Richard's Standard

Chapter 6 - Visiting Perfect Spots

Dona is shouting out my name like it's at the top of her lungs. I texted her that we're going to visit some beautiful perfect spots and she's my guide. She seemed to love the idea and now, she's excited while running toward my way.

I'm outside the gate of our school and it's a good timing since my instructor in Major 13 is not around. Many eyes glanced at us when Dona reached me.

She grasped for air and smiled at me.

"Alam mo, noong i-text mo 'ko kagabi na mamamasyal tayo, talagang 'di na 'ko nakatulog dahil sa excitement. Matagal na rin kasi akong hindi nakapunta sa Mabua. Diba, gusto mo iyong puntahan?" Grabeng excitement talaga ang nararamdaman niya.

I started my motor's engine and looked at her. "Sakay na. Last na nating pupuntahan ang Mabua. Mauna na muna tayo sa Robinsons Place Surigao para manood ng sine."

She's very happy na sumampa sa motor ko. I didn't mind what other people might think about us. I just want to take some fresh air and learn bisaya words.

We're heading toward the Robinsons Surigao as Dona is my guide. Wala siyang mintis sa pagtawa o pagngiti. Totoo nga yatang kapos siya sa masasayang alaala na dapat baunin o maranasan. I've never experienced a boring life and I was lucky that I've been to many places like China, Hongkong, Italy, Iceland, South Korea, Thailand, Canada, and Japan. It's now my time to visit the hidden beauty of my own country, particularly here in Surigao City.

We're now roaming inside Robinsons Place Surigao. It is a 6-level shopping complex that manages different kinds of services. Before going to Robinsons movieworld, I remembered I needed to buy clothes for Dona. Nahihiya pa talaga siya but I forced her to pick any dress she would like as I promised since she's my tutor. She should be neat and good-looking for my presence. Dahil kunti lang ang pinili niya, I've decided to choose for her. Pinili ko iyong mga damit na sa tingin ko ay bagay sa kanyang kulay at katawan. Ganito pala ang feeling na may pinaglalaanan ka ng iyong grasya. Dati kasi, wala akong ginawa kundi tumanggap lang ng pera. Well, it's right naman na gastusin ko for myself pero wala naman palang masama if you could afford to give someone ng sobra na sa'yo. I even told her to pick make-up kits pero pinilit niyang hindi na dahil hindi siya bagay sa make-up. Only powder and lipstick lang daw ang ina-apply niya sa mukha. Okay, I won't force her on that as she's right. May mga babae kasing maganda na kahit walang make-up.

After buying those things, we put everything in the baggage counter as we will watch movie pa. Today kasi is the release of my favorite movie na matagal kong hinintay; ang Avengers meets X-Men. I bet it would be the highest grossing movie of all time worldwide this year 2040.

After the movie, I've only highlighted some fascinating scenes like Thor and Storm fell in love with each other, Captain Marvel was defeated by Dark Phoenix, and Hulk became friends with Magnetto. Actually, marami pang eksena pero ayaw kong e-spoil ang iba baka pagalitan ako ng mga fans nila.

Our next stop is the breathtaking view of Surigao's Battle of Strait. Sobrang ganda at mahangin sa paligid. Kaharap mo pa ang malawak at asul na karagatang napag-alaman kong bahagi ng Philippine Sea sa pagitan ng Bohol sea at Leyte gulf. Ang lugar ay napapaligiran din ng mga puno ng niyog. There are also beautiful landscapes of flowers with different kinds sa gilid ng daan. The area is wide so you can take lots of selfie. Of course, its history is carved on a stone sa may dulo that the battle took place here on October 25, 1944. According to some people, this place may have many resources of information to its name. I should just ask Dona about it.

But I saw her taking pictures using her phone and for sure, blurred na ang kuha nu'n. I tried to let her borrow my phone but she declined. Okay na raw siya sa cellphone niya.

"By the way, what's really the history here?" I suddenly asked her.

She put her cellphone back to her bag and faced me. "Ang totoo, ang memorial na ito ay itinayo ng mga tao ng Surigao sa malaking tulong ng City Government nila para maipakita sa mundo ang hiyas na iniwan ng mga ninuno natin noong World War II. Sabi rin kasi ng mga kaklase kong tubong Surigao, maaring nanggaling daw ang pangalang ito sa Negritong lider ng isang tribo na si Solibao. Nang magtanong daw ang mga Espanyol kung ano ang lugar na'to, nagkaroon ng pagkalito. Ang pagkaka-intindi kasi ng mga mangingisda ay si Solibao ang tinutukoy pero ang pagkakadinig naman daw ng mga Espanyol ay Surigao. At may isa pang maaring galing talaga ito sa Espanyol na salita na 'surgir' na ang ibig sabihin ay walang katapusang galaw ng tubig sa parehong daluyan nito."