PHILIPPINES GOLD RUSH TOWN - Most Mysterious And Fascinating Place? (Diwalwal, Davao)
Summary
TLDRThe video script narrates an exploration of Diwali, a mountainous area in Moncayo known for its gold mining boom in the 1980s. The town, once lawless and chaotic, now faces a decline in population and gold production. The traveler discovers a strong sense of community, despite the dilapidated buildings and environmental challenges like mercury pollution from past mining activities. The script captures the town's unique vibe, the warmth of its residents, and the contrast between the town's past and present.
Takeaways
- 🏔️ The location is in Diwali, part of Moncayo, situated in the mountains.
- 🌟 The area experienced a gold mining boom in the 1980s, leading to a period of lawlessness.
- 📉 After the discovery of mercury in the river, gold production declined, and the population decreased significantly.
- 🛣️ The road to Wall Wall is part of the Manila-Boston Road project, but it's still under construction and only open for limited hours.
- 🏠 Wall Wall is characterized by hastily built houses on the slopes of Mountie Water.
- 👥 The community in Wall Wall is welcoming and eager to show visitors around their town.
- 🌐 The town has a unique vibe, different from other gold mining towns, with a strong sense of community.
- ⚖️ The gold mining process has been controversial due to the use of mercury, which polluted the local river.
- 🏭 The area still has active small-scale mining tunnels and processing sites.
- 🏞️ Despite its gold mining past, Wall Wall has a picturesque location with beautiful views and natural springs.
- 🏫 The town has basic amenities like stores, a billiards hall, and an internet cafe, indicating a sense of normalcy amidst the unique setting.
Q & A
Where is the narrator located at the beginning of the script?
-The narrator is located in Diwali, which is part of Moncayo, up in the mountains.
What significant event happened in Diwali during the 1980s?
-Diwali experienced a gold mining boom during the 1980s.
Why was Diwali considered a 'no man's land' during the gold mining boom?
-It was considered a 'no man's land' because it was a place without much law or order during the gold mining boom.
What environmental issue was discovered in the area a few years ago?
-Huge amounts of mercury were found in the river due to the processing of small-scale gold mining.
What is the current state of gold production in Diwali after the decline?
-Gold production has really declined, and the population in the area has decreased significantly.
What is the Wall Wall and why is it significant?
-The Wall Wall is a collection of hastily built houses on the slopes of Mountie Water, significant for its history of gold mining and the community that exists there.
What is the 'mankind Boston road project' mentioned in the script?
-It refers to a road that is being constructed, part of which is now concrete, leading to the Wall Wall and eventually to Boston.
Why are the roads to the Wall Wall only open for a limited time?
-The roads are only open from 11 until one because they are still under construction.
What is the community's attitude towards visitors in the script?
-The community is very welcoming and open, eager to show visitors around their town.
What health hazard is associated with the gold mining practices in the area?
-The use of mercury in small-scale gold processing has led to unsafe levels of mercury in the local river, posing a health hazard.
What is the narrator's overall impression of the Wall Wall?
-The narrator is amazed by the community, the openness of the people, and the unique setting of the Wall Wall, finding it the most interesting place they have ever been.
Outlines
⛰️ Exploring the Gold Mining Legacy of Moncayo
The narrator takes us to Moncayo, a mountainous region once famous for a gold mining boom in the 1980s. The area, which was lawless for a time, suffered a decline in gold production and population after the discovery of mercury contamination in the river. Despite these challenges, the narrator eagerly explores the town and its surroundings, excited to uncover the remnants of its past. The journey introduces us to the Wall Wall, a community of makeshift houses built on steep slopes, where locals offer to show the narrator around as they wait for the still-under-construction road to open.
🤝 Welcomed by the Warm Community of Moncayo
The narrator reflects on the unique and welcoming atmosphere of Moncayo, noting how the locals have embraced him and offered to guide him through the town. Unlike other gold mining towns, Moncayo stands out with its strong sense of community, despite the dilapidated buildings and gravel-filled streets. The narrator acknowledges the complexities of gold mining in the area, particularly its environmental impact, but focuses on the openness and hospitality of the people, who continue to live and work in this challenging environment.
🏗️ The Ingenuity Behind Moncayo’s Mining Tunnels
The narrator is amazed by the simple yet effective methods used by locals to construct and reinforce their mining tunnels, using sacks of gravel for support. While the tunnels appear small from the outside, they are much larger than expected. The sense of community remains strong, as locals are eager to showcase their work and share their experiences. The narrator is struck by the resilience and resourcefulness of the people, who have adapted to the difficult conditions while maintaining a positive and welcoming attitude.
