Nakikiprobinsiya

“Be my laydeh…” Martin Nievera crooned as I entered the bus, this first bus I saw with a “Dau” sign on the dashboard, on EDSA near Munoz Market.

“Comfort me through all the pain and be my laydeh…” Martin seemed to serenade me as I plopped on a seat I had all to myself. It’s almost the same. Like being transported back in time, I told myself, as I surveyed the inside of this generic bus I can’t even remember the name of.

Red curtains shielded us passengers from the sun’s harsh rays. Backpacks and plastic bags were stacked overhead. The seats were covered in plastic. There was a TV overhead behind the driver, but it was turned off. The bus smelled old. The word ‘kitsch’ stuck in my head.

Then came Ric Segreto singing “Lovin’ you oh-oh is such an easy thing to do…” and I relaxed. I’ve been through this before, something like more than 20 years ago, on a bus on the way out of Metro Manila with 80s music from cassette tapes. I was on one of my “nakikiprobinsiya” trips back then, like now.

For college, I went to a university in Manila that seemed to be a melting pot of people from different regions. I gave a quizzical look the first time someone asked me, “Taga-saan ka?” “Sa Quezon City?” I answered, kinda asking myself if I gave the right answer. “Hindi, saan ang probinsiya mo?” a classmate asked. “Um, sa Batangas ang Daddy ko, pero ang Mommy ko sa Bulacan. Pero ang roots ng Daddy ko sa Ilocos. Pero ang Mommy ko dito na lumaki sa Manila. Dito na rin kami lumaki.” Lotsa “peros” or buts as the question simply couldn’t be answered in one word.

A number of my classmates though would rattle off provinces they hail from left and right: Batangas, Pangasinan, Benguet, Pampanga, Laguna, Albay, Davao, Nueva Ecija, Zambales. Those were really where their families were, and they were just staying in dorms in Manila. When sem break, Christmas break, or a long weekend would be nearing, my probinsiyano classmates seemed to be more excited and would ask each other, “Uuwi ka? Kailan?”

Then they would come back refreshed and happy with tales of their vacation, and of how traffic was light or heavy going back to Manila.

I, on the other hand, would have most likely spend vacation in –where else–Quezon City, in the comforts of our home.

And so it was that I started inviting myself to the provinces, at times “imposing” on others, employing as much charm as I could muster.

First, Christmas and summer vacations at my cousin Kuya Roger’s house in Batangas City where Ate Cory would lovingly cook longganisa and pochero for me. Then came sleepovers at my friend Erli’s house in Angeles City, Pampanga, where she introduced us to Aling Lucing’s sisig by the riles or old dilapidated train tracks. I would spend three days or more at my best friend Richelle’s house in Dagupan, and discovered Bonoan bangus. And I remember “ambushing” my friend Boy in Alitagtag, Batangas with two other “kaladkarin” org mates, and buying tulingan at the wet market.

At Nini’s in San Pedro, Laguna, we rode the sidecar after riding an 80s kitchy bus, a treat for me since there were no sidecars in our part of Quezon City. Then there was a time almost a whole jeepney-load of us went to Ching-Ching’s place in Angono to spend the night and wake up before dawn in time for the Easter Salubong. And how can I forget submerging my feet in the waters of Malay, Aklan near Marlie’s grandparents’ place after watching the Ati-Atihan festival in Kalibo?

Sometime in between starting work and raising a family, though, my provincial visits became few and far between. These came in the form of family road trips, office outings, or coverages for lifestyle articles.

Good thing my 17-year-old son had an out-of-town trip recently. It was then that I hopped on the first Dau-bound bus I saw on EDSA to visit Erli again for a sleepover and a sisig dinner, and relive those memories of a time when there was more time to explore the world.

“Doobidoobidoo bidoobidoo,” the Apo Hiking Society seemed to cheer me on while I sat smiling to my forty-something self in this old kitschy bus.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/287120/opinion/blogs/nakikiprobinsiya
The best getaway destination vacation spot near Manila convenient safe and accessible is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark Pampanga.

Event organizers and companies in Manila travel out of town to the north to hold their team building events and company outings in a good resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort located in Clark is well regarded as one of the best venues for team building near Manila. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Clark is already a popular destination for golfers from Manila. Clark Freeport offers some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and outshines many golf clubs and golf courses elsewhere in the Philippines. Clark Pampanga offers many good resorts and hotels for a short trip out of Manila, and Clearwater is one of the best places to relax and unwind for a weekend getaway or a short holiday in Pampanga.

This private resort in Pampanga is a frequently visited vacation spot outside of Manila. Included in the list of resorts highly recommended for families with children visiting Clark Philippines is Clearwater Resort located conveniently in the central business district of Clark Freeport which is accessible from Manila.

Free internet WIFI access is offered to guests of this famous hotel in Clark Pampanga. Guests can even connect to Internet WIFI service near the white sand beach, by the famous lake of Clark or in any of the picnic grounds around this resort. This hotel in Clark Philippines is generally considered by Manila residents to be a good place for family trips in Pampanga.

Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila. Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark, a safe and convenient tourist spot that offers natural ambience for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with no stress. Private resort is frequently visited during Holy Week and Easter Holidays for residents of Manila travelling out of town on getaway to the north to unwind and relax in outdoor resort.

During holy week, Easter holidays, Christmas, New Year, Halloween and especially the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, Manila residents travel out of town to the north to relax and unwind at this famous resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is the hotel in Clark that visitors prefer for family bonding and team building outside of Manila.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)