by Allen Hipolito Mayor

LOWN UP … and blowing up again. It means glancing back at the past and reminiscing the olden days when Klub and kloobers were just embarking on their first journey with the butterfly club. From day one until this time, enjoin me as I tread back to some of the many activities and adventures, (even disappointments and frustrations) that Klub Natur has had.

Tita King had passed away. I fondly called her Tita King, Dean Lucrecia R. Kasilag, our national artist for music. She was instrumental to my creative endeavors. I was her scholar for two years. She sponsored my education until I finished my Batselyer ng Belyas Artes at the Philippine Women’s University.

Tita King was a patron of my artistry. Even today, I can still recall one instance when, in one of our exhibits, she tapped my back and declared: “Very clever, Allen!” She was pertaining to the “conceptual” set of provocative male nude photographs I had put on display at the gallery: Adam and Steve (see image below); Romeo and Julio; and Martyros. Then she continued, “Keep that creativity alive!”

“Very clever, Allen! Keep that creativity alive!”  ~  Sarap ng pakiramdam! It was something to walk tall. And yes, it was the most inspiring and uplifting remark I ever received in the last 13 years. From a national artist! From Tita King herself!

Adios, Tita King! Thank you for being a blessing to me in this lifetime. Thank you for the encouragements of and from a national artist.

July 18-20 was another milestone for Klub Natur. IMNON IYAWE: Homage to Heaven on Earth, the klub exhibit at the World Trade Center was a celebrated success! The positive comments and feedbacks were overwhelming. All our efforts paid off.

Klub Natur is indebted to RPN FLORA and FAUNA, the organizer of the First Philippine International Flora and Fauna Expo. This extends to all the people behind ICE Inc., the event manager. Special mention goes to Bon Reyes and his wife Mae, for believing in the Klub’s mission to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Philippines through our art. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways, and that led the way for ICE and Klub Natur to cross path.

We are also grateful to the following people: (In ICE Inc) Paul Tan, Mike Cerrezo, Dexter Gierran  ~  for their patience and assistance during the ingress, the exhibit, and the egress; (In Centrex) Ramil Rodis and Mattie Mendoza  ~  sa kanilang pagtalima sa mga pangungulit ko hinggil sa kanilang sponsorship ng display system. Otherwise, wala na kaming pang-kain.

Mae admitted that Bon has a soft spot for Klub Natur. Klub Natur committed to join the expo 11 months prior to its opening at the World Trade. During that time, it was just an “idea”, with neither any skeletal framework nor concept for that matter. But still, I had committed klub’s participation. It was just a verbal commitment with no signed agreement between Bon and me. It was palabra de honor that brought about confidence in our dealings, more binding than any inked contract. Then the expo opened and the rest was history. Yes, palabra de honor!

With full trust and confidence in us, Bon allotted a prime exhibit space for Klub Natur. The 7 meters by 7 meters space accommodated nearly 40 pieces of 24” x 36” and 30” x 40” unmounted photographs and a butterfly cage and pond centerpiece added another interest.

Supposedly, the original concept was an aviary-type booth for Klub Natur where hundreds of live butterflies will flutter inside for the people to enjoy while looking at the photographs. However, budget constraint restructured the idea.

Anton Garriz of Dubricon was also very generous to loan items for our booth’s flooring. But the ingress schedule fell on a Wednesday that our service truck couldn’t travel to Dubricon’s warehouse in Canlubang to pick up the cobblestones and pavers. Main reason: Coding!

Bing and her men had to leave Commonwealth at 4:30 a.m. to deliver the exhibit props to World Trade before 7 a.m. Then at 7 p.m., the truck had to travel to Parañaque to pick up other exhibit items at my place. From Paranaque, we traveled back to World Trade before closing time at 10 p.m. Ay naku, masakit talaga sa ulo ang logistics! Kaya, maraming salamat sa iyo, Bing!

There was no time to pen these thoughts in Camiguin. Most of the time, I tried to be comfortable writing my journal in mind. Hopefully, after four months, my writing will include enough realism, and enough of the everyday travels we had in the far-flung north of the Babuyan Group of Islands  ~  Camiguin.

I have always wanted to step out of the chaos of the metropolis into something peaceful and beautiful …. I needed rural peace and beauty and the island of Camiguin Norte had oases of both.

