The other day, I went to Balayan. I woke up thinking I have
to go somewhere but I really did not know where..had no plans at all. I just
knew that I want be out of the house doing something different. So, I asked Google. Should it be somewhere in Laguna, Quezon or Batangas? Prioritized Batangas after some thinking. Would have wanted to do an
ocular of the beach so I can give good recommendations to friends but it was just too hot. Anyway, I decided in the end to go to Balayan
instead after I saw photos of old houses similar to those of Taal. I really am
a sucker for anything historic.
Balayan is two towns
farther than Taal. Unlike Taal where one is dropped right in the middle of the
town, passengers going to Balayan have to get off the public utility vehicle
along the highway and take another pedicab at the cost of 10 pesos (not bad)
to the town center. Knowing nothing about Balayan, I just asked the pedicab
driver to take me to the church.
The church looked its age. Old and rundown. It seems to me
like the place needs a bit of tender loving care but what do I know. I am just
passing by.
It was another hot day and thought of getting something to
munch on. Wandered around the public market right across the church but
couldn’t find a local restaurant. There was a Jollibee and McDonalds near the vicinity but
couldn’t care less for those two. I did not travel all the way to Balayan just to eat at fastfood restaurants.
One pedicab driver recommended and brought me to this place
located a bit farther from the back of the church. It is called Kamayan sa Dike, a lovely little
restaurant run by a family. They serve local dishes which are intended to be
eaten with one’s bare hands--no forks and spoons. Their food is good at a
reasonable price I’d say. Individual meals cost less than a hundred. I ordered the tapang Taal and ensalada and I
was quite satisfied. I would recommend it.
After lunch, tried to check out the place and locate the
heritage houses. I ended up in the church again without a glimpse of the houses
whose pictures I saw on the net. Anyway, since it was too hot, I thought it
would be a nice time to just attend the church service so sat at the back. It
was after a while when I realized that it was a funeral service I was
attending. What the heck. I will just finish it. The deceased seemed to be a
well loved person. There were a bunch of his buddies in uniforms marked Balayan
Offroad Club so he must be a member of that.
May God rest his soul.
The service took maybe around an hour. After everyone was
gone I went around looking for a staff to ask permission if I could go up the
bell tower. I couldn’t get hold of one. All of them are busy preparing for the
next service which was a wedding. They seemed to be on a strict timetable. There
were guys trying to roll out the red carpet while some were assisting with the
flowers and the lace décor. When I finally got to talk to one, he informed me
that the belfry was closed. They do not allow people to go up there anymore.
I was honestly disappointed but what else can I do. Walked
out of the church and was just in time to see the bride get off the bridal car.
I tried to continue my quest for the heritage houses which
was in vain. They do not have much of those or if there are they are not within
walking distance from the church. The thing is I did not feel like going much farther. The heat was intense. I just hopped in another pedicab and went to the
bay walk instead. I killed time, just watching the kids attempt to fly their
kites despite the stillness of the winds. By four thirty, I decided to go home.
Balayan was a different experience. I kind of expected more but what it reminded
me instead is that life ends at some point so we have to seize each day. Live.
Love. Maybe get married. Or just do nothing… just sit by the baywalk and contemplate.
Just like the futile attempts of those kids to fly their kites, we just have to
keep trying and just keep going. Do not give up.
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