When The Thrill Becomes A Threat

"The innocuous sea began to surge bigger waves and the falling drizzle blurred what's in sight. We tried to remain calm but the ocean seemed not. Worst, no one in our boat has the aptitude to swim, except, of course, for the boatman. My life vest will keep me floating but I'm not certain how long it could keep me floating alive. Going against the tide, a huge wave will devour our frail boat at any moment. If we lose balance, it will make a complete overturn and all of us will adrift the vast ocean..."

Saturday morning.

Everyone went to work all packed up and good to go after the day of shift. It was our team building but I'm not sure if that's how you call it if half of the members wasn't there. Nine headcounts, one had to go. Midway as we're having dinner at the province of Bulacan, one received an emergency call- his father was rushed to a hospital. With our sympathy, he went back home but his ice bag went with us. After several thoroughfares and stop overs from 6:00PM to 11:PM, we reached our destination- the province of Zambales.

We met our contact person and assisted us to our place nearby the shore. My exhausted feeling dwindled when I got what I never had from the city- fresh air. Only through our illuminating flashlights and star-filled sky we were able to see our way. It was dark and I could only hear the soothing gush of waves from the void. The night turned deep and we took rest.

After a good night sleep, we had our breakfast and sails were ready. Three boats shoved off to cross another island.

Gigantic mountains surrounded by the sea. I'm always drawn to nature, how it could survive on its own and the symbiosis among living organisms. I don't really want to speak biology, I just can't help it. Things like these always leave me spellbound.

Thirty minutes had passed, we're close to Anawangin Island and welcomed by the mist fading through the morning.

I did island hopping before and I'm used to reach lands where there's no one but us. So far this one was the most crowded island I'd ever been. Local and foreign tourists everywhere. We strode through the place.

Had our lunch ashore and got ready for the second island. There's more to go, well...that's what we thought. Once more we shoved off but in the middle of the sail, little raindrops started to fall. The innocuous sea began to surge bigger waves and the falling drizzle blurred what's in sight. We tried to remain calm but the ocean seemed not. Worst, no one on our boat has the aptitude to swim, except, of course, for the boatman. My life vest will keep me floating but I'm not certain if after hours I would still be floating alive. Going against the tide, at any moment a huge wave will devour our frail boat. If we lose balance, the boat will make a complete overturn and all of us will adrift the vast ocean.

The boatman seated at rearmost asked me, "Are we still going to proceed to the next island?!". There's more about his question, I felt his fear- a fear contagious enough to pass on me. And I thought "this man had fully sensed the seriousness of the matter". I was next to him and I turned to my colleague next to me. As if playing the game of pass-the-message, I asked the same question- "Are we still going to proceed to the next island?!". We're just few inches from each other but kept shouting as we compete to the deafening sound of the boat engine. My friend responded by telling me not to panic. How could I possibly panic? I have no way to run, nor I have a way to jump. All I have is the edge of the boat to clutch on, the beat of my blood-pumping heart, a moment to decide and a prayer in silence.

I was thinking of the worst and the next possible way for survival. It struck us, a wave approached and went higher than the tip of the boat as if ready to swallow us, we lopsided. Three boats were still in motion with distance in betweens. Looking at each other, no one seemed to make any move. The way of survival is just at hand and that is- to decide. I let my left hand gripped at the edge of the boat, heaved my right hand and swayed my arm suggestive for retreat. I hollered " Let's go back!". Then the other two ladies with me second the motion. My team leader decided with a little less urgency. He pointed his finger to their boatman as if telling me the decision lies to the one who manages the engine. Yes, they supposed to manage the engine but not as to whether we drown or not. After few minutes, my team leader waved his arm as a signal to trail off. One by one, each boat deflected. It was a great sigh for visible land. When we stepped on the ground, all fears burst out and each has their own version of stories. If only I had a chance to take a shot of that moment. But in a matter of life and death, one won't have time to yank a camera and take a snap.

