“I’m 100% sure that it is here; this Sampalok tree is what he kept on telling me as the marker”, explained a middle-aged, heavily-built man with some streak of gray hair wearing eye glasses, brown jacket and a colorfast blue jeans after recalling the detailed description of his father back when the old man was said to be still alive less than a decade ago.
The man was poking his right index finger to the trunk of the biggest, oldest-looking and believed-to-be century-old Tamarind tree from among nine others of the same fruit tree in random locations within the forest hill at the back of Rizal Central School. He said it was the old marker as well as the direct indicator from where riches of gold and diamonds of the then fleeing Japanese forces headed by the infamous general, Tomoyuki Yamashita at the end of the second world war, lie not too deep beneath. Clutched in his left hand was an old, yellowish-brown cloth scribbled with lines and a big, red X in the middle. He was so sure of the location and he persistently requested the school principal to allow him to dig the ground surrounding the spot in search for fortune. He even promised to dole out the find if he would be successful in his quest. The man was a treasure hunter.
“I am sorry, Mister. We never really allow such excavation here in our school. Digging is strictly prohibited”, the principal explicated turning the request down thinking how much damage it could result to the forest in particular and the environment in general. It was much like what she typically does after being bombarded with the same requests from couple other treasure hunters again and again since she arrived in the school more than three years ago. She had been used to it. Some brought really compelling stories that could possibly sway anyone into believing but others seem so ridiculous a story that she decided to totally disregard each and every demand. Although she felt that this man was a rather convincing one.
“But in case you change your mind, just let me know”, the man said handing her a piece of paper containing his contact number. “Perhaps, Ma’am, you did hear some mysterious stories of ghosts and spirits here didn’t you? Those are the clear manifestations that they have something valuable protecting in here; this forest is haunted. It has been a Japanese garrison in the 1940s. Dead soldiers were probably buried here until today. Father said there is a huge tunnel underneath this mountain that may contain lots of wealth. And to prove what precious things are those, there is only one way to find out and that is if you so decide”, he added before leaving the principal who was feeling a little weird knowing unquestionably that there are numerous ghost stories and spirit possession accounts spread by words of mouth and seen by actual experiences through the course of the town’s long, forgotten history that are related, one way or another, to that aged forest at the back of the old school.
The hill that was
A hill that was the back draft of the then Gabaldon-type school building, wooden and fragile, that stood proudly facing -as if young Biblical David challenging for a fight the vast greatness of the mountain range- Sierra Madre who is Goliath. The school itself was part of that hill making it known as the school on a peak since its establishment some few years prior and slowly growing within the consciousness of the town itself as well as the nearby barangays of Pantabangan. All throughout, the hill was a plain brown lump of Earth and dried grass during the parched, summer season but instantly turned into green lush of grassy bulge only days after the first torrential rains fell on June. With only some frequent trees scattered across, sunshine touches the face of this hill in full as the tall grasses called talahib grew in abundance from end to end. Within weeks, the then clear, chocolate colored soil with desiccated grass will change into a verdant slope where the dreaded sawa, kind of a constrictor and the ulupong or cobra – known as karasaen in Ilocano- hide within holes and crevices making the hill even more terrifying to trudge across and along even on bridleways and horse trails.
It was in the late 1970s: Martial rule was nearly about to be lifted after the massive protests and social upheaval as result of the then Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino’s arrest and confinement (nobody thought of his upcoming doom in about four years ahead). As the nation was focusing in the city particularly Manila, far-flung towns from provinces around Metro Manila were living better in sense of its being secluded from the noise and stream of the Philippine political landscape. But Rizal town, being known as a community that despises injustice became the breeding ground of fighting insurgents, idealists and youthful rebels making it one feared spot for strangers who were not familiar of its real guise. Nonetheless, it remained a quiet town amidst the tumultuous events that was to come. They lived well as if disconnected from turbulent politics of the time. With their own sense of life, leaders and educators of Rizal continued to develop their own spirit of community and learning, rather alone.
Godofredo Uera, Rizal District Supervisor in the 1970s to the early 1980s never intended to convert the then grassy hill into a forest. Not even a hint of what can be seen today was prowling in his imagination but was so inclined in clearing the side of this hill facing the back of the school. He directed the then Principal II, Florencio Viernes to clear the hill off the tall grasses by setting them ablaze to get rid of the fearsome snakes and scorpions first. Afterwards, Grades V and VI pupils of Batch 1979-1980, each carrying lingkaw or scythe allotted enough time each day for the clearing. Soon they were able to clean nearly the entire area as they started planting seedlings of both ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan teachers like Arsenio Madina and Benjamin Estiller as well as Agriculture teachers, Teodora Samala and Leonor Nepumoceno joined hands in continuing the quest to make the hill functional for the school. Also they saw, as it was revealed after everything has been cleared, what was known as “the slide”. It was a long concrete slide with stairs beside it like what you see in children‘s playground only that it was tracing down the whole side of the hill. It was said to be built a few years after World War II for reason that no one currently alive can tell.
The concrete slide was a very odd sight, though. At almost 20 feet long, it was extended midway starting from about eight meters from the top of the hill down to the bottom. At its left resided the concrete and stone stairway that served as both trail going up the hill top and as path for those who wanted to simply enjoy being like a child doing the slide. The people from the school knew that there was indeed a slide somewhere there but only after the clearing that they were able to discuss things about it like its origin and purpose of being there. With that came all the possibilities and doubts as well. They asked who would want to build a peculiar playground at the side of this hill. Years and years passed without definite rationale for the erection of the slide until it was decided to be removed being so old and worthless after more than five decades of its unexplained presence. All about its origin remained a mystery until now.
