It was in the summer of 1992, I worked as a field man, putting lay-out stakes for irrigation canals to be carved at the rice field of Casig-ang. The parched rice field was converted into a banana plantation. Moldboard plow ripped the field with blades cutting through a meter depth. There was massive work of land preparation for planting of Cavendish bananas for the multinational company.
The roaring of chainsaw machines had disrupted the tranquility of the place. Innumerable coconut trees were cut down, including some Century-old Mango trees. Bulldozers and backhoes had ravaged through the remaining natural forest adjacent to my old folks' place during the operation. It was unfortunate that there was no camera to capture the natural beauty of that forest before it was planed.
The decision to abandon rice farming and convert crops was purely economic. The failing rice farming during those days had no match against the lucrative, dollar-earning, exportable bananas where nearby places have already engaged. However, it was because of such painful decision that many of us were able to attend college.
The natural forest was once a hunting ground of my old folks. Wild ducks had flourished there. It was a natural sanctuary for reptiles, the turtles, the monitor lizards or Bayawak, and snakes of varied colors. Variety of bird species, the flock of white Stork that visited the rice field during planting season was always a sight to remember. That glorious camaraderie between storks and Carabao, the former riding at the latter's back and feeding on lies was just an awesome sight to see.
The elusive birds like Tikling (Barred Rail) and Alimocon (Quail) were also there. The colorful Kalaw (Hornbill) perching on some tall Yakal trees that stood inside the forest was magnificent indeed. Peering inside the forest, there were a number of water plantain inside with edible protruding roots, like Karlang, Gabi and Pao. Root crops that were used as substitutes for rice during scarce season. The long tailed monkeys were also spotted.
Today that banana plantation suffered incalculable loss with the destruction caused by a plant disease known as Fusarium Wilt or widely known as Panama Disease. Could this be a consequence for destroying a natural habitat of other species three decades ago? Perhaps the vindication of that long lost forest is now being served.