Come Again. Begin Again.

CAM-UI-GUIN = COME AGAIN

As promised, I am now writing for my Camiguin getaway 6 months ago! Oh well, it was one of the many things I looked forward to after graduation. It's been like what?! Ten or eleven years since I've spent my every summer in that island paradise and nothing can ever compare with the thrill I felt as I journeyed back to my second home. :')

"Where do I begin?"

So here's the thing about writing 6 months after the subject matter actually occurred  or maybe this is really the thing about writing. Anyhow, let me start with the journey! :D We started traveling from CDO to the port about 3pm in the afternoon of a Monday and my tita (Flery) suggested we stay for the night near the port so we could take the first trip the next day to CAMIGUIN ISLAAAAAND!! XD And so we did. The travel by land was so far really cool. I mean, I missed seeing houses near the highway with random people walking, playing, talking etc. it reminded me of how simple life really is. You just have to focus on what really matters. And through that, you get to appreciate more of the roads you passed by and you also get to look forward to what lies ahead.

                                                            

                      This is Aeriona, my genius niece, and ate Vanessa's dog in our stop near the port. :3

Getting there

So like, it was around noontime when we arrived at Camiguin cause we actually had an accidental round trip around the island. HOHOHOHO!! My tito took the wrong turn for the cold spring we were heading to and so we took the longest cut towards it! Boy it was cool! Like, I still saw the same antique houses along the road, the same immortal landmarks and hot spots (e.g. the Sunken Cemetery, Mantigue Island, White island) in a whim! :D By the time we arrived at the soda cold spring ( couldn't remember the exact name but it sure was close to "BORA" that's why ate Van and I joked about it) we had a quick lunch and had our dip!

The Abode

We stayed in a "hotel" where my tita worked and the accommodation was VIP! :P HAHA. Oh well, I didn't waste my time, so I spent it taking some pictures around. It was near the "kabihasnan" in Camiguin so a short walk will do the trick if you'd wanna grab some food or something. :)

This is Anna Mary, my cousin AND my photographer throughout my Camiguin escapade ;D

So this is the hotel entance. Teheeeee :]

The White Fortress

Okay, so like, the word fortress might not be the most appropriate word to describe the White Island, but still I'd insist! It's such a compelling place where the simplicity of the white sand tells you how it could be covered in high tides but can still emerge itself afterwards; as if victorious from a perpetual battle! NAKS. Kinda' OA na! :'3 Anyhow, words cannot explain how CLEAN and SEDUCTIVE the sea water surrounding the Island is, so I'd just have to leave it on the pretty pictures to tell you the rest of it..

Focus on the interplay of colors AND ignore the feet :3 LOL

T'was a sunny day, I had a darker skin shade afterwards, but it was worth it! This is the distant part of the White Island. They call it the "C" side, the most dangerous yet most stunning view of them all.

So, uhm, can I cover the hottest men's magazine now?

Me+Clams= CLAMITY <3

I've never heard of this place before, but I sure have an idea that Camiguin must've had a clam sanctuary somewhere. Ladies and gentlemen AND wanderlustERS, please help me welcome, one of the best diving destinations in Camiguin: The Cantaan Clam Sanctuary! :'>

This was walking towards the sanctuary. Man, the journey was bumpy, good thing the place was all worth it! Like, REALLY! :D

Like the legendary White Island, it's got white sand and the water is really cool; not so cold, not so warm, just enough for your swimming appetite!

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Since I just had my hair treated, so I had no choice but to take pictures of myself around the sanctuary! I fell in love with nature once more! Kisses :*

Speechless. :}

Here are the clams by the way,  I almost forgot to post 'em! HAHA. Vanity overload! >.<

The Visitors

Travel wouldn't be complete without GOOD FOOD. And so, in this journey, we visited two friends who welcomed us warmly in their houses. Of course, I took photos of myself around (and I'm sorry I forgot to take pictures of the food served! HAHA. Got too excited!)

This is my tita Flery's friend's place! (corrections?) One thing about Camiguin homes is that they never miss to have ornamental plants and all that, in front of their houses (most of the time). This is just a portion of their garden. Trust me, it's so pleasing to the eyes! ^.*

My tita's friend's house is just near the beach facing the White Island, so Anna Marry, ate Van (that's her in the photo above) and I went to catch some cold sea breeze! :)

This was at the Italian's house at Mt. Hibokhibok. I tell, you, the garden was just so grand! :D I didn't know Italians have a love for gardening!

This is the part of the rest house facing the sea. I'm with the genius kiddo here :3

This is the pathway towards the main house :D

This is the other part of their place, yet to be constructed. That white portion of the sea I'm pointing at is the White island during high tide! ;)

And yes, this the the concrete explanation why I wasn't able to take pictures of the yummy dinner we had---they're all in! XD

Closing Time

In every journey, there is always a beginning and there is always an end. My one week visit here at Camiguin was a story worth telling, and this blog entry wouldn't be enough to tell it all. One thing I am sure of is that this wouldn't be my last visit, and I'll make sure that for the next time I'd happen to COME AGAIN at CAMIGUIN, I'd be hanging my Nikon camera on my neck to make sure I won't be missing anything! Hope you had fun reading as well! I'll keep you posted! ;*

03.23.13

I've always been a believer of advocacy for youth empowerment. I know very well that I may be graduating along with the many others tomorrow, but there are still some of us who will have to face the same set of challenges so as to graduate soon. Very soon. I honestly feel sad, but in my heart, I believe the Lord has never failed to give the right obstacles as well as the right cure for every heartache. Naa jud sya'y plano sa ato tanan and na-prove jud nako na ginahatag jud niya ang mga problema and failures to make us stronger, to make us better.

I have always put my full faith in the power of failures. There's this some kind of "wild card" factor with it. Mura ra bitaw sya'g competition na na-eliminate ka, pero naa diay japun to'y chance to get back on track. You just have to deserve it, you just have to own it. :')

Tomorrow again, is my graduation day. I spent approximately 16 years in the academe just to be rightful of the toga I'll be wearing and of the garland that mom will hang on my shoulders, and the great big hug that my "at long last" proud dad will give me. I honestly do not feel the entirety of the overwhelming reality yet, but surely my heart is full of gratitude right now. The series of unfortunate events as well as the chain of victories has led me to where I am right now AND everything I am yet about to become is attributable to my Lord, who was always there; from the times when I was just like any other undergrad, hoping to be a better me, and to be as competent as I can be, to be someone my little sister is looking up to, to be someone that my relatives will be proud of.

Indeed, it is true, that beneath every student's success story is a family that inspired the heart and a Church that uplifted the soul.

This is not the end, it is just the beginning and like every beginning, there is a celebration, a spark of hope, and a patch of light to guide me once more to the winding path of this journey. All of these, I will hold on to, all of these I will cherish, all of these, I will ever be grateful to my Lord, to my "bestest" friend, to my God.

A graduate, at long last. :')

New Beginning :)

I just want to leave all that I have felt and experienced today to myself. Just one thing: God taught me that every new day is a chance to start anew. Every act is a choice and every choice is soul-driven. Therefore, be free. Live well. Strive to be happy. :)

PS here's the famous gangnam dance I shared with my nephew Dylan. Enjoy! :P