SURVIVING NOVEMBER 1, 2011: A Horrible yet Memorable Experience at Balut Island

SURVIVING NOVEMBER 1, 2011: A Horrible yet Memorable Experience at Balut Island

By: Jessemar J. Wao

It was 9:48 in the morning of November 1, 2011, all saints day and I woke up late. My mother was so busy doing household chores. Before November 1 , all of us my half sister ate Merly and the rest like mama, my sister Jessica and  brother Jesse decided that we would visit to the cemetery of our late father. But I forgot the agreement yet they never bothered to wake me up, maybe because my sister Ate Merly understands that I was so tired. I used to share it to her that If I would have the chance to visit our place I would have a huge rest. You know, my life is very exhausting in General Santos City. Holding big responsibilities and always chased by the business hours and commitments. All through Monday till Sunday I have a bulky of schedules office, masteral studies, and of course my classes. That is why I have shared everything to my older sister that if I happen to visit our place I will definitely have a big holiday for my self. That morning seemed not good to me.

 My mother called me and asked if I will join with them going to the cemetery and I said of course but deep inside me I was shocked for it was already late for we have agreed that we will be going there as early as we can. But I just pretended that I have forgotten the agreement.  Then a few seconds of silence and trying to sip a small amount of coffee and stood up and wear my yellow jacket. My sister Jesseca and Brother Jesse had prepared already and they just waited for me for long hours and felt bored perhaps and waited for my mother’s signal to go to the cemetery. Then few minutes later, we walked going to the cemetery. The weather was not good, semi cloudy and there were small rain showers, half sunny and half cloudy. There at the cemetery I helped my and my sister. I used the bolo to cut all the small grass and uprooted the others. Few minutes I saw other people having their cleaning others would give prayer service. An hour had passed, we went back to the house. Still the weather condition never changed and when I looked at the ocean, it was quite wavy.

After few minutes mama said she will prepare” biko”. Its my brother Jesse’s favorite native delicacy. Me., I’m not fond of eating it , more sugar  and too sweet.  While I was sitting and almost change my clothes my sister called me from a distance she said we will be going somewhere for a picnic with our friends  named Boboy and his wife Lotis.  Before that day, they had already invited me to go with them with  the rest of the church member with Pastor Ted and Pastor Arcala our church pastor and also a neighbor. I never said yes nor say no that time. But when my sister Merly called and asked me to join  and I said no  for my mind is not in good condition and even my left foot as well  is in pain. Mom also said that I better stay and have my rest for the next following days , I will be going back to General Santos City for work. But My sister kept on pushing me and urging me to join, before saying yes I looked at mom and  trying to say those words “NO”. Mom have known my behavior that I would always asked her permission wherever I go or whatever decisions I may have in me since then but that time she was passive. There were two vessels waiting for us. We rode the vessel separately , my sister was at the other vessel and me at my friend Boboy with her wife at the other vessel and noticeably loaded for all their  foods for the picnic were loaded in that vessel.  When the engine started to ignite and on our way to the place of Picnic, there was a short fear in me, I don’t know perhaps I was just little an easy for I seated in front  of the vessel. At first   the feeling was so refreshing because I could see the beautiful blue ocean and the whisper and touch of the wind in my skin rejuvenates my feeling. For almost a year of not at home  because of exhausting work in the city here comes me, facing the vast area of the ocean and seeing the wonderful island   and feeling the fresh and placid place.

Then, when we are about to reach  the place of the Picnic suddenly  a big wave attacks our vessel and my friend Boboy was not able to prepare of some ways on how to stay away from the big wave by changing our direction, I was shouting because the water started to drench my entire body for the vessel was slowly sinking, the young boys who joined us were looking at me and I ordered them to jump  going to the seashore and ask some help and rescue, me I stood up and jump also, I find it very difficult to swim because of the sandals and the jacket and a ‘maong’  pants that I have worn. That moment was a danger because there were many people have died in that accident prone area for the waves are too big. When I almost arrive at the seashore the big wave came and I was so afraid that I might be slump at the big sharp  rocks. The three of us were swamp in the water the two young boys and me. My friend Boboy and his wife with there son were in the vessel trying to find ways on how to manage to lessen the water in the vessel  for  our vessel was half sinking. Few minutes of moving my legs I feel like I lost my breathing and had swallowed the salt water. I shouted Boboy to help me but he  cannot for if he would leave the vessel it might cause totally sinking, he just instructed me  to swim going back to the vessel, then I did  swim slowly and almost lost my breathe At last ! I was able  to ride back. I thought  it was my last moment on earth. I thought I’ll gonna die and would not see mom and the rest of the people in the world. Still I survive and thanks to GOD. It was the most memorable experience I have had in the year 2011.