Unplanned Adventures Outshine Careful Itineraries

Magic of Spontaneity: When Unplanned Adventures Outshine Careful Itineraries

There's something magical about plans that unfold without planning. What began as a casual invitation for a simple campus bike ride transformed into an epic 50-kilometer journey through challenging terrain to Antipolo and back—a testament to how spontaneity can lead to our most cherished memories.

When "Just a Quick Ride" Becomes an Adventure 

"Ikot ikot lang sa campus" The message appeared in our group chat just hours before kickoff. No elaborate preparations, no carefully packed bags, just a simple proposition among friends. “May konting hintayan siempre” Little did we know this casual invitation would stretch into a day-long expedition tackling the formidable ascents and descents of Antipolo.

The last time a long ride happened was a planned bike ride to UP Los Banos which unexpectedly led to a ride up Mount Makiling Aguila base camp in January 2024.

As we gathered with our bikes, the initial anxiety was palpable. "Kung plano niyong umalis sa campus, hanggang dito lang ako" someone asked nervously, eyeing the popular targets of young and seasoned bikers. The route ahead was no joke for us urban bikers—steep climbs that would test our endurance and technical descents that demanded focus. There was the practical concern of adequate hydration, and whether our bikes (and bodies) were prepared for such an unexpected challenge.  Are our bikes properly tuned? Two declared they are prepared; the two others were adamant.

Yet beneath the apprehension lurked an undeniable current of excitement. The spontaneity itself provided an adrenaline rush that scheduled events rarely match—there was no time to overthink, just time to ride. “Sigue na nga, isugal na natin, more of, sama na nga ako. TIgnan kung hanggang saan aabot”

Unplanned Delights Along the Way

The beauty of our impromptu adventure revealed itself in waves of unexpected pleasures. The grueling climb gave way to breathtaking views we'd never sought out. The sense of accomplishment at each summit was heightened precisely because we hadn't mentally prepared for these challenges.

This group has not biked this destination for months. It is the 1st time the 4 are biking together.

As the usual trips, the trip was successful with all of us reaching the destination. After a short meal, we roamed around the city to look for familiar landmarks and the ihawan before the city center where we would have budol meals. Unfortunately, we did not spot it.

Descending into town, hunger led us to a charming restaurant where we devoured well-earned pizzas in an ambient setting we'd never researched or read reviews about. The conversation flowed differently—more present, more alive—without the weight of expectations that often accompanies long-planned outings. Conversations covered anything from biking to politics on the hottest issues facing the country, ICC.

From the resto, it was a quick luyong all the way from Sumulong Highway, turning right at Blue Mountain until Marilaque intersection.

Our wanderings continued serendipitously: browsing a Korean store we happened upon, discovering deals at an Anta sports shop, an impromptu bike tune-up from a friend we hadn't seen in months. These unscripted moments carried a freshness that carefully curated itineraries often lack.

Bikes were tuned excitedly as if preparing them for the next long trip sometime.

As evening descended, I suggested karaoke if there are no other commitments for the day—why not? The day had already departed so dramatically from its humble beginnings. Hours later, voices hoarse from singing and legs aching from cycling, we found ourselves checking the time in disbelief. 

How had a simple campus ride stretched into this full-day adventure?

The Psychology of Spontaneity vs. Planning

There's science behind why unplanned adventures often create our most vivid memories. Without expectations to measure experiences against, we remain fully present, appreciating each moment for what it is rather than what we anticipated it would be. The unexpected challenges foster a deeper sense of accomplishment, while the absence of planning anxiety allows for more authentic connection.

“Nakayanan. May lakas pa pala”

Yet planned adventures carry their own distinct pleasures: the anticipation that builds over months, the careful optimization of experiences, the security of knowing what lies ahead.

Perhaps the most fulfilling life contains room for both approaches. The meticulously planned vacation has its place—the research, the careful packing, the bucket lists checked off with satisfaction. But so too does the impromptu Tuesday that somehow becomes extraordinary, the casual invitation that leads to an adventure no one saw coming.

