Experiencing ELYU's Vibe!

Finally had the opportunity to experience first hand what the fuss was all about in the surfing town of San Juan, La Union and it surely lives up to its hype.  One great thing going for ELYU is its accessibility. Just hop on a northbound bus and you step right into surf town.

Drop off point in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union

And once there, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from. From upscale star-rated resorts to homey bed and breakfasts.  We stayed at San Juan surf resort on our first night there.

Sign of  San Juan Surf resort, one of the pioneer resorts in the area. 

Urbiztondo Beach. 

The place was jam packed as this was the super peak season and because of this,  I think the room that we stayed in was the worst (premium room no. 4) room at the resort. It had no windows and was in the middle of the staff and utility room :( . The kind and friendly hotel staff and wonderful ambiance of the resort as a whole, sort of made up for the dismal room. We would definitely go back but  will choose the ocean view rooms. 

And right outside is what we came to ELYU for!

Surfing at ELYU!




The waves are perfect for beginners and there is a system in place among the instructors and the other stakeholders to ensure safety for all. There are designated surfing and swimming spots and the beach is open only from 6 am to 6 pm.
And since water activities stop at 6 pm, its food scene takes up the slack and contributes to the vibe of ELYU. Specialty restaurants and eateries abound and here are some that we were able to experience. 

Mad Monkeys burger joint

Mad Monkeys cheeseburger

Bacnotan pizza at Surf Shack. And yes, that is an egg in the middle.



On our second night, we stayed at Angel and Maries Place across the street. They provide a more homey ambiance being a bed and breakfast operated by the owners themselves.  And the food is so worth checking out.

so they played sungka and enjoyed it! :)

Pinakbet, adobong pusit and inihaw na liempo at Angel and Maries place. 

Banana pancake at Angel and Maries Place, so good!

The time spent there ( 3days, 2 nights) simply was not enough to soak in all that ELYU has to offer, which makes for  a good excuse to come back.  But from what we experienced, we can truly say that ELYU's got VIBE!

Hey Kid....

     

         Well, it wont be long when I can't call you a kid anymore... You have just graduated high school, moving on in the world and spreading your wings a little bit more. It seems just only a while ago, when you slept  soundly on my chest, was comforted by my songs, laughed at my jokes and thought of me as nothing less than Superman : )...allow me this little reminiscing because it is only now that I truly realize that time really flies...

        Looking at you now, almost a woman, struggling hard to be independent and trying to find your place in the sun, I could not help but smile inside and think that your Mom and I must have done something right to have raised fine lady like you.  It was not a piece of cake, there were many trials along the way, and sure there were times We would have loved nothing more than to strangle you in order to put some sense into  that stubborn head of yours (kanino kaya nagmana?)...he he.. But that does not mean We love you less.. Still, the good outweighs all the headaches...Hey, nobody ever said it would be a walk in the park...

        Anyways, as you venture into adulthood, Your Mom and I could only pray that we have laid the proper foundation in order for you to face the challenges that life has to offer. You may not want to hear it now, but life is not easy and is not always fair. As the line in one of my fav movies goes "life is like a box of choc'lates, you never know what your'e gonna get"....

     I don't know the answers to everything but if there is one certainty that I have leaned all these years is that  you will stumble, You will get hurt. Life will get its licks in and although you may be bruised and hurt, what matters is to pick yourself up and make a go at it again. Challenges are there in order to make us better persons. Make every experience, whether good or bad,  a learning one kid. And if you do unto others what you want to be done to you, it should not be such rough sailing, for God in all his greatness see's and rewards all goodness...

     As you forge ahead in your journey, always bear in mind that your Mom and Me will always be there for you.  When I look back, can't help but compare your journey to the game, where at the start, We were the star players then through the years, you  gradually took over. Your Mom and I have been reduced to the sidelines willing and cheering you on...We are you biggest fans now.

 It's your time now kid, its your game to play...Play it well.

bloggingcaloy: Being a dad from Mr. Cajucom's point of view...

bloggingcaloy: Being a dad from Mr. Cajucom's point of view...

Being a dad from Mr. Cajucom's point of view...

        We attended the culminating activity of my eldest daughters retreat yesterday. A parent was asked to give his insight on being a father, and Mr. Cajucom was spontaneously put into the limelight. He hit the nail right on the head describing what being a dad is all about.
        Growing up in an era where the king held court in the silver screen, most of us idolized the strong silent type. For most us, loving was not a matter of showing off flashy moves but more of being there for the grind, our own version of the line in the movie A Walk to Remember, "my love is like the wind, you can't see it, but you can feel it".... making sure that there was (if possible good) food on the table, that the household bills were paid, that the household was habitable and that transport was available, was for us, the greatest expression of love.
       We may sometimes forget the cheesy stuff, like anniversaries, flowers, kilig moments, etc.., but it does not mean we do not care. Sometimes, just making sure that all the basic stuff are provided for takes all of our energy that it leaves little for anything else. Life is not a piece of cake, But us dads, being who we are, would not let our families know it. For us, our families deserve the best that we can give and it does not matter that we break our backs in the process. For at night, before we doze off in front of the tv, the happy chatter and contented smiles of our wife and kids makes it all worth it.
       In parting, Mr. Cajucom emphasized on the dictum that was imparted on him that "time is gold"...At this point, he said that he might not have the gold but he has the time for his family.... applause rang out in the room and I was thinking to myself, I could not have said it any better...
       Advance Happy hearts day everyone!

