Three-Day Mindanao Escape: Bukidnon (Part Three)

Still hungover with the natural beauty of Camiguin, our group pushed forward to Bukidnon. We traversed the roads we passed the day before, which made the scenery more familiar than before. With the tiresome yet fun day that passed, most of us fell asleep during the ride to Bukidnon. After a few minutes of getting into the van, I fell asleep and was wakened by the door of the van being opened. One of my friends needed to withdraw some cash, so as soon as we reached the city proper of Cagayan de Oro, we pulled over on a machine for her to get some money. ATM machines were like little luxuries there, since there were so few of them. After around ten minutes, we left and started to climb the sloping roads going uphill.

Our guide informed us that to reach Bukidnon, we had to cross several mountains. The trip was a process of waiting in a complete stop for ten minutes of more, then moving forward on very rocky and bumpy terrain. Our guide mentioned that the destroyed mountain road was an effect of Sendong, the typhoon that devastated Misamis Oriental, more specifically, the City of Cagayan de Oro. After the road smoothed out, we found ourselves sleepy once again, and after a period of time elapsed, we were already in Camp Phillips, municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. There, we quickly hopped off our van to take some pictures of the giant pineapple that decorated the road. Beyond the orderly Camp Phillips was the seemingly endless fields of pineapples of Del Monte Plantation. There were pineapples almost as far as the eye can see, and the air there had a sweet and pleasant smell to it. It wasn't long before we reached our destination, Dahilayan Adventure and Forest Park.

It was very cold at Dahilayan. The feel was like we were in the far north in Baguio City. However, sweet pineapples replaced the fresh strawberries and adrenaline-pumping zipline rides took over the tranquil horseback strolls. After arriving, we quickly ate our breakfast from Paras and immediately purchased our passes to ride the three ziplines there. The first two ziplines were of the usual lengths, but what Dahilayan was proud of was its 840-meter dual zipline -- Asia's longest dual zipline to date. To reach the start tower, we had to ride a small but powerful utility vehicle along steep dirt roads. It was quite the trip: we often found ourselves precariously overlooking steep cliffs overrun by wild foliage and greenery. After the short but nerve-wracking ride upwards, we arrived at the start tower. We were geared up by a set of crew members at the ground, and then we walked up a hanging bridge to the start tower while donning our zipline gear and harness. After a few minutes of wait, I found myself hanging by my zipline gear, and before I knew it, I was already zooming down the line.

It was my very first zipline ride, and nothing beats the fact that I did it on Asia's longest one. Looking down, I saw my shadow flying above the different landscapes that changed every second or so. I flied across several scary-looking ravines and cliffs. For the first time in my life, I was soaring on top of the vibrant treetop canopies instead of being shrouded by it. The whirr of the zipline gear made my heart pound with  anticipation, excitement, and a little bit of fear. I was actually flying! After almost two minutes of railed flight, the marshall at the end of the line signaled us to tuck our head down and fold our arms to the side. With a sudden jerk of the rig, we halted to a complete stop. I was a conqueror of Asia's longest dual zipline!

After we claimed our zipline pictures, we moved to Dahilayan Forest Park, which was just a few meters away from Adventure Park. There, we took a lot of snapshots because the picturesque scenery. Some of us were brave enough to try the Zorbit Experience. My friends were strapped inside a giant zorb ball, and was pushed about three hundred meters downhill. As I watched on a bridge over the track, all I could hear was screams of a mix of joy and terror from my friends. After even more pictures, we left the beautiful Dahilayan Adventure and Forest Park, had a quick lunch at Del Monte Clubhouse, and went back to Cagayan de Oro. We arrived at our hostel, Victoria Suites, at around six in the evening. After a delicious dinner sponsored by my generous Tita Aiza and Tito Jun, we retired for the night, since all of us were deadbeat by the long travel and since our call time was four-thirty in the morning for the last leg of our Mindanao escape: Iligan.

