only experienced a slight drizzle. The waves though, were slightly less forgiving.

·         WHAT TO BRING? Bring lots of water for drinking and cooking. While spring water (from the falls) and mountain water (available through hoses near the campsite) might be potable after filtering with cheese cloth, this would not be advisable for those with sensitive stomachs or for children. Just so you know, the store in Nagsasa charges P30 for a 330mL of bottled water. (Surprisingly though, they sell Halu-halo for P35).

Also bring a tent, a sleeping bag/blanket, sun block, appropriate footwear, bags for water proofing and for your wet clothes, food, flashlight/headlamp/candle and matches, your own surfboard or skim board, a camera and your sense of adventure. Leave your Diva behind.

·         WHAT NOT TO DO. Aside from being a diva, please, please do not litter. Trash from Pundaquit and Anawangin were already floating on the water. Please preserve the beauty of our beaches and our waters by not littering.

·         POSSIBLE DISAPPOINTMENTS? Please take note that you will not have any cellphone signals while at Anawangin/Nagsasa unless you plan on bringing your own tower.

      If you’re hell bent on seeing the falls, and you’re the sort of person who likes getting disappointed, try asking your guide if there really is a falls to see, first. Also, if you plan on trekking, bring the appropriate footwear. Your flip flops would be ruined climbing the boulders. Also, try the berries your guide might point-out- they’re a good source of energy.

If you plan on going to Capones, ask your boatman to pick you up early. The waves get bigger the later it is in the day.

·         WOULD YOU GO BACK? Definitely! The cove offers most of the activities I like trying out- the beach, the mountain and the supposed falls. The bonus for me here is how quiet it is and that there are pine trees along the coast (I’m a sucker for pine trees, I think).

Of flag and pride and pride for flag

A short history lesson

Here in the Philippines, we have festivities every day of the year, for almost everything- from festivals for suckling pigs, to fruits to slippers. We have capitals for all seasons and occasions- from New Year (Bulacan), to Summer (Baguio), to Christmas (Pampanga). Because we like showbusiness so much, we try to get fame and recognition for our small towns and provinces.

The province of Cavite is known as the Philippines’ History Capital because it cradled the revolutionaries who fought for the country’s independence from 300 years of Spanish colonization. It has been the place known for being the home-province of the Philippines’ first president- Emilio Aguinaldo and the venue of many little-known battles that have been pivotal for the success of the revolution.

One such battle is the Battle of Imus, dubbed as the ‘first major victory of the Philippine rebels’. In his memoirs, Aguinaldo recounted how the town was recaptured from the Spanish forces after the Philippine rebels ambushed the force led by Gen. Ernesto de Aguirre at the trenches of the Imus River. It was then that Gen. Aguirre, fleeting for his life, lost his sword of command- the sword which later became Aguinaldo’s personal sword. 

Another is the Battle of Alapan which, again, happened in Imus, Cavite, where the first fight of the Philippine Revolution of 1898 (also known as the second chapter of the Philippine Revolution) took place. Aguinaldo had just returned from his exile in Hong Kong, bringing with him artillery for the rebels, when they defeated the 270 Spanish soldiers in Miguel Santo, Alapan. A few days later, the Philippine independence was proclaimed.

Today marks the 114^th Anniversary of that said battle, and is also the National Flag Day as proclaimed by Proclamation No. 374 made by former President Diosdado Macapagal.

Now, the weird part

The said proclamation states, “Our flags was (sic) first raised and received its baptism and victory in the Battle of Alapan, Imus, Cavite on May 28, 1898.”

I don’t know about you but when I was in grade school, all I knew was that the Philippine flag was first raised in Kawit, Cavite. Apparently, there are distinctions.

The flag was officially raised in Kawit when Aguinaldo declared the Philippine independence in June 12, but was officially unfurled in – according to the historical records- not Imus.

In 2008, shortly after then Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi proclaimed Imus as the country’s flag capital, the head historical researcher of the National Historical Institute, Mr. Augusto de Viana, published an article saying that the flag was actually first unfurled in Cavite Nuevo (now called Cavite City) when Aguinaldo and his troops docked in its port after his exile in Hong Kong.

For such a proud nation, we have a funny way of showing it

I truly believe that only people from Cavite, and not even that many, would care about the distinctions of where in Cavite the flag was raised and where it was unfurled. I mean, not even that many people know that we have a day dedicated to appreciating the Philippine Flag.

In a mini-study I conducted for one of my undergraduate classes, I also found that a surprising percentage of the respondents said they did not even study about their home towns in school, let alone it’s little-known historical significance.

This saddens me.

The flag is a symbol of our sovereignty as a nation. While it waves true, it proclaims and declares our freedom. It is to be respected, loved and honored. And yet, some people fail to see this. It’s like we, of the present generation, are all inflicted with what my former Environmental Science teacher called the Anna Karenina syndrome- that is we reap the benefits of those before us but we fail to appreciate it because we weren’t with them when they fought the hard fights (you have to explain yourself on that reference, sir).

The flag is more than a symbol, it’s a challenge. It’s our forefathers challenging us to surpass their achievements. It’s our flag challenging us to live up to and rightly use our independence. It’s our flag saying, “You say you’re proud of me, but what have you done to make me proud of you?”

I dare you to say challenge accepted.

A taste of history: Pansit Langlang

Mga ginoo; ang pansit-langlang ay siyang sopas na pinakamabuti! —ang sigaw ni Makaraig; —gaya nang makikita ninyo, Sandoval, ang halo ay kabuti, hipon, tiniping itlog, sutanghon, manok, at hindi ko na maalaman kung ano pa. Bilang pamago ay ihandog natin ang mga buto kay D. Custodio; tingnan natin, magpanukala siya tungkol dito!

Chapter XXV- Tawanan – Iyakan

El Filibusterismo

By Dr. Jose Rizal

When we came upon this text in El Filibusterismo in high school, our teacher asked us if we’ve tasted Pansit Langlang.

None of us even knew that it existed before that time.

So you can imagine our surprise when she said that a local canteen just a few blocks away still sells original Pansit Langlang. It took three blocks and six years for me to go there.

The place is called the Plaza Canteen because, I guess, people were less creative than then. It’s found (you guessed it!) just beside the Imus Town Plaza.

Its pastel-colored interiors and poster-paintings on laminated wood panels- makes the place feel homier and warmer.

 

A quick look on the menu posted at the counter makes you feel even more welcome if only because the prices are so affordable.

Since I didn’t really research on what Pansit Langlang was supposed to be like, I was surprised when they served us soup. Apparently, that was why there was a penciled-in note beside the name in the menu that said Mami.

This version of Pansit Langlang combined Miki and sotanghon noodles, hardboiled egg, chicken, chunks of bread, green onion stalks, Kinchay (coriander) and crispy fried garlic. As mentioned by Dr. Jose Rizal, other recipes for the same dish would also put in ground pork, dried baby shrimp, sitsaro (snow pea) and tengang daga (a type of mushroom).

Despite its simplicity, the dish feels like comfort food to be shared with your family during twilight in the porch of your house in the province.

This is probably why Dr. Rizal used to have his brother Paciano mail him the noodles for Pansit Langlang while he was in Europe – it reminded him of home.