BEING and BLESSINGS

Welcome and be blessed

2012-04-01T22:28:00.003+01:00

Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3-10

Believe

2011-10-09T09:24:00.001+01:00

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Be thirsty

2011-10-04T21:03:00.001+01:00

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:37/38.

Born again

2011-10-02T22:13:00.000+01:00

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

Christ's yoke is easy and light

2011-09-22T21:39:00.000+01:00

I grew up froma tribal community in the mountain villages of the Philippines where my ancestry is fromvery pagan believers. When Christianity came, it became known to the generationof my immediate grandparents, to my parents and to me. Like my family, I heardabout Jesus Christ, I was oriented in a Roman Catholic belief, I followed theirtradition, I was attending church, I was praying and praising but never really feltsatisfied as a Christian. I know that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross because of our sins but actually I did not really understand well the bigger meaning of it. When my brother got ill, I was more and more confronted,I was rather lost, confused and seemed never at peace. I was trying to trust God but I felt a huge inadequacy ofmyself and everything. Only then in January this year that I responded to a Filipino friend’s long invitation for me to join their bible study. The topic on that night was aboutsuffering, this was striking to me as I felt that for a very long time I have been searching for the meanings of my sufferings and frustrations in life. That night was fulfilling. Few weeks after joiningthe bible study, I heard the very sad news of my father; he was unjustly imprisonedin my country. This broke my heart deeply. I felt that my pain and frustrationswere tripled, I was in great distress that I have to access a series ofcounselling. However, I continued attending the bible studies. I was guilty, for that many years I own a bible but not actually been reading it. The bible studies and the faith of people in the group were inspiring, not only to me but also to my husband. Few months after, I was eventually invitedto come to this church, and on that particular sunday service it mentionedabout: searching for oneself only is futile because you will never find yourself,but if you search God with all your heart and soul you will find Him and findpeace in yourself. That message was so direct and clear, that I look at myself, I was a very troubled person and a lost Christian. I thought I know who God is but actually I did not know Him properly, I was blind to my own selfishness, pride,troubles, anger, frustration, and very little faith. I came to realize that, allthose years, I was trapped to the expectations of myself and my culture and not to what God expected me to be as His child. All those years, I was focused and stuck to my only self and my troubles, that I was actually missingthe purpose of God in them. Our pagan belief was not the answer, neither religion and counseling.

The answer oflife is the wonderful words of God. I praise God, for in my brokenness, God eventually showed me the right path, in directingme to come here, humbling myself and knowing Him more and more. It is a relief, that all those years, He never abandon me but instead carried me in His wings. I can feel His love,His spirit, an inner peace in me. Itestify that whatever happens, I will follow God, for He loves me as He has always have done. Jesus Christ died for my sins, hispardon never ends and his grace is abundant. Only in Him, I will live forever. For Hesays in Matt. 11: 28-30:²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Indeed blessed is He, blessed be our land

2011-09-21T11:37:00.009+01:00

Apparently my great grandfather “Lamakian” can curse. In him and his words, if he wishes that fishermen or hunters would not harvest something they’ll get nothing. I am sure this is common to my village in Barlig, Mt. Province or other areas of similar sort, that we have elders who have reputations to have some sort of powers. For few months now I have been reflecting on this. Pastor Norman of Jesus Living Water Worldwide Church told me that this is work of the devil. My uncle in Canada also mentioned that our grandparents talking to spirits are not pleasing in the eyes of God. I remember my grandparents when we were in the farm, mentioning to whisper and talk to the spirit who sits there for safety and good fruit for the rice. My ancestry came from these beliefs, infact, my lola Canayan speaks to spirits and are confronted by them when she was alive. Her house has the “patpattay” where in the olden days they burn animal offerings of such to these vague spirit of harvest, rain, or spirit of luck and curse!

It is clear in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, that God despises people who worship idols and beliefs in earthly spirits that is no other than Him. We were innocent by then we did not know about the almighty God and Jesus Christ. But now we come to hear, listen and know Him, then it is an opportunity to open our eyes and hearts, in faith for the reward will be eternal. I am not surprise other people can say that our Canao celebrations are curse! We can transform this. We don’t have to remove our kiangsa and churaw, but instead use it to glorify God. God is a jealous God, He doesn’t like partial obedience. He wants full obedience to him, in thoughts, words, and action- everything.

2 Cor. 5 mentions: If our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, house not made of hands but eternal in the heavens. In this earthly home, we experience groan and burden, so that we long for the heavenly father. Our land maybe beautiful but we are no excuse to many destruction and difficulties. It is encouraging that faith and obedience to God is much a greater gift. Can we glorify God through our indigenous tradition and culture? Sure we can use our gifts of traditional music, chants and dances for this. The new testament which was translated to our native dialect is already the work of God through our people. But they will just remain as words if we don't listen and act on it. We believe in what we called Kafunyan, and may that be God! We heard many folklores in our village that maybe relate to divine powers, but I think they are just fantasy and tell tales.

What I see is a beautifully created Barlig, filled with wonders of nature, where the productive labour of our ancestors in our ricefields are amazing! I listen to this beautiful video, sung by Malbert, I can feel a deeper sense of how much God blessed Barlig. It is just a perfect harmony to offer praise to God, in those rocks, gushing waters, scented ricefields in a beautiful embrace of mountains and refilling sun. All worthy to say they all came from God who has power in heaven and in earth.

Malbert Longbuan Gansuen sings Blessed be my King, video spot in Lias, Barlig Mt. Prov.

Fr. the album Through Eyes of Faith, Order available in CD. For Manila:
Jonathan-09175728088, for Baguio: Malbert-09208489867

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FBCFI Bontoc Choir gospel worship in Kan-kana-ey and Igorot tunes.

Eagles Wings

2011-09-19T11:05:00.002+01:00

Hillsong-Eagles Wings


Intro: G

Verse:
Am         D         G             C
Here I am waiting, Abide in me I pray
Am         D           G
Here I am longing for you
Am          D          G               C
Hide me in your love, bring me to my knees
Am          D              G                       C...D...
May I know Jesus more and more


Chorus:
G            C           Am
Come live in me, all my life
   D
Take over
G               C              Am
Come breathe in me and I will rise
  D      G
On Eagles Wings

Verse 1 and chorus.

Come live in me all my life, take over
Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle's wings
I will rise on eagle's wings, I will rise on eagle's wings
I will rise on eagle's wings, I will rise on eagle's wings

I will rise on eagle's wings, I will rise on eagle's wings
On eagle's wings

Labour and nature of Mt. Amuyao

2011-09-17T21:38:00.005+01:00

Mt. Amuyao not only offers the richness of the nature's beauty and spirit but it has continued to offer the requisite of technology to provide the height for TV receptions in the province. It has been a base station for the ABS CBN TV network. For about 4 decades now local people of Barlig laboured to climb the mountain to bring gas and equipments to sustain the station at the top. This is a 4 hour hike to reach the top but some locals could hike it much easily. In 2009, the rival TV network GMA-7 decided to put up their own building and satelite. This provided jobs for locals who competetively took the offers of carrying heavy equipments to build the building and station at the top. The locals were of different age, young and old, men and women. Certainly the pay must have been good atleast! On that same year me and my family decided to climb the mountain just for the pleasure of doing and get connected to nature's spirit. Throughout the hike we've met our local townmates who were doing the "Akiachor", this means work for a pay. I met my old classmates in elementary and highschool and it was a delight to see them at a different point of experience. I do rarely climb this mountain and although most of the natural beauty still very much exists I have noticed new electric posts and wires hanging all throughout the pathways. I heard they are going to cement the pathways soon as well. This would be easier for workers but will become less adventurous to people who admire nature's challenge.

This particular hike was extremely dangerous as it was heavily raining with thunderstorms and those electric posts could easily be caught by ligthning. Upon reaching the top at early evening, we were warm by a nice dinner with rice, pork, cabbage and beans. We could not see the sunset as it was too dark and wet. The morning was a glorious sun, the sky filled with life allowing us to see the magnificent view of a small villages of Natonin and some part of Banaue and Sagada (I guess). There was also the standing Knights of Columbus plaque that seems raised by the clouds. A lovely day as we set down back to the village.

Photos of this climb, here.

Live life

2011-09-11T01:05:00.007+01:00

I went to work last night, I just sat down. The client opposite me asked me, "do you live life?" I was stuttering... mmm.. " yes, I do, I am." And then I thought... how easily he communicated this but actually, it was extremely a difficult question to answer. Do you? Live is existing, asking, pondering, feeling, acting.... and probably every single verb out there. Live is either nothing of everything, something, or everything of everything, thus is not simple but complicated. Life is a gift, to me a gift from God. He gave it for a purpose. May it be painful, suffering, fear, happy, fulfilled or satisfied. But life always seek or deny meanings, perhaps an unending question of purpose, of single event or a cumulative of the past and thoughts of the future. What is life's goal. Right now, I feel secured to live this life, discover it's purpose, living with hope and trust in the Lord, that life maybe that troubled or success, this is only temporary. This is only earthly living but with a room to grow in spirit . When the time comes, the real life begins. It is eternal, it is free and offered to every living out there who wants to believe. But this is either a prize or a price. I, myself, pray and hope for this safe and heavenly home He has promised.

I share with people's lost during the 9/11. Peace

Testimonies

2011-09-10T19:30:00.002+01:00

Believe or not believe, it can't hurt to believe!
It is your salvation.

Young Korean Girl Goes To Hell And Lives To Tell The Tale: What She Saw

12 Year Old Girl Paints Heaven:

A DYING MANS LAST WORDS, A MESSAGE FROM GOD

Living water

2011-09-07T16:03:00.002+01:00

Jesus said to her (samaritan woman), "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." (John 4: 13-15)

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24)

God is so gracious. What a privilege to be invited by God, he offers this to everyone regardless of everything, to believe in Him. This is a must, a requirement to believe and worship that He is the living God, the bread of life, the water of life, the light of darkness. Before is He, Now is He, Forever is He. Knowing this, that I am save, now and eternally.

