What does sunset mean?

Have you ever wondered why the sun sets between afternoon and evening? Why its hues appear like fire in heaven? Why every time people pass by and witness the ebbing sun, we stop, stare, and feel consoled?

Two kids fixing their lambat (fishing net) after a plenty catch

Sorry to rupture your expectations, but the answer is nowhere to be found in this piece because until now it is still a mystery. And I want those questions to remain as questions for finding the answer might lose the clandestine glory of sunset.

Mama Mardita and Auntie Minnie while sharing stories and gossips 🙂

Everyone has his own interpretation on the onset of darkness—from a traveler’s view that has seen various sunsets during his travels in the country and abroad, to a local of a place where sunset is an afternoon delight, to a person from urban place who only takes glimpse of sunset whenever he escapes from his cramped milieu. Depending on one’s perspective, I believe that sunset conveys different meanings and I also agree that beautiful and other terms related to it is an understatement.

Mama tries to demonstrate something only she (and my aunt) could understand

I was lucky to have beheld beautiful sunset again on this year’s All Souls Day with my whole family. It has been the family’s tradition to visit my aunt’s rest house in Sabang, Morong, Bataan during this holiday ever since my uncle bade farewell on earth due to heart ailment. We didn’t gather to mourn, but to catch up and celebrate life despite of the trials everyone is going through.

Aling Lucing and Lola staring at the majestic sunset while chatting

That time of the day, I also captured candid moments of people important to me with the impressive backdrop of sunset. And no matter how I try to be creative with my writing, it cannot produce leverage with the artistry of twilight, not even my edit-less photos.

The bestfriends

I unremittingly clicked my shutter to catch the abstract formation of several shades in the sky. And when I looked at the end product of my snapshots with silhouette images, for the first time, I was the first to admire my photos. Then I realized that those I captured were special ones for they tell stories of happy people. Try to look at the pictures again, without words, they speak.

My cousins MJ and Gem enjoy the beach

I have read a lot of descriptions, articles, definitions, features, and short stories of sunsets from people with different backgrounds. The way they thread words after having a glimpse on it and the manner they share their thoughts are more than enough to show how perennial it really is. Aside from boundless praises they bequeath, it is undeniable that sunset has the power to transform them into a writer.

MJ running over me

Have you noticed its ability to make dark days bright ones? How it has quelled one’s wary mind?

People who chance upon the mystic view of sunset while they were happy became more ecstatic; others who were burdened somehow felt that the load on their shoulders became lighter; and those whose hearts were disconsolate felt their pain within turned out to be lesser. I call it magic which even a genius cannot discern.

Sunset and low tide Sabang beach

When I posted my pictures of sunsets on cyberspace, my intention was to spread something that would inspire others to travel or at least spur an urge that would lead them ditch their regular routine and take some time of their busy days to savor the same feeling of appreciation I acquired after watching the setting of the sun. I didn’t expect that people would give their views on it. Some said that it signifies that another day has come to an end and every day is beautiful. One commenter also stressed it illustrates that God is everywhere, while a friend stipulated that sunset is a sign that we should reflect on the things that we have done the whole day.

Wherever you are in the world, there is sunset (it’s different in the southern hemisphere though). For me, sunset is the extension of God’s love because it hugs the whole humanity with transcendent marvel.

So I ask, what does sunset mean for you?

Manila Bay Cruise: A Tour of Friendship

When the dusk is coming its way over the brimming light of the sun, the blue sky starts to metamorphose into a reddish-orange and apricot hues mixed with the slightly dim atmosphere until the darkness finally devour the remaining sunbeams and surrender everything under the moon’s ward, leaving the sky with the gleaming stars where the only space between them is darkness.

Manila Bay Sunset

There’s no wonder that a perfect sunset rests at Manila Bay. Right after the sun bids farewell, the popping stars from above would feed your eyes and imagination.

This scenario is the best time to take a pause, keep still, and relish the sight before you. And every time I watch twilight with overwhelming fascination, I always believe that there’s magic in Manila.

Having toured the Corregidor Island and Manila Bay through a Cruise within the same day was an opportunity which might happen only once in my life as a traveler. Before the dusk, we were already sailing the damaged sea of Manila Bay. The one-hour cruise has toured me to the life behind its coast which are both growing and alarming–growing because rapid urban life and business establishments are sprouting near its boundary; alarming because the sea’s condition, as time runs by, is constantly getting worse.

