It was indeed a big chance that I met him; I never thought that we could ever talk for a while as it is only in the papers and on TV that I knew, and saw him. Had it not been for Darwin, I could never have the chance to meet him, and what a chance. Of course, I was not taking a chance; it had precisely come to me in an appropriate time and maybe in a wrong place.
I was busy with my wife one Sunday afternoon cleaning the Grade Four Apollo classroom, because classes had just been on, and duty bound being a striving husband maybe to compensate all the woes I have had, I owe always to be behind with my wife’s for the greater good of the family. Cleaning a schoolroom is one good reason to say rather to express how sorry we are. He. He!
Suddenly my phone rang and I barked, “Hello! Ay! It’s you Win [Darwin]. What’s up? Anything…” He said, “Where are you? I would like you to meet someone whom you know, but who truly is not a friend of yours yet.” In deeper thoughts, I began to frown, thinking just what exactly he meant. So, I told him, “I am here in Balingasag Central School across the softball field. Yap! Getting good, helping my wife clean the room.” “OK drop by if you wish. Bye.”
Some thirty minutes later, a Sports Utility Vehicle appeared and heading across the field towards us. Ayay! What’s this? Who are they? Pahamak talaga ‘to si Darwin … ayay! I began to wonder, could it be my previous ex-GF who might be looking for me all these years, good heavens? Certainly not! The car halted, the door opened and I hold my breath, and my eyes met Darwin’s uncles namely: Esiong, Parito and Lionel. Of course, I know them, they are my relatives in my paternal side, – and the grandmother of Darwin was Felisa Valmores, who married Bienvenido Emata of Tagoloan. Together with their daughters, Darwin’s uncles[2] were here in Misamis Oriental because of a clan reunion of the Emata’s in Tagoloan.
After exchanging pleasantries with my relatives, an athletic guy, of course, a handsome guy was introduced to me by Darwin. I was not too composed at that time, maybe tongue-tied in disbelief, but I know his “looks” is ultra familiar to me. With beard or no beard, sideburns and moustaches, as he used to have before, I know absolutely who he was. My gosh! “Pastour Emata … I am glad to meet you”.
Darwin said, “I told you, you know him”. I replied, “Yes, everyone or more specific every sportsman knows him, Erwin Pastour Emata is the second Filipino to ever summitted Mt. Everest in 2006 with Leo Oracion.”
They did it in one icy summer day, exactly 29,029 feet up above sea level, they summitted to a livable but impracticable place on earth to live by, with its thin air. Pastour and Leo had monumental photos on the top of the world depicting a sacrifice so noble, which had been seen not only here in the Philippines, but all over the mountaineering world. These two Filipinos had accomplished something big, quite comparable with the exploits of Sir Erwin Hilary in the 1950’s; and with other mountaineers who dared the Everest, but failed like the fame Scott Fisher, Rob Rowe, and others more.
In their triumph and glory, one fact is established, “When Others can Do it, the Filipino Can, and even can Excel.”
Unknown to most of us, Pastour, and the rest of the Everest Team [male group] were again in the dreaded, but beautiful Mt. Everest in 2008, in support of the solid Filipino women group, who like the boys dared to summit it, which they successfully did, too, by traversing it from Tibet to Nepal, or through the northern side.
I asked him, if he wishes to summit Mt. Everest again, he replied, “I wish to return there, however the Doctor[3] has not given me clearance yet to do it again. The thin air of the mountain is certainly not good; despite you carry tanks of pure oxygen.”
From the Mountains to the Deep Blue Seas:
Pastour’s adventures did not end up in the peaks of the Himalayas neither in the mountains of Apo, Kitanlad, Kalatungan, Kanlaon, nor in Sandakan, Borneo where they had their recent excursion with Manila’s elite family that owns the biggest TV networth; nevertheless, it has even gone into a cross-over to an unfamiliar discipline, which he has not been in. Indeed, from the adventures in the mountains, it has gone to the deep blue seas.
Why there has been such a drastic change? Had he been already bored from the hazards of a free fall to the bottom of the precipice, where in a wink of an eye life could expire instantaneously, or get in to a much greater kick on a more excruciating mode of dying … drowning? For a non-sportsman, questions associated with great risks and life threatening situation are always answered fatally with, “I do not wish to do or be involved with that kind of sports or endeavor.” Obviously, we wish to be in the safer confines of our comfort zone because we do not wish to take any risk, and repent afterwards if there is a chance to do one. But for a sportsman’s point of view, taking risk is something noble and a challenge so great more so if he knows the purpose why such has to be undertaken or accomplished, is indeed a privilege to take the dare and go for the win.
