What Lies Beneath
September 20, 2009
Negros Occidental is lucky to have two marine reserves. Sagay Marine Reserve can be found in the north while Danjugan Island Marine Reserve is located in the Cauayan in Southern Negros Occidental.
The fact that Carbin Reef has been included in the 22,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve speaks much of its teeming marine life and the need to maintain its biodiversity. For those who are not nature lovers, they’re in for a disappointment. After all, above the surface, Carbin Reef is nothing more than a sandbar. Those who love nature know that the beauty of Carbin Reef lies beneath the surface.
Carbin Reef can be reached only by rented boat and the going rate is P1,200 for a round trip. It is 15 minutes from Old Sagay Wharf and 30 minutes from Molocaboc Island. A watchtower and tents are available for rent for P300 each. If you come in early morning or late afternoon, you don’t need to rent since the sun is not so hot at this time. Besides, isn’t one of the reasons of your visit is to bask under the sun?
The white sand beach and pristine waters of Carbin Reef is also ideal for swimming. However, Carbin Reef is best experienced when snorkeling or diving. Even in shallow water, there are corals and coral fishes to see. Make sure you bring your own gears since there are no available rentals at the site. For those who are not into snorkeling, there’s also a glass bottom boat rented out for P30 per person.
Carbin Reef is for the adventurous nature lover. A wealth of natural beauty lies beneath its surface. See it so you can also appreciate and understand why it should be protected so that the next generation can enjoy its bounty.
Our deep gratitude to the City Tourism Office of Sagay City for accommodating us. If you want to visit the Sagay Marine Reserve or any tourist attraction in Sagay, contact the Tourism Office at sagaycityinfo@yahoo.com, inquiry@sagay-city.com.ph or call (034) 488-064 during office hours.
A Classy New Specialty Hair Salon Opens in Bacolod City
September 19, 2009
El Kay Salon, a classy & full-service hair salon, has opened in Shopping North Drive neighborhood. The salon, opens from Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. -8 p.m., is located at Centrum Agri-Business Realty Bldg., Shopping North Drive, Bacolod City (beside Rib House). Salon owners, Laielyn Genovea & Diana Nazareno offer professional haircuts for men, women and children, special occasion,bridal styling, rebonding, color, highlights and a variety of other services.
After years of experience in the 1st Branch of El Kay Salon at El Sea, Lacson St., Laielyn & Diana opened another branch & secured their own space in a flourishing business district in Shopping-North Drive.
“We are so happy to have this opportunity,” says Laielyn “Not only are we living our dream of opening our 2nd Branch, but we found this outstanding location on a great block with other new businesses. The new shops complement each other well and we are proud to add our expertise to this quaint retail area.”
El Kay Salon, a name inspired by daughter of Laielyn, Kay features the latest in hair technology, all new stations and equipment, a kid-friendly atmosphere, natural & branded hair care products and original artwork. The owners plan to rotate the artwork introducing and showcasing new artists to their clientele.
As mothers, Laielyn & Diana intentionally added features and services to the salon that would be inviting to children and families. “We are a neighborhood specialty salon and hope that all members of this community and beyond will feel comfortable and welcome here,” adds Diana Nazareno.
El Kay Salon, a classy & full-service hair salon, is located at at Centrum Agri-Business Realty Bldg., Shopping North Drive, Bacolod City (beside Rib House). Salon owners, Laielyn Genovea & Diana Nazareno offer professional haircuts for men, women and children, special occasion, bridal styling, rebonding, color, highlights and a variety of other services.
For more information, call 476-6668/ 0928-5000705/09192426383
Text and Photo by:
Dolly B. Dalumpines
Event Organizer
In Touch Events Network & Promotions
Life’s Simple Pleasures in Molocaboc Island
September 13, 2009
For those of us who have grown accustomed to the finer things in life, a day in an island with limited electricity and water would be a big no no. Perhaps, one would contemplate on staying in such an island only if it’s for the Survivor challenge.
That’s why I admire the people of Molocaboc Island in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. Life is hard but life on this 428-hectare barangay is even harder. It’s like Survivor challenge, only they have to deal with it not in 39 days but their whole lives.
Molocaboc Island is just 15 minutes boat ride from Vito Wharf and is part of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve. This part of the Visayan Sea is teeming with marine life and with the efforts of the stakeholders remained protected from illegal fishing.
Molocaboc is made up of three islands – Molocaboc Daku (120 hectares), Molocaboc Diut (80 hectares) and Matabas (20 hectares). Pumpboats dock at the tip of the 1.5 km cement pathwalk leading to the village. The path walk disappears during high tide and people walking along it appears walking on water. Another 1.2 km cement pathwalk connects Molocaboc Diut to Molocaboc Daku. Electricity is limited from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. through a generator. There are no fresh water from wells that’s why the people have developed the use of giant jars for collecting rainwater which they use for bathing and cooking. The modes of transportation in the island are motorcycles and tricycles.
The sea has been generous to the people of Molocaboc. Around 85% of the residents make a living from the sea, from fishing to shellcraft making. If it’s seafoods you want, there is seemingly an endless supply, from the usual fish and crabs to the exotic deep sea shells. Residents also gather sea cucumber and seahorse for medicinal purposes which they sell to Chinese traders. Dried sea cucumber is sold for P1,000/kg and dried seahorse fetch a whooping price of P10,000/kg.
The residents practice “sea ranching” which was introduced by Mayor Alfredo Maranon, Jr. It is done by creating a hole or an artificial habitat on tidal flats in the sea using used tires and large stones. Fishermen then lure the fish to their holes and in three to four months are able to harvest about 20 kilos of mature fish. Too bad they just harvested the holes a week before our visit for their fiesta.
The shells which the residents made into fashion accessories and home decors were gathered from “sea mines”. These are dead shells deposited in shallow craters off the shores of the three islets of Molocaboc. They call them sea mines because no matter how many sacks they gather, more bubble shells are deposited in the mines.
Despite the lack of modern facilities in the island, the residents are quite happy and maintains a positive disposition. There seem to be a smiling face that will greet you whenever you meet a local. And they are very hospitable too. We were served with a sumptuous meal from the freshest catch. It was my first time to eat deep sea shells like “budyong”. We ate a feast but we still have take homes left. And for dessert, we had the sweetest “atis” grown in the island.
When I brought my friends from Iloilo to tour Sagay Marine Reserve, I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time too. But I know they wouldn’t be disappointed since they love the sea and adventure. What we discovered were what most of us took for granted – to find simple pleasures in our daily lives. To be like children who find happiness in watching the rise and fall of the waves at sea. Like them, the people of Molocaboc remain happy despite their simple lifestyle because they don’t have the complications that modernity brings. They have kept their islands unspoiled and for their sake and our children’s future, let’s help them keep it that way.
