|
The river valley |
|
|
|
Crossing the hanging bridge |
|
Uly and his nanay-nanayan Nana Merced |
Yesterday I joined fellow PNPCSI members Regielene, Ronald and Ulysses to the Bataan National park, to talk to some of the Kanawan residents. Reg will be conducting a botanic survey in the vicinity the next month and she was asking the assistance of the community. Uly helped in facilitating for it, and Ronald and I were unsolicited company, just taking advantage of the trip. It was a sort of homecoming for Uly as he has performed a botanic study here which lasted 2 years and he has not been back for quite some time.
|
The Kanawan view |
|
My kanawan posse, Zaldy, Jomari and Arnold |
|
They even got us refreshing buco! |
After settling the pleasantries, Reg's coordination business and a short but hefty lunch, Uly invited us to look around Kanawan which he considered his home for two years. We followed another trail and got to see more of his former neighbors, friends, his then usual hang-outs and the forest plot where he, together with the community, planted native seedlings. We were accompanied by Uly's former guide, Jo.
|
Zaldy and Arnold playing around with a bayawak |
|
Uly's old backyard |
|
Arnold and Jomari with Reg |
As always, I trailed behind the group in walking to these places. But I was kept constant company and entertained by 3 small boys who I think got curious of my mascot-like appearance. Zaldy, Jomari and Arnold was tailing us all the way, but most of the time they were impishly darting pass me to remind me I am slow. Every now and then they would climb trees we see on the trail, just to show us they could do it and with all ease! These guys really got me amused. Their presence somehow made the climb tolerable and memorable.
|
Good trekking company |
In going to the nursery, I asked to stay behind under the shelter of a shanty we saw in one grove, and the 3 boys chose to keep me company. They continued doing their stunts, climbing the GI roof of the small hut. They only stayed put when I told them I would sketch them, and they did for a short but good 10 minutes, and I managed to do the quick sketch. After 15 minutes, Reg, Ron and Uly reappered with jo, the guide, and we again were on our feet to continue our way back to the community and eventually went on our way towards home.
The route back, the energetic boys were still doing their thing, climbing trees and picking guava and other fruits off of trees. They even accompanied us way back to our vehicle, a whole 2 kilometer walk from the commmunity. The boys were really funny. They certainly put the excitement in an otherwise tiresome and gruelling walk! Hahahaha!
|
Resting at a large family abode at the edge of the forest |
3 comments:
how i wish i could also visit that place ... maybe soon
Wish i could visit your part of the Philippines, Mindanao.
That is a beautiful view. I hope it can stay that way for a long time.
Post a Comment