JOURNAL 2011: My Summer with My Ministry in Bulan, Sorsogon

Journal 2011: My Summer with My Ministry in Bulan, Sorsogon

Well, there’s nothing new that every time I spend my spare time with my ministry, I always have a best time with them and enjoy those moments. It’s like we are enjoying things like it will never happen again. We laugh to each other jokes, we tease each other by our “meme” pictures, we eat and drink together, we learn a new dialects and new words, we speak in English like a normalconyo people, and we discover new things together. 

Our journey started on May 27, 2014, almost 9:00 P.M. and we spent the remaining time in Bagong Silang at Sto. Nino Parish, waiting for our 16-seater van. Some went to Jollibee and Mini-Stop, and some of us remained sitting on the sideway of the Sto. Nino Learning Center. We were ten in the ministry: Kuya Ervin, Michael, Kuya Aldrin, Jonathan, Prince, Laurence, Kuya Alvin, Kim, I and Kuya Cris, plus Kuya Eddie Boy and Ate Audrey, along with their children namely K.C. Boy, J.C. Boy, and the beautiful little girl M.C. 

It was an exhausted day for me since I just arrived in Bagong Silang 30 minutes before our call time. Imagine that instead you take a nap to complete the eight hours of sleep, you still have to fix your things and prepare what you need to bring for your next destination. What a weary day! The jetlag was still in me during that time and I don’t have any choice but to just say: “go go go go!”

We are at the back!

Next in Line~

Kuya Cris, Kim and Jonathan behind the driver's seat

Finally, the van arrived and Kuya Cris greeted the driver, who was the owner of the van, along with his tall son with Caucasian eyes. They exchanged words for the mean time and bit by bit, the driver gave some instructions for our things and for the safety in the midst of our journey. Kuya Aldrin, Kuya Alvin and I stayed on the church so we were the first ones who occupied the back portion of the van. Next to us, right after they arrived from somewhere they came from, Kuya Ervin, Prince, Laurence and Michael on boarded themselves on the second row seat, followed by Kuya Eddie Boy’s Family and then behind the driver’s seat, Kuya Cris, Kim and Jonathan sat comfortably. The tall fella (son of the driver) was beside his father on the driver’s seat.

We had our first bus stop along the SLEX Road and two more stop-overs to unfamiliar places to me. It was followed long long ago, and it was already past 12:00 when we stopped in the sideway of the road and we had our lunch there. I was in an epic-state mode because I am expecting that the van will rest somewhere that is near in any fast food chains, but it was NOT! Because of that, I don’t have food to eat. Thanks to the two people in my both sides who shared their foods with me!

[ video documentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QknLcXLpCOI ] 

The sole problem common to all of us was the manner of sleeping. Everyone is looking for a way on how they can sleep comfortably and rest for a long period of hours, killing the boredom and the long-time travelling. Also, our weary knees and butts were calling each’s attention. It was like we were eager to stand and to stretch our bodies! 

[ video documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1DrleBeMuA ]

The scenic views in the middle of our trip.

After several hours of waiting to reach our destination, observing a lot of Nipa houses and markets on the roadside, and watching the vast stretches of farms and lands, we reached our destination at almost 3:00 in the afternoon! The 18 hours of travelling almost took all our energies and we were like people craving for a place where we can sleep and where we can stretched our bodies. 

[ video documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnIBrihAKYM ]

sleep. sleep. sleep. sleep.

After a couple of hours of rest, we jumped off on our feet and prepared ourselves for our first destination: Perya! It was 9:00 P.M. when we walked in the middle of the night going to the perya. At first, I was talking to Kuya Ervin and I told him: “May Perya ba talaga? Why there are just few people walking on the same direction we are going in?” After several minutes, we noticed a lot of people were walking towards the same location. As we went near the gate, I saw the flickering lights from the different rides, the noisy crowd on all direction, the different snacks and street foods at all sides, and the cheerful ambiance where we were in. We played some games for five pesos each like the pick-a-color, gun shooting, throw-your-coin (ha-ha, I didn’t what do people call those games), but the most thrilling part of our adventure was our jaw-dropping ride in the roller coaster! It was not the usual roller coaster we see in SM Fairview or even some television broadcasting the events in Star City of Enchanted Kingdom. Its name is “Naughty Mice” and the mini-cars, from its name, are designed like tiny rats. There are four mice cars, and what makes it different to other roller coaster, right after the people sit on the mini-car, the operator will push the car which will make the car moves straight-forward, and the moment it reaches the bottom of the high rails, somebody will pull the string connected to the generator that will make the gear shackles push the car to the peak of the high-rails. After it reaches the highest part, (I guess) the inertia and the speed will make it move up and down. The supposed-to-be metal rod that should be locked (to protect us from falling to the ground) is actually a mere handle that can be up and down (because it was not locked!). The centripetal force acting on us when we reach the corner pushed us to shout like we are going to fall! After the ride, we were all speechless—basically that makes our first day a jumpstart for more adventures and experiences! 

