okkil art in Camiguin houses

(pictures courtesy of Enigmata)

Kapihan sa Karaang Balay Okkil

Enigmata Creative Circle, Inc.
Camiguin Polytechnic State College
in cooperation with the
Department of Education
Department of Science and Techology
and in partnership with and support of the
Metropolitan Museum
National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Kapihan sa Karaang Balay Okkil
A consultative forum among the ancestral and okkil art house owners
Camiguin School of Arts and Trade, Mambajao, Camiguin Island
February 25-26, 2006

Executive Summary
The forum was an initiative of the Enigmata Creative Circle, Inc., a private organization working on biodiversity and art education, and the Camiguin Polytechnic State College (CPSC) in line with their vision “Center for Excellence” for their Ecotourism program.

Camiguin is an island rich in history and cultural legacy, and because of this the provincial government supports and has its own initiatives on heritage conservation. Likewise, there are line agencies with roles included in their mandates to contribute to the preservation of local heritage, the same for the local government units as per Local Government Code of 1990 (Republic Act 7160). However, there remains a need for greater awareness among local planners and residents in Camiguin about proper conservation measures, including scientific procedures among others.

The consultative forum was just an initial assessment to identify historical landmarks needing urgent attention in Camiguin, and exploration of opportunities for partnerships and coordination, if only to salvage the visible remnants of our heritage, which is the face to our national identity.

Objectives
1. To increase participants’ awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and national identity, cultural and eco-tourism principles and practices, and mandates governing the protection of local heritage;
2. To explore opportunities for conservation programs;
3. To encourage stakeholder participation in the preservation and promotion of local culture.


Consultative Forum Schedule of Activities


I. Registration
II. Opening Salvo

III. Opening Remarks – Venus I. Lammawin, Ed.D., President, CPSC
The CPSC has a vision that its Ecotourism program would be a “Center for Excellence”. Thus, it initiates extension programs that would build capacities of its students, serve the local community and contribute to national development.

IV. Keynote Message – Gov. Pedro Romualdo, Camiguin Province
The Governor gave a brief history of Camiguin, also linking events to the changing culture and gave emphasis on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and maintaining peace in Camiguin. The Governor also provided information on the status of the island’s cultural heritage, i.e., the provincial government recently re-claiming the old church ruins from the Philippine National Bank after being on collateral. The same was the case of Katibawasan Falls. However, still not all cultural landmarks in the island belong to the provincial government, as there are some that even fall within private properties. Nonetheless, the provincial government of Camiguin continues to concert its efforts in conserving the cultural heritage of the island. In the case of ancestral houses, the provincial government has issued an Executive Order declaring the said houses in Camiguin as historical landmarks.

V. Introduction of Participants – Ms. Miriam de la Plaza, Head, DOST
The participants in the forum were Ecotourism major students at Camiguin Polytechnic State College, student representatives from Camiguin School of Arts and Trade, ancestral and Okkil art house owners in Camiguin, local historians, and the Local Government Unit (LGU), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Tourism (DOT) representatives (see attachment for list of participants).

The head of DOST, in a brief statement conveyed the significance of DOST supporting efforts such as cultural heritage preservation. DOST, as one of its roles, extends technological support to such undertakings, including ensuring purity of research.

VI. Culture and Development – Mr. Mozart Pastrano
Culture is a people’s way of life—their communal values, beliefs, traditions and practices including how they deal with their environment. In Camiguin, for example, people have their rituals and ceremonies such as the Panaad, local arts such as dance, music and architecture, and many others.

In the light of existing local cultures and rich historical heritage, it is therefore important that any development initiative in the area should consider the local people and their cultural and historical heritage. This is with respect to the past and the existing identity of a people. This is the concept of culture-based development.

VII. Okkil Art – Prof. Al-Nezzar Ali
Okkil means to carve. It is also means carving, or any design of woodwork. Mostly found in Moro houses, okkil has been adapted by Filipinos dating back to pre-Hispanic times, and now could still be seen in Philippine ancestral houses that have survived the past century.