From the mountains, Pastour or Erwin Pastour together with Mt. Everest mountaineers[4] admitted the challenge to sail on board the balanghai, a boat fashioned and designed using a technology so crude, which our forefathers had used dating back during pre-Hispanic times. In Philippine History, the boats - balanghais were used by our seafaring ancestors in their migration from other points in Asia to the Philippines, and likewise such vessels were equally used for trade and commerce by them.[5]
To commemorate its unproven success and prove it at rem again that such sea travel indeed happened, sailing in a “modern day balanghai” must be done.[6] To sail the modern day balanghai is to go back in time or to imaginatively time slip, should we say; from the 21st century to maybe in the year 200 AD or even earlier. The balanghai must be sailed by steering or navigating it with the sun, the North Star – the Polaris and other constellations; through the hissy sound and direction of the winds, lulling and, wave and tide patterns [habagat, dumagsa, etc.] and employ other primitive ways of navigation, such maybe as observing the flight routes of migratory birds. Henceforth, modern day navigational equipment and instruments such as the GPS, gyroscope, radar, marine engines, communication radios [ship to shore telephone or satellite phones], or even field glasses must be dispensed with, for nipa or buri sails for propulsion. Furthermore, they had to relay on visual senses to determine and plot the position of constellations and the sun, unless of course there exists some urgent necessity or emergency to save lives of crews and the ship from wreck. But all outside this parameter, the primitive ways of navigation must be sacredly adhered. As desired, the balanghai must sail like a fearless fish in the vast oceans of uncertainties, unmindful of whatever misfortunes may come at sea, and prepared to achieve glory, or accept enough defeat without regrets for possessing a braveheart and hardened determined mind comparable with the courage and guts of those able men and women, who boarded it that complemented the core crew, for a game, they called as adventure. They have been in there to bet and gamble with their own lives for exchange of lifetime legacies and achievements.
The Voyage:
The three balanghais or Butuan boats are named as “Masawa Hong Butuan” [Radiance of Butuan]; “Sama Tawi-tawi [People of Tawi-tawi]; and “Diwata ng Lahi” [Goddess of Race].
As planned, the Southeast Asian tour shall be sailed more or less by 2010, so, to catch the timetable earlier in September 2009, the Balanghai official voyage kicked off at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.[7] Their voyages were in Philippine territorial waters first, and were set on different legs. Approximately from where it started in Manila to the southern part of the Philippine territory in the province of Tawi-tawi de Cagayan in a place called Siluag [North Latitude 4º 43.3’, or in East Longitude 199º 08.7’], it would have to take them some 120 days to complete the voyage for a total distance of 2,136 nautical miles or 3,960 kilometers. [Please take note however that the voyage from Manila to Siluag in Tawi-tawi is not direct but by legs. Thus, it took a longer travel time and more days to complete it.]
The first leg of the voyage was from Manila to Calapan, Mindoro for 10 days; second leg from Calapan to Boracay, 10 days; Boracay to Bacolod, 10 days; Bacolod to Mactan, 16 days; Mactan to Butuan via Argao, Jagna, Panglao, Maasin-Leyte, San Bernardo-Limasawa[8], Cabadbaran and Butuan, 20 days; Butuan to Ozamiz, 10 days; Ozamiz to Zamboanga City, 11 days; the 8th Leg from Zamboanga City to Cotabato City, 13 days; 9th Le from Cotabato to Davao City, 17 days; and the last leg of the Philippine Voyage back at Zamboanga to Siluag in 12 days. [From Zamboanga it passed through Isabela in Basilan, then to Jolo, Siasi, Point Laguran, Bongao, Sibuto, Silengko and finally Siluag, all in the province of Tawi-tawi de Sulu.[9]]
Our friend Pastour had no specific or permanent boat assignment, but the Expedition Leader, Art Valdez; aptly assigned him to any of the balanghais as an Able Bodied Seaman [no longer as a Mountaineer] to troubleshoot problems, in some ways in technical service to navigation, and in other instances to boost the moral of his colleagues since he is a good mixer. Sometime he even stood as a comic just to make someone laugh. This is his diversity, so complex but rather versatile, as cool as the seas he travels.
Southeast Asian Leg:
As can be recalled, the Balanghais Asian tour supposedly to happen in 2010, and with the facts presented above, we know that they left in September 2009 from Manila and for 120 days shall arrive in Siluag in Tawi-tawi province.
