Memories of Zambales

I can still remember the time when my lolo and lola took me on a Victory Liner bus ride to Iba, Zambales. I was clad in short pants and barely a lad of seven. We were visiting my lolo’s family; he comes from the Abagon clan who hail from the capital town of Iba in Zambales province 220 km north of Manila.

Along Macarthur Highway (there was no NLEX then), our bus broke down and we were forced to wait for another ride. I remember my lolo arguing with the bus conductor–we paid to be seated; not standing on the aisle of another bus. So we were taken back to the Caloocan Victory terminal and seated in an all-white, air-conditioned, Fuso bus with the words “Luxury Coach” emblazoned on the front.

That’s about all I can remember; I can’t even recall what took place in Iba. This is the late ’60s, close to 50 years ago.

When Mommy was still alive, she had wanted to renew ties with relatives in Iba. She told me that one of her cousins owned a beach resort in the place. A beach resort? It didn’t take much convincing for me to go along with the plan–I remarked that it was a good idea. So, we planned on a visit. However, it was not to be the Lord’s will–Mommy died and the plan died with her too.

Recently, I suggested to my uncle to attempt a visit, especially as all of my cousins were here because of cousin Jojo’s death. However, he told me that time and distance have virtually disconnected us from any of our provincial relations. That might have been the nail on the coffin.

But I am not one who gives up so easily. So what I did was to plan a family overnight outing in Candelaria, Zambales (265 km north of Manila), passing by Iba, looking for Abagon street, and posing for a snapshot in front of the street sign. Our travel agent suggested Potipot Island in Candelaria, a recently developed summer getaway, as our destination.

So off we drove in a two-vehicle convoy managing the 310 km route along SCTEX and the well-paved Zambales highway in less than four hours. However, we never got to see Abagon street in Iba. Our GPS failed us and our Google map was useless without wifi.

Nevertheless, it was easy locating our destination in Candelaria (about an hour north of Iba). After a long drive through the province’s sleepy towns on a highway lined with thousands of mango trees, it was great relief to relax and while away the time in a cozy resort situated along a cove on the shores of the South China Sea.

Too bad we had to return to Manila the next day. But it was a worthwhile trip–seeing how Zambales is today; remembering the place of our roots, and also, to cap the whole adventure, to celebrate Buk’s 23rd birthday on the beach and have an enjoyable time with family and friend.

Hope Buk remembers this when he turns 50!

Lord willing.