Dreaming of Burias

Tres Marias bgy Dapdap, Burias Island-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

As a kid I remember daydreaming about Burias Island. Throughout my elementary days, I’d look out the window thinking of the sea, feeling the cool breeze blow against my face. Nothing but blue on the waters and the sky, more than the images it was how a place made you feel. I felt so trapped, in the middle of the city, studying in a Chinese Catholic school (St Peter the Apostle) in Paco, Manila.

PD Lizo tries to irritate Linda Bautista & Rose Lizo crossing the waters to Burias Island from the port of Pio Duran- May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Burias is the island where my mom Erlinda Bautista was born and grew up until she was about 8 years old. My grandmother Manuela Gomez Leso moved to Paco Manila a few years after WWII with her four children: Federico, Sonia and Elizabeth, of which Erlinda was the eldest.

Burias Island appears on the horizon-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Burias is a small island off the coast of southern Bicol, it’s to the north of Masbate island. The easiest route through land is via Bicol. The jump off point is a port town called Pio Duran in Albay

Dapdap coast Burias Island-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

My first time there was in the early 80s. My mom, her siblings, my brothers George, Noel, Donald, my cousins Chris, Vince, Mark and so on managed to fit in a Toyota Tamaraw. It didn’t have air-conditioning, hardly any suspension and the roads were just horrible. They were dusty, winding, that’s why the section in Southern Bicol was called Bituka Ng Manok. It was the path, the shape of the innards of a chicken, literally. When the sun came up the Toyota Tamaraw was like an oven absorbing all the heat and cooking all the passengers inside. Conditions were vomit inducing.

left pic: Innova and Ford Everest 2015 had to be left paid parking at Pio Duran, right pic: Linda has difficult time getting on and off lantsa – May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The roads and vehicles today are so much better with buses from either Cubao or Pasay going directly to the port. They have also constructed highways by passing the dreaded Bituka Ng Manok shortening travel time and not making you sick. People can still go through Bituka, and I’ve heard that tourists do so, though I can’t imagine why. In 1999, we went back in a Toyota FX owned by my Uncle George, which was far better. And this year it was the Toyota Innova and Ford Everest 2015 which was even more comfortable.

Crossing the waters to Burias Island from the port of Pio Duran- May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

In spite of the difficult travel, once we got to the port we all felt revived. For kids who grew up in the crowded polluted city, it was such a radical change. There was this outrigger boat that we’d never seen before. It didn’t seem like it but it went fast. The trip would be an hour or so. Burias would at first be a speck on the horizon. As we drew near you’d see the hills, coast. There were clear crystal blue waters as we got nearer. Adrian Apostol aged 6; my cousin was so excited he leapt off the boat even before it was able to dock not being able to gauge the depths. He’s now a successful lawyer and manager, and may laugh at himself remembering it.

bgy Dapdap coast Claveria, Burias-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

I had a worse accident, balancing myself on a rusted fence of the Rizal Park I slipped. My mouth landed on my knee, knocking off two of my front teeth. I was only 7 and older brother George teased me the whole time. The dilapidated park back then is now refurbished, clean, no more rusted fences.

Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria, Burias, in the foreground is a concrete cross-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Burias was heaven for a kid. It was where I met my cousins Benedict, Jun, April and Olive. They were so cool; knowing how to fish, gather bait, ride horses. We’d walk on the seabed during low tide. You could see little crabs, starfish all sorts of creatures.

We met a fisherman who showed us his catch of Spiny Lobster. Malapinggan beach, Burias Island-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

They’d live in Manila too, eventually. Olive now lives in Texas with her own family. We stayed at Roger and Emma Montenegro’s house where the breeze and waves would lull you to sleep. Downstairs was their sari-sari store the only one (at that time) that had a refrigerator/ice box.

from left: Rose Lizo, Annie Puyo, Beth Javier, Nanette Montenegro, Letlet Gimeno and Jun Montenegro; barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Erlinda Bautista and PD Lizo continue their mother Vita’s legacy of caring for her town mates; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Vita

This year we finally convinced my mom to come back to Burias. It was 16 years since her last visit. We’re all a little bit older, but wiser. She along with her brother Federico Lizo (P.D. for short) and brother in law George Apostol, pooled their resources. They thought of donating school supplies to less fortunate children in the island. Since we got there in May, it was perfect for the school opening.

left: Manuela Gomez Leso, Manay Vita to her townmates. Right photo with brood standing from right: Ami, Linda and Beth, seated with P.D (early 80s)

The three of them were just continuing what her mother had done throughout her life. My grandmother’s name was Manuela but was called Vita- Aling Vita, Manay Vita by a lot of the townsfolk in Claveria. Although they lived in modest means in Manila, she would often welcome her kababayan.