In the beginning, Okkil art was associated with the nobility especially during the Majaphait and Srivijayan Empires. Originally used in grave markers, the art was also placed in boats, specifically the serpent motif—believed to bestow protection and a safe journey to voyagers. Later on house designs adapted the stylized forms of Okkil, believed also to drive out evil spirits, while also functioning as house ventilation. With the rise of iconoclasm in the 8th century, other motifs such as foliage and other forms from nature were added to the designs, with the flowing design in the foliage motif also symbolizing the infinity of God’s power.

The existence of Okkil art in surviving Philippines ancestral houses is a proof of connection with our South East Asian neighbors long before the Europeans came. It is a legacy from a glorious past—allowing us to see how Okkil art played a significant role in the lives of our ancestors. But aside from seeing our connection with the rest of the continent, we also see the building of our own identity. Okkil art has taken its place in the history of Philippine society, but also evolved into unique forms. For instance, the panolong—an embellishment (and also with a supernatural purpose) bearing Okkil art and attached outside ancestral houses is uniquely Filipino. Okkil art alone could tell so much about our cultural heritage, and it’s only one of the many legacies still visible, but slowly diminishing in the island of Camiguin.

VIII. Commentary from Prof. Abesamis, Camiguin historian and Mr. Edwin Boborol, Municipal Planning Development Coordinator of Mambajao
Professor Abesamis, the historian of Camiguin gave a brief history of the island and also seconded the message and lecture imparted by the Governor and Prof. Al-Nezzar Ali respectively.

Mr. Boborol also gave a brief commentary, expressing future application of learnings from the forum in the development of Mambajao. The MPDC also expressed plans to work closely with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), particularly in the municipal zoning, so as to appropriately assess residential areas and ensure that ancestral houses and other cultural landmarks do not get demolished.

IX. Cultural Heritage Conservation: The Bohol Experience – Architect German Torero
The following is the Principle of Conservation:

It is better to preserve than to restore,
to restore than to reconstruct,
to reconstruct than to do nothing at all.

The above principle means that in conserving cultural heritage, as much as possible, only minimum intervention will be required. Remodeling—is not part of conservation at all.

In Bohol, Architect Torero in partnership with NCCA is spearheading a team of conservators. To date, they have restored old churches, towers, stone bridges and houses. The process of restoration includes documentation, i.e. before, during and after the intervention. Drafting is done, giving emphasis on measures and proportions, and pictures taken as well.

In the context developing cultural landmarks for tourism, comfort is important, meaning, some improvements would have to be done. In this case, the Principle of Reversibility should be applied, i.e., not permanent or irreversible, with the old structure still intact and no alterations done.

X. Legal Mandates for the Culture and the Arts – Atty. Trixie Angeles
Heritage means legacy. Heritage is part of our collective memory, and it makes us not forget.

Heritage precedes creation of national identity. National identity is the idea that we are one nation. It is what defines us as a nation—meaning, having one goal and one direction.

Heritage plays a role to national identity--it is evidence that we’ve been “there” and we could do it again. Heritage is keeping the faith. For instance, the balanghai in the 9th – 12th century is proof that we were crossing the Pacific long before the Vikings were crossing the Atlantic.

Heritage should be part of our everyday lives so as not to destroy it. To protect it, the Philippine Constitution recognizes historical treasures, and they may be restricted in its use and disposition. The state can police historical landmarks, i.e. protection of heritage, for the general welfare. There are many local and international laws under which certain Philippine cultural landmarks are under, e.g., selected churches across the country.

In the context of ancestral and Okkil art houses in Camiguin, private ownership will not supersede the public good. The people should guard against inappropriate development, and development is not synonymous with destroying heritage. In conserving the said houses in Camiguin, the direct beneficiaries would be the homeowners and the indirect beneficiaries would be the people who live in the community.

