I met tatay Gabby in one of my other weekender adventure trips. An 83-year old local of Mulanay, Quezon who amazed me of his intellect, hospitality and still active all-out adventure spirit, sailing the islands of Luzon all the way down to the far flung islands of Mindanao using his specially made “batil” geared by a second hand GPS system that he said he bought in Lucena City sometime two years ago. He is not a sailor by profession. He revealed that after retiring from his job he just wanted to spend some goodtimes with his new found interest: Sailing. So he spent all his retirement benefits in exchange of a sailing vessel that he still uses today.
In our conversation he mentioned: “Pulong Dapa” in Masbate for him is the most beautiful island he have seen so far. Numerous naturally-shaped caverns abound and crystal-clear water that surrounds as he described the island. The way he depicted Pulong Dapa in his expounding words seems to be very real that believing him right away is the only thing I preferred. Pulong Dapa never left my mind thereafter so I planned of seeing the place as soon as I have the opportunity.
Six months after, my Pulong Dapa sojourn is fulfilled. Tatay Gabby is right. Pulong dapa is incomparable. Now, I have to go back to tatay Gabby and share my experiences with the stunning island and later on talk some more of yet another set of adventure. Wait for me, tatay Gabby!!!
