Menbiyahe

In summer 2008, I was fortunate to reach one of the peaceful places in the country – Sagada.

Sagada is a 5^th class municipality in the Mountain Province with the population of approximately 10, 575 people in 2,158 households. Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins—the traditional way of burying people that is not use anymore. However, according to the locals, not anyone was qualified to be buried this way. One has to be married and have grandchildren to be qualified.

When I arrived in Sagada, the first thing that struck was the quietude of the place. The serenity of the town helped me appreciate the beauty and richness of its surrounding – the abundance of flowers, pleasant architecture, lots of trees, dramatic limestone outcrops and breathtaking views down the valley.

Walking is one of the great pleasures in Sagada. There are no tricycles there which are a silent blessing. Strolling around the town can be relaxing given the fact that the temperature was so cold and refreshing. Moreover, the friendliness of the people gives me secured feeling to do other things such as trekking, caving and camping.

The old century bell

In the street of Sagada

Sagada has observed a 9:00 p.m. curfew for many years. This is a farming community and most people are up before dawn to go to the fields, so closing down at 9:00 p.m. makes a lot of sense. The stores close, the restaurant stop serving food and the streets become quiet. The curfew is also a way of controlling public drunkenness. Curfew can conjure up all sorts of images and often tourists are troubled by it. There is nothing to worry about this Shangri-la.

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Arnel: On His Clash

(This article was published in The Torch Mag, Vol. IX, No. 1)

Destitude children in Payatas in ragged clothes, with messy body and scruffy face, are hungry for affection and compassion. The youth are thirsty in knowledge and morals. The place seems to be odds and ends of life. No air to breathe! No hope to gaze! These situations drove Arnel J. De Los Reyes, a man from Quezon, Quezon, to knock in the ingress of teaching profession.

The farm where crops and plants are grown helped his father in raising their family. Tailoring damaged clothes and fabrics became the way of his mother in supporting their necessities. Arnel is not kind but he is not rowdy. He is just a typical son who committed slips but learned from his collapse. Prejudice and discrimination had severe impact on his life during his elementary and high school days. The influential people got top in honor that dissuaded him to persist. Medals and laurel happened to be greedy because he failed to endure the soreness of studying but past life was an ecstasy of pillar for his dream. He wanted to be a journalist, the power of pen and the clout of mind became his armament but destiny hauled him to face the intricate journey. Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila witnessed his torment. He took up AB Sociology and Bachelor in Cooperative. There was no difference between night and day for night became day. His exhausted and frail body and sleepy eyes hindered him to study his lesson because he was a working student. Rallies, strikes and demonstrations awaked his idealistic and activist mind because attending to these activities was their requirement in Sociology. “Kuya!”” He still remembered the splendid voice of the angels in Payatas every time they were conducting “reach out program” where they taught simple knowledge yet it had greater brunt in the children’s life. The reflection of the ideal educator was replicated by his teacher in Rizal subject. The yelp of the children and the semblance of his teacher took him in the domicile of education. Philippine Normal University sculpted his life. His first day in PNU seemed to be outer space for his ideas and principles. “I suffered from culture shock because of their stringent training” he said. But a different Arnel was produced in PNU. He finally found the right path where the students must trek and evade procrastination. PNU engraved the life of Arnel to be a competent scholar, consummate teacher, and dignified person. As he sailed on unfathomable sea, pressures and expectations accompanied him. Before the LET came, he constructed PET formula, P for Prayer, E for effort, and T for Talent that backed him in his clash. Arnel De Los Reyes added to the kudos of PNU Quezon when he bagged the 7^th place in the LET. He remembered the challenge of Prof. Magondayao, “Produce a topnotcher!”

Arnel is still standing on the ground despite of his feat. This is not the termination but on the onset of his journey. His simple dream is to be an elementary teacher where he will lay a strapping, beefy and tough foundation to prepare the children in the challenge of the globally competitive wolrd. Affluence and fame will not blind Arnel, this might vanish through time, but “Service”, as his priority, will leave reminiscence to the people’s hearts. Now he came back to his Alma Mater with honor and pride. But he also looks forward in serving his town to express his debt and gratitude. Fifteen years from now, “I am a volunteer teacher in Africa”, he said.

Arnel might stumble upon different tussles. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. But he just keeps on believing in his self.

“BELIEVE YOU CAN!” Arnel’s words reverberate.