Our 50-kilometer journey to Antipolo wasn't on anyone's calendar that morning. No sore muscles, the shared pizza and drinks, the unexpected reunion with old friends, the karaoke finale—none of it scheduled, all of it cherished. And perhaps that's precisely why it will be remembered long after more carefully orchestrated outings have faded from memory.

Should we plan carefully or embrace spontaneity? The answer seems clear: yes, to both. But never underestimate the magic that happens when you say yes to a simple bike ride and find yourself, hours later, in places—both geographical and emotional—that you never expected to visit.

What a day it was. Not exhausted. Invigorated. Ready for something spontaneous again in the forthcoming day.

Pansi North Luzon Noodle Trail

A Noodle Trail: Exploring the Philippines' Beloved Pancit Varieties

The fascinating world of Filipino pancit (noodle dishes) reveals a beautiful marriage of Chinese culinary influence and distinctly Filipino flavors. My recent journey through Northern Philippines led me to explore three iconic noodle dishes that have become deeply woven into the local food culture.

Pancit Malabon: The Pride of the River City

Venturing into Malabon, a city historically known for its thriving fishing industry along the river, I discovered the vibrant orange-hued Pancit Malabon. This seafood-laden noodle dish gets its distinctive color from achuete (annatto) oil and features thick, chewy rice noodles. The sauce, rich with crab fat (aligue), creates a luxuriously creamy base that's loaded with fresh seafood – shrimp, squid, and mussels. What makes this dish special is how it embodies Malabon's identity as a fishing community, with each bite telling the story of the city's maritime heritage.

Pancit Luglug: Pampanga's Comfort Classic

In San Fernando, Pampanga – the Philippines' culinary capital – I sampled Pancit Luglug at two renowned establishments. This comforting noodle dish features round rice noodles bathed in a rich, orange-tinged shrimp sauce. The preparation involves first blanching the noodles (thus the term "luglug," meaning to submerge in water) before coating them in the signature sauce. Topped with hard-boiled eggs, chicharon (pork cracklings), and tinapa (smoked fish) flakes, it offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that showcase Pampanga's sophisticated palate.

Pancit Batil Patong: Tuguegarao's Hearty Creation

My journey to Tuguegarao introduced me to the intensely satisfying Pancit Batil Patong. Having tried a award-winning recipe from a pre-pandemic cooking competition, I was struck by its unique composition. The dish features egg noodles topped with ground carabao meat, liver, and a fried egg (hence "batil," meaning beaten egg). What makes it extraordinary is its accompanying soup (patong) and calamansi-chili sauce. The combination creates a robust, umami-rich experience that reflects the hearty eating habits of the Cagayan region.

The Chinese Connection

The prevalence of pancit across Philippine cuisine stems from early Chinese traders and settlers who introduced noodles as a symbol of long life. What's remarkable is how each region has adapted these noodle dishes to reflect local ingredients and tastes. The result is a diverse array of pancit varieties that, while sharing Chinese roots, have evolved into uniquely Filipino creations that continue to captivate both locals and visitors.

Nutrition of Malabon, Luglug, Batil Patong

Pancit Malabon is a protein powerhouse thanks to its abundant seafood content. Shrimp provides high-quality protein and selenium, while squid offers vitamin B12 and zinc. The crab fat, though rich in cholesterol, contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. The annatto seeds used for coloring provide antioxidants and vitamin E. Rice noodles make it a gluten-free option, ideal for those with wheat sensitivities.

The combination of eggs and smoked fish makes Pancit Luglug rich in protein and vitamin D. The eggs provide essential amino acids and choline, crucial for brain health. The shrimp-based sauce offers iodine and calcium. While the chicharon adds flavor, it can be moderated or omitted for a lighter version. The rice noodles provide quick energy through complex carbohydrates.

