Whenever we go on an On-The-Spot competition (OTS), there is always that excitement, thinking and hoping that one would find a photograph worthy of being kept possibly blown up and displayed where it can be viewed and shared with others. Wishing that one would find a moment in time where a congruence of light, subject and a new way of looking at things will result in a photograph that one will not tire of seeing. A photo that is not common but exceptionally good, even original if one is creative and fortunate. Another reason is the place. Sagada is a beautiful location with rapid changes in weather conditions and lighting situations. People, landscapes and culture of the place makes it ideal for photographers of any level to shoot something nice or even take home some unforgettable photos and experiences.

With these thoughts in mind, off we went to Sagada. Me, Patrick and my constant companion Rudy. We left Manila at 2:30 AM deliberately choosing a route less travelled in search for new views and experiences, the Tagudin Cervantes route. According to the map, this route is the shortest although the road condition is suspect for no information is available.

I have been through this route a long long time ago. The roads then were more like mud trails where if one’s vehicle clearance is low, you better not follow the route that logging trucks take, because your underside will touch the ground first before your wheels. But this was only during the rainy season and hopefully something has been done through all these years. If we cannot pass through, then our plan B was to go back up Baguio through Naguilian Rd. and Halsema Highway.

I brought along two maps, one for Philippines and a bigger Luzon map. Rudy, showing his full confidence in my navigational and driving skills brought his own without my asking. Patrick with his iPhone says that his gadget will be the final say in case of disputes.

So, off we go talking and ribbing each other and everyone we know as we went through Nlex and SCTEX. We made good time until we reach Ilocos Sur and realized that our adventure will begin once we turn right and Terra Incognita begins.

As they say in driving, Real Men Don’t Ask for Directions! We have our map, we have GPS, what more do we need? But before we turn towards the mountain and Sagada, we have to make sure that we can go through or else it is a long way back about 4 hrs. lost.

So we asked and asked and all was well and we turned to Tagudin Cervantes Mangkayan Rd. It was a revelation! It was paved! Cemented! Beautiful countryside! There were considerable number of vehicles using the route! Our hopes are up that we will reach Sagada in 9 or 10 hours! That is until we reached Cervantes.

The bridge was out, we were just 50 km from Sagada via Sabangan town. We can go down the river and ford it, then another river and we are on to the other side. We have a 4 wheel drive SUV with more than 15 inches of clearance, the person we asked if we can cross the river says yes, we can. Just like any important decisions we examined our options. There is a 50/50 chance we can make it, if not there are men working in the river that can pull us out, or we can detour to Mangkayan the safest choice but will set us back about 70 km, almost hour and a half drive. I wanted to ford the river, but deep inside I knew that my companions are against this. Just like Neville Chamberlain during olden days, Peace at any cost doctrine I acceded. Plus the fact that people were gathering to watch what will probably be an impending tragedy made us more wary of going the direct route. We took the Mangkayan route and arrived at Sagada 1:30 PM.

Our adventure didn’t end there.There was a shortage of rooms and had to join Rey and Armand. We got one room with three beds for the five of us. I thought that they were so considerate in giving me a bed all by myself, and shared the two remaining beds possibly because of the cold nights. It all became clear when nighttime came. There were three baritones and a moaner coming from the other room. A few feet away from me was the water pump that activates itself whenever someone uses the faucet or toilet. There was a baby in the other room adjacent to my bed, separated by a thin plywood, whose waking hours correspond to my sleeping time and the best of all was the incessant clanging of gongs and other musical instruments of the wedding party down below our lodge whose tradition is to keep everyone awake till 5 AM for three days in a row.

But in cases where one can do nothing, we learn to cope, to adjust, to grin and bear it. Somehow, somewhat, by seeing the good instead of the bad, seeing things half full instead of half empty. I have learned or forced my mind that whatever I am hearing has a rhythm to it. I studied the rhythm of the Baritones and moans coming from the other room and convinced myself that it is like a new wave music, ditto with the water pump and wedding band, but the baby is something else. Three out of four is good enough. The following night was not so bad, I forced myself to sleep before all the music started.

But going back to our desire to shoot memorable photos, I have seen Rudy’s and Patrick posted some of his. Here are some of mine.