.....after 5 years of studying to become a Computer Engineer, my pioneer students finally went to Manila for their much-awaited "Seminars and Field Trips" (January 23-29, 2006).....

.....and me, being the department head, is the "Official Chaperone" (along with Ton, a co-teacher).....

.....it was my second time in Manila, and the first thing that greeted us as the ship approached the Manila port is.....dig this.....floating "organic" things (is that what i think it is??).....

.....whew!! our first trip was to ABS-CBN.....we had a studio tour.....then we watched Wowowee live.....that's where I learned how to clap on cue and to sing the jingle (it was corny, but we had fun anyway).....

.....the second day was spent visiting the Traffic Engineering Center in Manila.....and Cypress Semiconductors in Cavite.....and at 12 midnight (yes, midnight), we endured a 6-hour trip to Baguio....

.....third day was spent roaming Baguio....it was raining the whole day so we were not able to fully appreciate the sights.....SM Baguio was architecturally great.....I finally found the black turtleneck sweater I was looking for.....and the Skechers shoes I was craving for .....and silver bracelets from Ibay's!!....and peanut butter and all sorts of strawberry products.....awww.....my wallet complained a lot!!!.....

.....we left Baguio at 3 AM.....I had one hell of a sore throat!!(but it was relieved by the big bottle of Bactidol I bought at a convenience store at 1:30 AM, which I later found out, has December 2004 as its expiry date) .....we went to Subic and visited the Mabuhay Satellite and Subic Telecomm.....we also had a Subic tour....and a stopover in their duty-free shops (wallet complained again!!).....

.....January 27 we went to Laguna to visit ON Semiconductor......saw Geffred (a former classmate at USA).....the lecture was long but very informative.....we cancelled the visit to ICC Telecoms bacause we were so late.....we went to SM Megamall instead.....

.....at 8:30 PM, I was able to persuade a taxi driver to deliver me to the Music Museum (for P150) to watch Jed Madela's concert "The Voice Behind the Gold".....it was great!!.....and I got to meet new friends.....

.....we left Manila the next day, at about 10:30 AM.....I slept like Rip Van Winkle on the ship.....all my energies were depleted by the one week tour.....my spirit was drained.....and I desperately needed the "recharge"......

.....I survived the trip.....but I was almost traumatized by the endless bus rides.....I just don't know if I could still handle it next year, when the second batch has their field trip..... yahooooo!!!.....