• Lazed around the whole of the morning. Jette was working on her laptop (si TJ ba yan?), H was having a Carla Giopaolo marathon, and I listened to Mackenzie’s Pleasure by Linda Howard on the iPod while reading Pugad Baboy 21. Jette finally got to lift her back off the bed so H and I followed. My thigh muscles hurt so I try not to move too much. Or if I’m moving, I try not to stop so that the muscles get exercised. I swear. It’s back to doing yoga for me.

• Drove to Pura Vida Beach Resort in Dauin (15 kms. south of Dumageute). The beach is also beautiful and the accommodations look great even from the outside. We only went there to have lunch so we didn’t need a cottage or anything. We just sat at a table, stared at the beach and ogled this handsome guy who was walking with a little girl who was probably his daughter. As usual, we had some of the yummiest food on the planet: Greek Salad, Chicken Cordon Bleu (which is one of my favorites), kilawin and this baked fish dish. Before that, H was so immersed in a Carla Giopaolo book that she pretty much ignored me and Jette. I also bought a few post cards as souvenirs.

• Drove back to town where Jette stopped at NOAH (Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage). She just had an errand to run but when she said it was a souvenir shop, of course I had to take a peek, and walked out almost P500 poorer. I realized I just did not have the self-control when it comes to accessories. I bought myself a butterfly ring and my sibs, keychains. They have more products like jewelry boxes, serving trays, shoes, pots and vases, all of which I wanted but controlled myself before I bought one of each. I keep thinking about the plane ride and how heavy my bags would be on my trip back home. But you should check the website and see their products. As they said, their products are “purely handcrafted with love and patience by the Negrenses in the province of Negros Oriental”. Really beautiful.

• Drove H to Gifts Fashion. Because I already bought my quota of accessories (in my opinion), I stayed in the car with Jette rather than risk me going to the display rack of necklaces and getting this butterfly necklace. H bought the scarf (scarf ba yun o sarong?) she wanted when we went there the other day. Hindi na ‘ko lumapit sa tukso. Went to Sans Rival to buy pasalubong, then we drove H to the wharf for her trip back to Cebu. We were trying to convince her to stay another day but she had work tomorrow.

• Home. Jette and I passed by a pharmacy to get drugs (anti-histamine po) then to a convenience store to get my drugs (Pepsi Max because I was planning to have an all-nighter). I’ve finished the plot outlines of my series but yesterday, on our trip to, and around, Siquijor, I finished conceptualizing two novels. Sulat na lang ang kailangan. Now we’re home and both writing.

Hay. I’m so not looking forward to the 7th when I’ll be coming back home. Mamimiss ko talaga ng sobra sobra ang Dumaguete.

Day 8 is absolutely great. Nagpunta kami sa Siquijor! Yup, yup!

• Woke up later than planned. Dapat mga 5 a.m. daw kami gigising eh but when I opened my eyes at ako na lang ang nasa higaan, six a.m. na siya so speed ligo na naman ako at nagbato na lang ng gamit sa backpack. After that, we went to the pier to get our tickets for the fast craft (Delta Fast Ferry) that will leave Dumaguete at 9 a.m. then went to leave PJ at the school then walked to the market to have breakfast.

• Had breakfast at one of the stalls at the market selling puto, yung malagkit na klase na parang bico, with chocolate na parang chocolate na ginagamit sa churros. Ang sarap niya! Of course. I had my hit of morning caffeine (Coke) while Jette and H had coffee. Masarap rin yung may peanut butter.

• Went back to the pier to check in. We waited at the floating dock for a while before we could board the boat. Kung bus yung ferry, Baliwag siya at hindi Victory Liner. I sat between Jette and H na parehong tulog sa biyahe. Because it was my first time on a fast craft, I tried to stay awake for a while pero inantok din ako mga twenty minutes into the trip. After a ten minute nap, nagising na rin ako. ‘Di ko kasi ma-enjoy ng todo kasi hindi clear yung salamin. I couldn’t really make out the waves.

• Welcome to Siquijor. When we got to Siquijor, we were met by Kuya Jun who used to work for Jette. May dala silang mini-pick up that would take us around Siquijor. It’s the best way to travel. Doon kayo maupo sa cab nung pick up. Slather on sunscreen (na hindi namin ginawa) so that you won’t get toasted (which we are at the moment), then enjoy the sight. Ang ganda! May bundok one moment tapos biglang dagat yung makikita mo. And for those asking, Siquijor is not the place reputed to have aswangs. I believe that’s Capiz and Antique. Siquijor is the island reputed to have witches (mangkukulam). We didn’t ask to see one, of course, ano ba? But the people there are nice, too. Like in Dumaguete.

