I left my heart in Mindanao

And I want to go back to redeem it.

Everytime I think of Mindanao, my heart aches and my mindstarts to somersault. Even before the first time I set foot in its lovely soil, I am already in love with the place. I had always dreamed of going there and see the beauty that has been hiding behind the turmoil. I had always dreamed of exploring Mindanao; to be with its people, to see their culture, to witness their struggles, to be with them...to be one of them.

I love Mindanao as much as I love my own province. I love Mindanao as much as the Mindanaons who were born and breed in the island's many provinces. I love Mindanao as much as I would love my own hometown. I love Mindanao, like a child loving its mother.

Ever since I started my junior year in Mass Comm my mind has already been set that I will have my On-the-Job-training in Mindanao. It doesn't really matter where in Mindanao as long as it's in Mindanao. And even until this day, I never regretted that decision.

I enjoyed my more than a month stay in Davao del Norte but I regret that I will have to leave the place. I wanted to explore the whole Mindanao and see other places but time did not allow me to do so. I was glad that I chose to travel via Cagayan de Oro to Davao because, at least, somehow I was able to get a glimpse of what Mindanao has to offer.

I saw a lot but I know that I did not see much. The things that I saw in my one-month stay in Mindanao is not enough for me to really experience the place. There are alot more to see. There are alot more to experience.

I was particularly amazed by the way the Mindanao culture has been preserved. I love seeing the indigenous people with their costumes and their peculiar behaviors. I love listening to the varied tongues used in different places. I love observing the people, seeing the places, trekking the mountains, exploring the unknowns. God, I love Mindanao!

If I were to be born again and given the chance to choose a place where I could grow up, I would choose Mindanao. I don't really care where as long as its in Mindanao. I would choose even the farthest islands of Sulu or the mounatins of Bukidnon or whereever as long as its there.

I wanted to be with the Moslems and understand their culture. I wanted to learn the different dialects, I want to see the different places. I want to be a part of this diverse and beautiful world.

I could still remember my first glimpse of Mindanao. A beautiful sunrise illuminating the distant mountains of CDO. So majestic. So beautiful. A scene I kept on repeating in my mind, like a favorite movie on rewind. 

I could still see the powdery sands of Mati, the beautiful Pujada Island, the sleeping dinosaur, the prestine waters, the people. My heart aches as I remember these things but I couldn't help it. I wanted to go back but I still can't.

I remembered the promise I gave myself as we were leaving the port of Cagayan and leaving behind the place that I had so much loved. I remembered how I looked back and promised myself that someday I will go back and see the whole of Mindanao. I promised myself that someday I will explore Mindanao in its entirety, that I will be one of its own.

But that someday is yet to come. I hope it would come sooner but I will have to wait. And when the opportunity comes my way, I will not hesitate to go back to the place that captured my heart. 

(Note: the photo above was taken as we were approaching the port of Cagayan, April 10, 2008)