The Island Newsweek V1 N14

IBALANGIBOG SA BILOG NA MUNDO, ORAGON AN BICOLANO!

THE VOL. 1 NO. 14

KAYA TA AN RESPONSABLENG PAGMIMINA SA RAPU-RAPU!

NEWSWEEK

AN INTRA-COMPANY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RAPU-RAPU POLYMETALLIC PROJECT

SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2006

RAPU-RAPU CELEBRATES PEÑAFRANCIA WITH RRMI/RRPI It was a chaotic parade and appears that only few knew the route. The bancas were all around wherever the big boats were. Halfway through the route, smaller bancas scrambled back to the wharf to grab a space to dock. When the chaos subsided most of the devotees were already along the streets to witness the procession of the image back to the church. The procession went on while a muffled voice praying the rosary filled the air.

Devotees from the barangays and mainland Albay came to participate in the celebration

For the first time in its short history, the RRMI/RRPI participated in

the Peñafrancia Celebation, a religious activity so dear to the residents of Rapu-Rapu. A miniature scale of Bicol region’s biggest and most colorful fiesta, the Rapu-Rapu Peñafrancia was held in the Poblacion of the island Parish of Rapu-Rapu on September 24, 2006. The highlight of the Penafrancia celebration was the parade of bancas carrying the devotees and image of the Virgin which, this year, did not pass without the active participation of RRPI/RRMI. A resident of the island itself, the company effectively relayed the idea to the people of Rapu-Rapu that it is a concerned corporate citizen who seeks to be involved in the culture and traditions of the locals.

It is said that Rapu-Rapu is rich in heritage and culture because first settlers of the island came from the different towns of mainland Albay, particularly Sto. Domingo, Bacacay and Tabaco. There were also migrants from the neighboring island of Catanduanes. These blending of different and colorful cultures remained in the island until today. Though the promulgation of a Spanish royal decree in 1891, the Sta. Florentina Parish of Rapu-Rapu was founded and implemented by the then Diocese of Caceres. Eleven years ago, the parish was turned over to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) by Bishop Jose Sorra. Since then, it has been a mission parish under the committed spiritual leadership of Fr. Henry Romero and his assistant, Fr. Felimon Bugawisan. Majority of the island’s residents remained Roman Catholics and devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in spite of the advent of other religious sects established in recent years.

Days prior to the said activity preparations were made, the Chairmen of host barangays were informed of the company’s intention and it was widely and warmly welcomed by them. In fact, streamers were prepared by the company to proudly display their attendance. barangays Pagcolbon, Malobago, Poblacion, Tinopan, Sta. Barbara, and Linao were each given a streamer. Five of them also received 60 liters of diesel from the company to enable their residents, particularly women and children, to participate in the celebrations. This year, the celebration was attended by more than a thousand devotees from the barangays of Rapu-Rapu and mainland Albay. Even before the parade began the people flocked along the kilometer-stretch wharf to participate in the parade. The whole Poblacion was in a festive mood with all the banderitas and streamers across the streets in what appears to be the second fiesta of the town. The parade started with a procession to the wharf led by priests and seminarians of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT). Most of the participants were women and families from the Pacific side of the island who braved the waves just to celebrate the special day. Their elaborately decorated outriggers swarmed the bigger boats which carried the image of the Virgin. It was a special occasion where the fishing boats become ‘glamorous’ with ornaments of palm trees, colored papers, and strings.

The people of Rapu-Rapu are known to be religious, industrious, peace-loving and hospitable. This hospitality was felt by the company employees who came to the island during their lunch break to take part in the festivities. They were treated as royalties in the residence of Sta. Barbara Barangay Captain Diamante; they were not only offered food but also videoke and drinks. What many say about the island was echoed by Mr. Diamante, “If you want to live like a king, go to Rapu-Rapu” and given credence with his show of hospitality. Amidst the festive mood, some anti-mining organizations showed their advocacy by hanging banners expressly condemning the company. This was generally disregarded by the devotees. The occasion ended with a Holy Mass and festivities in the area. The pilgrims went home with a sense of spiritual fulfillment and the idea that the RRMI/RRPI celebrated that special occasion with them.

Vol. 1 No. 14 page 2

THE

SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2006

NEWSWEEK

RRPI TO PRESERVE A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PRESENT & FUTURE GENERATIONS

Mining in the Bible (an excerpt)

The people in the Old Testament knew something, if not very much, about mining. There is enough scriptural evidence to show this. We are told in 1 Kings 10 that the Queen of Sheba brought gifts to King Solomon, which included gold and precious stones. Solomon himself regaled in a super abundance of gold and other precious stones, some of which were gifts to him by other kings. His fabulous temple was embedded with gold and other precious stones. There were several other scriptural references, but suffice it to mention only a few. For instance, we were told that gold was one of the three gifts of the Magi for the newly born King (Matthew 2:11). Saint Paul (1 Timothy 2:9) admonishes women no to wear gold. Saint Peter (Peter 1:7) likens tested faith to gold. Now such precious metals are of some form of mining process. We find in Job 28 the most explicit mention of mines and refineries producing gold, silver, sapphire, and other precious metals. The terminology used by Job to describe the mining processes then is very much like in our own modern language. But of course, the main point of Job was to show that true wisdom cannot be in these marvels produced by man. The text of Job 28;

“Silver has its mines, and gold a place for refining. Iron is extracted form the earth, the smelted rocks yield copper. Man makes an end of darkness when he pierces to the uttermost depths the black and lightless rock. Mines the lamp-folk dig in places where there is foothold, and hang suspended from mankind. That earth from which bread comes is ravaged underground by fire. Down there, the rocks are set with sapphires, full of spangles of gold…”

Genesis, the story of Creation, offers a very interesting insight into the rationale behind the process of human development. When God created the world, after each day of creation, He saw that “it was good.” After day six when he had already made man and woman into His image and likes, “God saw all He had made, and indeed it was very good.” but god never said it was perfect. Why? I think the reason is found in Genesis 1:28. “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer (or subdue) it.” To conquer or subdue means to develop, not dominate, not misuse or abuse. Man cooperates with God to strive to make this world a better place to live in, to push it towards the perfection of God’s Kingdom.

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Mining of fossil metals and other minerals is part of total development. Modern living as we know it now is mostly a result of mined and refined metals. Planes, cars, air-conditioning, etc. have been made possible because of these.

Mining is one human activity that expresses mastery and power over rest of creation. Through mining he can make his life sublime. But abuse or misuse of the earth’s potentials can bring about death and destruction, and therefore be violative of God’s plan for the perfection of man.

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To me, God was thus making Man His co-creator in the development and improvement of nature. What nature lacks let human ingenuity, with God’s approval, supply.

Human “development” to be true and wholly good, must also be lifegiving, life enhancing. Any form of “development” that destroys or even just endangers life is not true development. Man must be the master, not the slave, of the things his ingenuity produces. Doing a Dr. Frankenstein, producing monsters of mass destruction, is a violation of God’s two-fold command: subdue the earth and give life.

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EDITORIAL BOARD Managing Editor: Cecille Calleja Contributor: Jason Magdaong Bicol Translation: Roy Cervantes, Nelson Buenafe Production: Kaye Orlina, Mcken Belgica Circulation: Mcken Belgica, Nancy Alipar, C.A.R.E. Dept.