Why Cebu-Mactan Channel smells like shit

Traveling the Cebu-Mactan Channel could be fun and exciting especially if you are taking the Metro Ferry. Metro is swift and fast as compared to public transports like vans, taxis and jeepneys. Especially at night, the view of the city could be spectacular.

Adding to the sight of Cebu from the sea, your olfactory sense could be bombarded with the different smell of urban living. Many times I could smell shit (literally) specifically on the Cebu side of the channel. Why?

Despite several ordinances in Cebu City punishing people when they throw garbage just about anywhere, its teeth remains to be false and doesn't bite at all. For example,  City Ordinance No. 1361 establishes a system of garbage collection and imposition of fees for violators and even several amendments have been done, among them the amendment ordering its residents to segregate their wastes. No segregation, no collection they claimed. But I am pretty sure someone somewhere in the Labangon area is not segregating his wastes but still their garbage is being taken by disposal trucks. On the creeks near barangay (village) Guadalupe, people just throw their garbage on the dry riverbed to be taken by flash floods to the sea.

What's my point?

Photo courtesy of Cebu Daily News

Cebuanos made the sea their infinite garbage bins. Every day I encounter long stretches of garbage in the channel. Even the sea currents refused to take them to show Cebu what they have done to the sea.

Another case to prove my point that coastal cleanups initiated by local governments and the private sector are just for show. Or cleanups are additional pogi points to get that funding support from international entities?

Washing my undies in public

I've stopped washing my clothes (or anything that needs washing) since I had my real work, after forcing myself to retire from college. Even the dishes had to wait for an inspiration or a divine intervention so they be cleaned. My mother who has this penchant desire to clean everything, took the cudgels of washing my undies. My mom's saintly washing only stopped when I relocated myself in Cebu. All my friends would balk at me on this, causing irreverent discourses between me and them.

I am not bothered.

My mom is the best laundry washer in the whole wide world. People of Batuan, my hometown, knows that. That's why Mother earned a living through washing other people's dirt.

When my basket would be full of laundry and/or my having no undies for long gives discomfort when I am with people, I would decide to do laundry. Just like today. But after washing my second briefs, my hands were already complaining.

I love my undies in different colors. White briefs made me think of dead Chinese.

In my high school days, a week's worth of laundry was just a breeze. Now, with just a few undies, I am complaining already. Not that my briefs were very dirty. Honestly, they are literally clean I could use them, again. No yellow or skid marks on them. But why complain?

Maybe because I have already conditioned myself that I have also graduated from being a laundryman. I've worked hard enough washing is no longer my priority.

Well- with all the washing in the world and the constant use of detergents and bleaching solutions our water sources have become dirtier and tainted with our own mess. Every day! According to a study funded by ADB, 58% of our groundwater is contaminated, the main source being untreated domestic and industrial wastewater. (Country Environmental Analysis for the Republic of the Philippines, September 2004.) 

Out of which nudity could be a great option! If not THE solution. But then again there is skin cancer and the moral Church. That's another discussion.

Meanwhile my hands got scruffy despite the lotion.

Wish on Earth Day

I wish more people cared about earth as much as they cared about who they believed created it.

What is the significance of Earth Day? National Geographic answers- http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/04/110422-earth-day-google-doodle-web-green-tech-2011-environment/

Good job SM City Cebu- BUT

Seeing my groceries being put in a paper bag, for the first time, is exhilarating. That happened last night when I went to buy groceries at SM City Cebu. I felt proud for SM for initiating the move to lessen plastic and other cellophane products.

But-

I was confused when they put the bags over the other. I thought they were saving mother earth with those. They told me one bag could not support the groceries because the ones they were using were too thin. I think it defeated the purpose. I can see more trees being cut down to make those bags.

And then this bagging thing only happens every Wednesdays.

I sighed.

Intriguing Galeon Andalucia

Long before Galeon Andalucia docked in Bohol, intrigues were already spreading about its choice of port- Catagbacan, Loon, a small wharf quite unknown to many. Some sectors claimed it was because of the war between Mayor Dan Lim of Tagbilaran and First District Representative Rene Relampagos and Governor Edgar Chatto who have been trading bitter words (mostly from Mayor Lim) last elections and it seems there is no end to it.