So, by analogy, they had been able to hit their goal, indeed, they started navigating the Asian waters by 2010. They arrived at Sandakan, Borneo after crossing the Philippine borders in the southwest.[10] So, they were or had anchored in Palau Tigabu, in Kodat and Kota Belud. Likewise, they visited Kirtih and Kuanta City all in Malaysia, and from Kirtih they sailed to Tambelan, Indonesia.
In one of their voyage between Malaysia and Singapore, as reported, the crews of the balanghais were fortunate to scout four (4) whirlpools in the high seas. Had they been unable to spot the dangerous whirlpools, surely a disaster would certainly have happened.
As reported by Filipino Chief Mate on leave of a global bulk carrier en route to Asia’s busiest Port of Singapore, their next port of call after Manila South Harbor; he said, “While we were navigating and nearing the busy Strait of Singapore, we spotted three fancy vessels moving slowly but majestically. We observed that they were not emitting smokes; however, great buri sails were hoisted for propulsion. As we go near them but keeping a safer distance to avoid collision, we noticed that these are wooden vessels and the Philippine flag swayed in the air triumphantly. We took pictures, blasted our ship’s whistle in salute to these fragile vessels crewed and maneuvered by our brave countrymen.”[11]
From Singapore, they coasted to the Gulf of Thailand and criss-crossed the following ports: Bangkok to Koh Kong; Khanom to Bangkok; Koh Kong to Sihanouk Ville; and Sihanouk Ville to Kertih and Sien Reap, respectively.
Moving northwards they sailed for Cambodia [more or less the place is like Mindanao during the time of NPA insurgency and Moro cessation wars in the early 1980’s and mid 70’s. But nowadays Cambodia is peaceful like also Mindanao (?). Of course, they never missed to visit Angkor. This place is a national heritage of Cambodia, a civilization in one moment in history flourished here in the midst of the jungle. Angkor once had an advance civilization and culture as depicted in the ruins of their city. The civilization vanished; and only a city in ruins remains. Why the civilization vanished? It is somehow one nice work of an academic research. Nonetheless, the balanghai had gone also to Ta Prohm in Cambodia, and Pastour told us, “the seas during our travel to Vietnam[12] are really rough.” He reasoned out that simply, it was turbulent and rough because we entered the South China Seas; and had they pushed on northward until Taiwan or Formosa, they would have entered the Devil Seas, one of the superb rough seas in Asia, where most ships even modern seagoing vessels met their restful garage.
Home at Last:
Despite, the balanghai crew spent a longer time in the Asian countries, we wonder if they know a little bit of our neighbors’ language and culture. For sure their trip was not only exploratory, but to promote goodwill as well among countries. So, whether they like it or not, they qualified as our outright ambassadors of goodwill – bringing the fame of the Filipino and his versatility.
The balanghais anchored in Balabac Island, Palawan on November 16-17, 2010.[13] [My friend and likewise a counterpart in the Government Service, Mr. Edwin Aban, who is a Municipal Civil Registrar is from Balabac. I have not seen him in the recent PACR Convention on July 11-15, 2011 in Cagayan de Oro City; nevertheless, I hope and I shall always be eager to see him in other gatherings in the future. My warmest regards to him.]
Per the voyage logs, the balanghais were in Brooks Point in the southern tip of the peninsula near the town of Bataraza[14] on 17-18 November 2010. They never missed Puerto Princesa City[15] because they had been there on 18-21 November 2010, and left for Dumaran Island on the 21st also of November. Staying in Dumaran until 22 November, they sailed to El Nido,[16] Palawan and stayed thereat until the 24 November 2010. However, on the 25 November 2010, they decided to leave for Coron and Busuanga in the Calamianes Group of Islands[17] until 29 November 2010.
Moreover, the voyage log says that on 25-29 November 2010, a balanghai also sailed and was anchored in Boracay, Aklan. By this voyage log, one plain connotation means, another balanghai navigated to Boracay, because no ship can be in two different places on similar dates and time, unless of course, if the logs were wrong.
