Mt. Sungcal
"Mt. Sungcal is simply irresistible. She is
the only second active volcano in Mindanao next to the one in Misamis
Occidental. What she lacks however in beauty as she looks like a jarred shark
teeth from afar is compensated as second highest mountain behind grand Mt. Apo;
ergo, still favorite summer destination of extreme mountain climber. It’s
really tough going there. Roads are impassable. You have to walk through
trails, wade through river before arriving there.
But that was long ago before Martial Law
specifically before the Lakay Apo held
the reign of power. Development gave way to tourism industry since then and
through the help of native tour guides
for a fee, you can reach there. Freezing weather actually because of its height
but tomb-like concrete house await for you to experience the thrill. Once there
on the top, your eyes would be feasted with the view of major cities in
Mindanao – Cagayan de Oro in the North, Davao on West.
That time its rich forest and watersheds
were at their best preserved under constant control and protection by
authorities. From its bounty springs life to the seven Bukidnon tribes –
Higaonon, Matisulog, Bilaan and other tribes living along the river. It was never
the same again however after the encroachment of the Dumagats from low lands.
Its waters flowing steadily all the way down to Macajalar Bay in Cagayan de Oro
and Iligan was once crystal clear flowing downstream into Macajalar Bay and
other tributary, Iligan. Reason that
thousands of casualties would soon happened on this cities when Sendong
unleashed its fury later. Unfortunately, it losts its luster as pollution
spread its ugly wings killing natural fishes thriving in its water. But all is
not lost with community taking care of the environment. With illegal mining
stopped upstream, what once the so-called orange river was back to its original
blue green color.
Promenaders and gawking tourists passing
Carmen bridge could not help sometimes but admire and thank God that they are
not living in far away Manila when river hardly move because of filth, toxic
materials and garbage dumped by manufacturing firms and industrial
establishments at will showing the ineptitude of the government in instituting
desired mechanisms of preserving cleanliness and fresh air in its surroundings.
Land of promise, that’s what we’ve
been taught by history books about
Mindanao. Indeed it is. In fact, the tag
is simply most fitting given all the
promise the Island has. The millions of migrants coming into the island and
have the rest of their lives spent here speaks for itself how these people were
smitten by various resources Mindanao has. In fact, much of its resources
benefitted too the entire country unfortunately the lion’s share going to
Imperial Manila crumbs flowed back to the island.
The
island is definitely more blessed than Luzon and Visayas. Witness how Bukidnon
as breadbasket of the island could feed alone its entire population. That not
to mention Davao, Cotabato, General Santos City and the rest of Mindanao
providing an alternative wealth should its supply of livestock, poultry
products and pineapples and all that running dry al throughout two seasons.
There’s gold rush too at Mt. Diwalwal in
Compostela Valley, blue marlins in our seas specifically Gensan and Zamboanga;
tropical fruits in Davao, tourist haven practically in all places but notably
in Misamis Occidental and Camiguin. Almost heaven indeed is what Mindanao is to
one writer. Moving on reaching your career is also peanuts given all
topnotch accredited university
spread throughout the region.
Truly,
God must be laughing up there realizing His lapses choosing Israel
instead of Mindanao as Promised Land. No
wonder that He has all sorts of religion from Islam to Christianity, animism to
Buddhism and all that established here. Peter Gowing’s Island Under the Cross
chronicled how the Christian churches have evolved since Magellan
planted the cross in Cebu on March 1521. It’s probably this slice of history
that lend credence to hostility that has remained implacably brewing in the
island all throughout the centuries. Or is it
the case of conquer, rule and divide
characterizing the past that still reign supreme today. What about feudalism existing among many
Muslim culture. Or is there simply an unjust political system given
lopsided top-heavy development enjoyed by Imperial Manila leaving the crumbs
again to Mindanao. There are obviously too many reasons as far as our
imagination would allow. But where all
of these leave us. Peace and no less! That’s the bottom line and seemingly an
incontrovertible proof without which we could safely say that there exist
development at all. in the island, engrossing reflection again catching Taklin
as he was preparing for final ascent of the mountain..
Unfortunately, the precarious development
of its existence giving rise to various hostilities, sporadic encounter between
the military and perceived enemies support the still alarming situation of Mindanao. As it would
later cause division, the unsettled issue of MOA-AD that brought many
stakeholders holding peace dialogue all over Mindanao is still found wanting.
Second, the unsolved hostilities, killings and that notorious incident Maguindanao Massacre whose infamy
stirred the global conscience of media sector is still haunting us. Bombings
have taken too its toll all over the place from Cotabato to Iligan. And what
about the “Sunshine Industry” of taking innocent people notably tourists and
clergy as hostages demanding ransom money by Abu Sayyaf showing their notoriety brandishing
their brutality beheading their hostages
if demands are not meet.
