Saturday, September 10, 2011

Hello, Strangers!

If you have been reading this blog since its inception, you’d probably read my entry about my 9-hour delay experience at Zamboanga International Airport last April. Good thing was, Cebu Pacific treated us well by serving us free food from Jollibee and a free one-way ticket to any domestic destination valid for six months.

Since my two friends are going to have their board exam review sessions starting July, we decided to claim our free one way flight before it expires in October. We originally planned to take Cebu but one of my friends insisted to book a flight to Manila instead. After hours of deliberation, we finally settled of booking a flight to Manila.


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(Jump shots! Top: Bagets at Passig Islet, Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur. Photo courtesy of Jerome Baluyut. Bottom: Couchsurfers at Kaputian Public Beach Park, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. Photo courtesy of Edgar Yap.)


So, we availed a promo fare from AirPhil, called for our free one-way flight at Cebu Pacific and finalized our itinerary.


Little did I know, I was about to meet the coolest group of people who have inspired me to travel around the country.

Two days before my Manila trip, I sought help from the PTB Bagets Group. I asked them of where I can find a cheap inn around the Manila area and how to commute from NAIA 3 to Manila. It was Lloyd who gave me detailed instructions on how to commute and I really thank him for that. Kuya Ian also gave me a complete list of cheap inns within the Manila area, complete with contact details and address.

After braving the chaotic streets of Manila, we met up with Lloyd at Gil Puyat station and went to Makati for the Bagets KK (Krispy Kreme) Party, sponsored by Angel Juarez. From that point, I knew that I was going to be intimidated by their travel stories both here and abroad. Angel and Jerome were already at our meeting place (Petron Treats along Ayala Avenue) when we arrived. Instead of feeling intimidated by their ‘god-like’ aura, I felt otherwise. The two gentlemen welcomed me. Surprisingly, Angel conversed me in Bisaya and I felt comfortable; I thought I was not in Manila that time.



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Minutes later, more and more people arrived. I’ve finally met Cai who’s so pretty, bubbly and nice in person, Ivan who always smiles (and no, he’s not sira or a mentally retarded person), Darwin the El-Presidente of Bagets, Marx the Mr. Nice Guy of the group, and Kuya Ian, the totoy bibo of Valenzuela, (naks parang PBB lang). The party continued at a KTV Bar along Ayala Avenue and there I met Cat and Ca.

I really enjoyed their company. They unselfishly shared their adventures and misadventures of their trips on different places both here and abroad. I will never forget those ghostly encounters of Jerome or the countless beach escapades of Darwin and Ca or the Katibawasan and Tinago Falls experience of Cat.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, PTB Bagets has been my inspiration ever since I joined the group. I never get annoyed when my chat notification exceeds to a hundred messages in just a few seconds or when my newsfeed’s flooded with notifications from the group. I have learned a LOT from these people and I really got inspired from their travel stories.

Luckily I met more members from Bagets last Kadayawan Festival (Ate Doi, CJ, Mark, Ate Nat, Edcel, Sheena, Kuya Edgar, Atty. Mhe-Anne and Ella) and they were all awesome too!
This is what I love about traveling. You meet new people and learn new things from them.
I hope that I will meet more awesome travelers from the group!


This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for the month of September 2011 on the theme “Unforgettable Human Encounters on the Road”  hosted by Marky Ramone Go of Nomadic Experiences.




15 comments:

  1. I always smile? haha. my gums are always on display. haha

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  2. we are all inspiration to other people. i hope to meet up with you soon, fellow traveller! Cheers! Don't forget to inspire other people too.

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  3. hehehe. it was nice meeting you too Renz. you really remind me of 2 people i know and your personality is a mixture of the two. LOL just stay bubbly and "hyper active" too and continue following your travel itch instincts! see you here in Cebu this December or hopefully sooner than that! :o)

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  4. Ivan: Ala public display of affection ba gums mo? Hehe peace!

    Pinoy Boy journals: I do hope I'll inspire some people through my blog. :D

    Doi: Ate Doi! Sino???!!! Hahaha! Kitakits this December! I can't wait!

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  5. naks! thanks renz, nahiya naman ako dun...i think we are all inspiration to others lalo na to people who loves to travel.marami pa akong ghost stories hahaha...see you next year sa Iloilo

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  6. Yehey, Jerome! Wanna hear more travel ghost stories from you!!! :D See you soon in Iloilo rin! :D

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  7. nice post Renz and welcome to the blog carnival. nagmeet din tayo sa Davao kahit sandali hahaha

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  8. Atty Mhe-Anne! Yeah! Sayang saglit lang tayo nag bonding when you went to Davao. But at least nakahabol ka pa ma'am! Looking forward to meet you soon po! :D

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  9. Hang kulet! hehe! Hope to meet you soon Renz, ;) Pag nagkita kayu ni Darwin pakiremind na itext ako :|

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  10. Waaaw Ada! Come and visit Davao!!! :D :D

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  11. :), nakakatuwa naman ng post mo Renz, #BAGETS!

    Im glad you had fun in manila. til next time.

    @ada, nasa wall nmn ng bagets, kaw kasi hindi nag-online..

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  12. I have not been to Davao, hope to meet you when I visit someday. PTB Bagets are all awesome!

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  13. Sayang hindi kita na-meet when you were here in Manila and on my last trip sa Davao LOL. Hope to see you soon woot :D #Bagets

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  14. Ate Gay and Ate Mica! Waaa I'd want to meet the two of you rin!!! <3

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  15. Hey Renz! let's meet soon when you're sched is not so busy :) Miss you!

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