One Summer Day: A Love Story

Posted on May 22, 2013 by thelighttraveler

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -Anaïs Nin

One summer day, the child discovered she lived in a big, big world and promptly fell in love with it. Undaunted by its size, she started exploring her own backyard, and then her neighborhood. She ran her hands through leaves and trunks, smooth and rough alike, and pressed her nose close to various flowers. She caught butterflies and dragonflies and tried to understand how they flew, before setting them free again. She played on the streets with other kids, unmindful of the sun that burned her skin.

Later, on summer beach trips with her family, she stayed out until the waters wrinkled her skin and the sun baked her golden brown.

She devoured books and explored far-off lands where red rocks and soil burned bright at dusk, where trees grew gigantically it would take many of her tiny frame to hug one trunk, where waterfalls were so high their waters seemed to fall from the sky, and where people lived high in mountains or deep in caves, and spoke words strange yet beautiful to her ears.

Occasionally she would browse through maps of her country and of the world, and imagined what life was like in the places she had yet to see. She dreamed of going off on an adventure, much like the quests she saw in fantasy books and movies.

But as she grew up, her once bright and vivid dreams slowly dimmed, then completely faded. The books and atlases she used to devour lay somewhere in the house, forgotten and gathering dust. The dreams were replaced with rules, responsibilities, worries, and all the things she knew were expected of her, like pleasing her family and other people, getting good grades at school, and fitting in with other students. And, to avoid being teased and to please a boy she liked, she stopped basking in the sun and tried products to make her skin whiter.

Summer breaks, likewise, were not a carefree affair but about obligations, extra work, and thinking of other people’s concerns.

The summers felt even shorter when she started working. They were about long work hours, pleasing the boss, and figuring out the climb along the corporate ladder. Also looming larger than life – or at least, than her life – were the very real concerns of family financial crises, illnesses, and fears of growing old alone and a financial failure, short of being a beggar on the streets.

After coming close to a breakdown on her nth sleepless weekend at the office, though, her dreams began to appear again, albeit faintly. And so she tried. She quit her job and tried on a few trips and adventures with other people for size.

Yet, while she explored things that interested her, she could never fully enjoy and let herself go. It was though Worry was always in front of her, carrying a sign that said “Stop! There’s something you should think about!” Sometimes it was Guilt who flashed her that sign.

There were a few all-too-brief moments, yes, when she felt a flicker of her fiery younger self again, but they were gone as quickly as they came.

Until she met one person living her dream. Then another. And more. They were a curious bunch, these people. When she talked with any of them, it always felt like summer. They were like those brilliant flaming blossoms in the summer trees she loved, except that their passion burned bright all year round.

Fascinated and at the same time envious of these people’s fire, she finally asked the revolutionary question: “What if?”

And, for the first time in a long time, she felt like her child self again, so excited by her dreams that she could barely sleep. It was like finding again a love she did not even know she lost – and falling in love all over again.

One summer day, when her favorite fire trees were in full bloom, she set off to fulfill a childhood dream. She traveled solo for almost two months, crafting her own version of the quests she thought she would only see in fantasy. She climbed hills and waterfalls, swam with schools of fish, met more people living their dreams, trusted strangers, experienced firsts she did not think she would ever experience, got blissfully lost, and felt like the richest woman in the world. And yes, the sun baked her a beautiful brown.

When she returned home, she vowed never to forget her dreams again.

She has not figured everything out – not by a long shot. Often, she is still overwhelmed by fears. But, now that her dreams burn bright and vivid again, she knows that no matter the storm, summer is always with her.

This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers summer blog carnival this May 2013, hosted by Jona Branzuela Bering of Backpacking With A Book.

10 Things to Do (And Not Do) to Have a Fun, Smooth-Sailing Apo Reef Adventure -Part 2

Posted on May 16, 2013 by thelighttraveler

As promised, here is Part 2 of my tips on planning and making the best of your Apo Reef adventure, based on my trip with friends over two weeks ago. Here’s Part 1 to those who have not read it yet. See also our expense breakdown at the end of this post.

5) DO find out how to properly interact with wildlife, especially the pawikans.

Amid the hot and humid night, we slept on the sand under the stars and was woken up around 2 am by an oncoming pawikan (sea turtle) – I think she was almost three feet in length! I was not sure if she was able to successfully lay eggs, but she was on her way back to the sea. And then I did something I am not proud of – I took photos of her using flash just before she entered the water.

I found out the next morning from our friend and trip organizer and much later at the tourism office that pawikans don’t like light and noise.

Actually, that morning, there was a smaller pawikan who was unsuccessfully able to lay eggs during the night even after digging several times. Our cook told us it was because a rowdy group kept crowding around the turtle and taking photos of it using flash.

While I wish the tourism office had given all Apo Reef visitors a more complete wildlife interaction briefing, I realize that as travelers, we have to step up, research beforehand, and ask questions, to ensure that the amazing wildlife and natural attractions we encounter now will still be there when other people – possibly our children and grandchildren – come to see them.

She was beautiful, but tired from dragging her weight across the sand and several egg-laying attempts. If only I could carry her to the sea, I would.

She was almost weightless once her flippers touched water, though. It was though the sea carried her.

6) DO be prepared for sea lice underwater and sand mites on the beach. Bring insect repellent for the sand mites, which can get nasty when you’re camping. Be prepared for sea lice when snorkeling too. If you are prone to skin allergies, bring anti-allergy medication. Vinegar is also a good first-aid measure for stings. Some of us with minor stings no longer applied it, though.

Don’t swim or snorkel without a top. A snug rash guard is best so that sea lice won’t get caught inside. While some sources online say swimming close to naked is best to protect yourself against sea lice, our travel companion who had his shirt off while snorkeling had the most reddish marks and itching. He had to take allergy meds when he got home.

7) No matter what your guide says, DO wear a life vest if you’re not a confident swimmer. It was low tide, and our guide from Sablayan tourism office led us straight to the water for snorkeling, prompting me to ask, “Don’t we need life vests?”

He assured us that the waters were shallow. Also, the boat with the life vests was several meters away so we did not get our vests anymore.

We had to walk for a while on ankle-deep waters and carefully avoid stepping on corals and sea cucumbers. Even in waist-deep waters, we snorkeled to avoid stepping on soft corals. After some minutes, though, the water deepened. With the shore already far away, I decided to suck it up. I know how to swim, but my endurance is weak. I stepped on rocks or hard corals to rest (I found out much later after the trip, to my dismay, that even hard corals, not just soft corals, can be damaged if you step on or touch them too). I took my time resting to fully re-charge before the next round of snorkeling, as I did not know where my next rest stop would be. There were several times when I came close to drowning as water filled my mask and the next rock I could hold on to or step on seemed far away.

Wow! I’ll take a picture. Oh, wait, I’m drowning!

To my horror, the rest of the group was already several meters ahead of me. I called out, and one of my friends came back for me. He, too, was not a very strong swimmer, though, and also had to look out for himself. Eventually, the group pushed far ahead of me, leaving just me, my below average skills, and the open water. (Later, I found out that some of my other travel companions struggled in the waters too, with them frantically searching for footholds.) Which brings me to my next suggestion:

8) DON’T assume you will automatically get the same treatment and efficiency you would get in developed tourist areas. Instead, DO ask for specific assistance.

