California, the island not for the young wanting more

We spent a night at Sitio California, an island community in Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte. It is one of our project sites where we intend to turn over an egg production project to select locals.

I consider it secluded because it is only accessible through a pump boat which is most favorable when high tide. Upon docking at the port, the communal parking for the locals’ boats, we were greeted with welcoming smiles.

The locals know everyone there, having only around 80 households, sharing not much but enough land and a surrounding rich fishing ground (they also treasure a fish sanctuary).

Sir Eduard, the farmer-leader of the association we are partnering with, told us that only a few families do not own a boat. Understandably and practically, it is their only means to do business in the town proper.

We were there to conduct training related to establishing farmers’ organizations. We finished by 5 PM but decided to stay the night. Over breakfast the following morning, all three of us agreed about how insightful spending the night in the area is, knowing more about the farmers, and their living, especially by the time crickets fill the evening that is a 360-turn from what we see in training halls.

Sir Eduard offered his rest house up the hill to serve as our camping ground. After setting up our tent, we devoured another batch of seafood dishes prepared by his mother.

Food was exceptional, and so were the stories that emerged as we enjoyed them, such as the origins of the Sitio and goosebumps-prickling tales of creatures said to inhabit the island first.

We slept around 10 PM and only rose around 5 AM. By morning, I learned that the moon was orange and exquisite around 2 AM and that an earthquake happened.

From an outsider’s perspective, staying on the island is a valuable chance to disconnect from the buzz of cities and office screens and submissions that can wait, surprisingly.

I always wanted a beach house on a secluded island, and Sitio California offered me a taste of such. But I still feel a hollow, looming feeling, which I knew would only end after we head back to the mainland. Such was my being young and screaming for more of the world than the island being plain.

And, I dare say, the young people there as well, somehow, yearn the same.

It is a different argument when the place is limiting in the first place to even question contentment. For some with resources, leaving is only a matter of choice. For others, it is impossible.