Gag-gag-ay is a form of socialization of all ages in Sagada. It is story telling time with other people whether of your own age or all other ages. This is usually evident after work hours where people gather, rest and tell stories.
= These are shots taken during the retrieval operation in Kayan. Despite the sadness brought about by the incident, it was heartwarming to note that people all over Mountain Province came together to help each other in any way they can in cash, kind and service. It's a clear show of the "ob-obbo" values of the Igorot. The heart may be heavy but the thought that we are not alone in this world is very enlightening. =
The first time I heard of the Kayan incident, I thought of Lesio but instead of the usual happy face, it was four coffins that passed through my eyes. I did not want to confirm my interpretation of the four coffins and I did not have the privilege of contacting Lesio my my cellphone on dead battery. It was really and truly heart rending to have the tragedy confirmed. Lesio and the whole of his family were buried in the land slide in Kayan, Tadian.
Les was not just a friend to me, he was a brother, a very dear brother. Since we met in 1993, our friendship was founded and it flourished as the years went by. It was tested by fire - by intrigues, by cold - by non-communication, by time and by the countless experiences we met along the way. It was proven to have been with that of a strong foundation and on a firm ground. And even when our family circles expanded, still the friendship flourished extending it to our children and our relatives. We did not just consider each other as friends but as family members.
He was a dreamer especially when awake. And, he works for those dreams. Even on his last breath, he was the Lesio I have ever known - loving and caring. His children were found hugging each other and he and his wife were found hugging each other. Beside them is a Bible, a wallet, an ID and a cellphone - items that symbolize so what really matters in life. It touched me that from the site also they were able to recover some pictures that showed and had me reminisce the happy times. I think it was not only I that was helped by those pictures but some of us also who viewed them. It reminded us of the happy times and helped bring back the picture of the happy Lesio and his wife. Now, their coffins are still clear, but beside the coffins are happy faces of the whole family. I can hardly even remember how they looked after being mangled by the debris, rocks, woods, soil and water. Now, I remember more their looks when our families got together to celebrate his promotion as principal and his wife's coming home.
Until now though, it is still hard though to think of Lesio and just let his image float. It still hurts to think that he could have done more have he been given the chance to live longer. Yet, his time has come as all of us will. In their short span of life, they had been full of life, living life as it should be - fulfilling their mission.
And now, from the Benguet State University Mountain Collegian family, we will continue to "write what is right" as we had shouted before. From DepEd-MP, we will continue to serve a life of service as you've modelled and pray that more will serve as you've done and even give more than what you have already given. From the OSCAR, we'll continue to live a life of excellence with the right attitue, saluting you for having done so. You may have gone before us, but you'll forever be in our hearts as a friend, a brother, a model, a family and even more. Our families will continue to be molded together with the love of God.
And, personally from me, I did not just lose a friend, I lost a brother, a comforter, a statistician (Do you know that i have even told somebody that i need not learn statistics because i already have you??? what a very tactless statement but that is how proud i am to have you.), an all talented individual gift-wrapped by God for me and all others you have served. Yet, I know that with yor absence, God meant it for something else. I will miss you. Forever, you will remain in our hearts.
I. Introduction The “Gag-gag-ay di Dumap-ay” is an organization, as well as an activity, of the Supreme Student Government (SSG) of public and private secondary schools and Supreme Pupil Government (SPG) of public elementary schools and other personnel in the Division of Mountain Province. This started in SY 2008-2009 but was not yet christened as “Gag-gag-ay di Dumap-ay then.” It was this year that the organization is called such.
“Gag-gag-ay” is a Kankanaey Igorot term in the Western Mountain Province which may be the same with “Gagayam” or “Gagyam,” a social activity that does not discriminate the young from the old but takes all ages together to share and learn from each other through activities such as storytelling, playing, discussions and so on. It had been a very helpful social activity that kept the Western Mountain Province Igorots intact through the years.