Having snorkeled in tourism-developed areas like Palawan, where a guide looked out for every one in our group, as well as in less developed ones like a rural municipality in Cebu, where I was closely guided by a friend of a friend, I somehow assumed that our guide in Apo Reef would look out for the safety of each one of us.

Unfortunately, he did not even check on me when I was left behind for several meters; my arm raising and waving were futile. Eventually, when I grew tired, my companions became mere spots in the distance.

I also found out from our organizer that we were supposed to have two guides for our group of 12, but the tourism office only assigned us one.

While the Sablayan tourism office has many basics covered like tour arrangements, boat transfers, camping essentials and preparing itineraries, it seems they are still a bit green on safety observations and wildlife interaction briefings.

So, to be sure, ask for specific help or assistance. This tip also applies in general to less developed areas for tourism, unless you are going with a professional tour agency using their own guides or diving with professional dive centers.

9) DO relax and enjoy the scenery. Despite the hassles and inconveniences we experienced, I would say nature spoiled us with her sights. After the hot and sticky ro-ro ride, I was in awe of the moon lighting a pale yellow path on the dark water just before dawn. On the two and a half hour-boat ride to Apo Island, we saw the sea in different brilliant blues, and deep waters so clear we could see their sandy bottom. And, on the island, we were treated to a sunset, a moonrise, and a sunrise. So we drank it all in – and took photos, of course.

Clear, clear waters on the way to Apo Island. This was also our last snorkeling spot before we went back to the mainland.

We passed by rock islands like this one too, and saw a flock of migratory birds that looked like white flags against the blue sky (not in this photo). Apo Island and Hunter Rock stood like beautiful mirages in the distance.

Fiery treats from nature – sunset (top) and sunrise (bottom) at Apo Island.

10) DO make the most of each moment. And, DON’T forget to bring your sense of humor! Savor each moment, especially if you are just there on a short weekend trip. Since there was no electricity at night, our group used that time for some bonding. We drank brandy and orange juice, traded stories, and answered questions like “What work would you do for free?” and “What work would you not do even if you were paid millions?”

When we rushed to the mainland to catch the 230 pm bus only to find out our schedule was moved hours later, some of us explored Sablayan’s bright red and yellow hanging bridge. We could feel the bridge dipping then rising as motorbikes passed, as a hanging bridge usually does.

Sablayan’s hanging bridge – beautiful to look at but a challenge to walk on.

Part of the experience in crossing this bridge is navigating through traffic of passing motorbikes and people. Sadly, though, there are some holes like this (right photo) on the floor. You have to be careful.

During the long wait, we also cooled ourselves with shakes bought in a carinderia-like store near the tourism office. Our organizer innocently quipped to the staff, “Balita ho namin dito ang pinakamasarap na shake sa Sablayan.” (We heard that you have the best shake in Sablayan.) The staff looked pressured for a moment, then went on to prepare our Php35 shakes. We laughed at our friend’s prank and enjoyed the amazingly delicious shakes (mine with chocolate bits in them) – way better than the more expensive pearl shakes and milk teas in Manila. So we had the best shake in Sablayan after all. If you are curious to taste this shake for yourself and you are coming from the tourism office, face right then walk straight. You’ll see the store, with their list of shake flavors prominently displayed outside. They are also diagonal to the plaza and stalls in front of the tourism office.

All in all, we had fun despite the series of unfortunate events. If you are planning your own trip to Apo Reef, I hope this write-up helps. Below is also the breakdown of our expenses:

Bus from Alabang to Sablayan: Php850/head
Bus from Sablayan to to Alabang/Pasay/Cubao: Php800/head (We’re not sure why it’s cheaper)

Tricycle rides around Sablayan (Sablayan tourism, pier, hanging bridge): Php10/head for each ride

Boat to Apo Island and back: Php8,000 (Capacity: 15 people max. We were 13.) There are smaller boats good for ten people for Php7,500.
Food: Php200/meal, courtesy of Tourism (We had six meals)
Entrance fee to Apo Island: Php225/head
Snorkels: Php150/head
Guide: Php750
Tent rental: Php300/tent

Additional: Fish, canned goods, fruit, booze - Php1,000

We each spent a little over Php4,000, except for one of us who came directly from Occidental Mindoro.

Living it up in Apo Island despite trip mishaps Photo by Dong Ho

Read Part 1 of this series here.

10 Things to Do (And Not Do) to Have a Fun, Smooth-Sailing Apo Reef Adventure -Part 1

Posted on May 6, 2013 by thelighttraveler

Delayed bus trips. Hot and sticky ro-ro rides. Long and picturesque boat rides. Taking a dip on impossibly clear waters mirroring the sky’s blue. Sleeping under the stars. Getting woken up by humongous sea turtles on the beach. Beach bumming on creamy pinkish-white sand. Getting feasted on by sea lice. Communing with colorful corals and fishes. Coming close to drowning. Sipping the best shake in Sablayan while waiting several hours for the bus due to a schedule mix-up.

My journey to and snorkeling at Apo Reef Natural Park in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro just the other weekend made for a series of adventures and misadventures.

At around 34 square kilometers, Apo Reef Natural Park is the second largest contiguous coral reef system in the world (yes, just after the Great Barrier Reef) and is known to be one of the best marine sanctuaries in the Philippines. It is sometimes confused with Apo Island marine sanctuary in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, less than an hour from Dumaguete.

Apo Reef’s beauty over and under water

Here’s what I learned from my and my travel companions’ Apo Reef winning moments and fails, most of which could have been averted. May these help you too, as you map your own adventure.

1) DO plan your transportation IN DETAIL, especially if you are going by land. (For backpackers, DON’T forget the ro-ro!)

Do you want an easy trip, or do you like roughing it? If you are coming from Manila and you prefer a hassle-free commute, take the plane to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. From the airport, take a tricycle to the Dimple Star bus station then take the three-hour ride to Sablayan. From Sablayan, you can charter a boat to Apo Reef, which will take another two and a half hours.

The land trip, which takes ideally eight hours to Sablayan (we took ten), is trickier. After taking it, I wouldn’t exactly recommend it. Our bus trip was delayed by almost three hours, and we had trouble finding seats, even though we had reservations – turned out the bus conductor gave our seats to others before the bus passed by Alabang terminal, where we waited. Dong Ho, our organizer, had to sit on a stool – and try to sleep – for more than two hours.

I would recommend taking another bus, if only there were another bus company. But no, Dimple Star Bus Liner (contact number +632-4759024) is so far the only one with routes to Sablayan, the jump-off point to Apo Reef. The best you can do is to keep reminding the bus liner of your reservation if you will not be riding from the first departure point – or, better yet, just ride from there to secure your seat.

The ro-ro part of the trip is trickier. You have to make sure you take a bus trip that will arrive in time for the ro-ro trip from Batangas City to Abra de Ilog, Mindoro, or you will find yourself waiting for another three or four hours. Note that travel time from Manila to Batangas City is two to three hours, depending on the traffic. To be sure of the ro-ro schedules, contact Montenegro Shipping Lines or the port manager (number below).

