Just got back from another trip to the Visayas, my 3rd time to be in Dumaguete in the span of 1 month. Why do I love leaving my life in Manila and wish that I made the choice of living a simpler life away from all the superficialities of citylife. No malls, no noise, no traffic, just open spaces, solitude and oneness with my maker. Nothing compares to seeing the bluest of blue skies, torquise waters, green mountains, clear lakes and streams, and deserted white sand beaches. I was in love in Boracay when it was pure, but commercialism reared its ugly head, so I decided to break off my with my ongoing love affair with the island and set to new places. Just like any expedition, what lies ahead is something to look forward to.
When I returned to Dumaguete, I was hoping to see more places, and I did. I went all the way to Mount Canlaon, and passed by 10 towns I think. The last time I traversed Negros Island was in 1999, from Bacolod all the way to Dumaguete, and got stuck in a sleepy town called San Carlos. I could imagine the lives of landowners when Negros was the toast of economic prosperity, when the sugar produced in the island could supply the world's demand. Seeing the old grand houses and the "azucareras" beside them was like travelling back in time, minus the sepia-toned imagery. Near Dumaguete, my friend brought me to this place called Valencia. The place, Forest Camp, is a sensory overload. The stream flowing in all directions, making its path in huge boulders, creates a peaceful scenery.
Siquijor, an enchanting island I wanted to visit since the '90s, finally is a dream realized. Upon embarking in Siquijor, Siquijor after a seasick-causing boat ride, I finally knew what the feeling of transported back in time. "Bahay na bato" abounds in the island, which could be traversed in less than a day, using a circumferential main road. Seeing the old limestone churches of Siquijor, even if quite new by standard since they were just constructed in mid-1800s, was a sight to behold. Wlalking inside San Isidro Labrador in Lazi was spine tingling, I haven't seen a church where the flooring was made with wooden planks to cover the soil underneath, and it smelled of earth still, or was it bat droppings? The convent is literally a huge one, leaving to its claim as the biggest in Asia. Although now slightly deserted and worned out, the convent is a living testament that Spain did its fair share of building grandiose projects, using "polo" or forced labor, no wonder Imelda was so enamored in building a lot during her husband's term. Imeldific is an apt term to describe these churches.
I have a new hobby lately, taking photos of Jose Rizal's monument in every plaza that I visit. And come to think of it, Jose Rizal is something constant in all places in the country, I just hope he could exact the purpose of standing in every plaza. May he engrained to the mind of his fellowmen that the reason he is standing in a pedestal is because he used his God-given talents to rescue his country from bondage. Either painted in white or black, the Jose Rizal statues are basically the same, no more no less. I am happy that Rizal is our national hero, at least he is regal. Imagine seeing another hero standing holding a "tabak" or "bolo", isn't that barbaric?
Anyway, the beaches of Siquijor are comparable to Boracay. I never thought that another island could rival Boracay's sand, and I gave up searching for another beach. I am so happy that Siquijor is unspoiled, no garbage, no swimmers, am I being to selfish? I just hate seeing those morons in Boracay throwing their shit around. None of that in Siquijor, they even segregate. I am just hoping the airstrip stays that way, a useless piece of land that can not service a 747. Let Siquijor be unexplored.
I do not know if I make sense, is spending hard-earned money travelling good for me? Does it nourish my soul? I am hoping that in the end, all the memories I gathered from travelling alone will serve its purpose when I reach old age. I know that I will grow old alone, and those memories will be too much to swallow, that I didn't get to share them with anyone. I just remembered Forrest Gump, when he was lying next to a dying Jenny, that how he always think of Jenny in all of his travels. If the country is composed of 7,701 islands, I am down to my first 10, Luzon, Mindoro, Boracay, Mindanao, Negros, Panay, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Apo island, not bad, I am turning 33 soon, and I will try my darn best to vist 3 every year. Next stop? Palawan, Batanes, Guimaras, but what if I decide to do Hundred Islands? That will be faster, 7,691 islands to go then.
Again, Lord, thank you very much for giving me the grace to see your face in your beautiful creations. I am so humble that you were there with me always, whether its a sunrise, a sunset, a flying egret in th mangroves, the clownfish and starfish underwater, the playful dolphins, the mighty acacia or balete tree, Lord, I am so amazed that you created all of those things for us to appreciate.
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