There is, still, a rainbow after the rain
If there was a time in recent memory that Negros Occidental was visited by floods with uncanny timing, it would have been the year that has just passed, 2021. On New Year’s Day, from North to South, the province was besieged. To start off the year, residents in the northern part of the province were shocked by floods resulting from torrential rains. The word shocked was mentioned because, normally, there would have been a typhoon warning. But since there was none, people suspected that it was deforestation. A week later, more flooding occurred, spurred by moderate-to-heavy rainfall. Thus, confirming the fear.
Dec. 16, 2021, however, was a different story. This time, there was a storm. Typhoon Odette hit southern Negros with unforgiving might. Super Typhoon Rai, as Odette was internationally called, was a Category 5 hurricane. Aon PLC, a global risk manager and reinsurer, called Odette the deadliest cyclone of 2021. It would have helped if the mountain range that looms over the communities directly hit by Odette are forested to endemic trees. Those kinds that are native to the local landscape, possessing inherent strength to weather the punishing wind and water familiar to the area.
This month, on “Seeing the forest for the trees in Negros Occidental,” writer Vince Groyon gives readers valuable input on why a distinction must be made between endemic trees and exotic varieties. By doing so, he puts emphasis on the value of every seedling planted to reforest space, rather than simply planting for show. Artist Erika Velasco then brightens the page with her botanical illustrations of endemic trees of Negros, among them is the Garuga (Garuga floribunda).
Vince Groyon is two-time winner of the Manila Critics Circle National Book Award “The Sky Over Dimas” (2004) and “On Cursed Ground and Other Stories” (2005). Erika Velasco is from Bacolod City and the weight of her work leans on nature. You can view her other works on her Instagram @aikapaints.
This is a truly insightful piece made even more awesome with a list of endemic tree seedlings available for sale to the public. By doing so, everyone can take active part in re-greening Negros the right way. Put on your gardening hat and visit www.negrosseasonofculture.com.