I've been to Boracay a number of times and each time, the trip has always been safe and hassle-free. So when Joanna asks me to join her at the wedding of her little brother in Boracay, I willingly obliged. We were going to stay at the very posh Discovery Shores and it was going to be my first out of town wedding. How could I say no? Even if it was raining a whole week before the wedding, it didn't stop me from pushing thru with my 'no husband and no kids' weekend. I was super excited and was looking forward to my rendezvous with Jo!
It was bright and sunny that Friday afternoon and so I had no idea what lay in store for me. I was offered the 3:30pm flight and I agreed to leave earlier so that I could get to Boracay before sunset. A few minutes before landing in Caticlan, the plane was shaking violently and it was rocking up and down. I was very nervous and I was so tempted to grab the hand of the (cute) boy beside me. Takot lang ako na masampal ni girlfriend. But I was really scared and I felt so alone at that precise moment. Thankfully, the plane landed without a hitch and I was thinking that the worse was already over.
The staff of Discovery Shores was on hand to pick me up together with 2 other couples. We were told that because of the stormy weather, we would be boarding the 'bangka' at the makeshift port and not at the regular port. We get to the port and the rain and the wind was getting stronger by the minute. As I was halfway through the wooden planks going towards the bangka, we were asked to go back to the shore. The coast guards were no longer allowing any ships to sail and so we grudgingly obeyed. Angelo and Tibang (law school friends) were watching over me the whole time since they saw that I was all alone. We waited under a shed na butas-butas yung sako roof for 2 whole hours. My dress was completely wet, I was freezing and the rain and the wind just kept getting stronger. I've never felt this helpless in a long time.
At 7:00pm, the coast guards lifted the restriction and we were going to be allowed to ferry to the island of Boracay. OMG. I thought I had it bad waiting in the shed for two hours. There were actually people inside the bangkas for two hours because they were not allowed to get off at the port. GRAVY. I'm so thankful to the staff of DS, to Angelo & Tibang and to a certain Ann (firedancer and owner of Footsies at D'Mall). They kept me sane during those very turbulent hours. And to think, di pa kami nagkikita ni Jo, my adventure had already begun!
When I finally saw Jo at 7:30pm, I hugged her and told her about my horrible experience. Since Jo is super sensitive and caring, she ordered me to change clothes (no time for a bath) pronto because late na kami for dinner. Bwiset! Hahahahaha. After a few ooohs and ahhhhs upon seeing our room, I changed quickly and headed off for Gasthoff where Lolo Cong and Tita Aleta were hosting a dinner for ALL the visitors.
While we were having dinner, the rain was so strong that it felt like a mist fan was aimed directly at my face the whole time. What an experience talaga. After dinner, we had drinks at Hey Jude! Ay salamat, something drinks! I had a dirty martini, amaretto sour and Jo's cousin even got us a round of Cosmopolitan. We ended at 3am! When we got back to DS, Jo wanted to have a few more drinks with Veron and Alana (Bacolod peeps). Naku, no thank you! I went up to the room, took a long hot shower and relaxed in my bed. Jo came in at 4am na. Yan ang grabeh!
We woke up at 9am and there wasn't much time to dilly dally as the wedding was at 3pm that day. The day was bright and we thought that the weather would remain sunny. Oh no, by 12 noon, the rain was pouring again and the wind was not letting up. Stress! It's a good thing the wedding was held inside the church. Despite the stormy weather outside, Jet and Alexis had a beautiful ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. I know its cliche to say that the bride is always beautiful on her wedding day but Alexis was beaming! She was radiant and she looked absolutely stunning. The weather outside did not affect her disposition at all. Whatta girl!
We had food and drinks overflowing and I must say, for a first wedding at DS, they did an excellent job! My favorite was the lamb chops with mint, turmeric rice and the beef kaldereta. The seafood served was also very fresh and I was going all-out at the buffet table. Hahahahahaha! It didn't help that tablemates Noel (law school friend) and his date Chichi were gorging as well. Other tablemates included Jo's niece Janna and Tita Aleta. We were the VVIP table! After dinner, we had drinks, listened to the reggae band (Lolo Cong had a guitar recital!) and was thoroughly amused with the firedancer a.k.a. ladyboy (term borrowed from Cheche Lazaro). Fun night! By 10pm, weng weng na ako. Jo, on the other hand, ended her day at 4am! Party animal.
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Sunday was my last day so I texted high school chum Monica to join me for breakfast. She was on vacation with hubby James and this was the only time I had to meet up with her. Had a great time chit chatting and walking on the shore. James is now my favority hubby of friend because he takes pictures even without being asked to! I love it! Hahahahahaha! But our bonding was shortlived. By 10am, I had to run up na to my room and dress up. I left DS at 11am and was flying home to Manila by 1230pm.
News of Pacquiao's victory greeted me when I landed at the Domestic. Was very happy but of course the 'match' I was looking forward to was the DLSU-UE game at 3pm.
What better way to end my weekend than by DLSU beating UE to capture the UAAP Mens Basketball Championship! Galeng! But that's another post of course! Congratulations La Salle! You make us all so proud!
Uhmmmmmmm, diba Boracay post 'to? Well, anyway, it was a fun weekend regardless of how it started! God is good. I thank Him everyday for the life I have, the family and friends I'm blessed with, and for the small victories He allows me to enjoy.
