Philippines
1543 Words
Creon
We just landed in NAIA Philippines. And boy it was hot. I feel like I'm in an oven.
"Damn. This country is tropical. I wonder if there are nice beaches around here?" I heard Macy ask.
"In fact there is. And a lot. We should explore once we are done with his mission." Migo said.
"Have you been here?" I asked him.
Migo nodded.
"Two decades ago, I was here to escape those who killed my sire." He said.
"Well, let's get going." Kohl said.
We proceed to exit the building. Kohl had called in a rental once again. It was a van. Its driver waiting for us.
"Good day! Welcome to the Philippines!" The driver greeted us with a wide smile.
I gave him a curt nod and he helped us with our stuff to put inside.
"Would you want to check in a hotel first or are you guys going to some other place? You should explore Manila. Very historical." He said.
"We would love to. But we're kind of in a tight schedule." I said.
"Sure sir! Where would I drive you?"
"Is Nueva Ecija that far?" I asked.
The driver nodded.
"It’s an eight to nine hour drive more or less. Depends on the traffic. "
"That's fine. let's go." I said.
We all hopped inside the van and the driver drove off.
We have not even drove that far from the airport when we got stuck in the traffic. It was like there was no movement at all.
"What the f**k?!" Econ grumbled.
"It’s rush hour now. Really traffic. The ongoing constructions are making it worst. Only in the Philippines sir!" The driver said smiling.
Macy groaned.
"We're stuck and yet your still smiling." Macy said.
The driver chuckled.
"It’s a Filipino trait ma'am. Always happy."
I actually admire this guy. He's indeed looking happy even though I know he's got problems. His darkened skin suggested hours of work under the sun.
"Tell me. Do you have a family?" I asked him.
He grinned and his eyes sparkled.
"Yes sir! My wife is actually pregnant with my 7th child!" He exclaimed.
Zack and Brex choked with their drinks.
"Seventh?!" They asked in unison.
"Yes sir! Uhh.. Wife and I got really busy. " he said.
"Busy making babies?" Macy asked.
The driver chuckled.
"You got that. Haha hahaha!"
I smiled at him. He looks really happy though he's quite struggling. From what I read, the Philippines has a high numbers in poverty and unemployment.
"If this traffic is going to take forever I suggest we should rest for the night and travel tomorrow morning." I said.
Everyone else looked at me.
"Are you certain?" Zack asked.
"Yup. Besides, I know our driver would want to spend time with his family." I said.
The driver beamed at me.
"Take us to the nearest hotel." I said.
"Yes sir!"
Once the traffic begun to move, he drive us towards a fancy looking hotel. It was huge and it’s near the bay.
"This is the Manila Hotel. Very historical and grand." The driver said.
He helped us unload our stuff and let the bellman take it inside. I let Kohl and the others check in while I stayed to talk to the driver.
"We would like to leave early. 4 am would be great. Will you be here by that time tomorrow?"
"Yes sir!"
I smiled and took a two one hundred dollar bills from my pocket. I took his hand and placed the money on his palm.
"Go home and spend your time with your family." I said.
He looked at the bills on his hand. His eyes were wide.
"S-Sir! This is too much. I was already paid for the whole-"
I cut him off.
"Take it. It’s for your family. I like you. You seems like a good family guy. Take care of your family." I said.
"T-Thank you sir! This is just too much! I can buy my children their school supplies." He said.
"Then go. Buy them what they need. Go home and be back by 4am tomorrow." I told him.
He nodded.
"Yes sir! Thank you sir! Salamat ng Marami!! Enjoy your stay sir!" He chirped and shook my hand.
Then he got in the van and drove off. I went inside and approached the others. Khol gave me a warm smile.
"You really are the most generous alpha I ever met." She said.
I smiled back and we went up to our rooms.
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The next day, our driver whom name I found out was Ramon arrived five minutes early. He greeted us with the same warm smile from yesterday.
“Good morning Sir!” he greeted.
“Good morning. Are you ready for our long journey today?” I asked.
He nodded with a huge grin.
”Then let’s get this show on the road. “ Khol said.
“Let us go then ma’am, sir.” Ramon said, leading us towards where he left the van.
We immediately drove off towards our destination to avoid being stuck in the traffic again.
The roads were indeed quite empty at the time.
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After long hours of drive, we arrived in Nueva Ecija. Another couple of hours to reach Mt. Balokbok.
Ramon pulled over by the side of the road.
"And we are here sir!" Ramon exclaimed.
"Finally!!" Econ and Macy grumbled.
We started to get off the van and take our stuff. Once I got off, I turned to Ramon.
"We'll be hiking for a couple of hours. We might be back by dusk. You can spend the day in the town proper." I told him.
"Are you sure sir? I can wait here if you like?"
I shook my head.
"Go ahead. We'll take hours before we get back. " I told him.
He nodded.
"Okay sir. You take care. Very dangerous inside the forest." He said.
I smiled at him and pat his shoulder.
"We can manage. You on the other hand take care." I told him before joining the others.
We Immediately entered the forest and started our hike towards the giant flower.
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The inside if the forest is like a labyrinth. If it isn't for Kohl's charmed compass, we would've been lost.
And in time we reached the area where the giant flowers are.
The Rafflesia in this place are almost like those in Thailand, but smaller in size. Like a size of a basketball.
"Okay. Let's start this up so we can jump unto the plane do Japan." Econ said.
I chuckled and started my task.
I spent hours of pulling the giant flower out of the ground. Khol sad we shouldn't take much this time since the numbers of the flowers here weren't that large.
Once Khol finished slicing the flowers and placing them in the containers, we started to hike back.
When we got back to our starting point which is the side of the road, Ramon was already there waiting for us.
"Have you been waiting long?" I asked him.
"No sir. Just got back. I bought us food." He said while showing a plastic bag with some sort of food inside.
"Did you just say food?" Econ asked.
"Yes sir. It’s a Filipino delicacy. Kakanin as we call it. There are sapin-sapin, kutsinta, bibingka, maja Blanca, tikoy and puto. He said.
"Damn. I'm hungry." Econ said and took the plastic bag.
We all got inside the van and Ramon drove off. While on the road, we ate the 'kakanin' Ramon bought us. It actually taste good. I like the tikoy. Ramon said it was made up of sticky rice.
We stayed the night in the hotel in Manila, for we are so tired. The next day, on the earliest hour, we checked out before we went back to the airport.
As Ramon took us to the airport, I know I would like to help this man. So when we finished unloading our stuff from the van as we reached the airport, I approached Ramon.
"Thank you for the great service and hospitality." I said.
"You're welcome sir! We Filipinos are known being hospitable!" He said.
I smiled.
I took an envelope from my bag and gave it to Ramon. He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at it.
"I know you are struggling. Your wife is pregnant and you have a big family. I came from a big family as well, so I understand how it was. That is just a little something to help you. Please accept." I said.
His eyes became glassy.
"Thank you very much sir. But it’s too much. I know this will help my family. But- Oh! God bless you sir." He said.
I smiled and pat his shoulder.
"Take care of yourself and your family. And thank you." I said and left. I left before he could look inside the envelope.
I know there as a chance he would return it to me. I just have given him five thousand dollars.
I was smiling on my way back to our plane. Goddess. It felt great to help those who are in need.
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- Writer
