The Art of Andy Maluche, Banahaw

After parking my car at the church in Dolores I bought dozens of candles from mobile vendors with the hope that I could milk them for some information and if I buy some more they might actually pretend to watch my car.
I did get my info and a safe parking spot for which I had to buy a couple of lottery tickets for.

Downtown St. Lucia

Soon I was on my way walking towards Mt. Banahaw.
This would be the first time in many years that I will hike overnight and I was ready for it.
I had a brand new tent and everything else one would need, except of course the above mentioned utensils.
All together plus 5 liters of water made a pretty heavy backpack.
Little did I know that the place where I was going to had more springs than you could poke a water bottle at, and considered sacred to top it all.

Store Selling Stalactites

I didn't walk for more than a few hundred meters when sweat was running down my face like a cascading waterfall.
I was hoping for a jeepney to pass by which I could hitch a ride.
A taxi came and stopped.
"Hey you want a ride".
I said "sure, how much are you going to charge me."
"Man, no charge hop in."

Eric, the driver told me he comes here every Friday as part of "his devotion".
Mt. Banahaw is something like a holy place and people come here for pilgrimage especially during Easter.

How holy I should find out.
We did the usual chit chat with the exception that Eric seemed to be very well educated and exposed for a cap driver in the Philippines.
After a few minutes we reached a little junction where Eric had to turn. I was ready to jump out of the car but Eric insisted that I join him for a while.
I was afraid of that and usually I would have tried everything to avoid it but Eric seemed to be a very nice guy and I wasn't in any rush.
Asian hospitality as beautiful as it is, engulfs you at its very own pace which can turn into torture when you have a plan or schedule.

A Five Inch Millipede

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3