Visita Iglesia in Calbayog

It was so difficult to decide how we gonna reach Calbayog, with Mama's condition, she can no longer walk alone.  She needs to be assisted.

She arrived from US last March 30, to have a short visit in her hometown. As usual, her intention was to have a Visita Iglesia.

Considering her condition, commuting was a "No No".  So we hired a Van for her to travel comfortably.

We left Manila on April 2nd at 12:30am hoping that we could reach Sabang in the afternoon of the same day.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to cross Allen from Matnog at 3pm thru a Ferry Boat. We were able to cross at 4pm and arrived Allen at 5pm.  Oh my!  On our way to Calbayog was like traveling in a big "Sungkaan". The road was worst than a rough road.  Cemented as may say, you can not pass comfortably.  We suppose to travel for 1 and a half hours to reach Sabang, but we drove for 4 hours due to a heavily damage road from Allen to Lonoy.

On the followinf day,as planned, we started at Magsuhong.  Our next stop was the Cathedral, located at the city proper, Calbayog City.

We went down to Tinambacan and Oquindo then back to Sabang.

It was tiring but Mama wasn't satisfied yet 'coz she wanted to cross going to Cahumpan.  But it would be impossible for her to do so.

Unlike the bayside before, where we use to play on the sand, now, it's muddy and it would be impossible for Mama to reach the Banca, that will cross the river and reach the other side.  She was so disappointed but we explain to her the consequences it may bring to her if we push to that plan.

We left Sabang afterlunch of the following day.

We are thankful that the Van we hire had the best drivers we ever had.

Thanks to Rico and Carping for being accommodating and helpful.

'til next travel.

Who benefited the "Dune of Sand" ?

My Tiyong Cosoy arrived last week and I thought, he was going to fetch my Tiyang Lina ( his wife) because she was accompanying my mother for quite few months already.

But nope, he was here to try to find a way for a leaving since selling of gravel & sand was no longer helpfull and they have no more sand to haul.

Pity on our people,they loose the urge to look for another way of leaving in their hometown. Pity on my mother's hometown, they loose the "Dune of sand".

Yes, for long time, people in that town earns a lot. They were able to find easy way of leaving. Business men who started the Gravel & sand business in that area even earned more from
them because they saved a lot. They bought sand in a lesser price comparing when they will get it from their suppliers.

But what happen now? Who really benefited from the lost of the "Dune of the sand"?

"Dune of Sand" , a way of leaving?

It was rainy days then when a cousin of mine send me an sms message that they wanted to come to Manila to look for a job. She said it was hard for them to look for a way of leaving because it's already rainy season. I wondered because what I know was even in the rainy days, people on our province used to look for an earning easily.

I remember when we used to enjoy picking up branches of trees falls every after storm. We collect those and after drying, we bundled and sell it. This is one way of earning on that place.

"What happen?" I asked. She said "wala nang kita sa buhangin" (means there's no more income from the SAND) HAH?

For the past few years, the source of income of everyone in that small town was, hauling sand, taken from the "dune of sand", where we usually held our summer outings and get together. They haul and sell it to the Gravel & Sand store because income from that was a little bit higher than catching and selling fish, than planting & harvest rice and in any other sources. I was shock because I didn't know! What a dismay, this has been happening for few years already.

The memories of the "DUNE of Sand"

When I was a grader, I often wished school would soon be over. I always looked forward for summer to come to be with my beloved dune of sand right in the middle of the ocean. A number of mangroves that would disappear with the islet during high tide, managed to grow. It was one of nature's magic when it would splash out of the deep. This "now you see me, now you don't" body of sand was a perfect place for solitude and intimacy with nature. The raging waves which rushed back to where they came, would leave behind imprints of peace and serenity. 'Twas just a perfect place for imperfect dreamers! It was God's Sandcastle!

Each summer, my family and some friends would rent boats or "bancas" to bring us to that place. Bringing along with us some fishing gears, my Tiyong Cosoy (Uncle Cosoy ) and the kids were all excited to go.

Upon reaching the place, the "fishers" among us would go out into the deep for a catch. As soon as they caught some, the "fish eaters" among us would prepare and cook some while the young "fishers and fish eaters" among us would watch and kid around. An hour or so of fasting would soon be followed by feasting, singing and dancing. Some children would listen to stories while others prefer to go swimming, playing, and building sandcastles!

The sand, the boat, a handful of fish, the bonfire, the laughters, and the melodious sound of the waves were just among the few living memories I have of my beloved.

The memories of my "Dune of sand" were so vivid in my mind. I missed the place and how I wish...I could be with my beloved..............................................................N O W!