MINDANAO ADVENTURES...

       I never really dreamed of  landing in any foreign soil either for work or just a visit. I felt I would be contented here and  I knew opportunities for travel was only for the rich. My only provincial travel in college was that of Baguio City, Agoo, La Union for our community health care and Zambales and Clark Field which even on a tight budget was already big thing for us.  I opted to apply in the military so that I could still go places for minimal fee or sometimes free ( via C 130). I had my share of local travel when I was assigned in 1999 at  2ID in Pili, Camarines Sur (Our hometown I only visited when I was young), and experienced my first Penefrancia Festival, traveled to Albay, Sorsogon  and Bondoc Peninsula but not as a tourist but to conduct medcap and other CMO activities so we did not go around that much because of security reasons.Those times, I was not  able to capture its beauty because we were mostly just passing on the road. I know I would settle in Bicol in the future once I retire so maybe that would be the only time I will enjoy my stay at my province, see you soon.

   My first Mindanao assignment in 2000, was both an eye opener and some sorth of a cultural awareness for me, knowing this was my first time to have a glimpse of  another faith and culture. I easily got  adapted   and all I did was to enjoy the people and the sights in the whole of Cotabato and ARMM areas.I was also assigned at Gen Santos City and from there was able to visit the Tuna Wharf and Balut island, the smallest island on the Southernmost portion of the Philippines. ewho could forget  Lake Sebu, the home of the T'bolis in Surallah, South Cotabato. Unfortunately,the  all out war of  the AFP against the MILF  erupted and that made us all busy with combat casualty care but still I knew,there are still sights to be visited...someday.

  I went back to Mindanao in 2002-2003, after my 2 years assignment at AFPMC  and off  to my dream assignment...Jolo, Sulu and WESTMINCOM, Zamboanga City . Though  most filipinos regarded the place as dangerous  and home of terrorist, it did not scared me off, in fact It has even deepen my desire to serve and care for our soldiers in that place . All along, I had proven that terrorist problem were not only  Sulu's problem but the world... and danger lurks everywhere...even in our own homes and streets. The only way to outlived that wrong impression is to enjoy the other side of it... the beauty of the place and it's people, which i did. Surely it was no fun to see soldiers getting wounded and killed but again the allure of the place is indeed not a perfect background for the savagery. I went back there upon my request in 2008-2010 and appreciated even more further because I have more than enough reason to comeback. I am sure that Jolo, Sulu was my snappiest and both my happiest and  saddest assignment. I gained and loss 2 of my bestfriends there.

      I was only able to visit Cagayan de Oro and  Iligan City before I left again for Luzon assignment as my despedida for myself...But I know in time I will be back there in Mindanao and I will make sure everthing I will set foot will be captured just like all the people I met there which up to now has been a biggest part of my life and career. So I will not say this yet...Memorable.. for I will soon return.

                                      a common sight during sunset, inside camp, Zamboanga City

    

               At Sta Cruz island, Zamboanga City, only 20 mins via rubber boat away from the camp

 

                                          At a Rubber plantation,Pamtsaken, Sumisip, Basilan

At a beach in Jolo, Sulu

White Water Rafting in Cagayan De Oro

many things to offer at Mapawa Park

At Maria Cristina Falls

  Ooops, I forgot the pics of Tinago falls which was really captivating, made me wonder why they want to hide it (tinago)...Hmm, sure I gonna comeback as we promised, so little time then... more pics as I continue my Mindanao assignment...