AN ECO-FRIENDLY way to sip your favorite drink is one of the purposes envisioned by the makers of the Bantayan bamboo straws. The income-generating cottage industry of the island is in response to environmentalists’ call for “green” products.
Bantayan Island has risen from the devastation of the super typhoon Yolanda in 2013 when most, if not all, of the coconut trees were badly damaged. Bantayanons since have planted hybrid dwarf coconut trees.
Poultry was largely affected by Yolanda but the egg basket of Region 7 now harvests around a million eggs a day. According to Bryan Desartin, who manages JGR Poultry farm, its company alone harvests 36,000 eggs a day and supplies not only its neighboring towns but also cities in Cebu and Bohol. Small scale poultry farms in Madridejos have remarkably contributed to the island’s economy.
Exportation of picked crab meat and dried fish helps residents earn a living. Industriousness, resilience and versatility are assets of the Bantayanons.
The island is one of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines. La Playa and the nearby resorts have been refurbished. Added amenities and improved services, plus the clean seawater of the beaches, kept the tourism industry booming. Several apartelles have sprouted and more are being constructed to accommodate local and foreign tourists.
Visitors savor all kinds of seafood: Crabs, scallops, grilled Lapulapu, a variety of shellfish and seaweeds.
A world without fishermen is unthinkable. They are awake in the wee hours of the morning, while we are snoring and dreaming. Berthing their small seacraft, they bring with them lots of patience as they hope to catch as many aquatic resources to market. No wonder Jesus himself chose fishermen as His disciples. It is sad to note that 22 fishermen were left to drown after a maritime incident involving a Chinese vessel. Kudos to the Vietnamese fishermen who rescued them. The incident should be thoroughly investigated.
Saints Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan Island was considered home to five artists namely Paris Avelino, Alvin Pastor, Sheilo May Duterte, Ivan Zaldarriaga and Cheno Encarnacion for nine months while they painted the ceiling of the church, a masterpiece that they call “Dibuho Kisame.” The obra maestro was the brainchild of parish priest Joselito Danao. In a talk with Paris, I found out that his idol is no less than the Italian artist Michael Angelo who painted the ceiling of Sistine Chapel.