Pinoy Boy Journals: The year that was

As i said goodbye to 2009, i will try to remember the trips i've had last year. The wonderful memories of my backpacking trips, leisure trips, heck, even when i just want to get away from it all. For all the blessings i have received last year, that i was able to travel far and wide in my country and around Asia. A friend of mine told me i should be thankful for i have been around the world. And it proves even more, i want to top 2009 by traveling' more around my country the Philippines and maybe outside Asia this time in 2010.

For now, recall with me as i visit back my most memorable trips ever. If you have yours please let me know i would be glad to recall them with you.

February 2009 is the month of love, a few weeks before the 14th i already knew what i am going to do in this special day. I want to go to bay walk in Manila Bay. This is one popular place where lovers usually go to sit back, watch the scenery and maybe say sweet nothings. I am currently single and call me a masochist but i am dead set in visiting Manila Bay alone.

I think this is the most beautiful photo i took of that afternoon. I saw them and i was just admiring the passion and intensity the two have for each other. I think the photo i took captured the real essence of Manila Valentine's Day. No fancy hotel reservations, no elegant diamond rings, just simple.. arms hold each other, sweet kisses and the Manila Bay sunset. Priceless.

The photo in the right is a group of teenagers all wearing red symbolizes the color of love and valentine. The photo on the left is the man that will eventually be the inspiration of my unpublished screenplay. FYI, this man is an American from what i heard from him talking to bystanders, he still has that twang and accent. I was really curious about the story of this man..

Still fresh after a few months since my last backpacking trip to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, i missed my beloved city so much. I went out of the way everyday for one weeks to visit again the sights and sounds of this fabulous city "Manila" March 2009. I've been around Manila from Malate, to Binondo to Santa Cruz to Quiapo to Recto name it i was all over manila. I just wanted to breathe and feel Manila. I've missed this place so much.

The world famous Manila Bay sunset.

Kilometer 1, everything starts here.

(L) The cool boys of Quiapo. Rock on! (R) Passersby young and old, Filipino or foreigner cross this street.

April 2009 i was tagged along with friends to a private beach resort in the lovely municipality of Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Quite far from the usual hot spots of Zambales, this quiet place serves as an ideal place to chill out with people you love and watch the lovely waters of South China Sea. Jet skis, Jim beams, San Miguels and house music after, this is just the perfect getaway from the seeming lonely city life.

Unspoiled and very serene. The perfect antidote to the sometimes "tiring" boring life in the city. Too much going on, it has become repetitive.

May 1, 2009. Labor day was a holiday so me and my college mates decided its about time we go out there, far and away, live in a camp for a bit and just hang out. We never knew this place we're going is actually P.A.R.A.D.I.S.E.

Hail one of the most beautiful islands/ and or beaches i've been to... Nagsasa Cove in the beautiful municipality of Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. Tucked inside is a charming unbelievably serene place where pine trees abound, mountains turn into color brown and green depending on the sun, where the waters are immensely clean, where life was on its simplest form for us. This place is one i can never forget. Hoping next year will be another trip somewhere as remote as this.

May 2009 also was the year where so many things were happening in my life. My aweeesome friends came over to Manila to rock this city. yeaaaah!!! Brian, Anieka and Baz came to Manila and lived in my minuscule room so as called Casa De Jerik. Lol.

First stop: the lovely beach of Boracay Island. Here every night was party time, load up on San Miguel, listen to house music, and maybe do just whatever. Catch up and enjoy the good times this place brings. Cool comfortable conversations, let your guard down and just live it.

Then I guess its about time the world takes notice of Philippine Arts with so many thriving and exciting artists in the country, this trip at the Manila Contemporary Art's fair is quite enjoyable.

posing behind the work of my personal favorite Kiko Escora.

When Zabiela was in town, We partieeeed really hard. Live at the A.Venue was techno DJ James Zabiela. I couldn't even describe how much fun we had in this awesome gig. Scratches, looping, G's, and VIP.. I can't top this gimik for sure.

For day tours, i decided to take my friends walking around the off the beaten path of Manila. Its enough we see the beauty of Manila, its given. its about time we get ghetto and amaze at the beautiful doodling and spray paints along the Intramuros Complex.

Then June 2009 came, and i went on my first out of the country in 2009. where else but in the good time city of Bangkok, Thailand. I've really missed this city since i last came here, with so many unfinished business plus memories that will last a lifetime. Its about time so should i say.

Thai high school girls after school flock in the city center at the mall. Nuff said.

(L) Respect the King and Queen of this magical city (R) Bangkok's number 1 sport... Shopping!

Then July 2009 came, the most exciting month of the year for me as i head for yet another backpacking expedition down the Mekong Country starting off in Saigon, Vietnam. Good morning Vietnam, with relatively no sleep at all, i braved the streets of Saigon to feel the energy and vibe this city has to offer.

amazing architecture at this palace. French inspired.

After a heart breakfast of bread brisket noodles and bread, i walked around the streets and discover at daytime, the real Saigon takes place. Daily life becomes simpler, men and women working. Fruits are sold cheap. I happen to shake hands with everyone i have no idea why even at this moment. But i was beginning to blend in with everyone.

As soon i landed in Saigon, first thing i wanna do... PARTY time here at Go2bar! Rockin' house music, Saigon beer at hand what more can you ask for.

then it was off to the lovely kingdom of Cambodia to see the spectacular Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, squeeze in some beach time in Sihanoukville and try to live in Phnom Penh for close to two weeks. Thankful for my Canadian friend who let me crash at his place. Thanx Adam.

I took this photo and later on as i view it in my computer realizes there's a story here. A local Khmer man tries to move his head afar and is shy from the obviously loud tourists at the background. Maybe this is what the people of Cambodia really feel about flock of tourists coming in.

Mandatory happy shot!

Still missing from my backpacking trip last July. A few months have passed yet in November 2009, i packed my bags and on a road trip to the lovely province of Batangas in the town of Nasugbu.

Obviously, Batangas hasn't lost its charm yet. Great beaches, fantastic sunset, superior accommodations. The most ideal holiday hot spot nearest to Manila.