Monday, February 9, 2009

Feature: The Baculin Seawall

by Lolly Fe Cepe and Leah Quintana
Butuan City (27 July) —
It was a cold night. Zenaida and the rest of the family members were in deep slumber when big waves rushing back and forth under their shanty awaken her. The wind blew so fast. She hurriedly woke up the members of her family and let them prepare their things for the worsening weather condition. A few months later, the sea level increased rapidly. Some houses were carried by the strong waves to the sea while others remained standing but heavily damaged. Zenaida was anxious, yet she remained calm. Carrying some of their belongings, she and her family, together with their neighbors rushed away from their houses. He little light from the moon served as the torch to flock of people and guided their path to find a temporary refuge. In this situation, the hills and the trees are the only shields that protect the people of Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
“We climbed the hills and hid in the woods because it was the safest place to stay. However, one must be brave enough to be with the wild animals, especially at nighttime, Zenaida lamented. With fishing as their main livelihood, the people were compelled to stay in Baculin, a coastal barangay of Hinatuan. Through the years, they learned to live with their environment. They have organized themselves and did not stop finding ways to lessen the danger posed by strong winds and big waves. Zenaida and the rest of the residents never ceased to hope for the day when what they have longed for will become a reality. The coming of Poder y Prosperidad de la Comunidad, a project funded by the Spanish government through the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional, which covers the whole municipality of Hinatuan, gave hope to the people of Baculin.
Thus, the residents warmly welcome and actively participated with the project. With the conduct of a Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) facilitated by a PODER Community Facilitator, the perennial situation of a coastal barangay like Baculin oftenly whipped by strong winds, big waves, typhoons, etc., that destroy their houses emerge as the number one problem. The people, through a barangay assembly agreed that they need to construct a seawall to address the problem. Hopeful and determined, Zenaida Llamas, barangay Sub-Project Committee Chairperson with some volunteers and their Barangay captain Gaudioso J. Olayan took the forty- kilometer, two-hour scary, back-breaking bumpy road travel to vie for the funding in the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum. In the MIBF, each of the 24 barangays presented the project concept and the forum prioritized the project concepts through voting. Barangay Baculin was the last in the priority list. Out of the hp 7.2 million municipal allocation, only Php 11,000.00 of the total project grant was left for the barangay, which others would consider too small for the project that needs Php 731,000.00.
The case of Baculin caught the attention of Mayor Alicia Momongan. Without hesitation, she granted the lacking Php 720,000.00 for the construction of the seawall project. “Eleven thousand is something. We are not only talking of money in this project. This is all about achieving something and realizing dreams of our people, and PODER helped us do it. Now is the time that we have to give our share too, by augmenting the funds of PODER to attain the dreams of our people,” the lady mayor said. Achieving change and development involves good governance and well-determined community. With the support from the municipal local government and with the capability building activities provided by PODER, Baculin residents strived hard to change the harsh situation. Day and night, they alternately worked to finish the sub-project. Men volunteered to haul time stones while women patiently piled it at a site. During weekends, children helped their fathers carry the sack of stones. Other children prepared snacks for the tired workers. Some volunteers were assigned in procuring the materials. The others dedicated themselves in monitoring the construction of the sub-project.
“It was never been easy. We had to do the construction work during low tide and stopped when high tide came. In spite of this, we never stopped working. I would always remind my co-residents that “if we sow something, we will reap something. Today, we are reaping the fruits of our labor”, a teary-eyed Zenaida expressed during the inauguration. With the existence of the 246 meters seawall, running and finding a place for safety from the raging waves would only be a memory for Zenaida and the rest of the community folk. The seawall protects them from the unpredictable weather condition. “From now on, we would be able to sleep well even if the wind blows heavily,” Zenaida claimed. (DSWD-13/PIA-13)

Sea wall construction to protect fishing village in Surigao del Sur completed

by Ben Serrano - February 13, 2008

BUTUAN CITY- Construction of the 276 linear meter sea wall that will protect residents mostly fisherfolk living along fishing village of Portamon, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur was already completed and turned over to the Municipal Government of Hinatuan then to the local barangay government of Portlamon. Spanish Government’s Poder Y Prosperidad dela Communidad Project, DSWD, Hinatuan Municipal Government and the Surigao del Sur provincial government chipped in to fund the construction of the sea wall.

