Sometimes I feel ashamed to be Filipino.

[nixer]

I'm not sure if I agree with the conservation of an animal if it is someone's only source of food. Instead of getting investors to build a preservation for endangered animals, I would have set up an organization to get food to these people.

I know this isn't the case and it isn't what your family intended to do... but it's almost as if they're saving the wildlife instead of saving the people. Animals have rights, but not at the expense of humans.

yes we send food to them then its meds then its more food because more ppl are living longer to more meds and on and on

[anatess]

I'm not sure if I agree with the conservation of an animal if it is someone's only source of food.

See, that's the thing... it is NOT the only source of food. But, because there is no wildlife education or any other education like cultivation in these poverty-stricken parts, they don't know how to "select" or "grow" food sources. They go by what is there at that opportune moment. There is money to educate these people. But, the government has been corrupt for so many years (ever since the Philippines gained independence after being a US Commonwealth in the 50's) that these monies go to somebody's pockets instead of to these type of programs. So, it is up to the private sector or the church or to an honest government official to provide such education.

Instead of getting investors to build a preservation for endangered animals, I would have set up an organization to get food to these people.

I know this isn't the case and it isn't what your family intended to do... but it's almost as if they're saving the wildlife instead of saving the people. Animals have rights, but not at the expense of humans.

That is not the case in many of these groups who are trying. It is not INSTEAD OF, but HAND-IN-HAND WITH. We go by the principle that you teach a person to fish instead of handing them fish, etc.

For example, my dad's family is involved in politics for this region. My uncle was the mayor of the town of Cordova for over 20 years all throughout the reign of Marcos (under Martial Law, Marcos suspended all term limits which kept him in the President seat for 20-some years!). My uncle, the mayor, is a general surgeon as well and his wife a nurse. There is no hospital in this town. You have to go to the mainland for hospital care. So, my uncle put a surgical table at the mayor's office and performs minor surgery as well as general health treatment and education there. He believed that if he can just educate the people on proper hygiene it can go a long way to preventing health issues. His mini-hospital supplies was funded by Marcos' administration somehow - not quite sure how he justified the budget. His older brother is the mayor now (one member of my dad's family or another has been elected to that seat ever since Marcos got ousted). His main thing right now is bringing businesses to the town to increase employment and town revenue. That preservation that they got investors in has a 20-room hotel over the water - it is basically an island made out of corals that goes under the water during high tide - so they built up a sea-wall to keep the island above water and built the rooms on stilts so it is not on the coral. It is very pretty. Check it out at http://nalusuan.mencaresorts.com/ind...age=about%20us and read all the tabs - especially the Vision and Goals tab. And if you ever happen to vacation to the Philippines, you have to make at least a one-night stay there! You won't regret it. It has one of the best snorkeling sights in the country.

The preservation is funded by the hotel. So, it serves several purposes - a source of revenue for the town, an employment provider, a local educational wildlife facility, a research facility for the mainland university's marine biology program, and it also has programs to teach locals how to fish efficiently! But most of all, it raises awareness of the wildlife local to the area and gets the people excited and proud of their land.

But, like I said... all of that is not even scratching the surface of changing Philippine culture...

[juddb]

Sad but true.

Indeed. Off topic, but Bruce i really like your signature quote!!! I believe that to be very true. Although, i enjoy a movie from time to time.

[fattielumpkin]

yes we send food to them then its meds then its more food because more ppl are living longer to more meds and on and on

yeeeaaaahhh, and we don't want people living longer....no, no, no sir.

[Smith285]

That is not the case in many of these groups who are trying. It is not INSTEAD OF, but HAND-IN-HAND WITH. We go by the principle that you teach a person to fish instead of handing them fish, etc.

I agree with that, I guess I just didn't see how preserving wildlife fit in with that.... I'm really not very educated on the phillipines so I don't know about the poverty there and what not, but I commend your family for doing what they can to help

[Bruce Whitehead]

Indeed. Off topic, but Bruce i really like your signature quote!!! I believe that to be very true. Although, i enjoy a movie from time to time.

I love movies.. I know I will be savaged and am prepared for it. And I can avoid commercials and canned laughter.

But to turn on a TV and watch what rolls over the screen... I LOATHE it. I have ended relationships when the other person is a TV watcher.

If I go to someone's house and the TV is on.... I leave.

[mainbutter]

I hate to say it, but natural selection exists for a reason.

Humans are animals that are part of the world, and effect(and are affected by) the environment.. Only time will see where it takes us.

[AaronP]

That sucks but honestly, I did giggle.

[Hyper Joe]

Anatess,
I applaud your efforts on bringing this up at this forum. Awareness..

Your efforts and your families efforts though you think is small is a big start.
Fires start with sparks. This is how religions are spread.. Go figure how far it went (global).

There are many ways to look at this and not necessarily wrong.
Filipinos have to do what they need to do to survive. Education will help guide them but this will not happen over night of course. Philippines is not the only 3rd world country. I have seen this in Thailand and its neighbors as well. This also happens here in the U.S. (Bald Eagle) but turned around because of the education. Those that sold and ate the bird are not educated enough to know any better. Don't be ashamed to be filipino. I sure am not. In fact I am very proud.

I am proud to be able to teach others not to hate snakes (the way most filipinos are raised, especially due to religion). My cousins and my family do not like snakes as much as I do but they know and understand. Because I taught them. My sister in NYC called me one day and said there was a snake in her front yard and she wanted to kill it. But because she thought of me she didn't and just scared it away from the house. Thus the butterfly effect.. That little snake is probably a proud grandparent by now.

For anyone else out there thinking their little effort means nothing, don't. I would not be the avid reptile enthusiast if it wasn't for my trip to the zoo when I was 5. That little knowledge that was passed on to me about snakes went pretty far. Continue on educating and being educated yourself. That is where it starts.

[Malpaso]

Anatess,
I understand how you feel. I have had issues with my nationality (and prejudices) a lot... just for example... how many people you thing is "on watch" when hearing about someone from ex Eastern Bloc? Prejudices all the way...

That's why I would like you to know: 'No one is responsible for own nationality'. I'm member of this forum few days... and I can say you are already one of those who has my sympathies. It's because of your character not your nationality... I do not compare nationalities. I do compare characters of people. And you are great person for me. So please do not feel ashamed...

Martin