The "Wild
Coral Reef" permanent exhibit in the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago's
lakefront deserves a return visit. I did - two weeks ago.
The exhibit greets the visitor a rendition of waves lapping against
simulated corals as a school of sergeant majors rides with the current
- in tune with the sounds of the shallows still vibrant to a youth
during his skin diving days. A foot or two on the right, the glass
encased coral polyps "dart to and fro in perpetual motion"
to eat, to grow and to live. It would take hundreds of years for these
polyps to form a coral; thousands of years to form a coral reef; maybe
millions of years to form an island.
Yes, a "a reef is an oasis in the ocean desert." Now, here
before my eyes, a giant clam gapes as the small fishes in varied colors
hide in the crevices of coral while the moray eel pops its head with
eerie abandon from her hiding hole. A bi-colored damselfish tiptoes
and the goatfish bemuses; a glassy sweeper mocks the squirrel fish
with her big eyes.
The geometry of the male seahorse entwined on a seaweed belies the
role of motherhood. The male seahorse gives birth to his young; nurses
them until they learn the arithmetic of growth. Meanwhile, the scorpion
fish so regal in his coat of fiber hides the venom that is fatal to
a predator. The clown fish succumbs to the grunts whose music is misunderstood
as the grouper pouches on her feed.
There is poetry in a baby shark as it swims nonchalant in the coral
reef. The triggerfish, angelfish, butterfly fish - what monotony of
names! Yet in the coral reef as they glide and play with the current
their multi-colored skins glisten to shame the blades of sunlight
stabbing into the deep!
Octopus, squid, sea urchin, hermit crab, stonefish, cowry, ad infinitum!.
Familiar names - these denizens of the deep. Philippine reefs support
over 2000 kinds of fish and 600 kinds of coral. The Philippines, Indonesia
and New Guinea form a triangle of ocean animals than any other region
in the world. Romblon islands, the heart of the Philippine archipelago
boast of coral reefs - some pristine and dead.
A few exhibits to the exit, a caption runs: "good neighbors make
good reefs." That's what people in Apo island (south of Negros)
did. They fought tooth and nail dynamite and chemical fishing and
muro ami. They did not build houses in the island's mangrove. They
learned a covenant with the coral reef in their island: "you
can scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."
Here in Chicago the lines keep getting longer at the Shedd.
Note: The Shedd Aquarium spent thousands of dollars transporting
the fish from the coral reefs of Apo Island to Chicago!
*******
I found this "ruminations" in my laptop saved folder. To
our readers, please read on with a grain of salt.
*******
A writeshop seminar on building "transformative communities"
held on July 12, 2003 at Makati, had a case study written by Lutgardo
Luza Labad which mentioned, among other things the rationale and impetus
why ecotourism initiatives in Bohol have been successful: "(a.)
Boholanos have a low regard of themselves. This low level of self-esteem
must have been brought about by years of relative backwardness in
comparison to nearby Cebu. Bohol then was regarded as an outmigrating
province with its people wanting to look for greener pastures outside
the province. There were no clear livelihood opportunities; (b) There
was a general lack of respect for heritage brought about by lack of
economic opportunities. Heirloom pieces and heritage artifacts were
stolen, unconsciously sold, or left to the elements; (c) Cultural
traditions were quickly disappearing; (d) Monuments and sites were
left to the elements to decay; (e) Culture was not a priority in government
and business sectors; (f) Cultural fare was left to school routine
activities and entertainment rituals on government functions and holidays;
(g) Fiestas although occasions for homecoming and religiosity teemed
with senseless entertainment sometimes imported from Manila or Cebu;
(h) The yearly Sadugo celebrations had become mechanical and sophomoric,
with their street dancing festival constantly aping the Sinulog of
Cebu or the Atiatihan of Kalibo; (i) There had been no major output
in the arts before 1996 which could compare with other developments
in other provinces except for some victories in the musical national
choir contests at the CCP; (j) There was an absence of competent cultural
groups which could exhibit in a sustained manner the best of Boholana
culture. In other words, there was no cultural agenda either in government
or in any of the artistic sector."
What gives in Romblon province?
**********
June 17, 2003 on board the Virgin Mary to Odiongan. I guess I am partial
at this moment about travel in Romblon. As I type this in my bunk
bed in the "deluxe" passenger section of the ship I get
the impression that if any expats here would ask me now what advice
should I give them about travel in Romblon I would say: Please don't
visit Romblon!
That is if one dreams of spending their hard earned dollars and had
wished a comfortable stay in a posh hotel. Three things you have to
bear in mind: plumbing, electricity and roads. I have felt very strongly
that for Romblon to attract tourists a good toilet is a must. That
means it should be in good working condition if not whistle clean.
However, to an expat he marvels at the dexterity that the locals flush
a toilet with just one tabu or plastic container. Me, I had
to drain three to four containers to flush it down.
Electricity is a problem. There are islands in the province where
electricity is rationed. During hot summer months there are constant
outages or "brownouts." Roads are blots to one's imagination.
Why is it that in Tablas island the roads are still the same roads
you traveled half a century ago? Rock gravel and sand - stretches
of them end - over a few kilometers of concrete between it. What in
heaven's name is going on? Your first reaction is to blame the politicians.
On the other hand if for over fifty years the same traveled road has
been there, then it must be that the people has accepted it as a way
of life therefore, nothing can be done about it. Aw shucks! I'd rather
give up the thought and rough it in - sleeping in a tent - at the
foot of Mt. Ampongo!
