Knowing Him and His
Adventures, What a Chance![1]
It was
indeed a big chance that I met him; I never thought that we could ever talk for
a while as it is only in the papers and on TV that I knew, and saw him. Had it
not been for Darwin, I could never have the chance to meet him, and what a
chance. Of course, I was not taking a chance; it had precisely come to me in an
appropriate time and maybe in a wrong place.
I was busy
with my wife one Sunday afternoon cleaning the Grade Four Apollo classroom, because
classes had just been on, and duty bound being a striving husband maybe to
compensate all the woes I have had, I owe always to be behind with my wife’s
for the greater good of the family. Cleaning a schoolroom is one good reason to
say rather to express how sorry we are. He. he!
Suddenly my
phone rang and I barked, “Hello! Ay! It’s you Win [Darwin]. What’s up?
Anything…” He said, “Where are you? I would like you to meet someone whom you
know, but who truly is not a friend of yours yet.” In deeper thoughts, I began
to frown, thinking just what exactly he meant. So, I told him, “I am here in
Balingasag Central School across the softball field. Yap! Getting good, helping
my wife clean the room.” “OK drop by if you wish. Bye.”
Some thirty
minutes later, a Sports Utility Vehicle appeared and heading across the field
towards us. Ayay! What’s this? Who are they? Pahamak talaga ‘to si Darwin …
ayay! I began to wonder, could it be my previous ex-GF who might be looking for
me all these years, good heavens? Certainly not! The car halted, the door
opened and I hold my breath, and my eyes met Darwin’s uncles namely: Esiong,
Parito and Lionel. Of course, I know them, they are my relatives in my paternal
side, – and the grandmother of Darwin was Felisa Valmores, who married
Bienvenido Emata of Tagoloan. Together with their daughters, Darwin’s uncles[2] were
here in Misamis Oriental because of a clan reunion of the Emata’s in Tagoloan.
After
exchanging pleasantries with my relatives, an athletic guy, of course, a
handsome guy was introduced to me by Darwin. I was not too composed at that
time, maybe tongue-tied in disbelief, but I know his “looks” is ultra-familiar
to me. With beard or no beard, sideburns and moustaches, as he used to have
before, I know absolutely who he was. My gosh! “Pastour Emata … I am glad to
meet you”.
Darwin said,
“I told you, you know him”. I replied, “Yes, everyone or more specific every
sportsman knows him, Erwin Pastour Emata is the second Filipino to ever
summitted Mt. Everest in 2006 with Leo Oracion.”
They did it
in one icy summer day, exactly 29,029 feet up above sea level, they summitted
to a livable but impracticable place on earth to live by, with its thin air.
Pastour and Leo had monumental photos on the top of the world depicting a
sacrifice so noble, which had been seen not only here in the Philippines, but
all over the mountaineering world. These two Filipinos had accomplished something
big, quite comparable with the exploits of Sir Erwin Hilary in the 1950’s; and
with other mountaineers who dared the Everest, but failed like the fame Scott
Fisher, Rob Rowe, and others more.
In their
triumph and glory, one fact is established, “When Others can Do it, the
Filipino Can, and even can Excel.”
Unknown to
most of us, Pastour, and the rest of the Everest Team [male group] were again back
in the dreaded yet beautiful Mt. Everest in 2008, in support of the solid
Filipino women group, who like the boys dared to summit it, which they
successfully did, too, by traversing it from Tibet to Nepal, or through the
northern side.
I asked him,
if he wishes to summit Mt. Everest again, he replied, “I wish to return there,
however the Doctor[3] has
not given me clearance yet to do it again. The thin air of the mountain is certainly
not good; despite you carry tanks of pure oxygen.”
From
the Mountains to the Deep Blue Seas:
Pastour’s
adventures did not end up in the peaks of the Himalayas neither in the
mountains of Apo, Kitanlad, Kalatungan, Kanlaon, nor in Sandakan, Borneo where
they had their recent excursion with Manila’s elite family that owns the
biggest TV networth; nevertheless, it has even gone into a cross-over to an
unfamiliar discipline, which he has not been in. Indeed, from the adventures in
the mountains, it has gone to the deep blue seas.
Why there
has been such a drastic change? Had he been already bored from the hazards of a
free fall to the bottom of the precipice, where in a wink of an eye life could
expire instantaneously, or get in to a much greater kick on a more excruciating
mode of dying … drowning? For a non-sportsman, questions associated with great
risks and life threatening situation are always answered fatally with, “I do
not wish to do or be involved with that kind of sports or endeavor.” Obviously,
we wish to be in the safer confines of our comfort zone because we do not wish
to take any risk, and repent afterwards if there is a chance to do one. But for
a sportsman’s point of view, taking risk is something noble and a challenge so
great more so if he knows the purpose why such has to be undertaken or
accomplished, is indeed a privilege to take the dare and go for the win.
