Waiting for the Season

CEBU, Philippines - I don’t keep an aquarium. Never been to an oceanarium. Those angels, damsels, butterflies, and clowns are better seen in their natural habitat. To put an end to wanton harvesting of tropical fishes off their dwellings, you can make a resolve to stop patronizing oceanariums and never keeping an aquarium beginning today.

If the itch to keep fishes wouldn't go away with one scratch, swim with them upclose, instead, in a blossoming garden of fan, brain, and fire corals at the 19-hectare Kantabogon Cove in Aloguinsan.

I'm one of those waiting for the season of further regrowth and prosperity here. Like Advent - a time of waiting and hoping - it's great to be anticipating "glad tidings" to come to those who labor for the regeneration of our coral gardens, our marine resources. Situated on the world's Coral Triangle, our attention of late should be more focused on how to redeem what used to teem in our rich seas and oceans.

It's also great to be waiting for the reestablishment of that balance in our marine ecosystem. Remember that life is supposed to be a delicate balance of consumption and conservation. One disorderly manner would affect a chain of consumers. One humane decision benefits not only the conservationists, but the conserved as well.

I snorkeled with Gerry recently, one of reef rangers at Kantabogon Cove. With the grace, agility, and wisdom of an ichthyologist, Gerry would from time to time dive, point at creatures, and later on share snippets of information, that have all drowned my heart with so much joy, new learning, and excitement, seeing that they are still there, intact, enjoying their peace, despite a growing threat from predators like crowns of thorn and the more monstrous - illegal fishers.

They all thrived in a kingdom on the crown of a 320-foot underwater drop, actually a whale shark's path. Some three-year-old conservation efforts kicked away the eerie prick that that bluish-black underwater ravine gives, and turned it into a longing for all of 19 hectares and beyond to blossom for underwater life to flourish all the more, and for man to love and behold.