How
does it feels like when it's your first time to be in a place? When
it's your first time to do something that is very helpful? How about
doing that so in the middle of vacation? Wanna know how? It might not be
the best way to describe but here's my own experience...
Remember
Kuya Roy? My companion in my very first blog "Haler Baler". We were
planning about getting on Fortune Island, Nasugbu Batangas one of these
weekends of May. Well, for some reason, it didn't happen. Due to the
messed schedules and not-so-good weather which is very risky to proceed.
Before the month of May ends, he texted me and said that his long lost
lover, I mean friend, is inviting him to join his group for their
Out-reach program in his hometown.
His
friend is Raymond Datinggaling, in short, Kuya Ymon. 😎 The journey of
his life is not easy but one you should look up to. Kuya Ymon grew up in
this specific Island called Isla Verde in Batangas. After graduating
from Highschool, he studied BS Nursing in the main City of Batangas and
passed the licensure examination. He had lots of opportunities in
different hospitals here in our country but his big break was in Dubai,
UAE when he also passed the HAAD examination and became a licensed nurse
of Dubai. He is now considered a successful man at the very young age
of twenty eight. And now he's been blessed by the Up Above, he's been
used as an instrument as well. None other than, from where he came from,
Isla Verde. So now, for the Team RD mission (I belong! 💃🏻). Out reach
program for the students of San Agustin Kanluran Elementary School.
Nope, not the typical before-the-school-year-starts-supplies-giveaway.
He asked the principal and the madam said one of the needs are
umbrellas. Because at some point, absentees of the students are not due
to heavy rains but due to lack of umbrellas that sometimes students are
sharing a one umbrella or none at all.
ON OUR WAY TO BATANGAS
Three in the morning, rode in a tricycle going to Santa Clara and rode bus going to Cubao Terminal. Alighted in Cubao, we rode another bus going to Batangas. And dropped off in Batangas Terminal at seven. We had our breakfast in one of the eateries which served us sisig, adobo and longanisa. From there, we were instructed by Kuya Ymon to ride a jeepney passing Burgos Plaza. As we reached Burgos Plaza, we stayed in 711 while waiting for Kuya Ymon and to buy water as well. Almost eight thirty when they arrived. Kuya Ymon with his younger brother Jun together with his girlfriend, and his friend ate Naida as well. We fit ourselves, six of us, in the black car going to the small pier.
ON OUR WAY TO ISLA VERDE
Quarter to nine as we reached the pier. There goes one of Kuya Ymon's brother, Kuya Ymac. Wrote down our name for registration and head count. As I've said, a small pier, literally. We need to ride a
smaller unsafe boat to reach the bigger semi-RORO boat right there. The semi-RORO boat is just a simple boat for public transportation from island to island and not the tourist friendly one. No life jacket, crowded and very noisy machinery. Anyway, the travel was smooth until we were passed by a ship which made the waves go bigger and make us all wet! It scared me knowing that we're not wearing life jacket, Em Gee! Don't know how to swim! 😩
PARADISE
After one and a half hour, finally touch down Isla Verde. It's a paradise. Crystal clear aqua-blue water is a very rewarding sight. I can't hide my excitement when I said "Wow, ganda" and everyone in the boat looked at me seems like I'm the only tourist and first timer in the boat.
The island is considered as a virgin one. It's not that popular in Batangas and haven't discovered by any wanderers. When we clambered out the boat, a peaceful barrio welcomes us. Every houses has happy faces greeting Kuya Ymon with excitement as it's not his first time to do an outreach program here. They feel very blessed having Kuya Ymon as one of their kabarangay. We went straight forward to San Agustin Kanluran Elementary School and meet the faculty staffs as well as the Principal.
LUNCH, PROVINCE STYLE
It's almost twelve and time for a heavy meal, lunch. The very accommodating faculty served us fresh fish which they called "Sinaing na Tulingao" in tagalog "Pangat na isda" and malunggay soup. Just a simple but satisfying lunch because of the freshness of the fish and freshly picked malunggay. That's what I love about provinces, life at its simplest form.
START OF THE PROGRAM
After our meal, we've waited for another hours and to have a good rest. At two, students were gathered in the covered court of the school. It has different kind of people: elementary students, parents, faculties, PTAs and senior citizens. We started the program with a prayer, opening remarks from Barangay Captain who they called as "Pangulo" and a message from the principal. At the middle of the program, Kuya Roy and Ate Naide took over the emcee to dramatically introduced Kuya Ymon. When they call up Kuya Ymon at stage, he state how he became of the students of this school. His speech is heart-melting and made every one teary-eyed, even I. You will see and feel the sincerity in his heart for helping and the genuine love he has for this place that no matter what he became, he will always look back from where he came from. We distributed the umbrellas for the students with a background music of "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth.
Afterwards, Kuya Ymon called the Senior Citizen President to give his donation which he didn't mentioned the amount, a purely giving without condition. Next in line was the PTA and the faculty with the same amount of donation. It never ended here, he also prepare foods for feeding program after the project. A tasteful spaghetti, pansit and rice cakes. Generosity everywhere!
TIME FOR SWIMMING!!
To reward ourselves, we pleased our team to have a saltwater therapy before we head back home. At Four thirty, we quickly change our outfit for swimming and immediately play in the water. They suggest to have our swimming in front of their old house to secure our stuffs that's why we didn't get the chance to swim in the crystal clear water we've seen earlier. But that's okay, the water still clear and sands are white but a bit rocky.
TEAM RD, YEAH!
At five thirty, as we got out of water. We took a bath in the nearby well. And since it's almost six, we didn't catch the last trip of boat and opted us to stay in the island for a night. It felt frustrating for everyone but it became more exciting for me because of the fact that I don't want to leave the island so soon. 😜
STRANDED IN AN ISLAND
We stayed in the bahay kubo near the shore. Talking about the program earlier. How good it was and about the future plans. We had our dinner by the shore with Adobong Talong and Daing na pusit plus a bottle of red horse. 🍻 Seems like they're having a non stop deep talks about politics, education and economy. But it's been a tiring day for me so I had my good rest at nine. We woke up at three for the first boat travel and reached the pier at five thirty. Sun is almost up. From there we have to be separated. Saying goodbye might be lil bit hurtful for Kuya Roy but then again, it was a very nice experience and a pleasure to meet you Kuya Ymon. 😉
GOIN' HOME
Jun dropped us off in the 711 where they met us. Before going home, had our breakfast at Mcdo and rode in a jeepney again going to Batangas terminal from there we find bus traveling to Cubao and from Cubao, seated comfortably in Del Carmen and alighted at WalterMart Santa Clara where we had our lunch in Classic Savory and headed back home, finally.
Isla Verde is surely a memorable island for me. It fed my eyes with beauty. Fed my brain with knowledge. Fed my heart with thoughtfulness. Because it's my first time in Batangas, it indeed welcomed me with awesomeness especially Isla Verde. I have a heart for you.
It's normal to be afraid of "first time", behind that is a thought of positive and negative result; of "what-ifs" ; of lack of confidence; and fear of disappointment. But I believe that a man that always experience "first times" are the ones who's luckiest. First time is the start of everything. If you do not experience that in your life, you must be up to something unmovable. In my every blog, I learn different lessons in life. And this blog is not just about trying new things, but a positive attitude towards it.
Rochel's journey in Batangas.
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