This does not include similar cases like rendering failure of election in some
Muslim areas by losing candidates. Broadcasters among media sector were also
killed in Davao. What about their fearsome Vigilantes clearing the city of its
bad elements that drive other City Mayors in the region reviving and or
organizing their own Mayor’s Action Squad cum Death Squad to secure peace and
order from the spate of criminality and killings, nasty thought pre-occupying
still the minds of Maj. De la Rosa.
. . . . . . . . . . .
‘Land of Compromise’ it seems has
transformed this once promising island, an apt description today of Mindanao. Never
mind the promise. Leave it to the
marines. Sadly, the peace and order
situation today is barring further development in some region of the island. It
might be because of the cultural tradition of the past specifically feudalism
reigning supreme among Muslim group. Worst their fetish to arms making it an
extension of their intestines, one they could no live without. Add the
bloodbath where even the unborn is already marked up for extinction once revenge
in conflict happens. Maybe it’s time to think twice that more than what the
people outside wrongly perceived the sensitive peace situation in Mindanao is the challenge for authorities and its
people to breath, live and practice peace. There have been various development organizations making stride
on this crusade, hope it’s true and not for media hype, Taklin further prayed.
“But I wonder whatever happen to these
peace-oriented groups that peace remains elusive as ever,” Major Taklin de la
Rosa exactly hit the nerve of the issue back again.
“We should move on not stopping the
momentum already gained progressing
more. Or we would find ourselves overtaken by still volatile unpredictable
events blown away by landmines planted everywhere by the rebels adding us as additional fertilizers for Mindanao.
But God forbid! “ he asked awakened from deep slumber.
“What’s your take? Need to say more?” was
his apt clincher as if there were people listening.
Relating to his travel all over Luzon and
Visayas, comparison ensued.
“They are truly great spectacles wherever
you are but compare that to the beauty that is Mindanao. Sorry, they just
simply pale in comparison what with all those breathtaking and excellent
landscape, fruits, foods and places
abounding everywhere. The air too is one of the freshest and biting when you
travel Bukidnon.”
“Your eyes are treated to vast, track
of pineapple and banana plantations to
vegetables, coconuts, corn and all that all the way to Davao and Cotabato
making you think that this is the incontrovertible proof it seems that then
Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir might have misinterpreted that theirs’ is the
promise land but Mindanao as it’s
literally flowing with milk and honey.”
“Why really not when you consider the
fertility of our soil unlike theirs when you either import top soil or just
apply agricultural extension all throughout to
make their land productive.”
“I saw this reality unfolding right before
my eyes as I traveled probably covering entire Mindanao as part of my tour of
duty especially hot spots where peace and order is erratic with my ever reliant
KMX-125,” reveals Major de la Rosa.
“So
you want to have a juiciest blue marlin for a kinilaw other than Gensan’s best
in town then go to Mati of Davao
Oriental. And for scenic landscape from mountain resort to excellent seascape
then reroute your travel back home via Pacman’s Saranggani Province all the way
to General Santos City. Going down to Koronadal and Marbel be sure to take a side
trip to Lake Sebu and be treated to a wonder of nature like Sun Moon lake
of Taiwan appreciating how God puts
there this wonder with all bounty of
fishes right on top of a mountain in the same way of the captivating Lake Lanao in Marawi, Mainit Lake
of Surigao del Norte and and that one in
Bukidnon.”
“And want a trek more than Baguio’s Kennon
road? Then there’s Mangima Canyon and up to Bukidnon. Real mountain trek
however would never be the same again unless you pass the thrilling Noventa of
Surigao del Sur where you to too would be treated to world’s largest ore
deposit.”
“What about those exotic fishes of fresh
catfish, mudfish and carpa displayed still frolicking in a container right
along the road of Agusan del Sur and Matina of Davao. How about testing a hell
of drive of skylab at Mt. Diwalwal or of wooden cart in upper Carmen, Puerto,
Cagayan de Oro City,” his mind in full throttle as if briefing tourists.
“Camiguin too offers excellent wonders of
nature from hot and cold spring to sunken cemetery and White Island. Just be
sure to visit the province in October when sweetest lansones are harvested that
would compliment your appetite for shoot-to-kill for fresh delicacy menu of Sinugba, tinola and kinilaw.”
“This is Mindanao and as your second home,
traveling around is simply irresistible.”
“Its tourism industry is always there
beckoning to be explored whether you are in your own locality or out on a
special trip. As different cities are its melting pot, it offers you everything
all there is life from career development to economic opportunity,” his
thoughts ended making sure invitation to
all travel bugs delivered.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Well said but that is only one side of the
story, Maj. De la Rosa deliberately paused. Sensitive story should not be
revealed or his mission would be n
peril. Snipers, landmines, water, fruits laced with poison above all, serenity
of the area is gripping making each footstep an ordeal along the trails. How they were secured by the NPAs is no
accident. The effort is deliberate. It’s a place where they could be free. It’s
what the hierarchy considered secure reason why they give their approval as
venue for the 13th Plenum. That however not privy to Maj. De la Rosa
whose forward observers already did their job even before the rebels finished
theirs.
. . . . . . . . . . .
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