Trip to Camiguin pt 2

There was a storm last night and the editted portions of my last entry weren't saved due to the loss of internet connection. *sigh* Good thing this wasn't a paper my life depended on, or else I would have gone wild. (Haha)

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May 23, 2010

The dirty plates were cleared away and my dad washed the dishes (perhaps it was his turn this week). "Yel, you want to watch Transformers 2?" Gavin asked. I haven't seen Transformers 2. The idea came to me while I was still in school, but the thought of going all the way to the theatre to watch it made it unappealing. The first movie was a blast! What really made it worth watching was the action and the comedy. There was less drama in there involving the Sam and Mikaela (thank goodness). I wonder what happened in the second one. More Decepticons attacking the Earth no doubt.

"Sure!" I accepted and stood up next to him, bouncing on the balls of my feet as went ahead to climb the stairs. I already knew my brothers are so close to spoiling the whole movie on me before they could get it playing. I've already warned them countless times not to, good thing they remembered and kept silent as the opening credits rolled.

Hoots of laughter and gasps of shock followed. (For those who haven't watched Transformers 2 don't worry, I won't spoil it here). Usually it was at these parts that my brothers would tell me what would happen next, but they surprisingly didn't. I occasionally asked them who the new robots were, seeing that there were more than last time. I loved the one named Jetfire, a rusting used-to-be-Decepticon who thinks that Earth was a horrid name for planet and we might as well have called it DIRT. (I have to hand it to the scriptwriter, I love the smartass humor).

After sporting a crush on Optimus Prime (despite it being the second time I saw him and he's a fictional character, nonetheless a shifting robot), the three of us decided it would be time to hit the sack. Not before playing some online games, reading several fanfics and packing for tomorrow's trip. I fell asleep at around midnight.

May 24, 2010

"GET UP!" That was not what I expected to wake up to on my first day at home. But it can't be helped, considering that we were going to Camiguin and the second ferry is leaving in two hours. It was 7AM, my brother whined as they woke up. "Oh. Happy Birthday Gavin!" my dad added, standing at the doorway. I leapt up to my feet to get to be the first to use the bathroom. Although I didn't want to wake up so early, the excitement was just too much! We're going to Camiguin!

I was still a bit sleepy when I looked for something to wear before I hit the shower. The cold water wasn't of much help either. After brushing my teeth and combing my hair (thank goodness I packed last night), I went downstairs to help my mom with the luggage. She was usually the one who packed for trips, and my dad would always tell her to pack light. This would then lead to a playful banter that would last far longer than expected. My dad saying to pack ONLY the essentials, and my mom insisting that we bring EXTRAS. I can't say my mom was wrong about that... I actually got packing more than I should from her. I would rather be safe than sorry. My mom tried to squeeze in some shirts into the bag, since my dad said that we were carrying too many bags when all we need are a few. I only had one bag to carry my stuff, my dad had his, one for the towels, one for the drinks, one for the food (leftovers from last night), one for my mom plus her handbag, and one for my two brothers... I hope we don't miss the ferry.

I fell asleep in the backseat, my head resting on my brother's shoulder. Gavin was bigger than me, although it was unfair, it did have its benefits. I have someone to lean on now! I thought to myself with glee. I drifted off to sleep, occasionally opening my eyes now and then to know where we were. I was surprised when we were already on the ferry. I woke up the sound of a lid being pulled off and the smell of meat from last night's dinner. I wasn't hungry, but my mind told me that I should eat. "How was your sleep Yel?" Gabriel asked, if he were any older his question would come off as sarcasm. He's 10, so that was considered an honest question.

I rubbed my eyes. "Good."

We ate in the car, mom passed off plastic spoons and forks and we all just dug in, shoving our spoons into a plastic container filled with rice, and into the one containing the meat. It was... cute. Gavin lodged himself in between the two seats, blocking the aircon and preventing Gabo and I from getting any more food. Can't blame him, he had been telling us (more of heard in those brief moments when I was awake) that his head was aching, a telltale sign that he was hungry. The jug of water of passed from one person to the next. My parents shared a bottle while us three shared another. You can't go obsessive-compulsive in moments like these; it would be another hour before we could find someplace to eat on the island.

I wolfed down all of what remained from mama's beefsteak and handed her the contained. Satisfied, my eyes started to droop. This is getting bad. I should stop dozing off all the time. Try as I might, I still fell asleep. I wonder why I was so tired. In spite me having a preference for sleeping at the wee hours of the night, I didn't have any trouble keeping myself awake. Then... it hit me: nothing was giving me the adrenaline rush. Wait. That couldn't be it! We're heading to Camiguin! How could there not be an adrenaline rush?!

