By Anthony A. Araos
A wider portion of the masses will surely benefit more if farm tourism gets adequate support from all sectors of society.
The good news is that the advocacy of Senator Cynthia Villar for the promotion of farm tourism has gained a lot of adherents in Luzon, Visayas and even war-torn Mindanao. In short, there are countless believers in the nation’s 81 provinces spread in 17 regions.
In this landlocked province of Ifugao, farm tourism is still in the infancy stage. Thanks to the unceasing efforts of Board Members James Frederick Dulnuan and Noli Maguiwe, acting Provincial Agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura and former Board Member Samson Atluna, I am upbeat on the prospects of raising the bar on farm tourism’s vitality in improving the people’s lives, most especially those in marginalized communities.
Two years into deep farm tourism study in this part of the country, it was fascinating to see how it is being promoted in Lamut, Mayoyao, Banaue, Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista towns and also very inspiring to see how the abovementioned major players in this upland Cordillera province tirelessly care for farmers and their families or loved ones.
Like Senator Villar in the national stage, these stellar Ifugao players are undaunted by the heavy odds of overcoming problems at hand in advancing the cause of farm tourism.
Being involved in organic farming here for quite some time has helped me to be more mature in my views and thoughts on agriculture vis-à-vis the faltering economy. I learned to see beyond seedlings, communal irrigation systems and threshers. Truth to tell, the biggest lesson learned is the value of eating rice and vegetables free from pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances, caring and being compassionate to others who are totally different from me and fostering friendship beyond cultural boundaries.
No matter how far one ventures in a distant village in Ifugao, farm tourism offers a variety of motivational activities and attractions. Many exciting thrills are in store. For one, lunch at a rice paddy is worth trying. Likewise, try eating using one’s hands- “kamayan” the Filipino-style. Moreover, discover and experience the “wonders” of banana leaves at plates on the table.
These seemingly rare practices were distinct enough to bring the whole world of farm tourism in the Philippines into a new dimension.
A significant milestone in farm tourism had been reached lately. In Iloilo City, on October 3 and 4 of this year, the Fifth Farm Tourism Conference and Festival is scheduled to be held. I see the undertaking as an opportunity for participants to finally realize the need to find a way of handling gaps between then and now. A chasm between the desired and actual gains of farm tourism practitioners is only gradually being bridged.
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Residents in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) should still be on the lookout for seasonal flu. It is an extremely contagious viral disease. It peaks in June and continues to occur as late as November. To contain the ailment, one should get vaccinated. Regular washing of hands is the next best way to avoid spreading the disease. At grade school, pupils are taught to cover their mouth when coughing. This is so basic. How come others cannot follow?
The most conducive places for spreading infection would be work places, schools and areas where there is crowding like markets. Unfortunately, Filipinos are known to stay in a crowd, generally for no good reason at all. It is simply called “sardines” mentality.
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My friend from Banaue, asked me why I was writing about preserving the Ifugao culture when I am not even one of them.
Well, but that is the power of being amazed by the dense and diverse cultures of the Cordilleras. Cultural practices, customs and traditions leap over hills and mountains and creep into one’s heart—wherever and whoever one may be.
Cultural preservation has evolved much since the early days in 1960. It has now grown to include the rev up approach of younger Filipinos in the Cordilleras. So let’s now see the splendor of the mini-museum, library and yummy food hang-out I just “discovered” at the first floor of Manghis Building at Barangay Poblacion South in Lagawe. It is operated by Ms. Mariflor Capuyan, a former Councilor and currently the secretary of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Ifugao Chapter. This place is also the headquarters of sorts of the Ifugao Cultural, Educational, Scientific and Community Development Center, Inc. (FCESCDCI).
I’m so glad to have visited recently the place after a tiring trip to Banaue. It allowed me the flexibility of using a couple of minutes to consolidate understanding of the Ifugao culture. With no less than Ms. Capuyan explaining key points being stressed by unique cultural items on display, it was fitting to shine the spotlight on her by letting her do what she does best—enlighthen a visitor on rice terraces and other wonders of the province.