While the degree or level of stress varies depending on the destination and nature of the activity, organizing a major trip for Klub Natur has always been physically, mentally, and emotionally draining to me. Despite these, the trips that I had organized in the last 14 years were all fulfilled tasks. However, the Babuyan PhotoKamp was the most “stress-filled” in terms of its preparation. I had been sleeping past 12 midnight since January doing my research on the net, searching for people, places and events related to Babuyan. Sadly, there were very few. Or should I say, only two.

In the process, I was also thinking of including Palaui Island in the IT as jump off point to Camiguin. Upon searching Palaui Island (Sta. Ana, Cagayan) in friendster.com, Arnold’s profile popped into view and soon I was browsing through his images. I wrote him a message, and immediately I received a reply from him. Yes, I met Arnold thru friendster. Instead of getting more Palaui info from him, he was receiving more Babuyan updates from me. In the end, he was more interested in joining the expedition to the point of giving up his supposedly Batanes trip. (Mabuti nalang may friendster. Otherwise, hindi makakasama sa Babuyan si Arnold. Better yet, di nya rin tayo makikilala. Di ba Arnold?) Kundi naman dahil kay Arnold, hindi makakasama si Dona. Kundi dahil kay Arnold, di rin tayo makikilala ni Dona.

Two days before Klub Natur left for Babuyan, Madam Choco and I went to Florida bus station to reserve 14 seats for Aparri. Reason why she joined me was for her to avail her 20 percent fare discount which, eventually she also paid out for our lunch that day. Thanks, Madam Choco. You are indeed as sweet as a chocolate (pronounced cho-co-la-te).

Grateful acknowledgment is sincerely expressed to our resource person, Cynthia Layusa of Isla Foundation. She was very accommodating when she replied to my first email. Let us give her all the credit she deserves. Even our first meeting with her at Gateway was so pleasant that we felt as if we were long time friends rekindling friendship. Hindi siya naging maramot sa information.

Also, I am grateful to Mike Lu of Birdwatch Philippines. Thru him, I was able to know Cynthia. Without Mike, I wouldn’t have met Cynthia.

From Cynthia too, I was able to send text messages to Angie Telan, another Klub contact in Aparri. She too, was cooperative in providing details concerning bus schedules from Aparri to Manila, board and lodging accommodation in Aparri in case of canceled boat trips to Babuyan, rice distribution within the area, etc. (Why rice distribution? In April, there were issues on rice shortage and hoarding that some parts of the country had problems producing them too. Hence, we had to check.)

Another person I encountered through the research process was Rolly Magpayo of WWF Phils. Through one website posting, I was able to grace the pre-departure meeting of the Babuyan trip he arranged for the Holy Week. His group went there in March. Klub Natur went there in April.

Sadly, batch 2 of the Babuyan Photokamp was called off. Few days before the 23 May trip, a typhoon hit the northernmost part of Luzon. Through texting, Manong Sorian (our Camiguin host), confirmed turbulent waves in the area. Had it not been to the bad weather, batch 2 could have enjoyed what batch 1 had been reminiscing until today. Swerte pa rin ang mga napasama sa Batch 1 na nakaalis at nakabalik nang matiwasay.

If you read my Babuyan journal, you might want to hear updates regarding my Nikon F3, right? Four months after that waterlogged experience, my system is still working and functioning well; except for my mobile phone that has found its niche on my desk, serving as paper weight.

Is there any philanthropist reading between the lines? Should you want to donate a brand new DSLR to me so that I can continue my mission, I’ll be more than glad to receive it. Yes, I am serious! You may send your communication to mayorallen@gmail.com

Should I stop my photography or should I continue with it? The artist’s soul in me dictates to pursue the dream although I am getting tired of chasing it. Ang hirap talaga ng walang DSLR. Araw araw nadadagdagan ang photographers subali't ang mga fine artists ay napapabilang na rin sa threatened species.

I learned about Camiguin’s existence in the north from Lucky four years ago. I met him in Marinduque on my third year of breeding butterflies. Since then, he would invite me to join him with several other butterfly catchers in their expeditions to Camiguin and Calayan islands. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fit their invites in my schedule. Not until October 2007 when I finally told Lucky that I would bring the kloobers in the islands summer 2008.

We came to Camiguin at a time when there was shortage of rice in the island. Thus, we had to buy 30 kgs of rice in Aparri market and brought it to the island.

