AGUSAN MARSH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: One Humbling Experience

July 12, 2014 Agusan Del Sur , Agusan Marsh , Loreto , Mindanao , Travels 1 Comments

It was almost a week but the memories I had at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary still lingers me, leaving me in reverie of that humbling experience I hold dear in my heart. And now here I am, sharing to the world that piece of happiness I crafted at the heart of Agusan Marsh.

Agusan Marsh is not the usual travel destination for the common crowd as it is incomparable to that white sand beaches you have pictured in mind. We've traveled for almost 5 hours by bus ride from Davao City to Trento. Another hour of dusty ride to Loreto. Add the perilous boat trip to the heart of the marshland which took us about an hour and half. In the seemingly endless waters of Agusan River, I gazed at almost everywhere in hopes to find any presence of the crocodiles but sadly, there was none.

Entering the Marsh is like entering into a magical world. It was like a piece of heaven within the earth. So calm, so enchanting. The sound of silence was hypnotic. All you can hear was the earth’s breathing through the gentle winds, rhyming the chirping of the birds while enjoying their wild abode. Ahh! It’s like music to my soul. That exact moment was the most relaxing voyage of my existence.

Agusan Marsh is one of the largest and the most contained freshwater catch basin wetlands in the Philippines which covers roughly almost the size of Metro Manila. It covers an area of 14,835.989 hectares and is home to different wildlife animals. It is a shutter haven for the wild bird photographers coz there you can see various species of wild birds such as Wild ducks, herons, egrets, kingfisher finding shelter during the cold season of northern continents.

In the very heart of the marsh is a semi-permanent lake where many square kilometres of lily pads, hyacinths and other hydrophytic plants spread out like an enormous green quilt. In the dark tea-colored waters live untold numbers of catfish, carp, soft-shell freshwater turtles, and crocodiles of course. Agusan Marsh is the natural home of “Lolong” the Guinness world record holder as the largest crocodile in captivity. 

We settled in the floating village of Sitio Panlabuhan where the Manobo community welcomed us with a heartwarming hospitality. They offer a ritual to their 'amigo' (spirits) to grant us a safe journey till we get back home. Offering delectable foods and comfortable accommodation during our stay.

Agusan Marsh awakened me in a way I have never imagined. The unfamiliar sights stirred my senses in a way other places never could. And seeing the manobo’s life pulsating in another world from mine was so invigorating and so humbling. You know, just when I seek answers to the dilemmas and dramas I am dealing with lately, the picture of how they simply live despite the scarce of help coming from others is something I pondered during my stay. The experience is a lesson for me. They taught me how to be humble, to be thankful and to appreciate the sacredness of nature, life and other beings. That is why they are so blessed, not just with the magical paradise they are taking care of, but they are blessed with rich pure hearts. They helped me realize that I have so much to be thankful for, that I am so blessed; just like them; just like every one of us.

Two days was not enough but we need to bid goodbye. I am hoping that one day, I'll be able to come back to this hidden paradise again. Soon!

• There are daily flights from Manila or Cebu to Davao City. Or take Manila/Cebu - Butuan route if available.