Dear Grandma (Lola Presing)

WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I thought you were my real mother. I thought you were my biological mother so I used to call you “Nanay”. I did not know that you are my real father’s mother. Living on the same house with your youngest daughter, you treated me as your youngest son. You always there to treat my rashes (guyos/galis) on my legs! You were also delighted to blow the smoke from your tobacco to remove the angry little red ant stuck inside my aching ear during those sleepy humid nights! Well, I was happy then pulling patiently your white hair, in return.

AT THE EARLY AGE, you taught me the meaning of simple life in the countryside. During summer and low tide, we always visit the seacoast together to collect seashells for our dinner. Sometimes I joined you and the rest of our relatives to catch fish using a big fish net as everyone is intensely pullling the net from both ends. We were buddies to catch shrimps and crabs in the river as well!

THROUGH MY YOUNGER YEARS, you taught me the essence of “hardwork” and “patience” through your art of making mats. You loved to make beautiful, soft and colourful sleeping mattress from pandan leaves. Night and day, you were busy weaving mats from long and dried strip of pandan leaves, just hearing the tick-tack sound as your finger nails touch the pandan strip - it was a melody for me!

YOU DID NOT FORGET TO TEACH ME the essence of togetherness and family ties during adversity. Every time that there is a strong typhoon, we always gather our belongings and stay with relatives in a big house! It was scary walking outside the house while the trees were swaying badly and hearing those thunderstorms and watching the endless flashes of lighting. On the other hand, it was an excitement for me being with my relatives- having a good time to play while waiting for the storm to subside until the next day. I also joined you to visit your ailing mother, far far away from home and had the chance to meet the rest of your relatives. It was then that I realised that we have a big family!

Well, there were times that you and Grandpa had confrontations especially after a “tuba” (coconut wine) drink session in the town which somehow gave me goosebumps during those times. My younger uncle and auntie were “referees” to sorted out the arguments. As the “tuba” spirit left, then every thing turned fine and life moved on…

 AS I GREW OLDER, you are always in my side - being closer to your sons and daughters. How I could not forget those years that you were the one who washed my clothes - from jeans to underwears! Someone who always there to remind me to travel safely! Someone who will always provide a good meal before and after school. Someone who always happy to hear about my achievements in school and also someone who will always ask why I have to go back to school again (after finishing my engineering degree)!

TIME MOVES FAST, and Im away from home searching for better and enjoyable life abroad. I know you were happy for me when I left in 1991, 2002 and 2005 to study abroad! During those years you always there for my family and my young siblings. You were also excited to find out that I was going home for vacations - able to cook for my favourite meal - ginataang mongo (beans with coco milk)! You were happy again to wash my favourite jeans and white Calvin Klein underwears! 

LIFE IS ALWAYS UNPREDICTABLE and the only thing I know that more than a year  now that I havent speak to you, and suddenly last month you were gone for good! Honestly, I must admit, I think I am your “favourite grandson” and Im honoured to accept that! I was guilty not to see you before you go. I was upset that I have not able to speak to you and tell you my life in Britain - struggling to finish my PhD research! I am sad to think that you will not be there when I go back home to show my thesis - bearing a dedication for you!  

AT THE AGE OF 89, you gave your 100 percent undying love and care to your family! I am very happy that you were part of my life! Thank you for everything…

Your memories will remain in our hearts and surely you will be missed by your favourite “apo” as he continues his journey of living…

Save Sibuyan Island (Philippines) from mining (PART 2)

THIS IS MY FOLLOW-UP JOURNAL about my hometown versus the doubled-bladed mining operation. I posted my first journal on this controversial issue last October 2007. (click HERE for the link)

Few months later, so many things happened which somehow brought Sibuyan Island to the limelight and even a headline in various Philippine daily newspapers. These events either brought positive or negative impacts to the people of Sibuyan, but personally I think everything is going on the right direction.

There are ordinary people that somehow extended their support and encouragement to continue to promote in saving Sibuyan Island from mining destruction. And this is the reason why I inspired to do a follow-up journal about it. When I was there in February 2007, I joined the rally and even invited to speak in front of the people and expressed my moral support to the organizer, SAM. The space of my website is not enough to list down the names of this ordinary citizens who are willing to spare their lives for the betterment of Sibuyanons.  

But there is one person that I really want to share my admiration for his song composition… his name is Mazzenie “Udon” Romero. Unfortunately, he will not be able to read this journal but Im sure he will be happy to share his song to everyone. I was able to get the lyrics of the song, entitled “MINA” and last year, I contacted someone in Manila to include this song in an environmental record to be released this month. Unfortunately, it did not materialise that this song will be part of the album. Nevertheless, I am sharing this song thru my blog and hopefully I will be able to upload the video or the audio version of it in the near future.

MINA

 

I

Ibinigay ng diyos sa ating biyaya

Sibuyan pinagpala

Akoy nagtataka

Kung bakit dumating ang pagmimina sa talaba

 

Refrain

Mapapansin kaya mina lang ang sisira

Kung kakampi ko ang lahat 

May pag asa pang di magigiba

 

Chorus

Awit na nananawagan

Dasal sa dios ay pakinggan

Sa kanya lang ang sandigan

Kung lahat ng taoy magkaisang pigilan

Pagpalain mula sa langit

Katarungan syang makakamit

Kung may pagkakaisa

Mananalo tayong lahat

 

II

Ang swerte nga naman ng mina

Sa nickel na may pera

Sa huli,baka magsisi ka

 

Repeat Refrain

Chorus

 

III

Mag isip isip naman sila

Kalikasan ay mahalaga

Itoy biyayang bigay

Sa atin ng Maykapal

 

Repeat Refrain

Chorus 2x

NOTE: To sign for petition against mining, please click here, while for the newly created site for Sibuyan Island against mining, click here.

Sibuyan Island (Philippines) Revisited…Part One

LAST YEAR (March 2007) I spent few days in my hometown after a hectic schedule travelling around the country particularly in Bukidnon, including my quick trip to Bangkok (Koh Chang). Unfortunately, I was not able to upload some of my video clips taken during my visit to Sibuyan Island especially my refreshing boat ride to Crista de Gallo. The small island is less than an hour by motor boat from the mainland of Sibuyan (Campalingo, San Fernando).

My nephew told me few days ago that ABSCBN (Philippines) featured the province of Romblon on its regular show - Trip na Trip, where Katkat de Castro is the main reporter. I also confirmed this from one of the members of the Pinoy Exchange dot com forums. Unfortunalely, the second episode of the show aired last Friday did not really tells us about Sibuyan Island. Having said that, Im inspired to share the video taken during my trip to Crista de Gallo.

Honestly, the island can not be compared to Boracay or anywhere in the world. It is unique on its own way. Believe me, watching the crystal clear blue water, the coral reefs, the flourishing weeds, and the pulverised seashells-white-sandy beach, it seems Im in paradise!

Do you have something to share about your memorable experience in Sibuyan - where the land, the sea and the air unite?