That Cebuano Wanderer

Alone in Oslob

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:14:00 +0000

Last Saturday’s trip to Oslob was unplanned. It was one of those random rides I took that brought me to the southern town.

The whole week I’ve been feeling, like, that I needed to get away from the city. Work wasn’t really boring or difficult that week but the office just felt not my place. That I needed to leave the city and have some me time.

A quick escape, I did.

So, mid-morning yesterday; I took a ride to the bus terminal with no destination in mind. When I reached the terminal, I initially decided to go to Badian to see the re-naturalized Kawasan Falls; but then, I had to wait for an hour for the next bus to arrive. Instead, I took a bus to Oslob and reached the southern town at almost 12 noon.

So, what was I doing in Oslob? What did I do in Oslob? I was just practically staying and going around the town center, though it included a lot of walking, a few sitting, basking in the sun, hiding from the sun and enjoying the cool sea wind all by my lonesome. Plus, lunch al fresco.

I went back to the city at around 5 PM.

You might be wondering. I was basically in Oslob, how come I did not go and watch the whale sharks? Whale shark watching was not a part of the plan. The trip was unplanned, how come a visit to see the butandings wasn’t a part of a non-plan? It wasn’t because I didn’t want to. I do want to see the Rhincodon typus-es but not the ones in Oslob. I have my objections about how they handle the whale shark visits. Plus, it’s a bit pricey—cheapskate, much?

Sinulog and Balloon Release

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:52:00 +0000

There are only two things I hate about the Sinulog period: the congested traffic of Cebu City and mass-balloon release.

As a kid, I had this book on dolphins and whales—a picture/activity/early reading book which I got from an aunt in Australia. It was one of my favorite books at that time—I believe—that is why it succumbed to its ill usage or overuse by me. From that book—I really can’t remember the title—I first read about the hazards posed by the released balloons to wildlife.

Although the sight of hundreds of balloons in the air is fascinating, we should take note that these balloons don’t just disappear—they end up as litter and marine debris. Natural rubber is biodegradable but it takes months or a year to decompose. A fallen deflated balloon from balloon releases can be ingested by an animal or entangle an animal. The string or ribbon from the balloon can entangle birds—preventing movement and flight and starving the animal. Deflated balloons pose a greater threat to marine animals. Whales, dolphins and turtles may mistake them for prey—squid and jellyfish—and ingest them.

A bird with a tangled beak.
Photo courtesy of The Ocean Conservancy

Of course, there are other occasions where balloons are allowed to float into the sky but the Sinulog period is a ‘mass-release’ machinery. On a regular day, balloons are a ubiquity in the immediate vicinity of churches but during the Sinulog period balloons and balloon vendors can be found as far as the docks in Mandaue and in the routes of the Translacion and the Sinulog Grand Parade. Balloon release is a common activity during the 11-day Sinulog period. Devotees do them at least once in one or more days starting from the first day of the novena to the day of Sinulog Grand Parade. Devotees write their prayers in paper and attach them to the balloons which they then release in the air. In other times, a balloon is released—without the paper—as a sign of prayer, devotion or celebration. In the last three days of the Sinulog more and more balloons are released—during the Translacion, the parade at sea and on the feast day of the Santo Niño de Cebu. Sadly, a lot of these people who release balloons in the air are not aware of the balloon’s harmful effects. I’m not a spoilsport and I admire the Cebuano’s devotion but I think we can do away with the balloons. God is a know-it-all, right?

Balloons dot the sky.

Balloons get tangled in the power lines.

SINULOG 2013: Balloons released as image of Sto. Nino passes Osmeña Blvd #sinuloglive @julitjainar pic.twitter.com/vOmsCtTk
— The Freeman (@TheFreemanNews) January 19, 2013

Balloon releases are illegal in several states in the

. In the United Kingdom, organizations like the Marine Conversation Society and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals oppose balloon releases. Sadly, in Cebu or in the Philippines there are no laws that regulate the release of balloons—if there is or if there will be such a law, the government would have to work hard to implement the policies since most of the laws here in the Philippines are not properly enforced.