The ro-ro schedules, as seen on our trip the other weekend. Photo by Dong Ho

Once you get in the ro-ro, be prepared to endure two and a half hours of heat and discomfort, even at nighttime, as the air conditioner is broken (I hope they fix it when you finally go on your own trip). As my travel companion Kat quipped, we were like goods for transport. Sleeping was a great achievement.

After the sticky ride, we boarded the bus again for another three hours before reaching Sablayan. Many of us were sitting at the back, but some of us moved to the middle, thanks to a kind local who advised us that the ride was going to be bumpy soon, and the back of the bus was not a good place to be.

2) DO coordinate with Sablayan tourism office or with a travel agency, but DON’T leave everything to them.

Are you prepared to splurge on an island resort, or do you prefer camping? You have to consider things like this when planning your Apo Reef itinerary. We opted to camp at Apo Island, and so we had to bring and rent camping essentials like tents, headlamps or flash lights, cooking equipment, and water, as there is no drinking water at Apo Island. Thanks to the tourism office, we did not have to bring our own tents or cook our own food (and boy, did they cook up a feast!). They also helped us plan our itinerary.

Roughing it, and at the same time being pampered with good food

But you have to research on your own, too, to prevent mishaps like what we experienced. We hurried back to Sablayan from Apo Reef to catch the 2:30 pm bus, where we thought the tourism office reserved seats for us, only to find out when we arrived that we would instead be taking the 5 pm bus, because the next ro-ro boat bound for Batangas is 10 pm. Instead of waiting at the port, we would be waiting at Sablayan.

Had we known this in advance, we would have stayed longer at Apo Reef.

Even if a third party is organizing your itinerary, make sure you ask questions and involve yourself in the details to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.

Sablayan Ecotourism Office contact details: amazingsablayan@yahoo.com / +63928-4659585

3) DO explore Apo Island.

Apo Reef is not only about underwater wonders, but amazing beaches, sunrises, sunsets – if you’re lucky, you will also see moonrises and moonsets – and other sights, especially in Apo Island. There are waters so clear you can see the sandy bottom, creamy pinkish white sand similar to the popular pinkish Sta. Cruz Islands in Zamboanga, a mangrove forest, a quiet lagoon, rock formations, and a stunning view from the lighthouse. Take time to explore all these, which can easily be reached by foot.

Waters so clear they seem unreal

The sand is quite fine – with a scattering of corals – on the shore, but when you go to the water the sand becomes smooth tiny pebbles.

The stark white lighthouse at Apo Island is simple but looks dramatic framing the scenery and the sky.

The lagoon and mangroves as seen from the lighthouse

More great views from the lighthouse

4) DO pray, but DON’T always expect a spectacular underwater show.

Because of Apo Reef’s reputation as one of the best reefs, I had high expectations. I’ve also read about shark sightings in Apo Reef, visible not only to divers, but also to snorkelers. And yes, pawikans (sea turtles) are a common sight.

But snorkeling is a gamble, to rephrase diver Benj Espina. While you can increase your chances of sightings by going to great spots, sometimes you don’t know what you will see or not see. For example, it took him more than a hundred dives to see his first manta ray.

During my snorkeling near Apo Island, I saw colorful corals and schools of fish, but nothing that really made me go “wow.” Some of my travel buddies who snorkeled ahead did see a pawikan (sea turtle), though.

Beautiful, but not exactly spectacular for someone who has high expectations

The next morning was the supposed highlight of our adventure. I read how guided snorkeling, where an outrigger boat pulls snorkelers across the reef, can take up to two hours. I was so excited – I had even prepared my camera’s extra battery for it.

But visibility turned out to be poor, and scores of sea lice attacked us. We had to cut the tour short and just pick a spot where the waters were clearer. And, guess where it was? It was the same area we snorkeled the day before – only, it was now high tide, so we were not as close to the marine life as I wished.

Apo Reef was unlike my other snorkeling experiences, especially Moalboal, where the Universe spoiled me rotten. I saw a whale shark for the first time – and in an unexpected sighting, no less! It was also my first time to see a sea turtle, and later another one, gracefully gliding – almost flying – in the blue water. There was also Danjugan Island, where I did not even have to snorkel to see moray eels and baby sharks. While I considered those encounters as amazing and unexpected gifts from the universe, I have to admit I started expecting after that.

At Apo Reef, though, the sea humbled me, reminding me that I am not entitled to a show of its creatures. I am again learning to be open – hoping for the best, but not expecting.

Snorkeling, or any adventure, is about appreciating what is there. At Apo Reef, I loved how the clear waters made the corals and the fish seem part of the sky.

Proceed to Part 2 of this list, with the breakdown of our trip expenses.

My Facepalm-Worthy Moments aka What Not To Do When Traveling

Posted on April 24, 2013 by thelighttraveler

I interrupt my “regular programming” of blog posts on exhilarating adventures, life-changing travel moments, life lessons from travel, and the usual feel-good travel and insight posts to bring you, readers, the worst of my travel boo-boos.

Those idiotic travel moments that make you go… Photo by Alex Proimos under Flicker Creative Commons

Yes, my travels are not just about going with the flow and being saved at the end of the day, but also about moments when things just go wrong and the joke is on me. Still, I wouldn’t trade travel for anything in the world.

Here’s hoping you pick up something from my facepalm moments and not learn the hard way as I did. Feel free to laugh at me when you feel like it.

1) Enthusiastically booking an airline seat sale ticket without doing prior research. My travel companion and I were at a travel expo event, eagerly looking for deals we could score. We found some cheap flights, the cheapest of which was arguably Tawi-tawi, considering it was farthest in the Philippines.

“Wow, I’ve never been to Tawi-tawi!” I exclaimed, and we immediately bought tickets, not knowing that it would be Ramadan during our travel dates. Maybe that was why the tickets were so cheap!

After that misadventure, I felt that my travel companion and I were more than qualified to write a guide on “How To Go On A Diet While Traveling” or “How To Lose Weight Without Even Trying.”

Lesson learned – while booking tickets on the spur of the moment has worked for me several times before, this same principle does not apply to areas or countries where the culture is different.

Most stores were closed in observance of Ramadan when we went to Tawi-tawi.

2) Not double checking or triple checking flight ticket details. There I was at the airport at 3 am for my flight to Tawi-tawi, giving myself a mental pat on the back for getting there early and not being frazzled at the sight of long lines.

I texted my travel companion that I was already there at the airport.

After almost an hour had passed, though, she was still a no-show. I finally called her, and, after several rings, a groggy voice answered: “Claire….”

“Are you near the airport already?” I asked, worried.

“Our flight is tomorrow, right?” she said, her voice more awake now.

And, when I finally did what I should have done before coming to the airport – checking my ticket – I saw that yes, she was correct.

If there was an award for traveler’s stupidity, I think I would have won it that moment, no contest. Bonus points for waking my travel companion up at an ungodly hour.

3) Underestimating the consequences of travel planning mistakes. When I found out too late that our Tawi-tawi travel dates would fall on Ramadan, I decided to bite the bullet. I’ve had my share of travel inconveniences in the past, and I just did what I could do and things turned out well in the end.

