Taking a leap of faith..

Tags

decision, leap of faith, quitting a job, Work

For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking of taking a leap of faith to create some ‘major’ changes in my life and my plans. It somehow puts me pressure of how will I make things right when I am afraid of trying something different. It’s been one hell of a ride trying to accomplish in a field I believe, right now, will not make me uncover my full potential. Of course, I know that this will not be any easier, but hey, what else is easier in this world other than dreaming of nothing? 

Yes, I am referring to my career as a salesman. Two out of the three years I’ve been in this field, I have delivered with flying colors my annual objectives. This year, I am on track in repeating the victory again. I have fair compensation and benefit. Satisfied with sales incentive. I have free mobile and internet plan, with car, etc. However, job satisfaction isn’t always about those things. More importantly, it should conform with your personal and professional goals in life. And right now, I feel like being lost in the corporate world. 

So I want to be out – to find myself again.

I have come to the decision where I want to try something else, something new that I have never tried before at this point of my adulthood. But I know that I still have commitment I need to accomplish for the year so I am still delivering what’s expected from me. I know that for as long as I haven’t tendered my will to leave, I am bounded by the responsibilities expected from me. Moreover, I want to exit in and with grace. 

But the decision is already final.

The good thing about coming up with such decision as early as this month is that it gives me more time to just do the job without feeling the much pressure when you are controlled by it. It’s like making the most out of the remaining time you have. You know something will be lost so you just enjoy everything in between. It’s like that. You feel lighter and almost worry-free – not to withstand the fact that no matter what I do, I am leaving anyway.

I could have done this a year ago but I am bounded by the concept of my role in family responsibility. I was frightened to take the risk of losing a job by having nothing to support my parents especially that they’re not getting any younger. I was also frightened by the pressure of being a role model to the young ones in the family. ‘Kaya napostpone ng napostpone until such time na hindi ko na kaya magstay.’ I still believe that I can still live up to my responsibilities despite taking a different path. I still believe that I can make myself composed again from a fall – just what I always do from the past.

I don’t wanna be a slave of the corporate world, of a job, of money. I don’t wanna be like those who can’t afford to lose getting fixed income every month. I don’t wanna be like those who complains about their bosses yet do not want to leave their team. I don’t wanna be like those who only get by the day but not living to it. I don’t want the day to come when it’s too late to try something new because I’ve got bigger responsibility to play. I don’t want life to run away from me because I have no time living a good one. I want my day and the days to come to be simply a story of my life well lived, with no regrets but pride.

A manager once told me that sometimes, what people only need is just a leap of faith.

I am taking a leap of faith of going out of the box despite assurance of nothing. But that’s what life is. No one knows what might happen until he tries. So I am trying.

Photos: Happy Kadayawan sa Dabaw!

Tags

Choose Philippines, Davao City, Festival, Fiesta, Kadayawan Festival, Philippines, Smile, Travel, Travel Photos

This is my third year celebrating Kadayawan Festival in Davao. It’s a week long celebration of thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, life, wealth and serenity. The 3rd week of August is one of the days I always look forward to every year because of the festivities and the jubilant celebration in the center of the city. My most favorite part is the street dance or better called as ‘Indak-indak sa Kadalanan’. The groups from different parts of Mindanao usually participate in order to showcase their story of thanksgiving and feast.

I always dedicate time to attend to this activity. I just love capturing moments from every presentation. Their smiles and the characters they live out is a testament of genuine thanksgiving and festivity. So here are the moments I photographed that I really really like.

Next stop. Tuna Festival. Hope to see you next time!

The only photo that will break your heart in Sohoton Cove, Surigao (Part 2)

Tags

Adventure, Bucas Grande, Mining in Surigao, Nature, Paradise, Philippines, Sohoton Cove, Surigao, Travel

Kanlunes Beach Resort

For Part 1 of the blog, click here..

After our lunch and a little rest in the resort, we headed to the most awaited part – Bucas Grande and the rest of Sohoton Cove. Unfortunately, a bad news reported to us that jellyfishes weren’t visible at the moment. According to locals, summer is the best season to visit Bucas Grande because jellyfishes are abundant in the area. Anyway, we still go our way to the cove that means “Grand Opening”.

Registration Area to Bucas Grande.

Registration Area to Bucas Grande.

We stopped by the registration area because the big boats cannot pass through the gate of the cove. It is only accessible during low tide and via an 8-man boat (including the guide and captain), therefore it’s really a must to go out of the cove when the level of water is getting high since there’s no way out than the ‘gate’. At maliit lang ang opening kaya you have to watch your head out from stalactites.

The gate to Bucas Grande.

