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Vol. 3 No. 01 | The Official Newsletter of the 3rd National Ecotourism Festival, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan Feb. 24, 2015

Birds highlight Cagayans 3rd National Eco-tourism fest

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By Benjie S. De Yro STA. TERESITA, Cagayan (PIA) Expect a colorful and flighty five-day events as this town will hold its 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival, February 24-28, this year featuring the various endemic and migratory birds.

Mayor Lolita Garcia has described the activity as much bigger, more colorful and events-filled festival as birding- the identification and observation of wild birds in their natural habitat as a recreation-will highlight the event which, according

Special ReportBirding in Sta. Teresita

(First of Two Parts)

Birding, the identification and observation of wild birds in their natural habitat as a recreation or hobby, has just reached cave-rich Sta. Teresita town in Cagayan

Word-of-mouth attracts multi-national cavers to Cagayan townBangalao Reportorial Team

STA. TERESTA, Cagayan (PIA) If not for a participant in a German Caving Congress, the caves of Sta. Teresita should not have been in the list for mapping and exploration by a multi national group.

German national Michael Laumanns, team leader for the seven-nation Northern Luzon International Caving Expedition disclosed that a former fellow- German participant to the National Eco-tourism festival of the municipality the last two years have mentioned to him the caves in the area.

The unnamed German national was among the pioneering foreign cavers, along with a British and Americans, who first visited the caves durig the 1st National Eco-Tourism Festival in 2013.

Leumanns admitted that without the information, his group could not have possibly learned of the existing caves in the municipality, 33 of which have been mapped, explored and provided with descriptions during the last four days last week.

It was then that Laumanns organized his team last year. The team leader participates and organizes

Photo shows the various endemic and migratory birds now found along Banggalao Lake (THELMA MERCADO)

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Eco-tourism sustainability

Sta. Teresita may have imbibed the tourism dictum that to sustain the industry, the place should give tourists reasons to come, reasons to stay and reasons to comeback. Take the case of its national eco-tourism festival, now on its third year.

The Sierra Madre Outdoor Club literally came for some exploration of its caves and the Bangalao Lake in 2012. SMOC has since then stayed and keeps on coming back- if only to bring multi-national cavers of international prominence. Remember that SMOC is the pioneering mountaineering club, possibly in Luzon, established in the mid 1970s.

The LGU did sustain its one-of-a kind festival with a specialty offering each year. In 2013, Bangalao Lake (formerly Laguna De Cagayan) was introduced to the world. Last year, the caves were ready for introduction and this year, it will be endemic and migratory birds of the lake which will take the center stage.

The move of Sta. Teresita on its quest for tourism development is the same quest by most areas in the country and elsewhere in the world. However, the difference is in the planning and implementation, sustainability and variety. Some festivals tend to lose their mystery if and when they offer the same attraction year in and year out.

Something should be re-introduced, re-packaged and innovated for the tourist to continue patronizing such festivals like what the LGU is doing right now. Consider that within the context of Philippine politics, the next local chief executive only has two choices: to maintain an established program, in this case tourism; or, create another program on his own. If he chose the second option-because no law can stop him from doing so, then the efforts of the predecessor will go naught.

This early, the LGU has thought of another highlight of its 2016 festival but we dont have to pre-empt them by stating it here but the way we see it, multi-nationals will be forced to come back and more to come.

The residents who call themselves Theresians admitted they never realized how important their natural heritage was until the onset of the fest in 2013. The propagation of a culture of preservation, therefore, is now in their hands. It will be a make or break.

They should now mirror the fate of other destinations which can only offer their beaches without the trees. At a time when global warming has threatened the existence of man, biodiversity protection would now be on top of the list of any LGUs conservation efforts. Afterall, the next generation is watching the present.

Sta. Teresita will show them how.

EDITORIAL PIA NotebookBy Benjie S. de YroVisiting Journalist

Just Another Gay beauty pageant? Wait till you read this!

In Sta. Teresita, Cagayan, the LGBT community is not into boxing or basketball with gays as players. They are also into a beauty contest(like the rest of all sitios, barangays, towns and cities, provinces and regions in the Philippines) will a BIG difference. Read on.

Part of the five-day 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival of Sta. Teresita is a search called BEKI (gay) NG KALIKASAN with gay men from the 13 barangays of the municipality. If you think, this is just another beauty contest concocted by the LGBT sector of Sta. Teresita, think for a minute.

