Kawasan Falls - July 2004

Nights without Chu was very lonely for me. I think a lot about her, about our future, about when we can be together again. Sleepless nights were usually spend listening to songs by Jose Mari Chan. I talked to her almost every night. She would ask if I was alright and we would talk about the good times we have had together. It was diffcult to get leave especially when you want to take advantage of a long weekend. Finally on July 2004 I got the leave I needed and left for Cebu on a nine day journey.
It was a big home coming welcome at the airport. Chu was there with the entire family and they came in the multicab. I felt like a VIP and as we drove home I knew I was going to have a good time.
The family home was the same the last time I was here except that Chu has put up more decorations, new curtains, new bar top and a new gate. Chu has four younger brothers, all 'married', and the nephews and nieces together with her two children totalled sixteen. Chocolates were given out, little presents, T-shirts, a watch for Papa Mario and a perfume for Mama Marina managed to keep the inquisitive crowd at bay. After dinner the family gathered around the TV to watch the video we shot in Singapore and Hong Kong. Then we turned the video camera on the children and we had a great time laughing at the antics and clowning of the children as this is the first time they were on TV.
The big day came when Chu planned for a get away for the family to Kawasan Falls in Badian, some three hours away. We packed our stuff and left at ten in the morning. The small multicab which usually sit twelve passengers was now ferrying twenty-two adults and children. Phews!! I was worried. Nevertheless we reached Kawasan after what seemed like a butt breaking journey. There just wasn't space to move your butt.
The waterfall was clear and glistening in the afternoon sun. The kids were already down in the water before we settled for lunch. Some of the brave ones would race up to the top of the fall and plunged into the chasm below which had deepened over time. A raft made of bamboo trunks were carrying the rest towards the falls. Everyone was totally drenched by the torrents of falling water amidst loud screams of oohs and aahs. I myself made a number of trips to get what I called a water message. I came away very refreshed and at the same time bruised on the shoulders. We trekked into the woods, crossed a small hill and then a valley. We smelt the lingering odour of ferns and wild plants and collected some specimens home for the garden. Before we head back home we enjoyed bathing in the flowing river of clear crystal water joking that upstream somebody has shitted into the water.
During the journey back to Mandaue, the children were all dead tired and fell asleep on our laps. We stopped for a late night supper of fried chicken at the road side store before sending the brothers back to their homes.
During the remaining days of my stay we frequently visited the supermarket to top up on groceries. We visited the market in the morning and saw and heard the slaughter of pigs and chickens. Everything was selling and smelling fresh in the market. The fishes have just arrived from the port the morning and the vegetables from nearby farms. There were mangoes selling at every corner of the street and they go at fifty pesos (about S$1.50) a kg, the big ones that is. Then there were coconuts, bananas by the comb, papayas, corns, water melons, jambu, huge guavas and the ocassional jack fruit and sour sop.
After recording the trip on video and digital camera, we have more sessions in front of the TV and spent many evenings together watching them.
Time flies fast and soon it was time to leave. As if I was coming home again, the entire family send me off at the airport.
It was defintely a very meaningful and worthwhile trip. Not only do I have quality time with Chu, I spent good time with the family and got to know them well. I felt accepted as a member and at every occasion was treated very well. Even English newspaper was available every morning though the family was not known to read English papers.
I arrived home and immediately started planning for the next trip.