“Di” is the Igorot term for “of” while “Dumap-ay” is again taken from the root word “dap-ay.” The “dap-ay” also known in some as “ato” is the political, social, spiritual, educational center of the people in the Western and Central Mountain Province before. So, “dumap-ay” refers to the members of the dap-ay. Before, this is where the boys would be trained on how to cope with life. (Girls are being trained in the “ebgan”.) It is where they get their non-formal education that prepares them to face adult life. Moreover, this is also the center for political activities where the people would gather together to discuss matters that affect them, thus, decision making especially on matters concerning more people are done. It also keeps the people united in a way that no one wants to be considered an outlaw, everybody complies with the decisions of the elders. It is also a spiritual center since this is where their rituals are being done.
There are things to note though in the set-up of the “dap-ay.” There is a council of elders who lead the discussion on matters presented to them and make a decision and lead everybody in the performance of activities. Nobody though is superior above the other. Direct democracy is a real practice. Taking the concept of the “dap-ay,” the SSG and SPG advisers, officers and members are all “dumap-ays.” Their own SSG and SPG in their own schools are their own “dap-ays” and the “Gag-gag-ay Di Dumap-ay” is an assembly of all the “dap-ays” in the Department of Education - Division of Mountain Province. So the “Gag-gag-ay Di Dumap-ay” is the assembly as well as the main activity of all the SSG and SPG taken together.
To have a more direct approach and to encourage more of the “dumap-ay” to attend, the “Gag-gag-ay di Dumap-ay” is clustered into six. The first cluster is Paracelis-Saliok, since Paracelis is the farthest, though biggest, municipality of Mountain Province and though Saliok is a part of Natonin, another municipality, it is nearer Paracelis. The second cluster is the municipalities of Barlig and Natonin; third is the municipalities of Bontoc and Sadanga; fourth is the municipalities of Sagada and Besao; fifth is the municipalities of Sabangan and Tadian and sixth is the districts of Bauko 1 and 2. As of the present, only the clusters of Natonin and Barlig and Sadanga and Natonin did not yet have the “gag-gag-ay” for this school year. “Leadership is not developed in a day but daily. Activities that help develop self-confidence and leadership knowledge, skills and attitude are being initiated for all the young and old participants.” The “gag-gag-ay” also stresses the fact that as leaders, the small acts of one can become an eye-opener for all. It can be a seed that can be a great plant someday. Moreover, that leadership is never the same with popularity.
II. “Gag-gag-ay Di Dumap-ay” Activities The “Gag-gag-ay” has several activities. These activities are divided into “dap-ay” activities and the “gag-gag-ay” activities. The “dap-ay” activities are what each SSG/SPG organization will plan for the betterment of their own school and community while the “gag-gag-ay” activities are what the different “dap-ays” will do at one time together in their own cluster.
“Dap-ay” activities include Environmental Awareness activities, i.e. advocacy, tree planting; Solid Waste Management advocacy and practice; Peer Counseling / Coaching; Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign; Peer Mentoring; program sponsorships; fund raising for the needs of their schools; and so many more that they see as relevant in their own situations that will bring out the best in them as students and teachers and as a whole school. “Gag-gag-ay” activities focus on developing the leadership skills, attitude and knowledge of the “dumap-ay.” It also helps the “dumap-ay” in gaining knowledge and skills on the focus programs as well as model possible activities they can undertake in their own “dap-ay” once they go back to their own schools. The focus programs though are not the only activities that they can do in their own schools but they can also undertake other activities relevant to their own needs. The focus programs for this School Year 2009-2010 are Environmental Awareness and Solid Waste Management. In this regard, all clusters are required to prepare activities that would serve as samples that the participants can bring to their own school and apply. They are even encouraged to improve on what was shown them. As of the present, since February 2009, the participants were able to plant 1,250 seedlings of mahogany, pine, coffee, caliandra and others during the “gag-gag-ay.” The Solid Waste Management principles are being stressed in the training. In fact, the theme for the “gag-gag-ay” for this year is “Kataguwan di sasayangdan, kawwanan.” This is roughly translated to mean “Care for the source of living of the children.” And, the source of the living of the children is the environment we have.