When the Galeon docked in Cebu, I never heard of issues like that of Bohol that goes far worst than the trade winds.

Well, you know what happens to intrigues especially when it concerns politics and politicians.

Anyways, the Andalucia is a replica of the first galleons that came to the Philippines during the Spanish regime and lasted for about 200 years. The first galleon to discover the trade route from Cebu to Mexico was the ship that carried Andres de Urdaneta, part of the convoy of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. It is worthy to note that Legazpi came to Bohol and made a pact sealed with blood with a native chief, Sikatuna; hence, the yearly Sandugo Festival of Bohol.

Galeon Andalucia, so named because it was built in Andalusia, Spain, graced the Shanghai Expo before exploring once again the trade routes it discovered. Manila, Cebu and Bohol were chosen because of the historical importance mentioned above.

Being a Boholano by spirit and blood, I chose to wait for the Galeon Andalucia to dock in Bohol waters despite the open opportunity to visit it in Cebu. Bol-anon jod ko kaajo. I am a true-blooded Boholano.

But while docked in Bohol, I chose to miss the opportunity to get inside the galleon. A million reasons came to mind, among others:

Boholanos are not ready for historical events. You might say I was wrong. When we went there a throng of people from all walks of life deluged the venue so that I could barely breath. They were there to witness history. In my analysis, majority of the Boholanos were there out of curiosity not because of history. Nothing historical came to their minds. They pushed and shoved to show their ignorance. Some went home frustrated, Mao ra diay to? That was it?

Boholanos are not the disciplined kind. In Cebu, people lined up waiting for their turns despite the heat and thirst. I don't know what went on in Manila. But I witnessed both crowds in Cebu and Bohol. And Bohol did the worst. There were no clear instructions at the port. We brought our passes for the event but they were not honored by the guards and the policemen. First come first serve, they said, so the shoving part was justified.

Boholanos are power-hungry. While the common people waited for their turn, the influential people of Tagbilaran (politicians, businessmen, lawyers, the "educated ones", the alta sociedad) used the exit to gain entry right infront of everybody. Worst, they used the police to guide them. 

Boholanos are not concerned with the environment despite the environmental awards they got. Plastic bottles, empty tetra packs, wrappers of many kinds, were thrown in the clear waters of Catagbacan even if there were trash baskets at the haphazardly done "terminal".

And so I just sat on the sides contemplating on the crowd's  mentality and the importance of the galleon trade in the past that paved way to modern trading. I sat remembering that these Spaniards were part of the race that we considered our enemies once. These Spaniards enslaved us for 300 years before selling the whole nation to the Americans. I remembered that for 300 long years we obediently and meekly followed like lost sheeps the orders and caprices of the Padre Damasos on that certain period of our history. Those Padre Damasos who spread hatred and distrust among us natives in the guise of Roman Catholicism, ostracizing the indios that wanted freedom and independence of the Las Islas Filipinas.

Like Dagohoy, I stood, err sat, on solid grounds.

First two photos of the galleon grabbed from Galeon Andalucia album of Bohol's First Lady Pureza Veloso-Chatto. The rest of the photos courtesy of Chin-chin Bretana.

Bagging it up!

Gov't urged: Ban plastic bags now, so goes the headline from Inquirer.net.

According to the report, plastic bags account for the most litter that clog waterways. I agree. It is a sad thing to see plastic bags all over the country.

In Cebu they are thrown freely just about anywhere. Bohol has a more educated populace since you can rarely see plastic bags even upon disembarking from the ferry in Tagbilaran.

It is also sad to note that some grocery and 24-hour stores in Cebu still needs to be educated on the use of plastic bags. 

Rustan's and SM should be praised for the introduction of their ecobags. However, at Colonnade in downtown Cebu, you have to do a lot of arguing when you insist you use your own ecobag instead of their plastic bags. They have to put the goods in their standard plastic before putting them in your bag. What a waste of time, money and effort.

Maybe stores like Colonnade should be the first to undergo training on the environment.

Estero pic from manilareview.wordpress.com

Ulannnnnn!

Ulan, sinong di mapasayaw ng ulan (Rain, who would not dance in the rain?)- goes the song by Bamboo.

And indeed, after a long time waiting for rain, who would not?

