Blogging Miles Around the Metro

Cinekatipunan at Mag:Net is a daily affair, and is just about the only place where you’ll find a constant stream of independent video screenings whose make and treatment vary from the avante-garde to college theses to hard-hitting social documentaries. Initiated by independent filmmaker Kiri Dalena of the group Southern Tagalog Exposure, Cinekatipunan seems to be slowly gaining ground and a steady audience, not just from the universities around the area, but from among groups of independent filmmakers, creative folk from all walks, and film enthusiasts.

Last Tuesday, Lisa Ito of the Kalikasan-Center for Environmental Concerns presented a number of documentaries on the anomalies and on the devastating effects of poorly maintained mining operations in the country. Though some of the footage was dated, the screening was a good venue to provide updates and answer questions on the status of investigations and addressing of grievances of those affected by the ill effects of irresponsible mining (unfortunately for me, my mind was still swimming with the dead corals as they were discussing).

I found this clip on the Lafayette incident in Rapu Rapu. Researching a bit, I’ve learned that sanctions have already been dished out for their disastrous booboo of unscheduled wastewater discharges. What we don’t know is if the government actually made good on those sanctions (or if they were adequate enough) and if Lafayette actually delivered what they were supposed to (including what they had initially promised the residents of Rapu Rapu before their operations began). With that, all I can say is that governments can be appeased and people can be paid off, but it’s nearly impossible to undo, or even make up for the harm that’s been done to the waters and marine life of Rapu Rapu Island.

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