A total grant of P1.2 million from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, some P330,000 from the municipal counterpart and P200,000 from the Provincial Development Fund was directly downloaded to community accounts for the construction of the sea wall. PODER funded the sea wall sub-project as conceptualized by the residents based on a Participatory Situation Analysis in 2005. As a coastal barangay, Portlamon needs protection from turbulent waves coming from the Pacific Ocean so as not to endanger the lives of some 240 households mostly fisherfolks living along the coast. PODER is a community-driven development project realized thru the partnership of Philippines and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.
It is now on its third year of implementation in the towns of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur and San Agustin and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur. Among those who witnessed the inauguration of the sea wall project last February 7, 2008 were Provincial Governor Vicente “BB” Pimentel, Jr., Hinatuan Municipal Mayor Candelario Viola, and DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat. Governor Pimentel appreciated the effort of the residents to complete the remaining works for the sea wall. He claimed that small projects, like the sea wall in Portlamon, must be prioritized to propel development in the countryside. Pimentel announced that the Provincial Government is willing to fund small project proposals, all local government units must do is endorse the said papers for possible funding.

BFAR warns against shellfish from red-tide waters


Written by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter
Sunday, 08 February 2009 20:27


THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned over the weekend that red tide is active in Masbate, Sorsogon and Zamboanga del Sur. Thus, the public should refrain from buying and eating all types of shellfish from these provinces, particularly those harvested from the Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon, the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate, and Dumanguilas Bay in Zamboaga del Sur.

BFAR, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), noted that marine organisms have accumulated high levels of toxin from the microscopic dinoflagellate known to scientists as Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum that causes the red-tide phenomenon. BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. reiterated that harvesting, selling, buying and eating contaminated organisms from the said areas are banned until toxin levels have dropped to the acceptable range.

“Sadly, there is no way for the public to detect red tide-contaminated shellfish, so that the local government involved must seriously impose the ban on shellfish gathering in areas where red-tide blooms are detected by the BFAR,” Sarmiento said. BFAR noted that the recent spate of illnesses and deaths from red tide poisoning in Albay and nearby provinces could easily be prevented if the ban was strictly enforced and consumers heeded the warnings in bulletins regularly released by the bureau.

Under RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 1998, local government units must enforce all fishery laws and local ordinances enacted by the city or municipal councils in their respective municipal waters. Sarmiento said the toxic blooms in certain coastal waters of the country have been recurring for the past 30 years and Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon are among the primary areas under tight watch. Water and shellfish in these areas are sampled weekly and BFAR gives bulletins and advisories twice a month.

He said, however, that fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that these are fresh and the gills, intestines and other internal organs are removed, and the fish is thoroughly washed before cooking. According to BFAR, areas free of the toxic red tide are the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay, and coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao and Wawa in Bani, Pangasinan and Masinloc Bay in Zambales. Also red-tide free are the coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate, Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido in Palawan, Tinagong Dagat in President Roxas and Saspian Bay in Capiz, Irong-Irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar.

The waters of Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Caraigara Bays in Leyte, Biliran Waters in Biliran Province, Hinatuan, Lianga and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur, Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island, Balite Bay in Davao Oriental, and the coast of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay have also been declared safe from red tide by BFAR.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Rebels ambush troops; truck torched

