MAMBUKAL MOUNTAIN RESORT Part 2

After our tiring but rewarding experience with the Seven Falls, we started exploring the other attractions in Mambukal Resort.

A full day is enough to enjoy all the resorts has to offer but if one would like to linger longer, there are rooms available for rent.  The cheapest price is P600, airconditioned.  That's a good catch already!  If one prefers a room with refrigerator, additional P600 is needed.

The Resort also offers a Zip Line for P50 back and forth per person.  Sad that the Zip Line was being checked for safety so operations was on hold when we decided to have a try.

Zip Line

Wall Climbing

A very hot pool full of sulfur so it's not for swimming purposes

For the lack of time, we were not able to try the following adventures:

Boating Lagoon.  One can experience this for P30 for 30 minutes.
(Photo taken from the Internet)

Canopy Walk with its Hanging Bridge
(Photo taken from the Internet)

Clear and Cool Water Swimming Pool.
(Photo taken from the Internet)

But this one, we did not miss.

A dip in a hot pool

With a Hot Wife

And gained new Cool Friends from Bacolod

It was a climb and dip experience for us in Mambukal Mountain Resort.  Day 2 of our trip was equally enjoyable!

THE SEVEN FALLS OF MAMBUKAL

Day of 2 of our Negros Trip.  We went to Mambukal Resort.  Our friend, Eddie, made himself available to tour us to Mambukal.  We were told that Mambukal is right at the footstool of Mount Kanlaon.

It was almost lunch time when we got there.  There was an entrance fee of P50 per person plus P20 for the parking.  Again, I am thankful that Eddie knew the place and had a car to take us there.  

Since our stomach were already grumbling, we decided to take our lunch before we explore the resorts.

We feasted on Chicken Inasal and Boneless
Daing na Bangus for our lunch

Eggpie from Merci Bakeshop.
The best egg pie that I ever tasted so far.
One can really have the taste and aroma of
the egg.  

Right after lunch, we proceeded to my favorite sight, falls. And since we were told that there were Seven falls in Mambukal Resorts, my excitement was times Seven. Hahaha!

The First Falls

Our tour guide advised us not to linger in one place while climbing since there are falling debris anytime. Maski nga ang sinage na, "Beware of Falling Debris." e bumagsak na rin. Hahahahaha!

We paused for a break on the Second Falls.
The climbing was stiff and was exhausting.

Another knee-breaking climb but
a breathtaking sight

Our tour guide told us that we cannot go to the fourth and fifth falls because the landslide had made the way to the falls blocked.

The Sixth Falls.
There is a store around this falls.  It also where people are safe to swim
and are allowed to swim.  

From the Sixth Waterfalls, around 30 minutes more is needed to reach the Seventh Falls.  For a while, we thought twice if we will proceed.  We went on realizing that this could be our last chance to visit the place and if ever there is another chance, we might be too old to climb.  

Another climbing until we reach a plateau.

We sit and rested on this bench beside a closed
store.  I even left the empty bottle of energy drink on it

As we continue with our trek to the last falls, we encountered unlikely creatures.

The goat that gargles its own urine. Ewe!
What a nasty mouthwash. Hahahaha!

And the dog that does not bark at strangers.
Pati pala mga aso sa Negros, malalambing. Hahaha!

Pause for a shot in the middle of our way to the Seventh Falls

Around three or four streams we passed before we finally make it to the Seventh Falls.  We can say that we survived the Seventh Falls.

The Seventh Falls.
I was tempted to dip into the waters
as a reward for our effort but
we did not bring extra clothes with us
so we just content ourselves with picture taking

Tourist really need a tour guide in trekking the Seven Falls.   One can manage to reach the six falls but the seventh is too far to reach alone unless one is adventurous.

One of the official tour guides in Mambukal Resort.
He also served as our photographer.  And in gratitude
of his help, I had this shot with him

My wife felt exhausted and was not willing to go down from the falls by feet.  We found out that there were tricycle drivers who were waiting for tourists near the Sixth Falls.  Naisip namin tuloy na sana pala, nagtricycle na lang kami papunta ng Seventh Falls at pabalik, doon kami bababa at pupuntahan yung anim na falls.  

The drivers charged us P50 per person.  We paid for our tour guide too.