This Tawi-tawi trip was a special case, though. Our sudden dieting and fasting were the least of our troubles. I knew it might be difficult to get guides to the places we want to go to; I just did not realize how difficult. Even with the kind help of the tourism office, it was a struggle to get guides, considering most of the people in Tawi-tawi were fasting the whole day.

The most seemingly impossible challenge was getting a trekking guide up Bud (Mount) Bongao. I almost lost hope until we finally got some police officers who were not fasting or were simply good at enduring it – this was just a little over 12 hours before our morning climb. It was our last chance as our flight would be leaving noon that day.

One of our Bud Bongao guides taking a well-deserved break

What made many moments in our trip hard to bear was also the shame factor – I felt I was imposing on these good people who would otherwise be devoting their full attention to their religious practices. As I endured those moments, my recurring thought was: “Never again.” Yes, there were non-Muslims who helped us in our trip, but inevitably there were Muslims who I felt went out of their way to help us.

The Murphy’s Law factor

Not everything went wrong in our trip, but there were some aggravating factors that only now, in retrospect, appear hilarious, though they felt anything but funny when I was there:

No water just when we needed it. On our first day in Tawi-tawi, we hopped on a boat to take us to Sitangkai, about four hours away. We slept on the boat, and was back at Tawi-tawi’s capital, Bongao, the next morning. After more than 24 hours – many of them hot and humid – adventure, I was particularly eager to take a bath. And that’s when we found out there was a water supply problem in Bongao, the first in a long time, according to the tourism office. Our timing was just great.

The aggressive monkeys of Bud Bongao. I felt I brought more than enough bananas for my and my guide’s breakfast, and for feeding many of the white monkeys in Bud Bongao too. When our trail passed through monkey territory, I threw some bananas. They were devoured in seconds. My guide and I went on in our merry way.

At one of the summits several meters away, I took some minutes to rest and take photos. I was happily posing for the camera when I saw one, two, then three monkeys appear in my line of vision. They were heading for my bag of bananas! My mountain guide had to grab the bag to rescue our breakfast. One monkey, though, was so persistent that he would not stop until I gave him my breakfast. The lure of my bananas was simply too great that it drew them out around 20 minutes away and up from their usual territory.

Just when I thought everything was all right…

I had more boo-boos and silly moments in Tawi-tawi, but things did work out in the end. While there were troubles, there were also triumphs. My travel companion and I, after all, got guides. We met some warm, hospitable people who proved that misconceptions on Muslims were really just that – misconceptions. We also got to take baths despite the water problem. And, we reached the peak of Bud Bongao and went down just in the nick of time for our flight!

Views like this make almost any travel mishap worth it.

Also, in visiting Tawi-tawi, I realized there is so much more to explore and I hope to be back in the future, albeit more prepared.

If travel were a lover, I would say mishaps like what happened in my Tawi-tawi trip only strengthened – not weakened – my commitment to him. I’m definitely in this for the long haul, boo-boos and all. =)

This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers April blog carnival “Funniest, Silliest, Dumbest Travel Moments” hosted by Lakbay Diva.

9 Life Lessons From First-time Rock Climbing

Posted on April 10, 2013 by thelighttraveler

In many inspirational and success quotes, I often see photos of rock climbers scaling seemingly impossible heights. Now, after rock climbing for the first time in Tinandog Wall, Atimonan, Quezon, and ticking this exciting activity off my bucket list, I understand why. Rock climbing is a perfect metaphor for life. What were once just inspiring concepts to me became happily – and painfully – real experiences.

Rock climbing is not only an enjoyable adventure but also a great life teacher.

Here are insights I have learned or am re-learning, thanks to my rock climbing experience last weekend:

1) Prepare. Rock climbing is a physically demanding activity and requires preparations like wall climbing. I wasn’t able to join the pre-climb meeting and wall climbing with my travel companions, and I paid dearly for it during the actual climb. As with anything you want to accomplish or achieve, preparation is key.

2) Seize the day! At the same time, don’t let the need for perfection be an excuse to let an opportunity pass you by. If your gut feel says that you can do it, then go! When I received this rock climbing invitation from a friend, I wanted it but had mixed feelings because I knew I would be too busy to fully prepare. But, not knowing when this chance would come again at a time I am free, I accepted it, praying that my little experience with mountain climbing minor peaks this year as well as doing wall climbing once several years ago would make some difference. And, I somehow felt I could do it – and I did!

En route to Tinandog Wall in Atimonan, Quezon

3) Commit – take that step. This is what Pastor Noel Suministrado, our trip organizer and lead climber, as well as a pastor in a church in Lucena, kept telling us again and again. While a vertical rock face may look intimidating, it can be climbed, one step and one grip at a time. And in some areas, inch by inch. I was particularly surprised when I was able to step on a seemingly tiny crack which I thought at first could not hold my feet. And that crack actually helped me ascend to the next step.

Similarly, some goals may look difficult or impossible at first, only because you have never done them before. I believe the way is to take baby steps.

Pastor Noel, our lead climber, shows how this rock wall can be climbed one step at a time.

4) Trust. This, I believe, is the essence of rock climbing. And this is more than just trusting in yourself to do it. In our rock climbing, there was a belayer, Manny, who anchors us to the ground. Manny pulls the rope as we go up and gives us just the right amount of slack – this is so that should we lose our footing and fall, we won’t fall far. And, if we fall, he will “catch” us. This very basic trust on our belayer is what enabled us first-timers to confidently scale the rock face despite threats of fall. And yes, we did fall. But he was there to catch us.

Our belayer Manny keeps us safely anchored and “catches” us when we fall.

I’ve also found in some crucial moments in my life that the saying “leap and the net will appear” is true. Acting with faith based on only the information I could get, I took risks and life rewarded me generously.

5) Surround yourself with people who support you. These are the people who cheer you on in your hopes, dreams and projects – people who believe in you and strengthen you.

I only knew one person prior to that rock climbing adventure, but during my climb, all of them were full-out in their support. Even though my climb was excruciatingly slow, the group enthusiastically cheered for me. With my each misstep and fall, they cheered louder and encouraged me with words like “Konti na lang yan!” (Just a little more!) Pastor Noel and those who have climbing experience also coached me. And, when I finally got it right, they cheered in excitement as though sharing my victory.

Actually, all of us cheered for whoever was climbing at the moment.

Jane encouraging and coaching Karl in one of the challenging parts of the climb

6) It’s most tempting to quit when you’re almost at the finish. Don’t. I’ve been reading quotes like “it is darkest before dawn” and the more cliché “so near yet so far.” But it was during the final moments of my climb that I really felt these words to be true. My arms and hands felt like lead, and my legs did not seem to follow my will, even after several attempts. My heart beat furiously and I gasped for air. Fatigue had set in.

Just three or four feet away, I could see the bright blue anchor point signaling the finish, and yet I was tempted, sorely tempted, to give up and signal to Manny to take me down. The words were in my tongue and I almost said them. But I did not.

