Fac ut Vivas

It’s been a long time.

No excuses this time.

—– I —–

October 31, 2006 (Tuesday)

After having our lunch at the Lagoon (right after Mantigue), we went about the town inquiring about Lanzones/and the prices of hired pump-boats and jeepneys. Our friends were due to arrive on Thursday and we haven’t done much to ensure that their one-day stay would take them to as many places as possible. Me, myself, I’ve barely begun touring around.

That afternoon (maybe 3 or 4 pm), we went to Paras Beach Resort, one of Island’s "hottest" locations. It’s got a restaurant, swimming pool, pool table/table tennis, and it’s on the coast overlooking the white island.

"Mabuhay Magazine"/"Wow Philippines" pictorial.

"Wish you were here" shot.

Sunset over Paras

I went into the fortified dock where the colored flags were stuck fast to the ground covered in rocks to get a better view of sunset. With my shotgun (of a camera) in hand, I took about 20 shots of the fading sun.

And down she goes …

That night we had our dinner at the resort, grilled Marlin and kinilaw (again). Then we talked about our mundane existence back at UP.

I remember telling her that it would seem unfair (to her family and friends) that I enjoyed her full attention and company, so I suggested that we look for a place where I could spend the rest of tomorrow while she catches up with her old friends.

Paras resort was out of the question because the price for one day/night alone could be used to fund other less expensive activities.

By 8pm we were back in town and went for a walk around and perhaps beyond. It is fortunate that we still get to enjoy this bit of activity in Camiguin. Back at Manila, that would be risky as snatchers and muggers were prowling about under the cover of darkness.

Unfortunately, all other options (accomodations) were either too expensive (for mere mortals, at least) or fully-booked, so we had agreed that tomorrow, I shouldn’t be much of a bother to her when she meets up with her high-school buddies.

We went back, talked some more. It must have been midnight when we finally hit dreamland.

November 1, 2006 (Wednesday)

We woke up later than usual (about 8am). Then Gina had a wonderful idea, why not go biking? Instead of hiring multicabs or riding the habal-habal, we could go places riding mountain-bikes!

On the way, we stopped by to see her Aunt, we asked her if we could hire her multicab. Our friends were already well acquainted with the driver (they had been to Camiguin before, 2003, and hired the same guy for the tour).

… Meanwhile, two days ago, on the way to the jump-off to the white island, I saw a billboard with an advertisement for bikes at Gecko’s.

It was beside the cemetery. When we got off the multicab at Gecko’s, kids with candles lost no time in selling us their wares. Unfortunately, while the rest of the country was deep in remembrance of the departed, we were trying to secure two bikes.

I asked Gina if she would be visiting hers today, she says she would, but not today.
That was it, I guess.

The bikes in question were with the owner. It didn’t come cheap either, about 400 bucks. We haggled a bit and got it down to 300. When the owner agreed (over the phone), his henchman, brought us to "the stuff" at the other Gecko.

When we got to the other Gecko, we were surprised to find that it was 10 mins away from Gina’s house. Geez. We could have saved some time.

Maybe the bikes weren’t used for a long time because it had a squeaky look and the tires were deflated. To compound it all, it would also be Gina’s first time too in a long while, so she had to take a "refresher" course in biking.

She takes one fall and some scratches. Nothing serious but it was enough for her to declare that she had the wrong one. We returned that bike and got a smaller one. It was worse. The front wheel blew so we had it vulcanized. After about 30 mins, just as we were about to go, the wheel explodes again. We decided to take the third bike "in stock".

By the time we got it, it was already 11 am. And off we went.

Ever since arriving on Sunday, Gina was looking for the fabled treehouse sculpted by an artist. Her relatives told her it was somewhere in the next town. We decided to check it out, if we could find it. For our search, we would stop over beach resorts to take quick rests and buy bottled water.

Gina would ride out in front. Her vision was sharper and better. I would ride behind because my bike’s got them reflectors. I’d be able to warn her if any vehicle was approaching from behind and perhaps do the manly thing of taking the more dangerous position to protect the girl.

Right.

"On these far shores, I wish a special somebody was here" shot

- ditto -

Another resort, another shot. Here, Gina shows off her battle scars on her right arm, and er… the bike.

Balingoan port, I think. Camera Wars - Part 2

Nearly two hours later, we finally found the treehouse named Inig-mata, which in the local dialect meant the moment as you opened your eyes.

A picture of the restaurant beside the treehouse.

The artist was gone. In his place was another artist who had the place guarded by nature’s most uncanny survivor. To enter the place, you must prevail over a game of sungka with the dark lord.

Tibak meets T-back. We’re out to settle the riddle of evolution. Who will prevail?

Deep into the game…

Mankind prevails! Veggie putanesca and bannana shake!

After our late lunch,  we took a nap at the restaurant (yes, that bed behind me). It was one of the perks available to customers.

