Before I got into my teen years, Bob Dylan composed a song that was eventually considered “a quintessential protest song.”
From my high school to college life, the song, “Blowin’ in the Wind” gained immense popularity, especially at that time when young people all over the world were raising their voices against war, abuses and suffering, which, unfortunately have remained on top of our daily media menu today, fitting well into the label of “acts against humanity.”
That Dylan hit remains in the minds and heart of us, Baby Boomers, who consider it as a “timeless anthem” for causes addressing issues that plague social justice and peace.
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A wind-related concern has been haunting residents of various parts of the province since the continued eruptive activities of Mt. Kanlaon, especially during the past two years.
This week, the northeasterly winds – brought ashes to rooftops and terrains of about half the towns and cities in the province in the evening of Thursday, Feb. 26.
The affected localities include the northeastern city of San Carlos down to my hometown, Cauayan and the rest of the sixth district – Kabankalan, Candoni, Ilog, Sipalay and Hinoba-an, which has a straightline distance of about 150 kms. from the volcano.
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PHIVOLCS reported that the ashfall was triggered by the Feb. 19 moderate eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, which has registered various degrees of activities since 2024.
Ash emissions as high as 1,000 meters above its crater were reported following the eruption, which lasted for two minutes and sent plumes up to as high as 2,500 meters.
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While the eruptions have taken place for a couple of years now, it was the first time the ashes were blown to the southwesternmost parts of the island.
My townmates in the Poblacion and Barangays Isio and Tuyom texted me the details of the situation, which had caused considerable disturbance to community health.
Among the areas heavily affected by the ashfall in the hometown are the mountain barangays of Lumbia, Tambad and Abaca, where the rustic scenery offers an aesthetic view of Mt. Kanlaon on a clear day.
Students in the barangay high school had to wear masks, promoting one to write in their online student publication that “it was like the COVID days again.” Her schoolmate added: “it made me feel how close the volcano is even though it’s actually do far away.”
The Dylan lyrics may be about something else, but these days, many folks in the province, particularly in the southern communities now, are watchful and worried over what the northeasterly winds may bring, when Mt. Kanlaon spews its fury once more.
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I have been closely following developments in the otherwise safe and secure Gulf States that have been the subject of aerial attacks mounted by Iran in retaliation to the deadly U S-Israeli military operations targeting its territory.
The retaliation came on the heels of the death of its Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khanenei, and other key figures during the attacks.
Iran considers U. S. bases in the region – stationed in Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar – as legitimate targets. Analysts say the Iranian response is designed “to internationalize the battlefield, show that American allies are not safe and pressure these neighbors to reconsider their alliance with the United States.”
Unfortunately, Filipino workers in the five countries, totalling over two million are part of the potential collateral damage brought by this fresh conflict.
The posts by Filipino workers – depicting panic, fright and uncertainty – in the Gulf States are more than enough for those otherwise passive to international affairs to take notice and express grave concern not just for fellow Filipinos working there but also for the millions whose lives are made pawns and easy targets in the global clash of powers.
The tension in our country and in the homes of OFWs is starting to rise.
Let’s pray for the safety and well-being of our fellow Filipinos and their employees in that region and their host countries as well as global leaders to temper, if not end, the show of force, power and domination.
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2) | NWI