Balloon flowers

Balloon rosary

Earlier today, I saw one of those overused more-fun-in-the-Philippines memes. The internet photo meme was an image of a balloon release in Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino and it read Balloons in the Air: More Fun in the Philippines. Yes, balloons-in-the-air is an impressive sight but, at the same time, it is a harbinger. Balloons kill.

All Aboard! My Visit to MV Logos Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:36:00 +0000

Yesterday, while everyone was having fun in the Sinulog celebrations, I was aboard a ship—the MV Logos Hope—touted as the World’s Largest Floating Bookshop.

I first learned about the MV Logos Hope’s impending arrival last December, when I read about it in the local paper.

When the ship finally arrived last Tuesday, I’ve been itching to visit the refitted car ferry. I promised my self not to miss the ship’s visit since I missed out on the previous visits of its sister ship—the MV Doulos. I was also very excited to get a bargain on books sold in the ship.

The visitor's guide and map.

MV Logos Hope is operated by the German charitable Christian organisation GBA Ships e.V. It is the fourth ship, the only ship currently, operated by the organization and the third ship named Logos, preceded by MV Logos and MV Logos II. It is twice as big as any previous GBA ship.

Logos Hope originated in Rendsburg, Germany, in 1973, as the car ferry Gustav Vasa under Lion Ferry AB. For 10 years, she plied a regular route between Malmö, Sweden and Travemünde, Germany, which was later extended to include Rønne, Denmark and Trelleborg, Sweden.

MV Logos Hope as MV Norröna
in the harbor of Torshavn in 1997

In April 1983, the ship was bought by the Faroese ferry company Smyril Line, and renamed Norröna. She sailed from Torshavn, the Faroese capital, to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Bergen, Norway, Hanstholm, Denmark and Seyðisfjörður, Iceland during summer.

In 2003, when Smyril Line delivered a new Norröna, she was renamed Norröna I and was put up for sale. GBA Ships purchased her in March 2004 and officially went in to service as MV Logos Hope in February 2009.

Back to last Sunday, around 3 PM, I decided to check the ship. I took a jeepney, got off at the Cebu Technological University at around 5 PM, and walked to the ports—the traffic was very congested that day and I never got to ride a jeepney until after an hour of waiting.

I reached the docks by foot in 15 to 20 minutes, dodging jeepneys and the heavy crowd. After submitting my bag for the security check at the port entrance, I went to get a ticket. Luckily, the queue for the tickets was not very long. The tickets cost 20 pesos each. Children 12 years old and below can visit the ship for free.

Upon entering the ship, one will feel most welcome with the friendly smiles of the crew—some of them even greeted us good afternoon in Cebuano.

The lifeboat mini-theater.
(Photo by Jee Tee Cee)

Inside the welcome lounge: facing the entrance is the information kiosk; going forward is the ship’s lifeboat mini-theater, where we watched a 2-minute clip introduction about the ship; and across the mini-theater, on the wall, is a timeline of the ships of GBA Ships e.V.

These two would have cost me 400 pesos more
in the local bookstore.

After the short introduction, we moved going forward to the bookshop, which is behind the lifeboat mini-theater. The ship’s displays include thousands of titles ranging from Christian literature, fiction, general references, children’s books, cookbooks and self-help books, and the Classics. The ship also sells CDs and DVDs, as well as, souvenir mugs, caps, key rings, and flash drives.

It was easy to lose track of time in the ship. In fact, I spent almost 3 hours in the bookshop—I usually stay long in bookstores and libraries—I bask in the presence of books. I was browsing from one shelf to another—reading, flipping the pages, and looking at the pictures. I was walking around the book fair, checking books from port to starboard. It took me a long time to find the Classics, passed the section a couple of times. When I found the section, I took time to decide which to buy. I couldn’t decide between The Adventures and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, Ben-Hur, and The Best of Sherlock Holmes. I was originally looking for Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations but only found Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

From the bookstore, beyond the cash desks, I entered the Journey of Life. In this section of the ship—or maze—one can follow the life of the Prodigal Son.