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin was not that far from Benoni Port. It's a 15-20 minute drive away with one turn to the right when you exit from the port. You can't get lost... unless you don't have people skills to ask for directions. Bahay Bakasyunan was... well... really a place for tourists or for those who just wanted to spend a week or two on the island. Accomodating. Affordable. Perfect. Those were the words that fit to describe it. Accomodating: the rooms are spacious and cool, a clean bathroom (what every girl wish for) and excellent room service (they clean the room everyday and leave towels, soaps, shampoo and a new roll of toilet paper after). Affordable: I haven't asked my dad about that, but from what I've heard I could consider it cheap considering that we stayed for three days and two nights in a room good for 3 (it was previously a room for 2 but another bed was added). Perfect: the view outside was amazing at night!

Settling ourselves in, I knew that we weren't going to stop there. My dad was ecstatic, he wanted to get out as soon as possible. "Where do you guys want to go?" I asked my friend Mitch what were the good places to go to on that time of the day, and she suggested Mantigue Island. We haven't been to Mantigue, so the place sparked our interest to head off there first. Another scuffling on what to bring and we were soon our way to find a way to get there. Few more texts and stops along the way, we found ourselves between Barangay Hubangon and Binaliwan (signs made out of scrap planks of wood with "To Mantigue Island" written in black paint can be seen lining the sides near the ocean). Pump boats were available to send us to the island and back for a price of Php550.

It would approximately take the boat 10 minutes or so to get to the island (I think it was longer than that, seeing that the island was situated further than the renowned White Island). Unlike White Island, Mantigue Island was not merely a strip of white sand in the middle of clear blue seawater. Mangroves and other plants were growing, starting from the center and fanning out, making it look like a chiffon cupcake with green icing (ugh). When we got there it was unbelievably quiet. There weren't that many people about, and they weren't making that much noise either. All you can hear was the churning of the engine as the operator gradually eased it to a stop and the slosh of the waves underneath the boat. The boat stopped and we got off one by one. Gavin, being the daredevil (and klutz) that he is, jumped from the boat's tip landing on his feet. His feet unfortunately gave way and he landed on his ass: getting his shirt, shorts and part of the towel around his neck wet. Everyone laughed. My mother told me to keep it down since it was noon. I let out a muffled laugh. [Image on the left is Camiguin Island from the hut we occupied in Mantigue Island]

The first thing we noticed was that it was too hot. Taking pictures were reserved for a later time until the sun had eased up a bit. We were greeted with a welcome sign and a cluster of shells arranged on a table. The "ceiling", shielding the persons in-charge, consisted the trees' canopy. A fruit caught my sight, a sign was dangling from one of its branches saying that it was Pandan. "Weird-looking fruit." The scent of dried seaweed filled the air. I looked to the right and saw mounds of seaweed strewn on shore. They looked like clumps of...

After paying the woman at the desk for permission to snorkel, we trudged through the white sand to look for a good swimming spot. It was like getting stranded on an island; marooned perhaps just like Jack Sparrow. We managed to find a hut, which was worth Php150, and a decent spot (not that many rocks) to swim. I went farther out to do some snorkeling, finding only a large school of fish (same species, just don't know what it is), a strange-looking dome-shaped figure that's pink in color and several starfish that I remembered were endemic in the Philippines. How I wish I had an underwater camera (haha). Two hours clicked by, we started to get hungry. Remembering that we can order some food, my parents left, going through the "forest", to go order. My brothers and I waited patiently, downing the two bottles of orange Gatorade.

My parents returned, along with two liters of cold water and several small packs of Nagaraya. We waited until the Nagaraya was all gone until we decided to head back into the water. Less than five minutes passed and the food arrived. The first dish was a platter of clams and clam soup. They were so... big. And tasty as I drank some soup. Rice came and fish (cooked on coal... I don't think 'roasted' is the right word) that looked like a small barracuda. There was nothing special added to the fish, I was guessing that its taste came from it being part of today's fresh catch. Salt and a squeeze of a few kalamansi was all it needed.

We stayed a bit longer until we decided that it was time to go. We went through the "forest", seeing that it was the fastest way to the "front desk", passing more plants that got me asking what they were. A man offered to take a picture of us before we left, posing right up front. He mentioned something about turtles drifting onto the island to lay eggs, but I didn't seen any nursery OR hatchery. I asked him some more but he didn't answer; it sounded like he wasn't keen onto giving away any more information. I shrugged it off and walked away to get on the boat that would send us back home. Gavin, again, fell on his butt and wet his shorts and shirt; good thing he only brought the plastic bag that carried our swimming gear. Mama refused to give him anything to bring since that incident. [Figures on the right present the weird-looking fruit I was talking about. Documenting it reminded me of fieldwork. Haha)

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Forgive me for the long entry. It's been a while since I last wrote. Enjoy!

Our Trip to Camiguin

May 22, 2010

My dad picked me up from my dormitory at around 7PM last Saturday, since our flight at 4:25PM the next day. This is a good thing for me since sleeping at the dorm was equal to falling asleep in a sauna! It was so hot! That was the first time I have ever woken up with a wet shirt and bed sheet from sweating the whole night. The fan didn't help at all! It just made the situation unbearable by blowing warm air into my face. Sleeping outside was tempting.

