Eto yung sanaysay na ipinasa ko sa aming Comm1. Tumutukoy ito sa buhay ko na tulad ng sa isang bangkero sa Ilog Pagsanjan sa Laguna. Kung iyong itatanong kung bakit ganito ito ay dahil na-inspire ako sa kagandahan ng nasabing ilog at mga makikita dito lalo na ang Talon ng Magdapio. Sana magustuhan niyo ang aking sanaysay…

Like a Boat Ride in Pagsanjan River

            Life, particularly mine, is like riding a boat in Pagsanjan River.

The bangkero started to row his banca on the still headwaters of the river. Seemed to have no worries, he enjoyed paddling through the quietest part of the river and the rays of the sun did not hurt him for it was morning. Like my childhood, I was very innocent of what was happening and I had no worries because there were no things to worry about. If there were any bad things happening, I did not even care.

As time passed by, the bangkero began to realize and feel the relaxing atmosphere and beauty brought by the experience of harmony with nature. Entering the tropical gorge, he sighted some wild orchids, ferns, vines, bushes, spiders, dragonflies, lizards on the rocks, colorful birds and noisy monkeys, and the beautiful sun’s rays passing through the trees. He noticed that the water was clear as glass and cool as dew while the gentle breeze touched his sun-darkened skin. These he had seen are like the most beautiful things I had experienced all through my life. These experiences made me happy and confident, making them unforgettable good memories.

Despite the wonderful things he had seen, he also experienced obstacles while on his trip. The banca was tossed and twisted through the roaring rapids banging the wooden vessel into the sharp erosion-resistant rocks. It was hard for the bangkero to cope with the violent section of the river but he still had to get to the end of the waterway despite of the opposing current. In my life, there were problems experienced too but still I have to get to the end in order for me to achieve my ultimate goal. I have to keep in mind that I must overcome all hindrances—the rapids, rocks and current, and consider them as lessons to be learned so that I may confidently get into the end of the river.

Hearing something, the bangkero could figure out the sound of the splash of water coming from the top of Magdapio Falls, more popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls. Though not mentioned, it would be more probably that it was his ultimate goal—to see the waterfalls. He was not there yet, but he was hoping to get there. Like myself, I could hear the sound of my dream. I am not there yet, but still I am hoping to get there—hoping to be what I would like myself to be.

In general, my life is like that of the bangkero in the Pagsanjan River. I hope that someday I will get to the point of achieving my dream like getting into the Pagsanjan Falls to experience the intense pressure of the water cascading down the three hundred foot-cliff.