From the
mountains, Pastour or Erwin Pastour together with Mt. Everest mountaineers[4]admitted
the challenge to sail on board the balanghai, a boat fashioned and
designed using a technology so crude, which our forefathers had used dating
back during pre-Hispanic times. In Philippine History, the boats - balanghais were
used by our seafaring ancestors in their migration from other points in Asia to
the Philippines, and likewise such vessels were equally used for trade and
commerce by them.[5]
To
commemorate its unproven success and prove it at rem again that
such sea travel indeed happened, sailing in a “modern day balanghai”
must be done.[6] To
sail the modern daybalanghai is to go back in time or to
imaginatively time slip, should we say; from the
21stcentury to maybe in the year 200 AD or even earlier. The balanghai must
be sailed by steering or navigating it with the sun, the North Star – the
Polaris and other constellations; through the hissy sound and direction of the
winds, lulling and, wave and tide patterns [habagat, dumagsa, etc.] and employ
other primitive ways of navigation, such maybe as observing the flight routes
of migratory birds. Henceforth, modern day navigational equipment and
instruments such as the GPS, gyroscope, radar, marine engines, communication
radios [ship to shore telephone or satellite phones], or even field glasses
must be dispensed with, for nipa or buri sails
for propulsion. Furthermore, they had to relay on visual senses to
determine and plot the position of constellations and the sun, unless of course
there exists some urgent necessity or emergency to save lives of crews and the
ship from wreck. But all outside this parameter, the primitive ways of
navigation must be sacredly adhered. As desired, the balanghai must
sail like a fearless fish in the vast oceans of uncertainties, unmindful of
whatever misfortunes may come at sea, and prepared to achieve glory, or accept
enough defeat without regrets for possessing a braveheart and hardened
determined mind comparable with the courage and guts of those able men and
women, who boarded it that complemented the core crew, for a game, they called
as adventure. They have been in there to bet and gamble with their own
lives for exchange of lifetime legacies and achievements.
The
Voyage:
The
three balanghais or Butuan boats are named as “Masawa Hong
Butuan” [Radiance of Butuan]; “Sama Tawi-tawi [People of Tawi-tawi]; and
“Diwata ng Lahi” [Goddess of Race].
As planned,
the Southeast Asian tour shall be sailed more or less by 2010, so, to catch the
timetable earlier in September 2009, the Balanghai official
voyage kicked off at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.[7] Their
voyages were in Philippine territorial waters first, and were set on different
legs. Approximately from where it started in Manila to the southern part of the
Philippine territory in the province of Tawi-tawi de Cagayan in a place called
Siluag [North Latitude 4º 43.3’, or in East Longitude 199º 08.7’], it would
have to take them some 120 days to complete the voyage for a total distance of
2,136 nautical miles or 3,960 kilometers. [Please take note however that the
voyage from Manila to Siluag in Tawi-tawi is not direct but by legs. Thus, it
took a longer travel time and more days to complete it.]
The first
leg of the voyage was from Manila to Calapan, Mindoro for 10 days; second leg
from Calapan to Boracay, 10 days; Boracay to Bacolod, 10 days; Bacolod to
Mactan, 16 days; Mactan to Butuan via Argao, Jagna, Panglao, Maasin-Leyte, San
Bernardo-Limasawa[8],
Cabadbaran and Butuan, 20 days; Butuan to Ozamiz, 10 days; Ozamiz to Zamboanga
City, 11 days; the 8th Leg from Zamboanga City to Cotabato
City, 13 days; 9th Le from Cotabato to Davao City, 17 days; and
the last leg of the Philippine Voyage back at Zamboanga to Siluag in 12 days.
[From Zamboanga it passed through Isabela in Basilan, then to Jolo, Siasi,
Point Laguran, Bongao, Sibuto, Silengko and finally Siluag, all in the province
of Tawi-tawi de Sulu.[9]]
Our friend
Pastour had no specific or permanent boat assignment, but the Expedition
Leader, Art Valdez; aptly assigned him to any of the balanghais as
an Able Bodied Seaman [no longer as a Mountaineer] to troubleshoot problems, in
some ways in technical service to navigation, and in other instances to boost
the moral of his colleagues since he is a good mixer. Sometime he even stood as
a comic just to make someone laugh. This is his diversity, so complex but
rather versatile, as cool as the seas he travels.
Southeast
Asian Leg:
As can be
recalled, the Balanghais Asian tour supposedly to happen in
2010, and with the facts presented above, we know that they left in September
2009 from Manila and for 120 days shall arrive in Siluag in Tawi-tawi province.