The travel downward was yet another challenge
and adventure.  The road was rough and rocky.
I was worried about tumbling down but the
drivers were too experience to pass a rocky road

The tricycle ride will bring tourist to the main entrance gate.  One has to walk to enter the resort again.

I paid our tour guide P300 and gave him the cinnamon bread that we bought from Merci bakeshop but I was not able to touch.

Our friend Eddie was surprised with the amount I gave.  According to him, P100 for a whole day tour is the normal pay for the tour guide.  Ang sabi ng asawa ko, kasi raw nakuwentuhan na naman ako ng buhay kaya naawa na naman ako.  The gullible me.  Hahahahaha!

Eddie said na kasi daw pastor ako kaya galante ako magbayad.  Hahahaha!  Ang sabi ko naman kay Eddie, "generous ka sa amin kaya generous din kami sa tourguide."

THE CITY OF SMILE, BACOLOD

This is the first time that I will blog about my out of town trip with my wife and travel buddy.  Both of us had been to Cebu and  Bohol together but during that time I am not yet into blogging.

Our flight on October 16, 2012 is to the City of Smile, Bacolod.  January of this year when I happened to book an airplane ticket for the two of us for only P2,000.  I think, that was a good catch.  Kaya kahit ang gusto talaga naming puntahan ay Palawan, gora na rin kami sa Bacolod.  Hehehehe!

Parang hindi rin naman matagal ang paghihintay from January to October.  Nangyari nga na napagsarhan pa kami ng time ng boarding dahil feeling namin ay may oras pa kami.  Hahahaha! Our flight was scheduled at 2 pm.

Our flight was delayed.  After ng 1 1/2 hour pa before our plane finally took off.  Kaya naman, mag 5 pm na nang lumapag kami sa airport ng Bacolod.

A dear friend fetched us in the airport.  He is a Tagalog but living in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, 1 1/2 hour away from Bacolod.  Good thing he has a car to tour us around.  On our way to his home, I asked him to bring us to "The Ruins."  Actually, I have a little idea of what exactly that tourist spot is.  I had just a glance of it on the internet and then, included it in our itenerary.  Maganda daw kasi na puntahan yun during sunset time.

Our friend knows about The Ruins but he has not been there yet.  Kaya nang nasa Silay na kami, nagtanung-tanong kami sa mga tao along the highway.  Pare-pareho kaming Tagalog kaya mahirap ang communication sa mga native ng Negros.  Mabuti na lang at may internet access ang cp ko at agad kong na-search ang The Ruins at ipinakita ko sa pinagtatanungan namin ang picture and immediately, he pointed us to the direction with much ease.  Indeed, a picture speaks a thousand words.

After two blocks, nakita na namin ang sinage na This Way to The Ruins.  May mga tricycle na nakahimpil sa kanto kaya sa mga walang sasakyan, they can avail of that vehicle to see The Ruins.  We passed by a village wherein we paid for P20 at the entrance.  They also asked us to leave a driver's license ID.  A few minutes more and we already reached the site of The Ruins.  The entrance fee is P60 per person.

Me,  at the side entrance of The Ruins

Ang The Ruins is tagged as The Taj Mahal of Asia because just like The Taj Majal, it is also an edifice made by a husband in honor of his late wife's memory.

One cannot imagine that a structure so grand and magnificent as this can be built early 20th century and can be situated in a far flung province of Negros Occidental.

We had picture takings around the edifice.

With our friend, Eddie Legaspi

The main entrance to the mansion

The fountain that is as old the mansion

When we had finished exploring the ground around The Ruins, we decided to go inside the structure.  And we are thankful that we did because we met him.

Roger, the tour guide.  Don't missed him when you get to
The Ruins.  He will make history a very interesting
and entertaining subject.

Through Roger we learned that The Ruins placed 12th in the best ruins site in the world.  Being so, it is really a must-see for those who are visiting Negros Occidental, Silay City in particular.

If Bacolod is the City of Smile, Silay is the City of Laughter because of Roger.  Hehehehe!

Signifying our presence

There is a souvenir shop and a dining area around The Ruins but we did not bother to look inside.

The sight of The Ruins made our first day of trip a rewarding experience.  Eddie was grateful too that he was able to visit the place.

Since it was dinner time, Eddie brought us to Chicken Deli where we had chickens meals for dinner.

Waiting for the taste of Chicken Inasal in Bacolod

Ang dami naming nakain that night since yun lang ang maayos naming kain that day. Hehehe!