New spirt

2011-08-31T13:25:00.003+01:00

-walk by the spirit
-be led by the spirit
-the desire of the flesh are against the spirit
-the desire of the spirit are against the flesh
-the work of the flesh will prevent you to inherit the kingdom of God
-the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

-to belong to Christ is to be led by the Spirit but also want the spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26

²⁶And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (ESV)

Galatians 5:16-25

¹⁶But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹envy,^[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (ESV)

As a Living Sacrifice

2011-08-30T21:19:00.006+01:00

ROMANS 12:1-2
¹ Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, ^[a]acceptable to God, which is your ^[b]spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this ^[c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may ^[d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and ^[e]acceptable and perfect.

This requires us to sacrifice ourselves to God, this does not necessarily mean physical dying for Him. It asks us to a:

-Full surrender (being: body, soul, spirit.
-Holy, acceptable to God as a living sacrifice
-Living as act of worship
-Living as instrument of righteousness, mercy, meekness, peace
-Not being conformed to this world
-Be transformed by the renewal of the mind
-Complete commitment to Christ
-Yielding with Christ, in His Spirit
-Dying to desires and selfishness
-The Lord is willing and able to do more than impossible

What Pastor John Piper say on this: Present Your Bodies As a Living Sacrifice to God

How to defeat the devil

2011-08-30T19:17:00.006+01:00

Matthew 4:1-11, Chapter 4

The Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. 3 Then the Devil[1][Greek the tempter. ] came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." 4 But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, `People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'[2][ Deut 8:3.] " 5 Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, `He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.'[3][ Ps 91:11-12.] " 7 Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, `Do not test the Lord your God.'[4][ Deut 6:16.] " 8 Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. 9 "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will only kneel down and worship me." 10 "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, `You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.'[5][ Deut 6:13.] " 11 Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus.

Romans 16:20,

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

John 19:10-11,

10 "You won't talk to me?" Pilate demanded. "Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or to crucify you?" 11 Then Jesus said, "You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who brought me to you has the greater sin."

Revelation 20:10,

10 Then the Devil, who betrayed them, was thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

John 1:12,

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

1 John 4:4,

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Dear relatives and friends

2011-08-26T16:53:00.036+01:00

May my father have a safe travel and welcoming return to our home village.

In behalf of my family, I would like to say thank you for the prayers and for the support. Thank you to those who believe in us and remain true to us, to those who did not judge us but rather stood with us in this very deep trial. To those who remain as our true family and our true friends, God has provided you much love in your hearts. There will be people out there, who remain to shame and persecute us... do not hate them but try to ignore them. God encourage us to live with people who nurture us as persons, most important in spirit and in faith. I hope that this is not a thanksgiving party for or make peace to our dead ancestors or earthly spirits. I believe that our pagan beliefs passed by our elders can also blind us from experiencing the truth and meanings of these challenges. I understand that for older generation this remains to be respected. But this is an opportunity to mature and look at the rewarding possibilities that christian faith and experience can take us. We already know that there is God, there is Jesus Christ and there is the Holy Spirit of the Lord that lives in us if we truly accept, believe and trust in Him. Let us re-focus to God and offer this thanksgiving to the Him instead. I hope that my father and everyone realize that this is the will and desire of God and we should be thankful to Him only for his grace and the support of other people whom God uses. The Lord says: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son (Romans 8: 28-29). Jesus Christ love us all both in happiness and sorrow, his suffering for mankind and generations was a great example. I acknowledge that God will use frustration and pain in my family, that may in His will it enlighten me and those who open their eyes and their hearts. I pray that my family will seek further and humble themselves to the Lord. May we reflect that because of money, people have greed on us, that pride and possessions can keep us away from each other and from God. If we trust in Him, He will bring us back together. Let us rejoice and give thanks today. But let us also bow down, trust Him, worship and honour Him with patience and humility always.

We are very far from all you, but in my weakness and defeat of stress, I have strongly prayed and trusted the Lord for this. Here in England, a sincere thank you to Pastor Norman of the Jesus Living Water Worldwide Church, to Holland Rd Baptist Church, and to the Filipino Christian Bible Study Group for all the prayers and thoughts. I also like to thank my husband, my colleague- Sarah Roberts, my tutor at university- Maggie Stewart, and to several friends for all their ears and understanding. Above everything, thank you to God.

May the Holy spirit, in His grace be with you all.

-fr. your family overseas (who misses and love you all)

(Thank you to my cousin Mabel Ganga for delivering this letter to my family, our home in Barlig)

Dear indicter

2011-08-23T19:33:00.028+01:00

August 23, 2011

Because I respect your dignity as a mother and daughter, I will not identify your names here. You have accused and convicted my father an unjustifiable criminal offense. I am writing here neither to gain your sympathy nor to trouble you. I am only writing to express my thoughts and how I feel as his daughter, that you or whoever may open your eyes and your hearts, so that you will know my position and how this affected me and my family as a human being.

My father grew up from a poor but very hardworking family. His mother is partially blind but her wisdom and gifted hands made her the most diligent woman in Barlig. His father is an asthma sufferer, worked so hard in Balatoc mines but his illness eventually ended his life. Despite life's difficulties before, they are able to successfully rear 8 children. One of the brothers died of asthma too. Ever since, my father works as a postman. From work, a motorcycle was provided for delivering letters and he was given the option of buying it from the bureau. As far as I can remember, my father is a very sociable person and is really proud of his work. From memory, he uses his motorbike to rush whoever is sick to the hospital. He takes joy and pride for having this little possession.

My father had 3 children. He wanted more but my mother cannot have normal deliveries after having 2 risky caesarean births. He was married to a very kind, loving farmer and a housewife. In 2001, his only son, who is just a year away to finish a university degree, his first born was diagnosed of schizophrenia, an incurable mental illness, that in his case was precipitated by society's drug abuse. We cannot afford to send him for rehabilitation and although he heavily relies on expensive daily medication, it is not enough for him to be able to live a normal life. He needed psychiatric review, input and perhaps rehabilitation. I pray that in time my brother will accept this and willingly seek help. I pray and trust God to provide healing or maybe resources for him. Next to my brother is my sister, also a dependent individual, who is lost, immature and impulsive. She often does not understand what is happening to herself, nor did we. Only recently when I found work with Asperger’s Syndrome, I was able to see the resemblance of my sister’s behaviour to this of kind mental disorder in the spectrum of Autism. This area of mental disorder is very complex and requires special professional skills to help people with Asperger’s. Naturally, my parents, born and raised from a rural village and not very well educated are confused and would not understand enough on these issues of mental illness. As parents, first and foremost, they are hurt and frustrated to what their children has become. All parents aspire for a better future for their children. I took these challenges with frustration too. Naturally, I envy other people who were well cared by their older siblings. I wish that my brother and sister were not like this and were able to support me instead. Being the last child, it was a failed expectation. Eventually, I have to accept this in life. It was difficult but God did never abandon me. I cannot say I am a very successful person, but I could never say I have failed too. God provided me the path of meeting different kinds of work, the kind of people and friends where I feel I was really blessed even in little ways. At the moment, I am a student overseas, married to another student and we have a little boy. Starting a family in a very expensive county is not easy. It is very difficult for me because I am so unequipped to help my family in Philippines, to be with them, even to support financially. I was thankful that my father, who is the only source of our financial and support is still alive. Because of difficult situations and being also the last child, I have a very big responsibility to my parents, to my brother, to my sister, and to my young niece who only see my parents as her own parents. However, I also have a responsibility to my young family here. God knows my limitations and I trust He provides our needs at His own ways and time. I will not desire for money, but I desire for God’s guidance on how I can be useful to my family here, my family in Barlig and to whoever He uses me for.

Early this year, my father was accused by you, in Bontoc, a place that is away from my very needy family, but despite of that, he has love your place with respect and calls it a second home. He was moved to work there up to his retirement in December 2010. Immediately after this retirement, I received this disagreeable accusation, my normal reaction was anger and curse to everyone. I knew how good my father so well that it is very unacceptable for me. But no one could disown her parent. You arrested and imprisoned him even before any trial is done. They say it is for custody but he was not a notorious criminal at all! He was of good morale, a law abiding citizen, and servant of the government. Custody is not postponement of trials so that it becomes a threat and oppression to someone's freedom, that in his case will eventually be an imprisonment for many years without justice rightly served. My father, my whole family, including me or anyone out there who where victims of people's greed and injustice do not deserve and desire this at all. My father could not and never will hurt someone, he has never been a villain. He worked all those years, prolonging his retirement because that's the only way to support my family. But just after retiring, you took this hope, you took his freedom, a gift to experience how to be finally free from working and reap what he has worked for. He has hoped to be able to go back to Barlig and help my mother in the ricefield and look after my brother and sister and my niece. But instead, he stayed in prison, as an old person and as a sick person. He was undeniably ill with diabetes, hypertension and heart problem. By now, I hope it answers your question on why none of his children were present during the incompetent court hearing and during your selfish demanding customs of settlement. If you are not contented and you think we are made of gold, I encourage you to go to Barlig and see in your own eyes the situation of my family yourself. You do not realize the impact of this to him, not only physically but emotionally, psychologically and socially. You do not realize the pain and grieve this caused us, how this tortured me and my family. He was persecuted by you, by social injustice, by his friends and even his family. I was not surprised by the incompetence and greediness of law and justice in the our land, but I feel disgusted to fellow Igorots who even call themselves Christians. Despite this, we did nothing wrong, we did not fight, we were passive, we humbled ourselves to people’s mockery and to your self-centred demands. We were treated as money and opportunity, ignoring our human sufferings. My father and my family will continue to be shamed and be stigmatize because of this. It will never be thesame, nor will his friends or relatives be truly accepting. But it is alright because in truth, social acceptance and names are just fame that means nothing in eternal salvation. God says that judgment comes from the Lord and not by men. Pride, money and possessions are the source of greed and corruption, and in the eyes of the Lord, they are worthless and will not last forever.

However, I feel that with my sibling’s misfortune and what you did to my father, although its very hurtful, it made me a stronger person. None of us are perfect but in this I have overcome anger and revenge. I have the right to express what I feel but I do not have the right to curse your or other people. I believe that God understand my sufferings and my family’s pain. I believe God is filled with compassion, that revenge is His ,but I also believe that He is love and justice. Sins have consequences. He says that what we sow in life, the right and wrong choices we made, we will reap them accordingly, if not neither now nor in the future but when His judgment comes.

