Four to five ours away from the buzzing city of Manila is the Municipality of Gumaca, Quezon. Located at the mouth of what is now known as Pipisik River and nestling
at the foot of the Sierra Madre range, it was – as it is now – also the
center of local trade and commerce.
A friend had me tag along the ride and experience one of the best week ever.
We arrive at a small Inn with a wonderful sea side view from your
window. Though I apologize for forgetting the Inn’s name but the family
who owns it welcomes us with a kind heart, not to mention the delicious
food they served us.
After a hearty Lunch we head straight to my friend's family clinic and was fascinated with his dad's antique collection (by the way we were heading to Atimonan that afternoon...).
When we had returned, take dinner and rest; I woke up at around 4 in
the morning but stayed in bed until quarter to five. I was informed that
their is no sunset in Gumaca, Only SUNRISE!. So as the sun rises, clouds form and use your “Imagination”.
Have you seen the whale? Trying to take advantage of the sun’s not so hot rays and lights I come up with this.
So comes Gumaca’s Festival, Araña’t Balwarte, so too shorten things up here’s what I see before, during and after the festival:
To feel the Quezon experience a taste of their Pancit:
After that gut busting meal, its back to the streets.
The very next day and the last day of my Quezon expedition another
sunrise and what I think is the best. We will return to Manila but a pit
stop to the Municipality of Lucban to see what is left in the Pahiyas Festival.
Nothing really beats a good memory of
the place specially when something politely refuses to be taken. But to
see this sunrise, a tear in my eye, and a realization that not
everything that glitters are gold.
Article and Photo © Mark John Dañas
