Promoting ecotourism in Marinduque gain House committee approval

Maniwaya. Creating more jobs and improving local livelihood.

 Ecotourism projects are meant to create attractive tourist destinations without depreciating the environment and nature. On 23 May 2018, the House Committee on Tourism approved three Ecotourism Bills sponsored by Cong. Lord Allan Velasco. 

The three House bills numbered 7022, 7023 and 7024 are specifically aimed to conserve and develop the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Torrijos White Beach and Station Balanacan, the Datum Origin of Luzon Datum of 1911, into ecotourism areas.

Original tower of Sta. Cruz Church built in 1714, the oldest in Marinduque

Appearing before committee members, resource persons and observers, Velasco endorsed these House measures by presenting a tourism video which showcased the wonders and beauty of his province of Marinduque. The video was able to highlight the unlimited potential of his province and this country to become a top tourist destination.

Luzon Datum of 1911. Marinduque as center of the Philippines

Thereafter, the Committee on Tourism, led by Chairperson Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, approved the bills. At a time when environmental protection and conservation are at the forefront of global issues, these legislative measures are very timely indeed, and are helpful reminders of the importance of nature.

Kawakawa Falls in Brgy. Bangcuangan, Sta. Cruz. Photo: Lantaw

These Ecotourism projects will certainly address the need to observe sustainable development in the island-province and the protection of its eco-system.

Bagumbungan Cave in Brgy. San Isidro, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque

This blogger first sounded the Dengvaxia alarm on Feb 2016, as vaccine was yet to be reviewed by WHO

Dengvaxia victims. Photo Edd Gumban, Philstar

President Rodrigo Duterte will create a three-man panel of experts to study the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine that has been blamed for the deaths of over 60 children, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, “The President, after much discussion, said he will create a three-man panel of experts, all Asians, no Westerners and he will be bound by the findings of these three-man experts on the issue of whether or not dengvaxia actually caused deaths.”

Last month, the Department of Health said 62 children have been reported to have died after receiving the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine under the government’s immunization program. (Inquirer)

More than 60 dengvaxia deaths now!

This blogger was the first to sound the alarm as early as Feb 13, 2016 on this controversy through my blog, “WHO yet to review evidence for dengue vaccine in April 2016, yet it is now distributed in PH! May God bless the Philippines!"

Screenshot of my blog dated Feb. 13, 2016. Marinduque Rising.

 I stressed then that I wouldn’t be surprised if no one paid attention because of the May 2016 election craze, and that's what really happened. Another factor in my view was the article appearing in a major newspaper that erroneously published the Dengvaxia deal involving a mere P3.5 MILLION instead of P3.5 BILLION so who would even care? (The paper never corrected the mistake thereafter).

Exactly eight months later, Sec. Gordon stood up in the Senate to question this matter of PH government under Aquino spending billions of pesos for dengue vaccine yet to be tested by WHO thus endangering children’s lives. (I watched Gordon live on TV quoting certain passages that could only have been lifted from my blog, to my pleasure, of course). I blogged, thus on Oct. 13, 2016: 

Well, many thanks to Senator Richard Gordon for standing up in the Senate about this. This issue of spending billions of pesos for dengue vaccine that is yet to be tested by WHO that actually endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of Filipino children as guinea pigs. (Further readings on Vaccine and Depopulation here) 

But now it's all out!

Nang pumutok na ng mas malakas ang katotohanan, nanahimik na ako. Bahala na ang mga eksperto hanggang naging world news na nga ang usaping ito. Everything is out now, bagama’t di pa rin tapos kahit marami nang ekspertong dumawdaw.

.

Yun laang po naman ang sa akin.

Early humans in the Philippines now said to be 700,000 years old

Ang mga naunang tao sa Pilipinas ay kapareho lang ng pinagmulan ng mga naunang tao sa Asia mainland, malayo sa ibang lahi

This handout image obtained from the French Museum of Natural History on Wednesday shows an archaeologist at work at the site of an archaeological dig at Kalinga in the Philippines. Were early humans living in East Asia more than half-a-million years ago clever enough to build seafaring watercraft and curious enough to cross a vast expanse of open sea? | MNHN / THOMAS INGICCO / XGTY / VIA AFP-JIJI

Traces of early humans in Philippines 700,000 years ago raise question of whether they were seafarers

AFP-JIJI

PARIS – Were the early humans roaming East Asia more than half a million years ago clever enough to build seafaring watercraft and curious enough to cross a vast expanse of open sea?

