Showing posts with label Cebu. Show all posts

The Unconditional Love of Jean

By Apolinario Villalobos

She’s a young Cebuana, got a pretty face and brains that brought her success in business ventures. But her greatest plus is her heart that can love without condition.

Her fate got tangled with a guy who tried to put together his shattered life after a series of unsuccessful relationships. At the time of their encounter, the guy was at the verge of despair and with his wits almost gone. They struck some kind of mutual understanding that did not dwell on conditions because the guy was honest enough to admit his past relationships with two other women. They were gifted with a beautiful love child whom they pampered with love.

But just like the rest of love stories, theirs was also shrouded with tragedy. The guy did not know that a cancer was developing in his pancreas. Only when he could no longer take the excruciating pain despite the operation of his gall bladder to remove the stones, did he give his consent to undergo a more thorough check up, after which he was told that he got the big “C”, and on its stage 4, yet! The news devastated him emotionally as he was determined to enjoy life more, especially, with the coming of a beautiful daughter.

The heartbreaking news did not deter Jean from loving the guy more, as she knew that, that was the time the guy needed her most. She endured his flare ups, as expected due to his desperate situation. With the help of the guy’s former classmate, she took care of him without a bit of complaint.  The guy was brought to the hospital regularly until his physician decided to let him stay at home for good where he would just be visited for check- ups, short of saying that his case was hopeless.

His physical condition was alarmingly deteriorating. At this point, Jean helped him get in touch with his eldest daughter by his first wife, and who did not waste time to be at his father’s bedside. She also brought along her own family. As expected, emotions were poured out as the father and daughter recalled the days when she was just a child growing up in his care while her mother was working abroad. Next to arrive was his daughter by his second wife, and whom the eldest daughter welcomed like a long lost sister. Jean welcomed her, too, as if she was her own daughter.

Jean, the third woman in the guy’s life, stayed on the sideline to give way to the guy’s eldest daughter and the newly-arrived one, as they expressed their gratitude to their long lost father by giving their share of care. Jean could not show how emotionally touched she was because it might affect the guy who was fighting for his life. All she could do was cuddle her daughter far from their sight and cry her heart out.

The eldest daughter worked hard to reconnect her father with her mother and siblings in Baguio. Her “mission”, the almost impossible long distanced reconciliation was made replete with emotion. Through his eldest daughter, the guy also asked forgiveness from those whom he hurt in one way or another. Extreme Unction was given to him…and just before the onset of Christmas 2014, he finally closed his eyes for good.

After the guy’s remains were cremated, it was decided that his ashes would be brought back to his birthplace in central Mindanao. From Cebu, and with a van, Jean and her stepdaughter took an interisland ferry for Mindanao, a grueling travel considering that they had with them a less than three year old girl, and also the eldest daughter’s family consisting of her husband and three children. Upon arriving in the port of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Sur, they undertook the long journey towards the guy’s birthplace in Sultan Kudarat, central Mindanao, in a van that they drove alternately for a long and tedious journey.

On the day of interment, during the Mass, the daughter made a testimony on the sacrifices of Jean, referring to her and her child as her “extended family”. The family and friends of the guy were overwhelmingly touched and Jean was welcomed with warm embrace by them without any “condition”, as well…making her “officially” part of them.

The story of Jean is one about reaping what has been sowed. Her unconditional love to the guy was reciprocated with unconditional love, too, by his family and friends…proof that the parable in the Bible is true and can happen in real life, today.

The guy was my classmate in high school and a close relative. Jean is almost forty and the guy just turned sixty.

Rediscover the Philippines

Through Scuba Diving

By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippine archipelago that comprises  more than seven thousand islands and islets, is something to behold from air – islands fringed with white beaches, rolling hills, mountains capped with green, with some hills and valleys showing patches of green and brown ,  strewn between the Pacific Ocean and China Sea. During the 80’s, the joint effort of the national government and the private sector comprised of Philippine Airlines, scuba diving outfits and travel agencies, resulted to the creation of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, with the Special Committee for the Development and Promotion of Underwater Diving Tourism as its action arm. From the end of Philippine Airlines, the representative was its Tours and Promotions Division, with its personnel, Edgar Buensuceso, Julio Luz and Thelma Villaseῆor. That was the outlook of dive tourism when the industry was yet, kicking high.

