A view from the sky

I could still recall how upset I was when my father and my brother went on a helicopter ride without me. That was about 23 years ago in Camp Downes, Ormoc City. Since then, I had some wishful thoughts of becoming a pilot.

But my perspective in life changed as I grew up. Instead of becoming a pilot, I have fallen in love with photojournalism.

I didn't anticipate that with the profession I have chosen, my youthful wish could come true - not of becoming a pilot but to experience what it feels to be on board a military helicopter. That was two years ago. I thought it would be my first and last; nevertheless, it turned out to be the beginning of my quest on top.

It was not our usual business coverage. For almost six years, I have been with our sophisticated business writer Ehda Dagooc and we usually cover events and conduct interviews at a restaurant or hotel. With Santa Lucia Realty and Development Inc., it was a different treat - on board a chopper.

"Have you ever been on a chopper?" Capt. Boy Garrucho asked. I simply nodded as I buckled up on the co-pilot seat and recollected my two Sinulog fluvial parade coverages onboard ABS-CBN Sky Patrol.

Behind me was our Managing Editor Nimrod Quinones, Cebu Daily News photojournalist Lito Tecson and Ms. Dagooc, who quietly buckled up with a whitish face.

As we took off from the helipad on top of the Sentinel building located along Banilad road, Ms. Dagooc took a deep breath and held Mr. Quinones' shoulder firmly. Then she cried out that it was her first ride on a chopper.

Mr. Quinones chuckled and assured her that the rest of the trip would be safe. Indeed, the spectacular view on top calmed her down.

The first property we visited was in Newtown Estate, located in Bulacao, Pardo. It was an elevated and flat terrain. After hovering around the area, we passed by the mountainous and equally elevated terrain of the well-known Alta Vista Golf and Country Club which holds popular golf tournaments in Cebu City. Then we moved to Pacific Heights with a steep terrain. Vista Grande (Phase 1,2 and 3) also has a mountainous and steep terrain in Cadulawan, Talisay City.

After visiting most properties in the south, we flew to the properties in Mactan Island. We went to the Vistamar Garden Terraces condominium and Vistamar country club, located along the shoreline of Dapdap, Mactan. Where can you find total solitude with a charming view of the sea?

With the last rays of sunlight, we raced against the clock to the final destination in the northern part of Cebu. Hovering around Summerhills Subdivision in Tamiao, Compostela; Greenville Heights in Casili, Tolo-tolo, Consolacion, that has mountainous, elevated terrain; Royale Cebu Estates in Casili, Pulpogan, Consolacion and lastly around the mountainous terrain of El Monteverde at Lamac, Consolacion.

" I can't put into words how I feel but it was simply an amazing experience and seeing the view on top from a chopper is in fact breathtaking," Ms. Dagooc enthused at trip's end.

As we climbed out of the chopper back on top of the Sentinel building, we waved goodbye to Capt. Garrucho. I thought how nice it would be to have my own home built at one of those mountainous properties with a scenic view overlooking the city or sea. To simply gaze into the horizon as the sun kisses the nearby mountains - a perfect sight just right in front of me.

Then I stared up to the sky as the chopper faded into the clouds and told myself: without a doubt, it was truly an incredible experience.