🌄 Discovering Moncayo’s Scenic Beauty and History
The narrator continues the exploration, marveling at the natural beauty of Moncayo, particularly the stunning views and the pool fed by springs located 10 kilometers away. Despite the challenges of gold mining, the locals remain proud of their town and its history. The narrator reflects on the physical demands of the uphill journey and the decision to take a motorbike to explore the area further. The central hub of Moncayo, once bustling with activity, now stands as a reminder of the town's vibrant past.
🏘️ Reflecting on the Strong Community of Moncayo
As the narrator prepares to leave Moncayo, he reflects on the sense of belonging and community that defines the town. He shares his appreciation for the locals who welcomed him and proudly showed off their town, not focusing on the gold but on the people who keep the place alive. Despite the hardships, including the devastation caused by Typhoon Pablo, Moncayo remains a place of strength and resilience. The narrator feels that his journey is only part of the town's ongoing story and dedicates his experience to the people who continue to live and thrive in this remarkable place.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Diwali
💡Gold Mining Boom
💡Mercury
💡Pablo
💡Wall Wall
💡Community
💡Mankind Boston Road Project
💡Small-Scale Gold Processing
💡Hospitality
💡Tunnels
💡Resilience
Highlights
Diwali, part of Moncayo, experienced a gold mining boom in the 1980s.
The area was once a lawless land due to the gold rush.
Mercury contamination was discovered in the river from gold processing.
Gold production declined after Pablo, leading to a significant population decrease.
The Wall Wall area is a collection of hastily built houses on the slopes of Mountie Water.
The road to Wall Wall is now concrete, part of the Mankind Boston Road project.
Locals are welcoming and eager to show visitors around their community.
The town has a unique vibe, distinct from other gold mining towns.
The community feels strong despite the decline in gold mining.
The area's history of gold mining is touchy and not openly discussed.
The river once had unsafe levels of mercury due to gold processing.
The town is very open and welcoming to visitors.
Small scale mining tunnels are a part of the landscape.
The town has a real, living vibe with stores, billiards, and an internet cafe.
The swimming pool, fed by springs 10 kilometers away, is beside an old processing facility.
Locals are proud of their community and are happy with their way of life.
The town's central area, formally bustling, is now a quieter hub of activity.
The Catholic church is one of the few concrete buildings and a notable landmark.
The community's hospitality is highly appreciated by visitors.
The area called 'Australia' in the lower valley is a point of interest.
The town's story is ongoing, with more fascinating tales to tell.
Transcripts
i'm here in diwali which is part of
moncayo up in the mountains and this
place had a gold mining boom in the
1980s and for a while it was a no man's
land it was a place without much law or
an order a few years ago they found huge
amounts of mercury in the river from the
processing of small scale gold now i'm
here so after pablo the gold production
really declined and the population here
has declined a lot let's have a look
around and see how's this place
i'm really really excited to discover it
just outside the town of moncayo lies
the wall wall a collection of hastily
built houses perilously teetering on the
slopes of mountie water
i've been planning to explore here for a
long time and i'm so excited to share
this great community with you
the road to the world wall is now
concrete part of the mankind boston road
project
but there was still a
[Music]
delay this is the road that goes all the
way through to boston but it goes to the
top as well which is the original site
of the world war we've got it only the
roads only open from 11 until one to
still under construction so we just got
to wait
but on the way we've met people who are
from here who are
who are gonna show us around a bit which
is really nice commander tavong to the
rescue look at him he's like a
businessman the manager the boss
[Music]
filipino time it's 11 o'clock
they're not open yet
yeah i've been sleepy because it's cold
i miss my wife
[Music]
this final part of the journey is a
reminder of the difficult rough road
leading here before a steep muddy
slippery climb
[Music]
and up here the wall wall slowly reveals
itself
welcome to the wall wall
very open baby they really want to show
people this you know these guys have
been awesome they they they found me at
the bottom and then they tell me if i
ever come back if i ever take this road
over to boston which they say i can get
to boston i'm gonna test it out
they said come back and back really
really appreciate these guys here arkose
ellen lasaga
asparagus already mounted
another start medium
[Laughter]
[Music]
[Music]
[Music]
this place has a really really cool vibe
about it
i mean the people they're just taking me
on board and taking me around now
it's not like any other gold mining town
i've ever been to
in any country
[Applause]
i'm
foreign
with the familiar filipino welcome i
know i could have forgotten i was here
was it not for the dilapidated buildings
and sacks of gravel lining the streets
what's the name
oh
[Music]
what struck me the most here was this
feeling of community and i realized
that's what i wanted to show
[Music]
i owe and there you know
after all it's not my place to judge
what they do or to judge gold mining
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
i'm just being careful walking here
