I was a stringer for a government news agency when I first rode a helicopter. We were on our way to Camp Nakar in Quezon for an official coverage. I admit I was a bit nervous during the flight. Who would not get nervous when all that was holding me to my seat was a loose seat belt and the door was not even closed so I could feel the cold wind touching my face while we were flying.

After a few minutes in the air, I was already enjoying the short flight to the province even if we were actually flying in the “unsafe” zone for the military. Our military companions were in battle gear and holding rifles which are expected of them. I, however, was armed not with a rifle but with tape recorder for the interview. Riding an aircraft was one of the best parts of my old job.