XI. Plenary Discussion
In organizing ancestral and Okkil art house owners in Camiguin, a good example would be how it was done in Carcar, Cebu. If there are already existing cooperatives or any kind of association, it will also be good to start with. The criteria for eligibility for a collaborative conservation would simply be how significant the houses are to the community; aesthetics would have its own merit as well.

In case of destruction or defacing of cultural landmarks, the first step in the legal procedure to apprehend is to get a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), or report to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for an administrative suit. Under the Cultural Treasures Act, there is a fine of P10,000, while under the Philippine Environment Law, the fine is P50,000 per day.

The NCCA provides technical assistance to heritage conservation efforts through various funding windows and services from lawyers, engineers and more.

XII. Creative Linkaging, Networking, Fund Sourcing and Sustainability – Mr. Cris Rollo
Mr. Rollo shared with the audience the education programs of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. This included the Museum’s cultural education program which encourages the enhancement of traditions, rituals, and crafts in communities and how these could be capitalized to improve the economy. There is also youth education wherein participation is encouraged and the youth acquire a higher level of awareness on culture.

XIII. Cultural Presentation of Local Composeros

XIV. Cultural Tour to Selected Okkil Art Houses in Camiguin
A visit to selected ancestral and Okkil art houses in Camiguin was conducted, participated in by students and resource persons from the forum. The houses visited were belonging to the families Corrales, Chan, Neri, Francisco and Paderanga. Informal discussions were conducted together with the house owners, resource persons and students. The discussions ranged from history to significance of rooms and fixtures in the houses visited in the context of 19th and 20th century Philippine society.


Reflection and Analysis
Notable during the ancestral and Okkil art house visits were the excitement and passion of the house owners in preserving their ancestral houses and the history that goes with it, and great interest to get support from the local and national governments and willingness to go through the process requirements. There were also expressions of desire to get all Okkil art house owners organized so that any initiative would be from a collective decision. The vision is that Camiguin would not only be a site for eco-tourism but cultural tourism as well—in the end serving the local community, and contributing to national development.

The excitement, interest and willingness to have the ancestral houses in Camiguin be preserved for cultural heritage did not only come from the ancestral house owners but from the resource persons and experts who came for the lectures, discussions and ocular visits as well. Camiguin has always been known for eco-tourism because of the island’s sea and beaches, mountains, volcanoes, forests and rich biodiversity, but not much for cultural tourism, or if it is, not much emphasis is given on the ancestral houses in the island. The resource persons and experts from the national agencies who came for the activity were very surprised to find out and see evidences of a rich cultural heritage in Camiguin and are all in high spirits and willing to extend the national agencies’ expertise for the island to capitalize on this potential.

Another positive note were the expressions of interest to collaborate from local agencies such as the DOST and the Municipal Planning Development Office (MPDO) of Mambajao. The DOST is willing to extend its help in ensuring purity of research and by providing technical support; and the MPDO has signified coordination in the future which is the essence of responsible planning. CPSC also has its already existing extension program for cultural and eco-tourism. Some private organizations in the island are also supportive on these kinds of endeavors—the Enigmata Creative Circle, Inc. alone has already made initial documentation of existing Okkil art in the island, organized and facilitated several workshops in the past with regards to Okkil art, and continues to move forward the cause for cultural and eco-tourism.

In addition to the initial assessment of Okkil art houses in Camiguin, the resource persons and experts on culture and history also visited other cultural landmarks in the island, including the old church ruins in the municipality of Catarman and the Moro watchtower in the municipality of Guinsiliban. Based on the above concepts and principles they have discussed, there is much concern that changes made in the church ruins be reversed—not only for aesthetic reasons but also to arrest impending slow destruction of the old structure. The same holds true for the Moro watchtower in Guinsiliban.

Overall, there is a need for coordination, collaboration and participation of all communities in the island for a more pro-active and appropriate cultural development planning, preceding promotion of cultural and eco-tourism. These include the local residents of Camiguin, local government units and agencies, private corporations and organizations, and the academe among others.


