DANTON R. REMOTO: Modern Hero

I was introduced to Danton Remoto through his works which had been a staple along my shelves of Chemistry textbooks. Last saw him on primetime news all smiles welcoming Ricky Martin to the club, a frequent visitor of his blog and now one of his thousands Facebook friends.

Neither brethren nor acquaintance, I had no reason to campaign this man but the respect he attached to his name deserves a recognition.  Raised from a conservative and catholic family, Danton was told never to carry his books close to his chest. Books must be held horizontally against ones thighs. He must never walk with fluid movements; the spine should be straight, the chest held out, and the face a hard mask against the world. Despite sense of difference and struggle to conform to norms, Danton did well in school and was in track in field team and ran like a gazelle.

Described like Apolinario Mabini as “sublime paralytic”, Danton looks physically weak but his intellectual ability is divine. His talents in literature and scriptwriting was recognized by prestige Palanca, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Philippines Free Press and even impressed international Procyon and Sterling Awards. Currently as acting chairman of “Ang Ladlad”, the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Filipinos that was labeled “abnormal” and “immoral” by the Second Division of the Commission on Election. Out of sentimental issues he defended condemnation and discrimination against homosexual of the 21^st century. Like modern Jose Rizal he fought equipped with his broad education and use of pen to erase friars’ notion on homosexuals during Spanish colony as mental illness. If situation calls, Danton reveals his possible bloodline with Andres Bonifacio. His petite frame transforms into fearless tigress on demonstration clawing megaphone on right hand and placard on left. His civic-mindedness reminds me of Tandang Sora of how he catered to wounded souls victimized by all sorts of abuses. He is every where and does anything, lecturer with the rank of Associate Professor of English, writer, editor, member of Manila Critics Circle, Fulbright Alumni Association, and the Philippine Literacy Arts Council, Had been scholar for various international foundation, established a name with the Office of Media Affairs, Batasang Pambansa (Interim National Assembly), the Senate and the United Nations Development Programme which counts Danton Remoto as Superman! Typically clad in jeans, polo and reading glasses that depict simplicity, I guess Danto prefers to be labeled as ordinary human less the publicity.

I’m far writer compared to Mr. Danton but with pride I dedicate this piece to a MAN who best defined as Icon and unsung hero. Your pen had reached to thousands that made betterment of their lives, you inspired us to pursue education as this will lead us afar, patriotism can be exhibited in many ways, encouraged to voice out what is right and RESPECT is something you earn. You stood and represented a community of gazelles that now freely ran in this track in field of life.  

                                               

BAMBOO ORGAN - Las Piñas, Philippines

For seven years now, Bacoor – Las Piñas – Sucat had been my daily route from home to work and vice versa. St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas is a landmark I recognized for heavy traffic during weekdays from morning to noon as students both from public and private high schools reign supreme on street, while on weekends expect funeral march accompanied by grand parade on slow motion tune. But, I also adore this area as Christmas season arrives, as the streets are lit with uniform parol lanterns and church  artistically draped with lights and during feast on May, the streets are lined with colorful banderitas which I find unique despite being urban.

St. Joseph Parish Church is most famous for it housed the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ – is a nineteenth century pipe organ made almost entirely by bamboo. The organ is declared a National Cultural Treasure of the country by the National Museum of the Philippines for its uniqueness and significance since 1992.The Bamboo Organ is described by many international organ masters as one of the finest old organs in the world. Its construction of bamboo is noted as being one of the major factors that gives it a truly unique and lively sound. Located some 10 kilometers from south of the center of Manila, a 10 minute taxi from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) just simply ask driver and they now it well. 

One Thursday morning, on my way home from completion of requirements for a new job, I decided to drop by at St. Joseph Parish Church to utter a simple prayer to show gratitude from above. However, it was closed and finding ways to enter, I ended up at administration’s office. I was informed that church is closed on weekdays and they offer me the adoration chapel, which, I find much appropriate. On my way out, I thanked the lady for her assistance and her reply was an invitation to visit their museum. Intrigued not knowing they have museum, I paid 50 php and instantly handed me a post card with Bamboo Organ on it as memorabilia and a gentleman walked me through history of Bamboo Organ

History

The museum was adorned antiques dated from oldest circa 1795 and greeting visitors was a bronze statue that according to our tour guide was Fr. Cera – the builder of both the church and the Bamboo Organ. Father Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, a native of Spain, is a catholic priest under the Augustinian Recollects. He served as parish priest in Las Piñas from 1795 to 1830. Artifacts revealed that Fr. Cera was a gifted man – a natural scientist, chemist, architect, community leader, musician and organ builder as well. In 1816 Fr. Cera begun his work of constructing the organ out of bamboo and was completed and playable in later year of 1824. The choice use of bamboo as material was due to its abundance and aesthetic appeal; it was a practical choice showcased indigenous and artistic nature Filipino appeal.

Philippines being prone to natural disaster such as earthquake and typhoon had caused Bamboo organ to some major destruction and restoration throughout history. Fr. Cera was the first restorer of the organ but for years it had taken a toll and unplayable that it was transported in Bonn, Germany in 1972 for major restoration by Johannes Klais Orgelbau KG. In March 1975, the bamboo organ went home and was welcome with great honor and festivity. Since then, the church has been the scene of many concerts and festivals. General overhaul took place in September 2003 to November 2004 done locally by European-trained organ builders who are also tasked with maintaining the instrument for the future generation to experience the unique sound of a Philippine treasure.

Las Piñas Boys Choir

High light of tour was at second floor when I came face-to-face with Bamboo Organ (shall I say in flesh?), it was majestic how it was preserved and functional, admiring its craftsmanship I kept hearing voices like of angels singing, thought it was part of the presentation but later learned that it was the Las Piñas Boys Choir practicing. 

