By Anthony A. Araos
Breaking tradition, may I start my commentary by informing our readers of this columnist’s decision to come up with a new photo in positive response to overwhelming clamor by my countless, avid readers to include Provincial Director Valentin Baguidudol of the Department of Trade and Industry. My old photo was due to my belief that every day is Christmas, thus, I was sporting a Santa Claus hat.
Would that not be equally a nice way of welcoming the Chinese New Year? After all, lots of Chinese blood is running in my veins. My grandfather said: “Your mind is Chinese!”
Kung Hei Fat Choi to all our readers! I believe in the validity of declaring February 16 as a national holiday so that the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Filipino-Chinese brothers and sisters in peace, harmony and prosperity.
-o0o-
What makes tourists come back to a destination? One possible reason is a restaurant distinctively known for serving not just delicious cuisines but, also the healthiest ones.
It’s having the space for good appetite to reach a higher level, relax and meet an old or new acquaintance.
Robin’s Kitchen and Café opens a unique eating experience in Lagawe. Located at the heart of the main Poblacion area of this capital town, Robin’s Kitchen and Café offers a lot of many other wonderful things to local and foreign tourists.
Hear this, to feast on a perfect tuna paella platter you’d better go to Robin’s Kitchen and Café.
There are only a few reliable and dependable restaurants in Ifugao when one is looking forward to a snack of spaghetti. Again, Robin’s Kitchen and Café comes to mind. More than that, more than a pancit bihon treat, more than the all-time pizza favorite flavored the Hawaiian way, what the tourist needs to sample are the restaurant’s superb dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The restaurant also serves a feast of its signature breakfast A-1 dishes including Robin’s “ultimate” eggs benedict with ham, bacon, tomatoes, mushroom, spinach or green vegetables with hollandaise sauce.
Here’s a sampling of its food gems: New York cheesecake, cinnamon, red velvet cake, lemon iced tea, jasmine tea, coconut (with jelly) juice, chicken supreme pizza and banana bread served with honey or butter.
Travel enthusiasts will find their way on the right side of the dining table and be highly satisfied with their choices at this famed food establishment owned by Marlene Hotchins. It has already won the hearts of many foreign travelers. Why not? It offers the perfect venue for fine dining, special events, business meetings and get-togethers.
-o0o-
I tried recently comparing notes on my study of farmers’ conditions in Barangay Duit in Kiangan, Barangay Namulditan in Hingyon and Barangay Burnay in Lagawe. I noticed not much of differences in their needs and wants as well as burden and difficulties faced each day of the week. They are all poor.
Is the provincial government really aware of their plight? How is it addressing their longstanding problems?
It is safe to assume that swift, decisive and concrete actions are needed to solve their problems. How do you start addressing these problems? First thing first, just how many farmers are there in Ifugao? I asked these two questions to a provincial government official who replied: “I don’t know what their problems are and frankly, I don’t know how many farmers are there in the province.” Good answer, because the official was honest although insurmountably ignorant.
I’m now wondering if efforts were made by the provincial government to encourage farmers to enlist themselves in the government’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture or the RSBSA. Good question. I hope to obtain a real good answer- and one coming from an honest and educated official, this time around.
-o0o-
Ifugao need not wait for March (in time for Women’s Month celebration) to see the integral role of women in Philippine society and consequently honor them. This early, I am already paying tribute to two women leaders who advance women’s advocacies in the labor and education sectors.
Let’s give Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Ifugao Office pillar Isabelita Codamon lots of credit and praise for improving the conditions of workers in Ifugao.
She has exerted her utmost to ensure that workers are indeed receiving wages above poverty threshold. I am also lauding her for opening up more opportunities for job seekers through the conduct of job fairs.
If the labor department in this part of the nation continues to have but a few well-meaning, dedicated and competent officials like her, then Ifugao workers are in peril.
But there is hope!
My wishes and recommendations to Mrs. Codamon: A forum on the government’s Two-Tiered Wage System (TTWS) be conducted in Lagawe even before or around the period of the May 1 Labor Day celebration program.
Is productivity-based pay still an appropriate mechanism rewarding workers’ productivity as their progressive contribution in enterprise growth and competitiveness?
Hold another forum on viability and soundness of job fairs and the government’s labor-export policy.
Why is the government investing so much in the country’s human resources to make them more competitive and employable only to send them abroad for greener pastures?
How is the government addressing job mismatch problems during job fair hiring processes?
I’m also commending school head Buyabuyan Elementary School Dominga Ayoc for her invaluable contributions to upgrading the conditions of her pupils and teachers.
With limited resources, Mrs. Ayoc was able to craft and implement practical policies, plans and programs to help raise the standards of teaching in the said public school.
Buyabuyan is a far-flung village of Lagawe. The school has 83 pupils and six teachers.
My wishes and recommendations to Mrs. Ayoc: She’ll be able to work with those in the private sector to help in soliciting action for the construction of a new school building.
The school also is in dire need of a functional library.
Over the last twenty years, the challenge of modernizing school facilities in distant villages has become an issue of relentless national, and grassroots level concern. It should be a top priority of the national government.
I also hope that salaries of Buyabuyan Elementary School teachers be increased at the soonest time. What impact did the recent round of price hike of basic commodities have on underpaid, lowly paid teachers who are assigned in extremely far, hitherto villages as Buyabuyan? Spiraling prices of goods and services prove that they deserve higher wages. Undoubtedly, the cost of living is higher in far away, marginalized villages as this one.
This column recognizes the tireless efforts of the two aforementioned women as well as their role in ensuring a better future for Ifugao. Again, no need to wait till March!
-o0o-
A serious problem on kaingin (slash and burn farming) in Ifugao should finally be attended by the provincial government. The government, as “duty-bearer” of protecting the environment, should tap the services of incoming Sangguniang Kabataan officials to be stewards of the environment.
-o0o-
For our food delights corner: Here’s an exciting twist for the public. A big idea for snack time at home with your family, loved ones or friends.
It is time to have an American burger. Bring the magic of a perfectly fried beef patty on a bun with sesame seeds on the table. Comes with all the fix-ins one craves for more, more and more- cheese, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, pickles, lettuce and shredded cabbage. Don’t forget the mayonnaise and catsup. Lots of them!
Add French fries on the side, fruit salad and chilled mango juice. Everything will be great. Enjoy this great treat. It’s time to take a hearty burger to make your snack time extra special.
-o0o-
Finally, a thought for our readers: “Have hope and be thankful. Be patient in trials and pray constantly. Share with other Christians in need.” Rom 12:5-16ab.**