The balanghais from their ports of call sailed to Roxas, Mindoro[18] on 29 November 2010, and the following day proceeded to Batangas City. They arrived in Batangas City on 30 November 2010, and sailed again on 2 December 2010 for Nasugbu and Sangley Point in Cavite on 2-4 December 2010. On similar day that is on 4 December 2010, they sailed from Sangley for Manila and anchored at the quay of the Harbor Square Plaza in CCP Complex. But their adventures never stopped yet, for the balanghais sailed again from Manila to Roxas, Mindoro, with a total distance of 405 kilometers voyage to complete their Philippine Tour. From Mindoro, they sailed to San Jose, Antique[19]; Sioton, Negros Oriental; and then to Mindanao in Misamis Oriental in a town named Balingoan, which is a jump-off point to the Island Paradise of Camiguin. That voyage logged some 210 kilometers and took them two days [16-17 December 2010] to arrive Balingoan. Had that cruise from Sioton to Balingoan been made with diesel engines, it would have consumed a dozen of barrels of crude oil. But since the boat is powered by northeasterly winds, they sailed smoothly as silk.
On 18 December 2010, the balanghai arrived in Butuan City. Feeling the comfort of home, they stayed there shortly until 19 December 2010, for they departed for Lazi, Siquijor on the 19th of December. From Siquijor, they sailed for Dapitan and Sipalay, and raised anchor on 21 December 2010 for their northwest voyage to Bacolod City; and arrived thereat on 22 December 2010.
There was no sailing activity because in two days would be Christmas Eve. The core crew must have spent their Christmas in Bacolod or Bago, or may have left for their homes for a while inasmuch as they continued their voyage on 7 January 2011 to the beautiful island of Boracay once more. From there, they sailed to Mamburao, Mindoro Occidental on 10 January 2011, and called the day off. The following day, 11 January 2011, they crossed not more than 600 kilometers and were in Calatagan, Batangas on the same day until 12 January 2011.
Finally, perhaps by Poseidon’s sheer luck [God of the Seas in Greek mythology], and certainly because of the blessings of our Lord Almighty, the Omnipotent Master of Heaven and Earth; these band of adventurous tough breed of men and women completed the 14,000 kilometers or 8,700 miles voyage in a 14th month epic journey, which initially commence in Philippine territorial waters, and across Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.[20] They dropped anchor on 14 January 2011 at the CCP-Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex on similar spot where they commenced their voyage. It ended officially their voyage.
The tougher leg or the sea sickening part of their voyage were those in Romblon, Surigao, Cuyo, Culaya, Semirara, Calavite, Verde Passage, Masbate and in the Balabac Islands.[21]
Presently, the Masawa Hong Butuan formerly skippered by Jose Manginsay, is now in its homeport in Barangay Bading, Butuan City. It returned to Butuan on 31 January 2011 and entered the Agusan River while it was overflowing because of a tropical storm. Despite, how treacherous it was to navigate the mighty and swelling Agusan River that emanates from the Compostela Valley, which is further reinforced by the waters of the marshland from the southern areas; Masawa sailed on, because as if there was a call from beyond, a call of great concern and sympathy, after she had passed all her ordeals. Seemingly, it says “come to me… I will give you rest.”[22]
Masawa Hong Butuan safely dropped anchor in the midst of peoples’ welcome. Truly, it is the Radiance of Butuan; the balanghai of the winds, and it had almost dived to eternity so with her sisters ships to ease out all their hardships and pains in the Seas of Celebes; however, they refused to accept defeat, but sailed and let live.
On the other hand, Sama Tawi-tawi is at the drydocking facilities undergoing repairs in Bago City, Negros Occidental. Art Valdez will oversee it.[23]
In the meanwhile, balanghai “Diwata ng Lahi” rests majestically at the National Museum in Manila. It symbolizes Filipino ingenuity, his seafaring qualities inherent in him being in direct homogeneous line with his ancestors, and furthermore, once again, it has shown to the world that the Filipino can . . . deliver everything, where others too were able to do.
A question, however, hangs in the air, would the balanghais sail again to address and fulfill its vision to sail all across Micronesia and the Pacific? How soon? If that would come, I know maybe you, or perhaps me, will come forward one day. Great young or old idealism maybe arisen or whatever … ang huling sibol ng tunay nga mga adbenturista! Yes, only the braves are never forgotten by time. If we name names, we shall have a litany.
From the Bulletsbiker to the core crew of the balanghais, our mountaineers who easily blended well as sailors in a cross-over of discipline; the Coast Guard and Philippine Navy, and our Badjao brothers, we heartily congratulate them. You have proven something great not only for yourselves, but most importantly to the Filipino Nation, which you represented. We are proud as a nation of brave, intelligent, and God-fearing people, like our neighbors.
May the voyage major sponsors consider sending the balanghais again, this, we keep on dreaming, as the climbers said, “it started as a dream.”
