Kaamulan 2010

Two days after I got back from my Mindanao trip, I am feeling a little tense.

This is my second trip to CDO with a side trip to Bukidnon. For this trip, I experienced taking a shower at the public toilet. I also had the chance to ride the motorcycle to go around Bukidnon which is really far out! Shao and I got used to the futons on the cold, cold bamboo floor to sleep in. It was all together my favorite trip to Mindanao at the moment. This is gonna be a day by day account and some of the places I may not remember anymore but I will do my best to name them. 

Let's rough it up!

Feb 25

I left Manila around 7pm and I got to Davao around 9pm. I was supposed to ride with RJ since Lonie and I practically have the same flight schedule, only we were on different airlines. But since I brought Pacman and I needed to go to the cargo section,  I asked them not to wait for me.  My parents picked me up from the airport. I still saw my sister Mae at my house in the evening and we chatted a bit about make up.

Feb 26

I can't think of anything that made this day memorable. I think I went to SM Davao to pay for Jack’s ticket but wasn’t able to do so since the bank was closed when I got there. Too bad.

Feb 27

This is the D-Day. I am booked for a flight to Cagayan de Oro from Davao around 6pm in the evening. I asked my mom if we can give some of our plates and some glasses to the Artisans. It took a lot of convincing and crying and even more drama to actually persuade my mom that I HAVE to go to CDO.  The thing is, the Dire Husi artisans and the organization itself, made me feel alive.  After my depression, Dire Husi was ultimately, my light at the end of the tunnel.  In a way, I didn't want my mom to know how passionate I am because she might not understand and she might just feel that I'm doing more favors for other people than our family.  But in all honesty, ever since I stepped out of the art house, I felt that I really needed to go back. I've said this to a friend... I like to bask in the positive energy of all the people living in there. The first trip to CDO was the pinnacle of my healing process.  In here, everyone has their own stories to share, about broken dreams, unsupportive parents, dark past about drug addiction… but still I find solace in this commonality.  Amidst this organized chaos we have in the art house, everyone seems to be a catalyst for change.  Of course, we have different problems, different crosses to bear. I can never tell that some had it bad as I have because comparing yourself to other people’s life or misfortunes can leave you quite conceited or worse, lazy.  But I got drawn to each and everyone of them like a moth to a flame. 

Anyway, so I finally got to the airport and I first tried my Bisaya to the cab driver. He charged me 150 pesos for a twin sharing ride to Nazareth. I was ripped off but I think I did make myself sound as if I was from there so hehehe, that’s fine.

I can’t remember who I saw first but I remember Lance with her guitar and Tyrone was there too.  Gat Ems was also there with them. I was jumping and I was so happy just to see them. I was so excited to see everyone and I also am excited to see Shao!  The night was perfect; it was the full moon (or was it a new moon?).  I can’t help but say to Shao, “You look lovely under the moonlight”.

I had my dinner there at the art house. One of the persons I really looked forward in seeing is Orwille who is like a brother to me! I was so surprised to see him and I was jumping and playing with him like how you see those little cubs in National Geographic channel.  After our dinner, I showed him my paper crane but I really think mine looked better than he did haha.  Finally I showed him my book about Billy Collins and also my journal.  After a month of just talking online, it was nice to see him in person and just hang out and chill!

We went out to Divisoria for the night Café.  I also met one of the newest guys in the art house who is Ian. Haven’t really talked to him much but he’s sweet and he’s funny. I also met Shane, his cousin. 

Feb 28

This is a Sunday. Ate Nimfa visited us in the art house. The agenda for this day is to go around CDO with Solomon and Ian.  

We went first to Opol.  I took down some notes on how to get there.

Took a motorela to RE Uy. Then rode a jeepney to IPONAN, then dropped off at Terminal then rode another jeepney going to Gitagum. 

If I didn’t point outside the jeepney and see the waves, we would have gotten farther from Opol than we would have wanted to. But anyway, it was a perfect Sunday. We stepped on the sturdy planks of the wooden bridge and the pathway was according to the sign “the most child friendly boardwalk”.  I was quite hungry despite the great lunch we had at the art house so I decided to treat the guys to Panagatan. The ambience was really nice there and we have a chosen a table nearest to the sea. 

We rode a jeepney to Opol Aviary which was for 5 pesos only. It was a short ride, didn’t even last for 5 minutes. At the Opol Aviary, I felt really sorry for the birds.  If I had a choice I didn’t want to see how the birds are treated at the aviary. However, Solomon wanted to see if he can buy some birds that he can use for his magic.  I didn’t want to tell him that because he was excited to take me there. 

I forgot how to we got back but I saw lots of jeepney going to Cogon Market from Opol so we just rode one and paid 14 each, I think.  We went to Gaston Park then beside it is the Cathedral. We headed to McArthur Park next then went back to the Art house.

March 1

From Molly, I wrote something about how this day is so important for me because I have met one of the most amazing individuals ever. Although I have seen David before at the Art house in January, I never really exchanged any word from him. I think he’s a conservative and reserved guy but funny as well. A walking contradiction perhaps but ahh, the art house is full of that. I think it’s super.

Shao and I went to Kaamulan Park just to get the feel of Bukidnon. We had some lanzones and Jojo took a climbing test at the wall.  We wanted to ride a pony but suddenly we felt lazy.

