Yey! Finally got my own domain for my travel blog "Nomadic Experiences" .


Feel free to check it out by clicking this link

Sans any major happening in the next 4 days, It's safe to say that I've seen everything 2009 has to offer. 2009 has evolved into a bittersweet year. It started out for me with sadness and grief brought upon the untimely death of a friend and a colleague (actually the biggest supporter of my writing-grammatical errors and all) , 2009 also carried over the remaining 2 months of 2008 into happiness and unto the first 9 months of 2009 when things fell apart and I just dismissed all kinds of resuscitation as wasted energy.

Personally, that failure to again carry a relationship past the 365th day and beyond had yet again put a dent on an already long record of shortcomings. I know some reasons why, mostly on my part, sometimes the situations wont allow it and for this matter a lot else played roles in keeping the streak alive (not a cause for celebration).

They say "familiarity breeds contempt", I can attest that no contempt or hatred sprung from my last relationship, the latter just evolved after the parting of ways, blame game usually follows each break-ups. People took sides, her friends to mine. In the end I was left with myself and countless set of eyes looking at my back with disgust.

I can't blame them as I'd do the same if someone hurt my friend. I'll side with my friend all the time. However, the best way for me to do is keep my mouth shut and just let things settle on its own course. "Time heal all sorts of dogbites" as they say.

Personally, I still maintained great relationship with my family. My brother and I are still close as ever, agreeing on certain matters from climate change to politics and to what Manny Pacquiao's strategy would be in case he faces Floyd Mayweather in the ring come March 14th.

My few close friends, albeit far and beyond still manages to keep in touch through facebook and ym, Jacobsladder is still in Dubai, Don Rudieboy is just around Marikina and Project 3, while a few tied the knot and are also working abroad.

So that left me with most part of 2009 being with someone and on my own. I've seen parts of the Philippines I never thought I'd step foot into. Davao, Coron, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and the Rice Terraces of Banaue.

These places are like the jumpers of Kobe and the windmill dunks of Lebron, they occupied the top spots on my 2009 highlight reels.

Career-wise. I'm just glad to have a job that pays alright. I made the mistake of sending out an email (sent to all) regarding my resignation, which my kind boss allowed me to talk it over, giving me time to realize that it's a bonehead decision on my part. To make it short, I looked like a fool, but the company welcomed me back to its fold.

I learned from that experience that, when it comes to feeling emotional and confused, drop everything and let your mind gather on its own. Do not react, do not compose an email, do not even pick up your phone so you wont end up sending out a curse filled outburst SMS to random people.

Just remember that kid in you, when you were forced to stand in a corner and face the wall whenever tantrums gets in your way.

2010 is just around the bend. I remember the days leading up to year 2000 and all those talk about the millennium bug. Today, the talk heading to the new year would be the climate change, the 2012 end of the world (for the doomsayers) and the more plausible, the 2 degrees Celsius increase in world's temperature by 2015.

Sometimes I wonder if we're all doomed and that by having children today is a good thing? knowing you're just bringing them in a world set for its end of days. I guess it's a bit extreme to think about that. Having babies is still the best thing that'll happen to anyone.

I have a few friends who have welcomed their bundle of joy this year. I might be the adventure seeking always on the go kind of person, the backpacking fanatic who can drop everything and hop into a plane, bus or boat to somewhere (provided I have some money) but maybe, deep inside me, I aspire to be that person who goes home at the end of a boring, hard days work at the office, to a home where I'll be greeted by a giggling sound of laughter coming from bouncing baby girl or boy.

But, I guess, that aint happening for at least a few more years. It's still "cheesy" to think of that right now. :P

Regardless of everything, I have plans to make on how to live my life in the next year and beyond and 2010 will just be another year to make do of what I've got, go to places I've never been before, try something different, take risks and hopefully somewhere along the way I will discover what's wrong with me and connect the dots and give my self another shot at my previous failures.

And that include another shot at hitting the lottery jackpot.

Also, I got my dog Jack at this time last year, so 2009 is basically a full year he had with us. Another thing to be thankful about. A dog, indeed is a "man's best friend".

If you have time to grab a copy of the December - January 2010 Anniversary issue of the "7107 Island Travel Magazine" you'll read the article I contributed about Capones Island.


