February 16, 2012: PROMDI jerdy goes to Guimaras Island alone!

I decided to leave my mom at the hotel where she continued to attend the MTBMLE Conference. My good friend, Pat, prior to my flight to Iloilo suggested that I go to Guimaras Island to tour and buy mangoes. I asked for directions from the hotel security and staff and got a very vague plan. Coincidentally, Harold gave me a ring at the exact moment I walked out of the hotel gates. He was kind enough to assist me by giving directions which he got from googling and wikimapia-ing. I rode a jeepney and told the driver I would like to go to San Pedro Port, after what seemed like 30 minutes the kind driver dropped me off the nearest stop to the port. I rode a pedicab to the port.

The fare going to the island was only Php 14.00! It was a 20-minute sea travel and the boat took on about 45 passengers. The weather was a bit disappointing because it was drizzling all day, at least it wasn’t pouring so that’s looking at the brighter side. When I reached Jordan Wharf, I easily got escorted by a man to the tricycle area. Apparently, my look—shades up and a camera hanging from my neck—screamed “tourist!” I never really had a good experience with tricycle drivers and back in LB, I didn’t like having to deal with them whenever I drove, they irritate me because they always swerve and are sometimes too slow for the highways (sorry). But Kuya Oca-oca was different, although, of course it wasn’t apparent at first. I told him to take me to the Church, I thought there was only one in the island. He asked me where and I told him I didn’t know any, so the closest one. He said he knows of a place where a lot of people visit, but he’d charge me Php 200.00, round-trip. I agreed. I thought it was a steep price, but then as our journey progressed, I realized it was a fair deal, it was far away and the road was uphill. The roads were deserted and I feared that he might mug me or bring me far away and leave me for dead, but my fears were all silenced when we reached the Trappist Monastery—the only all male Monastery in the Philippines. I went in and prayed and wished for some things including not being mugged by Kuya Oca-oca. After I said my prayer he entered and I saw him praying, too. That brought me peace, an answered prayer for me!

He then brought me to the Trappist Gift Shop where I bought mango piaya, mango candies, mango jam and mango biscocho, as well as scapulars and rosaries. After that we were back on the road and we stopped by the museum which was unfortunately under renovation due to water leaks, though I managed to catch some pictures. He also brought me to the DOT office where I was given free maps and brochures of the island. Last stop was the mango stall where I only bought 2 kg of mangoes. A kilo only costs Php 75.00. I thought I would still have time later to buy mangoes in the city. I should have bought more.

He brought me back to the port safe and sound and I thanked him and instead of the agreed Php 200.00, I gave him Php 300.00 because he was kind and told me stories about himself. He gave me his number just in case I’d be back in the island. He told me he’d take me to the beach and the lighthouse.

I rode the boat back to Iloilo City, fulfilled and very happy that I had embarked on this adventure on my own. Because I enjoyed the trip and because I got to prove that I could make it on my own. I know that I will always long to feel that kind of freedom. I hope to be back someday.

(Source: jerardeusebio)