TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
( Left) A critically endangered species, the Luzon Bleeding Heart Pigeon.( Right) An endangered bat called Large Flying Fox.( Below) Lou Jean beside the two giant cages of the endangered Fruit Bats
University, and Negros Oriental State University. But what really caught my curiosity is Silliman University. On top of having read so much about it’ s literary workshops known to hone future Palanca Awardees, they also have their very own marine lab called the Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences( IEMS); and a“ rescue center for animals” or the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies( CENTROP).
At the marine lab, we meet up with Clarissa“ Iday” Reboton, the Curator / Coral Researcher of IEMS. Iday is not in the usual white lab gown scientists wear, but in her board shorts and sandals. If your office is located several steps from the beach and your desk is under the sea, you have to use appropriate office attire. The lab researches on coastal marine and environmental sciences, or studies about coral reefs, sea grass
beds, mangrove communities and soft bottom communities. Iday also tours me in their facilities like the clam seeding ponds, mangrove gardens, flowing sea and fresh water systems, and a museum housing different large bones of butanding( whale sharks) and dugong( sea cows).
What catches my interest is the efforts of IEMS’ studies that contribute to the rehabilitation and improvement of Apo Island, a marine sanctuary south of Dumaguete City. It is IEMS’ mission to involve the locals in taking care of the precious marine life around them for sustainable livelihood and tourism. Now Apo Island is a world-class diving destination and a paradise in it’ s own class.
From the beach, I transfer to the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies, CENTROP, or what Lou Jean Cerial, the center’ s zookeeper, calls it: a rescue center for animals. Still inside Silliman University but this time in a jungle reserve facility responsible for breeding and housing endangered species.
Just to name some, you can see here the Visayan Spotted Deer only found in the rainforests of Panay and Negros; the Visayan Warty Pig, another critically endangered pig species because of hunting, food shortage, and habitat loss; and the Negros and
Luzon Bleeding-Heart Pigeons, which is distinct because of the red mark on its breast similar to a bleeding heart. But what really made me think twice before stepping in a big dark cage were the
“
It’ s not
Golden-Crowned Flying Fox and the Large Flying Fox. These are large bats with three to five-foot wingspans, eerie dark brown eyes that wouldn’ t stop staring, a snout like a nasty fox, and wings that can make Batman’ s rubber get-up melt in shame. Lou Jean says they are fruit bats and after eating, unconsciously drop seeds in different places, which in turn help plant trees in our rainforests.
Lou Jean on saving endangered animals from further extinction and Iday’ s study of marine conservation and involving locals in underwater stewardship, to me should be bearers of“ for the love of …” medals. It’ s not the corner office or the shiny company car that triggers them, but for the sheer love of animals above and beneath the sea surface. Talking to them made my first day in Dumaguete.
Mountain Training in Valencia
When the hotel elevator opens, Joey Barba, Scott Remi, and JR Barba, members of the National Team for Downhill Cycling pull my backpack, bike, and myself out of the tight elevator.
“ Your ride is ready bro,” Joey says. By ride, I excitedly imagine an aircon coaster. But
the corner office or the shiny company car that triggers them, but for the sheer love of animals above and beneath the sea surface...“
7107 ISLAND TRAVEL 47