The inadvertent tourist

One of the perks of being a litigation lawyer is the opportunity to see the Philippines and to be a tourist during the period between the end of a hearing and the flight out. This could mean going to places that have not made it to the Wow Philippines posters, and which most people would probably never dream of visiting. My husband attended hearings in Aparri (which I know from the "Eat Bulaga" theme song) and San Jose, Mindoro Occidental (which I read about in grade school Social Studies textbooks).

My first out of town hearing was in General Santos City six years ago. My old law firm had a policy of allowing female lawyers to decline to attend hearings outside Metro Manila. I chose to go because I felt that this policy was unfair to male lawyers (as well as sexist and chauvinistic). I had moved from a law firm where female lawyers were expected to do whatever male lawyers did (probably in a better way too since we were exhorted "to pay our dues" and "to shine"). I also wanted to visit Mindanao for free.

I did not get to see much of the city. A fiscal whom I met at the hearing looked aghast when I told him that I intended to explore the city by myself. He brought me to the bus station and told me not to leave the bus until I reached Davao City. I figured that he knew his city''s risks more than I did and followed his instructions. I ended up in Davao City earlier than I planned. I got over my disappointment by spending the afternoon sipping durian cappuccino, window-shopping at Aldovinco''s, and buying marang and pomelo.

Things were better in places perceived to be "safer." Attending a hearing that ended by mid-morning in Bacolod City allowed me to visit Silay City before my late afternoon flight. I was able to see Balay Negrense. I also had ample time to sample the guapple pie and the traditional sweets at the El Ideal bakeshop.

After a hearing in Tagbilaran City, I went to Chocolate Hills and had lunch in one of the boats offering the Loboc River cruise.

In Dumaguete City, I explored the Silliman University campus and walked along the boulevard at dusk.

Land trips to places in Luzon meant having a car and a driver at my disposal. I usually went to Baguio City the day before the hearing so I would not be tired and harassed during the hearing itself. Once, I arrived in Baguio late in the afternoon and started shivering because my lined blazer was too thin to keep the cold out (it was late November). This provided the perfect excuse to buy a sweater. I found one at a stall in the public market. It was so cheap that it would have been criminal to purchase only one. I also had a long list of things to buy for family and friends: Broccoli, mushrooms, longganisa, ube and strawberry jam, coffee beans, peanut brittle, lemon cookies from the nuns, and dozens of brooms. I really had no time to ride the boats and the horses at Burnham Park.

A hearing in Lucena City gave me an occasion to visit, and have lunch at, the workshop of potter Ugu Bigyan in Tiaong, Quezon. Filipino comfort food at a gazebo in a lush garden was a welcome break before the long ride back to Manila.

While I enjoyed these trips (short and sweet like doomed love affairs), I still want to travel strictly for leisure (and for a longer period too). It might be a while before I could afford to do so. In the meantime, I will be content staring at mango trees laden with fruits on the roadsides on my way to court.

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