Contributed by:
Darwin I. Emata and Rex R. Valmores
Barangay Poblacion 2,
Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
Mindanao, Philippines
[1] This is a Bulletsbiker’s special feature story on the exploits of Erwin Pastour Emata, [to our points of views, qualified as an adopted son of Balingasag though some sort of public written recognition except this has not yet been made; for his father once resided and even studied his elementary grades here] acclaimed as the second Filipino to ever climb Mt. Everest next to his climbing partner Leo Oracion; and the rests of the men and women of the Balangay or Butuan Boat who made a classic journey to fame, thus bequeathing a legacy to all Filipinos for having daringly maneuvered the 14000 kilometers of travel across the Philippine territorial waters and the seas of Southeast Asia on wooden boats measuring some 15 meters long and 3 to 4 meters wide; and exposed to all the hazards of the seas for its vulnerability of being blown off course; collision with other boats and objects; great storm and towering waves; and battling oneself against depleting moral for fear of death.
While it is true and we accepted it that Leo reached the summit first than Pastour in their quest to conquer Everest, we believe it would be even more fair to roll the story that the two mountaineers were the first Filipinos to climb Everest. Why are there still modifiers to say that he was the first or second to summit when in fact the two climbers indeed worked jointly so that Everest would be conquered by Filipinos? Leo Oracion and Pastour Emata worked as a team, and they are the best example of what teamwork is, and had it not been of Leo’s climbing partner, he would have not successfully done the climb by himself alone. A climbing partner is necessary for one to climb. But sadly, it went that way, why because of media mileage? Even if media plays an important role in information, it must be remembered that any group undertaking must be fairly credited to the group. That is why a 400 x 4 Olympic Relay Team in a Track and Field Event, all four (4) athletes are to be awarded with a medal, because it is a group effort and not an individual event, though evidently personal effort is there always exerted by one.
In Olympic basketball, the same tradition applies, and how much more in Mountain Climbing sports when one has to depend or relay his life and safety with his climbing partner or partners, who held the other end of the rope, or whatever it is, in an adventure so grueling. In this kind of discipline sometimes or oftentimes it sadly ended in tragedy, maybe attributed by accidental fall due to loose tie lines, or slip either from losing one’s footing or balance, or an enlargement of one’s brain due to starvation of oxygen – a slow and so cruel death the dreaded mountain or altitude sickness.
Moreover, one common cause of death in high altitude climbing as it is also extremely cool up there; is the considerable lose of body heat, or hypothermia. Dr. Fred Esguerra can scare us to death, if he would tell us in details, why.
The Bulletsbiker wishes to acknowledge the fact that the Balangay or Balanghai Voyage succeeded because of the collective efforts of the crew, and from the support of people or sponsors though they were unable to physically join the voyage, they, however, were able to significantly contribute either in services, or on logistical support. What we feature today is one of their shipmates, Erwin Pastour Emata.
With due respect on the expertise and achievements of everyone on board the balangay, please do not misunderstand that we deliberately do not wish to recognize or acknowledge your laudable participation in the voyage. It is only your shipmate that we featured most for one clear reason; he visited our bike club even for a shorter time. In return of that great honor in having him here with us, we believe it is worthwhile to notate his achievements with distinction, as he also deserves it. The general story revolves around on the endeavors of the balangay or balanghai voyage. Despite, the story is not that much comprehensive unlike when one is on board the boat or a crew, at least we tried to have it portrayed that way. [Perhaps, Sir Art Valdez would consider one from the Bulletsbiker Club to join should another expedition be launched someday, as we are adventurous and fearless at seas like them, as well. Maybe kidding?]
Furthermore, we call what others call as “Balangay” as “Balanghai”. We believe there is no great problem if these names shall be taken synonymously because in the memoirs of Antonio Pigafetta, he called the boat “balanghai” and not as “balangay”. Such fact is indicated in Fr. Miguel A. Bernad SJ, “Re-examination of Evidence, Limasawa or Butuan,” Kinaadman, Philippine Studies.
Lastly, the writer wishes to apologize for his inadequacies; nevertheless, it is his intention to capsulize and consolidate the voyage story, which he laboriously tried to analyze as presented in the logs of voyage occurring in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
Please, therefore, bear with us. [This is Rex R. Valmores, po’ of www.bulletsbiker.bravehost.com or www.bulletsbiker.cr.nr., a biker forever by heart and Secretary of BALINGASAG UNDISTINGUISHED LAST LEGION OF EXTREME TREKKERS (BULLETS)] Thank you po’.
