UK's U-Kay U-Kay

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.

Barlig culture on Canvas: Jeff "Yacamma" Cablog

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.

Igorots Versus Racism

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

Flying hummingbird

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.

Gay Pride Festival '06

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.