By Anthony A. Araos
A sustained influx of local and foreign tourists to a far-away, fifth-class municipality like Tinoc in Ifugao should provide a good reason for people in the private sector who are struggling to keep the tourism industry’s afloat in the province to be optimistic.
I discussed in my previous commentary the enormous potentials of transforming Tinoc as a new destination of Ifugao. My friends in this largely farming upland town expressed their elation and gratitude for the unsolicited views in my previous column.
Indeed, I submit that there are rosy prospects for the tourism sector of Tinoc in 2019 and beyond. Why?
The heightened development of kayabang handicraft in the town should be a strong reason for its folks to be upbeat.
Kayabang is a distinct hand-made basket popularly seen in both Ifugao and Benguet provinces. The design of a kayabang is a critical part of the entire handicraft process. Accuracy is very high.
The love for kayabang easily transcends generations. It is difficult to even dissociate itself with a distinct culture and unique traditions of this province as well as it noted panoramic sceneries. So Tinoc has really a lot to offer.
Small wonder, in 2016 the Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) conducted a highly-successful handicraft training program on kayabang-making in Tinoc. ICHO is headed by William Mamanglo.
Tourism industry planners in the private sector should be cashing in on the popularity of the kayabang. I got inquiries about it from American, Australian and Taiwanese tourists while attending recently a conference in Makati City. Sadly, there is no effort to even connect it to the tourism industry in the province. The provincial government is simply squandering an opportunity to formulate a year-round tourism campaign that aims to revitalize its image and entice more visitors to come to Ifugao. A new tourism masterplan- one that is crafted by those in the private sector is expected to result in drawing more tourists to the province.
Through an all-out information drive to promote kayabang and coupled by its amazing natural attractions, it is not hard at all to position Tinoc as a top-notch tourist destination in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Well, needless to point out that its people are friendly, hardworking and hospitable. This is another plus factor for levelling up its stature.
Today, kayabang is contributing a small portion to Tinoc’s economy. It should not be that way by any means. What it needs is a better deal perhaps with the incoming provincial government officials by 2019. For instance, the next Governor may consider holding a Kayabang Trade and Exposition Fair in Tinoc with the single-minded objective of providing a strong boost to Ifugao’s tourism industry. With the enterprising and intelligent men and women of the private sector in charge of the fair, this is do-able and achievable. Think of its spillover impact on an impoverished province like Ifugao. It shall also affirm Ifugao’s viability as a key exhibition destination in the CAR.
By showcasing kayabang products, Tinoc could stand as a tourism haven in this part of the region.
For all this to take place, of course, a new mindset is required. This forward-looking mode of thinking is expected to bear fruit in the coming years. Ifugao is clearly lagging far, far and far behind the other provinces in the Philippines in terms of modernization efforts. The Ifugao folks’ reluctance to accept the fact and truth that they have to level up with other Filipinos in developed places in the country contributed to the plunge of raising the standards of living in their province. Talk about curbing poverty incidence in the province’s 11 towns. Got to move on! Got to think big! Got to have a new mindset! Don’t break the hearts of the incoming generation.
Tinoc should be an ideal tourist destination in 2019 and coming years. Thanks, to kayabang and other attractions I see it happening and a blessing to its poor folks. I am willing to help incoming municipal and provincial government officials and other stakeholders map out an action plan to achieve this. There should be a way to ease out the belief that Tinoc is not worth visiting at all.
Tinoc is about 31 kilometers from Kiangan. A trip is about an hour and a half by car. It is all for tourists to see and explore.
Dreaming of going to Tinoc? Travel light and take a van from Lagawe (nearly eight kilometers to Kiangan) for your next adventure trip. Don’t forget to bring your camera or cellphone for memorable photographs.
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A news story bannered “Dead Sea dying Israel to the rescue,” of the August 14, 2018 issue of the Philippine Star” really caught my attention. So I am now sharing some of my thoughts on this matter.
It said: “The salt lake- popular with tourists and located at the lowest point on earth- has been shrinking at the rate of around 1 meter per year.” This body of water is still far from dying. It is in fact, very much alive. Above all, it is not a sea. It is a gulf. Don’t worry, it is in good hands. The Israelis are known to be good stewards of security.
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On the other hand, someone told me that there is such a business establishment as “Living Water.” Water is a very important element of nature. There is no such thing as “non-living water.” Don’t worry there are still science teachers to tell you why. They are known to be good custodians of knowledge.
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Believe or not: the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ifugao is lopsidedly dominated by lawmakers from Lagawe. Three of the 14-member provincial board are from Lagawe. They are Board Members Robert Mangyao, Geronimo Bimohya and James Buhulon Sr., the president of the Ifugao Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) who succeeded Victor Bunnol Sr. my esteemed friend from Lamut.
