New Israel, Makilala

Has anybody able to watch last Sunday's episode of Balitang K (June 01, 2008)? Well, I don't normally watch the show, but since I'm waiting for Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus, I took a look.

Balitang K featured a village in the Philippines that the people and the monkeys coexist in harmony (I didn't pay attention at first, it was only my cousin). As we were watching, I noticed the place was so familiar. I was telling myself, "sa New Israel man ni o" (this is in New Israel). And so I asked my cousin, she said it's in North Cotabato. And I just exclaimed "Tama lagi ko!" (I'm right then!). hehehe... Seeing the village again (on television) brings back memories. I called my father and told him Balitang K is featuring New Israel.

Korina Sanchez was emphasizing the harmony in the place, with people and monkeys not hurting each other. I can attest to that! Been there and have really seen in my own eyes that the monkeys didn't harm anyone, neither did the villagers harming the monkeys. They were living in solitude, as I saw it, and the monkeys just roam around, without anything binding them, unlike in some communities that monkeys are caged or tied to something else. The monkeys are just there, at the roads, at the stores, and at the benches.

But New Israel in Makilala, North Cotabato isn't only about monkeys (but the village is really famous for these monkeys). If you've been to the place, there is more to be proud of than just primates. I had a look at the place when I was still 14 years old. Our class, lead by our adviser, had a tree-planting program and New Israel was our destination. Aside from the very noticeable monkeys, the village is clean, ordered, and peaceful. The villagers, as I remember them, were hospitable. And most of all, the river was clean. After our lunch, our guardians, including our adviser, allowed us to have a dip in their cold river. It was really a wonderful experience (even though I didn't have the chance to swim because I didn't bring extra clothes..huhuhu...but I was able to dip my feet there.. =P) because we were given the chance to be close to nature. ^_^

I found an article relating to New Israel. It was written by Myfel Paluga entitled Managing the mountain and the monkeys: Philippine millenarian movement and the local dynamics of community-based wildlife management in Mt. Apo Natural Park (Mindanao, Philippines). I just hope I can get the chance to read it.