#ResilientGuimaras : Bangon, Guimarasnon!

(The map of Guimaras Island)

One week ago, on August 3, 2019, at noon, two motorized wooden boats (called bangka, locally) capsized in the Iloilo Strait, located in the middle region of the Philippines, amidst bad weather and bad decisions. They came from Iloilo City's Ortiz Wharf en route to Jordan town in Guimaras Island, a boat ride that would normally take 15 minutes. A few hours later, another one capsized. And even before dusk that day, families and friends were already frantically pounding the authorities and online media outlets for the names of the survivors of the tragedy. Days later, an official list of those who survived and those who did not was released along with collective blame and anger from the public and the families. 

I have crossed the same strait from Iloilo City several times these past years on our way to enjoy the attractions of Guimaras Island, an island that boasts of beautiful beaches, historic attractions, and the best mangoes in the world. And having cousins who live there makes the trip even more worth it, although we were initially worried if any of them took the tragic trip; a message from them confirming they were all safe appeased our worried thoughts. 

(We rode this same bangka on our way 

to Guimaras Island from Iloilo City)

But this tragedy has again brought dark clouds over the island, dampening the spirit of its people because, not only were the family and friends who lost a loved were the ones affected, a lot of Guimarasnon also were by the stoppage of the boat trips to and from Iloilo City.

Guimarasnon students who study in Iloilo, Guimarasnon workers and office people who are employed in Iloilo, Guimarasnon vendors who sell their products (like baye-baye made of corn that I once bought from Iloilo Public Market!) in Iloilo, and Guimarasnon businesspeople who source their food supplies and other goods from Panay Island have all been affected because the most popular link between the islands was cut off. 

(The giant cross on top of Bala-an Bukid or 

Sacred Mountain can be seen from Iloilo 

City and when crossing the Iloilo Strait.)

According to history, a Portuguese mariner, who survived the trip and the slaughter of Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish and Portuguese soldiers by Lapu-Lapu and his warriors in Mactan Island in 1521, lent his hometown's name to an island they passed by en route back to Spain. His hometown in Portugal was Guimaraes, and because it has been 498 years since that day he saw the island up close, one would think there would have been more modern ways to cross to the bigger Panay Island than just by riding a wooden bangka that could have been dwarfed by any of Magellan's ships built 500 years ago.

This tragedy is again a wake-up call for the island's government officials and politicians who should have put the need for safer and more modern modes of transport between the islands, although, sadly, it is always the case. It usually takes a sinking of a boat, the losing of lives, or another accident to put a spotlight on the infrastructure needs of the island. 

(I visited the beautiful Guimaras Island during the Manggahan Festival that is held every May)

Since last weekend, the sun hasn't set on Guimaras Island, and Negrosanons and Ilonggos share in the pain.💓 But with the prayers of the Filipinos, the people of Guimaras Island shall rise back up again.🙏


Stay strong, Guimarasnon! ⛪

Bangon, Guimarasnon! 👪