Attachments:
Attendance Sheet

List of Resource Persons:
1. Atty. Trixie Angeles, Head, Speakers Bureau, National Commission for Culture and the Arts
2. Mr. Cris Rollo, Deputy Director, Metropolitan Museum of Manila; Chairman, Committee on Visual Arts, National Commission for Culture and the Arts
3. Prof. Al-Nezzar Ali, Maguindanaoan Okkil Expert
4. Architect German Torero, NCCA Executive Committee Member, Committee on Monuments and Sites; Professor, Architecture and Fine Arts Department, University of Bohol
5. Mr. Mozart Pastrano, Member, Dramatics Guild Sub-Committee, National Commission for Culture and the Arts

Reference Materials:
Presentation Materials of Resource Persons (for requests please contact the resource persons directly)

Prepared by: Elinor Abuton (Enigmata Consultant)

Teaching children proper waste management

CPSC Ecotourism Students doing Biodiversity Art Education with children in Mantigue Island

Green Forum

Camiguin Polytechnic State College
Institute of Marine Biology
Ecotourism Department

GREEN Project
(Green Project Volunteer Corps)

Theme: Biodiversity vis-à-vis Ecotourism

Objectives of the GREEN Project:

1. To introduce environmental education in the classroom and campus in a creative eco-friendly approach
2. To join the Island-wide campaign for a Plastic-Free Campus (Camiguin) with a classroom-to-classroom Campaign
3. To conduct a Biodiversity forum for CPSC students
4. To facilitate a World Cinema Earth Film Festival
5. To launch a volunteer organization called Green Project Volunteer Corps in CPSC campus
6. To search for the most creative recycling project in CPSC campus
7. To enhance the level of exposure of CPSC Ecotour students within the context of sustainable tourism

Biodiversity

1. What is Biodiversity?
The totality of all life and its habitat. The web of life. Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life and the ecological systems of which they are part. It refers to the wealth of life forms found on Earth. Biodiversity is a fundamental requisite for life on Earth.

2. Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is very important to human, as well as in maintaining the ecological balance in nature. Even the insignificant organisms can play irreplaceable roles in the ecosystem.

3. Benefits of Biodiversity
Human Benefits
Food
E.g. plants can supply 90% of today’s food crops.
Industrial and commercial products
E.g. lumber, rubber, oils, dyes, etc
Medicines
E.g. penicillin, tetracycline, morphine, etc as well as a number of traditional medicines.
Aesthetic and Recreational Benefits
Ecotourism is a good source of revenue as well, wild species increase our appreciation and enjoyment of the environment.
Ecological Benefits
Maintaining biodiversity is important to sustain the earth’s life support systems for us and other species. Organisms play vital roles in:
Biological cycles
Filtering and detoxifying poisonous substances, decomposing waste.
Controlling crop pests
Controlling disease carrying organisms
Insignificant species may have interactions with significant ones.

4. What Can I do to help the Environment?
Manage your garbage at home and work.

5. What Effect can Garbage Have on Me?
Effects family health
Areas with garbage have been found to be breeding grounds for insects like mosquitoes, germs, viruses, diseases, rodents as well as a variety of breathing ailments (if chemicals have been released). With the variety of materials “thrown out” people in bare feet are liable to step on something sharp, infected, and this infection could be deadly and passed onto other people via other means.

Effects all Aspects of the Environment

Solid waste can plant reducing their ability to photosynthesize and therefore killing it. Animals can mistakes them for biological objects (e.g. Fish mistake cigarette butts as floating food, eat them and die), chemicals leached from household products like bleaches and engine oil can kill a wide variety of plants and animals.

Affects our Aesthetics of our areas
Where would you rather be? What is that smell?