III. Search for the “Kagawisan ay Dap-ay” It is by nature that people work for intrinsic as well as extrinsic rewards. One of the aims of the “gag-gag-ay” in the leadership trainings being held is to develop the attitude of volunteerism and of working not only because there is a reward but because of the thought that someone must act to be able to make this world in our own small way better – in other words, intrinsic motivations. Yet, to further motivate the different “dap-ays” to give their best, the students are encouraged to aim to be the “Kagawisan ay Dap-ay.” The search is conducted at the end of the school year on two phases. The first phase is the paper / document assessment and the second phase is the validation of the accomplishments of the top five contenders.
“Kagawisan” simply means best and “ay” is the. So, the “Kagawisan ay Dap-ay” is referring to the Best SSG/SPG organization in Mountain Province. The basis for the selection are the accomplishments of each “dap-ay” vis-à-vis their action plans as well as their implementations of the focus programs and other mandated programs. The search is also a way of campaigning for other “dap-ays” to be more active and work hand-in-hand will all stakeholders. Last school year, the champion which is Paracelis National High School implemented most of the mandated programs but more importantly, the SSG extended their work outside of their school and helped save the Paracelis watershed by doing tree planting activities in the water sheds of Paracelis. Their activity has a great impact to the community since it is also a way of campaigning against illegal logging which is rampant in the said municipality.
IV. Organizational Structure
The “gag-gag-ay” is an organization of students/pupils and involved personnel in the Department of Education in Mountain Province. Being an organization in the Division of Mountain Province, it is directly under the Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Mary A. Lang-ayan. The Araling Panlipunan / HEKASI supervisor is automatically the overall SSG/SPG coordinator. This is in the person of Irene A. Bakisan, who formalized the organization. The Supreme Student Government Dap-ay in the different secondary schools are under the direct supervision of the advisers and the school heads while the Supreme Pupil Government Dap-ay of the elementary are also under Public Schools District Supervisors, school heads and advisers. SSG/SPG officers and members are at the same level since “servant leadership” is the more dominant practice being emphasized. Moreover, servant leadership is what is being practiced in the “dap-ay” which is being modeled in the “gag-gag-ay.” In addition, to be able to attain success, it is so much easier for the SPG / SSG officers to join hands harmoniously if no one is treated as higher than the other but that all others are treated equal. The council of elders in each “dap-ay” are the officers, advisers, school head and includes the Public Schools District Supervisor in the elementary. Meanwhile, the council of elders in the “gag-gag-ay” are the Schools Division Superintendent, SSG/SPG coordinator, Supreme Student Government Advisers Association, Supreme Student Government Federation Officers and the coordinators for each cluster.
No matter how gifted a leader is, his gifts will never reach their maximum potential without the application of self-discipline.”
“Successful leaders are learners. And, the learning process is ongoing, a result of self-discipline and perseverance.
(This is a message delivered to 105 graduates of Paracelis NHS on April 1, 2009. Though there are several changes on the way it was delivered, i.e. medium of communication, and subtractions and additions on the content, the gist is here.)
April is the second month of spring, one of the four temperate seasons. The other seasons include winter, summer and fall / autumn. Of all these Spring is the most promising. It is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life for plants and animals being born. Spring ends winter, the severe cold and the days of bleakness and whiteness because of the snow. Moreover, the birthstone for April is diamond, the symbol for innocence. I do not know what tree you have here that follows the four seasons but in Sagada, a municipality on the Western portion of Mountain Province, we have the persimmon tree, the national fruit of South Korea. It has its four seasons. Picking of its fruits would be from August to September. By October, it’s leaves begin to fall leaving the branches bare. By December to February, the tree seems dead, with no leaves at all. However, starting on March, especially in April, the tree comes alive with fresh new leaves. And, for one who had seen how it looked when it had no leaves, looking at it would bring joy. Yes, it is a symbol of freshness and hope. Having your graduation in April, then, is a double treat. Again, April is a promising month, a month of diamonds and fresh leaves.
