A few hours of stay in the island would not really be enough to know the people, the place, and explore its innate beauty. One should really stay longer to appreciate the people and the place. For us who lived and grew up there, nothing in the world could match up to it. There’s really no place like home, as the cliche goes.

Of course, people would have impressions of what they see at first glance, and fortunately, you were right in most of them, except that the large clearing being used as a softball field when you passed by was actually the town plaza absent the usual amenities of a park; the grandstand you were referring to, we call it a public “stage”. If you saw Jose Rizal’s monument in the the middle portion of the quadrangle across the stage, you would have had the idea that it was a plaza. It cannot be developed fully into a park because it has become a multi-purpose field - a softball field, a tracking field, a basketball court, a venue for programs, graduation ceremonies, public meetings and assemblies, etc., and most importantly, it was our playground after classes during our elementary years. It was a silent testament of our mischievous and innocent childhood.

The presence of a stranger would easily call the attention of the townfolks especially children. They will stare and probably snoop around until they find out who this stranger is and why he is there. But the moment their curiosity has been satisfied, you’ll feel safe and relaxed and can even walk around its streets alone at night. The place is probably one of the most quiet and peaceful places in the country. Only petty quarrels are recorded in the police station. Offenses committed that are usually brought to court are mostly illegal fishing activities conducted by non-residents, mostly fishermen from the Visayas region.

By the way, the source of power in mainland Agutaya is a NAPOCOR generator that operates from 4 pm to 12 midnight only.

So there. Since this is one of the very few sites that has an article about Agutaya, Dr. Lei Camiling would have an idea of the place where she will be staying for the next two years.

I’ve been following through your articles since I read the “scary transit to agutaya” article. Your compositions are great, very instructive and enlightening. Reading them is a respite amidst a strenuous day. Keep it up!

Ma. Nilda