How We Live In Mindanao

via the rappler

It frustrates me that my home is constantly threatened with hostility. Ambush attacks, exploding bombs in malls and public places, kidnappings and bomb threats are sadly the kind of things people in my place take in half alarm and half passively. Sadly, we have slowly become used to it. Bomb threat news are nothing out of the ordinary. It's a reality we face everyday. Sure, we take necessary precautions but it does not affect us as much as people outside my town take it. 

I think it's rather fortunate I live outside the default war zones.  So okay, they happen near Iligan city but they don't happen in my city (get it?). You know, we just get bomb threats and have bombs explode in public places occasionally (notice the operative word). Nothing much to worry. And oh, have ridos (family wars involving guns) once in awhile. 

All these are part of our daily lives. It just that every year, on the average, bomb threats don't miss out. IT'S  a SAD reality we live with everyday and it is sadder that we are somehow used to it. I love my place. I love Mindanao. It has a lot of wonderful, untouched places waiting to be explored and to be fully utilized to its full potential. But how? When peace is a running issue? 

I long to see a peaceful and thriving Mindanao! I long to be asked where I'm from and not have my place be hurriedly stereotyped, 'YOU LIVE IN MINDANAO? REALLY? SO YOU'RE A MUSLIM? IS YOUR PLACE OKAY? IS IT SAFE? ARE BOMBS GOING OFF EVERYDAY?'. At first I get really annoyed and answer sarcastically, 'Yes, people in my area eat bullets for breakfast, we party with the army, and bombs are meh'. People are incredulously misinformed. It's like they live in another country. 

But now, I know better. I do understand why they react so. Then again.. I wish I never had to explain each and every time. 

Can we all live harmoniously, religious and cultural differences and all, like people in Malaysia? Just take a look at them. 

I'm holding on to that dream, still. Always. 

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Trip Back Home

I had my long break last week. After months of being away from home, I was so psyched and excited to fly that I had to leave the office early to 'prepare' coz I know when I get off that plane, my baby brother (who's inches taller than I am now) will be looking for his boxes of Krispy Kreme. 

I am the family's eldest and unica hija, pretty explains why the entire family's very protective of me. So even if I could very well find my way home, hey picked me up the airport. The moment I got in the car I felt home immediately. I was also glad our Strada's up and running after Sendong. We dropped by SM Cagayan de Oro to eat breakfast since I havent had any. 

At home, Papa prepared a sumptuous dinner. He knew I missed his cooking and boy was he right. I had grilled Bangus and shells!!! YUM. It's been months since I had any. You see, Bangus and shells are my favorite. We always have that for lunch every Sunday before I moved here in Makati. Gahd, dinners like that make me miss being pampered. Being an only daughter and having two parents who adore me, do have their perks. 

We went off to Pryce Memorial Gardens to visit my grandaunt and my great grandmother since it was my grandaunt's birthday. Weird huh to celebrate one's birth when they're dead already. But we Filipinos have that sentimentality and we pay respects every time. We had difficulty lighting the candles since it was so windy. My hat kept flying off. 

After saying a short prayer, my brother played with the wind and had his plane soaring. I watched it soar over the sprawling, green grass against the blue skyline. The sound of rustling leaves and swaying trees seemed like a lulling music in this peaceful place for the dead. Now I know why my grandaunt specifically wanted to lie her remains there.

Paul was still having fun flying his plane when Mama called us back in the car. We were still heading to Initao Forest Park for a stroll. More on that when I get back.

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Iligan Bloggers First Meet and Greet

It's amazing we already have an official group for bloggers here in my city. Props to those who initiated the idea! And it is also sad, I joined when something prompts me to leave my city to the concrete jungle I call, Manila.  Nevertheless, I am thrilled!

I initially didn't intend to go at the last minute. The meet-and-greet happened at the busiest weeks of my summer. I volunteered for GK and constantly ran errands to take care of important documents I had to bring to Manila. At Aruma, my friend convinced me to go. I was thinking, I'd be super duper late. He said it'll be fine. And so I went, 2 hours late. As I've guessed, they were on the last part of the program when I stepped in. Needless to say, I was extremely embarrassed! I was not in my usual perky self. I was testing the waters. Observing those around and looking for a kindred spirit. I think most of them were. Everyone was friendly and talkative though most of them only met each other online. 

 I heard other bloggers didn't make it. Either they're too shy (sad coz they missed out a lot what with the events we're invited to cover) or had other previous appointments.

Free food for all. They offered me cupcakes, chocolates and a drink however I was not hungry and I was reserving my appetite for the family dinner at home with our relatives.

See? Already exchanging pleasantries. It helped some were rather chatty and that others knew each other way back; any trace of awkwardness that comes along with the first meeting quickly dissipated. If ever there were it remained imperceptible. At least to them, I WAS AWKWARD COZ I WAS LATE. I should have been more chatty. I was not myself. Thanks to multi-tasking and going to a three appointments in 5 hours. I arrived late in each. Bummer.

Our official photographer for the night is a smiling, adorable kid. When she snapped a picture of me, she smiled! I thought I scare off kids! Really, I have the face that appears snobbish. It sucks coz really I'm not. People get the wrong idea and almost always pleased to know I'm not when they get to know me more. I try to reaaaaaally look friendly but alas, I get the same first impressions each time.

Even if I embarrassed myself for being the LAST to arrive and the FIRST to go, I say it was worth going. I cannot wait to cover events as part of this group. And let all the world know that MINDANAO is contrary to what others think, is a beautiful place to live in.

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Volunteering for GK

Bumming out was the official plan for this year's summer. The impending review classes will surely take out a huge chunk of my social life in both worlds: actual and social life. Since April there was an excessive amount of sleeping in 'til the sun is way, way up, TV, movies and shows my eyes can no longer handle, and catching up on novels. I can only count the days I actually went out of the house to hang out with friends. 

Until, my bestfriend invited me to join Gawad Kalinga (GK). I thought it'll hit two birds in on stone--- volunteer work and spending quality time with each other, so what the heck I said YES! From then on, we were running errands for GK. Well most of the work was done by the time I joined in so there wasn't much. Except for that one time we had to go around the city to hand-carry letters for radio stations.

We had a tartanilya ride at some point. Haven't been in one for ages! Needless to say, we enjoyed albeit the scorching sun upon us. It was so hot. And we did a video too for our best friend Beajai in England. And in between volunteering for GK, we meet up with our best friend, Leia.

 One of our go to cafes in the city is Zoey's. Every time Kara or Beajai comes home, we dine here. The mango crepe is a recent addition to their menu. The other one's a double double cheesburger. We call this eating light for our next stop, Aruma. 

What remains of our Tuna Alfredo. Aruma is the best cafe in town. The food is great, for a reasonable price. When I'm around I usually order the usuals, Tuna Alfredo/Tuna Twist with Choco Macadamia frappe. They offer good service too. If you're a regular, they give you a cup with your name on it, keeps it at the cafe and lets you use it when you hang out there again. Zoey's topped my list for years but when Aruma came around, it only ranks second. 

I'm glad I am close and friends with the same people I spend breaks with in high school to help write a fanfiction of Harry Potter. The book series of JK Rowling mean more to me than any other book series I have. They hold memories of high school and a start of beautiful friendship that we still enjoy after almost a decade. 

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