Colegio San Agustin-Makati went to Caramoan
last April 2015 as part of the teachers' professional growth
and development and at the same time
summer outing and bonding of the group.
I decided to join them since I have not been to Caramoan.
Before you arrive at Caramoan you need to experience:
- 13 hours land trip via DLTB
- 2 to 3 hours boat trip to Caramoan
(sakit sa puwet! pramis!)
But you know what?
The long trip was worth it!
Promise!
This is the place where the famous
reality TV "Survivor" was shot.
The US version had two seasons,
the Serbian version had two seasons,
the Israeli version had three seasons,
the Bulagrian version had four seasons,
the Swedish version had one season,
the French version had one season and
the Indian version had one season.
Wow! Caramoan is a fave of the Survivor series.
I just hope the locals will still preserve its beauty
and protect its virgin islands.
The Philippines has so many pristine islands
and islets to be proud of.
I hope with the boom in the tourism industry
our resources will not be abused.
So, what do you do in Caramoan?
Unlimited island hopping!
#BabaranSaCaramoan lang 'to!
It has 10 principal islands aside from
the small islets around the peninsula.
(Thanks to Jeff Quiambao for taking most of the pics
of the beautiful islands of Caramoan.)
The group was headed by the AP Coordinator - Jona De Mesa.
But the host in Caramoan is Cynthia Sancha.
Fun time, photo time, selfie time and groupie time with
the wonderful teachers of Unit 2!
Love these guys!
#SwimmingPaMore #PaitimanPaMore #SunBurnPaMore
I love the islands of Caramoan. I think it is better than Boracay
because it is not commercialized nor too crowded by tourists.
I love the well-preserved beaches, islets and shoreline.
#SoloPicturePaMore #NegnegNa
After lunch, the group decided to take a look at the
"Enchanted Bangus" but we have to climb a 20 feet wall
with a 45 degree angle. Sige, go!
After the climb, that's when I realized that
my body screamed with pain! Aruuuuy!!!
It took around 30 minutes to rock climb a difficult wall up
then down the lagoon. At the top we were able to see
what the locals call the "Enchanted Bangus".
Ang LAKI nga, in fairness!
Aside from swimming, island hopping and rock climbing
we went to visit one of the highest peaks in Caramoan.
The peak is also a pilgrim site where the giant image of
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Mother of Peace is enshrined.
It was a challenge to reach the top.
One has to climb the 527 steps!
I prayed the rosary as I climbed the stairs
offering it to all my relatives and friends who
requested me to pray for them.
"Climb every mountain, search high and low
Follow every byway, every path you know.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream
Follow every rainbow, 'till you find your dream."
I reached the top after 527 steps!
(Hindi lang halata pero hingal na hingal ako dyan. Hahaha!)
Lighted some candles and prayed for all of you!
My summer break this year was special because I celebrated
my birthday in Caramoan with my friends and co-teachers.
The day started with a tree planting activity in the
farm of our co-teacher and host - Cynthia Sancha.
At dahil ka-birthday ko si Mother Earth I gave her a gift -
the preservation of our environment by planting trees.
That evening, we had an interaction with some teachers and
administrators from one of the public schools in town.
After a hearty dinner, we gave them old books and
school supplies as part of the AP area's outreach activity.
The night didn't end without the surprise greeting (daw!)
of the group. Honestly, I was touched by their gesture.
They even had a cake made for me and Ate Annette
(who just retired from CSA).
Thanks guys! I love you all!
Huling hirit na island hopping plus rock climbing ulit!
We rock climbed in one of the islands where the reality
TV show Survivor took place.
#Akyat Pa More #SakitNgKatawanPaMore
O ano na? Baba na dyan! #Sakit ng legs to the MAX!!!
The Caramoan summer trip was really an adventure and at the same time a reflective journey for me after 2 years as UH.
I just realized that I did a lot of "climbing" in this trip.
I climbed a 20ft wall with a 45 degree angle...
I climbed the shrine with 527 steps...
I climbed a steep rock formation...
My body screamed pain.
My legs cried out!
I think even my varicose veins were at the
brink of bursting during my climb.
But I did it. I survived the climb.
Looking back, the last three years of my life
were those climbs I made in Caramoan.
And during those moments of putting my feet
one after the other were like the moments
I tried very hard to survive and just go through the day.
(You all know what happened and what I am
going through every day...)
The climb was hard, rocky, steep, slippery,
even dangerous and "buwis-buhay" in character.
BUT.I.MADE.IT!
The climbs I made in Caramoan are now my symbol
of courage and determination.
I know life is hard.
I know trials & challenges are part of life.
I know there will be downfalls & failures.
But I will not give up, just like the moments
when I did not give up climbing those land formations.
I know I will be able to reach the top.
I know I will be able to overcome life's trials & challenges.
I.AM.A.SURVIVOR!
Thank you Caramoan for teaching me
an important lesson in life.
Yes. I know this lesson very well. We all know it.
But it is only now that I really took it to heart
because I experienced "the climb".
Thank you Caramoan for strengthening my faith.
Thank you God for Caramoan!
I.AM.A.SURVIVOR!
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain,
but all the happiness & growth occurs
while you are climbing it."
- Andy Rooney
I.AM.A.SURVIVOR!
At yan ang sabi ni Manang!