6.28.07 kulturnatib

Dear Ms Ensor

Thank you for your letter.

This column, hopefully, ends this series of open letters that started two columns ago with a letter to Cebu Pacific Air CEO Lance Gokongwei. The second letter/column was in response to a comment by reader, now regular correspondent and hopefully soon, finally-we-meet good friend, Paul Gerschwiler.

In his letter Mr. Gerschwiler suggested that Cebu Pacific can play a major role in funding promotional materials on how to treat tarsiers and other wild life more respectfully.

In my response to him in the previous column that I did not forward to you, I said that I was more sanguine than him.

I said that it would be a good enough first step for you to admit that to continue to promote the misrepresentation of the wide-eyed tarsier, especially through a photo taken so obviously at daytime, is detrimental to the tarsiers.

I ended by saying that that step is still forthcoming from them or you.

Your letter is indeed a step. A half-step, actually.

You thanked me for 'highlighting the issue of the tarsiers.' Further, you 'very much value our comments.' And, lastly, you 'will make sure that Smile promotes ecologically sound tourism in the country and the region.'

You are most welcome.

But, I suggest that you do more than just two sentences worth of action.

With Cebu Pacific Air's increased passenger load – so much so that it is causing bottlenecks at major domestic airports, your vaunted boast that it is the airline that is 99 percent of the time on time is now wearing very thin and one of your pilots has complained that the 30 minute turn-around time mandated by management is simply not workable – you wield tremendous influence.

Not just because passengers are captive audiences, but also because your magazine is well designed, well written with articles that have or try to have more meat than the usual travel fluff.

For you to publish a statement to the effect that in the interest of your commitment to ecologically sound tourism you recognize that the picture that was judged as among the winners in your photo contest is not the best way to promote this would be wielding this influence positively and responsibly.

It is not necessary to rescind the award.

But it is necessary as one of the leading actors in the tourism industry in the Philippines, that you make your stand on what you would call ecologically sound tourism but I consider simple decency and respect afforded to other creatures, especially those who are threatened with extinction, or immediately, with grave abuse and wanton exploitation.

Should you do this, you will contribute much towards an enlightened attitude towards the tarsiers who because of the description that they are creatures with large, round, staring eyes and photos to go along with it are now expected, nay, obligated to keep those eyes open even when it is in the middle of the day where, as if that were not bad enough, it is then subjected to a million blinding lumens of flash bulb white light.

You might even lead the way when the tourism and environment authorities are clearly not.

This you can do as a publication.

As an airline, Cebu Pacific Air can then go into campaigns of the kind that Mr. Gerschwiler has suggested. Put up promotional and educational billboards in Bohol and elsewhere. Distribute in cabin educational materials. Go into creative overdrive to support your drive for ecologically sound tourism.

And, then there are other creatures and habitats that need equal support and attention.

There are many things to do. You are in a position to influence the doing of these things. Should you wish so.

Thank you, again, for your letter.