MY SPELUNKING EXPERIENCE AT THE SUMAGUING CAVE

Lola Bebot, Lenlen and I were resting in our hotel room in AIM Lodge Baguio when Lola Bebot made a comment and started reflecting on our experience spelunking at the Sumaguing Cave. It really struck me when she said that going through that experience was like our journey to life. Going down the rocky path was really a big challenge for all of us, especially for cool Lola Bebot who is 65 years old. There were no clear steps and your judgment with the help of the guides will have to decide for you which stone or path to step and be sure you are safe. Going through it was really a big struggle. I reflected to myself and asked “Why am I doing this?” We just went on and on and on. I just answered my own questions and said I can do it…I just have to see what is really under that cave. It was really intriguing. But as my friends and I went farther down, the surroundings became cooler, there was lots of water over flowing the stone, then we started to see the different formation of the rocks. Although the highlight of the adventure was the hardships and challenges going through it but as I reflect and view the pictures that we took, I really could say it was well worth all the experience. The beauty under the dark caves was just too awesome and overwhelming as it reflected through the petromax lights the guides were carrying with them. After this experience, I can truly say that it has made me a more determined and confident person. It is like going through the struggles and challenges in life. No matter how bad the situation is, I always tend to look at it as what learning am I gaining from this. I do not dwell so much now on disappointments and I do not fear of what is ahead. I know God will take care of it and we just have to enjoy the journey as we get to the destination.

I really had a great weekend and it is surely one of my greatest trips in my lifetime. The experience I had made me write my reflections. To be honest, writing articles is not really my cup of tea, but this is one event I would like to share to anyone who will find the time to read it.

I do hope everyone will get to experience the trip to Sagada and Banaue at least once in their lifetime.…it may be roughing up and the trip was quite long and hectic. But when you have good company and everyone is willing to do the same activities together, then it really can surely be a memorable trip to experience. Call Destination Specialists if you want us to help you set it up. I want to thank the following well-meaning friends:
-Fr Tito my mentor and spiritual adviser who started of thinking of going on a vacation to Banaue and so I said I want to join him.
-Joey my other mentor and life coach, after hearing about our plans started to say that Sagada is in his wish list. So we all said lets all go to Sagada then. Unexpectedly the Sagada destination became the highlight and Banaue became an after thought. Since we were already travelling to Sagada we decided that we would just include Banaue in our itinerary.
-Our super cool Lola Bebot who inspired us all with her determination to do all the activities we had planned for this trip.
-The opportunity that Karla was able to join us. She is really a super travelling pretty companion.
-Of course my ever loyal, hard working and muy simpatica tour manager Lenlen. She had so many apprehensions travelling with me, as this is the first time we shared the room together… o diba i was a super cool travelling companion.
-My travel agent from Baguio, Arnel who was so kind to drive us to Baguio and back to Manila. He is such an unassuming and humble person. Thank you so much for all the accommodations you made for us.
-Our driver Elmer, who was so patient with us, especially when we would start our trips late in the afternoon and get to our destinations late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. We could not think much of the time as we just enjoyed every minute of it. He was a super driver.

We all enjoyed each others company and we all wished we had more time to do more activities in Sagada, Banaue as well as in Baguio. Anyhow, we all agreed that there will always be some other time to do another adventure. And on our next trip, we can invite more friends to join, as we are now confident to organize and make it memorable for everyone. But most of all I would like to quote Lola Bebot when she said “God is so good to us; He made us enjoy our trip”. Thank you thank you Lord!