As the saying goes, “rest if you must, but don’t you quit.” I let my body hang in midair and I caught my breath for some minutes until my mind began to clear again. What was almost impossible to me some minutes ago slowly became probable. And, just when I thought I was at my limit, my second wind rushed in, and I reached for the goal!

The final three feet of this 45-foot climb was actually the hardest. Photo by Noel Suministrado

7) But above all, listen to and honor yourself. Yes, there is such a thing as a second wind and there is wisdom in the timeless advice of never giving up, but above all, let your inner knowing decide. It was this knowing that told me that I should rest first before I climb that last three feet. It was also this same knowing that prompted me not to push myself to finish the second climb.

I believe it was also the same knowing that prompted Karl, on his third attempt to finish that second climbing route, to stop when he was just a few feet from the goal. While many of us protested that he was so close, he answered half-jokingly and half-seriously: “Sometimes you have to make your own decisions.”

8) Have fun in the journey. Pastor Noel said that the best climber is not the one who reaches the peak or end point fastest, but the one who is happiest. I agree. Which was why, during my second climb that day, I ascended on a more leisurely pace and watched the sunset. There is nothing quite like the feeling of climbing on golden rocks slowly turning grey and seeing the sunset, plains, and trees from above.

I stopped to enjoy the sunset. Photo by Karl Orit

9) Celebrate your success! We celebrated with local lambanog (coconut vodka) after finishing the day’s climb. Later, over a quick dinner, we shared our highs and lows. Karl said we should give ourselves a pat on the back for accomplishing what we did that day, and we did.

I believe celebrating your success is important as it psyches you up for your next goal and challenge, and it gives you encouragement for moments when things seem impossible. During low points, I will remember those last excruciating minutes of my first climb and the heady rush of finally reaching the top. And, I can cheer myself with the knowledge that I have done this before, and I can do it again.

Basking in the sunset after the day’s climb, with feet firmly on the ground this time

This is Part 1 of my two-part series on rock climbing at Tinandog Wall, Atimonan, Quezon. Coming up is Part 2, about the entire experience plus cost and logistics.

The Need To Know Ourselves: How A Healthy Pride And Identity Can Help Us Filipinos And Other Nations

Posted on April 5, 2013 by thelighttraveler

I write this amid public outcry on the issue of the 52-year-old Philam Life Theater, which was for some weeks under threat of demolition. This theater in Manila is known for its performances of celebrated local and international musicians, and its excellent acoustics, designed by the same people behind Sydney Opera House’s acoustics. One of the biggest multinational companies in the Philippines, SM Development Corporation, was contemplating building a condominium complex in place of Philam Life Theater, but is now saying they will keep it, after bowing to petitions and public protests.

For a time, the historic Philam Life Theater’s future was uncertain.

I write this also with pride, which I believe many Filipinos share, of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines (final and tentative lists), many of which I had the privilege of seeing myself.

Miag-ao Church, Iloilo. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines.

I am saddened in my travels, though, when I see ancestral houses and other cultural structures slowly crumbling from neglect and the passage of time, and some beaches and other natural attractions littered with garbage. These could have been tourist attractions Filipinos could be proud of, if not World Heritage Sites.

Which makes me ask the question – what does it take for us Filipinos to really value and take care of our cultural and natural heritage?

At first, the obvious problem may be the lack of government funds for such efforts, and the apathy and lack of priority of individuals – after all, what is in it for them?

To address this, I’ve seen a few local governments and individuals working together in successful community projects like ecotourism, as what I have witnessed in Roxas City, Capiz. Roxas’ seas and rivers are the locals’ sources of livelihood, not only for the earlier’s fish and shellfish, but also for the tourism pesos they bring. I believe this is also why the tourism office and the locals, who both can benefit from tourism in the area, work hand in hand.

Palina Greenbelt Ecopark in Roxas City, Capiz, is an initiative of locals with the help of the tourism office.

But I feel that the answer to my earlier question is more than this external, though effective, solution.

In one workshop I would never forget, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario drew a timeline of Philippine history on the white board. He plotted the prehistoric era up to the present. More than three-fourths of that timeline was a blank, while the remainder – which comprises majority of Philippine history text books – contains Spaniards’ colonial rule over the Philippines, and succeeding countries’ colonization.

No wonder. We Filipinos now know little of who we were before our colonizers arrived.

Leah Tolentino, a former NGO worker who worked both with educated and marginalized groups around the Philippines and is now a wellness teacher and facilitator, found in her work over the years that “there is a dearth of a deep appreciation of who one is, as a Filipino.”

“Could it be that our cultural core is not buo (whole), given our colonial history and sense of fragmentation for centuries?” Tolentino wondered. She added that if this is so, then: “We need to affirm our intrinsic gifts as a people, renew our love for the land that birthed us that is organically connected to our bodies, and re-awaken our spirits that recognize and is at the service of wholeness.”

This is what I also believe. In going back to our roots and reclaiming our identity – as well as a healthy Filipino pride – can we truly value our cultural and natural heritage. And that is how we Filipinos can enthusiastically work to preserve it.

Tolentino is already conducting workshops that help reclaim Filipino identity, which I wrote about, have personally experienced, and which I am now training to be a facilitator of.

Baybayin calligraphy meditation is one of the activities in Tolentino’s workshops. Baybayin (more popularly known for its misnomer alibata) is an ancient pre-colonial Filipino writing system now little-known and no longer used in mainstream writing.

With each workshop, I am becoming more convinced that it is only in knowing and appreciating who we are as Filipinos can we really work with genuine passion for our country. I believe that this same principle may also apply to people in other countries – while workshops are not a requirement, actions which can prompt them to go back to and appreciate their roots and who they are, are important. This idea is part of what I hope to share in the ASEAN Blogger Festival this May, whose theme is “Re-inventing the Spirit of Cultural Heritage.” I love the word “spirit.” here. Indeed, more important than a country’s physical structures and heritage sites is the spirit, or the pride, behind these.

Grounding and getting in touch with who we are is important in reclaiming and appreciating our cultural heritage.

In the festival, I also hope to connect with and learn from resource persons and fellow participants how they maintain or renew the spirit of cultural heritage in their own countries. In learning from one another’s examples, we can make our actions in our own countries more effective.

And, from what I understand, the ASEAN conference in May is not just an isolated event. It is also one of the steps in building the ASEAN Community by 2015, which will make ASEAN nations more unified than ever before. With barriers broken down in trade and the countries more open to one another, I feel it is more important for each person in each country to have a strong local pride and identity.

In doing this we can be proud of what makes each of us unique, and in celebrating these differences can we find our similarities, and the threads that bind us all. And for me, that makes a more powerful unity.

It can be as simple as this: in my appreciation of the Yakan and Sagada weaving artistries in my home country the Philippines, I am able to better appreciate the krama and other cloths I saw and bought in Cambodia.

Two different cloths and countries, one community. Yakan-woven cloth in Zamboanga, Philippines (left) and krama in Siem Reap, Cambodia (right).

On a deeper level, however, I believe that it is in fully realizing our places in the beautiful tapestry that is the ASEAN and the world can we truly be one community.

This is why when the organizers of the ASEAN conference ask what bloggers and social media practitioners can do for the ASEAN Community 2015, I say we should all continue doing what we do best: writing and sharing about art, culture, politics, food, travel – whatever are our respective specialties. And doing these with pride, definitely.