Three-Day Mindanao Escape: Camiguin (Part Two)

Our adventure, which we fondly call "The Forever and a Day Experience" because of the movie "Forever and a Day" started with our flight to Cagayan de Oro at seven in the morning last Tuesday, February 28. We were at the airport early, and thank god we were because the box of longganisa and embutido my mom asked me to bring to her friend in Cagayan de Oro was questioned and was sent for further inspection. The parcel was cleared by the officer, and we boarded our plane at around 6:30am. It was my very first plane ride, so we took quite a number of pictures before we actually boarded the plane.

I took the window seat and after a few minutes, our plane was taxied to the runway. Shortly, the plane sped and took off, and it was a feeling that I won't forget. I was like a kid always peering out of the window to see the clouds, the clearly defined plots of land, and the endless array of roofs on the ground below. I was so excited that I immediately got a small tan since it was a very bright and sunny day.

A little past 8:30am, our plane made its final approach and landed at Lumbia Airport, the main gateway of the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City. We were welcomed by Tita Aiza and Tito Jun, my mom's good friends in Cagayan de Oro. After giving her my mom's problematic padala and a few quick words and instructions, we parted ways and left the airport with our tour guide, who was already waiting outside with a sign bearing our group's name. It was then the start of a long two-hour journey to Balingaoan Port, which connected the beautiful island of Camiguin and mainland Mindanao via an hour's journey by ferry.

It was already past eleven when we arrived at Balingaoan Port. Much to our dismay, we missed the ferry by a few minutes. Roads were under repair because of the damage brought by the typhoon Sendong, so there were a lot of places wherein only one lane was passable. We stayed at a small carinderia beside the port and waited for about an hour. After eating a very quick lunch, we boarded the next ferry and headed to Camiguin.

After over an hour of travel by ferry across the Bohol Sea, we arrived at Benoni Port in Camiguin. Outside the port, we met with another one of our guides and headed for Paras Beach Resort located at the other side of Camiguin, a 45-minute drive from Benoni Port. My impression of Camiguin was it was a quiet little province, mostly covered by lush foliage and surrounded by pristine waters. People lived a relatively slow life, although modern amenities like cable television and wifi had already taken its place there.

When we arrived at Paras Beach Resort, we were pleased on how beautiful the place was. The resort had a modern vibe to it, but what was breathtaking was the view it had of the vast open ocean. We checked our bags to our room and left to tour the island.

Our first stop was the Old Vulcan Walkway and the Stations of the Cross, which was on a side of Mt. Hibuk-hibok. It was a steep trek upwards the mountain face, and it took us almost two hours to reach the end. At the seventh station, we were supposed to turn back, but a foreigner living in Camiguin made us change our minds. We were glad we did: the view at the final station was simply outstanding. It was like nothing I've seen before. As far as the eye can see, the ocean always met with the sky in a beautiful sparkling shine of sunlight. After going down and buying some refreshments, we took a quick trip to the Sunken Cemetery and the Old Church Ruins to take some pictures and meet some locals. Since the sun was about to set, our guide rushed to bring us back to Paras. He told us that there, we would ride a boat to White Island, a small patch of sand surrounded by pristine emerald waters. After a ten-minute ride by boat, we arrived at the most beautiful beach I've ever been. One can walk the entire island in less than ten minutes, and the water there was just clear as crystal. Our trip was even graced by a rainbow appearing over Camiguin, which was being showered by a light drizzle. The beautiful sunset and unmatched waters made us want to stay there, but before the sun totally set, we returned to Paras.

Our adventure wasn't over yet, as we headed to Ardent Hot Springs, located in the middle of the island. It was already dark when we arrived there. We first ate a hearty dinner, and we all ate a lot since it was the first decent meal we had the entire day. After eating a sumptuous dinner of chicken, fish, and vegetables, we took a dip in the hot spring pools. The warm waters was very relaxing and soothed our bodies from all the travel we just went. The water there was very clean and was free from any kind of chemical treatment since it was free-flowing. Before midnight, we returned to Paras Beach Resort and ordered some snacks before finally going to sleep.

