Ayoke Island is Ay,okey!

'Ah, summertime! Days of endless delights, of uninhibited fun and frolic and food with a few favored friends - still the magic never fades..'

Seen that picture on the left? Yeah, that's me! I've been really bold enough to sport a two piece for the very FIRST TIME. It's really liberating to do things which you know you will never ever regret doing when you get old. As they say it, we only live once not unless if you're a cat coz you get to have 9 lives? :D

I've been the kind of person who is really conscious of what I would look like or act in front of a lot of people but I've learned so much not to dwell on things like this and just let my inhibitions die. Thus, touring to different parts of Mindanao, building friendly relations with people I never thought would become a great addition in my life and doing things I know which is done in good faith are things I can never bargain to anyone. So yeah, thank you so much SUMMER OF 2013. :)

Unwinding in one of the beautiful islands of Surigao this summer has been one for best adventures ever! Ayoke island is said to be one of the best preserved marine sanctuary in the Philippines. Totally it is worth the while when you are with great people having fun right after doing some work to protect Mother Nature. Swimming, laughing, surfing? Unfortunately I didn't have the time to do that but to have stayed there for one night, making unforgettable memories with friends is just pure bliss. We just tried to make the most out of it right after we delve into the busy world of being interns in LRC in the summer of 2013. I've been into lots of activities in the move for the advocacy against mining here. I also showed my support by participating in the fun run activity to show how the constituents of Cantilan despised the idea of mining in their respective areas. Lots of things to be done and stuffs to learn in application of my quest in the legal profession. 

Oh, right after we had our thorough consultation on AMMB in the hopes of educating, guiding and updating the vibrant community people of Cantilan regarding this bill, I and my bestfriend Glenice head on to the Blue Church. It was my crazy idea to also take a picture there just like how Atty. Ryan shared his one of a kind experience during his internship years where he too prayed to a Church somewhere up North to let God bless him and pass his bar subjects at law school. His funny story inspired me to become like him too. He visited that Church years after when He had already attached the prefix ATTY. to his name. To him, that church was a miracle. And so, I also hope to be as determined and as God-fearing as Atty. Ryan. So there, I whispered a prayer before all of us will be heading back home. I thanked our Almighty for all the blessings he has given me and my friends since we know not all law students will be able to experience this kind of exposure and to learn so much from genuine people seeking justice and fairness as well as helping protect our already exploited Mother Nature.

It was such an unforgettable adventure. To Mr. and Mrs. Janise Iriberri, thank you very much fir the sumptuous dinner and snacks for the past days that we have stayed in Cantilan. We will never forget the beautiful city of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. My summer vacation became even more awesome especially so that I have had the opportunity to visit your place, learnt & met lots of great people together with my fellow interns and our family from LRC, Kaisahan and Balaod Mindanaw.

So for now, we bid farewell to all of you.  Years from now, through pain-staking sacrifices to pass the gruesome bar exam and become future lawyers, I hope the passion we have as of the moment to decide for ourselves to become alternative lawyers will not change through the course of time so that we may all work together to help save Surigao and other areas in Mindanao which have been facing the dire consequences of having Mining Industries without regard to the needs of the future legacy of this country. We're praying that pending cases shall now bear a verdict possibly in favor of our side and unjust killings will stop eventually giving justice to the bereaved families of those brothers and sisters who are now in the loving arms of our Creator. God bless us all. See you soon! :)