Gazo: A perfect ‘ten’

THE best part about being a tour guide is the opportunity to travel. Tour guiding or escorting also opens opportunities to meet wonderful personalities.

It was, then, a pleasure to accompany 10 graduates of West Visayas State University College of Medicine Class 1976. I had been with them in 2016 guiding them around Negros Occidental for three days.

In December, 2017, the class’ annual renewal brought them to Negros Oriental and I was invited to join the group again at the behest of the soft-spoken and statuesque Kabankalan-based Dr. Natalia Cabansag.

A total of only 10 classmates were able to make it to the reunion, yet they all had a fantastic time. Present were Doctors Andrea Joanne Alerta Torres, Natalia Trangco Cabansag, Aurora Nena Napulan, Menchu Villodres Diana, Steven Bacalian, Rachel Abas Rull, Mary Ulyssae Elizabeth Sogono, Joyous Jan Cuevas Santos, Jennifer Zapanta Murga, and Elvira Penasa Sinoro.

Despite their lack of sleep the night before, the good doctors were game in tackling two caves in Mabinay, the Caving Capital of the country. Among the 45 explored caves, Crystal Cave and Panligawan Cave are perfect for beginners, but beginners should have strong enough knees and gripping to steady themselves over the rocky pathways. The classmates, now in their 50s, proved that they were still as strong as oxen when we explored the dark caverns of Mabinay. It was a feat to emerge from the caves unscathed. We thank our two experienced caving guides leading the way.

As if the Mabinay exploration was not enough adventure, we went straight to the Twin Lakes up in the mountains of Sibulan. It was breathtaking in the high elevation partly because the view was framed by the fog, and partly because the road to there was narrow and constructed on the cliffs. Hooray for our expert coaster driver John who made the long journey less worrisome and worthwhile.

The lakes were placid and clean and are truly wonders of nature. The lush mountain forests rimming the banks became the serene, refreshing backdrops for our weary travelers who took time out from their demanding professions.

Batch ’76 was billeted in the private and pretty Tierra Alta tucked in the hills of Valencia. The white curved structures are reminiscent of Santorini and our physicians took out their outfits of the day to take advantage of the sights for their group photographs.

It was non-stop “piktyuranay” on the second day, too, which was the main touring day. The ladies went crazy over the products of Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage (Noah) in Bacong which were jewelry boxes, home décor, jewelry, and even stone renditions of paintings all made of semi-precious stones. The craftsmanship is superb, the products world-class. Congratulations to its owner Miss Deddy Yee!

Just a stone’s throw away from the Noah showroom is the sinamay weavers’ workshop. This business helps this association of sinamay weavers fill orders for their sole product which is plain woven sinamay fabric that has buyers in as far as Laguna. I am so happy for the girls and for local culture because the women earn a living, and a local artisanal craft continues through the ages.

One of the group’s favorite spots was Pulang Tubig and everyone was ready with their colorful caftans to wear at the photoshoot. Dr. Steve Bacalian brought along his drone to document the trip better and probably to show to the absentees what they were missing. The majestic waterfall spills into a huge natural pool surrounded by rocks and boulders making it a favorite destination even for pre-nuptial shoots.

Going back to Negros Occidental is not complete without making a stop at Tanjay for budbud. Buy this delicacy at the market and don’t forget to get a pack of sikwate tablea for your demitasse of chocolate “Eh”.

Negros Oriental is a paradise for nature-lovers. Nature heals and refreshes even the most harried individual. Our guests were willingly “trapped” into this trip far, far away to take a respite from their busy professional lives. This is probably what the doctor ordered.

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