Pagkatapos ay umuwi na kami sa Binalbagan.  Ilang bayan din ang aming nalagpasan bago kami nakarating ng Binalbagan.

But we were very happy with our first day of trip because of the experience called The Ruins.

ACTION PACKED 2

Pakibasa na lang po ang part 1 ng post na ito.

Kung sa post na ALL TIME HITS ay nag-enjoy kami ng videoke sa loob ng bus, ganon din ang nangyari sa bus na aming sinasakyang pauwi galing ng Baguio.  Pero this time, hindi videoke ang aming pinagkaabalahan, kundi ang mga pelikulang bakbakan.

Unang isinalang ang HBO mini-series na The Pacific.  It is a second world war movie made for television.  I love war movies.  What I especially like in this movie, is the mentioning of my beloved country, the Philippines, not only once but thrice, if I am not mistaken.  

The mere hearing of the name of my country made me watched with pride.  I just don't know if my co-passengers shared the same feeling.

Since it is a mini-series and the only one we got to watch was part 1, I will check out the whole series next time.  Who knows?  There might me some scenes and dialogues that will make me more proud about my country.

Pagkatapos ng The Pacific, sunod namang isinalang ang pelikula na ito:

I am not into action films because many of them challenge one's logic, especially the local action films.  Kahit pa pinalaki kami ng nanay ko sa mga pelikula ni Lito Lapid, lumaki naman akong malawak ang isip kaya alam ko kung nambobola na lamang ang isang action film. Hahahahaha!

But the movie Taken took my interest and made me hooked on it. Actually, hindi lang ako kundi halos lahat ng nakasakay sa bus, babae o lalaki man ay nag-enjoy sa aming pinapanood.

I am aware of this movie a year ago but I let it passed me because the protagonist, Liam Neeson, does not appeal to me as an action star.  I love him for his iconic role in Schindler's List.

But I was wrong when I was able to watch the whole film.  Not only  was I convinced with his portrayal, I was also sympathetic of his character.  A father who had been away most of the time from his daughter because of his work as a CIA agent, decided to make it up to his daughter after retiring from his job.  As to how he has shown his love for his daughter, panoorin niyo na lang ang film.

Isa sa mga deaconesses na nakapanood ng pelikula ang nagrecommend na ipa-film showing daw ito sa Father's Day.  Hangang-hanga ang lahat sa ginawa ng bidang lalaki.  

Naisip ko lang, walang pastor na nakasakay sa bus, kasama na ako, ang makagagawa ng ginawa ni Liam Neeson.  The best thing that a pastor can do in that kind of situation is to pray.  But there are things that prayer alone cannot accomplish.  It needs a person's skills and determination to save the life of a human being.

Hindi pa nagkasya ang mga mata namin sa napanood na dalawang pelikula.  Kasunod namang isinalang ang pelikulang ito:

Nabuhay ng naunang pelikula ang interes ko kaya may gana pa ring manood ng kasunod na pelikula.  Katulad ng nauna, ma-aksiyon din ang sumunod.  

At gaya ng sinasabi byline ng pelikula, hindi lang ito tungkol sa aksiyon kundi sa mabilis na pag-aksiyon, kaya nga Faster ang kanyang title.  

Ang pelikula ay tungkol sa pagtunton ng bida sa mga taong pumatay sa kanyang kapatid at nagtangkang pumatay sa kanya.  Isa-isa niyang binaril sa noo ang mga ito.  At sa huling tao na kanyang papatayin, makaka-relate ang maraming tao, lalo na ang mga Kristiano.

In between ng panonood ng pelikula, nagawi ang kwentuhan sa aking pagbo-blog.  Na-realized nila na I am blogging about anything at naging conscious sila na baka i-blog ko sila.  Natawa naman ako sa kanilang reaction. Hahahaha!  Para namang natatakot silang mai-blog pero sinusubaybayan naman nila ang aking mga posts.  Hahahaha!

Natukso akong sabihin sa  kanila na, sa naganap na convocation namin ay wala akong maisip na mai-blog.  Wala naman kasing bago at aksyon sa pagtitipong iyon.  Puro talakayan lang na malamang ay ulitin lamang sa susunod na pagkikita.

Pero dahil sa tatlong pelikulang napanoond ko, naging dalawang posts pa ang pag-blog ko. Hehehehe!

