Back to the roots.
My grandfather have always been wanting to return on the town where he was born and raised. He always tell tales of his young life on the far-away island of Bilbao, Rapu-Rapu, Albay.
As the oldest of all his grandchild, I always feel compelled to give anything that my lolo wants. He’s old, and occasionally rants of being not able to return on his hometown before he has his time’s up. So with the news of my brother being sent to Legazpi City for a medical mission, I told my lolo that why don’t we go there too pronto.
Luckily, CebuPac posted a promo for domestic flights and Legazpi included that did fit our schedule. The plan is to spend my Lolo’s birthday on his hometown, which is the same day as the town’s fiesta. We chose to fly by plane, its just an hour ride; compared to a trip by bus which is at least a 12-hour road trip.
It was my first time going to Bicol as well. I have it pinned on my dream-board since I put up one last 2014 and finally it became a realization. Which then reminded me, there really is some strange and magical power within dream-boards.
Expectations.
I really have no idea how the destination would look like, or even a picture in my mind of the lives of people on that island. I just imagine life on a beach, sand, water, and huts as houses.
The trip.
Flight was less than an hour. We landed at Legazpi Airport, it was a small one compared to major airports. We traveled by bus to reach Tobacco. While travelling by an ordinary bus, I can feel the comfy breeze of unpolluted air hugging my face.
Then came the Mt. Mayon in sight. Although we can’t see its shy pointy peak, getting to see the perfect cone at the first time is magical. It emanates a feeling that makes my heart shout “Yes! I am in Bicol!”.
After a more or so hour of bus ride, we hit Tobacco where we are welcomed by “padyak” cabs. These are Japanese bikes/mommy bikes with side-cars for passengers. Surprisingly, there are a lot of it in the area. Riding on these was cheaper than riding tricycles as they don’t whack you with a steep fare but instead, they let you decide how much you would want to pay for their hard pedaling.
Then we hit Tobacco Fish Port, sea breeze and lots of boats in sight. From here we are ought to ride a boat to get to Bilbao. After hours of waiting for the boat to depart, it was another long 3-hour-ish boat ride.
We docked on an island. Passengers alighting together with all their baggages and stuff. I noticed there are a lot of motorcycles waiting on the dock, it seems that these are the main transportation means within the island.
Its not my first on a motorcycle but these “habal-habal” are on a different level. They fly the two wheels like a roller coaster. Added to the fact that the roads within the island were just a yard wide and full of inclines. It was exhilarating.
Tadaima
Finally, we can rest as we reached my grandfather’s brother’s house. The place was nice and cozy, it gives off a different vibe that is so relaxing being so far away from the city.
Well, my expectations were wrong about the place. There were more houses and trees than I expected. Not all but a lot of houses here are indeed huts, made with bamboo, logs and narra leaves as roofs.
It is true that there isn’t a signal coverage within the area, so no cellphone, no internet. Plus the fact that there is also no electricity during the day, only on night time until midnight. It’s a challenge, but it did let me enjoy a stress-free vacation for a while, away from the internet world.
Surprisingly, there is a spot on the island where you can get a signal coverage. It’s a long walk with a bit of a hike and reception isn’t even good, but at least it is better than nothing. They call the place “signalan”.
We did a trail to drink some fresh “buko”.
I play with this cute angel everyday. She doesn’t even understand tagalog and only speaks in Bikolano.
Chat with my lolo’s other brother, although he always talk to me like I understand Bikolano too, I just keep on nodding and smiling.
We visited the bay, and did a boat ride. The boat is so small that it can only fit 3 people in it, but it was very easy to paddle. It was fun. It was also my first time to see mangroves up close and personal, the “bakawans” I only see on sineskwela back in my elementary days. Well, there are no crabs jogging in the shore just as what my lolo used to boast on us. Time changes indeed.
It was the town’s fiesta and from what I notice, almost every house has their own handaan. They really see to it that they can prepare banquets no matter what status they have, I mean their lives are simple in material things but they know how to live life in the happiest way it can be.
Tiangge vendors from Tobacco even visited the island for the fiesta as well as the perya people. Indeed, a town fiesta is not a fiesta in the Philippines without these. On the eve of the town fiesta they have a dance party for the young and the next evening for the adults.
Bye Bilbao
Then came the time we have to leave the island. I know for lolo, it was bitin. Time flies fast.
Another boat ride for us back to the mainlands. The waves are bigger this time and seating on the boat’s roof gets us showered with salty splashes.
Of course, this trip to Bicol wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Cagsawa ruins.
We decided to visit the place, enjoyed the view, and picked up some pasalubong before we returned home.
So long Bicol, ’til we meet again.
