Guimaras: Unspoiled spirit amid the spill
December 22, 2006 | 12:00am
It would have been the perfect sunset, occurring just beneath the mountains that stood by the sea. But alas, all around it, life seemed a little less than what it was and what it could be. More than 50 percent less, in fact, for 46-year-old Cherly Templo, mother and among the fisher folk who were the hardest hit by the recent oil spill crisis in the province of Guimaras. Mrs. Templo lives in Purok Bangus, Barangay Tando of the Municipality of Nueva Valencia where, due to the August 2006 oil spill disaster, mangroves had died and the daily catch reduced to less than half.
It was at Nueva Valencia where the oil spill happened. There, off its coast, the tanker MT Solar 1 sank into the depths of the Guimaras Strait. The vessel was chartered by Petron Corporation. It was making its way to Zamboanga when the incident occurred and was reportedly carrying two million liters of bunker fuel for delivery.
This bunker fuel now litters the whole area. There are slicks of oil that remain on rocks with some even embedded deep in the sand. The future looks bleak, but somehow, Cherly and her family managed to share a smile with a glimmer of hope. Every day, more and more are coming to help or to simply let the Guimaras folk know they are not alone. That day, it was the media’s turn.
The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Tourism Recovery Program in Guimaras took our media group through various sights and insights. In just three days, we witnessed what it meant in Guimaras to struggle, get by, and be relatively unaffected by the recent calamity.
Today, there are 13,000 claimants (fisher folk) seeking monetary compensation, 3,700 of them from the neighboring municipalities of Sibunag, Jordan and San Lorenzo. They hope to get their money before Christmas, as promised by the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC). Some residents along Nueva Valencia’s shoreline have already been allowed to return to their homes since the last week of October. Among them are Cherly Templo and her family who would get to spend the holidays in their own home.
"Guimaras is alive and kicking because it is a multifaceted destination," declared lawyer Helen J. Camarista, the supervising tourism operations officer of the DOT Western Visayas Region. Herself a Guimaras native, Atty. Camarista keeps her hopes high for Guimaras amid the oil spill that destroyed even her home. According to findings, the incident has done little to stop people from visiting the province. In fact, visitors to Guimaras increased from 13,566 last August to 14,501 last October. Pump boats have been found journeying to the island more often than before, making their way to Guimaras seven to 10 times daily instead of the usual four to five.
It seems that more and more people want to get a closer glimpse of Guimaras. There are those who come out of plain curiosity, and then there are those who come to do a scientific study. Studies are conducted by private companies, NGOs and the government to assess the damage to Guimaras and to chart a course of action for its future.
The oil spill inflicted immense damage on the waters and all the marine life that thrived there. Engineer Evan Anthony V. Arias, supervising planner and head of the plans and programs of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, told us, "The oil spill hit Guimaras where it hurts most."
This sentiment was echoed by the tourism and fishery sectors. Located along the coastline where the disaster took place are seven of 24 DOT-accredited resorts, all of them now struggling to get back on their feet. Some of the province’s most luxurious accommodations are found here, including Costa Aguada Resort and Nagarao Island Resort, which cater primarily to European tourists. Today, they have become casualties in a disaster no one saw coming. Bookings have been cancelled and reopening the resorts was an arduous task for the owners.
There are fears that long-term fish production has also been affected. This is due to the rapid decline in the population of plankton, which the fish feed on. There is also grave concern regarding sea coral. Engineer Arias reported that lately, there has been an increase in mucus production in the coral, indicating that it is under a lot of stress. If this continues, he fears the coral could die.
With the province’s two major industries now crippled, a new plan has been put into action. This involves stirring up some activity inlands where agriculture remains strong and the beauty of Guimaras vivid.
Among the province’s rich produce, Guimaras is proudest of its ultra-sweet mangoes. Mango may well be the currency in this island, something I realized upon seeing the Mango Quarantine sign by the entry point. In general, Filipinos love mangoes. But here in Guimaras, they not only love mangoes; they also take great care of this prized fruit.
"They staple paper around the mangoes while they are still young to keep them protected," explained Genelle Segovia, our Guimaras guide. She was referring to a bagging method done by large-scale farms to protect their precious mangoes. The farm Oro Verde uses this method. Owned by the Marsman Drysdale Group, the farm reportedly looks after 42,329 mango trees spread over 237 hectares of land.
Meanwhile, there are others who prefer mangoes that are of a processing grade. Among them is Rebecca C. Tubongbanua, the woman behind McNester Food Products. Started in August 2003, McNester grew out of a desire to make good use of the province’s agricultural richness. It’s surprising to note that McNester did not offer any mango product in the beginning. It only sold Calamansi Concentrate with Honey, which soon became a best-seller. But soon enough, mangoes found their way into Mrs. Tubongbanua’s kitchen. Today, her mango concoctions include mango-calamansi juice, mango jam, mango-calamansi concentrate, mango pastilles, mango polvoron, dried mango, mango atchara, and her claim to fame – mango ketchup and mango sauce. With the latter, Rebecca has come up with dishes that are both intriguing and delightful to the palate, such as spaghetti with mango sauce and vegetable crudités with mango-mayo dip.
