FEATURE | Coastal Life Isn’t All About Survival: Pamarawan seeks more ‘silver lining’ stories amid dilemmas

           "I’ve always taught myself to look for the beauty in it…To assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson…” — Catriona Gray, 2018

Life of an Islander

In the middle of an industrialized part of Malolos, Bulacan there’s an island named Pamarawan—simple, normal and a small barrio from the city. 

Pamarawan means plenty of ‘paraw’ or shrimps according to Kapampangans who once resided in the place. Hence, abundance of natural marine resources. However, due to the constant industrial development, fisherfolks are greatly affected not only in the present time but the future of the island.

In fact this is their main source of income– fishery and boating (as mode of transportation). In various ways, Pamarawan residents are expanding their work through their resources to earn or gain profit from it– resiliency. 

Lives have been very dependent on the sea, its stability sustains the needs of the Islander in their everyday necessity. In addition, even though the island is full of hope and dreams they also face real-life struggles.

One of those struggles is the rising sea level that global warming or climate change brought, since the area is vulnerable to flood/high tide. Finding out the things they do to cope with unforeseen circumstances, those are; dike, pagtatambak, being proactive and their resiliency. 

Moreover, the Bulacan aerotropolis is also a problem for the residents as it threatens the local fishing industry. A public official explained in detail that the machinery used to make the airport dissipates the fishes in the area. Resulting in the fishermen's low income, the operation indeed weakened the profit gain of the workers in Pamarawan. 

Hon. Pablito Samaniego Jr., barangay councilor, shared how his business had been affected by these dilemmas. Emphasizing how fishing dipped down when the development of the airport began. He highlighted the construction of ‘baklad’ where fish are being caught, which he needed to take down . From four thousand pesos down to one thousand pesos weekly, the sudden decline of his profit. 

Education is the Key

Besides being resilient amid catastrophes, one thing Pamarawan is trying to promote is the importance of education. Some tried to cross the river to get a quality learning environment. However, for some, it is different. 

To ensure that the education in the island is not hindered, the local government of Pamarawan is continuing to introduce alternative learning especially for those out-of-school youth [Alternative Learning System (ALS)].

Officials find the community competitive not just in life survival itself, but in academic fields as they highlighted that among residents there are some who participated not only in local but also national events—Palarong Pambansa, National Press Conference, etc.

In line with this, they sought more aids regarding educational assistance to fully support the competence the island is trying to build. It will be more efficient for them if more sustainable educational facilities are erected in the area.

Resiliency is the Best Policy 

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence," — Jim Watkins. This quote is very Pamarawan-coded, as residents always emphasized that living on the island needs utmost persistence and resilience. Given the fact that most of them were born there; if asked, "Do you want to be relocated?" Immediately responds, "Not at all". 

This resiliency might be romanticized by others and used for exploitation. But for this community, being resilient is truly important, even though they face financial issues, problems in livelihood, and many others, they persist to stay on the island and strive for the best they can. 

Through innovations, citizens help each other to preserve the environment, and bring wildlife resources back to the island amidst the danger of natural resource decline brought by the reclamation. 

The idea of erecting mangrove projects contributed to the wildlife preservation, and flourish the activities in the island that may result in a more engaging community. The development of this project is still ongoing. 

Resiliency is a virtue to keep moving forward, that binds the Pamarawan citizens to survive without losing their identity.

           "Huwag sisihin ang pinagmulan, dahil hindi naman kasalanan na pinanganak kang mahirap," said Hon. Samaniego.

“The Danger of Single Stories…”

The stigma that the media framed about the island– a single story, cycle or loop that puts them in a box. Disregarding the beautiful things on the island would not make the story beautiful. The materials proliferated online before going to the island creates a negative thought or assumptions. 

Many coverage about the island are always angled with struggles, misseries, life is hard, the island will be removed from the map, and common stories of survival.

Not an ignorance, the fact that the aforementioned circumstances were faced by the residents–reality, but it does not end there. There are more beautiful stories that can be featured about the island; its culture, traditions, the sceneries and its people.

Hon. Jhonel Cruz, barangay councilor, emphasized how the media is trying to sell good stories in exchange for the island's reputation. This kind of story angle is imposed by many island visits, usually covering human interest articles/documentaries.

          “What if ang i-cover naman natin ay ‘yong good sides,” Cruz said.

One thing Pamarawan can be proud of is the zero crime rate. Officials flaunted how citizens are disciplined and how thankful they are for what they have, but it does not diminish the fact that more aid must be served for the preservation of the island’s life. 

Nevertheless, the real thing is, Pamarawan builds a healthy community, they commune with each other everyday. Since they are a remote area of Malolos, they preserved the culture and the sense of neighborhood.

          “Learn a lot about coastal life, the life here is very good, and very warm,” — Pamarawan.

Dela Cruz, Azriel Gilson DC. | Malicis, Rosanna A. | Realba, Marybeth M.    

BAJ 2B  |  COMMUNITY AND CITIZEN JOURNALISM