Annual Retreat

Tomorrow, we'll be leaving for Bukidnon for our annual retreat.

Retreat is my favorite institutional activity in the school I worked with, because it is the best time where I could spend enough time with myself, laughing and sharing good conversation with my colleagues and keep my mind away from the boring routine of paperworks. It also provides a good opportunity to take enough rest  from life's clutters.

This spiritual rendezvous often bring us away from Davao allowing us to see the other side of life far from the workplace. In 2008, we went to Baguio City and alas! It was my first time to board a plane, waaaah! And what made it super special was that we left Davao exactly on my birthday, April 3. It was a fabulous experience in the country's summer capital. I got to find out also the chilling environment of Baguio and what it was like living in slopes and hills! We'd a wonderful retreat master, a Jesuit from Ateneo de Manila, who made us feel relax, unleashing humors which drooled us in laughter.

We spent 5 days in the city of Pines, touring around its magnificent landmarks, I was able to set a foot in the Strawberry farm, straddled a horse for the sake of picture-taking haha! We went to Camp John Hay, Philippine Military Academy ground and took a leisure afternoon trip to Burnharm Park. On the next day we left for Manila and stayed another 3 days and my God! I hate the place! With all the chaotic traffic, throngs of people and dust, dust and dust, Manila indeed is not suited for my lifestyle. It's simply hell! And I never dreamed to live or work there.
Straddling on the white horse for the sake of picture-taking.hehe!

In 2010 (last year), our retreat was held in Malasag, Cagayan de Oro City, on top of the mountain which offers another magnificent view of the horizon. The place provides a panoramic view of the whole city from the downtown area to its port. Then off to our side trip in the picturesque Camiguin Island! 

(Read our Camiguin Escapade here)

Taking a leisure walk on the ground of Betania Retreat house in Malasag, Cagayan de Oro, with Sheila before our group sharing
White Island, Camiguin

This year, we will  have it at the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Benedictine Monks in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, I don't know what to expect, aside from the fact that it is too close to Davao to enjoy the trip, I never imagined a life in the monastery haha!. Hope everything will be okay.

Until next post!

Comments

  1. JoybumzMay 23, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    I love the horse with you in the picture. Where were you in that scene? Anyway, the other pictures are also nice. Fantastic place!



    Shaine from Cagayan de Oro (www.cdokay.com)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joyce LamelaMay 23, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Hello shaine,

    Thanks!hehehe..the location is Wright Park in Baguio City during our 2008 retreat..is cdokay.com your personal site or business site? super nice lay out.

    ReplyDelete

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