Lola Vita (seated center) during Joe and Linda’s 25th wedding anniversary-1984. Foreground from left: Adrian Apostol, Mark Javier, Vincent Lizo, Chris Lizo, Jude Bautista seated from left: Aissa Apostol, Ami Apostol, Jenelyn Javier, Beth Javier, Rose Lizo, Lisette Lizo, Donald Bautista, Agnes Apostol, Timothy Bautista standing from left: Noel Bautista, George Apostol, Linda Bautista, Joe Bautista, Vic Javier and George Bautista. Photo by Jimmy Chao

Sometimes relatives stayed over their small home in Paco, sometimes it was money, not having that old clothes. Every trip back to Burias for her was a chance to help returning with large cans of biscuits for the kids. Vita would gather old clothes from relatives and friends in Manila and bring them there. Actually it was more like force us to ‘donate’ clothes. She made us understand that it was our duty to help the less fortunate.

Erlinda Bautista and PD Lizo continue their mother Vita’s legacy of caring for her town mates; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

So every time she would go back to Burias there would be flocks of people waiting for her at the dock. When I first saw it as a child I didn’t understand why. She was such a huge star and a big deal to them. People would fawn over her and invite us to their homes for lunch and so on. Vita enjoyed helping them out even if, she wasn’t necessarily well off.

Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria, Burias-May 18-19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Erlinda Bautista and Sister Peñafrancia Misa of the Holy Face of Jesus; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Manda

In fact my mother would often tell us she had to work at the age of 14. Since she was tall, fairly large for her age, she was hired as a saleslady. The joke was that Linda or Manda (nickname) was born at a time of plenty in Burias, hence her big bones and fair skin. Her brother P.D. was born at the outbreak of WWII when the family had to evacuate hence his skinny frame. Manda became a provider for her family at a very young age.

Joe & Linda Bautista w 3 young sons from left Tim, Noel & Donald-1967.

She met my father Joe Bautista in 1953 and got married in 1959. She had a knack for selling and decided to open a gift shop WISHING WELL along Buendia at the Comfoods building. By the late 80s she decided on producing and selling ham, which she still does to this day. Linda had 5 boys: Timothy, Donald, Noel, George and Jude (me). She named her ham business Joy after her first daughter in law: Joy’s Ham.

Erlinda Bautista comes back to Burias Island after being away for 16 years; barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The trips to Burias had become fewer and far in between. Especially when Lola Vita passed. My mom wasn’t as young as she used to be. Although she never stopped helping her kababayan, work and family life here in Manila kept her away. Countless families lives of town mates have improved through job referrals, when she didn’t hire them herself. Nurses, teachers, cops, doctors, seamen have been produced in the town. They are among the people who received some form of assistance with their education from Manda.

Pres. Corazon Aquino in yellow-checkered blouse, Linda Bautista (red stripe) was a YWCA volunteer in Malacañang post EDSA Revolution. That’s my aunt Lily B. Yang greeting Pres. Cory.

Tree grows in middle of sea; barangay Balete, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

PD has acquired Vita’s love for helping the less fortunate; Claveria, Burias Island-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Her brother, P.D. on the other hand could not stay away. He’d try to go back almost every year. And if his own family wasn’t based in Manila, he’d prefer to live there. Tito P.D. sort of took over Vita’s role of helping people in our hometown. His children Lizette and Chris Lizo have a number of scholars they’re putting through school. Chris works as Metro Pacific Tollways Corp (MPTC) Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Owing to Vita’s habit of giving clothes, there were quite a lot of people wearing NLEX Warriors jerseys and t-shirts. Chris also happens to be the manager of PBA team NLEX Road Warriors.

Kids receive school supplies from Tito PD; Claveria, Burias Island-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Chatting in crystal clear waters in barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Return

While the vehicles and highways have made the travel easier, the years have made us more frail. Just getting on the out rigger boat- lantsa and tricycle has become an effort for my mom. P.D.’s enthusiasm is there but now needs assistance in getting to the beach from the house he had constructed through the help of Chris.

from right: Lally Gomez Molina, Erlinda Bautista and Beth Javier in the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica in Naga City-May 21, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

On our way home from the trip we also visited our relatives Lally Molina and her family. They live in Naga and Tita Lally took us to see Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica. Even Naga had changed so much into a bustling city.

The modern façade of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica in Naga City-May 21, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

top left: infrastructure improvements include a new port, bottom pics: some familiar old houses from my childhood are still there in Claveria Burias-May 20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Coming back to Burias was like going back through time, seeing the places we hadn’t seen for years. At the same time there were some important changes and notable improvements: an expanded pier, more roads going to and on the island itself.

(left) George Bautista, manages several SKIDS branches in Auckland New Zealand.

My mom and dad have a reason to be proud. Their children were living better: Timothy is a VP at CABLE BOSS, Donald a doctor who runs his own PROLAB DIAGNOSTICS, Noel is a Milling technician in Wellington, New Zealand. George runs a successful child care business with wife Hazel. They operate several branches of SKIDS (Safe Kids In Daily Supervision) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria, Burias-May 18-19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Tim’s son JY graduated from Fordham University and worked for Ernst & Young. He has recently moved on to an even higher paying job in New York. Noel’s son Nigel has earned a good reputation as a computer programmer and has recently found his own place in Auckland NZ.