So, by
analogy, they had been able to hit their goal, indeed, they started navigating
the Asian waters by 2010. They arrived at Sandakan, Borneo after crossing the
Philippine borders in the southwest.[10] So,
they were or had anchored in Palau Tigabu, in Kodat and Kota Belud. Likewise,
they visited Kirtih and Kuanta City all in Malaysia, and from Kirtih they
sailed to Tambelan, Indonesia.
In one of
their voyage between Malaysia and Singapore, as reported, the crews of the
balanghais were fortunate to scout four (4) whirlpools in the high seas. Had
they been unable to spot the dangerous whirlpools, surely a disaster would
certainly have happened.
As reported
by Filipino Chief Mate on leave of a global bulk carrier en route to Asia’s
busiest Port of Singapore, their next port of call after Manila South Harbor;
he said, “While we were navigating and nearing the busy Strait of Singapore, we
spotted three fancy vessels moving slowly but majestically. We observed that
they were not emitting smokes; however, great burisails were
hoisted for propulsion. As we go near them but keeping a safer distance to
avoid collision, we noticed that these are wooden vessels and the Philippine
flag swayed in the air triumphantly. We took pictures, blasted our ship’s
whistle in salute to these fragile vessels crewed and maneuvered by our brave
countrymen.”[11]
From
Singapore, they coasted to the Gulf of Thailand and criss-crossed the following
ports: Bangkok to Koh Kong; Khanom to Bangkok; Koh Kong to Sihanouk Ville; and
Sihanouk Ville to Kertih and Sien Reap, respectively.
Moving
northwards they sailed for Cambodia [more or less the place is like Mindanao
during the time of NPA insurgency and Moro cessation wars in the early 1980’s
and mid 70’s. But nowadays Cambodia is peaceful like also Mindanao (?). Of
course, they never missed to visit Angkor. This place is a national heritage of
Cambodia, a civilization in one moment in history flourished here in the midst
of the jungle. Angkor once had an advance civilization and culture as depicted
in the ruins of their city. The civilization vanished; and only a city in ruins
remains. Why the civilization vanished? It is somehow one nice work of an
academic research. Nonetheless, the balanghai had gone also to
Ta Prohm in Cambodia, and Pastour told us, “the seas during our travel to
Vietnam[12] are
really rough.” He reasoned out that simply, it was turbulent and rough because
we entered the South China Seas; and had they pushed on northward until Taiwan
or Formosa, they would have entered the Devil Seas, one of the superb rough
seas in Asia, where most ships even modern seagoing vessels met their restful
garage.
Home
at Last:
Despite,
the balanghai crew spent a longer time in the Asian countries,
we wonder if they know a little bit of our neighbors’ language and culture. For
sure their trip was not only exploratory, but to promote goodwill as well among
countries. So, whether they like it or not, they qualified as our outright
ambassadors of goodwill – bringing the fame of the Filipino and his
versatility.
The balanghais anchored
in Balabac Island, Palawan on November 16-17, 2010.[13] [My
friend and likewise a counterpart in the Government Service, Mr. Edwin Aban,
who is a Municipal Civil Registrar is from Balabac. I have not seen him in the
recent PACR Convention on July 11-15, 2011 in Cagayan de Oro City;
nevertheless, I hope and I shall always be eager to see him in other gatherings
in the future. My warmest regards to him.]
Per the
voyage logs, the balanghais were in Brooks Point in the
southern tip of the peninsula near the town of Bataraza[14] on
17-18 November 2010. They never missed Puerto Princesa City[15] because
they had been there on 18-21 November 2010, and left for Dumaran Island on the
21st also of November. Staying in Dumaran until 22 November,
they sailed to El Nido,[16] Palawan
and stayed thereat until the 24 November 2010. However, on the 25 November
2010, they decided to leave for Coron and Busuanga in the Calamianes Group of
Islands[17] until
29 November 2010.
Moreover,
the voyage log says that on 25-29 November 2010, a balanghai also sailed
and was anchored in Boracay, Aklan. By this voyage log, one plain connotation
means, anotherbalanghai navigated to Boracay, because no ship can
be in two different places on similar dates and time, unless of course, if the
logs were wrong.
The balanghais from
their ports of call sailed to Roxas, Mindoro[18] on
29 November 2010, and the following day proceeded to Batangas City. They
arrived in Batangas City on 30 November 2010, and sailed again on 2 December
2010 for Nasugbu and Sangley Point in Cavite on 2-4 December 2010. On similar
day that is on 4 December 2010, they sailed from Sangley for Manila and
anchored at the quay of the Harbor Square Plaza in CCP Complex. But their
adventures never stopped yet, for the balanghais sailed again
from Manila to Roxas, Mindoro, with a total distance of 405 kilometers voyage
to complete their Philippine Tour. From Mindoro, they sailed to San Jose,
Antique[19];
Sioton, Negros Oriental; and then to Mindanao in Misamis Oriental in a town
named Balingoan, which is a jump-off point to the Island Paradise of Camiguin.
