By Anthony A. Araos
Mountain climbing activities in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were big news stories in 2017. I am expecting the same for this year.
Heightened interest in scaling the region’s most popular attraction, Mt. Pulag, usually takes place about this time up until the first two weeks of February. This is easily attributed to the fact that Mt. Pulag, Luzon’s highest mountain, is recording chilly temperatures during this period. Last Dec. 30, it went down to 9 degrees Celsius.
Previously, it was pointed out that Ifugao’s mountains are just as good choices for climbers. In short, the province’s mountains should also be considered as points of interest by local and foreign tourists. The most notable are Mt. Kappugan at barangay Ambabag in Kiangan and Mt. Binahagan at barangay Jucbong in Lagawe.
About the beginnings of the 1990s, travelers from Metro Manila were attracted to upland attractions of Ifugao. Apart from Banaue, local tourists were also seen in Asipulo, Kiangan, Hingyon, Hungduan and Mayoyao.
Before the end of the month, I’m meeting in Quezon City a friend of mine who still loves mountain climbing. A member of UP Ibalon, the socio-cultural organization of Bicolano students at the University of the Philippines, she is organizing a mountain climbing tour of sorts this summer. I’ll make a strong pitch for inclusion of Ifugao province in her planned activity.
-o0o-
Ifugao’s Abra-bound athletes in the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet this year are once more rushing in their training schedules.
In its last few weeks, the Ifugao contingent’s “main man” should be careful about taking last-minute, band-aid solution just to inflate the number of gold medals at the overall tally and invariable improve its “second to the last” record in the 2017 Baguio City staging of the CARAA.
This is what seems to be taking place all over the province. Rushing their preparations can simply ruin things and I’m afraid this is what is happening on the ground. Worst, except for their coaches and trainers, the athletes are left on their own to flex their muscles under the scorching heat of the sun. You don’ t see a single provincial government official around. But, mind you they are visible only at the opening ceremony parade.
On the other hand, competitors of powerhouse and defending titlist Baguio City, Benguet and Mt. Province have been tirelessly training since early October of last year. Of course, the same is true with the host Team Abra. Abra’s athletes are training right at venues where they are to compete. Call it a home court advantage, plain and simple.
Sadly, the Ifugao Provincial Athletic Selection Meet (held in Alfonso Lista town) was even conducted about two weeks past its original schedule.
So there is ample basis to be concern on whether it is remotely possible for Ifugao to make a turnaround in the region’s most prestigious sports competition.
Training these young and promising athletes on an outdated, worn-out, last-two minute formula might turn out to be a band-aid solution and haphazardly formulate game plan that may not be able to withstand well-attuned, better-crafted blueprint of the others.
If Ifugao has applied the same strategy of training and preparing its athletes for only a short period of time, which was disdained and discarded by its chief rivals for obvious reasons, how much more is the pain of experiencing the same? After relegating itself as a “whipping team” in the CARAA from a respectable third place in two previous editions, can the Ifugao delegation head afford another humiliation?
-o0o-
By February 19 to 23, aspiring young campus journalists of Ifugao (as well as others from the CAR) are competing at the National Schools Press Conference in Dumaguete City.
Dumaguete is a captivating gem- for its hardworking and friendly people, its scenic sights, its frenzied commercialism and its well-organized systems.
To the youthful scribes of Ifugao: Aim high! Be thankful that you got that far in the competition. Meet new friends from other regions and have great adventures. Since the best way to the heart is still through the stomach, don’t forget to drop by Jolibee or Mc Donalds. You don’t have the privilege of doing that in Ifugao.
-o0o-
Almost every January, Filipinos are hopeful that the year would be much better, and that their dreams, wishes and aspirations would come true.
The wish list of the people in Kiangan is not that long. The realization lies in the hands of some officials. What they can do for their poor constituents are matters that the officialdom must focus on.
Kiangan is so fortunate to have a hardworking and dedicated public servant in the person of Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Mario Indopia. He has assisted the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Kiangan Station in the heightened campaign against illegal drugs. He also exerted his utmost to ensure the success of the government’s programs for the poor, principally the flagship 4P’s program.
My recommendations to Mr. Indopia: Endeavor for the establishment of a Landbank branch in Kiangan and a drug rehabilitation center also in this town.
Recipients of the 4P’s program are withdrawing their Php 500 grants from an ATM machine at the Landbank Lagawe branch. Travel costs (back and forth on a tricycle) at Php 40 and the poor Kiangan beneficiary has to eat as well after waiting for his or her turn in a very long line.
The Ifugao Reflection Camp at Kiangan is not even close to a drug rehabilitation center. The town (and, of course, the province) badly needs one.
Attaining these goals may seem impossible in an impoverished province like Ifugao, but it is an ideal that is worth pursuing. Getting started is the indeed the toughest part. Once people reap the benefits of these two projects, there is no turning back.
It will be a good opportunity for well-meaning officials like Mr. Indopia and the private sector to work together in realizing these goals. To my esteemed friend, Mr. Indopia: Keep up the excellent work! God bless and Mabuhay!
-o0o-
Most parts of the Philippines are experiencing difficulties in implementing the government’s K to 12 (which adds two years to basic education in the country) program. How is the situation in Ifugao? Only an independent assessment of the program shall provide an answer to this query. A close scrutiny of the program’s mechanisms, in effect, shall finally validate the arguments raised by those who opposed it.
For one, much of the allocation for the voucher system (intended to cover the costs of enrolment of Grade 10 graduates of public high schools who wish to enroll in private senior high schools) caused deep worry among a number of right-thinking educators.
As it is, there are also problems on classrooms, teachers and even books and learning materials at this level.
-o0o-
For flea market vendors and consumers alike, the cash tickets are simply a burden on their shoulders to carry. A cash ticket is pegged at Php 10. On the average, the vendor is paying Php 30. This is a reason why prices of produce are relatively high.
The vendor occupies a small portion of the street for a few hours in order to make a living. Why ask him or her to pay for cash tickets when earnings derived from the place are obviously meager?
I am walking on the very street the poor vendor is plying her trade. Why am I not being asked to pay the cash ticket?
The legal and practical implications of imposing such fees on the economically-deprived people are in direct contravention of the policies set forth in the Constitution and laws.
-o0o-
For our food delights corner: Kare-kare is perfect for your family and loved ones for lunch or dinner. Match this with fried bangus (milkfish) and steam rice.
Kare-kare with oxtail perfectly describes the traditional Filipino cuisine. It is still hard to compare kare-kare with all the rest.
For appetizers: vanilla cake, bananas and chilled apple juice.
It is already 2018 and maybe it is high time to know the purpose of the food on the table. Pray for the blessings, spend time with the people you love, discover new things and ideas, and, above all, eat happily!
-o0o-
Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2
“If you don’t address the soil erosion problem and the landslides caused by the denudation of forest, that problem will recur every time typhoons come.” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piòol.**