We woke up at five in the morning the following day, since we needed to catch the first ferry out of Camiguin which was at six in the morning. We packed our belongings, bade farewell to the wonderful place and to White Island at the distance, and checked out. The ferry left at around past six-thirty, waded across more rough seas, and arrived a little past seven at Balingaoan. Our guide picked us up and informed us that it would be a two-hour journey to our next stop: Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Three-Day Mindanao Escape: Camiguin, Bukidnon, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro (Part One)

I just arrived home after my fantastic Camiguin - Bukidnon - Iligan - Cagayan de Oro three-day adventure trip. My body is sore and weak, since most of the time, we were traveling by land via rocky roads or by sea via ferries splashing against the mighty waves. But all the effort was well worth it; very well worth it. I will never forget the beautiful places I have visited, generous and outgoing people I met, and experiences and memories with my friends that I have created.

White Island in Camiguin, Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon, Tinago Falls in Iligan, and the great White Water Adventure in Cagayan de Oro -- things that made me realize how beautiful and free the country could be.

Onsite: Floor (Part Twenty-Three)

Janjan, A former blockmate and now teammate, had a talk with me about career matters when we went down to grab some grub to eat. He told me to keep it in the dark from the rest of the team for the meantime, since things are still not set to stone. I will be keeping my word even if I spill it here, since this blog isn't known by the people who see me everyday anyways.

A few days ago, a teammate of ours was approached by two managers working under our client to have a small meeting. We wondered what that was for, and then we teased that teammate of ours that he would be sent onsite. He denied it and made up reasons we all well knew that wasn't real. It was just tonight that Janjan confirmed our speculations, and admitted that he was also approached to be given a heads up that he was already one of the people being considered to be sent to Minnesota. He told me that he wasn't sure if he could truly fulfill the responsibilities of being an onsite coordinator, but if ever he had the chance, he will accept the offer and cross the great seas. He even told me that maybe I was being considered to be sent onsite after them.

I've stayed in Pointwest for almost fifteen months now. Like I've mentioned in the past, the compensation and benefits could be better, but what makes my stay in the company enjoyable is the people I'm working with. I feel very lucky to be part of the Omega Team, and I'll always try to do my best in order to make my team one of the best and happiest teams in Pointwest.

Stats (File 9)

According to the do-it-yourself health kiosk you operate with a five peso coin,

--
Your Measurements:
--
Weight: 155lb 8oz / 70.6kg
Height: 6ft 1.6in / 187cm
Body Mass Index (BMI): 20.2kg/m²
Age and Gender: 23M

Blood Pressure
Maximum Systolic: 131 mmHg
Minimum Diastolic: 80 mmHg

Body Fat Estimation
Fat Index: 11%
Fat Mass: 16lb 15oz / 7.7kg
Free Fat Mass: 138lb 8oz / 62.9kg

Heart Rate Analysis
Heart Rate: 65 P/min
Maximum Heart Rate: 105 P/min
Minimum Heart Rate: 42 P/min

--
References:
--
Normal Weight: 141.1 - 189.8lb / 64.0 - 86.1kg
Normal BMI Value: 18.5 - 24.9
Normal/High/Hypertension Systole: 129 / 130-140 / 140+
Normal/High/Hypertension Diastole: 84 / 85-90 / 90+
Normal Fat Index: 14 - 20%
Normal Fat Mass: 22.5 - 34.4lb / 10.2 - 15.6kg

Similarly

...and after all that thought, if given the chance to start all over again, I would rather do things similarly. Covered in a deep sense of regret, I feel nothing would change even if things did change.

This is the end of the line. This is my sanity.


I feel I've been ripped out of my life...
And put somewhere else.
We're facing a long, hard journey
Maybe even harder than I can imagine...
I guess I'm losing hope.
But like I said,
It's all about slim chances now,
And a slim chance is better than none.
One thing I know with certainty:
We're moving on.
We can't give up.