Moreover, mangoes have opened the door to sweet opportunities for this entrepreneur as countries like Japan, the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, the Middle East and Italy have expressed interest in McNester mango products. Even Metro Manila has gone bananas over McNester’s mangoes. Of course, McNester’s got non-mango treats, too, like the calabasa pickles, calamansi jelly, cashew polvoron, ube polvoron, and pineapple jam.
So as you can see, mangoes are not the only things that grow on trees here. In fact, the province is also known for its sweet fresh coconuts and buttery cashews. There is also an abundance of calamansi or Philippine lime. These are the crops found all over the island. And over time, Guimarasnons have learned to make some of the most delectable treats out of them.
Somewhere in Guimaras, there is a band of brothers who serves God through prayer and good food. They are the monks of the Cistercian Order who have found home in the confines of the Trappist Monastery. Here they spend their time praying and churning out some heavenly confections such as assorted jellies and jams, cookies, mango bars and other pastries.
These Trappist Monastery goodies are also on sale at the Guimaras Trade and Information Center (GTIC). Go ahead and grab some cashew cookies, cashew polvoron, pineapple, pandan and ube Piayas, and so much more. You can also find souvenirs here, like accessories, home decor and T-shirts. Make sure you don’t spend all day here though, as there’s a lot more of Guimaras to taste and see.
Smack in the heart of the province’s inlands is the Lombija Wildlife Research Foundation, Inc. occupying over 30 hectares of land. Owned by Henry Babiera, this place is now home to birds and animals, including monkeys, goats, pigs and bears. With 20 hectares of the property already developed, Babiera is eager to open Lombija’s doors to the public and even plans to include accommodations inside this wildlife sanctuary.
Meanwhile, traveling farther to Barangay Dolores in the Municipality of Nueva Valencia, you will see the century-old Guisi Lighthouse. Built in 1894, this 58-foot cylindrical tower is made of cast iron, now damaged and rusting with age. You may still climb up its winding staircase, though, to get to the rooftop, where you can best watch the sunset.
Then there’s the Guisi Community-Based Heritage Tourism Project, headed by Marilyn Galvez Cordero. Together with members of the community, they aim to promote local agricultural tourism while at the same preserving their natural environment and local heritage. A big part of this heritage is their native dances and songs, which they hope to keep alive through the Dolores Elementary School Cultural Group. The group is taught by Miyra Jane Salvania who also choreographs most of the group’s presentations. The group won an award at this year’s Philippine Travel Mart at SM Megamall.
You can request a performance by the Dolores Elementary School Cultural Group when you stay with the Guisi Community. The community offers lodging at a hut near the Guisi Lighthouse with a price range of P1,000 to P1,500. The hut features a veranda overlooking the sea.
It may be hard to believe but not all of Guimaras’ shoreline was affected by the recent oil spill crisis. In fact, a good part of it remains clear and clean.
The Raymen Beach Resort is among those that still boast this kind of shoreline. In fact, this beach front resort remains a big favorite among tourists. We found out why when we stayed here during our visit to Guimaras. And seeing how clean and safe it was, we ventured further out to sea.
If you think all fishing hope is lost in this province, think again. Right off the coast of Barangay Igang in Nueva Valencia, we docked at one of the substations of the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). That day, we met up with Albert Gaitano, the Iguig Marine Station head for SEAFDEC. In their facility, he explained that they "constantly conduct fishery research and the findings are sent to private sectors for application in commerce and scale." Such an endeavor required a reported budget of P100 million for 2006 and is said to have received an additional P20 million in funding for next year.
What we found next was another sanctuary called Isla Naburot, known to offer its guests a tranquil haven in an enchanting sun, sand and sea setting. Accommodations here come in wooden cottages with touches of antique décor. Although without electricity, this rustic retreat also affords guests some of the best views of the nearby mountains and the Guimaras Strait. Here, one can spend the night for US$125.
The Baras Beach Resort is said to constantly inspire the most creative of minds. Baras Beach Resort owner Peter Harper-Bill knows his spot affords one of the most intriguing island views of them all, islets shaped like turtles. Currently, accommodation rates here range from P800 to P1,200 per night.
If isolated island life is not exactly your idyllic tropical setting, then perhaps the El Retiro Beach Park is for you. Located in the Municipality of Jordan, this resort offers beachside cottage rooms that can easily accommodate two to three persons per and picnic huts surrounded by coconut trees. Room rates start at P1,200 while the huts are P80.
