By Anthony A. Araos
Light or heavy downpour, the rains are certainly here throughout the country. Well, it’s the rainy season. It is time for one to carry an umbrella, hat or raincoat. It is also the time for typhoons or storms to hit the Philippines.
Trekking, swimming, camping, mountain biking and other related activities are definitely affected by the turbulent weather conditions. So, this is the perfect time instead for indoor activities or to plan at home the next vacation trip possibly this Christmas season. Just about the best time to map out a good plan where to enjoy the yuletide break by December. Just about six months from now and I’m sure there’s a lot of excitement in the air.
Considering its history, heritage and culture, I’m not hesitant to recommend a Christmas vacation trip to Mayoyao town in Ifugao. You’re fine with this afterthought. Why?
Setting aside a foreign destination like Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan in the Asian continent because of its obviously huge costs, a trip to the scenic town of Mayoyao is surely an affordable one. Forget, Boracay in the central Visayas due to the massive clean-up of the environment there. You live in reality. You’ll feel the same way.
I wouldn’t dream of suggesting an overseas trip, which seems ridiculous. For instance, a four-day and three-night package tour of Seoul, South Korea by Christmas time is priced at about U.S. $553 (or Php 28,756 per individual, at an exchange rate of Php 52 to the dollar). So we do need to consider the costs.
If you hate expensive trips, you’ll love a trip to Mayoyao.
How can you make a smart Christmas vacation choice? From Baguio City, the Mayoyao trip, via Ambuklao road, costs a little more than a trip to Quezon City. And such trip comes with so much of fun and adventure.
Moreover, please give me your definition of the most memorable out-of-town destination in a season of merry-making and excitement?
I bet you’ll never let go this trip because of a thousand and one reasons.
What do you think are just two simple reasons for saying so? For one, its people are friendly, hospitable and hardworking. Secondly, there are countless natural and man-made wonders in the town’s 27 villages. Finding out what compels you to pack your bag for this trip is just the information you need to become upbeat. So this recommendation is already a valuable gift from this end. It comes neatly wrapped and free! Call it Christmas in June.
Do it now! You can’t wait forever. All of these and more should work well for the local and foreign tourists by the end of the year. This is particularly evident for visitors who are used to urban life for the unspoiled settings of the town are truly a gem during this time of the year. In other words, it is a rather a rare opportunity to savor the holiday moods out here in Mayoyao,
Apart from the UNESCO-declared Heritage Sites rice terraces of the town, Mayoyao’s other attractions include but not limited to its old houses and jogging paths. It is also an excellent place for mountain biking enthusiasts. Mayoyao for quite some time has been providing a number of recreational opportunities. The Assumption School is another must-see site. It is operated by the Roman Catholic Church.
Of course, Mayoyao’s top buys include vegetables raised organically, widely regarded as being of the best quality in Ifugao. It only shows that Mayoyao is somewhat a poor customer of pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances. Thus, works of organic farmers here are emulated by many other towns of the province such as Alfonso Lista, Banaue and Lamut.
Because of a healthful climate and fertile soil, the town’s fruits and other crops are just as abundant. It is a favorite home of a number of famed agriculturists. For one, there is Carmen Haywood and her Australian husband. I remember as Board Member, my esteemed friend Samson Atluna was unmistakably knowledgeable about organic farming, In fact, he authored the landmark Organic Farming Code ordinance of the province. EvenVice Mayor Jimmy Padchanan is into farming.
Take snapshots of government buildings, barangay halls and private establishments for your albums. Likewise, take your “selfies” at various destinations of the town. Do-it-yourself posing in several points of interest and captions of these photographs should be most helpful in upgrading your creativity.
Delight your family this coming holiday season with a Mayoyao vacation trip. Bring along your favorite honey-glazed ham and Carlo Rossi Sweet Red Wine, and head out fast to this upland and breathtaking town. Salads here maybe prepared with mayonnaise, popular Thousand Island dressing and above all, freshly-picked unadulterated veggies (such as lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes) for that unforgettable taste. It is delectably great with the right amount of tender love and care preparation. It makes your “noche buena” feast truly extra special. You can create fun twist with a salad platter (or a fruit platter) sans difficulty in this town just adjacent of Banaue. Mayoyao is just three hours from the capital town of Lagawe!
Welcome to Mayoyao, it is such a wonderful place. How to get there? Both buses and vans depart almost daily from Lagawe. Do what is best for you and your loved ones. Start planning today!
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I am once more lending my voice to the cause of raising the level of awareness and consciousness on the importance of a museum to Ifugao folks, most especially the young.
