I was once told by a knowledgeable person that the apparent sign to a country's affluence
was when people start climbing mountains. I thought that he was talking in metaphor, but
a while after convinced me that he meant it literally. It then recoiled in my thoughts to
reason why no Filipino managed to climb Mount Everest. My archaic logic was that
Philippines was a poor country where preoccupation of the general population was only
towards basic needs as food and shelter. There was no spare time left for other things
other than to propagate.
Suffice to say that when I heard about a team of Filipinos did successfully conquer the
highest mountain of the planet; I was not only impressed but also was delighted to think
that maybe my dear old Bayang Magiliw finally was up there with the rich and famous
countries of the world.
My elation was however short live when I learnt the meaning of "pagpag" from people
scouring garbage dumps for food in Manila. My rowdy Mendiola experiences tutored me that
Philippines was a country of contradiction. The poor and the rich was divided by quarrels
too deep and too complex to reconcile. That was about half a century ago and it didn't
change for the better. On the contrary, it's worse than what it was.
Then I read about a group building a boat. The purpose was to mimic the ancient to sail
the high seas. It was indeed a daring venture. The boat was built. People wondered if it
would float and it did. Manned by college professionals with native Badjao as mentors,
the oversized Muslim vinta known as "balanghai" sailed to impersonate ancient sea-travel
said to come about a thousand years ago.
Contents of the boat was not all known. People with intrusive mind can only speculate. Do
they have navigation charts, compass, computer and other gadgetries? What about
amenities to personal needs? They can't just let it go when sixteen people are clustered
around in the middle of the ocean. It's uncivilized to even think of it.
Obviously, seafearers of the original balanhai didn't have these things. They had only
the wisdom, skill and crude technology. Did they really do it as history described? We
know that history is not always correct. It has been proven at times to be wrong. Yes, we
have their boats and artefacts, but does it tell how they made it possible to sail the
high seas on long voyages by just these flimsy little boats? The highly publicized
adventure of the balanghai today could silence critics beyond doubt that voyages of our
forefathers was indeed feasible and in fact authentic.
We were told that the current boat was built with the same material and tools of the
ancient. But could they put themselves on their tongs? Could they endure the challenging
living condition of the old sailors and the aptitude on how they steered their vessel to
precised direction by using only limited means available? Can the crew of the present
balanghai sail to where It's intended by mere human instinct to rely only upon the stars,
the sun, the wind, the waves and tide? If not...well, what we have here could just be
theatrics; another capricious fancy of the rich. It has nothing to do with history or
anything else but self glory, grandeur and fame. And worst of all, if this whole thing
turns out to be just another hoax.
If the present balanghai is to re-live and venerate ancient voyages, then so be it. Let
it sail from its creation mooring and start the journey to follow the course made by the
real ones of long ago. I am not much on history, but it does not take much to suppose
that the original travellers did not keep on hopping from island to island first to show
off its prowess before going to outer sea. Maybe it's only for goodwill. Then say it and
go. The more they gallivant around the more people thinks of something else. Besides,
accolade usually comes after the task is done.
And we now are building a similar boat by the bank of the river in Butuan. How many more
after this is not ascertained. This boat is a copy to a replica of doubtful pedigree in
Manila whose intent is also to imitate. We could have a fleet of copy-cats sailing the
seven seas. It could be quite spectacular to see multi color sailboats decorating the
surface of the ocean. The present one already caters good crowd like a drop of honey to a
horde of ants. We could just imagine when more of these are around together. I surely
won't mind to see it even with a price.
Public donation is the internal engine to make the new Butuan balanghai possible. Open
generosity in kind and in cash is willingly exhibited from the pockets of the wealthy.
When it comes to this kind of cause, the rich and the powerful can be relied upon.
This reminds me again of a party that was attended mostly by the cream of Butuan high
society. It was a joyous occasion where donation for a cause was encouraged. Guests
responded gallantly in generous giving. There were speeches from notable people. It was
fun. They were celebrating a baptism of a tree.
I am relating the above story again because it inscribes the nature of the rich. It has
to a degree similar to the Balanghai venture. It is an arrogant deviation from the
reality of what our country is today. We still can not afford to climb mountains when so
many are languishing in misery from poverty. We first have to look down below and rescue
our people from the bondage of destitution before we sail the open sea for distinction
and prominence.
Charitable agencies whose work towards the hapless relies on donation too. The outpouring
generosity of the rich for pleasure and hilarity is the envy of people who put effort and
time to help alleviate the lives of the unlucky. It could have meant something to the
abandoned old people of Por Cristo whose sustenance is from door to door begging of Fr.
Dennis. It could have lightened the complexity of Balay Pasilongan for homeless
youngsters in Langihan. And it could have also meant a lot to the ten thousand
malnourished children of Butuan today. It surely is nice to think about this first before
engaging with adventures to re-live the romantic voyages of Sinbad.
Merry Christmas.
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