• Lunch at Salagdoong Beach. The first thing that came to my mind when I saw Salagdoong Beach was “Lord, you are an amazing God”. Promise! The view made me pray. The water was green and blue and purple as far as the eyes could see, and the sky… I just said “Thank you, Lord. Thank you” over and over while I walked the shoreline and took some pictures. And can you believe that when we went there, they only asked us to pay P45? We took lots of photos. It’s a place you can’t NOT take photos of every minute. Then we had lunch.

• Drove to Lazi to visit the Lazi Church and the old convent. Again, took some pics. H went inside the church before I did because I took more pics. Jette told me to make a wish when I go inside. When I went in, there was a man praying at the back of the church and a few other people walking towards the door. I sat near the middle and started praying. Of course, ang unang lumabas sa bibig ko ay “thank you”. Then I made a wish. The pews were made of wood so they were prone to creaking. But at home, when the wooded bench in our living room would creak, I’d usually see my bantay, my “guardian angel”. So I turned my head towards the sound and saw a shadow at the other end of the pew from me. So ayun nga siya. He’s with me in Siquijor. It also comforts me that he can go inside a church which means he’s not from the other side LOL I smiled, said another short prayer, then went out.

• Cambugahay Falls. Next stop on the trip was Cambugahay Falls in Lazi. You need to climb down 134 steps daw sabi ni H to get to the falls. To be honest, I’m am so not the outdoorsy type. I easily get off-balanced and squeal like hell when I do so I had to hold on to Jette or to Kuya Jun while climbing down. I also hate climbing down because I’m clumsy and feel like I’d take one wrong step and fall down and break my neck and die. Seriously. But the climb was worth it when I saw a real waterfall for the first time in my sheltered little life haha It’s not tall. Definitely not Hinulugang Taktak or Bomod-ok Falls, but it’s beautiful just the same. We weren’t planning to swim. At least, I wasn’t because I’m afraid I’d lose my contacts in the water. But after the descent, I felt hot and sticky and the water was so inviting. The next thing I know we were climbing down the rocks to take a dip. Hay, refreshing. After mga twenty minutes siguro, we decided to get out of the water and start back up. I didn’t change clothes anymore because the ride at the back of the pick up would surely dry my clothes anyway. I followed H up the steps and was alternately panting and laughing, and that’s when the problem happened. Muntik na akong himatayin LOL No joke! When we reached the top, I drank water and laughed with Kuya Jun for a few minutes before I realized I was seeing white spots and Kuya Jun had a halo behind his head. Akala ko light at the end of the tunnel na at kukunin na ‘ko ni Lord!

• The first time that happened to me, I was in high school. Physical fitness test noon in P.E. and to pass, we had to make 15 rounds of the old audi/gym. You have to run around, climb up stairs, go back down (still running) then back again. I made it to seventeen before I stopped, and before I realized that the light was too bright and there were spots dancing in front of my eyes. What I did wrong was that I held my breath while climbing, the same way that I was too preoccupied by climbing up the steps from Cambugahay Falls and didn’t realize that I was holding my breath! And we were climbing too fast for my really fit body :p

• When Jette came back, I told her I was dizzy and she told me that I was pale. They made me sit at the driver’s seat and I hugged my knees to my chest. Sabi ni Kuya Jun to sit up straight but I knew that I had to equalize the blood flow from my feet to my head. Then, from what I learned from yoga, I slowly, slowly sat up, keeping my chin to my chest so that the blood won’t rush to my head. When I lifted my chin and opened my eyes, ayun! I saw Jette handing me a towel, but I could see her instead of bright, dancing lights so ayun! I was already okay.

• Back to the pier. We went back to the pier for our trip back to Dumaguete. We caught the 4:30 p.m. trip yata yun and we sat at the top deck of the pump boat. This time the view was better. The waves were bigger too, but I enjoyed it more than the trip to Siquijor. Guess I don’t get sea sickness! Climbing sickness lang wahaha Back in Dumaguete, we picked PJ up from COSCA then went to the tempurahan (kikaim-an) and had kikiam and balut. Then we went to the grocery so I can get my Pepsi Max and some munchies before going home.

• At home, Jette cooked pasta for dinner and H washed the dishes! Yay! Senyorita ako wahaha I finished a 500ml bottle of Pepsi Max so that I can stay awake but I was too tired and too sleepy (I only slept for 2 hours the previous night) so after a shower and dinner, I fell asleep.

I absolutely love it here. I think I’ll cry on the plane on my way back to Manila

• Woke up at around… I don’t know what time I woke up. Spent the morning writing, and washing clothes and unmentionables while waiting for Jette to pick me up at twelve or twelve thirty so we can pick H (Jean Mae Oryza) up from the wharf… pier… dock… basta dun sa may mga boats papunta ng Cebu. We were there too early so we drove around a bit, stayed by the church, then went back. Mga 1:30 dumating na yung boat at sinalubong namin ang artistahing writer ng Roses and Dreams. Sayang at walang nabibilan ng everlasting do’n eh. Wala tuloy akong “welcome to Dumaguete” token man lang.