Wednesday, November 30, 2005
By Ben Serrano
Caraga correspondent
BUTUAN CITY -- The New People's Army (NPA) in Caraga Region ambushed last Saturday morning a logging truck with six army men onboard at Road 4, Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Bigaan, Hinatuan, and Surigao del Sur. Belated reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Information Office here stated no one was hurt among the six troopers who boarded the Isuzu Canter owned by log firm Picop. Improvised landmines planted by the communist guerillas operating in the area exploded when the vehicle crossed on it Saturday.
But the communist rebels claimed otherwise that three of the six soldiers were wounded. The unhurt government troopers belonging to the 36th IB together with responding operatives of the 1406th Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Mobile Group immediately pursued the rebels who fled away from the scene after the bombing. Senior Inspector Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PNP-Caraga spokesperson, said a mobile checkpoint was immediately installed at the national highway in Barangay Tagongon, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur to monitor movement of the communist rebels.
Earlier, military and police officials assailed the local communist groups in the region for using improvised landmines saying it violated the Geneva Protocols ban on landmines in warfare. Soldiers in Surigao del Sur have been scouring the province for landmines especially near government installations and roads frequently passed by military men and vehicles. They said landmines posed grave danger to ordinary passersby and commuters not only to government troopers in the area. Meanwhile, in Sitio Divisoria, Barangay Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur, two unidentified armed men burned early Sunday morning a 10-wheeler truck used to transport planted and naturally grown wood species.
Reports reaching the Police Regional Office at Camp Rafael Rodriguez said the truck was bound for Davao City and loaded with logs when flagged down by the two unidentified armed men in the area. The armed men then ordered the truck driver and helper to get out and then poured gasoline on the vehicle's engine before setting it on fire. Not contented the armed men robbed the driver of his cell phone, P7,000 cash, and watch before fled away from the scene using a single motorcycle. Trento Police identified the owner of the truck as one Joel Rudinas, Jr. and the 49-year-old driver as Isidro Navales, a resident of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.

4.5 magnitude quake jolts Surigao del Sur

INQUIRER.netFirst Posted 17:12:00 04/08/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur Tuesday afternoon, the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injury. The undersea quake took place at 2:14 p.m. (0614 GMT) and was centered 20 kilometers of Hinatuan at a depth of 74.2 kilometers.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone where tectonic plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

9 killed, 11 hurt in Surigao bus crash

9 killed, 11 hurt in Surigao bus crash
05/28/2008 09:17 AM
BUTUAN CITY, Philippines - Nine people - including three children - were killed while 11 others were hurt when a passenger minibus lost its brakes and fell into a ravine in Surigao del Sur late Monday afternoon, belated reports reaching the Caraga Police Regional Office based in this city stated. Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt.
Jaime Eloreta-Milla said a speeding "Norman Dee" minibus with plate number GTH-139 fell into a ravine in Brgy. Baculin, in Hinatuan town shortly after going off the road.The belated police report identified the casualties as:• Fausto Quezada, 77, married;• Helinita Montilla, married;• Helinita's daughter, 10 yrs old; • Bellaza Casagda, 52, widow; • Julieto Soriano, 52 yrs old, married;• Juamar Ronquillo, 4 yrs old; • Juan Llamas 1 yr old; and • two unidentified casualties who were brought home by their relatives in Brgy. Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.It was not known based on the reports where the eleven injured passengers werebrought or what hospitals they are now undergoing treatment. The accident is considered to be the worst so far this year.
The Land Transportation Office in Caraga Region headed by Regional Director AlimPangandaman, the DOTC-Caraga Regional Director and his men have been publicly criticizedfor failure to imposed anti-overloading law on national highways, provincial and national roads in the region. - GMANews.TV

3 soldiers killed, 2 wounded in raging battle with rebels

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
Three soldiers were killed, while two others were wounded when a gunbattle erupted between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Mandaguit, Barangay San Vicente, Bislig City the other, police said yesterday. Reports reaching the operation center of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte said elements of "Charlie Company" of 36th Infantry Battalion conducted hot pursuit operations against some 60 NPA rebels who attacked the Tandawan Philippine Army-Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in Barangay Loyola, Hinatuan town.

The rebels ambushed Army men on their way back to their headquarters at about 5:30 a.m. last Saturday. Sketchy reports said soldiers were negotiating a curved portion of Mandaguit when waylaid by heavily armed NPA rebels who positioned on both sides of the road. Senior Inspector Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PRO 13 spokeswoman, said three soldiers were killed in the initial volley of fires, while two other soldiers were wounded in the ensuing battle. The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated to Bislig City Hospital for medical treatment. The identities of the slain and wounded soldiers were not immediately available.

