Stories and Legends

LEGEND OF MORO-MORO WATCH TOWER

During the pre-Spanish time until the American occupation, piracy, kidnapping, and banditry were rampant along the coastline of the country. In Mindanao, the Moro were the most notorious group who rampaged with the villagers especially in those islands that were accessible to their vintas.

In Camiguin, there were vicious looting, kidnapping and the marauders used to set the villagers on fire, leaving the islanders in complete panic. It was with this sad experience that the relatives in the southern part of the island joined their efforts to counteract merciless attacks. They agreed to construct a watch tower. Day in and day out, the villager turns in looking over the sea from the tower in which invaders if there would probably succumb to their prepared traps, spears, and pointed bamboos.

At present, the people call the tower, Moro Tower. The place where the tower was built is now the Municipality of Guinsiliban which was originally called "ginsilipan".

( more stories will be posted soon... please help gather more legends and stories)

Community Treasures

OKKIL ART as Cultural Asset

On February 25-26, 2006, the Camiguin Polytechnic State College AB-Tourism and BS Education students together with the Enigmata Creative Circle Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology with the support of Metropolitan Museum and National Commission for Culture and the Arts organized a consultative forum about the rich cultural heritage of the province called “Kapihan sa Karaang Balay Okkil”.

The consultative forum was just an in initial assessment to identify this important cultural heritage of the island and will give an attention to the people in conservation of this culture. The objectives of the forum was the following; first, to increase participant awareness of this cultural heritage, second is to explore opportunities for conservation programs and lastly, to encourage stockholders to participate in promotion and preservation of the cultural heritages.

The guests were the CPSC’s college president, Pres. Venus Lammawin, and the Governor of the province, Hon. Pedro P. Romualdo. Pres. Venus Lammawin sited the college’s vision, which is to build an eco-tourism program as a center for excellence. And also in the other hand, Hon. Governor also gave his words; he tackled about the brief history of the province of Camiguin through the change of time. He emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritages and maintaining peace and order of the province. The provincial government of Camiguin continues to give efforts in preserving the ancestral remains. The local government has issued an Executive Order declaring all the ancestral houses in the province a historical landmark; it will be the factor in boosting our tourism industry.

One of the participants of the forum was the head of the Department of Science Technology Ms. Miriam dela Plaza. She introduces the participants of the activity. She stated that their department also supports efforts such as cultural heritage preservation and conservation. DOST have role in extending technological support to such undertakings, including purity of research.

Next guest speaker was Mr. Mozart Pastrano; he gave Culture and Development preservation’s definition. Culture is a people’s way of life – their communal values, beliefs, tradition and practices including how they deal with their environment. The concept of culture-based development is in existing local cultures and rich cultural heritage, it is 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 existing identity of the people.

Okkil Art expert Prof. Al-Nezzar Ali said that, okkil means to carve; it is also means carving of any design of woodwork. Mostly found in Moro houses, it was adopted by the Filipinos dating back to pre-Hispanic times. In the beginning, okkil art was associated with the nobility especially during the Majapahit and Srivijayan empires. Originally used in grave makers, the art was also place in a boat, especially the serpent motif. Later adapted on the houses believed also to drive away evil spirits and used as house ventilation.

After the lunch break Mr. Librado Abesamis shared his commentary and gave a brief history of the island and after was Mr. Edwin Boborol the Municipal Planning Development Coordinator of Mambajao also gave his commentary about the forum.
The principle of conservation is that “It is better to preserve than to restore, to restore than to reconstruct, to reconstruct than to do nothing at all”. This principle means that in conserving cultural heritages, it must be a minimum intervention will be required. Remodeling is nit a part of conservation. Arch. German Torero discussed about the cultural heritages conservation, he also featured the rich cultural heritage of his province which is Bohol. They have restored old churches, towers, stone bridges and houses. In the restoration process, documentation must be included. Drafting gave emphasis on measures, proportions and pictures as well.

Atty. Trixie Angeles discussed on the legal mandates for the culture and the arts. She said that 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 in one nation. Having one goal and one direction. Heritage plays a role to national identity-it is evidence that we’ve been there and we could don it again. Heritage is keeping the faith. For instance the “the balanghay”in the 9th – 12th century is the proof that we are crossing the pacific long before the Vikings were crossing the Atlantic.

Heritage should be a part of our everyday lives, so we should not destroy it. To protect it, the Philippine Constitution recognizes historical treasures and they may be restricted in the use and disposition. The state can police historical landmarks, for example, protection of heritage for general welfare.

