During the recent 'summer' vacation (March-April-May) in the Philippines, my good friend June ('Beng') Dalisay (who illustrated Sundays in Manila) posted several pictures from her tour of the area around Mt. Pinatubo. Mt. Pinatubo is the volcano that erupted 22 years ago this month, in June of 1991. Upwards of 800 were killed, and many thousands lost their homes and livelihoods. So why, I wondered, was June there on holiday. The photos she posted showed a strange lunar landscape which they travelled over in jeeps and all-terrain vehicles. June and her three companions had to go with a guide and driver, whom they included in the pictures. It was an adventure tour. I guess the Filipinos from that region, with classic Filipino fresourcefulness, are making a living from their new reality. I had experienced that resourcefulness once in 1998 when I was teaching at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Seeing June's photos, reminded me of the mozaic-like plaque on my office wall above my desk. I bought it from a Filipino gentleman who came around to the offices at the Faculty Center one day, with University permission, he said. The raised figures on the plaque are of the Blessed Mother holding the child Jesus. Jesus is looking over his left shoulder looking decidedly frightened off into the distance. The Mother is holding his hand close to her bosom in a protective and consoling gesture. I still remember being a little irritated at the time, someone asking for money, but now the plaque is a prized possession. The label on the back reads: "This product is made from the actual volcanic ash of the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines. Handcrafted by Mt. Pinatubo Victims."
Thanks for the pictures, June, and for the reminder.
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