NeneM16
W/ John Gida, the Caveman at Kamira
We had real adventure w/ John Gida (in red head gear, sitting) & friends at Kamira...appreciating the stalactites as well as Dagohoy. Come to Danao and experience the adventure yourself!
Read story of John Gida below...
Gida, the Caveman
Called by his peers as “the Caveman,” John Gida demonstrated his passion for Dagohoy’s life story and virtues as he told these to different groups of tourists who chose the caving adventure at EAT Danao. For a 45-minute or a two-hour experience in moderate or extreme caving, he made the tourists internalize what Dagohoy and his men must have experienced inside the caves long time ago to secure the troops and plan their attack against the Spaniards.
“Dagohoy was the real cultural heritage of Danao. His bravery, wits, strength and endurance should be seen in every citizen of Danao,” said John as he led the caving participants in the exciting walk, crawl, climb on the rocks and dive on the water inside the cave.. reminding them to be careful not to get bruises and wounds. To cap the adventure at the end of the cave, he asked the participants to turn off their headlights, and imagine for a moment of pitch darkness how Dagohoy and his men survived. The participants made some guess and shared a laugh. But John made sure the participants will get the right historical and scientific insight, “Dagohoy was resourceful—he used what was available in the surroundings—the fireflies, or the luminous mushrooms that shine in the dark!”
But how did John Gida become a caveman who loves Dagohoy? It started with a hobby – mountaineering. He was already an adventurous spirit when he was in his teens (He’s only 29 now). He lived with his parents in Tagbilaran city, and in college he took B.S. Computer Science. But once in a while he went with some friends to go mountaineering, then caving. In the process he became skillful and more educated on the value of the caves, the living things that thrive there – the bats, the birds that made their nests there, how stalactites and stalagmites form and are destroyed, the water and minerals abundant in caves, and many others.
When John heard about the EcoPark in 2005, he became interested. He went home to his grandfather in Poblacion, Danao and decided to volunteer at the facility. As he stayed longer, the more he appreciated Dagohoy and how, in history, a common man valiantly fought to prevent the rule of the Spaniards in the area. So he decided that he will use his skills and knowledge to help preserve nature, and at the same time share Dagohoy to others who are interested. When EAT Danao was introduced in 2007, he became one of the eight pioneers. With his co-workers, he got more training on tour guiding and eco-adventure tourism. He also learned how to operate the adventure rides, and he sometimes served as alternate to others when he’s out in the caves. After a few years, many EcoPark personnel came, and then went to look for bigger pay. But John stayed. He said he was able to get by, and his secret is “living simply” and being happy with doing what he was called to do.
Indeed, as “the Caveman,” John Gida shows the aura of fulfillment. Eco Park manager Vangie Casusula acknowledges him as “an excellent tour guide in EAT Danao.” And he is multiplying like Dagohoy in the lives of young people. He teaches his craft and shares his passion to new trainees who join the Danao EcoPark.
- By: Marie Frances Macabenta
Faculty Member, University of Bohol
W/ John Gida, the Caveman at Kamira
We had real adventure w/ John Gida (in red head gear, sitting) & friends at Kamira...appreciating the stalactites as well as Dagohoy. Come to Danao and experience the adventure yourself!
Read story of John Gida below...
Gida, the Caveman
Called by his peers as “the Caveman,” John Gida demonstrated his passion for Dagohoy’s life story and virtues as he told these to different groups of tourists who chose the caving adventure at EAT Danao. For a 45-minute or a two-hour experience in moderate or extreme caving, he made the tourists internalize what Dagohoy and his men must have experienced inside the caves long time ago to secure the troops and plan their attack against the Spaniards.
“Dagohoy was the real cultural heritage of Danao. His bravery, wits, strength and endurance should be seen in every citizen of Danao,” said John as he led the caving participants in the exciting walk, crawl, climb on the rocks and dive on the water inside the cave.. reminding them to be careful not to get bruises and wounds. To cap the adventure at the end of the cave, he asked the participants to turn off their headlights, and imagine for a moment of pitch darkness how Dagohoy and his men survived. The participants made some guess and shared a laugh. But John made sure the participants will get the right historical and scientific insight, “Dagohoy was resourceful—he used what was available in the surroundings—the fireflies, or the luminous mushrooms that shine in the dark!”
But how did John Gida become a caveman who loves Dagohoy? It started with a hobby – mountaineering. He was already an adventurous spirit when he was in his teens (He’s only 29 now). He lived with his parents in Tagbilaran city, and in college he took B.S. Computer Science. But once in a while he went with some friends to go mountaineering, then caving. In the process he became skillful and more educated on the value of the caves, the living things that thrive there – the bats, the birds that made their nests there, how stalactites and stalagmites form and are destroyed, the water and minerals abundant in caves, and many others.
When John heard about the EcoPark in 2005, he became interested. He went home to his grandfather in Poblacion, Danao and decided to volunteer at the facility. As he stayed longer, the more he appreciated Dagohoy and how, in history, a common man valiantly fought to prevent the rule of the Spaniards in the area. So he decided that he will use his skills and knowledge to help preserve nature, and at the same time share Dagohoy to others who are interested. When EAT Danao was introduced in 2007, he became one of the eight pioneers. With his co-workers, he got more training on tour guiding and eco-adventure tourism. He also learned how to operate the adventure rides, and he sometimes served as alternate to others when he’s out in the caves. After a few years, many EcoPark personnel came, and then went to look for bigger pay. But John stayed. He said he was able to get by, and his secret is “living simply” and being happy with doing what he was called to do.
Indeed, as “the Caveman,” John Gida shows the aura of fulfillment. Eco Park manager Vangie Casusula acknowledges him as “an excellent tour guide in EAT Danao.” And he is multiplying like Dagohoy in the lives of young people. He teaches his craft and shares his passion to new trainees who join the Danao EcoPark.
- By: Marie Frances Macabenta
Faculty Member, University of Bohol