Haven't seen the copy myself, just the preview page on the website of the magazine. But I'm happy with the layout of the lighthouse (which was taken from my Holga) and the cross tattoed Lot (my friend) overlooking the sea from the lighthouse tower.

I know someone who thinks the world conspires around him more often than a dew happens every morning. In fact nothing matters much as what he thinks because I, myself is perturbed by how the world works - of human relationships, of camaraderie, chemistry bullshit and what-nots. My friend often confides that he gets lost among the scepter of the populace always reckoned to show proof of belonging-ness at the expense of detaching himself from what he believes in and succumbing to the norms of the general world. "Do i have to sunk high and low to belong?" he asks me. I said, "I have no idea what you're talking about"

It seems complex while he's explaining things to me, far from being obnoxious, but still i disagree to some extent. Life gives a fair chance to those amiable to the possibility of having things happen for any or no reason at all. I told him. Yes it might look like i practice what I preaches, yes to some lesser extent I have issues of my own, but God knowingly not as big as my friend is currently, subjecting himself in a degenerate manner.

I can only shake my head in his silence he has gone low amid humble thoughts, from being at ease and hippie go lucky he has transformed into a smiling only when pointed a gun at to, cheerful only when the rain puts a thousand people stranded in the streets, hopeful only when the worst has happened, silent when everybody speaks for themselves.

"An empty vessel makes the most noise" he said. But still, it aint the reason to digress matters and avoid even the simplest form of human relationship. I am no Sigmund Freud but I told him to let rivers flow its water the normal stream and sometimes the flow will create life for itself worthy of smooth transition from a tormented life to a simple, gleeful and semi ecstatic existence.

Doesn't we all want that?

He looks at me straight in the eye and mumbles words that he carelessly tries to explain but leaves his mouth with no meaning, it gets lost in the translation. I was left to further try harder to understand beyond the words, and make an effort to feel his pain.

I was starting to become agitated by talking to someone who seems to have excess baggage written all over him, reason why I never aspire to be a shrink was I never want to be that person listening to someone lying on a couch talking bullshits after bullshits.

I open the faucet and saw water flow through the hole. I went to my normal routine of putting toothpaste on my toothbrush, never minding the person in front of me whining about the debacles, the untold oracles.

"listen to me you fucker" says the man in front of me, for a moment there, I saw him not as my friend but a stranger whose feature seems vaguely familiar. "you've all i've got so listen to me"

I said back, "okay i'm all ears, but it doesn't mean I cannot brush my teeth the same time".

"brush your teeth, I'll wait, you know the sound of your toothbrush brushing against your teeth sounds almost the same as the roar of a plane engine" he says.

I have no way of knowing for sure, I didn't care much for the veracity of that trivia especially coming from someone with an abundance of worries.

After 7 minutes of brushing, gargling and spitting water into the sink, I came face to face again with my friend. "You think you've got all the answers, you think things will become all smooth and suave like a cat licks it feather and after a while it cleans itself all over"

I was thinking "why can't dogs do it, lick themselves clean so i wont have to bath my dog jack every 3 days or so"

After that the details of what happened next seems like a wave of blurred images to me, I remember punching something solid as hard as I could. The next clear memory i had was my hand being wrapped in a bandage inside a hospital with flickering lights and covered with sounds of pain echoing along long corridors.

I asked the nurse what happened "You were found lying in the bathroom floor with an open gash on your fist and a thousand pieces of mirror on the floor"

"where's my friend" I asked the nurse.

"they found you by yourself, you're lucky the house cleaning was scheduled to arrive that day or you'd bled to death"

I was lying on the bed trying hard to remember what happened, dead sure that my friend has something to do with it, as I stare my eyes ahead of me I can see my friend lying on the bed same as I was, a bandage wrapped on his right hand with a look of a lost tortured soul just like what I was feeling that moment. I motioned firing a gun on himself with my left hand, and at the very same time he did the same thing.

I pointed towards my friend and told the Nurse, "there's my friend, it seems he's also hurt"

The Nurse told me, "Sir, I always thought putting mirrors on the ceiling brings more depression to the patient than good, because it makes them see themselves in such a pitiful state, anyway I'll check with you again in the morning, try to sleep it over and goodnight"

For the first time, fear enveloped my senses as I closed my eyes i can still feel the cold stare of my friend upon me, when I opened my eyes i swear I can see him grinning from ear to ear.