The Las Piñas Boys Choir – is a boys choir made up of scholarship students at the St. Joseph’s Academy between 8 and 12, and performs regularly in the annual International Bamboo Organ Festival and at the Parish of St. Joseph. The choir was initially known as the “Himig Kawayan Boys Choir of the Las Piñas.” This was attempting to make connection with the Bamboo Organ. The choir was founded by a Belgian priest and missionary, the Reverend Fr. Leo Reinier, who believed that the parish’s Bamboo Organ could achieve its fully glory if there was a good choir to accompany it. 

What can you have for 50 php?

My 50 php brought me back to history at Bamboo Organ Museum. The tour included my personal tour guide plus a memorabilia post card, internationally acclaimed Las Piñas Boys Choir serenades visitors while on tour and I gained some foreign friends – Sascha and Lila of Germany…. Better than two cones of Cornetto Ice Cream!

MT. PALAY PALAY - TERNATE, CAVITE

As part of course curriculum on Ecosystem Dynamics and Structure, I went field work at Mts. Palay-palay / Mataas na Gulod protected landscape at Ternate, Cavite. Objective of my visit is to give better understanding on population Ecology - distribution, dispersal, migration, growth and regulation. Mts. Palay-palya / Mataas na Gulod national Park was declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 1594 on October 1976 as Protected Landscape under NIPAS, located in Ternate, Cavite.

The IBA is in a range of low hills on the border between the densely populated provinces of Cavite and Batangas. The proposed National Park has three peaks, Palay-palay, Pico de Loro and Mataas na Gulod. The last remaining lowland evergreen rainforest in the Province of Cavite is on Mt. Palay-palay in the northern portion of the park, and this habitat is reported to cover 60% of the park. It is mainly forest on limestone. There are also areas of arable land, small settlements and rural gardens, and some kaingin.

Local communities are currently targeting some areas of open grassland and secondary growth for reforestation activities. there are waterfalls and creeks in the park, which gives it potential for increased use for recreation and tourism. Surveys are required in this IBA, to investigate both the extent and quality of the remaining habitats, and whether it supports important populations of threatened and restricted range of birds and other biodiversity. Part of my trekking is to identify species of study both plants and animals to determine population dynamics which includes factors how they grow, adopt, reproduce and means of survival.

As observed, the most dominating plant in Mt. Palay-palay are Guijo, Malapapaya, White Lauan, Palosapis and Alibangbang. According to 2000 Pollisco report, a study was done at Mt. Palay-palay, Mataas na Gulod, Ternate, Cavite, about the destructive sampling done on three year old dipterocarp rooted cutting and seedling/wilding planted to compare their root system and the species used were White Lauan, Guijo and Palosapis as possible reason of abundance to enumerated species in the area. It can also be concluded that Mt. Palay-palay is a young forest based on trunk diameters of trees. The oldest in terms of diameter was of Guijo tree standing tall along trek that can be embraced by two persons. In this case, this proves that in age distribution, the older the trees, the more dominant species in area.

in terms of Spatial Distribution, population of species was observed to be in pattern, less dense and not cluttered. Alibangbang trees are dominant at starting point with shrubs and grasses covering forest floor. Towering Guijo, Lauan and Palosapis was observed almost in heart of forest area, then Malapapaya was abundant in later part of Mt. Palay-palay. In terms of limiting factor, availability of sunlight energy was listed as factor - the area was less humid and very moist; growth of fungi / mushrooms was observed; stunted growth of some shrubs; and discoloration of leaves indicates less available energy being provided. 

Human interaction - Mt. Palay palay is open to hikers as it serves as gateway to Pico de Loro as camping site for mountaineers. The area being open to public exposes it from waste generation as observed along trails. In addition, boundary of Mt. Palay-palay was residential lot where locals despite prohibitions continually practice kaingin and hunting at area.

Ecosystem of Mt. Palay-palay exhibits inderdependence of biotic and abiotic factors; homeostasis - optimum condition and balance in nature; self-sustaining with continuous flow of nutrients and energy; and consisting of major communities. Mt. Palay-palay had provided exact requirements to sustain butterfly or moth species to complete its life cycle and signifies a diverse habitat for them. Butterflies plays important ecological role as flower plants were also noted in forest area. earthworms sighted at area were no ordinary in terms of sizes - worms help air and water to get into soil and this help plants grow because there is more of a chance that the plant root can get more oxygen and water making the soil of Mt. Palay-palay fertile and in good quality.

As reported, a snake was released by DENR at the area and I was able to retrieve skin remains. Snakes' presence or removal from an area directly impacts the health of an ecosystem particularly forest. Snakes are predators and feed on a variety of creatures. Snakes tend to control rodent populations in particular. Snakes also represent important prey species for other predators. On going development currently threatens the survival of snakes in many ecosystems. Overall, the animal species observed at Mt. Palay-palay exhibits of a normal terrestrial ecosystem. 3,900 hectares of the protected landscape is enough room for more species to propagate and the number of seen species was not enough to determine its age distribution and sex ratio.

Mt. Palay-palay is the last frontier of Cavite province and home of diverse bird species that includes threatened species. As protected area, i recommend that (1) there should be deputized officers or delegate from DENR or LGU to expedite implementation and enforcement of NIPAS act. Violations such as dumping of waste products detrimental to forest inhabitants were greatly observed; (2) In connection to above recommendation, administrative fees and fines as authorized must be collected for violations of guidelines, rules and regulations of NIPAS Act as this endanger the viability of protected areas; and (3) Since the area is open to hikers, there must be registration for visitors and fix prescribe reasonable NIPAS fee to be collected from agencies or any person, firm or corporation deriving benefits from Mt. Palay-palay.