[2] Parito lives now in Los Angeles, California and purposely was here for the reunion; Lionel in Novaliches, Quezon City; and Endelesio in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
[3] Dr. Fred Esguerra was the Expedition Doctor to Everest and likewise in the balanghai voyage. He is from the Philippine Coast Guard and an expert in High Altitude Medicine. In fact, he is a lone practitioner in his field of expertise in the country. [From the balangayworldwideweb.]
[4] Core crew complement of the balanghais: Art T. Valdez, Expedition Leader; Leo Oracion; Janet Belarmino; Carina Dayondon; Noelle Wenceslao; Dr. Fred Esquerra; Fred Jamili, Voltaire Velasco [Weather Analyst], Lito Esperar; and Maka Bin, and assisted by other 40 to 60 people who are seafarers, chroniclers and scientists. Other crew complement: From the Philippine Coast Guard, three men, R. Godoy, N. Ojan, and JP Rodriguez; Philippine Navy: R. Santelices, M. Loyola, P. Punongbayan, and J. Banosa III; and the Badjao Crew: Ibrahim Abdulla, Jubail Muyong, Abdul Abdulla, Sukrie Jaunal, and Mura. The boats were constructed without nails; the Badjao crafted them excellently to withstand the enormous pressure of heavy waves. But the moment the boat’s plank and beams, which are joined securely by bended or carved hardwood pins and pegs possibly made of guijo and magkuno attached to its main superstructure give way or break away, the prow or the hull of the boat would be certainly in a high risk of structural collapse, and heaven knows what would happen next. [From the balanghai worldwideweb.]
[5] In his book, “Pre-Hispanic Source Materials”, William Henry Scott wrote that during the Sung Dynasty of China sometime in 982 AD, the first official reference of the Philippines doing trade with them was recorded as “traders from Ma-i [present day Mindoro]. Such trading relation was again remarkably indicated by Chan Ju Kua in 1525, when he said, “The rich city of Ma-i lies north of Borneo.” “The San hsu (3 islands belong to Ma-i) and these are possibly the islands of Calamian or Culion [Kia-ma-yen]; Pa-ki-muy probably Busuanga; and Pa-law-yu probably Denon de Cena.
[6] In 1976, nine (9) balanghais were discovered in Butuan [Mindanao], three (3) were excavated and through carbon dating, it is believed that those boats dated back in the year 320, 990, and 1250 Annum Domini, or before the Spaniards came.
[7] The Diwata ng Lahi sailed on its maiden voyage sailed for Ternate in Cavite on 10 September 2009, and was anchored thereat due to tropical storm. On November 25-26, 2009, while it was sailing from Surigao City bound for Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte after they finished the Limasawa Leg, in the Bohol Seas, tropical storm Urduja slapped mercilessly Diwata as she tossed her in all directions. Almost lame by the fierce battle against nature, it managed to back track its course to Surigao City and safely anchored thereat. These two incidents were the formal baptism of Diwata ng Lahi to her sea worthiness. Their expedition leader Art Valdez was with the Surigao-Cabadbaran failed voyage. His tact and sound decision making saved them from the unnecessary perils had they did not back track. [From the blogs of Janet Belarmino posted 25-26 November 2009, and Dr. Fred Esquerra, 10 September 2009.]
[8] Limasawa is 9º 57.2’ North Latitude and Butuan is 9º02.5’. By this GPS reading, the First Mass Controversy could somehow be resolved as to where Fr. Pedro Valderama, a Diocesan Priest, and Magellan’s Chaplain during the expedition in 1521 indeed had the Mass in Philippine soil. Was it in Masao, Butuan or Masaua, or Limasawa off the island of Leyte? [Aside from existing circulation like Fr. Miguel A. Bernad’s SJ, book “The Great Island”, probably in the summer in 2012 or late next year, a forthcoming book entitled “Marginal Literature: Evangelization and Exploration in Northern Mindanao, and Other Related Events in Spanish Colonial Philippines” would perhaps be finally considered for publication soon, depending on the work progress of the editor and of course, its logistical resources. Hopefully, all would be well, but on the logistic side, surely it is always an ache - a headache.] In one of the essays, is about the First Mass Controversy; and in some ways it has connection to the fame voyage of the balanghais.
[9] As it was already approved in the 3rd reading by Congress during its 14th Congress, the Sheikh Karimul Makhdul Mosque at Tubig, Indangan, Simunul, Province of Tawi-tawi, maybe by now a law declaring the latter as the oldest Muslim House of Prayer or Mosque in the Philippines. [House of Representatives Performance Report July 2007-June 2010 during the speakership of Prospero C. Nograles.