It is hoped and prayed that the officialdom consider putting up a Tribal Museum in Mayoyao. This ethnology museum shall highlight the tribes in the province’s second district towns of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue and, of course, Mayoyao. Exhibits shall highlight the different identities and practices of these tribes and even so-called sub-tribes.
Here is the scenario: the Mayoyao Tribal Museum shall promote the town as a socio-cultural hub in Ifugao. Undoubtedly, this is a shot in the arm in so far as boosting Mayoyao as a education tourism destination invariably drawing huge number of tourists.
There’s nothing like reconnecting with the past through a museum. My proposal is practical, doable, timely and relevant. The Mayoyao Tribal Museum is the perfect gift to the people.
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Giant-sized taurpaulins of Senators Cynthia Villar (NP) and Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (LDP) and Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Magundadato (as well as Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr.) are all over Lagawe during the Gotad festivity. Well, Senators Villar and Angara are seeking re-election while Rep. Magundadato is running for Senator. Reportedly, the three are running under the slate of the administration PDP-Laban. Rep, Baguilat (LP) is eyeing the post of governor.
Simply put, it is already the political season here and elsewhere. For short, the 2019 mid-terms polls have started.
Over at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, board members are already busy. You’ll see them more often at their offices. They are working very hard, according to observers, in aid of election. Of course, they’ll say otherwise. How can we change this “collective denial,” as you call it?
From the practical standpoint of common sense, politicians don’t want to waste a second scoring a point between now and election time.
Ifugao politicians are also into this taurpaulin information mode. Yes, a Baguio City politician used this method long before the election. Hundreds of taurpalins- with his name and photograph prominently highlighted, plastered the city. He found out that the worst impact of this method had is that taurpaulins don’t vote. Someone else won the election.
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Familiarity with issue on joint ventures easily draws me to discuss briefly what’s the latest development on the expansion moves of Jollibee Foods Corp, (JFC), Asia’s largest food service network vis-à-vis Ifugao folks’ chasing race for its first fast food restaurant. Well, JFC has already brought in the country Pho 24 through its wholly-owned subsidiary Fresh N’ Famous Foods Inc. JFC’s joint partner is Super Foods Group, owner and operator of Pho 24. Pho 24 is a restaurant chain that serves traditional Vietnamese dishes with rice noodles as its core products. As of February of 2018, there are 1,071 Jollibee stores in the Philippines. There is already one in Tabuk City, Kalinga. Tell me how long is Ifugao’s chasing race?
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The modernization plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is still in tatters because cops are underpaid, undertrained and ill-equipped. Higher salaries, more training programs and acquisition of firearms, gear and vehicles are the clear-cut solutions to the problem. Increased performance-based bonus (PBB) should be earmarked for the men and women in uniform as a means of enhancing their capacities. As it is, lawless elements even carry more high-powered arms than PNP personnel. This situation is less awkward than you might think. There are many ways to improve law enforcement capabilities of the PNP. Is there really anything wrong if resolving this longstanding problem be prioritized by President Duterte? After all, the reason for exulting the PNP’s avowed motto “to serve and protect” cannot be ignored or downplayed.
To date and close to a month since it occurred, the Php 2.7 million hold-up in Kiangan remains unsolved. This is about establishing and strengthening responses of the PNP to crimes and ultimately making sure that Ifugao is really safe for its residents, tourists, traders and investors. Not to mention even its law enforcers. I recalled a policewoman being robbed of her cellphone at a tricycle she was riding in broad daylight.
I am no longer wondering why the crime’s culprits are still scot-free. Provincial and municipal officials don’t know where to start things although there are existing mechanisms for the said purpose.
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Blooper in Ifugao: A professor of Ifugao State University (IFSU) was heard saying that police investigators finally have a “lead” in the much-talked-about Kiangan hold-up where armed men carted away with Php 2.7 million intended for 4Ps beneficiaries.
His student then asked: What’s the ‘lead’ sir? He replied: I don’t know. The policeman said just wait for the investigation report. The student’s follow-up query: Wait until when sir? He answered: I don’t know. Ask the police investigator. Do you have any other question for that matter? The student immediately quipped: None, the “lead” is leading to nowhere.
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For our food delights corner: Never give up serving the best cuisines at the table to your loved ones. For lunch time, you may have tocino, freshly-grilled seafood, laing (taro leaves and chili cooked in gata (coconut milk) and rice.
For appetizers and desserts: gelatin, fruit salad and chilled mango juice.
It is a blessing to have another wonderful time with them, coupled with delicious food. Don’t forget to pray! One thing’s for sure: You will want to have this done all over again soon!
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.” Ps 11:4**
