This community rocks!

Four years ago, Gerry Ortega (who was killed two years ago because of his consistent exposé on the Malampaya funds) brought me to a place called Ugong Rock. It was a disheveled-looking place and the people were really poor. They had challenges putting food on the table, so the reality of sending their kids to college was virtually non-existent. To survive, they would do kaingin (cutting of trees to make charcoal). The community was poor but they lived beside this spectacular rock formation that was 23 million years old! They didn’t even know about its history. I can still remember climbing inside the rock with my friends Suky Lammoglia, Raqui Garcia and Marit Yuchengco with her six-year old son, who then had the distinction of being the youngest person to climb this rock.

At that time the feat was daunting. I remember Suky’s apprehensions and Gerry’s insistence that she could do it. I still remember Suky panting, with a flushed face — furious at Gerry even after making it to the top because now she had to go all the way down! At that time, it really wasn’t the safest rock climb. There were no ropes — one misstep, and the result would be an uncomfortable fall into some of the crevices. 

After making it to the top, we said, “Wow! There should be a certificate for making it to the top!”

Fast forward to Ugong four years later: Now before climbing there are hard hats and gloves. Climbers get their blood pressure taken. The community has confidently taken on the job of orienting visitors. The climb inside is “peanuts” compared to what we then did. There are ropes to hold on to, and steps and walkways to walk on. The rock-to-rock pathway has been made much easier. It is still an experience to go through the inside of the mountain. On the way the guides confidently explain the history of the rock formation. No one is allowed to touch the rocks because it is still “alive.” Upon reaching the top, you are greeted with cold towels and a drink while viewing the majestic scenery of mountains and rice fields. 

You don’t even have to climb down anymore. You can zip-line down past rice fields and mountains. A cameraman awaits you. There is a restaurant serving native food in case you are hungry from the whole effort.

Wait, there’s more! Now they have three zip-lines! One for children, another called Superman, because you go down the zip-line like Superman spread-eagle, and a third one along the majestic scenery of the rock formations. 

There was always something special about the community. We donated the materials but it was the women that took it on. They carried the materials to the top of the rock and put up a shelter there. Strong women. From 30 families they have now blossomed into 250 all earning P10,000 monthly! During peak season everyone gets a P6,000 bonus! With their own money they have put up a sari-sari store, a clinic, a souvenir shop and much-improved toilet and visitor facilities. They now have rock climbing and when I was last there a few days ago, a spa was in the making!

Yes, this is all good. But what has made me the happiest is how this community has taken to heart the values we have made the foundation stone of our ecotourism projects. They have all stopped kaingin — and they help others. On weekends they provide labor for the children so that they can have money for school snacks during the week. During disasters, they help the barangay. They even give the barangay P30,000 per month to help with barangay activities. They provided a drum and lyre set to the school. They help, help, help! They have understood the true spirit of “pay it forward.” 
Tears well up in my eyes when I feel them.

They have done all this in harmony. No fighting. A keen sense of camaraderie.

There are factors to their success. As in all endeavors the key to success is leadership. The president of Tagabinet Ugong Rock Tourism Service Cooperative is Mang Rudy Baldo — an exemplary human being. There is goodness and nobility oozing out of him. Equally important is the presence of Marlon Tamsi. He now heads all our projects in Puerto Princesa. Back then he was a community organizer making sure that everything was honest. He has and continues to play a key role in keeping the community inspired.

Financially they worked out a system. Sixty percent goes to salaries and operational expenses; 40 percent goes as savings in the bank. That’s how they were able to do all the CAPEX improvements and on top of that have P1.5 million in the bank. Marlon is a class act himself. He is a civil engineer who has a sense of tourism and a community development person by nature. He is not only a noble soul but dynamic, efficient and “to die” funny! I was taken aback when he was able to mimic all of Gerry’s jokes. Then I learned that he also sings and has a specific affinity for reggae! See, it’s about people. If you have the right people you are halfway down the road. Jett Millare is our other very committed community organizer in Puerto Princesa. The original team is good. When Gerry died, his wife Patty took over. Though she is now busy with her veterinarian practice, at heart she is still part of “the team.” The team doesn’t stop dreaming. We want to put up lodging facilities. The rock formations give a feeling of deep stillness once the shouts from the zip-line have ceased. With their hard-earned money the possibility of buying their own land where it is quieter is in the horizon. This group is worth investing money in. My aspiration is zero poverty, the Filipino way, the enlightened way. Not only alleviation of poverty of material resources but nurturing and preserving the richness of spirit and culture, which is uniquely Filipino.

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Watch the video footage of Ugong Rock at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzz6cP9Bx9g&feature=youtu.be
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Visit Ugong Rock and our other ecotourism project, this Christmas and this summer. There are five more ecotourism projects in the offing, which we will be doing together with the local government. Community-based sustainable ecotourism will give us the inclusive growth our country so badly needs. For more information, please call our office here in Manila: Princess at 0908-8940057, or Bernice at 0919-8061828. Or you may contact Lynet at our office in Puerto Princesa at 0929-9665663.

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I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.