Guimaras is slowly coming back to life. DOT plans to showcase Guimaras even more by offering travel packages to the province and holding events such as the Island Paradise Race (IPAR). For, after the sunset, there’s always the promise of a perfect sunrise.
It was at Nueva Valencia where the oil spill happened. There, off its coast, the tanker MT Solar 1 sank into the depths of the Guimaras Strait. The vessel was chartered by Petron Corporation. It was making its way to Zamboanga when the incident occurred and was reportedly carrying two million liters of bunker fuel for delivery.
This bunker fuel now litters the whole area. There are slicks of oil that remain on rocks with some even embedded deep in the sand. The future looks bleak, but somehow, Cherly and her family managed to share a smile with a glimmer of hope. Every day, more and more are coming to help or to simply let the Guimaras folk know they are not alone. That day, it was the media’s turn.
The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Tourism Recovery Program in Guimaras took our media group through various sights and insights. In just three days, we witnessed what it meant in Guimaras to struggle, get by, and be relatively unaffected by the recent calamity.
Today, there are 13,000 claimants (fisher folk) seeking monetary compensation, 3,700 of them from the neighboring municipalities of Sibunag, Jordan and San Lorenzo. They hope to get their money before Christmas, as promised by the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC). Some residents along Nueva Valencia’s shoreline have already been allowed to return to their homes since the last week of October. Among them are Cherly Templo and her family who would get to spend the holidays in their own home.
"Guimaras is alive and kicking because it is a multifaceted destination," declared lawyer Helen J. Camarista, the supervising tourism operations officer of the DOT Western Visayas Region. Herself a Guimaras native, Atty. Camarista keeps her hopes high for Guimaras amid the oil spill that destroyed even her home. According to findings, the incident has done little to stop people from visiting the province. In fact, visitors to Guimaras increased from 13,566 last August to 14,501 last October. Pump boats have been found journeying to the island more often than before, making their way to Guimaras seven to 10 times daily instead of the usual four to five.
It seems that more and more people want to get a closer glimpse of Guimaras. There are those who come out of plain curiosity, and then there are those who come to do a scientific study. Studies are conducted by private companies, NGOs and the government to assess the damage to Guimaras and to chart a course of action for its future.
The oil spill inflicted immense damage on the waters and all the marine life that thrived there. Engineer Evan Anthony V. Arias, supervising planner and head of the plans and programs of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, told us, "The oil spill hit Guimaras where it hurts most."
This sentiment was echoed by the tourism and fishery sectors. Located along the coastline where the disaster took place are seven of 24 DOT-accredited resorts, all of them now struggling to get back on their feet. Some of the province’s most luxurious accommodations are found here, including Costa Aguada Resort and Nagarao Island Resort, which cater primarily to European tourists. Today, they have become casualties in a disaster no one saw coming. Bookings have been cancelled and reopening the resorts was an arduous task for the owners.
There are fears that long-term fish production has also been affected. This is due to the rapid decline in the population of plankton, which the fish feed on. There is also grave concern regarding sea coral. Engineer Arias reported that lately, there has been an increase in mucus production in the coral, indicating that it is under a lot of stress. If this continues, he fears the coral could die.
With the province’s two major industries now crippled, a new plan has been put into action. This involves stirring up some activity inlands where agriculture remains strong and the beauty of Guimaras vivid.
Among the province’s rich produce, Guimaras is proudest of its ultra-sweet mangoes. Mango may well be the currency in this island, something I realized upon seeing the Mango Quarantine sign by the entry point. In general, Filipinos love mangoes. But here in Guimaras, they not only love mangoes; they also take great care of this prized fruit.
"They staple paper around the mangoes while they are still young to keep them protected," explained Genelle Segovia, our Guimaras guide. She was referring to a bagging method done by large-scale farms to protect their precious mangoes. The farm Oro Verde uses this method. Owned by the Marsman Drysdale Group, the farm reportedly looks after 42,329 mango trees spread over 237 hectares of land.
Meanwhile, there are others who prefer mangoes that are of a processing grade. Among them is Rebecca C. Tubongbanua, the woman behind McNester Food Products. Started in August 2003, McNester grew out of a desire to make good use of the province’s agricultural richness. It’s surprising to note that McNester did not offer any mango product in the beginning. It only sold Calamansi Concentrate with Honey, which soon became a best-seller. But soon enough, mangoes found their way into Mrs. Tubongbanua’s kitchen. Today, her mango concoctions include mango-calamansi juice, mango jam, mango-calamansi concentrate, mango pastilles, mango polvoron, dried mango, mango atchara, and her claim to fame – mango ketchup and mango sauce. With the latter, Rebecca has come up with dishes that are both intriguing and delightful to the palate, such as spaghetti with mango sauce and vegetable crudités with mango-mayo dip.
