That place called "Tanawan"

That place called "Tanawan"

Have you ever been so tired that even your home is not an ideal place to rest? Too many loud voices, mess, external noises, etcetera. Sometimes it’s too tiring that we just want to have a quiet place where we can rest and stay.

We all have a place where we choose to rest. A place where we go to meditate, and forget all the things that bothers us just for a short time. A place where we see a different point of view of how we see life and all of its surroundings. While others choose to go to the mall, watch a movie in cinemas, hangout with friends in a bar to unwind, some consider coffee shops as their resting place, the church where one can just sit down and pray, and the beach where some can relax to the sounds of the waves. While there is no such standard place to rest, you just have to find a place where you are most comfortable to stay. And besides, we are all uniquely different from each other.

Mine is Tanawan. Tanawan is the place where I go when I need to rest my mind. To unwind, and to let go of the things that bothers me just for a short time. This place is situated in the mountain where a challenging hike uphill is needed. It usually takes me 40 minutes to an hour to reach the top.

"Tanawan" is a Bicolano word which means a view point, where people can have a view of some parts of the town, vast rice fields, and at some point, parts of the neighboring town. Considering that it is on top of a mountain, we are very fortunate enough that there is an available road going up there that we can access by walking or by riding a motorcycle. But for me, the real experience of going there is by foot.

There are crosses situated beside the road that can be seen. This is because Tanawan is considered a religious place. Some locals do station of the cross during the holy week and also there is a “pabasa” that is being conducted on the top of the mountain.

I have gone to this place a couple of times already. With friends, with a family member, and on my own. As I’ve said, the best way to go there is by foot. Not just because I want to experience the difficulty of going there but there is a satisfaction that I get when I reach the top. The refreshing pouring sweat from my body, the fresh air that I breathe, and most especially the view.

It is also fun to laugh at each other when going up to the point that our abdomens ache for a good reason and racing uphill until we chase our breaths. Also, the mandatory selfies during rest periods.

During my first time climbing up to the top, I felt scared. I thought to myself that there might be a monster that will abduct me. Those mythical creatures that I watch on television. Hahahaha! But I’m still here alive and after that first time, it was followed by two more hikes all by myself. Also, there are a few houses situated along the trail and I can always ask for help if something happens. All that ever scared me was those thoughts in my mind. As other people say, the ones that are actually scary are the ones that are alive and that you get to interact with. If you know, you know.

I keep coming back to this place even if it is tiring. It gives me time to unwind and to release that excessive energy in me. Hiking to this place is also the time to release my frustrations about life. The time that I spent on top of that mountain gave me peace and gave me time to learn more about myself and to discover the things that I can do.

Those moments hiking to Tanawan all by myself gave me the definition that I can do things on my own and that I should not force anyone to go with me just for the sake of my wants. And I must say that there is no better place to rest and to clear my mind than this place called Tanawan.

I haven’t had the time to go back since the last time that I went there. I just hope that when I go back, the place should still be maintained clean and be respected as a place where people can rest and pray.

How about you, what or where do you consider your resting place?

P.S. The photos were taken early in the morning when we were able to see the clouds up close. There’s usually a clear view of the town but that day felt like I was on Mt. Pulag and the clouds were like cotton candies in the sky.

Note: All of the photos attached are mine unless stated.