Nabuntugan: A Travel’s Worth

by: Olwyn Jencsi V. Portades

Photo by: Rabas ni Drew

Fresh province air, rustling leaves and the sound of gushing water. This is just what everybody needs to take that lingering worry away and I’ve been to the perfect spot.

It was on a late afternoon in November when the crew got a move on to our next scene location, Nabuntugan River Park in Catamlangan, Sorsogon. Yes! Scene location, we were filming a project, worthy of a spot in our professional portfolio, The Golden Bell.

It has been quite a busy day at Catamlangan’s Chapel and everybody was already tired and dazed but we prepared and went on our way. Just a few meters across and ahead of the chapel, there was a small walkway that was steep, my round body could’ve just rolled down. We walked and passed a few square meters of rice fields bordered by tall grass and trees until we reached a cemented road again.

The sound of flowing water will fool you into thinking that the park is just around the corner. No, it was not yet the river but a canal of pristine and clean water that serves as the irrigation of all the rice fields along the paved path.

We took a turn; the houses were slowly fading into view. What could be heard was our laughing and trembling voices as we tried to walk on the narrow edge of the canal that was connected to the irrigations of the main road. Before I knew it, we were already surrounded by trees, elevated on hills that looked like man-made just so canal could pass through.

I stopped, looked down, trembled and teased by my groupmates. I could not move forward, the path was too narrow, the hand rails were gone. Everybody continued to walk but one other companion waited patiently. When she realized that my crying wouldn’t stop, she tried going down the canal, and boy was it shallow.

I cried for nothing and screamed in frustration along with the burdens of the time. I was relieved and thankful, and, lost. There were two paths up front.

My companion suggested I stay put and she’d walk the trail following the canal route and come back if the others were up ahead. They were and by the time I reached the edge of the river, everyone was laughing while crossing the river.

The Golden Bell Cast enjoying the river.

Why did we have to cross? It was already a thrilling adventure reaching the river bank! And then I stood still. I stood in silence as I found peace in the secluded area that seemed like a community that’s never been tainted by modernity and technology.

We were there for a while. And in that moment, I was able to breathe, reflect and appreciate the beauty of nature.

My only regret was that we could not stay a little longer. After a few hours, we returned, otherwise, darkness would’ve kept us in the river park.

Through this activity, I was able to ease the stress brought about by the changes caused by COVID-19 and I plan to share this peaceful place to the people who are in need of crucial quiet time.