Memories of Vigan

May 25, 2007.  It was past office hours, but me and a few officemates were still at our pantry watching the last episode of Maging Sino Ka Man.  While the others had already left from the office to wait at the Motorpool garage, we stayed behind pretending that we were not that excited of the events that would unfold in the next few hours. 

It had only been a few months after the rationalization process that formed our new office, and though most of us have been around for many years, this was actually the first time that we'd all be together on a trip out of town for our so-called "team building".  So obviously, nobody had any idea how the trip would turn out, which made it more exciting.  But what really excited us most, was our destination - Vigan.

Here goes the story of our journey.

Shiela, Ella, Ate Mhay and Lui passing time at the Motorpool garage

me and my seatmate, Ate Lenny

In Vigan.

lagoon inside the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), as viewed from the terrace of our dorm

first photo op, taken inside UNP

Chavit Singson's Baluarte

friends and families

the ostrich and me



at the butterfly garden

 with Ms. Beth, Shie, and Ate Cat

with the Bosses

The Hidden Garden



what's left of the former Admin Office

The Vigan Heritage Village

with good friends Ms. Beth and Lui, on our way to the Vigan Heritage Site

along Calle Crisologo

photo op with AES Lynn, our boss

while shopping for souvenirs

Benj and Marian, lovers in Vigan

Bantay Church and Tower

facade of Bantay Church



with Ms. Beth, Dir. Leids, Ate Mhay, Ate Lian, and our tour guide at the entrance to the Bantay Tower

Lui, Shie, Benj, Ate Mhay, Ate Lian, with their families and AES Lynn

Bantay Tower in the background

reminds me of a scene in the movie Mortal Kombat

Back to UNP

enjoying basi (native wine of Ilocos) and videoke

the other members of the GGAO family, that's Mac and Ella with their back on the camera

Flor's turn on the microphone

On The Way Home

taken while on a stopover

the only time we had a chance to be on a beach

the Bulacan people with the girl from Cavite (Lui) and the guy from Q.C. (Arman)

the GGAO girls

Back to the Real World



And so it was back in 2007, our first office outing...the happiest, and my most memorable.  Something that will never happen again.  A lot has changed since then.  Some of the officemates who were with us then are no longer around.  Some who were good friends then have grown apart from each other.  But the memories will always be there, good happy memories that I will never forget.