Chapter 11
As the helicopters touched down, the crystal-blue waters and powdery white sand of Silinog Island came into view. A warm breeze carried the scent of salt and sun-kissed greenery, instantly making the island feel inviting rather than extravagant.
Unlike the Aragon family private resort on the mainland, Silinog had a quiet charm—untouched, serene, and deeply connected to the laocal community. This island was previously owned by a close family friend who declared bankruptcy last year, having never recovered from the financial losses caused by the pandemic.
Recognizing how special it was to Yana, her parents decided to save it and gifted it to her as a birthday present.
A small group of staff awaited them at the beachfront, dressed in light, breathable polos and simple woven hats. Their smiles were warm, not the stiff, rehearsed politeness of high-end resorts, but the kind that felt like home.
Yana greeted them by name, exchanging quick, easy conversations that made it clear she wasn’t just another visitor—she knew these people.
"Maligayang pagbabalik Ija" an older woman beamed, wiping her hands on her apron before giving her a quick hug.
"Thank you, Aling Cora," Yana said, turning to the group. "Everyone, this is Aling Cora, and that’s Mang Luis—he’s been fishing here since my dad was a kid. The rest of the staff are locals, too.”
Paeng, the butler, a man with sun-weathered skin, stepped forward with a gentle nod. “Handa na po and lunch niyo. Dito po tayo.”
Their path led them past coconut trees and small nipa huts nestled along the coastline—housing for the staff, not fancy guest villas. The Grand Villa, though large, had a simple elegance to it, built with local materials—wooden beams, woven bamboo walls, and capiz shell windows that let in the golden afternoon light.
Inside, a buffet was set up on a long wooden table, covered in banana leaves instead of white linens. Fresh seafood—grilled fish, shrimp, and crabs—was laid out alongside steaming plates of rice, mango ensalada, and bowls of sinigang. Everything smelled incredible, the kind of meal made with love rather than luxury.
Mia took it all in, feeling something settle in her chest. This place wasn’t trying to impress anyone. It just was . And somehow, that made it all the more special.
The moment Shana was handed her coconut drink, with her name carefully carved into the shell—her eyes went wide with amazement.
“Hala, ang galing! May pangalan ko pa?!” She beamed, taking a sip. “Hmmm! Ang sarap!”
Mia, already grinning, couldn’t help but watch Shana like she was the most delightful thing in the world. The pure, childlike excitement radiating from her was infectious. Maco noticed this—noticed how Mia’s usual composed expression melted into something impossibly soft. She blinked a few times, feeling an odd tug in her chest.
What was that? She frowned, shook her head, and took a sip of her own drink. Weird.
Lunch was anything but quiet. The lively conversation was fueled mostly by Shana, who had a way of making even the simplest things sound dramatic and hilarious. Her energy was unstoppable, her laughter contagious.
Jules and Gene, the two relative outsiders of the group, found themselves effortlessly drawn into her orbit. The rest of them—Mia, Maco, Yana, Saf, Alex and Shana—had practically grown up together, attending the same Montessori school since they were kids. Their bond ran deep, built on years of shared memories, childhood mischief, and unspoken understanding.
Jules, who only met Mia in college, was still adjusting to the group’s dynamic. Despite her usual skepticism about anything remotely extravagant, she couldn’t help but be entertained by Shana’s storytelling. There was something about her energy that made it impossible not to smile.
Gene, on the other hand, had always been on the periphery. She had known Maco all her life, but studying in Bohol during grade school kept her from being as tightly woven into the group’s history. Still, she had grown familiar with their stories over the years, and now, watching Shana’s antics unfold in real time, she found herself smirking in amusement, fully swept up in the moment.
It wasn’t just her humor that made everyone love her—it was her warmth. They all knew what she had been through. Losing her mom at a young age, growing up without the woman who had meant so much not just to her, but to many of them. Mia and Maco, in particular, felt it the most. They had a bond with her mom, one that made protecting Shana feel like second nature.
But if Shana carried any of that pain with her today, she didn’t show it. She was too busy cracking jokes, making exaggerated reactions to the food, and marveling at every small detail of the island like it was the best thing she had ever seen.
And honestly? Watching her be this happy was more than enough to make everyone else feel the same.
