By Anthony A. Araos
One of the best ways to experience both the natural environment and the unique culture of ethnic folks in Ifugao is by trekking. Of particular interest are those in the popular town of Banaue.
It is for this reason I told four tourists from Manitoba, Canada (whom I met in Subic, Zambales) to go trekking in the highlands of Banaue, home of the world-famous rice terraces.
Trekking, truth to tell, is more than treading through paths of forested mountains. It goes way beyond walking in natural trails. It is also seeing, understanding, learning and appreciating the culture of ethnic Filipinos. It is an opportunity to know distinctive beliefs, native attires, customs, rituals, dances and farming practices. A visit to a remote high-altitude village (barangay) is surely an eye-opener.
There is certainly more in this travel by foot adventure in Banaue. Then of course there is the fact that Banaue offers a comprehensive selection of lodging houses for the local and foreign tourists.
Not content with a café hangout, Louiellen Hazel Batton also established a lodging place with an ideal tinge of heavenly warmth. It is aptly known as 7th Heaven Café and Lodging Inn. It is located at barangay Poblacion or the town proper. It is situated in a locality that is fast becoming the melting pot of young local and foreign tourists.
If you’re the person who is on the lookout for that “heavenly” feeling, 7th Heaven is an excellent choice.
If you’re the individual who is looking for a quiet atmosphere to savor a thoughtful and productive day, 7th Heaven is the perfect choice.
If you’re the guy who truly wants to stay at the top of the heap, 7th Heaven is a crystal-clear choice.
If you’re the type who seeks to find solitude in beautiful surroundings, 7th Heaven is the only choice.
Many people still know little or nothing about heaven in the greater scheme of things. What is that heaven’s setting that apparently gives one a sense of joy, comfort and peace?
Having a loved one is important. It simply transcends one’s status in life. Loving and being loved is a glimpse of heaven. What good is having a Php10 million bank account if you don’t have love in your heart?
I remember staying in a no-frills, simple lodging inn in the United States. The slumbering urbanity of a place like New York City easily awakens your senses to the hustles of living there. It is entirely a different story if one is living in the Big Apple where Madison Square Garden is located and he or she enjoys the sight and luxury of the famed Brooklyn A Hotel. Banaue’s cool weather, tranquil scenes and 7th Heaven provide the visitors a homey atmosphere to relax, recharge the body and realize the wisdom of escaping the cosmopolitan flair of the metropolis.
It would still be best to stay a day or two at 7th Heaven after a rigorous trekking or a “nature trip” activity in Banaue.
Thankfully, its proud and enterprising owner (who is also a doctor by profession) has been introducing a lot of innovations to her establishment to cope with the demands of the global environment. Unknown to her, 7th Heaven is already bedecked with countless positive impressions of guests who vowed to stay there the next time they are in Banaue. And from my experience in the U.S., there are always fond memories at a hotel or lodging inn which, presented in pronounced and convincing tone and manner, can encourage many others to consider for their accommodation.
A strong flow of tourists to 7th Heaven in recent months indeed shows its value in boosting the town’s all-important tourism industry.
Tourists are particular on their accommodation while on a vacation. The choice is inevitable: either they ask around for information on this matter, or they call a friend back home for assistance. Lifeline says: it’s 7th Heaven!
Staying in a class standard room in Banaue became more difficult lately, largely as a result of price hikes and too much commercialization, which constricted Ifugao’s main tourism gateway for so many years. However, due to innovativeness and smart thinking of management, 7th Heaven’s appeal to travelers increased to a higher level, reflecting gains in its operational mantle. Although not as large as the others, 7th Heaven boosts rooms with aesthetic and functional design. It also promises warm and personalized service with guests during their stay.
How to get there? Ohayami Trans buses ply the Baguio City to Banaue route daily. ITTAG vans are also available.
It isn’t a bad idea checking it out if it is an ideal relaxing and casual weekend family staycation place. Put on your Li Ning or Nike running shoes, get your back pack and head straight to where the excitement starts!
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Lodging inn owners, tour guides, travel and tours operators, restaurant managers and souvenir shop proprietors are strategic partners of the national government in boosting the tourism industry. They should always feel that way.
These stakeholders should be given the opportunity to ask a governor, vice governor, board member, mayor, vice mayor or councilor relevant and important questions on matters of public interest. Sadly, they are hardly consulted by officials in the provincial and municipal levels. Yet, it is keenly observed that said stakeholders are closely in touch with tourists.
Thus, the demeanor of these officials during their tenure militates against the interest of promoting the stakeholders’ wellbeing. Many times, I’d go over the thought of the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who once said: “Ignorance can be cured. Stupidity is forever.” You can almost feel the weight of uneducated voters in an electoral exercise. The most intelligent governor of Ifugao was booted out of office by stupid voters in 2016: University of the Philippines-educated lawyer Denis Habawel. Wait until 2019 to have better officials. You will be glad you did!
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Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC), Asia’s largest food chain service company, boosts of distinguished franchise partners who are enjoying a unique opportunity to benefit from a proven system.
JFC acquired recently a controlling stake of the U.S. Smashburger chain. Smashburger has 365 restaurants worldwide. Based in Denver, Colorado, Smashburger operates in 39 states in America.
For the budget conscious, Jollibee offers a breakfast from a low budget of Php 55 to a high of less than Php 90 per dish. So spike up that sleepy head with a cup of coffee or chocolate, where pancakes come as a great meal too.