My dad and I had to share the bed, which was a problem for me since I move a lot. To make matters worse he positioned himself at the foot of the bed, within my kicking range. I thought he was going to move to another spot after the movie. Surprised was I when I heard someone snoring. He fell asleep. Ah well. Not my fault he would end up on the floor later.

May 23, 2010

Thankfully... he didn't! I woke up to the news reporter's voice in the television. It was 8AM, the room didn't make it look like it was. It's Sunday today, eight hours from now I'll be back in Cagayan de Oro. I was... excited. I wanted to see what changed and what stayed just the way they were since the last time I went back. I know it was only four months ago, but changes are inevitable. They come and when you least expect them to. Sometimes you have to make them happen.

I have to say coming back to Cagayan de Oro was a bit strange. As the plane lifted off its 'wheels' (for the lack of a better term) from the runway of NAIA Terminal 3, it was like a part of me was yanked out of my system. "Gah! My bladder!" would be the expression befitting to express what I felt at the moment. "The doctor really took it out... cool." was all I could say as we approach our destination.

The last time I went home for the break was last December 27, no wonder I felt that something went wrong as we left Manila. Perhaps I've stayed here for too long that it has become rather unhealthy (unhealthy to a point that I didn't want to go home).

The thing about coming back after such a long time, it's easier for one to point out the differences. There were more subdivisions being put up near the airport, replacing the previous several hectares of farmland which used to be a pleasing sight when people pass by. The green was covered by gray and brown, as the workers dug into the soil to put in foundations.

The thing about modernization, which I find quite annoying, is that it never stops. There are just some things in life that are better left alone. If it would make life easier, go with it. But be sure that the benefits of such a discovery outweigh the consequences brought about by the change. I would go for sticking with the farmland than building a subdivision next to two others. Might as well situate it somewhere else.

The cab turned right down a familiar curb, and I could see the guardhouse from a distance. The place where I usually wait for my dad to pick me up; whenever it was raining and it was late at night or I had a lot of things to carry. The on of the guards on duty that time was a friend of mine, unfortunately he wasn't the one who went up the driver's side to get the driver's ID. After telling the guard, whom I figured was new, who we were, we were allowed in.

Three more houses were constructed in the neighborhood, as we passed by them along the way to our house. There were some guys playing basketball at the court on the field and two girls barreling down the sidewalk on our right with their bicycles. The sun was setting, and the tint of pink-orange-red spread itself on the horizon, glowing magnificently as if it were coming from a newly snapped glow stick. I always take this path home when I was still in high school. It would usually take me ten to fifteen minutes to get home, and within those minutes my mind is completely blank. "How melancholic." you might say. Well... if you were in that stage in life where raging hormones is not the only thing taking its toll on your body, then walking and thinking about absolutely nothing is very much welcome. With the breathtaking view and the cool breeze blowing... it was the perfect breather.

"Left." My dad directed the man to our house. "That park in front of that blue house over there." I was glad that no other house nearby was painted the same shade of blue with the same blue roof as our house. That would make the color an eyesore... the cab pulled up in front of the house. I could see smoke coming from the side of the house. Mama was still cooking tonight's dinner.

"YEL!" my ten-year old brother ran towards me. I didn't let him hug me immediately, I had him chase me first! I laughed, he did to, I stopped, and he knocked the wind out of me as he collided with my gut.

"Ow." I laughed and hugged him just as tight.

"I miss you Yel!" he told me, giving me a toothy grin.

"Miss you too!" I rubbed his semi-kal head. The other bro came rushing down the garage ramp. "YEL!" his voice had gone down a pitch, but it was still the same booming voice that resembled my tatay's. He was taller than me now! He wound his arms around my neck and gave me a squeeze. "How's your trip?"

"It was okay," I smiled up at him. He IS tall. "Come on. Let's put these bags inside." he helped me with my luggage, tugging the stroller with him.

"Yel, your mom's calling you." my dad called from the patio. I left Gavin to deal with the bag, seeing that he can handle it by himself. When did he get so strong? "Coming!" I replied, rushing to the other side of the house. "Hi ma!"

My mom was wearing a green formal blouse, I quirked my eyebrows. "Why are you wearing that?" she was cooking pork belly on the makeshift grill my dad made using a large clay pot that used to hold one of the small trees planted on our front yard.

She laughed. "I asked Gabo to fetch me a blouse. He gave me this." I shook my head. Typical Gabo: if it looks like a blouse and it was the first thing he saw, then that's good enough. I walked towards my mom and hugged her. She kissed me on the cheek. My dad, with a smile on his face, approached us from the front, carrying a camera.

The rest of the evening went by as if I have never went to Manila and stayed there for several months. It was like any other night on the table. Gabo complaining that the meat was too tough (when it wasn't), my dad complimenting my mom's cooking with a grunt or two of approval or exclamations of utter satisfaction, and Gavin staying silent at his side of the table as he mercilessly attacks the meat on his plate. Yep. I'm glad there are some things that NEVER changed.