I was one of the bloggers chosen to run for the recently held Color Manila's Blacklight Run because I am fit. Wait, let me state that accurately. They thought I was fit.

It has been what? Eight months since my last strenuous activity. I have a legitimate excuse though: my left knee is injured. I know I could've done better. But honestly, most of my days were spent warming my butt and knocking back beer bottles. I'd do a few workouts every now and then, only when I remember. And when I remember, only when I don't get lazy. And when I don't get lazy, only when I have the time - which is something I barely have because I kept myself preoccupied with non-productive tasks such as reading emotionally draining books and watching my cat lick his balls, trying to figure out when is his next attempt to kill me.

Ilocos Norte is the farthest we've been to in the Philippines (maghintay ka lang Batanes). And like every eager first time visitor, we did almost everything touristy! But also like every thrill-seeking adventurer, we just had to do something that can turn on the rush.

Honestly, I could skip any other tourist attractions around Ilocos but not the sand dunes - the only known sand dunes in the Philippines. So despite being pressed for time (thanks to my friend, insomnia, for keeping me company at night and asleep by the day), we managed to find ways.

Our original plan was to go there before sunrise or before sunset so we can avoid the scorching heat of the sun. But since we scrapped all our plans out and did all things spontaneously, we went there after lunch. Midday. High noon. Beat that.

I tried to be a regular blogger. Hence, the lame attempt to strike those blogger poses in the quaintest street I've ever been to: Calle Crisologo.

It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. So I thought it's a perfect time for photo ops while Jan and I wait for our tummies to go hungry again just after eating okoy and empanada. I'm not really the type who takes a lot of photos, let alone strike a pose. Like I always say, I don't have an ounce of talent for it. There were even times when Jan would ask me, "dili ka magpicture?" (are you not going to take pictures). Sometimes I would. Most of the time I wouldn't. But then I realize I need to breathe life into my Instagram account, my Facebook page, and this blog. Simply put, I just want to have an interesting online presence.

Jan is so supportive about this hooey and has been patiently taking my photos no matter how awkward and annoying it gets. He shows willingness to be one of them - you know, Instagram boyfriends - just so I can master the art of striking those blogger poses which isn't really beneficial to my life, his life, or to anyone's life. But for the love of blogging, social media, and let's just say, art... here goes...

After enjoying the top tourist attractions in Pagudpud, we had our lunch at past 1:00 in the afternoon and headed to Burgos for our South Tour.

HOW TO GET AROUND ILOCOS NORTE
If you are going for a DIY tour, the best way to get around Ilocos is to ride a tricycle. You may opt for a cheaper alternative which is riding a bus albeit waiting for the next bus will just eat all your time up.

Once you get off from the bus, tricycles are just everywhere. They offer South (Burgos) and North (Pagudpud) tours at a standard rate. Each tour costs Php 600 (max of 3 pax per tricycle) and you will be taken to the following places:

South Tour (Burgos)	North Tour (Pagudpud)
-Cape Bojeador Light House -Kapurpurawan Rock Formation -Bangui Windmills	-Kabigan Falls -Bantay Abot Cave -Patapat Viaduct -Blue Lagoon Beach

Tricycles in Ilocos are quite small. So it is best to only have two people in one tricycle if you want to travel comfortably. You can do both South and North Tours in one day.

You may also want to read: DIY Pagudpud Tour

Before we landed in Laoag City, we HAD a planned itinerary. The weather forecast app warned us about heavy rains and scattered thunderstorms. So we had it all planned out. Let's do Plan A. If weather does not permit us, we'll do Plan B. But traveling does not always work that way. However convenient traveling from Davao to Ilocos by plane is, still got our energies drained. It was raining when we got there. So we just decided to sleep for the rest of the day, scrap all our plans out, and do what we do best: go traveling spontaneously.

One of the reasons why I was so excited about this trip is because I would finally be reintroducing myself to my roots.

I am an Ilocano. Both my parents and most of my relatives from both sides are Ilocanos. But since I was raised in Davao, I never really got to know my roots. The only evident thing that would give away the Ilocano in me would be my skin and my love for gulay, suka, and bagoong.

When we booked this trip, I thought my Ilocano speaking skills would give me the upper hand to act like a local and haggle for prices and avoid being taken advantage of as a tourist. Alas, my accent just doesn't cut it and I sound so hilaw. Haha

Anyway, this post will not have a lot of details about the trip, but rather a summary of our adventures and mishaps. But don't worry guys, I'll also be sharing with you our DIY Itinerary. So please stay tuned for that. But for now, here's how our Ilocandia Trip went:

Calle Crisiologo

Isa. Isang beses ko pa lang napapanood ang pelikulang ito. Take note of the keywords "pa lang". Oo, kung may pagkakataon, gusto kong tumawa, masaktan, at tumawa ulit. Paulit-ulit.

Dalawa. Dalawa lang ang cast ng pelikula pero napakalakas ng kurot at napakalaki ng emosyon ang ibinuhos dito. Dinaig pa ang all-star cast ng big productions ng pelikulang Pilipino. Walang sinabi ang Jadine at Kathniel.

Tatlo. Tatlong salita talaga yung tumatak sa kokote ko. Saging, puso, at repolyo.

Apat. Apat na beses kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko dahil biglang gumwapo si Empoy sa aking paningin.

Lima. Limang beses kong pinigilan ang pagluha ko.

Anim. Anim na beses kong kinumbinse ang sarili ko na kapag mag ja-Japan ako, pupunta ako ng Saporro.

Pito. Pitong beses akong halos maihi sa kakatawa.

Walo. Walong beses akong sinabihan na kamukha ko si Alessandra de Rossi. Kaya ayan, gandang-ganda naman ako sa sarili ko.

Siyam. Siyam na beses naming kinanta ang Two Less Lonely People of the World ni KZ Tandingan pagkatapos ng pelikula.

Sampu. Sampung bituin ang ibibigay ko sa pelikulang ito, sampung malakas na palakpak, sampung hiyaw, at sampung beses kong paulit ulit na irerekomenda ito sayo.


Kaya kung di mo pa to napapanood, manood ka na dahil it's now, it's never.

P.S. I know I suck at tagalog.

Last night, I received an email saying I screwed up a website big time. But I wasn't worried because I knew I've triple-checked my work before I delivered. So, if there's anything, it was definitely not my fault (and yep, it wasn't. It was a server issue that got resolved in the morning). I decided to just sleep it off and send my reply the next day only to wake up to a much more terrible news.

Chester Bennington took his own life.

It's 2017.

Remember when I said I've never had any Starbucks before? Well, just recently, I've had one when Renz and I decided to do our planning at Starbucks for our second public speaking stint. That was my first time to hang out at Starbucks.

Ever.