I pray for my father, hope, that he will leave everything to the Lord as he continue to live the remaining years of his life.

May God also give you love and peace in your hearts.

Fr. his daughter.

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For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13

God's gift

2011-08-23T16:25:00.000+01:00

I say, amongst failures and hardship, the Lord never fails, his love endures forever. I say thank you Lord, for the gift of child is from God, and we ourselves are all children from above. May we love Him as the children loves his parents, may we love Him as we love our children, may we serve Him as we serve our child. May we be childlike, seeking spiritual milk.

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:13-16

Stress and God

2011-08-11T16:24:00.002+01:00

To remind myself of how to battle a troublesome life. Talk to God, know that He listens. Believe and trust in Him. This is because in experience, stress, worries, anxieties are like satan, it will drew you away and make you rebel against God. But I know that God will also use pain to get me closer to Him. As humans, the flesh, the feelings of pain can be so strong that we become focus into it. This is why spiritual strength and christian counseling is very important. The bottom line is the principle that God loves and He cares for me and what I'm going through in life. I have lots of friends but none really truly knows what my suffering except one. Thanks there is a God, who I know He will carry me through life.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25, 27)

But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mark 4:19 (ESV)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me". John 14:1 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 (ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)

Broken heart

2011-08-09T16:23:00.002+01:00

Few years ago a man of God said to me let it go,

It wasn’t easy and I perhaps I could not.

They are still holes, maybe waiting to be mended.

But more brokenness keep on coming,

They are holes, punctures in the heart.

I asked God, why are they there?

He said, they are for you to see me.

He knows how deep they are.

I say thanks to God, my only true friend,

I stand and can only trust for.

I will endure with broken heart,

For I know in pain I will see and seek His face

That I may obey and be blessed instead...

And be sealed with hope and be lifted by His loving arms.

Father's day 2011

2011-06-19T16:20:00.003+01:00

Dear father,

Today everyone is thinking of their own fathers. I have offered my heart to the greatest of all fathers, our Father in heaven.

.... But I thought and I prayed for you, my own physical father, who, throughout your life loves us as your parents have loved you. You worked so hard to sustain us because you wanted to improve the difficulties you had in your time. You raise us materially because you did not want us to go hungry. But emotionally and spiritually I am still an immature child. I am meeting my own spiritual Father whose love is amazingly great. I do not see Him but I can feel Him. Dad, you too, like many people are, is a lost child like me. Nevertheless, I am still thankful that God gave you as my dad, for God has a purpose of choosing you to be.

At this time, may God the Father embrace and comfort you with hope and love. For I know that life was very tough and very unfair for you, that not only you had physical illness but all the frustrations, failures, inadequacies...the emotional and psychological pain that life has brought on you. People turn your kindness to evil and they will keep on to hurt, mock, stigmatize, reject, and persecute you... but God will never disown you. True judgement comes from God and not from the law of selfish men. You are not the perfect father and I am not the perfect child too. This is because we are just human filled with inadequacies. These imperfections only mean that there is someone out there, up above, who is far much greater than everything on earth- the Yahweh in heaven, the Father of all.

In my journey to know more the Heavenly Father, I will always be thinking and praying for you.

Psalms

2011-05-31T13:12:00.001+01:00

Take My Life A Living Sacrifice

Title: Take my life a Living Sacrifice

Artist: Dwight Liles

Chords By: Valera, Charlie Edsel



Intro: Em-E7-Asus4-A7



Ref:

 D             A D A

Take my life a living sacrifice

    G               A    D     A

knowing its the least that i can do

D   A     D   A7

make my life a living sacrifice

G      A        D  A7

holy & acceptable to you



Verse:

  D          F#m     G D

I look upon my life and realize @ last

Em        A      F#sus    F#

with in myself theres nothing I Can do

        Bm     G   A    D

And yet here i stand to offer all I am

 Em     E7     A7sus4-A7

To give myself completely, Lord to you



(Ref)



Verse: Do CP

I cannot be content until i reach that place

little life to give enough to give

Lord break down my will, make my desire your own

I long to give my everything to you   (Ref)





Source: http://pinkroseforme.blogspot.com/

Searching

2011-04-24T16:14:00.001+01:00

In the service today:

If you only search for yourself- you will never find it. But if you search God- you will find Him and you will find yourself.

[Photo by Ed.Gerlock]

About

2010-01-25T23:06:00.007Z

The brain accumulates too much, processing many experiences... experiences and events that we manage or lost maneuvered, perhaps a by-product of living individually or socially, perhaps the fruit of right or wrong choices, perhaps our use or misuse of free will. Physiologically, the brain interprets what our every being is, from existing to living. We have natural gifts to remember, think, see, feel, touch... but can we have the essence of everything if it wasn't shown by the master who created and provided us? I'm wonderfully created, wondering and wandering, finding and making meaning. I grew up in the indigenous nature and culture of the Barlig Igorot tribe, lived and studied in Baguio city, worked with the elderly urban poor of Manila, now live and studying in england. The challenges and transitions of my life makes me say how wonderful and purposeful life could be, never ceases to seek the meaning of it. There are insights, painful and gracious learning. Here, is the journey, the connections, the spiritual desire. This is a broken world, but there is out there, evident by His blessings, guided by a holy helper, far more better to hope and live for. Don't waste it.

langfia@gmail.com

UK's U-Kay U-Kay

2009-01-18T21:20:00.005Z

I found the "wag-wagan" or "ukay ukay" version in the UK. Now is a real "U-Kay". Clothes being sold in philippines in our wag-wagan or ukay-ukay shops are obviously second hand but most important "imported" from other countries. The brand and style and quality makes them so saleable and popular among wise shoppers.

Here in the UK they are more similar to what they sell in Car boot sale which usually happen on Sundays. I find this so interesting because it is not only buying or shopping but it is an event, it is a history. You find all sorts of materials from home to farm, from office to school... anything really from art, music, children's toys, etc, etc. It is such a huge variety of things that people don't use anymore but will become useful. I do go in the car boot sale, sometimes to buy but I find it more as an entertainment. I am so amused by the collection of many things lying on the floor and people enjoying the sight, even to touch and feel the items, even to hear as sometimes there is even old music playing around that is unbelievably still so worth listening. I heard that people start as early as 6am to make their stall and ends up closing in the mid afternoon. Prices can be unexpectedly high and unbelievably cheap. Sometimes you can haggle with the price... but normally no success. In philippines there is always a haggle with price.

You can also buy second hand stuffs, mostly clothes, shoes, bags which can be relatively new on shops like Oxfam. Mags and online shopping on Friday ads and Gumtree are quite popular too. Freecycle yahoo groups is very nice for getting rid of your stuffs for free and you can also post what you wanted.

Igorot consciousness in Marky's success

2008-12-12T23:23:00.013Z

Quite sad to say really that many Filipinos don't know yet who really the Igorots are. The Igorot villages are hidden by huge and rocket hills of mountains, divided by rivers and boundaries of respected and respective tribes which has helped us formed and maintain our very own cultural beliefs and tradition. Foreign invaders came and and named us collectively "Ygolots", as people from the mountain. My first real visit to the city is going for College or University in Baguio, which the city itself is part of the Cordillera. Here obviously has a mixture of people from the Cordillerans, from the Lowland and other origins from central or southern part of the country. I was at first battling with how life in the city begins. My first unforgetable experience in the university on the first term of being a first year student is very challenging, made me think to myself who the Igorots are in the eyes of other people. When I said I am from the Mountain Province one of my male classmates seated behind me laughingly said "taga bundok ka, di ba kayo yung mga may buntot". I was quite hurt, angry inside me, yet shy as I know I am assertive when with others. I am aware in class that among my classmates there is one from Banaue Ifugao and one from Paracelis Mt. Province and the rest seems to be from the other region of the country. Most of them too are just residents of Baguio city but they probably are not of any tribes from the Cordillera. Reflecting back, I should have shouted to the guy's ugly face if he really understand his criticism, besides what is his issue, anong pakialam niya kung may buntot kami? (my point of view if he meant we have buntot because we wear those bahags and laoy). I did read or saw somewhere that we are are described with buntot because we are ugly like monkeys are which to me is very degrading.... It was wrong that I didn't speak up at that time. Admittedly I was just shy and quite innocent. Now the world has become bigger to me on how I see myself, our indigenous identity, our roots and culture. But still to realize, and I think that the world around us, they are the ones ignorant and innocent of who we are. The Igorots are not ignorant, the ignorant are the people who do not know us and the people who gives up their "being Igorot". Our identity as Indigenous people in the first place are full of misconceptions as you can see in history literature that the foreign authors and even our own co-Filipino authors displayed the Igorot people as ugly, ignorant, uncivilized, lower class Filipinos.. and other negative descriptions about us. For many many years this stigma remained from the many, as it was firstly written! I am a shy person but I have never been ashamed of my roots. I can raise my chin and say I belong to the Igorot tribe. Sadly to say that even other Filipinos I met in overseas do not know exactly who we are. This seems to be a battle for an Igorot like me who is proud of her ancestral roots and culture that we are such people of beauty, art and intelligence. After all those years, our own Marky Cielo from Bauko Mt. Province opened the eyes of everyone that the Igorot has talent and has it's own beautiful identity. "Igorotak" he said infront of the masses. He is proud of his cultural origin. That is what we need, every Igorot must say that. Why would we be ashamed of nothing, but purely misconceptions. If there are disappointing points about the Igorots, it is not enough to make it discriminatory, as everyone, in which place of origin in the country has its own negative positive remarks. Actually the Igorots are unique, like the Mangyans or the Tribes of the south Philippines. There are many people now who come and visit us and learn about our culture and has understand and appreciate us. Our endless towering rice terraces on it's own is a proof of our cleverness, the irrigation system, our chants, our customs in every aspect of life, our dances and prayers,... in every bit of our culture there is value, there is beauty, there is our life, there is our ancestors. My uncle Gabriel Ayeona was recruited as a stuntman during the olden movie times, he apparently played at some point in Digmaan ng mga Maton in 1962 with Joseph Estrada and Fernando Po Jr. He wasn't recruited because of talent but because of his rugged handsome look while he was in Baguio City. He might have a talent in it but sadly to say it has to be brief because he has to go back to his calling wife and demand of work in the eastern Mt. Province. And now at this decade, in many many years, Marky Cielo finally was our success and represented us in the showbiz. He has somehow awaken and united all the Igorots. His life is so young, at age 20, and only few years being actor is very short but very meaningful to all of us. Right now the news of him until his burial and next will be everywhere, in the internet, tv and newspapers. I hope that no exaggeration, no misconception, no wrong informations please. I hope by now they know exactly where Mountain Province is.

