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The Amazing Chase
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 7:04AM | Share Article I had been planning for some time to go get myself some new plants. Then cousins flew in from the USA and I offered to host a dinner for them that same evening I was going plant buying. Yes, plants and cousins all in one day. My main goal being to buy new plants and get back home in time to prepare a 4-course dinner for my lovely cousins, Maybelle & Sonia, Manila-based Heidi and my sister Maricar who were joining us.
Join me as I recount this amazing chase.
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Phil Keoghan by Jennifer Boyer. (CC BY 2.0)
***For best results, you'll have to channel Phil while reading this.
Welcome to Metropolitan Manila. Composed of 16 cities, it is the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is from here that I embarked on a quest for must-have plants.
My first task was to get up and depart at 3:40 am.
I had to make my way through the deserted streets to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Once there I had to find a parking space . . .
. . . and check myself in for Cebu Pacific flight 5J 473.
I then had to fly 301 km (187 miles) to Bacolod City, also known as The City of Smiles and the Football City of the Philippines.
On board the aircraft, I sat through the usual safety demonstration, a bit disappointed that I had this:
instead of this:
Amazing Race Detour Clue. File in Public Domain.Upon landing, I was presented with a detour. A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this detour, I had to choose between "MEET" or "EAT". In "MEET", I could go directly to the person I was meeting. However, it was before 7 in the morning and while I would have gotten my job done quickly, I would also have risked disturbing him so early. In "EAT", I would have to have breakfast. This task is far less risky, not to mention much more yummy, but it will definitely be more time-consuming.
I chose, "EAT".
Amazing Race Roadblock clue. File in Public Domain.Next up, a Road Block, sort of. I was the only one in this so it had to be me, right?
The clue: Who is dreaming of owning new tillandsias?
The task was to head to the nursery of Mr. Rene Dofitas and his lovely wife, Doreen, who are known for their hybrid Bromeliads.
Rene embodied Bacolod that day, exuding Southern charm, this former football player and coach of the Philippine National Football team definitely brought a huge smile to my face.
The plant below is the largest T. streptophylla I've ever seen.
Tillandsia novakii in bloom.
Tillandsia hildae. If potted this plant can become very huge.
Mr. Rene Dofitas and me. 
My last task was to head to the final pit-stop back in Manila where I started.
I finally reached the final pit-stop for this race at 1:00 pm, less than 12 hours total. I didn't just finish, I came out on top.
Remember earlier when I said Rene Dofitas brought a smile to my face? Look at what I brought home with me. Wouldn't you be smiling as well?
Masskara Festival of Bacolod, The City of Smiles. From www.dumaguete-hotels.com .
FYI:
 Don't miss the 20th season of The Amazing Race. Learn more by clicking on Phil. For readers in Asia, the AXN premiere is Mon Feb 20 at 8:10PM (GMT+8) |  Round Trip Manila-Bacolod-Manila on sale as of 02/13/12 for net price of P860.00 (also as of 02/13/12 equivalent to USD20, EUR 15.45) |
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Reader Comments (19)
Great story! Also because In can totally relate to it :)
Thanks! I think most of us plant lovers will be able to relate to stories like these. :)
This is a lovely post, a very "true-t0-type" style showing all the evidences! And that is a very big tillandsia farm, where is his main market? Finally, i envy the cost of your promo fare, as i wasn't able to get that low yet. Our last purchase is for Laoag this March, but got it for a total of >2k pesos, considering that one way is only 1peso. In your case, what should be for the fare can already be used for the Tillandsia!
Andrea, the first time I went it was tillandsia heaven for me. Rene Dofitas exports his tillandsias, I think. He also comes to Manila for some of the shows.
That was the Lite fare. The extras like the tax can really add on to the price.
Cute post Bom. What a long day too, but you returned home with your plants and a nice selection too. I cannot imagine my self going through all that in one day though, but at least you had some fun.
Thanks, Donna. It was tiring but worth it. Would you believe me if I told you that after the flight I still had to go to the supermarket to get ingredients for dinner? :-D
Bom, a true enthusiast to put yourself through this for plants. But, hey what plants, Tillandsia! best specimens I have seen. At one time I sold ornaments in my store with tiny plants such as these attached to them, very popular they were.
Wow, wow, wow! Almost speechless! I miss the Philippines now!
That tillandsia nursery looks superb! Not to mention that very entertaining dancing flight attendants clip! Thanks for sharing!
Whoah amazing race indeed!!! But wait, you were in Bacolod but you ate at...Pancake House?? :-( Also, what did you serve for dinner? ;)
@ Alistair: That's interesting. Would you have pictures by any chance? How long do these plants last in your climate?
@ Mark and Gaz: I guess it is time to come over for a visit. :-) HaHa! I think you are the only one who bothered to watch the dancing FAs. They only have it on six flights, I think. Perhaps not all the FAs dance well?
@ GIFM: HaHa! I wish I could have eaten elsewhere believe me but at that time only McDonalds, Jollibee and Pancake House were open.
Dinner was Cream Soup of Wild Mushrooms and Vegetable, Fresh Salad with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette and Cambonzola, Roasted Garlic-Stuffed Chicken with roasted vegetables on the side, Pasta with Anchovies, Arugula and Tomatoes. Dessert was the Mango Crunch Cake of Park Avenue Desserts.
What a journey, but it was all good!
Whoah nice spread!!! What a day that must have been!
This is my third time to post a comment. I've been getting errors on my last two unsuccessful tries a couple of days ago.
I actually imagined Phil talking about the detour and roadblock. You really live up to your blog's name of "plant chaser", I bow to your determination of chasing plants that you think are perfect for your garden.
You are amazing... interesting read...
Wow. You are one determined fellow. Plant chaser and hunter. You did manage to bring home quite a beautiful selection of plants. Here's to a successful potting up session.
Hi Bom,
Well, that was the best part of my gardening day just to read that fun adventure.
Are those ALL new Tillandsias for your collection? And...you are going to show us the blooms when they start their show....right??? That guy had more bromeliads in one place than in our regional bromeliad society shows!!!
The dancing airline hostess was great fun to watch.
This was a fun post.
Enjoy those new babies.
David/:0)
OMG that's an amazing farm! Wish I could be there to see all those beautiful tillies myself.
A very busy day. But rewarding and worth it I am sure.
Wow, that is really some chase for plants! Those waffles look good!