The Biggest Creature Ever To Walk In Albay (20x larger than dinosaurs)

The most popular legend in Albay is undoubtedly the story of Mayon Volcano or Mt. Mayon. But we’ve hardly heard of the epic about the mighty guardian of Legazpi. He was the most feared creature ever to walk in Albay. I’ve witnessed how he protected the inhabitants and saved our place from destruction.

Here’s my version of the story. Once upon a time, the whole Albay Province was doomed, as fear and terror cloaked the place. Monsters thrived everywhere. Human inhabitants and domestic animals were almost at the brink of extinction. To salvage the thinning race, people sought refuge in caves and burrows hundreds of feet below. They organized and planned carefully how to defend the place and to search for food. Although they had vegetables and crops that can grow without sunlight, those were not enough. They needed to hunt and look for alternative foods.

Most of the time, however, their efforts were futile. In some instances, someone even had to sacrifice to let a few survive. The leader of the tribe couldn’t take it anymore. Something needs to be done he said. The leader then gathered the group and made his life-to-death announcement. He will try to talk to the gods and beg for their help. It was a risky mission but there was no other choice. He brought with him ten of his best soldiers and headed to the outside world and to face the danger and challenges that await them. They fought, hid and ran until half the men were lost.

There was only one access to the house of gods and that was through a big, long vine extending upward from my back to the clouds. They successfully reached my place, and though exhausted, they never wasted time and instead tried with all their might to climb the vine. After hours of breathtaking ascend, they finally arrived and asked permission from the guards to talk to the gods. Soon after, they were in the presence of the gods. Kneeling and paying homage before them, they showered the gods with gifts and offerings.

The loving gods accepted their pleas, raised their arms and uttered some words. A dark cloud formed above the ocean and a flash of sharp light struck the water with utmost force creating a tremendous sound. As the water calmed down, a huge creature slowly emerged from the water as if waking up from a long slumber. It surveyed the area and made a deafening roar, which shook the whole place.

The monsters, when they learned about it, were not intimidated. Instead, they grouped themselves into hundreds of troops and in a concerted effort, attacked the creature. But the creature was just too big and too strong for them. The battle lasted an hour, after which, less than a quarter of the ones dominating monsters retreated and never looked back.

The crowd cheered as well as the gods. The leader thanked the gods as they prepared to descend. But the gods reminded them that it would be their last face-to-face encounter with humans albeit assurances that the creature will stay long to guard them.

Just after they touched the ground, a strong whirlwind forcefully uprooted the vine and fell down directly beside me creating a long channel people now call, Macabalo River. Peace and joy reigned over the entire town. Even the ferocious dinosaurs were afraid to challenge the creature they call, Untuk.

The presence of Untuk even while asleep drove the enemy away. Because of the absence of threat, Untuk finally has gone into deep sleep for thousands of years up to now. Even to this day we know not when and how Untuk will be back. Maybe someday when threat is imminent, the gods will strike Untuk’s ass once more to wake it up and protect us.

Today, Legazpeño called him Kapuntukan Hill or what is more popularly known as the Sleeping Lion.

Mind Travel To Omeo

Let’s assume you are a tourist or vacationer who chose to stay at Omeo Hotel where the 180 degrees of panoramic view enticed you to pick this place. From airport to this place, you may have traveled by road. Luckily, you get the best room available overlooking the views, a notch higher than what you’ve expected. You then rest for a while and decide to survey the surrounding area later after a quick nap. Down the hill, you see activities of lovers, families and friends slowing down the time or burning up some fats through walking or jogging. Why not also try some sprinting you may say. Then you see cars dangling above, one descending and the other ascending in two-way lane cables. Within couple of minutes, you now see yourself suspended at hundred feet going down slowly and able to reach the ground in less than 5 minutes, make some warm-ups and there you are ready to zoom.

