The Island Province of Guimaras in Western Visayas, Philippines, is a gem of natural beauty and thriving ecotourism. This enchanting island, with its serene atmosphere and breathtaking landscapes, has a magnetic pull that draws many to its shores.
My first visit to the Island of Guimaras in March 2014 was a heartwarming experience. I was warmly embraced by the Religious Community in San Lorenzo, particularly the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Philippine Independent Church. Their hospitality made me feel like a part of their family, even during my brief two-hour stay.
Apart from meeting with the Religious Community, I could enjoy swimming at the beach with its semi-white sand and clear waters, so I promised to return to explore the other side of the Island. In December 2014, I returned and enjoyed a day on the islet called "Tatlong Pulo" in Jordan. That was my first camping experience in a cove and my second and last visit to the island I call a paradise.
On August 3, Saturday, I was saddened by the news about the tragic incident of the 3 passenger boats that capsized in Iloilo Straight, just in the middle of the waters of the province of Iloilo and the Island of Guimaras. This happened despite the absence of a typhoon signal but the presence of strong wind and water currents. There were reported survivors of more than 50 passengers, but the sad part is the number of casualties and the missing passengers whose lives were not saved.
I feel their loss and empathize with the stories of some survivors and those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Who could have imagined the sudden death from a tragedy that could have been prevented from happening?
My participation in the AGOS forum on Disaster Resilience in July 2017 was an eye-opening experience. The discussion on the three goals of Prepare, Respond, and Recover highlighted the crucial role of preparation in preventing tragedies like the boat incident. It's a lesson we must all learn and apply to ensure our safety in the face of potential disasters.
My first visit to the Island of Guimaras in March 2014 was a heartwarming experience. I was warmly embraced by the Religious Community in San Lorenzo, particularly the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Philippine Independent Church. Their hospitality made me feel like a part of their family, even during my brief two-hour stay.
Apart from meeting with the Religious Community, I could enjoy swimming at the beach with its semi-white sand and clear waters, so I promised to return to explore the other side of the Island. In December 2014, I returned and enjoyed a day on the islet called "Tatlong Pulo" in Jordan. That was my first camping experience in a cove and my second and last visit to the island I call a paradise.
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| WellLife Program in San Lorenzo, Guimaras in 2014 |
On August 3, Saturday, I was saddened by the news about the tragic incident of the 3 passenger boats that capsized in Iloilo Straight, just in the middle of the waters of the province of Iloilo and the Island of Guimaras. This happened despite the absence of a typhoon signal but the presence of strong wind and water currents. There were reported survivors of more than 50 passengers, but the sad part is the number of casualties and the missing passengers whose lives were not saved.
I feel their loss and empathize with the stories of some survivors and those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Who could have imagined the sudden death from a tragedy that could have been prevented from happening?
My participation in the AGOS forum on Disaster Resilience in July 2017 was an eye-opening experience. The discussion on the three goals of Prepare, Respond, and Recover highlighted the crucial role of preparation in preventing tragedies like the boat incident. It's a lesson we must all learn and apply to ensure our safety in the face of potential disasters.
While responding and recovering from a disaster is crucial, we must not overlook the importance of preparation. The tragic incident in Guimaras serves as a stark reminder that such events will continue to occur without proper preparation.
This would be one of the most tragic maritime incidents in the Iloilo Strait, and we can better prepare so that this will be prevented. Accidents do happen no matter how careful we are, but there are things that we are in total control of. Hence, we can improve our proper judgment, leadership, and sense of responsibility and accountability.
On a personal level, one lesson would be a need for enhanced survival skills like swimming to avoid drowning, and this could be part of our preparation for a possible maritime incident. We can't always play the victim for something that we can do. Nowadays, we can't predict or anticipate an accident to happen, but one thing is that specific survival skills and techniques will go a long way if we value life and become survivors.
The people of Guimaras and Iloilo and those families affected may not be able to recover quickly and may need our deepest sympathy and prayers. I have known them to be deeply spiritual people, and they will remain strong and rise again from this sad fate.
As Filipinos, we will always rise above tragedies and natural calamities. Our resilience remains amidst sorrows and pain. But one thing is sure: We may be able to recover but not cover the pain. We can live again with the best learnings and wisdom we can gain.
© 2019 Del Cusay
This would be one of the most tragic maritime incidents in the Iloilo Strait, and we can better prepare so that this will be prevented. Accidents do happen no matter how careful we are, but there are things that we are in total control of. Hence, we can improve our proper judgment, leadership, and sense of responsibility and accountability.
On a personal level, one lesson would be a need for enhanced survival skills like swimming to avoid drowning, and this could be part of our preparation for a possible maritime incident. We can't always play the victim for something that we can do. Nowadays, we can't predict or anticipate an accident to happen, but one thing is that specific survival skills and techniques will go a long way if we value life and become survivors.
The people of Guimaras and Iloilo and those families affected may not be able to recover quickly and may need our deepest sympathy and prayers. I have known them to be deeply spiritual people, and they will remain strong and rise again from this sad fate.
As Filipinos, we will always rise above tragedies and natural calamities. Our resilience remains amidst sorrows and pain. But one thing is sure: We may be able to recover but not cover the pain. We can live again with the best learnings and wisdom we can gain.
© 2019 Del Cusay
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