Don't kill the dolphins

In March of this year, the film that won Best Documentary at the Oscars was The Cove. You can download this film from the Net. My kids insisted that I see this film and I adamantly refused when they told me it was about the massacre of dolphins. There was no way I was going to subject myself to this.

I have a very strong resonance with dolphins. I even have a dolphin boat, which I donated to the fishermen in Puerto Princesa so that they can watch over the dolphins. And so tourists can observe them.

I love their innocence, their playfulness, their spirituality. They communicate through high ultra sound frequencies and have been known to only help mankind. There are stories and stories and stories of how they have rescued fishermen, children, and from my perception creatures like this are very valuable assets to the web of life.

So I finally relented and watched it. I was actually glad I did. It is an extremely well-made documentary. No wonder it won. And it hit me in the gut. It was riveting to watch how a production group planned out the whole scenario of documenting the massacre from putting hidden cameras to using infrared technology.

But because I do have a strong resonance with dolphins, I actually felt pain pain that something so brutal and senseless can be done to creatures like them. It was wrenching for me to watch as these fishermen over and over again knifed them even the baby dolphins until there was a sea of blood. And it was clear to me that I will not be true to myself if I don’t do something about it.

I even met the Japanese Ambassador. I wanted to make it very clear that this was about dolphins. Not Japan. The massacre happens in a small village in Tai Chi Japan. I love the refinement of Japanese culture. My kids love Japanese food. This is not about Japan. It is about the senseless killing of dolphins, which apparently many, many Japanese don’t even know happens, and are also horrified when they find out about it.

I also realize I need to choose my battles. I am currently very occupied with the Pasig River Project. So I was elated when I met Trixie Concepcion of the Earth Island Institute whose mission is to save dolphins! How cool can that be? There will be a free showing of The Cove at the UP Center of Arts on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m., at MOA at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1.

For information, call or SMS 0918-6293648 or e-maik savedolphinsph @gmail.com.

Earth Island is also against dolphins in captivity. And I totally agree. If you see the film and witness the speed and freedom, which is inherent in these animals, you will also agree that it is a crime to put them in captivity. And true enough, dolphins in captiviity get depressed and eventually die. Putting dolphins in captivity and viewing them is not good for teaching humanity the value of decency and respect for other forms of life. They can be viewed in the wild like through the dolphin boats in Puerto Princesa, but not cruelly putting them in a cage.

There is a full-page ad campaign to stop this dolphin slaughter. It starts on September and ends on April. We owe it to these creatures who have done so much for us to lend our voice to protect them. Please e-mail above or call if you want to get involved.