That voyage logged some 210 kilometers and took them two days [16-17 December
2010] to arrive Balingoan. Had that cruise from Sioton to Balingoan been made
with diesel engines, it would have consumed a dozen of barrels of crude oil.
But since the boat is powered by northeasterly winds, they sailed smoothly as
silk.
On 18
December 2010, the balanghai arrived in Butuan City. Feeling
the comfort of home, they stayed there shortly until 19 December 2010, for they
departed for Lazi, Siquijor on the 19th of December. From
Siquijor, they sailed for Dapitan and Sipalay, and raised anchor on 21 December
2010 for their northwest voyage to Bacolod City; and arrived thereat on 22
December 2010.
There was no
sailing activity because in two days would be Christmas Eve. The core crew must
have spent their Christmas in Bacolod or Bago, or may have left for their homes
for a while inasmuch as they continued their voyage on 7 January 2011 to the
beautiful island of Boracay once more. From there, they sailed to Mamburao,
Mindoro Occidental on 10 January 2011, and called the day off. The following
day, 11 January 2011, they crossed not more than 600 kilometers and were in
Calatagan, Batangas on the same day until 12 January 2011.
Finally,
perhaps by Poseidon’s sheer luck [God of the Seas in Greek mythology], and
certainly because of the blessings of our Lord Almighty, the Omnipotent Master
of Heaven and Earth; these band of adventurous tough breed of men and women
completed the 14,000 kilometers or 8,700 miles voyage in a 14th month
epic journey, which initially commence in Philippine territorial waters, and
across Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.[20] They
dropped anchor on 14 January 2011 at the CCP-Cultural Center of the Philippines
Complex on similar spot where they commenced their voyage. It ended officially
their voyage.
The tougher
leg or the sea sickening part of their voyage were those in Romblon, Surigao,
Cuyo, Culaya, Semirara, Calavite, Verde Passage, Masbate and in the
Balabac Islands.[21]
Presently,
the Masawa Hong Butuan formerly skippered by Jose Manginsay,
is now in its homeport in Barangay Bading, Butuan City. It returned to Butuan
on 31 January 2011 and entered the Agusan River while it was overflowing
because of a tropical storm. Despite, how treacherous it was to navigate the
mighty and swelling Agusan River that emanates from the Compostela Valley,
which is further reinforced by the waters of the marshland from the southern
areas; Masawa sailed on, because as if there was a call from beyond, a call of
great concern and sympathy, after she had passed all her ordeals. Seemingly, it
says “come to me… I will give you rest.”[22]
Masawa Hong
Butuan safely dropped anchor in the midst of
peoples’ welcome. Truly, it is theRadiance of Butuan; the balanghai of
the winds, and it had almost dived to eternity so with her sisters ships to
ease out all their hardships and pains in the Seas of Celebes; however, they
refused to accept defeat, but sailed and let live.
On the other
hand, Sama Tawi-tawi is at the drydocking facilities
undergoing repairs in Bago City, Negros Occidental. Art Valdez will oversee it.[23]
In the
meanwhile, balanghai “Diwata ng Lahi” rests
majestically at the National Museum in Manila. It symbolizes Filipino
ingenuity, his seafaring qualities inherent in him being in direct homogeneous
line with his ancestors, and furthermore, once again, it has shown to the world
that the Filipino can . . . deliver everything, where others too were able to
do.
A question,
however, hangs in the air, would the balanghais sail again to
address and fulfill its vision to sail all across Micronesia and the Pacific?
How soon? If that would come, I know maybe you, or perhaps me, will come
forward one day. Great young or old idealism maybe arisen or whatever … ang
huling sibol ng tunay nga mga adbenturista! Yes, only the braves are
never forgotten by time. If we name names, we shall have a litany.
From
the Bulletsbiker to the core crew of the balanghais,
our mountaineers who easily blended well as sailors in a cross-over of
discipline; the Coast Guard and Philippine Navy, and our Badjao brothers, we
heartily congratulate them. You have proven something great not only for
yourselves, but most importantly to the Filipino Nation, which you represented.
We are proud as a nation of brave, intelligent, and God-fearing people, like
our neighbors.