The Prodigal Son went to the
casino to play some slots.

After journeying through life with the Prodigal Son, I proceeded to the theater. According to the guide that they handed out, the theater is the place where you’ll never know exactly what to expect. Still according to the guide, it is where one can listen to the crew talk about their various jobs in the ship. Too bad I failed to catch the crew, maybe when I re-visit the ship, one of these days, I’d get to listen to them.

Next to the theatre is the ship’s I-Café. The ship’s international café serves cookies, sodas, popcorn, cakes, waffles, and ice cream. The café is also where the visitors get to interact with the crew closely. Kids can hang out in the children’s corner with some of the crew. Other crew members join the visitors in their table.

Chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

The café was fully occupied when I got in. I did not get a seat on the table. I positioned my lonesome in one of the seatless tall tables by the wall. I had ice cream—chocolate and vanilla in one cone—and later found out that the guy at the next table was my Physics lab teacher. I had to go away. I didn’t want to get in to a conversation with my teacher about Physics—Physics is a favorite though.

Before getting off the ship, I wanted to watch the mini-show. Sadly, the tickets sold out. I also wanted to go up the ship's bridge. Too bad the bridge is off limits.

My visit to MV Logos Hope was fun and inspiring—a bit overwhelming. I got to buy two good reads. I got to learn a lot about the ship and the crew and their mission.

The ship's mascot El Capitano.

Inside the ship, I was getting goose bumps. I realized that working as a volunteer aboard Logos Hope is a dream job. Yes, it is. Who doesn’t want to see the world? The chance to share knowledge and the chance to meet and help people makes the job fulfilling. Trust me, I used to help people solve their problems online and on the phone, I know what fulfilment means. Volunteer work in the ship is different from my previous job—but not very different—both jobs are about helping other people.

I wished I had ways to stay longer in the ship. The ship gave me a similar feel I get, as a kid, when I enter a toy shop or a book store—the I-want-to-live-here feeling. I don’t live in the ship so I had to disembark. I can stow away—no, I can’t. Surely, I’ll visit the ship in the following days. I still have to watch the crew’s mini-show, buy more books, and enjoy MV Logos Hope while it is still quayed up in Cebu. It is the ship’s first ever visit in Cebu and in the Philippines. I hope I get to visit MV Logos Hope the next time it docks in Cebu after traveling the world.

Argao: After the Race

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:58:00 +0000

I wanted to be recognized for finishing the race but instead it was some guy’s name that the announcer called out. It did not matter really, I was glad to have finished my race.

After the race

Though I was able to wash up in the park, I still needed a bath. After I got my after-race refreshment, I went to get my bags. Then I went to meet up with my classmate and her posse and asked if they wanted to use the shower in my room in the pension house. They declined since they were able to use the parks wash room to clean up. After taking my leave, I went on my way.

This is how the dark road looks during daylight.

On my way going the pension house, I passed through the same road I traversed the night before—the pitch dark road. Along the way, I met up an old man who was on his way to his house. He just walked up to me and asked where I was going—the scary approach. Since his house was half-way way towards my destination, he tagged along with me. I didn’t stop him—I did not have the chance to decline his offer to join me on the road—he just went and said in Cebuano, ‘I’ll join you on your way.’

The man was very friendly and very chatty. He dominated the conversation. He talked and talked. All the time, I was the one listening. I enjoyed the company and the talk. It kept me from thinking about how tired I was.

The guy talked about his travels. He has lived in some parts of Mindanao, in Negros and in other parts of the Visayas. ‘You’re not an NPA, are you?,’ I asked. He just laughed. He was originally from Pardo. After moving around the southern Philippines, he went back to his family in Pardo. He and his family later concluded that the city air was not for them—they moved again—and ended up in Argao. He told me he and his family had been living in Argao for a year and a half.

A rice nursery of some sort.