The Army truck used by the soldiers were badly damaged machine gun fires. Senior Inspector Villagarcia said Chief Supt. Rene J. Elumbaring, PRO 13 regional director and Joint Task Force Caraga commander, respectively, ordered the deployment of Bislig City and Surigao del Sur provincial police forces and PRO 13 regional mobile to reinforce the 36th IB soldiers still battling the NPA in Mandaguit. The 36th IB currently conducted three column approach to cordon the rebels reportedly members of the CPP-NPA Front Committee 14 of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Nilo Camino alias "Commander Wako or Bong."
As this developed, gunfighting raged towards the provincial boundary of Hinatuan and Bislig. No casualty was reported yet on the NPA side. "Fire fight is still ongoing in the area," Senior Inspector Villagarcia said.

Spanish agency opens, lauds Butuan projects

Thursday, June 28, 2007
BUTUAN CITY--Miguel Barba and Jose Miguel Ruiz from the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional (AECI) visited five of its 20 Poder community projects in Hinatuan Friday, and came up with a satisfactory assessment. The projects were part of the 2-year implementation of the Poder y Prosperidad dela Communidad Project implemented under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In 2005, the Poder project was launched in Caraga Region with Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as one of its recipient municipalities. Over the period of two years, Poder was able to provide nine water system projects, five sea walls, and riverbank protection, three school buildings and three other community projects in 19 barangays in Hinatuan alone. A total of P19,916,814 was downloaded to community accounts to fund these projects which the community themselves identified as priority need through localized decision making process. According to Poder's national project manager Camilo G. Gudmalin, the Spanish government and the national government have mobilized resources to be able to address the concerns of the poor communities in the region. "But that resource available is just a first step in realizing the dreams we have been cherishing before.
Much of the steps in bringing these dreams into reality will depend more on the people," Director Gudmalin explained. It was also announced during the visit that a signing of memorandum of agreement between the Spanish and the Philippine Government is scheduled to take place on June 22nd in celebration of the Spanish and Philippine Friendship Day. On behalf of Agencia Española, Mr. Ruiz extends his congratulations to the people of Hinatuan for the projects they receive from the Spanish Government. "It is a pleasure for me and my colleague to be here and thank you very much for the job you extend to the project," Ruiz said. (Leah Aquintana, DSWD-Caraga PIO)

pulis patay sa istasyon

Cop killed in stabbing incident inside Surigao police station
11/17/2008 03:37 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A policeman was killed while another one was wounded when a detainee, in a brave escape attempt, attacked them with a bolo in a police station in Barobo town, Surigao del Sur province over the weekend.The detainee, identified as Jimmy Garcia, was shot to death by a responding officer, reports reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City said.Killed in the incident was SPO3 Valentin Erlano Escartin, chief investigator of the Hinatuan municipal police station, while his companion, SPO1 Roger Bastan Basal, was injured.
Both were rushed to the Hinatuan District Hospital after the incident but Escartin was pronounced dead on arrival. He sustained stab wounds in the right portion of his breast and three stab wounds in the different parts of his bodyInitial investigation disclosed that Garcia pretended to go to the comfort room at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday and was escorted by escorted by SPO1 Henry Roque Colantro. However, upon passing the kitchen, he grabbed a bolo and stabbed Escartin, who was in the area, several times.
Upon seeing the incident, Basal intervened but was also hacked in the head. SPO1 Pedrito Ronquillo responded to the scene but was assaulted by Garcia, prompting the law enforcer to shoot the suspect using his government issued Cal .45 pistol. Garcia was also rushed to Hinatuan District Hospital but was also declared dead on arrival. - GMANews.TV

4.7-magnitude quake rocks Hinatuan town in Surigao Sur

4.7-magnitude quake rocks Hinatuan town in Surigao Sur
10/06/2007 11:09 AM
A magnitude-4.7 quake rocked Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur early Saturday morning, but no casualty or damage to property was reported.The United States Geological Service (USGS) said the quake was recorded at 7:04 a.m. The USGS said the quake's epicenter was traced 120 kilometers (km) northeast of Hinatuan, or 160 km east-northeast of Butuan City.It said the epicenter was also located 170 km east-southeast of Surigao, or 885 km southeast of Manila. - GMANews.TV

