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A calm refuge from Lamon Bay and the Pacific Ocean, this shallow, protected body of water at Cagbalete Island is surrounded by mangrove forest.
This estuary is the point where man, the sea---his immemorial ally and adversary--and the land meet and challenge each other. My friend, Sally, was caught by surprise by the rising tide while crossing this estuary.
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| @ mirandablue |
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| @ mirandablue |
at the shores of Cagbalete Island
Sana ang batang ito ay hindi magiging illegal logger paglaki n'ya kundi magiging earth warrior. Sa bawat pang-aabuso natin sa ating kapaligiran, tandaan natin na hindi natin minana ang planetang ito sa ating mga ninuno kundihiniram lang n atin sa ating mga anak.
in the forest of Caramoan
Sand ripples at Cagbalete Island 
Mga natuyong driftwood sa baybayin ng Cagbalete Island. Galing sa isang ordinaryong puno na nililok ng klima at panahon, at naging katangi-tangi.
I found these dry pieces of driftwood along the shores of Cagbalete Island. Natural elements have sculpted unique patterns and shapes on these ordinary pieces turning each driftwood into something extraordinary.
I'll be out of town tomorrow 'till Sunday---I'll do my best to visit your blog. Going to Cebu, but not for pleasure...well, maybe just a little (but don't tell my boss!). So I leave you with these watery photos---just imagine me on a boat, paddling from islet to islet, the sun kisses my face, warm breezes cool my skin, a glass of mojito and a gorgeous masseur waiting for me on the next islet.
Photos taken between Mauban and Cagbalete Island
Driftwood often connotes a negative image---directionless, no plans, floating, and yes, useless. Some would call it marine debris, garbage. And in some coastal areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. But what most of us don't know is that driftwood provides shelter and food for birds, fish and other marine species as it floats in the ocean. Driftwood that has been washed ashore also shelters birds, plants and other species, and can become the foundation for sand dunes. Decomposed driftwood is gradually reintroduced to the food chain.
In the Philippines, where artisans are continually in search for sustainable materials for decorative home accessories, furniture and other art forms, driftwood has been crafted into functional tabletops, and sculpted into amazing shapes. 
a functional birdhouse
Walking along the shores of Cagbalete was my favorite activity during my 3-day stay on the island in April. I enjoyed the fresh air from the sea, the interesting seascape and vegetation by the shore. And about 500 meters south of the resort, I found this patch of mangrove forest. 
In the Philippines, our mangroves were a robust 500,000 hectares in the 1900s, but this dwindled to 112,000 hectares in 1998 from over-exploitation, conversion of areas to other uses and logging of watersheds. Most mangroves were cut for their timber, or were converted into shrimp ponds or fish farms. According to experts, the disappearance of mangroves became apparent in the 1970's when the deterioration of sea grass and coral reef ecosystems became noticeable.
A verdant mangrove forest indicates a healthy ecosystem. The mesh of mangrove roots produces a quiet marine region for many young organisms, a natural breeding and nursery grounds for many fish species. The submerged roots host a wide variety of algae, oysters, sponges, barnacles, and home to shrimps, mud lobsters and crabs. Mangroves are also a habitat to shore birds, some mammals (like monkeys, rats, etc.), reptiles and insects.
There are now community-based projects for sustainable development and management of mangroves, sea grass bed, coral reefs and other coastal resources. Not only for its environmental impact, mangroves are also a great destination for eco-tourism. 
Parang ang hirap ng theme ngayong Huwebes, o baka ako lang ang nihihirapan. Nai-post ko na ang litratong ito ilang linggo na ang nakalipas para sa Think Green. Pero mukhang tugma naman ito sa "simula pa lamang"---mga bagong sibol na pandan-dagat sa baybayin ng Cagbalete Island. Mapilit na sumisibol kahit malupit ang kapaligiran. Parang tayo rin, hindi basta na lang sumusuko...kapag binagyo, bumabangon at nagsisimula uli.
If not for its strange-looking red-orange fruit that resembles a pineapple, I wouldn't have paid attention to this shrub that were growing at the shores of Cagbalete Island. Locally known as Pandan-Dagat (Beach Pandan or Pandanus tectorius), this screwpine is abundant along seashores throughout the Philippines according to a DTI website. It naturally grows on mangrove margins and beaches, and is never found very far inland. We had woven pandan sleeping mats at home when I was growing up, but this was the first time that I've seen pandan-dagat in its natural state. 
But I know that this screwpine is a source of livelihood to many craftsmen and women in our handicraft industry. Leaves are collected from the wild then dried, they can be dyed and woven into baskets, bayong, hats, placemats and sleeping mats. The unassuming leaves can also be transformed into something unexpected---like these ecologically-chic bags designed by Filipina designer Cora Jacob. 
Woven pandan are also crafted into home decor products like desk accessories, jewelry boxes, functional trays, even small furniture---from a humble beginning to something extraordinary. 
But with sea-level rise and extreme climatic shifts, there's a possibility that this shrub may not be as abundant as before if we don't do anything to preserve and restore its habitat. Sure, local designers and craftsmen are addressing the global call for earth-friendly products and continue to find ways to work with our natural environment. Individually though, we need to be sensitive in maintaining biodiversity wherever our feet may take us, or nature's gifts like pandan-dagat would be disappear forever.
persistent young sprouts
bayong, or traditional bag woven from pandan and palm leaves---
