Behold! This post is photo blogged 
When my little daughter’s school had an outreach program last January 5, we were very hesitant to allow her to go. Because, we knew the road going there is not only narrow and dusty, but somehow reminiscent of Baguio City. Sans cemented road. Frequent landslides have caused parts of the area always closed to vehicular traffic.
The parents ( of Grade 1 and Grade 2 pupils) could not complain, as the Barangay which was assigned to us was the one that our parent leader had picked in a manual raffle. Hence, everything was planned. Each pupil had to bring gifts for the kids of the community. We also need to bring foods for kids and their parents. A short program was to be choreographed, too. All in the spirit of teaching our kids the virtue of giving and sharing.
The reason why me and the hubby could not let the chance passed by our daughter. Trekking a community up the mountains for a good cause.
Barangay Labi is the last Barangay constituent of our town that borders Aurora Province. Cemented road ended at the foot of a mountain at the end of Barangay Calaanan.
From there, we zigzagged through narrow roads. By the way, this was also the same road en route to Baler. A town in Aurora which is becoming famous for its beaches and surfing areas. But, then, this national road was closed. Tourist who will want to go to Baler will have to take the Pantabangan (Canili) Road. A higher trek for vehicles but said to be more stable.
Most vehicles running by here were trucks loaded with light supplies. We have to stop in corner roads once a truck is passing. As we passed by few more hills, we were in awe with nature’s best scenery…lush forests, rivers cascading down the hills, limestones huge as a building, magnificent trees, wild flowers, sound of chirping birds, and couple of small waterfall cascading through huge boulders and onto the road…
We couldn’t help but stopped by on one. Too careful not to break the silence of the surrounding. All we can hear was the cascade of water coming down from a cliff. I wonder when torrents came hard at this area. Rocks may be sprawled on the road, preventing the community people to crossed the area. How can they reached/bought supplies at the town area?
I wonder how old may this tree be? I prayed that illegal loggers who frequent this place spared the trees here. Mighty trees. I shall pray for you.
Zigzagging more and passing by groups of small huts, we reached our destination.
One car was needed to be pushed up because the road was too muddy, tires were sliding.
Finally, we arrived at our destination. The school is perched on a hill. Most of the building were apparently newly built. The views were amazing. Mountains on all direction. Greens.
Greeted by drizzle which were frequent in higher altitudes. Hence, as we alighted, we felt the cool breeze. Brrrr…
And, soon after wards, a prism of colors greeted us, too. I’ve seen couple of rainbows, but, this one’s truly transcendent. It’s almost like you can touch it and go over it. The feeling is exulting!
And, as the guest pupils and parents gather in a small, cramped room and began the program, me and the hubby and other parents wandered off the place where we find refuge from the morning breeze and the drizzle at the native huts (kubo) which serves as rest area for the school children. Noticed that the “kubo” was disheveled. One parent told us that the place was constantly visited by violent winds. Oh! Rain, floods, landslides, winds. What else could have this community endure?
Flash floods? Yes, frequent. The twin typhoon last October had caused the approach of this Labi Bridge to collapsed. Isolating the main Barangay which was at the other end of the bridge. During the flood, locals were evacuated at the town’s gymnasium until such time flood waters receded. It was a common sight typhoon after typhoon. The town mayor had continually pleaded the locals to evacuate the place and had set up relocation area for them, that is, the area around where the school is built. Nonetheless, people opted to stay on and continue to ignore the danger the river had posed.
Coming here some five years ago, I noticed at how the river had changed its course. Eating parts of the mountain where I stood near, causing the fall of the bridge. The cliff was 4-storey high.
How, then, the people could pass by? Locals built footbridges. Noticed the kids/parents passing by? We follow them after the program. We were saddened by how much danger they have to go through without the bridge. Especially for the small children who were going to school everyday.
I wonder when will this bridge have the chance to be rebuilt again. DPWH, are you there?
The day was very enlightening. We do not regret allowing our little grade schooler see the plight of other kids. It humbles them to see that they needed to value whatever luxury that they were enjoying and hoped that in their young minds impacted a thought that there are unfortunate little ones who were missing out on, among other things, basic necessities of life.
My share for Green Monday, Mellow, Yellow Monday, Blue Monday, Ruby Tuesday, Color Connection
(Enjoy greens, yellows, blues, reds, and a whole rainbow of colors here in this post.)