6. Won’t Garbage just break down overtime?
Cigarette butts 1-5 years
Orange peel up to 2 years
Plastic coated paper 5 years
Plastic bags 20-1000 years
Plastic film container20-30 years
Nylon fabric 30-40 years
Tin cans 50 years
Aluminum cans 80-100 years
Glass bottles 1 million years
Plastic bottles indefinitely
Fishing nets 30-40 years
Batteries 100 years

7. Find I will burn it?
In the Philippines burning garbage is illegal and subject to a fine. When we burn plastics, bleached paper or natural, which contain chlorine, we produce Dioxine. Dioxine is a persistent organic pollutant that is carcinogenic and mutagenic and greatly effects your health and can cause birth defects. Also burning increases greenhouse gases and therefore increase global warming.
8. So what can I do?
First thing we can do is segregate our garbage :
Plastics: e.g. plastic bottles
Metals: e.g. tin cans
Paper: e.g. newspaper
Glass: e.g. glass bottles
None-recyclable: e.g. Styrofoam
Hazardous: e.g. batteries

Once your garbage is segregated, you can employ the 3 R’s. The 3 R’s:
Reduce: lessen the amount of garbage you produce
Reuse: reuse items like plastic bottles
Recycle: process waste so it can again enter the material cycle as a raw material.

9. Ways to Reduce
If you have a large bag from another store use it to carry stuff from the new store
Tell shop owners to use only one bag to hold items and not 3
Bring a reusable bag (e.g.: canvas) to carry all items
Buy items with less packaging materials
Avoid non-biodegradable items where possible.

10. Ways to Reuse
Reuse other side of rejected printed papers for taking notes, making sketches, etc.
Reuse items like plastic bottles for storing cooking oil, as floats, etc
Reuse waste products to make ornaments and other craft products

11. Ways to Recycle
In the west there are recycling plants that take plastic and metal products. Only non-shiny paper is recyclable. This seems to only occur in Manila and with a relatively small amount being deposited at the facility.
In rural areas one of the effective ways to recycle is to use the segregated biological waste and convert it into organic fertilizer through composting or animal feed.

12. What about non-biodegradable garbage?
To deal with non-biodegradable wastes first look and see what ordinances your municipacility has for dealing with solid waste. Your municipality might have garbage pick-up in your area.
If no ordinance exists you can lobby your municipality to formulate one, or with the help of LAFCCOD Inc. devise your own waste management plan.

13. What Laws are in place?

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9003 (ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000): An act providing for an ecological solid waste management program creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring penalties appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE: NO. 825 (1975): Providing penalty for improper disposal of garbage and other forms of uncleanliness and for other.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE: NO. 856 (CODE ON SANITATION) (1975)

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9003
Any person who is found Littering, Throwing, Dumping of waste matters in public such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks and establishments, or causing or permitting the same(1) shall, upon conviction, be punished with a fine not less than three hundred pesos (P300.00) but not more than one thousand pesos (P1000.00) or render community service for not less than (1) day to not more than fifteen (15) days to an LGU where such prohibited acts are commited, or both;
Any person who openly burns solid waste shall, upon conviction be punished with a fine of not less than three hundred pesos (P 300.00) but not more than one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) day but not more than fifteen (15) days, or both.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

NIPAS
National Integrated Protected Areas Systems

NIPAS is a classification and administration of all designated protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources found therein, and to maintin their natural conditions to the greatest extent possible.


PLASTIC-FREE Camiguin
August 2000
Provincial Ordinance No. 00-01
“An ordinance declaring Camiguin Island
A Plastic Free Province”
“Whereas, the Province of Camiguin is committed to the protection, preservation and conservation of the ecosystem;
Whereas, it is the responsibility of the local government to effectively and efficiently implement programs/projects and activities that could promote a clean, sanitary an healthful environment for its population;
Whereas, the Province of Camiguin is one of the prime tourist destination in the country and there is a need to eradicate unsightly surroundings polluted by plastics and other plastic-coated materials;


Wild Life Resources
Conservation and Protection Act
R.A. 91 47

•To Conserve And Protect Wildlife And Their Habitats, To Promote Ecological Balance And Enhance Biological Diversity
•To Regulate The Collection And Trade Of Wild Life
•To Pursue With Due Regard To The International Interest, The Philippine Commitment To International Conventions, Protection Of Wildlife And Their Habitat
•To Initiate Or Support Scientific Studies On The Conservation Of Biological Diversity

