Potipot 03: We find solace even in those that we think are “dead”

When I said Potipot is the most poetic place I have ever seen, I meant it for the place’s imageries. Like a poet searching for the right metaphor, Potipot is nothing but that. But I am no poet, but I am most happy when I say and compose words that mean more than what they really mean. To you, to me …words don’t mean nothing unless they pertain to a certain feeling.

Potipot Island offers a lot of photographic moments. The place is photogenic in the sense that it does not only offer a postercard-like images that you could show to your friends after you have been there, but to me—the island offers the best solace. And it’s very likely that I have found them in that idyllic side of the island.

My life is a dead tree;
Verdant is a mockery to it.

Lucky are those five leaves that remain--
for they never fail to take
my breath away.

I look at them and you
hoping to see--

perhaps a glimmer of life.

Laguidly, I walk...

finding solace in everything I see

--most of them lifeless.

most of them like me,

meandering

wanting, waiting.

I walk some more

wishing myself a company;

Until such light mellowed.

Perhaps tomorrow--

I will see them again,

branches standing defiantly

against the sun.

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[Postscript:]

I don't see the point of offering 'comfort' to someone who is in his/her stark moment when you yourself is vulnerable. I get the point of "been there, done that". People cope with their problems differently. What suits you may not be suitable for others. I will not argue with your "best intensions" for they are yours to justify. But don't question me when I say, "I will have to beg off from this one." I will choose not to rub the salt on the wound.

Potipot 02: The slipper that was washed ashore

At first, there were the two of them. complete. inseperable. in sync.

Things happen, one has to leave. And the pair was broken.

It was washed ashore. Slowly. In their lull moments, it happened.

...and so there was only ONE.

I was like this slipper that was washed ashore…

Although I was with a group when I went to Potipot Island, I enjoyed a great moment of solitude when I was there. It was just me and my camera. I think I did plan of enjoying the beach not until I saw and experienced how harsh the heat of the sun was. Besides, if I opted to swim, I wouldn’t be able to take as much photos as I needed.

I honestly enjoy being my friends’ photographer, being called here and there to take their photos. At the end of the day, I was already beaten down. I was dragging my tripod while walking languidly on the sinking white sand. It was just like that other pair of slipper who got washed ashore.

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[postscript:]

i watch you. i see you. i hear you. i smell you. your presence. your whole you.

in my dreams, you were talking to me and i was looking the other way. and so, when it was my turn to look, you were definitely gone.

I will always follow your lead...

…even though the distance turns into miles.

And if I don’t see you, I will look for your footprints and pray to God that they would not be easily washed ashore.

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[postscript:]

Have you ever thought about what protects our hearts?
Just a cage of rib bones and other various parts.
So it's fairly simple to cut right through the mess
And to stop the muscle that makes us confess.

I am so into Ingrid Michaelson lately. Her thoughts are bending, her lyrics seamless.

Potipot 01: An island so small you could scoop it with your hand :-D

We seek solace in the things that remind us of how “small” we are in this world. Somehow, it keeps us grounded to know that these small parts make this enormous world whole and perfect.

When Charl asked me to join her trip to Potipot Island, I didn’t think twice. She would be accompanying some Chinese friends from her office to spend the whole weekend in Potipot and back to Shenzhen on Monday. This trip enabled me to meet a classmate from college whom I haven’t seen for ages. She got married last year.

View of Potipot Island from Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales

Potipot Island is around one kilometer from the mainland shore of Uacon in Candelaria, Zambales. Uacon is 240 plus km from Manila or five traveling hours by land.

Entrance going to Sun Bloom Resort in Uacon

There are no resorts in Potipot Island so visitors usually stay in Uacon and just hire boat to take them to the island. In Uacon, we stayed at Sun Bloom Resort, a very homey place with all the necessary amenities. The staff are friendly and the rooms are relatively clean and convenient. You can bring your food and cook them in the resort before heading to Potipot. If you plan on spending the whole night in the island, then you need to bring more food since there are no stores there.

To reach the island, we had to ride a small boat. It would only take 5 minutes to get there.

The water was cold and refreshing, a good way to beat the summer heat. :-)

By boat, we reached Potipot Island in five minutes (or less). We paid 400 pesos for the boat ride (roundtrip) which can accommodate 5-7 persons. In that short of time, my eyes were able to feast on the long stretch of white sands that surround the island. The clear water was calm and the lush vegetation and trees provide shade while strolling under the summer heat.

A peak of the long stretch of white sand , just a few feet away to the shore.

When we reached the shore, we were met by a lady who collected fifty pesos (P50/head) for the entrance fee. For an overnight, you have to pay 100 pesos. The small tables and benches are free but for the cottage, you have to pay 500 pesos.

White beach meets lush green trees.

After settling our fees, my companions immediately hopped in their swimming attires and hit the beach. Our Chinese friends looked excited and happy. Some of them have been enjoying what the Philippines has to offer having already visited Bohol and Palawan last year. One of them has nothing to say about Potipot but “Oh wow, beautiful, beautiful!” Of course I felt proud to hear and look at them in great awe.

One of our Chinese friends enjoying the clear, calm water.

While they were plunging into the beach trying to ease the effect of the summer heat, I started my stroll around the island. They say that one can finish the whole round in the island in 30 minutes. With a camera, a tripod, a hat, a scarf, and an umbrella, I took as much photos as I could gather. People were looking strangely at me but I did not care. I hate getting sunburn, it’s itchy and it’s painful so I’d rather look foolish than get sun cooked.

A bench under a shady tree that faces the vast blue sea--the best set-up to meander and daydream!

A lady in deep thought while enjoying the sun.

Even though Potipot Island is small, there were so much activities going around: men fishing under the beating heat of the sun, people strolling and taking photos, people meandering while enjoying the vastness of the sea, group of young people collecting sea shells, and more.

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[Postscript:]

Paano ko ba sasabihin na nasasaktan ako para sa' yo? Na alam kong kahit nakangiti ka at nakiki-tukso, kitang-kita ko ang labis na kalungkutan sa mga mata mo :-(

I say Potipot Island is the most 'poetic' place i have ever seen (and that's me being super-emo again!)

The long stretch of white sand in Potipot Island is a feast to my eyes.

Did I say the water is clear in Potipot Island?

I always say, "Different beaches for Different folks!"

Certain place appeals to people in different ways. If you say Boracay Island is pretty, I would not have disagreed. But certainly, I could give a different perspective of why I would prefer, say, Sangat Island in Coron, Palawan over a foretaste of your favorite white powdery sand in Boracay. Sangat is both beautiful and peaceful. Least to say, I enjoy a piece of myself there than anywhere I have ever been. I would not have enjoy that much in Boracay (or maybe I could) but you get my point right? You will only "feel" a place once you get there. Most of the time, I associate a visit to a new place through a particular emotion. That's how I describe a place.

Potipot Island is no different.

My friends who knew I went there during the weekend asked me straight away. “How was Potipot?” My answer was unanimous. Potipot is photogenic! Now some people took it in a positive tone, but those who (really) knew me, knows there is (always) an underlying meaning to my rather inert statement. Go figure. Or maybe I should have said: Just look at the pictures and imagine yourself there.

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