Minsan, mas may matututunan ka pa sa pelikula.  At minsan, gusto mo itong gawin learning experience para may maiturong maganda.  

Mabuti pa ang mga pelikulang napanood ko, punong-puno ng actions.  Pero sa simbahang kinabibilangan ko, waring  sobra-sobra sa proclamations at ang dami-daming inactions.

How I wish masabi ng simbahan ang katulad ng dialogue ni Liam Neeson sa evils of our society:  "I will find you and I will kill you."

At sana rin ay kasingbilis ng bidang si The Rock at kasing tapang ng bidang si Liam Neeson umaksyon ang mga lider ng simbahan.

ACTION PACKED

Lately, I realized na sa loob kami ng tumatakbong bus nakakasumpong ng comfort o aral sa tuwing nagiging disappointing sa pakiwari ko ang lakad naming mga pastors at deaconesses.  Pakibasa na lang ang previous post ko na, ALL TIME HITS.

October 11-13, 2012 nang kami ay umattend ng tinatawag naming MANILA EPISCOPAL AREA CHURCH WORKERS CONVOCATION  sa Baguio City.  Lahat kami ay required umaattend.  Past 4 am  nang umalis ang aming bus mula Monumento papuntang Baguio.

Going to Baguio does not excite me anymore.  But what excites me with this trip ang venue.  We were told that we will be billeted to a hotel named, Venus Pines Hotel.  Di ba shalla ang dating, hotel? Usually kasi, sa Teacher's Camp ginagawa ang mga ganitong activity.  

We had a stop over somewhere in Pangasinan where we had our breakfast.  After our break, the bus proceeded with the trip.  Nagpasya silang magvideoke sa loob ng bus.  And what was the insistent public demand?  My version of the song, LAKLAK.  I realized that they can't get over with my rendition and they were clamoring for my repeat performance.  Hahahahaha!

But I was not in the mood to sing.  For two reasons, may narinig akong kuwento na nakawala ng mood ko at minamalat talaga ako that time.

I told them I am not singing but the clamor increased all the more.  I gave in.  I sang but I couldn't muster the song.  I was not able to repeat my famed performance. Hahahaha!

After a few songs, the videoke singing stopped.  Nahawa na yata ang lahat sa bad mood ko.  Sensya na.  Hahahahaha!

We reached our destination by 10 am.  Many pastors from different provinces and conferences were already goofing in the lobby.  My expectation of the venue faded away.  Definitely, it was not a five-star hotel.  The facade of the hotel calls for a renovation to solicit attraction.  Asa pa ako.  Hahahahaha!

Because of my disappointment, I did not bother to take pictures the whole time of my stay there.  Hahahahaha!

Pero sadyang hinahabol ng camera ang celebrity kaya nagpaunlak naman ako. Hahahahahaha!

Di ba sa picture hindi mukhang bored? Hahahahaha

My dissatisfaction grew even more when we were told that we can  only enter our respective rooms by 10 pm that day.  Imagine, we traveled early and long just to be told that we cannot take at least a bit of  rest until the activities that day are over.

Binigyan ko na lang ng katwiran na nag-alala ang mga organizers ng programa na mahirapan silang pabalikin ang mga tao kapag nagsipuntahan na ito sa kanilang mga rooms.  Still, making exhausted and sleepless people listen even to the most eloquent speaker would not do.

Anyway, mas kawawa naman yung mga nagpunta nang mas maaga kaysa sa amin.

The activity that day started with an opening worship.  Nothing new. It's not that I don't want to worship.  It is just that half of my life, I've been doing that.  Wala na bang mas creative pa?  Hahahahaha!

The session hall was not inviting either.  There were walls in the session that blocked my sight of the speaker. Kasalanan ko naman, huli ako at sa likod naupo.  Because of my unfavorable location, I lost my interest in the activity and opted to get out of the session hall and spent a chat with other pastors who were equally bored like me.  Feeling ko kasi makakatulog ako sa loob habang nagwo-worship.  And I was right, I was told that many people inside could not fight the dizziness they felt that time.

I could not remember the activities after the opening worship.  And I didn't care to remember it all.  Tamang bad trip talaga ako nasa bus pa lang nang makarinig ako ng hindi magandang balita.  Kung ano man yun, who knows? Mai-blog ko rin one time.