Magnitude-4.8 quake rocks Hinatuan in Mindanao

Magnitude-4.8 quake rocks Hinatuan in Mindanao
09/30/2007 07:16 AM
A magnitude-4.8 quake rocked Hinatuan in Mindanao Saturday night, but no casualty or damage to property was reported.The United States Geological Service (USGS) said the quake was recorded at 6:46 p.m. Saturday, and traced the epicenter 130 km north-northeast of Hinatuan.It also said the epicenter was about 160 km east-northeast of Butuan City, 160 km east-southeast of Surigao and 870 km southeast of Manila.Earlier, the USGS reported that a mild quake rocked Davao and General Santos City Saturday afternoon.
Similarly, no damage or casualty was reported.USGS said the quake was recorded at 2:42 p.m. and was traced 240 km east-southeast of Davao, or 255 km east of General Santos City.It was not immediately clear how powerful the two quakes were felt. - GMANews.TV

Return to Hinatuan's enchanted river

Friday, November 30, 2007
By Jojie AlcantaraWiterary

IT WAS a silent calling for me to come back in a place that once took my breath away. The first time I went there my old digital camera got busted. I wasn't able to record anything except to interview the old caretaker and former barangay captain, Francisco Jabagatan (Mang Isko). He regaled me with fascinating tales of the Hinatuan River, which is, to local folks, known to be enchanted. One of 18 municipalities in the province of Surigao del Sur, Hinatuan is known among neighboring towns for its fine white sand beaches, picturesque coastal villages, rich fishing grounds, forested areas, century-old church, and islands for the adventurous. But what draws people to this little known town is the stunning blue lagoon nestled within a mountainside and protectively covered by a forest. In the 90s, my friends Christy and Jenny had the adventure of their lives.
They went to Hinatuan River and immediately set camp where no one would dare set foot nor even sleep at night! When Christy showed me the photos, I thought they were swimming in the sea. She told me they knew nothing of its history when they saw it, just that they were just lured by its magical sight. In 2003, I had my first taste of its cold waters and swam at the edge, while interviewing Mang Isko who related how he was a guerilla during World War I and had fought against the Japanese in this area. He said President Garcia and VP Osmena Sr. came in 1925, and that a certain Francisco Rivera created a song entitled "Enchanted River" to describe the place. I was told many times of how a foreign diver tried the depths but never reached bottom. In my old article I wrote how it is known to be so deep, that explorers have not yet determined where the current flows to meet the ocean underneath. Amazingly, locals cannot figure why, to this day and in such clear waters they can see the vast wealth of big marine fishes, yet not one can ever be caught by hand, net, or spear fishing.
Some had even dared dynamite fishing. Mang Isko had told me nobody swims in the river alone by 6 p.m. because it was said to be watched over by enchanted spirits (hooray for the unsuspecting Christy and Jenny). In 1935, sightings of two strange women with long blonde hair and a man dressed in green walked on the waters and disappeared. They were said to appear before strangers or unwary locals. Mang Isko himself saw a man in green in March 2003, but did not go into details. I bit my tongue to hold off jokes in my mind. Could it be the marsh man from the lagoon? Why are all white ladies blonde? For Mang Isko and the locals, though, this place holds a magical enchantment that no amount of explanation holds. It was better left that way. Today, I went back to Hinatuan River again with Rhonson and Raquel. This time I was armed with my camera, excited to see if it still holds the same spell over me. After a short meeting with its amiable mayor, (Atty.) Candelario Viola, and being escorted by the Municipal Planning and Development coordinator, Ferdinand Barrios, we were off to the familiar long and narrow trail through a thick forest in Barangay Cambatong, Hinatuan. The road was still rough, but more accessible now. Soon, the mountain wall and a clearing drew up.
The same kind of hushed awe fell upon us as we approached the blue tinged river quietly nestled within a mountain crevice. This time, no kids were running around, recklessly diving from the cliffs. No boats were floating, offering tourists a ride through a long scenic passage of mangroves from the mouth of the river and into the Pacific sea. The lagoon just sparkled silently, reflecting a dizzying gradation from aquamarine to a deep, dark blue (I call it "aniel blue") in the middle where a hole was naturally formed deep down to where the Pacific Ocean may have seeped through. At the edge of the mountain wall lies a low cavern where an opening is yet to be explored deeper. Some brave souls tried cave diving but they ran out of 3 tanks each after swimming through 150 meters of a tunnel fit for one man and a tank. In quiet afternoons without visitors, big fishes come out and one can quietly throw bread crumbs to feed them. Originally, the town's name was said to be divided by the words "Hato" and "Hatu-an". "Hato" in the native dialect means "a method of preserving fish," while "Hato-an" denotes a place of preserving fish.
Noted for its rich marine diversity of fish and animals (there are regular sightings of sea turtles and dugongs), Hinatuan is located only a few nautical miles off the Philippine deep and fishing is the main source of livelihood (crabs sold in Davao come from this part of town). With only a few kids who willingly posed for pictures, it didn't take Rhonson and our driver Jun much prodding to dive into the river. They were even reluctant to get out. Raquel and I happily clicked away. Coming back here was therapeutic in my life as a photographer. God amazingly comes up with breathtaking creations, and this is one of them. I hope it is well preserved for generations to see and experience. I hope that this magic and enchantment never fades for the locals and visitors. Hinatuan can be reached by land from Davao in about 7 hours or via Bislig City in less than 2 hours. Buses ply the routes, too. We thank Surigao del Sur's Provincial Administrator Johnny Pimentel and wife Liles for the invitation again, Provincial Tourism Officer Lala Ambray and staff for the marvelous accommodation, and our tour guide/designated driver Jun Tumbokon for the amazing road trip we had over Surigao del Sur's coastal areas and magnificent places. (React to witty@info.com.ph, or browse website www.witerary.com.)

