Batac, Ilocos Norte

I was in Batac, Ilocos Norte in April 1992 attending the 42nd Annual Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers Convention at Mariano Marcos State University. I also presented a paper during the technical session on my thesis about a Computer-Aided Mapping System for Irrigation Projects. 

During the last day of our convention, we had a tour of the historical sites in Paoay and Sarrat. We went to the old churches, the house, and museum of the Marcoses, Fort Ilocandia, and the Malacanang Ti Amianan. I also got to taste the famous empanada. Yummy! Ilocos, truly, has a rich heritage and culture.

Bangkok, Thailand

Ten days after my wedding, I went to Bangkok, Thailand to pursue my Master of Engineering under the Agricultural and Land Water Development Program at the Asian Institute of Technology. I grabbed the opportunity because of the full scholarship from AIT and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). 

It was my first time going abroad and being on my own as a foreign student. And on top of that, leave behind my husband. So challenging! AIT is 42 km north of Bangkok. It is an international postgraduate institution and its rich multi-cultural environment caters to hundreds of faculty members and thousands of students from more than 40 countries. 

In my class of about 20 students, I was the only female student and we were only three Filipino students. I slowly overcame my homesickness because of the socio-cultural activities with my fellow Filipino students through the AIT-Filipino Association (AIT-FILA) and spiritual bonding with the brethren in the AIT Christian Fellowship (AITCF). Every term break, I let go of the opportunity to travel to Singapore and Malaysia by train just to spend more time with my husband. Good thing, we were also brought to other places in Thailand through educational field trips and visits to my research area. I soon became fond of khao pad (fried rice), tom yam (tastes like spicy sinigang), and phad thai (similar to pancit) but I never failed to mention mai pet (not spicy) every time I ordered my dishes. Haggling in the market was easy if you knew the numbers in Thai. I had not gone back to AIT since graduation but I will always cherish the intellectual advancement and rich cross-cultural experiences I gained from my two-year stay there. Sawasdee!

UPLB Social Garden

The place may seem just an ordinary garden to garden enthusiasts or landscape designers but the UPLB Social Garden holds a special place in my heart. On December 27, 1988, this garden became the setting of a momentous event in my life... my wedding.

Peak 2, Mt. Makiling

I conquered the highest peak of Mt. Makiling in March 1988.

Our forester friend and colleague in DSAC challenged us to go on hiking to Peak 2. It was almost sem break and we took the challenge. So Jovits, Ayin, Amy, and I made our trek from the Nursery all the way to the top in about 2 1/2 hours. The hike was not easy but we were not in a hurry. Good thing, it was almost summer so we did not encounter the usual experience with the bloodsuckers which are locally called "limatik". Our stamina was tested when we had to go up a 15-ft 90-degree climb. We just held on tightly to the exposed roots to reach the top.

Our tiredness was turned to excitement as we reached the apex. We're on top of Makiling! And it was a special kind of view of the surrounding Laguna and Batangas up there. Unfortunately, we failed to bring a camera with us. Oh no, not a single evidence that we conquered Peak 2 once upon a time.

But thanks to the pain reliever we took before we ascended the mountain. No pain indeed.

La Trinidad, Benguet

Baguio City for the second time. However, we stayed most of the time in Benguet State University for the 38th Annual Convention of the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers in April 1988. I was with my colleagues in the department and some agricultural engineering students. I can't forget Jack's restaurant, located just opposite BSU, where we ate breakfast and dinner. The chop suey we usually ordered, even for breakfast, was so yummy because of the fresh veggies. And so cheap. We got to tour Baguio City and visit the Philippine Military Academy and Camp John Hay. And what did we have on our way home? Lots of peanut brittle, strawberry jam, and walis tambo! No doubt we came all the way from Baguio. 

Photo from farm1.static.flickr.com.

Baguio City

Baguio City, the city of pines. The summer capital of the Philippines. In October 1987, we had to take the bus via Naguilian Road in La Union because of bad road conditions and poor visibility along Kennon Road due to stormy weather. A trip to Baguio is not complete without visiting Burnham Park, Wright Park, UP Baguio, Mines View Park, The Mansion, Baguio Cathedral, and the city market. It was a memorable experience seeing new sites in the company of your dear friends. 

Photo from paradisephilippines.tv

San Carlos City, Pangasinan

In October 1987, during my first sem break at DSAC, our group consisting of young instructors at DSAC visited San Carlos City, Pangasinan on our way to Baguio City.

Pangasinan is noted for its bangus, tupig, and bagoong. It is a busy hub considering that all trips going to the Ilocos region pass by the area. It is also a jump-off point to Baguio City.

Photo from sancarloscity.blogspot.com.

Indang, Cavite

Indang, here I come. On June 2, 1987, I started to work as a substitute instructor at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Don Severino Agricultural College, now Cavite State University. I never thought I would be a teacher. Apparently, I enjoyed being one until now. In my first semester of teaching, I had 15 contact hours with five preparations. I got to teach three sections of graduating agriculture students. Imagine, I was just a couple of years older than most of them! Up to now, I feel honored and proud when I see my former students. Honored because I was given the chance to be part of their college life and proud to know their achievements. Teaching... what a challenging profession... 

Photo from indangcavite.tripod.com.

Baco, Oriental Mindoro

At the foot of Mt. Halcon, the third-highest peak in the Philippines. I took the agricultural engineering board exam on September 25-26, 1986 but we had to wait for months for the results. (Now, it just takes a few days because the exam is computerized.) 

Because of the no-hiring policy in relation to the plebiscite in April 1987, I could only report for work at Don Severino Agricultural College (DSAC, now Cavite State University) as a substitute instructor in June 1987. So, I was again an intake worker for Plan International, and from January to February 1987, we searched for deserving families in the town of Baco. It was a different team this time but we got to go home every weekend since Baco is just next to Calapan. Wherever we went, there were always parents hoping for a better life for their children. Simple lives yet full of hope. 

Photo from philippines.bayaw.com.