Cebu-Davao trip

Marichu or Chu, who’s my “kumare” and my colleague for 10 years, invited me to join her trip to Cebu and Davao. It was actually an official business trip wherein she will visit our company’s collection agencies, one in Cebu and one in Davao. Who would decline such an offer where my only expenses are plane tickets and pocket money for pasalubong? Since accommodation is free, she’s actually entitled to a twin sharing accommodation, and since I have not been to Cebu, I took a one-week vacation leave and join Chu and her adorable daughter Alyanna, my “inaanak”, in this trip.

Feb20-22. I met Chu and Yannah in domestic airport past 6:00am. At 6:30am, we checked in our luggage and headed inside the waiting area. We left for Cebu at 9:00am via Cebu Pacific flight 5J-563K. It was Chu and Yannah’s first time to travel via plane. One and a half hours later we arrived at Cebu International Airport where we met Mr. Jun Catacutan, collection agency’s account manager He accompanied us in Cebu Midtown Hotel, where we stayed for 2 days. The hotel is adjacent to Robinsons mall, just like Robinsons Galleria and Holiday Inn in Manila. The office of Sir Jun is just 30 minutes away from Midtown hotel. While Chu is busy meeting with the agency, I had the chance to explore the city. I went to Magellan’s Cross downtown near the Sto. Nino cathedral. I rode a jeepney which looks like a small Tamaraw going the cathedral. The jeep there is number coded. Be aware before riding otherwise you will get lost. Sir Jun treated us lunch in a grill restaurant near their office. I had 2 rounds of plate full of blue marlin. Later I had spasm in my stomach that I refused to eat dinner that night.

We had delectable breakfast at the hotel. It’s buffet so the meal is as good as Brunch (breakfast and lunch). Sir Jun treated us again lunch in a resto. Chu was delighted to see her favorite “lechon” served before her eyes. Cebu is known for delicious “lechon” or roasted piglet. Beacause I binged eating breakfast at the hotel, I skipped lunch for a cold juice. The truth is, my stomach hasn’t recovered from blue marlin yet. Since we still have time to roam around the city, I accompanied Chu and Yannah to visit Magellan’s Cross and Sto.Nino cathedral.

Feb22-26. We left for Davao at 2:45pm via same airline flight 5J-597M which took us almost 2 hours. This trip is my 3rd visit to Davao. My first travel to Davao was on September 1999 with OCMI, that was when we scaled Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. I remembered the old airport then that looked like a public school. This was bombarded by armed men and was now ruined. I was surprised to see the new airport. It’s spacious, clean and at par with that of Cebu International airport. It looked even better than domestic airport in Manila. We stayed at the Bahai Faith Institution in Kidapawan. The second visit to Davao was with a ‘balikbayan’ friend from Israel, Mel, whom I accompanied also in Kidapawan. She visited her family in Kidapawan whom I’m also close with. It’s the same place where our group stayed at during my first travel. And this recent trip. I would definitely consider coming back.

We’re supposed to meet Atty. Jonathan Flores at the airport but Chu was earlier informed that Alvin shall meet with us instead. Alvin introduced himself from Atty. Flore’s collection agency and informed us that the latter was attending to a client hence he will be the one to accompany us in our hotel. We were supposed to stay in Apo View Hotel but unfortunately the hotel was fully booked so we stayed at Linmar Apartelle instead. Though it’s far from the collection agency’s office, it’s a nice and cozy place. It has a big swimming pool that we all get to enjoy after Chu’s visit to agency.

When we were at the agency, we were looking forward to meeting Atty. Flores. The staffs were smiling clandestinely. We were told that Alvin was the real Atty. Flores and that he tricked us by disguising as another persona. No wonder, he talks fluently and cajole us. Good thing we didn’t say bad things about him, hehe!

While Chu was busy reviewing accounts in the collection agency, I met Mel’s mother, Mrs. Ping Balundo or Maduy as dotingly called by her family, in SM Davao. She came all the way from Kidapawan and travelled for 2 hours to visit a friend in Davao. It’s quite a long time since I last saw her. She showed me recent pictures of her granddaughter Enna from Mel. It was nice to see Maduy again!

Atty. Flores treated us to an overnight accommodation in Pearl Farm Beach Resort! It was such a nice and relaxing place, free from pollution! I’m glad I didn’t hesitate to join Chu and Yannah in this trip.

I’m a very lucky person to have experienced all these. Thanks so much to Sir Jun and Atty. Flores who are so generous; and most especially to Chu and Yannah for a fun-filled trip. I had a great time!