Biyahe ta ‘Bay

Early this year, the travel bug bit me. It made me feverish enough to dig out the dusty Philippine map at home, borrow my sister’s backpack, and start hitting the hot spots in Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao.

It may have been that catchy DOT-sponsored song over Cebu TV’s channel 28 -- “Tara na, biyahe tayo!” -- that got to me. Maybe it’s the feeling of being stuck in one place for too long. Or it could just be my perverse nature wanting to prove that at a time when practically most Filipinos dream of the next country, it’s better to explore my roots and rediscover something worth staying for.

Whatever the reason, I decided one day to “Just do(h) it!”, as one senator would say. Money was tight so I traveled in spurts but I was determined. And I guess it’s true -- when you decide that you really want something, the universe will conspire to get you there.

It’s one thing to read about people and places in history and travel books, another thing to experience them firsthand. There are a few truths you just don’t believe till you’re a part of it.

I was there during the recent flooding of Tarlac. The overflowing waters destroyed a lot of people’s homes and their rice fields. It should have been enough to break the people’s spirit too. But no, it spurred them to unite and move on. It made me realize that we Filipinos are survivors.

Davao made me see that we could be a disciplined people. There, they follow a curfew -- no booze and minors on the streets after 2 AM. I was amazed even the young respect that.

Baguio made it possible for me to touch the sky. So I guess some dreams do come true after all despite the seemingly endless financial crisis.

Camiguin, Dumaguete and Bantayan redefined my concept of unspoiled beauty and provincial charm.

The beach bums in Boracay made me realize that we don’t need much to have a glorious life. Not when we have the sun, sea and a supportive community to cheer us on.

I experienced the cold blast of regionalism in places like Iloilo, Manila, and Bohol. But before I could freeze, a good friend pointed out that it mostly stems from the language barrier and it would make me no different if I just brush the people off. So with an effort, I tried to go beyond the wall and learn a few words from their mother tongues. And I found out that most will meet you halfway when you’re sincere enough.

Traveling opened my eyes to so many things I used to take for granted about our people and our country. Now I know what they mean when they say we are a beautiful and colorful race, a people both simple and proud. Now I understand that while we may be poor, we are rich in the diversity of our languages, land, culture and traditions. Now I see that the Philippine islands may be scattered and each island unique but we borrow a word, we share some waters, and some style from each other enough to make us all interconnected.

It’s exhilarating to discover that the Philippines is not that little at all, contrary to what a world map may tell us. It may not be big either but I say it’s enough to sustain us. Enough, if we work hard for it, to have a taste of heaven here.

Our Department of Tourism has a point. Biyahe ta ‘bay. Indulge those restless feet. Like me, fall in love with this country again. Discover what makes us different yet the same. In the course of doing so, we get a greater gift -- we discover ourselves.


--Crossline, SunStar Weekend, October 30, 2004