Watching the group unwind, laughter spilling freely as Shana kept them entertained, Saf couldn’t help but smirk.
Good call bringing her in.
Shana was the perfect retreat facilitator—not just because of her Psychology degree or the hands-on experience from her undergrad internships. It was her . That infectious energy, the way she made people let their guard down without even trying.
One joke, one playful remark, and suddenly, barriers didn’t seem so high. In a group as chaotic as this, Shana wasn’t just a facilitator—she was the glue holding them all together.
After lunch, they each settled into the villa, where four rooms awaited them. The room assignments were set: Mia and Jules, Maco and Gene, Shana and Saf, and Alex with Yana.
The moment Shana found out, she turned to Saf with a teasing grin. “Tayo pala magka-roommate? Sayang, gusto ko pa naman si Ate Yana kasama ko.”
Yana, never one to miss a beat, gasped dramatically. “Oo nga! Lex, palit na lang kayo ni Shana!”
Alex chuckled, shaking her head. “Kayo talaga.”
Saf just rolled her eyes at their antics while the others burst into laughter. With playful banter still hanging in the air, they disappeared into their rooms to rest and freshen up, gearing up for their first activity of the retreat.
Maco was laying on her bed while scrolling on her phone when she got a notification from their group chat.
RivaFranca 2025 Yiee
Saf added Jules and Alex to the conversation
Saf: Be ready in 15 mins
Maco: Extend po 1 hour
Shana: Pwede daw pero palit kayo ni Ate Jules ng room
Yana: HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA
Jules: Fine by me <3 okay lang sayo @Gene?
Gene: no problem
Maco: Mga tarantado
Maco threw her phone onto the bed with a sigh, staring at her still-unpacked luggage. She knew she should’ve done it earlier, but procrastination won again. Meanwhile, Gene was already done and had slipped out of the room without a word, leaving Maco to rush through the rest of her unpacking.
By the time she finally made her way downstairs, the rest of the group was already gathered in the living area. Shana, standing front and center, clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Alright, listen up!” she beamed. “Ngayon ang unang araw ng retreat, and for today’s activity, we’re kicking things off by getting to know the real heart of this island which is its people!”
Yana stepped forward with a warm smile, nodding in agreement. “Most of the caretakers here have been looking after this island for years, even before my family acquired it. So, instead of just lounging around like spoiled guests—” she gave Alex a knowing glance, making them scoff, “—we’re going to immerse ourselves in their daily tasks and see what island life is really like.”
Alex grinned. “Sounds fun. But… how immersive are we talking?”
Shana wiggled her eyebrows mischievously. “Oh well… tayo lang naman ang maghahanap, gagawa at maghahanda ng kakainin natin mamaya for dinner.”
Before anyone could protest, a woman in her late thirties stepped forward, her warm smile instantly putting them at ease.
“This is Ate Paula,” Yana introduced. “She’s been managing the island with the staff for years, and today, she’ll be the one making sure none of us mess up.”
Ate Paula chuckled. “Pau nalang. No pressure ha! Gagabayan naman kayo. Basta makinig lang ng mabuti ha. Ang hindi makikinig maiiwan dito sa isla.”
A collective groan mixed with laughter filled the air as the girls realized they weren’t just playing around—they were working for their dinner.
The group guided by Paula arrived at a clearing where an old caretaker named Mang Tino stood beside a pile of freshly harvested coconuts.
“Eto po si Mang Tino, mahigit dalawang dekada na po siyang caretaker dito sa isla. Pau introduced. He smiled warmly at them. “So sino gustong sumubok?”
Before anyone could answer, Shana eagerly raised her hand. “Ako po! Pa try! Magaling po ako mag fruit ninja”
The group chuckled as Mang Tino handed Shana a coconut and demonstrated the proper way to dehusk and crack it open. Shana, eyes gleaming with excitement, stepped forward, eager to try the task herself. She watched closely as the old man made it look effortless, using a metal stake embedded in a log to strip away the husk.
“Kung mapapansin niyo,” Mang Tino began, holding up two coconuts of different colors, “meron tayong green at brown na coconut dito. Etong green, ang tinatawag nating buko… ginagawang juice o ginagamit sa panghimagas. Kailangan lang butasan para makuha ang katas bago natin biyakin.”
