Back in Butuan, we decided to take the guys of Philippine Roadtrip to one of Butuan’s most iconic places to visit—the Agusan River. The beauty of seeing this river always leaves me in awe and it was pure joy to see them bask in the experience too. I think the Agusan River is an untapped ecotourism destination and I would love to see more and more locals appreciate what’s in our own backyard and hopefully, by bringing the guys to the river, they too can understand why we keep pushing for this river whenever we talk about ecotourism and share with others what they have seen and experienced here.
We were also lucky that at the time of our visit, we were able to talk to some local Sapyaw Fishermen who shares their plight as fishermen. Lucky because we had a window of opportunity for the guys of The Philippine Roadtrip to help them. The guys donated solar lights to the community of the Sapyaw fisher-folk. (A Sapyaw is a traditional fishing vessel of the Butuanon, hardly seen because they are found close to the mouth of the river and Butuan Bay).
My husband and I were so encouraged and inspired by these three guys that we wanted to do something special for them, and for some reason, putting a roof over their heads for one night just didn’t seem to cut it, for us, at least. We then asked local paint artists to come together in a unified purpose of “snazzying” up their van Cupcake—a way for us and for Butuanon’s to just say “thank you” to these selfless men for helping our Filipino brothers and sisters in far-flung places in a way they know how. I know that I could never do what they have been doing and, somehow, we just wanted to find a way to say thank you and we’re so glad the Butuan local artists were generous enough to say yes to a unique opportunity.
We took the guys of The Philippine Roadtrip to one of our secret beach spots in San Isidro, Misamis Oriental and there we camped out with some of the local artists. Prior to a simple dinner, the artists sketched what their artwork would look like once they painted it on Cupcake. We all then proceeded to set up camp and shared stories over bottles of local rum, which funnily enough, most of us have not drank in a very long time. What was supposed to be a quiet and relaxed night ended up being loud and so much fun as we all shared stories, laughed and yes, drank the night away. We all seemed to be under a spell and just greatly enjoyed each others company. Paul eventually took out a box of fireworks which he said he had been saving the entire trip until a perfect opportunity came up and boy were we extremely touched (or remarkably drunk, depends on how any of us remembered it) that he decided that this moment with us would be it.
As we stared up at the fireworks, I could not help but have goosebumps all over. We were having one of those rare magical moments—moments that most of us seek out for in our lives. There we were, in our own little world, having the time of our lives among newfound friends. Friends you could only hope you’d cross paths with again.
The following day, the local artists got up early and started working on both sides of Cupcake and wow, I must say, it was pretty impressive and it made me so darn proud to be a Butuanon (or an adopted Butuanon, at least – since I just moved here two years ago). The artists painted iconic images that the three have seen and will see in our country. Images like the Philippine eagle, the Butuan Balangay Boat, the Batanes Lighthouse, and the Banawe rice terraces. The paint job was painstakingly done throughout the day and they all finished just in time for all of us to admire their work, and the sunset that accompanied the joyous moment.
As the sun started to set across the horizon and because the guys had to go on with their journey, one by one, we said our good-byes.
And as we did, we could not help but feel a tinge of sadness. When you meet people with the same heart and the same spirit, it buoys you up, and when you say good-bye, a small portion of your heart breaks a little too.
As the guys of The Philippine Roadtrip journey on, we wish them only the best that this trip has to offer. We hope more of us can be inspired by their videos, their photos, and their stories. They will come out of this experience changed, all for the better, and I know it. Â You cannot travel your country and not be changed by the people you have met, the stories you have heard, and the friends you have made along the way.
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