• Lunch at Jo’s Chicken by the Sea. ‘Di ako mahilig sa chicken inato (or inasal) pero masarap yung luto ng manok nila sa Jo’s. Ang ganda pa nung lugar. It’s in Sibulan and yes, it’s by the sea. We also had fish and veggies, and fresh buko juice. I could swear bottomless yung buko. Ang tagal ko na iniinom, ‘di pa rin maubos.

• Siesta. We were all feeling drowsy so we decided to go home for siesta. I ended up reading Carla Giopaolo‘s Jeremy Takes A Bride while Jette and H took naps. I really love Carla Giopaolo. Ang galing-galing niya manghila ng emotions.

• Went to the pier… pantalan… wharf… kung ano man ang tawag doon, to see if we could get tickets for the earliest trip to Siquijor tomorrow. Eh sarado na so we decided to just be there early the next day. We dropped H off at Art Box for a haircut then we went to the school so Jette could pick up a CD (work-related stuff). Then I remembered my laundry which was unavailable when we get there so we went back to pick H up. Hindi na siya natuloy magpakulot.

• Went to Gifts Fashion. Since my laundry won’t be ready until 6:30, we had about 30 minutes to kill so we went to Gifts. I, being weak to temptation, bought a hair accessory that I already decided not to buy the first time I was there. Sabi ko hindi ko na lang siya bibilin, but since we went back and I saw it again, hindi ko na natiis. One of the sales persons remembered me and she was very friendly and helpful. I guess that’s one thing I love about Dumaguete. The people are really, really nice. Lagi rin sila naka-smile, pwera lang yung ale sa post office.

• Dinner at Gabby’s Bistro. Yes, Gabby’s again. After picking up my laundry, we went to Gabby’s to have dinner. I had Fish n’ Fries again, and Jette and I shared a That Banana Thingy. It was so funny because there was this little toy cow that dances every time someone would… I dunno if you need to push a button or something. Jette and H learned the cow’s dance moves and they’d dance every time the cow would dance. Basta! Tawa lang kami ng tawa the whole time.

• Home again. Paglabas namin ng Gabby’s sobrang lakas ng ulan. We passed by Father Kuya’s house then we went home. Sabi ko I was too lazy to write my Dumaguete Day entry but here I am. Jette’s working, sana on TJ. H is reading another Carla Giopaolo book. I’m thinking of reading Andrei na rin pero napapapikit na ako. And we have to get up at 5 tomorrow morning kasi pupunta kami ng Siquijor. Oh, well.

Maayong gabii! Oh! Before I forget. I don’t know Bisaya, but after a week here I think I can already understand the language. The lady at the laundry place was telling someone na hindi pa available yung pina-laundry niya so bukas na lang niya kunin. She said it in Bisaya but I understood it. It wasn’t complicated, mind you, pero hello! Apat na taon ako sa Baguio, hindi ako natuto mag-Ilocano! :p

Okay. I’m sleeping.

• Woke up later than I planned. Was supposed to go with Jette to school so had to wake up early, but opened my eyes a little after nine. Speed shower and dress, and made it to COSCA without being too late. She went to school and I went to the Dumaguete Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria) to spend a few minutes in prayer. Comedy pa. I went inside the cathedral to pray, and I walked down the side to one of the pews close to the altar. I knelt down, bowed my head and started to cry. Every time I go inside a church, I just cry. So I prayed, said my thank yous and sniffled aloud. The people a few pews away from me turned their heads towards me and I felt embarrassed because I was red-faced and sniffling. Ewan ko kung bakit nakatingin sila sa’kin pero I sat down to spend a few more minutes inside the church. Saka ko lang napansing may kabaong pala sa harap ng altar. Eh Jette and I were wearing black pa naman because of the Ampatuan Massacre (my thoughts on which I’ll probably write some time). That was when I realized na pinipilit ako kilalanin nung mga tao sa simbahan. If the deceased was a guy, baka iniisip nila either kabit ako or anak sa labas. Sorry po. Sorry. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, Oh, Lord… I prayed for the deceased na rin before heading out. Ayun! Saka ko lang napansin yung karo ng patay sa labas ng simbahan! Diyoskolord! Anlabo na talaga ng mata ko. Went to the Dumaguete Belfry which is right next to the Cathedral. Nagdasal na rin ako to Mama Mary and to St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of Dumaguete (patroness?).