because the whole reason a lot of these
places have been closed down the small
scale processing plateau they use
mercury and so the river at the bottom
was full of mercury before so um some of
them are still running so i'm just being
very very very careful where i step i
mean anyone who
who knows this kind of stuff in the
philippines will know
gold mining here is
touch
treasure it's very touchy
but here it's just they're so open
[Music]
this river right here had really unsafe
levels of mercury just from all the
production all the processing sorry
incredible experience really
[Music]
unfortunately there were no people to
show us around this tunnel so we just
continued walking on the even narrower
streets of the other side
[Music]
[Music]
hey someone's shouting at you behind me
this is uh constant things oh there's
another church here
there's so much so much life in here you
know
[Music]
this must be the most interesting place
i've
ever been here around the corner the
area opens up less homes and more mining
and processing
[Music]
i'm amazed at how many sacks there are
just holding stuff up
i thought they were i thought they were
bringing stuff in no it's just literally
just sacks of gravel to hold them
cranked together
wow this place is
incredible
[Music]
[Laughter]
hello
[Music]
and down here we were invited to look
inside a tunnel that they were building
oh did he go ahead
[Music]
small scale mining tunnels which uh
ah okay it's not as small as i thought
[Music]
[Music]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
okay
[Music]
[Music]
uh
[Laughter]
[Laughter]
[Applause]
foreign
hey
[Music]
when they use these stacks to do the
tunnels here i feel better about the
fish pond
hey
[Laughter]
[Music]
everyone's so willing to show you around
show you in
[Laughter]
respect these guys respect
what i love is this is a real this is a
living town it's really just it's real
even if it's not quite as it was before
it's uh
yeah
you see it
[Music]
[Laughter]
[Music]
[Laughter]
um
[Laughter]
[Laughter]
hmm
this town though unique in its setting
is like any other with stores
billiards
and an internet cafe
[Music]
piggy
[Music]
the dogs on this side are not as
friendly as on the other side
as i reach another maze of like head
height
water
the water up in the springs must be
really nice though
[Music]
we're going to the swimming pool and the
view down to moncayo is beautiful
i mean this is a beautiful beautiful
location
the water comes from springs 10
kilometers away but the pool is located
beside an old processing facility
[Music]
[Laughter]
i'm going mining apparently how did that
happen i don't know hey oh my god
[Music]
[Music]
foreign
foreign
[Music]
oh
[Music]
[Laughter]
[Music]
[Music]
foreign
this guy 51 builds it by himself and he
told me he doesn't always work on this
because
he is still sending his kids through
school so he has to sometimes look for
gold elsewhere these guys they
are happy with what they do so i
continued my journey through this
incredible place towards the center of
the barangay
[Music]
so you say this big building is the
catholic church
massive catholic church on
one of the few concrete buildings here
nicer buildings of the catholic church
[Music]
none of us are looking forward to coming
back up here
even the i can't i can't even backward
on a motorbike
i'm gonna lose about five kilos today
and that's a good thing
[Music]
at the bottom of the hill around the gym
is what locals call their central
a formally bustling hub of activity
[Music]
there's a choice here we can either walk
back or
we can pay 50 pesos for a motorbike
and i think i know what i'm gonna do
if i walk back
i'll lose weight but it'll probably be
dark by the time i go back
or i can just take a motor
[Music]
oh
intelligent idea yeah i'll take that
[Music]
uphill walk the alternative this was a
good idea
and i was also happy to not be behind
this motorbike
[Music]
i felt like i was slipping off half the
way up there
stop to dead war
this is brilliant
[Music]
i fall off that
this ride through the navajo alleyway is
a testament to the driver's skill and
knowledge of the route
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
oh
[Laughter]
[Music]
yes
[Music]
[Music]
i really appreciated the hospitality of
these guys in epithelial walls
but before the sun set i wanted to catch
a glimpse of the lower parts especially
this part they call australia
[Music]
but that involved driving in
[Music]
and standing atop this house wrecked by
typhoon pablo nine years ago
with a different group of locals
looking down into that vast lower valley
that they call australia
i knew d wall wall has so many more
fascinating stories to tell
you know i've been to a few gold mining
towns in the past and they've always had
a fairly
office vibe about them but this one is
really spot-on
really such friendly community such nice
people who just took me in and showed me
around and they're they're proud of
their place you know we didn't talk
about gold we don't need to because this
community here is strong and it's
awesome
really here i've felt some something
really really good i'm so happy about
how this community is developed and how
this community is now from the
well-world do you well wall
among about us the world war
this place has been awesome i'm i'm
i still need to go to australia
australia's down there i haven't been
there yet
and as i left before dark i knew this
incredible place is truly the most
interesting place i've ever been
and that my experience here is just part
of the story
so i dedicate my story to the wonderful
humans who keep this truly fascinating
place alive
[Music]
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