Stranded

My plan was to meet the Balangay Expedition Team in Nasugbo last Saturday and follow the journey until they reach Puerto Gallera. I have not been on the road lately, so the prospect of drifting with the crew for four days was making me loose sleep from anticipation. Three days before I was supposed to leave, the Facebook fan page announced that Diwata ng Lahi was temporarily sheltered in Ternate because of the strong winds and waves induced by an incoming typhoon. The following day I was informed via text message that the leg to Nasugbo was postponed due to the weather condition. By next morning the expedition was officially put on hold and a new expedition schedule was sent via email. It was clear that I was not going anywhere for at least another week.

Not knowing what to do for the next four days, I tried to be productive. I went shopping in Greenhills, bought a pair of knock-off Crocs flip-flops and back-issue magazines. I also took the opportunity to watch District 9 ( which I was expecting to miss because I would be away following the expedition). I was also glued to the TV and the Web to monitor the news on the ferry that sank due to the ongoing typhoon. I had some commitments in Manila during the later part of the week, and based on the new expedition schedule, I can only rendezvous with the team when they reach Puerto Gallera the following Sunday. The new plan was to ride with the crew and shoot from inside the boat during the leg to Calapan. After that, I would head back to Manila and meet them in Boracay the following weekend.

If the whole plan worked out, I would have been writing this entry from Puerto Gallera. Earlier this week, I learned that the continuing typhoon overflowed a damn in Cavite. The strong currents along Ternate river pushed Diwata ng Lahi out into open sea. The remaining watch crew had to sail back to Sangley Point Naval at 12:00 MM. It wasconfirmed that "the boat is still in good condition and the crew is ok". As I write this at home in Manila, I see dark clouds and heavy rain blown by strong winds outside my window.

Maiden Voyage

The Balangay Expedition Team left Manila yesterday for the first leg of their journey that will take them from Manila to Puerto Gallera, stopping by five waypoints along the coastline of Cavite and Batangas. As soon as they left, I rode with the advance party to the first waypoint at Sangley Naval Base in Cavite City. The team arrived four hours later and was welcomed by a full brass band, officers of the Philippine Navy and children from the local school.








The team stayed for an hour before they continued sailing to the next waypoint in Ternate, Cavite. I headed back to Manila after I saw them leave Sangley. I will meet up with them in Calatagan on Saturday and follow the journey to Puerto Gallera.