Mana Nieves ( A Voice of Manicani Island)

No matter how small the place we were born,it is our sovereign right to defend it.

Manicani Island is a small island in the eastern region of the Philippines. It has four settlements only of about 3,000 population. People enjoyed a simple and tranquil lifestyle. Until a multibillion mining company discovered that their island was rich in minerals.

Despite the fact that Manicani is protected under the law, and widespread community opposition, the gov't authorities awarded the multibillion peso mining firm a mining permit.

From 1992 until today, the island has suffered major land devastation affecting the peace and livelihoods of the people.

But there's more to environmental catastrophe. Divisiveness has a significant impact on communal relationships. Many villagers are now forced to work as miners due to shortage of source of money as root crops and trees no longer grow in their land and fishing is now limited.

There are few advocates left continuing the fight of saving the island from totally disappearing, and Mana Nieves is one of them.