I am an explorer, in other words, I like to explore things around me, and things in the vicinity. I have always been the type who enjoys just jumping in the car and heading out. Sometimes, when we do this, Feyma or the kids will ask me where we are going, and invariably, I say “I don’t know, we’ll just see where we end up.” Well last Saturday, I was in the exploration mood, so I asked everybody if they wanted to go for a ride, and the answer was “yes” from the whole group, so we got ready and headed out. Since my Mom is still here visiting, I really want to show her around the Davao Region so that she can see the beauty of the place.
One place that I had never visited before, but had a desire to go to was Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental. I had read an article about the place in a newspaper about a year ago, and while I was quite sure that there was nothing major to see or do there, I was kind of intrigued by the place. I understood that they had some nice beaches there. So, we headed out to have a look. Governor Generoso is about a 3 hour drive from Davao, through some rather scenic areas. You head north up to near Tagum City, then head to the east, taking you through Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and finally into Davao Oriental. Governor Generoso is basically across the Gulf of Davao from the City on the other side of the water.
We arrived in Governor Generoso around 1pm or so, maybe a bit earlier. We were all kind of hungry, but we didn’t see any kind of restaurants anywhere in town. Finally, down near the Public Market, we saw a little stand selling fried chicken and also lechon manok (grilled chicken), so we bought a bunch of chicken. We had already seen the town, but a little north of town there were some nice beaches to see. So, we decided to head north and stop the car at a nice scenic place to eat our lunch. It was rainy weather so we decided to stop the car where we had a nice view, and just eat inside the car where it was still dry.
As I pulled the car over to the side to see the beautiful view of the Gulf, a young man appeared out of nowhere. He walked right over to my window and stood there. Honestly, I was a little annoyed at him, but I put my window down to see if there was some problem. It was quite obvious that this young man, about 30 years old or so, was severely mentally retarded. As regular readers know, I have a son who is 15 years old who is mentally retarded too, and of course, this young man touched me, and also Feyma and my Mom. Although I felt bad for the guy, I was a little annoyed as I said, and I put my window up and drove forward about 100 feet or so. I looked in my mirror and he was following me. Soon he was at my window again. I relented and told Feyma to prepare a little food for the guy, put it in a plastic bag, and we would give it to him. I rolled down the window and gave him the bag. He stood there motionless, and still did not utter a word. I said “OK, you can go now.” He didn’t respond. Feyma spoke to him in Bisaya, saying “OK, there is your food.” When she said that to him, he turned and walked away, headed forward ahead of the car.
Something funny happened. The guy suddenly stopped walking, set down the bag of food that we gave him on the ground, and bent over. Suddenly we were all distracted for just one or two seconds. When we looked up, the guy was gone. There was still plenty of area ahead of us where we should have been able to see him, but it was as if he didn’t exist any longer.
My Mom, and Feyma to some extent believe that this was an Angel. I am skeptical, but, I do admit that it was a strange incident, and I am honestly not sure what happened that afternoon. One way or another, I do feel for the guy, and I won’t forget him anytime soon!
Bob,
Why do these things happen to you? Oh my, gives me the goosebumps. I remember a similar story you had:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/blog/index.php?s=…
I don't know what I would have done if that happened to me… I mean, I would probably give him food like you did but for him to disappear into thin air like that? I'll probably be so shaken! Oh, I won't be able to drive, that's for sure! Was he an angel or a ghost? Tu-du-du-du – It's the Twilight Zone! 😆 You know how Filipinos are so superstitious. If you asked around the area, they'll probably tell you a ghost story. Just curious, maybe next time you visit, you can ask around to see if anyone knows him…
Are the beaches pretty? You know that's the Pacific Ocean you were looking at, right? I still have to go there. I have some friends who are from the area. I'll have to look them up next time… Nice story, Bob!
Hi Tina – Yep, I thought about that incident myself in connection with this one.
No, that wasn't the Pacific, that was still the Davao Gulf – you have to go beyond Gov. Generoso to see the Pacific, the point where the Gulf and the Pacific meet is a little south of Governor Generoso. But, it was close!
Yes, the beaches were beautiful there in the Governor Generoso area!
Yup, you're right Bob, I just checked the map and you were still facing Davao Gulf. 😳 I guess I should review my Davao geography. 😆
Hi Tina – Ha ha…. don't worry about it!
Hi Bob, na-engkanto siguro mo ah….:lol: Actually, you can see whale sharks in that area Bob during the spawning season of anchovies. But i've seen it only once as I used to join the fisherfolk there catching anchovies or commonly called as "Bolinao or Dilis" there.
Hi Rey – Wow, I didn't know that whale sharks go through that area! Now, I'm going to have to research into this, find out when is the likely time for it, and go back again! I have one son who is a little scientist, and I know he won't want to miss out on this! Thanks for letting me know.
Hello Bob – first time i heard such story, if it will happen to me, maybe i'll drive back home asap.!! awowowoowowowowooooooo
Hi Bob, There's more actually, I've heard that there are also sea mermaids (dugongs) in those areas but haven't seen it. There's also a nice diving spot called the Burias reef but I don't know if it is allowed now since it was declared a marine sanctuary. Lots of black tip sharks there and is a little dangerous due to strong undercurrents. No, I don't dive, only snorkeling and sometimes collect specimen for my aquarium.
Hi Rey – Now I've got you! I have actually seen dugong from this area. Only problem is that the one that I saw from the Gulf of Davao was already dead! 😥
Hi Bob, never seen one in the flesh even… 😥
Hi marygrace – I'm not really superstitious, so these things don't tend to bother me too much! 🙂
we have a ghost in our house that hangs out in the guest bedroom all the time. It's to the point now that noone in my in-laws will sleep in that room. To be fair I have dealt with ghosts all my life so I am used to them and I guess I'm psychic because I can always feel their presence. They don't phase me anymore, and I always find them interesting. On the flip side don't ever tell a Filipino that your house is haunted. My wife has had the priest out 4 times now and is now considering bringing in a hilot psychic that she knows. We heard a story about where the ghost comes from but I don't know if to beleive it or not. Supposedly back in the early 90's 3 workmen were working on the house and during lunchtime 2 of the men demaded the 3rd mans baon. Well the 3rd guy was slightly retarded and always picked on but he refused so the other 2 guys beat his head in with hammers.
Hi Bob,
It's funny, I was pretty much waiting for the prerequisite supernatural story here. It's seems like a Filipino staple to talk about ghost stories as Louis has alluded to. It's strange but I find it comforting to hear stuff like this. Reminds me of home.
Like you, I am also not superstitious but I am respectful of others beliefs (I just keep quiet) . It can be a lonely world being a skeptic growing up in the Philippines. Luckily, to my surprise, my wife feels the same way (That's a tough find right there). She's still a fraidy cat though (shh).
I'm not superstitious either, and I'm Catholic (with relatives that are priests and nun). However, I don't discount people that claim that they see this or that.
I do believe in karma, bad and good karma. That's why you're blessed Bob, because you're a good person. And you're an angel on earth! 🙂
Hi Louis – Interesting story!
Hi macky – Yeah, interesting that you and your wife found each other, and it turned out that you each had this unusual belief. Feyma and I have things like that too.
Hi Lea – Oh my! Well, thank you very much for your kind words!