Fate is playing with my cards. It was just this summer that I forgot it all and enjoyed a brief freedom from school. I travelled around Bohol and had a blurry week in my hometown Ormoc City. But with a sudden turn of events, I was forced to continue school elsewhere. I did not expect any of this... And with some quick random decision... I sadly decided that it's Ozamiz City for me.

Waking In New Territory. I do not expect anything, except things are going to be different from now on. I don't even expect that things are going to get any better. The rumors about the south feared me and the folks. The boat from Dumaguete City docked at the Ozamiz Port by 2 in the morning but we waited until daybreak when it is much safer... The morning greeted me with a beautiful sunrise over the Mindanao skies. A group of mountains line the direction to Pagadian and fog hovers them.. Soon i set foot to new land.

Wheels. There's always the 2-bench pedicab in Oz (every province had their own variation). But one thing different in OZ is the "trisikad" which is another mode of transportation here. It mixes along the downtown traffic which I don't see in other places. The pedicab is 6 Pesos per ride within the city and the "sikad" is at 3 Pesos on short distances. But some drivers outsmart you and asks for a much higher fare. Be sure to give exact coins.

Darkness Falls. The nights come early here. When night comes, everything shuts off and darkness lurks. Everyone is already in their houses and business establishments close down as early as 8pm. It's a weird town. Very different from what I have been accustomed in my home city. What i did in the first weeks was to finish everything, get what I need from outside, and be able to go home before sundown.

Wasteland. The city has a nototious reputation. Everyone from outside fears this. The city nests the Kuratong Baleleng, an infamous mafia-like criminal gang that were rampant in the 90s and some followers still hiding up to now. Old folks say that goons used to roam around In Oz... There's also the wars and gang fights before that made the city a dangerous place to live. There's drugged saddists who kill at random, snatchers, and all kinds of evil. A common name for this secret "evil" society/individuals are "Dragons"... A feared place here is Lawis, where it is said to be the breeding grounds for crooks, the so-called "Dragons", the KBG, etc... This time i had to be much more vigilant at all times. Be in a low-profile... I realized the I am in a wasteland.

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August 06, 2007

Vacancy

In Him, you yourselves also are being built up with the rest, to form a fixed abode of God by the Spirit. -Ephesians 2:22

The Damned Hostel. The folks and I temporarily got into this one motel near the university where I am going to be at for the next 12 months. It was pricy but we had no choice. The first nights in Oz was a little bit sad for me, knowing that soon, the folks would leave and I would be alone again in a place i don't know. Everything happened quickly in succession. I did not go out for a week. I was stuck in the four corners of the room, all quiet and down. There were nights that had black outs. At night I would hear steps and a buzz from outside. People go in and out. I discovered whores, pimps, drug users and dealers, homosexual sluts roam especially at night just outside this street. The folks wanted a safer place.

Room 413. By Sunday on the first week here, after church, I finally came across a sane, cheaper place. I took it and transferred in no time. It was on this 4th floor and it had a nice view of the mountains and rooftops of Oz City. It seems like Peter Parker's apartment. Where he quietly hides his identity as Spiderman and plan his move in the city... At the northend of this lodge, I can see the land of Lanao Del Norte... The sky dramatically changes its mood every now and then...And now that I have established a safe cove in the city, I see the afternoon sky of Ozamiz, welcoming and greeting good fortune in the coming days.

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August 10, 2007

Freshwater In Oz

For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills -Deuteronomy 8:7

I had just started to adapt life in Oz, but there were still things i keep on holding on. I still have not accepted the situation I have gotten myself into. I keep on thinking about the stuck-up teacher who ruined my very last hope of pride there in Silliman. Hope she enjoys the food she's munching at the moment and chokes on it. But so much for my stint in Dumaguete. It was 4 years of harsh training, but i had to move on.

Freshwater. On a Tuesday afternoon, I had the chance to follow a flock of MU students all the way south from the city proper. It was a 15 minute ride on a pedicab. It was the first time I got out of the city for some unwinding. The pedicab stopped and I found myself near MUMC Hospital on this remote lane. Just fronting this hospital is a sign that says Regina's Swimming Pool...Entrance fee was 25 Pesos. The whole place had some other pools but only one pool was filled, the rest was empty. It is in the middle of a forested area, surrounded by huge trees. And after some introductions, some small talk & socializing, I took a dip in this fresh water pool that comes from this flowing stream. Enjoyed the coolness of the water, sipped some cold beer, and made new acquaintances. It is said that this spot is the usual swimming/meeting place for people in the city who want to hang out. And it's only one out of two fresh swimming pools in Oz.