Other items that should have lasted for 3 days in Camiguin include a gallon of vinegar, a gallon of cooking oil, 5 dozens of milo sachet, 3 dozens of coffee sticks, 3 dozens creamer, 1 kg. cornstarch, 5 packs of tang litro, 2 kgs. garlic, 2 kgs. onions, 1 kg white onions, 2 kgs. ginger, 2 kgs. carrot, 2 kgs. tomatoes, 4 kgs. eggplant, 3 kgs. zucchini, 60 pcs. fresh eggs, 2 kgs. okra, 2 packs curry powder, 4 kgs. brown sugar, 24 packs magic sarap mix, 12 packs sinigang mix, bagoong, alamang, bell pepper, and other unrecorded provisions and produce we bought in the mainland.

Also in Aparri, we bought 195 liters of combustion fuel for our boat service in 9 days.

Yes, the supplies should have lasted for three days because on the fourth day, we would have been traveling to the island capital (where there were abundant supplies of rice, vegetables, fish, and crustaceans). It was unfortunate that the Calayan trip was withdrawn from the itinerary due to one kloober’s hydrophobia. Kinulang tuloy kami ng food supply for another three days.

All of us (except one) were ready for another three-hour trip from Camiguin to Calayan. Sayang! Di bale, next time siguradong wala nang “hassle”.

We’ve been told that traveling to Camiguin is 4 hours by outrigger boats on smooth sailing and 5 hours or more on turbulent seas. Malinaw na sinabi yun ni Cynthia sa atin, di ba Bing? Ang utak kasi pag lumipad, tiyak magkakaamnesia!

Lowil has an amazing capacity for silence. He granted us more silence to read. Dinaig pa ang Braille system.

For many years, I enjoyed kloobers companionship more than anything else. Pag hindi ko kayo nakakasama, nalulungkot ako! Kaya nga di naging blooming lovelife ko dahil mas mahal ko pa ang Klub Natur, e. Asus!

In Camiguin, our days were never regimented. We got up when we woke, slept when we’re tired, and ate when we’re hungry. Sayang, walang “tuba” (coconut wine) sa Camiguin! Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa Camiguin!

Everything depends on luck. Most of the time, kloobers could always frustrate and amuse themselves at the same time. Mga ilang pamamaraan: pananahimik na gaya ng kay Lowil, pagtataray na gaya ng kay Dona, pagtoma gabi-gabi na gaya ng kay Vic at Lucky, pag-utot na gaya ng kay … (You should join us in our travels for you to know.)

We had a route that could easily be altered, and with no itinerary. Babuyan Island was so unpredictable to have a well-knit IT. Our only timeframe was to explore the islands for a week.

Land means were scarce and there was no way of exploring the inlands by way of any wheeled means. By default, we had to walk. Hanggang lumawit ang aming dila!

The hardest decision one has to make for a trip relies on the stuff he has to pack. Even a weeklong trip can be a challenge if one prefers to travel light. As for me, I live a relatively minimalist existence. When I pack, I lay all stuff on the bed, pack in, pack out, reduce, and then pack again.

“There’s no such thing as an expert traveler. Sure, you can make things easier on yourself, but it’s not what’s in your backpack that’s going to give you the memories of a lifetime. It is where you take that backpack.”  ~  Anonymous

I like Camiguin for the primary reason that it has the nature of a loyal friend. (Sana meron ding loyal lover. Hahaha.)

In Manong Sorian’s farmland, you will lose more “suha” to cows. (Sana, naging cow nalang kami. Hehe)

In all situations, Klub Natur fosters camaraderie and photography. In Camiguin, it was charity and photography.

Mostly we complained about our feet. We were all right otherwise.

Sometimes, I felt so settled in the island, as if there was no other life to return to. The city, my nanay, my planted aquarium, my kois and angels, my dogs Chestnut and Tuti, my nieces and nephews … they all seem part of another life. E kung sa Camiguin ko pa nakita ang soulmate ko, tiyak hindi na ako makababalik ng Manila. Hahaha.

In Camiguin, most people are very cordial, calling me sir all the time and saying lots of thank you’s. Bukambibig ko naman, walang anuman po.

Gather different creative kloobers whose color sense is as varied as the colors of the spectrum, and you’ll be treated into a grand pageantry of kaleidoscopic clothing.

If you want to test friendship with your buddy, travel to Babuyan. The pressures and discomfitures will show you how sincere and trusting your friend would be to you. I will forever be grateful to Babuyan.