May the
voyage major sponsors consider sending the balanghais again,
this, we keep on dreaming, as the climbers said, “It all started as a dream.”
ooo
NOTES
[1] This
is a Bulletsbiker’s special feature story on the exploits of Erwin Pastour
Emata, [to our points of views, qualified as an adopted son of Balingasag
though some sort of public written recognition except this has not yet been
made; for his father once resided and even studied his elementary grades here]
acclaimed as the second Filipino to ever climb Mt.
Everest next to his climbing partner Leo Oracion; and the rests of the men and
women of the Balangay or Butuan Boat who made a classic journey to fame, thus
bequeathing a legacy to all Filipinos for having daringly maneuvered the 14000
kilometers of travel across the Philippine territorial waters and the seas of
Southeast Asia on wooden boats measuring some 15 meters long and 3 to 4 meters
wide; and exposed to all the hazards of the seas for its vulnerability of being
blown off course; collision with other boats and objects; great storm and
towering waves; and battling oneself against depleting moral for fear of death.
While it is
true and we accepted it that Leo reached the summit first than Pastour in their
quest to conquer Everest, we believe it would be even more fair to roll the
story that the two mountaineers were the first Filipinos to climb Everest. Why
are there still modifiers to say that he was the first or second to summit when
in fact the two climbers indeed worked jointly so that Everest would be
conquered by Filipinos? Leo Oracion and Pastour Emata worked as a team, and
they are the best example of what teamwork is, and had it not been of Leo’s
climbing partner, he would have not successfully done the climb by himself
alone. A climbing partner is necessary for one to climb. But sadly, it went
that way, why because of media mileage? Even if media plays an important role
in information, it must be remembered that any group undertaking must be fairly
credited to the group. That is why a 400 x 4 Olympic Relay Team in a Track and
Field Event, all four (4) athletes are to be awarded with medals, because it is
a group effort and not an individual event, though evidently personal effort is
there always exerted by one.
In Olympic
basketball, the same tradition applies, and how much more in Mountain Climbing
sports when one has to depend or relay his life and safety with his climbing
partner or partners, who held the other end of the rope, or whatever it is, in
an adventure so gruelling. In this kind of discipline sometimes or oftentimes
it sadly ended in tragedy, maybe attributed by accidental fall due to loose tie
lines, or slip either from losing one’s footing or balance, or an enlargement
of one’s brain due to starvation of oxygen – a slow and so cruel death the
dreaded mountain or altitude sickness.
Moreover,
one common cause of death in high altitude climbing as it is also extremely
cool up there; is the considerable loss of body heat, or hypothermia. Dr. Fred
Esguerra can scare us to death, if he would tell us in details, why.
The
Bulletsbiker wishes to acknowledge the fact that the Balangay or Balanghai
Voyage succeeded because of the collective efforts of the crew, and from the
support of people or sponsors though they were unable to physically join the
voyage, they, however, were able to significantly contribute either in
services, or on logistical support. What we feature today is one of their
shipmates, Erwin Pastour Emata.
With due
respect on the expertise and achievements of everyone on board the balangay,
please do not misunderstand that we deliberately do not wish to recognize or
acknowledge your laudable participation in the voyage. It is only your shipmate
that we featured most for one clear reason; he visited our bike club even for a
shorter time. In return of that great honor in having him here with us, we
believe it is worthwhile to notate his achievements with distinction, as he
also deserves it. The general story revolves around on the endeavors of the balangay or balanghai voyage.
Despite, the story is not that much comprehensive unlike when one is on board
the boat or a crew, at least we tried to have it portrayed that way. [Perhaps,
Sir Art Valdez would consider one from the Bulletsbiker Club to join should
another expedition be launched someday, as we are adventurous and fearless at
seas like them, as well. Maybe kidding?]
Furthermore,
we call what others call as “Balangay” as “Balanghai”. We believe
there is no great problem if these names shall be taken synonymously because in
the memoirs of Antonio Pigafetta, he called the boat “balanghai” and not as
“balangay”. Such fact is indicated in Fr. Miguel A. Bernad SJ, “Re-examination
of Evidence, Limasawa or Butuan,” Kinaadman, Philippine Studies.
Lastly, the
writer wishes to apologize for his inadequacies; nevertheless, it is his
intention to capsulize and consolidate the voyage story, which he laboriously
tried to analyze as presented in the logs of voyage occurring in the
Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
Please,
therefore, bear with us. [This is Rex R. Valmores, po’ ofwww.bulletsbiker.bravehost.com or www.bulletsbiker.cr.nr., a biker forever by heart and Secretary of
BALINGASAG UNDISTINGUISHED LAST LEGION OF EXTREME TREKKERS (BULLETS)]
Thank you po’. [Article first published on August 11, 2011 in Rex R. Valmores,
Blogger Profile User account.]
[2] Parito lives now in Los Angeles, California and purposely was here
for the reunion; Lionel in Novaliches, Quezon City; and Endelesio in Tagoloan,
Misamis Oriental.