Judging will be based on beauty, 50 percent. And the other half? Because this is a festival aimed at protecting and preserving the environment, the organizers simply thought of pushing the candidates to collect as many reusable plastics around their barangays and elsewhere within the town.

Points will be given to the candidates based on their collection (per kilo?).

Meaning, and this is the rub- the painful truth which amused the audience during the TIPON -TIPAN GOES TO LGU of the Philippine Information Agency- the garbage collection will spell the difference. Meaning (again!), if a candidate is good looking, er, beautiful, but has the heaviest plastic collection, he will be declared the winner.

This impoverished country is soooo fond of beauty contests (female, male and gay) that they become dime a dozen. However, the towns BEKI NG KALIKASAN of Sta. Teresita will be staged for a cause. That will make LGBT appreciative. It will serve dual purpose of providing a break from the doldrums of everyday lives, at the same time, providing an avenue for the gay community to likewise contribute to the preservaton efforts of the town of its natural heritage.

To that, the media would like to congratulate the organizers. But wait. Did I see some hints of Miss Earth? Just asking.

Visiting Associate Editor Graphic and Design Benjie S. De Yro, PIA-2 Alvin delos Santos, PIA-2

Consultants Mayor Lolita C. Garcia Dir. Purita S. Licas, PIA-2

Bangalao is the official newsletter of the 2nd National Ecotourism Festival with editorial office at the Mayors Office Sta. Teresita Municipal Hall, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan

For comments and suggestion pls. contact number 0927-748-7799, email adress thelma_mercado@yahoo.com

Thelma M. MercadoEditor-In-Chief

Editorial Board

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Let me greet and congratulate the local government unit and people of Sta. Teresita on the occasion of your 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival, February 24-28 this year.

It is indeed very significant that you have reached your third year of celebration with the fervor you have showed the first time. Your dedication and commitment to pursue your dream of finally placing your humble municipality in the forefront of tourism development have paid-off.

It is no secret therefore that today, your festival is recognized as a pioneering one because you decided to take the tourism road less taken- promoting natural heritage like caves and lake instead of the usual agricultural products. The efforts of your local officials and other stakeholders to look for other alternative source of livelihood is commendable.

Your endemic Bakong has been declared as a new alternate source of raw materials for furnitures in this country while highly placed multi-national cavers have voluntarily mapped and explored your wonderful caves. If only for these, your celebration this year is worthy of praise.

As a municipality, you have proven that it is not whether you are big or small town. Rather, it is a matter of working together for the good of the majority.

We at Philippine Information Agency was already there with you during your first year. It is an honor to be part of your history as a people.

Let the future gain of the 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival reverberates in the four corners of this country and beyod.

Happy festival.

PURITA S. LICASRegional Director

The officialdom, staff, personnel and the people of Sta. Teresita are all but overwhelmed with the opening of the 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival, February 24 -28, this year.

For most of us, it has always been a dream to likewise place our humble municipality, the youngest at that in the province of Cagayan, to greater heights like we never did before. For the last three years since we launched this festival, it has always been a joy, a fulfillment ,challenge and above all, a commitment to snatch our town and its prople from the claws of tourism mediocrity.

It is nostalgic on my part when I remember how our people worked hard together, assisted by people who came to help us grow into what we are now in terms of ecological tourism development. These are the same people who never falter in whatever they can offer to us.

At times we surprised even ourselves that after all, progress and development in a rather insignificant municipality like ours-until today- can be achieved if its officials and people work together for the common good.

Supported by the national and provincial governments, the various line agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, we were able to walk our extra mile, humility still intact.

The Great Sculptor has endowed us with a rich natural resources our heritage- which until recently were uptapped. Our Bangalao lake (Laguna De Cagayan) which nurtured another potential dollar-earner for us , the bakong (Hinguana Malayana) and our newly explored and mapped caves which now draw national and international cavers, have finally found their own tourism niche in this part of the world.

This year, we want to continue educating our people-especially the young- the importance of environment protection, conservation and preservation as we decided to highlight not a few migratory birds sheltered and fed by the Bangalao Lake, thus our theme, Birding Frenzy in February, Protecting Biodiversity, Preserving Natures Beauty could never have been apt.

