Memoirs of an Amnesiac

Upon the invitation of a co-teacher to be a keynote speaker among the teachers at San Fernando Elementary School in Bislig, Surigao del Sur, I immediately said 'yes', thinking that apart from the lecture I was already excited about, I'm in for another set of adventure, this time, farther from my comfort zone, where they say, "everything comes fresh."

It was totally unplanned. My co-teacher-turned-close friend just invited me to visit their place for just a week and then I would already head home because I have an exam to take come May. Like all the vacations I plan each year, I make it a point to at least make an itinerary so I could also budget the expenses. What was interesting about my whole trip to Bislig was the fact that I only had to spend for my fare (back and forth). They will have to take care of the rest. The accommodation and the expenses incurred from the daily trips to tourist spots in Bislig was taken cared of by the Principal who thought about having me as the speaker for that summer's In-Service Training (a summer-vacation seminar for public school teachers).

Surigao was a totally new breath of paradise far south of Mindanao. It boasts of its unjaded beaches and islands that have remained unadulterated because of the efforts the government is keeping to preserve its natural beauty.

As a child, I am an avid frequenter (if there is such a word) of beaches and springs, (having spent some summers in my youth far south of Tuburan, my father's birthplace). So coming to one of Bislig's tourist spot, "The Enchanted River" was like a childhood treat. My eyes wanted to engulf everything, like an inebriated man who has not had quaffed liquor in years.

It was more than an hour drive from Bislig. We had to rent a public transportation aka jeepney in order to reach the place. I was with the teachers of San Fernando Elementary School. The whole travel consisted of a lot of bumpy roads and blind alleys. I was told the river had just been recently opened for the public so the roads leading there were not really developed yet. While it was scorching hot in Cebu during that time, Bislig's temperature was low. One thing I loved about the road trip were the trees I see around. In Cebu, I get to see less of them that is probably why it's hotter here.

"Did they put some coloring into the water?" was what my other co-teacher's (who was also new to the place) comment. Seeing the water for the first time would really make you think, the name 'Enchanted River' was apt for its pristine blue green waters.


The water was 26 meters deep. Despite my fascination with beaches and waters, I had not learned how to swim, much to my chagrin because the tourist guide there told us that a biodiversity of fishes stay underneath the cave. We were also told that the river was the shooting venue of the Tagalog movie, "Spirits". I had not seen the movie so I can't really testify much.

While there, we also took the opportunity to go island-hopping as the river leads to so many islands that are home to the pawikans or turtles. But when we got to the island, my friend was dismayed because she had intended to see some pawikans yet relieved at the same time since they have been released because of an order from DENR.


My whole visit to the river made me realize just how much I had missed visiting our country's hidden beauties. I wish to explore more and visit more wonderful spots in the Philippines before I even say goodbye to this country.

There is another invitation next summer. I'm very much excited. Can't wait to experience another beautiful spot again.