Journeying Pinay: PagAsa & the Kalayaan Islands: Where Only Filipinos Live

I went there. In Pag Asa Island.
A part of what they talk about, the controversial.
Kalayaan islands or part of the Spratlys.
Those words are familiar to few.
But a word of life for the Navy, Marines, Army.

The people I call Men & Women in uniform.

The ones I can call Friends.

Kalayaan is a Filipino term for Freedom.

PagAsa means Hope.

I will not go into details of what you have read already.

Not even its history. Google it and you will be more informed.

I recently heard about the guys who went there.

I was told the inside story.

I will write about what I think.

Sometimes we have to listen to experts

and to the ones in charge and stop pushing for what we want just because we want it.

Or just because we have billions from sponsors, to do it.

Do we want to prove something to ourselves and to the world?
What I can say is, the island is not a rally ground.

At first I was told that “mas madami pa sila than the inhabitants of the island.”
I think I met most of them.
There are actually a lot to talk about, about all of it.

One time, I invited writer friends to this island when I had the opportunity to go.
So that they can write about it, just like the way they write about places and people.

Sad thing, most were not free at that time.

From above the ground, maybe 5000 miles up there,

you can see that the more than a dozen vessels are nearer PagAsa Island.

Just like those fighting in the galaxy in that movie Star Wars.

When a friend zoomed in her camera,
the other island that the other people have been building
has high rise structures.

See those spacecrafts in that movie? They are that armored.

What my friends in uniform are saying is that,
let us talk about it.
About this Isla that is clearly ours.
And tell the world that there are people living here;
students who build their dreams.

Write and tell the world there are people
who breathe the Philippine breeze in PagAsa island.

If you go there via fishing vessels and get captured in the middle of the sea, whose problem would that be?
But we will be praying for your safety, nonetheless.

What I would like to say is, respect those who are incharge and who have kept the island’s freedom for a long time.
Have a clear itinerary.
These officials have protected the island
for a very long time, even before you were born.
Learn how to listen to elders. They have wisdom.
Even if you have billions, be humble and bark at the right people.
It can be a collaboration. We can all work together.

If you think the people who should be doing something should do something already, let us tell them.
I am one with you in doing that.

I am one with you in your advocacy
to declare to the whole wide world and the galaxy that—PagAsa Island, Kalayaan Islands, the Spratlys are ours.
It is within our territory. Definitely not theirs.

Even if there would be people airing
in the winds above these islands
to get out of their territory, then tell them so,

“Shut Up and Eat my Dust, Breathe My Smoke.”

But in reality, that would really be a scary moment
that I would rather stay mum.
And maybe talk like Chewbacca.

I am not a Jedi.

But there would be other ways. To tell them so.
And they would be scaredy-cats when that happens.

They may be as a big troupe like the Storm Troopers.

And may be armed with so much.

We may be needing Harrison Ford's intelligence.

Or maybe we should go finding Luke.
Or Luke's daughter, Rey. Maybe.

But the heavens work in a more powerful line of attack.
A much stronger force.
Whose side would they be? Only heavens know.
Only one’s faith would believe so. Don’t you think so?

When I go back, join me.
It will be in a certified manner,
as I am praying to be permitted entry again,
to do more noble work and mingle more.

No I do not have the light saber.

But a pure heart.

I got invited and it has always been an honor to go.

Then let us create that proper blast to tell the world
& the universe, and they actually already know, except one, that PagAsa Island rightfully belongs
to the people who live there.
No one else.

Let that force be with us.

Let them get out of our sight please.
I still love that country.
Maybe a few people’s minds are stubborn.
If you are stubborn too with your intentions to visit this island out of your curiosity, you are clearly one of them.
Join them vessels, then.
Join Kylo Ren of Star Wars.
If that is how stubborn you can be.
In fear enveloping your being, you still thrive.
And the enemy laughs.

Awaken. We can not go back to base.

This is what we face now.

The people we are waiting for
may not be the ones we are expecting to help.
Be a Finn, the former Storm Trooper,
who became a traitor for the best intentions.

If you can reach as much people of this world
that soldiers are only present there because
they are protecting the Filipino inhabitants of PagAsa;
tell them so.
And not post your photo and tell your friends
that you have been there,
complete with a big poster and get into the news. OhWhattduh!?

So what? Tell it to the Marines!

PagAsa Island is not a bucketlist.
It is not something you just put in your list.
It is “someone” you should care for and be concerned about. That should be first. And the only reason why you go.

Your kababayan Filipinos live in PagAsa.

Take note of that.

The good always wins over the dark side.
And we will be stronger than Darth Vader.

No matter how big they are, the force remains with us.

Because in every new year, PagAsa stays to be ours.

"We must remember that our fight continues."
(Star Wars VII)