Dinagat headspace

It is a fine day to head home from the Dinagat Islands, an island province in Caraga where our project is expanding this year. We toured half of the Province as we conducted training on organizational development with our farmer partners in Libjo and Tubajon.

I married the beauty of this island the entire time I spent here this week. In fact, in my head, I was already building a rest house here while I rode on a motorcycle driven by Kuya Fritz, a workmate, from one project site to another.

The only entry means to Dinagat is a ferry from Surigao City. Because of such, it somehow maintains an exclusive energy. It is fresh and inspiring. I did not imagine enjoying coming here to the point I imagined a rest house to retire by 23 years old.

I stopped believing in going to places to forget my pains. It often does not work. But a new setting is helpful when all that is left is to do is continue stitching the wound. Dinagat is helpful with that.

I liken this Dinagat experience to discovering new music. You hit play out of bravery, and the first listen was good. So you stuck with it and nurtured a walking-away headspace between stanzas or mountain views over an enveloping sea.

When I hear Dinagat now, I think of healing and escaping farther for my sanity's worth.

But also the accepting farmers we spoke to on the island who entertained our insights and willingly gave back bits of their experiences. And our workmates there, Kuya Fritz and Kuya Rhyan, who welcomed Ate Gaya and me with full smiles and meal-plans in mind.