Moreover, mangoes have opened the door to sweet opportunities for this entrepreneur as countries like Japan, the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, the Middle East and Italy have expressed interest in McNester mango products. Even Metro Manila has gone bananas over McNester’s mangoes. Of course, McNester’s got non-mango treats, too, like the calabasa pickles, calamansi jelly, cashew polvoron, ube polvoron, and pineapple jam.
So as you can see, mangoes are not the only things that grow on trees here. In fact, the province is also known for its sweet fresh coconuts and buttery cashews. There is also an abundance of calamansi or Philippine lime. These are the crops found all over the island. And over time, Guimarasnons have learned to make some of the most delectable treats out of them.
Somewhere in Guimaras, there is a band of brothers who serves God through prayer and good food. They are the monks of the Cistercian Order who have found home in the confines of the Trappist Monastery. Here they spend their time praying and churning out some heavenly confections such as assorted jellies and jams, cookies, mango bars and other pastries.
These Trappist Monastery goodies are also on sale at the Guimaras Trade and Information Center (GTIC). Go ahead and grab some cashew cookies, cashew polvoron, pineapple, pandan and ube Piayas, and so much more. You can also find souvenirs here, like accessories, home decor and T-shirts. Make sure you don’t spend all day here though, as there’s a lot more of Guimaras to taste and see.
Smack in the heart of the province’s inlands is the Lombija Wildlife Research Foundation, Inc. occupying over 30 hectares of land. Owned by Henry Babiera, this place is now home to birds and animals, including monkeys, goats, pigs and bears. With 20 hectares of the property already developed, Babiera is eager to open Lombija’s doors to the public and even plans to include accommodations inside this wildlife sanctuary.
Meanwhile, traveling farther to Barangay Dolores in the Municipality of Nueva Valencia, you will see the century-old Guisi Lighthouse. Built in 1894, this 58-foot cylindrical tower is made of cast iron, now damaged and rusting with age. You may still climb up its winding staircase, though, to get to the rooftop, where you can best watch the sunset.
Then there’s the Guisi Community-Based Heritage Tourism Project, headed by Marilyn Galvez Cordero. Together with members of the community, they aim to promote local agricultural tourism while at the same preserving their natural environment and local heritage. A big part of this heritage is their native dances and songs, which they hope to keep alive through the Dolores Elementary School Cultural Group. The group is taught by Miyra Jane Salvania who also choreographs most of the group’s presentations. The group won an award at this year’s Philippine Travel Mart at SM Megamall.
You can request a performance by the Dolores Elementary School Cultural Group when you stay with the Guisi Community. The community offers lodging at a hut near the Guisi Lighthouse with a price range of P1,000 to P1,500. The hut features a veranda overlooking the sea.
It may be hard to believe but not all of Guimaras’ shoreline was affected by the recent oil spill crisis. In fact, a good part of it remains clear and clean.
The Raymen Beach Resort is among those that still boast this kind of shoreline. In fact, this beach front resort remains a big favorite among tourists. We found out why when we stayed here during our visit to Guimaras. And seeing how clean and safe it was, we ventured further out to sea.
If you think all fishing hope is lost in this province, think again. Right off the coast of Barangay Igang in Nueva Valencia, we docked at one of the substations of the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). That day, we met up with Albert Gaitano, the Iguig Marine Station head for SEAFDEC. In their facility, he explained that they "constantly conduct fishery research and the findings are sent to private sectors for application in commerce and scale." Such an endeavor required a reported budget of P100 million for 2006 and is said to have received an additional P20 million in funding for next year.
What we found next was another sanctuary called Isla Naburot, known to offer its guests a tranquil haven in an enchanting sun, sand and sea setting. Accommodations here come in wooden cottages with touches of antique décor. Although without electricity, this rustic retreat also affords guests some of the best views of the nearby mountains and the Guimaras Strait. Here, one can spend the night for US$125.
The Baras Beach Resort is said to constantly inspire the most creative of minds. Baras Beach Resort owner Peter Harper-Bill knows his spot affords one of the most intriguing island views of them all, islets shaped like turtles. Currently, accommodation rates here range from P800 to P1,200 per night.
If isolated island life is not exactly your idyllic tropical setting, then perhaps the El Retiro Beach Park is for you. Located in the Municipality of Jordan, this resort offers beachside cottage rooms that can easily accommodate two to three persons per and picnic huts surrounded by coconut trees. Room rates start at P1,200 while the huts are P80.
Guimaras is slowly coming back to life. DOT plans to showcase Guimaras even more by offering travel packages to the province and holding events such as the Island Paradise Race (IPAR). For, after the sunset, there’s always the promise of a perfect sunrise.
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