Time freezes in this serene setting, dominated by lush green grass in front of a circular lake entirely surrounded by heaps of towering trees. We were only here for a couple of hours, but it seemed like more than enough time to properly clear my mind of all big city worries. Prior to our visit, I had only heard and read about Lake Apo. I expected it to be much larger, so expansive that you wouldn't have to hear the exuberant yells of children echoing from the other end.
In reality, it was much smaller and significantly more charming. I could clearly hear the kids playing from the opposite side, where a few traditional nipa huts dotted the lake's edges. These are the exact kinds of tiny houses I often fantasize about having as my retirement home. I thought to myself, "I could retire here." A small wooden cabin and the peaceful atmosphere of this location would serve me exceptionally well.
Growing a Three-Day Moustache at Lake Apo
A Time for Contemplation
I separated myself from the rest of the group and sat alone on a small jetty near a wooden treehouse. I enjoyed the gentle, cool breeze while gazing at the pristine reflection of the trees and sky mirrored perfectly in Lake Apo's glassy waters.
I had only recently left a traditional job that guaranteed me a bi-monthly salary but utterly denied me the absolute freedom to do whatever I wanted. That exact moment of uncertainty lying ahead is what usually prevents me from looking forward. Yet, the picturesque scenery of Lake Apo stared back at me, slowly unlocking my mind and silently heralding the answers I so desperately needed.
To say I had a sort of epiphany would be an understatement. I realized right away that I'd never actually see raw places like this if I was more concerned with occupying a sterile office room with a city view of Makati's endless traffic. Not that I don't enjoy moving cars and vibrant city scenes; it's just that too much time is often wasted chasing something abstract while wholly neglecting to truly live. You absolutely must strike a delicate balance between the two.
While deep in thought, I suddenly realized that I'd taken this whole contemplation thing entirely too far, so I stretched my legs out and lied down flat, facing the vast sky. "This isn't the place to be concerned about life's big decisions," I told myself, because tomorrow will effortlessly present itself in its finest, most natural form.
Embracing the Uncertain Future
But the general sense of calm quickly returned me to consciousness. This is the exact scene that came to mind when my boss informed me that the company was letting me go. The journey of five and a half long years had suddenly come to an end. I spent the next few weeks relentlessly racking my brain, desperately trying to decide whether I should go out and look for another stable office job or just live the nomadic life I'd always wanted to have.
A simplified life, perhaps, but one packed with numerous opportunities to see not just more of my own beautiful country, but other nations as well. There would be no guarantee of a steady twice-a-month salary, relying instead on an online freelancing gig that fluctuates exactly like the weather—raining one time, only to be dry and humid the next.
Earlier, on the way to Lake Apo, as I sat precariously on the edge of the habal-habal with the driver in front, Ferdz next to him, and Alex in the middle, we passed by a long stretch of rough road sandwiched neatly between lush corn and sugarcane plantations. Thousands of tiny flowers held up by each sugarcane tassel stretched from our immediate view into the misty distance. As the golden rays of the nearby fields gracefully returned to my eyes, each passing picture provided a deeply pleasing scenery.
This is the kind of visual feast that makes me profoundly grateful for the time I now have to simply stop and appreciate the finer, slower details of the world.
I recall sitting right there on the jetty, running my fingers over my mouth, and feeling my mustache almost scrape the skin of my hand. Either it sprouted a three-day growth rate in a matter of mere minutes, or I had just finally learned to cut the crap with the rigid normalcy of shaving, dressing up, and commuting to work.
This happened during a leg of the #TravelMindanao campaign to effectively promote tourism in the region, and I had only recently joined the group in the Bukidnon region. At that specific moment, I firmly believe I was finally certain of what I wanted to do with my time on earth. I boldly decided to steer my future toward the life I had always desired.
My silent sit-down at Lake Apo was not an earth-shattering, life-changing experience by any means. But if there was one key takeaway, it was that this week-long excursion allowed me to honestly prioritize what I really wanted out of life. I had sat isolated in a gray cubicle for so long that my feet deeply deserved vibrant and diverse days of exploring new places.
A Hitchhiker's Guide to Freedom
We collectively decided to leave Lake Apo when it was nearly dark. We then went to Shugah's house to warmly say hello to her parents. Deciding to return to our hotel a little later, we eventually found ourselves standing stranded on the side of the road when absolutely no buses were running the route anymore. I didn't care if we arrived at midnight without a ride; all I cared about was that we were out having unscripted fun.
We decided to just hitch a ride on the very next passing vehicle. I had never taken into account the sheer excitement of becoming stranded in the middle of a dark, rural road. I felt as if I had successfully abandoned the heavy baggage of excess uncertainty deep within the still waters of Lake Apo.
We flagged a truck down with our hitchhiking thumbs, and the driver immediately pulled over, kindly motioning us to climb directly into the back. Passing by a pitch-black highway illuminated only by the bright, glowing moon, I could hear my friends' laughter ringing through the dark. The wind hissed right behind my ears, as if actively whispering to me, "worry no more."
Right there in the back of that truck, I silently thanked my boss for finally letting me go and freeing me from the heavy cuffs of my office desk. Even if this is only a brief, passing period in my life (and ultimately I might find my way back to the corporate world), I'd always look forward to the day when I could express my absolute gratitude to good karma for bestowing such an incredible blessing in disguise.
Shugah Pauline Gonzales
She joined our Creator on December 3, 2018. The blonde-haired girl on the right in the photograph below. She will always be remembered for her vibrant spirit and love for adventure.