Today, with or without joint effort between the government and private sector, the country deserves to be re-discovered because of the vast paradise that covers its ocean floor. With some 34,000 square kilometers of coral reef, the Philippines could well be dubbed as the scuba diver’s haven. From the northern islands down to the atolls of the south, what the country brags virtually make it the ultimate destination for this aquatic sport. The geography of the country may make one’s movement seemed hampered. But who cares if at the end of a grueling cruise or a combined air and land travel a submarine paradise beckons?

If one may start with the northern islands, there’s Fuga to try. It is a part of the northernmost province – Batanes. Then going down to Pangasinan, there’s Santiago Island off Bolinao. On the eastern cost of northern Luzon are Polilio Islands of Quezon Province. All these are accessible via land transport, except for Fuga, going to which would need a chartered plane.

South of Manila are dive sites which are accessible via Batangas City. The veritable subaquatic gardens of Nasugbu, Balayan Bay, Verde Island, Anilao coast, and Sigayan Bay, practically fringe the coast of Batangas province.

Mindoro, an island of two provinces south of Batangas, also has colorfully-alive marine parks to offer. These areas are those around Lubang Islands, Apo Reef and Semirara, all on the western side of Mindoro. On the eastern side are the equally colorful coral beds of Puerto Galera and Buyallo.

Marinduque, the “Moriones Island”, has Tres Reyes and Mompog to offer. The island province is accessible by air and combined land and water transport, either through Lucena City or Gasan.

The surrounding waters of Visayas region are replete with motley colonies of corals inhabited by pelagic fishes. Romblon, for instance, has Dos Hermanas and Cresta de Gallo; Antique and Aklan with their Batbatan and Boracay.  Cresta de Gallo and Sicogon Islands of Iloilo, also have memorable dive experience to offer, and there’s yet, Nagas Island to complete this old province’s list of dive spots.

A marine sanctuary, Sumilon Island, is easily reached from Dumaguete City, although, it is geographically part of Cebu. The sanctuary is being maintained by the Silliman University. Another island which is frequented by divers in this part of the country is Apo which is also just a short distance from Dumaguete.

Cebu, the country’s seat of Christianity prides in its dive sites that attract hordes of divers throughout the year, except for Capitancillo, an islet which is at its best from April to October. From Mactan Island in the north to Pescador Island  in the southwest and the Danajon Banks, there seemed to be not just enough time for exploration. A popular snorkeling and diving destination among shoestring-budget tourists in this island is Moalboal which is noted for its laid back atmosphere.

From Cebu, Bohol is just a few hours on a ferry. This Chocolate Hills-famed island-province has added two of its islets, Cabilao and Panglao to the already long list of destinations which divers have been frequenting. Both are resplendent with colorful marine life throughout the year. Aside from the ferries from Cebu, the island-province is also accessible from Manila on regular daily flights.

The diagonally-lying island of Palawan is gifted by Nature with atolls and islets, some of which are not yet thoroughly explored. These are the Calamianes Island, Cuyo Islands, Cagayan Islands, Green Island Bay, Bacuit Bay, Ulugan Bay, Honda Bay, Balabac Island, Taytay Bay, and Tubbataha Reef. Down south in Mindanao, divers will delight in Davao’s Talikud Island, Zamboanga’s Sta. Cruz Island and the island sanctuary of Camiguin.

Most of the dive sites in the Philippines are yet in their unspoiled stage, thanks to their almost impossible accessibility. The rest, however, are frequently visited, so that concerned local governments have already started to impose strict regulations.

Interested parties are advised to make advance arrangement with dive shops if they intend to visit islands and reefs so that necessary coordination and clearances can be made with concerned government agencies. Dive packages are also offered by some tour agencies. Some resorts, however, such as those in Anilao (Batangas), Boracay,  and Puerto Galera,  offer on- the- spot arrangements. Seaside hotels Cebu can  assist visitors with their dive requirements.

With tourism as among the last resort revenue earning industries of the Philippines, much effort is exerted by both the national government through the Department of Tourism and the different concerned private sectors in regulating it along the line of ecology.

Moalboal: Cebu’s Hidden Gem

By Apolinario Villalobos

For a strange sounding place like Moalboal which most Filipinos do not even know where such can be found, a shrug is the usual reaction. But if Europeans and Japanese divers have liked it so much that they come back year after year, then, it must be something extraordinary for a place. It is far from Cebu and the road is semi-rugged but still this exotic-sounding southwestern town of Cebu draws the interest of most foreign sea lovers.