The Road Back To Oz. Nightime soon came, and I found myself riding the outermost side of the pedicab since the vehicle was overcrowded. The trip back to Oz had some amazing sensations of traffic lights against the backdrop of darkness and the feeling of fresh air running against the face.

Though there was still a lot of adapting I had to go through here in Oz, it didn't mind me. I was up for the challenge. Starting anew in unknown territory, all by myself-- I smelled for new adventures. I was preparing myself for the good, the bad, and the ugly...

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August 15, 2007

An Oz Fest

Sometime last July, I was in the middle of a culminating Fiesta around Ozamiz - The Subayen Keg Subanon Festival, A week-long festivity marking the feast of Nuestra Señora del Triunfo dela Cruz (Our Lady of Triumph). Streamers start to pop up everywhere, the carnival has arrived and I was curious of what the city is cooking this time around.

Cotta. There's a common hub for the Oz people to hang within the city. It's the center of entertainment, at least, at this time. It's called the "Cotta" which is located just beside the sea and overlooks Lanao Del Norte. I have visited there quiet sometime already and is usually quiet during non-festive days. But for a week, it is the happening place to be. The Cotta or Fort has been used uninterruptedly as a military stronghold ever since it was built in the 1750’s until now. It was a basecamp of the Spaniards during the Spanish Era against invading pirates out at sea and other opposing forces at that time. Today, for the rest of the week's celebration, it hosts cultural activities, museums, and a strolling place for the locals inside.

Bands & Stands. Outside the Cotta, live bands are held. Businesses of Mango Shakes, Durian Shakes, Popcorn, Peanuts, Green Mango in "Bagoong" and even Ukay-ukay are rolling on. It's just typically crowded yet different from the usual days I had in the first weeks here, because the city is normally quiet.

The Lady And The City. One night, while strolling in Cotta, I saw groups of people in a line. They were there to pay homage to the patron of the festival, The Lady of Triumph, and I can see that people's spirituality is very much alive. A story behind this statue is that sometime in history, marauding pirates were set to attack Ozamiz from Lanao. But a storm intercepted and fog wrapped Oz. The pirates saw this floating image of a lady in the midst of the ocean, and they returned, back to where they came... Another story, it was the time after World War II, the city has been destroyed, yet only the image remained intact, the people were amazed by this occurence... Now, the people highly regard this image. Some folks even believe that her size is growing. Though I am not Catholic myself, but I admire how people give their faith to this character. She is a symbol of their hopes, knowing that the city had a very gory past.

Going Tribal. Of course, this is a celebration of the Subanens. An ethnic tribe that came mostly from Zamboanga but significant numbers live in the hinterlands, in the interior valleys and in the mountainous areas of the peninsula. Their unique culture is believed to closely face extinction. On the last night of the culmination, a cultural demonstration was held inside Cotta. They displayed their indigenous dances of courtship, life, and traditions. There was also a constructed Subanen Hut -- inside were handicrafts from wood, bamboo, bamboo shoots and trinkets made by these people.

Feast Day. On the day of the actual feast, I was waiting for an invite to eat out, but I noticed most people here do not have that festive enthusiasm. But fortunately and unexpectedly, I was invited by my landlady for a chow. The whole week culminated into an amazing fireworks display by the sea. Many people watch in awe as the fireworks shoot up.

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The Fruit Stand. One very obvious thing I usually see in my treks in the south is the wide variety of unique fruits that grow here and are sold to fruits stands. Particularly in Oz, there are these fruit stands that line the main highway (in Rizal Avenue) and is attracting people because of its sweet smell from afar and the wild colors it bring. I showcase some fo these amazing fruits which i think you need to know and maybe someday..taste.

Rambutans And Sweet Lanzones. These type of fruits are very abundant here. Almost everywhere you could see someone selling this on the streets. I've seen a lot of these in Pagadian as well. The very sign that the fruits are sweet is the presence of ants, a local once told me. It is 30 Pesos a kilo.

Giant Guavas. You have'nt seen anything like it. These guavas are abnormally huge. The guavas i have seen back in Visayas were slightly bigger than a ping pong ball but nothing like this. I could not even  cover this whole fruit with my hand. Prices range from 15 to 30 pesos each depending on the size.

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The Queen Of Fruits. The Mangosteen is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The surface of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. The fragrant edible flesh is sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. (Wikipedia.com). A tip from a friend on how to open it is to first detach the green thick leaf at the top and open it from the whole it leaves. Suck the juicy, whitish part of the seed and that's it.