I was convinced he really exist, exists with bad intentions that is.

Oi oi oi, I decided to sell some of my precious book collection as I was racking my head on how to contribute to the ongoing relief operation for the typhoon Ondoy victims. Since I don't have much cash, I decided that selling books at a nice price will make a little difference. Oh well, I better stop being sentimental round here.

Here's the list and take it all away.


Prices starts at 500.00


Set-up would be, buyers will meet me at their designated donation drop off places, preferably in Cubao since it is accessible to a lot of people, maybe we can all meet their at the same time or either at Taft Pedro Gil near my office. St Paul Manila is among those drop off places as well.

You don't have to give me your payment (cash) I'll hand over the book(s) to you then you can freely hand over your cash to the person in charge of the donations. That way you'll be sure that your money will go directly to the victims.


1. On the Road - Jack Kerouac

2. Generation X - Douglas Coupland

3. Junky - William Burroughs

4. American Gods - Neil Gaiman

5. Coma - ALex Garland

6. Player Piano - Kurt Vonnegut

7. The Quiet American - Graham Greene

8. White Noise - Dom Delilio

9. Hey Rube (hardcover) - Hunter S. Thompson

10. Exit A (hardcover) - Anthony Swofford (author of "Jarhead")

11. Ash Wednesday - Ethan Hawke



Graphic novels for 800.00 pesos each

1. The Sandman: Dream Hunters - Neil Gaiman

2. Sin City Vol. 1 - Frank Miller


Prices are a bit cheaper compared than if you bought these at fullybooked, that is if you're lucky to find a copy on their shelf.

Hurry UP, before I change my mind.


Saturday would be fine for meet-ups for interested buyers slash donation givers.


I already sold my lomo cameras (Fisheye 2, action Sampler and Holga ) for 1k each..plus these books.

I am targeting to raise at least (let me get my calculator) , a total of 10,100 pesos.

10,100 pesos can buy a lot of medicines, or canned goods, or sleeping mattress.

It'll go a long way for some people who need our help for I don't know when, since water level at Laguna Bay will not subside in the coming weeks, many places are expected to be still underwater for a prolong time.

To fasten the process, I'll tag people who I'm sure will help spread the word.

- Marky

During our second day of island hopping in Coron, we went to Malcapuya Island about an hour and a half away from the port located near Coron market. We arrived there at about 10:00 AM enough to spend most of the day walking around the island which also has a viewing deck at the almost 50 feet hill wherein you’ll see the surrounding view from the island.

read more--> http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/2009/09/malcapuya-island-coron-palawan.html

We spent 2 days island hopping in Coron, Palawan around the Calamian group of islands, which included a trip to paradise like Kayangan Lake and went snorkeling in coral laden areas like Siete Picados, an area surrounded by 7 small rocky islands and in between are one of the best snorkeling sites in the region where visitors can feed fishes with bread and see them race each other for the plum. The corals are richly visible as the water are crystal clear among the best one will ever swim into.

Read more --> http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/2009/08/coron-palawan-chasing-beaches.html

Kayangan Lake, which can be found in Coron Island north of Palawan is said to be among the cleanest lake in Asia. Surrounded by rocky mountains covered by green trees and plants it certainly evokes an image of a lagoon one was used to seeing only in postcards and movies. If one is expecting paradise, they can’t be any more head on, as the way towards Kayangan lake itself serves as a prelude of sights to see, all indication points towards a conclusion that indeed, it is paradise on Earth.

Read more --> http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/2009/09/kayangan-lake-coron-palawan.html

Another place one ought to hit while in Coron, Palawan is the Maquinit Hot Springs. Located in the hillside part of Coron, about 25 minutes from the town center, visitors will be awed by a pool filled with salt water coming from the bottom of the nearby mountain, it is said to come from an underground volcano and the water’s temperature ranges from 38-40 degree Celsius.

read more:

---> http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/2009/08/maquinit-hot-springs-coron-palawan.html


Other:
http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/

Coron is the center of economic and tourist activity in the area of Busuanga, Palawan. It serves as the sail off place for island hopping throughout the rest of the Calamian group of Islands. The view from nearby Mount Tapyas gives you the over all perspective of the town, one can clearly see the nearby islands, hillside roads, boats and ships on the horizon and the people living their simple life in a wonderful setting nobody could asked for more and we, big city dwellers could only envy and save up to experience for a few days in between our daily grind as career oportunist trapped in the big corporate set-up.