Categories To Protected Areas

•Strict Natural Reserve
•Natural Park
•Natural Monument
•Wild Sanctuary
•Protected Landscape And Seascape
•Resource Reserve
•Natural Biotic Areas

Protected Landscape and Seascapes

CAMIGUIN PROTECTED AREAS

Proclamation No. 570

Declaring Mt. Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Mountain Range situated in the municipalities of Mambajao, Mahinog, Sagay and Catarman, Province of Camiguin as a Protected Area and its Peripheral Areas as Buffer Zone pursuant to Republic Act 7536 (NIPAS Act of 1992) and shall be known s Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument

•Organized Protected area Management Board (PAMB)
•Are areas of natural significance which are characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation and tourism within the normal lifestyle and economic activity of these areas.

Declaring Mt. Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Mountain Range situated in the municipalities of Mambajao, Mahinog, Sagay and Catarman, Province of Camiguin as a Protected Area and its Peripheral Areas as Buffer Zone pursuant to Republic Act 7536 (NIPAS Act of 1992) and shall be known s Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument

MT. TIMPOONG and HIBOK-HIBOK A NATURAL MONUMENT

Natural Monument is relatively a small area focused on protection of small features to protect or preserve nationally significant natural features on account of their special interests or unique characteristics.

SPECIFIC Conditions for the Mt. Timpoong and Mt. Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument (To be coordinated with the DENR)

1.The group shall provide themselves competent guide(s) who is (are) familiar with the route or trails in the area desired to be visited.

2.Collecting of any plant and animal species inside he protected area without permit is strictly prohibited, punishable under Sec. 21 of R.A. 7586 (NIPAS Law) and Republic Act No. 9147 (Wild Life Resources Conservation and Protection Act).

3.Littering/leaving any non-biodegradable materials such as plastic cups, wrappers and plastic bags is strictly prohibited inside the area.

4.Coodinate with local government units.

5.Sleeping at the Mt. Timpoong and Mt. Hibok-Hibok summit is strictly prohibited instead at the designated camping areas or settlement area in the buffer zone.

6.The leader of the group shall be held responsible for violation of the foregoing terms committed by the members while inside the protected areas.

7.The DENR/PAMB shall not be responsible in any untoward incident that may happen to any member of the group during their stay in the area.

8.Briefing should be done before going to the area.


DO NOT BUY, USE, GATHER, POSSESS, SELL, AND/TRANSPORT!
GIANT CLAMS, HELMET SHELL, TRUMPET SHELL…
Protected under Philippine Laws and International treaty
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8550 Sec. 97)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (all species of giant clam)
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 158

Prohibited Shelled Mollusks
Common name Local name
TRUE GIANT CLAM TAKLOBO
SMOOTH GIANT CLAM TAKLOBO
CROCUS OR BORING GIANT CLAM LETLET, LOTLOT, MANLOT
FLUTED GIANT CLAM HAGDAN-HAGDAN
ELONGATED GIANT CLAM MANLET
STRAWBERRY GIANT CLAM KUKONG KABAYO
CHINA GIANT CLAM PORCELANA
TRITON OR TUMPET SHELL TAMBULI
HELMET SHELL BUDYONG


Prohibited CORALS

MUSHROOM CORAL SLIPPER CORAL
BOWL CORAL LACE CORAL
BRANCE CORAL BIRD’S NEST CORAL
VASE CORAL PAGODA CORAL
CRUST OR BRANCH CORAL MOON CORAL
PRECIOUS CORAL BLACK CORAL
ORGAN PIPE CORAL DENIM CORAL
SEA FAN CORAL ANEMONE CORAL
ASPARAGUS CORAL
BEACH/ AQUARIUM/ WHITE / CORAL/ SAND

Earth Saving Tips

1. SEGREGATE. Avoid disposable products Do the 5 R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Refuse, and Redeem for cash)

How of the stuff we throw can be recycled. Since the things you use are all made from materials that come from the Earth, they are valuable. Reduce the trash you throw everyday.

