For the past 16 years, during Lenten season I devote myself to read one of the 7 last words of God - Roman Chatolic way of portraying the passion of Christ because this is my only way of repentance for the whole year round of foolishness. Mesmerized by the stories and idea of my friends going to Camiguin Island to fulfill the so called "Panaad" a Cebuano term which means a religious vow of sacrifice to take the 64-kilometer walk around the island-province, highlighted with an uphill walk in Mt. Vulcan where the fourteen (14) Stations of the Cross are located, for this year I beg to be excused from the customary commitment of mine. My officemates were supposed to come along with me in trekking the entire island but on the day before we leave, they turn down for no reason at all. Nevertheless, armed with courage and the willpower I go on with the journey all by myself.

April 5, 2012 after office I took the bus for 2 hours ride towards my parent's house to get some of my stuff, then straight to CDO - Balingoan which took me 8 hours on the bus. Quarter pass 5 in the morning of the 6th of April when I arrived at the Bus terminal, as expected, there are hundreds of tourist who wanted to come to the island therefore before you can reach the ticket booth for the barge you need to fall in line. From that station am in the line until 5 pass 8 in the morning, unfortunately, when it's already my time to be serve the agent closed the window and position the signage "CLOSED UNTIL 11:00 AM". Wow! Perfect… But it doesn't impede my voyage "GOD will make a way that's what came across my mind. Here comes a guy approaches me if I wanted to risk my life getting the island all the way through the pump boat with only (5) person capacity and expect to get soaked in the midst of the deep. I did take that challenged and it took us only 30 minutes to reach the island. Exactly 9 am when we dock at the seashore somewhere in guinsiliban and then look for the motorcycle that could drive me going to sagay and met Kuya Tadlas sister (HAZEL) where I'll be leaving some of my belongings. With that pursuit, I had bring with me only my camera and the belt bag with the mug, t-shirt, sarong, a jacket, lotion, alcohol, nesvita, bottle of water and loaves of bread for survival during the trek. Before I leave, Ate Hazel's husband advice not to bend my legs when I wanted to rest, just remain on standing.

The penitent walk normally commences immediately after visitors sets foot on Benoni Port in the town of Mahinog. The crowd then goes towards Mambajao, and then to Catarman town where the Mt. Vulcan climb awaits each devotee, a never-miss part of the Panaad, then sets off again until they reach back the place to where they have started. Pilgrims are encouraged to register and secure the Panaad 2012 identification cards which can be accessed upon arrival at the Benoni Port Tourist Assistance Booth. Since, I had a port less entry so wasn't able to have this ID and I started from Sagay walking along its coastline. It was already 6pm when I get in touch with the staff of LGU-Mambajao, there and then I took a half bath, drink nesvita and change my garments. I witnessed hundreds of people walking the entire stretch of the island for 16 hours covering the five municipalities. The religious walk is completed with a "Visita Iglesia", in every chapel and old churches they came to pass. The local government has already put in place steering and working committees to oversee the needs and safety of the visitors. All key areas such as ports, town centers, and sacred places where devotees often congregate will hold information counters to be manned by the local disaster risk reduction management council, barangay council and tourism office. Medical teams are likewise readied to respond to health emergencies as devotees in some instances experience difficulties because of too much heat and exhaustion as they walk their way around the island. (JCV-PIA 10)

After an hour of hanging my legs, a long walks continued. It was half pass 10 when I arrived at Catarman where you can find the walkway. Before I reach, I almost give up in the middle of the way because my legs started to cramp and I could really sense the solitude of walking by myself. Like; no one will give confidence that I can do it! And every time I asked, everybody will say you are not yet on the half way. Hmmmn I almost cried but I tried to manage my emotions and stay physically powerful. Thanks to the manufacturer of the alcohol, it really helps me a lot with the success of my quest. Every drops of alcohol on my legs count! Along the highway, I lied down and comfort myself for about an hour feeling lifeless out of exhaustion. Till I wake up in the middle of the night with the camera's out of site. It's gone! No one is around other than me. Instead of sour grapping, I'd rather go on with … it's quarter to seven on the following day when I turn up to my point of origin. It took me only 12 hours to conquer the trail. YES! It was a sacrifice worth taking. I made it!

Now, I need to treat myself in one of the hot spring within the island- ARDENT Spring resort. I hang about 4 hours before I meet connie my officemate and his brother with his wife in that resort. In view of the fact that there's no more trip back to the mainland, we need to spend sometime in the resort then the rest at the port while waiting for the opening of any ticket booth in there. It was half pass 2 am of the 8th of August when that booth opened and tickets are then available. However, the barged leave the port at around 7 in the morning, but its ok..i don't mine it anyway. An hour after when we get in touch with the mainland- balinguan, we then separated with connie because am heading straight to my sisters place at Surigao City - the Island of adventure persist!…