Islas de Santa Cruz by: Icelle G. Borja, Filipina Artist and Writer from Zamboanga City, Philippines

Arts & Culture of Zamboanga City

by contributing writer & local artist: Icelle G. Borja

IcelleARTicles: El Dos Islas de Santa Cruz

EL DOS ISLA DE SANTA CRUZ

Researched By: Icelle Gloria D. Borja

Historical Background - In the Pre-Hispanic period the two Santa Cruz Islands is known to be, the sacred burial grounds for the Sama, Badjao and other local: ethnic groups in the area. Ancient records based on the oral tradition of the Samal-Badjao states that it is their ancestral domain for their ancestors as the final of the region. Some local Sama-Zamboangueños have a name for this island simply as “ISLA” according to Musa Jimlani and Bahaya Sahiyal they call the islands as “Pagkubulan” – a place to bury their dead or a burial place. Sama-Zamboangueños based in Rio Hondo, Cawa-Cawa and in the West coast area of Sinunuc, and Caragasan bury their dead in Santa Cruz island. The Sama-Badjao culture and their belief system tells that they bury their dead near the sea shore since they are a sea-faring people living in the coastal areas.

A legend taken from Teresita Perez Semorlang’s compilation of Leyendang Chavacano tells the origin how then emerald isles come to be. “There was a Sama-Badjao Star-crossed lovers, whose parents were against the marriage of the two, but then, the lovers made a pack inspite their parents disapproval. So out they went to the middle of the sea, and committed to themselves their love for each other, then jumped off into the deep blue sea. Both died and after which these two islands sprang to be of Such Pristine Beauty as emerald Isle of Zamboanga City.

Strategically, these two islands contribute to the natural harbor that Zamboanga is known for. It is natural protection from strong winds, tides from the open sea of the straights of Basilan. And its geographical location marks out as a look out for vessels coming from the west to the east and vice versa. Records states, those islands were named Santa Cruz because they lie in the “crossroads” to the way to the Spice Islands “Moluccas” when the Spaniards set sail from Manila to Zamboanga for the first time, they first settled in Caldera (Recodo) Varadero-as these first settlement dated April 6, 1598 and on this very date the Spaniards also mapped out the 2 Sta. Cruz islands.

My archival research brought me to a discovery of rate manuscript that is a Spanish Survey Map of Zamboanga dated c (1885) with Serial Doc. No. 280 571 No. 1831 showing the Town of Zamboanga with the two Santa Cruz Islands of Zamboanga City. The big Sta. Cruz island lie directly below a cross based on their Map. Showing the direction of the line that leads to the North – whatever that cross on the map means I still can’t tell, but most likely, it maybe a sign or an insignia that only the ancient Mariners and cartographers can decipher. I still have to make more researchers.

Cartographers are map makers that deal with the art of drawing maps or charts. And both Spain and Portugal invested much on cartography; they come up with their own map making and is revered as sacred information only known to a few concerned like the king and the explorers involved in the colonization. Both Portugal and Spain were competing to the conquest of the orient and both Empires have their own maps drawn by their own cartographers complete with secret insignias that only they can decipher. The archives that I visited in Sevilla and the other cities in Spain are full of maps and charts and an expert in cartography is needed to interpret this insignias.

Ms. Caridad Azcarraga my great grand aunt has her M.A. Thesis on a “Study of some Tales of Zamboanga” dated 1956-Far Eastern University, Manila. I come across a story about El dos Isla de Santa Cruz in Chavacano.

EL LEYEND DEL ISLA STA. CRUZ

El año antes del llegada del maga Español na Filipinas, el maga barco de estrangero ta vene de vez en cuando para cambia cosas producto native. Uno del maga barco estrangero ya pundia na un isla serca na Zamboanga, pero jende de adreded el pundiada deste na aquel isla. El razon por causa del fuerte viento, que ya cambia el ruta del barco cay ya tene miedo el maga pasajero pati el maga tripulante del barco.

Uno del maga pasajero amo un rico negociante y el desuyo, jovencita mujer. Cuando ya pundia el barco na isla, el maga tripulante y pasajero ya abaja para busca cosa pueded sila come. Un grupor de bandido ya ataca canila. Con el capitan, con el negotiante y otro maga pasajero ya mata estos bandidos. Con el jovencita mujer del negociante ya lleva el maga tulisan para hace uno del maga mujer del diila cabezante. El jovencita mujer ya reza y ya pidi su muerte. Ya prefiri le muri que ay queda le un muchacha.

Aquel noche, ya tene un tipun. Ya queda iscuro el cielo y ya cay fuerte ulan. Ya tene quirlat y temblor. Ya tene miedo el maga bandido por el mal tiempo y ya olvida sila con ese bonita mujer.

Ta cre el mujer que ya oi el Dios el desuyo rezo. Cuando media noche ya, ya mira le un Cruz. Ya desata le el amarro na desuyo cuerpo y ya queda le libre.