[3] Dr. Fred Esguerra was the Expedition Doctor to Everest and
likewise in the balanghaivoyage. He is from the Philippine Coast
Guard and an expert in High Altitude Medicine. In fact, he is a lone
practitioner in his field of expertise in the country. [From the
balangayworldwideweb.]
[4] Core crew complement of the balanghais: Art T.
Valdez, Expedition Leader; Leo Oracion; Janet Belarmino; Carina Dayondon;
Noelle Wenceslao; Dr. Fred Esquerra; Fred Jamili, Voltaire Velasco
[Weather Analyst], Lito Esperar; and Maka Bin, and assisted by other 40 to 60
people who are seafarers, chroniclers and scientists. Other crew complement:
From the Philippine Coast Guard, three men, R. Godoy, N. Ojan, and JP
Rodriguez; Philippine Navy: R. Santelices, M. Loyola, P. Punongbayan, and J.
Banosa III; and the Badjao Crew: Ibrahim Abdulla, Jubail Muyong, Abdul Abdulla,
Sukrie Jaunal, and Mura. The boats were constructed without nails; the Badjao crafted
them excellently to withstand the enormous pressure of heavy waves. But the
moment the boat’s plank and beams, which are joined securely by bended or
carved hardwood pins and pegs possibly made of guijo and magkuno attached
to its main superstructure give way or break away, the prow or the hull of the
boat would be certainly in a high risk of structural collapse, and heaven knows
what would happen next. [From the balanghai worldwideweb.]
[5] In his book, “Pre-Hispanic Source Materials”, William Henry Scott
wrote that during the Sung Dynasty of China sometime in 982 AD, the first
official reference of the Philippines doing trade with them was recorded as
“traders from Ma-i [present day Mindoro]. Such trading relation was again
remarkably indicated by Chan Ju Kua in 1525, when he said, “The rich city of
Ma-i lies north of Borneo.” “The San hsu (3 islands belong to Ma-i) and these are
possibly the islands of Calamian or Culion [Kia-ma-yen]; Pa-ki-muy probably
Busuanga; and Pa-law-yu probably Denon de Cena.
[6] In 1976, nine (9) balanghais were discovered in
Butuan [Mindanao], three (3) were excavated and through carbon dating, it is
believed that those boats dated back in the year 320, 990, and 1250 Annum
Domini, or before the Spaniards came.
[7] The Diwata ng Lahi sailed on its maiden voyage sailed for Ternate
in Cavite on 10 September 2009, and was anchored thereat due to tropical storm.
On November 25-26, 2009, while it was sailing from Surigao City bound for
Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte after they finished the Limasawa Leg, in the Bohol
Seas, tropical storm Urduja slapped mercilessly Diwata as she
tossed her in all directions. Almost lame by the fierce battle against nature,
it managed to back track its course to Surigao City and safely anchored
thereat. These two incidents were the formal baptism of Diwata ng Lahi to her
sea worthiness. Their expedition leader Art Valdez was with the
Surigao-Cabadbaran failed voyage. His tact and sound decision making saved them
from the unnecessary perils had they did not back track. [From the blogs of
Janet Belarmino posted 25-26 November 2009, and Dr. Fred Esquerra, 10 September
2009.]
[8] Limasawa is 9º 57.2’ North Latitude and Butuan is 9º02.5’. By this
GPS reading, the First Mass Controversy could somehow be resolved as to where
Fr. Pedro Valderama, a Diocesan Priest, and Magellan’s Chaplain during the
expedition in 1521 indeed had the Mass in Philippine soil. Was it in Masao,
Butuan or Masaua, or Limasawa off the island of Leyte? [Aside from existing
circulation like Fr. Miguel A. Bernad’s SJ, book “The Great Island”, probably
in the summer in 2012 or late next year, a forthcoming book entitled “Marginal Literature: Evangelization and
Exploration in Northern Mindanao, and Other Related Events in Spanish Colonial
Philippines” would perhaps be finally considered for
publication soon, depending on the work progress of the editor and of course,
its logistical resources. Hopefully, all would be well, but on the logistic
side, surely it is always an ache - a headache.] In one of the essays, is about
the First Mass Controversy; and in some ways it has connection to the fame
voyage of the balanghais.
[9] As it was already approved in the 3rd reading by
Congress during its 14th Congress, the Sheikh Karimul Makhdul
Mosque at Tubig, Indangan, Simunul, Province of Tawi-tawi, maybe by now a law
declaring the latter as the oldest Muslim House of Prayer or Mosque in the
Philippines. [House of Representatives Performance Report July 2007-June 2010
during the speakership of Prospero C. Nograles.