Differently

Moments like this rarely happen, but when they do, I stop to pause and think. Walking homeward bound, something came across my mind. The thought wasn't a stranger to me; it was just that tonight, I paid extra attention to it. A lot of things have happened over the past few years, and these things had changed me in ways more than one. But tonight, I doubtfully asked myself the question:

What if I did things differently?

Would things stay the same, or would they be better? Would I be still insecure, or strong enough to stand on my own, not needing a surrogate sense of security? The truth seems to be too twisted that it already feels too uncomfortable. Meanings no longer hold their worth, since they are made up to patch up eyes that yearn for freedom.

I am a strong believer of the power of choice. But tonight, time slowed down and made me think if I had relied on choosing my own path far too much.

Trainer: Floor (Part Twenty-Two)

Earlier this evening, I attended a mentoring session on how to be an effective trainer for the new trainees of the company. Apprehension filled my head because I thought we had to present a short part of our module and from there, ideas on how to improve our approach were to be shared. But I was wrong, it was just a small, lively, and amazing lecture by Geena, an upper hand in the administration. I picked up a lot of things, both familiar and new ideas, as well as a renewed sense of confidence with myself. I was frightened by the fact that my performance as a trainer would be evaluated, but it just came to me that in almost all aspects of life, we are looked on and graded in one way or another. But more importantly, I managed to make myself do something that I was hesitant on doing. The fear of the feeling of failure always haunts me in these kinds of situations, but I'm pleased with myself that I proved that I can overcome my fears stemming from insecurities.

N-mates

Despite our busy schedules, my friends in college and I always try to find some time to see each other. Before, I thought that every time we meet up, we would catch up on and ask how everyone was doing. But I always find myself wrong, since we hang out somewhat like we used to do when we were still in school. Yes, we do not see each other as often as before, but for me, that makes going out with them even more exciting and enjoyable. I feel a deep sense of happiness and contentment that I don't experience when I go out by myself.

We've been graduates for just about two years now, and I think it is way too early to tell if things will be the same on the many years to come. But I'm sure that even if we'll be thousands of miles from each other in the future, we will still find a way for us to meet, in a way unique to the N-mates.

Final Interview: Floor (Part Twenty-One)

Before lunchtime, Ahm, our project manager, changed his status message from an excerpt from a song to that of him asking for a volunteer to help him conduct final interviews. Being the curious person that I am, I asked him if I could accompany him in the interviews. He quickly said I could go while telling me that there were three interviews, one following the other starting at around two in the afternoon. I hesitated if I should ask what I was supposed to do, but I calmed myself in saying that Ahm would be the one leading the interview, and I should just pretty much step back and watch, pitching in some questions from time to time.

Two in the afternoon came, and Ahm waved to grab my attention that it was time to go. I diligently brought my notepad and a pen, just for the sake of having some props with me. As Ahm and I conducted the three interviews, I was impressed at how spontaneous he was in his questions. His follow-up questions were quick and snappy, but at the same time were actually worth asking. He also conducted the interviews in a very light manner -- we were actually chuckling and laughing two-thirds of the time. The three applicants tackled our questions and behaved very differently, from being politely talkative to being awkwardly quiet.

At the end of the first interview, I asked him what some of the abstract questions were for. He explained to me that what he was looking for was not somebody who had a lot of technical knowledge, but people with interesting personalities and creative ways of dealing with a problem. Following suit, I said my few cents worth every time he asked me what I thought about each applicant. There was an applicant wherein I particularly felt strongly against. When Ahm asked me if I was going to hire him or not, I told him that I found the applicant's stubborn attitude and inflexibility to adapt to challenging situations concerning, despite his superior potential compared to the other two. Ahm agreed with me, and listed that applicant to be interviewed again by another panel. We hired the two other applicants because we found them to be gregarious and actually interested in joining the company.