Actually, may invited na bishop from the US at maganda naman ang kanyang topic.  Pampalago ng iglesia ang kanyang hain.  After his talk, we went into small groups to discuss our reaction to what we learned from the talk.  Siyempre pa, ang daming ideas na lumabas.  Pero lagi namang mayayaman sa ideas ang mga pastor.  Pare-pareho rin naman ang aming pinag-uusapan, mula noon, hanggang ngayon.  Ang missing link lang ay kung ano ang gagawin naming solusyon sa aming mga talakayan.

Hula ko, sa susunod uli na may convocation, ganito rin uli ang usapan.  At dahil nakakaramdam na ako ng pagkabagot sa usapang wala namang  kinauuwian, hindi na ako nagsalita nang ako ay hingan ng pagkakataong magsalita.  What for? Usapan lang naman yun.

Naisip ko lang sana lang para naman, maiba-iba ang usapan e yung bawat grupo ay umupo na lang sa damuhan ng burnham park dahil nasa tapat lang naman ng hotel na aming tinutuluyan.

Aanhin pa ang Baguio City kung ang time lang naman na binigay sa amin upang mamasyal ay 6 pm onwards nung second day.  Wala  na kaming gaanong magagawa sa kakarampu't na panahong ibinigay sa amin.

The first day ended one hour earlier.  I was happy about it but became frustrated again by waiting for another half an hour just to have our key for the room.

It was a 6 bedroom room with no air conditioner unit and electric fan.  Hello?  Baguio City is no longer as cold as before!  Kumusta naman ang global warming?  Pero nakatulog naman kami hindi dahil sa lamig kundi dahil sa pagod.  Hahahahaha!

The 14 inch TV was not functioning in our room.  There was not enough space for us to move around since the room was arranged just as sleeping place.

The second day went with talk, talk and talk.  People talking inside the session hall and people talking outside the session hall.  Hahahahaha!

By afternoon, there was a reporting to be done from the group discussion.  Since I was not able to contribute to the discussion or shall I say, I refused to contribute, naghintay na lang ako ng mga mag-aaya ng mga gustong maglakwatsa katulad ko.  Hahahahahaha!

Nakisabit  ako sa grupo ng mga lakwatsera.  Hahaha!

Kami na nasa picture at maraming pang iba na mga pastor at deaconess ang pinili na lang pumunta ng palengke at mamili kaysa tapusin ang session ng convocation.  Hahahahahahaha!

Bumalik kami sa hotel for our dinner.  Konting kwentuhan pa, then, natulog na uli.

The third and last day started with a talk from our bishop about Bible and the Pastor.  Enjoy naman pero konti na lang ang bago sa narinig ko.  Hahahahaha!

Lalo pang lumipad ang kamalayan ko nang marinig ko ang isang deaconess na nagsabi na, "mag-awitan tayo habang hinihintay natin na dumating ang iba."  Ayaw na ayaw ko kasing ginagawang panghintay lang ang pagpapa awit.  Sagrado kasi sa akin ang awit.  Ansaveh? Hahahahahaha!

At yung pinaawit niya e mahihiya ang baul sa kalumaan. Hahahahaha!

Siyempre kung may opening worship, may closing worship.  Hahahaha!  Our bishop was also our speaker in our closing worship.  Na-feel naman niya na wala na siyang bagong sasabihin kaya iniklian niya na lang ang kanyang mensahe.  At least sensitive ang aming bishop.  Hahahahahaha!

Ang medyo bago lang sa closing worship ay pinahiran kami sa kamay ng langis as a symbol that we are annointed.  Pero hindi ko gusto ang amoy ng langis.  At hindilang ako ang hindi nakagusto ng amoy.  Sabi pa nga ng isa, para raw pinaprituhan ng isda yung langis.  O, hindi sa akin ang comment na yun ha?  Ang bait ko kaya. Hahahahaha!  Kung ganon, hindi ko matawag na fresh annointing yun.  Mas mabango pa sana ang Johnson's baby oil. Hahahahahaha!

Hulaan niyo kung sino sa kanila ang nagcomment tungkol
sa amoy ng oil. Hahahahaha!

After ng closing worship, we ate our lunch.  Then, boarded to our bus and headed towards home.

Kung bakit ACTION PACKED ang title ng post na ito eh, malalaman niyo sa part two ng post na ito.  Hehehehehe!