[10] While the balanghai navigated the waters of Sandakan,
Labuan, and Kota Kinabalo, they accidentally bumped on loose logs that floated
aimlessly on the endless ocean during the night. Good that the boat’s planks
absorbed the impact without any remarkable damage. [From the blogs of Carina
Dayondon.]
[11] A “paraphrase” based on the narration of Paul P. Pabillan, which
he heard from a boat officer on vacation in one of the maritime offices located
in TM Kalaw St. Manila in June 2011.
[12] Vietnam before the 1950’s was a colony of France, in fact it was
called as French Indochina. There was an uprising and ultimately turned into a
full blown war, the French were driven out the country; and a unit of the
French Foreign Legion was totally annihilated in one of the decisive battles,
which ended the French occupation in Asia. Nevertheless, a new superpower in
the West waged war with Vietnam [North]. US troops invaded and occupied South
Vietnam during President Lyndon Johnson’s time and the war with the North
dragged on until late 1970 when Saigon, the capital of the South Vietnam fell
to the North Vietnam – the Viet Cong. In that protracted war, the Philippines
being an ally of the US and member of the UN, had sent a non-combatant
contingent in mid1960’s known as the PHILCAG or Philippine Civic Action Group.
They were soldiers, too, was soldiers too, but of course, they were non-combat
troops. [Annotation mine.]
[13] In the 1858 Balabac Island in Paragua or today’s Palawan was a
naval base of the Spanish Navy to check Muslim activities in the south. __ See
Fr. JS Arcilla, S.J., Jesuit Missionary Letters from Mindanao, UP-CIDS, 2000 in
cooperation with the Archives of the Philippine Province of the Society of
Jesus.
[14] It is a mining town in the province, early in the 1970’s Riotuba
Mines started its business operation. __ From an interview with Vice
Mayor Antonio Madera Sadongdong of Batarazain April 2009 during the
Convention of the Municipal Vice League of the Philippines in Cagayan de Oro
City.
[15] Puerto Princesa City is the gateway to our Last Frontier, the
province of Palawan. Palawan could compete competitively with any eco-tourism
destinations in Asia or even globally. The province abounds plentiful with what
nature have, from the bounty of the soils, harvests from the seas, species of
animals, monumental rock formations and carved naturally into breathtaking
geometric shapes and sizes [in Cuyo Island], we have it in that province.
In the
western part of the province, there is a subterranean river, which is
approximately 2 miles in length that could be assessed from St. Paul Bay and to
exit in South China Sea [just along the shoreline not in the high seas of
China]. The underground channel is about 12 meters wide and 15 meters in
height.
From Puerto
Princesa and going north is a seaport terminal area at the Playa Honda or Honda
Bay. Sea travel to different places in Palawan like to the islands of
Calamianes, Bugsuk, Cuyo and the like usually originate here.
During the
Spanish colonial rule in Philippines, Playa Honda or Honda Bay was the site of
countless naval battles between the Spaniards and the Muslims. The Governor
General at that time was Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, who governed the
islands from 1635 to 1644. __ From Blair & Robertson.
[16] By nature the municipality has a rich fishing ground; however, off
its shoreline, oil was discovered and drilling today is massively conducted,
thus we have the Malampaya Project. There is now, therefore, a conflict between
the preservation of nature and industrialization along these places. Maybe at
this early, the price of industrialization is not felt yet, however time will
come when it gives a great problem not only to local governance, but to the
people in general. If that comes, it must be faced squarely, but rightly at
this early start prevention and measures must be ensured already. While
we accept that oil exploration is importantly necessary for the economy of a
country like ours, which is dependent fully with OPEC, development or drilling
works along these areas must be done cautiously to preserve nature, because the
whole island shall be in jeopardy later on. Palawan is dubbed as an “Island of
the Last Frontier”, and it is good to have that name till time. [Annotation
mine.]
[17] The Calamian Group or Calamianes Group of Islands in western
Philippines, are part of the province of Palawan in the South China Sea. They
are elongated in a southwesterly direction towards Palawan Island from Mindoro
Island, and they are separated by the Strait of Mindoro. There are some 98
islands in all, and Busuanga, Culion, Coron and Linacapan are the important
islands, which comprise the Calamian. The islands are largely mountainous, but
the soil is absolutely fertile. Aside from agricultural crops, cattle raising
and fishing are important industries, as well. The entire group of islands
comprises some 680 square miles. [Microsoft Encarta, accessed November 2008.]
