“Two roads diverged in yellow woods, and I, I took the road less
traveled by.”- Robert Frost
I don’t want to get
used to it
Sometimes, even if how much we love the things we give
importance to, there will come a time wherein we get tired of a scenario that
keeps on happening still. It might be a
cause of quitting the challenge, but that doesn’t mean that you love it less.
It’s just that some times in our lives we become weak because of the unchanging
results of these things, and we have to admit it to ourselves—we are but humans
too.
Even before the exact date was settled, I really thought of
joining the immersion. I said to myself that it would be a great experience
going there, so why not try asking my parents’ permission to allow me to go
there.
In the middle of May, there are some unexpected things that
happened which I think such circumstance put me into test. I ended up
questioning, why of all people it’s me who have to experience this kind of
hardship? It could be anyone from us, but why me? I never asked of this to
happen on me the first place.
After dealing with some things, I thought of not joining the
immersion. I said to myself that I need a rest. I need to recuperate from all
these things. I need to find a reason to feel that this thing really is for me.
No matter how melodramatic these things may sound, I really
felt it during those times. I felt the need of me to retrace the past, to find
out why I’m doing this; why I’m still doing this right now; why I’m not yet
quitting even if how much I wanted to.
What made me decide
to go?
I told myself I wouldn’t go, not until God would give me a sign
that says I have to, but I think it’s really God’s will for me to go there, so
that I may observe how these indigenous people called Dumagats live and that I
may have the chance to interact with them.
It was kuya JL who became my sign if I would go or not. Most
of us know how choosy he is on some things, how he wants everything to be on its
proper place and so on, but the mere fact that he decided to join the immersion
is somewhat like a miracle to me—to us. It’s something that’s really unexpected
of him. It’s something that made me decide to join the Dumagat Immersion.
I would admit that at that moment, the reason I had before of
going there is no longer the reason why I decided to go there. The reason of
thinking what good thing I can do for these people, is no longer my purpose of
going there. I just wanted to bond with my co-officers—that’s all.
Going through it
without expecting anything
I’m the type of person wherein I do not expect things to
happen. I just go with the flow of life, and let the aftermath happen. Nobody
can count on me to expect on things.
It was the 31st of May when I traveled from our
house in Bulacan to our Dormitory at P. Noval. Paula, ate Gian, Wil, and I
decided to spend the night there so that by four in the morning, we’re all
settled to go at our meeting place.
I did not know that Justin would also come with us, and will
also spend the night with us there. While we’re waiting for him, the four of us
decided to go to Divisoria to buy some things we thought we might need on our
way there—to Sitio Malasya.
Remembering the tips Kuya Ago, Kuya Michael, and Ate Zandy
gave us; we bought lots of foods and even toiletries, plastics for our things
not to get wet, and so on. We spent almost a thousand for all of those stuffs.
I must say I’m really excited to bond with them. I totally
forgot our main purpose of going there.
We’ve arrived by ten
thirty in the evening in our dorm. Ate Gian and Wil decided to
visit KD with Migs, which left Paula and I there.
Justin arrived at eleven; a little later the two also
arrived back.
We decided to compute our expenses so that we may know the
number of money we have to contribute as each others’ share on the things we’ve
bought.
At twelve thirty
in the morning, we all decided to sleep.
We all woke up at three in the morning, and left the dorm by
four after fixing some things.
We have arrived at Gateway, Cubao by five thirty and still wait for the others in
just few minutes.
We rode two jeepneys and a tricycle just to go to
Calawis—the starting point of our journey for hours.
Just like what I have said before, I do not expect anything
to happen. I just go with the flow of life and let the aftermath happen. I never thought that this journey would
leave me so much learnings and will make me realize something more about life.
The real story
I have traveled both roads: the city and those rocky
mountains, and I must say that I have seen their differences.
The city contains all the resources I need to survive in
this cruel life we have. There are different stores from side to side to buy
all of my necessities and luxuries whereas in those rocky mountains I traveled
with my companions, there are but a few. No big supermarkets and all; just
sari-sari stores that are apart from each other.
As we go forth on our journey, I decided to go a little
distant from the people I am with. I could have paid attention to their
different stories, but decided not to. I want to observe, appreciate, and feel
the beauty of nature by myself.
