By Anthony A. Araos
I recently came away so impressed by the settings of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) Museum at its sprawling campus in the province.
It is hoped that the third museum in Ifugao- after Banaue Museum and the Cordillera Sculpture Museum, also in Banaue– I am strongly recommending to the public to visit, is another charm for local and foreign tourists to see.
For the benefit of our countless readers, the IFSU Museum is surely one of the best museums in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
It allows visitors to precisely understand the various developments in the past. Fundamentally, the museum will enable visitors to walk through an era far different from theirs. You will know exactly how the people at that time reacted to the effects of global changes.
A museum is like a giant book. It remains to be the leading source of information in history and anthropology works. A museum trip or visit is a life-changing experience for many. Aside from learning lessons of the ancient times, visitors meet new friends there who share similar interests. Visitors can make lifestyle changes to keep themselves and their bodies healthy. Health risks are unavoidable. Stop smoking and drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Chemicals in coffee and alcohol are definitely hazardous to one’s health. These slow down or impair the development of mental capacity. Fifty years or so, hard-headed folks who were into heavy smoking of cigarette or drinking of liquor are now likely to end up as relics in a museum. This is just a friendly reminder.
Moreover, a museum gives one an opportunity to appreciate culture and raises the awareness of the fact that it is also a social fabric. A museum draws people together.
For about an hour or so, a museum visit helps you see the world better. It enhances the way you live in it- whether in a developed country like Canada or an underdeveloped one like Bangladesh. With a sharper vision after going to a museum, you can now connect to the outside world better because perspectives are expanded.
All told, the IFSU Museum is not just for pupils and students of private and public schools in the province and elsewhere. It is for the public as well.
At the IFSU Museum, visitors get to see the ancient people’s settling pattern and ultimately get a bird’s eye view of their lives, strengths and weaknesses.
Without a doubt, it is easy to conclude that a visit to this museum (or any other one in the province or elsewhere for that matter) is most helpful for anyone in the long run. To say it is just a waste of time and money is deeply regrettable, to say the least. Don’t take my word seriously, the decision is certainly yours. It’s something you could never imagine!
Come a long way in getting a better perspective of life hundreds of thousands years ago. Get to read a book for five to six hours to prepare for an exam in history. You’ll surely look for a wishing well in the neighborhood.
In an hour or so, you’ll learn a lot at IFSU Museum, God willed it this way!
It is just a precise estimate of how long to see, think, understand and appreciate the artifacts in the museum. Somehow, you’ll get to analyze things and provide an explanation on the thought “How the ancestors of Ifugao folks lived before?” The answer is actually just a short trip away. Find time to see the IFSU Museum and give yourself a chance to freely explore this place that unfolds precious memorabilia of the province.
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It is already the rainy season. Be careful of the floods, landslides and mudslides. Weather-related ailments are on the rise. Good health can be achieved by eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and taking vitamins. At the moment, I’m taking Pharmaton and Hong Sam Won (a Korean red ginseng herbal drink). The former enhance physical and mental wellbeing. The latter is good in boosting up one’s energy. If you’re about to take this course too, you’re advised to seek help first from medical experts. Doctors are in a position to provide you the final and expert word on essential vitamins and supplements you need at this point of time. For instance, while Hong Sam Won drink contains six-year grown Korean Red Ginseng extract and phyto-ingredients, it claims no approved therapeutic claim.
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What has the provincial government done to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in these increasingly difficult economic times?
For the forthcoming Gotad festivity, I am strongly urging it to provide a free space dedicated to the MSME products. It is but proper and appropriate to provide free space for deserving MSME products, specifically those with trade fair quality, even for a limited period. Another batch of MSME products would then be showcased in the same space after three days in order to give more enterprises better chances of being exposed to the mainstream market.
When I say MSME products I’m not referring to the vegetables and fruits being sold at municipal booths during the Agro-Industrial Fair during the Gotad. I’m not even against and downplaying them. Strictly and sensibly speaking, I’m talking of woodcarving, weaving and furniture products and the likes. There is an urgent need to boost their access to the domestic market and eventually prepare them to embark on a bigger stage when they export their products. It is logical to focus on them.
Going global and today we don’t talk anymore like many used to do of fixing our mind on tomatoes, eggplants, fishball, fruit shake and even wag-wag clothes at the Gotad fair. I repeat and insist that a trade fair was meant to showcase the locality’s best produce! At the Kadayawan sa Dabaw, Durian, the king of fruits in Mindanao, and Waling-waling, the queen of orchids, took the center stage of festival’s fair. The whole point is to move forward and it is not difficult at all to adopt a creative mindset.