To those who believe and will continue to believe in us, thank you will always be an inferior way of expressing our debt of gratitude and appreciation. To our visitors and other stakeholders, enjoy what we have concocted for all of you.

To my fellow Teresians, enjoy the bounty of our new-found tourism gems. The local government unit of your town is doing this for you.

LOLITA C. GARCIA, CPAMunicipal Mayor

Messages

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Birds highlight ...from page 1to the Department of Tourism in the region. is the first and only one of its kind in Northern Luzon.

She said the municipality has scheduled a four-day bird-watching activity within Bangalao Lake erstwhile known as Laguna De Cagayan, while a float parade depicting the various bird species in the area will be showcased during the fifth day.

The lake is home to more than 25 migratory birds earlier identified by the Sierra Madre Outdoor Club(SMOC) of Cagayan, a pioneering conservationists in Northern Luzon.

According to ebonph.wordpress,com, the Philippines is one of the best birding destinations in the world where 30 percent of its avian biodiversity is endemic. It cited loss of habitat as a serious threat to the survival of the birds.

Haribon.org.ph said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has released list of vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered threatened birds in 1998, 2004 and 2012 through Administrative Order 2004-15 to determine the trend of the present threat.

Garcia added that to keep up with this years theme Birding Frenzy in February, Protecting Biodiversity, Preserving Natures Beauty, participating schools are all set for a street dancing showdown on birds

movements as center of the choreography.

S i n c e 2013 when the first festival was held, the municipality has focused on their various caves and lake which already attracted local and international spelunkers and explorers due to their unbelievable number, awesome depth and lengths as reported.

Recently, a seven-nation Northern Luzon International Caving Expedition conducted a four-day mapping and exploration of 33 various caves in the municipality for possible inclusion in a book on world caves targeted for publication next year.

Team leader Michael Leumanns, a German national said he might likewise organize a team in his country for another expedition in Sta. Teresita for next years 4th festival edition.

We simply want to make a difference in our conservation efforts and likewise to push our town into the tourism map of the Philippines, if not the world, as we offer our lake, caves and of course the birds, Garcia said.

Meanwhile, Nida Dela Cruz, SMOC new President identified the birds in the area as the white-shouldered sterling, northern shoveler, white-breasted wood swallow, olive back sunbird, grey heron, black- crowned night heron,

y e l l o w - b reas ted fruit dove,

piep bush chat male, great egret, purple swamp hen, common kingfisher, purple heron, philippine swiftlet, yellow bittern and straited grassbird.

The others include a spotted dove, crested myna, black-naped oriole, little egret, kulasisi, zebra dove, long-stained shrike, philippine duck, yellow breasted bulbul and eurasian tree sparrow.

Culled from a former barangay of Buguey, Sta. Teresita became separate town in 1963.

By Benjie S. De Yro

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - Local tourism players of Sta. Teresita town attended a one-day training on Customer Service as part of the local government units efforts of providing them with skills and knowledge on the subject.

Tourism officer Josie Bumatay said the training, provided by the Department of Tourism in the region, has been one of the measures undertaken by the LGU in its bid to enhance the capabilities of the residents in handling potential tourists as a result of the now-popular national eco-tourism festival of

the town.It is not only for the 3rd national

festival this year but throughout the year and beyond, Bumatay said.

Since Cagayans youngest town held its first national eco-tourism festival in 2013, an increase in tourist arrivals, particularly local and international cavers and researchers who continuously visited the area for mapping and research on the towns caves, had been noted.

In 2013, the DOT under then regional director Blessida Diwa, threw its support to the fledging industry in the municipality and was instrumental

in popularizing the festival, now on its third year.

The department has since then became a fixture in the festival as it planned and provided the residents various trainings including tour guiding and homestays, among others.`

Bumatay said the town has been appreciative of the efforts of the agency and even credited it for placing the town into the tourism map of the province, if not in the country.

Sanchez Mira, Cagayan-born Julius Judelena, DOT-accredited trainor was accompanied by Catherine Flores of DOT region 2.

DOT conducts training to local tourism stakeholders

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TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) Director Purita Licas of the Philippine Information Agency has welcomed the move of Sta. Teresita local government unit to tap the agency in the documentation of its local festival.