While jogging, as the sun settles down to the West and call it a day, you see the sky on the far left turn into a masterpiece. Painting the sky with colors of orange, magenta and blue from the brushstrokes of a master impressionist, highlighting the now darker Mt. Mayon. A cool ocean breeze begins to blow giving you a sense of belonging which made you stop, face the endless blue sea, close your eyes and take a long deep breath. You feel the chill and flashes of memories awash your consciousness. It’s good to be back in the presence of Mother Nature once again. Sweat dripping from forehead down after an hour of strides, it’s time to return to your room and have a warm shower. You take the same route back to your hotel via cable car. As you rest for 10 ten minutes in the veranda, Mr. Moon is already peeping from a distant horizon radiating like a big yellow incandescent bulb all set to illuminate the night. 180-degree 

The warm water quite relaxes your muscle still stiff from accumulated stress. Later you learned that they also offer Thai massage and spa. Within minutes, your muscle is dragging you outside in an open session room, a simple nipa hut with beds and accessories overlooking the ocean and the lighted boulevard down below. Mr. Moon is now at 45 degrees above with beams brighter than ever.

The suave pressure on your back from gentle hands is so soothing but what makes it more than satisfying is the background music blended with the natural live sounds of sea waves and noisy crickets as well as the splendid vista. After the session, you’ve never felt so light before. Lightness? Or is it because tummy boy screams a recharge? You remember then that you haven’t taken your snack this afternoon and tummy boy starts to wail.

In the adjacent area, a seafood restaurant awaits you and the delightful aroma only makes the screaming louder with drooling. You ordered grilled squid and ‘kinilaw na ampalaya’ and you eat like there’s no tomorrow. Tummy boy is now full and at peace. After the lavish meal, you ordered hot flavored Lipton tea and bring it up to your room. In your veranda, your hot tea compliments the cool air. For another half an hour, before gravity pulls down your eyelids, you savor the scenery, reflect on yourself and the future and sing aloud your final song for day…how wonderful life is when you’re in the world.

My Name is Omeo

You can call me Omeo, your friendly hill downtown. I’m not really sure how to introduce myself to you and to the whole world. Here is my little story of who I am and what I can offer to the world.

I’ve been around this planet or should I say formed by the Mighty Force thousands of years ago, which was long before any of you existed. I’ve witnessed solitude, calamities as well as wars and yes, development. I remember when dinosaurs rule the Earth where fortunately we were spared to share rooms with them. Hundred years back, I’ve seen little human activity below or up above. There were just a hundred or so people populating the entire city they now call, Legazpi. At that time, life was simple here. Mostly people would just explore the vast gulf of Albay to catch fish or till the fertile land for food.

Things rapidly changed for the last 50 years however. Development gradually but at the same time rapidly took place. Population increased hundred folds and infrastructures grew like mushrooms. Then came World War II. Properties were damaged as fighting became a norm. Strategically, my place was one of the best locations because I’m at vantage point to defend the area.

Not just human events but natural calamities occurred as well. Typhoons struck often as my none too happy friend, Mr. Wind indeed became a regular visitor. He shook my ass wildly and it’s ok. But what I could not take was the devastation brought by his uncontrolled emotion which made my heart bleed seeing how those people lost their properties and loved ones. Sometimes I don’t understand it but Mother Nature does. I don’t argue with her, Mothers know best.

 http://flic.kr/p/aGFSr2

Kablaamm! A frightening loud sound reverberated from afar as Ms. Mayon once again lost her temper, spewed ashes and lava. Don’t get me wrong on this. Amidst the damage and destruction she wreaks, every eruption is an astonishing display of power and grace. An elegant show of natural pyro-technique.  She is my majesty.

With all those momentous events, I was thinking then and now and came up with this question – what is really my purpose of existence? Yes, I’m part of nature and our role is to equalize the world. We clean the air you breathe and reduce global warming. Another one is by giving you moments to release the negativity in your mind and body and be fascinated by nature’s random beauty whether it be a volcanic eruption, simple sunrise or glistering blue ocean.

I go for the last one. From the time I was molded nobody owns me except God, until civilization invented boundaries of ownership. I’m not blaming those people who trimmed my hair or those who claim I’m their property because that is what the world is intended to be. Human created rules and legalities to maintain order and avoid confusion. My purpose here is as clear as the ocean eighty feet below - to share nature’s relevance to the world.