Northern Samar: The Last Frontier?

Photos and Narration by Dr. herbert

Discovered from my digital chest are the following pictures that reminds me of our Field Work in Las Navas, Northern Samar. It took us almost 22 hours of travelling to reach our destination - Las Navas. In order to save money we decided to do a cutting trip.l from Legazpi City we took a Bus to Matnog, Sorsogon. From Matnog we took the two hour ferry boat to Allen, N. Samar. From Allen we took a jeep to Catarman, the Capital and from Catarman we took a jeep going to Catubig. From Catubig we took the boat and went cruising the Catubig river. By evening we were at Las Navas. Las Navas is a small municipality in N. Samar. It is located at the edge of a rainforest. It is accessible only by boat where the Catubig river serves as the only means of transportation. Truly an exotic place to be. A town set on the marshes. At the time of our visit the place was considered a critical area because of the insurgency. Many of the people in the area wondered why we chose Las Navas for our field work. But despite of the seeming risk we say that it is worth the visit. We love and enjoy the hospitality and the kindness of the Samarenos. They were kind, friendly and treated us as honered guests. I am especially reminded of Mang Jose, the care-taker of Las Navas Elementary School. He was so kind to us. He was solicitous for our needs. he often invited me to their house and even offered their precious water supply and their comfort room. He was always there to see us through. Not only was he so kind to us but also his wife and children. Mang Jose if you are still there in Las Navas, no words is enough to express our thanks.

The Port in Allen, Northern Samar. An important entry point for vehicles travelling south-bound to the Visayas and Mindanao

Spending Lazy hours in the 2-hours fery ride accross the San Bernardino Strait, the Body of water sparating Southern Luzon and Samar

Allen as seen from the Ferry Boat. Samar is the 3rd Largest Island in the Philippines and has one of the last remaining virgin forests in the country

My students seen disembarking from the Ferry Boat. Their youthful excitement overcomes whatever fatigue we have from the 22 hours gruiling trip

Catubig, is the end of the road. We took the 30 minutes boat ride to Las Navas. Las Navas can be reached only through this river. There are no vehicles in Las Navas since there is no functional road and bridge that will connect the town with the National Highway

For many of my students, this was their first boat ride.

One disembarkation point in Las Navas

The entrance to the Town proper of Las Navas.

The classrooms of Las Navas Elementary School Served as living quarters for the group. Thanks to the hospitality of the Division of Schools of Northern Samar.

Las Navas Elementary School

The Temporary Kitchen we set up

The Municipal Hall of Las Navas. The mayor of the Municipality Treated us with Hospitality.

The Catholic Church in Las Navas.

Every one deserves a share of a cup of coffee and a breakfast on a cold and foggy morning.

Above all we were greatful for the protection the Lord has provided us. Later when these students were asked to enumerate their unforgettable experience in college, many of them mentioned their field work in Samar as memorable.

To be continued....