The news about Marky Cielo's death is shocking and his lost is very difficult to accept.... but God has his own plan about him. He left us with an Igorot pride and the Igorot consciousness rising in us which I hope will lessen racism and misconceptions about the Igorot people.

With Marky's deeds and success may it serve as continous inspiration to all of us. Marky rest in peace, and to the family, condolence. Thank you and be proud you have such a son, he is yours and always be wherever he is. Marky'is gone but he gave light to all of us, and especially to the Igorots.

Photo source: Starmometer.com. BW photo by Loui Fangki, with Marky Cielo.

------------------------------------------------------
I personally dedicate this photo I took in Bontoc Mountain Province, with love and tribute to you, ading ken kailiyan.

___________________________________________________
Related videos on Marky Cielo's death.

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Barlig culture on Canvas: Jeff "Yacamma" Cablog

2008-11-24T03:20:00.002Z

Photo by Jorge Andrada Luna .

JEFFERSON CAWAON CABLOG, a native of Barlig is a young, humble and talented artist of our own. No one so far from our place has achieved such success in the field of art. His work are quite of extraordinary beauty, it is a revelation of our culture and tradition that was once told and lived by our ancestors. His love, dedication and interest to the "Ofok" or "Ob-ofok" which means the past oral stories from the great elders of Barlig are unfolded through his beautiful and unique paintings. I remember him as a young child playmate in Barlig, he later spent his secondary school in Baguio, briefly went to University of the Philippines Baguio Fine Arts, spent some of his time with his other talented friend James Gabito in Barlig. He lived in the perfect scenery and homely surrounding mountains and rice terraces of Barlig, dedicated in expressing his passion saving our diminishing culture. I describe his work as "Painting our culture", perhaps visualizing them in canvas. Now a matured artist of his own, a true inspiration for all of us. A talented painter, a friend. He calls himself "Yacamma" a proud native name of his great ancestor, an ancestry of Barlig. Jeff is currently living in Baguio conducting local and nationwide exhibits. His works are available to purchase through the Tam-awan website. Jeff, congratulations and all the best for your future work.

For his professional work profile, record in NCCA registry of artist:

Cablog, Jefferson Cawaon, ARTIST (PROFESSIONAL)
Jeff says,
"I have listened to the countless stories of Barlig, my hometown, as narrated by our village elders; and now I struggle to preserve these through my works and I know I will have to devote my entire life to this task.

I paint as my ancestors have built the rice terraces--- stone by stone, piece by piece. My ancestors painstakingly crafted a grand cultural monument. Now I wish to do the same through my art."

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Level School Course/Subject Year
elementary Barlig Elementary School 1988-1994
highschool Baguio City National High School-Loakan Annex 1994-1998
tertiary University of the Philippines Baguio Fine Arts 1998-2000

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Career History
Artistic/Cultural Group Affilation
Name of Organization Designation Year
Tam-awan Village Artists Member 2004-present

Professional Awards or Recognition
Name/Title of Award Standing Conferred/Given by Title of Work Awarded Year
Metrobank National Arts Competion Semifinalist Metrobank - 2000
Metrobank National Arts Competion Semifinalist Metrobank - 1999

ARTIST EXPERTISE
VISUAL: Painter

Art Works: Title Medium Dimension Location Year

Ub-ufok Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" USA 1998
Forgotten Images Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Manila,Phil. 1998
Normam Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" USA 1999
Ichiw Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" USA 1999
Chinamuy Oil on Canvas 32 x 48" Baguio City, Phil. 2000
Umu-ufok Oil on Canvas 32 x 48" Baguio City, Phil. 2000
Artmosphere Oil on Canvas 32 x 48" Seoul, South Korea 2001
Sikia Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" USA 2001
Uuchan "Wet Season" Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" India 2001
Oprak "Rough Blanket" Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Manila,Phil. 2001
Tungud "Tough Identity" Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" USA 2001
Sorag "Moonlight" Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Manila,Phil. 2002
Liwanay Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Baguio City, Phil. 2002
Ituping "Stone Maiden" Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Baguio City, Phil. 2003
Tilag "Rainbow Maiden" Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Manila,Phil. 2003
Hunter's Journey Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Manila,Phil. 2003
Linmipaw Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Manila,Phil. 2003
Taraw "Star Maiden" Oil on Canvas 32 x 48" Manila, Phil. 2003
Siwang Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Sweden 2003
Inkinas Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Baguio City, Phil. 2003
Inway Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Australia 2004
Tenawid Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Baguio City, Phil. 2004
Awiss Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" England 2004
Sarak "Forest Face" Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Manila, Phil. 2004
Kalinga Woman Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Baguio City, Phil. 2005
Blue Dawn Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" South Korea 2005
Kalinga Child Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Baguio City, Phil. 2005
Presence of the Unseen Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Manila, Phil. 2005
Blue Moon Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" USA 2005
Female Bulul Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" South Korea 2005
Benguet Woman Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" Baguio City, Phil. 2005
Ugwor "Forest Stream" Oil on Canvas 18 x 24" South Korea 2005
Gentle Nature Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" South Korea 2005
Blue Moons Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" South Korea 2005
Mythical Forest Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" South Korea 2005
Untitled Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Japan 2005
Liquid Trail Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" South Korea 2005
Pasyor Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Japan 2005
Chamrak "Humble Nature" Oil on Canvas 16 x 20" Manila, Phil. 2005
Warm Blanket Oil on Canvas 32 x 40" Baguio City, Phil. 2005
Igwa Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Manila, Phil. 2005
Ayla's Adoption Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Manila, Phil. 2005
Churay Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" New Zealand 2005
Healer Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" France 2005
Stream Dweller Oil on Canvas 13.5 x 18" USA 2006
Night of the Fireflies Oil on Canvas 32 x 48" Manila, Phil. 2006
Contrast of Beauty Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Australia 2007
Untitled Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" USA 2007
Peace Pact Holder Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Manila, Phil. 2007
Rain Beads Oil on Canvas 32 x 40" Manila, Phil. 2007
Morning Reckon Oil on Canvas 32 x 40" Manila, Phil. 2007
Traveller Oil on Canvas 24 x 32" Subic Bay, Phil. 2008
Rat Lotus Oil on Canvas 32 x 40" Subic Bay, Phil. 2008
Prussian View Oil on Canvas 32 x 40" Subic Bay, Phil. 2008

Group Exhibit: Title Venue Year
Translations Tam-awan Village Gallery 2008
Yevea Albergo Hotel, Baguio City 2008
Tam-awan Village Group Show Oarhouse Cafe & Gallery, Malate Metro Manila 2008
Tam-awan Village Group Show Heritage Festival, Dumaguete Negros Occidental 2008
Tam-awan Village Group Show Tam-awan Village, Baguio City 2007
Images From the Cordillera Renaissance Gallery, SM Megamall 2007
Spirit of the Cordillera Baguio Country Club, Baguio City 2006
Tam-awan Village Group Show East West Gallery, Hawaii, USA 2005
The Spirit of Baguio, Phils RHO Gallery, Seoul, Korea 2005
Group Show NHK Osaka Museum of Histoy, Osaka Japan 2005
Group Show ABS-CBN, Quezon City 2005
Group Show Tam-awan Village, Baguio City 2005
Arts in Bloom Baguio Country Club, Baguio City 2005
Tam-awan Village Artists Group Show Le Souffle, The Fort, Makati City 2004
Group Show Tam-awan Village, Baguio City 2004
UP Fine Arts Group Show Salud Bistro, Baguio City 2004
Group Show Tam-awan Village, Baguio City 2004
Small Works Exhibit Tam-awan Village, Baguio City 2003
Tales of Enchantment UP Baguio Cordillera Studies Center 2003
UPCB-FA Group Show PCIB Twin Towers, Makati City 2000
“Ta-wid” Maryknoll, Sanctuary Gallery, Baguio City 1999

PLEASE, see his ARTWORK, for sale on Tam-awan website.

Another Culture painter: James Gabito

2008-11-23T23:29:00.003Z

Photo of James, by Clint Taynan.

Alongside with my other post here is Jeff Cablog's friend, our friend, James Gabito. I want to mention him here as well as I think these two people shared a path on their own struggle realizing their dreams and success into the world of visual arts. I met James during my community organizing field placement in Monglo, Sablan in 2002. He then said, "Oh you are from Barlig, do you know Jeff Cablog?" I realize that he is painter, and is a friend of Jeff. Was pleased meeting him. Later I met him again with Jeff in Barlig, they opened one of the unused house in Barlig and made it their own studio and gallery. It was open to everyone and anybody. He, on his own volunteerism and openness started tutoring on basic sketching and drawing to some higshchool students from my hometown Barlig. He has discovered that some of our young Barlig students has the potential into this kind of art. He said they need guidance and inspiration and they can be good artist too. This is a great way of involving our young generation into productive and fulfilling art rather than involving themselves into drinking. Which is indeed true. James and Jeff move back again to Baguio living separately, both dedicating themselves in Painting. James has to support himself and his only possible source of income is Painting. He painted and painted and painted, small portraits, to him cheap and quick just so he can survive on his own. He is aware of this but he definitely can make his own obra. He has progress a lot through his hardwork and determination, now a professional visual artist.

