Day 5: La Carlota City to Yato Island (Guimaras)

La Carlota City Old Church. One of the very few churches of Romanesque Architectural design with its semi-circular arches, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church was made by the faithful through forced labor (Polo y Servicios) from red bricks coming from Silay and coral stones from Guimaras. THese stones were mixed with lime and bonded using eggs.

Central Azucarera from a far & a shot with the sugar canes on the foreground.

Central Azucarera de La Carlota, Inc. (CACI). “Central Azucarera de La Carlota, Inc. traces its history to 1916 when it was estrablished by the Elizalde and Ynchausti families at Hacienda Esperanza in La Carlota, Negros Occidental at the south base of Mt. Kanlaon. Prior to its establishment, there were already two sugar mills operating in the vicinity : Sta. Teresita and Kanlaon Mills. In 1920, CACI absorbed Sta. Teresita and Kanlaon and began its operations for crop year 1920-21.”

in Guimaras
Nauway Island, Sibunag. This is the first stop-over. This island is known for their crab culture. The boatmen unloaded the Styrofoam boxes with ice for the crabs. The crabs are to be delivered to Bacolod City.

Nauway Island, Guimaras (boat replete with crab catcher boxes)

Cabalagnan, Nueva Valencia. I ate my lunch here, a small town with a port.

Yato Island. An island off the shores of Guimaras, 10-15 minutes by boat inhabited by 11 families. The community composed of 12 families welcomed me as their own. I was welcomed as a traveler, but I left as a friend to them. Here I met Joven & John Robert’s family More of this on Day 6. I will definitely come again on this island. And because this place is simply amazing and captivating, I will post another blog about it. Revisit to view more of my photos from this small island.

Suman. Sticky rice cooked with coconut oil and placed inside a banana leaf or coconut leaf.

Sirum-Sirum on the inset (ESQ with orange juice)

Sirum-Sirum (its like anchovy, but better tasting). Tasted (as pulutan) some while I joined the Yato folks in their “shoting-shoting.” I had two shots of ESQ, again to show them that I’m with them. Very nice and good people.

Sir Warlito. The CACI head of security. At first he doesn’t want to allow me take some pictures but because of diplomacy, I was permitted (His “no” for an answer means try harder for me). He even treated me with coffee and bread from their canteen. Thanks Sir! You are doing your job well!

The passengers of the outrigger boat and Em-em

One of the boatmen (on yellow) and Mang Tomy (with a headdress)

Mang Tomy. The captain of the boat, he was serious and hard-working. Look at his eyes reflective of the hardwork he did over the years.

They were the ones who pointed me to Yato Island, they actually offered it for an adventurer like me. Cool guys!!

Raymund the conductor (one who gets the fare) and co. (See short story above). These people are very nice and cool! They even invited me to have some “shots” of the Bar. Who would deny that offer? In the many travels I did, “shotting-shotting” (drinking) is part of the culture. To drink is to be part of them. It is a string message that you are one of them, and you trust them well enough to use the same shot glass they are using. Hope to meet you again guys!

Ptr. Mark and some young people from Calvary Church

Ptr. Mark and some young people from Calvary Chapel Iloilo. Mr. Congeniality as I am, I smile to people I met. These bunch of cool Christians were with the same eatery the morning I arrived at Cabalagnan, Guimaras.

Joven & John Robert trying out my hammock

Joven (15yrs.old) & John Robert (10yrs.old). My tour guides, Joven stopped after graduating from highschool. He wakes up early every single morning to fetch water for the family. His younger brother, John is a curious boy, loves the sea creatures and knows where seashells can be found.

On a pumpboat to Guimars (thanks to 10-sec timer)

Some Reflections. I learned the simplicity of life and brevity of youth. The community in this island is devoid of material things, they have no electricity, no easy source of fresh water, no cellphone signal for Globe and poor signal for Smart but they are happy individuals. The kids play around while others get seashells during the low tide. (Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mt. 6:34 NIV)
I feel sad about the condition of Joven and his younger siblings, they don’t have access to informations as what Manila kids have. Their youth is so short that they are expected to be working after highschool.