the floating bamboo house!

On our second day, early in the morning, we had our breakfast and after a couple of hours, we prepared ourselves for the second expedition to our Bicol Outing.

First destination: Bariis Lake Park, somewhere in Sta. Remedios, Bulan, Sorsogon. We arrived there and we walked straight to the World War II Japanese Tunnel. It was a narrow tunnel, the subway are cemented and it has crossroads which will lead you to different sides of the park. We took the left tunnel and right after we reached the exit, we had a view of the lake and on its shore, we saw a floating Nipa hut and a rope suspended on both sides. We walked towards it and Tita Christy, with her daughter Joie, told  us that we can ride it. We boarded the floating cabin and after everybody is inside it, the man in his straw-hat and stained white shirt pulled the rope and we were like riding a boat. We reached the other end of the lake and it was a hill and a top of it, we had our photo-shoot with the colored flags. 

Under the heat!

We took again the floating Nipa Hut and we visited more places in the park. We walked up the mountain and we have taken photos under the big o range umbrella then after ten minutes of staying there, we went down again and we walked straight to the lo  ng floating bamboo huts suspended in  the water. We consumed our spare time sitting on the benches and watching the wide horizon, the mudded water, and the exquisite view of the nature. After 30 minutes of relaxation, we started walking because we are moving to our next destination: Bulusan Lake!   

We will never forget to have a photo-shoots!

The mountain tracks full of green trees welcomed us right after we went out our van! The view of the Bulusan Lake was really amazed me up to my nerves! It was really a beautiful place which is one of the evidences of the beauty of our country. We went there and had our photo-shoots one by one and our background was the amazing Bulusan Lake and the green mountain tracks. We had also a group pictures with the big statue of Mother Mary. We had a great time there and even though we’re tired of walking and walking, the splendor and magnificence of the Bulusan Lake reduced our exhausted bodies. Our next stop: Biñon Hot Springs! We ride the van and made ourselves ready for the hot water to splash in our bodies!

We spent the remaining hours of our escapade swimming in the relaxing hot springs in Biñon. That time, I got closed with Joie, the chubby yet smart baby girl of Tita Christy! I approached her first and asked her name. At first, she was shy to me but bit by bit, she was the one who was starting the conversation. I discovered (through her storytelling) that she is very good with her performance in school. She is very proficient in speaking in Bicol dialect plus she has knowledge in Spanish language for it is one of her subjects in her school. She is a good swimmer who knows a lot of types of floating like turtle floating, jellyfish floating, and many more. Joie is a sweet girl who also taught me of some Bicol words. She is one of the little girls who made my summer memorable. 

the beauty of the nature of the Philippines is incomparable...

After our swimming, we drove to the house of Kuya Cris’ relative which was located inside a small jungle. We walked for almost ten minutes until we arrived in a small enclosed land with a bamboo house in the center and coconut trees everywhere. The family of Kuya Cris’ brother offered us coconut water and eat its delicious meat! We were so hungry that time that we consumed mountains of coconut. After spending an hour there, we drove back to our home and waited for the procession of Santacruzan.

Lola Eron welcomed us with delicious dinner which aided our hungry tummies. We went outside of the house and watched the long line of beautiful ladies representing different characters. One of the beautiful ladies who was part of the Santacruzan is Ate Monique, Kuya Cris niece. She was dressed on a long turquoise gown which made her very elegant and beautiful. We had the opportunity to have a photo with her individually! That ended our second day in Bulan, Sorsogon.

