The IT Department was looking for a summer outing destination and because I enjoyed my previous trip there, I suggested Putipot. Eventually it was agreed upon and so last weekend, almost exactly a year later, I was back in Putipot.
We were planning of using Rein’s car and mine for transportation but he had to back out because of an exam (with Prof. Aragon no less, no asking for an advance exam there). So some of us had to take the 12MN Victory Liner bus from Caloocan.
Also, at the last minute I learned we have insufficient tents and stoves. Tents are mainly for back up as it was summer and no rains or storms are expected. Still, I had to check the weather forecast to assuage my concerns. I then rushed off to buy a Snow Peak Starter Kit at ROX. Jeff also volunteered a small kitchen stove. It was lighter than your regular LPG kitchen stove but still way heavy.
Around 3AM, I went to pick up Car at her house and then to the office to pick up Aby, Len, and supposedly Steve. When I got there, there was no Steve. It was then that I found out that Alex had to back out because of a stomach problem and Steve had decided to join the bus group. Then we had to go pick up the Jeff’s LPG cylinder at the Victory Line bus terminal because it was not allowed on the bus.
After that it was off to NLEX, the national road from San Fernando, Pampanga to Subic, Zambales, a short cut through SBMA, and then the national road again to Bgy. Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales where Putipot is. Along the way, dropped by the public market of Botolan to buy tilapia, liempo, cubed pork, salted eggs, and tomatoes. We also dropped by to buy a small grill at Masinloc. We reached Uacon at around 9AM. We parked at Isla Vista and paid the entrance fee (P35 per head) and the parking fee (P300 for overnight). We also chartered a banca (P400) to take us to and from the resort. The island itself has another entrance fee of P50 per head or P100 for overnight.
We were at Putipot by around 10AM where we linked up with the bus group who had been there since about 6AM. Putipot seemed almost the same as before. There are signs of encroaching commercialism (Globe tents and more clutter) but it still retains that small raw undeveloped feel (yes, that’s good) to it. We swam, played, talked, ate, strolled, took photos, and slept. Yes sleep. Sleeping is sooo nice when you’re tired and the wind is blowing through the leaves of the coconut trees, waves lapping on the shore, sun shining… Darn I miss Putipot already.
That evening, Jeff and Rem with the assistance of the others prepared the dinner: liempo, pork adobo(?), grilled tilapia, salted egg salad, and a bit of rice. Apparently only Jeff actually brought rice but luckily it was just about sufficient. Still, it turned out we didn’t actually need my freshly-bought stove. Tsk.
After dinner, we had a few shots of vodka and attempted to roast marshmallows on a bonfire Lem made. But the fire was too strong and the sticks too short. Afterward, everyone went swimming while I lay down, watched the stars, ruminated, rested, and eventually slept as soon after everyone got out of the water, washed up, quieted down, and slept. I woke up throughout the night and early morning and every time, I marveled at the stars as they slowly lull me back to sleep.
The next day, we had noodle soup, Spam, and sandwiches for breakfast. We went swimming before saying goodbye to Putipot as we packed up, boarded the bancas, and took the road back to Manila.
Another great trip to Putipot even with all the small surprises and deviations from the plan (bad). But hey, we were lucky (better) and flexible (best). And it turned out great so no complaints there.