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The most ludicrous development in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) front is that vote-buying instances in the barangay, municipal and now provincial levels were no longer isolated. I discussed it at length in my previous commentaries. I even forewarned the public. Instead of reforming themselves for good, it is the SK Chairpersons who are reportedly engaged in misdeeds in their bid to wrest control of the SK provincial (or city, in other places) federation presidency, but only after being caught literally with their pants down. I am condemning their misguided acts in the strongest possible terms. What more glaring proof of this idiocy which has nothing to do with the promotion of good governance. How can those who committed irregularities now hold office in their youth councils? There is a grave danger uniquely drawn from the unthinkable act of exposing them at such tender age. So young, yet so corrupt! Once again a dark cloud is hovering in the horizon, threatening the young in the next three years, and even beyond.
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The order of the day in most places in Ifugao just four months before politicians file their certificate of candidacies (CoCs) is political alliances of conveniences. Candidates under the slate of then dominant Liberal Party (LP) re-electionist Rep, Teddy Baguilat Jr. took most of the seats at stake in the provincial and municipal levels in the 2016 polls. But somewhere down the road when President Noynoy Aquino left the Palace, something else happened. A number of them have left the transformed opposition LP for the administration Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban for obvious reasons. It is not unusual in the Philippines. It is not unusual to be loyal to anyone forever. The PDP-Laban raided the ranks of the LP in such a fast and furious manner. By election time of 2019, the PDP-Laban has no choice but to have “free-zones” in many parts of the country simply because there are two or three candidates for one position. The adoption of a “free zone” in a province, municipality or city may even turn out to be a nightmare for the ruling party. They’ll just split the votes and allow someone else win the polls. It’s as simple as that. Next year, the PDP-Laban and LP are fielding aspirants in Ifugao. There are also independent or fringe candidates.
Currently, it is a toss-up for the position of Congressman (or Representative) in Ifugao within the well-entrenched, well-oiled PDP-Laban between Governor Pedro Mayam-o and Department of Transportation Regional Director Timmy Mondiguing as its standard-bearer in 2019.
You can join the betting game. And, just in case, do rely on your arsenal of arguments as a manifestation that “I have so much faith in my guy,” to which the convenient response from the other end could be “You just don’t think enough.” Do what you can to convince the other person that your choice is the best for the PDP-Laban. As if you’re talking to President Duterte, the party’s titular head.
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Board Member Robert Humiwat is not the chairman of the all-important Committee on Health at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Yet, he has done a lot in contributing to the cause of maintaining a healthy citizenry in the province. He practically led the crusade to act on the longstanding problem on the Ifugao General Hospital in Lagawe, still nowhere in the priority list of the provincial government.
Board Member Humiwat partnered with nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) to speed up the implementation of programs that champions effective leadership. A remarkable commendation should be given to Board Member Humiwat for taking the cudgels of the people in the quest to improve their lives, while others are still having third thoughts about it.
What warms my heart is Board Member Humiwat’s strong resolve to make sure that programs are truly aligned and focused on the government’s health care agenda. He has encouraged local government units (LGUs) to put health governance system in place.
You don’t need officials who can’t exercise political will. It’s not just you- everyone is looking for the likes of Board Member Humiwat to move swiftly and decisively on the people’s mounting problems and invariably make a big difference in their lives. They’re tired of excuses and alibis! Their lives can’t get any better with broken promises. Put more clearly, would most, if not all, traditional politicians or trapos once more promise voters to give them the moon and the stars.
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Moreover, may I tackle briefly a point of interest that has something to do with the Lagawe Central School as well as Ifugao SPED Center. People want to see order and stability at the school grounds during the conduct of the Gotad’s trade fair there. The disruption of the pupils’ attention during their classes are unimaginable, to say the least. Incoming provincial government officials by 2019 should consider moving it at the plaza grounds.
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A tip for success: Strive to make life better by change not by chance.
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Blooper in Ifugao: A wealthy government official boasted that he is also engaged in an anti-corruption drive in the province, just like President Duterte. He even borrowed President Duterte’s popular line and said: “I’m not tolerating graft and corruption. Not under my watch!”
When a foreign guest asked the official to explain the matter, the official readily answered: “I don’t have a watch.” He then proceeded: “May I ask what time is it?” The guest replied: “It’s time for you to buy a watch!”
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ERRATUM: In my news story “BM Humiwat sees better times for Ifugao elderly,” on the June 3 issue of ZigZag Weekly, an item was erroneously stated as Government Social Insurance System (GSIS), It should be Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
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For our food delights corner: if you have a trouble-free budget then go for a once-in-a year special treat for your family and loved ones with a Porterhouse steak and large-sized potato fries serving. It goes well with macaroni elbow soup and seafood platter. Complement it with vanilla cake, avocado and chilled pineapple juice. Say a prayer for the great food and pampering your special ones the best way possible at the table despite the hard times.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father.” Mt 7:21**
