how Tinuy-an Falls got its name (a repost)

For the longest time I never bothered to find out how Tinuy-an Falls got its name even if I was asked gazillion times by friends and acquaintances. Finally last year, I got to send a text message to Ms. Lorie Lim, the Tourism Officer of Bislig City, about it. She texted back with two versions.

The environs of Tinuy-an Falls according to the first version were once inhabited by datus who pysically and sexually abused the natives. Wanting to exact revenge, the natives planted impaled bamboo poles (known locally as suyak) under the fall's catchbasin before going up the next tier to lie in wait.

Days passed and no datus were on sight. Still the natives waited. When their chance finally came, the natives commandeered the boat that carried the datus and pushed it toward the edge---into the deadly abyss. The sparkling waters of Tinuy-an Falls turned crimson.

The natives fled but few meters away they realized they had nowhere to go because the datus' family would surely catch them. Fearing retribution, the natives ran back and jumped to their death en masse.

The verb "tuyo" (stress on the second syllable) is the Visayan root word for "suicide". As noun, "Tinuy-an" therefore means the site of mass suicide.

The second version states that during the olden days, there was no beaten track leading to Tinuy-an Falls. To go there, one had to "make time and find a way" which, in Visayan, translates to "tuyuon" which is both a verb (no stress) and an adjective (stress on the 3rd syllable).

To me, the second version sounds contrived because grammatically the falls should have been named "Tuyuon" rather than "Tinuy-an".

Tourists flocking to Tinuy-an Falls have two choices. You want blood and gore? It's version 1 for you. You want something that strains credulity? It's version 2 for you.

Whatever floats your boat!

The Immaculate Conception Parish of Tago will turn 100 years in 2013. And I heard that the exact date of the centenary is still being debated on because there are Catholics who think the date does not fall, as popularly believed, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which is December 8. Whatever. The point is, a celebration as big as this needs a blueprint as early as now.

The first thing to determine is the theme of the centennial. This is crucial because it serves as a hinge that holds all activities together. And not to forget, the theme must come from the parishioners themselves. In short, no need Sotto-fying (copying, that is!) grandiose themes from Google because they might not capture the essence of the celebration as intended by Tagon-on Catholics.

Also, make the theme simple but meaningful. And the best way to conceptualize a theme is through consensus building---and not through a contest, heavens forbid!---in a process that facilitates refinement. In short, it doesn’t have to be crafted in one sitting.

It is important to have the theme this early to use as promotional tool. With it, one can already print collaterals (pins, shirts, fans, etc.) to drumbeat the activity and create awareness long before the big event. In fact the parish can even earn money while promoting the activity by selling these items this coming fiesta.

For sure suggestions will come from all corners, it’s the parish’s cien anos after all. But lessons have been learned that more activities do not automatically translate to a more festive and meaningful celebration. Badly handled, they could even deny the celebration the focus it deserves. What I’m saying is: all suggested activities must be evaluated and approved in terms of how they contribute to the theme. If they don’t, then drop them no matter how high profile the activities are. Or even if they already have sponsors. Only after the activities shall have been identified will the working committees be composed. The committee size must be small, handling small concerns. This way, there’s no reason for committees not to do their tasks well.

An executive committee (ExCom) composed of committee chairs must also be constituted. In the remaining 100 days to the centennial, the ExCom must meet every Sunday after mass to discuss progress and problems. The next Sunday, chairs must give updates on the problems they shared the week before. This way, the ExCom can track progress and act on problems that are beyond the control of concerned committee chair to solve. The ExCom must also identify milestones, which is actually establishing timelines within which certain major targets must be accomplished.

Solicitations must capitalize on the number “100”. In the carro for example, ten Catholics may donate 100 pieces each of anthurium; another 10 for 100 pieces each of chrysanthemum; another ten for-----you get the point.

Because hymns are integral to religious celebrations, a choir composed of----yeah, you’re right----100 men, 100 women, and 100 children will occupy the loft above the main door. Nothing short of a symphony! A maestro must be engaged months before the big event to give ample time to master the pieces.

The cathedral being the focal point of the centennial celebration must be spruced up. However, and this is important, all facelifting and refurbishing jobs must be finished three months before the big day. September 8, 2013 to be exact. You see, there’s no point for Catholics to cover their noses from the smell of fresh paint while hearing the concelebrated mass of 100 priests on December 8, 2013.

