Firsts in the Philippines

by Andrea Casali (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Philippines

Fluffy white clouds dotted the bright blue sky, making it the perfect day for flying. Will brought his paraglider to the Philippines all the way from the US, to do just that. Having grown up on the island of Cebu, he wanted to be the first pilot to fly there. He was on a mission. His thirteen-year-old sister, Angel, and I joined the adventure! As Will drove, we helped look for bald hills that he could launch from: a challenge in the lush tropics. At every sight of a promising launch, he leaned out the window speaking Visaya, to ask a local if there was a way to the top. “What did they say?” I queried. Often, they told him there were no roads up the cleared hilltops. Our search continued. With each glimmer of hope, we explored our new option. By late afternoon, after hours of exploring, a promising lead came from a teenage boy on a motorcycle. The asphalt narrowed, then turned to dirt. We passed small homes made of bamboo and woven nipa. Locals stared us down as we drove up. Will reminded me as he downshifted, “remember, clutch in to change gears and brake, and to start of course. And when you’re going downhill stay in low gear.” “Got it.” In the spirit of exploration and firsts, I’d volunteered to drive the truck down. The only problem was I’d never successfully driven a manual car. When I was younger, I’d attempted— and failed, to drive one over a speedbump. If he were able to fly, I’d have to drive the manual truck downhill, on a dirt road, with people and animals all over the place, and Angel in the passenger seat. No pressure. Once we reached the top, the clouds had begun to converge. “This is our last chance,” Will told us, turning the truck around, so I wouldn’t have to worry about reversing off the edge. How thoughtful. The big backpack Will hauled over his shoulders caught the attention of four young Filipino boys. Curiosity led them to run over to us with bare feet. Their voices overlapped as they asked him questions in Visaya with giant smiles on their little faces. This would be a first for them too, I realized. He had the boys help spread out his glider as he double-checked his safety gear. In the shaded valley below, a patchwork of farmer’s fields and dense trees blanketed the ground. “I dunno where I’m gonna land yet. Just keep an eye on me. I’ll try to call you when I’m on the ground.” He smiled. “Love you.” “Love you too. Have fun!” Will pulled back on his lines, inflating his wing overhead. The boys wowed in unison. As he turned around and ran a few steps down the hill, I fumbled to press record on my phone. “Bugoy! Bugoy!” The kids shouted and laughed as Will took flight. “What are they saying?” I asked Angel. “Wild man.” Normally he’d find a thermal to fly higher like a bird, but not this time. I’d never seen him go down that quickly. “Is he gonna be okay?” Angel asked. “Yeah, he’ll be fine.” I hoped. We hopped in the truck, not knowing where to retrieve him. “Are you sure you can do this?” Angel worried. I wasn’t sure. “We’ll see.” Pressing hard on both pedals, I turned the key. It started! I shifted into first and released the brake, giving it a little gas. Yes! We were moving! People gawked as they moved to the side of the road. “I don’t think they’ve ever seen a white lady driving here!” Angel exclaimed, and we laughed together. As the road became flatter, I felt confident enough to kick it into second gear. Two dogs ran into the road! I braked hard, but with no clutch, we stalled. We both gasped. Oh, thank goodness! The dogs were okay and ran away like nothing happened. I restarted the engine and continued our slow roll downhill. Before reaching the main road, I pulled over to await Will’s call. We both took a deep breath of relief. I didn’t have to fly to feel like I was soaring triumphantly.