The first day of April is known as April Fool’s Day – a day when you are excused to make white lies and get out of it. Though this is supposed to be the best day of the month since it is the beginning, it is also branded as a day to make lies, which if based on the Bible, is not supposed to be such. So, right at the beginning of your graduation, you’re already faced with a challenge – and the challenge is to prove to the world, that you are worthy to graduate from high school. And that, April 1 is not an excuse to make lies, for your graduation is never a lie. Challenge daytoy kadakayo – han nga gapo ta agtaltalon ti ama ken ina tayo ket han tayo kabaelan nga agturpos ti eskwela tayo. Panunoten yo nga ti panagturpos ada metlaeng idiay tao. Pito kami nga agkakabsat nga pinanawan ni tatang mi idi siyam paylang ti tawen ko. Maymaysan ni nanang ko nga mangmangged ti panagdait ngem nakaturpos kami met. Haan nga gapo ta nasuportaran na kami no diket nagtitinulongan mi. Ti panangtarimaan yo ti panageskwela yo launay ket dakkelen nga tulong ken pammigsa ti paryentes yo. Han gamin nga ununaen ti meryenda – unaen ti usaren ti panag eskwela. No anya man ti kasasaad mo itata dayta ti April 1 mo. Sanguem ken itakder mo ket tarimaaanem.
The 2 in 2009 would stand for the need of others and God. In life, we need others to survive. We cannot be an island. If at times we don’t have any human warm bodies beside us, it’s the time to acknowledge the presence of God. Having nobody to turn to is the very reason that suicide incident is rising in developed countries. We all have times of depression and craziness. Psychiatrists say that everybody has a degree of craziness, we are then branded as crazy only if we cannot distinguish what is real and what is imagined. That happens if no one will be with us to help us stand when we are weak. Yes, we are no island. We need others beside us in our success or our failure. That is the very reason that we have friends and by nature relatives, and that we were born from parents. That is also the very reason why we seek for girl / boyfriends and then marry. It really takes two to tango. We cannot dance tango alone. Companionship, team work and socialization, my friends is the very design of God whom we can always turn to if human fails us.
The first 0 was invented by the Indians. Most ancient invention on counting number systems did not include 0. Yet 0 is very very important. Without it, there will be no 10, 20, 30, 40, 200, 700, 1000, 10,000, 100,000, to millions and zillions. Sometimes, we seem to be so insignificant. We seem to be doing nothing. We seem to be useless. But, we have to remember that like the zero, we may seem insignificant and unimportant but in truth, we are very much significant. Our small contributions and accomplishments add to a bigger accomplishment. Yes, one zero after a number makes a difference. If you add one 0 after 10, it will become 100. Add another 0 after it, then it will become 1000 and so on and so forth. That is how important we are though we seem to be so insignificant. We may be ignored or our actions may be forgotten but such actions will add to something greater. And, that my dear graduates, is the very characteristic of a zero which is shown in the theme of today’s graduation which goes, “My education: my contribution to the future.” Even our simple acts of giving our best in educating ourselves, is already an additional zero, to the future – your world tomorrow.” Again, “isang tuldok lang tayo, pero ang tuldok my salaysay,” sabi nga sa isang kanta.
The next 0 is for us and our attitude towards life. Most if not all of the time we need to humble ourselves even to the extent that we seem to be in Level 0. This we have to do to learn. Some would learn a little and brag and think that they need not learn it again. However, we have to remember what Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher once said, “The more I learn, the more I discover that I know nothing at all.” In so many ways, life has taught me the truth in that. We learn from others, whether they are the lowest paid or the highest paid, whether they know how to read or not, whether they are younger or older. When we say that our cup is full and we have already mastered something, we might be surprised to discover that if you still listen, you will learn more for learning never ends. If you say that your cup is full, then you are ready to die. The last 0 then boils down to attitude. As they say, it is attitude, when put in a mathematical equation as a is 1 + t as 20 + another t as 20 + I as 9 + another t as 20 t u as 21 + d as 4 and e as 5 that sums up to 100% and with the love of God makes it 12 +15 +22+5+15+6+7+15+4 would be 101%.