He then raised the brown coconut. “Eto naman ang niyog. Dito tayo kumukuha ng gata, na kakailanganin natin mamaya sa hapunan. Pero ang juice neto, hindi na ginagamit, kaya diretso na nating bibiyakin.”
He positioned the niyog firmly before continuing, “Pero bago natin ito mabiyak, kailangan muna nating balatan o i-dehusk.” With practiced ease, he drove the coconut onto the stake, peeling away the tough husk with a few swift movements.
The group watched in awe, especially Shana, who let out an impressed, “Hala, ang satisfying!” before stepping up for her turn, determination written all over her face.
“Shans, sigurado ka?” Alex asked, holding back a chuckle.
“G!” Shana grinned as she tried to dehusk the coconut, bringing it down with all her strength to stake it. The coconut stubbornly remained intact, while the impact made her jump.
The others burst into laughter. “Baka ikaw ang mabiyak, hindi yung coconut,” Mia teased.
"Bat ayaw?!" Shana huffed in frustration, gripping the coconut as if sheer willpower could make it budge.
“Pa try nga ako Shans,” Maco offered, stepping in effortlessly.
With a firm grip, she yanked at the coconut, successfully loosening it from its husk. She repositioned it on the stake for another pull, but the force wasn’t enough. Pausing, she pushed up her sleeves, revealing her toned arms.
Mia, watching intently, subtly bit her lower lip at the sight of Maco’s biceps flexing as she worked. It was completely unconscious… until Jules caught it.
Jules did a double take, her gaze flicking from Mia’s lips to where they were focused. Slowly, a smirk formed on her face, equal parts confused and amused.
Mia, realizing she’d been caught, snapped out of her daze and shot Jules a warning glare. Jules, barely containing her laughter, wiggled her brows in silent teasing.
“Wow, ang galing mo naman, Maxx!” Alex chimed in, breaking the moment. “When did you learn to do this?”
“Ngayon lang, kakaturo lang ni Mang Tino oh,” Maco replied with a smirk, nodding toward the older man supervising them.
Desperate to escape Jules’ knowing stare, Mia blurted, “Pa try din po!”
What followed was a mix of struggling, failed attempts, and a lot of laughing—especially when the husks refused to cooperate. With a little guidance (and a lot of patience) from Mang Tino, they finally managed to crack open the coconuts.
As they sipped the fresh juice, Shana raised her drink. “Cheers to survival, mga mars!”
The group clinked their coconuts together, laughter echoing through the island.
Their next task took them to the garden quite a distance from the villa—a lush, thriving space filled with rows of vegetables, herbs, and fruit-bearing plants. A modern greenhouse stood nearby, alongside an aeroponic gardening setup, showcasing an impressive mix of traditional and innovative farming techniques. The sight alone made some of them gape in admiration.
“Eto po ang garden natin sa isla,” Ate Pau, their guide for the day, explained with a warm smile. “Lahat po ng mga sangkap na ginagamit namin sa pagluluto, dito po nanggagaling.”
Jules, always one to appreciate sustainability efforts, nodded in approval. “Ang galing. Napaka self-sustaining pala dito sa isla.”
“Opo,” Ate Pau affirmed. “Matagal na pong merong garden dito, pero last year lang po talaga namin na-maximize at na-improve dahil sa initiative ni Ms. Yana.”
At that, Jules turned to Yana with a raised brow, clearly impressed. Yana, ever humble, simply shrugged and smiled. “It was a collective effort naman,” she said lightly, downplaying her role in it.
Saf, who had been quietly observing, smirked. “Yana, just accept a compliment for once.”
Mia grinned, nudging Yana. “Napaka-humble talaga.”
Yana laughed, shaking her head. “O, tama na yan! Ang usapan, mamimitas tayo ng gulay.”
With that, they got to work, each of them assigned to pick fresh ingredients for their dinner. Shana, of course, was the most enthusiastic, dramatically wiping imaginary sweat off her forehead as she plucked leafy greens. “Grabe, ang hirap pala ng buhay magsasaka! Pero at least, dinner will be extra delicious kasi pinaghirapan natin!”
“As if kumakain ka ng gulay!” Maco chimed in teasing Shana.
The group chuckled, fully immersed in their task, bonding over their shared effort in harvesting what would later become their well-earned meal.