The gray skies is after all a welcome relief and not a sign of distress. The rain seems a relief from few months of heat. Thank God! Goodbye blue skies. Goodbye sun.

But wait- isn't it supposed to be summer?

Bohol made a big turn-around

A few years back, 1995 I think, I was one of those people who were given the task and the chance to explain and cascade down to the people who themselves formulated the Vision of the province of Bohol. The Vision states-

Bohol is a prime eco-cultural tourist destination and a strong agro-industrial province with an empowered and self-reliant people who are God-loving, law-abiding, proud of their cultural heritage and committed to the growth and protection of the environment.

It was a turning point of the province of Bohol since the vision became a unifying element among the various sectors of the province, noting the Boholanos' love and desire in the preservation of its unique ecological and cultural environment.

The young governor Rene Relampagos and head of legislation vice-governor Edgar Chatto fought for it and made waves stirring their own kind by introducing a human touch to the not so famous government procedures. Until now, no one can deny the fact that Bohol still is in the limelight because of the introduction of this Vision, Mission, Goals and Strategies to the people.

Bohol made headlines again when it formulated and made into law the Bohol Environment Code. Later, Bohol applied and was the first local government unit in the Philippines accredited to the pesky Environmental Management Standards (ISO 14001).

But right now, as the political leadership changes every elections, the Vision of Bohol is starting to get clouded by selfish motives other than the preservation of Bohol's environment. In fact, I have seen through my own eyes the burning of plastic materials right at the Governor's Mansion, a clear indication that the Bohol provincial government already abandons their ISO 14001 certification.

Sadly, the news of a plan to setup five islets on Panglao (Island) Bay for leisure and recreation as Panglao is noted to be, has been approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (the provincial law-making body) and authorized the governor to sign for a joint-venture with a private developer for this project.

Call this ridiculous but the only place I know who made artificial islands is Dubai and they were a rich country. But my argument is not on the economics of such a crazy idea. My concern is Bohol's, specifically Panglao's environment and the effect of those islets when they are constructed. I am sure, the proponents don't care if hundreds of people will be displaced and their livelihood like fishing will become history. Their arguments will of course lead us to believe that Bohol will become financially rich with those islands.

What has become of the Vision of the province of Bohol? Has it become obsolete? Where are the proponents of the VMGS? What have the concerned organizations done to stop this idea?

My vision might be blurred but I still have the mind to think of the impact this project will give.

Funny that I happened to read present governor of Bohol Erico Aumentado's stirring speech titled The Bohol Environment Code: Anchor of Development Initiatives given during the workshop-forum Policy Review and Reform towards Participatory ENR Governance sponsored by the Ateneo School of Government. In his ending speech Aumentado emphasized-

But in all their aspects, including conflict of interest, political will is the key to the success of any environmental program. This element must underlie and anchor the initiatives to PROTECT, CONSERVE AND HARNESS THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (emphasis mine) for the well being of the province and our people.

A statement with good intent but no teeth? Well- if Boholanos really are still "proud of their cultural heritage and committed to the growth and protection of the environment," the coming elections in May should elect a standard-bearer who would push for what the people believes and not just someone out for some award-grabbing paper works.

Related articles can be read here-

• BoholAnalysis: The Problem with Representative Democracy
• Stop reclamation plan
• Speech of Gov. Erico Aumentado during the Ateneo-sponsored forum on Policy Review and Reform towards Participatory ENR Governance

Picture grabbed from www.panglaoisland.com, www.flickr.com

The floods helped Manila clean up

I saw this article in Inquirer.net and I believe, is worth a reprint here. 

For so long, Manila and its suburbs have not done their share of cleaning up. The government agencies were inutile enough to dismiss this as a problem and focused instead on corruption, a not so alien job with our government agencies and also with the corrupted and corrupt people of the Philippines. The typhoon Ondoy became history and so was (is?) the tragedy that surrounded Manila.

Not so long time ago, the Supreme Court ordered government agencies to cleanup Manila Bay, an obvious choice because everybody could see it. But until now, they still pass the buck, blaming everyone but not everybody on who was not cleaning up and instead showed us how much paper work they already have done.

So nature did its share of cleaning up. The harsh way.