Oh ate Riz, this is indeed a truly amazing experience not only for the kids but for adults as well. This kind of thing is usually my examples to my kids whenever they are being maarte. I want to open their eyes to the situation that other kids in the world, esp. in the Philippines are experiencing. I love community services like this, I have done this when I was in college and graduate school and it’s a very uplifting!
same here, i always tell them to value every stuff bought for them, wag nagsasayang ng food, wag palagi nagpapabili ng toys…always be humble and try to enrich themselves para when they grow up, in simple ways, they can also help other communities.
what an inspiring story this is Sis
our kids are grateful that they have school that is accessible. I liked the pictures and beautiful views too. Returning the visit from Color Connection.
thanks, jess, for the visit.
we are all should be grateful for the things we have and not have.
wow it was so noble of you to visit this place. This reminds me so much of the outreaches we do in the mountains of Bukidnon. REturning the visit you made in Bustling Bangkok!
bukidno’s have been recently flooded, db? ang kalamidad nga naman, mahirap harangin, tao’y dapat palaging manalangin.
This is such a great learning experience for the kids. Likewise a valuable adventure for all. I love exploring remote places such as this especially where there’s a river or body of water. It gives me extraordinary high.
Lovely site here! See you again and God bless!
thanks tita beng for coming over. i saw fantastic adventures at ur site, as well.
This post should be addressed to the concerned agency above. I am inspired by just imagining how little children cross the bridge everyday going to school.. Anyways, such a great feeling to reach out. I always remind my children how lucky they are and they should not ask for more. Btw, how I wish to be there too and take all the pictures I could get, so beautiful. No doubt why people still chose to live here despite the many nature disturbances.
thanks, too, nuts for visiting. i’m wishing the govt could allot funds for the much needed infrastructure here. sana lang di maging c5
You indeed have a wonderful experience. Kahit na sobrang layo at sibrang hirap ng pinagdaanan ninyo para lang makapag share ay GO pa rin kayo…
Sana marami pa ang kagaya ninyo para marami din ang ma bless…
Visiting you back Mommy Riz… Thanks so much!
i’m inspired. thanks rovie for uplifting our spirits more.
wow! what an eye-opener…I would love to go places like this…sarap nang adventure!
eto ung mga type ni hubs, before exploring other places daw, we have to know and discover our own, first
thanks for sharing your experiences sis. if its me, i would be hesitant too, but good thing u didnt let it pass, coz its a good experience for ur kido coz they will appreciate life even more.
great experience for me and the hubs, too. seeing the plight of others has somehow brought realization into us.
oh no, the road going to Baler is still this rough road? gosh, we drove here almost a decade ago and i was hoping this road has already been concreted. i wonder where the pork barrel of the congressmen went.
i’m glad you accompanied your daughter to this outreach. this kind of activity opens our minds. the views are beautiful but i can only imagine the difficulties of residents here during typhoon season.
a decade passed by should have been more “improvements”. unfortunately,as per as infrastructure were concern, NIL
always wondered what’s the pork for?
road leading to baler no longer passed by our town, the route’s now were at Pantabangan, i heard it’s cemented.
how could then, travelers/tourist experienced “it’s more fun the Phils.” if they wouldn’t open doors to such beautiful places? infrastructures should be there first.
thanks, luna for the interesting comment.
Please add the link to Blue Monday and return to link in again:
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com
That’s fun..Visiting from MYM!
Nice photos, I like this place, definitely a fun and nice experience. Greetings.
I see a rainbow did you see it? It’s in the photo where your daughter is. It’s above the mountain. Every time I see a mountain and it looks like it’s balding, naku ang sarap talaga taniman nang kadami daming kahoy. I don’t know why the national department who take care of natural resources will not give at least 20 trees to plant in the property of each house hold. Sa ganun maraming kahoy sa paligid nila. Thanks for sharing and the visit too! ^_^
Kim,USA
oh, yes, manang kim, i was lucky enough to catch the rainbow before it fizzled off.
Thank’s for sharing the photos. What a big difference living in the city and in the province. Life is tough but tougher when you live in the province that is very limited:(
Visiting for Mellow Yellow Monday! Hope you can stop by:)
http://www.cassandrasminicorner.com/2012/01/lysol-disinfecting-wipes.html
life in the province is simpler, but, then, we are not spared of social illnesses. but, there is always room for optimism.
Great pictures and beuaitul views Sis
Visiting from Green Monday, hope that you can return the visit too.
Visiting again this time from MYM, hope that you can return the visit too.
what happened to the bridge? I miss going to an outing. thanks for joining and hoping to see you next green monday