Ilocos Region: The Adventure to the Great North

Ever since I started working, I have traveled to various countries–South Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Indonesia, to name a few. It gave me a broader perspective on life. I got introduced to unfamiliar cultures, met new friends along the road, and explored the underrated cities. But I'm going to tell you a secret. I haven't explored my home country much, and it's a shame.

The Philippines has much to offer, from highlands to islands, from the towering verdant landscapes to the turquoise and cerulean waters. It was a personal choice not to explore my own country because I thought I had already known my home country. The truth is, I barely scratched the surface. Every region is unique–culture, language, and food. Years after traveling abroad, it felt like I had become a stranger in my own country. Now it is about time to get reacquainted with my motherland. With my friends, I traveled to the north to visit the Ilocos Region, my paternal grandfather's hometown. It's a shame I don't speak their language, and my knowledge of this region is limited. Welcome to the Ilocos Region, the best of culture and nature, and the heritage village of the Philippines.

Planespotting in Manila

It's the month of February and that means I am going to celebrate Valentine's with my first love - aviation! Yesterday, after my duty, I went to the PPSG (Philippine Plane Spotter Group) HQ located at Multinational Avenue, Parañaque near the end of NAIA's runway 06 to meet up with my #ProjectSingaporeAirshow2014 friends (gee, what a long sentence). By the way, we're going to Singapore this February 13-16 to attend the Singapore Airshow 2014, plus a little bit of side trips. It's going to be my first time in Singapore and I'm going to make the most out of it! I can no longer contain my excitement!

Now back to the topic. Since last year, I have posted a few entries about my planespotting activities in Davao International Airport (ICAO: RPMD). It sure is an exciting activity most especially if there's a high volume of air traffic. But I admit that it gets boring if (1) there's only one or two arrivals/departures, and; (2) all aircraft are of the same type/model - example, the famous and best-seller Airbus A320-200. It was my first  time to spot in Manila with my DSLR. Without minding the scorching heat of the sun, I went near the perimeter fence and took a lot of photos... as if there's no tomorrow! Heh.

Of Living and Working In Metro Manila

Makati City, Philippines

I used to wake up at five in the morning, braved the running, cold water from the shower and occasionally fought indolence. There was no time for breakfast because I have to leave the house at around quarter to six to catch up the early ride to my work station. A carton of milk and a bite of biscuit was already enough, or so I thought. And as always, the 6AM traffic jam is always unbearable most especially on weekdays. It seemed like people magically come out of nowhere and instantly fill the jeeps, taxis, and buses. And by the time I finish my work, I'd go home and experience the same stress ALL OVER AGAIN.

That's how I'd like to describe my life in Metro Manila and I didn't expect that I'd survive that way of life for almost two years!

Random Shots: Plaridel Airport

Upon learning that I'm going to be permanently assigned in Tacloban Tower/Approach Control facility, I together with my five other classmates who were also assigned to different provinces of the Philippines such as Kalibo, Busuanga, Subic, and Tuguegarao, will temporarily stay in Plaridel Tower. We still have to wait for our travel orders and some important documents before leaving Manila.

It was also an opportunity for me and my favorite toy (ehem, Canon EOS 1100D, we meet again!) to bond here in Plaridel. I have almost abandoned it during my training last year and my parents seldom used it.

Well, it feels so great to be reunited again with my favorite toy in the world!

The Crazy Super Viking Ride of Tagaytay

Come, fly with me!

I remember the first time I rode an extreme carnival ride. Davao City, early 2009. My friends and I were at Mary Rose Carnival. It's a mobile carnival - it travels across Mindanao assembles by its own self (loljk just kidding)!. Mary Rose Carnival aka Enchanted Ma-a previously occupies on what used to be a vacant property adjacent to NCCC Mall (S&R Membership Shopping currently occupies the former location of the carnival).

We then tried the Sea Dragon (or Pirates Away to some theme parks). I am not acrophobic but this ride had taken its toll on me. I got completely terrified, at the same time excited after that ride, well blame it to adrenaline rush.

I never thought that I'd had the chance to ride it again, this time on different a location, occasion, and with different sets of people. Nonetheless, my latest extreme ride experience was truly remarkable. It felt like it was still my first time.