Through out his career hew was also employed as Art Instructor by the Cordillera Career Development College at Buyagan La Trinidad Benguet. Now he is an admired artist, just dedicating on painting the culture of the Cordillera. He produce his own beautiful artwork and portraits of the Igorot. He is a half Ibaloi and half Tagalog. He has always been a hardworker person starting his career doing animation in Manila. I have seen him as a wanderer artist travelling with other artist and living with the culture of the people, thus this experiences make him more an effective artist with quite a lot of talent to build and to share. He is a left hand artist, an inate skill of his own, also a humble and open person. Not only he has his own passion and creativity in visual art, but talented in decoration, organizing, perhaps everything we don't know yet.

Here is what Clint Taynan, a photographer/ media publisher has published about James:

James Gabito, was born in Bukidnon at the Southern Region of the Philippines. He is among the few artists who immerse themselves to the community to understand the life of their subject. Being an artist for 18 years, he traveled and understood the culture of his subject mostly from the cultural minorities.

When ask why he focuses on the cultural minorities, he answered: “they have the most genuine look, in the eye and expression, free from personal thought of urban civilization, which makes me effective in freezing that instance… for time to remember”.

Someone asked him, “Who pays for your travel?” he simple smiled,… initially it was mine, later the people I who appreciated my works sponsored me to stay in their place to immerse myself of their culture, he later added, “so the rest of the world will know they exist”.

He struggled as an animation illustrator in a world class firm before he finally decided to push his career as a professional visual artist, their he realize tremendous success in capturing his viewers and collectors, and later viewed him as an artist outstanding enough to freeze his subject in time.

Among his colleagues, what they appreciate most from him are not his awards and academic achievements but rather his passion and dedication to understand the culture of his subjects as evidently heard from his fluent conversation using their own dialect. When asked why he bothered to spend time learning their dialects, he answered “art is not just an expression of skills, but an expression of passion”.

At the moment his plan is to meet more mentors and supporters who could help him travel further to explore other culture and reflect them through his work of portraits made from his dramatic and expressive brush strokes common to all his works that often remind them of his identity and success.

For his Artwork, for sale on Tam-awan website.

Igorots Versus Racism

2008-11-12T22:57:00.003Z

The Philippines is populated by various groups of people who almost look similar in all aspect except when they wear their traditional costumes but ordinarily all Filipinos are similar whether they are Tagalogs,Ilocanos,Visayans,Muslims,Igorots,aetas and etc. An Igorot however is always projected as ugly, unkempt, rugged and undisciplined among the other Filipinos. In fact even one of the Philippine's great statesman and well known diplomat said that Igorots are not Filipinos,in the movie industry igorots are always projected as ugly, dirty and undisciplined, television networks are depicting the igorots in a totally different and confusing background, artworks show them as funny and idiotic. these are some of numerous instances where Igorots were maligned in pubic fora, movies, TV and other media outlets by no other than their Filipino brethren. No wonder some Igorots would rather hide their identity and let his kindred suffer the stigma inflicted by the other groups including aliens as well.
For many centuries that passed,very little is known about the igorots except those misconceptions imputed to them. The high mountains and rough terrains protected these people from constant contact with the outside world so that there was no change in their dress code and social adaptations of other cultures. They developed a culture peculiar and unique that an outsider can only make external assessment but not the psyche that envelope these igorots. The long isolation of these people from the outside world did not diminish their intelligence nor their wisdom, the truth is, they developed a sustainable food production methods that the Philippine government thought it's obsolete and tried to change them. Now, it is encouraging the Igorots to go back and maintain the old ways since it is more profitable and sustainable in the long run. These igorots created rice terraces and complex water systems that require an excellent degree of intellectual capacity, songs,chants,and poetic expressions that entails good memory and analytical mind, art creations that are unique and unrivaled, there are more to tell but let modesty aside as I am carried away by emotions in defence of my fellow igorots. The law makers should put teeth on laws that prohibit discrimination's and enact new ones that prohibits discriminatory broadcast, TV, movie and theatrical shows that directly or indirectly place the Igorots as a lower kind of people. If the other nations are discriminating against the Filipinos let us not entertain these kind among our selves and allow charity to begin at home.

Posted by Peden at 12:59 AM

Indigenous Chants

2008-11-05T22:34:00.003Z

Bontoc Chant: Part 1:

Bontoc Chant: Part 2:

Espanya

2008-11-05T01:15:00.003Z

Barlig Ricefields, a reflection

2008-10-16T17:42:00.007+01:00

Our ricefields are magnificient and in magnanimous beauty. I wasn't sure to be aware of that when I was young as it seems just natural and the time of innocence to me. If you grew in a place like, that at young age it seems to be just a part of you. Growing up, I finally and slowly realizing how huge they are in space and beauty! They almost take half of our village and even extend to all directions of our ancestral lands. Our people, culture, nature and traditions complements with their existence. It was the center of our past, the life of our ancestors. People come to our place in awe for it's astonishing beauty, for them they have never seen such in real! I for myself who is now exploring and gone outside this little village of ours, lived in the city- Coming back home is a feeling of pain and regain. I missed the place, our ricefields are indeed beautiful, a rebirth of beauty in the eyes everytime I come home. Now each ricefield, sometimes we only see the beauty in the eyes, we seem to forget how many years our ancestors built them. This is manual labor, consider the distance from the river to the top of the mountain! It is not only stones but they have to kind of "architect" the slopes and the ground they will make the foundation of the paddies... it is beyond my imagination. I have seen how they do the repairs now a days, it is hardwork- you need to publish your help to the community and feed them after that. sometimes it is neglected for this reason. I (my parents) have some ricefields that until now some sides are still left eroded. My father knows the "kabite" but where will you get the stones, down down below the river, and scarce?! and he is alone. Will my son knows how to do this oneday?

It is such a tradition being lost, or even gone already.

Ovingdean

2008-10-09T10:49:00.002+01:00

Went on a bike ride yesterday, from town up to queens park to the racecourse. Got some panoramic shots on top. We cut through woodingdean, met a beautiful horse! Ended up in a small rural village named Ovingdean. It is quite preserved with a little 11th century church in the corner and a couple of old barns too. Beautiful, peaceful. From ovingdean we went straight through the Marina or seafront bike path and ended in town. If only England offers us such good weather all the time we might end up with good adventures all the time.

Originally uploaded by Ayeona.

Seafront Autumn 2008

2008-10-07T20:53:00.008+01:00

I have been neglecting my camera, for this weather, cold and damp it is not very good going out. Also in this world when you go out keep thy eyes away from the shop, that means unnecessary expenses. But got these shots from yesterday. Weather wasn't good but sky has become dramatically drawing to my eyes. Now this is a start for photo a day, atleast.

Brighton Pier:

East seaside:

Flying hummingbird

2008-10-05T00:33:00.011+01:00

A great photographer,
a friend,
a soul shadow.
To meet.

A dedication and
remembrance from her,
Tatiana Cardeal.

Sister soul

Together..
Drawing and
growing friendship...

Fish, water, river, spirit.

A necklace to cherish through.
Work from the Brazilian tribe...

To thank and remember,
a gift, friendship,
love grows..

Binded as one,

Through the wind

In the heart,
In the mind,

The hummingbird and
the fish,
living...

I remain, unforgotten
See you soon, in time...

Congratulations for her strong documentary works
on social documentary of Brazil.

Photographs by a great friend, Tatiana Cardeal.

Indigenous chants, great grandmother's vigil

2008-10-05T00:20:00.001+01:00

One of the remarkable music in the Mountain Province or among the Igorot tribes are their Indigenous chants which are sung in different occasions like praying for the dead, wishes for a newly wed, entertainment on gatherings, songs in the ricefields, etc. Each differ in melody and tunes according to the nature of the occasion, tribes or even villages in a tribe- they can be different the way they are delivered. For example the Bontoc and those of Barlig chants are different, apart from the dialects.

For the Barligs, "Chagchaku" is a Finallig word for a song or chant to the dead. It is sung purely vocal, spontaneously composed in a story telling prose where words are led by one elder and being followed into a chorus to the end of the sentence/song. This is done during the waking nights/ days of the vigil. This is to give respect to the dead and keep the time and people awake during the vigil. Giving tribute and vigil to a loved one in the Mt. Province generally last up to days and even a week /s depending on circumstances advice of the elders or family.

Here is an example of it, during my great great grandmother's vigil, the elders gave respect and tribute to her. For her beauty, for her age, for her life, and the after life.

On thesame occasion, the women and elders of Bontoc came to sing their chants to my great grandmother. Because of intermarriage among the tribes (my grandfather is Barlig native and grandmother is Bontoc native), the different subtribes come to exchange their share of respect and prayer to the family. Here in the two videos of the Bontoc chants, the Bontoc women singing are standing, and do a lot of swaying of legs and body that goes with their chants. I am not sure how the Bontoc calls their chant in it's Finontok word but it is quite charming and more cheerful it seems. This is probably depending too on the nature of the life or death of the person being on vigil. You see a lot of laughter and cheer in these recordings maybe because my great grandmother lived a century and had a good life and died a natural death.

Bontoc Chant: Part 1:

Bontoc Chant: Part 2:

I have been thinking of putting into paper what is being said in the chants but it always sounds and look very difficult, for that reason I haven't really tried doing so.

I haven't seen any research yet on the varieties and details about these chants of the igorot. Infact, Albert Jenks said in his book The Bontoc Igorot " The Igorot has vocal music, but in no way can I describe it—to say nothing of writing it. I tried repeatedly to write the words of the songs, but failed even in that. The chief cause of failure is that the words must be sung—even the singers failed to repeat the songs word after word as they repeat the words of their ordinary speech. There are accents, rests, lengthened sounds, sounds suddenly cut short—in fact, all sorts of vocal gymnastics that clearly defeated any effort to “talk” the songs."

These tradition is dying now a days, many of the skilled elders died and the generations hasn't acquired them. The new generations now just sings the hymnals from the church, or other composed songs.

Barlig Panoramas

2008-10-03T01:26:00.001+01:00

My beautiful home, Barlig in Panoramic views:
(Ps. click images or link for larger views)
Central Barlig:
Barangay Latang:
East of Barlig:
Awa to fialli:
Kachattay- Tannud:
Partial view, lower Gawana:
Barangay Macalana:
Partial view Bgy Lingoy (chator):
Barangay Fiangtin:
Fianna:
Photos by: Langfia Ayeona 2007.

