Looking for Heroes

Looking for Heroes this 26 September 2009

It was as if it was an ordinary Friday to Saturday night even with the incessant rain. ANC 27 on Skycable though announced that Typhoon Signal No. 1 Code Named Ketsana will cross Metro Manila

It's a mother’s instinct to remind her children that with the impending storm; the best place is the home. In our younger days when we were staying at the 2/F of a “botica” along “Kayle Commercio” in a small town in Northern Luzon, we as a family would prepare for the storm. Supervised by our father we would secure the handles of our glass pane windows so they would not flip flap when the winds blow, collect water in the pale and bottles for our water needs, check that flashlights and other alternative sources of light are working and maintain our provision for drinks and food for the next days. It is that training from our folks that seeded disaster preparedness in all of us as we moved out to a bigger city.

Typhoon Ketsana noisily passed without causing distress as everyone we knew was secured in an elevated and protected gated village somewhere in the Diliman district. Meralco provided uninterrupted power supply, Manila Waters ran dry only for a short while. Citibank Savings was online and nearby Rustan’s Fresh was normally operational with no long queues. PLDT linked us without fail. So did Globe though not that stable. Bayantel’s DSL kept us abreast of our Face Book but only until early afternoon. Prime Internet dial-up (Pacific) and Globe Tattoo took over.

It really was as if it was a regular rainy Saturday.

But as Skycable’s ANC 27 and Teleradyo DZMM on Cable 26 started broadcasting a sampler of what’s happening in the Marikina Valley did we really realize that we were building up to a disaster in a mammoth scale. Facts and figures were fed by studio and field reporters. Questions were asked from resource persons. But as I was fed images and sound bites, heroes were gradually flashing in the mind.

Young radio reporters from DZMM and ANC 27 like Alvin Elchico, Bernadette, Carl Balita, Atom Araullo, Wheng Hidalgo, Dennis Datu, Johnson were reporting news as they happen, without any bias, judgment or blaming, they were molding into the new breed of heroes in my mind. They asked to right questions from the resource persons, they showed impactful visuals yet still protecting the sacredness of the victims.  They were straight forward, honest and fair enough not to exaggerate nor dramatize the sad plight of the victims. Along with the rescuers from the government, I honor them. The news reporters and the rescuers have given something bigger than themselves, in the conduct of their profession.

Surely, there were others more but for that fateful Saturday, they were my heroes.

Home in Manila

Welcome back to Manila. You know you are back when instead of ponds, lake and the open sea you drive and wade through floods.

You know you are back when instead of fresh fish, customized kalan and lanzones displayed in rattan basket crawling with black ants you are asked for an upsize by a friendly fastfood staff.

Yes you know you are back because you navigated the 45 kilometer stretch from Sta Rosa to Katipunan in 4 hours on a rainy Tuesday early evening, only slightly shorter than the 209 kilometer stretch from Butuan City to Davao City.

I am indeed home. But as Henry Miller, an American novelist and painter said, "One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things."

Off the beaten Track: Siargao

Off the beaten track. Images of Siargao, Surigao

The long trip from Davao to Siargao Island in Surigao is the highlight of my South Central Mindanao land sojourn. Not only was it the longest travel, it was the most exhilarating and the most adventurous.

Adventure spanned several provinces: Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and finally Surigao del Sur. It started out in private vehicle, shifting to Roro, motorbike, walk in wooden bridges, oversized boats culminating in several Bachelor public bus.

The 1st 6 hours brought us to San Francisco in Agusan, the next 2 hours to the archaeological site Butuan City, another 2 hours to Surigao City, gateway to Siargao Island. 3 hours were spent in the sea. The last 45 minutes brought us to Cloud 9, literally in Cloud 9, a state of extreme happiness .

Arriving at the surfing site at around 4 PM, was enough time to catch the last streak of sunlight but sufficient time to watch the spectacular display of balance and grace of the foreign and inland surfers.

