Good Friday in Abucay

casilyas

Though I have originally planned to stay home and do general cleaning, I have decided to go with my friend’s family trip to Abucay, Bataan during the Holy Week.

My friend and I stayed overnight at her family’s house on the eve of Good Friday so at least we wouldn’t have to wake up too early. Though her old room was dusty and my back ached in her thin-mattress bed, I enjoyed my stay there even if we already slept at 2 in the morning. I explored her room (now storage room) and took pictures of all sorts of things particularly ash trays. I wanted to post the penis ash tray but it was way too huge and vulgar so I’m just posting the antique toilet bowl–my personal favorite.

NLEX

We left Manila at around 10:30 in the morning. I was dreading the traffic all the way to Bataan (two-hour drive from Manila, approximately 119 kms). To my surprise, we didn’t encounter any procession nor parade of penitents carrying crosses and flagellants hitting their backs with bamboo shingles.

We were all clueless (except for my friend’s aunt) as to where we were going and true enough, my research has prepared me for it. Our destination, Sibul Springs.

you read it right =)

Located at Brgy. Gabon, Sibul Springs is a huge property which houses three swimming pools. The water comes from a natural spring which is believed to have sulfur properties that help ease muscle tensions. It is also believed to be a safe drinking water which I have personally tried though I have to say, I haven’t seen the actual spring nor the source itself as I didn’t swim in my entire stay there. It’s better to leave it that way at least I’m still alive.

mutant mosquito

An acquaintance of my friend’s aunt happens to know the owner of Sibul Springs so we got in for free and stayed overnight. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, around PhP40 and it is only open for day swimming. There are cottages in the area but not conducive for an overnight stay. Believe me, you won’t be able to sleep comfortably in a hard bench or floor with mutant mosquitoes feasting on you.

There’s nothing much to be excited about the place (in relation to my preference). It’s basically a matter of how you deal with the situation and adapt with the environment; and I chose to enjoy by finding ways and things that amuse me:

1. Though cramped, I enjoyed sitting at the back of the van with all the baggage around me. The food and drinks were just within reach!
2. It’s fun watching people prepare their food from scratch while cooking it using the old-style charcoal/firewood. I got used to eating in restaurants on trips with my family and we rarely eat packed lunch, just mostly candies and junk food.
3. I had the best papaitan and kalderetang kambing. There’s no trace of bitterness nor foul smell to it.
4. It is the first time I hesitated to swim even if I was perspiring too much
5. I didn’t drink alcohol and slept early
6. I was able to sleep with the lights on, with people laughing in the background, and with my back flat on a cold, hard floor
7. I woke up early and had a morning stroll alone (which I’ve been longing to do)
8. I enjoyed baby sitting
9. I drank water from an unknown source and didn’t get diarrhea
10. I had fun while experiencing little sacrifices during the Lenten season

casilyas

NLEX

you read it right =)

mutant mosquito