Yato Island and Rio Hondo encounters were a hit and I saw that people love to read my unexpected meetings with strangers. Now let me continue the feature with another story from Mindanao more particularly in Samal Island, that little isle east of Davao City.
My tweet the night I arrived at the Kaalim compound was, “I’m staying in a Muslim family here in Samal island. I feel like part of the family already. Asalam alaikum!”
Strangers who became my friends: Kuya Lek, Ate Frances, Mother Fely, Deejay, Abdul, Rashid, Nurj
Place of meeting: Brgy. Tambo, Babak District, Samal Island, Davao del Norte
Date: June 2011
Short background:
I was looking for a place to stay while in Davao during the 5th day of my Mindanao Backpacking Challenge and I was a bit surprise that someone from CouchSurfing texted me that I can stay in their place in Samal island. Although I really wanted to go to Talicud and Isla Reta, the couch offer was too good to be refused.
Ate Frances and Kuya Lek
Ate Frances, a couchsurfer, is based on South Cotabato and returns home (Samal Island) only on weekends. Talk about being in the right place at the right time, I was in Davao City on a weekend. After a lot of SMS exchanges I finally met her at Sasa port going to Samal Island. I was just planning to stay overnight but I was treated as a family member, invited for breakfast, lunch, dinner and tuba-drinking session not to mention given a room with a nice view of mangrove trees when I wake up. One night became 3 days.
Makes me question the common notion about “war in Mindanao” or “Muslim terrorists.” I tell you, if you haven’t been to Mindanao, you are missing a lot. I can boldly say that its one of the places in Philippines were I felt safe, I felt paradise, MINDANAO BLISS it is. Her people are nice and peaceful, her natural wonders beyond compare.
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For more information about MINDANAO BLISS, you can check out the Pinoy Travel Bloggers Carnival, hosted by Olan Emboscado, a proud Mindanaon, of The Travel Teller. You can also click the blog carnival logo for the archived list of previous topics.
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And how would I describe Mindanao?
“I would describe this blessed land to an unpolished gem, the beauty is within, and only the keen traveler can see, and find charm even in the most mundane of situations.”
Unforgettable Experiences:
Green Travel. The morning I woke up, I joined the kids of the compound to pick up some trash from the mangroves trees and finish off with planting 16 mangrove seedlings as a symbol of my 16-day challenge in Mindanao in the Vanishing island (Sanipaan island as locals call it). Not only did I saw the beauty of the vanishing sand bar, I trust that I did something to enhance that beauty. Thanks to Deejay for giving me that idea of doing something for the environment.
Where I and Deejay planted 16 seedlings of mangrove
Deejay prepares "kinilaw na salpo" with matching "tuba" at the Vanishing island
Samal Island Tour. My Samal experience would not be complete if I will not see what the island is known for. The next day, Kuya Lek, Ate Frances’ husband, offered to lend me his motorbike to have a tour. Along with Rahid and Adbul, we went to Mangongawong Falls and Cave in Tagbaobo, Licup Viewdeck, Canibad Beach and Montfort Bat caves.
Rashid, Abdul and I during one of our stops during the island tour
On my last night, I bought a whole chicken and we celebrated everything. I was thankful for having new Muslim friends. And I was surprised with a sketch drawing by Abdul. I almost cried when I saw this:
Samal Island tour sketch by Abdul
Before I left, Mother Fely told me that when I return I can bring the barkada (or the girlfriend) with me. Until now, she is asking when will I come back as the room and small house is always open for me. How sweet! She even accompanied me back to Davao City.
Mother Fely was so caring while I was in the island. Now I have a mom when in Samal.
Kuya Lek, Ate Frances, Mother Fely, Deejay, Rashid and Adbul, I will never forget the goodness you have shown to a sojourner like me. “JazakAllahu khair!”
Kuya Lek, your message is still in my inbox, “Your welcome kapatid. Our door is open for you. Come back anytime…”
Btw, here’s my last photo in their compound:
What flag is that hanging on the wall?
Is the flag familiar? 
STRANGE[R] ENCOUNTERS recount the encounters I had with the locals in the places I visit. It’s my aim that the reader would meet the individuals I will talk about. They have become a part of my journey here on earth.
We met and said “hello” as strangers; we bid “good-bye” as friends.
The common misconception of people when talk about mindanao is Dangerous. I was also in zamboanga del norte last month. All i can say is a peaceful Zanorte. I also agree when you said that mindanao is blessed land to an unpolished gem. Mindanao is beautiful and the people also…
i saw your dipolog entries and i agree with you, mindanao is a haven.
i think people just have to go there and find for themselves. that i think is the best way to know.
if im not mistaken, that is the flag of the Moro of MNLF.
yes.
Hello Kuya James! I’m glad I was able to read your tweet this morning. I never expected you were actually referring to us. Salamat anyway. And yes, you’re very much welcome in case you want to visit Samal Island again.
PS. My brother (Abdul) enjoyed your company so much.
wow! looking forward nurj!
please say my regards to abdul, i hope he still uses the travel mug i left.
I am pretty sure most of Mindanao is safe, and beautiful. I can’t wait to go there! I also have many Muslim friends. Yet… things are really going on, in Mindanao… i.e. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=673574&publicationSubCategoryId=200 (okay, basically, you can be worried if: you look wealthy, if your skin color is different – gosh! you’re worth $1-5mio – and if you’re a catholic priest).
corrine, it does not follow. we were in jolo, sulu together with foreigners – USA, from Timor Lorosae, Canada and Spain. nothing happened. your connections matters i guess, as well as proper coordination with the locals as well as the authorities.
priceless experience James! i would love to stay and be friends with a Muslim family too. =)
mag-iisip nga ako entry for this carnival…
chyng, you can come there anytime! just let me know para ma-connect kita. if you want pwede din sa zamboanga city or sa cotabato.
choose ka lang!
what an interesting bunch of people… i envy the way you travel ‘coz you always take the time to get to know and appreciate the people you meet on the road. i hope i can do the same in my future travels
as i always say, every one has goodness in their hearts.
here’s wishing that you meet nice locals on the next travel. ingats gladys!
Another challenge well done sir james! As a conclusion, we must not stereotype people based on their cultural or organizational affiliations because our ideals might be different, the individual quality of a person is still the most important thing and not the idealism of their org. #idol!
very nice conclusion, parang lesson lang sa classroom ah. but seriously, that is one of the things we must learn in our travels.
I have couchsurfed with with singles,couples,barkada.Parang gusto ko i-try mag surf with a family ah..
the time is NOW!
yeah to CS!
I’m from Mindanao and it gets kind of tiresome to always have to explain to people that the entire island is not a war zone and that not all Muslims are blood-thirsty terrorists. The media is often blamed for this portrayal of Mindanao but it would be great if Filipinos would also take the time to educate themselves about the place and the proper context of occurring conflicts. Nakakawindang na rin kasi makarinig lagi ng “Ah taga-Mindanao ka? Diba magulo dun?”
Anyhow, thanks for this post! Hopefully, more travelers going to Mindanao would finally dispel misconceptions about the place and the Islamophobia that a lot of people still harbor.
i envy you kasi you are from mindanao.
this ““Ah taga-Mindanao ka? Diba magulo dun?” is the biggest misconception about mindanao which i think is brought by media people.
i just wish that Mindanao would be seen in a different perspective in the days to come. that is why i always dispel the negative thoughts about mindanao.
thanks for sharing your piece turtletunnel!
@Turtletunnel
I agree with u!Blame it on the media!As what my Muslim friend once said,Christians and Muslims have a lot in common even in faith.People just focus on our differences.
Im happy to know that more people from Luzon and Visayas are traveling south.I toured 2 foreign friends in Iligan last weekend.T’was their first time in Mindanao and they love the place.
Thanks to people like James,who have only good things to say about my part of town!:)
ang cute ng sketch..nakakatuwa naman experience mo…maraming naburang mali sa isipan ng maraming tao dahil dito..
oo nga, they posted it sa tapat ng bahay para hindi daw nila ako makalimutan. *Sniffs*
thanks, i hope a lot will read and share this story.
it’s a great experience. it’s good that you had that chance. nakaktuwa na ginawan ka pa ng sketch. i grew up in mindanao and among 7 in our barkada, 4 are muslim and we had fun times. the sketch reminded me of our group because we were also making comics in high school.
bad thing is i cant recognize the flag.
wow, that’s new to me sir. you grew in mindanao pala. saan?
i have lots of muslim friends too. super loyal nila at di talaga ako kinakalimutan.
about the flag, will reveal soon!
Wow! what an experience! I think that drawing of you and the kids nailed it!
indeed, i almost cried when i saw it. nakaka-touch if they do something for you talaga.
So nice to read your travel blog. Keep it up James, maybe you will be the first Filipino that will visit the 7,107 islands in the Philippines if there is one I don’t know the person.
wow, that’s quite a feat! ang saya sana ng gnun kaya lang parang di pwede kasi i think more or less 2000 islands are named and most islands cannot be set foot on.
super thanks for visiting the blog!
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you did a very great job on this blog post sir journeyingjames
you captured the heart of Abdul and he was able to create a sketch for you..
thanks az! i hope i can still see that sketch when i visit them back
HI, Nice reading your post and make me feel proud also.. I wasn’t able to meet you coz I wasn’t there but thanks for the warm and nice description of my family… Really our house is like a home for everybody… Its open for everyone… Hoping to meet you also when I happen to be on vacation.. Thanks for blogging and featuring my very Big Happy Family…. Alhamdulillah you will be guided
hi fatima! sayang, we didnt meet. anyway, im going back by april siguro. Alhamdulillah
I’m from SAMAL Island,Davao. Thanks for the appreciation of our place. Been checking your site and I wish i can travel as you are, and its nice to know you’ve reached our place.