Somewhere in the Camagsilangan village in this town is an unusual bridge – about four meter high and five meter long. It is surrounded by trees and accessible only by a trail with a thick wall of thicket.
When I saw it, what came first to my mind was the Stonehenge of England – those hefty standing stones that could have been used (historians say) by pre-historic Englishmen for religious purposes or as an astronomical observatory.
But the Stonehenge was manmade, archeologist Willy Ronquillo of the National Museum said. This one is a natural geologic formation, which makes it more wonderful. At least for me.
Indeed, the bridge, short as it is, evoked awes in those of us who saw it one late afternoon last week. The sun was just about to set and walking along trails that led from one cave to another left us perspiring and tired.
We did not want to go and see the bridge anymore. But our "guide" – Rizaldo Cabrito, was insistent. "It’s just about 20 meters away," he convinced us while some of us tried to enter a cave which the residents described as "having a second floor with many rooms."
(We were not able to enter that cave because we did not have flashlights or anything to light the way inside, but we were shown photos that stalactites and stalagmites created rooms where persons can stand.)
What will I lose, I said to myself as I followed the group of archeologists and residents to the bridge. When I saw it, I said "Wow! This is a wonderful creation of God!"
It could have been formed thousands of years ago, built by time and elements, and could be where children of the historic period could have played.
Dionisio Edrolosa, 52, the owner of the property where the bridge is located, said the bridge has always been there. He lived in the property which he inherited from his parents ever since he got married in 1975.
I was not able to ask him if he spent his childhood there, but he must have and the bridge must have been a part of his playground.
His wife and a daughter were at the bridge when we got there. Come up here, the wife told me. A very friendly lady, she held my hand as I climbed up the stone. "Can you pull me up?" I said doubtfully. She very skillfully and strongly did.
Up the bridge, one can see tomorrow. Well, almost. Around are green fields, and towering trees, and a sort of dam. "That part is Alaminos already," Manong Diony, who joined us at the bridge, said, pointing to a place full of buildings
I did pose for the camera – standing, sitting, whatever. When I looked down, I felt dizzy so I refrained from looking down again. I crossed to the other side where Manong Diony said there was a short cut to where we started off.
Some plants were full of big ants, as if guarding the place from intruders like us. Some plants were really matinik (full of thorns) that one has to be very careful in touching them. I made a mistake of holding on to a vine as I was getting down the bridge and I pricked by its thorns. Nothing serious, but I need to learn dos and donts on mountain (or hill) climbing.
Why was I at the place? Because of an invitation of Ate Bell (Arabella Arcinue, wife of kuya Bing and mother of Sual Mayor John) to have a look at the cave where supposed treasure hunters found pre-historic relics such as stone tools and potteries. A burial ground, the archeologists said.
We were not able to enter the "inner chamber" of that cave either because of a massive stone that covered its door. Maybe when the team from the National Museum comes for survey and exploration, and when the stonewall is broken down, I will be invited to have a look-see of what’s inside.
This cave is at one side of the limestone hill at the property Manong Diony who said he never thought that inside the hills covered by thick vegetation, is a part of history that stayed undisturbed for many years.
Just imagine, in that village, two caves and a bridge were there for the residents to explore and enjoy for many years. Now, curious people from other places may go to the village for them to see these wonders of nature, too.
I just hope they will preserve the beauty and sacredness of the place.