Doors of opportunities for other well-meaning legislators of Alfonso Lista, Hungduan and Tinoc are not opulently wide. The fact that poverty incidence is so high in these towns showed me how much the task of electing board members from underserved towns is needed in Ifugao. Board members are architects of the future. This way, for instance, a Tinoc board member by 2019 will become the voice of the voiceless and powerless of a long neglected town. He or she will partner with the next set of provincial government officials to achieve the goal of spreading wealth equitably in Ifugao.
People have long been complaining that under-representation permeates at the provincial board. Hopefully, the ongoing discussions will help develop in the electorate a perspective of finally doing the right thing in 2019. More often than not, Ifugao voters commit the mistake of casting their lot with candidates who are their relatives even if they are inept, incompetent and crooks. Electing intelligent, hardworking and dedicated officials next year should be highly-valued. This certainly shall open the imagination of what is possible under a scenario where the province’s so-called “intelligentsia” shall take the lead role in educating and enlightening the less-educated folks on the essence of “voting wisely” on Election Day.
Henceforth, I am pitching for a more equitable distribution of seats at the powerful and influential Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Ideally, a town should be represented by a board member. In other words, there should be 11 board members from 11 towns, to say the least.
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Congratulations to Denmark Butic of barangay Poblacion East in Lagawe for being chosen as one of the nominees of the search for the “Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines.” This is indeed a prestigious competition where young learners who excelled academically are recognized. Nominees have to pass extensive school screening, regional selection and nomination process. Too bad, most Ifugao folks are not even aware of this competition and much less the significance of academic excellence. They don’t even give premium to it. Small wonder, standard of education in the province is very low. Many are uneducated or lowly-educated. Most Ifugao youngsters are happy and contented with their cellphones, baya (rice wine) and moma. Hahaha! My news story at ZigZag Weekly is about to come out at the soonest. To the youthful Denmark: Good luck and my prayers for your continuing good health and success! God bless and Mabuhay!
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Our pursuit of true happiness and love for humanity is rooted in our deep faith in God. Thus, I commend Fr. John Habawel for conducting recently a one-day recollection activity at the St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Mission. The church activity was attended by about 90 residents, mostly from Lagawe.
The participation in social transformation is an essential part of any recollection activity. But more than this, it is the participation in social transformation is an essential part of any recollection activity. But more than this, it is in solidarity with and love for our fellow human individuals that can truly realize the objectives of a recollection its participants have been longing for.
Why does the Church encourage us to attend recollection activities? When it comes to knowing one’s strengths in nurturing values and strengthening spirituality, officials and personnel in the government too can experience the same. I saw a highly-placed department head and several educators at the activity. So why is the provincial government still mum on the issue of conducting a recollection activity? This stance makes a mockery of the spirit of its moral recovery program, which is seen by the national government as a pillar of its social reform agenda. The provincial government should hold a recollection program with Fr. Habawel taking charge of it. It should have been done so yesterday!
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A timely reminder: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is still conducting voter registration for the midterm elections next year. It will be until September 29.
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A tip for success: Always maintain good relationships with others. No ifs and buts! What do you get from doing otherwise? Chances are a headache, heartache or stress is likely to be an effect of keeping ill-feelings for others for one reason or another. You can lose everything in a case of having a bad heartbeat.
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Blooper in Ifugao: At a market, a fruit vendor displayed the following sign: “Imported Bangkok Santol, fresh from Kiangan.” The santol is simply small in size. Unmistakably, what I shockingly saw was a poor version of the original one from Bangkok, Thailand. This, more than anything except the comic relief, turned foreign tourists from going to public markets and even flea markets to sample local treats. So sad some traders here think tourists are incredibly stupid. Of course, they aren’t!
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For our food delights corner: Once more with great feelings, it is time for sumptuous Chinese meal. So delight the family at the table with Lapu-Lapu (fish) with sweet and sour sauce. Just the first three bites and gives one the superb yummy feeling of this wonderful dish. Add to it sliced beef with mushrooms and fried rice in Yang Chow style. Don’t forget to have sweet corn with carrots soup. For appetizers and dessert: strawberry cake, sliced avocado and chilled pineapple juice. Again, say your prayer for this very good meal.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “The spectators see the chess game better than the players.” Ban Go, a Chinese historian in the Han Dynasty during the 32-92 A.D.
“In our case, we are taking what is whole and breaking it apart. Federalism will break up into separate regions of widely divergent levels of economic, political and social development. Such a fragmentation will further entrench the “tribal” mentality.” Former Vice President Jejomar Binay
“There is an old saying that victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan.” The late American President John F. Kennedy
“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Jn: 12-8**
