Binugoy 2006 - The Guimaras Escapade

Now on its second year, Binugoy returns to Raymen Beach Resort. The boys of Balay Lampirong started the semester with fun in the two days they spent on the resort on the island-province of Guimaras. Swimming on the crystal waters, playing games on the white sand beach, and periods of just plain relaxation against the cool sea breeze were just some of the stuff they did. The highlight of the two-day excursion was a two-hour boat ride. The boys wandered around the island onboard 5 motorized bancas stopping over the SEAFDEC Mariculture Park and Baras Cave.

The adventure started when they left Balay Lampirong at 8am of Saturday, November 18 and headed for Iloilo City. Upon reaching the city, they stashed up on food by overrunning Jollibee and JD Bakeshop near the UP City Campus. When the jeepney tires started to deform under the weight of additional food, they proceeded to the Ortiz wharf where they found out that the boat they hired decided to make them wait for 15 minutes. It was still on its way back from a regular trip to Jordan, Guimaras. Meanwhile, the boys entertained themselves by taking pictures of themselves (some still hugging oversized pillows).

The boat ride took about an hour to reach Raymen Beach Resort in Nueva Valencia Guimaras. They could have arrived sooner if not for a fisherman’s line with which the boat got entangled. Along the way, some boys insisted on shuffling a deck of cards amid the sea winds. It was prohibited in the dorm to place bets, but since they were in the middle of nowhere, they placed a few cents at stake, just for the fun of it. Some boys gobbled up the food they raided from Jollibee while some took a nap. However, most were too preoccupied appreciating the scenery as the boat passed beneath limestone cliffs draped with lush greenery.

The boys were already standing when the boat touched the sand. In no time, their enormous bags were already unloaded and everyone was on the beach. For some, it was unwise to keep the water waiting so they took no hesitation and started splashing around. The boys occupied an oversized pavilion and a cottage in the resort. Soon, the boys were playing beach volleyball while some opted to hit the cue ball.

At four o’ clock, everybody was required to assemble on the beach and to form their teams. The teams raced to fill a bottle with seawater using a plastic cup which they relayed using their mouth. There’s a catch, a very big one. A gaping hole at the bottom of the cup was letting water gush out. Thus, it was impossible to fill the bottle. However, the winning group employed ‘strategies’ that remains classified to this day.

A second game tested who among the teams could hold their breath the longest. After some intra-team eliminations, Joshua emerged the winner, narrowly winning over Dave. The first pair of lungs to give up belonged to Flord so his team was compelled to crawl under Joshua’s team.

Dinner was prepared by the upperclassmen. It was not easy cooking dinner for 26 people but the large servings of pork were very encouraging. Certainly a welcome variation from the miniscule servings served back in school. Rice servings were particularly generous.

After dinner, the boys gathered around the table for surprise activities. That night, the upperclassmen conferred upon Brian the Puuth-yni Oxana Korona Corp. Inc. Co. Award and the Maria Tarsila Borlongan, Jr. Ltd. Federation award to Jun^2x. These were considered very prestigious awards given annually during Binugoy, but just like the Dyoys Divina Liwayway Foundation award, their meaning is a secret well-guarded even from the awardees themselves.

After the awarding ceremonies, a bottle was spun in the middle of the table to begin what was to become a bloodcurdling, spine chilling, truth or consequence challenge. It was agreed that the answers to the questions will remain unspoken of beyond the activity.

Sardines and bread was breakfast. How you put them together is entirely up to you. Some found waking up not so easy but they just had to because island hopping was impending.

The boys hired five boats for a two-hour tour around the vicinity of the resort. After everyone has strapped on their life jackets, the five boats formed a convoy that headed to the first stop - the SEAFDEC Mariculture Station.

Walking on floating catwalks, the boys got to see different cages that held different kinds of fish. On one cage were milkfish spawners that were at least a meter long each and another contained very large sea bass. The favorite turned out to be the cage with several pawikan (sea turtles) swimming alongside enormous groupers.

The ride away from the SEAFDEC Station was quite rough. Waves splashed into the boats to the delight of the boys who struggled to keep their mobile phones and cameras dry. As the boats toiled to reach the next destination, they passed by a significant number of jellyfish idly floating near the surface. Considering that the waves were splashing into their faces, the jellyfishes only added to the thrill.

The boys eventually reached Baras Cave which was large enough to accommodate a boat. The smell of bat dung (guano) did not prevent anyone from diving into the water. The boys swam around an unnamed islet beside the cave and afterwards declared it to be named as Binugoy Island. Colorful fishes among the corals at the foot of the islet were part of the attraction.

Before finally leaving the island and return to the realities of university life, everyone had a hearty breakfast. Large cuts of chicken were grilled and served with more rice than everybody managed to eat. In a flash, everyone was packing up and getting ready to go. Once again, hugging their huge pillows, the boys boarded the boat for the trip back to the city.

It was just a little over a day but the recollections will last a lifetime.