Back in Caubian Island with a Cause

I always look back to people and events in the past not because I couldn’t move on but I always take them as my inspiration to move forward. Undeniably, I am one person HRs’ are hesitant to hire for the reason that my longest work experience in a certain company or institution is barely 3 years. I didn’t stay long not because I didn’t value my job but there were far more reasons why I filed my resignation. Before, it was not a question of being happy and bored rather it was a question of capability and limits. 

A lot of people even until now questioned my decision on quitting a government job. Although my mom didn’t say anything to me when I stopped as a public school teacher years back, there were instances when she could mention about DepEd positions. I understood that it was stability that she was concerned of but I never heard her complain those personal choices I had. 

So my journey to Caubian Island was not out of coincidence. It was more of going back to my roots as a teacher, and how the island life where I had before moulded me to become who I am right now. Way back 2014, I was one of the top ranked Science teacher in Lapu-lapu City. I was even privileged to choose where I would be assigned. Of course, as an adventurer, I simply said, “Olango Island’. It was basically part of my bucket list to stay in the island and it was as if the universe heard me when I got the chance to teach in Olango. 

For less than a month, I was able to tour and explore Olango Island after my teaching hours. The Olango Island that I am seeing now is totally different from the Olango I used to live in. Before, it was calm, peaceful with less houses and stores. It was that typical untouched island. During those times when I opted to stay in the island during the weekends were the moments I braved to explore the nearby islands. Indeed, it led me to Pang-an Island and Caubian Island, two nearby islets inhabited by Oponganons. 

It was that sunny morning when I decided to visit Caubian Island in 2014. I asked one of my students before if I could rent an outrigger boat to bring me to Caubian Island.  The boatman didn’t take too much convincing as we agreed with the price. The trench going to Caubian Island was wonderful. The sea water displayed its colors to turquoise to emerald as it was transparent. I was enjoying the water before we landed in Caubian; but when we were there in the island itself, I had the greatest realization in my life. People thrive for a living but not to dreaming. 

The relaxed and contented islanders prefer to go fishing rather than venturing the city life. It was manifested by their way of life – sleeping, gambling, drinking something alcoholic, and fishing. The cycle continues all throughout their lives. Years have passed that I didn’t know that I would ever go back to Caubian Island, and this one was not all about just exploring the island again, but it was all about a greater cause.

Together with other volunteers, we were able to bring a smile to children who were given with gift boxes. For some kids, it was their first time to even use crayons and color an activity book. It was their first time to even make their very own cookie frostings. Through the eyes of these children, happiness was its reflection. Not only that we were able to reach out to the kids, but also we were able to do a session with the adolescent girls in Caubian Island citing their rights as humans, children, and as a woman. What truly struck me the most was one of the comments from our female participant. “Ate, karon pa gyud mi nakadawat on ing-ani. Salamat kaayo!/Ate, this is the first time that we received something like this. Thank you very much!”

I saw her tears dropped as she was hesitant to hug me but she hugged me anyway. It was the same scenario when one of the kids hugged me and thankful about the activity. From those two scenes, I suddenly realized about how everything else is connected. My past escapade in Caubian Island was a preparation for me to never undermine the islanders. Dreams are feasible and achievable no matter how difficult the situation is. So our Caubian Island Session was one of the best sessions we have so far!