“Every part
of the Earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy
shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clear and humming insect is holy in
the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the tress
carries the memories of the red man.” – Excerpt from Chief Seattle’s 1854
speech on the environment. 157 years ago, the “Great White Chief” had expressed
through poetic writing his desire for a promised “reservation”, the speech had
described how sacred his environment as to consider every matter on vast land
as family. A better way to define environment – A special place sacred and we
are concerned to protect.
Summer
of 1994 over dinner, my father announced that we are moving out from our rented
house at Sta. Ana, Manila to Bacoor, Cavite for the reason that they wanted a
better environment for us, a healthy neighborhood and away from bad influences.
I was torn but left no choice but to abide with my parents. 17 years ago, I
remembered coastal road was a long stretch of water with mangroves and it was
bewilderment for my sight of what my new environment would be? Boredom crawled
up to my spine seeing stalls of “tahong” and “talaba” along road and Tropical
Hut was the only establishment on rise. In deed my parents ought to provide me
a better environment like in fairly tales…. In a far far away land lives Prince
Michael. I explored this new environment and discovered that we have neighbors
with kids that later became my friends and confidants, I had learned my gift of
green thumb as I able to grow fruit bearing trees and even orchids, learned to
ride a bike and flew kites. The haunting sound of geckos at night had been my
lullaby, while, the rooster and chirping birds was my alarm clock. Dancing in
the rain minus the flood was best and star gazing on roof puts me to rest. It
only took end of summer to realize that I belong to this environment and fell
in love with it.
2011
and my environment was the mirror image of what my father had escaped off. In
short span of time, Sorrento in Bacoor
had extended from phase 1 to phase 5 due to high demand on housing. The
population continuously grows by numbers according to our homeowners
association’s census causing anonymity among neighbors. In 2009, Sorrento was headline with
report on blasting of a house with dynamite used for illegal fishing that left
2 people dead and 5 families homeless, nobody new that the said house was used
as warehouse for dynamites. Shanties had ballooned over fence with several
crimes relating to them, with such alarm several homeowners decided to build
walls for added security, thus, resulting to cutting down trees and concreting
gardens. The volume of people doubled the volume of garbage being generated,
though, collecting is done on a regular basis the frequency was not enough to
refrain some homeowners to used the creek as dumpsite. Flooding was inevitable
even with monsoon rain and worst with typhoon. My friend Randy refrained his
usual morning walk for the air is no longer beneficial but causes him asthma
attacks; I wonder if my niece would be able to experience to dance in the rain
without fear of acquiring Leptospirosis. Suddenly I missed the enigmatic rhythm
of geckos at night for the banging sounds of bars and malls dominate with
decibels detrimental to my ear drums.
Development,
commercialization and income generations are some parameters to define a
progressive nation, province or city even this meant conversion of mangrove
area to condominiums and amusement themed park. I had witnessed transformation
of my environment; admittedly, I was thrilled to see what had been built and
established for the convenience of its inhabitants. The present situation and
effects tagged along had become burden; there was lapse in formulating control
measures and implement preventive measures. However, if the Great Chief had
used his pen in addressing preservation of his environment, I was given the
opportunity to be educated which is an essential tool in spreading awareness
and forefront credibility for people to listen on serious matters. I’m a
negligible part of my community but step by step I can contribute by actively
participating in homeowners meeting, voicing out opinions and giving relevant
suggestions on matters that is greatly concerned; to initiate programs
encouraging the youth to take part of protecting the environment we have and
aim to be recognized and influence other subdivision and barangays of our best
practices. With the rapid pace of time, sometime we just need to take a break
and go back to basic such as imposing self disciple could make a great
difference.
Where is the thicket? Gone. Where is
the Eagle? Gone. 1854 the Chief had foreseen. Where is my Environment? On my
hands…. For my future generation.
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