I must admit that I had experienced the lowest point in my life. I hit bottom to the point of committing suicide. I would sleep with a liter of insecticide tucked under my pillow, just waiting for the cue. One reason: walang project, walang kita! But even then, I didn’t resort to robbery, snatching, estafa, even swindling. Mangupit nga lang ng singko sentimos nakukunsensya na ako. Kahit pa ako maging patay-gutom, gagawa at gagawa pa rin ako ng paraan na alam kong hindi ako babalikan ng karma. Besides, there is prostitution that I can try in this lifetime (hahaha); but never robbery nor snatching. Seriously, prostitution is my other option. Labag man sa kalooban ko.

Sa mga nagsasabing pinagkakitaan ko ang Babuyan trip, ibugaw nyo nalang ako! Bibigyan ko pa kayo ng porsyento! Hahaha.

Salamat sa mga kloobers na nagtitiwala sa akin. Maraming salamat sa mga kloobers na patuloy pa ring nagtitiwala sa akin. Should I elaborate further?

We are on our forteenth year! All these years, Klub Natur has had all the fair shares of momentous travels and remarkable adventures. Among the most notable encounters were those of the few good people that kloobers have met since the humble days when Klub Natur started.

Few Kloobers had left and still, many others stayed. There were those who return but still many preferred to stay. Some were coupled, the others lived singly … the former favored a family … the latter ~ camaraderie.

For most kloobers, life is very short. What is a better way to spend it and savor the best things it offers? By joining Klub Natur!

Where does one learn about his natural and cultural heritage? History 1 … no! Geography … no! Our world is vast and teeming with life - of people, beautiful places and all 'ical' (historical, cultural, sociological, psychological, etc) events one can think about. At Klub Natur, this big world is our most 'real' classroom.

Throughout Klub history, it seems to me that some kloobers have often than not been jolted every time Jeco fits out to his 'best'. Please don't be! If his colors almost make you jump out of your skin, just grin and bear it. Oftentimes, he is trying to be jazzy. To him, it has always been a glamorous feeling to be ragged up in blazing colors. Today, he dons himself on yellow shirt, green pants, pink socks, and brown shoes. Tomorrow, he'll slip into floral tops under a glittering chaleco, blue jeans, neon green (even fuchsia) socks, and rubber shoes. Since he is one hell of a fella - the 'mostest' , the 'baaadest', and the far out kloober of Klub - one can't do anything but to live with and bear with his vogue!

Who could ever forget our last night in Pangasinan? How could anyone forget the story of the spiked pineapple juice that induced Gay to see pink elephants and that dragged Rona to zizzzz? Until now, I couldn't help but fall out laughing every time the scene would frame up before my eyes. Many years had passed yet everything was coming vividly strong. I could see how Gay's "parang satire" spawned us to an uncontrollable howls and screams in the middle of the night. How could one really forget her declamation piece? I'm sure, nobody would. Not even one.

Klub really has it all. Other than celebrities, there are allergies. Some kloobers are highly susceptible to dust, food, make-up, and heat. Others to metal, perfume, medicine, even ice cream. But hey, have you heard of someone who is allergic to a certain degree or number of color? Well, Lowil is. Guess what? It's color #5. To pardon your ignorance, it is the yellow found in cheese curls.

One thing good about Klub Natur is that it proffers kloobers an opportunity to know their fellow kloobers in activities like the OTS (On-the-Spot). One cannot fully know any kloober's onions unless he abstains himself from discriminating and debasing his fellow kloobers only because they play piccolo.

Oftentimes, the OTS confirms many hotsie-totsie things about Klub and kloobers. For one, most kloobers are true to their loyalty and commitment to Klub ~ in mind, in heart, and in deed. Another is their unfailing subscription to the principles and objectives of Klub. I hope other kloobers are like them ~ BOLDLY KLUB NATUREANS!

For kloobers, no Klub day is more complete without a BALUT. Other than exotic places, kloobers have discovered a habit of eating a balut the Klub Natur way. It's like eating rice with fried egg toppings on it.

Kloobers are artists in their own right. Everything they do, they do it with art. (Hmmm?) Yes, even when eating a balut, they still think the feasting is art. There are those who eat the whole egg kit as if it were corn chips; there are others who slurp the juice like a powerful suction machine; others dissect the duck before it is tossed to the palate; and some others lick their plate after the feast. (Avant garde?)