Came the forest as it is
With all the mystical tales surrounding the cleared part of this baffling hill, stories of haunting and sightings of unknown beings were practically accounted. Years went by, as the then small, infantile trees were now starting to grow full size, mysterious accounts and haunting stories equally grew much more in number and intensity. One such story was when a boy played at the slide all alone, he bumped into something he couldn’t see and that resulted into him getting sick and nearly succumb to death for no apparent reason. Another was that construction workers who toiled for months at the current main concrete building after the destruction of the old Gabaldon-type by the Eartquake in July 1990 narrated some sightings of ladies in white and sometimes black with their long hair covering the face while they were floating around -the feet not touching the ground. Also, lately, there said to be a very young, fair-skinned girl with blood oozing from her forehead down to her cheeks who usually reveal herself to pupils; some even said that the girl still shows up inside the campus until today asking pupils to join her jump off the window from the second floor (the story was even written as a feature in the school paper a few years ago). Student teachers who used to stay in school related what they hear as crying and sobbing lady and a child’s wail from the forest during the wee hours of the night. But among the latest and most gripping account was about a young woman attending a summer camp of the Aglipayan Church after they chose the school as the venue. The woman was seen hiking up and down the forest with some friends while others were having siesta one afternoon when she saw and eventually picked a rather weird-looking wooden object lying on her trail before they went back to camp. After about a minute of silence inside their billeting room, she suddenly burst into screams and howls cursing everybody and forcing them to leave the place saying, “MAGSILAYAS KAYO! ANG IINGAY NYO, BINUBILABOG NYO KAMI!” Eight fully-grown men struggled to prevent her from further doing any untoward action that could possibly hurt her and others. She was said to be possessed according to the words of the priest. The young woman was probablypertaining to the Praise and Worship Community Singing they do each night as the disturbing noise.
No one exactly knew the real story behind those mystical and sometimes bizarre occurrences other than the mute trees that can only sway their leaves as witnesses with the hums and blows of the sudden wind. Among these trees are twenty one (21) caimito or star apples that never survives the slingshots of youngsters clamoring for its free, yearly sweet produce; eight (8) mango trees that stand proudly as home for birds every afternoon before the setting of the sun; ten (10) tamarinds including the one which was said to be the golden marker; three (3) camachile trees which typically grew unnoticed along roads; another three (3) coconuts, three (3) guavas and two (2) santol trees. These are the beloved fruit producers that can never say a word amidst almost being accused of sheltering the unknowns. But who can ignore the eight (8) narra trees that could value in millions if it would be cut and sold for its timber value -one of which is considered as another century-old tree standing proudly in front of the school; the twenty one (21), fast growing Gmilena that are maturing in only a couple of years; twelve (12) lowly ipil-ipil that only the goats escaped from their leash would get excited; four (4) mahogany trees that are believed to contain extraordinary medicinal value; three (3) pine trees that may resemble an aura of elegance like when one is traversing the mountains of Benguet; six (6) tic trees and two (2) umbrella tress that can pose as your hiding places when the unexpected rains suddenly fall but one must only be careful of the itchy larvae of butterflies that similarly loves to hide and feast on the plants’ succulent, broad leaves; and the five (5) graceful acacia trees that with the others withstood the test of time.
Fast track to 2000
The ingenuity of the school personnel, from teachers and administration alike, during the early years of 2000 showed deeper concern for the use of the forest as part of the school. The now fully grown trees covered almost the entire area making it an ideal setup for school theme parks based on subject areas. The then principals Esmeraldo Palmones who eventually became the District Supervisor, Julio and Julia San Jose, a couple who followed after each other’s respective terms, and Violeta Callanta all sustained their effort for the improvement of the place. Upon their initiatives, the once dreaded forest was turned into parks and had stimulated the sense of both relaxation and function of a common area for recreation. You can see up until now their endeavor with the presence of beautiful and colorful Subject Area Parks at the foot of the forest that can serve as placeS of rest and as excursion set for those who stay in school for lunch.
Forest forever but seems not quite
“Only God can make a tree and only trees can make a forest be called forest. So we must take further care of it”, Dr. Gloria Vicencio, principal of the school told her subordinates about the forest while explaining to them its beauty and mystery. The current school administration through the guidance of the current district supervisor, Editha De Jesus, maintains the aesthetic exquisiteness and excellent functionality of this woodland. Only at the moment, unlawful tenants from the top of the hill are now starting to crease the loneliness of this discrete area and slowly invading its domain. Soon enough, without the town administration’s initiative to let the government-owned parcel of this forest impede or relocate these prohibited settlements, the now green, jungle-like forest may one day become residential vicinity looming with populace.
Our part for the obstruction of the increasing issues of global warming must begin now. Therefore, before we take concern to other places on Earth, we may start practically within our own backyard. The Rizal Central School forest is a great testament of the Rizalian environmental inventiveness during the early times that has been inherited by us today. Let us all heed the challenge and refresh the history of this forest by acknowledging the spirit of community and camaraderie acted upon by the early people who toiled and labored to recreate the splendor of the then old rugged hill into a stunning, magnificent school forest we currently enjoy.
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