When Human Angels Abound

A full appreciation article...

This I have to pen for my third offering about my Bukidnon adventure. 

Sir Glenn Padin

Let me begin with Sir Glenn Padin, whom I've been in constant communication regarding car rental in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon before finalizing my hotel booking. Recommended by Ms. Kyle of Bombom Hotel since this establishment doesn't provide airport transfers to guests, he conditioned me for a full enjoyment of Bukidnon from the moment he fetched me from Laguindingan Airport on April 18, Friday. A co-owner of 2XY Car Rental Services, Sir Glenn wasn't the one I was expecting that day, but I felt relieved because he became my para-tour guide. Taking me to the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, he realized my silent wish to enter a church where I could offer prayers. 

It was here where Sir Glenn oriented me about the kind of uphill which I might be facing come Sunday when he parked on a slightly elevated space. What made me very happy too was eating yummy muron kakanin (suman or elongated rice cake), which is one of the native delicacies in Mindanao. 

Informed during our phone convo that I preferred buying pasalubongs already in Cagayan De Oro City upon my arrival, Sir Glenn conceded. You see, I had no more time doing this early morning of April 21, Monday, when I'd travel back to Laguindingan Airport for three to four hours, before my flight to Manila. I had to stick to my itinerary. So, I couldn’t hide my elation when he brought me here.  

Resuming our almost four-hour trip to Malaybalay City, he did not bore me at all because he's communicative. Furthermore, he pinpointed to me part of the run route of BKM2025 when I asked him about the indicated locations on the map. Yay! I was mighty glad that our trip served as a reconnaissance. 

A PDRRMC (Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council) staff of Bukidnon, Sir Glenn handed a smooth and entertaining journey up to my final destination after a short halt in Impausog. 

Finally dropping me off at Bombom Hotel in time for a late brunch around 3:30pm, he was certainly responsible for a stress-free aura when I ate my meal. *winks*

Joshua

Next is this random person who saved me from any shoe faux pas on the evening of April 18 when he drove me to Kaamulan Open Theater in his motorbike. Not daring to walk in my 2.5 inches pumps when I learned that private vehicles were only allowed within the premises, I took his offer without a second thought since I didn't want to be late. He suspended putting up his balut (boiled fertilized duck egg) stall at the Bukidnon Rizal Park, and  I felt his sincerity in helping me.

Joshua readily became my driver-cum-photog. I didn't worry about my transpo after the welcome dinner past 9:00pm because I asked him to also drive me. He didn't bargain for any payment, but getting his service away from his business shouldn't be gratis. 

Sheila and Ivy

This bubbly running duo proved to me that the community where we belong to is inclusive and supportive. We talked as if we've been friends. Both from Cagayan De Oro City, these first time 21-km runners made me see myself in them. I told them that soonest, they would gun for a longer distance since they'd find a half marathon short. Hahahaha. They were good listeners and sensible women. Likewise, I liked the way they animatedly reacted to the different performances. I felt young in their company! 

Bench and Gen

"FREE BP CHECK" This signage resulted in forging a mercurial friendship on April 19, Saturday. Both Philippine Red Cross - Bukidnon Chapter volunteers, Bench and Gen, quickly acted on my two needs: taking my blood pressure and documenting the process. Ha-ha! 

This is where I tarried the longest after a motorela ride around the area while it was raining. 

Bench and Gen were two of the "good finds" in Bukidnon. They were, ahem, my kind of circle - outspoken, humorous and unpretentious. They could gamely engage in the conversation too. Both in their late 20's, they had me feeling that I was conversing with my eldest twin sons, their contemporaries. These heroes made my advance birthday celebration more fun when I told them that they're my only special guests as we partook in these takeout merienda from the Kaamulan Festival food stalls. 

Undoubtedly, Bench and Gen were partly the reason behind this gleam on my way to the hotel to wind down for marathon day. 

Sir Jayjay and the Bombom  Hotel Staff

An asset to Bombom Hotel... This is Sir Jayjay. From my first meal down to my last, he accorded me the best service. 

As what I relayed in my first article, he went out of his way by accompanying me to the assembly area. 

Likewise, Miss Kyle, Miss Shane and the rest of the hotel workforce made my stay comfortable because of their commendable client relations. Most often I would encounter difficulty in sleeping on my first night in a different location, but not in Bombom Hotel. I fell in love with my room because of its homey ambience and cleanliness. Of course, I shouldn't forget thanking the chef/s for the delectable dishes most especially the native chicken tinola (chicken soup) which I ordered twice! 

Mark and Marlene Ensong

Marlene Ensong's stylish attire and beaming pretty face drew my attention! Asking to have a photo with her, I was accommodated. Her husband, Mark, was our photographer. 

Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/bukidnonmarathon

This led to a discussion which became very helpful since this gracious couple gave me a detailed information about the BKM 2025 run route plus uplifting words. Heaving a deep sigh, I knew they also expressed a gentle warning which I appreciated a lot. Our brief encounter didn't end in this dialogue while queueing for our food, but it continued to both being interviewed.

Perhaps witnessing this scene of "projecting and feeling like a pageant contestant in the Q and A portion of 'Miss Talipapa'" (Bwahahahaha...!) was the reason why Marlene recognized me after the marathon. For someone who didn't know anybody in Bukidnon, everything she did in so short a time made me feel valued.

Image credit: Marlene Tampus Ensong

Dave

He was my running guardian angel! Dave guided me so that I wouldn't be lost but would revel in the moment at the finish line. He became my obliging "exclusive" photographer as I documented my 12th marathon with the different backdrops. Words did fail me to express my gratitude to this young man face-to-face. 

Sir Manny

Sir Manny was the driver in charge for my post-marathon DIY tour that Sunday, April 20. Sir Glenn informed me about him prior. Originally, I scheduled to be picked up at 11:00am, but changed it to 12:30pm so I could recuperate from muscle fatigue. 

For this adjustment, I scrapped three destinations which shortened the list of my chosen tourist spots. What remained were the following:

1. Abbey of the Transfiguration

2. Communal Ranch 

3. Del Monte Pineapple Plantation

An Oscar Piastri-in-the-making, Sir Manny really ensured letting me savor my birthday in one piece. Yeehaw! Thanks to his being an ex-soldier and now a PDRRMC personnel, he delivered a car service as if I were a VIP. His talent in photography was likewise the cause for the latest Spicy Rabasera's header. Salute! 

Additionally he was the driver for my early trip to Laguindingan Airport on April 21, Monday. My pick-up was 5:00am and he professionally observed the American time. His generosity in buying me a cup of hot coffee on our way was most welcome to offset the early morning's cool temperature.

Sir Manny, whose real name is Emmanuel, did live up to his given name’s meaning which is "God with us" for we both had a scatheless journey. 

My "Royal" Ohana 

In spite of my being bullheaded… rebellious… risk-taking... they are the ones who constantly understand and support me in my pursuit of happiness, deviating and perilous it may be. 

They turned my

pre-56th...

my 56th...

and 

my post-56th birthday...

unprecedented. 

My heart is full and I will never trade my family for anything in this world because they breathe LIFE into me. 

Daghang Salamat!

Dios Mabalos!

Maraming Salamat!

Thank you very much!