We finally got an off day. Sunday Fun day. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the work we’re doing. But it’s always nice to get a rest day, di ba?
Sylvie and Racquel had been planning this day for a while, keeping it on the down low and whatnot. Island-hopping. I’ve never been island-hopping before so I was really excited for today.
After everyone got ready, we sat in the lobby, taking pictures with the Prince who happened to be wearing a crown. A jeepney was rented out as our transportation to the pier and this would be the first time for some people to ride a jeepney. For me, jeepneys were my daily transportation while I was in Manila so I wasn’t that excited. Everyone piled into the back and there came a point where not everyone was going to fit. I quickly volunteered to sit in the front. I’m not one who likes sitting in the back — I get carsick easily. I sprinted to the front and sat in the middle, in between the driver and the conductor (the guy that usually collects the bayad/fare from passengers).
I think I have the nickname of “social butterfly” in our PP09 group, which isn’t surprising. As soon as I sat in that front seat, I introduced myself and spoke in Tagalog to the guys. The driver was Kuya Billy and the conductor was Kuya Shu. The reason I talk to so many people is 1) I want to learn more about them and where they came from and 2) I love talking to people which is surprising because I was never a “social butterfly” before coming to the Philippines. I think it’s because I feel more connected to all the Filipinos here that I can be comfortable talking to random strangers. So Kuya Shu (23) and Kuya Billy (33) are cousins and their work is just driving this jeepney around. It looks like an easy job, but it really isn’t. Staying in a jeepney for so long isn’t exactly the most appealing job and it doesn’t pay as much as it should. But that’s life in the Philippines, as I’m always told by relatives… As everyone jammed out to the slightly old school R&B mix of Kuya Billy, I continued to talk to Kuya Shu. I think I’ve told my parents’ life story to more than 30 people, I swear. I’m just so proud of them, you know?
We finally arrived at the pier and I bid farewell to my new Kuyas. We would see them around 4:30p… but off we go onto the boat. I sat with Susie and we pretty much got soaked. It’s like when you go to an amusement park and people like riding in the front to get wet on the water ride — except it wasn’t as salty as our experience. When we started seeing the different islands, it was an amazing sight to be seen. Again, I’ve never been to any other part of the Philippines, besides Manila and Batangas. I never knew such a beautiful sight could be hidden in all the pollution and overpopulated areas of the Philippines. I could understand why many tourists come to Cebu City — the Queen City due to all the tourists that visit.
A few girls and I went off to change and met up with everyone in the water afterward. We saw so many different starfish. The water was really shallow as well. Despite the shallow-ness, poor JChu stepped on something pointy that got stuck on her foot. Luckily, Dr. Alex got to work and took the pointy stuff out. We pretty much chilled in the water… taking pictures, messing with starfish, and finding sand dollars. The Prince got hungry and went off to see when lunch was. He called us over and we returned to the island.
The food was amazing. Like I have my standards when it comes to Filipino food and what was prepared was so delicious. Masarap! While we were eating, I looked around to see if there was a traditional Filipino serenade-like band because usually there is one in places like this. I was disappointed when I didn’t see anyone. It was okay though because I got to learn more about the people at my table. I felt bad for Noelle though because she was a bug-bite magnet.
After everyone finished eating, here comes the guys I’ve been waiting for — the band. Of course, I’d be the one to request songs. They sang Bayan Ko (Freddie Aguilar), May Bukas Pa, Dahil Sa ‘Yo, Ikaw Pa Rin, and Anak (Freddie Aguilar). I was a bit sad they didn’t know any Cinderella songs (old school, much?) but overall I was really happy they came to our table. I took a picture with them so I would remember them because despite their old guitars, they did justice to the songs they sung.
The band left, and Jonathan, Noelle, and I decided to rent out a boat. However, by the time we got there, we found out everyone who left during the “band concert” was on a boat. Awesome. We went around to walk onto the pier and we passed the pasalubong (souvenir) ladies again. I forgot to mention that you can see these pasalubong ladies when you first arrive on the island. I told them I would come back again to buy pasalubong, and I would never lie to them. I also joked about getting a discount, which of course I would feel bad about. “May bawas ba ‘yan, ate?”
Out in the water, Noelle and I were basically attacked by coral (we scraped our feet/ankle on them). That definitely wasn’t fun. We caught up with the boats and I jumped aboard the boat of JRo, Planes, and Alex. I was the shouter (I forgot the technical term…), yelling ROW! every now and then. We had a competition with the other boat which consisted of people I forgot, but we won! Yay Team! It was all because of my yelling skills, obviously. Joke~
I decided it was about time for me to go back because I promised those ladies I would come back. I walked down the pier and saw the pasalubong ladies smile at me. As I passed by them, I said, “Kukunin ko ang pera, ate.” — “I will go get my money.” I came back within a few minutes and looked at what they had. Even though I ended up buying only $10 worth of stuff they were so happy. I found out that they actually live on another island and they ride a boat in the morning to come to Nalosoan Island (the island we were on). They are all actually related in some way — all cousins, one said. I wasn’t able to learn all their names, so I continued calling them Ate/Kuya. I also noticed that the singer of the serenade band was also at the table. I praised his voice and told him that the songs he sung were my parents’ favorites.
And of course, whenever I meet anyone in the Philippines, I told them my parents’ life story. It’s something I like to share with everyone because I think it sort of gives hope to some people here. Because if you haven’t heard, my parents were from lower middle class families in the Philippines. But that’s a story for when I meet people. I also always mention that I really want to come back to the Philippines, if I can. It’s my life’s dream to be able to be useful in some way to my kababayan (fellow countrymen) here. This is one of the main reasons I joined SEALNet.
I love the Philippines so much, despite my not growing up here. I feel so connected to everyone here and I feel happiest when I am around my kababayan. Everyone here has a story and I want to hear it all. This is why whenever I get a chance to talk in Tagalog, I will step up and practice. Before I talk I always apologize for my bad grammar, but everyone always says, “Mabuti marunong ka, kahit ano.” (It’s great you learned, despite anything.)
After Nalosoan Island, we drifted off into the sea and stopped in a place so that we could swim in the ocean. It was super maalat/salty! It was a great experience though. We left that spot and returned to the place where my Kuyas dropped us off. I was so tired by I knew once I got onto that jeepney, I’d have to be Miss Talkative again. On the ride back, I was once again sitting in front with my Kuyas. We chatted very little because I pretty much used up all my material on the way coming to the pier. But on the way back, I tried to talk as much as I could. I could tell they were really entertained by what I would say.
I met so many people today and of course, I always love to share what I learned with everyone. Sorry if it’s a bit much, but I really did enjoy today. I hope I can meet more and more people and learn more and more as well.
-Kayla Bicol
