Island's Timeless Life

When I was a kid, time appeared at a halt. I always find myself being impatient. I couldn’t care less of the present situation. Yet, as I thrust myself onto my middle years, time seemed reduced. I was trapped looking for justice and peace at some things that’s really disturbing me while growing up. No, I’m not talking about mysticism or holiness. I’m talking about the distinctive implication of a “timeless life” has for Kamigingnons.

To my neighbors and married relatives, “timeless life” is waking up with the chicken’s clucking so early in the morning and doing the laundry while watching their favorite TV shows in the afternoon. To my father, “timeless life in the island” is going to his farm in the morning and a “karaoke” time with friends before dinner. To my mother, “timeless life in the island” is eating sea foods, leafy vegetables and surrendering herself at the balcony on twilights while talking loudly to some neighbors that passes by. To Kamigingnons, “timeless life in the island” is a reunion with neighbors along the streets before sunrise and after sunset. To the innocent kids, “timeless life in the island” means playing on some empty roads, screaming endlessly in the fields, and swimming eternally on the blue seas. To tourists, “timeless life in the island” is exploring the paradise within.

So, why do “Kamigingnons” choose to stay in the island where life seemed so slow and opportunities don’t come so easy? Why do they prefer to come back after finishing a degree from popular universities in the country? Why do “Kamigingnons” love to retire in the island after saving so much money from working here in the US? Why do “Kamigingnons” decide to live in the island where there’s only one small theatre and no big shopping malls? Why do “Kamingingnons” opt to reside in the island when there’s not enough medical assistance available?

And for just a simple reason: life in the island is worthwhile. We love knowing our neighbors more and care for each other like a big, intimate community. We’re just happy knowing that eating a healthy meal is enough to worry about. And asking for some leafy vegetables, a small amount of rice or grain of salt from a neighbor is tolerable. We are assured that when we cry for help in the middle of the night, neighbors will be swarming around and are always ready to help. We’re not bothered so much about our health problems and wished to die not knowing the scientific terms. We relied so much that our faith will heal us. And if there’s no way to survive, we’re certain that life is worth living.

We don’t have to put through all the traffic jams and heavy pollutions. We may not have the largest productions/industries and highways but we enjoy our natural resources- the cold, hot springs, the two- smaller white islands, clean beaches and the breathe of fresh air. We take pleasure in its serenity.

All of these that I had enjoyed while growing up in a tiny island. The simple things that only simple and ordinary people can appreciate and if you’re grateful enough, you’ll learn to discern that living within your means is like living in paradise.

**************

"Camiguin is a small island province of the Philippines off the northern coast of Mindanao.It is composed of 5 small towns and a population of 81,923. The main occupation of the people is fishing and farming, with copra providing the greatest income contribution. Other plantations are rice, mangoes, lanzones and other fruit trees." ---Wiki