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

What's in a name like Amos, Amiel Adrian, Amen Learn, Aiehn Deosjua and Aiah Dasha.  They are all my children.

Obviously, all of their first name were after my first name.

To me and to others, I have many children.

But wait, there's some more.

Ayan is becoming a child to me they say.

Lately, a youth member in our church and a friend to Amos visits and sleeps over to our house from time to time.  His name is Arthur.

In one of the meetings of the praise and worship team, they suddenly told me that the number of my children is increasing.  Aside from having Amos, Amiel, Amen, Aiehn and Aiah.  I also have Ayan and Arthur.

To add to that number, they pointed to Arvin, another youth who joined us in the said meeting.

Another youth in the church who is a friend to Amos and Arthur was also visiting our house and had sleep over too.  His name is Davis.

To make him fit to be my child, I have to call him Avis instead of Davis.  And that is what I call him since then.  Hahahahaha!

Ayan has a distant father but has no more mother.  Arthur has a distant mother but has no more father. Arvin and Avis have overseas father.  Amos, Amiel and Amen had lost their mother.  Aiehn and Aiah don't stay with me.   Somehow, they are not just named after the letter A, they are also similar in situation.  But all of them, I am willing to be my children.

And if you think that my calling as a father is enough.  I also have a calling as a brother.

Recently, I met Pastor Allan.  He is a non-Methodist.  He used to be a pastor but temporarily put off the ministry  to attend to the growing needs of his family by being a tour coordinator to many schools.

Teacher Irene met him inside LRT and the rest is history.  We encouraged him to be a part of our Praise and Worship Team.  We invited him at a time when he needed people to accept and believe in him.

After the  two months of having him in the praise and worship team, friendship was built among us.

One evening, over the phone, touched by our acceptance of him, he asked me, "Pas, pwede ba kitang maging kuya? Wala kasi akong kuya e."

Hearing his request and cry, I answered him, "Oo, I can be your kuya."

At pasok naman ang pangalan niya, letter A din naman kasi ang simula.  Hehehehe!

My children, my brothers and sisters.Seated from the left are Aileen, 
Alden and  Allan (di ba puro A?), Irene
(di ba it sounds like an "A"), Karl (Pwede bang Arl na lang?), Cha-Cha
(Paano kaya siya maging A?), Amos, my true eldest.
Standing from the right are Angelica, Malou (Alou na lang), Arthur.
Joshua and Donna (Mga ending in A naman sila)
Not in this picture are Arvin, (d)Avis and Aichael (Michael)

Kaya sa mga balak gawin akong foster father and brother, alam niyo ang criteria ha? Hahahaha!

HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE AYAN?

Natatandaan niyo pa ba si Ayan?  For those who don't, just read the post, TAKAL at HINDI KA SI KRISTO.

The latest about him ay nagiging problema ko na siya?  Bakit? Dahil ramdam ko na pinuproblema na siya ng mga miyembro ng aming church.

At mayroon insidente  na magpapatunay na problema na nga talaga si Ayan.

Isang hapon kasi, kinuha niya ang bag of groceries na nilapag ni Amos sa aming  kitchen.  Walang tao sa baba ng bahay kaya nagawa ni Ayan na kunin ang bag of groceries.

Matapos naming magtanungang mag-aama at mapagod nang kahahanap kung saan ang nawawalang grocery, nasabi ni Amiel na baka si Ayan ang kumuha.  Agad kong sinabihan si Amiel na huwag basta magbibintang.

Bumaba ako para tanungin ang dalawa naming caretakers kung may napansin silang tao na bumaba na may dalang bag of groceries.  At tama ang hinala ni Amiel, si Ayan nga ang kumuha.

"Akala namin Pastor binigay niyo ang groceries kay Ayan kasi labas pasok na siya sa inyo," katwiran nila.  May katwiran sila, sa gawi ng pakikitungo ko kay Ayan, hindi na nga nila paghihinalaan ito.

Dahil sa insidente, lalong tumibay ang mga isipan ng ilang miyembro na hindi talaga mabuti na naglalagi si Ayan sa aming bahay.  Para ko nang naririnig ang mga katagang, "I told you."  At mas nagiging makahulugan pa ang titig ngayon ng aking mga anak bilang alanganing pagtutol ng pagpunta-punta ni Ayan sa amin.

