The Rise of Green Celebration
The sun was bursting hot but the scorching heat did not stop the cheerful dancers from stumping up
their feet to the amplified upbeat rhythm of the drum, shouting on top of their lungs the protection of their precious resource, the Pawikan.
For the past 14 years, Bataan
have never get tired innovating ways to make the Pawikan Festival
breach the mainstream of the Philippine Festivals. With the cumulative efforts
from various sectors, Bataan champions the environmental movement on the
conservation of the Philippine Marine Turtles locally known as Pawikan. Most of
the species of Pawikan are now under the protection of the law and are now part
of the increasing numbers of species listed on the IUCN Threatened and
Endangered Species.
Pawikan Festival may be
relatively young compared to the well established festivities like Dinagyang,
Sinulog and Kadayawan, but this local celebration in Morong have its
claim to be the most environment friendly festivity. True to what they preach, even the little children of Morong know the value of environmental
protection reflecting naturally from their actions.
Shaping a Brighter Tomorrow
Even before the sun breaks the
zenith sky, hundreds of Bataaneño were already on queue for a 2-kilometer walk towards
the Pawikan Conservation Center to kick off this festival. And as a sign of deep commitment, various organizations both private and public participated
to show support to this advocacy.
"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."
--Mahatma Ghandi--
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Local government and private sectors join hand and hand to kick off the festivity with Nielson Donato as guest of honor |
Pioneered by the Provincial
Tourism Office and the Local Government Unit of Bataan, the yearly merriment was
attended by thousands of local and foreign visitors witnessing the ceremonial
release of hatchlings into the shore of Nagbalayong headed by
Dr. Neilsen Donato of Born to Be Wild as this year’s guest of honor.
"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment."
--Ansel Adams--
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Pawikan hatchlings litter on the beach during the ceremonial release as a symbol of hope for the Pawikan and for the environment as a whole. |
It's Showtime Bataan!
As we look forward to what
Bataaneño had prepared for their guests, we picked the best spot in front of
the performance ground where contingents showcased their routine for the street
dance competition. I must confess I was not prepared witnessing the high energy
level dance performances of the 12 contingents representing each municipalities
of Bataan.
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Cheerful Bataan dancers with their bright and colorful costumes dancing on the beach of Nagbalayong, Morong Bataan |
My expectation was some kind of
mediocre dance execution but to my surprised, the flare of routine's artistry and
vibrant moves lifted my chin up with eyes glaring out of amusement. They may
not have all the expensive and out of this world props, but their lively presence shoot and
connect to the heart of their audience. That's what matter most after all.
"They have the fortified heart and courage to fight for the gentle creatures"
Anonymous, foreign guest
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Contingents strut their best moves and got emotional conveying their message to the world "Spare our Pawikan" |
Fierce as they may look, they
still embrace such grace through their sways resembling the gentle moves of
the Pawikans. Dedicated to their goal, their dancing depicts natural
emotions, conveying to the world how some people of
Bataan changed from being the reaper of nature to earth’s protector.
Their persuasive
smiles would uplift you not because it was fun watching them maneuvering on
their routines but because of their fortified courage to fight for these gentle
creatures. This showdown was not a competition to win but an eye opener to instill in the heart of the people of what they have already become. With this, Bataan have fully captivated me, earning my nod of approval
and complete appreciation. Hurray!
The festivity was not limited to the street dance competition as other environment related activities were
laid on the sand literally. There was the sand sculpture competition, quiz bee, paddle
painting, body painting, beach volleyball competition, kite flying and many many more!
"We are just mere steward of God's creation."
Anonymous
And of course how can I forget
the beach party that was attended by hundreds of party goers dancing to the beat
of the band? After getting quenched by a few bottle of beer, the night have revealed that Bataan
also got talents by splashing the sands away with their synchronized dance steps.
Persuaded by some irresistible people, I also shook the night away on every beat coming out from the live band and the rest
was history.
"In the end we will conserve what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand what we are tought."
--Baba Dioum --
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This local boy knows how clean the laying ground of Pawikan |
This celebration had become so fruitful and meaningful because of its people, with the strength of their will, freedom, faith, love for nature and their acceptance to change their old destructive ways.
As an environmental specialist by degree and nature, I have found the Pawikan Festival to be the
closest festivity to my heart.
This year's celebration ended with a commendable feat for Bataan! Hurray for the Pawikan, hurray for Bataan!
This year's celebration ended with a commendable feat for Bataan! Hurray for the Pawikan, hurray for Bataan!
Mark your calendar now and don’t miss next year's festivity!
How to reach the Pawikan Conservation Center?
Bus from Pasay (Genesis) can take you to Balanga City, fare
is P210. From Balanga terminal take the bus bound for Morong. At the
municipal proper take a tricycle going to the Pawikan Conservation Center.
For more information check on with the following offices:
Pawikan
Conservation Center
Nagbalayong,
Morong, Bataan, Philippines
Contact Nos.:
(63-928)718-5721
(63-921)630-2842
(63-906)615-5546
(63-928)718-5721
(63-921)630-2842
(63-906)615-5546
bantay_pawikan@yahoo.com
Bataan Tourism Center
Roman Superhighway
City of Balanga, Bataan
2100 Philippines
Contact Nos.
(047)237-4785
(047)237-4476
0927-960-1729
0949-680-2695
Website: www.bataan.gov.ph
Email: bataan_tourism@yahoo.com
Photo Contributor/s:
Michael is a professional food and hotel photographer with a
range of clients from various hotel chains in the Philippines. Recently, his works were printed in Cook Magazine. Pawikan Festival was his first Philippine Festival photo collaboration with The Chronicles of Mindanao and with Bataan Tourism Center. For this article Michael lent his three photos. All works are protected by copyright law.
Behold Bataan! Wonderful photos and article!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that their local government is really making an effort to attract more local and foreign visitors to promote tourism in their area. The conservation effort is also amazing. We actually have visited one of the centers of pawikan in Bataan before.
ReplyDeleteGreat Photographs! I like the colors and can even here the joy from the crowd!
ReplyDeleteIts my first time to learn about this Pawikan Festival here, another very informative post.
ReplyDeleteThe Pawikan Festival is something I would like to experience. Seeing them hatch and walk their first step really shows us hope for the Pawikans.
ReplyDeleteGo Go baby turtles! Happy to see that the festival is giving something back to mother nature. :) Loved your photos! They look so alive and colorful!
ReplyDelete