When friends travel to places where I have been, I have a tendency to come out with a list of things they could do, eat, not do, and say. If I am lucky, I also come out with a list of names and numbers for them to reach.
It’s not exactly sure to be a Filipino habit, but I do know I grew up this way.
This “habit” has led me to refer friends to a very gracious woman in Siquijor whenever someone tells me they are planning a visit to this island.
I backpacked in Siquijor in 2006. It was an unforgettable adventure for two urban girls traveling in a strange island. What made it even more unforgettable, however, was what happened after.
On the visit to Asia’s oldest convent, I signed up with the Siquijor Heritage Foundation. My frame of mind was, this place needs all the help it can get and being part of it’s story would be an amazing thing.
Some days after that trip, I received an email from one of its active proponents, Ms Verna Alih.
Eventually, Tita Verna and I exchanged emails with thoughts and plans. Plans for Siquijor’s heritage, ideas about YTRIP, plans for a return trip, and a lot of things in between.
When two photographer-friends of mine went to Siquijor way back, I asked for Tita Verna’s help. Being a kind soul, she hosted these guys and made sure they got the photos – and the information – they wanted.
Recently, another friend went to Siquijor in search of a budget adventure. With Tita Verna’s help, Jana (in the photo below) got more. She was introduced to such warm hospitality and I think, to Tita Verna’s wonderful family.
At the moment, she is also assisting a student doing his thesis on Siquijor. This student is the brother of one of the photographers Tita Verna earlier helped.
The amazing thing about all of this is that, I have NEVER met Tita Verna in person. Seeing her photo with Jana (below) is actually the first time I have seen how she looks like. Instantly, I saw a mother, a dear friend, and a kindred spirit.
What I also like about this photo is that, it was taken in the same hallway that I loved in the convent of Saint I. Labrador.
The same place where I signed up, more than 2 years ago, for the Siquijor Heritage Foundation.
Traveling has helped me create a network of people – people who have become good friends (who eventually became friends of my other friends), YTRIP partners, advisers, and a lot of other things. Seeing the whole web of connections, it’s amazing how travel creates a world within a world.
More importantly, it becomes a world full of kindness, no judgements, hope, passion, and generosity (my friends don’t overstay and I think my travel-friends won’t kick them out when they do).
A person dear to me said that the best way to see a place is when you are with someone who loves it. I am grateful that that’s what happens for my trips, most of the time.
I am grateful of people like Tita Verna who loves Siquijor and its heritage, and therefore loves to share it with people. I am grateful of Harold of Dumaguete, the Lolos and Lolas, Titos and Titas in Palawan and Ilocos (not necessarily my relatives, mind you), and in all the other places. They remind me what it’s like to love my home, and to know what it’s like to be kind.
