By Anthony A. Araos
Countless times Punong Barangay Christopher Pagadut of Barangay Poblacion South in Ifugao, Lagawe commended me for my commentaries on various attractions in the province. “Your continued commitment to providing valuable information for local and foreign tourists is surely helping boost the tourism industry of Ifugao,” he said.
In turn, I told him: “I hope that such efforts redound to the drastic improvement of the tourism industry in Ifugao’s 11 towns and in 2019 with a new, better and well-crafted tourism program masterplan result in a marked improvement in the tourist arrival numbers.”
Punong Barangay Pagadut is one of the few remaining competent, selfless and committed leaders in the province’s barangay government. A former Councilor, Paggadut is reportedly no longer interested to seek re-election in the said village. But, that is another story worth analyzing at another time.
This time around, let me share my reply to another friend who asked this query: “What should be my dream travel destination in the Philippines?”
Without any hesitation, I told my Canadian (an architect from the cold Yukon Territory and who also studied at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City) friend:: “Banaue is the dream travel destination in the Philippines!”
Up to this time, I still stand by my assertion.
Through my incoming meetings with Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog, interaction with him (as well as other municipal government officials) will address anew the never-ending quest to find strategies of attracting more local and foreign travelers to his scenic town.
As we know for quite some time, there are simply too many places to visit in Banaue. I have mentioned most of them in past commentaries and I’m about to add one more to the list. I refer, no less, at this point to the famed Immaculate Conception School.
Immaculate Conception School is a privately-operated high school. It is situated at the Barangay Poblacion. It is an ideal place to see in the field of education tourism. It is not hard to locate it. The school is not far from the municipal hall and the public market.
The town is rich in social, cultural and religious activities that impacted the province and society.
This is still the best time to make the trip to Banaue when the weather is fine and cool.
Likewise, going to Banaue from Baguio City or Metro Manila is not difficult. Take Coda Lines from Cubao, Quezon City or Ohayami Trans from Sampaloc, Manila or Baguio City. There are also Dangwa trips from Cubao. If not, just enjoy an ITTAG van trip from its T. Alonzo terminal.
The town’s top officials’ adherence to the municipal government’s mission, vision and core values has been the secret on how Banue continues to become more attractive to tourists ever after. Fortunately, Mayor Dalipog continuously inspires the lives of Banaue folks.
From January to December, one has to work harder. Save a lot. Dream big for a well-deserved vacation! Banaue is your dream travel destination. Go for it!
Right now, the eyes of the world are very much focused on how Mayor Dalipog is going to respond to the challenges of the booming international tourism industry.
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The month of March is not just about Women’s Month celebration in Ifugao. The province’s cooperatives are also rejoicing by providing their members the opportunity to converge at key venues for annual general assemblies. Ifugao Global Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IGEMCO), Ifugao Provincial Servants Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IPSMPC) and Lagawe Multi-Purpose Development Cooperative (LMDC) conducted their assemblies from late February to early March of this year.
This month you’re thinking about your future. You’re thinking about cash flow, possessions and assets. It’s time to think of increasing them. It’s time to join the cooperative sector. The time is now!
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“We’re ready,” he said. This was the reply of Ifugao Schools Division Office Sports Coordinator Anthony Gallangi to my query on the province’s readiness a few days before the delegation went to Bangued, Abra in the recent Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet.
Mobilizing collective will to win, Gallangi endeavored hard in attending to the athletes’ needs during their crucial training phase.
Despite the logistics and time constraints, Gallangi remains firm and steadfast.
Considered as the Olympics in the CAR’s sports milieu, Gallangi showed his character as a resolute person in ensuring the competitiveness of Team Ifugao in Bangued against the region’s best. After all, the CARAA is the region’s most prestigious sports competition.
Such attitude quickly inspired and motivated many others in the Ifugao hard-fighting contingent, enticing many to do their fair share of the herculean task of bringing honor to the province.
Ifugao athletes brought home 36 gold medals. To my mind, the 37th gold medal belongs to Mr. Gallangi. In a way, he’s also a big winner. That’s why Ifugao folks should also be very thankful to Mr. Gallangi that they have been blessed with a dedicated and hardworking educator like him.
To the province’s DepEd Sports Coordinator Anthony Gallangi: Keep up the excellent work! God bless and Mabuhay!
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In my estimate, the anti-Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno camp is fully aware that the Senate impeachment court (composed of 23 senators) is not likely to vote for her removal.
Detractors of Chief Justice Sereno (who visited recently Baguio City) seemingly don’t have the numbers to impeach her.
Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint, tried to resort to various strategies in removing Sereno from the nation’s highest court. Lawyer Oliver Lozano, a known Marcos loyalist, also sought to oust Sereno by other means outside of the constitutionally-prescribed impeachment mode.
Considering that the impeachment proceedings are practically political in nature, this columnist cannot see the position of ignoring public opinion.
In other words, the impeachment trial is a mere battle for the hearts and minds of the people. It’s a very long and tedious process. Many “major” developments are likely to occur.
There are now key debates on the allegations raised on Chief Justice Sereno, considering its impact on the country’s fifth highest official. What is your stand on the issue? Stand up and be counted. Don’t be timid. Don’t stay at the sidelines.
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What are they doing at the University of the Philippines? A lot. On its March 2, 2018 issue of the Philippine Star, the news story “UP ratings in global university index improve,” was bannered.
Simply put, UP is still the nation’s premier university.
Only UP, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University made it in the latest world university rankings as released by international higher education provider Quacquarelli Symondis (QS).
Many are glad UP officials have formulated far-reaching plans for its students, long described as the nation’s future leaders.
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Bloopers in the CAR: At Bokod, Benguet, the following travel advisory for the Panagbenga Festival says: “To all motorist going to Baguio City.”
At an Ifugao town bus terminal, commuters were reminded as such: “Bus lives at 6 p.m.”
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For our food delights corner: It’s time for tilapia (Philippine fish) with sweet and sour sauce, lechon kawali, buttered mixed vegetables with young corn and rice. Make sure to get the freshest fish around.
For desserts: cassava cake, sweetened bananas and blended with jackfruit and pineapple juice.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “As a lawyer and a former secretary of justice, I am saddened at what is happening in the Supreme Court with all rumblings, the infighting. I don’t feel good about this, I feel sad at the state of things. The fight between the justices becomes part of the public domain. I’ve been a lawyer for almost 50 years and this is the first time that I witnessed this kind of happening in the Supreme Court.” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon**