We have the most beautiful malls and dirtiest esteros

by Thelma Sioson San Juan

Philippine Daily Inquirer/Inquirer.net

ALYA CUT out the "hello" on the phone and instead sobbed straight into my ear. I could hear more sobbing than words. I finally did make out what she was trying to say: Our friend Joseph, who lives in San Juan, had to swim out of his house when the water rose up to its second story. Seeing the water rising to his knees, he decided to swim out with his loved one and only housemate—Princess, a dachshund.

They had been swimming away from his house, he doing the backstroke so Princess could perch on his chest, when the current grew stronger. He flipped to swim free style, with Princess still swimming alongside him, but they were being sucked towards the river. Joseph was able to grip a steel pole.

Glancing beside him, he saw Princess already way beyond his reach and being spun into the current towards the river.

That was what Alya was sobbing about—Princess’ death and Joseph’s near-death.

Turned out, that tragedy—no matter that we love Joseph and Princess—was not, by any measure, unique last weekend. There were far, far worse.

Metro Manila and the outlying provinces were one big tragedy. A tragedy waiting to happen.

While “Ondoy” dumped the highest rainfall in decades, still, what happened was a man-made disaster.

The past decades we’ve been building the most beautiful malls, gated subdivisions and high-rises—amid the dirtiest esteros and unkempt neighborhoods. In fact, Metro Manila is at its filthiest.

Cities have been overrun with squatters, many of these settlements in esteros—coddled by city mayors who could use their vote.

The mountains, from the north to the south, have been shaved of trees. Environment advocates have to fight tooth and nail to protect the trees, even right in the urban landscape, like Katipunan Ave. (It is ironic coincidence “Ondoy” struck as environment and waste recycling activist Odette Alcantara was being laid to rest.)

And the rivers—the Pasig River stinks. Peer down on Manila Bay and you see plastic bags, food wrappers and all kinds of debris floating.

When disaster strikes, as it did this week, you could count the government’s rubber boats with your 10 fingers. People using toy floaters to save people—this tragic sight is in a country where billions of pesos go into the pork barrel of politicians and government officials, and that’s not even counting what’s in the coffers of local officials.

Clearly, the environment and infrastructure have been suffering from sheer neglect.

Indeed, the unimpeded degradation of the environment is matched only by unconscionable corruption and greed of government. It’s bad governance that’s been our real disaster.

The nouveau riche sprucing up the house with opulent furniture and decor, but never bothering to clean up the house and unclog the toilet—that’s our “disaster lifestyle.”

Photos from deputy-dog.com (and you think your garbage is overflowing?)

Ode to a Dead Sea Urchin

Earth Hour TONIGHT!

I am reminding everyone of the Earth Hour tonight, 28 March 2009. Turn off everything electrical from 8:30-9:30. And maybe- just maybe- we should also turn ourselves off.

Environmental concerns: Stars suddenly getting green

I saw Christopher de Leon having photo op for the release of a sea turtle who happened to be rescued by DENR officials in Bulacan.

The news report further states that de Leon is the head of an ecotourism task force in one of the towns of Batangas. He is supposed to be a scuba diver and long time admirer of marine biodiversity. Very profound.

“Initiating meaningful partnerships is a key component for CI’s work in the Verde Island Passage, and we’re glad that Boyet (de Leon) has expressed willingness to help engage the entertainment industry in this endeavor,” the report quoted a Conservation International Philippines head.

Question- Have you heard of de Leon's environmental efforts before? Why timing it now when the Philippine elections are coming?

Environmental concerns: Flooding in Batuan (Bohol)

I was in Manila this weekend when I received a text message from an old friend in my hometown. She told me their house was flooded due to heavy rains. It was their first. Their house was in a flat land near a ricefield. She told me that our place was flooded too up to the waistline.

I was not a bit concerned at first because I did not receive any info from my family. Almost all of us got mobile phones, except for my parents who abhor techie things, and being flooded would of course send them to panic, and informing me would be fitting.

But my text message asking what happened to them was unanswered. I was thinking of my book collection I just sent home because I would no longer be staying at my rented place in Tagbilaran.

