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By Gazelle Leanne T. Magpusao, Pandan, Antique, Philippines
October 28, 2004 - the PAGTATAP Youth's challenge. It was one
great experience. The service-oriented youth assembled very early that morning, ready
to leave for Malumpati. They were all excited, and who wouldn't be? They were having a break from school - a brief escape from exhausting lessons and school routines. And nothing was more
worthwhile and exciting than going on a trip to be close to nature and to bond with it.
But it wasn't simply a fun activity. It was also a call of service, part of PAGTATAP Youth's
mission to clean up one of Pandan's riches, the Bugang River, which is acclaimed as the no. 1 cleanest river in the Philippines. It was for this reason that the PAGTATAP
Youth of Pandan were giving their time and effort to do this clean up,
with the goal of preserving Bugang river's pride and reputation.
We reached Malumpati in good time. Our orientation was inspired by Nong Monmon Raymund Gumboc words, "You can actually be at home at this moment and enjoy a
sound rest, but why did you prefer to sacrifice your time to be here? It's because of service." Yes! It was indeed because we wanted to serve. We were on a mission.
We started our long journey to the head of the river.
Everyone was eager for it was our first time to see the wonders and
beauty of that secluded part of Malumpati. Along the rocky and slippery steep journey, plastics, empty bottles, and other non-biodegradable wastes did not escape our watchful eyes and our garbage sacks.
We were awed by the mysterious underwater
garden. It's unbelievable that plants could live in there.
It's unquestionably a wonderful creation of God's
artistic hands. We did not get tired of staring at
its beauty, but we had to keep going. As we trudged
onward, we were advised to be silent upon nearing the
head of the spring because it is believed that anyone
who reaches there with a silent and peaceful heart
will be welcomed by "something." It may be a mere
belief or an extraordinary fact, yet we were overwhelmed. You may wonder
what that could be.
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continued on page 6a
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