This protein-rich dish of Batil Patong is particularly notable for its iron content, thanks to the combination of carabao meat and liver. The liver is an excellent source of vitamin A, B vitamins, and folate. The egg noodles provide sustained energy, while the calamansi in the sauce offers vitamin C, which aids in iron absorption. The bone broth-based soup provides collagen and minerals essential for joint health.

Today, these noodle dishes remain popular not just for their flavors but also for their cultural significance. They're essential at celebrations, casual gatherings, and everyday meals, representing both regional pride and the Philippines' remarkable ability to transform foreign influences into something distinctly its own.

Each bite of these different pancit varieties tells a story – of cultural exchange, local innovation, and the enduring appeal of a good noodle dish. Whether it's the seafood-rich Pancit Malabon, the comforting Pancit Luglug, or the hearty Pancit Batil Patong, these dishes continue to draw food enthusiasts on pilgrimages to their places of origin, ensuring their legacy lives on in Philippine cuisine.

This is it pancit!

Charm and Poetry of Pundaquit

The Charm and Poetry of Pundaquit Mountain, San Antonio Zambales

Located along the western coast of Luzon in the Philippines, Pundaquit Mountain in San Antonio, Zambales Barangay Luna stands as a testament to nature's artistic prowess. This coastal mountain range creates a breathtaking backdrop to the serene beaches and fishing villages that dot the shoreline.

What makes Pundaquit truly poetic is its stunning juxtaposition of elements. Here, the Sierra Madre mountain range meets the South China Sea in a dramatic embrace. Lush tropical forests cascade down steep slopes until they almost touch the golden sands and crystal-clear waters below. During sunset, the mountains are painted in hues of purple and gold, creating a canvas that has inspired countless artists and photographers.

The mountain's silhouette against the horizon resembles a sleeping giant, watching over the local communities that have thrived in its shadow for generations. Local folklore speaks of guardian spirits dwelling within its peaks, protecting fishermen who venture into the sea. At night, the sky is a large canvas showcasing stars and constellations clearly not visible from urban Manila.

The mountain trails wind through diverse ecosystems – from coastal vegetation to more temperate forests at higher elevations. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views that stretch across the coastline and to distant islands like Capones and Camara.

For the local Aeta indigenous communities and Zambaleños, the mountain is more than a geographical feature – it's a cultural touchstone. Traditional practices, from sustainable farming to gathering of medicinal herbs, connect the people to this land. The rhythm of life here follows the mountain's contours and the sea's tides, creating a harmonious existence that feels increasingly rare in our modern world.

Fishermen set out at dawn with the mountain at their backs, using it as a natural landmark to guide their return. Artists from across the Philippines make pilgrimages here, seeking inspiration from the interplay of light, shadow, and natural textures.

In Pundaquit, nature writes its poetry in the language of wind through trees, waves against shore, and changing light across ancient stone. It reminds us that true charm often lies not in grand spectacles, but in the quiet perfection of a world where mountains dream beside the sea.

Sit down at a farmland, view the mountain southwest lazily, wait for the changing color hues at the rise sets in at the West Philippine Sea.

San Antonio is about 3 hours away from the North Luzon Expressway passing through the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan.

Sofronio and his dream: Appreciative Inquiry

 Examining Sofronio Vasquez's journey from the perspective of the 4Ds of Appreciative Inquiry as a facilitator would.

On a brief trip to the Philippines after winning the title in the United States, Sofronio received recognition on the show It's Showtime with Vice Ganda, which hosts a national singing competition Tawag ng Tanghalan in which he competed and received recognition but did not win.

Discovery: "What Gives Life"

Sofronio had an indisputable gift—his amazing voice, the passion, and the discipline for perfection—even though he didn't take home any major awards from Philippine singing competitions. As facilitators, we would concentrate on determining his most memorable moments and fundamental abilities. His path demonstrates that in addition to his vocal prowess, he possessed a profound understanding of music and the capacity to relate to other musicians. The Discovery phase would emphasize how each competition improved his creativity and broadened his knowledge of voice methods, rather than seeing his non-wins as failures.