Centennials are the most opportune time to educate people on their shared history and heritage. That said, a photo exhibit and other memorabilia must be mounted. To write the history of the parish one must do interviews and data gathering, and this should be done now. This history must form part of a souvenir program that could also be used for fund sourcing. Just make it a sort of a coffee table book to lend it class. If budget allows, a consultant may be hired.

Enchanted River of Hinatuan

Looking at the pictures of Enchanted River in countless Internet sites, one may scream Photoshopped! But such is the essence of Hinatuan’s most famous tourist spot: it’s too magical to be natural.

Cambatong, where Enchanted River is located, is steeped in oral tradition. And the lore of how the river got its mystical tint is not hard to believe. For who else could have created this bewitching palette of colors but the ethereal beings endowed with the powers of magic and enchantment? Legend has it that one firefly-lit night fairies floated above the river while elves watched from cliffs and banks. With their wands the fairies stirred the water, toyed with sapphire and jade, and made the tones fade and meld to achieve a shade of bluish green that now paints the bed of Enchanted River.

About 12 kilometers from highway junction, Enchanted River straddles the boundary of Talisay and Cambatong in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Though some portions of the well-maintained dirt road are undulating, they don’t make the ride as bumpy and dusty like some tourists blogged it to be.

What lends credence to the name Enchanted River are these: fishermen swearing to seeing various fish but couldn’t catch any no matter how they tried--not by hand, spear, or net; fishwives laying their fish traps at dusk only to find them hanging on a branch the day after; a foreigner plunging into the visible riverbed and finding it unfathomable; a father and son seeing two long-haired, alabaster-skinned women bathing under a plump moon then vanishing in a swirl of fireflies; boatmen gaping at sunken boulders of twisted images that were there one day and gone the next. Also, there’s a cave farther away, just before the river flows out to Hinatuan Bay that faces the Pacific Ocean. Accessible by foot during low tide, it showcases limestone naturally carved as furniture sets and positioned as though Neptune were hosting a party for underwater denizens.

An added attraction when visiting Enchanted River happens at noon when the bell is rung and bathers are requested to get out of water for about an hour. As Hinatuan Hymn begins to play, groups of fish come out from nowhere like on cue and feed on food scraps the caretaker and tourists throw into the water. This feeding frenzy makes spinning tails and scales catch light, turning the natural pool into a liquid canvas of the magical and the fabulous.

Enchanted River’s old name was Libwak. It was the Father of Tourism himself, Modesto Farolan, who gave it its present name through a poem entitled “Rio Encantado”. (The same had been set to music by Francisco Rio.) Then pre-war manager of the Madrigal-owned Port Lamon Lumber Company that exported round timber, Farolan wrote it for Geminia, a local lass that was his inamorata. The poem is a romantic evocation of Enchanted River as an unspoiled, untouched, and undiscovered trysting cocoon for lovers. It talks of “crystalline stream flowing from hidden spring,” “rocky brims ‘mongst vines,” “orchids and ferns,” “canopy of rich green mirrored in water tinted blue,” and “purple gold lined with gems.”

Farolan’s Enchanted River may have changed over time but it enthralls just the same. While the turquoise riverbed remains unchanging beneath cool waters that sparkle like quicksilver, the environs have given way to some structures that others may find incongruous with the thematic concept of nature. Where cliffs used to be, the Local Government of Hinatuan has built concrete staircases to make it easy for tourists to bathe and swim. Few meters away from the bank that overlooks the river are some cottages that tourists can rent for P100. A wooden foot bridge on stilts leads to the terminal of outrigger boats that ferry tourists to the nearby Vanishing Island and beach resort for P150 an hour. For non-swimmers, there’s a kiddie and adult pool. Stalls offering various seafood at reasonable prices operate outside the cordoned area, just across the main gate.

Lifeguards are employed for safety precautions and life jackets are rented out at P100 each for whole day’s use. An entrance fee of P20 is collected.

Be forewarned: parking is difficult and staying overnight is not allowed.

Swimming in Enchanted River is like swimming in a Monet painting. And what makes it more bewitching is the element of dread attached to its stunning visuals. But for the brave-hearted, it’s plunging into the abyss that makes Enchanted River a surreal experience. And one wouldn’t know the feeling until he gives it a try!

(Note: this blogpost had been published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 29 September 2012. Here's the link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/279714/nature-spins-magic-in-enchanted-river )