Dancing Aliwagwag and sleepy Cateel

Two contrasting moods at one location in the island of Mindanao have managed to avoid this blogger's interest through all his years as a resident of the same island. Notwithstanding his adventurous spirit, this writer failed to travel to the east coast due to a lack of knowledge about the beauty and grandeur that lies therein. That is now a thing of the past, and "mesmerized" and "in love" describe his sentiments for this place.

Cateel has the best advantage for a town to develop considering a big river and the limitless ocean resources at its feet. The perceived disadvantage lies in the rugged mountain range that keeps it isolated and beyond comfortable reach. A weather-beaten streamer on one side of the road welcomes visitors to Cateel's 114th founding anniversary, which shows that in spite of the length of time that it has been organized, Cateel's growth is much less than the development of another town - Bagangga, that lies a little distance towards the south. Politics and competition may have been some factors aside from the topography, and yet all in all, the present condition of Cateel unwittingly stands out as a gem for the adventurous spirit.

Even if the engineers had no other option, but to build a highway right across the heart of the Aliwagwag, there is wisdom in the location of the bridge. Persons with disabilities can now view its grandeur and appreciate the ease by which it can be reached. 

One thing that struck this writer even as he waited at the Lyrah bus station in Davao City, was the friendly and honest spirit of the Cateeleños who were aboard the same bus. Not only did they advise him on what to do and where to go - one unassuming guy even invited him to his house for a sumptuous meal of crabs and fresh fish - an invitation that could have been accepted if it were not for the stingy time constraints. Another exhibit of the natural and unadulterated spirit of Cateel was in a small road-side eatery where this writer enjoyed not only the simple, yet delicious food, but also the lively banter between the owner, and her unsolicited discount when he asked for his check. To top it all, another diner who overheard this writer's need for wifi connection invited him to his hardware store across the street for free use of the much needed internet service.

Wow, just wow! Cateel, you have captured my heart, and to borrow the words of the uniformed dude who strutted the beach in Leyte, let me declare, "I shall return!"