Slumbering
in it's serene pose amid the buzz of towns surrounding historic Laguna de Bay
is the island of Talim Island. It is amazing that the Island is unabashedly
called "Susong Dalaga" by the locals. My husband, Ted, told me that
on a clear and sunny day the shape and contour of the Island seen from a
distance is truly a picture of a lady in repose with her exposed virginal and
untouched breast. With such a scenic supernatural beauty to behold, the unique
Island is there waiting patiently to be touched and explored and included in
the pie Philippine of tourism. Ted dreamt of seeing Talim Island, a tourism
center of this grand lake.
Talim Island
is just 3o minutes away from Metro Manila by car to the port of Cardona, Rizal
afforded by good roads and another 30 minutes or so boat ride to Boor (bo-or)
situated at the middle of the Island. Boor is the birth place of Ted. He was an
Islander. How he loved his birthplace. For a last glimpsed of the Island, we
made a sentimental journey years before he passed away. That must have been ten
years ago.
Coming from
brgy. Looc (lo-oc) the "daungan" of the barangays of Cardona side we
boarded a motor boat to reach the Island. The boat crossed the channel of brgy.
Navotas (so-called because is created a gap where the "split' was made
from the main land). This part of the break away from the main land is the
deepest point of the lake according to folks. As we coasted by the different
barangays of the Island under the Cardona side we made stops now and then to
unload passengers in thier respected barangays bringing with them heavy bags of
grocery supplies. Most of them shopped at Binangonan on the other side of
Cardona where it leveled up to be a bustling commercial center here abouts. I
hope to see Cardona reinvent itself into a progressive, business center as the
"other side". There is a "ruin" which looks like a
"Spanish fort". Two or three barangays from Navotas as we passed this
part of the Island. Unmindful disposition of the inhabitants and the local
government (perhaps?) have passed up this treasure of a “find” lying untouched
and unnoticed by the folks here. This “find” can be tapped as a resort by erecting
a lighthouse within as an emblem with tourism in the Island. The lighthouse will
stand as a beacon for fishermen in the lake and tourist coming over far from and
wide to behold the Sleeping Beauty of Laguna de Bay.
Our Destination
is Boor of course, one of the smallest barangays on "earth" (pun). As
the boat eased up to anchor at the pier, a giant basketball covered court greet
first time visitors. It is a land mark, so huge that I thought the whole
barangay in habitants can live within it comfortably. Surprisingly, the small
barangay gets it's charm from the riots
of colors of hanging gardens from every window and more flowers hedging every nook
and lane. Amazingly still was total cleanliness. And also admirable is the fact
that every lane and even the bed of the dried stream and unused waterways are
cemented, an achievements of the great Frisco San Juan a beloved son of
Cardona, Rizal who was a former Congressman. We enjoyed the halo-halo sold
merrily in every corner of the main Thoroughfare. As we made the rounds of this
last visit. Ted was so happy recalling his childhood memories. We also
recounted yesterday’s memories when we were still raising our young children.
Always, we reconnect these memories with the Island. Therefore, we happily
recalled how we spent our summer vacations there with our seven growing up kids
to join his beloved family. Swimming, mountain climbing, picking naughtily
green mangoes from the neighbor’s farm, catching fish by hand that abound near
the sea walls of the pier where the order of the summer vacations. The boys,
all five of them; Dods, Corky, Marco, Todi and Spanky tried time and again to
scale the tip of the "susong dalaga" but always came down frustrated
because of its height and rugged terrain. The two girls; Minkie and Ember tried
perfecting their swimming prowess, but always Minkie tried hard to no avail. Ember on the
other hand came to be a good swimmer.
The best
part of this summer vacation was the special offering of Nanay Dora. She always
treated us to her family's favorite dishes of ayungin, bia, Kandule, Imelda (a
big fish) tilapia, bangus. How my husband savored the dishes. No silver spoon
and fork needed. It was always a Kamayan feast.
Lent is a
much awaited part of the vacation. It is a colorful scenario of hulihan ni
Kristo on Good Friday. Ted is a favorite Kristo to huli and be hanged on the
cross. The male population make a mock commotion to run after the Kristo. This
Holy week play was acted line. It was fun to watch this event.
As I write
this reconnection with The Sleeping Beauty of Laguna de Bay. I can still
remember the sparkling emerald waters of the Bay of long ago highlighting the splendour of the Island but now shadowed and veiled by ugly fish pens distorting
the scenery
But here’s
good news:
I heard that
Boor has now become a little Italy bringing the beauty and architecture of that
country to this beloved place of Ted. They say that the first batch of OFWS who
went to Italy were from Boor. Isn’t this a tourism come on.
To define
the Term the other side here’s a clearer geographical definition of facts:
The Island
is divided into two political divisions-the eastern side belongs to Cardona
with 7 or 10 barangays while Binangonan carries with it 15 or 17 barangays. (This
is according to the hand written list provided by a staff of the Planning and
Development Coordinator of the Rizal Provincial Government in Pasig City. The
fellow was not so sure about the figures.)
At last a
promise fulfilled! My beloved Ted made bilin to me that I should write about
the Island he loved. Goodbye my Love. See you in the Morning!
To God be the Glory!
To God be the Glory!