The gushing waves, blowing wind and cool breeze for the last few minutes of day break were enough to recharge us after the grueling traveling hours. Nature blessed us as those momentous short moments in Siargao. According to the Australian and Japanese surfers we talked to in the evening, what we captured were the best surfing moments for the week. Just as we left the shoreline the following day, rains started to pour changing the mood of the sea.

Destinations off the beaten track make attractive targets. The desire to step on Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines has long been an obsession ever since The Lonely Planet featured it in its initial edition. This year, by a confluence of events, elements were in place for me to experience this hidden tropical jewel that faces the open sea, the Pacific Ocean. Off the beaten track combined with Cloud 9 exhilaration makes a natural high.

Thanks to associate Jovert Pondoc who went the extra mile to ensure that nothing comes my way to perform my assignments well and to see what I want to see. Shobee, Jiv and Rigel showed up by chance who have been gregarious and hospitable all the way. Without them, the activity would have been more than doubly difficult and expensive. The Lonely Planet, another constant companion with its tips and maps made me get the most pleasure at the least cost.

Today it was General Luna. Next it will be Pilar, Socorro and Dinagat.

Enjoy the images captured by the intrepid traveler to South Central Mindanao. A completion of my visit to the wonder called Mindanao.

Lake Sebu

Lake Sebu is a watery bottom of a beautiful bowl. This is how a travel book describes this landmark in Southern Mindanao. It is a lake in a mountain sitting at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level. The fish tilapia thrives in the lake.

In the province of South Cotabato, Lake Sebu is part of the ancestral domain of the T'boli and Ubo tribes.

Lake Sebu is about 2 hours from General Santos passing through Marbel or Koronadal, the capital of South Cotabato. The ascent to the mountain slopes takes 45 minutes.

Part of the main attraction to visiting this popular tourist destination is the land travel. Typical of the land travel in Mindanao, the roads are well paved and the side streets lined with towering trees in full bloom this month of September. Peep further deeper on the sides, you'll sight a plantation of bananas, palm oil trees, pineapple. If there are none, there are either mountain ranges or the sea.

In a company of hospitable people, travel in Mindanao no matter how distant is a breeze and a refreshing one.

Invitation to Mt. Matutum

While wandering aimlessly at the Gen San side streets, I spotted an outdoor store Southern Peak Outdoor Depot along Champaca st., just across Manny Pacquiao’s commercial building.

The staff entertained me leading to an invitation to a Mt. Matutum climb via an unpopular route-via Datal Lanao.

Mt. Matutum 2009 via Barangay Datalbila Sarangani Province was calendared by Southern Peak on 26-27 September (Sat-Sun). Jump-off site is about 2 hours away from General Santos with trek to the peak in about 7 1/2 hours.

Quick Facts on Mt. Matutum
Mt. Matutum is a non active volcano with a height of 2,286 meters above sea level located North of General Santos, South Cotabato.
It is capped with a 320 meter crater at the summit.
There is a tradition that those who climb the summit must a plant a tree as a tribute to the mountain. Matutum is said to have been derived from a Blaan term “Amyak Maleh” which means “Climb and Plant.”
Slopes are covered with huge ferns, trees and plants.
At the summit, visible are General Santos, Koronadal, Polomolok.
· General Santos is the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, residence of Manny and Aling Dionesia
· Polomolok is home to Dole Philippines, the world’s biggest integrated pineapple plantation.
· Polomolok is host to the Trappistine's monastery.
· Koronadal is a confluence of 3 cultures: B’laan, Christian and Muslim.

For details, contact Gilbert “Hapon” Matchoca at 09093453040/ 09187156359 or visit Southern Peak Outdoor Depot in Davao or General Santos.

Check with the organizers for final confirmation. As of 11 Sept, activity was announced postponed to January 2010.

Mt. Matutum at the background as viewed from Gen San

Seedings in Agusan

Seedlings found in Barobo, Agusan Del Sur, 30 minute drive East of San Francisco. San Francisco is about 3 hours North of Davao, less than 200 kilometers away. San Francisco is a 2nd class municipality. Trace the Falcata tree's creation to utilization, from womb to tomb.