Early 90s from left: Dr. Donald Bautista, Lola Vita Leso, Lila B. Yang, Joe Bautista, George Apostol, that cute kid is JY Bautista who is now working as a Financial Advisor in New York.

I am the least of my brothers, but being a writer and photographer brings its own meaning and purpose in my life. Still, once in a while, I dream of Burias.

from left: Oking, Joey Agdon, Jude Bautista and Janito Agdon Sr. in Claveria, Burias Island-May 21, 2015.

Man looks out at dawn on outrigger-May 21, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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top left: Marites Marbella with her brood top right: Cignal is the predominant digital TV service in Burias, bottom right from right: Me Ann Berial, Nicole, Terry Basas and Alex Berial. Mabiton, Burias Island May 20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Slipper lobster on top of Alimago; barangay Balete, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria, Burias, in the foreground is a concrete cross-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from right: Armi Gomez Rubia, Teli Gomez, Erlinda Bautista, Nanette Montenegro, Beth Javier, Rose Lizo and Annie Puyo; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Malapinggan coast, Burias Island-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

top left pic from left seated: Lupe Gulpan, Coy & Lira Perez, standing from left: Teli Gomez, Rose Lizo and John Leo Gulpan, right photo from right: Linda Bautista, Tasing Gulpan and John Leo Gulpan. Bottom: precocious Miguel Leandro (Iggy) G. Gulpan. Claveria, Burias-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Tres Marias bgy Dapdap, Burias Island-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

We tasted several kinds of suman, (sweet rice wrapped in fragrant leaves) in Burias Island. It’s served mostly for breakfast and merienda- May 20, 2015. Photo by Jdue Bautista

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from left: Jun Montenegro, Annie Puyo, Rose Lizo, TeliGomez, Rev. Fr. Pablito D. Bendibil Jr., Erlinda Bautista, Nanette Montenegro, Beth Javier and Goody Montenegro; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: St Isidore Parish, Claveria, Burias Island, meeting Rev. Fr. Pablito D. Bendibil Jr., right: the convent in the parish is being constructed and will soon be finished; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mangroves in barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Kids are thankful for their school supplies and candy; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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bottom right: Cignal is the predominant digital TV provider in Burias, top right: SMART cell site as seen from the coast. Mabiton beach- May20, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Kids are thankful for their school supplies and candy; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria, Burias-May 18-19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

top left Linda Bautista with Sister Peñafrancia Misa of the Holy Face of Jesus; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mangroves in barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

top left: SKIDS Manager George Bautista w ALL BLACKS team member and SKIDS endorser Ma’a Nonu

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We had as much fresh coconut water as we wanted, because of the many health benefits. Bottom: fresh seafood, stingray in coconut milk and fried bayawak

Dapdap coast Burias Island-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Malapinggan coast, Burias Island-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Kids are thankful for their school supplies and candy; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Ladies enjoy the cool waters in Malapinggan beach, Burias Island-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

We had a sumptuous lunch while floating on the sandbar; barangay Balete, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria, Burias-May 18-19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Nanette Monetnegro, Erlinda Bautista, Norma Arce, Roger Arce, Teli Gomez, Beth Javier, Armi Gomez Rubia and Annie Puyo; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Malapinggan coast, Burias Island-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

top pic from left: Linda Bautista & Elenita Arce; Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mangroves in barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Welcome back meal standing from left: Rose Lizo, Goody Montenegro, Peng & Lando Montenegro, JR Montenegro, Jun Montenegro seated from left Nanette Montenegro, Linda Bautista & Beth Javier; Claveria, Burias island -May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Mangroves in barangay Canomay, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from right: Annie Puyo, Beth Javier, Erlinda Bautista, Rose Lizo and Mary Jane Agdon; Malapinggan beach, Burias Island-May 19, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Burias Island appears on the horizon-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Jude Bautista, Beth Javier, Erlinda Bautista, Lally Gomez Molina and Roger Molina in Naga City-May 21, 2015.

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Mayon Volcano can be seen from the port of Claveria Burias, foreground: Passengers wait to board lantsa-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Crustaceans (left) slipper lobster, (center) crucifix crab, (top and bottom) alimango all caught fresh.

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We had a sumptuous lunch while floating on the sandbar; barangay Balete, Claveria, Burias Island, May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Tres Marias bgy Dapdap, Burias Island-May 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from left: Goody Montenegro, Rose Lizo, Annie Puyo, Beth Javier, Nanette Montenegro, Erlinda Bautista, Jun Montenegro, Sean Panaligan and Mary Jane Agdon. Claveria, Burias-May 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista