How many times have I ever gone up the mountains? Not that many, 10 times at the most. The first few attempts I’ve had climbing a mountain were with the Probe Team in Mt. Dulang-Dulang in Bukidnon and Samal Island in Davao. Those were such unforgettable coverages that still bring back fond memories even after more than a decade.
Last week, our Lingkod Kapamilya team hiked to Brgy. Kagbana in Burauen, Leyte to bring school supplies to an elementary school. I was informed that it was to take us five to six hours to get there from Tacloban — about an hour to Burauen, then from there 45 minutes of rough roads on board a habal-habal and three hours of hiking.
Each time I do an out-of-town coverage, I brace myself for the worst, and the most difficult scenario. The hike to Brgy. Kagbana entailed some mental preparation for my lampa self. To my surprise, the trek was not as difficult as expected — owing to the hours of exercise I’ve invested the past four years.
After climbing a few mountains and crossing rivers, we finally reached the summit — Brgy. Kagbana.
“Thank you for visiting us,†the brgy. captain greeted us in the vernacular. “It’s difficult, right?â€
I replied, “It’s hard for us because we don’t live here. But if you can do it, then we can do it, too, but maybe in time.â€
Hiking time to Kagbana varies, obviously depending on whose pair of legs we’re talking about. Some people take three hours — muscle cramps and panting included. Our team did it in a little over an hour. The locals sprint through the mountains even with a sack of rice on their shoulders. If you live there, it’s a cinch climbing mountains. But to foreigners, a few minutes feel like eternity. When the guide informed us that the community was located behind four mountains, I thought to myself, “How did people end up living there?â€
The brgy. captain who greeted us was born in Kagbana. He told me that people have lived there since the ’40s. However, it seems that not much has progressed in the barangay. Or perhaps, whatever progress there was before must have been washed away by Supertyphoon Yolanda.
Located amidst the mountains, houses now were made from wood — sourced from the timber surrounding the community. Apart from the houses, there was not much of anything else. They have vegetation, thanks to the soldiers stationed in the area. In the foyer of some houses hung shreds of rattan, which will be made into baskets. That was it. There was not even a tiny sari-sari store. This would pretty much give you an idea of the buying capacity of the residents of Kagbana. Camote is their daily fare because it easily grows in the wild. Life in Kagbana is as simple as it gets.
The students politely greeted us, “Good morning, visitor.†The classes are multi-level, meaning students from different grade levels share a common classroom because there are only very few classrooms versus the number of students. The smallest classroom was something like three by four meters — occupied by students in higher grade levels. I learned that students in Brgy. Kagbana usually finish elementary only because secondary schooling is inconvenient.
Usually, the teachers stationed in Kagbana Elementary School are new hires like 27-year-old teacher Rossel who waited for five years before she was officially accepted to teach. Grateful, she said, “I’m happy to make my family proud.†This despite not having received her salary for two months. She is proud to be a teacher, never mind if she only gets to see her family twice every month.
I somehow understand the fulfillment that Teacher Rossel derives from teaching as I watched the students counting, as I listened to the students telling me their names and their aspirations. Teacher Rossel imparted to the children something priceless — something that makes a lasting impression on the lives of the students. It’s not only about education, but inspiring the children to continue dreaming.