Party Place also has the Most Beautiful Bay
Source: EXPAT, January 2009
On the island of Mindoro, some three hours away from Manila, lies the tourist-drawing town of Puerto Galera, famed for its White Beach and similar stretches of sand that convert it into a mini party republic during peak seasons.
Yet, overshadowed by this hedonistic notion is actually a peaceful town basking in a spattering of coves, with the backdrop of a lush mountain terrain. Acknowledging that its economic security lies in the travel industry, a group of individuals have initiated efforts to temper this need with sustainable measures, and in the process garnered for the Bay of Puerto Galera a citation as Most Beautiful Bay.
As part of the prestigious Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, the Bay of Puerto Galera stand as the only Philippine bay and one of six in Asia out of 35 bays all over the globe. Awarded in Nha Thrang, Vietnam in 2005, the membership is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in the maintenance of this natural wonder. And the first order of business is to get the people living around it involved- thus, the first general assembly of the Philippine chapter of the Most Beautiful Bay Association.
Convened in the municipal gymnasium, the event was attended by over 200 residents, including local government officials, representatives of tricycle associations, school principals and teachers, some students, retailer, resort owners and others.
The main proponent was French expatriate Hubert D’ Aboville, president of the Paris-Manila Technology Corporation and a longtime Puerto Galera second-home resident. From his initial knowledge of the world clubs existence five years ago to the rigorous proposal for the international board in Morocco, and to finally including the Puerto Galera town government, now they together encourage the public to likewise take an active role.
In his opening remarks, D’ Aboville remarked how the local board was only present to "crack a match," adding that, "[we are] nothing, with you we are everything."
Puerto Galera, since 1973 under Presidential Decree No.354, has been part of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programmed, which aims to improve the world’s relationship with the environment and thereby reduce biodiversity loss.
As a biosphere reserve, the town is recognized for its diverse ecosystem and the numerous species that populate it, including the endemic, "tamaraw" buffalo and the thriving marine life found in the surrounding waters. The bay therefore, as what World Club president Jerome Bignon says and D’Aboville reiterates, is "a symbolic link between the ocean and the mainland," a representation of the immense stakes at hand.
To guide the town government and enlighten the people, key speakers were invited by the local club. First was Fe Ociones, a researcher from the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus-based Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, the research and development arm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who made a presentation entitled "Bio Physical Characterization and Vulnerability Assessment of Puerto Galera Bay."
In the one-year study, Ociones used geographic data, satellite imagery and digital mapping to generate information that can be used to formulate management and zoning plans, as well as rehabilitation and protection measures. By identifying critical areas, and the strengths and weaknesses of specific towns, they will be able to meet three of the four objectives of the World Club, which is to preserve, protect and develop the bay.
Michael Wolf with his slides on "The Puerto Galera Rain Forest, Water Reservoir For All" followed. A German national and 10-year resident of the area, he is a professed outdoorsman and not a certified environmental analyst like the previous presenter. Nevertheless, both clearly care deeply for the bay and its environs thus prompting this detailed look on its status. Wolf emphasized the importance of the rainforest, which is losing its "big sponge effect" of retaining water and providing this supply to the people. He pointed to "kaingin" illegal logging as the worst thing to happen to the rainforest, explaining that it is responsible for landslides leading to silting, coral destruction and brown beaches.
However, he admits this knowledge does not lead itself to easy implementation. Big business is generated from this malpractice and illegal logging continues to be rampant against municipal orders.
Together with the information campaign, the association also launched its website (www.mostbeautifulbays.com) during the assembly, as another proof to the townsfolk and to the international club about how serious the organizers are to promote the bay, the fourth objective of the club.
Also, as part of the awareness, they held a local anything-goes contest recently open to teens aged 16 to 18 showing their support for the bay. This fanfare doubles as a way to determine their entry into the World Club competition, which they won thanks to the Powerpoint presentation and documentation of a 17-year old girl.
Now, as D’Aboville enthuses, "again, the spotlight will be on Puerto Galera worldwide." They will receive the prize on the next global meeting in Setubal, Portugal.
In the meantime, the club with its growing membership, and Mayor Hubbert Dolor and his officials are gearing up for another goal, that of being short-listed as one of six bays that will be filmed by an international television crew. To be picked will automatically mean major promotional value, a reward for their efforts at conserving and developing, but also the added plus of creating a bigger tourist influx for more economic benefits.
Still, even without it, both men with the same first name will continue to push for this most beautiful bay. Dolor does it with his every greeting, saying "Malaparaisong Dalampasigan," which is an equivalent translation to the bay’s title. D’Aboville on the other hand, treasures and proclaims it as a jewelry box, the smallest and most beautiful among the entire club, which the locals must be proud of. And truth be told, so should be the whole country.
