Experiencing Nueva Ecija

On May 9 and 10, 2007, my friends Arcy, Joysie, Marie, and I decided to travel to Sto. Cristo, Nueva Ecija, for their annual feast (Fiesta) and to explore the untouched local views around the area. The invitation to the event came from Arcy, who wanted us to experience the festivities firsthand.

Although we had planned to meet at 8:00 am, the girls arrived three and a half hours late at 11:30 am. Unfortunately, one of Arcy's cousins, who was supposed to accompany us on the trip, had already left.

We took the LRT from Gil Puyat station to Monumento, where we boarded a bus that took us directly to Sto. Cristo. The journey lasted around 2.5 hours, and we were greeted by stunning views of the countryside upon our arrival.

On the first day of our trip, we did nothing but indulge in the delicious local cuisine. Arcy's mom had prepared a variety of delicacies for us to try, and I was blown away by the sumptuous "Lumpiang Ubod." It was undoubtedly the best version of the dish that I had ever tasted.

A train-like tram used during the parade on their Fiesta

As evening fell, we decided to take a leisurely stroll along the streets of Sto. Cristo. As we walked, we came across a vast expanse of rice fields that stretched out before us, illuminated only by the moon and stars. Despite the darkness, the experience was both serene and captivating, offering us a glimpse into the natural beauty of the area.

Upon returning home, I brought out my laptop and began a movie marathon with Arcy's siblings. The night was filled with laughter as we enjoyed a range of films and bonded over shared experiences. It was a great way to end the day and provided us with a chance to unwind after a long and eventful trip.

Welcome to secret garden!

Skipping down the road

The following day, I woke up early to embark on a tiring but enjoyable hike through the local fields near Sto. Cristo. During our trek, we discovered a stunning river that was crystal clear and surrounded by refined sand. We also stumbled upon a mango tree farm and a "Patola" farm. To my surprise, I learned that loofas are made from patola! It was an eye-opening experience that gave us a greater appreciation for local agriculture and the role it plays in the community.

After our hike, we were thirsty and decided to head back home. Our journey had been filled with exciting discoveries and new experiences, and we were all grateful for the opportunity to explore the town and its surroundings. As we rested and reflected on our adventure, we realized that our trip had been a truly memorable one and one that we would cherish for years to come.

Let's swim in this local river!

One of the views that this place has to offer

Later that day, we reluctantly bid farewell to Sto. Cristo and began the journey back to Makati. We offered to let Marie stay with us, as she needed to prepare for her shift that night. As we drove, we reflected on the memories we had made during our trip and discussed plans for future adventures.

Upon our return, we made sure to upload all of the photos we had taken during our trip to my Multiply account so that we could easily look back on them and reminisce about the amazing experiences we had shared together. It was a great way to keep the memories alive and ensure that our trip to Sto. Cristo would remain an important and cherished part of our lives.

Overall, our trip to St. Cristo was a delightful experience. We had a great time exploring the local area and immersing ourselves in the town's festive atmosphere. The memories of our trip remain fresh in my mind to this day, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

In conclusion, our trip to Sto. Cristo, Nueva Ecija, was a memorable experience that we would cherish for years to come. From the delicious local cuisine to the stunning views of the countryside, we had an amazing time exploring the area and immersing ourselves in the town's festive atmosphere. Although we faced a few challenges along the way, such as our delayed arrival and the absence of one of our companions, we were able to make the most of our time there and create unforgettable memories. Overall, our trip was a testament to the joys of travel and the beauty of discovering new places and experiences.