"The Shepherd of the Travel-Averse People"

 

            Have you ever felt at home in a place far away from home? Where your eyes are so overwhelmed, yet hungry. Where your nose is so confused, yet it can precisely tell what it is smelling. Where your ears are so hectic and cannot focus anymore and yet it wants to listen to even more. You can taste the breeze of the air and you know that it went through the leaves of a tree that probably tripled your age. Your skin tells you more about the place that you are in than the map that is in your phone. Your feet racing against each other and your hands reaching for the very first thing that it can be allowed to touch. Because at one point, I felt all of that.

            When we went to Batangas in February of 2020, I never thought that that would be my last trip for that year because after that, the pandemic happened. We went to the Parish and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio to celebrate Padre Pio's feast on that day. So a lot of people were there, also a lot of familiar but new accents for my ear. We all know that Batanguenos have their own distinct accent which makes you automatically smile when you hear it for the first time in person.

            Perhaps I am just an alien in that place who was so curious on what was there to do, see, hear, and feel. The air was so peaceful, not because it was quiet, but because it was so loud. The voices coming from different people different using accents and tones that were not heard in my hometown; the leaves and branches rustling above because of the strong wind that I mildly feel from below but still, I know it's strong; then the candles, not even fazed by the wind, able to withstand it and fiercely burn brighter than the sun rays; the incense were all over the place keeps my nose accompanied. The air was cool but the sun felt so warm on my skin. All my senses never felt lonely, I've never felt so occupied.

            After I've familiarized myself with my surroundings, my heart felt welcomed. Suddenly, the bell on one of the chapel rang signaling the start of the mass. It was like a shepherd guiding the sheep towards the destination – which was the chapel. The whole place has three chapels and depending on the schedule, they take turns on where mass would be done. When we got there, the mass was being held at the main chapel. I knew it was the main chapel without even asking if it were because apart from being the first one to see when you get past the entrance, the chapel was noticeably more eye-charming than the others. On the inside, the statue of Christ and God holding him up from behind – probably as large as a car – was attached to the dome-shaped roof with a skylight directly above it. Most of the material in the chapel was made from bamboo which made it look more Filipino.

 

            When the mass ended, I felt my knees touching each other to stop my urge to pee. Luckily, my younger cousin also needed to pee so I got somebody I can go with because I didn't know where the restroom was. So at first, we went to the market area and surprisingly, there were Muslim vendors in a Catholic church. They were selling souvenirs and some were selling candles. It made me realize how the world progressed into a more welcoming culture no matter the religion. So we asked one of the vendors about the restroom and they gave us directions but we still didn't know what it looked like. His accent was bisaya but we weren't that surprised because we hear it every time.

            So when we got to the front of the rest room, -- we didn't know that it was the restroom yet -- we asked the lady in front of the door where the restroom was and then the man behind us started talking, "Taga-Cavite kayo no". I was dazed, I said "Opo", then he followed it with another question "Saan sa Cavite?" so I answered him "Sa Tanza po" and then the lady and him said "Dine ang banyo" and then pointed at the door. I thanked them and went inside. I talked to my cousin and asked him if we have a distinct accent because I was so amazed that they knew. My amazement was later overshadowed by the accent I just heard, it was the classic Batangueno accent that I often hear on TV. My cousin and I were both so happy to hear that accent and we talked about it on the way back to our family.

   

            After that, we explored the place. There were a lot of places where you could get holy water but at the back, there was a fountain on which you can make a wish and throw a coin or bring a bottle and take home some water. Some even washed their face in there but obviously, no one in there drank it, at least none that I saw – I really hope there’s none.

            On our way out, we noticed how they did not change the landscape so there was a lot of climbing up and down we did when walking. The pathway was also full of colors and peaceful aromas because of the flowers and plants along it.

        We also went on top of the tower where you can see the entirety of the place and beyond. It was a four floor tower but the ground was uneven and it was on the elevated part. The sky was clear and I could see the distant mountain on all sides. I can see everything but knowing that that's how vast it was, it made me realize how small I really am; I've never felt so tall and small in my entire life.

        There was a concrete statue on top of each chapel, then mountains on the other sides. We got access to the tower by buying a 20 peso bracelet. I was surprised when I saw that I had a similar bracelet but I still bought one just for honesty.

            My cousin and I explored the place more. We walked and walked and walked until our feet hurt. When it was time to come home, My eyes were so tired, it could not wait to shut; my nose can only smell the scent of the van which was the smell of efficascent oil; my feet were numb from walking the whole day; my ears filters out the noise in the van and I can only hear the rain – perhaps the people in the van were just not making noise because they’re all tired too. Our bodies were too tired to talk or even check our phones so we went home, with our heart fulfilled and blessed.

            During the trip, I had the time to bond with my family spiritually. That was actually my first time since what? Probably my baptism. I had the chance to bond with my cousins who I rarely traveled with.

            If I didn't have the picture that I took and the souvenirs that we've bought, I would've probably forgotten half of the trip already. All I would've remembered was the time we had there where we were all in the church listening to the mass because that was the experience I will treasure the most – the bond that we've reestablished as a family.

            So I went home and everything I have felt there felt different here in my hometown. I was glad to come there but I was longing to come home because that's just me. I rarely travel and I feel the most comfortable at home, but when I went there, I felt welcomed. I encourage everyone, especially those who are like me who rarely travel.

            I want you to go out there, make yourself feel small, the world isn't just four walls, a ceiling, and a floor. Go out there and explore. Go somewhere a world away from home. Worry later about where you are going, as long as you’re with people you’re most comfortable with, no matter how far or near the destination is, your journey will surely be memorable.