travel experience

Thursday, March 17, 2005
Sienes: Jojie Alcantara's travelogues
By Cris G. SienesDifferent Strokes
NOW that I've retired from the government service and am missing all my travel and all the beautiful places I visited, I'm beginning to appreciate and enjoy Jojie Alcantara's travelogues. For of late Jojie has been writing about places that I visited yearly when I was still with government. Reading her travelogues evoke a montage of memories, all of them roseate and pleasant. For instance, Jojie recently wrote about Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur and of the enchanted Hinatuan River. Hinatuan I visited every year before the devolution because we had a DSWD municipal branch office there.
Like Jojie I also sampled the cool and inviting waters of Hinatuan River. Nobody, however, not even our kind hosts, former DSWD co-employee Lily Balbuena and had husband, Jess, told us that Hinatuan River is enchanted. But if old folks in Hinatuan say that the river is enchanted, then it is enchanted. I don't want to break the spell of enchantment woven over them. Off Hinatuan town are two small islands where the Balbuenas always took up for a swim or for a picnic on weekends during our yearly visits there. The Balbuenas owned a pumpboat, so it was so easy for us to go island hopping or visit barangays across the sea from Hinatuan. The small island nearest to Hinatuan is rich with queer shells and big pear-shaped sea cucumbers, which, we were told, when dried and treated, are Chinese delicacies.
We gathered a boatful of shells and sea cucumbers while frolicking at the island once. The farther of the two islands, about 45 minutes by pumpboat from Hinatuan, is called Fisherman's Island. The Balbuenas own the island, which is a gem of an island. The entrance to the island is like a small cove where the waters are not so deep and are so crystal-clear that you could actually see the strange and exciting world below. There were big wooden rafts floating at the cove then. Standing on those rafts, you could clearly see schools of different species of fish frolicking below. And, if you wanted to fish, you could actually see the fish nibble at your bait, so that you would know when to hook them. A small boy, the son of a DSWD co-employee who was with us during one of our visits to the island, tried fishing.
He was rewarded with a rich haul of katambak and deep-sea bugaong. But since it was the thrill of fishing that the boy craved for and not the fish, he left his catch with the people in the island. Fisherman's Island I can never forget. Returning to Hinatuan after feasting on lechon and other delicacies brought by the Balbuenas, the skies suddenly darkened, the winds rose and blew hard, and the waves rose to frightening heights. Buffeted by the huge waves, our small pumpboat was being tossed like cork in the open sea. I thought we were all goners. But the man operating the pumpboat knew how to ride with the waves, so we made it safely back to Hinatuan. Jojie also wrote about Bislig City and Tinuy-an Falls.
I also visited Bislig yearly and also beheld the beauty of Tinuy-an Falls. But what I cannot forget about Bislig City was our DSWD dormitory there. Built on what was formerly a hospital morgue, many strange things happened at the dormitory at night, so we were told by guests and officemates who had slept at the dormitory. Chains being dragged along the hallway, slippers walking by themselves, a fierce-looking black lady that appeared past midnight near the comfort rooms, unseen beings taking a bath in the bathrooms at night, and many other horrifying tales. But we found a way to beat all the ghosts in our dormitory, if indeed there were ghosts there. We made it a point to get drunk before we retired for the night. And we did not sleep in our rooms but in the sala with all the lights on. No ghosts would dare haunt drunks snoring loudly with all the lights ablaze. Joji also mentioned that very beautiful cove in Marihatag. That cove I also visited. In fact, during a break from one of our travels for the Office of the President for Mindanao, I actually took a dip there with co-workers.
I wonder if Jojie has visited the blue lagoon in Cantilan, also in Surigao del Sur, or Hayanggabon near the boundary between Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. There's an eatery there in a sleepy lagoon which offers freshly caught fish for kinilaw or sinugba. A few meters beyond, standing like a sentinel at the entrance of the lagoon, is a gem of an island, with cream-colored sand and tall coconut trees swaying in the breeze. From the eatery the island looks like an oversized pizza pie. Like I said, now that I've retired from the government service, I'm missing all the fair and beautiful places that I visited. But thanks to Jojie's travelogues, the memories of my visit to some of those places remain. Point to ponder: "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." (Robert Louis Stevenson: Virginibus Puerisque, El Dorado)

