Ready or Not --Here I Come!

Remembering the Faithful Departed

July 30, 2008, 4:41 am (Excerpt from my Friendster Blog)
Filed under: Uncategorized

I was in grief for the past few days. Suffered the loss of a friend, Nong Manny, who died at the age of 32 because of multiple aneurism. Indeed, death is inevitable. It’s like a thief that robs you in the middle of the night. For some people, they fear death. Others welcome them just like a host entertaining an important visitor. A lot of us often say that at any rate, at any time and at a given circumstances, we are ready to face death and welcome it with arms wide open. But with a case like this, sometimes, the fear of death is most likely very traitorous. Who would have ever thought that a person as healthy and as lively as Nong Manny would die just like that.

The morning after our club’s vigil at the wake of Nong Manny, my eye bugs are terrible. Felt as if I’ve been crying for a century. I was shocked with the news of my co-teacher Ann, telling me of a tragedy that happened to one of our pupils. I couldn’t memorize the names of all my pupils but, when she mentioned about Patricia Kayle, I cried without even finding out what had happened. An innocent grade six pupil Patricia together with his older brother, Paul Kaydene, who also happened to be my former pupil and their youngest sister with their Mom, were trapped in their house on fire in the mid-morning of July 28. Their father was away from them during the incident and no one was saved in the burning house that caused them a very painful and tragic death. I was grasping for air. I couldn’t breath. My body shivers by the thought of it. I was still in denial. I was still hoping that maybe the news is not true. My sister who happens to be one of the closest friend of Patricia’s mom texted me and that confirmed everything. How can these be happening to a mother with three wonderful children dying a tragic death, whose husband was away for work? I couldn’t find correct answers to all my questions. I couldn’t even blame God for letting these things to happen. Maybe it is written in His hands. Maybe He has plans. Maybe He has His reasons. 

Yes, I can say, I’m afraid of death. I fear death because I have a lot of things to accomplish. I fear death because I’m not yet prepared. I fear death because I have so many plans and I haven’t reached my Personal Legend. I have a lot of things to pursue. But, what if one day, death would appear to me in the presence of a butterfly that would rest on my palm contentedly and ask me this question: “Are you ready?” Well, my
only reply would be: “Not yet. Not now”.

.

 We can never prognosticate the coming of death in our lives. It gives us no signs, no warnings, and just like the wind, it carries a certain message of affirmation that in death, we can perfectly say, we are at peace. No worries, just pure bliss.

 So while we are still aware of our breath, live life to the fullest and make each day as if it will be the last days of our lives.

Isabela

I Fell In Love With Isabela

April 21, 2009, 11:05 pm | Edit this
Filed under: Uncategorized

It’s been a week since I got home from my longest travel up North. I’m now stuck in my crib, taking a sip of iced tea while the sounds of Bossa n’ Marley simply filled the air with ease and comfort. Man, how I missed my bed.. and my pillow.. the smell of familiar satin sheets brought joy to me when I lull myself to sleep and lie comfortably in my old cranky bed. Thoughts came flashing back at Camp Samal, Tumauini, Isabela where I spent five long nights attending the 6^th National Rover Moot of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. I can still recall how we (Aina and I) managed to pitch our tents in the camp area all by ourselves and turned our campsite into a very sophisticated haven. Yes, our life back in Isabela has put a great impact in our lives.. I have learned to conserve everything from batteries of flashlight, food, clothing and my God, even water.. hmmm.. I can proudly say I can take a bath even with just a little supply of it. hehehe

campsite at Camp Samal, Tumauini

Hmmm.. how did all these things happen? Thanks to our Field Scout Executive who backed out from this trip and now, am reaping the many benefits that should suppose to be for him. Lucky me! Hay, God is so good talaga..

And as I recall, we left Kalibo last Tuesday, 14^th of April and arrived in Manila at 3:00 then proceeded at the Florida Bus Terminal in Sampaloc, boarded the bus at 7pm and arrived at Isabela the following day. It’s indeed a long travel, my butt ached and for a moment, I wanted to simply just stand and avoid having contact with chairs. Hehehe. We were greeted by hospitable rover scouts and pointed the area where we can pitch our tents.. And then, along came the rover scouts from Mandaluyong – the NSTP Team of Rizal Technological Univerity boys who adopted us and extended their generosity in letting us share a part of their camp area where we had pitch our tent. Huh, gentlemen are still abundant these days. These seven strong rover scouts of RTU made us feel so comfortable with them, as if we’ve been friends for so long, no hung-ups, no worries, nothing to be afraid of.. They’re all warm, and friendly, and generous.. an epitome of true scouts. Should I mention their names? huh..  (Sir Nick-(husband of Lloyd’s cousin whom I recently found out after a long talk) Sir Alex, Sir Ton, Sir Fred, Sir Renan, Echo, Zaldy, Christian and of course, Ralph –the latter’s really a cool guy. I must admit I was fascinated with his super great sense of humor that could simply move mountains, turns dead into a living creature and experience not even a single dull moment with him.. plus, he’s a hunk too!) Hmmmm, I guess I can afford to talk to him till wee hours in the morning without getting sleepy, and If I’m asked whom I wish to talk to if stuck in an elevator for one day or even for a week, well I guess it would probably be him. Hehehe