[10] While the balanghai navigated the waters of Sandakan, Labuan, and Kota Kinabalo, they accidentally bumped on loose logs that floated aimlessly on the endless ocean during the night. Good that the boat’s planks absorbed the impact without any remarkable damage. [From the blogs of Carina Dayondon.]
[11] A “paraphrase” based on the narration of Paul P. Pabillan, which he heard from a boat officer on vacation in one of the maritime offices located in TM Kalaw St. Manila in June 2011.
[12] Vietnam before the 1950’s was a colony of France, in fact it was called as French Indochina. There was an uprising and ultimately turned into a full blown war, the French were driven out the country; and a unit of the French Foreign Legion was totally annihilated in one of the decisive battles, which ended the French occupation in Asia. Nevertheless, a new superpower in the West waged war with Vietnam [North]. US troops invaded and occupied South Vietnam during President Lyndon Johnson’s time and the war with the North dragged on until late 1970 when Saigon, the capital of the South Vietnam fell to the North Vietnam – the Viet Cong. In that protracted war, the Philippines being an ally of the US and member of the UN, had sent a non-combatant contingent in mid 1960’s known as the PHILCAG or Philippine Civic Action Group. They were soldiers, too, was soldiers too, but of course, they were non-combat troops. [Annotation mine.]
[13] In the 1858 Balabac Island in Paragua or today’s Palawan was a naval base of the Spanish Navy to check Muslim activities in the south. __ See Fr. JS Arcilla, S.J., Jesuit Missionary Letters from Mindanao, UP-CIDS, 2000 in cooperation with the Archives of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus.
[14] It is a mining town in the province, early in the 1970’s Riotuba Mines started its business operation. __ From an interview with Vice Mayor Antonio Madera Sadongdong of Bataraza in April 2009 during the Convention of the Municipal Vice League of the Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City.
[15] Puerto Princesa City is the gateway to our Last Frontier, the province of Palawan. Palawan could compete competitively with any eco-tourism destinations in Asia or even globally. The province abounds plentiful with what nature have, from the bounty of the soils, harvests from the seas, species of animals, monumental rock formations and carved naturally into breathtaking geometric shapes and sizes [in Cuyo Island], we have it in that province.
In the western part of the province, there is a subterranean river, which is approximately 2 miles in length that could be assessed from St. Paul Bay and to exit in South China Sea [just along the shoreline not in the high seas of China]. The underground channel is about 12 meters wide and 15 meters in height.
From Puerto Princesa and going north is a seaport terminal area at the Playa Honda or Honda Bay. Sea travel to different places in Palawan like to the islands of Calamianes, Bugsuk, Cuyo and the like usually originate here.
During the Spanish colonial rule in Philippines, Playa Honda or Honda Bay was the site of countless naval battles between the Spaniards and the Muslims. The Governor General at that time was Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera, who governed the islands from 1635 to 1644. __ From Blair & Robertson.
[16] By nature the municipality has a rich fishing ground; however, off its shoreline, oil was discovered and drilling today is massively conducted, thus we have the Malampaya Project. There is now, therefore, a conflict between the preservation of nature and industrialization along these places. Maybe at this early, the price of industrialization is not felt yet, however time will come when it gives a great problem not only to local governance, but to the people in general. If that comes, it must be faced squarely, but rightly at this early start prevention and measures must be ensured already. While we accept that oil exploration is importantly necessary for the economy of a country like ours, which is dependent fully with OPEC, development or drilling works along these areas must be done cautiously to preserve nature, because the whole island shall be in jeopardy later on. Palawan is dubbed as an “Island of the Last Frontier”, and it is good to have that name till time. [Annotation mine.]
[17] The Calamian Group or Calamianes Group of Islands in western Philippines, are part of the province of Palawan in the South China Sea. They are elongated in a southwesterly direction towards Palawan Island from Mindoro Island, and they are separated by the Strait of Mindoro. There are some 98 islands in all, and Busuanga, Culion, Coron and Linacapan are the important islands, which comprise the Calamian. The islands are largely mountainous, but the soil is absolutely fertile. Aside from agricultural crops, cattle raising and fishing are important industries, as well. The entire group of islands comprises some 680 square miles. [Microsoft Encarta, accessed November 2008.]
