Noah revisits cave-diving in the Hundred Islands national park

In scuba diving lingo, cave-diving means diving into a cave that is found underwater. This could be either under sea level or on any body of water with a cave full of water that would require full scuba gear to dive. In the case of this episode the cave is on an island with one opening on top of a hill and another opening at sea level. The subterranean plunge is done from the top cave and the diver exits at the second opening.

To get to the diving platform you will have to climb the hill of the island via a pathway that they carved out of the limestone. (The dame in the photo below probably chickened out and headed back down. Note the sea below - i said sea).

some more climbing and you will get to a spot that is almost at the top of the hill... (the guy below is  my cousin Tagore, answering some of jo ann's questions)

...to the opening of a cave that is swarming with bats. There is a sign that warns would-be divers about wearing a life vest. In Noah's heyday - some 45 years ago, there was no such sign nor guard to enforce it and we would just jump off the cliff without a care in the world. (note some swimmers below)

from the opening there's a stairway leading to a platform. Noah obediently complies to the rule and dons a life jacket.

he checks his gear...

...and the spot were he will land to see if all is clear. (note the other divers below)

...and jumps

This is a shot showing both openings into the cave.

Some differences that noah noted comparing before and now:

1. The pathway. There was no carved-out pathway before.

2. The stairway. This too didn't exist.

3. The hoards of swimmers. It used to be just noah and his cousins and a couple of strangers.

4. The trek up the hill - jump off the cliff - swim out the other opening - climb - jump - swim... didn't as much as increase the heart rate in years past. Now it's quite complicated.

Why coming home to the islands is worth all the trouble

Hundred Islands - a group of rocky outcroppings in the gulf of Lingayen is practically the backyard of noah's kin in the maternal side with the ancestral home located at Alaminos Pangasinan. Summer vacations were a regular treat for for me and to come back now after so many years brings back memories in awesome detail.

satellite view of the hundred islands national park

Here are the reasons why the trip is worth all the trouble:

1. It is a chance to be with the guys that I used to share all those memorable vacations on and around the islands. L-R: Marilyn, Toots, Boots, Bong babae, Noah and Bonchit. the others who used to be with this bunch, but are not present are: Ethel, Jackie, Yvonne, Bitoy, Bong lalake and Ronnie.

2. The trip from manila is always with these guys (with whom i share my nasal and cheekbone features), although back in those days we were the kids and our parents had control over the following details: the type of vehicle - hired jeepney or regular bus, time of departure, where to stop, what snacks to bring, etc.

3. The food... includes the freshest seafood, the best padas bagoong, the best talong + shrimp paste fusion, etc. etc.

4. Gorgeous mornings:

5. Beautiful islands, pristine beaches, crystal clear water...

It was in these waters that I had the chance to accompany my mom's brother on early morning trips on a pumpboat to harvest the fish that where caught in the traps that we placed a day before. We also gathered arorosep - seaweeds that look like clusters of grapes. It was also here where I was introduced to scuba diving by a skinny instructor - Jackie.

This recent trip brought all the memories back and in a way gave me back my youth.

A graduation story

Let's call the graduate in this story - Maria, to hide her true identity. We shall also consider this story as fiction so as not to get too carried away by what transpires.

Maria as she prepares to march to her seat in front.

The consul general of the United States Embassy in Manila places on Maria the  Summa Cum Laude medal. Note the smiles on the faces of those caught in the pic... the consul though doesn't display that smile. He is too focused on the gorgeous face in front of him.

What's in the mind of the guy? It seems that Maria's mom 

knows what he wants.

Maria's mom closes her eyes knowing that the inevitable will soon take place. In the meantime Maria keeps her face turned up at the right angle. Noah deliberately focuses on something distant. He doesn't want to be a living witness to this moment, while Dr. Webb seems to be setting up the right momentum. The distinguished consul by this time has butterflies in his stomach by the stoned appearance in his eyes. for him it is now or never.

"OMG...he did it!" Maria's mother-in-law blurts out. The muscles on Maria's face go taut for a few seconds as she savors the imperialist's kiss. Everything that transpires is seen through the corner of noah's left eye (upper left).

that 20-second affair seemed like eternity, but when it ended they all had a good laugh. At that moment no one ever thought that 20 years later the photos taken of that ceremony would be twisted to come up with this story.