The Much-Awaited Tagaytay Adventure

12th of January, 2014

After the grand announcement of our place of assignments, my batch mates decided to bond for the last time before reporting to our respective facilities tomorrow (huhuhu #SeparationAnxiety). 30 new ATCs (too bad, not all of us didn't attend this grand getaway... we're 53 by the way) of the country invaded Tagaytay!

Not to mention that almost all of us were Tagaytay virgins. Oops.

The Cessna 172 Experience

Inside the Cessna 172

Controlling air traffic at a particular facility (whether aerodrome, approach, or area control), is not a piece of cake. Before giving clearances, the ATC must be knowledgable about the local traffic procedures to ensure the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic, the different aircraft performances, and a whole lot more. Pilots, on the other hand, rely on the voice of an air traffic controller before executing such actions.

But I've always wondered what it feels like to be inside the cockpit of an aircraft.

Postcard: The Storm Has Passed

The Cessna and Rainbow. Photo by Ryan Zuniga

It's been two and a half weeks since Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) had wreaked unimaginable havoc in the Visayas region. The disaster had claimed thousands of lives, millions worth of properties and livelihood, and had displaced more than four million people. We have witnessed how cities and towns fell and how our fellowmen and even several countries around the world have extended their help in order to rebuild and claim what was lost during the disaster. We had already experienced this kind of adversary in the past, and I am confident that we'll rise again.

Always remember that you are a spectacular gift to the world. After the storm comes a rainbow - a reminder that no matter how bitter and harsh life is, better days follow.

Postcard: Shadow of the Day

Plaridel, Bulacan

Day 7. Plaridel Airport, Bulacan.

Almost everyday, we get the chance to witness Plaridel's beautiful sunset. It so happened that the facility is facing west and the weather's always fine. Here are some of my sunset photos in Plaridel, Bulacan, all of which were taken using my iPhone. The image quality's really good and I only did a few tweaks through Afterlight (a photo app).

Tomorrow Is Always A Brighter Day

Tomorrow's a brighter day.

It's been a while since the last time we visited Plaridel Airport here in Bulacan. Unlike our previous visit, we are required to stay longer... at least three weeks (of course, we are still allowed to go home during our breaks, that is, if you're willing to sacrifice your time and EFFORT in commuting back to the metro, hehe).

The past few days were really tough. The whole country mourned after the gruesome images of of the Yolanda aftermath circulated the world wide web. It was tagged as one of the most powerful storm system generated this year. It had wreaked unimaginable havoc starting from the eastern Visayas region up to the northern Palawan region, where tens of thousands were believed dead and hundreds of thousands homeless in this ordeal. Not to mention that the primary road networks to the affected areas are impassable, making the delivery of the relief goods more difficult than it was anticipated.

Ramen Party at Kichitora of Tokyo

Ramen Night!

Eating noodles (or let me just write 'ramen', for fancy writing purpose) for lunch or dinner is not really my thing because the only people who do that are those who are sick and require urgent TLC - no, not the tomato-lettuce-catsup, but Tender-Loving-Care. Lol.

My good old friend (yes, emphasis on OLD) invited me on his post birthday celebration at a nearby ramen house in Glorietta 5. Quite a bit excited though because I am tired of eating the same food all over again whenever I'm home.

The Radar Out Experience

Keeping the sky and ground safe 24/7

If you think you have already seen the whole scenario of the radar out last week, well... think again. The media have only reported the scenes from the airport terminals where thousands of passengers got stranded due to delayed and cancelled flights brought about by the radar outage. What I am going to share is my experience at the control tower.

When I was still an ATC Trainee, we were taught on how to handle unusual air traffic situations. During our dry runs in Approach and Aerodrome Control, our usual scenarios were always out-of-this-world - an aircraft reported heavy tailwind during the approach and executed a missed approach procedure, quasi-emergency due to the departing Kalayaan 1 (Presidential flight), and an aircraft over Manila declares an emergency. All of these happen in one air traffic situation. I deemed this situation to be absurd and it will never, ever, happen in real life. Because if it does, you are the luckiest person in the whole world. The gods must be damn crazy!