Licas ,who just arrived recentlyfrom a nine-day writing visit to Japan said Sta. Teresita is the only municipality in the region which sustained its interest of documenting a festival in its entirety through a 12-page and two issues bulletin.

Its just a matter of request for us to assist local governments in any form of promotional blitz or publicity to likewise allow the world to know of what they are doing for their people, Licas said in a report published in 2013.

It should be recalled that as early as 2012, PIA has approched the local government unit for possible assistance but Mayor Lolita Garcia declined saying her municipality has nothing to offer as yet in terms of festival documentation.

However, the following year, PIA received an invitation from Garcia for a possible tie-up in the production and publication of a modest newsletter incorporating all the details of the first-ever Bangalau Bulletin, named after the lake in the municipality.

As the information arm of the government, it is our mission to provide timely and accurate information to the Filipino people. One of them is through the publication of newsletters, Licas said.

Since 2013, PIA has provided writers and other technical employees to Sta. Teresita during the conduct of their national eco-tourism festival if only to document the festivities.

Info official lauds lgu efforts to publish festival newsletter

RD Purita Licas at the City Mayor Kenji Kitahashis office, Kitakyushu City Hall in Japan.

Bangalau Newsletter is a 12-14 page, long bond print material with unlimited copies- depending on demands- distributed during and after the event.

Licas said other local government units and the public in general should take advantage of her agencys services to address the information needs of the people.

Meanwhile, a pool of writers and IT experts from PIA are expected to come up with the first issue of the Bangalau Bulletin on February 23 to be distributed during the opening of the 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival the following day.

Meet bird species identified at the Bangalao Lake

1. Eurasian Tree Sparrow2. Yellow- breasted bulbul3. Philippine Duck4. Pacific Swallow5. Long-tailed Shrike-6 heads6. Zebra Dove- 4 heads7. Kulasisi- 2 heads8. Little egret- 2 heads9. Black-naped Oriole10. Crested Myna11. Spotted Dove12. Straited Grassbird13. Yellow Bittern14. Philippine Swiftlet15. Purple heron16. Common Kingfisher17. Purple Swamp Hen18. Great Egret19. Pied Bush Chat9male) black20. Yellow-breasted fruit Dove21. Black- crowned Night Heron- 2 heads22. Grey Heron23. Olive Black Sunbird24. White-breasted Wood Swallow25. Northern Shoveler( migratory)- 8 heads26. White- shouldered Starling ?(rare)- 10 heads

(These birds were identified by the 19-member first batch of Sta.Teresita local tourguides in 2012, a year before the 1st National Eco-Tourism Festival. Earlier, they were trained by members of a University of the Philippines-based organization. Our club likewise other technical assistance. This is the right time to thank those nameless and faceless guides who were and are still with us throughout this undertaking. Sierra Madre Outdoor Club)

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province, courtesy of its pristine and bakong(Hinguana Malayana) habitat Bangalau Lake. The present state, however, of Philippine birds may not, hopefully, affect the initial efforts of the town as they focus on the hobby come February 24-28 when its 3rd National Eco-Tourism Festival will unveil.

In the 1970s, Asin declared ang mga ibong gala ay wala nang madadapuan in their iconic song Masdan Ang Kapaligiran referring to the wild birds.

Forward to 2000s.Only 10 percent of the total bird population in the Philippines are included in the National List of Threatened Birds. The website www.haribon.org.ph attributed this to the glaring fact that a large percent of the important bird areas are not covered by Republic Act 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

Meaning, more than 80.85 percent of the total important bird areas are not covered by NIPAS even as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued Administrative Order 2004-15 which listed vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered birds in 1998, 2004 and 2012.

According to the website of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in their list Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), only Magapit was declared as a bird refuge site in the entire Cagayan Valley region. Under NIPAS, only Palaui, Magapit and Penablanca were listed while Palanan in Isabela was listed under Wilderness.

In the mid 1980s, the provincial government of Cagayan under then Governor Justiniano Cortez identified

Birding ...from page 1

the Carague Lake (pronounced Karwe) in Enrile town as a possible site for birding. The efforts, like some government projects, was never sustained by the succeeding administration.