Nine is the highest single digit number. I therefore challenge you graduates to aim high. Aim for the 9 but always remember that your feet are on the ground. Reach your stars, reap them, gather them and use them to brighten not only your own path but also the paths of others as well. Don’t limit yourselves. It is in this place that I heard from you during the Cluster leadership Training, the chant, “What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.” Live that and be true to that. Aim high. Aim for the nine. Aim not only for yourselves but also for others. In summary, April stands for Spring in your life; 1 is a challenge; 2 is finding the right friends and companions and acknowledging the presence of God in your life; 0 is for recognizing that everyone is significant though they seem to be insignificant; 0 is attitude towards life; and 9 is aiming high. That is April 1, 2009.
To the teachers, continue working for the betterment of everybody. Don’t take teaching as just a source of income for there is no money in teaching. Teaching is more of a mission. Teaching will only be your line if you stop counting your money at the end of the month and instead think of how you can improve the teaching-learning process. So, congratulations for staying in the teaching field – the noblest profession of all.
To the lower years, you have seen the weakness and strengths of the people who came before you. Take note, they say that the best teacher is experience but you need not experience everything for there is such thing as history and vicarious experiences. Learn from the history and experiences of others for your life is not enough for you to experience everything. Give your best in all endeavors.
To the parents, I know your kids have added gray hairs to you and many more before you will say your task is finished. I know there were so many times that you have asked yourself, “apay anak ko daytoy?” Apay ngata ngarod nga di nak denggen? Yet, I also know that despite all those questions, you still rocked your child in your arms and say, “I love you forever. I like you for always. As long as I live, my baby you’ll be.” Yes, there were times that you cannot understand them and they seem to be aliens to you not your own flesh and blood, makaited ti ado nga uban, yet, you still cradled them in your arms and said, “I love you forever. I like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”
Now, dear graduates, it’s time to stand and go to your mother and father and hug them as tight as you can and say, “Thank you for loving me. Thank you for liking me. Thank you for making me your baby forever. And, thank you for because of you I am now graduating from high school.” Then give your diploma.
To all, God bless. Thank you for joining all of us here today.
In summary, may I call on the graduates to say April 1, 2009.
Many people generally fear Friday the 13th. This fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia. In practice, even popular personalities and institutions avoided the number. As taken from Pinoyblog, posted on March 13, 2009, many hospitals have no room 13, some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some air terminals omit Gate 13. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th of any month and would never host 13 guest at a meal.
As I never feared the number 13, not even Friday the 13th, I never placed any meaning on whatever happens to me on that day. I treat the day the way I will treat any other day. Yet, last Friday, the second month of this year with a Friday on the 13th, somebody pinpointed to me that the adventure we are having might be because of the date.
We were visiting private secondary schools in Mountain Province for their recertification. We started on Monday at Saint Mary’s School in Sagada, Tuesday at St. James High School of Besao. That day, we started traversing the road to Natonin with a plan to stay at an inn in Barlig, a municipality half way to Natonin. Everything was perfect until we reached Poblacion, Barlig. Since we try our best to make use of all daylight time, we considered staying at Barlig a waste of time for there is still light so we decided to reach Kadaclan, a barangay of Barlig and stay there for the night. I agreed though I know that we will reach the place by night time for it was already 6:00PM then.
I know that the Kadaclan Road is very steep and it is a road to avoid especially when it rains. Yet, on the other hand, it did not rain and so I agreed. Moreover, the only inn in Kadaclan is owned by a fatherly friend whom I have not talked to for some years, so reaching the place is a double treat for my companions and a triple treat for me. We will be able to cover more land, stay at Kadaclan dubbed as the Shangrila on the edge and I will be able to socialize with one of the wise men I have met in my life.