This and other questions arise from the discovery in the Philippines of a butchered rhinoceros skeleton and the stone tools probably used to carve away its meat, researchers said Wednesday.

The find pushes back the arrival of the first Homo species on the island chain ten-fold to 700,000 years ago, they reported in the journal Nature.

Earlier archaeological clues from Luzon island — tools at one site, pre-historic animals remains at another — hinted at the presence of primitive human species, echoing the way Homo erectus and Homo floresiensis probably populated the Indonesian archipelago during roughly the same period.

But until now, the earliest confirmed evidence of hominins — the scientific term used to group modern and early humans — in the Philippines came from a single 67,000-year-old foot bone unearthed in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

“We had the extraordinary luck to find a nearly complete, disarticulated rhinoceros,” said Thomas Ingicco, a paleoanthropologist at France’s National Museum of Natural History and lead author of the study.

This handout image obtained from the French Museum of Natural History (MNHN) on Wednesday shows two cut flakes and a rib of a rhinoceros at the Kalinga site, all evidence of the presence of a hominkin 709 000 years ago, retrieved from the site of an archaeological dig at Kalinga in the Philippines. | MNHN / THOMAS INGICCO / VIA AFP-JIJI

Analysis of the bones from the extinct species — Rhinoceros philippinensis — left no doubt “that it showed ridges left by tools,” he said.

Some of the cut marks were made while removing flesh; others came from specialized tools designed to remove nourishing — and no doubt delicious — marrow.

Ingicco and his colleagues also uncovered the skeletal remains of other potentially tasty animals, including brown deer, monitor lizards, freshwater turtles and stegodons, extinct mammals combining elephant and mammoth features.

“We know that some species of human ate this rhino,” said Ingicco. “But we don’t know if they killed if first, or found the carcass.”

All told, the Kalinga site in northern Luzon’s Cagayan Valley yielded more than 400 bones and several dozen knapped — or chipped — tools, including 49 knife-like flakes and two hammers.

“This evidence pushes back the proven period of colonization of the Philippines by hundreds of thousands of years,” the authors concluded.

Several dating techniques applied to the rhino remains determined its age at between 631,000 and 777,000 years, putting it in a period known as the Pleistocene.

With no direct trace of the humans who butchered the animals, researchers could only speculate on who they were and how they got there.

Homo erectus — known to have wandered to present-day China and Southeast Asia up to million years ago — is one candidate.

It is also possible that the butchers of Kalinga had already evolved into a distinct subspecies, as likely happened to the “hobbit” of Flores, diminutive humans named for the Indonesian island where they were first found.

As for how “Kalinga Man” made it across what is today 1,000 km (620 miles) of open ocean between Luzon and mainland Asia, the authors doubt they fashioned a raft or other seaworthy vessel.

“The colonization could have happened ‘accidentally’ after a tsunami ripped up the coastline and created a temporary land bridge, a rare but documented phenomenon,” said Ingicco. - The Japan Times

Mga Protektadong Lugar sa Pilipinas... at Marinduque

Protected area ang turing sa mga napiling bahagi ng kalupaan natin at kailugan/karagatan na may katangi-tanging pisikal at biolohikal na kahalagahan, na protektado ng ating batas laban sa mapanirang paggamit ng mga nasabing lugar.

Mt. Mayon photo: Dexbaldon

Classification ng mga ito ay alin man sa strict nature reserve, natural park, natural monument, wildlife sanctuary, protected landscapes and seascapes, resource reserve, natural biotic areas at iba pang mga kategorya na itinatag ng batas o international agreements na nilagdaan ng Pilipinas. signatory.

Saklaw ng mga nasabing protektadong lugar ng Pilipinas ang 4.07 milyong ektarya ng mga lupa at 1.38 milyong ektarya ng mga lugar sa dagat. Humigit-kumulang 14.2% ng kabuuang lugar ng Pilipinas.

