Side trip at Buktot Beach in Mansalay

Our trip to Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro is almost over. Most of our companions that have joined The Lapis @ Papel Project already went back to Mindoro. But our trip to this town would not be complete if we don’t go to the beach. And that beach in particular is Buktot Beach.

Buktot Beach is not yet as popular as Puerto Galera but this beach is known to the people of Mansalay as Little Boracay. From the house of Ms. Liz, we would need to ride a tricycle to go to Buktot. We have a nice trip going to Buktot as you would not stop at getting awed at the picturesque landscape of Mansalay.

One thing that one should know about Buktot is that there is no sign of commercialism in the place. Basic amenities in the beach are just the small cottages and two bathrooms built of bricks with a curtain that serves as a door. Other from that you would only see two or three houses, bancas, trees and rock formations. Don’t forget to bring food and water as there are no nearby stores.

The sand is white and fine, that there is no trouble walking bare-footed. The water is clear that you can see if there are small fishes swimming. The sky is so clear that it left a beautiful blue reflection at the sea. The scenery is so breath taking that you can simply sit at the beach and watch the horizon.

After taking a short swim we decided to explore the beach. I was pretty curious with the rock formations aside that it was a nice place for pictures that I urged my friends that we went there. We continued to follow the stretch of rocks along the shores until we reached the side of the beach filled with mangrove trees. I specifically liked this place because of the good view it offers. Try to picture a beach with a tree, clear sky with fluffy clouds, and the mountain as a backdrop – this is what I like of Buktot – it is a perfect landscape.

We only stayed at Buktot Beach for around two hours; it is really just a short visit for we need to leave Mansalay at lunch time for us to get in Manila before sunset. Though the visit to the beach is short this is one of the beaches that is very hard to forget and always wanting you to come back.  

The Takbo.ph Runfest 2015

This is the second time I joined the Takbo.ph Runfest. This is one running event that I looked forward to since I learned of the event two years ago. The same as last year, I joined the 10K run. This year my sister did not join but my college friend together with her two officemates are the ones who joined me. They also registered for the 10K run.

The 21K run started at four in the morning while the 10K starts at five and the 5K will be at five ten. This year the Takbo.ph added another category for their annual event it’s the 500m event that starts at seven in the morning. The Make a Wish Foundation is the benefactor of Takbo.ph Runfest.

It was raining very hard the past few days that I am worried that the event would be cancelled. Fortunately there was no rain the whole night. The sky is not clear either because I can still recognize the dark clouds as I went to the venue. It did not rain during the event but it was hot, there was no wind even if you are running at the flyover.

One of the things I like about the marathons organized by Takbo.ph is that all of them from my experience are well-planned, the routes can accommodate all the runners, drinking stations are enough and well space and there are markers for almost every kilometer. I also like that they still give some freebies unlike the other expensive runs that don’t give out any more free stuffs. I also like their singlet design and material for this run unlike the singlet from last year.  The medal design is also very great. 

Lapis @ Papel Project 2015 Part II

Our Lapis at Papel Project 2015 did not end at Quinomay Elementary School. After having lunch at Quinomay, we are now headed to Salay Elementary School. We went down the mountain and rode again the dump truck and our other companions the tricycles. I was totally unaware of the hour and the length of our travel due to the bumpy ride that again we must endure. I think one of the consolations that we got from taking the ride at the dump truck is that we enjoy a good view of the town of Mansalay.

Since Salay Elementary School is not located in the mountains, we transferred from the dump truck to a tricycle when we reached a cemented road. Unlike Quinomay, the road going to Salay is less bumpy.

parents with the students waiting for us

We were welcomed by almost the whole community of Salay. Salay Elementary School is bigger than Quinomay, which is consisting of three buildings, in which one is still being constructed. There are also a lot more students compared to Quinomay. 

boys waiting for school supplies to be given to them

The principal and other school officials held a small program thanking The Lapis @ Papel Project for the school supplies that we will give. During the program, the principal told us that classes have not yet started at their school because students don’t have any school supplies that they can used. This is the reason they asked helped from the mother of Ms. Liz for any school supplies donation.

