Even in the age of information, many people still believe in supernatural things and beings. The existence of supernatural things and beings lie in the realm of the unexplainable; things that baffle people in a certain way and cause them to act in a certain direction. What people think and believe become their reality. This mind set among people is aptly described in the case of Marangas Island in Quezon, Palawan.
[Lens of Analysis:
In defining the environment as a concept, what people believe constitute their environment. This is founded on the idea that anything surrounding a person, whether tangible or intangible, is his environment. His interaction is determined by how he perceives his environment.]
The Case of Marangas Island: The Enchanted Island
The case of the enchanted island of Marangas, somewhere in the remote southwestern town of Quezon in Palawan, Philippines, illustrates how people's beliefs can influence their actions. The island is believed to be enchanted because of an enigmatic event that happened several years ago.
A fisherman allegedly docked on the shores of Marangas Island to take a break from a wearisome fishing activity. He had just anchored his boat when suddenly, a nest of snakes sprung from the rock crevices and wriggled their way towards him. The poor fisherman panicked. He frantically boarded his boat and rowed with all his might to escape the horde of snakes.
Marangas Island.
He could not contain himself and spread the word about his experience. The story spread like wildfire in the small town and scared everyone. Gossips further added dramatic twists in the story that made it a mystical lore. This belief was further reinforced when a farmer recounted that he had a puzzling experience too in Marangas Island. Accordingly, he left a herd of goats in the island. Those goats disappeared without a trace. Since then, nobody dared approach the island, even fish near it.
Coastal Research
The author was involved in coastal research as part of a resource assessment project in the area several years ago. One of the research activities is geared towards an assessment of the coral condition in front of Malanut Bay where Marangas Island is one of the islands dotting the location.
Being unfamiliar with the place, the coral assessment team sought the aid of the boatman to bring them to places known to have coral reef growth. The team explored those places by snorkeling and using a manta board towed using a motorized boat. They were close to covering all places with reefs but noticed that the boatman apparently avoids an island in the middle of the bay.
The author asked the boatman the name of the island and why they are avoiding that island. The boatman explained by telling the story of Marangas Island. Despite the scary story, the team asked the boatman to bring them near the island to complete the assessment.
The boatman was persuaded and agreed to bring the divers to the island on the condition that they will not dock or anchor close to the shore. The team approached the island and anchored a few hundred meters from its shores. The divers donned their wet suits, slipped on their flippers and readied their SCUBA diving gears. They wore their buoyancy control device with the tank attached to it in the water because these are heavy and cumbersome to suit up in the cramped space of the banca. The weather was quite fine and water visibility was high at about 10 o'clock in the morning.
Large Tabulate and Branching Corals
The team of divers was amazed at what they saw. Large tabulate and branching coral colonies abound in the place and butterfly fishes, too. The presence of butterfly fishes indicate that the reef is still in a very good condition. The reefs were well preserved and paradisiacal.
Large, tabulate corals south of Marangas Island.
People's Beliefs can Preserve the Environment
This experience confirmed the idea that people's beliefs can help preserve the environment. Many rural folks still believe that there are spirits that live in rocks, and trees, and inanimate objects. Because of this, they treat these objects with respect. Misfortune will come upon those that challenge the spirits. In so doing, these places are not defiled.
This is an important finding useful in natural resource management. Since whatever beliefs that are inculcated in people’s minds determine how they will treat their environment, enchanted places must remain just that. Science need not refute this belief as enchanted places are respected by rural folks, and for that matter, help preserve the environment.
Source: Modified from Marangas Island: An Enchanted Place
©19 March 2011 Patrick A. Regoniel@Palawaniana.net