Chocolates, sugar, singing & dancing

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 – I woke up earlier than usual. The most awaited field trip had come, so I was excited somehow (the pupils were, I bet).

Past 6:00 am, I was still in the house (departure 6:30 am), so I hastened my steps and made it to the bus on time. There, radiant smiles and smiling eyes greeted me; dimples and rosy cheeks welcomed me. Oh, how beautiful!

“Good morning Titser Dolly!” they chorused, coupled with heart-warming hugs and offers for me to sit on the jump seat beside them. What a pleasant way to start the day!

After a few minutes of waiting for the last pupil, off we went to our destination, Tagaytay City. Along the high way, pupils had the opportunity to take a glimpse on the different scenery. I remember one pupil utter a disgusting remark when we passed by a colony of informal settlers, contradicted by a boy who somehow understood how helpless these people are. Here comes one talking about his family’s rest house along Dasmarinas City, and the rest had their personal stories.

It was hard to keep them seated, for in every amusing place we passed by, they had their eyes feast on whatever, plus the never-ending clicking of cameras, along with the endless cycle of food trade. I was there to remind them all throughout, without killing the fun, of course.

Gourmet Farm

Faces lit up all the more as the bus halted, signaling our arrival on our first destination, the Gourmet Farm in Silang, Cavite. Nobody suspected of the challenge that awaited us.

We made our way through a cemented pathway, passing by the farm’s store, going downhill and going up again, and finally flat on the wide region of Lettuce Plantation. The vast plain was filled with lettuce; it was a green landscape of the majority’s favorite salad component, the lettuce. Seedlings were covered with white transparent panels; with the rest dancing with delight in the slightest blow of the wind under the gloomy sky. The pupils cheered, and that was music enough to my ear.

The guide motioned us to follow her, and everyone did excitedly. Never did we hint of the journey that we were about to start. From afar, we could see the lettuce under a dome-shaped structure, ready for harvest. Why were we asked to go there?

“You may harvest as much lettuce as you can,” stated the caretaker.

Cheers filled the air again, until slowly it melted with the increasing difficulty of the trail. Mud was all over; each step was coupled with a bigger volume of mud sticking onto the pupils’ shoes.

“Yucks! Ewww! Disgusting! Terrible! I hate mud!” I bet you know who shouted these remarks.

Dirt surrounded their highly polished and well-kept shoes. For city kids, it was very unusual, for they would evade the slightest sign of mud and dirt. I, myself, grimaced at the state of my shoes. Well, that was quite an experience.

Scowling faces brightened as we reached the place. Everyone was given white plastic bags; pants were raised, body bags were removed, and the harvest began. The caretaker was there all throughout, demonstrating the proper way of cutting the leaves, carefully doing so to prevent uprooting. Her assistant, a male harvester, was there too, guiding the pupils while giving them tips on plant harvesting. I was outside, taking photos of my pupils; so amused that I couldn’t help but grin and laugh.

After a few minutes, they had enough, and were then ushered outside; back to the cemented path (Pupils were oblivious of the mud this time.) Fresh tea juice was offered to quench our thirst; and after buying memorabilia from the store, we went back to our buses recharged.

Ilog ni Maria Honeybee Farm

Past 10:00 am, we were on the way to our second destination – Ilog ni Maria Honeybee Farm. Birds’ melodious voices echoed through the farm; and animals of different species entertained us. Another muddy path to the entrance, but there was less resistance and revolting remarks this time. The owner/manager greeted us, and for a few minutes gave us directions. SILENCE was emphasized, being a necessity in the farm’s vicinity. True enough, we heard the majestic singing of the birds, the soft neighing of the goats, and the sharp tiny sound of the crickets chirping. They noticed the slightest movement of the ants on the muddy ground, even the weaving of miniature spiders beside their “scary” huge mothers. I particularly observed the pupils here, who seemed to increase their senses, especially that of sight and hearing.

We were then brought to the museum. The video presentation explained everything; it was an excellent presentation of the expediency of the bees’ kingdom, including that of their queer but profound ways of reproduction and productivity.

Bees buzzed around freely; some pupils had a good time scaring themselves, but most of them gaped in wonder of the flying bees. The owner then brought a honey frame fresh from the beehive (one bee was left clinging there). With his daughter, he instructed the pupils to line up for their free taste of the au naturelle honey; with a finger lightly touching a single bee cell (perfect hexagon), the pupils tasted honey, and got out of the line with satisfied smiles. And where were they headed? To the store, with all the products naturally made from bees: beeswax, propolis, honey, etc. Isn’t it a good sign of learning? At least they know how important bees are and how necessary it is to use natural products.

Our Lady of Manaoag Church

Before loading our stomachs, we headed first to Our Lady of Manaoag Church in the city proper. Some brought Mama Mary memorabilia; some had their pictures taken over the wishing well, with a few pupils praying and wishing beside it. While I was looking for my class, I came to pass by the healing center. It was actually a mini chapel, filled with statues of Mama Mary, with “Forgiveness Center” fronting them; near the altar was the “Prayer and Donation” corner, and onto the altar was the gigantic Jesus on the wooden cross. Imagine the beam on my face when I saw more pupils praying there.

As I went out, I couldn’t stop grinning. Why? They brought toys! And what did they do with them? They had their toys hung on the bag compartment over their seats.

Off to lunch. The planned Picnic Grove lunch turned into a “lunch-on-the-bus”. But that didn’t stop the fun. We parked outside the nearest mall (Robinsons) and allowed some pupils to buy drinks and do their other stuff. Most of them went to Starbucks; I was a bit surprised when some were reported to have been reprimanded by an American due to their noise. That pacified them somehow. (Kids really have tremendous energy resources.)

Plantations

Off to the last two destinations. To pass the time, we played movies (courtesy of some pupils). After the highly educational “Hop”, we switched to Mr Bean; everyone erupted into laughter. I could not even stop laughing; I was literally shedding tears of joy. Thanks to Mr Bean! Their energy had been recharged in full again. (Oh, yes!)

The last two weren’t new to them, for they’ve been there when they were in Grade 2 (They are in Grade 5 now). Still, their excitement was left undeterred.

Welcome to Lucky Me Plant! They danced with Mr Lucky M (such a cute mascot!), posed for the picture-taking, observed the process of making noodles, and surveyed the plant. In turn, they bought noodles from the store house.

They did the same thing in Go Nuts Donuts. They had the opportunity to play with dough, and donuts were freely distributed. And what more? They bought everything displayed in the stall. Oh my! You might have guessed what happened in the bus on our way home.

Chocolates, sugar, name it. All of these equaled to hyperactivity. Indeed! They got hold of the microphone, sang and danced, and exchanged pick-up lines. Majority of the pupils stood, as if the bus wasn’t moving; their “other talents” came out in total surprise. Nobody frowned; everyone enjoyed and laughed to their heart’s content, releasing more endorphins that made them all the more active. We had a great time; but eventually, I asked them to stop, to sit back, and relax.

I would say that this is the greatest field trip I have ever had. I got to bond with my advisory class without much restriction. Following my orders wasn’t difficult for the majority. We had fun; we enjoyed the day, and we all benefited from it through the new things we learned. The proximity of the place didn’t matter; we made it worthy enough to be reminisced, and everyone had his/her own share of the happiness we all felt. #