Apo Island. Apo Island is a 72-hectare volcanic rock situated in the Mindanao Sea, home to more than 800 people, of whom three hundred and fifty (and increasing) are children.  The island offers the best diving around. On the southeast, the sanctuary is a gradual slope with a shallow wall. Thousands of tiny fish cluster around the bushes of black corals in crevices, and there are lapu-lapus, surgeons, some beautiful stony corals, and a collection of various species of clownfishes and anemones. Apo island is accessible by a 35-minute boat ride from Zamboanguita. The Apo people are simple fisher folk mostly dependant on fishing and the fishing way of life for their income food and life style.

Opportunity Knocks. It was a rainy afternoon outside the lonely streets of the downtown area when I jumped at the chance to go to “The Island”. I came across this Japanese girl who is a friend. She was with her pips from Japan who came here to visit the Philippine Islands. And I got so excited the rest of the day.

 

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Lost In Translation. It was a sunny Wednesday morning. 8:30am, and I woke up late than usual because of being busy the night before. I hurriedly prepared myself and went to catch with the rest of the Japanese gang in the busy dirty market where they bought goods. I got introduced to them and I gave a warm and friendly attitude (the way that I am always. ;p) even though I don’t really understand them at all. All I have is “kunichiwa”, “arigato”, “sayonara” & “ajinomoto” in the dictionary..hehe ;). These guys were of my age. But they were mild mannered people too. They were actually no different to us Pinoys except their language, the way they style their hair and some few stuff maybe but that’s it. I was just passive and going whatever they dig at that time, respecting that they were here to have fun and not to entertain someone. Coz they mean business.

 

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Down South. We got to the Diving Agency somewhere in Piapi where a jeepney was waiting for us. I got into the vehicle and gearing up for what’s ahead. I was the only Pinoy in the whole trip. The trip down south was a good start as we went along the towns of Bacong, Dauin until we reached The Malatapay Market at Zamboanguita. It was a good 20 minutes more or less to get there. Malatapay Market was very active with people selling local goods, fruits, meat, fish and more especially on Wednesdays. In the farside was a beach-- The port going to our destination. Just across the sea, it was now visible, rising from the waters stands a turtle-shaped land—ApoIsland…But Before we get into things, the gang stopped by to buy food for lunch. These Japanese guys were fascinated by the Lechon that were circling around on one side, and they decided to buy a good part of the swine. While waiting, I got to connect with some of these Japanese girls with my crooked English. They were actually very charming and very welcoming and friendly. If only I could speak Japanese. I’d impressed them more. Hehehe. 

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The Jump Off. Everybody went into the big outrigger but I decided to ride the small outrigger canoe with my friend and this girl named Yoko and the “wise” old guy of the bunch who they call “vice president”. He’s around 50 or 60...You could imagine the whole day. The sun hovering in this blue sky, the deep  blue sea very calm at this time as we near the island. The waters near the beach was crystal blue with some corals very clear from the boat. A blue ship has just arrived along. It was the Greenpeace boat, coincidentally visiting with us that day. There were local people and kids on shore waving a banner that says “MARINE RESERVE: HOPE FOR THE OCEANS”. Some locals even fussed about Kris Aquino being their in the boat and some camera crew filming.

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Docking. This is it. I touch land in Apo. I could not believe that I was here. The excitement was up in the air. Huge monoliths of rock were very apparent around and white coral sand. I could not resist myself to take pictures coz everywhere, it’s just like a postcard or a desktop wallpaper in real time in front of me.

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Into The Blue. We got back into the boat and cruised around the other side of the island. You can’t help to notice the high strategic jagged edges of the island. A sign of its volcanic past when it was formed from mainland Negros island (so the old folks say), though there were no volcanoes around (i think). The island itself is not yet over commercialized and there are just less than 5 resorts/diving shops maybe around but all in the goal of protecting its seas, land and the culture of this simple island life. So we were stationed in this quiet side of the island. Without so much time, everybody geared up for a snorkel. This is it, I will now check out what is considered one of the best dive site and coral reef in the Philippines and the world. I was very unfortunate to have just my own goggles without the breathing tube and fin. But it was alright. I might as well do it the old school way, just as our ancestors done it before. So I finally jumped to the big underwater rush. And I can’t believe my eyes. An alien world is just below me. It was 2-stories deep of clear and some dark areas of water. Full of color of different shapes and size. It was a city down under. An ecosystem thriving with different species of corals, fishes, sea snakes, slugs, underground caves. Whoaaaw! It was an experience of a lifetime! I am filled with an adrenaline rush this time. But all the while, I was careful because they say sharks and other danger occasionally come visit in the shallows. I took my way going around the area. Some fish were not afraid as I approach them. Sometimes I even come face to face with them like the clown fish. Their were parrot fish as well which I remember my father would grill whenever we go to the beach.

