The “White Water Junkies” are the funny and friendly river rafting guides of Kagay-an Bugsay Rafting, one of the rafting outfitters here in the city. After the tourism in the entire country collapsed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the famous river rafting in Cagayan de Oro City has also come to a halt. Consequently, all river rafting guides including the White Water Junkies bid goodbye to the river momentarily.

 

For almost a month left with nothing else to do, and being away from the river that has become their playground for a very long time, these guys have finally got an opportunity to break the curse of doing nothing. On April 12, 2020, the White Water Junkies head out on an Easter Sunday Food Drive, in partnership with a non-profit organization called “Para sa Bayan ni Juan,” a group extending help and support to frontliners and those whose livelihoods were affected by the community quarantine.

 

The recipients of the food drive are the friends and families of fellow river rafting guides living in Sitio Aura, Barangay Mambuaya, a 35-minute drive from Divisoria. Sitio Aura is known to be the starting point of river rafting of the lower section course.

 

The White Water Junkies prepared food for more than 100 people. They utilized their talent and skills in cooking for famous Filipino dishes such as Pork Adobo, Chicken Adobo, Pork Caldereta, Bam-i. They also prepared bread and Ube Halaya. Those were simple recipes but certainly delicious.

 

As they arrived in the area, everyone helped each other to prepare everything. They invited everyone who is there to join for a sumptuous meal. Parents and children sat in and shared evenly as the water junkies served all the delicious food cooked for them.

 

Everyone was happy, especially for the White Water Junkies who never expected to do such thing in the midst of the community quarantine. The sense of fulfillment it brought to themselves was amazing.

 

Dong Wabe, a river guide, shared his experience: “Kato na adlaw na nakita nako and na-remind ko nga naa g’yud mga tao na gusto mo tabang bisag kita na tanan ang naka sinati sa crisis. Malipay ta kay bisag sa gamay na lihok nakatabang pod ta sa uban. Mao pod ni isa sa akong mga realization nga usahay na kong gusto ta mutabang sa uban na di ta maka tabang kay wala tay makahatag pero usahay diay kay mahimo lang ta nga instrumento para makatabang. Naay mga tao na gusto mo tabang pero di sila pwede maong kita ang mahimong instrumento para mahatag sa mga tao nga nangailangan. Sobra ko ka lipay na makita ang mga tao na na lipay sa ilang nadawat.”

 

Another river guide, Fercel Mipaña, said: “Malipayon kay nakatabang, dili lang sa uban Ang kaugalingon natabangan. Ang camaraderie sa mga guides didto nato makita ang pagtinabangay sa panahon sa krisis.”

 

Helping and supporting one another is the best thing to do in this difficult time. Giving should be put into practice. If there is nothing to give, be an instrument to those who are in need. A little help can create a huge impact on people while we are going through this crisis.