And connect with one another, too. As I mentioned earlier, we all can learn from one another’s examples. Also, in connecting with and learning from one another, we can better appreciate and perhaps even experience one another’s cultures. And then, we can collaborate on what we can contribute as one for the ASEAN community.

Such social network sites like Aseanita already help pique curiosity and appreciation for one another’s culture. Aseanita is a virtual goodwill ambassador who shares interesting facts and trivia about each country, and invite people from ASEAN countries to participate.

Aseanita, a cute AND effective cultural ambassador. Photo from Aseanita

We can follow Aseanita’s example or do something else – it is up to each one of us. Bloggers, social media practitioners, and even individuals regardless of profession can – as I mentioned – do what we do best (our fields of specialization). And from there, we can connect, appreciate and learn from one another’s examples, then work together and take action as one.

But first we must go back to our roots, connect with who we are as individuals and as a people. When we stand on the solid ground of who we are, our actions will be all the more powerful.

This entry is my response to the Asean Blogger Festival organizers’ preliminary invitation and call for write-ups. Logo below from Asean Blogger.

Not Your Usual Graduation: 4 Beliefs I Gave Up For Solo Travel And Adventure

Posted on March 21, 2013 by thelighttraveler

It’s graduation month here in the Philippines. As graduates march away from their old lives, I think not of my own college graduation but of the beliefs I left behind just less than a year ago – beliefs I knew I should give up if I were to walk the path of adventure, particularly when I decided to travel solo for almost two months. It was much like a graduation, in a way. The only difference was there was no ceremony.

1) The world is an unsafe, inhospitable place. This one is a classic, especially among women who balk at the idea of solo travel. But, as I planned my solo adventure, I knew I had to let this thinking go.

And, I’m glad I did. Approaching locals, making friends with other travelers, and trusting strangers when my intuition guided me gave me some of the most memorable experiences during my trip.

Thanks to one stranger, I was not only able to see this miraculous Simala Shrine in Sibonga, Cebu, I was also able to find a cheap accommodation when my Internet research did not turn up anything at that time.

This is not to say that I did not take precautions – as a woman traveling alone, I stayed alert and looked after my safety. But I was amazed to discover, as I listened to both logic and intuition, just how much people wanted to help me, as opposed to harming me. In fact, total strangers ensured my safety and helped me out of inconveniences, a few of which I was almost convinced were travel angels.

Yes, crimes or any untoward incident can still happen while traveling – but they can also happen where you live or almost anywhere in the world. The other side of the coin, though, is that there are still truly kind and honest people who would want to help you.

2) You need to plan everything for your trip. Prior to traveling solo, I tended to obsess on details about trips I plan. In fact, many friends had entrusted me as trip organizer, knowing how “obsessive-compulsive” I could get.

But, as I mapped out my solo adventure, I felt overwhelmed – how could I possibly plan every single day of a seven-week trip? So I only had a detailed itinerary for some days and a rough itinerary for others. But, as I went further into my adventure, I found myself planning less and less and opening myself up to surprises more. Curiously, even with me barely planning anything, my days were full of travel and adventure from the people I’ve met and their spur-of-the-moment travel invitations.

An impromptu adventure at one of Capiz’s islands, Mantalinga

Now, I’m learning to strike a balance between planning and not planning. For short trips especially, where more planning may be necessary, I plan what I can, then go with the flow.

3) “I could never do that!” (“that” meaning activities outside your comfort zone) Traveling alone kicked me out of my comfort zone. It was a well-meaning kick from the universe, though, as I was able to experience some crazy and unforgettable firsts.

I realized that I wanted my solo adventure (partly a childhood dream) to happen so much that I was willing to sacrifice some habits and comforts. Which was why even while I pumped water and carried the pail for the nth time, and while I was on a long and bumpy motorbike ride with my backpack pulling me down every time we climb up a slope, and other similar uncomfortable circumstances, I actually felt blissful – and grateful.

4) Traveling alone is no fun. Prior to my solo adventure, I wondered more than once if I would get bored or lonely during my trip. I found out that that could not be further from the truth. While my solitude indeed gave way once or twice to loneliness, it did not last. I met new people almost every day, and set off on adventures with many of them. In fact, the spontaneity of our travels, and the element of surprise, made the experience even more fun.

Yes, I met them through a spur-of-the-moment travel invitation.

And, there were days when I just explored a place by myself, happy to be in my own company.

Walking solo along a beach in Negros Oriental

To be honest, though, if graduation means the end or something final, I don’t know if I will ever fully “graduate” from beliefs that may stop me from going off on that adventure or following my dreams.

I don’t think we ever fully get rid of our fears or limiting beliefs. But when we choose to be brave each time, eventually, transcending our fears becomes easier. At least, that was how it was for me.

But if graduation means a transition or moving forward, much like college graduates who march to new phases of their lives, then, I’d like to believe that I have indeed graduated. And that I have more graduations to look forward to.

On my first trip (with friends this time) after my long-term solo adventure, my travel companions and I took photos of one another with the words we resonate with at Pasonanca Park in Zamboanga.

This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for March 2013
with the theme ”Things I Graduated From Since I Started Traveling”
hosted by Kaiz Galang of Miss Backpacker.

8 Life Lessons I Learned From Inspiring Women Adventurers, Pathfinders And Teachers (A Women’s Day Tribute)

Posted on March 9, 2013 by thelighttraveler

I am blessed to know and have met – face-to-face or online – some inspiring, truly extraordinary women. Just by being who they are and doing what they do, they show or remind me not only about risks and adventures worth taking, but also how I can travel happily on the greatest adventure ever – life.

A day after celebrating Women’s Day and still celebrating this month for women, I am sharing the insights these lovely women live.

1) Pursue your passions. Live your dreams.

When I first heard Lois Yasay speak, I could not help admiring her almost palpable energy and passion. Lois quit her job, backpacked for six months around Southeast Asia, and has not looked back since. She is now living a location-independent lifestyle, traveling, surfing, and doing work she loves, one of which is speaking to crowds and small groups about following one’s passion.

Photo from Lois Yasay

One thing that really struck me was what Lois wrote in an open letter to her dad before her six-month epic trip. Her dad was worried that “something might happen to her.” To which Lois answered, “I’m more afraid of a life where nothing extraordinary ever happens. Nothing noteworthy or exciting or breathtaking.”

If there is one person I’ve met who faithfully follows her dreams no matter what, it is Lois.

2) Yes, you can have it all, but be prepared to do what it takes.

For many women, having it all usually means having a happy family and a successful career. To me and to some women I know, it means being able to do what you love AND having a happy family.

Gay Mitra-Emami showed me and other women that this is possible. An explorer at heart even when she was single, she refused to settle into domesticity when she tied the knot. She became a “housewife without a house” when she traveled around the world with her husband and then nine-month old daughter, Luna.

Photo from Gay Mitra-Emami

While traveling around the world sounds dreamy, parenting on the road was tough, as Gay experienced firsthand. Diaper changes in places with no toilets, and struggling to find a hospital for Luna’s medical emergency in an area where no one speaks English were just among the challenges.