Habag isinusulat ko ang post na ito, waring tumutugtog ang awit ng mga madre sa pelikulang Sound of Music, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?"

Naibalik naman sa amin ang groceries na kanyang kinuha.  Nang gabi kasi na yun, kasama ang dalawa pang youth sa aming church, pinuntahan nila si Ayan sa kanyang bahay.  Ibinalik pala ni Ayan ang grocery sa pinagbilhan ko nito sa akalang maipapalit niya ito ng pera dahil gusto niya raw bumili ng earphone o celphone.

Naikuwento ko sa church ang nangyari at isa-isa na silang nagbigay ng kuro-kuro kung paano i-deal si Ayan.  At mayaman sila sa ideas.  Pinakinggan ko naman.  Pero may isang bagay akong hinihintay na marinig.  Kung sino ang gagawa ng mga bagay na yon para kay Ayan.  Ngunit hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin akong naririnig.

Sa totoo lang, may katwiran na akong huwag na ngang papuntahin si Ayan sa bahay.  Marami ang makaiintindi sa akin.  Pero, ewan ko, hindi rin ako mapayapa iniisip ko pa lang ang iwasan siya. Pagtaguan siya.

Kumilos na in advance ang aming mga caretakers.  Sa tuwing pupunta si Ayan, sinasabi nilang wala ako para wag na siyang pumanhik sa itaas.  Effective naman ito.  Medyo na-relieved ako kahit paano.  Pero, naging adik lang si Ayan.  May kakayahan pa rin siya na mag-isip.  Kaya ang ginawa niya, sa gabi siya pumupunta.  At sa mga panahong yun niya ako nadadatnan sa bahay.

Isang tanghali, nakalusot siya, tamang-tama na kumakain ako.  Tilapia ang ulam.  Sapat lang sa amin ang dami.  Pero dahil nahilaw ang kanin, hindi na ginalaw ni Amen ang pagkain niya na nasa center table.

Malamig ang pakikitungo ko kay Ayan that time.  Alam ko ang pakay niyang kumain.  Bilang pag-iwas, sinabi ko sa kanya na,"Ayan, hindi kita maalok na kumain kasi hilaw ang kanin."  Mabilis naman ang sagot niya, "Ok lang po yun pastor."  Wala na akong magawa kundi iabot sa kanya ang iniwang pagkain ni Amen.  

Kung ako, pinagtitiyagaan ko ang hilaw na kanin, para naman kay Ayan, ito na ang pinakamasarap na pagkain niya ng araw na yaon.  Humingi pa siya ng extra rice.  Pero kulang ang ulam.  Hindi ko maiwasang panoorin siyang kumakain.  Ilang sandali pa, tinanong ko na siya, 

"Saan ka kumakain kapag wala ka rito sa amin?"  

 "Nanghihingi po ako sa kapitbahay."  

"Eh, yung tita mo na nagsupply sa iyo ng pagkain?"

"Hindi nga po dumarating e.  Pastor, puwede bang makahiram ng pamasahe papunta sa tita ko.  Hihingi kasi ako ng pera."

"Naku, paano kung pumunta nama sa inyo ang tita mo, e di magkakasalisi lang kayo.  Sayang lang ang pera."

VALID NAMAN ANG ALIBI KO DI BA?

Nagtuloy siya sa pagkain.  Inulit-ulit simutin ang tinik ng tilapia.  Sa loob-loob ko, kung puwede lang kainin ang tinik, inubos na sana ni Ayan.

Pagkakain, nakita niya na may barya sa bookshelves,"Pastor, puwede bang mahingi ko na lang ang barya niyo."  Mabilis naman ang aking tanggi,"Naku, kay Amiel yan."

VALID PA RIN ANG ALIBI KO DI BA?

Sa isang pagtitipon sa church, hindi madiretso ng isang maimpluwensiyang member ang gusto niyang sabihin sa akin tungkol kay Ayan.

"Kailangan may experience tayo sa pagha-handle natin ng mga problema," ang katwiran niya.

Ibig niya lang sabihin na wala akong sapat na kakayahan para lubusang i-deal si Ayan.

Tama naman siya.  Wala akong sapat na kakayahan.  Pero hindi ko rin kaya na basta na lang tumalikod sa pangangailangan ni Ayan.  

