By Anthony A. Araos
Long holiday periods this Christmas season in the Philippines should be a very good reason for tourists to see and enjoy a number of popular destinations.
With no hesitation, I’m inclined to recommend Battad Rice Terraces in Banaue where local and foreign tourists can spend their vacation.
The cool weather, captivating scenery and friendly people of the place are easily the plus factors of Battad Rice Terraces.
This is certainly the top choice of foreign visitors (mostly Europeans) in Banaue. So don’t be left out in the list.
There are jeepneys going to Battad Rice Terraces from the main section of Barangay Poblacion. The terminal is just adjacent the public market.
Over the years, this place is a must-see, famous spot, major point of interest in the bustling tourism industry of Banaue. There are, of course, many other sites to visit in Banaue.
All told, a Department of Tourism (DOT) press statement on December 12 listed Banaue as one of the top destinations in the Philippines this year. Accordingly, the town was described as “a place where land merges with the clouds to meet the heavens.”
On the other hand, the Philippine Star (on its December 25, 2017 issue) carried a photograph of two boys playing at the popular Tappiya Falls in Banaue.
It only reinforced and intensified Banaue’s reputation as a major destination not just in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) but, throughout the country.
Make your trip to Banaue (whether you’re coming from Baguio, Sagada in Mountain Province, Santiago City in Isabela or Quezon City in the National Capital Region) a part of the joyous Christmas feast.
Special tip: pass by a church to say a prayer or attend a mass. There’s a shower of blessings for you and your loved ones.
In a scale of ten: I’m giving Banaue a rating of eight. The report card, according to my friend who is still an avid fan of the Lantern Parade at the University of the Philippines, shows a grade of 1.5 (perfectly a good grade at the nation’s premier institution).
If one is on the lookout for adventure and relaxation in an upland rural setting, Banaue is indeed a paradise.
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Over in Banaue, tourists should highly consider Stairway Lodge. It has well-maintained cozy rooms and in-house restaurant. Above all, the warmth of superb personalized customer service from their friendly and courteous staff is easily felt thus, ensuring your stay for a night or three is pleasantly memorable.
Room rates are affordable and it is not far from the public market, municipal hall and Banaue Central School.
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Mood among Kilos Pagbabago officers and members in Ifugao was generally upbeat and positive when Office of the Participatory Governance Director IV Victorio Jerico Cawis addressed the KP’s launching program in Lagawe, Ifugao.
Who would not be inspired and motivated? Director Cawis is a proud Cordilleran who now works at the Office of the President. He is an articulate and vibrant public servant. In such a short span of time, Director Cawis has showed not only remarkable courage to chronicle the reformist agenda of President Duterte, but concern for other people and their communities, most especially the poor and their underserved localities. He is truly the nation’s best hope for a peaceful, progressive and secured future.
As the program approaches noon time, sectoral representatives increasingly shared the common purpose of keeping the citizenry informed about and engaged in the issues and interests that impact on their lives. KP officers Angie Guinid and Emerita Allaga lauded Director Cawis’ self-sacrifice and dedication to duty.
Without a doubt, Director Cawis shall continue to inspire generation of Filipinos to overcome difficulties and challenges to attain a brighter tomorrow. To Director VJ Cawis: A joyous Christmas and a bountiful New Year! God bless and Mabuhay!
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Hojap Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HMPC) made history by being the only cooperative to participate in the 2017 Christmas Bazaar in Lagawe. The cooperative is based in Asipulo, Ifugao. The bazaar is sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Ifugao Chapter and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ifugao Office.
Congratulations to the officers, members and booth staff of HMPC. Keep up the excellent job! To all my friends of this highly-performing cooperative: Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon!
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The vision of providing a decent noche buena during the Yuletide season for the Ifugao farmer and the job-order employee at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is gaining ground and drawing the support of many. It should be realized by next year.
One such employee, whose father is a farmer and mother is a housewife, said she is used to have pancit, rice and coffee for their noche Buena, while her “boss” feasted on ham, queso de bola, spaghetti, fried chicken, kare-kare, rice, cake, apples and ice cream. I nearly forgot to mention one more item on the table: lechon.
That is how world are far apart in this part of the Cordilleras. The disparity is so pronounced and I need not cite the fact the poor job-order employee is not entitled to a Christmas bonus and 13th month bonus.
Hear this: the said job-order employee stays at the office up until December 31, 2017. By January 1, 2018, she is jobless. She was told to come back by February. This is translated to thirty frightening days with no income to support the needs of the family.
Her “boss” said that his office registered “large savings” for this year. I can’t simply understand why such savings are not being earmarked for the benefit of job-ordered employees at the SP.
Ranged against the said vision, the underpaid job-order employee has to surmount the pain of even paying a tax during salary time.
Overcoming such a burden and difficulty requires a swift and decisive action on the part of Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw. The SP then should seek a comprehensive government policy reform program that will establish a long-term solution to this longstanding problem. Putting this well-meaning agenda on stream at the SP by 2018 surely demands the full support and cooperation of the ten Board Members as it also involves and requires the prudent use of resources of the provincial government.
If the pronouncement that the have-nots are to take an active part in the crucial phase of developing the province is to be believed, the “Honorable” members of the SP should immediately undertake an act of kindness on their lowly-paid staff. And in part it may be a move to fully appreciate the essence of Christmas. Throughout the history of mankind, it has worked.
Working like a carabao for the “boss” and making both ends meet with Php 6,000 for a 15-day period (delayed payment at that) this Christmas time is a surreal and punishing experience. Serving the public should be a patriotic act, but instead it breeds anxiety and anguish. Ifugao will never reach its potential until its highly-placed officials treat their personnel fairly.
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Ifugao farmers should be gifted this Christmas season with agriculture infrastructure facilities with emphasis on farm mechanization, business development services, irrigation system and farm-to-market roads.
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For its part, the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) should consider the conduct of organic farm training workshop in Mayoyao and training on upland rice production with the support and assistance of University of the Philippines Los Baòos personnel.
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For our food delights corner: There is a truly delightful meal of fried chicken in honey sauce. Add rice, pork asado with mixed vegetables and pasta Bolognese.
For appetizers: Fruit salad, chocolate cake, bananas and chilled guyabano juice.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos to a government run like heaven by Americans.” President Manuel Quezon**