The girl on turquoise gown is really beautiful!

We woke up very early on the third day since there was a few cottages in our next destination and we had to reserve our space there: at Sabang Park!

Our day until 12:00 in the afternoon was spent in that beautiful park with its beautiful beach and white sand! Actually, besides it is the perya where we went on the first night. Some of us jumped off their feet excitedly to the beach while the remaining three of us namely Kuya Aldrin, Kuya Alvin and I stayed on our cottage. Tita Fe joined us and brought with her the native foods of their province. The epic failure happened to the three of us, when we tasted the Hinagom! Tita Fe introduced us that graham ball-like food and she said it was one of best products of the Bulan. At first, I said it tasted like there is a tuba, a sour taste in the food. Kuya Cris also tasted it and he agreed to me about its taste! Finally, Tita Fe felt so sorry about it because it was already in its spoiled state. So the second ball I ate, instead I spit it, I swallowed it with whole might (eeewwwkkk!). Kuya Aldrin and Kuya Alvin said about its taste: “Boom Panees!”

This is the real meaning of WACKKYY!

[ video documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxRwmNFLOWc    and    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJWQz7StHw0 ]

While waiting for the street dance...

[ video documentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-FlqgMer6E ;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFlhXgosibY ;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybXwwD5jHvk ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N6VcWnWNvk ] 

After it, we were all so excited for the street dance of Padaraw Festival! We prepared ourselves and went on the back portion of the Immaculate Conception Church. We waited for half-an-hour under the heat of the sun and after waiting, we were bombarded by the creativity of each group of performers and the beauty of the street dancing! We were all in high spirits, including Kuya Ervin who managed to act like a reporter in a News T.V.! He wore an eyeglass, and a black-yellow shirt and shorts, and standing in front of the dancing people! Well, I could say that he is really a good news anchorman and he has bright future in the field of broad communication! Going back, we went to the center of the bayan where the contest took place. We were at the back of the crowd so we were not able to watch it over there. So we decided to just watch it over the television. We also had an opportunity to have a photo taken with the Miss Bulan 2014. She is really gorgeous, her skin is like a milk and she’s tall- perfect for becoming a miss universe! 

She's really beautiful. I'm speechless. She's very near to me! wahahahah!

We were invited to come over the old house of Tita Fe where, also, her beautiful niece is celebrating her birthday. As usual, we were welcomed by a tables of delicious foods! What accentuated was the spicy sotanghon which I could say the most delicious sotanghon I’ve ever tasted. It is like pansit but instead of Pansit Bihon, its pasta is sotanghon, and it has a spicy taste! We spent an hour there, chitchatting with the other visitors. Anyways, Tita Fe said that when she was four years old, the house was built. It only means that the house is nearly 43 years old! A few more years, it could be part of the historical buildings and sites in Bulan, Sorsogon! Kuya Cris warned us not to eat too much because we still have lots of places-to-go in the list. After there, Tita Fe accompanied us to the house of her bestfriend, Tita Annie (if I am not mistaken?? Ha-ha) where there was also a party happening that time. Some of us were crawling because they couldn’t bite a spoon of their food. We didn’t have choice but to get a few to show our gratitude to Tita’s friend. There, also, we saw a beautiful girl, and Kuya Aldrin, Jonathan and Kim tried to get close to the girl. Unfortunately, they failed. Ha-ha. But I asked for Tita’s help to know the name of the girl. It was a little awkwardness for us after Tita told us the name of the beautiful girl in front of her friend. Anyways, next destination was the seller of the Pili Nuts, who is a friend (again) of Tita Fe. She offered us new cooked pili nuts and we consumed approximately two bottles of it! Pili nuts is really a delicious delicacy of Bicol!

