EXPLORE YOUR WORLD, EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD
It was gathering dust when I picked it up today, but this coffee table book in my cherished collection still has the power to move me through its words and pictures.
"Few countries can match the Philippines in geographical charm and natural beauty." The introduction boldly asserts. "This sunswept chain of over 7,100 islands stretches over a length … forming one of the longest -- 11,500 miles -- and most beautiful coastlines in the world."
"Philippines: Nature's Bounty" is a rare picture book published in 1979. Dedicated "to the Filipino people" it is a treasure trove compiled by the Institute de la Caza Fotografica y Ciencias de la Naturaleza of Spain and San Miguel Corporation. The country's rich and diverse natural resources are lovingly depicted in 8 1/2 x 11 glossy photos in this 200-page book: the rainforests in Surigao del Sur, a Palawan peacock pheasant, the Padale Falls of Mayon volcano in Albay, and the tamaraw in Mindoro.
Will I ever get to see these rare sights? Since these photos were taken much of our natural resources have been destroyed or lost, deteriorated or remain inaccessible. Like there's an invisible billboard somewhere at the gateway that says, "proceed at your own risk." I should know, I hail from Surigao del Norte but have never set foot in our neighboring province. Imagine my father's surprise when I called him from Cebu in 1996. "Guess what, I'm going to Sabah, Borneo!" Why, everybody wanted to know. To climb Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, says I. At that time I was not into mountaineering yet. Why, my father persisted. "Because I want to know what a rainforest is like, and since I can't go to one here I'm going to Malaysia instead because they're offering safe, guided tours to all their national parks, that's why.
Now I know better. I didn't have to leave the country to admire Nature's bounty. For crying out loud, I have not even been climbed Mt. Apo, Mt. Canlaon, and Mt. Mayon -- and these are living, breathing active volcanos -- with a lush flora and fauna of their own to boast.
The book was right. WWF-Philippines agrees: "The Philippines is perhaps one of the most colorful, most diverse areas on the face of the earth. One of ten most biologically diverse countries in the world, it is home to countless species of animals and plants."
Let's not take the riches and beauty in our own backyard for granted. Unless you go to see, hear, feel, really experience our natural wonders you wouldn't know what you're missing. Don't settle for pictures and video images.
The good news is there are more and more opportunities to experience these and have fun as well now than say, two years ago. Do you know that Cebu has about 20 outdoor or mountaineering clubs? Peculiar because our highest peak here is only about a thousand meters. The famous Mt. Manunggal is an "easy" two-hour hike from Tabunan. Cebuanos on out-of-town treks are always amused by the reaction of other mountaineers who wonder out loud: "May bundok pala sa Cebu?"
Our club, Green Earth Mountaineers, have our own playground in Babag where we orient new recruits and guests on hiking, rock climbing and rappelling -- all in one day. Watch out for our rappelling adventure photos in tomorrow's issue, courtesy of Marlon Yap.
Go river trekking. Cool and relaxing, it is one of the most fun and low-impact trekking activities GEM occasionally organizes. Many of Cebu's river systems include underwater caves, towering limestone rockwalls, waterfalls, and fascinating plants and trees.
Try kayaking. The Visayan Paddlers Association and Coastal Resource Management have joined hands to promote "I Love the Ocean" by conducting kayak clinics for beginners, among others. There is going to be one on February 6. When you're feeling confident enough and you think you've found your rhythm, join the 45-minute channel crossing to Sta. Rosa's Olango Island. This bird sanctuary is a stopover for migrating birds from Central Asia en route to Australia during winter. Or with practice you can try the four-hour trip to Bohol.
There's more to Bohol than the white sandy beaches of Panglao, ancient churches in every town, Chocolate Hills, tarsiers (world's smallest primate, also found in Baybay, Leyte), and the floating restaurant up to a waterfalls in Loboc River. Bohol is also "rich" in caves. According to Ryan "Kave" Dy, Bohol has the Carmoloan II Cave in Jagna -- which at 144 meters is the second deepest surveyed cave in the Philippines. He is accompanying scientists on a caving expedition this February.
And there's whale and dolphin watching in Pamilacan Island, Bohol. This community-based project is under the auspices of WWF-Philippines to give fisherfolks an alternative source of livelihood.
Explore your world. Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan …
January 29, 1999