I always find it uncanny when death visits the family. I lost both
parents in the 90's. I lost a brother a month ago, a day after the
wedding date anniversary of our parents.
Death in the family is uncanny because gleaned from my experience,
I have numerous plans in the works, but I cannot find time to do it.
Sometimes, I lost the motivation to carry it out. But in times of
grief, I am impelled to follow up such plans with a sense of urgency.
Otherwise time constraint would be handy again as an excuse to explain
away my failure. Furthermore, the spectre that I may not "pass
this way" again looms large every time I attend a funeral wake.
It had been my heartfelt desire to visit the clusters of islands in
Romblon. I felt embarrassed to assert that I am a son of Romblon when
I have not been to Maghale Islands. Owing to difficulty of swift transportation,
more oftentimes than not, the flicker to visit Banton, Sibale, and
Corcuera were relegated in the back burner. I had been to the rest
of the islands in the province except the island towns mentioned above.
During my brother's wake sorrowing for the passing away of a family
member, I was further reduced to shedding tears when I asked for names
of childhood playmates and relatives but told sadly the names enumerated
were long gone buried. I met kins and old friends whom I did not meet
since I left my birthplace to pursue tertiary studies 36 years ago.
Oh, what glorious night to spend hours with surviving friends recollecting
the memories of bygone years seemingly to have transpired only yesterday.
When a cousin from Hambil Island came to commiserate with us, my long
time unfulfilled promise to myself to do island hopping was rekindled.
I decided to stay behind for another two weeks after the burial of
my brother. I visited Hambil Island despite of the rough weather with
waves churning white because of strong winds. That it seems the pumpboat
would break into half while we cross the channel from Sta. Fe to Hambil,
the island contiguous to the world famous Boracay beaches.
My last visit to the island was in 1968 when I accepted a summer job
offered by the Department of Health. I did epidemiological survey
of the island including mapping its network of foot trails and taking
population census. The pristine shores, which I was enamoured with
when I first visited the island, are still pristine when I set foot
again after my last visit 35 years ago.
Setting foot again in the island, I took off my beach sandals and
wade and feel the soaked white sands with my bare feet. The beauty
of the island is so breathtaking that I momentarily forgot my grief.
That I silently wished my family would follow me and enjoy the simple
living in the island. I wished I won't be bothered anymore of taking
a return flight to Canada to rejoin my family.
When I attend functions in my adoptive country every time I introduce
myself, I always pause a few seconds and look around the room before
stating "Canada is a beautiful country…" Saying so,
my Canadian hosts apparently pleased would break into wide smile and
nod their heads in agreement with the other guests. After catching
their attention, I would finish my statement,"…after the
Philippines" Sounds of giggling would fill the room. It's my
turn to nod my head and laugh.
Indeed our province is a well-endowed place. Its natural beauty could
be at par to the world's best. Tragically, however, I saw neglect
on the part of our government to transform the natural beauty of our
province as a spot of destination to global adventurers seeking places
to go that are not industrially exploited.
The provincial government could easily build coastal roads around
the island for everyone to enjoy the sights of the ocean and the sea
breeze while riding in bicycles. Inter island commercial intercourse
could be enhanced between the world famous beach resorts when wharves
are build to accommodate passenger boats transporting guests and visitors
from one island to another.
Romblon is oozing
with potentials. But to tap it, Romblon needs a leader who is endued
with vision and is not afraid to take initiatives that redound good
to the greater number of the sons and daughters of Romblon.