Happy Birthday Ate! :))

Well, if you noticed, the third day of us can be entitled as: “Food Trip and House-to-House Escapade!” We reached home and expectedly, most of us formed a line outside the comfort room! No one could cross the line. We had a sing-along with our new friends: Ate Sandra, Che, Sophia and Vince. Ate Sandra was the granddaughter of Lola Eron who is currently a T.L.E. teacher.  Che and the siblings Sophia and Vince are all nice and cute kids. Che is really great in speaking Bicol as well as Sophia and Vince who are both also good in speaking in English. I was touched when Vince asked me like this: “Kuya Mc, tuturuan namin kayo mag-Bicol, pero turuan niyo rin kami mag-English!” I was really in a shock-mode but I was so excited to give them their request! Kuya Aldrin was with me talking and entertaining their Tagalog-to-English-translations questions! On the other side, Kuya Alvin, Kim and Prince were talking to that talented Joie. Michael said that she is really a great girl and a talented one. The night gradually ended up by groups: some watched movies in the end-side of the kitchen, some sang with Ate Monique in the living room, and some just hopped on the mat to sleep. That time, before I sleep, I was telling: “Let us call it a day!” I was somewhat sad that time because the next day was our last day of stay.  

The next morning, we had our early breakfast with rice cake, fried rice, suman, Shanghai, friedgalunggong partnered with hot chocolate. That day was the grand fiesta day and we woke up very early so that we can attend the fiesta mass. Before we went to the church, we offered our simple-but-wholeheartedly gift to Lola Eron and Tita Christy. It is a cardboard with Mount Mayon printed on it, and at the back of it is our faces with Kuya Cris in the center with open shoulders like telling: “Welcome to Bulan!” We wrote there our messages and heartfelt gratitude to the family who welcomed us wholeheartedly and warmly.   

Group Picture With Lola Eron and Tita Christy

We attended the mass after our wonderful and delightful breakfast and it is a hundred meters away from the house. We wore our black shirt and walked going to the big church of Immaculate Conception. According to Kuya Cris, the church was designed like a big cross and as you entered the church, you can see a narrow line of seats in front of the altar and two big ones on its sides. We stayed on the left hand of the church. As we expected, the language that will be used in the mass is Bicol. Definitely, we didn’t understand most of the words but, thanks, we are knowledgeable about the flow of the mass that’s why we know when to bow, when to sing, when to respond, and so on. Also, thanks to Kuya Cris for being our translator during the mass. Well, the good thing is, in mass, even the language is different, if your heart is connected with God’s heart, you can eternalize the readings and act like you can understand the language.

M.A.S. with Immaculate Conception's M.A.S.

After the mass, we went back to our house, and all of us were busy preparing our things for our departure. That time, I hurriedly fixed my things because I am making and finishing the poem that I will give to Tita Christy (see Journal 2009: It’s More Fun in Bulan. ) and to Lola Eron.

I didn’t have time to print it so I don’t have choice but to use my penmanship, write it in a small paper. I was really touched and my heart was pierced right after Kuya Ervin read the last word of the poem, Tita Christy cried and Kuya Cris’ mother cried as well. Everybody was touched about that moment and it was like I want to cry too! For me, that’s the best gift I could give to them in exchanged to their priceless kindness and hospitality to all of us. Spending the remaining time of our vacation is the most unforgettable time for me. It was like every minute and every second are precious diamonds and shining gold that I will always treasure in my heart. Just like what I’ve said in the last stanza of my poem:

Nais naming ipaalam, ang walang hanggang pasasalamat,

Ang mga ala-ala’y kay sayang tunay!

Di malilimutan yaong mga kasiyahan,

Kayo po’y mananatili sa aming puso’t isipan!

[ journal link: https://www.facebook.com/notes/mcden-lleno/journal-2008-2011-my-summer-2014-part-3/405962212879183 ] 

I really mean those words. From the bottom of my heart. 

Trip to Cagsawa Ruin Park and the Scenic Beauty of Mayon Volcano

At exactly 1:00 P.M., we aboard our van and exchanged our final hugs and kisses to them. Inside the van, our emotions were all overwhelmed by their smiles and good-byes as we go farther and farther. Well, I surely miss them and spending my summer with them is one of a kind and I will never forget it!

Our journey did not stop then. We continue travelling until our last destination: the famous Cagsawa Ruins and the beautiful view of Mayon Volcano! We spent an hour there buying our souvenirs, t-shirts, wallets, and key chains. After our purchasing thingy, we went inside the Cagsawa Ruin Park. There is an entrance fee of P10.00 and our benevolent coordinator paid for our fees. We entered it and for me, being first timer of visiting it, amazed me of the beauty of the view of the Mount Mayon. As usual, we had our photo-shoot there with the Mayon background. And the most unforgettable part was made by Jonathan, Prince and Kim. They bought a mango-chili shake which can really pierce your throat because of the spiciness! The funniest moment was when Kuya Cris drank a portioned of it and his face was like he tasted the most disgusting food!