When we reached the highway, we parted ways. For me to reach my place, I had to turn right while his house was on going left. Before he went on his way, he shook my hand and introduced himself to me—I’m sorry but I forgot his name. ‘If you visit Argao next time, feel free to drop by our home,’ he said. I said, ‘I will’ and then we went on our separate ways. Too bad, the old man had more stories to tell. I was enjoying our short-lived bonding. It felt like those scenes in the films with a boy hanging out with his grandfather. I wasn’t close to my gramps—he was ill-tempered and he was smelly—he did not take baths. I met other grandfathers growing up—I live in a compound where everyone is a relative—none of my old men were the grandfatherly type.

Low tide, outside my window during brunch.

Upon reaching the house, I right away went to the shower. I was inside the bathroom for an hour—I take long baths—sometimes longer. After I got cleaned up, I packed my bags and then I checked out. I took my brunch in the boulevard. I walked around. I went to the beach. I wanted to go for a swim. Unluckily, the sea was on its lowest level that day. I went back to the park and got two turns with the zip. The zip-line was available to the participants of the run for free. After I took one last look around area, I walked going to the bus stop. Sniff! Sniff! It was around 11:30 AM. When I got my water and snacks for the travel, I then took a Ceres bus going back to the city.

Going home.

Argao: The Mud Run

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:03:00 +0000

The bus stopped right in front of my face. A little closer then I would have been a fatality. When the bus left, I continued on my way.

The Mud Run

Finally, I reached the nature park. I asked a runner, who was with me on the same bus going to Argao, for the courtesy booth. After I deposited my bag, I bumped in to an old friend—a high school classmate. Though I’ve seen her in a couple of times in the previous races I’ve joined. I never really came up to her. You can’t blame me for staying away from my high school classmates. I called out her name. She answered, ‘Uy, Carl!’ I don’t know what made me call out to her at that time. Perhaps, inside, I was happy that in a distant new place I met someone I already knew.

After some catching up, she invited me to join her group. She came with her boyfriend, her brother and her brother’s girlfriend.

Finally, the race was on. At the start I was very fast, I was a little behind my classmate and her boyfriend. Fact: You’ll run faster if you run with your friends. I was not behind nor leading the race. I was ahead of the middle-runners until the road started to go uphill.

Route info

Going uphill I was already walking. We went up and passed by the Riverstone Castle Resort. And still we kept on going uphill. A girl runner said, ‘It seems to me that we’re going up and up the mountain. Are we ever going downhill and back to the finish line? Seems to me we are not.’ It made me smile. Fact: Smiling makes you run faster. I was happy when I reached the top where the path was already flat, I ran as fast to catch up with the other racers. I love it when I out run the other runners. It was a fun run though the route was both rocky and muddy.

Going downhill, I slowed down my pace so as not slip and roll down the hill. A slow pace, going downhill, was not a pace I can keep. I tried to out run another runner to show off to the people, who came out of there houses to watch us. Running downhill was gravity-driven. When I started running faster, it seems that I can not stop. I just continued on going down. The velocity of a body remains constant unless the body is acted upon by an external force. It was faster and easier, though scarier, going downhill compared to going uphill.

Going to the finish line.

Finally, I was on flat land. The route went through rice paddies and through roads paved or unpaved. The paved road was my marker that I am nearing the finish line. Residents, whose houses are located along the route, went out with their children and dogs to watch us. Though I wanted to show off and run fast in front of them, I had to slow down seeing the dog. I did not want the dog to chase and jump behind me. Another turn, I was back to the road where we started—finish line—at last.

A few meters before the finish, instead of continuing through the road, we had to turn left and jump in to the muddy rice paddy—that’s why it was called Mud Run. I have no qualms getting in to the mud, unlike most participant of the race. One runner—some varsity athlete—even ditched the mud pool. He went through the finish line following the road. After removing my shoes, I jumped to the muddy pit and ran even though it was difficult since the mud was inches above my knees. It was a race; I did not allow the mud to slow me down. Some of the participants took their time through the muddy obstacle, like they were on a tight spot and that they needed to face the problem slowly and calmly.

