Unforeseen Events

Adventure (n.) 

an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity

In this modern day, a great new adventure probably awaits just around the corner. It might change your perception about the world and lead you to a different path or leave you craving for more, just like the movies. But what if a day in your life would exactly be like one? A movie. I fancy a lot of movies ever since I can remember, which was probably since my childhood. Our teacher often plays educational movies during our break-time and always ask questions after. It help me develop my interest in movies. I believe that movies are more than just a mere visual representation of stories ( Just a disclaimer, I am not a professional movie expert but a huge fan of the art) It felt like that it is the result of mischievous imagination of a person, lost in this world and tries to figure out which one he/she belongs to. It is the feeling while watching, that you are also the protagonist of the story in a parallel world. The feeling of being pulled out from reality and living in other shoes life becomes stronger on every failure and triumph. A fresh point of view in life, the birth of new hope that you crave in reality. From the wide variety of movies, it is more unique every time and makes you realize that you are special on your own way. I never have imagine myself to live in movies, but I guess fate makes a way.

For a young working adult such as I am, Sunday is the most anticipated day of the week because it is the rest day after all the buzz of the week at work. And of course, it is the only day to return to the safe nest after another great attempt of conquering the world. The reality is a fictitious idea in a children's eye but regardless, it is what it is! And never we have thought the this day would be any different from the previous Sunday's we ever have. Little did I know that Sunday, the 12th of January 2020 would be the most unforgettable day of our lives. 

Iskrambol. Photo taken in that day.

I can exactly recall that day, my typical lazy day. Our parents went in the City to buy a new Television set for their bedroom while me and my sister binge watch on Netflix after some tiring cleaning of the house earlier in the morning. At around two o' clock in the afternoon, one of Aunties told us some news about the earthquake that struck just minutes ago however none of us have felt it. We have no idea at all. Thus, we decided to go outside and talk it over with some little snacks. The sky was clear and blue, the day was not too hot and of course not cold for a tropical country but a very good time to have some ice scramble. Ice scramble - a shaved ice with food color, vanilla flavor and milk topped with marshmallows and wafer rolls. A sweet delightful Filipino snack that might nowadays can only be found in the provinces. While savoring our delightful smoothie, we decided to ask around our neighbors about the earthquake and yet to our dismay a huge mass of smoke was visibly sighted above our neighborhood roof. The advancement of technology have showed us that the Taal Volcano erupted and it was all over the news. From a colourful snack to the dim sky. It must be something you can only see in the movies. But this isn't the genre I am a fan of, I quite prefer a sci-fi movie with bits of humour but I guest at those times we do not have any choice.

In that instance, we swiftly packed our clothes and prepared for the worst. In just a matter of hours, the rain poured with particles of sand and the air smells like sulfur. Some of our neighbors have already evacuated, they rushed to the City before dawn. But my parents decided to wait a little longer hoping that it will just pass through. It was already dark when the electricity suddenly went off. From that moment, we knew that it would be worse. My imaginative mind is being uncooperative at any way. I cannot erase in my mind the scenes from a movie I watched eons ago. It was a movie about the sleeping volcano which erupted years ago that have shocked tourists in a snap. A cold, tingling feeling at the tip my spine struck. I felt the adrenaline spike in my body, I was anxious yet swift as my brother and I prepared our vehicle. We installed plastic board in our tricycle to serve as a protective barrier against the mud falling from the sky. After prepping, we immediately gathered to our tricycle with our things and followed our relatives to the safe place.
It was a rough journey to the City alone with the road all packed by vehicles leaving our town but it was worsen by the mud. At that time, all that I could do is to pray that everyone would be safe. The spirit of "bayanihan" - helping was awaken by the eruption of Taal Volcano. People living along the roads of Talisay-Tanauan Rd  assisted each vehicle that passes. They provided water in removing the mud from the windshields (cars) and hands (motorcycles) hindering our trip. After some stop overs, we finally arrived in the City. Luckily, one of my uncle had a brother in the area which our extended family slept over the night. After the news broke online, our friends and relatives reached us and asked about our situation. We informed them that we are safe and that we are in good condition.

Our photo after arriving the City

When you thought that the worse is over, it probably isn't. Throughout the night, we have experienced a series of earthquakes and aftershocks as the Taal Volcano rage continues. No one slept that night. More than that, the idea of tomorrow is more horrifying. What will happen to us? Where can we get our daily needs? What will happen to our house? To our source of livelihood? I was never been so terrified in my life. I guess it is really terrifying when your dull, boring life suddenly crumbles before ones eyes, when your rat race life became a norm routine. Tomorrow became foreign to us. 

Peryahan

It was only yesterday when me and my cousins visited the funfair in our town. We played games, ate snacks, strolled across the town, went home to play Jenga and watched a movie. It was a classic kind of definition of fun we always had on weekends. But all of those faded in just a snap...

I never imagine such tremendous event was bound to happen that day because actually I was quite busy thinking about my career plans this year. I was preparing to shift gears and start a new.

But maybe, it was a sign for me.

All the plans, I've made was left hanging. Yes, I'm quite ambitious and takes life too seriously but you can't blame me for my experience since childhood have taught me to be tough and never stop grinding until the sand is pure.