Rizal Technological University Rover Scouts - Mandaluyong

We participated in various in-camp activities, tried rappelling with Sir Victor Reyes, Sir Jerry Rubrico and the BFP Nueva Vizcaya Team as my tutors. ….Huh, I have uttered numerous prayers for all the Saints, begging for my safety while I was doing the “rappelling” thing. Thank God, I have cheated death. Hehehe  And because of my curiousity, I even tried Rope and Log Crossing and became a Spider Woman for a couple of minutes in the Samal Adventure Trek with Aina as my personal photographer.  Hehe yeah, sounds cool.

 I got chicken-hearted when I was offered to try the white water rafting at Cagayan River, I’ve wanted to do it but I got scared. Instead, I settled in helping the RTU boys in the raft making. Huh, lashings and lashings.. Knot-tying was just a piece of cake for me..

And how can I miss this special activity.. the Airsoft Challenge. I was given a lecture demonstration as to the safety rules and regulations and the proper way of playing it.. I was on the verge of really doing it but, my knees melted when I saw other scouts aching for a very painful shot.. well, you can’t blame me if I backed out, I’ve got good legs to protect to and a lovely face to attend to.. hehe Again, I got chicken-hearted and entertained myself simply by watching them play with great spirit of cooperation, unity and teamwork.. whew, I was so green with envy.. but at least, I was able to wear the gears, hold the airsoft gun and managed to give the best pose ever.. hehe picture-picture..

And for community immersion where rover scouts and roverettes are expected to render community service in various barangays, I suggested and designed a special activity relevant to community immersion where we (just Aina and I) explored the St. Mathias Church in Tumauini built in 1973 with a unique cylindrical belfry. Hired Kuya Roni, the tricycle driver who kept us company, drove us to Ilagan City where the famous “World’s Biggest Butaka” (Rocking Chair) which was featured in the Guiness Book of Record that stood 11 feet high and weighs 2,368 kilos. With a tricycle fare of 300php back and forth, we managed to explore all the must-see places in the Region of Cagayan Valley. So many places to see yet so little time.. We reached the campsite at 7Pm and indulged ourselves with a cold bottle of SanMig light back at Dona Juana, a not-so-high-end bar situated at the town proper of Tumauini. See? There’s a lot more to do than community immersions..

The nights spent at the campsite are so exciting.. I missed the sound of cicadas, the chirping of birds and frogs’ crackle.. It sounded like music to my ears and took me higher even than Bob Marley. We nourished our social life at the camp with the BSP National Office forerunners and big men who invited us to join them for two consecutive nights, courtesy of Sir Victor= our new found friend, as they exude with great pride in singing their national anthem which rocked the whole campsite by singing “My Way”. Not to mention the long talks and funny chit-chats with the RTU boys especially with Ralph, under the shady tree, beside our tent, with the camping lantern that stood before us and my lovely hammock that served as living witness to two souls connected by unexpected circumstances ..  ano daw?! Hehehe

But every beginning has an end, and every hello has its corresponding goodbye. The day before we break camp, the RTU boys, (four of them are true blue residents of Isabela) invited us (again,just Aina and myself) to join them to attend lunch at a particular wedding –(a cousin of Sir Alex and Sir Nick) We devoured sumptuous food and the residents treated us as presidential candidates..  ate as if it was our last meal. Hehe They drove us back home at our campsite, bid us goodbye, thanked us for the many memories and they proceeded to Cabagan, the next town from Tumauini.. Parting with him,.. este, with them pala brings sadness into our hearts but, life has to move on..

 With our backpacks on, we headed to Tuguegarao City - the Capital and the Regional Center of Cagayan, 45 minutes drive from Tumauini, dropped by at St. Peter & Paul Cathedral and filled our empty stomach at Jollibee and then boarded the bus at the Victory Liner Terminal by 7PM, arrived Manila at 10:30 the following day.. well, ever wondered what we did while on the bus? Sleep,eat,sleep.. hehehe

We spent the remaining days sleeping, regaining our lost strength and then exhibited marathon skills in trying to keep up with a fast-paced city life the next morning, shopped at SM mall of Asia.

With empty heart.. and empty wallets.. we took the flight back home..

I have enjoyed every single moment spent at Isabela, I have gained so many friends, but I was hoping I could find a lover,too.. hehehe not meant. Just kidding.. I was able to experience the joy of meeting new places and new faces.. conquered fears.. sailed with the spontaneity of events.. lived my life as if my last.. learned new things and learned Ibanag words, helped the scouting movement by creating better scouts simply by being one..

Yes, I fell in love with Isabela. And I will continue to fall in love with her ‘till my gray-hair days.

Mabbalo Tani Kamu, People of Isabela…