Misadventures and memorable experiences: The 11th IKV in Bohol: Part 1

On route to Bohol inside the MV Medjugorje

Sonny Boy was 12 years old. I felt it would be a real shame if he was to turn 13 this coming December without even attending a Kids for Christ (KFC) – International Kids Village (IKV) in some far away province similar to the IKV Junior and I attended in the province of Ilo-ilo in 2004. Of course, his love for basketball and the opportunity the IKV gave him to play for North B became the major incentive. For both of us, the journey to Bohol would be the first. And I knew that journey alone to the venue was already going to be a colorful adventure for both of us. In many ways, some good, some bad, the sojourn to and from Bohol proved me right.

Like many participants from Luzon, we took the chartered vessel, MV Medjugorje that left Manila’s South Harbor around 15 minutes before midnight on the 30th of April. Traveling along with us and representing the SAGIP kids of GK Ruby was Clark Saquing.

Having bought the cheapest set of tickets for the boat ride, I wasn’t expecting much luxury during the roughly 30-hour long trip to Tagbilaran City. But I wasn’t expecting a grueling and sweltering oven hot voyage either. The bunk beds assigned to us were situated near the ship’s engine that roared to a near deafening level as soon as it started. The so called “red area” had little ventilation despite having no enclosures. A tight and cramped space with excess noise and humidity was a perfect formula for sleep deprivation. I would wake up every hour or so due to the heat, noise and vibration that ran through my body as I lay in my hard framed bed. The continuous vibration from the ship’s engine felt like a long, long body massage that went bad.

Sonny Boy scans the “red (hot) area” of the vessel

To escape from the heat we had to go to the ship’s starboard or port broadside decks for the strong sea breeze. There we met several nocturnally active kids from other sectors or CFC leaders from here and there that we have not met in quite a long time.

With KFC members from Central C5-D (Guia Marie Binsol and Frances Rose Pelacio)

Bro. George Asensi joins us on our journey to Bohol

Long queues for meals was a typical sight on this trip

That morning, we realized that we had to line up early for our meals as practically everyone got their food from the same canteen. Be there a little late and you will find yourself standing in line for a very long time. The food wasn’t great and the drinks by experience were expensive as gold! Since I was sweating profusely at the ‘red’ area, I had to drink more fluids. I had the good idea of bringing several drinks along but I still had to ration it between Sonny and me to avoid buying expensive drinks from the ship.

A fellow SAGIP Program Manager, Bro. Freddie (standing) serving in GK Likad
joins us in this picture

Sonny Boy’s first long distance travel by sea

The trip was Sonny’s first long distance travel by sea. Technically, his first travel by sea was a boat ride to Corregidor Island more than seven years ago. And that was relatively a short, fast and comfortable ride to and from the said ‘rock’ fortress.

Passing through the calm waters of the Sibuyan Sea (I think!)

Traveling by sea to Bohol gave us all a lot of time in our hands. Staring at the waves gave me moments of introspection. It reminded me of my lingering fears about the open seas. Moreover, it made me realize that the only thing worse than my irrational thoughts and worries about shark-infested waters was being in trouble in shark-infested waters….filled with garbage. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

KFC kids and coordinators go around the view decks

At the ship’s upper deck

Clear view of the sea and fore deck at the ship's stem (or bow)

Dolphins would be seen jumping the waters beside the ship

Just enjoying the view with a refreshing 500 ml bottle of Coke Light

One of my favorite KFC members – Bea Lapac of North B-6 joins us in this picture

With kids from East B – Prayer Mountain, Antipolo City

KFC members converged at the ship’s main hall to pray the Rosary

A multitude of kids in prayer is always an awesome sight

The late evening of May 1st and early morning hours of the next day brought rains to the MV Medjugorje. While the waters were fairly calm, I can imagine what St. Peter and the other apostles felt during the night they encountered a storm at the Sea of Galilee or the time the Lord Jesus instructed him to come and walk towards him. The sea was pitch black and the only light on the horizon were the flashes of lighting that came with the storm.

That’s Panglao Island!

Finally, we reached the mainland of Bohol!

Not long after dawn’s early light, did we pass through Tagbilaran Strait to the awaiting port of Bohol’s capital, Tagbilaran City.

I was tired and sleepy but at the same time very excited to just get out there and experience the wonders of Bohol!

We were welcomed at the port of Tagbilaran City by a festive marching band

Father and son have finally arrived in Bohol!

The adventure (and misadventures) continues.… :]