FYI, our place is right beside a small creek that used to be our playground when we were young. I almost got drowned on that creek. It used to be a river-wide when I was young, but when I saw it as I grow older, the creek seemed to reduce itself smaller each time I go to my hometown. I would laugh at myself, remembering that drowning incident. It would be funny to see that murmuring creek becoming a rampaging river.

But honestly I had its rare overflowing experience. I was sleeping that time when Mom woke me up because the waters had come in up to the level of my bed. I was more amazed than afraid of the flood.

When no one was not minding me, I called up my sister. She told me the truth. The waters have invaded our place and they were busy catching things that floated away. Our appliances, our stuff in the kitchen, MY BOOKS! They were not able to text me back. They had more concerns to do. I was heartbroken.

For the first time I heared my family talking about environmental issues. They told me Mother Nature is getting angry because of wanton destruction of the environment. The cause of the flood was extremely mind-boggling since the water source is just a small hole somewhere. Where did all the water came from?

Despite being heartbroken over the state of my books, I pity my parents who suffer all through the experience. I know they were also concerned of our things and other valuables. The things most people would consider not of value like family pictures and memorabilia were in fact priceless and even worth a million. We could never have them again.

(First picture grabbed from Batuanon's Friendster account)

“Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry...I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you." -Charlie Brown to Snoopy

An Excuse to See a Movie Star

Someone I know, a student from Holy Name University in Tagbilaran, invited me to watch Uyayi (whatever that means) at MetroCentre Hotel. It’s supposed to be a concert with Chinchin Gutierrez for an environmental cause.

I read somewhere that Chinchin is an environmental blah-blah advocate and that she is a movie actress. But I never heard or read about her singing career. Concerts are supposed to have singers and not actors or else that would be theater, correct me if I am wrong. But it did not interest me at all.

I ask him instead, how come an environmental awareness activity such as this concert, is done in a hotel where just by sitting there would already cause harm to the environment? The air-conditioner would be in full blast I’m sure. The seat covers would be washed with detergents and other chemicals to make it spunky new. With hundreds of people attending, the environmental impact surely would be a noticeable chunk in the climate change. Is this a good excuse for seeing a movie star? Or a hands down environmental watch to hmmm… well- watch and see if such cause is really relevant?

He told me he was not talking about environments, it is a cultural and tourism thing since the sponsors are the tourism students of Holy Name University and the provincial government of Bohol. I snapped back at him because I saw the ad and their come-on was a bad promotional strategy telling people about watching this and helping an environmental cause when in fact it has nothing to do with it. Why can’t they just tell the people that the funds will be used for some gallivanting around to a tourist destination? Well- this is creativity in the making on the positive side. They could be our future politicians. He told me he is going back at me. I am afraid he would be bringing the whole batch of tourism students from that university.

Anyways, if their cause is real, they could have done it at Plaza Rizal right under the trees. One carbon footprint less, di ba? And while the guests are paying P400, they can also give the non-paying bystanders (read: public) a chance to watch and listen, misinformation education no matter, giving their cause a justifiable place to go. That would have been a good promotional ploy.

But then again, I am not their marketing specialist.

I hope the proceeds of this “concert” will truly benefit the environment. Which environment if I may ask?

(Yeah, I am such a bitch.)

Have a Green Palm Sunday

Among Catholics, today is Palm Sunday. This is in commemoration of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem which later also had him martyred.

Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem is a messianic event, through which His Divine authority is declared. The events of Palm Sunday call each of us to lift up our voices and praise God; and behold our King, the Word of God made flesh. Palm Sunday summons us to accept both the rule and the Kingdom of God as the goal and content of our Christian life. (St Barbara Greek Orthodox Church website)

Since childhood, the celebration would always had me busy getting young parts of leaves of coconut trees for us to wave during the blessing of palms.

Now that I am older, I was wondering if any of us had the thought that we are slowly killing our coconut trees just for the ocassion. And the country's coconut industry is not doing well in the world market as well.

For the love of coconuts, why don't the Catholic Church imposed on ONE STRAND (is that one leaf called?) OF COCO PALM for each Catholic? Attention Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines!

I remember my neighbor back then. He had his coconut cut down for the ocassion and had his kids carry the whole bunch complete with various designs to St James the Apostle church in Batuan.

We all love theatrics I know, but let us be environmentally-correct this time.


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Photo from BBC news
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