• Ate fries at McDonald’s. I think na-spoil na ko ng pagkain dito because McDonald’s French fries, which is what I go to McDo for, didn’t taste as good as I remember. I guess, after Gabby’s Bistro (I swear, I love this place. Obvious ba? We go there every day?) and Hayahay, fast food doesn’t appeal to me anymore.

• Walked to Rizal Boulevard. I walked from one end to the other for a while, probably looking like an idiot because I was smiling and I was all by myself. But the sky was so blue, and I was walking by the sea. What’s not to smile about?

• Went accessories-shopping at Gifts Fashion (Sta. Catalina Street). I read about this place from Carla Giopaolo’s blog entry, The Dumaguete Break. The owner’s name is actually Gift, and she designs the accessories the shop sells. Sabi nga ni Jette, they’re one-of-a-kind. If the design is similar, the colors are different, and vice versa. Anyway, I saw an owl magnet and I grabbed that and never let go until I was at the counter. The pieces are beautiful, I tell you. I had to restrain myself from getting one of each. I ended up buying two pairs of earrings (one of them for Richel), the owl fridge magnet that I’m calling Hubris, and a puka shell necklace that was supposed to be for Kat but she doesn’t wear accessories. I ended up buying it na rin. Para sa’kin. Talked to my parents too. They wanted me to reassure them na malayo ang Maguindanao sa Dumaguete. My mom’s paranoid. Pero naman kasi! Hanggang ngayon, bothered pa rin ako sa nangyari! ‘Di talaga tao ang gumawa no’n! Kailangan do’n pira-pirasuhin ang katawan kung ilan ang mga biktima niya! *Bloodthirsty much?*

• Noticed I was walking the wrong way back to COSCA so I went back to the Boulevard. It’s my MRT, my point, my North Star here in Dumaguete, meaning I can pretty much find where I need to go so long as I know where it is relative to the Boulevard. I chanced upon a seat under the shade of a tree so I sat down for a bit because it was getting hot. I didn’t realize that I’ve been sitting there, watching the waves, and smiling for close to thirty minutes until Jette sent me a text message asking me where I was. So instead of going back to the school, she just met me at Mamia’s instead.

• Had lunch at Mamia’s. Tenderloin tips with gravy, rice, side salad and soup. We didn’t know that dessert was included in the meal so we got our bill before the server (who had a really pretty tat on her wrist) told us that we haven’t had dessert. We both ate rocky road bars which is several kinds of awesome. That’s the thing about Dumaguete. I’ve never eaten food here that doesn’t taste great.

• Went back to school for a bit so I can write on the post card I bought for Lorna. Jette also needed to go to the bank so I walked to the post office to mail the letter. It was so nostalgic. The last time I actually mailed a letter was when I was in college, ten years ago (and THAT told you how old I am). I’m just wondering kung lahat ba ng nagtatrabaho sa post office ay masungit? Of course, I only have experience with three post offices: Pasig (na uber sungit ng nags-stamp); Baguio (semi-sungit lang); and here, Dumaguete. Hindi naman ako yung sinungitan ni ate but the woman in front of me. In fairness, medyo slow kasi siya.

• Walked back to COSCA. I wanted to go back to the Boulevard but it was too hot to walk so I went back to school. Ay! Nagpunta pala muna ako sa Tops & Bottoms which is an all around department store. Anyway, Jette was still at the bank, sa likod ng amoy palengke daw wahaha, so I stayed at their some sort of quad, playing Top Gun on the iPod and listening to Linda Howard’s Mackenzie’s Pleasure audiobook. Zane Mackenzie is my Mac Herrera… well, a more makulit version.

• Ran errands. We went to St. Paul University again although umikot lang kami kasi may pinabigay lang si Jette kay manong guard sa school president. Singing Hark! Daughters of the great St. Paul… Come listen to his call… again. Then we drove to the seminary by the airport. Then to my favorite place in Dumaguete, second only to the Boulevard (sorry, Gabby), Gabby’s Bistro for pizza. We had shrimpy garlic pizza, and I had perky blue lemonade. Sabi ko kay Jette whenever I eat something from Gabby’s, nagbubukas ang langit and I hear the Hallelujah Chorus in my head. Jette also ordered blueberry cheesecake for dessert, and I asked it to marry me.

• Home. Now, we’re both on our stomachs, typing away again. She brought her work home (kasi naman eh!) and I’m writing this entry although I need to work before opening my ms. I think Wesley wants a re-write. Hay.

Dumaguete’s name came from the word “daggit”, meaning “to snatch”. Because it’s a coastal town, it was prone to pirate attacks where people were “snatched”. Wikipedia also said that the word “dumaguet” was coined because the place has “the power to attract and keep her visitors for good”.

Gah! That I don’t doubt.