Chapter 27
Mt. Sungcal
Mt. Sungcal is simply irresistible. It is the only second active volcano in Mindanao next to Mt. Malindang at Misamis Occidental. This mountain range was newly declared the ASEAN Heritage Park of the Philippines. What she lacks however in beauty appearing like jagged shark teeth from afar is compensated as the second highest mountain behind grand Mt. Apo; ergo, still the favorite summer destination of an extreme mountain climber. It's tough going there. Roads are impassable. You have to walk through trails and wade through the 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 the tourism industry since then and through the help of native tour guides for a fee, you can reach there. Freezing weather is actually because of its height but a tomb-like concrete house waits for you to experience the thrill. Once they're on the top, your eyes would be feasted on the view of major cities in Mindanao – Cagayan de Oro in the North, and Davao in the West.
At that time its rich forest and watersheds were at their best-preserved under constant control and protection by authorities. From its bounty springs life in 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 down to Macajalar Bay in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan was once crystal clear flowing downstream into Macajalar Bay and another tributary, Iligan. The reason that thousands of casualties would soon happen in these cities was when Sendong unleashed its fury later. Unfortunately, it lost its luster as pollution spread its ugly wings killing natural fishes thriving in its water. But all is not lost with the 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 faraway Manila when the river hardly moves 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. The tag is simply most fitting given all the promise the Island has. The millions of migrants coming to the island and having the rest of their lives spent here to speak for themselves how these people were smitten by various resources Mindanao has. 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 more blessed than Luzon and Visayas. Witness how Bukidnon, the breadbasket of the island could feed alone its entire population. That not to mention Davao, Cotabato, General Santos City, and the rest of Mindanao provide an alternative wealth should its supply of livestock, poultry products, and pineapples that run dry throughout two seasons.
There's a gold rush too at Mt. Diwalwal in Compostela Valley, blue marlins in our seas specifically General Santos and Zamboanga cities; 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 to reach your career is also feasible given all top-notch accredited universities spread throughout the region.
Truly, God must be laughing up there realizing His lapses in choosing Israel instead of Mindanao as Promised Land. No wonder He has all sorts of religions from Islam to Christianity, animism to Buddhism, and all that is 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 lends credence to the hostility that has remained implacably brewing on the island throughout the centuries. Or is it the case of conquering, ruling, and dividing characterizing the past that still reigns 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 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 exists development at all in the island," engrossing reflection again preoccupying Taklin while preparing for the final ascent of the mountain.
Unfortunately, the precarious development of its existence gives rise to various hostilities, and sporadic encounters 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 Maguindanao Massacre incident whose infamy stirring the global conscience of the 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 by brandishing their brutality and beheading their hostages if demands are not met?
This does not include similar cases like rendering failure of election in some Muslim areas by losing candidates. Broadcasters in the media sector were killed in Davao. What about their fearsome Vigilantes clearing the City's bad elements City Mayors in the region revived and or organized?
"This Mayor's Action Squad cum Death Squad securing peace and order situation from a spate of criminality and killings are nasty but they are urgently needed," the thought pre-occupying still the minds of Maj. De la Rosa.
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'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 regions of the island. It might be because of the cultural tradition of the past specifically feudalism reigning supreme among Muslims. Worst their fetish for arms made it an extension of their intestines, one they could not 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 the people outside wrongly perceived the sensitive peace situation in Mindanao as a challenge for authorities and its people to breathe, live and practice peace.
"There have been various development organizations making stride on this crusade, hope it's true and not for media hyping," Taklin further prayed.
"But I wonder whatever happens 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 and 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 a deep slumber.
"What's your take? Need to say more?" was his apt clincher as if people were listening.
Relating to his travel all over Luzon and Visayas, a 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 with all those breathtaking and excellent landscapes, 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 to Davao and Cotabato making you think that this is the incontrovertible proof then Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir might have misinterpreted that her country Israel was the promised land. Mindanao, I'm sorry is Yahweh's Promise land. It is an island flowing with milk and honey," Major de la Rosa once heard.
"Why not when you consider the fertility of our soil unlike theirs when you either import topsoil or just apply for agricultural extension 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 are erratic with my ever reliant KMX-125," reveals Major de la Rosa.
"So, if 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 Sarangani Province 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 that one in Maramag, 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 too would be treated to the world's largest ore deposit."
"What about those exotic fishes of fresh catfish, mudfish and carp displayed still frolicking in a container right along the road of Agusan del Sur and Matina of Davao? How about testing a hell of a 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 springs to the sunken cemetery and White Island. Just be sure to visit the province in October when the sweetest lanzones are harvested that would complement 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."
"It's tourism industry is always there beckoning to be explored whether you are in your locality or out on a special trip. As different cities are its melting pot, it offers you everything there is in life from career development to economic opportunity," his thoughts ended making a sure invitation to all travel bugs delivered.
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Well said but that is only one side of the story, Maj. De la Rosa deliberately paused. The sensitive story should not be revealed or his mission would be in peril. Snipers, landmines, water, and fruits laced with poison above all, the 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 a secure reason why they give their approval as a 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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