2. Pick up litter. It takes a month for a piece of paper to become part of the earth again. It takes a cloth a year. A softdrink can lying on the ground won’t disappear for over 200 years.

Help pick up litter that you see as you are walking.

3. Be a paper saver. An average person uses about 580 pounds of paper every year. It takes 500,000 tress just to make the newspapers we read every Sunday. But, we can save 200 million trees a year by recycling paper.

4. Use paper, not plastic. It takes a whole tree to make about 500 brown paper grocery bags, But plastic bags are worse because they can’t be recycled, and the plastic will never decompose. Ask for paper, not plastic, when checking out of grocery store.

5. No to Styrofoam. Styrofoam is permanent garbage! It CAN’T ever be part of the Earth again. Five hundred years from now someone might be digging in his backyard only to find a piece of Styrofoam caup you used last week.

6. Avoid or STOP using Styrofoam. If ever you eat at fast food restaurants, ask for paper cups or plates.

7. Grow a tree. Each tree you plant eats an average of 9 pounds of carbon dioxide each year from the atmosphere and changes it into oxygen. Trees are natural allies of humans in the battle for against global warming.

8. Lights out. Save expensive energy and unnecessary danger.

9. Be a water-leak detective. 97% of the water on our planet us unusable (sea water), another 2% is frozen, so the water we drink has to come from the remaining 1% - mostly ground water from beneath the Earth’s surface. When we turn on the faucet, fresh water flows out from the same reserves in the ground, from the same rivers and streams.

10. TURN-OFF the water. The average person use about 150 gallons of water everyday. Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Turn the faucet on just long enough to rinse your toothbrush or the dishes.

11. DON’t dump petroleum-based products and any other harmful toxins like paints, oil and gasoline on the ground. Be careful of what you spill on Earth.

12. Don’t let go of your ballons. Helium balloons, when released don’t banish into thin air. They are often blown by strong winds into the ocean. Sometimes sea creatures thinks balloons are food and eat them. These can kill them.

13. Talk to your parents, friends, family, schoolmates, teachers about what they can do to save mother earth.

14. Come up with your own way to save mother earth.

Practical Tips To Live-By

1. Live simply
2. Eat natural and fresh food
3. Consume less or not meat
4. Walk
5. Exercise regularly
6. Plant fruit trees to shade your school and home yard
7. Water plants in the morning
8. Do not burn leaves or cuttings from plants instead make a much pile
9. Do not throw garbage into rivers, lakes and seas
10. Avoid using styrofoams/plastics for eating utensils
11. Put products in recyclable containers
12. Recycle cans, newspapers and cardboard
13. Provide trashcans for biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage
14. Compost food and yard debris
15. Do not use aerosol spray with CFCs
16. Turn off lights when not in use
17. Hang clothes in the sun
18. Use public transportation
19. Report smoke belching vehicles
20. Use rags instead of paper towels
21. Use both sides of paper sheets
22. For drafts and scratch – the empty backside of manuscripts
23. Make your own toys from ecology-friendly materials
24. Conserve water
25. Join environmental movement and share knowledge on care for the earth with family and friends.

Total Waste Management

 It is a lifestyle not just a technology
 In nature there is no garbage.
 When there is human, there is garbage.
 Garbage is the greatest failure of the human race.
 Are we the garbage of the earth?
 “If don’t do it now, who will do it for us.

Mantigue Community Consultation with CPSC-ABET Students 2006

A DAY IN MANTIGUE ISLAND

Documented by:
Patrice Jean delos Reyes
Vilma Jagape


Documentation for the one-day activity in Mantigue Island conducted last January 28, 2006.

