NATURE TRIPPING FOR A CAUSE

By Lady Christine M. Cunanan, Pandan, Antique, Philippines

Two weeks have passed since the president of the PAGTATAP Youth told me that we were going to have a river clean up - an annual activity done by the PAGTATAP Youth to help preserve Bugang River, awarded as the cleanest river in the Philippines. Without any thought, I said, "I'll go!" I had never felt so excited. Maybe because I wanted to know what made Bugang River the cleanest of all the rivers in the Philippines.

Our activity proved to me something I never expected. The moment we arrived at the Malumpati Cold Spring, everybody was excited and ready to discover the secrets behind this site. On the way to the headspring, we carried sacks to hold all the non-bio wastes that we spotted along the way. We stopped for a while to see "payaw-payaw" or a garden growing underwater. While resting, Nong Jin, the leader of the group, instructed us to keep silent on the way to the headspring for somebody was going to welcome us. He told us that he would be there if there was silence. Everybody wondered and was curious as to who would welcome our group. Some of us thought of fairies and other enchanted creatures! Everybody was silent and focused so as not to miss anything. On the way we saw water lilies blooming underwater. They were so amazing! It took us about 45 minutes to reach the main attraction. And guess who welcomed us. They were the fishes! A school of fish welcomed us! Though they were not what we were expecting, the thrill of this discovery was worth it. There were two basin-shaped headsprings. No one knows of the exact measurement of their depths, although many tried. Many also tried to catch fishes from the headspring, but no one succeeded either. It was a relaxing place indeed. Being there makes you feel refreshed. I felt like I had no problems at all. It is a good place for reflection, a place where you can think seriously. You will surely have peace of mind. All you can hear is the chirping of the birds. It's as if you're having a dialogue with nature. I didn't want to leave, but it was time. We went back to Malumpati, rested for a while and continued working while having fun at the same time. We passed by the river to the barrio of Guia until we reached the place where the statue of "inday gamay" and his two lovers were. It is an old legend about two crocodiles named Manlonggong and Manduriao who happened to fall in love with a young and beautiful lady named Inday Gamay. The two crocodiles fought for her love, which led to their death.

It was such an awesome experience for me. I felt happy knowing that besides enjoyment, we helped nature a lot. Now I know why Bugang River is the cleanest river in the Philippines.

SPECIAL ISSUE

December 04, 2004

Volume 4, Issue 1

Inside this Issue

HEADLINES
Page 1

PANDAN
A KAAGAPAY LGU
Page 2

BUGANG RIVER
Page 3

BEWITCHING
BUGANG
Page 4

SPLENDID SUCCESS
Page 5

AN EXTRAORDINARY
MISSION
Page 6

NATURE TRIPPING
FOR A CAUSE
Page 7

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