It wasn't a strong rain but unlike the ground that stood still, the ocean danced with the raging wind. We decided to spend the next few hours at a falls. Unfortunately, we kept the cameras from getting wet so we never had a chance to capture the moment.

It's almost over, we headed back to our place. Four of us said that the rest can go ahead and they will just follow. I let the other three go their way and found my self alone. Slowly, I strode through the shore, took off my footwear and let my feet feel the grits of sand with gush of waves. Those passed hours had been unpredictable and unforgettable. Sometimes, we can choose how will things end only by how we choose to survive.

It doesn't feel great not being able to make it to the second island but nothing can be greater than making it to a second life.

I will still be able to see my love ones.
Thank God.

A Mother is God's Idea

A Mother is GOD's great instrument for without her a child's first cry won't be heard. I always look with amazement to see a pregnant woman. A life inside a life, isn't that amazing? But being a mother ain't just about 9-month conceiving and painful delivery. It's a round-the-clock job, a fervent commitment, something that requires a whole heart and a keen mind. I am very blessed to have one. A mother is God's idea and he's indeed a genius.

To my mother, I may not be the sweetest daughter in the world but I am loving you at the best way I could. Thank you so much.

Happy Amazing Mother's Day!

The Dungeon Behind Paradise

My friend and I were striding on the way to their house. Suddenly a woman emerged from the rear, passed through us, running like a thief in search of a place to hide. She reached the gate and grabbed it with fear but before she could let herself in, a sturdy man dragged her out and with his other hand gave a slap on her face. With the sound of its wallop, I felt the pain. But the fumed man found no satisfaction, he beaten her until she fell on the ground. The woman had little strength to fend off and so she took every furious blow of fist from her so called...husband.

They say in any serious matter, keep placid. Right, I didn't even get the chance to move. And while everyone motioned briskly to defuse the man so as to save the woman, I was there, agape and stood still. I didn't panic, I was shocked.

No lights and cameras, no director that will holler "Cut!" to end the gruesome scene. It's not a movie with great casting. Something that I thought could only be seen on TV. It was real and at that very moment, before my bare eyes...it's happening.

The woman was my batchmate during grade school and her husband is my friend's cousin. With how they went through their relationship, the couple is a perfect emblem of a sadistic husband and a battered wife. On that night before my eyelids turned heavy, questions filled my mind.

It was 9 years ago but the resonance came to me when recently my colleague was gone for two days and went back to work with bruises throughout her body. Contusions were gained from her husband who has been physically abusing her. She found him guilty of having an affair with another woman and doesn't help her with the financial responsibilities as a family. Their marriage has been dismal and beautiful. He's dismal, she's beautiful. In spite of everything, she has hope that things will fall into place and her husband's ill demeanor will soon change. I am between pity and admiration with what's going with her and how she sees it.

Once more, my mind filled with questions. How could a man physically hurt his woman? What's running through his mind while doing it and hearing his wife screaming for help? Is there really a point where a woman deserves to be beaten? Does the knight shining armor had a change of heart by pointing his sword to his forgotten princess? Do these men took their words seriously when they vowed " 'Till death do us part " where death means it will be through their own unscrupulous hands? Can you blame the woman if she choose to stay with hope in spite of violence? Why did they tell me that being alone is miserable where in fact having a partner can be more miserable than that?

In a headline from Inquirer (December 06, 2008), one of the leading newspapers in the Philippines, PNP Women and Children Protection Center had given report that indicated case statistics for violence against women. From 4,881 in 2006, cases incremented to 5,729 in 2007, it had risen 17 percent. Cases of 1,892 fell under the category of physical injuries and wife battering. Thanks for the facts and figures but these ain't satisfying most of my questions.

Marriage is like opening a crystal clear gate of paradise where there are beautiful promises ahead. But for some, the paradise seems to reach its end 'coz with few more steps, they're on the way to dungeon. A dungeon where one will struggle to find the way out.


While I'm typing every word in this post all I know is that...Love may have winter season when some things turn bitter cold but respect, despite the weather changes, must be kept fairly warm.