It was Pio Munoz of the Sierra Madre Outdoor Club (SMOC) who informed this writer that the Bayo Lake of Bayo, Iguig, Cagayan was another potential. That was in the late 1980s when, as an environmentalist, he was ecstatic because of the presence of endemic and migratory birds in the area. It was only in 2012 that I first saw the lake, now overfished, its waters dominated by water hyacinths. Like the rest of otherwise potential birding sites, it was on the record that no government hand tried to save it from possible extinction.

Aside from marginal fishing activities, no bird has been sighted in the area in the last decade.

Section 2 of the Act, under declaration of policy, says it recognizes that these areas... possess common ecological value that may be incorporated into a holistic plan representative of our natural heritage.

The bureau aims to conserve the countrys biodiversity as it envisions a perpetual existence of biological and physical diversities in a system of protected areas.

Fifty-two of the total 657 bird species in the Philippines were

identified as rare while majority of them, at 214, were considered endemic or indigenous to the country. Fifty species are threatened. Despite this avian diversity in the country, aready 30 percent of the endemics face a possible loss of habitat which is considered a serious threat to their very survival in the few years to come, according to published reports.

Other sources claimed even more areas with less number of species.

Bangalao Lake at dusk.

Fishing at the break of dawn.

Bakong Plant residents.

That would mean that in this country, government and the private sector do not agree on statistics on birds.

While Sta. Teresita is credited for creating noise on the presence of some 29 endemic and migratory birds at its Bangalau lake, theres a lot to be done not only from the leadership of Mayor Lolita Garcia but virtually by the entire country if we want birding in the area as a heritage to our next generations and those who will come after them.

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Mayor Lolita Garcia presents the potentials of Bakong plant during the Biodiversity-Friendly Business and Investment Forum held at Intercon Manila on February 11, 2015.

EyeWitnessBy Rizzalyn Mercado

(The writer was with the party of Mayor Garcia when the later presented the Bakong report in Manila. She filed this event report. Editor)

The Philippines has been identified as one of the richest countries in terms of biodiversity having a lot of different species of flora and fauna. It is under this scenario that a forum entitled Biodiversity-Friendly Business and Investment Forum Conserving Biodiversity to Promote Inclusive Economic Growth was conducted on February 11, 2015 at Continental Hotel, Manila.

Under the project, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Biodiversity Management Bureau (formerly protected Area and Wildlife Bureau), with financial Assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the global Environmental Facility (GEF), is currently implementing the project entitled Partnership for Biodiversity Conservation Mainstreaming in Local Agricultural Landscapes, otherwise known as the

Biodiversity Partnership Project (BPP). One of the major objectives of BPP is to encourage investments to support biodiversity- friendly businesses and enterprises. The project intends to identify and mobilize modalities to finance biodiversity-friendly livelihood activities in order to discourage destructive practices by forest- dependent communities.

Various municipalities in the country were invited to present their own unique products from their locality to attract local or foreign investors. The municipality of Sta. Teresita- with Lal-lo and Baggao - from the Northeastern Cagayan Key Biodiversity Area, were asked to present.

Hon. Lolita C. Garcia, Municipal Mayor of Sta. Teresita, presented the natural beauty of the municipality, showing them the major tourists attractions like the Eco Park, different caves and Bangalao Lake where the pride of the Theresians the Bakong Plant can be seen. This plant is a good source of fiber and many more which can be transformed into various product forms through the intervention of the Department

Mayor Lolita Garcia exchanges views with co-participants.

(L-R) MPDC Jovy Tactac, Rolyn Lomocso of Design Center Phils., Mayor Lolita Garcia, Fe Baylon of DTI Cagayan.

of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Design Center of the Philippines.

Such materials included extracted fibers from bakong stem, laminated natural bakong roots, different laminated dyed bakong roots, laminated rolled bakong paper, handmade paper from bleached pulp of the bakong leaves and stems, handmade paper from dyed pulp of the leaves and stems, handmade paper from dyed pulp of the Bakong leaves and stems mixed with abaka fiber. The municipality is eyeing twined bakong as a result of a product, the bakong sitting dog, produced by the California Furnitures Manufacturing Corporation, and a lot more.

This is the reason why Mayor Garcia wanted to attract and gain investors and to encourage them explore the said plants for the production of more products in order to uplift marginalized Theresian which can redound in the economic growth of this country.

The over-all presentation of Mayor Garcia was remarkable to the audience and it was well appreciated.