In organizing ancestral and okkil art house owners in Camiguin. There must be an existing cooperatives or any kind of association, it will be good to start with. The criteria for eligibility for a collaborative conservation would simple 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 Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR for an administrative suit. Under the Cultural Treasurers Act. With a fine of PHP 10,000 while under the Philippine Environment Law, the fine is Php 50,000 per day. The NCCA provides technical assistance to heritage conservation efforts through various funding windows and services from lawyers, engineers, and more.

Mr. Cris Rollo talked on Creative Linkaging, Networking, Fund Sourcing and Sustainability. Mr. Rollo shared with the audience the education programs of the Metropolitan Museum. T hey encourages people in enhancement of traditions, rituals, and crafts in communities and how these could capitalize to improve the economy. There is also youth education wherein participants are encouraged and the youth acquire a high level of awareness on culture.

After these guest speakers from different agencies related to cultural preservation was the short presentation of the local composers. The day 2 was the 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 the students and resource persons from the forum. The houses visited were belonging to the families Corrales, Chan, Neri, Francisco, and Paderanga. Informal discussion was 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 from the 19th-20th century Philippine society.

Consultative forum on the ancestral and okkil art houses Resource Personnel:

1.Atty. Trixie Angeles – Head speaker of NCCA.
2.Mr. Cris Rollo – Deputy Director of Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Chairman on the Committee on Visual Arts, NCCA.
3.Prof. Al-Nezzar Ali – Maguindanao Okkil expert.
4.Arch. German Torero – NCCA Executive Committee Member, Committee on Monuments and Sites, Prof. of Architecture and Fine Arts Department of University of Bohol.
5.Mr. Mozart Pastrano – Member of Dramatics Guild, Sub-committee NCCA.

(written by one of the ecotour students as part of the documentation of the activity)

A Model Community

CONSERVING KIBELA

Kodus!!! to Alona and Anita Cordero and Maricirs Sagbigsal for all there generousity and excellent service as local tour guides.

Last February 18-19, 2006 we had our exposure to community-based ecotourism at Kibela, Kantaan, Guinsiliban, a white sand beach with a giant clam sanctuary. That activity was organized by the assistant tour guides, namely Cheryl Acero and Sairen Cabantac.

On the first day, our jump off point is at Mambajao Public Market at 8:00 in the morning. Together with us in our tour instructor Ms. Rosalie Zerrudo and our resource person Ms. Evelyn Borst from Netherlands. When we arrived at the area, we were welcomed by the friendly people and Kibela. Then we have our short orientation led by the cooperative chairwoman and other officials of Kibela. The cooperative Chairwoman Alona Cordero talked about their place. She stated that their place was a protected area with a sanctuary for marine life and especially the giant clamps that resides in their waters. She stressed the importance/rule of a tour guide. “Tour guides must also serve as life vest for his or her clients”, she uttered. Dr. Angelo King Alcala, a marine biologist from Siliman University, a founder of Kebila sanctuary and also the founder of ecotourism in Camiguin Polytechnic State College give his words also in regards to the matter. The CYMBRAKA, this is an organization that has a vision of rehabilitating the damage coral reefs, protection and conservation of marine resources.

At about 2:30 p.m. we had our snorkeling activity at the sanctuary area of Kebila. There, we found beautiful coral reefs, colorful fishes, sea grasses and giant clamps. During that activity, we we’re accompanied by our tour guides headed by Chairwoman Alona Cordero. At passed 6 in the afternoon, we continued our lecture with Ms. Evelyn Borst who shared her personal experiences as professional tourguide in Europe especially Greece and gave us inspirational talk. After the short lecture, we have a break for dinner, and right after our dinner, we went to the sea shore for some relaxation purposes. As we continue our activity in the evening, we did a lot of group dynamic games in relation to our topic headed by our visitor from Netherlands, Ms. Evelyn Borst.

During our second day, we had our community exposure trip to Brgy. Kantaan. There, we interviewed local people about the significance of tourism in the area and adverse impacts of tourism in their everyday lives. As we observed the community, we found that people are peace-loving and hospitable.

