Stories Covering " WILDLIFE "
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Stories of town explorations.
"Those gravity-defying and death-don't-care goats just continue to stay at the almost vertical mountain slope in Sallacong, Bantay, Ilocos Sur."

The mountain is exceedingly steep and for a person to stand at that point, he will surely fall down. But wait, during my sight-seeing in a remote community called Sallacong or San Mariano, I was amazed to see goats just situated at the extremely steep slope of the mountain and they were just standing there still - don't know the reason why.

I think I just need the explanation of experts, could be scientists in general or biologists or anyone who is expert in this field to please explain why these goats are standing in this extremely steep slope of the mountain and not at the grassy plain?

In fact, the website, dailymail.co.uk has published an unbelievable photo taken in Italy featuring animals called the Alpine Ibex Goats climbing a nearly vertical dam without the fear of dying secondary to falling, uh!

Photo grabbed from dailymail.co.uk - photo posted for comparisson
Alpine Ibex Goats climbing a near vertical wall in Italy

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Location Highlighted in Red
As for me, I think I have just encountered in person the Philippine version of this amazing feat and I saw it in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Those gravity-defying and death-don't-care goats just continue to stay at the almost vertical mountain slope in Sallacong, Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

According to my research, the goats in Italy were not just here to show-off or to bring a great big show but eccentrically, they are here to graze! Yes, to graze, not grass but to lick the stones for their salt.

Somehow, I can relate these scientific findings to this strange encounter I have seen in Sallacong. Actually, the slope where the goats were situated was in fact an altered mountain. It was scraped to give way for a multi-billion irrigation project. 

To prevent land slides to the irrigation facility, the mountain slope, almost vertical, has been somewhat "cemented," not exactly cemented but they have applied chemicals to the mountain to control soil erosion.

Amazingly, these goats have found their new home. Below are my photos with the attempt to compare the said phenomenon in Italy. Since they are the same goats, they may have the same purpose here in Sallacong as what is happening in Italy.


Well, just an unforgettable wildlife encounter in this hidden community and who would expect that in this remote place, I can find these things.

I am glad that  I bravely entered this place because my instinct was just true that there is something interesting to be discovered in this place.

I won't say my photos are as astonishing as the photos of the goats in Italy but at least, I am trying to connect this phenomenon there and for that, that could be close enough :)) /end

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Stories of town explorations.
"I am not against selling these wild orchids per se, but of course the community and our society must be aware that it may face extinction if the demand grows which is already happening."

 These wild orchids really look so charming and inviting. Their appearance is very unusual, a very different presentation of a wild orchid. It has brown spots in the light greenish petals. It also has an amusing and refreshing sweet fresh wild smell. However, beware for those with allergy for pollen, it might still trigger you.

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Location Highlighted in Red
I met a mid-30 woman in souvenir shop inside the premises of the Cagsawa ruins in Daraga, Albay of Bicol Region in the Philippines selling different products and goods.

There are also a lot of flowers usually are orchids displayed in her store. The woman looks just like an ordinary vendor, nothing so special. She has been living her whole life selling these products for the tourists.

I asked here, "Why are you staying here in this place? The volcano may erupt anytime. How about these things you are selling?"

"This place is where we earn for a living." She replied. "The moment the volcano erupts, we will be evacuating," she added.

Suddenly I noticed the very beautiful flower in the flowers section. I asked what it was and the woman told me it was an orchid. I was surprised! I asked here where it is coming from and she answered me it is from the forests of Mayon Volcano.

I didn't know what to say. As a nature lover and an environmental advocate, I am not in favor of the selling of wild animals or flowers because most are endangered. But, how can I balance the situation? The woman needs something to earn for a living and this wild orchid is very much inviting for buyers. One thing more, the selling of these kind of things from the wildlife is prohibited by law most especially if they are endangered.

The beauty of Mayon is really eternal. Although it might be destroyed due to a  tragic natural phenomenon (hope it'll not happen), the beauty will still remain in our hearts.