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Cagayan media say....Interviews by Rizzalyn M. Mercado

In any activity where people tend to celebrate or simply visit, it is of significant interest to the host/s to likewise know the observations or thoughts of those who do. As a member of the Sta.Teresita Association of Receptionists and Tourguides (START), I took time out to know the impressions of people, particularly, the local media of Cagayan, on our caves.

Natural ang Tabaco Cave, as it is pa rin especially the Trainees Passage na kahit army training ang pagpasok dito, makakalabas pa rin. Mukhang nakakitaan ng vandal so dapat maging istrikto lang. Cayetano B. Tuddao, Anchor/Reporter/Stringer, DZCV-Clearview TV, GMA News

Tabaco Cave ang kwebang dapat puntahan. Ang stalactites at stalagmites ay magaganda pa rin. And na amazed ako sa crystal lights. Pero sa kabuuan ng pag explore ko ang Big Dome ang tumawag sa akin ng pansin, its a big WOW, perfect kasi malawak. Tabaco Cave is not only for Local tourists but also for International tourists. Oliver Tamayao Baccay, Information Center Manager, PIA- Cagayan, Host, Tipon-Tipan Sa PIA

Ang nakadagdag sa ganda ng Tabaco Cave ay may istorya siya. Lalong-lalo na sa mga tourguide na kung saan maalam sa mga sinasabi nila. Teresa Castillo Campos, Radyo Ng Bayan-DWPE-Tuguegarao Host Dateline Cagayan

The mediamen appreciate the magnificent stalactites at the 1st chamber of Tobacco Cave in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan. From Left Alvin delos Santos, John Mallonga, Benjie de Yro, and Oliver Baccay of PIA, Cayetano Tuddao of DZCV (partly hidden), Marvin Cangcang of DZGR Bombo Radyo, Precious de Polonia of RBC CaTV, a police officer who provided the mediamen security, a tour guide of LGU Sta. Teresita.

The mediamen appreciate the magnificent stalactites at the 1st chamber of Tobacco Cave in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan. Lovellia Labsang (left), one of the tour guides orients mediamen on the dos and donts inside the cave in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan. From left are RBC CaTV Cameraman Rambo Cepede, RnB-DWPE Newswriter and Broadcaster Teresa Campos (partly hidden), RBC CaTV Reporter Precious de Polonia, Clearview CaTV News Anchor TJ Tuddao, DZGR Bombo Radyo Reporter Marvin Cangcang, PIA Info. Officer Benjie de Yro, and Emerson Aleste, President of Sta. Teresita Association Receptionist and Tour Guide(partly hidden).

DWPE Radyo ng Bayan Newswriter Teresa Campos, DZGR Bombo Radyo Reporter Marvin Cangcang, and Benjie de Yro of PIA enter the crystal room of Tobacco Cave 1st chamber.

WOW ang Tabacco Cave unlike sa ibang cave na napuntahan ko. And its my first time na makakita ng crystal lights... super ganda. Precious De Polonia, RBC Cable Systems, Reporter/Documentarist.

Very challenging ang pagpasok sa Tabaco Cave. And its my first time na mag caving kaya natuwa ako sa mga nakita ko. Marvin Cang-Cang, Reporter, Bombo Radyo-DZGR

Tour Guides: Lovella Labsang and Emerson Aleste

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Bakong fibers

Bakong bags and twines

Nardas hand woven fabric

Business World ecstatic over Bakong(First of Two Parts)

By Benjie S. De Yro

What was once considered a water parasite and a sucker in pristine and virginal Sta. Teresita is now the toast of the business investment world.

Locally known as bakong (Hanguana Malayana), the plant is a perennial rhizomatous herb that grows up to one to two meters in height and is native to the Philippines, including Palau and Peninsular Malaysia.

They occur in a wide range of wetland and terrestial habitat, swamps, marshes, rivers and streams and other freshwaters.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and

Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List, bakong is not a threatened species as there is no evidence to suggest that it is in decline and instead showed a wide ecological amplitude.

It came as a surprise, therefore, when the same website noted that there is no information on the use or trade of the species. They havent heard what Sta. Teresita did and is doing? Possibly.

Only last year, the California Furniture Manufacturing Corporation took interest and produced furniture/gift items with more production targeted for a possible product launching in future exhibits. Also, Nardas of Baguio has already experimented on the fibers and produced handloom-woven bakong fibers.

