Finding that Path

“What do you want to eat?” asked a petite native Boholano. “I’m starved. Fresh lapu-lapu (grouper) with soup, home cook style please!” I’ll never forget this conversation about my most awaited meal of the day, brunch! We have been snorkelling in the Balicasag Sea for almost four hours non-stop! Watching the dolphins dance in the gentle waves of the sea as they echoed greeting us “Good morning!” awakened the depths of my soul revealing such beauty in the waters, so solemn and serene. Aahh, with a deep breath, I appreciated the gift of life given to me and the vast diverse forms of life out there in the sea.

I marvelled as I behold these communities of colourful nudibranchs (sea slugs) enjoying their shifts in the corals, with sounds as if they sing to the observer in very low and calm tone, while in chorus with the gulping hums of small fishes and swaying of seaweeds. It was an almost blissful choral ensemble serenading me underneath the warm waters of Panglao Sea. Who would want to stop swimming? I asked myself in awe, “How did I end up here?”

Oh, and it was then I realized that our family have scheduled this island trip to Panglao, Bohol, found in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines which is but one of the known 7,107 islands. It could be more or less, the tide will tell. As for me, I was just dreaming of a breakaway from the bustles of daily life and a grasp of closeness to that very reason which makes me alive.

Bohol was an amazing choice. Surrounded by sea waters, I found rest through its pristine beaches that truly refresh every traveller’s soul. Bohol may only be over four thousand square kilometres in land but it is rich in Spanish-origin history, culture and ocean life. It was interesting that Bohol preserved its simplistic and countryside lifestyle even in this 21st century, and yet was recognized as a first income class province.

I can't help but wonder about the natural singing talent of every Boholano. With a ukulele, whether children or adults, lovely songs just came out from their voice. Their smiles and warm welcome, mixed with action stories on how the heroes of the past defended the place from conquistadors (conquerors), made it all memorable.

Perhaps, we all had something in common, a wondrous feeling asking why we are where we are. We end up where we are at the present moment because somewhere down the road, we all search for that path that leads to the meaning of life. And nothing translates it better as progress.