September is my birthday month. As always, I had a gazillion
other travel ideas to celebrate my birthday (just like the others that would
have wanted to tick things off their bucketlist , except that I really don't
have a list). I have spent my birthday in El Nido in Palawan and
enjoyed the laidback life in Siquijor.
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| Golden sands |
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| Caption this :) |
Back in college, we were
required to do community work, interact with the locals and provide free
medical assistance to the communities so when I heard about Project Jomalig, I
was ecstatic. I have been dreaming of Jomalig Island since I stumbled upon
Lakwatsero's blog. This off beaten path was said to be a haven for backpackers,
with secluded beaches yet to be discovered.I knew I just had to go. This was just
on top of the culminating event and the chance to be of help to others in my
own little ways.
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| Sunset |
I know some would say " Where in the world is Jomalig
Island?!", "Why not visit Boracay, Bohol or Camiguin or Coron?"
and my all time favorite reaction is " Why not Singapore, or Bangkok or
HongKong?". I'm used to getting these questions all the time.
For the unfamiliar, Jomalig Island is part of Real,Quezon
Province. It is comprised of 5
barangays.This island, blessed with so much beauty, houses the number 1
Barangay that had the most malourished kids in the Philippines for the last
three years. And because of this, Project Jomalig was conceptualized and
launched.
James of JourneyingJames.com , Ms. Emm Balabat of Emm The Pinay Trekker , Chef Arvin , Mitch Sy among
others that spearheaded the project, brought the first batch of volunteers in
April 2013. The 6 month program focused on addressing the nutrition needs of
Barangay Apad. I knew I wanted to be part of the last group of volunteers that
will sail through the waters of Lamon Bay.
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| Rain clouds |
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| Our chef inside the boat |
I never thought that it will be this extraordinary. From the
boodle fights we had during meal time to the dump truck rides to reach the
Landing Port, everything was an adventure. Setting up camp under the stars in
Salibungot Beach, I was lucky to share the tent with fellow travelers. And I
was not the friendly type but I guess, with wanderlust as our common
denominator, we all got along just fine and even looked after each other's back (alam ninyo yan).
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| Boodle fights |
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| Fun with my tentmates (L-R): Jas, Anne, Mara and Me |
The long talks about travels, about random stuff,
about couchsurfing, about getting married (or not getting married at all), about
travel adventures and about enjoying life.
After an hour boat ride from Landing Port, we were welcomed
by the locals of Barangay Apad. Jomalig is lined with a golden coastline that
glitters when the sun is at its peak. The kids shyly clinged on to their
mothers as they carefully watched us in silence as we walked towards the events
area. Most of the houses were made of bamboo and wood.The concrete streets, worn out and
withered, was filled laughter and chatter. The housewives were either cooking
or doing their laundry. Everybody was busy. It was a Saturday after all.
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| Approaching Brgy Apad |
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| Mayor Tena and the Medical Staff |
As we carefully lined
the slippers on the bermuda covered grounds outside their humble Barangay
Chapel, it was a delight watching the little ones anticipating the gift giving
activity. For lunch, Chef Arvin prepared
fried chicken for the kids and ginataang adobong pusit and fish paksiw for the
volunteers.It was a boodle feast together with the town's medical doctor, the
Brgy Captain, Honorable Mayor Tena and the barangay health workers.
Even if they were not the kind of kids that would wear a
brimming smile and be jumping up and down when recieving a gift, the look of
happiness and excitement in their faces was more than enough.They scanned
through the rows and rows of slippers laid on the grass, and patiently waited
for their turn. I assisted them as they carefully tried each slipper, making
sure that it fits them well.
I believe that the best teacher is experience and the boat
ride back to mainland Real was unique among all the other boat rides i have
experienced. Before, I had to sail to Malapascua for a good 2 hours, keep my
calm through the gloomy skies enroute Palaui Island in Cagayan and had to hold
on to my dear life and endure the trip from Siquijor to Dumaguete. But this one
was beyond what I imagined. It was a make or break experience. According to
Anne, it was a test of endurance. For me, it was a test of faith. It was
literally mind over matter. The regular 5 - 6hour boat ride back to Real Port was extended to 9
solid boat hours.
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| These smiles kept me hanging on |
We left Landingan port at noon and arrived Real at 9 PM. The
turbulent waves of Lamon Bay was immense. As soon as we left the port, our small
fishing boat was rocked by the waves of the Pacific, not knowing that there was
already a brewing LPA on the east. As we braved the raging waters, our
shivering bodies dripping wet with salt water and rain (thanks to Duane
for letting us into his waterproof hammock halfway through the trip), I prayed.
I knew this was a possibility, but I prayed for safety and for my fellow
volunteers to be calm. The look on the children's faces, the long morning walks
on the beach, logrolling on the sand followed by deafening laughter, people
watching. I pondered on the happy things. Happy places. I have never been this
afraid. But I'm grateful that we survived. We were blessed that no matter how
miniscule we are compared to the magnanimity of the Earth, the Creator listened
to our prayers. We were spared. We were given another chance.
As the Real Port glittered with lamp posts came into
clearing, we all let out a sigh of relief. I have never felt so alive, so
vulnerable. I have never felt so loved.
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| Beautiful Jomalig sunset |
