THE MAGIC OF MALUMPATI HEAD SPRING

By Jonathan Severino, Philippines

It has been five years since I came here in Pandan. Within those years, I didn't have any idea of Malumpati, of its great mystery and where its pristine waters come from… there was only one question running in my mind: IS THERE ANY MAGIC THAT LIES WITHIN THIS RIVER?

Last May 26-28, 2005, PAGTATAP Youth Camp answered my questions. The camp had a hiking activity that made me more interested to know the magic in the mysterious river.

I experienced a long trek just to get to that headspring. In this trek, I learned so many things. I learned to be more patient. Even if I was too tired, I must continue my journey. I learned to have courage to overcome my fears and fight my heartbeats. When we entered the forest, I felt like we had placed ourselves in danger. I knew there were lots of poisonous snakes waiting for us to be their prey. So I also learned to be calm, open-minded, and to be prepared. Because of this trip, I can now call myself "A FIGHTER."

Before we set out, one of our facilitators, Sir Alex, gave us an orientation. Our difficult hike took almost one hour of continuous walking and running. Everyone had his own experiences to tell. Someone shouted to stop just because she was afraid of a cow and couldn't pass the road. Someone slid on a rock and asked for help. Someone accidentally threw her slipper on a slope and asked some "brave" guys to get it. These were just a few of them.

Before we got to the headspring, we had to surmount many obstacles. We climbed a sloping and stony hill that made us pant for breath. We nervously crossed a hanging bridge that made us pray for our lives. We crossed large and pointed stones. We encountered the itchy bite of forest ants which made us watch our steps. Some plants gave us allergies. However, through it all, the excitement of seeing the magic of the Malumpati headspring made us forge ahead and make light of the obstacles we encountered.

When we were approaching the headspring, I saw the majestic stillness of the water. I was amazed because it didn't move like in the lower parts. I was expecting a raging flowing water from the headspring that supplies the whole river system. I then asked myself where the river gets its water from, why the lower part of the river has enough fresh water while the source is in stillness. Is this the magic I was thinking of? Is this the magic of the Malumpati headspring?

The water reflected the blue sky. It was amazing indeed. There must be a supernatural being keeping and protecting the spring. A few minutes elapsed. I tried to discover and observe the place to find answers to my questions.

I tried to figure things out, but unfortunately I failed. It was starting to get dark, and it was time for us to go back to our campsite to prepare for our cultural night. While walking back, I asked myself, "Did I really fail?" Even though my questions were left unanswered, I smiled and proudly said to myself, "NO!" I didn’t fail because I had learned so many things in this trekking experience. "I HAVE BECOME A BETTER PERSON TO FACE THE WORLD AFTER THIS CAMP."

Issue No. 9

August 01, 2005

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Inside this Issue

HEADLINES
Page 1

PANDAN WOWS
Page 2

PAGTATAP YOUTH
Page 3

CAMP WITH NATURE
Page 4

THE PERSONS BEHIND
Page 5

THE TALK
Page 6

A SHOWCASE
Page 7

THE EARLY TASKS
Page 8

THE MAGIC
Page 9

VOLUNTEERISM
Page 10

BEHIND THE TENTS
Page 11

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