On being a BLUE GUARD....

In one of the memorable moments in the movie "the last Samurai" , Emperor Meji asked Algren how the Samurai Katsumoto died, Algren responded " I will tell you how he lived"...

I never got the chance play with Vic Dualan, but was honored to share a bottle or six with him under our acacia tree.The same could be said to Iste, Boy C., Mike C. and a host of others that have passed on to tie their boots in the great football field in the sky.

Some of them, like Vic D. , went even when he could not play anymore, but still he came... to watch, to cheer, to coach a little and most importantly, to impart a little wisdom to the newbies. It was during this that I finally came to understand how it is to be a Blueguard...We often hear in jest among ourselves that we play  in order to get an excuse to drink every Sunday and that our motto is "win or loose its the beer we choose". We always have a good laugh and drink a toast to this for after all, we are weekend warriors, thankful for having the chance to relive our exploits and glory every Sunday and coming home a little bit younger for it.

But what they don't realize is that it is the other way around. Drinking was just an excuse to pay homage to the beautiful game. Long before the azkals became a household name, when in tournaments where the players were more plentiful than the fans...we played on because we love the game. Willing to embrace camaraderie with almost anyone who loved the sport. whether rich or poor, asshole or not, for it does not matter as long as they are our assholes! For after all, football made us a band of brothers. Not caring anymore who won or who lost but more importantly, is that we continue to play on.

Now, with the resurgence of the sport in the time of azkals, because of the lessons imparted by those who played before me, I am proud to show my pedigree, I am a Blueguard. Always willing to play and shout proudly "BLUEGUARDS FIGHT"!

Azkal Fever....Azkal Forever!

I have played football almost my whole life. Played in varsity teams since my elementary, high school and college days. And up to now, I  still play weekends with my club team the Blueguards FC. Being such, you can say that I am a football fanatic. But in an ironic twist of fate, our race of vertically challenged citizens chose to embrace the sport of giants and embraced it as an almost religion.
But we have kept the faith. Always believing that the time of Philippine football will come.For here is a sport where our race can excel. Height is not a a big factor. Skill, speed and technique are the key. The sport does not discriminate. It can be played in open spaces and in other countries, even on the street. All it takes is willing players and a ball. I recall playing in the hallways of school using rolled up papers bound with masking tape as a ball and remember the joy and laughter that accompanied our games.
The recent showing of our Mens National team in regional tournament s has created new interest in football. It sure does help that some of the players are model material, thus making for a good ambassadors for the sport. The influx of Fil foreigners wanting to play for our country is a bane to the sport. In a sort of reverse brain (?) drain, they are coming here (most at their own expense) to play for the motherland and we have reaped tremendous dividends from it.

Now, in a few days time, we would be playing an international match in Bacolod City. Never before has a football game created such hype and  interest in our country. Sure, there are high expectations But we can do it. After being in the shadows of basketball for so long, We believe that the time for Pilipinas Futbol has come. And We, the faithful will be there to stand as witnesses...

Back to Boracay....

It's Boracay, not Bora, as the sign in Red Pirates Pub said. Surely, Boracay is one of a kind and should not be confused with any other island. Boracay is unique, it has its own culture, customs and traditions. Not quite Pinoy, with a mix of European, American and lately a smattering of Korean influence, but definitely Pinoy.

Boracay has always been magical to SH and me. Her first plane ride was to this place, to celebrate our 15th year of being together. The kids' first plane ride was also to this paradise. And memories of this will forever be etched in our minds as a loving, gentle and tranquil place.

Boracay Beach during habagat season. image courtesy of SH

Had the chance to visit again early this month. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative. Habagat was in full swing and strong gusts of wind and occasional rain showers in the afternoon made the most popular aqua activities an unattractive activity. But still, it did not diminish the beauty of the place. In fact, it made for a more adventurous ambiance for the island instead of the traditional tourist trappings. Luckily for us, we were billeted in a great hotel in Station 3, Boracay Sands. The staff were really friendly and accommodating and the facilities were nothing short of first class. It really made our stay in Boracay worth it, notwithstanding the uncooperative weather.

Facade of Boracay Sands in station 3.

nice room. 101 Boracay Sands

Pool/courtyard of Boracay Sands

We also got to experience the different experiences that the island had to offer. SH and I purposely avoided the traditional tourist traps as much as we could and tried to create the unique island experience. One such place, which is a lore to bloggers, is Red Pirates Pub.

Pubs Signage

the bar @ Red Pirates

Located on the far reaches of Station 3, here one could still enjoy the non-commercial Boracay nightlife and if you are lucky enough (such as we), find yourself in an impromptu acoustic jam session.

Besides this, the main reason why we came back was for me and SH to rediscover and nurture our love.So in spite of the uncooperative weather, we made the most of what was given and savored the experience together. Truly, Boracay will  always remain special.

Entangled legs by Boracay beach

*photos and lay out courtesy of Kathy Sulit