We also got the chance to meet Jojo’s aunt who at first was extremely suspicious why Jojo brought two girls at their house.  Shao did a great job in building up the confidence of Jojo’s aunt again, that he is a changed man and is still quite religious despite the fact that he turned away from being a Seventh Day Adventist.  We had dinner at her aunt’s house and it was terrific.

The day ended with ukay-ukay shopping with Jojo and Shao since the three of us forgot to bring jackets.  The cold was terrible. I got a maroon sweater with a hoodie for 50 pesos. It was cheap but we felt ripped off when we got to the next stall, they sold the jackets for 30 even 25 pesos. But at least it kept us warm for that night.

March 2

Ahh, this is my great Bukidnon day. 

Jojo woke up early to rent a motorbike. At 12:40, we went to Cedar Center at Impalutao and we took pictures of the waterfalls there. We saw Gantungan falls and Dila falls. There is another one but we missed it, it is Natigbasan falls. It was a great day to be around trees and the air was sweet. 

When we were about to go to Nasuli Spring Resort, our trip was halted by a police checkpoint. Mind you, we have neither license nor helmet so if those guys see us, we are definitely in big trouble. I played it cool and I just asked Jojo if we can use an off beaten track to dodge those guys.  I got what I wished for. I have never seen such a large barren land full of wilted corn hobs. It was really a bumpy ride but I really enjoyed every minute of it.  But an unexpected turn of event came when Jojo realized that the motorcycle key had fallen off during the ride. Ugh! To add it more craziness to our already crazy day, we realized that we have no more gas.

Despite what happened, we went ahead to Nasuli but only stayed for 5 minutes. It was just for photo op. We kept the motor running because we were afraid that it won’t start again if we turned it off. After that we went to Valencia and asked his brother on what to do. He directed us to NVM which is a mall in Valencia and fortunately there was a guy who could make us a key.  I wanted to take it easy and not worry so much so I ordered a halo halo from Chowking.

I think around 3 pm we were back on the road again and headed off to see Jojo’s friend and went to Pulangi river. It was a beautiful river. We stayed for about an hour just hanging out with Piyong and his girlfriend, Rein who is painfully shy. She didn’t even want to have her picture taken with me.

Around 4: 40 we went headed to Malaybalay and Jojo told me that we can make it back around 5:10. And we did much to my amusement.  He went so fast I felt like crying.

March 3

Just went around Bukidnon and in the evening Jojo and I saw the dancers practicing their routine at the highway. It was fantastic!

March 4

The Rodeo Day

We had so much food trip on this day it was like a marathon eating contest. We had quail eggs, boiled mani, puto, mangoes, ice cream, roasted mani, ice salad.  The commentator was so fun and I actually understood what he was saying. Although of course, it helps that I got someone who can translate some words for me.


 


 


 

 

Ate at Mindy’s for dinner.

It was a great meal! I had squid, Jojo some spare ribs and Shao had some pork something.

Mar 5

I went to the ukay ukay with Shao from 9-11am. We shopped so much that day. For lunch we had a big pizza for the two of us. It was superb. We went to Gaisano and looked for other stuff like toiletries and other girly things.  In the evening, we watched Jojo performed at Mindy’s only for 1 set.  Shao and I wanted to go back because we spent so much time with Jojo and we haven’t even gotten the chance to talk with the others.

 

  This was also the first night when most of the kids came from Cagayan de Oro.

March 6

Spent half day only at Bukidnon since our flight from CDO is at 5pm.  Everyone was there and having fun. I remember Kuya Rhyan doing the face paint. Almost all of the artisans are applying henna on their clients. What a great day!  Then before we left, Migs and Solomon did their number while Jojo and his friends were drumming away. Fantastic! Didn’t want to leave but we really have to.  This Bukidnon trip was stretched so much….we originally planned to spend just two days maximum here but we stayed for 6 days. Kaamulan festival was utterly colorful and tribal. I didn’t get to see the rest of the street dancing though but I saw the grand floats of each tribe and their parade towards the Capitol Grounds.  

 

 

 

I bought Rusty a small penguin balloon which he named Frenchskin. It was hilarious seeing them together. Rusty told me that after 2 days, Frenchskin can already do a henna tattoo. I believe him.

 

We left around 11:30 and Jojo saw us off at the terminal.  We arrived about 2pm at CDO and I told Shao that we better get something to eat. The motorela driver charged us 20 each from Agorra Terminal to Nazareth.

I really wanted to go to Thai Me Up so I asked the driver to drop us off at Capistrano instead. But even if we were dropped off at Capistrano, the rate was the same. I think Shao and I looked funny because our face paint was wearing off. But the staff from Thai Me Up were amazing and accommodating. I even asked the waiter to make it fast since we were chasing our flights. I went to the restroom to freshen up and when I got back, Shao was already drinking the cooler something. It was a watermelon juice with bits of watermelon and mangoes. It was refreshing and perfect drink after the 2 hour ride from Bukidnon.

Our bill came to 700 pesos though.  I was so full I thought I was gonna hurl.  

I guess this ends my entry for now. I really want to go back to Bukidnon. I will definitely go back next year for Kaamulan! Won’t miss it for the world.  I miss the cool weather, the great ukay ukay finds, going to the toilet near the orchids. I even miss waking up to the sound of the tambols practicing at the Capitol Grounds! Ultimately, I genuinely miss the warmth of the friendship from the Dire Husi artisans plus of course, my new friend, Shao Liew.

All pics are from Shao Liew.