Going through mountains and rivers, I suddenly realized how blessed
I am for having almost all the comforts of life. I might love the simplicity of
the mountain life, but as a person who lives in the city it would be difficult
for me to learn to live there even if how much I wanted to.
It seems my mind has somehow been corrupted by the
advancement of technologies in the city—technologies you won’t get to see there.
It’s quite ironic how I hate how technology goes bigger and
better than it was before, yet I’m looking for its comfort to bring me fast to
Sitio Malasya where everybody awaits us.
I came to realized how much these indigenous people need to
be honored for their patience. I’ve been complaining how tired I am in walking
for hours, but them? They do not complain going down from Sitio Malasya to Calawis Elementary School
What’s tiring to some is a blessing these Dumagats do not
want to let go of—it’s an opportunity they would dare to grab immediately. It’s
quite impressing right? At the same time, I felt ashamed of myself. There are
some things that are already given to me, but I never try to appreciate it.
Instead, I take it for granted. I keep on being a stubborn kid who always
complains why things must be given to me when I never asked of it.
At Sitio Malasya
We’re already at Sitio Malasya, when ate Jedda suddenly
asked why Malasya is called Malasya. I have not yet read this article kuya
Keiji wrote about why such place is called Malasya, but trying to answer the
question I said, “kasi MALA—yo SSSSiYA”. Almost everybody laughs, but ate Jedda
said my answer is wrong. The place was called Malasya because before, it was
believed that such place is cursed of having bad luck, so from the words, ‘MALAS SIYA’ it was termed, ‘MALASYA’. Whatever
it is, I do not believe that Sitio Malasya is somewhat like a bad luck place.
To me, Sitio Malasya is another foreign place that made me
realize that having a better life means teaching these people to foster not
much of what we have in the city, but a little that would really help them grow
and have better lives as well—lives that might be better than what we have in
the city; lives with lesser complications.
I will no longer elaborate the different tasks and activities
we had there, but to me, seeing how some people change and learn to interact
with different people, and even observed how these Dumagat kids smile before us
really do touched my heart.
It made me feel happy, and realized that there isn’t much
time wasted the moment I decided to join the immersion.
Enjoying the time doesn’t mean all is on a positive
atmosphere. There are some things I have observed in some Dumagat kids which I
didn’t get to like. Rendel, and Bentong, two of the Dumagat kids are both
belittled by their playmates during our activity time with them. I have
observed how some Dumagat kids told these two how they are not good at play time,
and must not be allowed to join on the said activity. Some Dumagat kids keep
pushing them at the back for they believe that they will just lose the game if
they front the two.
This scenario is something not new to all. It has happened before
and if not to me; it has happened to others.
As a person, as a Catholic, and as a Psychology major, I do
not want to see something like that. It’s something that broke my heart. I just
can’t imagine that such scenario is also possible to these indigenous people,
and for that reason an idea immediately popped out my mind.
I think these kids need not just have basic literacy
projects. All of those are easily learned at the classroom. They already have a
school. I think TamVol needs to focus on teaching them the right values they
have to observe until they become full grown up.
It’s just like, what is having a high intellect if you did
not learn values the first place. To me, value is more important than the education
we know; because, value is the core of our lives. It’s the one that shapes us.
It forms us to become better individuals.
On our way back home
I went there, I learned, I enjoyed, and I hope I left them some
good memories to keep.
The journey might not have changed me the way I thought it
would, but then at least it gave me a lot of realization.
It made me realized how life must be valued and not be taken
for granted.
On our way back home, it didn’t answer why it must be me who
needs to experience all the things I’m experiencing right now, but then in due
time I know it would be answered.
I’ve traveled both roads: the city and those rocky
mountains, and I have seen their differences.
I must say, the moment I tried to travel those rocky
mountains, was one of the greatest decision that I’ve ever made in my life. It
might be a tiring journey, but at the end of the day it was all worth it.
Some people made me sad, some made me happy, and some never
made me feel anything at all.
Along our journey I keep on wondering by myself about things
some people would not have thought. It might cause me pain or joy, but those
thoughts are the best thoughts I would keep into my heart forever.
Two roads I’ve traveled, and I think I have to say that I’d
cross both roads again if it would mean I would travel to change both my heart
and others’ as well.
by: C.M.Ventura (06/09/13)
Disclaimer: We got the permission to publish this online from its author
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