That was the last place we visited and completed our four-day escapade!

Anyways, well, I will never forget always to thank the people who contributed everything for the success of our outing!

First, to my Ministry family for making every second worthwhile! To Sir Prince for his insurmountable kindness of lending us his camera and I-pad for the endless photo-shoots, thanks also for being with me always in my selfie pictures! I also learned a lot when I got my thigh pain and you taught me of different ways to cure it. To Sir Michael for the jokes and his funny budot budotdance! To Sir Kim for making me his pillow during our going-home-to-Silang trip. I would like to inform you too about how heavy you are and I was like a shrinking marshmallow after 20 minutes of napping on me. Anyways, I also owe you some of my knowledge in Bicol language, especially the “makarigos ka na; magkaribod; magkaon kita” and many more. To Laurence for giving us unlimited happiness for allowing the group on putting him in the center of all jokes and teasing. To Sir Than also for his “helping hands” when he offered me a massage. And the tittering and giggling times of us, perhaps. To Kuya Ervin, for his endless bullying to me which really makes me feel my presence in the group. Also for managing our group token that we gave to Lola Eron and Tita Christy. He is also with me for my video documentations that maybe I am the only one who is enjoying it (huhu). Lastly, I will never forget about his wonderful act during the Padaraw Festival, acting like a field reporter! You’re so great indeed! And of course, to the twin brothers, Kuya Aldrin and Kuya Alvin who I’ve spent my time with (every time I feel *tutut tutut* to *tutut tututs people*) along with my ministry brothers. Thanks for the lunch you shared with me during our sojourn to Sorsogon, thanks for lending me your ears even though you are not interested to my endless stories. And lastly, thanks for our endless debates when we were seated at the back portion of the van. And of course, To Kuya Cris, our affluent and rich coordinator, who handled most of our expenses, for letting us experience this wonderful recreational activity and for giving us this unforgettable memento in life.

Also, to the family of Lola Eron and Tita Christy, including our friends Joie, Ate Sandra, Sophia, Vince, Che, Ate Monique, Tito Cesar and family- your family is surely blessed by God’s graces for your incomparable kindness to us. I will never be tired of telling you that your family will always be in our hearts and minds. And also, spending my summer with you is such a wonderful moment to all of us. God Bless you all and we all love you!

Special thanks also to Tiballa family, especially to Tita Fe, for bringing us the delicious delicacies of Bulan and also for bringing us in different houses who welcomed us warmheartedly and offered us delicious foods. Also to Ate Elaine for her very helpful monopod! I want to express also my pleasure to her (Ate Bem) for being my new friend. We had our short-but-meaty chitchats about things like concerts, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, College life, One Direction, and Universities entrance tests! Hope to have more chitchats to come!   

Of course to our supportive and kind sponsors who helped us for our expenses. I am so sure that without them, our expedition will never be as wonderful as it was. Even though I don’t know your names, I, we will always pray for you to have more blessings to come ahead to your families. Our big gratitude will always be with you.

To our beloved parents and families, who allowed us to join this wonderful experience!

To our driver for not sleeping and guiding us to our trip.

To our Phase 8-A Coordinator, Kuya Jayson, and Kuya Edison, for handling a few of our jobs during our absence in St. Paul.

To the Bulanenos people who contributed to the happiness of our expedition.

And lastly, to our Almighty God for giving us a safe and sound outing to Bulan! He offered us a wonderful and unforgettable experience that every man in this world is dreaming to have! Thanks Papa Jesus! We Love You!

--

Well, this portion of my summer 2014 is just another unforgettable moment that will be included in my wonderful life. Just like what I tell to my brothers, I hope I can join on the next trip! Absolutely, my Summer 2014 reached its maximum level of happiness for me!

Your toddler friend,

McDen.

thanks for reading my journal! :)))

P.S.

Please do visit my YouTube channel, and follow me! Watch out our documentations to our Bulan Escapade! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDLrL3KszTX0XaM4vyzyBQ

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