It was the Saturday before Easter and an invite from an office friend started me on a nine-day roadtrip south of Luzon.  The first stop, the marble industry capital of the Philippines, Romblon.

My journey started at ten in the morning at Cubao’s central bus terminal. It was the start of the annual exodus that occurs every holy week and the station was packed with people queuing for a ride back to their hometowns. After a quick meal at KFC, it was time to go.

The bus ride to Lucena was uneventful. I loaded my iPod with every R.E.M. albums I can get a hold of thinking I’d try a different roadtrip soundtrack this time. An hour into the playlist and I was already switching back to good ol’ Jack Johnson. I love R.E.M. and all, but they’re not just roadtrip material.