But Gay would not exchange the round-the-world experience for anything else, especially the moments when Luna walked by herself for the first time, and said her first word – firsts made richer with their trip to Peru.

3) You may not be able to change the world, but you can change yourself, and, in the process, make a difference in the world.

Changing the world for the better was a secret childhood dream of mine. I carried that idealism up to college until reality dealt me major blows that made me re-think that dream.

Regina Dee, whose presence is quiet and peaceful yet powerful, imparts wisdom that offers part of the solution: “Make a better world by making a better you.” Sounds cheesy but it’s true.

And, in Regina’s case, it is indeed true. Just being around her makes me and other people feel calmer and relaxed. It is almost impossible to imagine that she had once been in the depths of despair as she went through several life-changing personal and family crises. And, through her work with people, she helps them turn their lives around, starting from within.

4) You have to give and keep on giving.

While I may not be able to change the world, I know I can make a difference to the people around me if I choose.

Which is what Remi Santiago-Bautista does. She gives and helps her community without a second thought. With her own money, she helped turn gangsters’ and petty criminals’ lives by giving them a small business – and responsibility. When she has the resources, she also feeds around 100 children (their parents are the gangsters, the criminals, and the financially troubled in the community) nutritious meals she prepared herself.

Remi is also an organic farmer and intuitive healer. Through research and intuition, she prepared her own natural cure and healed herself from a host of debilitating diseases and post-stroke symptoms that almost paralyzed her. She shares her natural healing knowledge freely, among friends and sometimes as a volunteer in workshops for indigent communities. I had the pleasure of volunteering with her once.

And, even as Remi gives a lot, she receives a lot too – sometimes even more. On days when she lends or gives money to help other people and she is worried if she will be able to pay for her own expenses, help would always come in the form of other people. Even though I am blessed to be her friend and occasional travel buddy, I still sometimes find myself amazed whenever she shares her next project.

If you would like to support any of her causes, message her on Facebook.

5) Find that space of well-being within you. Go there often.

In order to have the energy to follow my dreams and make a difference, I realized I need to continually replenish my inner reserves too.

As an NGO worker-turned wellness facilitator, Leah Tolentino knows this well, when she responded to the call of ginhawa (well-being), as she lived with and eventually healed herself of illnesses which initially prompted her to stop working for two years.

Through her well-being workshops and compassionate presence, she listens, facilitates, and invites me and others to connect again with the ginhawa within. More than a teacher or facilitator, she has patiently listened to my joys and woes and even facilitated a simple yet powerful ritual for my safety before I went on the seven-week backpacking adventure that later changed my life.

6) It doesn’t always have to be hard. Try easy.

Danielle LaPorte’s beautifully written prose pierces straight through my heart and soul. This woman is continents away and I have not had yet the pleasure of meeting her, but her writing speaks to me, and challenges the beliefs I’ve long held close to my heart – and I suspect, beliefs long-held by others too.

Photo from Danielle LaPorte

One belief which held its appeal to me for so long is the value of hard work and struggle to achieve what is good. While this belief has its place, I now realize that life does not always have to be that way. Sometimes ease and flow are the way. Danielle shows, through her writing, and her own life, what is possible if people were to try what is easy and natural for a change.

7) It’s ok to be who you are.

In a world where motivational gurus are telling you to be more positive, happier, to attract this house, or attract this car, Heather Plett’s words are a fresh and welcome respite. Through her writing, she shows that it is ok to feel what you feel and to be where you are right now. She writes candid and courageous accounts about dealing with losses – recently on her mother’s death from cancer. She admits to her weaknesses, to her humanity, but in that lies her strength and her gift to connect with others.

Photo from Heather Plett

I have also not yet met this seemingly simple yet remarkable woman, but briefly connecting with her through a friend and regularly seeing her honest, straight-from-the heart updates online are food for my soul.

8) Fall down seven times, get up eight.

If anyone is the picture of resilience, it is my mother. Born the eldest among seven children, she took responsibility for her brothers and sisters at a young age. She persisted as a scholar in her studies because of her family’s limited financial resources. From childhood onwards, she has dealt with trials – financial troubles, an early pregnancy, her son’s death while she was working as a nurse overseas to make ends meet, her youngest son’s cancer, losing her father, and more crises in our immediate family. She would cry and grieve, but through it all, she would pick herself up again.

My relationship with my mother is not exactly hearts and roses, but her resilience is a quality that amazes me. I would like to think that I have inherited some from her to aid me through life’s trials.

Kaamulan Festival Street Dance In Photos: A Glimpse of Bukidnon’s Rich Indigenous Spirit

Posted on March 3, 2013 by thelighttraveler

Bold, bright native costumes. Powerful drum beats that vibrate through the heart. The quiet dignity of tribal elders and leaders as they walked through the streets. And, dances where indigenous past (the story of the people and their land) and present (precise steps choreographed by professionals) meet.

Watching the indigenous tribes in Bukidnon dance in the streets at the annual Kaamulan Festival for the first time yesterday, I felt that the spirit of the indigenous people is very much alive, running, sashaying and smiling through the festival performers.

Manobo and Matigsalug tribes dancing as representatives of Kitaotao municipality in Bukidnon. Kitaotao is the winner of the Kaamulan Festival street dance competition this year.

Kaamulan is an indigenous word in Bukidnon which means “to gather,” according to the tourism brochures I browsed through on my way to this mountainous province.

In the Kaamulan Festival, the seven Bukidnon tribes gather and perform.

The seven tribes of Bukidnon

An anthropologist and former Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension at Mindanao State University-Marawi, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in Cagayan de Oro before I went to Bukidnon, begged to differ, though.

Dr. Nagasura Madale said that “Kaamulan” is about going back to one’s roots. He also pointed out the word “mula” in “Kaamulan.” His words personally resonated with me; in Tagalog, “mula” means “from,” and “pinagmulan,” a variation, means “the place one comes from.”

Kaamulan Festival is indeed more than just a gathering. I feel this festival helps natives from indigenous groups remember just how rich their culture and roots are. Indeed, there are some who have forgotten or are forgetting their roots. A Higaonon artist I met at Kaamulan told me that not many native Higaonons know the indigenous ways. He, as an artist, aims to show the richness of their culture to his fellow natives.

And, in watching this festival, spectators like me can also appreciate this wealth of indigenous spirit. And also, I believe that the spectators who come in droves every year help validate the Bukidnon natives that their culture is indeed important.

Below I re-live in photos what happened in the morning of the Kaamulan Festival street dance.

Pamuhat, a ritual offering performed by indigenous elders before the Kaamulan street dance. Bai (female leader) Inatlawan of the Bukidnon tribe (right) leads the ritual in native tongue. Beside her are datus (chieftains).I had the fortunate opportunity to talk briefly to Datu Masilsil (left) of the Higaonon tribe.

Bai Inatlwan prepares the offerings for Pamuhat. I later learned from her that the ritual was done to ask permission from the spirits on the road for the street dance, and also for the performers to have enough energy for the dances.