Naisip ko, kung wala kaming kakayahan.  Hihinto na ba kami?  Hindi ba namin puwedeng pag-aralan upang magkaroon kami ng kakayahan na harapin ang mga katulad ni Ayan?"

Lalo pa akong nalungkot sa na-realized ko.  As a church, isip kami ng isip ng programa para magparami ng tao.  Naglalaan kami ng budget para lamang maituloy ang programang iyon.  Ang tanong, hindi ba namin puwedeng gawing programa si Ayan?  Nagsisikap kaming humanap ng mga ligaw na kaluluwa pero waring walang nakakakita na mismong si Ayan ang uri ng tao na aming hinahanap.  At hindi na namin kailangang hanapin dahil nasa pintuan na namin.

Naghihintay lang si Ayan na pagtuunan namin ng atensiyon.  Naghihintay lang siya na makasumpong ng kalinga ng pamilya mula sa amin dahil wala na siyang masumpungang pamilya.

Minsan o madalas, madaling sabihin na handa kaming maglingkod at magmahal sa Diyos at sa aming kapwa.  Kinakanta pa namin ito, "I love you Lord" at "Oh I love you with the love of the Lord."  Pero gaya nga nang sinabi ko, madaling kantahin ang mga bagay-bagay. Pero ibang-iba kapag actual nang gagawin ang essence ng aming kinakanta at pinag-aaralan.

Sa ngayon, patuloy pa rin sa pagpunta si Ayan sa aming bahay.  Patuloy pa rin sa pagkain.  Gusto ko siyang pagtuunan ng pansin, pero kulang ang oras ko.  Gusto ko siyang pakinggan at pasukin ang kanyag mundo sa pag-iisip na kahit paano, maramdaman niyang may ibig umintindi sa kanya at maglaan ng panahon.

HOW DO WE REALLY SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE AYAN?  Minsan, hindi naman talaga si Ayan ang problema kundi ang kahandaan ko at willingness ko na makiramay sa kanya.

THE TIE THAT BINDS 2

Classmates then, Friends now

With me in the picture is Haidee de Guzman Afable.  Magkaklase kami during first  year high school.  Nalipat siya ng section on our second year.  At  bumalik siya sa section namin nang third year pero lumipat naman ako ng ibang school.  

"Haidee who?," ang tanong ko kay Ebinezer, friend and classmate ko noong first and second year high school. Pakibasa na lang ang part 1 ng post na ito.

At siyempre pa. "Arnel who?," naman ang tanong din ni Haidee dahil like me, hindi niya rin ako matandaan.

Not until we became friends in facebook.

Kung tutuusin, sila nila Raffy at Ebi  ang mas magkakilala at mas mahaba ang pinagsamahan.  Si Haidee at Ebi ang madalas noong nagkakausap sa yahoo messenger.

Pero it was Haidee and me, who met again in person, after 25 years.

Shall I say, our ties are even stronger?

Aside from being a follower in my blog, she is also a sister in Christ.

And last Sunday, I came over to her church as the invited speaker.

Speaking at Mandaluyong Bible Christian Church

While we were at the church's office and waiting for the start of the worship service, we were both figuring out how we can remember each other back when we were first year high school.  She said that there was an embarrassing thing that she did then that will enable me to remember her.  But she was too embarrass to tell it, until now.  I did not insist ... for now.  Hahahahahaha!

The worship service went well.  So was the meal after.

Together with some of the leaders in the church

Favorite ko na talaga si Haidee kasi ang favorite kong pansit malabon ang inihanda niya.  Hahahahaha!  Sayang lang, hindi ko nai-partner yung chicken sandwich na nauna niyang ibinigay.

At mukhang favorite na rin ako ng mga churchmates niya kasi they would like me to come back to speak again. Hahahahaha!  Kailan kaya ang next?   Ok lang kahit pansit malabon lang ang honorarium.  Adik lang. Hahahaha!

It was a nice and a new experience to speak in a non-Methodist audience.  A speaker can come without wearing a barong.  Hahahahaha!

Before we finally part, she gave me this:

Her sample works

I realized that she works as the Senior Graphic Designer of the magazines above.  She is an ARTIST.  Kaya pala click kami.  Pareho kaming ADIK!  Yan na ang  bago kong term sa mga alagad ng sining.  Hahahaha!

We plan to meet again.  And if my being the "tie that binds" will go on, we might have Ebi with us.  And with Raffy next year.