[18] Had there been no hectic voyage schedules to follow, probably the core crew of the balanghai, the climbers; would have preferred to stay in Mindoro, not because it has “mina de oro” or mines of gold, which Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo may have noticed in the 1570’s when the conquistadores explored the area to reconnoiter it for later settlement. Maybe some good reasons for the mountaineers to stay are the mountains of Halcon and Baco, which are 8,481 and 8,160 feet respectively that had maintained the characteristics as typically tropical forest. The Island is divided into two provinces the Oriental with Calapan as the capital town, which fronted Batangas in the northeast area, and the Occidental. Mamburao is the capital of the latter, located northwest of the province.
The island of Lubang was the home of Lt. Hiroo Onoda, Japanese Army straggler, who for another 30 years carried on World War II until his surrender in March 1974. He is believed to be the last Japanese soldier to surrender after Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allied Forces in August 1945, where the armistice was signed by the General Douglas MacArthur and the Prime Minister of Japan on board the battleship Missouri, which had long been decommissioned many years ago.
In Note 4 above, William Henry Scott notated that “Ma-i is Mindoro” that was of course in the year 982 yet.
[19] Antique occupies the western coast of Panay Island; to its north is the Romblon Sea and the Gulf of Panay is at its southern part. Hantik was its old name, and believed to be given by Datu Sumakwel, one of the Bornean datus who migrated to Antique. Before 1802, the seat of governance was in Bugasong, and later it was transferred to San Jose de Buenavista in 1802 and continued until today. In 1990, it had 18 municipalities. __ From a rare short interview with Mr. Inocencio Vega, Jr., the Municipal Civil Registrar of the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista on 13 July 2011, during the Biennial Convention of the PACR [Philippine Associations of Civil Registrars] in Cagayan de Oro City on July 11-15, 2011.]
[20] Diwata ng Lahi, Sama Tawi-tawi, and Masawa Hong Butuan were blown off course in October 2010 to Indonesia. They decided to tie together the three balanghais as a last tactical effort. Such sentient move was collectively agreed to once and for all to be able to huddle together no matter what may happen to them in the midst of a great typhoon in the Seas of Celebes for three long days. Perhaps, they had said goodbye and good luck to fellow shipmates, and but not by sheer luck that the course of disaster changed, but because of the power of prayers, and a new light of hope appeared, they survived the worst storm in their greenhorn sea lives. [From the blogs of Art Valdez, their Expedition Leader, and Janet Belarmino.]
[21] We [Darwin and myself] tried to trace where the islands are that were mentioned in the tougher legs of their voyage; and indeed, we have difficulties in searching them, because firstly the maps which we had been referring too is not a navigational map. So, small islands or passages were only represented in small dots, or were poorly indicated therein. We are however convinced that all these islands could be found in the Visayan areas, or perhaps near the Bicol areas. Except for Balabac, Masbate and Romblon pertinent information about the other islands could not be supplemented.
Henceforth, for the island of Romblon – the province occupies almost the centermost part of the archipelago and located north of Panay Island in between the islands of Mindoro from the West and Masbate, on the other side. There are three (3) big islands namely: Romblon, Tablas and Sibuyan. Of the total 15 municipalities of the province, 7 municipalities are in Tablas Island [Odiongan, Sta. Fe, Alcantara, San Andres, San Agustin and Calatrava]; Sibuyan has three (3), [Magdiwang, Cajidiocan and San Fernando]; one island is the provincial capital and called also as Romblon itself; and four others islands are Simara [could this be the Semirara in the balanghais’ navigational voyage(?)], Banton, Maestro de Campo and Carabao, in which the four municipalities of Corcuera, Jones, Concepcion and San Jose officially domiciled, respectively.
Cuyo Island is part of the Calamianes Group of Islands in Palawan. But for Calavite or Culaya, we do not have any idea whether they may be located somewhere to the east between Romblon and mainland Bicol. Along this area or between Sorsogon and Samar, is a pass known during the Spanish time as Punta del Espiritu Santo, a tricky passage of the boats in the Galleon Trade in and out the Philippines to Mexico. From there, Samar and Sorsogon areas; the galleons navigated northwards towards Manila or Cavite via Capul Islands along the waters of Masbate. Probably from these areas up to the Sibuyan Seas, could be Calavite and Culaya. It is just a wild guess.
Another correct wild guess is that the Verde Passage is certainly not the Cape Verde Islands, a protectorate of the Kingdom of Portugal in the 1600’s in the Atlantic Ocean, west of mainland Africa near Gabon and Senagal. [Annotation mine].
[22] Holy Bible, Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
[23] The balanghais expedition leader, Mr. Art Valdez, who was the former DOTC Undersecretary, is from Bago City. This city is near Bacolod.
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