The Enchanting Balete Paradigm

(Herewith is my talk delivered during the opening ceremonies of "ENCHANTING: Idto sa amon sa Balete Photo Exhibit at the Museo it Akean" on October 13, 2012 in Kalibo, Aklan. The photo exhibit lasts until October 29, 2012) 

I go out of my comfort zone today to answer the question, “Why EnchantingBalete”?

I am sorry to disappoint those who assume that it is a brand name. Enchanting Balete is not a brand name like Canon, Yashica or Nikon. We would like to give emphasis on this as we categorically parry off the observation of UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and Pacific, Mr. Richard Englehardt, of the realities of turning heritage sites into mere object of entertainment and commercialism. Neither we venture into falsifying authenticity for the sake of tourism, however you may call it today.

To us, Enchanting Balete is more like the photographer and his handy camera. It is a paradigm through which we see things. It is much like Mr. Roy Escalona and the rest of the Aklan Kamera Organization with their perceptive lens framing ordinary scenes to enable us to see the unseen beauty of daily life. (By the way, the September issue of the Reader’s Digest is still available for those who are interested.) Through it, we are able to appreciate the realities breaking through in our humble town the past decade and discriminate milestones out of the humdrum of community life.

Enchanting Balete is a party bias that allows us to rise from the typecast of a menacing place and inspire our people to approximate that better Balete than yesterdays. We are Enchanting Balete precisely because socio-cultural and economic developments in our town, however humble they maybe, form a prism-like projections converging side-by-side with environmental protection endeavors not just by the government but by a meeting of multi-sector groups. This convergence results to human wellbeing, both personal and communal.

In its totality, Enchanting Balete therefore is a paradigm for sustainable development for us to approximate our vision and mission as a municipality. Thus, we encapsulate such reality in our annual celebration for which SB Patrick will elucidate after this talk—which is to end now.

When an Elfin Lady Rides a Jeepney

You sat in front of me. But no words were uttered that are directed to each other. There were secret glances thrown, some tacit prayer murmured silently by fettered hearts that refuse respite.  I noticed your sad eyes and the pretty face you wore today. It is strange that such a beauty has such eyes that prefer the distant scene of empty spaces. Do they see the reddening sky as the sun kissed the horizon when others were seeing the juxtaposing neon lights along the stretch of Taft Avenue?

A Donovan cut was playing softly in some unseen stereo. The commuters looked bored and tired and understand not a word. You seem to flow with it rather than riding this slow-moving carriage. The traffic was heavy today, just as it has been in Tita Cory's time and yet you have soared into the wishes of Brother Sun and Sister Moon. Was this a lovely day?, your mind asked your heart. Was this day filled with meaning to justify your resolve of seeing tomorrow's rays?

Your brows curved and they betrayed a couple of lines on your forehead. You have aged much. That's not the way I remember you the first time we met! I remember those moment when you inquired me of my opinion concerning Sartre's La nausée. Where you trying to impressed me then when you came to my place just to ask my mind?  I'd seen you long ago. From a distance. But since the time you paid me a brief visit, you disturbed my quiet existence. You have always been an enigma, an elusive elf whose smile reminds me of the Monalisa and since then, you have enchanted this soul.

Isn't it strange then that we have not exchange words today when we are a seat apart from each other? Busy?

Perhaps.

We Are Enchanting Balete

      

        The Municipality of Balete has been in the national limelight for the past two years when it was chosen as one of the 15 municipalities from all over the country to have been conferred with the Seal of Good Housekeeping Awards by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The awards were won due to the fact that Balete espoused the values of good governance, transparency and accountability—values that the Seal of Good Housekeeping program are promoting for all government agencies to espouse.

Prior to that however, is that the LGU has been a consistent regional contender in the EXCELL Award, short for the Search for Excellence in Local Governance. In one occasion, a team of evaluators for such program came over to validate the local data. They arrived, all in black t-shirts. The leader was honest enough to explain the reason why. He intimated that since they were visiting the town of Balete on a Friday the 13^th at that, they decided to all wear black tees to ward off any evil that may befell on them.

Such negative connotation associated with the name of Balete is not unique of our town. Throughout the Philippines, Balete or Balite is always associated with White Lady, Kapre and other evil being conceived by the pregnant mind. Other than that, there was a dark time in the history of our town when we were feared upon by people from other municipalities for the many atrocities committed by some wayward Baleten-ons. We have overcome those days. We have moved forward and showed ourselves in the light. Yet the past hounds us. We thus endeavored to present a different and positive aura for others to perceive. 

We are Enchanting Balete. We focus on the many positive milestones and pro-active endeavors of our people. We exert efforts to converge the many good things that have come our way over the years. We find them in the economic endeavors of the community, in their social activities and in our common quest of protecting our fragile environment. We have created a venue to magnify them for sustainable development. Such is “Enchanting Balete.”