According to a folktale, the name Moalboal came from the word “bukal-bukal”, mispronounced by a woman with a cleft palate, when she thought that a Spaniard for the name of the place, but thinking that she was being asked here where she fetched her water. Because of her impairment in speech, she told the Spaniard that that the water came from “moal-moal”.

The folk hero of the Moalboalnons was Laguno Sabanal, a warrior from Bohol who came to settle in the village with his family. It was alleged that he was protected by a prayer which in the dialect is called “yamyam”, that could deter enemies from harming him. It was tested when the village was invaded by Moros from Mindanao. He told the men of the village to throw coconut husks into the sea and with a prayer, he made the invaders perceive them as warriors swimming towards them. In haste, the Moros left and did not bother the village anymore. When he died, it was said that he was buried beside a spring near the beach. They used a tree trunk as a marker that bleeds every time someone tried to cut it.

To be exact, Moalboal is 89 kilometers southwest of Cebu City and travel time is about two and a half to three hours over semi-rugged road that winds through quaint uptowns and fishing villages. It is between the towns of Alcantara and Badian. One actually traverses the width of the island, with a chance to see coralline cliffs several hundred feet above sea level and undulating coco plantations. Along the way, there’s also the chance to mingle with villagers during a “tiyangge” or “tabo” (village market day) which is held on Thursdays and Sundays during which makeshift stalls mushroom along the road. At Barili, which is also along the way, one can have a glimpse of Mantayupan Falls.

There are seven towns that precede Moalboal. They vary from sleepy to bustling and antiquated to highly-developed. Moalboal, is itself a quiet town with an unassuming market where most of the activities of its inhabitants are centered. The concrete municipal building faces the big Catholic Church which is flanked by high school buildings fronting the Tanon Strait. Wooden houses line the roads that comprise the town’s crisscrossing streets which may be unimpressive to discriminating intruders. But the scene does not picture Moalboal in totality.

Today, the main road fronting the municipal building is named Laguno, after the folk hero.

One has to take a road westward to Basdiot where Panagsama Beach is located,  to see more or rather, the “real” Moalboal. Panagsama is just a small community of fishermen who live in clusters of cottages along the white beach which is also pockmarked with resorts, most of which also offer dive packages. It Divers and snorkelers need not go far from the beach to enjoy colorful coral gardens. But the more adventurous has the option to rent a pumpboat that could bring him farther out. North of the town is White Beach (Bas Dako) at Barangay Saavedra, which is also frequented by sea lovers.

A mere forty five minutes away on a pumpboat is Pescador Island ringed by cavernous drop-offs, replete with marine life and corals. A veritable dive area, this speck of rock with a thin layer of soil is also the locals’ fishing ground.

The ‘70s which was considered as the golden years of the tourism industry in the country, also saw the rise to popularity of Moalboal whose pioneering habitués were backpackers from Europe. Simple native huts comprised the early “resorts” without electrical fixtures. Some of backpackers preferred to pitch their tents along the beach which the locals tolerated.

Today, resorts with modern facilities such as bar and restaurant, some even with swimming pool, dot the beaches of Panagsama and Bas Dako (White Beach). Arrangement can be made with their management regarding the renting of boats and dive or snorkeling facilities.

A Philippine town or village comes to zesty life during fiestas. For Moalboal, it’s the Kagasangan Festival that revolves around the corals,  celebrated during the 15^th and 16^th of May.

Unlike Boracay,  Moalboal is serenely laid back, where peace and quiet moments can be enjoyed – a deserved destination at the end of the 89-kilometer travel over semi-rugged roads. This veritable hidden getaway can be reached on buses with regular daily schedule from Cebu City. Commuters should take note that the bus they take for Moalboal is via Barili. These buses can be taken at the Cebu South bus station. Those who are in a hurry may take a taxi at the airport, for which assistance from tourism personnel is necessary. Within the locality and in going to nearby towns, tri-sikad (tricycles),  pedicabs and multi-cabs are available for the commute.

