Davao and the Matisalog People
Trip Start
Jan 03, 2012
1
15
16
Trip End
Mar 22, 2012
Where I stayed
In a hut in the jungle, and Hope Mountain
Davao, Mindanao, Philippines
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The morning we left, we were up at 4:30am and hopped in the back of a truck. We rode in the truck for 2 hrs to the side of the highway where the trailhead to their villages started. From there, we hopped on little dirt bikes, 4 people per bike including bags. Yes, 4 people. HAHA it was crazy, a little scary, but a blast. There was the little tribal indian driver, someone sitting on the gas tank in front of him,and 2 people behind him. We rode these motorcycles through winding and muddy trails, across rivers, and over mountain ridges. The scenery was beautiful and incredibly mountainous. We eventually reached Malikongkong one of there larger villages and where Kalayag began their work. Malikongkong sits on the top of a ridge and over looks valleys and mountains for miles. Very scenic and beautiful. The sunrises are apparently phenomenal, during the night thick fog fills all the valleys and as the sun rises, it slowly moves out. We didn't get to see this this because we were down in the valley, underneath the fog. Anyways, from Malikongkong we began a 2.5 hour trek down into the valley where the two villages we were trying reach waited. The trek was mostly very steep downhill through lots of mud, as it rains every evening. Not to mention it was ungodly hot and humid. Luckily a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole is at the bottom just outside the village of Barabo where we stayed, so we were able to cool off.
We put all our stuff in a hut in Barabo where we would stay, and then trekked about a mile farther to Gumitan a larger village to shoot some more footage. Between Barabo and Gumitan there is a pretty big river that must be crossed. In the past it has claimed the lives of many of the Matisalog people. Kalayag finished a bridge project a few years back making travel much safer. On the way back from Gumitan to Barabo in the early evening a massive storm blew in. It brought some much needed cool weather and we barely made it back to our huts in time. At 6pm it was raining so hard, it was literally dark outside, the torrential downpour continued late into the night. We ate dinner to the light of two candles with lots of the villager who were incredibly hospitable. Later that evening we slept on some boards huddled under a little blanket trying not be be eaten alive by mosquitoes and massive spiders.
We didn't get much sleep and were up before 5am thanks to crowing roosters and we had to shoot a sunrise time lapse. After sunrise we went back to Barabo and had breakfast with the villagers again and then hiked back to Gumitan, the farthest village. We shot some more footage and had church with some of the villagers. Again, they welcomed us completely and gave us sweet potatoes and delicious coffee. We then went back to Barabo, gathered all our gear and prepared to hike out to Malikongkong. The hike out was hellishly hot and humid, and straight up. Our clothes literally looked like we dipped them in water and put them on. We have never sweat more in our life, and Jon had to carry a 40lb backpack with all our gear out. It was an experience, but we wouldn't think twice if given the opportunity, it was a blast. Again we hopped back on the bikes and headed back out to the highway. Exhausted ,but we had an awesome trip.
Every month a team from Kalayag come out to these villages. This includes a couple teens and young adults that are currently being sponsored by Kalayag so they can receive education. Pio and Sonia have a passion to see a people group that has been overrun by witchcraft and violence transformed by the grace and love of God. During our time in village we photographed and filmed their everyday life. Our hopes is to use the footage to bring in the finances that Kalayag needs to move forward.
The Matisalog people are malnourished because they are limited with what they can afford to grow. Kalayag has completed water projects bringing fresh spring water from miles away to their villages. Also, they are currently finishing Tilapia ponds to help fight the malnourishment. Future projects include rabbits and goats, as well as reintroducing a native species of deer that has been killed off. The vision of Kalayag is huge, and amazing changes have already been seen in the lives of the Matisalog due to their commitment.
Kalayag needs financial support to purchase property, build a community center, and bring much needed office space. The community center will be used to house many teenagers in order to give them an education. Education has been frowned upon by the Matisalog tribe in the past because of superstition . Now with Kalayag's help, they are realizing the only way they can break the cycle of immense poverty is with the support of education.
Lastly, Kalayag is operating everything out of their small living quarters. They need the equipment and space to effectively operate this organization. We have seen who they are reaching out too and the awesome changes they have brought so far. We have seen their needs and current state of their living. We are ready to take part of a ministry who is transforming an entire generation who are passionately serving God. If finances are hindering bringing something so powerful to a person, then we must raise the finances. Pics are limited sadly for this trip because we had to save our batteries and storage for filming. Pics to follow soon