Finally, bringing their harvest to the kitchen, the group was met with their final task—preparing the food. Just as they set down the baskets of vegetables, Mang Luis and Andres arrived, carrying a large banyera filled with freshly caught fish and lobsters.
“Andami naman po niyan, Mang Luis!” Yana said, eyes widening at the generous haul.
“Maganda ang panahon kaya sagana sa laot,” Mang Luis replied as they carefully put down the tub.
Gene, who had been quietly observing, tilted her head and deadpanned, “Akala ko tayo pa yung mangingisda eh.”
Ate Pau let out a nervous laugh. “Ay naku, baka matagalan po tayo niyan!”
Maco chuckled at Gene’s rare attempt at a joke. “Nagjojoke lang po siya, Ate Pau.”
Ate Pau exhaled in relief before laughing along. “Ay buti naman po! Pero wag kayong mag-alala, kayo pa rin po ang maghahanda ng kuhang isda nina Mang Luis. Si Aling Cora po ang magtuturo sa inyo.”
At the mention of Aling Cora, an older woman with a no-nonsense yet warm demeanor stepped forward, arms crossed as she gave the group an appraising look. “Kaya ba ng malalambot niyong kamay to?” she teased, making some of them gulp.
Shana, ever the ball of energy, clapped her hands together. “Kaya namin yan Aling Cora! Basta wag niyo po akong paghawakin ng buhay na lobster—baka maputol yung daliri ko!”
The group erupted in laughter, and even Aling Cora smirked before motioning them to gather around.
“Ok, mga iha, hati-hati tayo sa gawain para mabilis tayo matapos,” she announced. “Mia at Maco, sa inyo ang isda. Tanggalin yung kaliskis at linisin yung laman loob. Saf at Gene, kayo sa rekado, maghiwa ng bawang, sibuyas, luya at kamatis. Alex at Shana, gatasan ang niyog at iprepare ang mga prutas para sa panghimagas. Jules at Yana, sa inyo ang gulay at pagluluto.”
Each pair went to their designated station. The kitchen quickly filled with sounds of chopping, scraping, and the occasional playful bickering.
At the fish station, Mia and Maco were in a constant back-and-forth.
“Dahan-dahan kasi. Ang isda, hindi binubugbog.” Maco teased as Mia aggressively ran the knife down the fish’s belly, gripping it firmly.
Mia huffed. “Alam ko yung ginagawa ko.”
“Sinasabi ko lang, baka magreklamo tong isda kahit patay na.”
“Oh since magaling ka ikaw kaya subukan mo to—” Mia barely finished her sentence when she yelped in pain.
“Ano?! Anong nangyari? Okay ka lang?” Maco’s head snapped toward her in alarm.
“Natusok ako sa palikpik,” Mia muttered, holding up her hand. A small drop of blood formed on her fingertip.
“Ayan kasi, di ka nag-iingat!” Maco scolded, immediately grabbing Mia’s wrist and pulling her toward the sink. “Buti hindi malalim."
“Eh ikaw kasi, ang kulit mo!” Mia retorted, but she didn’t resist as Maco gently washed her finger under the cool stream of water.
Maco held her hand carefully, brows furrowed in focus. “I pinch mo yan para di na dumugo,” she instructed. Then, without thinking, she leaned down and blew softly on Mia’s finger.
Mia blinked, momentarily stunned.
It was such a simple gesture, but the warmth of Maco’s breath, the way her fingers curled around Mia’s own, and the serious look on her face—it was doing things to Mia’s heart that she wasn’t prepared for.
For a moment, it was just the two of them, caught in some weirdly intimate fish-related moment.
And then—silence.
Too much silence.
Both of them snapped out of it at the same time and turned toward the kitchen.
Everyone was staring.
Jules, who had paused mid-stirring, had the most dramatic smirk on her face. Yana was hiding a giggle behind her hand. Alex had her phone halfway raised like she was debating whether to record. Shana was whispering something to Saf, who was nodding sagely. And Gene—ever the deadpan queen—just looked between Maco and Mia, then back at the ginger she’s chopping, as if connecting the dots of something unspoken.
Maco and Mia’s eyes widened.
In unison, they flinched and practically jumped away from each other like they had been caught doing something illegal.