As Ahm and I walked back to our workstations, I realized that yes, the result is important, but the process and journey in getting to that end is as important as well. Taking the applicant we rejected as an example, he had all the intelligence needed to succeed in our field, but why was he rejected? He didn't show he had the passion for technology. Comparing him to the other applicant who we felt strongly for, we accepted him because he showed to us that he really wanted to be a programmer, even if he had four failing marks in college. I've always felt chained down by my own insecurities, but in sitting down and talking to three complete strangers, I realized that I can achieve things no matter what, if I truly wanted to attain them.

Build Number Two: Floor (Part Twenty)

During the week that has passed, most if not all of us in our team were seating at the edge of our seats and was on our toes in racing to meet our very hectic schedule. At the heat of things, I volunteered to be the build master for the submission tonight, only to realize later on that this particular build had a lot of documents attached to it - thirteen long pages filled with walls of text.

Casting my folly aside, I began to compile the documents needed for today's report. However, because of the complexity of our work, I was only able to prepare the materials at around one in the morning. Mounting to the pressure was the fact that all team leads had already left, and I was the only person left to complete the task. It was very worrying since the task of a build master is a very important and critical one. I tried to put up a brave face, but I can't just help to think of the consequences if the build tonight was a failure. Thankfully, the build was successful, not to mention our counterparts who understood the situation and encouraged me for having done a good job.

As I walked home, I thought about the things that just happened: me stepping up to a challenge and completing it even if I had doubts about my capabilities. In the past, I usually strayed away from difficulties since I am afraid to fail. But now, I subconsciously always try to choose the hardest way out and is still terrified to do poorly. I don't understand if it is me proving myself that I can do it, or just me being fearful of falling below expectations.

Sixteen Hours: Floor (Part Nineteen)

I've been very busy for the past week. Our team has a big deadline to reach, and to do so, each of us has to work beyond the norms. Ever since I started work at Pointwest, the most number of overtime hours I have rendered was 18 hours in a month. Just being in the middle of January, I have already rendered a total of 16 hours of overtime - and our work isn't near halfway done.

I have no complaints - I totally enjoy working the extra hours. I find the peace missing in my home in the solace of my quiet workstation. The familiar chattering of the keyboard and random clicks of the mouse adequately appeases my desire to talk to people. I find happiness in the warmth of my hands on my cheeks as I walk under the cold midnight sky. Those alone make things easier to bear. People might find me as a workaholic, but I don't see myself as such. I just try to enjoy the things that I have and not be sullied by the things I wished I had.

Bittersweet as it may sound, happiness and satisfaction are two different things. I have learned that accepting and being satisfied to things as they are, how miserable as they may seem, is the first step to moving forward.

Stats (File 8)

According to the do-it-yourself health kiosk you operate with a five peso coin,

--
Your Measurements:
--
Weight: 151lb 5oz / 68.7kg
Height: 6ft 1.6in / 187cm
Body Mass Index (BMI): 19.7kg/m²
Age and Gender: 23M

Blood Pressure
Maximum Systolic: 120 mmHg
Minimum Diastolic: 72 mmHg

Body Fat Estimation
Fat Index: 10.8%
Fat Mass: 16lb 4oz / 7.4kg
Free Fat Mass: 135lb 0oz / 61.3kg

Heart Rate Analysis
Heart Rate: 85 P/min
Maximum Heart Rate: 95 P/min
Minimum Heart Rate: 78 P/min

--
References:
--
Normal Weight: 141.1 - 189.8lb / 64.0 - 86.1kg
Normal BMI Value: 18.5 - 24.9
Normal/High/Hypertension Systole: 129 / 130-140 / 140+
Normal/High/Hypertension Diastole: 84 / 85-90 / 90+
Normal Fat Index: 14 - 20%
Normal Fat Mass: 22.5 - 34.4lb / 10.2 - 15.6kg

The Third Wheel

It may be bad luck to talk about something like this at the start of a beautiful year, but it just crossed my mind and has occupied it ever since.

