Thanks Giving Trip to Manaoag

Tarlac - Manaoag

90 kms

60% - 70% MHR

Average HR - 133 bpm

Max HR - 160 bpm

I was supposed to go back to Manaoag with my family on June 3, Sunday. I turned down all appointments on that day for my thanks giving prayers in Our Lady of the Rosary in Manaoag, but unexpected things came up. Kesa sa mapako ang promise, I decided to drive to Antipolo with my wife, at magpasalamat sa Our Lady of Peaceful and Good Voyage. Hindi lang halata, pero may mga kilala ako na pro na mas religious kaysa sa akin, who rarely miss a Sunday mass with their families. Lloyd is one of them. During the most difficult times in my life, my faith has become my refuge. Ilang beses na akong humingi ng tulong at hindi ako nabigo. Now, it is my turn to profess my faith and give my thanks.

June 9, Saturday. I spend most of the time sleeping at the back of the car with Kuwa Victor and my wife. The initial plan was for me to drive all the way to Manaoag and back to Manila, but Mama asked my wife’s uncle to drive for us again para hindi na mapagod and unico hijo nya. hehehe… spoiled ang lolo nyo! or takot kasi sya pag ako driver nya. hehehe….. Kaya balik kami sa routine, bike ako ulit from Tarlac to Manaoag. We left the house around 5:30 am already. An hour late sa usual departure time namin. Si Kuwa Victor (ayaw na kasi magpatawag ng Buknoy dahil papasok na ulit sya sa school) tulog na tulog pa kaya nakapajamas pa at may dalang mga unan. Before 9am, we were already at the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac for a stop over.

After having our breakfast at kaunting pahinga, tuloy na kami sa byahe. While changing, di ko mahanap ang jersey ko. I only had my short, cycling shoes, gloves, extra shirt, and helmet. Wala ang jersey at medyas. Sayang naman ang ensayo kung di ako magbike, so I dont have a choice but to wear a shirt and tuck it inside my bib short. I look ridiculous pero kasalanan ko. Wala na talaga. Ulyanin na ata ako talaga hehehehe.

Before 10am, I was on my usual route to Manaoag via Tarlac City, Sta. Ignacia, Camiling, Bayambang, Malasiqui, and Mapandan. While biking in Bayambang, Pangasinan, may nakasalubong akong big group around 60-70 cyclists. May mga executives, juniors, at pro. Mga Pitaki pala, I recognized Elmo Ramos ng malapit na. I know they wont recognize me sa suot ko. Nagsigawan pa binabati ako at tinatanong san punta ng nag-iisa. I texted Elmo and ask him where are they going dahil nakasalubong ko sila. Nagulat sya na ako daw pala yun kasi hindi halata sa suot ko. hehehe It turns out, the Pitaki boys were having a fun ride. Iikot sila ng San Carlos. Pero di na iikot si Elmo dahil mag bus sya paluwas ng Manila to join the criterium grand prix in Libis.

I arrived at the church before noon. Kakatapos lang ng mass. Sa main entrance na lang ako since d pwede mag bike sa ibang parte ng grounds ng simbahan. Iba talaga sa Manaoag, walang nag-interes sa bike ko iniwan ko sa labas. hehehe After saying my prayers, I then looked for Tyo Rolly to keep my bike and change. Dun na ako pinagkaguluhan ng mga fans ko mga jaguars, hehehehe. Nagulat pa sila mama ng dumating galing pamimili ng pasalubong. Dami mga fans, mga guards at drivers. hehehe Iniinterview ang lolo nyo. Akala taga-Pangasinan ako kasi suki nila kami. Nagulat ng malaman lagi kaming bumibyahe pa from Manila. Pero pinakanagulat ako ay nang himasin at pisilin ang legs at binti ko habang nagtatanong. Iniisip siguro kung may kakaiba ba sa hita ko hehehe.  After changing, my wife and I went to the candle gallery at syempre sinundan pa rin kami ng isang guard sabay tapik sa balikat ko at sabi ng ” Victor, ingat ka lagi. Idol kita eh!”. Syempre, sagot ako ng ” Salamat bro”.