Duka Bay’s controversial star

Gregorio Miguel Pallugna

THE recent controversy surrounding the Shrine of “Our Lady – Star of the Sea” at the entry point of the magnificent “Paradise” dive site at Duka Bay Resort, Medina, Misamis Oriental, has aroused serious discussions and disagreement among many of the people of the town of Medina and even in the surrounding towns and cities of Misamis Oriental. It has prompted a signature campaign calling for the removal of the Marian Shrine upon claims that the installation of a Shrine submerged in the sea has triggered the onset of rains and floods in the area. Rumors have even circulated about some people hearing cries of help from the image of the Blessed Mother. This controversy has likewise espoused calls from certain people for the Church to clarify the issue and make an official stand. Thankfully, the local Catholic Church Archdiocese and the Parish of Medina have already officially declared during masses that the Church is not against the installation of an underwater shrine and has even explained the goodness in having one. They made it clear that the underwater shrine will not cause any calamity upon the people of Medina and of Misamis Oriental. Despite this active clarification by the Church however, the matter has gained so much attention that it has even reached the prying eye of the local media. Because Duka Bay Resort is at the forefront of this controversy, its management has deemed it necessary to issue this official statement as to the matter:

“Duka Bay Resort Inc. is a family corporation owned by the heirs of the eight children of former Misamis Oriental Gov. Gregorio Pelaez Sr. and Felipa Neri-Pelaez. Since its establishment in 1997, Duka Bay Resort has committed itself in protecting and preserving the beautiful white beach and the pristine and colorful coral reef along the bay of Brgy. Duka, Medina, Misamis Oriental. Duka Bay has supported several efforts aimed at ensuring that the very rich underwater ecosystem along Duka Bay continues to flourish and attract people to the beautiful town of Medina. These efforts have produced astounding results, including the declaration of the bay as a Marine Protected Area where fishing is strictly illegal. An aggressive coral rehabilitation project was employed by the group of the late Ernesto Pelaez, which project has helped recover the beauty of our local coral reef and marine eco-system and has brought international recognition upon the beautiful dive sites of Medina, Misamis Oriental. The ‘Paradise’ dive site has even been declared by a prominent Asian diving magazine to be one of the top dive sites in the whole of Asia, and has been recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the rising stars of scuba diving in the Philippines. In a nutshell, Duka Bay Resort puts preservation of the environment and the amazing marine life and coral reefs of Medina on top of its values and will never engage in or support a project that will go against this paramount consideration.

“Foremost, it is important to note that the Shrine of Our Lady, the Star of the Sea was not conceptualized, funded, constructed or even installed by Duka Bay Resort. It was the initiative of a small group of divers who are members of Duka Dive and Aqua-Sports who happen to be Marian devotees and who wanted to have a place underwater where they could venerate the Blessed Mother upon entering ‘Paradise’ and upon leaving the same. Also, it is intended to be the center of a new coral garden that would help re-grow corals on the area with damaged coral substrates where the shrine is installed. Duka Bay Resort merely supported the project after it determined that the same had all the legal permits and religious blessing of the church and was aimed at preserving the marine eco-system. It must be emphasized that before the shrine was put up, the same was approved by the Office of the Municipal Mayor and the Municipal Sanggunian’s Committee on Environment, and the same was likewise blessed by a Roman Catholic priest. The project was also overseen by an experienced marine biologist, Lemuel Alfeche, who ensured that the Shrine will not disrupt or cause any destruction upon the marine eco-system. Rather than to destroy, the Shrine of Our Lady- Star of the Sea, is intended to rehabilitate a 40 square-meter damaged portion of the thirty-hectare Marine Protected Area. Like the shrine itself, and like the ‘Paradise’ dive site, the project is a beautiful and awe-inspiring one. It is completely in line with the values of Duka Bay Resort, which is why the corporation supported it.

“Duka Bay Resort wants all of its guests to enjoy their experience in the resort and in Medina, Misamis Oriental, to the fullest and that includes the opportunity to celebrate their faith together with their appreciation of our amazing environment. Duka Bay Resort is not a religious organization and respects all religious beliefs and affiliations. Should there be any other group of a different religious background–or with no religious affiliation for that matter–who wishes to initiate a similar project, Duka Bay Resort would be more than happy to support.

“The Paradise Dive Site, where the Shrine is located, is home to thousands of beautiful marine species including the Butanding, pawikan, eagles rays, octopuses, squids and  countless fishes, and it boasts an array of coral species spanning over an area of tens of hectares creating a surreal world like nothing most of us has ever seen before. It is a treasure that must be appreciated and preserved and that is exactly all that Duka Bay Resort aims to do. If you find this hard to believe, you may want to visit Duka Bay Resort and experience Paradise for yourself.”

(Gregorio Miguel Pallugna is a lawyer based in Cagayan de Oro. He is also the president of Duka Bay Resort Inc.)