Dream: Imagining "What Could Be"

When Sofronio went from being a contestant to a vocal instructor, his story took a significant change. This stage shows how broadening one's perspective beyond traditional success indicators might uncover unanticipated possibilities. As facilitators, we would observe the progression of his dream from self-praise to inspiring others. As a coach in TNT to now winners, he has influenced these champions, which is proof that dreams can come true in unexpected ways. Another layer of dreaming is demonstrated by his subsequent choice to try out for The Voice USA, demonstrating that one's own goals can coexist with helping others succeed. In coaching fellow Filipino aspiring singers to win in the competition where they eventually won the title, he wished, “they are now champions, I dream that I can be one too.”

Design: "What Should Be" is co-constructed.

SSofronio's journey serves as an example of how crucial it is to have several routes to success. His transition to coaching serves as an example of how we can create new positions that play to our talents. As facilitators, we would draw attention to the way he crafted a profession that integrated his teaching skills with his vocal expertise. This stage of his trip demonstrates that creating novel strategies rather than sticking to the tried-and-true routes is frequently necessary for success. Another deliberate design decision he made was to relocate to the US (he is a dental assistant), which altered his surroundings and opened up new prospects. After conquering the challenge of blind auditions, he honed his skills and sought assistance. His introversion and loneliness serve as the basis for his transformation when he goes on stage, takes the spotlight and eventually owning the song with his impeccable performance.

(Not drawn though was his preparation to enhance his vocal skills. In his interviews, he would diligently study scores, practice songs on his own.)

Destiny: Creating "What Will Be"

Winning The Voice USA, the peak of Sofronio's career, is the ideal example of the Destiny phase. It demonstrates how his past "failures" served as stepping stones to his eventual triumph. He gained artistic experience as a vocal coach, which helped him win in the end. His motivation is, I am able to help others win the gold, I should be able to do that for myself. In our capacity as facilitators, we would highlight how each stage of his journey—contestant, coach, and champion—built on the one before it to forge a potent future.

Key Lessons for Appreciative Inquiry Practitioners:

1.      Success often looks different from initial expectations. Sofronio's impact as a vocal coach was an unexpected but valuable outcome of his journey.

2.      Strengths can manifest in multiple ways. His vocal talent found expression in performance. Drive, persistence, passion for perfection, discipline, sensitivity, listening skills, intelligence are skills and virtues that propelled his recognition as a champion singer and artist.

3.      What might appear as setbacks can be reframed as preparation for future success. His being an introvert allowed him to internalize the song's messages deeply connecting the message with his audience.

4.      The path to achieving dreams may involve multiple iterations and roles.

1.      The path to achieving dreams may involve multiple iterations and roles.

This narrative demonstrates that Appreciative Inquiry isn't just about positive thinking - it's about recognizing and building upon core strengths, even when they manifest differently than expected. Sofronio's journey from contestant to coach to champion exemplifies how the 4D cycle can unfold in real life, with each phase building upon and enriching the others.

For facilitators, this story provides a powerful example of how persistence, adaptability, and strength-based approaches can lead to extraordinary outcomes. It starts with a roadmap. It reminds us that the Appreciative Inquiry process isn't linear - it's cyclical and iterative, with each phase informing and enhancing the others.

Inputs drawn from social and mainstream media interviews.

4Ds is a training module I learned and facilitated at Coca-Cola building competency of associates and friends.

Isang Himala

I've watched the Ishmael Bernal film Himala. Laura Centeno, a co-actor in Dulaang UP costarred as Chayong, while Joel Lamangan, who directed crowd control, was a fellow student in a Filipino literature course.

What I remembered about the movie were a rural girl Nora Aunor drew hordes of ailing people who were hoping for a miracle to heal them. Chayong, a friend, was helping her. The remark from the last scene, "walang himala, nasa puso ng bawat tao ang himala," has become one of the most memorable movie quotes.