 

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Lunchtime. We head on another side of the island & stopped on a small fishing village,Purok 7: Baulo. We had “Kinilaw, which the Japanese like,Lechon and hanging rice. I really have to get in there & get my share of food because it is not like in the Filipino culture wer somebody readily offers you to come eat and you on the other hand hav this “hiya”. The food was good, enough to nourish me throughout the day...

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Island Life. Afternoon, I get to feel the island through this small fishing community. The islanders are already used to the tourists who come and visit. It is undeniable to think I can live a life as an islander. Life is much much simpler, very laid-back, without the fuss in the city and urban life. Electricity only comes throughout the day but at 10 in the evening, everything shuts down and the island is wrapped with darkness with only the lights of space shining in the night sky and the lamps of the cottages around.

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King Of The Hill. I went deeper into the village and discovered some cemented steps ascending into this hill. Without hesitation, I made my way to the top and to my amazement, i found the best view ever!! A great panorama of a horizon overlooking BoholSea and to the right was a blurry island of Siquijor. I could see the Greenpeace ship from here basking in the sun. To the right was a convergence of a marsh just near the shore. I even notice a continuation of the steps going down. But I was not prepared for that. I haven’t told my friend where I was going so I decided to cancel the idea of going inland. (They say, it takes 20 minutes to cross the island to the other side by walking).

 

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Lost. At some time, I noticed a rocky edge on the far right of the beach. I decided to go explore. It was packed with boulders blocking  the other side. So I decided to cross and climb these huge rock formations. After that dangerous attempt, I finally got to the other side. The sight...was pure paradise. It was a secluded beach full of coconut trees with a mysterious, isolated hut on the far end. There was also this small corner which is sort of a cave and I was tempted to hang for a while by myself and just imagine if I was stranded alone... like that movie with Tom Hanks in Castaway (2000) . It was a lonely feeling, very far from my comfort zone. There were microorganisms thriving in the area and I was damn careful. At some time when I decided to go further and enter the secluded beach, I had to cross a slippery group of rocks by the water. But I slipped in my step and scratched my right leg and it was nasty. During the fall I saved the camera that I was holding from the water but I sacrificed my phone which was in my pocket all this time. The 1100 Nokia phone was now dead with some beeping sound in its final minutes. As I stepped on the sand, I fell down and lie myself on the ground. Feeling the pain and the blood rushing down my right leg-- absorbing every sensation felt at that moment.... It was getting late and I was scared that people might be waiting for me on the other side. I decided not to take the rocky boulders again because it was risky. I started hurrying myself, and explored inland, trying to find my way to go around. I felt that I was now lost. I paced myself and found out this small man-made pathway. I had a gut feeling that this might lead me back to where I came from. I went deep through the forest very cautious. I was now walking through unknown territory and who knows what danger might lurk. I was worried coz my phone now was useless. My mind flashed images of cannibals, pirates, criminals or crocs because I was near a marsh. Just when I noticed this marsh, I remembered that i saw a marsh converging to the sea from the top of the hill I had gone earlier. Then I assumed I was on the right path and knew my way. I stopped when this deep well blocked my path and just near was a broken down hut. I then knew I was near civilization. I noticed that there were steps going up that were carved from the soil, I was scared to go because snakes and spiders might be around the area due to some weird sounds I hear. But I got the courage and as soon as I got further…lo and behold! the stairs that I saw before when I did cancelled the idea to go inland. It was now leading me back to the hill that I had gone before. I was so ecstatic. I made it!. I was even so thankful to God. If I had not gotten in that hill before, i would have not found my way around...With some last minute shots, I rushed down to that village and saw my Japanese friends already on the boat, worried for me. The boatmen even decided to swim around to look for me. I was so sorry for them. I was just plain stupid. A very adventurous stupid. Hehehe ;p

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Homeward. I returned to my small boat with my Japanese friends. I was very happy to see them. The boat started to cruise back to mainland Negros. It was kind of sad to leave the island so early. I wanted to stay for the night. I felt that I have just touched the surface of Apo Island and there’s so much yet to discover. I even haven’t got to the lighthouse during the stay... Probably next time... The island now grew smaller and smaller from my sight. It was seeped in mystery this time. Along our way, the sea was active with huge waves. I was so wet with seawater splashing and it was clear that my Japanese friends also enjoyed. We all knew the language of fun... Much to my excitement, my right slipper jumped out of the boat and into the sea. Damn! I lost two of my stuff. First, my cellphone and now my footwear. I guess I had to sacrifice a part of me for the island…It was an experience I’ll never forget. A little adventure that will stick into the rest of my life… Still, it was all worth it…I came, I saw and I conquered.