Imagine the mountains in Northern Mindanao are still covered with water, and the prehistoric animals, those that we see in books and movies, still roam in our lands. Yes, that is what I imagined when I was in the opening of the Oyster Hill in Lapad, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. These oysters, although already in its fossilized form is 20,000 years old and above, certified and authenticated by no less than Dr. Erlinda Burton, curator of the Museo de Oro at Xavier University. These fossils are declared to be from the Pleistocene Period around 2million to 20,000 years ago, I can imagine now the movie Ice Age.
These oysters are found by the brother of Engr. Raul Ilogon around 10yrs ago; the more they marveled at the quantity of the fossils the more they researched. Based on Engr. Ilogon’s research, there’s only a handful of these worldwide, one is located in Mexico.
The opening of the site was attended by Gov. Yvegney Vicente “Bambi” Emano of Misamis Oriental, Laguindigan Mayor, Oliver L. Ubaub, Laguindingan Barangay Captains, visitors and Medias last May 15, 2014. It is now open to the public and visitors are welcome to come and experience the footprints of the past. This is a heritage in our area where it should be protected and promoted, protected that will remain in the area for scrutinization and research and promoted so that this generation will know that we have a very rich and colorful history.
(The author is the Norhtern Mindanao Representative for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) visual arts committee. aRHtt attack is an adventure and miss adventure of the author in the art world. You can also visit his activities at www.wertalents.com)
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