Passing through the grand opening (translation of Bucas Grande) is like having a grand entrance – A little suspense from the dark until islets after islets shine through and a sea of green dominates my sight.

There are only three things to visit in the cove.

First, the small Hagukan Cave. Travelers need to swim going inside to see it’s beauty. I advise to make sure you have lifevest eventhough you know how to swim. Malalim kasi ang tubig at nakakapagod if there’s no lifevest. You will not enjoy the view. Why? It’s weird why the water seems like glowing. They say it could be the jellyfishes but I haven’t seen even one. Though maybe it’s the light from the sun that diffracted when it passed through the water and spread out underneath the cave – like something that’s glowing in the dark.

Jump!

Second is the Magkukuob Cave. This is smaller than the Crystal Cave but I believe the formations of stalactites are more stunning than other caves in Sohoton. They’re longer, compacted and crystal-like. A must-see is the formation on the way up. My apologies if I wasn’t get a photo of it. My camera’s flash was not functioning. Hehe. Anyway, for those brave enough to have another cliff diving session, you gotta try this though this is lower than the diving spot in Tiktikan. Don’t get bothered if you have no vest and you didn’t know how to swim because the guides will rescue you. Just pray! Anyhow, once you get at the top, there’s no coming back but dive. (I should’ve not spoiled this HAHA)

Third is everything you see in Bucas Grande. It’s like entering a colony of something. When I was there, I imagined myself in the movie ‘Anaconda’ (less Anaconda, of course HAHA) – the time when they’re traversing the Amazon River peacefully with only the sound of nature and the purr of the boat’s engine – like there’s nobody there but us. All that voices out to my mouth is the word ‘wow’. Wow because the cove is like walled by different islets – like a colony safeguarded of indestructible walls to protect from enemy. As I said, there’s no other way out but the small ‘gate’ that closes during high tides. Wow because no man can create such, yet it’s like planned by someone with great powers. Wow because the cove supports wide array of biodiversity where animals freely live in the wild. The endangered Philippine Eagles seem like watching us from afar, like a soldier ready to attack when triggered. Wow because the jellyfishes are friendly enough to play with its visitors without their defensive mechanisms. Wow because the panoramic view of the entire cove is stunning enough to let your eyes simply enjoy the sight. Wow because that is all a speechless mind can utter from amazement and surprise.

The protected area of Bucas Grande is another evidence of why the Philippines is gifted of beauty of nature and biodiversity. Yet, the protected area is like begging for something that might endanger it from us.

The only photo that will break your heart..

One of the first things I’ve noticed when we arrived at Claver was the effect of quarries in this part of Surigao. A lot of industrial ships, almost all of it were aged and weather-beaten, were docked and roaming around the place. The ships must be very busy of something aggressive happening nearby. At first, I thought they only concentrated to a specific area far from where we’re going. However, in the middle of the sea, I’ve realized how great these quarries have already impacted Surigao. Then, it caught me thinking the possible effect of these activities to the place that got me wowed. Sohoton is in danger, I believe. .

While it seems like a peaceful place, focusing your eyes on the background reveals the effect of mining activities in Surigao. Please note that the island in the background is around 40 minutes away by boat. Thus, to see the deforested mountain kilometers away from where I took the photo means that the impact has gone worst. Unfortunately, it’s not the only area where deforestation exists. This video below proves it very well although it hasn’t captured the looooong stretch of it. (Credits to the owner of the video).

The video from Youtube is the same place we passed by going back to Davao City. The long stretch of the effect of mining activity in this part of Surigao seems like we weren’t even gone by a paradise like Sohoton. It’s weary, distressing and heartbreaking. The view at the top will show you hectares of no trees and grasses but trucks and cancerous mountain. A very heart-pumping and very grateful experience in Sohoton and Bucas Grande was translated to grief and sorrow. The ‘desert’ in Surigao is warning us of the greater effect it could cause the gift of nature we have.

Although there have been mining laws signed by different authorities to protect our environment, mining such as this should be investigated by the government to ensure compliance to laws. Gifts must be treasured than taken for granted. My only prayer after more than an hour of traversing the ‘hell to Sohoton’ is for us to have more time to correct the mistake we have done to this paradise. It will never too late. My hopes are up that nothing worst will happen and will ever reach the paradise of Sohoton.

*sigh*

On a lighter note, let me end this by sharing the video of our whole journey in Sohoton Cove, Surigao. Enjoy! ;)

 

Special thanks to:

TOUR EATgao Exploring Southern Philippines

Tour Guide: Suh

Mobile Number: 09953840901

Budget: PHP 3,450.00