We noticed that we were surrounded by valuable slogans and posters on ecotourism and biodiversity. First, we are entertained by Ms. Maricris Sagbigsal, and she pointed us the different kinds of giant clamps which are present in the area, these are as follows; tridana gigas, the biggest clam, t. crocea, t. maxima, the smallest clam and elongated clam, t. squamosa, the fluted clam, also called “hagdan hagdan”, hippopus hippopus / strawberry giant clam/ kukong kabayo and t. derasa, the smooth giant clam or the “taklobo”. And the remaining species that the area doesn’t have is the hippopus porcelanus. We also read the kinds of sea turtles, these are; olive ridley, green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, loggerhead and hawksbill. Also in the poster, we found out that the clams are the largest bivalves in the world, they can grow to large sizes, and some species even extend to more than a meter in shell length. They inhabit in the shallow waters of coral reefs of the eight known species worldwide, seven of them found in the Philippines. Giant clamps are male within 6 years, then right after 2 years, it will turn out to be a female one. When the clamp ages 12 years old, it will become both male and female. Spawning behavior is noticed usually late in the afternoon of the summer months. A clamp releases sperms for 30 minutes and after an hour, the same clam releases egg cells. Out of 8 million eggs, only 200 can survive. These facts would serves as prevention against the high demands of meat and shell of the giant clamps. It will need responsible fishing practices.

Prohibited corals like Heliefungia sp. (mushroom corals), Herpolitha (slipper coral), sandalolita (bowl corals) puchyseris (vase corals), turbunaria (pagoda), corallium (precious corals), tubipura musicalorgam (pipe corals), melithaea (sea fan corals), lemnalia (asparagus) acropora (branch coral), pocillopora (lace coral), seria topora (birds nest coral), montipora (crust/branch), farial (moon coral), antipathies (black coral), heliopora (denim), xenia (anemone corals). And also species of mangroves these are bakawan babae (rhizopora mucronata), bakawan lalaki (rhizopora apiculata), malatangal (cariops deandra), pagatpat, bantigi and nipa. And there are also species of corals these are: acroporidae, agaricidae, caryophyllidae, dandrophyllidae, favidae, fungidae, milleporidae, merulinidae, mussidae, oculinidae, pectinidae, pocilloporidae and thammasteridae. Kinds of sea grasses these are trophical eel grass, toothed sea grass, woody sea grass. And small spoon grass, syringe grass, round tipped sea grass, dugong grass, fiber strand grass and vein less spoon grass.

And there was also an organizational history of CYMRAKA. CYMRAKA was originally organized on Sept. 21, 2003 at DENR Training Center Sitio Kibela Cantaan, Guinsiliban with the help of the CCMPC Chairperson Ms. Alona Cordero.

This CYMRAKA Association is made up of youth and cute residence of this sitio. Dr. Angelo C. Alcala who was the organizer of this association CYMRAKA was known as “Cantaan Youth Marine Resources Angelo King Association”. CYMRAKA Vision, An ecologically balance environment abundant coastal resources and educate children by mean of sustainable development for succeeding generation will not compromise to meet their need. CYMRAKA Goal, protection of coastal ecosystems and preservation of all coastal resources in the CBFU areas.

This activity that we had organized is very valuable in our subject as ecotourism students because this is a great attribute or help in enhancing our skill in caring, conserving and protecting the environment especially an area which is sanctuary that must be protected. We have also learned the significance of cooperation of both parents and youth in-order to achieve the will or goals of the organization. From this activity, I have also learned that, even without any big budget to continue the program of the organization, but with the full cooperation of the members and officers oan organization can stand strong to continue its aim.

(written as a reaction paper by one of the ecotour students)

What do you mean by these Kinamiguin words?...

kapaok
bunjag
madigom
bangis
kamanga
kumini kaw
dajon
sajaw
kabalhinan
ajaw iyak
daos
kaagbat
duman
marajo
mababasak
amay
poon
maupay na hapon
maupay na duman
maupay na aga
naanaran
baay
in ino ay
kutas
naibog ay nimo
niuswag
dija sampaw
kahibaloan
kilahon
ulaging
ikinagihan
bamos ki
dagan ki
batoka
naduwad
daga
aga
inay
ngaran
malinaw hajan nga lugar
pagdungkal
pangadje
bugno
tinuohan
tunghaan
takanak
duslog
sa-op
awong
kagayha
panganod
banlag
kansyon
hipos
sugilon
kusgan
pag upay sa pagpanaw
hat ajan
pagtima
kabtangan
manginsa
ag-dija
di joy tuod
bilasa
hikit
tagad
pagtiruga on dijan
panaw
maupay na pag-abot dine
ino ay imo ngaran
ino ay nahitabo
handi
handi ka poon
handi ka pailing
kino
hikaw

Bohol Eco-Cultural Tour March 2006

(pictures will be posted soon)