Wow hinatuan bida!

Istayl Nato turns one

Written by Christopher T. Fabian
Friday, 06 February 2009 08:44

ON FEBRUARY 03, 2008, GMA Entertainment TV-5 Davao set a trend in local TV viewing. The birth of Istayl Nato raised regional lifestyle to the limelight. It’s the only brand of lifestyle and travel magazine show that encapsulates the sites, tastes and sounds of its regional audience.
Now, Istayl Nato turns one. The driving force behind the fruitful year of Istayl Nato is the undying support of all Kapuso. As a way of giving back, its anniversary special on Sunday February 08, 2009 capitalizes on giving segments in an effort to promote the importance of spreading love amidst our world filled with temptations and hatred.

Follow the story of Kong, a 28-year-old Davaoeño who is out to prove that love is sweeter the second time around. Carine Cabebe will help him set up a romantic and memorable date for his ex-wife in an effort to win her back. In the picturesque island of Samal, will there be a renewal of love? And be inspired with the story of Andrew, a workaholic dad who realizes that all work and no quality time with the family makes him an empty man. Kristine Gonzales will bring him and his wife and kids to the highlands of Buda where the whole family can spend quality bonding moments together.

Join Chuck Allie and Chef Bryan Bajado as they teach over 50 mothers in S.I.R. New Matina an easy to do and affordable recipe that they can sell. Learn new techniques in cooking, food packaging and business.

Of course, no episode of Istayl Nato is complete without our weekly travel guide to the most popular down to the undiscovered natural wonders of Mindanao. This time, join travel jock Steph Dacalus in her all-new adventures in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur  a coastal town described as a hidden paradise in the Pacific. Be enchanted with the mystical beauty of its bay, islands and river cloaked with tales and mystery.

This special is just the first instalment of Istayl Nato two-week anniversary celebration. On February 15, watch out for Istaylympics 2009, a special episode filled with beach games, island adventures and water actions. Live up in style! Watch Istayl Nato every Sunday at 10:55 a.m. only in GMA Ch. 5 Davao.