109. I RUN FOR TAAL

I RUN FOR TAAL

Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
29 January 2020

 

 

 

 

 

The year 2020, particularly the month of January, commenced with international and national issues coupled with both natural and man-made disasters. Starting from the Jakarta flood, killing of Qasem Soleimani, earthquake in Davao del Sur, OFW murder in Kuwait, continuing bushfire in Australia until the fateful Sunday of January 12 when the country’s second most active volcano once again erupted.

With the alert level of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) escalating from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 4, the Sunday afternoon eruption transpired from the main crater on Volcano Island. The eruption spewed ashes to Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and as far as some parts of Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region. Ash falls and volcanic thunderstorms were reported and forced evacuations were made. The danger of a possible volcanic tsunami warned towns especially those situated along the shores of Taal Lake. Furthermore, the volcano produced volcanic lightning above its crater with ash clouds. Moreover, the eruption progressed into magmatic eruption characterized by lava fountain with thunder and lightning.

The Taal Volcano eruption led to large-scale evacuations from Batangas and nearby Cavite province including Tagaytay City. Donations poured in from nearby Metro Manila and adjacent provinces and cities. The Province of Isabela led by Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” T. Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy III immediately dispatched a truck load carrying thousand of cavans of rice for Batangas and Cavite. The following week, another 1000 cavans were sent to the affected areas.  

Not yet fulfilled in helping fellow Filipinos, the Provincial Government of Isabela, a Gawad Kalasag Hall of Famer, organized the “iRUN for TAAL”, a call for all Isabeleños to come together in the spirit of camaraderie and volunteerism, and run towards sending aid to the people of Batangas and Cavite who have been in an unfortunate situation since the eruption of Taal Volcano. The volunteer run was incorporated in this year’s Bambanti Festival. An unprecedented 13,000 Isabeleños registered in the benefit color fun run and rave party. Registration is pegged at 200 pesos for regular runners and 50 pesos for students. The registration is inclusive of dry fit shirt (for the first 5,000 registrants), holi powder, hydration and snacks. All the proceeds shall be given to Taal Volcano eruption victims. The event featured celebrity DJ Tom Taus and ended with a Republika ng TM Concert featuring Nic Galano, Jason Fernandez and Ben & Ben.

During my college days, I would regularly visit Tagaytay City to view the scenic Taal Lake, home of the famous Taal Volcano. Taal Vista Lodge, now a premiere hotel in the city, was our regular venue. The acknowledged smallest volcano in the world has 33 recorded historical eruptions, all of which were concentrated on Volcano Island, near the middle of the lake.

“Origin and Geologic Features of Taal Lake” by Emmanuel G. Ramos reveals that Taal Lake was formed by a series of catastrophic volcanic eruptions and other geologic processes whose character slowly evolved as the large basinal depression and the lake took form.

The Philippines is rich in folklore and traditions. Myths and legends how islands, mountains, lakes and even volcanoes were formed are interesting to recall since the present generation has lost track on these local stories. The net @ aswangproject.com reveals the myth on the origin of Taal Volcano.

Many years ago there lived on the mountain of Taal an old man whose name was Nuno. His house was on the topmost part of the mountain. He was so kind to the natives that they did not fear him. He allowed them to plant tobacco and other plants on the side of the mountain. As Nuno was the one who took care of the plants, they grew very well. The natives were allowed to have all the tobacco raised on the sides of the mountain; but Nuno told them only that above a certain line around the top of the mountain no tobacco should be planted. All obeyed the will of the old man. The tobacco fields extended from the very bottom to the boundary line at the top of the mountain. The natives became wealthy and prosperous on account of raising tobacco.

Once Nuno called a meeting of all the tobacco growers. He delivered a farewell address in which he stated that he was going to be absent from the mountain for a long time. He also said that the natives could continue planting tobacco on the mountain side; but he emphasized the fact that no one should extend his field beyond the boundary line, and that a violation of his order would mean the confiscation of the fields, and of all the tobacco. Then he went to an unknown land.

A very long time passed, but Nuno did not return. The natives made inquiries about him, but no one could tell what had become of him. As the price of tobacco at that time was very high, the farmers were tempted to plant on the forbidden ground. One year passed again, but nothing happened to the disobedient farmers. But one day, while they were celebrating a fiesta in the house of Nuno, a violent earthquake occurred. The natives were so terrified that they left the mountain. After a few days, they were surprised to find out that all the plants that were growing on the mountain had disappeared. The part of the mountain above the former boundary line flew high up in the air. An immense hole was formed from which smoke began to come out from that time on. Nuno kept his word and confiscated all the tobacco for his own use. Barrios have sprung up again at the bottom of the mountain, but no plants can be grown along its sides. The descendants of the disobedient farmers may be waiting anxiously for the return of Nuno, but they have to wait until he finishes smoking all his tobacco.

The Philippines is a country prone to natural disasters. We have learned since time immemorial to adapt in the environment of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, typhoons, floods including man-made disasters. Isabela province has no known active volcano but comes prepared in any eventuality of a natural disaster. Being the volunteer capital of the country, Isabela continues to extend its helping hand to our brothers and sisters who are in need in the trying times of our nation.