05-09-09
Greetings All!
The heat of summer has settled in for the long haul, and takes some acclimating for Expats from Northern climes and of expanding girth-like me!
Our motorbike ride leaves here at 7:30am tomorrow, and we’ll be heading towards Mt. Mayapay—more on this later.
The Wednesday morning brunch bunch has expanded so we’ll try a new venue this week. We’ll try Goatogeder located behind the new Jetti station. We solved the Trew Brew parking issue by moving to Pit Stop, and though Pit Stop food is great and parking plentiful, we ran out of space. So, see you Wednesday at Goatogeder!
It was a fun week at the airport as visitors were greeted by Native dancers and a lively atmosphere! Butuanons from all over the world are returning home for the mid month festival. The dancers perform again at the Balanghai Hotel on the 13th. While at the Balanghai, take a peek at the History exhibit and pay special attention to the maps from centuries past. Mt. Mayapay is noted on all, so the Mountain was quite a known quantity to seafarers back in the day.
Mt. Mayapay is also becoming quite a topic of conversation in this region. The mountain is the source of at least 5 rivers, and is a watershed for many communities. Human pressure has increased dramatically in the last two years. Our Expat bike group circles the mountain at least once each year, and the changes are noticeable. Mining, clear cutting and additional roadways are evident, though apparently without environmental oversight. Logging ban noise seems to have encouraged some to extract logs from the area, and severe flooding in the Gingoog region last year has been blamed on irresponsible logging in some opinions. Given the type of unstable soil indigenous to this area, erosion is a very real concern. Mudslides are a devastating force. We’ll go take a peek this weekend, talk to the locals and report back!
Developing countries, like the Philippines, are typically the most susceptible to irresponsible/exploitive environmental practices. Political leadership generally falls into either of two categories; Politicos that are the exploiters, or Politicos without requisite courage to challenge said practices. The populace is easily controlled because 80% don’t know where their next meal is, and need to expend all efforts to secure same. No time for political/civic action from this group. So, dear readers, how do we participate in support of assuring that Mt. Mayapay is being treated with care?
On the waterfront, Freedom has been in dry dock all week fixing some hull patching. Also installed are more rod holders and lighting, as well as mountings for a magnometer to assist with shipwreck location. The river festival is next weekend and Freedom will be decked out in her finest!
Tuesday we participated in a body search for a 4 year old boy. His body was found later that afternoon. I have participated in a few of these over the years, and it is a grim procedure. My wife Joy lost her younger brother to the Agusan when she was a child, and the memories for her family came back quick and vivid. This river is deceptive because of its width, and runs 4-5 knots at normal times. If the river were much narrower, it would likely glean much more respect for the flow would be more evident to the untrained eye.
I am happy to report that the Gingoog forum has a bunch of new members from our readership. I again thank the Gingoog group for their invitation, and hope we comport ourselves in reciprocal manner.
We have another big yard sale at the end of this month, so clean out your closets and join the fun! An (like new) apartment sized fridge, marine generator and a set of Titanium Golf clubs are the featured items so far!
BIZ FAVE of the week…DyTeBan Hardware downtown. To many Expats, Leo and Cencio Dy are saviors when we are in search of some widget. Not only are they extremely patient with us as a group, but they generally find what we are looking for. Tools are different here than what most of us are used to. As an aside, I introduced Teresa from Project Destiny (save street kids) to Leo this week, as she needed to rent a truck to move her staff offices. They struck a deal and we departed. While driving to their new group home Teresa’s cel rang, and I said, ‘I’ll bet that is Leo’. Sure enough it was Leo ‘instructing’ Teresa that no money would be accepted for the truck and driver. Not only did the truck show up on the appointed day, but a work crew as well.
This, dear readers, is another exemplary example of civic responsibility.
See you tomorrow for biking, and Wednesday at Goatogeder, 10am.
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