Ms. Liz giving out a message to the school

Students were asked to fall in line for the distribution of the school supplies. Meanwhile my friends prepared the items to be distributed while the teachers facilitates in taking care the line of students per grade level. Just like in Quinomay, we personally handed the school supplies to the students.  

the line of students

a friend of mine giving the school supplies

grade 2 and 3 students receiving school supplies

The school supplies that we have donated are not as complete like the ones in Quinomay. But we made sure that each students can received something that they can used may it be a pad paper, a notebook, pencil or ballpen. After giving out school supplies to every student, there are still some that was left. Games of Question and Answer and Bring Me were played and winners got the other school supplies and even some clothes and slippers. But the games were not just for the kids, there was also a game made for the adults that can win them a pair of slippers.

When all the donations were given out, the faculty and school administration treated us to a merienda of spaghetti, nilupak and suman.

The Lapis @ Papel Project 2015 Part I

I met Ms. Liz three years ago and we were still co-workers back then. We were hanging out at her room when she asked help about a social work that she was doing with her mother and boyfriend. She introduced us to her Lapis @ Papel Project (Pencil and Paper Project) that aims in helping the students of Mangyan tribe of the Mindoro Oriental province by giving basic school supplies.

I was already giving school supplies donation since 2013 and from then on I have also encouraged my other friends in giving out donations for the project. This time it was different as we also joined the Lapis at Papel Project in going to the Mangyan Tribe to give our donations face to face with the students.

It was Friday evening when we started our trip to Mansalay Oriental Mindoro. We have to ride a ship from Batangas Port to Calapan Por in Orinetal Mindoro. From Calapan Port, we will then take a van that from the port to the house of Ms. Liz. We left the Batangas Port at 10:30 in the evening and arrived at Calapan Port at 1:30 in the morning. The van ride from Calapan to Mansalay was two hours; we arrived at Ms. Liz’ house just before four in the morning. I took a quick shower before I decided to take a short nap. I needed to get a sleep as I know that I will need enough energy for all the activities we will be doing later in the morning.

At eight in the morning all is set for us to go to Quinomay elementary school – this year’s beneficiary of the Lapis @ Papel Project. To go to Quinomay elementary school, we need to ride a tricycle and then take a hike at the mountain and cross some rivers. But instead of riding the tricycle, my friends and I decided to ride the dump truck instead. The dump truck carries all the donation and food that we will bring to the school. As expected most of the road that we pass is not yet cemented so we had a bumpy ride going to the mountains.

the road going to Quinomay Elementary School

We reached a river and from here on we will be walking our way to the school as the truck and the tricycle can no longer pass the steep and narrow way of the mountain. The donations are carried by the Mangyan and we followed them as we walk upward the trail and cross some rivers. It’s amazing how the Mangyans were able to carry all the donations; some of them are even bare-footed. While we on the other hand, need to take some rest once in a while to catch our breath.

Mangyans carrying the donated school supplies

a Mangyan kid that served as our guide

When we reached our destination, the whole Quinomay Elementary School community, including the students, teachers and parents are waiting for us. We were greeted by the students. Ms. Liz and her boyfriend in return greeted the Mangyans in their own dialect. You can see the excitement and awe on the faces of the students. The teachers gave us fresh coconut as refreshment.

the students of Quinomay Elementary School

 The teachers and students prepared a short program for us. There was dancing, singing and students saying thank you speeches both in Tagalog and Mangyan dialect. We appreciate all the performances and effort that the students and teachers did. The also gave us some fruits to eat while we watch the program. After the program, the games were next where every winner will be receiving a prize. The students show their competitiveness and at the same time are having fun.

The students performing a declamation together with teacher

The students preparing for a song

It started to rain just after the games, so we decided to give out the donations at their respective classrooms. We were assigned with the grade two pupils. The grade two pupils is just sixteen kids. We took out from the box of the donation the bags with the school supplies. There was excitement in the voice of the students as you hear them exclaimed which bag they want. When the kids received the bags they opened it and there was smile in their faces as they saw their new notebooks, pencils, crayons and pad papers. But what caught my attention is the amazement in their faces when they saw the eraser that was in their bag. After one student brag about his eraser, each one of them starts to check if they also have erasers. Before we left the classroom, the students and teacher gave their thanks.

prizes being given to the winners of the games

grade 2 pupils checking their bags

When we finished giving out the donations, we were treated to lunch by the teachers of Quinomay Elementary School. They prepared a simple meal that all of us volunteers can share. We also gave out some pancit for the students. While eating lunch, we watch the students go home, each one of them waiving their good byes to us.