Truly, I learned a lot about this incredible place and at this juncture is simply heralding the vast amount of information of the past it seeks to sustain.
For educating and inspiring Filipinos on the protection and preservation of the cultural and artistic treasures of Ifugao, I’ll give Ms. Capuyan a grade of 101%.
For my part, here’s a rather simple yet thought-provoking message: This is the best time to appreciate the culture of the indigenous peoples (IPs). The tourist (local or foreign) should always respect the IPs heritage and recognize their right to preserve their culture. Above all, value forest and the environment, since respect for the environment has resulted to the judicious use of natural resources.
Hopefully, when Ifugao’s young leaders think of promoting their culture they also pursue activities that encourage creative thinking. These give the people the opportunities to see what life is really all about. Here’s why: in the discussion on natural resources, it’s not only the natural resources that we are solely protecting. Actually and eventually, we are protecting everybody!
Without a doubt, Ms. Capuyan’s office-learning hub, albeit it’s small size, helped tremendously in promoting the Ifugao culture – for the sake of the present and the incoming generation.
This strategic investment venture of Ms. Capuyan is indeed a very important milestone for a capital town without a museum. Interestingly, it was the private sector (in the person of Ms. Capuyan) rather than the municipal government that resorted to this tactical move. Well, I wrote a few months back on the need to put up a museum in Lagawe. Expect more developments appropriate for promoting culture of ethnic Filipinos moving forward. These developments, however, must be buoyed up with the full backing of the provincial government of Ifugao, media outlets and all others in the private sector. So stay tuned for additional discussions on this score in my upcoming commentaries.
What is it about this place that inspires near all-patronizing devotion?
Through the kindness of the daughter of my friend Jovencio Dipia-o (who once served former Governor Denis Habawel), a visit to the said place gives a great chance for the young to realize that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.
Surely, Ms. Capuyan has done a splendid job in advancing the cause of indigenous peoples in this part of the country. May her likes increase by threefold instead of becoming “vanishing species” due to neglect of those who walk in the corridors of power.
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In my rounds in Lagawe, Banaue, Lamut, Hingyon, Kiangan and Hungduan, I gathered that these towns are safe from the bird flu outbreaks.
Is it safe to eat chicken when there is a bird flu epidemic? Yes, because the chicken is cooked. The virus is killed by cooking. So, by all means, please don’t eat chicken meat raw, just like sashimi. That’s a matter of common sense!
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I’d love to see major steps taken by the newly-inducted PCCI-Ifugao Chapter officers. It should endeavor to raise living standards and education levels through sustainable economic growth.
Amid the vast-changing landscape of business activities in still impoverished Ifugao, the utilization of research can have a huge impact on business owners.
To boost competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province, the PCCI-Ifugao chapter- now under the leadership of Godfrey Dominong, should give premium attention on research tools.
Research is always at the front end of any commercial or business deal. When I say research, please don’t rely on the internet alone. “Trabahong tamad yan!” (“That’s lazy work!”). Go out in the field, make a survey. Come up with a questionnaire. Interview business owners!
Mr. Dominong and the other chapter officers also now look into the potentials of MSMEs to enter the lucrative foreign trade. But there are barriers faced by them in international trade. Thus, PCCI-Ifugao chapter, with the assistance of the DTI-Ifugao office, should enlighthen its members at best, as well as the public on trade facilitation, e-commerce, financing and institutional support.
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Filipino food is healthy and tasty. No dispute about that.
So for our food delights corner: it’s a great time to have tinolang manok (chicken), rice and daing na bangus (milkfish).
For appetizers: there’s buko pandan puto, bananas and chocolate cake. Don’t forget some chilled mango juice. More importantly, don’t forget to pray for the blessings.
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Why is it important to have snacks? It is said that Filipinos partake of five meals a day. That is breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus two snacks in between, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Well, my friends way back at the University of the Philippines still took evening snacks.
Seriously, for your snack or merienda time: bring out a delicious treat consisting of spaghetti and fried chicken, served well with chilled black gulaman on the side.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Question: What is the plural form of rice? Answer: Extra rice.” A quote from the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago
“The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger.” Proverbs 19:11 **