It did not take us too long to realize that we might have made the wrong decision. It did not rain before Poblacion, Barlig but it rained after it. And so our ride took its time to walk instead of run. I estimated we will reach Kadaclan by past 7:00 PM but we reached it by 8:30 with our hearts almost at our mouths. The steep and slippery road and the dark, hardly dispersed by our light, enveloping us made us reflect why we did not hire a jeep instead to take us to Natonin -a ride that is used to traversing such. We remembered asking anybody we encountered at any chance we have if the Adventure car we have can traverse to Natonin. I have been there and I was a little bit doubtful but many of those we asked from would say, “Yes, your only problem is if it will rain.” I myself had been to the place for about four times already and hearing the assurance that without the rain, things will be fine, I agreed. But now, we are already contemplating that the car will not be able to make it back to Bontoc on the steep and slippery road, yet, we smiled and kept mum about it.
We slept at Kadaclan and whatever tiredness we felt was washed away by the warm welcome of the people especially the owner of Homestay Inn. The fear was completely forgotten when we woke up in the morning and took a view of the Shangrila on the edge. The view was fantastic making my companions vow to return and take a hike on the virgin forests of Kadaclan.
The way to Immaculate Heart High School in Poblacion, Natonin from Kadaclan was smooth sailing. We reached Natonin by 10:00 AM. We were to sleep at San Roque Inn, a former hospital but now being operated as an inn by the Catholic Church. Though I have slept there already for about two times already, I have not met any experience with the “ghosts” stories that I have heard from many. That night has no difference with all nights I’ve been there for I still slept like a baby until I woke up and realized that my rubber slipper which I used when I went to the bathroom at around 7:00Pm was still wet by 4:00 AM and the night was warm.
We decided to go out of Natonin not via the Kadaclan road for accordingly, the road to Paracelis is “mayat” in our dialect, meaning good, fine, okay. And, one principal even jokingly told me that I should have come when the road was still not fixed so I would have tried the real road situation before. I laughed and I said, “God knows His time so He knew the right time to bring me here.”
What a time it was. We did not travel for 30 minutes when we met our first tragedy. Our car stuck and we cannot move it until another car not really bigger than ours had to pull it out. Thinking things will be fine, I started walking telling them to pick me up along the way. Admiring the beauty that surrounds me, I did not really notice the murky road and the time. It was after I walked for about an hour that I started wondering why they have not yet reached me. I was about to turn around but I decided against it when I saw that I have been going down and hiking up is so tiring even if I have not yet started it.
So, I continued hiking thinking to stop at the first sight of a house, but then, another hiker came. According to him, he hikes from Poblacion, Natonin to Tapao, a sitio of Saliok, Natonin for about three hours only. It was then a relief for me to have a company but after hiking for almost an hour again and the car is not yet in sight, I became too worried. So, I have to ask a driver of a jeepney on the way up to let my companions know where I am.
When we reached Saliok, I had to separate with my companion since he was going another way and I am supposed to wait for the car and I also wanted to visit a public secondary school there. Yet, while I was talking to somebody, I heard and saw the car coming. I had to give up going to the school, relieved that the car was able to traverse accordingly, “the worst part of the road.” They stopped at the bridge to pick me up and when they came out, I feel guilty for not helping them. I already figured that they had a hard time along the way since the two guys are very muddy. To assure them, I had to echo what the residents said, that the worst is over.
However, driving for less than 10 minutes, we came to a very slippery road again. The car cannot go up. The two guys with us, went down to help by pushing the car but since it’s so slippery and they themselves slipped, it had been more dangerous than helpful. They did all things they know, but even with all of them – the driver, the two guys and even the car – pushing themselves to their physical limits, the car did not move. And so, thinking that “bayanihan” is not yet dead anywhere in the Philippines, I went back to the community to ask for volunteers to help us and to get a spade.