Rediscover the Philippines

Through Scuba Diving

By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippine archipelago that comprises  more than seven thousand islands and islets, is something to behold from air – islands fringed with white beaches, rolling hills, mountains capped with green, with some hills and valleys showing patches of green and brown ,  strewn between the Pacific Ocean and China Sea. During the 80’s, the joint effort of the national government and the private sector comprised of Philippine Airlines, scuba diving outfits and travel agencies, resulted to the creation of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, with the Special Committee for the Development and Promotion of Underwater Diving Tourism as its action arm. From the end of Philippine Airlines, the representative was its Tours and Promotions Division, with its personnel, Edgar Buensuceso, Julio Luz and Thelma Villaseῆor. That was the outlook of dive tourism when the industry was yet, kicking high.

Today, with or without joint effort between the government and private sector, the country deserves to be re-discovered because of the vast paradise that covers its ocean floor. With some 34,000 square kilometers of coral reef, the Philippines could well be dubbed as the scuba diver’s haven. From the northern islands down to the atolls of the south, what the country brags virtually make it the ultimate destination for this aquatic sport. The geography of the country may make one’s movement seemed hampered. But who cares if at the end of a grueling cruise or a combined air and land travel a submarine paradise beckons?

If one may start with the northern islands, there’s Fuga to try. It is a part of the northernmost province – Batanes. Then going down to Pangasinan, there’s Santiago Island off Bolinao. On the eastern cost of northern Luzon are Polilio Islands of Quezon Province. All these are accessible via land transport, except for Fuga, going to which would need a chartered plane.

South of Manila are dive sites which are accessible via Batangas City. The veritable subaquatic gardens of Nasugbu, Balayan Bay, Verde Island, Anilao coast, and Sigayan Bay, practically fringe the coast of Batangas province.

Mindoro, an island of two provinces south of Batangas, also has colorfully-alive marine parks to offer. These areas are those around Lubang Islands, Apo Reef and Semirara, all on the western side of Mindoro. On the eastern side are the equally colorful coral beds of Puerto Galera and Buyallo.

Marinduque, the “Moriones Island”, has Tres Reyes and Mompog to offer. The island province is accessible by air and combined land and water transport, either through Lucena City or Gasan.

The surrounding waters of Visayas region are replete with motley colonies of corals inhabited by pelagic fishes. Romblon, for instance, has Dos Hermanas and Cresta de Gallo; Antique and Aklan with their Batbatan and Boracay.  Cresta de Gallo and Sicogon Islands of Iloilo, also have memorable dive experience to offer, and there’s yet, Nagas Island to complete this old province’s list of dive spots.

A marine sanctuary, Sumilon Island, is easily reached from Dumaguete City, although, it is geographically part of Cebu. The sanctuary is being maintained by the Silliman University. Another island which is frequented by divers in this part of the country is Apo which is also just a short distance from Dumaguete.

Cebu, the country’s seat of Christianity prides in its dive sites that attract hordes of divers throughout the year, except for Capitancillo, an islet which is at its best from April to October. From Mactan Island in the north to Pescador Island  in the southwest and the Danajon Banks, there seemed to be not just enough time for exploration. A popular snorkeling and diving destination among shoestring-budget tourists in this island is Moalboal which is noted for its laid back atmosphere.

From Cebu, Bohol is just a few hours on a ferry. This Chocolate Hills-famed island-province has added two of its islets, Cabilao and Panglao to the already long list of destinations which divers have been frequenting. Both are resplendent with colorful marine life throughout the year. Aside from the ferries from Cebu, the island-province is also accessible from Manila on regular daily flights.

The diagonally-lying island of Palawan is gifted by Nature with atolls and islets, some of which are not yet thoroughly explored. These are the Calamianes Island, Cuyo Islands, Cagayan Islands, Green Island Bay, Bacuit Bay, Ulugan Bay, Honda Bay, Balabac Island, Taytay Bay, and Tubbataha Reef. Down south in Mindanao, divers will delight in Davao’s Talikud Island, Zamboanga’s Sta. Cruz Island and the island sanctuary of Camiguin.

Most of the dive sites in the Philippines are yet in their unspoiled stage, thanks to their almost impossible accessibility. The rest, however, are frequently visited, so that concerned local governments have already started to impose strict regulations.

Interested parties are advised to make advance arrangement with dive shops if they intend to visit islands and reefs so that necessary coordination and clearances can be made with concerned government agencies. Dive packages are also offered by some tour agencies. Some resorts, however, such as those in Anilao (Batangas), Boracay,  and Puerto Galera,  offer on- the- spot arrangements. Seaside hotels Cebu can  assist visitors with their dive requirements.

