October 23, 2001   *   vol. 1 (17)

5

6

vol. 1 (17)   *   October 23, 2001

out their colorful sails just like in the post cards, not one or two vintas, but many racing the wind, pregnant with speed. It is a sign to behold.
     After the usual amenities with prospective operators, I excuse myself and explore for the site of the depot, plan its development, with usual kibtzers (good intentions).
     I then tackle the basic purpose of my life. Then it is time for the trip back to Zamboanga City for the ferry which leaves Basilan at 4:00pm. One time I was so engrossed with my work that I lost track of time and when I finally made it to the wharf the ferry was already about 10 meters away. To jump or not to jump that is the question. But the better part of valor was not to jump.
     And so I was left behind, and there was no other means to get to the city or so, I thought, I had been advised not to stay for the night in Basilan…many reasons. The only safe place was a hospital owned by one of our prospective operators and when Dr. Alano, owner of the medical facilities saw me, he was surprised that I was still in Basilan and the ferry was gone. "Marc, he said: You stay with us in the hospital." I lied: "but I have a date tonight." "So then please come to the back of the building when you are ready to go." I was curious and without waiting for another invitation I followed him and lo! There was a small plane at the backyard. We got on and flew the distance to Zamboanga City in about thirty minutes and I spent the night with the flowers that Zamboanga City is famous of.

     Oil Distribution, then my classification brought me to all parts of the country waiting to be harnessed far my company, SHELL;: lighting, cooking, running the engines of industry etcetera; Basilan, circa 1980, was a virgin market of oil. I was sent to the island to explore for possible site for a depot for pack products: kerosene, gasoline, Diesoline, Diesel Fuel, etc., SHELL, a British company, insist on their own ways, they distinguished Diesoline for cara. Diesel fuel for slow-moving engines, even when the rest of the world's traffic was running on the right side of the road the British insists that the left side was the correct lane. Competition, though finally caught up with them, they call now both Diesel Fuel. In developing market for petroleum products they test the market with pack products, tins for kerosene and gasoline. And switch to bulk when the economies of the supply of the place would justify the cost. The potential for Basilan was limitless.
     The safest embarkation point to the island is Zamboanga City; the trip by boat, then a small launch affair. It leaves Zamboanga City at 8:00am and touches Basilan wharf (Lamitan) at 9:30am. When the weather is clear the short trip is a picturesque sojourn, the Moro-vintas bring