In the case of the local government unit, it was accidental as it was providential. Mayor Lolita Garcia during the Biodiversity-Friendly Business and Investment Forum in Manila told the business sector she nearly asked her people to get rid of the plant when she first saw the species thick vegetation along Bangalao Lake (Laguna De Cagayan). The municipality was then into the thick of preparation for the 1st National Eco-Tourism Festival in 2013.

But I remembered the water lilies of Marikina and the water hyacinths of Thailand where, those much smaller in sizes, were able to provide income for the people. I decided to bank on this species, she said.

She literally marched into the doors of the Department of Trade and Industry and was introduced to the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP). The agency did some studies and experimentations soon after. The verdict? Bakong Plant turned out to

have tremendous potentials as raw material in the furniture and giftware industry.

Early manipulations of the plant by DCP has produced fibers from its stem, handmade paper and dyed pulp

of Bakong leaves and stems and can be mixed with abaca fiber.

She recalled that the first time she was elected, she had been nurturing the idea of making eco-tourism an economic booster.

My constituents could hardly improve their lives because the only means of living is through farming and fishing. That is aside from the annual visit of natural calamities like typhoons, she added.

It is imperative that Sta. Teresita has just discovered an abundant supply of another green gold that the local legislators went to work. Immediately, three ordinances were passed to make sure there will be no abuse. These

included the declaration of the whole area of Bangalao as a protected area, the regulation of harvesting, cutting or picking of the plant without the needed permit.

So engrossed with the potentials of the species that the municipality likewise initiated its own studies as to the method of harvesting the plant vis-a vis its vegetative growth.

In March last year, the Laguna De Cagayan Handicraft Association was organized with 37 members, most of them farmers and core shelter beneficiaries.

Just whats in store for this latest fiber discovery? The local government unit has the answer. (PSL/BSY)

10 - BanggalaoWord-of-mouth ...from page 1expeditions to many African , Southeast Asian and Middle East countries. He publishes the successful series of Berliner Hoehlenkundliche Berichte, considered the only expedition reports in English language that cover areas worldwide.

Well be coming up a book of caves possibly next year, Laumanns said.

He might likewise organize a team in Germany for another expedition in Sta. Teresita during the 4th national eco-tourism next year.

The local government unit led by Mayor Lolita Garcia sponsored the Sta. Teresita leg of the expedition after the teams expedition in Balbalan, Kalinga the previous week.

Garcia expressed confidence that the next leadership will likewise continue what her administration started specially at this point when the caves are slowly earning attention from the mainstream and social media.

Meanwhile , Jean-Pierre Bartoleyns, a member of the team said his group, back in his native Belgium, will simply published a full article on the expedition. Jean-Pierre is strongly involved in the karst and cave protection since early 1970s in his country. He is in charge of the Karst and Cave Protection Department

A newly discovered Arizero Cave.

in the International Union of Speleology and one of its Adjunct Secretaries.

The team members included Helmut Steiner (Germany), Dominik Frohlich (Germany), Marc Vandermeulen (Belgium), Nancy Pistole (USA), Matt Oliphant (USA), Roman Hapka (Switzerland), Livia Cordeiro (Brazil), Rafael Camargo (Brazil), Chadi Chaker (Lebanon) and Joey Abou Jaoude (Lebanon).

The team was hosted by members of the Sierra Madre Outdoor Club led by its President Nida Dela Cruz and visiting Balincaguin Conservancy.

Mayor Garcia said that with majority of the caves mapped and described with some corresponding names to boot, Sta. Teresita is all set for the 3rd National Eco-tourism Festival come February 24 28 this year.

News Bits

Fun GamesVarious indigenous games will be

played during the Indigenous Games chaired by the Department of Education. School Principal Renato Acosta identified the games as pig catching, cadang-cadang, liddeg-eating and eel catching. He assured the public it will be another fun games to be remembered.

Beki Ng KalikasanAn undisclosed number of gay men

will fight it out in an unusual beauty pageant dubbed as Beki Ng Kalikasan where 50 percent will depend on beauty while the remaining 50 percent will depend on the weight of plastic materials gathered by the candidate within his barangay. Mayor Lolita Garcia said that with the search, the LGBT community in her town are not left behind but rather encourage to take their part in environment protection.