As always (and in almost all events), Joseph can turn himself into a real madcap. He overflows himself with whoopees and punchlines that cause us all to fracture and almost pee in our pants laughing. His surrealistic brain waves and booby traps blows us unscrewed and whacko. There will never be a boring moment with Joseph, a plus factor that adds him to the list of the many "okay" people in Klub. Being as he is, Joseph ticks even to new kloobers. Has he ever been pesky? Well, I suppose not, or shall I say, not at all. If ever that happens, kiss off! You are probably dealing with the wrong guy.

Hell yes! Among the many things that Klub Natur can brag about is its celebrity kloobers. Where else can you find key personalities like Jay Sonza, Mel Tianco, Joel Torre, Celeste Legaspis and Freddie Aguilar photo-shooting the greens? (Just ask Jimmy, Rona, Caloy, Thelma and Gay (respectively) on all matters concerning impersonation.)

Have you seen more celebrities like Fanny Serrano, Celia Rodriguez, and Zeny Zabala lately? Have you heard anything or something sizzling about Bella Flores from the showbiz gossip? Try to ask Ron and Jeco and soon you will realize that these two look like the real celebs.

Driving back to Bolinao was not as unique as that of our Klub trips many years ago. Still, the experience of being retouched by natural cosmetics was still there. Everyone was clammed up while our jeepney tires clump-clumped on the stretch of tarred road stirring the dust. Every time it roared up and down the lane, thick clouds of dust swirled in us. It was a great feeling, though. All exposed hairiness in our body ~ from head to brows to eyelashes; from limbs to legs, even to underarms ~ turned blond. (Thank goodness that our ??? were hidden under our pants or else … !)

By kloobers' unanimous decision, it is easy to throw a person out who does not fit in a group. Much less, those who don't tick. And who are they? The BAD TRIPS!

Admittedly, Cathy and Apple were the only roses among the thorns who had explored the Cordilleras with Klub. I must admit also that some others (two I suppose) were queen lilies in the valley of the tribes. (he-he-he!)

If I may ask: what do Igie, Cathy and I have in common? Well, we were the fittest among kloobers who had survived nature's challenges ~ the Batad Falls. (Our secret: determination … guts … and well, just follow the trail!)

On the walls of Coron Coron Eatery in Camiguin, a high sign warned us: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES UNATTENDED! Well, we did. In fact, all our cameras were just beside our seats. Despite our square surveillance, still, Ron's set of camera ~ a Canon AV1 with a 28 mm lens attachment slipped away. Good thing (though fateful it would seem to him) he had another AV1 with him. Otherwise, he would have left Camiguin as early as our second day. (Kawawang Ron, este, buti nalang mayaman is Ron. Paramihan ba ng pera at kamera ang labanan?)

Not only did Ron incur an asset loss more costly than his voice. I also missed something more priceless than my chastity (?) It was the timepiece that my male friend (friend?) had given me. Mind you, it was no ordinary ticker. Wherever I went, wherever I was, everybody was all eyes at the piece … and at me, of course. (That was before, not anymore.)

For Ron and I, wasn't it smarty, much less bitchy, when we proclaimed: "We love Camiguin!"? (Asaran ba?)

We were able to clap our eyes on Camiguin's ever-popular Panaad celebration, a week-long Lenten activity culminating on Black Saturday. Culture vultures travel around by foot, along and within the 64-kilometer circumferential route. It was like the usual Klub hiking; only, one would feel holy and godforsaken while hitting the dirt and grit. With provisions packed on their backpack, some groupies began their 64-kilometer journey as early as Holy Monday. Oftentimes, it would take 96 hours before one could call it a day.

For Tina, Val, Archie and Philam, Panaad '97 was the most penitential and remorseful experience of their lives. It was more purgatorial than that undergone by the flagellants during the Season of Lent. Though they fell short of completing the 64-km. stretch, still, the islanders deemed they were lucky to have popped up in shape. Who would ever imagine that these four kloobers had triumphantly burned shoe rubbers at 54 km. within 12 hours starting at midnight? As I said, devotees usually take 3 to 4 days for a 64 km. line before they could come to a screaming halt.

Driving around Camiguin Island is literally hitting the circumferential road. Kick off at X and you'll find yourself breaking off in the same X without having to go back to the opposite direction. Take your pick: clockwise or counterclockwise? Whichever way, for sure, you will hit the town just the same.