Yet, when we were coming back, wonder of wonders, the car accordingly moved and is running. So, I thanked the volunteers with me and proceeded. However, when Ireached the car, it was stuck again, in a bend about a hundred meters away from where it was stuck when I left it. This time, it cannot really move. As we were contemplating our next move, people began pouring in. Men in motor, men walking and a yellow car that seemed to have been sent by God on the right time. They said that the best way to remedy the situation is for the yellow car to pull our car. The problem? There was no big and sturdy rope that they have. And so, I had to go down to the community again to ask if not to buy. And then we met male teachers from the public high school who heard that somebody from DepEd was stuck at the road. I asked if they have a rope, big, sturdy and long enough for the purpose. They said that they have a rope made from abaca made by the students. They said that it could do the work and so we had to wait. Our car was pulled from that portion till Tapao, about four kilometers away. We were only able to move out because of the concerted effort and helpfullness of the people, including the students who made the project.
We sighed when we reached Paracelis. After eating, we started again to Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. We were very much assured by the people (again?) that we will be safe till we reach Ifugao. All the roads are fine. We were laughing at our last adventure, assured that such kind is finished. Our laughter faded when we realized that our car cannot go up a slippery road again. It was a little bit hard, for my conscience was bothered, to ask the tired men from the field and those on their way home to help but then there came willing hands again. This time, they will not push the car for it is too dangerous and slippery. What they did was to pull the car, for it was a lot safer. They tied a rope and with all the men’s strength, pulled the car up to a safe ground.
We were relieved for at last, we are on the road again but the Regional Director for FAPE who was with us was so worried with the car that we decided not to go directly to Mayoyao, Ifugao but to Santiago, Isabela to have the car checked. We were only able to sleep by about 10:30 that night – a normal five hour ride took us about 11-12 hours.
The next morning, Friday the 13th, we were assured that the priest in-charge of the school will pick us up on his way from Lagawe, Ifugao. However, we decided to just go in convoy instead. The two men with us rode with the priest while we stayed in the car. After riding for about an hour, the priest called us to come back and pick up our two companions for his car has a problem. Jokingly, our driver insinuated that they were the bad luck of yesterday and that day since the car they are in gets stuck. We took things as just plainly jokes. However after another 30 minutes, our car cannot climb the slippery mountain again. The car was not really built for such. The two were the butt of jokes again. We had to turn the car and stay at a safe place while thinking of our next move.
When a truck came, we asked if we, the three certifiers, can ride with them so, we will be able to fulfill the reason that we were there. They agreed. However, when we were on the same spot that our car cannot traverse, the truck got stuck also. I looked at the two and tried to make a remark meant as a joke but also to emphasize that they really seem to be the bad luck but I saw their faces and I can’t continue. I saw how downfallen they are. I just smiled and tried to help them.
Minutes flew and the car that was supposed to go and help the priest was coming up again with our other companions. Since the road was wide enough, the car was able to pass the struggling truck. They stopped to wait for us to change ride. The faces of our two companions can’t be spelled. They seemed to refuse to transfer but at the same time welcome it. They seemed not to have taken a breath until we reached the cemented roads of Aguinaldo. The two refused to take their lunch and one of them kept on puffing cigarettes. It was only when we were on our way to Mayoyao that they voiced out how they feel, that if the last car that took us got stuck, they will really believe that they are the “bad luck”. And so, thankfully, we were so happy to note that we reached our destination without further mishap only with me in rubber slippers ( I forgot to get my shoes which I removed when we first got stuck) and my companions are in muddy shoes and sandal.
We rode the bus back to where we left our car. Everything was running fine except when we again reached another slippery road. We have to wait for a truck to pass through before we can pass. The truck got stuck there for almost 15 minutes but we were able to pass.
We realized we had been on the road for more than 24 hours already with almost the same predicament in two provinces. Yet, I believe, things will be better in two or three years time since improvements on the road started already.
Relieved on our way home, somebody commented, “Have you realized it is Friday the 13th?” I have not thought of it, but now, . .Of course, I still believe the date had nothing to do with our experience. I still consider that experience as one of the most fruitful ones. It had proven once more that Filipinos are more than what they are made for. And, after all, who would recent a 13th month pay?
