Even for locals living in Davao City, nearby Samal (that's only about 7 minute ride by barge from the mainland) is an island now gradualy revealing not just her beauty, but also her mystery. It is a paradise-like island we thought we knew. We thought the island was just the next byword for tourism destination owing to its pristine beaches with even some areas having powdery white sand so fine that its shore could diffuse heat of the tropical sun as one walks over it, an island of breathtaking sceneries and unspoilt wonders that Davao region hopes to keep that way while balancing with progress. Just a few years ago, it was also discovered that the island's batcave shelters the world's largest fruit bat colony (Geoffrey's Rousette species). It turned out there's even more to the island.
From my recent personal research posted in the previous blog, enigmatic Samal may also have one of the country's oldest history, with its rich past even inhabited by legendary giants of yore (well, not necessary "legend," there were actual discoveries of giant skeletal remains that unfortunately were looted or neglected, add up the Philippines authorities' lack of enthusiasm in archiving these otherwise valuable legacies).
It also made me recall of another enigmatic religious group in Samal, the Moncadistas. They are a religious colony known for their tradition of eating uncooked and raw food with no fish or meat. The group was founded by Hilario Camino Moncado (1898-1956). At nine years of age, he graduated with honors from the College of Mystery and Psychics in Calcutta, India. During earlier times, many of the group's male members sported long hairs and beards. The Moncadistas are known to be peaceful and law-abiding citizens.
Another personal observation that I tend to notice while in Samal, were the local dogs, yup, the local canines. Unlike their counterparts in the mainland, it seemed that most local dogs in Samal do not have the habit of barking at strangers. Perhaps it was due to the geographical confines of the island, but I least expected that even these creatures could create a " canine culture" that is uniquely Samal. I wonder if other visitors had noticed it too.
It makes one wonder, even with locals, what enigmatic character would this beautiful island reveal next.
2 comments:
The Samales as seafearers may be originally from Sarangani or Srivijaya empire.
I am curious with the Samal tribe because their creation mythology was simlar to that of ancient sumeria. the knowledge had been passed for generations where I believe came the Sumerian influence from in the Indus river areas, where conflicts may have caused a diaspora that scattered many tribes until eventually some reached southern Mindanao and brought with them various ancient knowledge, including that of Sumerian influence.
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