Growing urban life

When I was in college, my friends and I used to meander at Roxas Boulevard. It had once served as one of our refuges whenever we need a break from our (literally) noisy surroundings. We boycotted our classes twice to visit Manila Bay, watch the sunset and  profess our singing prowess (if there is) at the video-oke booths and food establishments situated along the long pavements of Manila Bay. In 2005, the whole stretch of the bay was very lively especially at night. If you know of Pier One in Mall of Asia (MOA) that’s how it was like 6 years ago. There was also a time when we had picnic in the area before going to Star City but ended peeking and spying at random lovers around. Seeing them smooching and making body languages that should only be done behind the walls of their rooms was like a film to us. We enjoyed it so much to the point that we weren’t able to push through with our original plan because the free live movie screening was very tempting. It’s a must-try not only in Luneta but also in Roxas before. Should repeat this: before. Hahaha! (I think it’s part of growing up in a city where temptations are prevalent. If there are kids reading this, don’t do the same. Situation could have been different now. Hmm… Lemme check one of these days. Friends, let’s volt in. Kidding.)

Back then, my trips with friends were born out peer pressure, curiosity, and of young friendship trying to discover the interest of each in the group. It started as innocent—us being young, teenagers, and unripe— with view of a carefree world ahead of us until it evolved to treasured ones which once brought up during our meet ups today would make us overjoyed. For several times, Manila Bay has cuddled our souls when we were looking for fun, adventure, and a place to share our frivolities. It is where we learned to share our dreams and experiences, and eventually developed trust to everyone in our group. It also became an avenue for us to boast our achievements amongst us when we were in our younger years and confess our sarcasm to our classmates. If the ocean can speak, I’m sure it will tell a lot of our blissful memories.

Before twilight

Before, when I hear about Manila Bay, I always manage a secret grin and words such as fun, video-oke, food trip, sunset, nonsense talks and friendship would instantly cross my mind.

Just recently, when I joined my co-travelers on a cruise around this ocean facing the South China Sea, Manila Bay revealed a new story.

Manila Bay Cruise is not new to me since I’ve heard of this so many times from the word of mouth and read about it online. However, it made a lot of difference upon sailing its calm sea with my fellow travelers (Pinoy Travel Bloggers) who share the same passion and interest—traveling.

My fellow travelers (Pinoy Travel Bloggers)

Good food while sailing

Following our fun-filled and exhausting adventure in Corregidor Island, I found myself sitting in a cruise, listening to a live band, consuming a delicious meal, and enjoying the company of my new found friends. Life has been so generous to me when it granted me time to mingle with them; share my hilarious memories the last time I was on the road; update them with my upcoming trips; inform them of the places I want to chase; make them aware of my frustrations when I travel and in return, be inspired by their stories.

An hour of cruising has kept us relaxed and gratified of the opportunity given to us that day; much more of the chance to travel which we look forward each day of our lives.  As nomads, we undyingly seek for one thing: explore, and keep on exploring as long as the time and our pocket permit.

Some shared their flashbacks of Manila Bay and in Manila Bay making them passionate of every word they uttered. I saw a sign of grief on their faces which for me is normal for those who witnessed the majesty of the ocean before it transformed into what it is today. It manifests through the unpleasant yet tolerable breeze originating from the ocean. But no matter how tolerable it is, it still boils down into one: the water is becoming extinct while the urban life in the city we admire soars.

Bitter reality indeed.

We all have our own fair share of experiences in every piece of land in our country that gives us a wider perspective of life. This latest visit in the old thoroughfares of Roxas Boulevard and my Manila Bay Cruise experience reminded me to savor the first friendship I nurtured here when I was a student and opened the gate for a new friendship among my fellow travelers while I balance my professional and personal life. But it could have been more worthy if the ocean is clean.

Up to now, my faith is still strong that if every Filipino acquires the heart of a traveler or discovers the grace of traveling, come hell or high water, it will be hard for global warming to conquer  this land and there will be no damaged seas anymore like that of Manila Bay.

(Special thanks Sir Ivan Henares, Bambi Aquino, and Sun Cruises for sponsoring our trip.)