Pangita-a akong feelings.
Me at the hanging coffins. (IG: bjornjovi)
Given the lack of time and effort (okay fine mostly effort), the first option ended up being more of an unfulfilled prophecy, so the second choice seemed more doable.
Ever since I was sent to Tuguegarao for work in January, my desire to visit the Cordillera Mountains grew; but my short-lived stay in Rural Luzon did not grant that. Still, I was determined to make that wish a reality.
Once I got to NAIA, I Uber-ed my way to Quezon City. I arrived fairly early so I had time to kill. I was in Bantayan with friends the day before my flight and birthday. Suffice to say, I did not get enough sleep. I was tired, alone and hungry, but I was grateful I was closer to my destination.
My excitement started to kick in once I got to the terminal of buses bound for Sagada. I will confess that I've never really heard of the place until That Thing Called Tadhana--the indie flick that catapulted the rustic mountain province into the arresting tourist attraction it is today.
After settling everything I needed to at the ticket booth, I sat down relieved. I was prepared to leave already, but I guess fate had something else in store. Lo and behold, right before my eyes were Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas Jadaone wrote and directed That Thing Called Tadhana—the very movie that brought me there in the first place! Villegas, on the other hand, is responsible for films like Walang Forever, English Only Please and Always Be My Maybe.
I couldn't help but fanboy. Of all the days of the year and of all the places in Metro Manila, they just had to be at the exact same location I was in.
From Bantayan to Quezon City. Haggard but happy.
Me, Dan and Antoinette.
“OMG, Bjorn. You watch Tagalog films diay? They’re so baduy and like balik-balik ra man their endings and they don’t spark intellectual debates. I cannot.” Whatever. #SupportLocal
Needless to say, the extrovert in me invaded their personal space and asked to have a photo. They were kind enough to oblige. Dan even shook my hand and greeted me a happy birthday. Ahh such is the act of fate.
To be continued...Get ready for the Journey - Part 2
Bjorn Tabanera
iSTORYA Contributor
Bjorn is a Trainer and occasional events host and freelance writer
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