More Jollibee restaurants are reportedly to be opened in northern Luzon this year. Baguio City has ten of them. Tabuk City (in Kalinga province) has already one. Ifugao has none. Many are thankful to the owner of JFC who made this happen. This is something that has given Ifugao folks to wonder why it isn’t so in their province. Shall they wait for 100 years? Hey guys, you have a lot of catching up with the rest of the world.
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Election updates: Punong Barangays (PBs) Christopher Pagadut of Poblacion South and Ryan Tumapang of Poblacion West, both my esteemed friends in Lagawe, are not running for any position in the May 14 barangay and SK polls.
PB contenders at Poblacion South are Jackson Balahao, Chresente Da-ang and Fortunato Tayaban. Seeking to take PB Tumapang’s seat are Alexander Baguidudol, Gaspar Bumolyad, Albert Datong, Simplicia Dipia-o and Edmundo Pinkihan Sr.
Over at Poblacion South, the PB candidates include re-electionist Norma Abuan, Benjamin Basilio, Martin Cacliong, Kagawads Ericson Inhumang and Bernadeth Vicente. It’s a toss-up between PB Alfonso Dominong and Kagawad Arnel Sumeg-ang at Poblacion East, the town’s vote-richest village.
Good luck to all. May your legions of relatives, neighbors, friends and supporters troop to the polls and keep up their words to support you, otherwise, try 2019.
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Hard to believe, but in Lagawe villages of Burnay, Caba, Cudog, Olilicon and Poblacion South only one candidate filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for the position of SK Kagawad. There are seven seats at stake. Obviously, said candidate has to vote for himself or herself on May 14 to formally clinch the position. So don’t ever forget to vote for yourself. Once proclaimed and sworn into office, the trouble ensues. Why? Funny, the said position offers no honorarium at all. We shouldn’t be blind to the fact that in such situation the SK Kagawad can’t even conduct a meeting because there is no quorum. I will not hesitate to say that everything else leads to a “failure of elections.” The Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) is nothing but a Trojan horse for colossal exercise of poor governance all over again.
Simply translated, why insists on reviving the failed SK when the widest majority of the young are not even interested in being part and parcel of it. Needless to point out, that in the villages of Abinuan, Boliwong, Buyabuyan, Dulao, Luta, Poblacion North, Poblacion West, Ponghal, Pullaan, Tungngod and Tupaya not even one filed a COC for SK Kagawad. In summation, in the capital town of Lagawe (with 20 villages) five villages have only one SK Kagawad candidate and 11 villages have zero candidate. Isn’t it so obvious they are not interested at all to serve their peers even for a second? What’s the point of belaboring the issue that the SK is still relevant?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-youth. I simply don’t see anything right in giving them false hopes and expectations. Instead of transforming them as future leaders of the nation, you’re misguiding them only to inevitably lead to one thing: be met with more derision.
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Following the resounding success of the just-concluded Graduation rites of the Kapatid Me Mentor Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ifugao Office at Kiangan, Ifugao, it is also prayed that Provincial Director Valentin Baguidudol pushes for the inclusion of Financial Infrastructure Development Network (FIDN) instruction in the next batch of mentees. The FIDN will promote improved access to credit among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the establishment of credit information systems and bureaus, which shall extend credit data to prospective lenders at affordable cost. It is certainly necessary and possible.
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The Constitution made it very clear that removal of high-ranking officials is through an impeachment trial at the Senate. Adhering to this constitutional provision is of key importance. This is, I guess, where detractors of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno are treading a mischievous path of removing her via a quo warranto case at the Supreme Court. Observing the rule of law in a way that would provide the prosecution and defense panels to present their arguments is the ultimate challenge.
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The continued surge of economic development in Mayoyao propelled an affirmative response from Sen. Nancy Binay to be the Keynote Speaker of its Town Fiesta. This development was fueled by the unceasing efforts of Mayor Ronie Lumayna, Vice Mayor Jimmy Padchanan and other officials to improve the conditions of the people.
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A tip to success: be it in school or at the office one needs the right tools to do the task. Be efficient, effective and productive! If you make it on top or in other words, succeed as a result of this advice and prayers, then there is certainly a cause for celebration.
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This column also offers a quick-fix learning portion of Ifugao words to our readers in the CAR. Here are some: “udan” means rain and “hiyam” is the word for (number) nine. To learn more about Ifugao words, just keep on reading this section.
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Wish list in 2019: It is prayed that incoming officials in Ifugao at the provincial government provide perks for tourism enterprises. A tax deduction scheme for such firms of the cost of environmental protection or preservation activities or provision of sustainable livelihood ventures for local communities should be considered. It is surely practical and do-able.
Another prayer is for the provincial government to create structures and systems to upgrade the tourism industry. A major concern is the improvement of roads. It is absolutely critical and not impossible.
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Blooper in Ifugao: A tarpaulin in the second district town carried information of an organizational committee. It consists of Municipal Budget Officer, Municipal Health Officer and Municipal Agriculture Officer among others. Believe it or not, it also says, Municipal Account (should be Accountant).
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For our food delights corner: there is the following treat for your family, loved ones or friends for dinner. Beef caldereta served with lumpia shanghai, shrimp platter and rice. It is so difficult to pinpoint what’s the top food item here. It is really up to the family members (or guests) to decide what sets apart one dish from the others.
For dessert, what is summer without halo-halo with leche flan and strawberry toppings combined with fruta de la crema.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” Ps 23:1-3
“As the economy of Mindanao grows, so does the need for electricity.” Former Mindanao Development Authority (MnDA) director Romeo Montenegro**