The outage last week made me realize that I was wrong. In air traffic, always expect the unexpected.

Radar Under Maintenance: Expect Flight Delays this Week

24/7 Public Service

If you are flying in and out of Manila this week, expect intermittent flight delays due to the unservicable radar of Manila Approach. The radar is currently under maintenance and will last for about a week. But, before you complain about this inconvenience, let me explain how the ATCs, particularly assigned at Manila Approach, handle this kind of situation.

Gastronomic Adventure: Ginger's Café Bistro

Kainan naaa!

Work has been awesome so far. I have learned a lot from my recent facility rotations in Area Control Center and Radar Approach. But, I still believe that "all-work-no-play" is dangerous to one's health; sometimes we have to tweak our work schedule in order to play. Haha! A week ago, Brenna invited me to try this newly opened restaurant in Clark. Since it is my day-off and I miss road trips, I immediately accepted her invite. Woot woot!

Little did I know that this restaurant that we were about to try was no ordinary one.

And the sun will set for you...

Red, orange and blue.

“The pale stars were sliding into their places. The whispering of the leaves was almost hushed. All about them it was still and shadowy and sweet. It was that wonderful moment when, for lack of a visible horizon, the not yet darkened world seems infinitely greater—a moment when anything can happen, anything be believed in.” 

― Olivia Howard Dunbar, The Shell of Sense

The Plaridel Tower Experience

Ramp of RPUX

We're almost done with our first OJT rotation and for our fifth facility, our group went all the way to Plaridel Airport in Bulacan. I still can't believe that we controlled LIVE air traffic and talked to REAL pilots through radio. I was really looking forward for this week to come. According to the previous groups, their Plaridel Tower experience was one-of-a-kind and exciting.

Feed Your Mind at The Mind Museum

Inside the geeky museum.

I cannot deny that I love science; it is one of the reasons why I took a degree in Biology back in college (don't ask why I didn't pursue a medical career, you already knew that). Ever since grade school and high school, science has been my favorite subject and I do remember one time back in third grade, my classmate and I had a heated argument about whether Mercury is the hottest planet in the solar system or not. It took us an hour inside the library to discuss about it. He thought that Mercury's the hottest while yours truly firmly believed it's Venus (naks palaban). Well.... Uhhhh.... that's adorkable, and at the same time, scary. Normal nine year old kids should be out, playing under the heat of the sun rather than discuss about the solar system!

I miss having heated debates related to science though because I only know a few people who are sooooo engrossed with it. But a visit to The Mind Museum last weekend brought me back to my first love. Ahhhh, those good ol' days.

Feels Like I Am A Kid Again: Pyro Musical

I admit that I truly abhor the sound of explosion... you know, the BOOOM sound. Yeah, and I hate it whenever the sound waves hit my ears. It hurt a lot... and scares the hell out of me too! I don't blame myself for being like that. For twelve years, I have not seen a firecracker show or whatsoever due to the total firecracker ban in Davao. I have always wanted to see one for years. Talking about being deprived. Hi hi hi.

This year, I did not expect that I'd watch such magnificent lightkaboom show! It almost brought me to tears, like srsly.

A Weekend Of Everything That Flies

The Breitling Jets

And finally, the long wait is over. Watching gigantic balloons, parachutes, and European fighter jets flying above us was an experience worth remembering. Surreal, amazing, and exciting. True enough, FLYING is more fun in the Philippines!

Art Fair Philippines

Last weekend seemed ordinary to me. Because I didn't want to rot inside our house, I decided to tag along with my classmates. Destination: SM Megamall and St. Francis Square. Wrong move. Consider this case: Three girls, looking for a cool black leather shoes in the middle of tiyange filled with shoppers. Spell deeezzzaaazzzterrr. Thank god for mobile internet - it saved me from eternal damnation. LOLJK.

So by 3PM, I decided to drop by at Robbie's condo and poof, he invited me to visit Art Fair Philippines in Makati. I haven't been to an Art Fair before. I gave it a shot, hoping that my Sunday wouldn't be a junk.