Nida dela Cruz of SMOC takes time out to be with new foreign guest-cavers.

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Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns (Belgium)Jean-Pierre participates and organizes expeditions to Brazil, France, Gabon, India, Iran, Laos, Macedonia, Mexico, Switzerland (Siebenhenste), Tanzania, and... He is strongly involved in the karst and cave protection since the early 70 in Belgium. He is in charge of the Karst and Cave Protection Department in the International Union of Speleology and one of its Adjunct Secretaries.tMichael Laumanns (Germany)Michael participates in and organizes expeditions to many African, SE Asian, and Middle East countries. He publishes the successful series of Berliner Hoehlenkundliche Berichte. The only expedition reports in English language that cover areas worldwide.

Helmut Steiner (Germany)Helmut is the biological expert of the expedition and has meanwhile a huge collection of insects and bat skeletons. His expedition equipment is infamous wish it and he has it. He participates also at the French expeditions to Khammouane (Laos).

Dominik FrhlichDominik, got introduced to caving on a backpacking trip in Albania in the Schwbische Alb (Germany), Austria and Jura (France).

Marc Vandermeulen (Belgium) Marc is a caver since 1985 and cave diver since 1990. Participates and organizes caving or cave diving expeditions in France, Italy, Laos, Macedonia (FYROM), Philippines, Switzerland (Siebenhengste) and other countries. Enjoys exploring remote and inaccessible cavities like Matka Vrelo in Macedonia or Sulpan Cave System in Samar (Philippines).Nancy Pistole (USA)Nancy is a long time veteran of caving and has been on most continents. Her caving area is south of her home town of Los Angeles in the neighboring countries of Mexico and Guatemala. Nancys hobby is cartography and she has won awards for her cave maps.

Matt Oliphant (USA)Matt is from Los Angeles, and has been caving for over 30 years. He has caved in many countries around the world, but has spent the most time in the caves of Mexico and Guatemala. He especially likes river caves. One of his hobbies is cave photography.

Roman Hapka (Switzerland)Roman organized caving expeditions on the five continents and has specialized in underground surveying. Multiple discoveries have been systematically published as books or articles.

Lvia Cordeiro (Brazil)Livia is caving since 2005. She is an expert in subterranean biology. On her expeditions around Brazilian savannah, Atlantic Rain Forest, Amazon and Pantanal karst areas, besides mapping and exploring the caves, she inventoried the general fauna and has special focus on aquatic organisms. She discovered many new species to science and is deeply involved with cave protection.Rafael Camargo (Brazil) Rafael had started caving in 2005 and worked in most karst and also iron formations areas in Brazil. Worldwidly he knows just few caves in Ireland and the Mammoth Cave System. His specialities are cave survey - as sketcher - and photography. He also likes vertical, climbing and squeezing explorations.

Chadi Chaker (Lebanon)Chadi is caving since 2005. He participated in many international expeditions: Iran Salt caves, Syria Lava tubes, Turkey... Caving in many countries: Turkey, Sultanate of Oman, USA, Croatia...

Joey Abou Jaoude (Lebanon)Joey is a caver and a member of the SCL (Speleo club du Liban) since 2011. He participated in expeditions to Oman and Lebanon, and the latest 2014 International Speleological Expedition to Lebanon in the Jaj plateau.

They were here, the Multi-National Expedition Team members. Lets meet them

Courtesy of SMOC

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2015 Diwata ng Kalikasan Candidates

AIMEE P. BELEN(Transport Group)

MELVILLE MAE A. BILAG(Business Group)

RHINA BAQUISTA(DATAJ Aquafarm)

BERNALYN T. MIRANDA(National Line Agencies-DILG/PNP/

BJMP/DAR/Comelec)

RHENIERIENJOY JAVIER(Local Government Unit)

QUEINCHIE S. TALBO(Liga ng mga Barangay)

CHARLENE JOY A. YERE(Sta. Teresita District Schools)

ANGELICA C. TAMARGO(Sta. Teresita Natl High School)

KRISTEL JOYCE P. TACAS(St. Francis Academy)

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LGU staff and farmers undergo enhancement training on bakong manipulation in coordinationwith the DTI and Design Center of the Philippines on Feb 3-5, 2015.

Candidates to the Diwata ng Kalikasan search display their best form.

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