I have always wondered what do people in a polygamous relationship thinks or feels. Not that I want to be part of one, it's just that I've been watching historical Korean dramas and more often than not, the ruling king had several concubines who held significant influence and power. But then again, I think the context of then and now are two different things.

But in our present day and age, is it okay to share that romantic kind of love? Or is there some other kind of love involved that makes things much more acceptable?

In the end of it all, I will never know.

One Sentence Three

It's time to go when you've found your reason to stay.

Stats (File 7)

According to the do-it-yourself health kiosk you operate with a five peso coin,

--
Your Measurements:
--
Weight: 152lb 6oz / 69.2kg
Height: 6ft 0.8in / 185cm
Body Mass Index (BMI): 20.2kg/m²
Age and Gender: 23M

Blood Pressure
Maximum Systolic: 126 mmHg
Minimum Diastolic: 77 mmHg

Body Fat Estimation
Fat Index: 11.5%
Fat Mass: 17lb 6oz / 7.9kg
Free Fat Mass: 135lb 0oz / 61.3kg

Heart Rate Analysis
Heart Rate: 89 P/min
Maximum Heart Rate: 117 P/min
Minimum Heart Rate: 55 P/min

--
References:
--
Normal Weight: 141.1 - 189.8lb / 64.0 - 86.1kg
Normal BMI Value: 18.5 - 24.9
Normal/High/Hypertension Systole: 129 / 130-140 / 140+
Normal/High/Hypertension Diastole: 84 / 85-90 / 90+
Normal Fat Index: 14 - 20%
Normal Fat Mass: 22.5 - 34.4lb / 10.2 - 15.6kg

Chapter Two

I start the year with these in mind:

"Don't expect things to happen. It's better to be surprised than to be disappointed."

"Don't be afraid of change. You may be losing something good, but gaining something is so much better."

The past year has been a year of lessons learned through disappointments and a life of tearfully clinging to the past.

Things are easier said than done, but hopefully, it won't be the same this time around.

Lola Taba

Lola Marcelina, who we call Lola Taba, passed away this Christmas morning due to complications resulting from a heart attack. She is a younger sister of Lola Pen.

We called her Lola Taba because of her roly-poly frame. Always wearing a smile and bursting into laughter, she was very much easy to like and get along. However, things changed for the worse ever since her husband, Lolo Pepe, passed away a few years ago. She has been through a lot ever since Lolo's sad passing. Lola Taba has been through from mental lapses due to old age to familial disputes because of family properties. As the years passed, she eroded from a rotund and jolly person to a withered and sad one. Her smiles became rare occurrences as she never seemed to have moved on from her husband's death.

It may sound harsh, but it seems that she has received the best Christmas gift -- to be one again with God and her beloved husband and together live in eternal peace and happiness. To anyone reading this, please spare a small moment of your time to pray for her eternal repose. As always, God in His infinite kindness and mercy will surely find a way to repay you for your generosity.

Incomplete

My Christmas this year isn't the same as all the Christmases I had for the past twenty-three years.

Despite being surrounded by loving family, I feel bitterly unloved. Even if I am always with my fun-loving friends, I feel desperately alone. Even if I have received many small gifts that came from the heart, my hands feel empty, trembling in the cold air synonymous to the season.

It is as if I wake up one morning and everything became so incomplete.

Am I just being selfish to silently desire for something better?

Build Number One: Floor (Part Eighteen)

It has been almost  ten months since I was assigned to Omega. Tonight for the very first time, I was tasked to send our codes to our onsite counterparts: a process we call as building. It is one of those little things that makes me feel a real part of the team, since it is something not usually done by people who have just been introduced to the team.

For the first time in the week, it was alright for me to stay behind and wait until the task was done. I found myself always wanting to go home at the soonest possible time, but tonight was something different. I felt a sense of accomplishment to stay behind. I felt proud -- a small but very significant manner.

There are just times when people feel too down to even help their own self, but there always comes a reason for people to look up once again and see the things they almost missed.