Of all Klub OTS, summer of 1997 was the most comprehensive, moreso, exhaustive. From 24 to 26 March, we were aboard the Superferry. On the 26, we arrived in Cagayan de Oro. Still on the 26, we were in Camiguin. Early morning of 31, we left Camiguin for Cagayan de Oro. At CdO, we traveled via aircon bus to Butuan. We reached Butuan around 3 in the afternoon. There, we took another aircon bus for Davao City. Arriving in Davao around 11 midnight, we waited for 3 hours to catch the bus ride to General Santos City (formerly Dadiangas). We finally arrived in GenSan around four in the morning of April 1. We toured GenSan and Sarangani from April 1 to 3. On April 5, we left GenSan for Marbel. From there, we moved on to Lake Sebu and stayed there until the 6th. We went back to GenSan the same date. Monday the 7, was a free day. On the 8th, we climbed Mt. Matutum. Descent was scheduled on the 9th. April 10 was another free day. Final leg of our shooting on 11th. We left GenSan for Manila on April 12 via Negros Navigation. Arrival in Manila on the 14th. (Ngaragan ba ang labanan?)

I have openly admitted that the intended impact I envision for the projects of Klub Natur would not have been realized sans support from people who had also shared the same objectives as ours. FujiFilms has always been supportive to Klub since it started. Undeniably, if it weren't for Mr. Sonny Teves, Fuji's marketing boss, Klub Natur would never have "creatively" and "sensibly" survived this long. He almost gave away his store to us during our trips. He had provided transparency films and free processing for Klub's soundslides projects. He gave discounts on our photographic needs and other extended services. Mr. Teves and FujiFilms really deserve more cow sociology.

Sa Lake Sebu, magsasawa ka sa tilapia. Ang lawa ng Sebu, puno ng tilapia. Mamili ka (as in choose your pick): inihaw na tilapia o prinitong tilapia?

Matapos ang Imodium … papaya naman ang kasunod … Kapag umipekto ang bisa ng papaya … Imodium naman ang pangontra. Ganito ang buhay ng isang taong palagi sa lakwatsya: Imodium … papaya … Imodium … papaya … (reklamo nga ng kumukulong tiyan, ano ba talaga, kuya?)

By nature, we are thrill-seekers. We travel to experience great outdoor adventure that both life and nature offer us. Every so often, we hike horizontal levels, trek variable inclinations, and shoot the four winds.

Amyak Matutum or the climb to Mt. Matutum (which happened to be our first) proved to be the greatest adventure we have experienced to date since the birth of our butterfly. The lung-busting ascent took us 8 hours before we finally reached the summit. The joint-breaking descent took us 7 hours before we could utter God's name and say thanks.

Never did we think that climbing Mt. Matutum would ever be a part of our itinerary. Not until Jay and I sought for the permit to climb and after having paid the fees required; not until we crammed for provisions and found ourselves pushing and pulling carts in the supermarket; not until we donned on hiking shoes and strapped on our heavy backpacks; not until we climbed for 8 hours, pitched out tents, spent overnight, waited for sunrise, and began descending that took another 7 hours; not until we felt pain all over our body and couldn't even bend a joint; not until we earned our certificate of climb from the Office of the Mayor of Tupi, South Cotabato that we finally realized we made it and had survived the 'hypothermia."

"Mas gugustuhin mo pang huminga sa loob ng tent kesa lumabas ka pa at tuluyang manginig sa sobrang lamig sa paligid." This was the classic line of those seven who occupied the 2-person-size tent. Parang responsorial psalm. Every time Ron delivered the series of reverberating "poooot" cadences, the rest sought for cover. (Tell me, did the series smell kamote?)

From the Office of the Mayor (GenSan), there is Jay. From the Office of the Governor (South Cotabato), there is Ram. Both are in their late-twenties. Both have a wife. Both are … er … grrrr! (Well, both have done their share in showing us their beauty, rather, the beauty of GenSan and Lake Sebu.)

Sabi nila, mataray daw ako. Sagot ko naman, minsan lang. Sabi nila, madalas, Sagot ko nalang, hindi naman. (Pa-humble ba ang labanan?) Well, if being "mataray" is a "nut" because people might get their heads together twice before they buzz on one who is labeled as such, it is more of an ace up my sleeve, or pizzazz for that matter on situations where one will neither "um" once nor twice.