Ala mañana, bien silencio. De lejos, ya mira el mujer un barco. Ya hace le tastas el cuanto parte del desuyo camisa y yah ace le paypay con el barco que ta atraca serca.

Antes sila de sale, el jovencita mujer ya pidi gracias con el Señor cay ya salva le na desgracia. Por causa del milagro del Relihioso Cruz, ya nombra le el isla Sta. Cruz.

Several Anthropologists and researchers have paid visit to the Island to see the burial grounds of the Sama-Badjao which is still existing to this date – Intricately carved Sundok (or gravemakers) and miniature wooden boats and wooden Kubol or grave plots line the sea shore. The whole area is shaded by giant trees, and to an ordinary tourist, or to the scholar the place is a great revelation.

Santa Cruz islands has its pink sands, Romatic Legends, and stories, and its intrinsic value to the Indigenous people which are the Samas and the Badjao’s.

Today the islands are great tourist attraction known for its natural beauty, under water gardens and a sanctuary for thousands of tropical fishes. There is a natural inlet lagoon in the big Sta. Cruz and is also a breeding area for fishes and hundred of birds.

It was a exhilarating experience when I was invited by Mr. George Kho and his family, we watched hundreds of birds take flight and saw some white heron fishing in the lagoon. Boating, snorkeling and bird watching is ideal in the island but to watch the sun set is most rewarding.

Pursuant to Presidential decree # (654) dated February 4, 1975. The twin islets known as Santa Cruz Grande (288 has) and Santa Cruz pequeño (30 has) was declared a National Park for Tourism Development. As such the foreshore lands and the old Muslim burial grounds be preserved as integral part of the park.

On November 10, 1978, Proclamation # (1801) was issued which declared the twin island as Tourist Zone and marine reserve placed under the administration and control of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

At present, the PTA operates and maintains a beach park at Sta. Cruz Grande with beach facilities and amenities. The passage of R.A. 7586 (NIPAS) Act in June 1992 designated all proclaimed national park as initial components of the system. Sta. Cruz Islands being under the jurisdiction of government agencies other than the (DENR) still remained in the said agency (PTA) pursuant to section 15 of said Act. However, the PTA shall coordinate with (DENR) in the preparation of its management plans.

Hence, profiling of the area in accordance with the NIPAS process was undertaken in 1996 and submitted the final report dated December 26, 1996 – to the DENR Secretary through (PAWB) for its proclamation under the new category. Great and little Sta. Cruz Islands protected landscapes area is 1,877 has. while its marine bufferzone is 1,548 has. the interim Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for Sta. Cruz Islands was organized and operationalized on June 13, 1998. The members took their oath administered by then Acting City Mayor Efren F. Arañez. The meeting was first presided by RED Cipriano B. Paet.

Regional Environment Department came up with a master plan for the Inland development plan.

The latest DENR Survey shows that there are 34 families living on the big Sta. Cruz with fishing as their main livelihood. The community is mostly clustered on the mouth of the lagoon facing Zamboanga City. There is a school that houses at least 30 school children for their basic Koran reading.

SOURCES:

1. Leyendeng Chavacano, Teresita Perez Semorlang: Iligan, 1984, Mindanao State University.

2. “Study on some Tales of Zamboanga” Caridad Azcarraga M.A. Thesis – 1956 – Far Eastern University.

3. DENR – Monitor of Santa Cruz Island (Coastal, Resources, Assessment and Zonation of Sta. Cruz, Island. By Ruben Tabora.

4. 1923, Mindanao Herald – Hackett, Publisher March 3, 1923 - # 13 Vol. XX.

5. 1937, Mindanao Herald – Hackett, Publisher March 6, 1937.

6. Western Mindanao Monitor, 1987, Dept. of Tourism

7. Philippin Gazetter, 1937

8. Philippine Gazetter, 1937

9. PTA – Ms. Luz Campos – PTA – Director; Personal Interview

Mayor Maria Clara L. Lobregat

Zamboanga City

FROM : ICELLE B. ESTRADA

Executive Assistant

RE : Santa Cruz Island Additional Information

DATE : September 1, 1999

Based on my research from the DENR – these are only three names who are legally recognized as owners of Santa Cruz Islands.

Namely : Congressman Simeon Kintanar

Mr. Le Peng Wee

Daughter of Le Peng Wee

Please see Map.

The Santa Cruz Island National Park is managed by PAMB – Protected Area Management Board.

1. Mr. Antonio Mendoza - RED – Chairman – DENR Region 9

2. Mr. Juan Amsid - OIC, Manager, Plant Growers

Multipurpose Cooperative, Z.C.

3. Mr. Juan Gaspar - City Planning Officer

4. Mr. Marciano Aquino - Member, Movement for a better

Zamboanga, Z.C.

5. Mr. Pablo I. Macapagal - OIC, Philippine Tourism

Authority, Z.C.

The community of Samals living in Santa Cruz Island is under the jurisdiction of the Santa Barbara Barangay.

Very truly yours,

ICELLE B. ESTRADA

Executive Assistant