Remember that time your lola swore she left her dentures in the old house before it got flooded by the dam? Well, brace yourselves, because low and behold, thanks to El Niño playing whack-a-mole with our water levels, a sunken town in Nueva Ecija has emerged from its watery grave!
Uy, Oldies But Goodies!
This ain’t your typical Atlantis discovery, folks. No mermaids here, just the ghostly outlines of a 300-year-old town called Old Pantabangan. According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) [Nguồn: National Historical Commission of the Philippines website], Old Pantabangan was established around the 17th century and was known for its rice production and religious landmarks. Apparently, this poor town got the boot back in the 1970s to make way for the construction of the Pantabangan Dam, one of the largest dams in Southeast Asia [Nguồn: Philippine Statistics Authority website]. Residents were forced to relocate to higher ground, leaving behind their homes and memories.
El Niño Wreaks Havoc, Unearths History
Now, fast forward to 2024, and El Niño has been wreaking havoc on the Philippines, causing prolonged drought conditions. This lack of rainfall has caused the water level in the Pantabangan Dam to plummet to record lows, as reported by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) [Nguồn: National Water Resources Board website]. And voila! Out pops Old Pantabangan, like a forgotten toy resurfacing from a bathtub.
Resurfacing Issues: More Than Just Sunken Memories
Now, before you pack your scuba gear and head out for real estate gold, there’s a catch (besides the catfish that probably call this place home now). This town is, well, sunken. We’re talking cracked foundations, rusty car parts, and enough algae to fuel a biofuel plant. Not exactly prime relocation material. However, this discovery has sparked interest among archaeologists and historians, who see an opportunity to study a bygone era [Nguồn: GMA News report on the discovery of Old Pantabangan].
The Takeaway: A Bittersweet Bahay
This whole situation is a hilarious reminder of how us Filipinos can always find humor in anything, even a drowned town. But on a serious note, it highlights the very real issues of drought and climate change. According to a 2022 study by PAGASA, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration [Nguồn: PAGASA study on climate change in the Philippines], the frequency and intensity of droughts are likely to increase in the coming years. We can only hope this “discovery” serves as a wake-up call to take better care of our water resources and mitigate the effects of climate change.
So, what do you think, mga Juan? Does this sunken town remind you of anything else that needs a little resurfacing? Let us know in the comments!
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PHOTO BY FACEBOOK/RENREN GALA.
