DBP RORO Race Diary Part 3

May 17

We left Bacolod City for Iloilo. All the while I thought we will be docking at Muelle Loney, but it was only when we were already sailing when I asked a staff where we would actually dock, and he said “Dumangas“.

What?! Did I hear him right? DUMANGAS? Oh my Good Lord. Basta I won’t elaborate anymore why I’m a bit worried.

So off we docked at the port of Dumangas then headed straight to Iloilo City via Ceres Bus. Probably one of the best buses we ever had during the entire DBP RORO Race.

We then checked in at the Iloilo Grand Regal Hotel. Great accommodation! The place itself is very memorable to me. I used to cover the Dinagyang Festival 2008 right in front of this hotel.

Unknown to most racers, Blooey, Leny, Serena, Gian Carlo, Ketchup, the race photographer Rupert and I sneaked out of our hotel and went to Ted’s Original La Paz Batchoy.

Batchoy paired with the thin puto is heaven! A perfect midnight snack.

After the batchoy treat, we all agreed to do a city tour along the La Paz and Jaro districts. We passed by the Pink House, the Boat House, the Nelly garden, the Antillian House, the Jaro Cathedral and Belfry, the Angelicum School and the latest happening place in Iloilo: Smallville.

We went back to our hotel at 2AM. Our Call time for our next trip is 3AM. Kmusta naman!

Nicole Uysiuseng in Boracay

We left Iloilo very very early. We then took a Ceres bus to Caticlan. And our next bonggang destination: Boracay!

Everyone is just so excited. Upon arrival in Caticlan, a challenge awaits the racers. In order to get to Boracay, they need to ride a Paraw, a wind driven sailboat commonly found in Iloilo, and now in Boracay. upon arrival, they are tasked to do a kayak and finally go to Mt. Luho, the highest peak in this pristine island.

Ans just like in other previous challenges, the last team to arrive will be rolled off. Unfortunately, it’s time to say by bye for Rodjun, Joaqui Tupas and Jana Estrevillo.

Rodjun Cruz and Jana Estrevillo

It was only in Boracay that we really had much time for shopping and explore the island. So off I went to D’mall with Serena Dalrymple and Starstruck’s Gian Carlo for some pasalubong shopping.

Later in the afternoon, we left the island and head to our next destination: Roxas, Mindoro Oriental.

From Roxas we were then off to the capital city of Calapan. The road trip to Calapan is long, bumpy and a bit uncomfortable. The drive is about 3 hours long and we were inside a van and not bus. So taking a nap is bit of a challenge.

Just before midnight, we finally arrived in Calapan. Hay salamat!

May 18

Early morning we head to the hotel restaurant area for our quick breakfast. Our quick breakfast turned horror when the orders arrived late, like after an hour. Probably the staff were just overwhelmed at the number of guests ordering breakfasts all at the same time. Basta, patience is a virtue…

Where’s the food?!

After our breakfast we then drove up north to Mindoro Oriental’s most popular town: Puerto Galera. But no, we were not cheduled to visit the famed white beach. Instead a challenge is waiting for the racers at the Tamaraw Falls.

But due to heavy rains, the trail leading to the top of the falls got slippery, so the race director just called off the challenge. From there we went back to Calapan and visited the DBP branch there. The bank officers served an uber-delicious pancit and other kakanin like sapin sapin, puto-pao, boiled bananas and a lot more. From DBP we then head back to the Hotel for our lunch.

After lunch, we then left Calapan Mindoro and head to mainland Luzon via Batangas City.

wow, I can’t believe this. We’re now at the homestretch of the race.

You can access my DBP RORO Race Photos here