Instead of continuing through the road, you jump in to the mud and follow the flags.

When I got through the mud pool, I just walked, slowly, going to the finish line. I was not able to put my shoes back on since my feet were very muddy—I wasn't able to run since the pebbles hurt my feet. I finished the race after an hour, five minutes and twenty four seconds. I ran seven kilometers. My time was disappointing—I can do better—way better. I wanted to hear my named called out when I crossed the finish line. I wanted to be recognized for finishing the race but instead it was some guy’s name that the announcer called out. It did not matter really, I was glad to have finished my race.

Argao

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Argao is a 1st class municipality in located at the southeastern portion of the province of Cebu, approximately 68 kilometers from Cebu City.

Going to Argao

The idea of traveling to Argao and participating in the Argao Mud Run has been discomforting. I’ve always wanted to go to the southern town. I was very excited since it would be my first visit to the place. Well, I’ve traveled farther down south, passing through the town, but I’ve never really stopped in Argao. I asked some runner friends if they are joining the race—they said, ‘No, it is a very far place.’ I also asked some friends if they wanted to come with me to Argao even if they won’t participate in the fun run—they also said, ‘No.’

January 21, Friday, two days before the race: I was able to talk to one of the organizers on the phone regarding the race. The guy on the phone informed me that they will be providing a free bus ride to Argao to the participants. The bus will be stationed near the Fuente Osmena Circle, by the Chong Hua Hospital entrance, on the afternoon before the race. According to the organizer, the bus ride will be available on a first come, first served basis and will leave for Argao at around 4 PM.

Saturday, the day before the race: after spending the whole morning and the early afternoon thinking about going to Argao, I decided at the last minute to join the 1st Argao Mud Run. I was only able to make up my mind at around 3 PM. I only have an hour to travel from my house going to the bus pick-up station. One other problem is the heavy traffic during the weekends, especially in the afternoon where most people are on their way to the malls.

I had no time to waste; I right away packed my bags. Yes, bags, it was more than one—a sling travel bag and a shoe bag. ‘I am going to Argao to join the fun run,’ I told my parents while I was running on my way out of the house. They didn’t have the time to disapprove and they didn’t have time to remind me of my manners—they were entertaining a cousin, a visitor, at that time. I was in a hurry. I even skipped my bath. I got a jeepney, with route number 21B, going to the pick-up site. I arrived at the Fuente at around 4:15 PM and was relieved to see that the bus was still around. I’ve thought of taking a bus in the South Bus Terminal if I was not able to catch the free pick-up.

An hour later, we were off to Argao. The driver was very kind to wait for the other runners. The travel going to the southern town was smooth though I really did not enjoy it. Blame chivalry! I was seated beside the aisle; I prefer to sit by the window. A lady asked if she could take my seat by the window—I was such a gentleman, I gave her my seat. Honestly, I was too shy to say no to her.

By-the-aisle-seats are scorned because: you are awoken from your sleep every time someone passes by, your face is in danger of being hit by the other passengers’ backpacks as they pass by and a walking passenger may grab you when they loose their balance. The thing I dislike the most about the by-the-aisle-seat is that it is beside the vendor’s spot—perhaps this only apply in the Philippines.

Sometime during your travel vendors may go up the bus to sell their merchandise. The most common items they sell are snacks: junk food, peanuts, chicharon and the like. I have nothing against vendors walking around the aisle selling their merchandise—I just hate the smell of vinegar. Vinegar, to me, is like garlic to a vampire. Chicharon and vinegar are inseparable. It is already expected that the vendors will carry them around.

We arrived at the Argao Nature Park at around 6 to 7 PM. It was already very dark. Everyone went, right away, to pitching their tents while the others went to find a place to eat and a place to sleep. Me, I found a seat in the park’s dining hall and waited for the organizers. The organizers were so disorganized—they were not able to find my race kit and instead gave me another person’s race number.

Outside the Nature Park.