Marang. This fruit has a strong scent -- it is delicious, soft flavoured and can be appreciated from the first bite. It is considered superior in flavour to the Jackfruit and is also cultivated in Indonesia, Malaysia and Southern Thailand. The species is largely grown for local consumption; the short shelf-life of the fruit limits its wider use. Once opened, the marang should be consumed quickly (in a few hours), as it loses flavour rapidly and fruit oxidises. The seeds are also edible after boiling or roasting. (Wikipedia.com)

King Of Fruits. Finally, i took advantage of tasting the very famous durian here in the south. It is famous for it's odorous smell but heavenly taste. It's a bit nutty and sweet but I still can't appreciate its taste. The locals do enjoy this and is very part of their day to day living in the south. It is widespread in Southeast Asia and says to increase blood pressure once consumed and causes a person to sweat profusely. Living here in the south, you can encounter some food and drinks connected to the durian such as the Durian Shake or the Durian flavored - street ice cream. A unique tip you should try is to eat it with mangosteen and it gives you a cooling effect.

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Eid ul-Fitr is the term for the last day of Ramadan. On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family awakes very early, does the first normal everyday prayer, and is required to eat a little, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas.

End Of Ramadan. Being here in the south where there is the greatest concentration of the Muslim community, I wanted to observe an authentic Muslim tradition. Unfortunately, I do not know any Muslim friends nearby at this time... Majority of the Oz people are Christians and it would be embarassing to invite myself to one when I am not a Muslim... The streets are quiet and peaceful in Oz today. I was stuck in the room the whole day-- All by myself with nothing to do... I got an inspiration from this Mulsim tradition. I wanted to feel how it is to fast even for just today, for 24 hours, limiting myself from anything that gives pleasure and just become "in tuned".

How Am I. I admit it was hard. Hours and hours passed and I just slept it off. Just in the confines of the four corners of my room. My body was not used to this sudden change. it was Hunger & thirst --That I do not experience everyday... I used my waking hours reflecting on the things I was doing in life. I realized how I need to stop for a while from my daily routine and just think. Think and ask myself how I am. Was I doing what I should be? Was I good to others? good to myself? Even know my purpose?.. I realized how I am like a walking zombie lately, so focused on stuff that really don't  matter, walking in life without any goal. I was crowded with baggage that is just superficial and I haven't fed my soul for quiet sometime now... The bible is really a book of answers. It is my old lonely book in the room and I have read some great passages there. And I think that people should. It has given my soul food from a long hunger for knowledge...

Blessing In The Skies. In the afternoon, 6 hours before the end of my fast, I saw a great blessing in the sky. A tinge of orange hue was in the clouds. I went to a place I have been before in Oz but is under appreciated by many. The sunsets are amazing there. The place was in Lawis, a notorious place for crooks and killers. And it was there that I know I was blessed. Blessed by one God, one Allah, one Almighty Father. A sign that he is there and had planned all these things for greater pastures in the future...

The 24th Hour. The last hour of the fast, I was amazed at how I felt calm. I was contented and a bit refreshed. Detoxified from any bad energy. We all need that from time to time, just as our body wear and tear. I could'nt believe how a simple amount of suffering could get some great high like this. I think that is the reason why Muslims have the Ramadan, why the Christians do the fasting... It is a drug that brings you to a more spritual level and be one with the soul, be one with God.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

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November 15, 2007

Blackout

The Dark. I guess I better share this with you. I was walking back home from a friend's house in Oz at around 12 midnight. It was a 10-minute walk more or less to reach my place... But just halfway on the road, the lights went off!The city was under deep darkness and I could'nt see a thing... I stood and froze at that same spot and did not know which direction I was going. I was reluctant to go further. The street I'm at was quiet, without any sign of people. I was afraid that I might crash into a vehicle that was not using any lights, like a "sikad" or a tricycle maybe, or even coming across a rabid dog... I tried to reach for my pocket, and realized that I did not bring any phone, due to some rampant mugging in the city... I took some steps mapping out my surroundings and hoping for a passing vehicle with some lights on... Fortunately, I reached the highway... There I went to a nearby bakery and stayed until the lights go back. That was one weird experience I'll never forget while in the city. At one moment, you feel confident with your sense of sight, your intuition... then suddenly you lose it... you are now vulnerable... and you are in the middle of a city-wide blackout, what do you do? It was like some strange episode of the Twilight Zone...