Apo Reef photo: Dwayne Meadows NOAA

Noong 2011, naglabas ang DENR ng isang memorandum para suspendihin ang pagtititulo ng lupa sa mga lugar na iminungkahi para sa deklarasyon ng mga protektadong lugar.

Suspendido rin ang pagproseso ng mga aplikasyon para sa pagpapaupa, lisensya, o permit para sa anumang proyekto o aktibidad sa loob ng natukoy na mga, pati na rin ang pagtanggap ng mga bagong aplikasyon, maliban sa mga proyekto na naaayon sa mga layunin ng Nipas.

Lake Danao photo: Singapore Alice

Sa taong 2013, mayroong 240 protektadong lugar na pinamamahalaan ng National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) sa ilalim ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Torrijos Watershed Forest Reserve

Sa Marinduque naroon ang isa sa pinakaunang nadeklarang protected area sa Pilipinas. Nangyari ito noon pang 1932, isang lugar sa Torrijos na may lawak na 105 ektarya (259.5 acres).

Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary

Noon namang 2004, nadeklarang protected area ang Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary sa Boac, Marinduque, na may lawak na 8,827.96 ektarya (21,814.4 acres).

Sta, Cruz May Fiesta and visiting that old convent

May 1-3 has always been celebrated in Sta.Cruz, Marinduque as the town fiesta, meaning three days of feasting and fun. It brings to mind a place that, in the days when a mixture of Spanish and Tagalog was still spoken on the island, was the center of celebration where the town's rich and religious congregated.

That's an old convent beside the Sta. Cruz Church.Church, reputed to be the oldest in Marinduque, that has survived typhoons, earthquakes and strife. The upper level of this century/ies-old convent (Santa Cruz de Napo was its old name), houses one of the biggest wooden halls in all of the island. Until today, laughter and voices during banquets for various occasions still reverberate in the mountain air.

The hall, very well-preserved with walls and floors of hardwood up to 2 feet in width could take in as many as 500 guests. Its lower level, converted into classrooms since 1974 as the Holy Infant Parochial School for grade-school kids is made of adobe walls and floors with windows protected by thick iron grills and thick, heavy doors of hardwood.

 The original look of this old structure, circa 1881. From the Marche files showing the old glory and splendor of the building while a banquet was taking place.

 Staircase with old wood balusters. Photo: Dan Pagulayan

Excerpts from the Marche files:

“The next day was the feast of the town. After the religious ceremony at the church, a procession attended by all the faithful went through the streets of the town, adorned with canopies of greenery and garlands of flowers.

"In the evening, a big banquet was given by the parish priest of Santa Cruz. He was the son of a Frenchman and a Spanish woman, but he did not know a word of the paternal language. He also had his collection, from which he was willing to deduct a few shells for me.” (Luzon and Palawan, Marche, with illustration titled Fete a Santa Cruz de Napo)

Familiar-to-the-town windows of capiz-shells.

Fiesta 2018 Highlights this time:

Visit of Miss Earth Beauties

Performance by popular singer Angeline Quinto

Mayor's Ball with Dangal ng Santa Cruz Awards



Sports Clinic and Exhibition Game at the Gymnasium with PBA Players Derick Hubalde, Mark Andaya and Paolo Hubalde.

What is this place in Marinduque called Balai La-Hi?

Balai' La-Hi is a private peace sanctuary by the sea in (San Rafael) Cawit, Boac, Marinduque (a short walk from the Cawit Port). There is nothing here except the sound of waves, birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind, church bells clanging, the greeting of a “tuko” (local gecko) once in a while and sea vessels calmly coming and going. Everything about this place is natural and honest because it’s really quite a simple home and it was never planned, it just kind of happened. 

(This piece is published with permission from the author, Cholo Hidalgo Laurel)

The history of this place is quite uncomplicated, the land was a “mana” from our parents who inherited it too from my Papa’s folks. The host house was originally a small beach bungalow that was built in the early 90’s by my brother who loved it here. The bungalow was nothing grand at all but livable and it served its purpose - to be a go to place when we decide to enjoy the “probinsiya” for a few days. Unfortunately, city life and work took over our lives and we did not visit for years, a decade maybe. Naturally, neglect, storms and the sea wind took a toll. It fell to near ruin.  