read more:

---> http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/2009/08/coron-palawan-town-country.html

I actually been wanting for the longest road, to pack my backpack and point my direction towards Palawan. Busuanga, where the Calamian group of islands are located (which includes Coron town) is actually located just within the tip point of Palawan and the nearest part to the mainland of Mindoro.


read more here:

---> http://nomadicexperiences.blogspot.com/2009/08/bullets-over-busuanga-palawan.html

I got him when he was still 4 months old last December. The first time he got in my room, he hurriedly unloaded a massive poooh, slept on my bed his first night, wouldn't stop barking for hours - probably missed his siblings and mom.



Since then, he was able to adjust to life in our house, he's gotten to know his chow time schedule by heart, by the time the clock hits 5:00 AM, he'll make sure I'll hear him crying, seems like he has an alarm clock by his side.

I'd walk him every morning after he eats by 5:30 am, If I'm lucky I can go back to sleep, If not then I'd prepare for work.

                                            ( @ 6 months old, he's gotten big now )

I'll arrive home around 8:00 pm and will be greeted by the sight of him by the door wagging his tail, Dog owners agrees with me that there's no better feeling than coming home and seeing your dog eagerly waiting for you. Tail wagging, jumping up and down, he'd go crazy until I scratch his belly for 10 minutes, sometimes in his excitement he'd pee on the floor, which I have now disciplined him not to do.

Having a dog requires a lot of responsibilities, you just don't have them and let them hang out in your house, you need to take care of them like when Jack had a case of vomiting for two days, I have to take him to the Veterinarian for treatment, It was my first time to bring a pet to a vet and it costs me 2k for that ouch.



Things like that, you are responsible for them, people would say "it's just a dog" but, dogs like these are like humans, they even show more loyalty than most human beings, and for that, nothing is expected but love and care. I have never looked at dogs this way before and I have Jack to remind me of that everyday.

Happy Birthday Jack the Dog.

Libre naman jan sa Embassy haha.

Art is like beauty, they say is in the eyes of the beholder. But when it comes to recognizing rightful artists and the contribution that they made in the cultural enrichment of the Philippines by way of the National Artist Award, a lot of sentiments, emotions and individual concerns raises up.

Legitimate artists, especially past honorees, of course would want to safeguard the meaning of the honor bestowed upon them by making sure future National Artists would be the ones who rightfully deserve the honor.

Carlo J. Caparas' and his supporters' contention is, many Filipinos have benefited from his works, although Carlo was in no other way the one who drew his own comic stories, he just wrote and created iconic Pinoy fictional characters like Panday and Totoy Bato and by virtue of his film directing career, some dude with a penchant for bureaucratic slip up happened to nominate him for the prestigious honor.

Now the question is? does popular culture equates to art? does art goes hand in hand with the numbers of people who have seen (visual art), read (literature) and heard (songwriters) etc etc.

If that contention is accurate then by no means Dolphy should be a shoo-in for next years batch of National Artist award winners.

Given Carlo J. Caparas' and Cecil Alvarez's close ties with Malacanang will give any sane minded person to harbor thoughts that it is indeed a way of political payback from Malacanang to these two individuals.

Another question is, do we leave the decisions from the few selected artists who have proven to be worthy and has contributed a lot in our culture?

The prevailing sentiment is we leave it to the latter, but the fault there sometimes is they only tend to name or nominate those who only belongs in their circle. Other deserving artist not included in their circle can be left out as well.

Carlo Caparas and his supporters are contending the importance of the "Majority rule", he even said that at the time Manila's population was still pegged at 10 million, about 4 million of whom lined up and saw his movie "The Myrna Diones Story".

So do we go by the numbers? or the exclusivity of a close knit circle that sometimes exclude other deserving artists?

I guess, both sides is at fault here, while Carlo Caparas can shout hell about the numbers of people who have read Panday, Totoy Bato, watched his films, teleserye and all, STILL, those reasons alone are not enough to prove his true contributions in our country's art and culture, one still has to study and make arguments about what Panday really stands for.

And the few elite artists, who tends to nominate only THOSE included in their circle should realize that they cannot forever rule the decision making in the naming of National Artists, they should right about now start considering even those belonging outside their clique.

