Journeys 248: The mundane makes sense

When we think that life must be complicated to make sense, we are wrong. Ordinary lives live by ordinary people are what makes sense in this world made complex by our own innuendoes and our own definition of how one must successfully live one’s life. Sometimes and sadly too, the barometer for a successful life is to get a good paying career, great and rich friends and those that brings us fortune and pride. In a society so constricted to the imposed definition of how living is in the context of success is, we strive to fit in at the utmost prejudice of our own humanity, individuality and our own destiny.

The moment I saw this man patiently waiting for fishes to took on his bait, I saw contentment and humility. Never the assuming kind, this man simply gazes through the sea water below the wharf and patiently waiting for the fishes to take the bait. He does not have a fishing rod, all the amenities that would have made his daily trips to the wharf something of a pride, ease and fulfilment. What he has is his patience, his ordinary life and one that drives him, his hope and dreams.

I did not have the courage to ask for his name and his stature in life but managed to smile at him when he noticed I took photograph of him doing his daily trade wherein, according to fellow fishermen by the wharf, the catch will be their meal by dinnertime. I am humbled at what I saw for I realized that what I have in life pales in comparison when gleaned upon their lives because for what I lacked in patience, they have in abundance, for what I lacked in determination, they have in utmost disposal and for what I lacked in humility, they live by it each day.

This man taught me one virtue that even in the mundane lives we choose to live each day, we make a patient journey towards fulfilment, one that is not measured by money or the wad of cash we keep in our pockets. It is rather measured on our responses to daily challenges of living and genuine service to men and society. In it, as what I saw taught me that even the mundane makes sense as opposed to what we made to appear in a society too myopic on its own self-limiting definition of living and LIFE.

Travel 122: Aliguay Island escapade

The entire JCI organizations in Mindanao went out of our way to visit Aliguay island, off Dakak in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte for our 2nd ACM/RCM, an event of the JCI Philippines that are designed to reinforced its programs and projects, informing members of the new directions of the organization, briefing of national projects, reporting of different regions and much more, going to reinforce the friendship we all built throughout the years.

We went to meet at the ZANORTE Capitol Plaza in downtown Dipolog City and had breakfast with my brothers from JCI Greater Pagadian at the Dimsum Place. Afterwards, we went off to Bucana Wharf area to take on the ferry going to Aliguay Island. By the way, the Serpentina ferry only goes to the island on weekends (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) with Php 200 per person fare one way. For the most adventurous, a motorized Bangka can be rented for Php 1,500 per day use.

Well, what to expect in going to Aliguay? The waves were mighty and beautiful and as the rest of the group had experienced, it is once in a lifetime journey, complete with prayers, laughter, fun and serenity. The waves are higher and higher but the moment we saw the island, the feeling of relief were all felt and the excitement is heightened.

Unaware of what to expect, I was greeted with a makeshift floating wharf in the island, very much of a fun-filled experience to disembark from the ferry. A great way to experience the travel to this island is the chance to disembark on this floating platform.

The white sand beach greeted us and the sun is bursting in mid-day heat so the summer is very much felt. The walk on the sand is one that every traveller felt relief after the tossing waves. It is a beautiful island which has its own helipad, its own cemetery and a small neighbourhood of fisherfolks.

The island is self-energizing itself using solar power so lights are on at 630pm and are off at 5am each day. The island has a Tacubo restaurant that offers sumptuous meals. There are tent areas all over the island for those who wanted to taste the au naturelle feel of it.

Coming here are of many ways. One can take a smaller vessel which usually takes an hour to an hour forty-five minutes across the waters or the ones we took using the fast-craft ferry which is an hour trip.

Aliguay Island is one great island that promises both as destination and a journey. Coming here is great relief when you see the island from the quay and the blue waters, so clean embracing you to take the dip and enjoy the sun.

Indeed, Aliguay island is one visit no traveller should miss.