“A-Ano?” Maco stammered, crossing her arms and clearing her throat.
“Bakit kayo ganyan makatingin?” Mia added, attempting to sound normal while discreetly rubbing her now very warm ears.
Jules dramatically gasped, placing a hand over her chest. “Concerned lang, magpapatawag sana kami ng ambulansya.” She teased.
Alex grinned, shaking her phone. “Sayang, di ko na video. Pwede ulitin?”
“Na video ko po maam” Paula chimed in enthusiastically, flashing her innocent smile.
Saf, feeling accomplished since she was the one who assigned Ate Pau to document their activities, gave her a wink.
Shana dramatically put down the bowl she was holding and strode over to Mia and Maco’s station, her expression grave, as if she were investigating a crime scene.
“Tingin nga,” she murmured, gently taking Mia’s hand and inspecting the tiny wound with exaggerated concern. She furrowed her brows, then turned her head sharply. “Asan na yung isda nanusok sayo, Ate Mia? Tatadtarin ko lang.”
A round of chuckles echoed through the kitchen.
Without missing a beat, Shana grabbed the nearest fish with both hands, lifted it in front of her face, and dramatically scolded it. “Okay ka lang?! Ayan kasi, di nag-iingat!” she said, perfectly mimicking Maco’s earlier exaggerated reaction.
The group erupted into laughter, but Shana wasn’t done yet. She jutted out her lower lip in an exaggerated pout, then switched to her cutesy voice. “Hmp! Bad fish! Why you heart my Mia, ha?!” She shook the fish slightly, as if scolding it.
Mia, unable to hold in her laughter anymore, smacked Shana’s shoulder. “Hayop ka talaga!”
Maco, trying to maintain her tough facade but visibly biting back a smile, rolled her eyes. “Siraulo, akin na nga yan!” She snatched the fish from Shana’s grasp. “Bumalik ka na dun sa gata mo!”
But the smirk on Maco’s face betrayed her, and Shana, seeing it, wiggled her brows mischievously before skipping back to her station, giggling the entire way.
The kitchen remained lively, the playful teasing fueling their energy as they continued preparing the meal, the earlier tension replaced by warmth, laughter, and the undeniable chemistry between two very stubborn people who thought they were being subtle—but absolutely weren’t.
As the last dish was placed on the long wooden table, the group took a moment to admire the spread they had worked so hard to prepare. The aroma of freshly grilled fish, savory tinola, coconut-infused dishes, and warm rice filled the air, making their stomachs grumble in anticipation. The caretakers and staff who guided them throughout the day took their seats with them, smiling warmly at the girls.
Dinner was lively, filled with laughter and animated conversations. Shana, as expected, was the most talkative, excitedly recounting the moment Mia and Maco shared earlier. “Si Ate Maxx mukhang gusto ka ng dalhin sa ospital si Ate Mia kanina,” she quipped, making everyone burst into laughter.
As they ate, the caretakers shared stories about the island—its history, how their families had cared for it for generations, and the traditions they upheld. Ate Paula spoke about how the island thrived on self-sustainability, passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. Mang Luis shared stories of storms they had braved and how the community always came together to rebuild.
With each bite, they savored not just the food but the warmth of shared stories, laughter, and the quiet comfort of a meal enjoyed together.
The group made their way to the beach, where a bonfire pit had been set up for them.
As the bonfire crackled gently, the girls settled onto the sand, the warmth of the flames contrasting with the cool sea breeze. The rhythmic crash of the waves filled the peaceful silence between them—some snapping pictures, others simply lost in thought, all quietly savoring the serenity of the night.
Then, as expected, it was Shana who broke the silence.
“Ano, tahimik na lang tayo forever?” she teased, hugging her knees to her chest. “Hindi to silent retreat ha”
The group chuckled, some shaking their heads at Shana’s ability to ruin—no, enhance —a peaceful moment.
She clapped her hands together. “Okay! Since we’re wrapping up our first day, let’s do a quick sharing session. Favorite part of the day and learnings natin, go!” She turned to Alex first. “Lex, as our designated social media girl, ikaw mauna.”