But it's natural beauty is also a home for other natural beauties such as these wild orchids.

According to the woman, it is not easy to find it everywhere because it is somewhat endemic in Mayon (this needs confirmation). So this means that the Mayon Volcano is a home for flora and fauna, more wild species of organisms and the like. So it is the responsibility of the community to take care of its beauty because its beauty comes in package which includes the symmetrical cone, the vegetation, and these wild organisms living in its slopes.

I am not against selling these wild orchids per se, but of course the community and our society must be aware that it may face extinction if the demand grows which is already happening. It has also happened to the sea turtles' high demand for their eggs.This is an issue that shouldn't be ignored. It is of national interest for our natural heritage.

Now, this will leave a puzzle for us. Should we buy it for all the vendor's profit or boycott them to preserve their existence? As of now, I already have my stand but everyone is entitled with their own idea.

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Stories of town explorations.
"...as early as its eruption, a plenty bundle of strands of roots are already crawling their way to the ground to prepare for a long-term role in the future."

For all the grasses that are growing in our environment, bamboo grass isn't like a grass. We even mistakenly call it Bamboo Tree because like any other tree, bamboo alone can already build a shelter. But now, let me show you how this spaghetti-liked structures perform its role in nature, specifically for bamboos. These structures are actually a root of the bamboo grass.



As we all know, bamboo grasses are as high as a skyscraper and towers. They extend as high as hundred of feet up to the sky. And with this quality, bamboo tree really needs a strong foundation to keep itself standing amidst the wind.

Aside from being flexible, bamboo grasses can not withstand the forces of nature by flexibility alone. They also need a very strong foundation. Now this is the role of this spaghetti-liked roots which appear in bundle when a new bamboo shoot appears. Because this bamboo shoot will turn to become a future giant, as early as its eruption, a plenty bundle of strands of roots are already crawling their way to the ground to prepare for a long-term role in the future.


Now this bamboo shoot will surely become safe and secure for its future. Thanks for these spaghetti roots that has anticipated the demand in the near future.


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Stories of town explorations.
"So, even though we might have the power to be fast [since this mollusk is very slow], if there is patience, we will succeed. That is slowly, but surely."

In nature, we can see that there are actually countless possibilities that is happening. In an ecosystem, every creature shares a helping hand with each other but others are selfish predators. Like in our society, there are selfless organizations that lend a helping hand but there are also powerful people as powerful as lion in the jungle that keeps getting all the resources of the community for personal benefits.



In a very unusual encounter, this millipede has found comfort and safety with this mollusk or gastropod. In ecology, this relationship is called commensalism, a scenario in ecosystem where in an organism benefits from another organism but that other organism is not benefited nor harmed. It remains neutral.

 I was in great awe to see how exciting the nature is to be discovered and explored. But among all, I will stand in awe to God for this very wonderful scenarios in nature wherein creatures that may be unknown to us render a helping hand to different components and organisms in nature.

With this natural encounters that I am having, I am learning a lot. And in that very simple thing that I saw means a lot to me because this world can be a better place if there is unity, trust and sharing. That is the story of this gastropod and the little millipede.

 As I am exploring this ecosystem, I discovered another gastropod trying to climb. And this gastropod's purpose is to climb for safety. The situation this day is rainy because of typhoon Falcon so this mollusk needs to transfer to a higher or an elevated place so that it won't get flushed away by an anticipated flood. Another lesson is learned. So, even though we might have the power to be fast [since this mollusk is very slow], if there is patience, we will succeed. That is slowly, but surely. I am sure, this mollusk will be safe and secure like what the first mollusk has done.

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Stories of town explorations.
"Starfish may look so cute but actually, they are predators and they eat other live marine organisms. So, some marine species must have the reason to be afraid with this starfish I am handling."

This island is super star-studded! You can see here the most beautiful stars and this stars are so alive! I am referring to the stars of the sea. Guess what? They are the starfish!

