Travels 224: In tranquillity we sail on

Most of our lives are characteristically defined not of what we naturally achieved but rather on how we responded to the challenges that come our way. We live in the days and years where challenges are abounding in all fronts: family, lovelife, career, financial freedom, debt, and of course, interpersonal relationships. Naturally still, we strived to become the best we can become because we dream and through these dreams, we achieve more to become more by less.

With it, I mean we become more by less because we aspire for a society where equality, respect, sincerity and tact is the observed norms. We achieve our dreams because we are driven for others; we are driven for others because we think less of ourselves and those that shaped us by ourselves. We obtain a fulfilling society because we care more by also showing genuine concern for others who have less than us.

In tranquillity we sail on, we pass through the most tumultuous chapters of our lives. It is because every after storm, we experience lightness of heart, openness of mind and a willing heart to sustain ourselves through our own commitment for others. Our commitment for others is much felt when we choose to lower our own stature to reach out for in our ability to reach out for those who have less than us, we felt it when we also feel their pains, their hopelessness and failed dreams. By it, one must immerse himself in the most taxing experiences to see beyond what is today. Similarly, like the lonesome journey across a flat and placid lake towards where our hearts felt free.

Tranquillity only happens when we achieve the highest form of inner peace brought about by a balanced LIFE and a lifestyle that is befitted for the greater good. People come and go, by our own bidding and adjustment; we accepted them as they come, much more as they go. Our chapters are replete with those exciting moments and reflecting failures which makes every turn of each page a profound experience. We sow tranquillity in moving on when we refuse to be bitter amidst all those that have been done unto us and those who hurt us. By tranquillity we sail on, we find inner peace and by inner peace, we deflect the bad and encourage the intangible greatness that define us through the life we live.

Travels 219: Living the weaving tradition: Kumala!

When my friends Paula Peralejo and Charlie Fernandez told me days ago about the mat weavers in Kumalarang, I was baffled what it was for I have never been to one before. I saw weaving communities like the ones I recently been to, the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City but something similar, in the province is one that raises interests on me. I am ecstatic to go so after an early dawn lake cruise at the Alindahaw Lakeview Resort, we went to Kumalarang to personally see the mat weaving under the School of Living Traditions as recognized by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

In my previous travels, I never contemplated pursuing links with the NCCA for authentic crafts and traditions but Paula Peralejo did. We went to the municipality which is around 45 minutes drive from Pagadian City to meet the one representing SLT in the municipality. After briefly meeting him at the terminal, we speed off to the area where the mats are laid for us to see and I am rather impressed.

The mats as they are weaved represent years and decades of traditions and family legacy. The designs represent culture and tradition, inherent in the community of Subanens in Kumalarang and they all are proud front-runners of the living tradition. It was observed (though, not in this visit of ours) that a member of the family, one master weaver sings a lullaby while she weaves through the mat. She express emotions, traditions, aspirations, norms, creativity and craftsmanship through her mat and the mats symbolizes the greatness of spirit of one community bounded and tied closely by the weaving tradition.

Notwithstanding that a night prior to our visit, the municipality was hit with floods as a result of heavy rains, the weavers met us with openness and jolly hearts and disposition. They all welcome us into their humble weaving place beside their abode. This particular trip with Paula and Charlie is an eye-opener for me.

The mats as I saw them are made up of raw materials sourced locally, dyed and then air-dried. The painstakingly longer days and nights weaving it into perfection is what makes it authentic and the tradition is passed on to new and younger generations. We met the pretty lass who weaves through her tender years and serves as as an apprentice to the master weavers. I saw beauty, both in craftsmanship and spirit, something I have never been in my lifetime until this most recent trip to Kumalarang.

Travels 217: Virgin and unspoiled, Isla Puting Balas

I was at the sandbar one time when I was young and took a memory compiled years after, recalling how it was when I first went there with the neighbours and siblings as well as family. When my dear friend Paula Peralejo and Charlie Fernandez, both fellow travel bloggers toss the idea of us going to Isla Puting Balas after an early morning lake cruise at Lakewood, I was ecstatic and excited.

We went directly to San Pedro to get ourselves motorized Bangka. While we are at the port, Paula and I were reminding ourselves the experience of our common friend, JourneyingJames, who is a fellow blogger when he went to Isla Puting Balas and that instead of going to the right island; he was ushered to the fisherman’s village in White Beach. Paula kept reminding us that we must go to the right island and negotiated with the Bangka operator and with success. We boarded the motorized Bangka together with some local residents destined to the White Beach but we are going to the right island for Php 350 round-trip.

The way to the island was humid and under the noon sun, we are initially energy-drained. Both Charlie and Paula teased me on our way to the island since the expression of worry I had on my face when I saw the Bangka as if it is overloaded. Paula teases me further that I am scared to get my camera while both of them are busy taking photos of the stilt houses. I am actually scared of waters and the experience I had with James was a fresh memory.

In arriving at the Isla Puting Balas, I was not disappointed. My worries gone so like children, I, Charlie and Paula jumped off and took photos that will be one of the best I have of a sandbar. I am enthralled at the immense beauty of which that unfolds before me. I am with great enthusiasm to explore the sandbar, taking photos of every angle and gained fresh perspective of the beauty of nature and how my own city, have one beautiful, virgin and unspoiled destination so few have gone.

Charlie and Paula walking through and a sight so romantic

Isla Puting Balas off Pagadian City

Isla Puting Balas greatly is a beauty to behold through a camera, enjoyed through an innocent swim and left it as it was before one arrives. The beauty of it is that aside from it being a sandbar, it symbolizes the immense beauty of nature and how it can contribute to how diverse places in the country are and in Mindanao in particular.

Journeys and Travels with Paula Peralejo at Isla Puting Balas

The sun was high in the early afternoon, we bid adieu to Isla Puting Balas recharged and inspired. Nothwithstanding the humid sea breeze and the hot sun above us, we stood back at how beauty was captured, in our minds and hearts, forever locked and shared by the three of us.