[18] Had there been no hectic voyage schedules to follow, probably the
core crew of the balanghai, the climbers; would have preferred to stay in
Mindoro, not because it has “mina de oro” or mines of gold, which
Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo may have noticed in the 1570’s when
the conquistadores explored the area to reconnoiter it for
later settlement. Maybe some good reasons for the mountaineers to stay are the
mountains of Halcon and Baco, which are 8,481 and 8,160 feet respectively that
had maintained the characteristics as typically tropical forest. The Island is
divided into two provinces the Oriental with Calapan as the capital town, which
fronted Batangas in the northeast area, and the Occidental. Mamburao is the
capital of the latter, located northwest of the province.
The island
of Lubang was the home of Lt. Hiroo Onoda, Japanese Army straggler, who for
another 30 years carried on World War II until his surrender in March 1974. He
is believed to be the last Japanese soldier to surrender after Japan
surrendered unconditionally to the Allied Forces in August 1945, where the
armistice was signed by the General Douglas MacArthur and the Prime Minister of
Japan on board the battleship Missouri, which had long been decommissioned many
years ago.
In Note 4
above, William Henry Scott notated that “Ma-i is Mindoro” that was of course in
the year 982 yet.
[19] Antique occupies the western coast of Panay Island; to its north
is the Romblon Sea and the Gulf of Panay is at its southern part. Hantik was
its old name, and believed to be given by Datu Sumakwel, one of the Bornean
datus who migrated to Antique. Before 1802, the seat of governance was in
Bugasong, and later it was transferred to San Jose de Buenavista in 1802 and
continued until today. In 1990, it had 18 municipalities. __ From a rare short
interview with Mr. Inocencio Vega, Jr.,
the Municipal Civil Registrar of the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista on
13 July 2011, during the Biennial Convention of the PACR [Philippine Associations
of Civil Registrars] in Cagayan de Oro City on July 11-15, 2011.]
[20] Diwata ng Lahi, Sama Tawi-tawi, and Masawa Hong Butuan were blown
off course in October 2010 to Indonesia. They decided to tie together the
three balanghais as a last tactical effort. Such sentient move
was collectively agreed to once and for all to be able to huddle together no
matter what may happen to them in the midst of a great typhoon in the Seas of
Celebes for three long days. Perhaps, they had said goodbye and good luck to
fellow shipmates, and but not by sheer luck that the course of disaster
changed, but because of the power of prayers, and a new light of hope appeared,
they survived the worst storm in their greenhorn sea lives. [From the blogs of
Art Valdez, their Expedition Leader, and Janet Belarmino.]
[21] We [Darwin and myself] tried to trace where the islands are that
were mentioned in the tougher legs of their voyage; and indeed, we have
difficulties in searching them, because firstly the maps which we had been
referring too is not a navigational map. So, small islands or passages were
only represented in small dots, or were poorly indicated therein. We are
however convinced that all these islands could be found in the Visayan areas,
or perhaps near the Bicol areas. Except for Balabac, Masbate and Romblon
pertinent information about the other islands could not be supplemented.
Henceforth,
for the island of Romblon – the province occupies almost the center-most part
of the archipelago and located north of Panay Island in between the islands of
Mindoro from the West and Masbate, on the other side. There are three (3) big
islands namely: Romblon, Tablas and Sibuyan. Of the total 15 municipalities of
the province, 7 municipalities are in Tablas Island [Odiongan, Sta. Fe,
Alcantara, San Andres, San Agustin and Calatrava]; Sibuyan has three (3),
[Magdiwang, Cajidiocan and San Fernando]; one island is the provincial capital
and called also as Romblon itself; and four others islands are Simara [could
this be the Semirara in the balanghais’ navigational voyage(?)], Banton, Maestro
de Campo and Carabao, in which the four municipalities of Corcuera, Jones,
Concepcion and San Jose officially domiciled, respectively.
Cuyo Island
is part of the Calamianes Group of Islands in Palawan. But for Calavite or
Culaya, we do not have any idea whether they may be located somewhere to the
east between Romblon and mainland Bicol. Along this area or between Sorsogon
and Samar, is a pass known during the Spanish time as Punta del Espiritu Santo,
a tricky passage of the boats in the Galleon Trade in and out the Philippines
to Mexico. From there, Samar and Sorsogon areas; the galleons navigated
northwards towards Manila or Cavite via Capul Islands along the waters of
Masbate. Probably from these areas up to the Sibuyan Seas, could be Calavite
and Culaya. It is just a wild guess.
Another
correct wild guess is that the Verde Passage is certainly not the Cape Verde
Islands, a protectorate of the Kingdom of Portugal in the 1600’s in the
Atlantic Ocean, west of mainland Africa near Gabon and Senagal. [Annotation
mine].
[22] Holy Bible, Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
[23] The balanghai’s Expedition Leader,
Mr. Art Valdez, the former DOTC Undersecretary, is from Bago City.
ooo
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