PERFECT STORM PART II: AN EXTRA ORDINARY JOURNEY TO BALUT ISLAND
PERFECT STORM PART II:
AN EXTRA ORDINARY JOURNEY TO BALUT
ISLAND
By : Jessemar J. Wao
Balut Island Davao del Sur |
If you've watched a movie entitled “The Perfect
Storm” by Michael Douglas, perhaps this one is the second part yet the
real one, no effects, cinematography because it was definitely
experienced. Our journey riding a vessel named M/V Orland J going
to Balut Island definitely unfolds the second chapter of the movie the Perfect
Storm. October 20, 2012 Saturday the story begins. Bryan Onate, best friend of mine now works as a broadcaster in the RMN General Santos City
along with my students Jay, Henry and a friend of mine Jefferson joined the
travel. Bryan and I had been deciding together that we will be going to Balut
Island for a travel but we don’t have the time only that month. My purpose of
going to Balut Island is to check, and visit the school which I
administered, the Lipol Grace Academy, and it so happens that Bryan
had his leave and he said he really wanted to join and
see how nice the place is as I used to brag to him.
.
.
6: 15 in the evening, Bryan had been already at our boarding house as I told him before we rode to the pier the docking area of the ORLAN J vessel. My students came late, I noticed Bryan’s reaction he seemed very excited to depart going to Balut island. Then we all packed up and ready to ride tricycle going to Puting Bato, Calumpang General Santos City where the vessels are located. At first, the weather seemed so ok that somewhat welcomes us to our travel not knowing that we will be facing a nightmare.
My friend Bryan Onate , trying to lessen the boredom by posing at Calumpang GSC pier |
AND THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS
It was around 12:30 AM when we had already on the vessel and the
engine started to ignite and the crew were busy moving the things for the
vessel started to depart. Bryan’s face looks so excited, and all of us were so
happy. About 15 minutes of laughing and joking we noticed that the waves
started to bump to the vessel and it swayed abnormally, then the rain
started to fall. We were not able to settle properly that time because
passengers were so many and we could not have a proper area to stay but to sit down
anywhere. Thunders, lightning, and of course the huge waves bumped and
always bounced back to the vessel. All of us were so quiet I myself felt afraid
and totally scared not because the vessel might wreck but because if it
happen to wreck I will be responsible for my students and my friend Bryan.
Passengers of M/V Orlan J. |
As the time goes by, the thunders and rains got even
stronger, I noticed some of the Muslim passengers prayed and mentioned
“Allah…….” As I understood their prayers it means God help us, neither me, I
prayed heartily so that nothing will happen to us. Then a few hours later God
Almighty heard our prayer, the huge waves stops yet the rain still there. I
only have one word uttered repeatedly to Bryan as I saw him a few meters away
from me, I just said “PRAY”. Then around 5 AM , we could see the island,
its beautiful panoramic view started to show us, all of our fears slowly
vanished and replaced by undecipherable happiness since we came safe. The
breathtaking green views of the island somewhat lessened the fears we have had.
I observed that all of us were drenched, it’s because of the rain and water
from the sea that jolted to the vessel.
Jefferson, Jay, and me Jessemar, |
At last we were at home. We were welcomed by Mr. & Mrs.
Vicente Dalumpines the president of the LGA, they offered us coffee and
bread so as to lessen the dizziness we had experienced and then we had some
rest , however I couldn’t sleep because the roars of the waves and thunder, and
the coldness still resounds in my mind. Then I’d realized that this is the life
of an “islander”, not all the time of travel is placid sometimes
WAVY , just like in life sometimes we experience happiness sometimes a
CHALLENGE.
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All the best,
Melody
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