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 6th 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
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| 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, 14th 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
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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…
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