SICHOK in our River

2007-08-31T15:18:00.002+01:00

There is never an old place I have been that I will never go- the Barlig ricefields,mountains, rivers, nature and people. We went to "manichok" (women's fishing) when I was probably in highschool. We have done it with my classmates in the village. It was a first time experience and my friends are quite knowledgeable of it. It was learning to me, and as well fun!. This is really teamwork to make it successful, otherwise there wont me a fish for lunch! We caught a few but it is not easy and can be a disappointment if there is nothing to catch. Sometimes they say you must say a prayer to the river or to whoever seats in the water or the stones. One must be following the leader of to which corner, of when to move, of when to swim. Yes you must be a swimmer to do this one. Some of us we're not quite sober and we ended up swimming harsely at a wrong pace and direction- the river, the current, the fishes are disturbed! They wont be going inside the net! Sorry no fish, give a another try and be disciplined!.

I remember two occasions when I was very young, my grandmother on her own, positions her sichok net in between the stones in the river and then leave it there for some days. She goes back there especially just after a tide or strong rain. She's caught some! She is clever for that.

The second occasion, I watched one of the men in the Latang village, who was once known as "kumukulintti", a term for someone who uses electricity to fish. I can see him standing by the stones extending a stick with some wires and a battery loaded backpack. I stepped nearer and I felt the current on my leg, wow it is painful and quite shocking! Poor little fishes they die with no mercy. My father told me that fishes caught naturally is tastier than the one caught with dynamite or electricity. It is probably thesame with fishes raised in natural seas are better than fishes fed in the pond!. I hope that the local government will adopt laws against illegal fishing and illegal logging... The use of chemicals and electric in fishing, yes quick and easy but it kills the smaller fishes, disrupts the season of fishing, and especially disturbs the spirit of the river. Now we can't taste the real "kiachiw" and "chalet" anymore!

______________________

Now I will speak more of the photos here and the experience in Barlig during summer of 2007. The old women has invited me to take their pictures while doing the (“Sichok”) traditional fishing, and the men for their (“Kopor “) traditional way of making sugar cane wine. But all the time I was there and with May elections and campaigns there was never a chance for them, for us to make this happen. I hope in the future.

In this photographs, however, is simply showing how the young men were doing the traditional Women’s way of fishing which I happen to photograph them while I was taking a walk. It was unplanned but I am happy I could document it the simplest way.

“Sichok" is the local name of fishing. It is a net, hand sewed by women, strongly attached into a rattan curved stem. It is the most important part of the "Sichok" as there where the fishes are trapped by the strong current of water.

In the “Sichok” fishing, it is always done by a group of people (usually women). A medium size group not over a dozen individuals is a perfect number for not a quite wide river. There is always a leader (expert) that assigns the tasks and determine the way of the game.

This young men are told to cut some strong long grass (I don’t know the exact classification) locally called “Nuno”. They can be gathered near the river or in the deep forest. And they transport and carry them to their preparation area.

These "Nunos" are bundled about a grip size for the hand to hold on, using some of it’s leaves (or other roots) to knot making sure it would be strong. The middle stem is cleared off from it’s spiky itchy skin. :-)

Men have each two bundles to use. One, among them has to hold the net. Then they set to the river and choose a spot to fish.

The water is really chilly and it takes a lot of courage. Not too deep, not too shallow. Not too strong current. But one must know how to swim first, obviously.

Today, wearing a diving mask helps and making it easier. The man can see the ground first if there are some fishes.

The leader holds the net steady with a partner and waits for the rest to drive the fishes towards the net. They dance the stick of bundled leaves by moving it vertical up down motion. The men should move at almost thesame pace making sure there is equal gaps in between them as they progressively go to the corner. This is inviting and pushing the fishes towards the net.

They gently push them towards the net, and raise them at one time. There seems only few at the first attempt. The backpack basket to store what they caught! The excitement come and go, there can be fish-one, two or more, or might be none even. It is trial and error.

And then they have to study which corner and part of the river to try again, they go up or down the river but won’t repeat the areas they disturbed already.

In the old days, the women sing some chants while doing this. It is fun, exciting, a very social way of fishing, even. I could describe the most intimate way of respecting the nature of our river.

I like to hear the chants if possible, but haven't live before, maybe the river will.

Home Harvest

2006-11-30T13:41:00.002Z

My grandparent's ricefields at Tannud:Morning Harvest.

My parent's ricefields at Kachattay: Afternoon harvest.

A sunny day that was offered to us as we also offered our hands, our feet, our spirit and strenght to harvest the gift of grains. My grandmother once said when I was young which really made me tear: do not leave any grains behind, be conscious, be alert, be vigilant because it is so pity for the grain to be with the others but they can't because we didn't spread our eyes so well. They will come to your house following the others, they come crying.

London London

2006-11-29T12:39:00.002Z

My first hear of London is through the Children's song "London bridge is falling down, falling down...." Now I am in London for the third time. The first is when I first arrived in the UK, in Gatwick but I haven't had the chance to see what is outside of the airport station. Second, when we went to apply for my Spanish visit visa in September.

I was very excited to see the city even just for a while, unfortunately it was raining and we couldn't get around. Atleast I know where Victoria Station and Buckingham palace is. I wasn't much interested with the Palace, there is too much Royalness of fees to get inside, still many people go there. We didn't have much time so we went straight back to Brighton.

It was still raining during my third time tavel in London but pretty much better as we went around a park, a beautiful Kengsington garden. It is beautiful, it is indeed a rich country. Prince Albert's gold statue is being raised by the towering angels. Opposite the statue is the Prince Albert hall, possiblly a theater as there is a crowd waiting outside the dome.

Time is not always enough to explore the city, it is massive, shown by the buildings and many people around. We have to go back to Victoria station for a train to Brighton. Towards the station I always love to stand in this place, in the center of the crossing streets.

I don't know if this is what first world country means. Clean busy streets, tall buildings, organized traffic and transport.

It is a busy city, noisy but not as noisy like the jeepneys in Philippines. I also like the push botton signals to cross the road. it is more orderly. There is no standing traffic policeman unlike in philippines, yet it is even more disciplined. In Manila you rush to cross to the other side, running in a pedestrian lane. Here you enjoy the walk without the pressure that the cars will bump onto you. A walk with confidence.

Gay Pride Festival '06

2006-11-14T17:17:00.005Z

English people acclaims that Brighton Summer is very hot. It is indeed! As hot as the lips, skin and flying kisses of the many Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBT) marching during the Pride Festival. It is a yearly celebration in the city and in this year it is held on August 13, 2006. It was a wholeday activity is a variety of programs that is celebrated by children, men, women and families together. Almost everyone!.

The crowd are in many different colours watching and waiting along the streets, starting from the Marina, along the sea front, to London road towards Preston Park. The parade festival is participated by volunteers as well. The day started with cheers and waving bums as they stop with their beautiful, colourful and glamorous costumes from Policemen, Navy, Hulks, Chefs, Medical Professionals, Soldiers, Prisoners, etc. It is a variety. Bubbles were blown in the air, balloons are floating everywhere and loud music of carnival are waiting at Preston Park. A party of food and drinks everywhere. This event is quite extraordinary to me. It is enjoyable to see a variety of Gay portraiture from the make-ups and costumes they put on. Gay people are truly artistic and talented, I have always observed that.

It is quite surprising that this known "third sex" is very popular here. We are getting modern, and finally the society recognizes and accept them. I nearly forgot that Brighton is said to be the Gay Capital of England. Will that include Europe?:-) .

The common third sex in Philippines are Lesbians and Gay men but it is not celebrated like this. Festivals like this should be practice around the world, I reckon. An respect for the rights of the "Third Sex" and giving honor to their fate, rather faith.

Organizer’s Transition and Reflection.

2006-11-08T17:18:00.003Z

There are times I realize how greatly I miss those elderly faces I use to work with. Though they live in difficult situations, it is their laughter and smiles that made them not different from others.

Today is completely a new challenge and new experience especially in a place too far away from home. And whatever I was today, I carry my learnings from my encounter with the Urban Poor communities... This is a different world. When I walk in the European street I see many white old people occupying the busses in town, enjoying their travel discount, access to safe and comfortable elderly seats. I can see a lot of benches around the streets and parks with Old People taking some rest and sunshine. I went to the clinic and Old People are treated so special, free consultation, treatments and prescriptions. Adverts were also posted around on information of how to claim “Carer’s allowance” from the Government if you look after someone at home. Our Grandmother right now where we live with at home has a free flat rent from the Council. She receives weekly pension that covers her food and electricity bills. A standard weekly basic pension is 82.05 pounds which is nearly 8,000.00 pesos! You can even top it up if you belong to Income Support category. She is disabled but Disability Allowance is a very big help to her. She receives another allowance whenever winter comes (that is because there is an increase elderly dying on Winter season:-). A small necklace unit is in the house that she is meant to wear around her neck where she can press and send a “Link” message to the Care agency if something happens to her. A carer or cleaner comes weekly in the house to help her with some basic cleaning. If in need of house' repairs, someone comes for maintenance of pipes and heaters and installing tiles and sink for her, which is paid by the council. Everything is free while she watches the TV all day. All you have to do is know how to claim your benefit, know how to dial the number and the government will respond to you quickly as possible! She is diabetic but her prescriptions and medical needs are at all NO cost to her. About every month an ambulance comes to get and bring her to the hospital just for a cut of toenails! A service deluxe. Wow, it is even very hard to use an Ambulance in the Philippines for someone dying eh!

I can see that the Government is taking care too much of the Old People here in the UK, the family’s role is not much really needed. The Sentinel (March 30th 2006) says that “Television is the main source of company for nearly half of all old people in the UK. Nearly five million over 65’s in the UK rely on TV as a substitute for the companionship and support normally derived from family, friends and neighbours.” Though given all the many benefits of being an Old Person here, there are still claims of some Elderly issues, basically issues of pension. The basic source of their Elderly Pension is taxes and borrowing money from the Government itself. How lucky and how enjoying to grow old here when your financial, shelter and health needs are met. That is still a very responsible and effective Government. Isn’t that is what we want, a society putting priorities to the Elderly?

