One and only daughter has been talking about trekking to Pinatubo to swim in the volcanic crater. Everytime she mentioned that, the parents became anxious. When she finally gathered enough number of people to complete their group, the parents sighed and freaked out.
She’s been planning to do that ever since I could remember. She made a travel goal list and this Pinatubo thing is there.
She knew we’re against it. One time I suggested bringing a male aide. She freaked out. What is he going to do daw. I said he could buy you Chippy. “Mom, there’s no Chippy there, we would be in a volcano”.
Of course we couldn’t tell her “no, don’t go”. We wanted to. Except that we knew how much she wanted to do something like that. Ride the 4×4, swim in the volcano. I tried to avoid my wild imagination, that while she’s swimming, the volcano would erupt. I told myself, maybe it wouldn’t erupt because there’s no warning yet. At least Philvocs would announce it.
I accompanied her to buy a banig from SM Megamall for her trip. I helped her pick a nice blue one. Of course it has to be our favorite color. But deep in my heart, I was soooooo worried.
She and I had dinner together on friday night. We got home 9:30 pm and we both readied our stuffs. She, going to Pinatubo. Edmund and I to Manaoag and Baguio.
She woke me up at 2:40 “ma, ma, i’m leaving, Verne is here”. I opened my eyes, sat-up
and hugged her. “Ingat anak, love you”. The mother went back to bed with prayers in her head. “Lord please keep my daughter safe”.
I woke up at 7:30 and saw her message “We are in the van already on the way to Tarlac”.
I dialled her number but it’s out of coverage area. The more I got worried.
Since I was also busy yesterday with our road trip, medyo my attention was deviated. It was so hot when we reached Manaoag and I told Edmund, “ang init-init, ano kaya yung anak mo..”
It was already around 9 pm that I was able to speak to her. She called using her friend’s cellphone. They’re on their way to Manila. I was so relieved.
I saw her facebook photos and her blog post of their adventure in detail. The place is indeed magnificent. The adventure and memories of their experience would last a lifetime. But nothing beats the smile of my daughter. It’s so nice to see her safe and smiling. Love you anak.
(Photos to follow)
For her Pinatubo adventure, pls view i am julienne
