[Fort Ilocandia #2] The Youngest Quester @ Microsoft CIO 5th Quest

To my dearest son Aidan,

I’m sure you won’t remember this already but I’ll share with you our 3 day adventure during the 5th Microsoft CIO Summit last Oct. 19-21, 2006. We had fun and we always love traveling with you. Your mom and I loves to travel, eat and discover new places. You are exactly 21 months old at this time. This is our second time in Fort Ilocandia thanks to the Microsoft team. Yes, you are the youngest delegate to this Microsoft summit. If you chose to be in the IT field, someday, you’ll be joining these summits too.

I’ll share with you the highlights of our trip…

Technorati Tags: Beach, Manila, Philippines

We usually love road trips because Fort Ilocandia is usually our take off point for Pagudpud. However, during this time, we had to fly via cebu pacific. Since you are still less than 2 years, you can still fly for free 🙂 So we are maximizing this benefit.

This was your quester outfit complete with a camouflage hat. Actually not a lot of people notices you that you are the youngest quester because you are still too small.

There was an amazing race type of quest around the Laoag area. We rode a provincial bus that is not airconditioned.

You joined us and usually your mom would stay in the bus but it was too hot. I have a video of this trip and I’ll process it and upload it when I’m done with the editing. The bus was over speeding and you enjoyed the crazy winds blowing through the bus. You were dancing wildly. It was good that we were seated all the way back because there are times that momma have to breast feed you.

There was a pit stop where we were suppose to make the famous ilocos empanada. We thought it was simple but now I appreciate those people making these empanadas.

Our team won the 2nd place in the race. I’m sure you are not interested to know about the details. Most of the time we were in the bus. The picture above is the hallway in Fort Ilocandia decorated with paintings and carpeted all the way through.

At night, we had a Microsoft dinner where poppa danced in a hula hula costume. Our team won during that presentation. Also, this is the first time I’ve seen the water fountain functional located in the middle of Fort Ilocandia. It was an awesome fountain, indeed!

During breakfast, you like to eat on your own already. A lot of people are amazed that you can already eat soup on your own. It was messy though.

These are my teammates during the conference. Danny, our great team leader from Robinsons; Chris Fong, the IT Whiz from SVI who created our fabulous travelogue presentation, and our friend from Unilever, Maita. During the conference, Microsoft presented Windows Vista and Microsoft 2007.

I find these photos ironic. But I’ll tell you more about these photos when you grow up.

“Let the truth prevail.” – Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos

“With God who can be against you. “- Imelda Romualdez Marcos

During the second night, your mom and I took turns in having a massage again courtesy of Microsoft. You were looking for momma in the dark.

Finally you found her in the massage place. This was a cute photo of you so I had to include this here.

The last night was an awarding night and ballroom dancing time. Sorry, son this is for adults only. Someday, you’ll be dancing the night away on that dance floor. I wonder what would be the “in” dancing moves during your time.

Your mom brought you a rashguard or wet suit. This is the first time you use it. You had fun playing in the swimming pool and the water sprinklers on our last day in Fort Ilocandia.

Maybe, you would have an ambition to be a lifeguard?

Goodbye Ilocos Norte!! Its too bad we don’t have enough time to go to Pagudpud. There will always be a next time.