Asi pulos Asi?
Why o why it's
all Asi?
This question
rang loud and clear during the Sanrokan 2002 held in Romblon Island.
Fact is, during a taped interview of panelists composed of the RDL-CLEAR
leadership by a local TV crew in Romblon Island, a phone-in from a
listener asked why the particpants in the convention were all coming
from Banton and Odiongan.
Simply explained,
Asi or Bantoanon is a language spoken in the municipalities of Odiongan,
Calatrava, Sibale, Simara and Banton.
A cursory reading
of the names of the participants and most of the expats
who attended would seem to indicate that yes, majority of them are
from
Odiongan or Banton.
But consider these:
The writers workshop
was participated by Cebuanos and Manila-based writing fellows. (The
Manila slots were actually filled in after there were no takers from
Romblon province, except for one).
A good number
of the CME (continuing medical education) participants were
from the municipality of Romblon.
The medical mission
in partnership with the San Fernando medical and dental
professionals had treated or saw over one thousand patients! The venue
was
in Sibuyan Island where Romblomanon language is spoken.
The venue of the
Sanrokan 2002 was in Romblon Island. Indirectly, the convention pumped
thousands of pesos into the local economy - from trycicle drivers,
pumboats, food catering, restaurants, stevedores, souvenir shops,
hotel and beach resorts...case after case, after case.
Perhaps we should
rephrase the question or just simply say that the majority
of the participants of the Sanrokan 2002 were volunteers united by
a common
cause: to help.
