I lived Inside the Magat Dam in Ifugao for Eleven Days
- Mr. Local
- Aug 20, 2018
- 6 min read
We all know that the water most of us drink come from one source – a water dam. Then, it is thoroughly filtered by the companies that supply us the water that we all use.
I will not bore you anymore with so many trivia (because I don’t know a lot). So let me just tell you the story of how I and the MAP (Medical Ambassadors Philippines Inc.,) team lived with the community inside the dam for almost two weeks.
It all happened in 2016, when I was told by mom that I should join MAP on their Operation Samaria. It’s an annual thing that MAP organizes. It often is about going to isolated areas and tribes, and giving them Medical support). It was my first time to join them, and I know no one except my cousin Paul, who leads MAP’s mobilization.
Anyway, I joined them. We rode a bus to Ifugao and we were picked up by a police service van and an ambulance and were brought to the MAP clinic/shelter on a hill in Jacmal, Ifugao. During the road trip, I could already see how beautiful Ifugao is – majestic mountains, everywhere. There, we also encountered roads that were blocked by huge rocks and landslides. There, I knew that I was not there for vacation.
We spent the night at the clinic. There, we also repacked the school supplies that were sealed in boxes and wrapped in garbage bags (so it would be kind of waterproof). Other volunteers cooked meals for the whole group. We were also divided there into three groups. One group stayed at Jacmal, and performed medical consultations for the community there. Another group went to a remote tribe, four hours away from Jacmal. And our group was sent to immerse in the community inside the Magat Dam.
Driven by the same police van that brought us to Jacmal, it was probably two hours of travel to Magat dam, and another hour and a half on a roro (small boat) to a small house in a hill where our group lived for two weeks.
While traveling inside the dam, we could see so many beautiful hills. One wouldn’t even think that it’s all inside a humungous dam. We were told by the boatman, and the host of the family we lived with, that often than not, that those hills disappear as they submerge when the tide is high. We also saw floating houses with fish pens in some areas. I thought that life there was peaceful.
As we arrived at their house, we were greeted by their child. He’s a young energetic, cute boy. I could say that he made the whole stay a lot more fun.
Sadly, I wasn’t able to write and record everything per day during our stay there, as there were a lot of things that happened and I was also so busy documenting the whole mission trip of our group. So, I couldn’t tell you the story in detail and in chronological order. But don’t worry, I’ll tell you the best things that really highlighted my stay in Magat Dam.
One thing I noticed with most of the locals is their red-orange teeth, and their constant spitting. I learned that most of the locals there are addicted to chewing eople. Words couldn’t explain the fulfillment that one can feel when he gets to help those people who needs help the most, yet couldn’t get it. In return, apart from their huge smiles, the locals served us with great food, and a lot of fried Tilapia fish (it’s one of my favorite fishes). There, I learned that the primary source of food and income of the locals is fishing, and selling their catch on the market, outside the dam.
One thing I noticed with most of the locals is their red-orange teeth, and their constant spitting. I learned that most of the locals there are addicted to chewing Nganga (Betel nut). When I went back to Manila, I researched about it and learned that most people who chew Nganga, experience alertness, increased stamina, euphoria and salivation due to the Arecoline component in it.
Well, being so curious about it, I couldn’t forgive myself if I went back to Manila, not trying it. So I did.
We were in a floating house, relaxing and resting when I asked a local if I could try it. He asked if I’m sure, and of course, I said yes. He gave me a leaf, and a small piece of Betel nut. He told me to wrap the nut with the leaf, and chew it. So I followed. I wrapped the nut with the leaf, and took a bite. My good God, it’s not like what I’m expecting. It doesn’t taste something someone would be addicted to. It’s so bitter, and has this acrid taste. I didn’t want to be rude, but I spitted it just after a few seconds. After that, I was salivating for about 30 minutes! I thought of bringing some in Manila, but I don’t think my friends would fall for it.
As we stayed in the floating house, I noticed the fish pens surrounding the back of his house. We learned that those pens are full of Tilapias, and that we could try to catch some for our lunch, for free. He handed us his handmade fishing tackle. We then took turns in fishing our own lunch. And if you’re curious, yes, I caught two big Tilapias using just a small skin of banana as bait!
While my friends cooked, I and my friend Dr. Prissy, asked if it’s possible for us to swim inside the fish pen. And incredibly, the owner said, it’s okay, as long as we don’t make big movements as it might scare them and cause trauma. And off we go! We carefully dived in the fish pen.
If you’re thinking if it was like snorkeling, well, no - far from it. It was actually kind of scary as I saw what seemed like millions of Tilapias around me. I’m not sure why, but I thought of them as Piranhas! Lol. (Well, maybe, it’s because the waters is not crystal clear, as how it would usually be when snorkeling in sea and beaches). Though it was not how I expected it to be, surely, it turned out to be a much rare experience! I probably swam with Tilapias for five to ten minutes before I brought myself up to the floating house again.
The day before we leaved Magat Dam, we were invited by the locals in their community church. The place was incredible. It’s probably what you’d expect how a church in a hill, deep in a huge dam will look like – made of wood, and has the smell of leaves. We also prepared a song for them, as we bid our goodbyes.
The day we had to leave the dam came. Fortunately, the tide was so low that it would be almost impossible to travel back outside the dam. (Of course, we wanted to stay longer!)
On the hill, outside the house we stayed in, was a wonderful view. Just imagine the sunrise, fishing boats, and the silhouette of the hills. And around three kilometers away from the house we stayed in, is a huge, beautiful tree, and its branches were so big and full of leaves. I know that I couldn’t leave Magat Dam without going there. So I asked my friends if they noticed that tree, and one friend said, he does notice it, and also wants to go. We asked our other friends if they also want to go there, and they said yes!
Below is a timelapse of the Sunrise at Magat Dam (outside the house we lived in!)
We started walking, and trekking. The view, when on top of the hills is like in a dessert. Land was orange-brownish in color, and it seemed to us like we could walk on what was waters when high tide. After an hour of trekking on mud (yup, we were wrong, we couldn’t walk on what seemed like dry land) and taking photos, we got to the big tree. The land has a lot of sheep running around. The place is so different than in what we’ve walked through. It was green. We called that place Our New Zealand! We took pictures there, and played a card game called Uno.
After a couple of hours resting, and appreciating the beauty of the place we were at, we decided to head back to our house, as we had to leave for Jacmal soon.
We then headed back to Jacmal, and each group told stories about how they bonded with each other. It was the best team building I have ever had, in my entire life.
To end this story, I’ll tell you what I learned;
Don’t be scared of travelling to, and with unknown, as it will most likely offer you the best things that will ever happen to your life.
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