bucket list #40
Christine Sicangco & Jovi Gonzaga Christine Sicangco Lighting Design
What
Firefly watching in the mangrove rivers of the Philippines, via a banca.
Where
Philippine mangrove rivers (Sicaba River, Manapla, Negros Occidental/ Maasin River, Siargao/ Donsol, Sorsogon, Loay River, Bohol, Iwahig, Palawan).
How
Take a “banca” (a small traditional native dug-out canoe) at dusk till dark during the new moon – a banca is the quietest way to glide into the mangrove rivers in the dark so as not to disturb the fireflies in their habitat as any slight change in their environment, like noise or light, affects them.
When
As the fireflies lay eggs at the roots of the mangrove, it is best to watch them from December to January, when the mangrove trees are in full bloom and best during the new moon, when the skies are dark.
Why
Aside from the magical phenomenon of seeing fireflies, there is a pressing need to spread awareness to protect and conserve the fireflies and the mangroves of the Philippines and worldwide. www.csldi.com
130 / 131
curated by
“Fireflies are like small ounces of magic.” Haliegh Kemmerly, Winston Narwhal and the First Wish