Alex smirked. “Grabe, ‘designated social media girl talaga? Pero sige, sige. Honestly, sobrang na-appreciate ko yung self-sustaining lifestyle nila dito. Like, it’s different from just watching those ‘off-grid’ videos online—being part of it, kahit isang araw lang, was really eye-opening.” She paused, then grinned. “And I have a lot of great shots!.”
“Ah, ayan na. Totoo naman pala ‘yung dahilan,” Yana teased, making everyone laugh.
“Okay, next!” Shana pointed at Gene.
Gene, as always, was brief. “Masarap yung pagkain.”
The group groaned at her answer, though no one was surprised. “Yun lang?!” Maco complained, nudging Gene.
Gene chuckled, shaking her head. “Hindi, seryoso. I liked working with everyone. Parang teamwork talaga tayo kanina, tas ayon, we’re literally ate the product of our labor. It’s satisfying.”
The group responded with a round of nods. Yana spoke next, sharing how humbled she felt witnessing the locals’ dedication to their work and how grateful she was that her past efforts to improve the island were being put to good use.
Jules agreed with everything they said, expressing that working with the locals was both humbling and grounding. She added that it made her appreciate everything even more and mentioned how refreshing it was to work with her hands.
Meanwhile, Saf, ever the practical one, admitted that she had learned just how inefficient she was at slicing onions.
Then, it was Mia and Maco’s turn.
“Favorite part?” Shana prompted, eyes glinting with mischief. “Ate Maxx, ikaw muna.”
Maco crossed her arms. “Ang hirap mag-scale ng isda.”
“Di mo sinagot yung tanong!” Saf interjected, grinning.
“Fine.” Maco rolled her eyes. “Siguro yung pagtutulungan natin kanina. Tsaka…,” she hesitated for a second. “Masaya ako na we’re doing this together.”
Mia, caught off guard by Maco’s unexpectedly sincere answer, softened.
“Eh ikaw, Ate Mia?” Shana asked, leaning in with curiosity.
Mia took a deep breath, gazing at the bonfire before speaking. “Honestly, today was a humbling experience,” she began, her voice thoughtful. “Madalas niro-romanticize yung idea ng simple living, pero iba pala talaga pag ikaw mismo yung gumagawa. Learning how much effort goes into something as basic as a meal—it really put things into perspective for me.”
The group fell silent, listening intently. Maco, who was expecting a playful response like earlier, found herself intrigued by Mia’s sudden seriousness.
Mia continued, “As someone who’s stepping into leadership, hindi pwedeng puro plano at utos lang. Dapat naiintindihan mo kung paano gumagana ang mismong buhay ng mga tao na gusto mong paglingkuran. Hindi pwedeng puro reports at meetings lang. Kailangan mo talagang maranasan, makita, at maramdaman kung ano ba talaga ang pinagdadaanan nila. Kasi kung hindi mo alam kung ano ang tunay na hamon sa kanila, paano ka gagawa ng solusyon na makakatulong?”
Yana smiled approvingly, while Jules nodded, looking proud.
Mia glanced at the group, her expression softening. “At isa pang realization ko… walang nagtatagumpay mag-isa. Kanina, kung hindi tayo nagtulungan, hindi tayo makakabuo ng hapunan. Ganoon din sa totoong buhay at sa leadership. Change, whether in a small community like this or on a larger scale… happens when people work together. That’s what I want to carry with me moving forward.”
There was a moment of quiet after she finished, the weight of her words settling over the group.
Then, Shana—being Shana—broke the silence. “Grabe, kinabahan ako, kala ko campaign speech na yan.”
The group burst into laughter, and Mia shook her head, chuckling. “Hay nako, Shana.”
Maco, however, simply looked at Mia with a small, knowing smile. She wasn’t about to admit it out loud, but she was impressed.
Shana clapped her hands once more. “Okay, okay! Seryoso na. Today was just the first day, pero kita niyo yung teamwork natin? I think we’re off to a great start.”
She looked around at her friends, the firelight casting a golden glow on their faces. “Excited na ako sa activities natin tomorrow!”
"It wasn’t so bad, was it?" Saf said with a smirk, her gaze flicking between Mia and Maco, clearly referring to the retreat they had both been reluctant about.
The group murmured in agreement, smiles lingering on their faces.
For a moment, they simply sat there again, watching the fire flicker, the night wrapping around them in a cocoon of warmth, laughter, and a growing sense of unity.