By the time we woke up at 3pm, there was just enough time to take a quick tour of the treehouse. We needed to be on our way as we were still half-way on our journey.

Indiana Jones was here.

Contemplating the secrets of the treehouse

Two towns later (about 5pm), we reached the house of Gina’s best friend. Rather than catch up with her at the sala, she took us on a banca ride off the coast. We were scorched by the afternoon sun so a dip wouldn’t be a bad idea. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera. I made presence scarce as Gina and her friend talked under the stars on the beach.

Unfortunately, as we found out later, her friend wouldn’t be staying long in Camiguin. She was due to return to Manila the next day. So Gina made the most of their time together.

As for me, I was juggling between several acts: throwing rocks, counting stars, singing in my head.

But we couldn’t stay for the night. We had to return the bikes by 8pm. It was already 8! and we were four or five towns away!

The way back was a breeze! What would normally take hours (on foot), barely took twenty minutes. Our bikes had adjustable gears which made it easier. When the road is long and straight, we would go for lower gears where our pedalling would be slower (and more relaxed) but we’d reach higher speeds. We’d shift to higher gears when it was crowded and/or generally unsafe (like curved roads).

Shown below is the extent of our biking adventure.

15 Kilometers! (x 2) - Google Earth Measurements

Back at town, after we returned the bikes, we walked home. We went back to her aunt and confirmed the use of her multicab.

Back at home, we stayed up late again, recalling the day’s adventures and talking about our friends who were due to arrive tomorrow.

I got a message from my mom asking me if I stopped by the sunken cemetery. I said no. I was told that the there isn’t much to see and it wasn’t that great because it’s just a huge cross submerged. The original cross was long gone (destroyed, no doubt by the underwater currents). My family didn’t make any visits (to the cemetery) today because it was crowded. They decided to make it, two weeks later, on the death anniversary.

November 2, 2006 (Thursday)

We stopped by her aunt (again) to ride the multicab we hired and went straight to Benoni port. It was nearly 6:30 am. They were already texting us that they were 15 mins away from Benoni.

When the ferry arrived, I got inside by climbing on the side of the ferry like the porters. I went straight to my friends and asked them if they wanted their stuff carried for 20 bucks.

"Ma’am, bente lang ma’am, kayo na po bahala". When she didn’t respond (she had just woken up), I laughed and said, Marge! it’s me Dael. She asked me how I got in when they were still lowering the ramp, so I told her that I grabbed onto the ferry’s side after jumping from the dock. No mean feat for me, but piece of cake for the Island’s locals.

Marko and Mariel

I got most of their stuff and went to where Gina was waiting with the cab. We decided to head straight into the treehouse, stopping by the Lagoon first so that our friends get a view of it. We would return for lunch.

Mariel and Marge

All three of them had just gone to Iligan (2 hours from Cagayan de Oro) for the break. Mariel is from Iligan. I heard, Mariel used the opportunity to introduce Marko to her family and that everyone thought Marge was Marko’s sister!

Camera Wars at Inig-Mata - Part 3

Marge - paying homage to the guardian of the white temple

Somehow, He reminded me of Marius in the Queen of the Damned film

Marko - Out to make it Mankind 2: Apekind 0 …

… Something went wrong, so it’s time for the more primal and brutal instincts to take over

After breakfast, we went back to Katibwasan for the last time.

And just like the primal-dog from which we must have descended from, I made my mark. Civilization marches on.

Bye Katibwasan. "Take nothing but pictures … Leave nothing but memories"

Back at the Lagoon for lunch

Urban Legend - Have Urban, Will Travel

These aren’t your American Bald Eagles. PETA will sue me for this.

Ey Guapas! Tres Muchachas Bonitas.

After lunch, we went to Ardent for the hot springs.

We only stayed for an hour because we had arranged for them to visit the white island at 4pm near Paras resort (where we’d have our dinner). And would you believe it! Small world, some guys from UP were also there. One of them was my classmate (2nd year college, social science 1, i think), Crisgel. He asked me whether I still keep in touch with Joa, and Kathy. Unfortunately, I had little news concerning these two, so I told him where I last heard they were working.

I thought for the moment they were mountaineers/backpackers, led by a "macho-looking" matriarch, whom they address "your majesty" whenever she dishes out commands. hahaha.

Either it was crowded or Ardent has lost its fabled powers. Once I got to a hotspot, I stayed put. Everywhere else the water was cold.

Then we took them to the white island …

The water has a deep gradient behind Mariel and Marge (If anyone bothers to notice).

Napoleon once told his men, "Forty centuries look upon you" as they beheld the Great Pyramids before battle. Meanwhile Someone up there tells Marko that billions of years look down on him.

By 7pm, we were back at Paras having our dinner.

We stayed at another one of Gina’s Aunts for the night. We were tired.

Very soon I fell asleep.