To my country Philippines, dear Philippines. I don’t know how far we can achieve, how far our own Poor Elderly Filipinos would have the same benefits. We are still in the hope that our elderly won’t be forgotten. Once we went to rally at the Congress, we had our placards with meanings ‘all grows old, our Politicians, our senators, ordinary people, everyone goes to old’. The only difference is they are rich and they can look after themselves when they get sick, while the many elderly poor cannot afford to treat themselves but to rely with their children (if luckily they have good job). But many of the Filipino families still rely for help from their folks. Our Elders are still with their own families, even up to the extended family members. Our Filipino elderly is always there, everyday. In the struggle of the poor society they make an impact in the survival of the family.

One morning, Nan here had visitors, her son and two grandsons. While the son is busy using the phone, two of the grandsons were standing in the front room where Nan is seated watching her favorate TV shows. I was in the Kitchen doing some washing and I am a bit interested to hear the voice of the two boys. I was quite surprised later that they left the house and never even said a word nor greeted their own grandmother. I am not sure if they are shy but it feels unusual to me. Is there no longer relationship? Is there no longer communication to our elders? Has our love decreased to care for them? In Philippine culture we ask for the blessings of our grandparents, we take their hands and say our respect “Mano Po”. I hope we will continue to live by this rich tradition, because to them, we, their grandchildren are their only treasure.

COSE and the Elderly

2006-09-26T23:16:00.004+01:00

My almost everyday walk in the squatter area is sometimes not easy because of the heat of the sun, the surroundings and the many tasks in my mind that are waiting to be accomplished. I took Social Worke in school not really because I like it but because at that time I was confused yet of what to do in my career life. So I didn’t like to be called Social Worker in the first place. I particularly didn’t like the part to stay in the office all day everyday interviewing people or working on case studies of clients. I heard Community Organizing in school but it is nothing that inspired me to do oneday. But when I find myself working with the Coalition of the Services of the Elderly, or rather the elderlys of the Urban Poor areas, I came to discover the work of a Community Organizer. I came to know that is not knowledge that makes one effective worker, it is not to what I know that the Old People like me but I think it is the reciprocity of patience and understanding. It is by understanding that I slowly realize that it is a gift to be with them. Why so? There is something in their age that one can sometimes feel blessed and is only discovered when they tell their stories in life, when they reveal their histories, when they humbly make themselves open to you. Imagine those many years they undergone and at one point in their story it can make you smile or cry (yes sometimes it has disheartened me, is the principle of Social Work on Non-emotional involvement applicable here?).

Most of us always expect that Old People are very hard to work with but look at Nanay in Kaunlaran Brgy. Commonwealth. Regardless of the death of her husband and the abandonment of care from the family she is still strong to walk from her little dark house to attend the regular meeting of the group which is even a far distance from her home. With her age and condition I am sure she is not physically strong to walk outside without a companion. It is amazing that she is still an active member of the group, her will and strong mind keeps her alive. And perhaps the encouragement from us and the group made her participative as well. There were times when I was on my way to the area for their meeting and I found her on the pathway making slow steps to reach the meeting venue. I took her arm and helped her walk without speeding her pace.

She is an inspiration and I admire her for her strong and genuine commitment. There is so much kindness in her voice when she speaks, a slow tone tuned with passion when she speaks her word.

When I said goodbye to the group, most of the elders showed a poignant expression. I saw a tiny glitter in the corner of Nanay’s eyes. It made me feel unhappy of leaving, there were also tears inside me but I know I will always remember them wherever I am and with my hopes of seeing them oneday. I gave her and everyone my embrace of goodbye.

A new travel and challenge

2006-01-29T08:52:00.003Z

My long awaited and ignored visa application at the British Consulate of Manila was finally granted. I was one of the lucky ones. Yes lucky because I always have the impression that the visa passes depending on the atmosphere of the Entry Clearance Officer. Still thank God, he has answered our prayers.

One of my dreams in life is to travel and see other countries and be able to work so we could have a better living at home. I belong to one of those many Filipino people who have these similar dreams. It was not to my expectations that finding a very loving man would bring me out of the country for the first time. It was December 21 when we left Manila Airport. Without him beside me I am sure I will be worried for the first experience of plane travelling. Flying was nice, what a man’s creation! It was an excitement for a girl like me who was raised in a poor family of an indigenous village in the north. I saw in the air the colours and legends of the world land map that I saw in school.

My first view of London in the air was tiny scattered whites of cities, and the beautiful shapes and sizes of farms and grasslands gave colour to it. Arriving in the Heathrow airport is an embracing cold weather, and then I realized it is becoming freezing cold. That is what they call winter, my first experience of their worst winter ever.
On those first hours in England, I saw many beautiful things right when we left Heathrow. The big accommodating and comfortable bus, the clean streets, the organized traffic flow and buildings.

One of the good things that ever happened is meeting my hubby’s sister, nan and aunt. It was a warm welcome, not mentioning the disturbing weather. There was never sun, it was gloomy and wet, gloomy and wet. I survived for a while but slowly realizing that I have failed expectations and hopes. Adjusting both to a relationship and to a new place is very very hard. Many feelings and being alone and lonely has made think of going back many times to Philippines. Carrying a life inside me is also a very big challenge to me at that time.

Everything were very new experiences that were confronting me. I suddenly need the warmth of my friends and family back home. I started looking for them.

A month later I got a job. I am still learning so my hubby showed me my place of work. I didn’t like most to get up very early to catch the bus. I have never seen the sun! and only saw the light for a while. I go to work in the dark and reach home still dark. I can feel that I am in a different part of the world now. It was my first time to work in a factory too, well I don’t care about it because I just like to work while I can. And for the first time I got my salary, highest wage I ever received!. I was inspired further to work. But later on the agency started cutting the number of workers and I didn’t like the new work as it is standing most of the time. I gave up in the end. Well atleast I paid back my dad for my visa.

I confronted hope and love, I might have gave up on those times, but I am still here. I survive; I survived for a while and let me live longer. Give me strength to fight the challenges of life wherever I maybe. Thank you for my man for all the patience and kindness..

Siblaw Taraw

2005-11-27T20:12:00.006Z

On the 28th of November, 2005 me and my friends finally decided to climb "Siblaw Taraw", a quicksand that was described to be in a middle of the far forest of Barlig. The drizzling weather didn't stopped us from hiking though sometime in the middle of climb I thought we should have waited for another day. Regardless of the weather the company of friends seems to have made it simplier and quicker.

It was then a discovery of a more mystifying forest, an untouched nature like to what I saw in our hike to Mt. Amuyao. This one is slippery and more dangerous because of the rain and gloomy weather. There are no proper trailways too, maybe because few hunters and farmers use them once in a while which then appears to be ancient trails to us. Our young guides though from Latang village knows how to navigate the ground and the mountain directions so we don't have worries of getting lost.

Finally, from too much anticipation and nagging questions weather we are near or not, the view of the quicksand appeared from below. I can see it from where I was at a higher mountain ground, from there I can see bright yellow ground surrounded by green thick trees. I can't wait to have a closer and full clearer view because the trees from where I was standing were against the way. I was amazed by the beauty as I get closer. Not taking the chances of drowning, I have to take some few and clearer picture like this from a tree.

The fire we started died because of the wetness of the woods and logs that we used. We were very hungry by reaching the place at 1:00 in the afternoon. We were hopeless of warmer air or improving weather to come so we quickly ate our lunch. Two hours of stay has allowed me to fully see the beauty of the quicksand. Because of it's nature we cannot go nearer to the central ground, otherwise, we will be trapped insided. At least I have a quick experience of the softness of the ground by walking with sticks and improvised bridging. As the air got cooler we decided to make a move. I can feel the dewness of the mountain and the slowly embracing hints of dark forest. I better take one picture more and go.

There I can almost see the "Allokoy" that my nan has once mentioned to me, a spirit that seats in the mountain. We religiously said goodbye to her and ask her to guide us on our way home.

In our attempt to do the shorter way to reach home, we ended into a more treacherous and dangerous hike in the dark. Following the pipeline from the forest reaching to Chatol has helped because we only had few lights with us. Finally we had a faded glimpse of the road at 9:00 in the evening! We shrug our clothes in the air as soon as we reached the welcoming Pan-oy's house. Clinging leeches, hunger, cold and tiredness made it a very challenging trip in the end. After a strengthening dinner given to us by the Pan-oy family, we have to walk the road to reach Barlig central. It is supposedly just 45 min walk but because we are very tired and have not enough light it feels that we have walked it for almost 2 hours! Home at last at 10:00 in the evening! We even missed the "Man-manok " (pinikpikan) invitation of Aunty Candida. So was it worth or not?

Definitely yes, otherwise I got nothing to share about this mystifying forest of Barlig.

For a short video clip of our hike please click here.

Sea explore

2005-10-22T20:22:00.003+01:00

From the Mountain, we went to explore the seas of Puerto Galera, Mindoro. White beach area is short and silent, a beautiful island within a heaven of corals. We wish we could bring the beach to Mountain Province as the travel distance is long and wearing. A beautiful place to be alone together. Our relationship started to grow through our love and acceptance. I love him to the end of the seas. His love gives me strength and hope.
I thank God for giving me a loving husband, a loving friend, a partner that waits with me and prays with me. He gave me more strength and encouragement to be optimistic. He didn’t leave me in the face of our doubts regarding the status of my visa. We never gave up. We fought this battle and we will always try to survive together.

But there is always the feeling of uncertainty for we do not know which world to stay. We are afraid of physical separation, we are very afraid that I might not be granted the visa to join him in the UK. Let our fate not be decided by the Government.

Majestic Malegcong

2005-09-14T23:26:00.001+01:00

Malegcong, Mt. Province, CAR. Philippines.

Malegcong Village is one of the Barangays of Bontoc, Mountain Province in the North of the country. Banaue Rice Terraces is once tagged as the eight wonder of the world because of it’s heritage beauty built by the ancestors of the Ifugao people. Banaue is no different from Malegcong or Natonin or rather the Rice Terraces of the Mountain Province areas. They are both of unique beauty of thesame Cordillera Mountains.