After I got my race kit, I went out and looked for a place to have dinner. I asked a local, a friend of one of the organizers, where I can eat. He told me of a place they call the boulevard—it was a strip of carenderias and barbecue stalls beside the highway and overlooking the beach. He pointed me to a dark unpaved road and told me if I went straight I’ll reach the main road and if I follow the main road going right, in a few steps, I can reach the said spot. It was nice of him to offer to look for a trisikad or a tricycle, for me to take to reach the boulevard. I declined his offer and decided to walk alone through the dark road. He tried to stop me but I was unstoppable. I was proud and I was brave. Before I left, he assured me—I made him—that there was no ravine or there were no holes where I can fall to my death. The only thing he couldn’t assure me was not stepping on mud, a snake or cattle dung.

The pond inside the park.

At the starting point (snickers!), the place where the light from the plaza and the darkness of the road met, I reached inside my bag to look for my headlight—the one I got from the Energizer Night Race—to my disappointment, I wasn’t able to bring it. That’s what I got for rush packing. With only a dim light from my phone and the shy moonlight to light my path, I went on my way. While traversing the dark passage, I was surprised and scared to death, seeing a group of women praying at a scarcely lighted wooden shrine. They were also surprised to see me come out of the dark. I looked invisible in the dark. I nodded at the women and continued on my way.

Those aren't UFOs.

I was already halfway when I felt going back my steps. It was too dark to continue but it was also too dark to go back. It was very dark but I kept walking. When I saw lights—coming from the vehicles traversing the high way—I ran never minding if I’d stumble. What a scaredy cat? I reached the highway in fifteen minutes and continued on my way to the food stalls.

A look behind the barbecue stalls.

I was famished when I reached the stalls. I had two pork chops, an order of rice and lemon soda. After the delayed repast, I went to the sari-sari store, which was three stalls away from the carenderia where I had my meal. I bought three one-liter bottles mineral of water—I drink a lot of water. I also bought three packs of potato chips and mints to counteract the meat's fatty aftertaste. Their prices were higher than the prices in the city. I also asked for a good place to spend the night. The nice old lady, she wasn’t very old, told to me proceed right, a few steps away, to get to the pension house.

When I reached the pension house, I found out that the other runners were also checked in in the same house. I got a room for 1000 pesos. The room included an air conditioner, a bath, a TV, a fridge, a dinning table, and a small kitchen with an electric stove, an oven toaster, water heater and cutlery. The room was kind of lonely though. The room was quiet, but not quite, from my room I was able to hear the passing of buses and motorcycles in the highway. The highway is in between the house and the beach. I would have preferred to listen to the crickets and the sea but the crickets' chirpings were too distant and were easily drowned by the zooming of vehicles. The sea was very silent.

When I turned on the TV, I found out I only have two choices of channels—ABS-CBN and GMA—both have bad signal in the area. I played MP3s on my phone instead and went to take a shower. I did not get to enjoy my bath that much. I was in the middle of my bath when the lights went out. There was a blackout. I quickly finished bathing and slipped on my clothes. I sat outside, in the stairs, where it was not very dark.

My room

For almost two hours there was no power—the lights did not come back on until 9 PM—I decided to go to sleep. Though I don’t sleep without the lights on, I jumped in to bed. However, it wasn’t until the power came back on that I fell asleep. My sleep was very good. I slept straight. I woke up at a quarter before 4 AM—I didn’t need any alarm. I did set my phone alarm at 4 AM—I always got up very early when I sleep in unfamiliar places or in other people’s home.

The pension house as seen from the beach.

After taking a refreshing bath, I went right away to the Argao Nature Park. The starting line was right outside the park. I went out when it was still very dark. There was only one store open. The store owner offered me puto maya for breakfast but I had to decline since I don’t eat breakfast before I run. I tried to look for a tricycle but the highway was empty. One tricycle passed by but it was fully occupied. Unable to find a ride, I decided to walk going to the park.

I didn’t want to pass through the dark unpaved road that I traversed on Saturday night; I decided to go around and along the highway and through the main road to the plaza where it was heavily lighted.

