what's for my holy week?
canceled country side trips are the most annoying thing in the world, specially on holidays or summer. just last week the whole family planned to visit my aunts place in Antipas, Southern Cotabato. it's an impeccable place for solitary walks, rumination, sight-seeing, and praying. th whole place is so serene and green with all the high hills and wide plains domineering the whole place. every sight is lavished with green trees, rubber and fruit trees to be specific. since one of their primary source of livelihood and products are the rubbers form rubber trees.
the rubber trees are very beautiful to look at specially from a far, it's like a shot from Twilight. and because trees are abundant in the place, expect for cool clean air. just a few walks from my aunts place is their rice field. the field is juxtaposed to their 3 hectares rubber tree. it was divided by irrigation directly going through the field. in the center of the field and rubber tree lot is a small nipa hut where you can leisurely rest your body and mind. you can see the wide green field and the tall rubber trees right before you. everywhere your eyes see is the beauty of nature.
i can still remember when i visited there last year. i woke up very early in the morning to take a walk and then my cousin lead me to the fields which is i think too far for me. since i'm not really used to long walks, made difficult by the steep and rocky road. my slippers were really toned down that i have to carry them because they constantly slip off my feet due to the muddy road. it rained last night, making the road muddy. but still i managed to get there with my feet filth with mud. i even enjoyed walking on bare feet. it made the stroll more meaningful. i guess, it's my other realization after.
my cousin told a lot of stories and myths along the way so it was really fun and informative walk. he gave a very detailed account on how he get to encounter an "aswang". it was a very scary experience though he narrated it vivaciously, making it more of a funny one instead. he also told us about a floating arm which came upon while a certain vendor was selling her home-made brooms one afternoon. it was about 3 pm and as what the people in the place say, mysterious and often enchanting things happen during this hour.
when we finally got there, we walked straight to the open nipa hut. just when i sat, i feel my legs tired. i haven't felt very exhausted until i got myself some rest. the gentle breeze brushed my face and swayed through my hair. i can still smell the youthful and cool smell of the morning dew. the high mountains were still covered by thick mists but there are thin rays of sun trying to pass through its thickness. i can see various kind of rice field birds preying on food. some of these are fishes that are found in the clear irrigation waters. the majestic scenery and healthy ecosystem right before me made my day and filled me with joy. if i can sleep there all day and let my senses feast with all the effortless work of nature.
