Looking back to my roots

This recent post is somewhat motivated by a website developed by a foreigner who happened to visit and live in my hometown, Sibuyan Island, Romblon, Republic of the Philippines. The website contains information written in a foreign language (either German, Dutch or even Danish, Im not sure), but it is not really difficult to browse and navigate the site and find something interesting about the island.

Sibuyan Island is the place where my grandparents decided to live more than 65 years ago. My grandfather originated from Kalibu, Aklan while my grandmother came from Manabo, Abra. Well love will always find its way and two of them met in Manila and eventually decided to settle down in Sibuyan since most of my grandpa's relatives are already lived there for a while.  That's for my father's side. On my mother's side parents, both of them were already residing in the island, a barrio called Taclobo.

Growing up in the island was not easy but it was full of fun, challenges and hardworks, not only for my sibling but particularly for my parents. In my early age, I lived permanently with my father's parents and during those times, I was able to learn on how my grandparents earned for a living. I had alot of fond memories with my grandpa during his morning work as 'bangkero' in catching fish using huge nets along the sea of Panangcalan. While my grandma finds her way to be a domestic wife looking up for my young uncles and aunties; and also she very good in making soft mattress using buri (palm) and pandan leaves.

Once in a while I visit my other grandparents and they were busy plowing, planting and harvesting rice! Especially during summer, I used to join my grandma to climb 'duhat' trees! It was really fun searching for sweet rounded purple fruit and my grandma always reminded me not to tell anyone where we could find them!

Sibuyan Island is always close to my heart, not because I was born and lived during my teens,but there is something special the island can offer not only to the people living there but to the rest of the world. I dont want to elaborate this, instead have time to watch this less 20 minutes presentations that Ive got from the website. Watching this video, provided me again a closer look of my hometown - its towering mountain, Mt Guiting-guiting, rivers, waterfalls, birds, beaches, caves, corals, mangroves and endangered species that could only be found in the island! Enjoy watching... welcome to my birthplace...

http://www.sibuyan.info/video/Videos/Sibuyan%20Englisch%20DSL.wmv

For the full details of these video productions, visit the following link:

http://www.sibuyan.info/video/video.htm

But on the other side, there is something fishy going on in the island - the illegal fishing! It is depressing environmental issue that the community is facing today. Watching this clips where the Mayor of San Fernando promoting the protection of Sibuyan's marine life and forests, I was stunned how dynamite fishing is destroying the island main livelihood.

http://www.sibuyan.info/video/Videos/Doynamite%20DSL.wmv

http://www.sibuyan.info/video/Videos/Philippine%20Marine%20Life%20DSL.wmv

Two years ago, there was a proposal to put-up an open pit mining plant in the island which the community strongly opposed it. Fortunately, the project was under review and Im hoping that this will NOT be approved by the Philippine government. For details visit this site:

http://www.friendster.com/35010105

Maybe someday in my special way of sharing a little contribution back to the place where I was born, I will extend my simple way in protecting the island, where most of the Sibuyanons called it 'HOME'.

Note: The videos featured here in my personal blog is solely owned by the website (http://www.sibuyan.info) and for details contact the owner with the following details:

Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Perschke

Am Eckland 4, 45481 Mülheim an der Ruhr

Telefon: +49 (208) 48 60 10    oder     +49 (208) 466 90 90   

Telefax: +49 (208) 48 60 11

E-Mail: stephan@perschke.de

Comments

[Annie]

As a reader of your blogs, I´m not only impressed with your extraordinary talent but also what you tried to feature...interesting and full of sense. What you feel as a Sibuyanon is also what I feel and I hope most of us feel the same too for this beautiful island "Trauminsel" stated by a German in a website meaning a wonderful or dream island. Eventhough life before was very hard but it has a positive advantages, thus developed us and we tried to value the important aspect of learning and knowledge; including the qualities we learned from our parents, mentors or model characters being patient, courageous, disciplined, and diligent are the basic foundation toward success and the way to fullfill one´s wishes and achievements in life... Keep up the good work and regards!

[ANDY RELOX]

wow..galing nito Nong Rey RAMOS!!!!

[Fleure de lis]

I regret for being late in knowing that you need some votes which was due last 15th Sept. '07, as you missed mine. However, i congratulate you in advance for the success. You really did make it ei!