Mayon’s May eruption

Mayon, the country’s most beautiful volcano in Albay in the Bicol region, rumbled to life last Tuesday in a surprise sunrise explosion of ash and steam that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) termed a “phreatic explosion.” This resulted in the tragic deaths of four German nationals and their Filipino guide and serious injuries to a still undetermined number and unnamed mountain climbers. This was according to reports, particularly on television and in the press, with pictures this week of Mayon and the deceptively serene and beautiful cloud of white smoke rising above it.

And now tremors have been felt around Taal volcano farther north in Luzon, in Batangas, which might portend future volcanic activity there.

Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) Research reported numerous past eruptions of Mayon, the country’ most active volcano, dating back to the 1700s. And PDI columnist Ambeth Ocampo, in his column “Looking Back,” carried a description of the Feb. 1, 1814 eruption recorded by Fedor Jagor.

I remember a sentimental trip years ago to the Bicol region (my late mother was a Bicolana) and visiting the ruins of the old church in Cagsawa that was half buried by the 1814 Mayon eruption. Visible were only the upper section of the church tower and the peaked roof of the main church rising from the ground, and in the distant background, the beautiful Mayon. At the time, it seemed a beautifully peaceful post-script to a long past turbulent event.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, we learn that Nature continues to remind us of her active presence. The destructive forest fires in Southern California are displacing peace-loving residents; surprisingly out-of-season summertime snow has blanketed Rochester, Maine in the United States; and the sweltering heat continues to scorch our own country.

This week here in the country, we also learn of people in upsetting situations, like the erstwhile witness-to-a-murder years ago now “breaking out” of what he considers unjust imprisonment, and in Cebu, a young man finally brought to justice after years of disquieting community activity, even as we feel sadness over the situation his foster father must be going through.

All of these and more in this heated week just before the mid-term elections on Monday! A week of earsplitting loudspeakers at rallies and mobile sorties with last-miute pre-election propaganda. And candidates’ posters all over town, too many to take down or peel off from walls and everywshere else. Forgive me for losing my cool (it is hot weather season, is it not?) in this “wordy” Bystander-ing today.

In all these, thank God for the wise reminder from Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, “Tackle isses, not each other.” And activities of the Cebu Citizens’ Involvement in Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel) for a peaceful purpose-driven election.

In this heated pre-election activity, news about Cebu city mayoralty candidate Tomas Osmeña surviving with a cancer-free life for four years now, I remember my own nurse daughter working in Texas. She, too, is a survivor who stayed in one of the two cancer facilities in Texas, that in Dallas, while Tom had his treatmet in Houston. Thank God, too, for facilities like these to help affected people recover!

Now, for some of the quieter serious activities this season, we learn that in Cebu City’s now traditional museum activity “Gabii sa Kabilin,” about 14 heritage sites will be visited in three Cebu cities joining this year: Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay. While I have been unable to join an of these activities since they started, I have fortunaely been able to visit most of the mentioned heritage places in separate occasions in past years. Thank God, too, for the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. for its involvement in these cultural historic activities.

And now, for our activities in the Girl Scouts Cebu Council last April 29th at the Diamond Suites and Residences, while our years-old Cebu Girl Scouts Headquarters in Banilad is still being repaired to cope with our increasing needs and activities. Among reports on various administrative decisions and activities, we heard, among others, reports on the Council’s participation in our awards ceremony last April 6th, in the regional training school at Cebu’s Camp Marina on April 5 to 14, and in the GSP Belen regional program and training center in Candelaria, Quezon. The Council’s attendance in the 81st Philippine Amateur Radio Association Summer Convention on May 3 to 5 at the Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center in Baguio City, as well as other following activities, will be reported on in my Bystander-ing in the next following weeks. It’s been quite a busy Girl Scouts season!

During the meeting last Sunday of our Cebu United Radio and TV Artists or Curta, Inc, we discussed more effective plans for fund-raising projects in answer to health and financial needs of our members, active as well as retired.

As for significant dates, past, present and future, last Wednesday, May 8th, Cebu remembered and honored the 448th founding anniversary of historic Fort San Pedro. This Sunday, May 12th, I remember we used to observe as Hospital Day, now Nurses’ Day, and Mother’s Day, will also be the birthday of fellow Cebu GSP Executive Committee member Letty Canoy, a nurse by profession. Happy Birthday in advance, Letty! The next day, the 13th, is the birthday of my late daughter Raquel. May her soul rest in peace. Then next Saturday, the 18th, will be International Museum Day. Before I close, do listen into my monthly “Women’s Kapihan” tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on radio station dyLA.

Until next week, then. As always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!