First Time Moments

by Pearl Arellano

Cebu ICON was one of the most memorable, exciting and adventurous event for our group, for many of our “First Time Moments” happens there……

 

February 19, 2008, Ate Alyn, Donna and I met in Pasig and decided to go to the airport together, we met before lunch coz’ we don’t wanna be late for our flight. And as planned we arrived very early at the International Airport 3 -it was our first time to be at that particular airport so we were really excited.  But our excitement was replaced with tense upon learning that we should not be on that place but at the International Airport 2 instead, and so we hurried up and went to the right place. Kenji & Donna was much more excited than us coz’ it was their first time to travel miles away from Manila, first time to check-in in an airport, first time to ride an airplane and first time to be in Cebu. And after an hour we’re there.

 

From the airport we went straight to Dumanjug, Cebu for a side trip. Indeed, the place overwhelmed us with its captivating white beach and breakwaters. Even before the conference proper started, we already felt the deep love of God by just allowing us to be mesmerized by the wonders of His creation which are open to be explored by everyone. That love of God was much more realized and felt after having the taste of Cebu’s lechon for free, haha, no not really, but after listening and internalizing the talks during the conference. With the experiences we had before and during the conference, I believe that all the delegates agreed that we all have to forget what lies behind and have to move on; we all need to move forward in Him, and move to be like Him.

 

But that was not enough, after the conference we went to Bohol for another side trip. It was all our first time to be there. We travelled to Bohol by ship (roro) and it was Kenji & Donna’s first time to ride that kind of vessel that’s why they were both excited & a little tense. The beauty of that small island captivated our eyes. We went on an “amazing race” like tour, running from one place to another. Our day was fulfilled by the view of white beaches along the road, pictures with huge python and cute tarsiers, crossing a hanging bridge, lunch in a floating restaurant crossing the Loboc River while being serenaded by good local performers, and most importantly a bite of Chocolate Hills. It was a tiring day but all the sweat was worth it