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Location Highlighted in Red
In my previous post "Pinget Island: The Island with No Identity," I promised you that I will be featuring a discovery of mine and this discovery is about the wildlife underwater concerning the starfishes of this island.

Although this has been an old discovery of mine since it's been about 5 years the last time I touched these marine organisms, I still want to share it with you now that I have an opportunity. Let's begin!

The Eastern coast of Pinget Island in the town of Magsingal in Ilocos Sur province, Philippines is facing the pristine Lapog Bay. Lapog Bay is in fact a favorite destination for fishermen because of it's rich marine resources.

This bay supports a diverse form of marine species that has chosen this bay to be their home and one proof of this is the abundance of a starfish species, specifically at Pinget island.

In the world, there are1,800 living species [that's many!] of starfish that occur in all the world's oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian as well as in the Arctic and the Southern Ocean (i.e., Antarctic) region. They are also called "sea stars" or generally called as the echinoderms. According to experts, more species are waiting to be discovered

Did you know that a starfish eats too? Well, of course, but where is the mouth, the esophagus and the stomach or, do they have those organs? The answer is yes. They have those organs. They also have anus to excrete their waste! Their mouth is located underside their body.

Starfish may look so cute but actually, they are predators and they eat other live marine organisms. So, some marine species must have the reason to be afraid with this starfish I am handling.

Any idea about the life span? Well, starfish life span depends upon the species. Some may live about 10 years and some can reach up to more than 30 years.

Do they breathe? Yes of course, they are animals too. If you try to notice them [if ever you've seen one], there are tiny structures [called papullae]  that dot their surfaces and these structures are the gateway for their respiration.

Starfish carries a big role in the balance of the ecosystem. So let's take care of their natural habitat. Sea stars and other echinoderms pump water directly into their bodies, via the water vascular system, as they find it. This makes them vulnerable to all forms of water pollution, as they have little ability to filter the water of toxins and contaminants. Oil spills and similar events often take a toll on echinoderm populations that carry consequences for the ecosystem [Oh no!  Let's don't let that happen]

Now guys I hope you enjoyed this post once again and if it is corny, please forgive me! Hehe. By the way, I need your feedback, comments and suggestions so that I can give you my best shot! Hehe... And you can suggest to me things, events, people or anything under the sun that you want me to feature here and I will try my best to feature it as long as I have the resources and time! You can suggest them below through the comment box or email me at edmaration@gmail.com.
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Stories of town explorations.
"In fact, Puffer Fish, locally known as "Butete" is popular in Japan but this fish has killed a lot of eaters there. Aside from being a killer fish, it is also very expensive in the restaurants."

It was a Black Saturday and we celebrated the end of the Lent with my cousins, aunts and my bro in Mindoro Beach in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines until my "usisero" eyes saw something.

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 The fishermen of Mindoro are joining hands in unloading the boat from the sea. I tried to approach them and I discovered that they had no plenty of catch. But, two poor fishes were captured - they are the Puffer Fish which is my first time to encounter - a poisonous/killer fish but according to the fishermen, they will eat them!

In fact, Puffer Fish, locally known as "Butete" is popular in Japan but this fish has killed a lot of eaters there. Aside from being a killer fish, it is also very expensive in the restaurants. Now, it was a great opportunity for me to see this kind of fish and because of the overwhelming feelings I experienced, I made my own short film/documentary regarding this fish and please view it below. 

Sa lahat ng mga mambabasang Pinoy, gumamit ako ng English Carabao at please, walang kokontra, hehe.


There you have my own short documentary film. Although not so serious because its hard to speak an American accent English, at least I survived the nosebleed! LOL!

There you have it! Nature is really diverse that you would not expect these kind of creatures are actually existing!

If you like this article, maybe you could click share  button or like it for others to see also. Thanks for that. I'll be posting more interesting articles next time.
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