It all started when I commented on their pictures taken at Tapuakan River in Pugo, La Union. How they wished I was there…But not yet too late for the next trip, they said.
Next trip? Santol?! Wow! They have good falls there, I said. I got excited. A classmate in my masteral class reported about this place…well, academically but not on the sites. Seeing the place through pictures, I know I will enjoy this trip. It is not yet too late to have a little fun and tan before summer ends…Teka! may summer ba? It seems it was too short this year. It started to rain as early as April!
As plans are being set, with my classmate giving me some last minute briefings on what to expect, it rained! Gosh! But the rain didn’t douse the enthusiasm and excitement.
As early as seven in the morning, all were set. Food was cooked. Travelled light…and of course, never forget the tsinelas baka mapigtas! Hahaha! Well, someone did! Ouch! He has a different kind of foot spa! (Peace, pare!)
We were welcomed by Mayor Daisy Olivar. My companions can’t suppress their awe and surprise how young the mayor is. She showed us the pictures of the places we may go. We were briefed regarding the road with his staff reporting before us. Eventually, we chose Anito Falls. We filled up their log book and even their feedback form. She sent us off with a driver and guides ….and a taste of their one of a kind ube! A two-toned all natural colored ube cake! White and violet! Ang sarap! We are like children licking our fingers over this native cake on our way to the mountains!
Then, we stopped and started to walk. All are excited and still have the energy at the start…goofing and joking around that brought laughter and giggles on the side with lots of pauses and poses for pictures…and viola! Here we are in the middle of nowhere, an awesome falls! And the rest is history…with memories and pictures in our minds that bring us to say: Isem Santol!