...in an idyllic seaside setting

In 2013, my brother asked me to go back and see if it can be repaired (or better off sold). Ironically, this was not logically the time for me to start any new projects that entailed money. As a matter of fact, this year was one of the lowest times of my adult life - a business I so passionately built closed down and I was going through a painful separation that didn't make sense.  It was april when I went back and opened the already decrepit, anay-infested bungalow. Amidst the cobwebs, I saw old pictures on the wall, old plates, letters, memories, and immediately I had a strong feeling that the home was not wanting to be sold. So, I decided to dust, sweep little by little and wash down the bathroom. I put a mattress in the lanai and lay there thinking quietly for days, maybe weeks. I didn't care, I just needed peace, and peace I was granted.  

Along Tablas Strait, part of the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor

Lo, behold, I found myself going back for more every month and inch by inch, with the little money that I could muster in my unstable state,  I so crazily spent all my savings rebuilding an old house, like a fool, like noah, like I was  desperately trying to rebuild something from ruins, my own life? I thought I’d eventually tire of my mid-life therapy sessions, so I allowed myself to heal. Well, I’m back on my feet now and I have have not stopped going since then.  From re-building, I planted. From planting I grew, and things all fell into place. In the process, I began to understand a lot about faith and became assured of the reality of hope.

Today, spending time here in Balai Lahi somehow helps me make peace with life's imperfections and renew a sense of gratitude and hope :) So My partner and I come here at every chance we can escape work in Manila.  We were once tempted to keep this our little secret but through time we've realized that wonderful things like these are meant to be shared or else they somehow lose their magic.  

So, in 2017, with a lot of help form our closest friends, we decided to open our doors to travelers, particularly those who are seeking a quiet place of respite. Happily, today , after one year of operations, our guests have agreed with us through their reviews that everything about this place has a warm, nostalgic and calming effect, maybe because it feels like a real home? A safe place? A sanctuary where you can be as you are.

The host house (above) is now 2 storeys and a friend built a travelers cottage beside it :)

We don’t have food service but the kitchen is fully equipped and yours to enjoy. If you wish, we can organize a local “manang” to cook for you :) Don’t worry, It won’t set you back too much and it gives livelihood to the barrio folk.

There is a chance, I and my partner may not be around to welcome you because we are still city dwellers at the moment :)  but Celia our extremely warm and helpful inn keeper will surely be there to see to your needs. Who knows, we might catch each other one weekend and maybe enjoy a drink over sunset? or under the moon and the stars ?

Here, peace, warmth, a good bath and a comfy bed are the only luxuries we can guarantee you. If you don’t mind an adventure trip, rooms with fans, no aircon, mosquito nets, occasional spiders,  negligible wifi but lots of books, reading lamps, throw pillows and domestic dogs that keep you company, come and experience bucolic bliss that will bring nostalgic memories. It’s quite a special experience, If I may say so myself.

At the moment, only the host house and our friend Marlon’s cottage are available. All in all, we can comfortably sleep 8 - 10 people at a time. You may book the whole house or just the cottage or just one room :)  Hopefully, more rooms will be created as we are allowed to grow and evolve.

... and a couple of days ago, a special wedding took place in Balai La-Hi

Feel free to ask questions or book through our FB Balai Lahi page,  or Airbnb or Misterbnb, or you may send us a message via text at :

+63919 232 0428 (Celia, inn keeper)

+63918 922 5898 (Cholo, manila reservations) 

Delightfully, Balai Lahi is not all there is to the island province of Marinduque. It is also a historic province whose towns date back to the Spanish era.

For nature lovers, We are right along the Verde Island Passage, declared by marine scientists as the most bio-rich waters in the whole world. 

There is also a majestic volcano you can climb, Mt. Malindig,

 wild forests with prehistoric caves, pristine coastal roads you can bike through, and wonderfully cheerful barrio folk to chat with. 

Like a wild garden, Balai La-hi has soothed many passing travelers and it continues to bloom and grow into a place that will never be forgotten. But we talk too much, just come and experience what we mean.

Your hosts,

Cholo Hidalgo Laurel & Tor Torre

PS: The name La-Hi stands for Laurel - Hidalgo. Alternatively, Lahi’ means different in the Visayan dialect and it’s quite apt for a very different place, with different people.