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Sunday, June 05, 2005
Binuyugan 2005: Maitum revisited
By Edwin G. Espejo
SCIENTISTS from the Mindanao State University (MSU) say many more species of wildlife are waiting to be discovered in Maitum, which large part of the area forms part of the Daguma Ranges.
For once, it did not rain in spite of the overcast skies early in the morning.
The day before, it rain poured in the nearby town of Kiamba creating an idyllic sunset scene for motorist trying to get through Maitum for the following day's foundation day eve of the town once almost deserted due to decades of internal strife.
Maitum budget officer Nelson Merculio aptly described the week's cold and rainy weather as a sign that will augur for this year's crop season.
Last week, Maitum marked its 46th Founding Anniversary with the Binuyugan Festival.
Binuyugan celebrates the year's bountiful harvest in honor of the original habitants of the town that was carved out of Kiamba town in the once undivided Cotabato Province.
Maitum, located 101 kilometers southwest of General Santos City and populated by just a little over 35,000 residents mostly living along the coastal line, is a largely agricultural land predominantly inhabited by migrants from the Ilocos region.
Together with its neighboring town Kiamba, it is one of the two Ilocano-speaking towns in Sarangani.
Residents of Maitum pride themselves as one of the more productive towns of the fledging province of Sarangani.
Its rich cultural heritage, a few of them preserved in the artifacts found in the caves of Pinol and Zion makes it a favorite sojourn of archeologists and historians.
The National Historical Institute reckons that the artifacts, clay pots and jars in the caves of Pinol could date back to 3,000 BC, making them one of the oldest archeological finds in the country.
Maitum's largely intact watershed and forest areas are also havens for botanists who are amazed at the diverse flora and fauna still existing side by side with residents in the area.
B'laans and T'bolis living in the hinterlands of La Union and Zion still occasionally bring games they have hunted for the day at the town proper for sale.
At any given week, you could always clandestinely buy venison and wild boar meat at a price lower than the domesticated goats and swine.
The endangered monitor lizards, the lovable tarsiers and the giant fruit bats have found sanctuary in the Maitum--that is if its remaining forest cover remains intact in the coming years.
Scientists from the Mindanao State University say many more species of wildlife are waiting to be discovered in Maitum, which large part of the area forms part of the Daguma Ranges.
With its lush and verdant forest, it is no wonder the natural waterways of Maitum are still gushing with crystal clear water with plenty of falls waiting to be appreciated.
It is for this 'edenic setting' that the indefatigable town mayor, George Yabes, has been working actively to preserve the environment.
At one time, he lobbied very hard to have the permit to cut logs of a cooperative cancelled.
With its lush and verdant forest, it is no wonder the natural waterways of Maitum are still gushing with crystal clear water with plenty of falls waiting to be appreciated.
A trek through the thick bushes of Barangays Kiayap and Bati-an will lead nature lovers to the majestic falls hidden deep into the forest. So much so that water tubing has become a favorite aqua sports adventure for local as well as foreign tourists.
This is one of the upsides of the secessionist wars in the 70's.
The town, once the battleground of many wars between the government and rebel forces, has managed to preserve its rich forest.
Peace now reigns in Maitum and it has led to more discoveries about the industriousness of its people.
Maitum is now famous for its dried fish (bangsi) and bagoong that have earned considerable income for its residents.
The latest craze to hit the town is growing and propagating the euphorbia in commercial quantity and the growing banana (cardaba variety) industry.
This year, these two products are the main showcases of Maitum.
For those who want to breathe the fresh and musk air, Maitum is just an hour and 20 minutes of leisure driving.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(May 31, 2005 issue)
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