Rica dela Cruz of the Idlantungun Manuvu tribe, one of the tribes representing Pangantucan municipality, the first contestant for the Kaamulan Festival street dance competition

Pangantucan municipality dancers. The tribes at Pangantucan this year are Talaandig and Idlantungun Manuvu.

A dancer representing Talakag municipality, second contingent. Talaandig and Higaonon tribes are part of Talakag.

A Talaandig tribe dance imitating birds

Tribal elders lead the Dangcagan municipality, the third contingent for the street dance competition.

Dangcagan municipality dancers. Manobo and Pulangihon tribes are part of Dangcagan.

Valencia City, the fourth contingent, is the rice granary of Bukidnon, and thus portrays a bountiful harvest.

Their dances are thus more about farming. The tribes in Valencia this festival are Bukidnon and Pulangihon.

A child performer representing Damulog municipality, the fifth contingent

An elder dancer for Damulog. This Kaamulan, the tribes in attendance for Damulog are Manobo and Dungoanon.

A tribal family at the forefront of Kitaotao municipality, the sixth contingent. Kitaotao is also the winner of the 2013 Kaamulan street dance competition.

Kitaotao dancers. The tribes in Kitaotao are Manobo and Matigsalug.

Charming Manobo child performers for Don Carlos municipality, seventh contingent

Manobo dancers representing Don Carlos

The last contingent, Malaybalay, roused loud cheers from their home city.

Happy child dancers for Malaybalay. The Bukidnon tribe represents Malaybalay.

Talakag’s float is the grand prize winner of the float competition.

Kitaotao dancers jumped and cheered upon hearing of their victory in the street dance as well as the ground presentation competition.

It was a morning of gathering, celebrating, and remembering.

But more than just indigenous people’s pride and spectators’ appreciation of their culture, I believe “Kaamulan” – going back to one’s roots – has a deeper meaning. The festival for me is an invitation to reconnect to the ancient indigenous wisdom many of us Filipinos have forgotten or are forgetting. While technology is a welcome advancement, I believe we should not forget ancient wisdom, especially that which connects us as human beings to nature. And people from the indigenous tribes, especially the elders, live this wisdom. I believe people from cities can learn as much as – or even more from – indigenous group elders – as much as the indigenous people can learn from them.

Watching the festival strengthened my desire to know them more. I actually came close to tears a few times. I felt gratitude, overwhelming gratitude, to have this chance to see the rich spirit and culture of indigenous Filipinos, flow through my entire being. The effect on me was visceral and difficult to fully capture in words.

Getting such a meaningful glimpse of the vibrant spirit of the indigenous people during the Kaamulan Festival makes me excited about what I will experience when I get to know them more in the future.

Part of the Kaamulan soil painting by Higaonon artist Mawee Bangcong. “Kaamulan” is also written in baybayin above the Roman letters. Baybayin is a pre-colonial Filipino writing system often mistakenly called as alibata.

Bamboo Organ Festival Gala Night In Photos

Posted on February 22, 2013 by thelighttraveler

I am a local of Las Piñas City, home of the historic Bamboo Organ, declared a National Cultural Treasure, and so far known to be the only organ made almost entirely of bamboo in the whole world. Having lived in this city for more than 20 years, I am ashamed to admit that I have only listened to the Bamboo Organ a few times, and I have never even been to its yearly International Bamboo Organ Festival – that is, until last night.

Gala night, 38th International Bamboo Organ Festival at St. Joseph Parish Church, Las Piñas

After getting bitten by the travel bug, then backpacking around Visayas for seven weeks, and afterwards setting off on both local and overseas adventures, I began to have an appreciation of my humble home. There is indeed truth to the wisdom I gleaned from different travel quotes and inspirational books: travelers take home for granted then set off on adventures far away, only to realize the value of home when they go back – and sometimes, even before that.

As I write this, I am experiencing a distinct joy and thrill unique to an adventurer who has discovered adventure in her own home – and, who has the honor of inviting others to see for themselves the treasure her home has to offer.

And so, without further ado, here is a peek of what I experienced last night:

St. Joseph Parish Church, which houses the Bamboo Organ, looks more festive than usual.

This is the sign that greeted me upon entering the church grounds.

Hanging from up the church are colorful festival banners.

Belgian organist Peter Van de Velde playing lively passages at the Bamboo Organ. It was my first time to hear the Bamboo Organ played by a pro. When I first heard the Bamboo Organ as an adult, it was an almost spiritual experience for me. Now, hearing it played by an acclaimed musician was on a whole different level. I watched and listened to the Bamboo Organ Festival in YouTube videos before, but the experience was nowhere to hearing it live.

Conductor Eudenice Palaruan leads the Las Piñas Boys Choir (left), UP Music Education Chorale (right) and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (left and right) in a spellbinding performance.

The Las Piñas Boys Choir. Their powerful voices took me by surprise.

UP Music Education Chorale

I love the effect of the capiz chandeliers hanging from the church ceiling. Their stems are also made of bamboo, in keeping with the bamboo theme of St. Joseph Parish Church.

During the intermission, I met some friendly Bamboo Organ Festival ushers. I was able to talk to Jean (third from left) for some time, and found that she played the Bamboo Organ as a volunteer during Sunday Mass.

During the intermission, too, some Las Piñas Boys Choir members gamely posed for me.

This logo represents a decades-old Bamboo Organ tradition.

One of the musical performances had some members of the UP Music Education Chorale at one of the church corners, probably for acoustics.

The performers rise to take a bow.

View from the top. Guests and media could go up the balcony to have this view after the performance. I also saw some guests had their photos taken with the Bamboo Organ.

A closer view of the Bamboo Organ’s pipes

After the performances, I met and dined with some Las Piñas locals who are Bamboo Organ Foundation members. They give financial contributions to help make the annual Bamboo Organ Festival possible. One of them has been a member for ten years.

Meeting Jean, a volunteer organist and later, Bamboo Organ Foundation members, helped make me see the Bamboo Organ not just as a tourist spot one would occasionally visit, but something part of daily life, and at the same time, a cultural treasure that needs to be protected and maintained.

I will certainly listen to the Bamboo Organ again, festival or not. Why not hear it for yourself, too? =)

Below is the Bamboo Organ Festival schedule for this year. Performances open to the public start tonight. For a more detailed program for each performance night, click here.

(Photo taken from the Bamboo Organ Foundation)

Traveling Light

One Summer Day: A Love Story

10 Things to Do (And Not Do) to Have a Fun, Smooth-Sailing Apo Reef Adventure -Part 2

10 Things to Do (And Not Do) to Have a Fun, Smooth-Sailing Apo Reef Adventure -Part 1

My Facepalm-Worthy Moments aka What Not To Do When Traveling

9 Life Lessons From First-time Rock Climbing

The Need To Know Ourselves: How A Healthy Pride And Identity Can Help Us Filipinos And Other Nations

Not Your Usual Graduation: 4 Beliefs I Gave Up For Solo Travel And Adventure

8 Life Lessons I Learned From Inspiring Women Adventurers, Pathfinders And Teachers (A Women’s Day Tribute)

Kaamulan Festival Street Dance In Photos: A Glimpse of Bukidnon’s Rich Indigenous Spirit

Bamboo Organ Festival Gala Night In Photos

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