kindness_of_strangers




"And I never could have come this far without you   
For everything you've done, I'm bound to thank you for it"  
———————————————————————————————   
Natalie Merchant, KIND AND GENEROUS

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

In the majority of our travels, the dependability of success, other than our paramount concern for safety, lies mostly on the kindness of strangers that we meet along the way. Here, we honor some of them, sometimes nameless, sometimes faceless. So when we dare you to go out there and explore, rest assured you will meet these fascinating people who are pure in their willingness to help even though you are much as a stranger to them.

Meet some of our heroes...

When we arrived in Ivana, Batanes, hungry and tired after a long walk from Basco, we randomly chose the front yard of "the house of Dakay" among the lovely stone houses around to cook and have lunch. To our delight, Manang, who resides in the house, happily agreed to pose for pictures as she ralated to us the story of the house (1887), which was steeped with history. Pushing our luck even more, we spent the night on that authentic Ivatan house. Pure joy!

Doktora's hospitality extends to carrying Gary in Dicasalarin, Baler

Doktora (the lady carrying Gary), as we fondly call her, is a living inspiration. She decided to stay in Aurora Province to practice her medical profession for the less priviledge. We met her in Dicasalarin Beach eating corn and joined us in the rest of the hike. She then allowed us to use her bathroom and made us camp in her lovely native house a stone's throw away from the beach.

Mang Ped, our "relative" in Talbec, Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya

In Puerto Princesa, two hours before our scheduled boat trip to Manila, someone called the WG&A office where Noel waited hopelessly for a miracle. A lady fruit vendor, who found the lost bag with our tickets the night before, was quite worried we may not be able to board the boat...We did, in a nick of time. Thanks to this lady.
Allan, maybe due to fatigue, left our videocam on the side of the road after our hiking from Brgy. Sto. Nino where we did an outreach. We only discovered our loss upon arrival in Manila. An anonymous Bugkalot found it and surrendered it to the officers, whom i traced by calling their Pantabangan office. I got the videocam 24 hours later.
Manong Gel and family, whom we met and adopted us as their own family in Tambobong, never fails to lend his boat for island camping in Colibra, where plenty of sea snakes abound.
Ate Myrna's home in Tiwi, Albay is our haven in this side of Bicol. We accidentally met her when we decided to take a plunge in a river near her house. Her twin brothers, both Chief of Police in different places, one in Malilipot and the other in South Palawan, would help us whenever we visit their turf.
We were the first visitors to occupy the newly built Ivatan guest house when we arrived at night in Chavayan, Batanes, thanks the people hospitable of Chavayan. Ex-Kapitana even let us use her kitchen for cooking. Such wonderful people.
Kuya, the Chief of Police in Adams, Ilocos Norte made us stay in the in his detachment for the night when we arrive in this lovely mountain town where we knew nobody.
Mang Totoy of Caramoan barely knew us but he never had second thoughts of letting us inside his home and showing us around.
Harold, Alain, and company from Dumaguete proudly showed us the beauty of their province when we visited Negros. The cardiac Cuernos de Negros and Twin Lakes climb were unforgettable. We only knew them through text.
The owner of P10 Resort, as we fondly called the place, gave in to Noel's ridiculous bargaining through cellphone bartering when he allowed our group to stay and use resort facilities for only P100 in Taytay, Palawan. We never met him.

Halfway through our destination to Bugkalot ancestral town of Lipuga and Sto. Nino for our annual outreach, Mang Ped took care of us as if we were his own relatives. Free use of bathroom overflowing with spring water, free coffee, and lots of free corny jokes.

Kuya Jun, with our lunch in Higatangan Island in Biliran

On an Escape exploratory trip to Biliran, the island of waterfalls, Kuya Jun showed Papa Bear the wonders of the province... gratis. From Tacloban airport he was fetched by a luxury car, made to stay at a warm and comfortable place, and yes, got to devour the giant lobster in the picture.

Our friends in Pulag who shared with us their rented 4x4

We've been through hell with these guys (the guy in stripes is Noel). We met them on our first and near fatal attempt to climb Mt. Pulag. They allowed us to join their rented 4x4 up to Ranger Station, shared with us their trail food, laughed with us, gave us strength with their faith, and most of all...we survived the storm together. We don't even recall their names. Wherever you are we thank you. And we will never forget.

Red-haired boatboy in our El Nido exploration

For three days, this boy and his 'lolo' (not shown) showed us the some of the most breathtaking landscapes and seascapes we've seen in Northern Palawan through their small boat that we rented. Yes, we paid them but we got more than we bargained for. Knowing that we can only stay in El Nido for 3 days, Lolo made sure that we visit most of the sites that needs to be seen. The result was an overdose of natural beauty. Here, in this picture, we are about to enter the surreal pulchritude of the "Hidden Lagoon." Although we reluctantly accepted their gift of a "giant clam" for our consumption, we are grateful anyway.

Throughout the years of our travels and exploration here in our gifted land, it is impossible to mention all those who have helped us one way or the other. But in the short time we get to mingle with these people, one true thing is certain, it strengtened our faith with our countrymen.

So many stories of kindness and compassion, so many people willing to do the same...People who have less in life but has more to give, without expecting something in return. That is the measure of true humanity. That's what Filipinos are like.

Mabuhay! Maraming Salamat Po!

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Manong Gel and family, whom we met and adopted us as their own family in Tambobong, never fails to lend his boat for island camping in Colibra, where plenty of sea snakes abound.

We were the first visitors to occupy the newly built Ivatan guest house when we arrived at night in Chavayan, Batanes, thanks the people hospitable of Chavayan. Ex-Kapitana even let us use her kitchen for cooking. Such wonderful people.

Kuya, the Chief of Police in Adams, Ilocos Norte made us stay in the in his detachment for the night when we arrive in this lovely mountain town where we knew nobody.

Mang Totoy of Caramoan barely knew us but he never had second thoughts of letting us inside his home and showing us around.

Harold, Alain, and company from Dumaguete proudly showed us the beauty of their province when we visited Negros. The cardiac Cuernos de Negros and Twin Lakes climb were unforgettable. We only knew them through text.

The owner of P10 Resort, as we fondly called the place, gave in to Noel's ridiculous bargaining through cellphone bartering when he allowed our group to stay and use resort facilities for only P100 in Taytay, Palawan. We never met him.