Example: On our way back from GenSan to Manila, we were upgraded from tourist class to business class accommodation. Why? The bunks we reserved were occupied by people who had neither tickets nor any proof that they were the real occupants of the bunks. Had I not complained to the management, do you think we could earn attention and enjoy the better travel amenities? Sometimes, unexpected situations call for something like this. In the end, we were billeted in a private room with continuous video screenings of our favorite films. (Charm?)

For kloobers, water is a survival "tool". (Come again?)

For those kloobers who traveled to Romblon, the Holy Week experience was more than a big piece of cross to bear. We literally had all the shares of sacrifices the moment we organized ourselves at the North Harbor. Breaking our way to the multitude of masses was the most grueling encounters we had to face. We even had resulted ourselves to several name-droppings just to get those tickets to our hands. How did it end? We never got the tickets just the same.

On our eagerness to reach Romblon on the date as planned, Archie and I encroached our way through the dense crowd while Mike and Philam safeguarded our backpacks. Upon hitting the deck barely an hour after a series of agitation with the crowd, we immediately looked for the ship's Captain. Only when we spoke to him about our plight that he decided to accommodate us even at the cramped area just outside the navigation deck. Instantly, our predicament was resolved! Immediately, we pulled Mike and Philam in, earned the same share of agitation while our backpacks clung on our back. We positioned ourselves uncomfortably on the spot, and after having witnessed the main entrance shutting the chaotic world outside us that we began to realize that Jeco was not with us. Only his backpack was!

Finally, Jeco showed up. Wearing his loudest neon tops ever, he could easily be spotted among the multitude of people. Terribly tense, he was able to barge into the thick crowd with hardly any effort. What took us almost an hour took him barely ten minutes!

The ship was about to leave anytime without the muse. If only he had mastered the art of extending his legs like the long jumpers, then he could have made it even through the sides of the vessel.

There were two options: It's either we leave the port without him or disembark the vessel. We chose the latter!

We were able to reach Romblon two days later. We boarded a ferry from Batangas to Odiongan in Tablas Island … traveled by land from Odiongan to San Agustin ... From there, we boarded a small ferry to the island of Romblon.

In photography, blown up means enlarged. In Banog, it refers to ballyhoos and tall talks, scuttlebutts and gripes. If this section could only blow a person up or a thing like an ammunition, then …

We don't usually go out during the Holy Week. It was during this time of year when record-breaking tragedies do occur. Unforgettable ones were sea tragedies like M/V Dona Paz. But on second thoughts, why should I be afraid of life-ending accidents that even at the very corner of anyone's house, death could snatch his breath? If I would die now, so be it. Dying is dying that we have to face.

If we fear to leave our home because we also fear to die from accidents, then we will not enjoy the best things in life that nature has prepared for us. Traveling from one place to another offers us all the natural amenities. Enjoy them while supply still abounds!

Two of our kloobers were literally possessed by evil spirits during our travel to Iba, Zambales. If you are curious about what had happened between 12 midnight and 4 in the morning, the exorcist and poltergeist movies could correctly describe it. Those were moments of horrifying encounters with evil and death that would forever leave a trace in our klub history.

Black is the color of elegance and sophistication. Also, black is associated with death … and evil. Many prefer to wear black at night. You will find many people in black garb at socials like parties, discos and at other formal occasions. On Klub travels, a black shirt can be a substitute for two or three white shirts. Black can hide soils and dirts that white cannot. After what happened in Zambales (when those possessed were wearing black shirts), black is a discouraging double NO! It attracts evil to the one who wears it anytime after the sun sinks and the moon shines bright.

Latin prayers proved to be one of the most effective means to cast away evil spirits. Pater Noster qui est in coelist … sanctifi cetur nomen tuum … Adveniat regnum tuum ……….

Klub has brought me to many far-flung places in the country. I could still recall my high school days when I hated Philippine History because I failed in one of our tests to identify all the provinces and its capital in a blank Philippine map. Only later did I find Philippine history and culture to be enriching … and only traveling has changed that. If my history teacher would give me the same exam now, I can supply him all the general and specific details about these places that he has only read from textbooks.

To me, traveling is an eye-opener. It develops an individual's sensitivity to many things. One becomes sensitive to his environment via his senses ~ of touch, of smell and taste, of sight and hearing.

I just hope that other Kloobers can come with us in our next sojourn! Help Klub Natur build its archive of pleasant memories. Until next time ...