The Eco-Tourism (Tour 32 & 33) students of Camiguin Polytechnic State College conducted FGD (Focus Group Discussion) and Community consultation, an exposure trip on Community-Base Sustainable Tourism Practices held last January 18, 2006 Saturday, at Mantigue island, San Roque. The said activity has the following objectives:

1.To expose the students to community-based sustainable eco-tourism principles and practices.
2.To deepen the awareness and participation of stakeholders in promoting responsible Ecotourism with deep understanding of environmental ethics in conservation, preservation, and implementation of nature-friendly measures.
3.To facilitate the increase in community participation in the sustainable Ecotourism practice in all aspects (economic, socio-cultural, political, etc.)
4.To engage the students to a hands-on experience of organizing an eco-tour activity.
5.To prepare the students for an on-the-job training as future tour operators and tour guides, and related environmental and community development work.

Prior to the tour, we made a letter to the college President to ask permission. After the approval we sent the letter/communication to the Barangay captain of San Roque to expedite the entry/visit of the said island. Ms. Patrice Jean delos Reyes also talked to him to explain the purpose of the activity. We also made an arrangement to Mr. Roger Saturos an elementary teacher of the island for him to organize the children since part of the activity is to educate the children about environmental ethics on preservation and conservation of the resources. For our transportation we rented three motorized bancas.

On the wonderful morning of January 28, 2006 a group of 24 students gathered at San Roque seashore was very excited. We left San Roque 8:55 o’clock am took a ride in a pump boat. After fifteen minutes we reached on the powdery white beach. How wonderful to be in an isle where you can see the spectacular view of the mountain rises to mate with the sky.

When we arrived the children was not yet there so Mr. Saturos ring the bell to get the attention of the children. The children cleaned first the area and then we gathered some chairs. To open the activity Ms. delos Reyes gave a brief introduction and explain the about the purpose of visiting the island. Around 10:00 to entertain the children we conducted the activity in a form of a game. We organized four environmental games and played with the children. At the end of every game we let the children talked what they learned from the game then the organizer of the game gave their message to the children base on the game. About 11:00 o’clock in the morning Maam Rose Zerrudo asked somebody to get a ball and let the children form a big circle.
She played a drum and let the children roll the ball. Those who hold the ball when the drum stop was asked to give what is the things he can do to save mother earth. We ended the activity by giving the children candies as a gift for their cooperation.

At 11:00 we had our lunch. We were all lying in the white sand facing the ocean. After eating we took a short rest then proceed to our next move. We mingle with the local residence and conducted the interview. We let them answer some questions. We gathered information about negative and positive impacts as well as the control measure, which is the main source of income in the community. They sell it a raw or dried. How they organized the project and what are their techniques to make the projects sustainable. Next, we did some exciting activity to make the day memorable for everybody. We went snorkeling, swimming, and boating. We saw variety of marine organism like starfish, guso, shells, small fishes, sea grasses, etc. It’s so wonderful to explore the beauty of the island.

Discussion with the group of community member that is the highlight of our tour took place 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. The topics discussed include the concept of Eco-tourism by Patrice delos Reyes; Ethics of Philippine tourism by Vilma Jagape; Camiguin Biodiversity by Rambo Labial. The group also discussed about the socio-economics condition and the related problems/issues, perceptions towards resources and resource use, reactions/readiness toward biodiversity conservation program, and their aspirations (individually, as a family, or as a community). The participants/community members were urged to make some suggestions, comments and perception of the condition of the resources in the area and their aspiration to make the island resources sustainable.

Observation was done to validate the results of the discussions and interviews. Below are the aspiration and suggestions of the community members:

1.Training on waste management and implementation of law on proper waste disposal, considering that one of the problem of the island is waste disposal.
2.Additional knowledge about biodiversity and resource conservation and preservation
3.Hospitality training and basic tour guiding
4.Assistant from the government in monitoring/controlling illegal compressor.
5.Unity and harmony among the community member especially in organizing community project.
6.Training for women
7.Market for sewage

Its fun to be out in the sun

Priceless Beauty of Camiguin Ladnscapes and Seascapes

Spectacular sunset by the Sunken Cemetary from the Stations of the Cross at the Walk Way



Flawless Sand Bar famous for its tide changing shape on the rise and fall of the moon