This place is prominent for its beach and surfing waves. Our group, Batang Hamog Mountaineers, has been participating in the annual celebration of Philippine Independence by creating an activity focusing on #Kalayaan, #Kasarinlan, #Freedom, or #Independence. This year's event was Freedom Surf 2018 held at Home Break Hostel, one of the simple resorts in Liwliwa, Zambales. If you're unfamiliar with this spot, it's normal because prominent surfing spots usually are Siargao, Baler, La Union, and many others. Now Liwliwa, in Zambales, is the newest addition to the list.
How we Got to Liwliwa: We chartered a van, of course with a driver, and met in EDSA Central. The weather wasn't good because of the Habagat and the typhoon Domeng. Raindrops were falling, lightning strikes, and the thunder roaring - we were crossing our fingers for good weather. Kulang nalang talaga, ialay ko na yung mga itlog namin, na pang breakfast para lang umayos ang panahon. But it didn't work out. Weather is really unpredictable - parang yung feelings nya sakin, minsan okay, minsan hindi.
Before proceeding to Liwliwa, first, we bought supplies at San Antonio Public Market - one of the cleanest markets in the Philippines, while the rain was in moderate to heavy status. There were parts that the roads were filled with gutter-deep water - pero okay pa rin kami! Rain or shine tuloy kami.
The weather wasn't good at all. But, happiness is a choice - so despite of the bad weather, we chose to be happy! All the participants went to the shore for photo ops, but I chose to be in the tent while listening to reggae songs. Habang tumatagal, parang mas nagugustuhan ko nang mag-isa, hindi ko lang alam kung bakit. Dahil din sa event na ito, nalaman ko na ang pag-kakarpentero pala ang mag-papasaya sa akin. Imagine, because of the heavy rain fall, I need to dig in the sand to create a canal or a water passage, para hindi mapasok ng tubig mga tents namin. Sana kung bago pumasok e kumatok man lang sana, e hindi. Diba?
Our first-day itinerary: cooking, lunch, kwentuhan, photo ops, cooking, dinner, and socials. Second day: cooking, breakfast, photo ops, headed back to Manila. I can't give more details since it was our get-together. And as always, during our anniversary and freedom exhibitions, we have been talking about our previous expeditions - those happy moments! Yung mga wala din, pinag-usapan din namin.