Ironically, I did not cry when we left the place.Surely I will miss everyone but my eyes seemed so numb to respond. Maybe I was just so ecstatic to finally go back home after a 32-day practicum in Cavite. Maybe the thought of me leaving the place did not sink in fast into my head. There must be a reason but I didn’t know. I was so perplexed to discover.        April 21, 2005.Bringing along our life-size baggage and our ever-reliable mountaineering sandals, we ventured the road of the South with our anxious yet enthusiastic and challenged spirits. Our first destination,Silang Cavite. Pretty much like one of the towns in Manila, the place gave me an impression that our practicum would be way easier as expected. I was wronged. We were given instructions that we will be brought to the remote areas of the province going from one town to another and integrating with the community while gathering data for our study. Tsk, I was taken aback.
            

   The first few days of the immersion can be considered as adjustment period. The  passing days were religiously counted because a part of me wants to go homealready. Great, while everyone is having a blast splashing their selves in the cold waters of the beach in the middle of the summertime, there i was  waking up at an early call time and enduring the wet-inducing activities and the hot and sticky travels going to places not even familiar. The time then was so slow, very slow.But then I had no other option so I brushed the silly thought of leaving and continued the practicum trying to ignite the tad of enthusiasm still left in me.

             Days were spent mingling and exchanging ideas with different kinds of people. Eating with them, sharing stories, or sometimes just plainly hanging around with the people of the community. We got to experience planting palay with the cheery folks of Naic with the few slips and the attacks of the Guyams on our feet in the pilapil as the highlight of the activity. We also planted Luya in Amadeo,jammed with the people of Tagaytay during their Fiesta, killed and feathered a chicken who died of torture even before Dang my group mate cut-off its head, trekked the heights of the Iruhin East, and joined community activities like local organization assemblies and the mobilization of the peasantry inpursuit of a greater cause. Many meals were eaten. Gallons of sweat were extracted. I have totally gotten the hang of this practicum.I was already the “mommy patty” to our neighbor in Naic and the occasional cooker of “tortang Talong” together with Dang. I could sleep anywhere and was even getting used to the times when we were forced not to change clothes because of the scarcity of water in the vicinity. But it’s too late…

    May 21, 2005. I was awakened by a calendar alarm on my phone.”uwian na!ü” the screen said. The call of my sister followed asking me the directions going to our place in Cavite. “So this is the last day“, I reckoned. I have lost count and never fully realized 32 days was over already. Figuratively, everything seemed over in a jiffy.
Hours past. Everyone started bidding goodbyes to each other. My groupmates and some guides were crying and it was only me who was not. Even a tear did not shed from my eyes, ironically. And I know why.

             I did not cry because happiness overwhelmed my heart. I was elated with the realization and most especially, the wisdom that I earned that it overtook the sadness felt because of leaving. Cliché it may sound but indeed there are just so many things you cannot grasp in school.Theories can be learned but validation still lies in your experience with the vast world out there. Apart from the conditions seen, ourinterview with the local farmers, landowners, Human Rights victims,government officials and private sector personnel divulged to us theissues and concerns worthy to be noted and acted upon.The oppressive realities being faced by the people we met has created a deep consciousness in us,revolutionized our minds, and made us realize so many things in life.  An opportunity not to betraded with any summer getaways out there.

            On the way backhome, I checked my wallet. Nothing but a few bills. I didn’t feel empty though because together with my life-size baggage and my still-alive-but-now-muddy ever-reliable mountaineering sandals, I also brought home with me a package of love and memories from the community and most especially to the people that forever will be cherished and remembered.