It was still very dark. Plus, the shadow of the large trees contributed to the darkness. For a stranger in a new place, it was brave of me to walk around Argao's dark roads. I was happy to see a lighted corner and a guy waiting for a bus. At first, the guy was facing the other way; he didn’t see me coming towards him. He turned around and the sight of me gave him a tremble. He yelled out, ‘Kuyawa nako nimo dong!’

‘Ga-puti pa gyud ka. Hastang kuyawa gyud nako nimo dong.’ he added.

‘Sorry ‘nong! Padung man gud ko sa nature park.’

‘Kasayo gud. Mag-unsa man ka didto?’

‘Apil man ko sa mud run.’

‘Aw, apil diay ka ato dong.’

‘Layo pa ba ang eskena padung didto ‘nong?’

‘Duol na lang. Ara dira straight ka gamay niya abot na ka sa eskena.’

‘Salamat manong. Sorry pud wala gyud tuyo-a.’

‘Wala ra ‘to! Nia nay bus ay. Mo-sakay na ko.’

The bus stopped right in front of my face. A little closer then I would have been a fatality. When the bus left, I continued on my way.

The Firsts and the First Time in Maasin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:21:00 +0000

At the same time today, last year, I was in Maasin. It was a short trip, a long planned trip that didn’t go as planned, to the capital of Southern Leyte. Though a short visit—a very quick one for me—yet it was one of my most memorable travels. It was fun and memorable for the following reasons:

Flag of Southern Leyte

* It was my first encounter with a ship’s manifest

Call me silly or ignorant but I was very happy to be writing my name, for the first time, in a ship’s manifest. It was like signing an autograph—it’s official—a real sea travel.

* It was the first time I rode a barko.

By barko, I mean the ferries that ply the Visayas—it’s smaller compared to the ships that travel from Cebu to Manila (southern Philippines to Luzon) but bigger than the barges and ferryboats that travel from Cebu to Mactan.

We were unable to get a trip direct to Maasin at that time so we decided to take a ship going to Bato, Leyte and travel by bus to Maasin. Our ship left port in Cebu at around midnight when departure was supposedly 10 PM—the ship was beyond weight limit. During the whole trip going to Leyte, I wasn’t able to sleep, I wasn’t sleepy. I was excited to be taking my first barko ride at the same time I was afraid that our ship might sink. You can’t blame me—at that time, the MV Princess of the Stars recently capsized and rescue-and-retrievals was ongoing.

Photo by: WP User: Howard the Duck

* It was the first time I went outside the limits of the Province of Cebu.

Believe it or not, I haven’t traveled outside the province of Cebu until that time. Why? It’s mainly because I get motion sickness and perhaps the need to get out of the political limits of Cebu province never came up. Of course I’ve gone outside mainland Cebu, the island of Cebu, many times when we hit the beaches of Mactan Island. I’ve also gone, when I was younger, to the Camotes islands—the waves during our trip going to Camotes scared the hell out of little me. Mactan and Camotes may be separate islands but they are still part of Cebu—they are still home—so they don’t really count.

* It was the first time I’ve traveled with friends and not with a chaperon.

I'm not sure if we took Roble from Cebu to Maasin
or from Hilongos to Cebu.
Photo by: dutchpickle

I’m a tag-along and I’ve tagged along with people to almost every town in Cebu. I used to live in the eastern side of Cebu and have traveled north, west, south and around the island but, at that time, I haven’t really traveled alone or sans an adult. All of my travels around Cebu are with my folks, my folk’s folks, with an adult in my very big extended family or with an adult other than my relatives—like during a school trip.

When we did travel to Maasin it was still with parents, but hey, it wasn’t us who tagged along with my friend’s parents. It was the other way around. And, my friends and I were already adults at that time.

* Lastly, it was my first visit to Maasin and the first time I set foot in Southern Leyte.

At the same time today, last year, I was in Maasin. On a long planned trip to the beautiful capital of Southern Leyte that didn’t go as planned and which I will be writing about in my next post.