I’ve been quiet for the last 2 weeks because of my out-of-town journey to Romblon province. No new updates on my blog prior to the one I posted on the day I left Laguna to Batangas seaport. I already ran out of draft posts because of post Christmas and New Year hangovers. My apologies to my readers both in feed reader and email subscriptions. The trip was quite unplanned as we decide on what day we should leave for Romblon. We don’t like traveling while we have numerous amounts of cargo to be delivered on to different islands of Romblon. To ease things up, we delivered the goods first two days before we left. What’s left was the new PC and some small cartons filled with groceries for my priest uncle. I also went to the capital of Romblon to join Romblomanon’s into celebrating the “Biniray Festival” which spans for several days of festivities. Details of my trip after the jump.

January 7, 2008 Monday

The day we left Laguna to Batangas seaport to board M/V Xenia of Montenegro Shipping Lines bound to Odiongan, Romblon. Left the port around 5 p.m. with an ETA of 3 to 4 a.m. the next day.

January 8, 2008 Tuesday

Arrived at the port of Barangay Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon at around 4:00 a.m. We were accompanied by my mom’s two secretaries along with the two tricycles to take us along with our cargoes to the shop. We had a room on our shop complete with basic amenities. Early morning, I assembled the PC and thank God all went well. I test run the PC the whole day and installed the new printer.

January 9, 2008 Wednesday

Went to a health clinic/laboratory to apply for a drug test for my new driver’s license. I already had a student permit but I wanted that time to upgrade to a non-professional license. The test took 20 minutes before I acquired the result. All results were negative. I proceeded to the nearest hospital for my medical tests and then to the LTO office for my application. After taking my picture for my driver’s license, I successfully finished my application and a 5 month temporary license receipt was handed on to me. I should wait for the ID card to be released as they will deliver my application to Manila. You’re wondering why I applied my license in Romblon instead in Laguna. According to the LTO, you can apply your driver’s license anywhere as long as there is an LTO office in the area. I decided to apply there because of faster processing and shorter waits. Citizens applying there are just minimal compared to in Manila where the lobby area and the seats are full and congested.

January 10, 2008 Thursday

Filed my first business clearance in Odiongan, Romblon along with my cedula. Went to the municipal to issue my Mayor’s/Business permit of our shop under my name. This is my first time to file a business permit. Good thing I had with me our secretary that time to accompany me. The process usually takes a few hours and all needed was the correct form to fill-up along with the correct detalied information about your business. Next, several signatures of government officials need to be completed before we go to the treasury to pay for my permit. We went up and down the building, went out to find the municipal health office to get a signature. All went well until we end up into the treasury to pay. It cost me more than a thousand pesos just for the application. We then proceeded to the filing office to submit my 1×1 picture and all the necessary documents so that they will process it. I had to wait until Monday to get my new business permit.

January 11, 2008 Friday

Left Odiongan, Romblon for St. Joseph Cathedral in Romblon, Romblon aboard the M/V Xenia around 4 a.m. all by myself. I want to join my cousins there in celebrating the “Biniray Festival” which starts that day. My place of stay was beside the cathedral in a convent where my uncle priest resides. The balcony oversees the plaza and all the events are just a glance away. Even the guest room where I’m at has this big old sliding window where you can see the basketball court, the plaza and the road leading to the church. I had the chance to see my dear cousins again. Later that night, I couldn’t resist to join my relatives and other aquaintances to a booze fest (Gran Matador, Emperador and San Mig Light).

January 12, 2008 Saturday

Joined Romblomanons into celebrating the “Biniray Festivities” held in the Romblon plaza and in the cathedral. Witnessed different tribes compete for the first prize of P50000 on their tribal costumes and music (drum beats). Saw the “Viva Senior Santo Nino” carried out from the Romblon cathedral and then whisked away by loyal followers and patrons around the Romblon bay area aboard M/V Querubin. They circle the bay area 7 times. I had a booze session with my uncle (Tanduay) before we went to the performing band that night. I was amazed on how many fireworks lit up that time that lasted for 15 minutes. Courtesy of some gold sponsors like San Miguel Beer Brewery and Coca-Cola Philippines.

January 13, 2008 Sunday

Went to Gargantos Beach Resort (I believe this is the Marble beach resort if I’m not mistaken) to cool off and for me to experience the salty waters again. I enjoyed jumping from a man made plank made of wood and immersed myself into this deep water for me to dive. Later that day, I suffered a mild sunburn. I didn’t noticed I went dark until I got home. Yikes!

January 14, 2008 Monday

Learned the ingredients and the method on how to cook “Nilagpang”. It is a grilled milk fish with grilled tomatoes. Ingredients include onions, ginger root, chives, garlic and pepper. Mixed with water and grilled milk fish and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add an egg and tada, Rapsa!

January 15, 2008 Tuesday

Readied myself to leave Romblon for Batangas. I ran out of bed already early that morning. I forgot to reserve a ticket bed the day before I left. My only option that time is to aboard the ship early so I can reserve a seat in the canteen area. Most passengers who ran out of bed/seat stay on the canteen to spend the night. The ship was full that time. It was difficult to sleep in sitting position and your forehead lie on a table. At least I managed to use my clothes as my pillow to take a rest for a few hours.

I had so much fun in Romblon. The only regret is that I don’t have a digital camera with me. That’s a lesson for me. I missed a lot of good shots for that week. But the most important is the experience, you’re there to witness the event. Oh well, just bring the camera next time.

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