Malegcong is about forty five minutes jeepney ride from Bontoc town. My first visit here is in 2004 and I was amazed by the compactness of the ricefields as they terraced like ladders down to the base of the earth. The ricefields were empty at that time and they will shortly be prepared for the next planting season. It was a filling beauty and wonder to me, like the ricefields of Barlig I couldn’t resist in appreciating them. I promised myself to visit the place in another season.

In 2005, I and my brother took my dad’s motorcycle and climbed this very hilly road towards Malegcong. Oh, it is so colourful, the people are in their happy faces becausecof the big harvest soon to come. The ricefields are brimming with yellow and slightly green colors. I can hear an increasing beating sound of a tin can that echoed in the corners of the huge mountains. This comes louder as we walk through the ricefields towards the main village.

I asked my dad about this and he said it is a noise created by the force of flowing waters that bumps against a small timber, this will hit tin container repeatedly. This makes a noise that can be heard within the village and it will keep the mouse scared from going near the ricefields to be harvested.

Also the different scarecrow figures that stands in the ricefields made it more interesting. When I was young I saw some of these figures and to me they are quite of mysterious beauty. The scarecrows in the middle and corner of the ricefields were made of old t-shirts, socks and other clothes, some are plastic bags hanged like clothes, and others are made of indigenous materials. There were no plastic bags in the old times and here instead of throwing them away they are jubilantly hanged like Fiesta greetings. They will make noises as the wind blows around. A farmer might not be educated but she is smart by this. Carrying an indigenous knowledge is a tool of surviving with nature.

Further to the main village led me to a panoramic view of the ricefields. It is a towering beauty! The scarecrows, the rice, the people, they look majestic as they seem to reach the heavenly sky. What a beautiful day in Malegcong!, which is only a day I could witness. I can imagine that people there are happy in every season of harvest. There is a count of more ricefields than the number of the houses. Truly it is richness!

Our Harvest

2005-08-11T23:40:00.001+01:00

Barlig Mountain Province, Philippines.

It was seven years ago when I last attended a harvest in our village. I am now unemployed and going back to the village made me reunited again to the work of our people, especially the farming and way of living in the village. It might have changed a little bit but I always like to be at home. It is when without those that I won’t feel home. I am rather glad that I still have the opportunity to experience how the tradition and our culture are surviving now a days. Our harvesting is a great experience, only that the presence of my own grandparents seems to be one of those things that I miss the most.

Having a digital camera now is the best way to document our harvest and I was so thankful of it. Our harvest in Tannud is completed by almost twenty people. I am not fast unlike others but I can play my part in the line. It was fun! The day is bright and as sunny as the rice grains were in our hands. The grandchildren of the family looking at our ricefields were there too, they are guarding the cooking pots and sometimes helping us in harvesting. Seeing them reminds me our time when we were as young as them. We are playful too, the best way of being children. Our lunch is strong beans and red rice! Rich foods, that made us tougher to continue our harvest at Kachattay. We had to cross the Tannud River to get to the other side. We were faster now trying to save our harvest in case the rain might come. Seeing other families harvesting their own ricefields down from our location is also an inspiration for us. They are many, we are many and the ricefields are wide. It was a completion at the end just as the afternoon closed. It was a beautiful harvest, bountiful day. Again, I am always worried. In the future, will there be another likes this again? What if our parents die and we no longer don’t know how to plant the seeds, then we no longer won’t harvest. Will the grains be planted and reproduce? Will there be twenty people again to gather together, and will there be ricefields to harvest?

Her healing smile

2005-07-05T21:49:00.003+01:00

I was trying to take a photo of the Payatas Dumpsite with my first digital camera when these lovely and warm children came following me. It is one of my very first digital captures and I was very pleased with the result. Maybe not the best technically but capturing the smiles of these little children is a great achievement to me. That is the good thing about this modern cameras, it allows you to expand your shots and even preview them.

This feature gave me the opportunity to show to these children their faces in the tiny LCD monitor…. and you know what, this made them happy and so giggling. Little things like this is such a big excitement to them. It is not money or a material prize that made them laugh, even just for a little while. It was a prize of smile for me instead! Isn’t it so hard to find contentment in our lives. But look at them, poor, hungry and deprived, abandoned and left out… yet they know how to give a smile.

[2004/5] Green green grass of home!

2005-06-08T10:05:00.001+01:00

2004

2005

Waiting to bloom, there is life in the mountains and the air breeze from the seeds enjoying it's youth.

[2005] Home Village

2005-06-01T09:36:00.001+01:00

I always love where I grew up. My Barlig home, a village of green on planting season, a village of yellow on harvesting season. Though season changes, though time moves it's beauty never fades. Though technology and challenges confront our world I will always love this home and will continue to cherish it's influence to my childhood and youthood.

It is here where I first learned about living. Living with life.

Child's eyes

2005-05-09T00:11:00.003+01:00

Eastern Mountain Province

2005-04-29T22:58:00.001+01:00

Natonin Mountain Province, Philippines. (Not Banaue of Ifugao)

In the summer of 2005 during an invitation of my cousin’s wedding that I had the chance to go to the municipality of Natonin for the third time. Riding with my dad’s motorcycle gave me the opportunity to have a view of the very beautiful ricefields of the Balangao People. Following the road towards the main village is filled with many greenfields that goes farther down. It is exhilarating as we approach the villages and houses. Very green with beautiful patterns, there are ricefields everywhere from the road. An absolute beauty! Banaue rice terraces sound very popular but this one is even more beautiful. Probably tourism has not discovered yet. This ricefields are not stone walls unlike in Barlig though. They maintain their rice granaries in the middle of the ricefields spreading down to the end of the valley. A lovely place inhabited by people smiling with red teeth. It might be far from easy life that the city can offer but here it is rich with satisfying natural beauty, filled with twice shining harvest in a year.

Poor and naked

2005-02-08T22:52:00.003Z

A day in Bagong Silangan

2004-11-09T22:21:00.003Z

A day in Bagong Silangan, I was seated in one afternoon just infront a sari-sari store, very near the Dumpsite area.

Community work

2004-11-09T15:32:00.001Z

Barlig Mountain Province, Philippines.

“Yoyong”, one of the super typhoons hitting the country has terribly affected Manila. High numbers of displaced houses and families and floods mainly occur in capital cities and towns. However, the rural areas are no exemptions too especially when the eye of the storm has already determine to hit that place. I heard that this Yoyong has had a disastrous effect to the ricefields and properties of the Barlig people. Every year Barlig is never an exclusion of the strong winds and rain from passing storms that come across the north. I went home for a short vacation few weeks after the Typhoon came. The ricefields of Kiangaw in the west of the village has one of the greatly affected ones. One afternoon during a vigil of one of the elders in Latang, I and my uncle went to see how a family is working in their damaged ricefields in Kiangaw. It was the same spot where I usually stand and take a picture of the rice terraces of Kachattay and Tannud area. Despite the season and the damaged rice paddies, it even added to a new beauty of the overview of the mountains and ricefields. The presence of the people working is a touch of hardwork, of how ricefield maintenance could be complex. The affected family is being helped by other farmers of the neighboring ricefields. My uncle lends some help as well. The women and men are working together. As I observe and took pictures, a thought came across my mind. I am glad that up to my time, up to this modern technology and generation. This little ways of working, these skills of people before still exist now. May the bayanihan continous, and may the skill of maintenance and farming remain. When our ricefields and farms get damaged, we can’t get someone from Manila or overseas to come and fix it. This tradition is tradition and we must value by preserving our skills. It is very well wished to my mind but I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know how it would look like when this ricefields are ignored and forgotten.

Angels of Bagong Silangan (BW)

2004-11-08T22:45:00.003Z

[2005] Ricefield Valley

2004-10-31T15:15:00.001Z

Seeding season

Let me be your friend

2004-10-24T00:13:00.003+01:00

Beach Party

2004-10-07T00:18:00.003+01:00

Elderly of the Urban Poor, Beach Outing.

Philippines.

Together with the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) the organized community of Old People in the urban poor areas of Manila celebrates their old age in the beach yearly. It is a shame that this country, Philippines, with 7, 000 island and known for it’s beautiful beaches that it would costs us to swim and enjoy the beach! Renting buses to get to the beach, beach entrances and renting cottages are expensive. Nonetheless, through solicitations and efforts of both COSE and the elderly they made the day a date of fun. For the old people, it is a therapeutic water and company of others. I myself enjoyed it very much. The beach shore is filled with flocking old people seated making castles, touching the sand, touching the water, laughter and singing elderly ladies while some others are dancing with music. It is a real party. I am sure that for these people it is a day to break the pressure of family responsibilities at home, a day to be away from the noise of the street and the waste surrounding of the squatter areas. Why can’t rich people treat them once in a while for beach outing? Spent some of their wealth for them? They will be happy if someone would do so.

Fall

2004-08-25T23:24:00.001+01:00

Childhood is a lot of memories, the good and the bad. I don’t have regrets though. Sometimes I try to forget the moments of being silly and naughty. Sometimes too, the memory chooses the strongest happiest and unhappy moments. I have a strong reminiscence on those times I go to the ricefields with my grandparents or with my parents alone. At those times, ricefields means to me as work and play, work and play. Some of those happy recollections are the days I enjoyed swimming in the mud with my cousin during our planting season, making balls from the soil and throwing with each other with my brother and sister. Our parents and older ones excuse us from these silly games as they continue the work being done. Sometimes though we are told to guard the cooking at the “Fiangaan” or the cooking area in the ricefield’ corner but we ran to the river and have a cold swim instead. There were laughs but there was also pain. Here in this photo I took in 2004, it reminds me when I fall into this site. I was small at probably 5 years old when on our way to Tannud my little feet miss a straight step in the paddy’ side. I fell down the cliffs and I my father came running down to get me. Fortunately the ricefield where I landed is dried and not wet. I cried with no injuries. Now whenever I passed by this area it brings me back to that day.

Waiting mama

2004-08-09T00:01:00.003+01:00

Bagong Silangan.

Angels of Bagong Silangan (Colour)

2004-08-08T22:53:00.003+01:00