According to the band Meat Puppets, bad folks end up in a lake of fire. The good folks, though, end up in some scenic lake elsewhere. I have strong reasons to feel like we were a bunch of good folks heading directly to Bulusan Volcano Natural Park that specific day.

Accompanied by the humble Mayor Ronel Lim of Gubat, Sorsogon, and just a day removed from kick-starting our book sharing project, we enthusiastically set foot and gazed our tired eyes at this massive body of water completely covered by a lush, primeval forest.