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| (Photo credit to: https://www.facebook.com/thephotographyacademymanila/info) |
Maybe you are wondering guys why in the world I created this
particular article. I am also. It was only yesterday that my office mate,
Rye Lopez (who will happen to join the photography contest of the organizers of
the competition I am joining now), told me to join this blog writing contest
entitled “Why do you want to Xplore Naga?” He left me in shock realizing that I
only had one day to create a blog about it. Well, I could opt not to join, but
there was an unknown urge inside me wanting to join and hoping to win, because Bicol is where my roots are from. Bicol is my origin. Just to quote what James
Baldwin – an American novelist said,
"We cannot escape our origins,
however hard we try."
True it is, I can say.
I want to start convincing you guys how strong my urge is to go
to Bicol, visit Naga, and experience the Peñafrancia feast by telling you my
full name. My name is Francia May Gacos. Yes, I was named after the feast of
Peñafrancia and as my mom said, the female version of my late father, Francisco
Gacos. Both of my parents were from Bicol, Bulusan and Irosin, Sorsogon to be
particular. I was only 4 or 5 years old the last time I set foot in the Bicol
region. I was so young then that I cannot remember all the memories we had and
even appreciate that visit to my ancestral land. Again, yes, that was the first
and last.
It was only last week that I could have got a chance to
be back there. One of my office mates, Myk Durana, together with his friends,
planned a trip that will explore Naga, Calaguas Island, and CamSur. However,
due to lack of budget, I was not able to join them. Even in the past, I had few
opportunities to go back in Bicol but maybe, it was not yet my time for me to
be back there. I have always this longing for my ancestral land that sadly, I was
not able to explore even if I have all rights to do so.
Nevertheless, one day, one day…. I know I will be back for
sure. My origin, my ancestral land. Where my roots are from. The land where my
parents have known each other and built their dreams together. A paradise where
I had my first beach and river experience. Most of all, I cannot forget that time when I stared in amazement at the famous Mayon Volcano from my bus window.
I may only had few memories of Bicol on my mind, but my
heart and soul will always have this strong urge and longing that someday, I will
be back to where I really belong. Of course, before I die. Regardless of age
and condition, I take my oath that someday we will see each other again, Bicol,
tête-à-tête. God permits.
And this is a story of a girl and her dream to be back in a
paradise she had once been. Au revoir, Bicolandia.
For those who want to join this contest too, visit The Photography Academy Manila facebook page for information and details on how to join.
