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| Sunset at Macapagal |
Then THE CHALLENGE
Some may say that Mountaineering is not for everyone and maybe they’re right. Before the journey has begun, I almost think twice. As I begin my step, I realize that the mountain presents me with challenges to either rise to the climbing challenge, or climb down the mountain and go home. Those who are able to rise to the challenge or mountain climbing are rewarded with spectacular views and a feeling that can only be described as a climbing "high." Those who weren't ready to face the mountain have to turn around and go home.
As I step higher, a ton of sweat flowed down from my head to my face. And in my walking journey I meet different kinds of rocks – small, medium, large, name the size and all of those were there a challenge to make me fall. Ouch! Oh my God! Waaahhh! are some words that have been mentioned when someone fall or slide. At times, I said to “Are we getting?” because there is an overacting inner thought saying “I’m gonna die”. The strike of the grass welcomes all those people passing by. And at cold night, heavy winds are there to chill.
I find the movement of climbing to be rewarding, simple but with identified purpose. It has usually been an achievement to get there, both physical and mental, and the trust and friendship built with a person who doesn't just come along for the ride, but often literally ties their life to yours, even if only for a few hours. There is a goal that is tangible and easily measured.
The most simple of necessities are earned. The water is better, the food the best you'll ever taste when you make the effort for all to contribute to the meal. We realize the ultimate in teamwork and trust, jokes are funnier and sleep is sound. They certainly can't know what it meant to work hours with friends to level a platform for the tent and a "couch" to sit on and eat dinner. You feel the freshness of the air and the smile of the blooming flowers opened up to brighten a day. There you’ll see the best view of the sunrise and sunset and the best photograph of your life that you never seen in a picture.
To me all the worldly problems disappear. It feels like home. It feels as if life is seeping back into my body ravage from all the stress in life and work. It feels Right. Here, Life's simple pleasures are magnified.
In summary, climbing a mountain takes much preparation, knowledge and skill. As there are many highs and lows in life, “You never know whether you're going to fall off or make it to the top.” I feel the great gush of victory upon reaching the summit. Climbing puts us in places where we can find our own peace, a challenge with best reward.
Have you ever come to love someone or something you hated before? It is a situation that you were trying to escape from but then can’t do anything about and can't get over with so that you just go with the flow and face challenge. Then later on you will realize that you have found the happiness that you have been looking for so long and that it was worth your while.
I was not born with a silver spoon. When I was young, I begun asking myself why we have different routines compared to our cousins and other kids. They play all day long while we have to help our parents in the farm. During those times I hated my life and I hated my parents for the reason that we were once a family of farmers. For the other children, weekends and holidays spell a lot of fun. But for us, these were the dreadful times of waking up ahead of the sunrise, gearing up our farm stuff, and getting ready for a days work at the farm. Most of the time my siblings and I endure the envy as we walk past the other kids who are just playing around and most often, too, I endure the embarassment of being seen in my farm clothes while carrying my farming gears for harvesting and plowing. Enevitably so, like any other kids, I have also had my experiences of playing but then again, due to the kind of life we had, there were limitations. “First things first” and playing is not it --- household chores always comes first before anything else.
In school, I was the nerdy type. My daily routine was home-school-home. I hate it when my classmates call me “lampayatot”. I remember one day we had a dance presentation in school, and it really hurt me that my crush didn’t choose me as his partner because I was too thin.
But this did not turn my wheel around, studies were my priorities. I always remember our father's never-ending litany to us, “Education is the only thing we can give you, that nobody can steal it to you”. From those words and from the life I have been through as a child, I slowly dreamed and shaped my goals. I aimed for the best and prayed that something better will come my way.
Above all these things and for all the "bad" things that happened, I still managed to smile and dream that someday all these hate will later turn into love. I still manage to pursue, obey and love my parents. With regards to acceptance I never tried to impress people for them to like me because if I did, I have to keep that image for the rest of my life and it’s hard to be somebody else you are not. What matters most is that I know myself and I know what and who I am inside and out and I know I’m worth it. I know I have friends who knew me for what I am and who I am but accepted me, and who will be there through thick and thin.
Now, whenever confronted with a difficult situation, what I do is no longer hate, I'd rather count the blessings that pass by. Thank God that I am luckier than the others. I don’t compare myself with those who achieved more but think of those people who are less fortunate than I am.
After college, I found a better job. My playmates still playing their games but did not pursue their studies after high school. After all the sacrifices I did, all the childish games I was not able to enjoy, the perseverance and patience I had working with my parents in the farm, I am proud to say that everything paid of well. I am better and enjoying the fruits of my labor now. Currently, I’m still working in the farm, my Farmtown and Farmville in FB. I toil the land and still plant seeds, but here, I am not forced to wake up early in the morning and am not exposed to sunlight but rather sleep late at night. Lastly, I’m not lampayatot anymore; I’m all grown up and have become a sexy lady.
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| Puerto Galera at a glance |
