Semestral break started early for us at BCU-College of Nursing and I already had plans for the two-week vacation after being used to sleeping late and waking up early for school. But all these plans changed when Chestcore, a health NGO, invited me to join their Student Integration Program (SIP). The SIP participants included seven medical students and two nursing students (including myself), accompanied by three Chestcore staff. Twelve virtual strangers were to embark on a 10-hour journey, brought together by a single objective — service and integration with the indigenous people of Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga.
BY JADE MALICDAN
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 47, January 6-12, 2007
Semestral break started early for us at BCU (Baguio Central University) College of Nursing and I already had plans for the two-week vacation after being used to sleeping late and waking up early for school. But all these plans changed when Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region (Chestcore), a health NGO, invited me to join their Student Integration Program (SIP). The SIP participants included seven medical students and two nursing students (including myself), accompanied by three Chestcore staff. Twelve virtual strangers were to embark on a 10-hour journey, brought together by a single objective — service and integration with the indigenous people of Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga.
The journey
Our journey started in the morning of Oct. 22 from the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Abatan, Bauko, Mountain Province, where Chestcore had just held a successful Surgical/ Dental Mission. It was a fun and thrilling experience riding ‘top-load’ style on the jeepney, trying to avoid tree branches on the road. We had a scenic view of the Chico River and the outlying communities, which the Marcos administration had planned to submerge to build the Chico Dam. A local resident told us that the people, in opposing the construction of the dam, lost a lot of lives.
After six hours on the jeepney, we arrived in Legleg. Members of the community met us with their horses, to guide us along the way and to help us carry our luggages. After a two-hour hike we reached Sitio (sub-village) Ubel, Barangay (village) Gawaan, our first stop, where we rested overnight.
The smell of smoke from the household fireplace woke everyone up. After breakfast, we put our things inside large plastic bags tried our rubber boots, and prepared to go. The rain started pouring as we left Ubel. We all wore matching yellow trash bags turned raincoats that day.
A bdellophobic’s worst nightmare
For many of us, who are bdellophobic, the leeches were the most difficult part of the hike. Before we left Sitio Ubel, one of the residents prepared a wooden stick with a tobacco leaf and powdered soap tied to one end. This stick became our “magic wand” for making leeches fall off once they had stuck to our skin.
Thirty minutes after leaving the community, two members of the team started yelling “Linta! Linta! (Leech!).” Instead of helping the two, everyone started looking for leeches in their own boots. This went on for most of the hike. The journey allowed us to conquer our fear of leeches.
The trail was muddy and moist, making it the ideal environment for leeches. This was not the end of the challenge, but the start.
We reached Sitio Tanap, Brgy. Mabaca tired, hungry, and wet. After lunch, we set off for Sitio Baywong. Little did we know that the real challenge was about to begin. The trail included narrow and muddy footpaths, ravines with only grass to hold on to, hanging bridges, all accompanied by strong rain.
Along the way we asked our guides several times how much farther we were going. Their answer was consistent — “Malapit na tayo” (We are near). We had been hiking for several hours and the answer remained the same. Next time they say we are near, I already know what to expect.
