ONE can never truly understand unless you yourself experience what the land near the heavens offers. It was love at first sight for Dr. Reinaldo Bautista Sr. A love that grew through the years, one that’s strong enough to make him brave the 10-hour bumpy, roller-coaster-like ride to Natonin, year after year, after year.
Attending, and being an active participant in all the events of the recently concluded eight-day Sas-alliwa Festival is a testament of his devotion to this eastern Mountain Province municipality and its people. The festival is viewed as a grand annual gathering for Natonin’s sons and daughters and their visitors. It is an event that showcases the culture, local produce and tourism of this sleepy town especially for non-Natonians who would partake of the festivities. But for Mr. Bautista, he is far from what one can view as a visitor. He is an adopted son of Natonin. His brothers and sisters gave him the name Hara, meaning ray of light—nothing can be more appropriate than this as he indeed personifies the name given to him.
Attending, and being an active participant in all the events of the recently concluded eight-day Sas-alliwa Festival is a testament of his devotion to this eastern Mountain Province municipality and its people. The festival is viewed as a grand annual gathering for Natonin’s sons and daughters and their visitors. It is an event that showcases the culture, local produce and tourism of this sleepy town especially for non-Natonians who would partake of the festivities. But for Mr. Bautista, he is far from what one can view as a visitor. He is an adopted son of Natonin. His brothers and sisters gave him the name Hara, meaning ray of light—nothing can be more appropriate than this as he indeed personifies the name given to him.
Undoubtedly, the place can really enthrall anyone, particularly someone who has spent most of his time in the city. The town is an idyllic retreat that promises tranquility and a languid way of living. Nestled within virgin oak forests, it offers a temperate climate, not too cold and not too warm. It also boasts of scenic sunrises and sunsets, hiking trails, and spectacular view decks. Furthermore, it capitalizes on its local products that vary from homegrown crops, abaca, honey, woven garments and beaded accessories.
But more than what is seen and presented is the warmth of welcome and hospitality that Natonin people ungrudgingly give to their visitors. This is perhaps one of the major factors that made Hara fall in love with the place.
My short stay in the municipality made me understand the attachment that the town has on its adopted son. You can’t help but be beguiled by the locality and its populace as they have this way of making you feel like part of their family immediately. Watching Hara mingle with the Natonians would make one think that he is not at all foreign to the place. This is so as it’s not difficult to adapt here.
It no longer remains a mystery to me how come such benevolence by this city educator and businessman is being bestowed on this hilly town. It is not hard to comprehend as well why he would consider retiring to this mountainous respite in the future. When he is in his second home, you can immediately see that he is in his own element—one of the true eagle dancers in the highlands of Natonin.
But more than what is seen and presented is the warmth of welcome and hospitality that Natonin people ungrudgingly give to their visitors. This is perhaps one of the major factors that made Hara fall in love with the place.
My short stay in the municipality made me understand the attachment that the town has on its adopted son. You can’t help but be beguiled by the locality and its populace as they have this way of making you feel like part of their family immediately. Watching Hara mingle with the Natonians would make one think that he is not at all foreign to the place. This is so as it’s not difficult to adapt here.
It no longer remains a mystery to me how come such benevolence by this city educator and businessman is being bestowed on this hilly town. It is not hard to comprehend as well why he would consider retiring to this mountainous respite in the future. When he is in his second home, you can immediately see that he is in his own element—one of the true eagle dancers in the highlands of Natonin.