I do not know how to thank God for letting me stay at Lola Meding's house. I must have done something good to deserve it :) At first, I was scared when Kuya Bryan told me that I'll be staying in his grandmother's house instead of his father's vacation house. It's because I am always wary about grannies. My grandma is the usual grandma, she had a mouth that throws words like machine gun and very conservative. I thought Lola Meding was the typical kind but I was wrong. 

     She was in fact very homely. She made me feel at home and treats me like a member of her own family. We had a few chit-chats together and it's very wholesome! Lola Meding is a very good story-teller. 

     From one of our "chit-chats", I've found out that Lola Meding had eight children. Four are girls and four are boys. The boys worked as a seamen while the girls worked as teachers. Lola's husband was a teacher too until he died at the age of 48 because of heart failure. At that time, Lola Meding was so scared how to send her children to school. Four of her children were in college when her husband died and the other four were also studying. She told me there were times she didn't know what to do anymore and she want to give up. But she didn't, instead she asked for the Virgin's help. For 50 days straight, she prayed the holy rosary. She said she believe that on the 5oth day, the Virgin will grant any of her wish. And you know what her wish was? She asked the Virgin to let all of her children finish their studies, and they did! Now all of Lola Meding's children are successful professionals. In fact, it was one of her sons who build their house for her. I found out that ever since that 50th day arrived, Lola Meding continued praying the rosary. Everyday she never fail to say her prayers even now. In fact, I prayed the rosary with her the night I arrived in Camotes. We prayed the holy mysteries and I whispered my silent prayers before doing the sign of the cross.

     Another interesting story Lola Meding shared to me was her survival moment in the open sea for 3 days and 2 nights. It happened one time when she went to the city to visit her children and give them raw goods from the island. What happened was that the machine of the boat she's riding in stopped functioning in the middle of their travel going home. They have no choice but to surrender everything to God 'cause at that time they got no ways to contact someone as this happened a long time ago when cellular phones aren't widely use yet. They got no food and water with them and what worried Lola Meding more was the fact that she had one of her young daughter with her. To survive, Lola Meding and the other passengers of the boat store rain water. There was even a time that her daughter was so hungry but she had nothing to give her. When Lola Meding found a bread floating in the sea, she gave it to her daughter so she can have something to eat regardless of the bread's condition.

    On their third day of floating in the open sea finally they found an island. They landed on a shore with a group of people cooking hanging rice (puso). Lola Meding hurriedly asked for a cup of hot water from those people because she couldn't enduring the unsettling feeling in her stomach anymore. After finishing her cup of water, the puso people asked them where did they come from ad what happened to them. They told them about the problem they encountered. When Lola Meding asked the puso people where they are at that time, they were shocked to find out that they landed in Bohol! When they heard about their story, the Boholanos immediately helped them fixed the machine of their boat and gave them something to eat. They thanked them and set to sail going home. 

    I was very surprised to hear about Lola Meding's story. I couldn't imagine being in the same situation. She even told me that she almost crack because of what happened, but she remained strong because she knew her children need her.I asked Lola Meding if their story made it to the news at that time but she said no. There were moments of silence after Lola Meding shared to me her story. We were in our own thoughts at that time. I couldn't describe what I felt exactly at that time but I knew it was God who sailed them home. Then I remember how lucky I am at that moment to reach the islands safe and in good hands. How God hears our silent prayers! 

This is Kuya Bryan everyone! One of the angels living in the islands. He was Lola Meding's grandson and it was him who offered me to stay at his grandmother's house. Kuya Bryan was my motorcycle driver and tour guide in the island. He was very kind and very caring. He always ask me how I feel, if I'm hungry, bored or if I need something. How thoughtful of him. I am a very lucky girl! haha If you have plan to visit Camotes, here's Kuya Bryan's number to contact him: 09057400637 .You'd be very lucky to have him as your tour guide too!

Wild guess. What do you think is that creepy looking thing in the photo above?

Snapshots from Mangodlong Rock Beach Resort

Too bad the resort have to lie low because of the damages it got from the typhoon Yolanda :(

That's all for now. See you on my next post about my Camotes escapade. I'll talk about the locals in my future post buh bye!!

love lots,

Tin