That was in 1982.
This December 2024, I went to Gateway to see Pepe Diokno's film adaption of a musical stage drama as an entry in the 2024 MMFF. I perceived it as a Broadway production of a musical, as it was classified as such.

Forty two years have lapsed since my 1st exposure to the work of art.
Conditioning myself, should I appreciate it as a play, a broadway musical, a movie. How does a musical compare with the original movie drama?

Sitting in the newly opened Cineplex movie theatre, upon seeing the opening scene establishing the solar eclipse in a rural village setting, it was as if the movie was new to me conveying a universal message.

The message of Ricky Lee's literary work was further enhanced by the cinematography of Carlo Mendoza, production design of Ericson Navarro, Vincent de Jesus's lyrics and melodies, the ensemble's and the principal actors' performances, and Pepe's direction.
Aicelle Santos is Elsa, Noemi Gonzales is Chayong, Kakki Teodoro is Nimia, Bituin Escalante is Aling Saling, David Ezra is Orly, Floyd Tena the priest and Vic Robinson as Pilo. The creative theme recreated on screen a small Philippine village Cupang.

Among the universal messages that resonated were blind faith, fanaticism, exploitation, friendship and bonding, the mother's love for her daughter, blessing and curses of a small village, escape, human frailty, envy, eavesdropping, escape from poverty, the anguish of being human, and helplessness.

The fact that I was largely familiar with the plot and was anxiously anticipating the interpretation and execution of the famous line on screen when the lead characters' problems were still unresolved worked against me. I was getting impatient on how the musical would end.

I was able to observe how the main characters' struggles further agitate the audience putting closure to unfinished conditions. Filmmaker Orly balances his professional responsibility as catching the truth on camera withholding the moral truth, "ang lente ko ang katotohanan," while Aling Chayong affirms her love for her adopted daughter and corrects a mistaken idea she planted, “hindi totoo ang istampita ng birhen”.

As a lover and a devout disciple, Chayong, Elsa's confidante, could not get over her tragic abuse and left abandoned by her lover. She could not handle father's knowledge about her condition asking “alam na niyo father?”.

After having a falling out with Elsa and Chayong, Nimia finally had to face the truth about her condition and break bread with Elsa. "Pareho lang tayo Elsa, ako laman ang binebenta, ikaw, himala" is another crucial statement Nimia ranted on the similarities between Elsa's spiritual recovery and her own life as a cabaret operator.

The situations where people in positions of power are helpless are the most painful. When Chayong is pleading for assistance and Orly is recording the abuse, "wala akong magawa!" In the same circumstance, Elsa said, "di ko siya matulungan." Prior to stating this, Nimia assaulted Elsa saying, “ginagamot mo ang may sakit pero di mo nagagamot ang sarili mo!”

With a magnificent cinematic finale reminiscent of the intense fanaticism similar to the Traslacion of Quiapo where the believers go wild over a piece of clothing and Elsa's blood in a stampede, Isang Himala concludes powerfully, tragically.

While Elsa declared there is no miracle, two characters showed strength moving on with their wounded pasts, Aling Saling has demonstrated her loyalty to her child up to the dying moments; Nimia has accepted her fate and facing the struggle of life without her two friends and customers.

Isang Himala makes a dramatic universal point: the pain of being human. We must take responsibility for our own destiny rather than depending on outside help. Although it is not as painful as the suffering depicted in Bernal's masterwork, the musical Diokno supports the film's message in this modern time.

"Tama na na ang pagsikat ng araw at bituin, ang bawat tao sa mundo, ang isang sanggol ang ating himala. Hindi mo na kailangan makakita at nakarinig pa. Sapat na ang wagas na pagibig bilang himala." paraphrasing the lyrics of V. De Jesus sung by Juan Karlos Labajo

#MMFF2024 #IsangHimala #PepeDiokno
Himala on YouTube. https://youtu.be/u6J7m23-kcI?si=KX2xiEwc2qbERpSa