ECO-CULTURAL TOUR OF THE BEAUTIFUL BOHOL

The name Bohol was derived from the local place called “Bool” which today’s a barangay of the city of Tagbilaran. It is the 10th largest island of the Philippine archipelago. It has 4,117 sq. km. area, 1.2 million populations, and 95 % Christian, Mt. Mayana is the highest elevation in the province at Jagna and stands 8,717 ft. The capital city is Tagbilaran, it has 3,270 has. 88,000 populations, 2 universities namely: University of Bohol and Holy Name University. They have also 3 colleges. Bohol if famous of the 1,760 hills called “Chocolate Hills” and “Phil. Tarsier” (tarsius syrichta). And famous artists like: Napoleon Abueva, Cesar Montano, Yoyoy Villame and politicians like: Clarin and Carlos P. Garcia and others.

On March 11, 2006 we had a tour to Bohol. From Camiguin, we started at Brgy. Bug-ong at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. We saw school of dolphins and flocks of sea birds. We arrived at the shore of Bongamar, Jagna at around 12:00 noon. We begin our bus trip from Jagna, we passed the municipalities of Garcia, Hernandez, Valencia, Dimiao, Lila, Alburquerque, Loay and we reach Baclayon about 2 hours. We noticed the beautiful century old churches and their ancestral okill houses. The topography of Bohol is made up of lime stones. We arrived at Baclayon at around 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the house of Mr. Garay Labad and we took our lunch their.

We proceeded to Panglao Island on a multicab. We saw the beautiful bay of Tagbilaran and Panglao. The island is connected by the 2 bridges and has two municipalities, these were Panglao and Dauis. We arrived at Domaloan Beach Resort beside the posh Bohol Beach Club. The island has sugar-like sand beaches and in the horizon we saw the famous sanctuary islands Balicasag and Pamilacan. On our way back, we stopped at the century old Dauis Church. After that, we proceeded to Casa Rocha-Suarez, an ancestral house of the Rocha-Suarez families then transformed into a museum. Then we take a short relax at Dao Diamond, we passed the history rich city of Tagbilaran. At almost 7 o’clock in the evening. We hurriedly went to the Bohol Cultural Center. We took our dinner their and watched the awesome moves of the disciplined Boholano dancers. After the short entertainment we had a lecture from Prof. Luspo, a representative from the government and Mr. Gardy Labad on the history of the 2 provinces, Camiguin and Bohol heritages and natural wonders of the province. And their churches, houses, bridges, tombstones and towers.

Second day, we started our tour at around 7 o’clock in the morning. We rode on a tourist bus. We stopped at the Blood Compact Park, a monument of Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol before and Miguel de Lopez, this was meant as a friendship for both Filipinos and Spaniards on 1565. It is located at Brgy. Bool. That was done by dropping 2-3 drops of blood mixed with the local wine called “tuba”. It was created by Napoleon Abueva, a national artist and a native in Bohol. We took a short look at the Romanisque style church of Albuquerque which was built on 1842. Then we passed Loay, this place’s name was taken from the word “loay-loay” which means swaying of nipa palm leaves at the mouth of Loboc-Loay River. We passed the 20 minute winding road called “Bituka ng Manok”, also on our way to the beautiful Datu Sikatuna man-made forest of Mahogany trees and has 1.6 has. Total area which was a project of the government on 1958.

We had a stopover at the Municipality of Bilar; its name was derived from the word “bilad” which means drying if rice grains under the heat of the sun. We visited the CVSCAFT farm of Prof. Jose Tavero. He lectured us on the trilogy of creation. According to him, creation has 3 parts, these are cosmos, and it is the arrangement of heavenly bodies, because these are sources of energy. The Macro is the manifestation of cosmic influence and micro which the one inter-acts. The forces of elements are air, water, earth and ether. He also stated that “a healthy soil is a healthy people”, and there is an executive order (EO 4821), stated that all LGU’s must use organic farming and it was passed on the year 2005.

We arrived at the famous chocolate hills at 10:45 in the morning. It has a total of 1,760 hills. We climbed the 214 steps of the viewing deck and took some shoots of pictures. One of these hills has 240 meters above the ground. It is a choco-mint color when rainy season. We leaved chocolate hills at 11:04 a.m. we had a short look at Datu Sikatuna Park at 11:34. Then hurriedly went to Loboc and arrived at the Bohol’s Music Capital at 11:51 a.m. we rode the Loboc river cruise. The Loboc River is jade-like tranquil water surrounded by the beautiful limestone hills and lush forest. The were hospitable as we passed by them. And we reach Bunsay Falls at the end of Loboc River; people were welcomed by the old men playing “ukaleles” and guitars. We were also entertained by the local musicians and singers on board of the floating restaurant. We ended our Loboc River Cruise at 1:00 p.m. we then preceded to DENR authorized tarsier captivity also in Loboc. Tarsier weights 340 grams, 4-5 inches in length not included the tail. It gave birth only once a year with a thumb like size baby. Its mating period is in June. Its activity or ritual is by vocalizing of a female tarsier and urinating on the branches of trees and they will both smell the urine and saliva mark. It has 3-4 courting ritual inside the forest. Females were monogamous and males were polygamous. The female tarsier has 6 mammary glands, 4 are functional and 2 of these are for the babies to cling on.

