(March 21, 2023)
I found myself in a place I didn't know.
I walked around to check the area.
I found a place of worship
It was built near a body of water
The place was surrounded by blue body of water
I asked a young adult in front of their door
"What is the name of this place?"
She cannot answer directly
She didn't mention anything
Shaking her head
I went inside to see their minister
I talked to him while watching that blue body of water
I realized the place is an ISLAND
He didn't tell me the name of the place as well
I asked for the direction and possible mode of transportation.
He told me there's no way I could go out from there
There is no ship or plane either
I wanted to go home
He said it is not possible
I heard voices that telling me about my location
The place was a little far from Mindanao
And the Luzon is more far if I want to travel
And I need to cross a vast ocean just to go across
I went out and tried to observe my surroundings
I met many young people, girls and boys
Doing any kind of thing for fun
They have a carefree way of life
Next, I heard a male voice talking to me
It is like the Lord's Voice, only I could hear
He said, "TEACH THEM."
I just observed them doing something on their own
It's like they are measuring the ground
Young boys came around me
The two of them seemed teasing me
Putting their faces so near to my face
I tried to live with them
I thought I cannot go back home anymore
Until I felt thirsty and no fresh water in there
I asked them for water to drink
But they cannot give me
They didn't give me water to drink
I cried and my throat was so dry already
Suddenly, miracle happened
Heaven sent a fresh water to me
I saw a small plant with fresh water hanging on its leaves
It's a big dew, hanging below the leaf
I ran toward it immediately to fill my thirst
I caught it through my hand and sip it
Another girl followed me as well
She found a small dew also from the other leaf
I thought the place was a peaceful one
But I was wrong.
Many young men formed two groups
With tall arms like rifles they fired each other
Killing each other, hunting one another
I ran and hid myself among the trees and bushes
Trying hard not to be caught up and hit by the bullets
I covered myself with white cloth
They didn't see me thankfully
I climbed up a tree to see what's going on
After a time, the fight stopped
The people went on and walked together in a procession.
There's a large truck in the procession
I just watched them from above the tree.
Hiding from them all.
And I woke up.
My alarm rang, it's already 5 in the morning.
Next, I read the news, it's around 5:13am, earthquake happened in an Island somewhere in Maguindanao, Philippines. It's in Bongo Island, with that blue body of water.
-Anne Patino
March 21, 2023