Carlo J. Caparas may be the wrong guy to represent that outsider, but as I write this, he is closely knocking and breaking the barriers and that may prove bad or good whichever you look at it.

Clearly, there is something wrong with the "Majority Rule" as Caparas and his supporters are contending and also something's amiss at the exclusivity of a governing body that tends only to name fellow "elite" artists to join their own ranks.

Somewhere in the middle might be a good start, a clean, non-politics influenced and discrimination-less nomination process should be started as soon as next year to avoid any debates for future National Artist Awards recipient.

It's like in the middle of a battle when the smoke billowed up in the sky and on the ground, lays the dead heroes and the only ones left standing are a few survivors destined to follow the path left by those who perished in the battle.

Cory's death, meanwhile is a culmination of a long journey towards the search for a better leader of this country. Sadly Ninoy was never able to play the part as he was tragically stopped on the tarmac one August day in 1983.

For while Cory's leadership was more honest, there are shortcomings brought upon by other factors, outsiders wanting in, endless coup plots, Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the ever unstable Asian economy and those who took advantage of her kindness.

Noynoy obviously lacks the charisma and magnetism of his late father and the magic of Cory, yet as a son of these two modern day father and mother of our country, It is expected that Noynoy should live up to what both Ninoy and Cory envisioned a rightful leader of the Philippines should be able to pull and deliver.

With the lacking of sureball choices among the obvious "Presidentiables" in the coming 2010 Presidential elections, Cory's death has made it clear that another man should take a major role in aspiring for the top post in this country.

2010 might be too soon for Noynoy, but at least he should be in a position wherein he's just a reach away from finally, fulfilling what Ninoy and Cory always dreamed and all we ever wish about, which is the Philippines getting the right leader or President it deserves.

Will this feeling of anger at our present leaders and the itch and passion to make sudden changes backed up by this sudden burst of patriotism can survive and gather momentum and snowball into the coming 2010 elections still remains to be seen, Noynoy shouldn't just let it all out to fate, he should very well step out of his parent's gigantic shadow and prove once and for all that INDEED, greatness runs in the blood of his family.

AND with that, The Philippines will benefit, thus saving us from having another wrong President for the next 6 years.

I was saddened, really. More sad than any other "celebrity" deaths that occurred this year, for Cory Aquino isn't the ordinary "celebrity", she was the mother of a nation at a time when we're searching for a new leader to take us out of dictatorship, she was the widow of a slain hero who offered his life so we can all wake up from the realms of dictatorship.

Cory Aquino, thanks for being the rallying figure that eventually paved the way for the realization of probably one of our proudest moment as a nation, the “1986 People Power”.

Cory Aquino - you deserve to be with Ninoy now, I respect what you've done, knowing you gave it your best shot to uplift the lives of Filipinos around the country....its just some Gringo has to screw it up...but that's another matter.


Rest in Peace Tita Cory....

Sabi ni Freddie Aguilar (non verbatim though) "Kaya tayo na sasabihan na unggoy (dahil unggoy nga naman ay gaya gaya) ay gaya tayo ng gaya sa mga Amerikano"

He was just stating a point na bat si APL ng Black Eyed Peas, nakakaya nyang mg release ng tagalog song sa album ng Black Eyed Peas, bat si Manny Pacquiao, pag may laban sha theme song nya papunta ng ring ay kanta nya.

These points raised by Freddie Aguilar does not make a direct verbal attack at Arnel Pineda and Charice.

Of course there's the saying "Nothing is new under the sun" this quote can be directed to artists in all form of arts, in movies, music, painting, etc...there is always a passing of influence, it is obvious in literature, in fact when you read Harry Potter books you'll see a major influence of Pratchett's "Discworld" and Discworld contains influences by previous fantasy writers.

And so on...same with music, movies and even fashion...

Guess, same with performance arts, music as we all know is a product of influences handed down from one to another, great artists today were influenced by those from the previous genre.


Freddie Aguilar just wanted to express his opinion that there's nothing wrong with being influenced by local artists, that its not a SIN not to merely rely on foreign artists for inspiration.

Thus Gary V. , safe to say patterned his performing style from the late Michael Jackson. A lot of bands we have right now sounds like those Death Metal bands from some underground clubs in NY.