After the tarsier site, we went to St. Peter the Apostles Church in Loboc. Unexpectedly, we heard the angelic voices of the worlds famous and award winning Loboc children choir. They sang some local folk songs, Disney’s soundtrack and many others. They performed in different cities in the country and abroad, in fact they went to Barcelona in Spain, some parts in Europe and in Sanghai, China. After we watched the mini-concert at 2:50 p.m., we went to Holy Trinity Parish at Loay. This church was built on 1821. Then we had a short tour at Clarin ancestral house at 3:05 p.m. this was owned by Aniceto Clarin (Governor: April 15, 1901 – Feb 28, 1904). We leave the ancestral house at exactly 3:28 p.m. and proceeded to Baclayon Church, one of the oldest churches in the country. Baclayon church is an Immaculate Conception church led by the Jesuit Missionaries since 1596. The church was made up of coral stones and in Baroque style church. Their convent serves as a museum of ancient artifacts of the former priests of the church. Picture taking was prohibited inside the museum, so this would trigger us to take a pose for a picture taking that will serves as our souvenir. We leave Baclayon Church at 4:04 in the afternoon and we proceed to “APROVIANA GIFTSHOP” for some shopping activities. There we found Bohol’s gift items like shirts, pants and many more. They also sell native delicacies like: calamay, peanut kisses and many more.

During our third day, we departed Dao Diamond at 6:35 in the morning riding a commercial van going to the pier of Tubigon. We leave Tubigon port at 7:54 a.m on board of M/V Jade Star going to Cebu City. On our sea trip, we saw many small white sandy islands, we witnessed the beauty of nature through the bright blue sky above and a crystal like blue sea water that welcome us. At exactly 10:45 a.m. we docked in to Cebu Port. And the rest of the day, we spend our time exploring Cebu City. This would be the last day in Cebu City and it is the last day of our field trip. At exactly 8 o’clock in the evening, we leave Cebu City on board of M/V Our Lady of Good Voyage going to Cagayan de Oro City. After we reached Cagayan de Oro City, it is time to go home, back to the place we’re we belong, Camiguin.

The eco-cultural tour that we had was a great experience for us eco-tourism students. We grasp a lot of lessons especially in preserving nature, to be specific I would like to innumerate those lessons that we’ve learned. First, is the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritages of our ancestors and the rich natural resources of our country. These are the big factors in helping the tourism industry in the country. And lastly, to experience the rich culture of the country and to appreciate the natural wonders that we have.

(written by one ecotour student as part of the requirment of the course)

Indigenous (Manobo) Dance Workshop for the ABET students by Long of Actor's Quarter, Butuan City

CPSC joins Enigmata and DepEd in Salima and Joey Ayala Concert, Ecology Seminar and Environmental Clean-up

The cultural heritage reflected on the ancestral houses in Camiguin

pictures taken by the group of Ramel Ocon

the first in camiguin... a fashion show for creative expression

an evening under the stars of theater, chants, dance, cat walk

a valentine full of love

sweet white angels on the outdoor ramp

don't blink your eyes

Island Beauty

The CPSC performers in a creative fashion show

Passion for fashion... fabric for life...

The many bautiful faces of Camiguin

CPSC Valentine's Fashion Show.... Love, Beauty and Fashion

Featuring the world class creations of an international Fashion Designer, Dita Sandico-Ong made of hand-woven banana fibers as part of the community-based ecotourism project in Catanduanes Islands... The Fashion show was brought to the Island with Enigmata as coordinator with Creative Director Antonio Salac-Santos and models from Belgium (Laurence), Netherlands (kikay and Evelyn) and our very own Jane Sia and Jingle Carsten and the drop-dead gorgeous faces in ABET Tour 31 class

Arriba! arriba! Ang saya saya kahit malamig sa Katibawasan Falls

Wet and Wild in Katibawasan Falls