Stranded guests safely return from Sta. Cruz Island Amid Rough Weather

-

Stranded tourists from Sta. Cruz Island arrived at the Parinan area aboard motorized banca. (Photo courtesy of City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez)

By: Verano Long

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A group of tourists stranded for several hours on Sta. Cruz Island due to sudden inclement weather were safely brought back to the mainland late Thursday afternoon, according to Zamboanga City Tourism Officer Ms. Sarita Hernandez.

In a statement, Ms. Hernandez expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the safe return of all guests. The delay was caused by heavy rains and strong waves, which temporarily made travel unsafe.

“We are grateful to our island staff headed by Hairal Taup, ably assisted by Usman, who handled our guests well during the wait for the weather to clear,” said Hernandez. “Despite the situation, the guests remained calm and cooperative.”

Hernandez said by past 5 p.m., with weather conditions gradually improving, the experienced boatmen — fondly called "bangkeros" — bravely navigated through the rough waters to bring the guests from Sta. Cruz Island back to the Paniran area.

"With my two eyes, I saw their journey coming back to the mainland as the boats were midway. I was closely monitoring them. The waves were no joke. But, thank God they made it," Hernandez added.

Despite the ordeal, the guests were seen smiling upon arrival and expressed appreciation to the tourism team and boat crew for their care and professionalism.

“Thank you, Lord. And thank you to our island staff, most especially to our bangkeros,” Hernandez concluded.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Get Serious in Peace-Making Incoming Political Leaders Urged

-
PRESS RELEASE ZAMBOANGA CITY (PAZ/05 May 07) - - A Leading peace advocate in this port city challenged political leaders who will soon start a new term of office after the recent elections "to get serious about the peace agenda of the people, especially the dreams of children for a peaceful Mindanao." Speaking at the opening last Monday afternoon of the 4th South Central Mindanao Interfaith Conference, Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) president Fr. Angel Calvo told the participants how the city's interfaith movement presented an action agenda for peace to local candidates during the recent elections. The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRMSP) in a candidates' forum it sponsored here earlier this month called for a greater, more pro-active and positive response by the local government to Mindanao's peace process, Fr. Calvo said. The World Vision Development Foundation is holding the four-day conference among some 80 leaders of grassroot ...
Read more

DUREZA SAYS MALAYSIAN PULL OUT OF TALKS REPORT INACCURATE

-
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MPA/OPPAP) - - Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza today laments inaccurate news that Malaysia is reported to be abandoning the Mindanao peace process, particularly the talks with the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In a statement issued from New York , Dureza said the latest development was that the GRP delegation headed by panel chair Sec. Rodolfo Garcia had just returned a few days ago from Kuala Lumpur with positive report that issues on territory and ancestral domain are progressing and that another meeting is set soon, perhaps within the month. Dureza clarified that what is recent is Malaysia ’s decision to renew the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to three months and subject to extension as needed. He added that, to say that this shortened but renewable term for the IMT is "abandonment" is stretching the context beyond credulity. “Malaysia has contributed immensely to our peace efforts and we are confident it w...
Read more