And so on.

I think he was misquoted when newspapers and talk show hosts quoted him as comparing Arnel Pineda and Charice to a "monkey"

No doubt, both Arnel and Charice are talented people, maybe more talented than most foreign artists, and Freddie Aguilar was JUST reminding them that- they have THIS great opportunity for them to show their homegrown talent, and not just rely on and be contented in singing original Americanl songs.

Arnel Pineda should write his own song, and fight for it with his band, same way APL does with Black Eyed Peas.


But on the other hand, others are making a joke that Freddie Aguilar should first tell that to her daughter Megan lol.

And here's another blooper.

Christy Fermin: "ang tunay talaga na maka Pinoy na singer ay si Florante"

Freddie Aguilar snapped back: "di ba nya alam na si Florante ay isa ng US Citizen"

Haha, guess Freddie Aguilar really have the right to "remind" his fellow Pinoy artists not to embrace fully the foreign influences on their own craft, because we have lots of great Pinoy artists who have came before them that are more worthy of adulation, and what proper honor could we give them than saying in the US media "I was influenced by Asin, Freddie Aguilar and Heber" not just saying it but also showing it in their performances and songs that they sing.

And I don't believe that Freddie was just "inggit", I mean, no reasons for him to feel that way, it's like saying Bob Dylan envies Hannah Montana....or the Jonas Brothers...

Me and some friends were supposed to go to Sagada only, but since we took the Auto Bus route from Manila to Banaue one Friday night last month (May) we decided to make the trip more worthwhile by taking a side trip to Batad Rice Terraces and Tappia Falls. Prior to this,  I’ve never been to the world famous rice terraces and I was glad that this time, I’d be finally going to do so.

After a gruelling 12 hour bus ride from Manila in an aging Auto Bus which rendered its air conditioned useless an hour after leaving the terminal, we arrived at Banaue about 9:00 the next morning.

We rented a van that would take us to the jump off of a short trek (which according to our guide will only take an hour), the van was good for 1,500 and it would be much cheaper if you’re a party of 8 to 10 people, we were 5 in our group, so do the math we split everything five ways.

We never reached the jump off or the saddle because a certain part of the road became impassable due to landslides, so we started our hike much earlier than we planned.

Van Driver: “May landslide, okay lang sa inyo simula na ang trek pero matatagalan tayo ng 2 oras?”

Kathrina: “wala na naman tayong choice eh”

It took us 30 minutes to reach the saddle and from there on, we would start another hour of hiking.

Another hour of continuous pace of walking downward we reached this place.

Then our guide, chewing on a “*nga-nga” told us “another hour” of hiking is needed to reach our destination, Tappia Falls.

*( It’s a tradition in Banaue for locals to chew “Nga-Nga”, our guide explained that it’s a form of communication, doing so means you’re welcome to make conversations with other people. The process of chewing it involves splitting the nga nga in the middle, sprinkling it with lime, wrapping in a leaf of pepper and placing it in your mouth, upon chewing it produces red juice as it mixes with your own saliva that can be spit out)

The short hike gets very tiring (in my current physical condition hehe) but the view along the way makes up for it. You can’t help it but take time out to marvel and gaze at the sight of the rice terraces, like amphitheater that stretches up to the sky filled with lush green rice fields along with small villages in between.

In all, we hiked a total of two hours before we finally arrived at Tappia Falls, there were half a dozen rest stop along the way where locals sells gatorade and softdrinks, 50 pesos at the viewing deck then it becomes 70 pesos near Tappia Falls (understandably, it gets harder to bring things there)  we took a swim for about 30 minutes, enjoying the cold water, lying down on sauna like pool formation therefore applying cold water therapy on our aching feet and leg muscles.

Thus the imperative self portrait:

After almost an hour’s stay at Tappia falls, we hiked back to the viewing deck where we had our late lunch (almost 4:00 pm in the afternoon), we were so tired I could swear its the best “sinigang na baboy” I’ve ever had. Can’t tell the same thing though about the Chicken curry.

We started our hike back again at about 5:00 PM, reached the saddle at about 6:00 PM, and hiked back again to where our van got stranded by the landslide and as Don says we reached our van just as total darkness was about to take a bite. (with matching palm motion of biting)

We had dinner back at Banaue then drove off for Sagada for three hours before we could finally call it a day.