Summer Escape 2012 (Phaidon)

This year’s Holy Week break comes with a free one day extension because the Monday after Easter is a regular non-working holiday in the Philippines. That makes it five days of free time.

I decided to come home to the province in Pandan, Antique to recharge from the busy and stress of work life in Manila. Besides, I did not came home last Christmas break (2011) so it really was fitting and deserving to come home.

Aside from observing the cultural practice of a boy reared in Catholic upbringing, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday is reserve for Church-related activities and reflection.

On Black Saturday, I invite some friends who also went home to go to Phaidon, just within our town. This resort is always my favorite get-to place because Boracay is already crowded, especially this Holy Week. Phaidon is secluded and with few guests (mostly foreigners), the beach is exclusively for me for the taking.

The sand is not as white as Boracay’s but its comparable in terms of pureness and powdery. It has an excellent sunset, too.

You can visit Phaidon’s official site here for more details.

I am blessed to be born in a place where fine beaches abode, and forest relatively intact for its residents to enjoy and explore.

You know what I did during the Holy Week?

I spent more than four days of isolation from the outside world from April 05 nighttime to April 09 afternoon. I was part of our company’s contingent for a silence/deep meditation course in Silang, Cavite.

 

 

 

The venue is a little bit secluded, with lush greenery but albeit not maintained. Fallen leaves litter the streets going inside the vast compound. The cottage houses situated inside are not well maintained. It even look spooky during dark, as if you are reminded of those early Pinoy horror films where an old lady with grumpy forehead and disshiveled hair will suddenly appear from nowhere and looks you straight in the eye, mouth frothing with blood. Creepy.

 

Anyway, an Indian teacher came over to facilitate the course, with the help of a local teacher. And because this is about silence, expectedly, we were not allowed to talk for days. You cannot imagine living without talking, but surprisingly, we managed!

 

A lot of meditation and yoga everyday. I was expecting in day 2 or day 3 that I will levitate but to no avail. Or a halo will suddenly appear above my head. It was painful to my legs, and a lot of thoughts enter my mind during the meditation. It is so silent, and you know imagination runs wild when your mind is empty. There were moments when I am on the verge of laughing but have to tone it down, lest, I might be suspected for not taking the course seriously.

 

In moment of silence, one may be able to know one’s self better.

In moment of silence, one will appreciate life’s blessings.

In moment of silence, one will thank what he/she has.

In moment of silence, one can empower himself to effect positive vibes around him.

 

I wasn’t able to go on a vacation this Holy Week, but this experience is something I will not forget. I can also call this vacation, albeit a different one, from stressful work, from fast-paced life, from preoccupations, from monotonous undertakings.

 

PS:

Mind you, the place looks creepy but there was no single moment of spook. Maybe too much meditation helps.