With tourism as among the last resort revenue earning industries of the Philippines, much effort is exerted by both the national government through the Department of Tourism and the different concerned private sectors in regulating it along the line of ecology.

Ang “Pari” sa Cebu

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Isang Fr. Romeo Obach, Redemptorist priest ng Cebu ang namamayagpag sa internet hindi dahil may ginawa siyang maka-Diyos, kundi may ginawa siyang mala-demonyo. Sa harap ng mga tao sa loob ng simbahan, sa pagsalita niya sa mikropono pagkatapos niyang binyagan ang anak ng isang menor de edad na single mom, inalipusta niya ito sa pagsabing nakakahiya ang ginawa niyang pagpapabinyag sa anak, dahil hindi naman daw ito kasal. Hindi na natakot ang paring ito sa may kayabangan niyang pagsalita habang nasa likod niya ang altar na sambahan. Hindi malaman kung siya ay may hang-over sa bahal na tuba o bangag.

Unang-una, nilabag niya ang kautusan ng Diyos tungkol sa paghusga ng kapwa. Ang dapat na ginawa niya ay kinausap ng maayos na parang “ama” ang dalagang ina pagkatapos ng binyag at pinangaralan. Murahin pa niya kung gusto niya, basta walang makarinig na iba – para bang nagkukumpisalan lang. (May narinig na akong pari na nagmura, pero bihira daw niyang ginagawaito – kung sobra na ang galit niya at gusto niyang lumuwag ang dibdib niya….yan ang paring tunay!...umaaming tao din siya.) Kung nakausap ng pari  ang magulang ng dalagang ina, sana nalaman niya na muntik nang magpakamatay ito dahil hindi rin niya gusto ang nangyari sa kanya, subali’t dahil may madadamay na ibang buhay – ang nasa sinapupunan niya, minabuti niyang magpakatatag, hanggang mailuwal niya ito nang maayos.

Wala sigurong internet sa kumbento ng paring si Obach, kaya hindi niya nakita ang pagbinyag ng santo papa sa anak ng mag-asawa sa Vatican…at ang mag-asawa ay hindi kasal. Kung sinasalungat niya ang mga halimbawa ng mismong namumuno ng simbahang Katoliko, demonyo nga siya.  Ang mga katulad niyang nagbibigay ng kahihiyan sa simbahang Katoliko, kaya tuloy marami ang tumitiwalag at lumilipat sa ibang relihiyon o sekta, ang dapat itiwalag!

Hindi mabubura sa isipan ng mga tao ang ginawa niya, ilang beses man siyang mag-apologize, na halata naman sa mukha niyang hindi bukal sa kalooban.

May alam din akong pari na nag-alipusta ng mga batang kumanta ng praise song para kay Virgin Mary habang nagpuprusisyon. Dahil biglaan ang pagturo sa mga bata ng nasabing kanta, hindi masyadong nakuha ang tono, lalo na at mga bata nga sila. Ang pag-alipusta ay ginawa ng pari sa harap ng mga maninimba nang magdaos siya ng Misa. Wala man lang pumalag ni isa sa mga miyembro ng isang religious organization na malapit daw sa kanya. Dahil wala ngang pumuna, akala ng nasabing pari, ay tama siya sa ginawa niyang pag-alipusta! Kaya hanggang ngayon ay nandiyan pa rin at naghahasik ng kaaliwaswasan sa mga Katolikong patuloy na nakikinig sa kanya sa Misa, maski alam nilang may dapat baguhin sa ugali niya! Damay-damay na…dahil yong iba sa mga “tupa” niya, nagsasabi tuloy na kung siyang pari ay ganoon ang ugali,  bakit sila oobligahing magbago ganoong “ordinaryong” Kristiyano lang sila? …tama nga naman, di ba? Kaya tuloy ang “maganda” nilang samahan!

Ito ang nakakabahala, dahil hindi lang sa gobyerno naglipana ang mga corrupt na maitim ang kaluluwa, kundi sa hanay din ng mga dapat sana ay taga-akay natin tungo sa maka-Diyos na daan! Sayang at hindi nila nagagamit ang kung ilang taong pinag-aralan sa seminaryo….