By Anthony A. Araos
It’s eight in the evening at Banaue and it is so easy to feel the cool Cordillera air in this famous upland town.
There are a thousand and one reasons why local and foreign tourists continue to flock to Banaue’s attractions. My Lithuanian friend (met her years back at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City) has visited Banaue three times. A dentist in Lithuania (this European country used to be a part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic or the U.S.S.R.) she at one time told me: “It is always a delightful experience to be in Banaue.” She must have ample reasons to visit Banaue again and again.
She mentioned a couple of places she visited in the town. Of course, the Battad rice terraces are on top of her list of must-visit sites. I saw no need to interpose any objection at all. I told her: “It’s a perfect choice!”
But the best and striking part of our conversation centered on the fact that Banaue’s rich past attracted her to find time in exploring the town’s attractions. The terraces and many other attractions easily tell the stories of a town many times described as “a place nestled just a few meters near heaven.” It is surely not hard to understand.
She asked me to aptly describe these three trips to the said town, I replied: “The best heritage road trips to the cool upland town of Banaue!”
I have been telling my friends here and abroad, as well as foreign tourists, that Banaue boasts of countless historical, cultural and natural spectacles.
Old and new sites are what attract most visitors. Included in these attractions are view decks. These are ideal places for photography. Better watch out for many other places for taking photographs or “selfies.”
Banaue is noted not just for its chilly and fine climate but also for its lush scenery and friendly and hardworking people.
My Lithuanian friend, who is from Kaumas City, also sought my help on the matter of what is the best text message in two words to describe the town she is sending back home to her friend who works in the government. I replied: “Uniquely Banaue!”
Her parting words: “I’ll never ever forget Banaue!” Not quite so, for she added: “I would like to make special mention of the hard work and dedication of Mayor Jerry Dalipog put into making Banaue a wonderful place to stay in the Philippines.”
Without belittling the other towns, I’d say it is time to recognize Banaue as the primary resource for academic knowledge of a wide range of cultural aspects of Ifugao. It has been elusive for so many years. However, I am confident that the present dispensation will have more resolve in fulfilling this cherished dream of its residents.
I am most confident of realizing this aspiration after all Mayor Jerry Dalipog is largely credited for providing the path towards Banaue’s pursuit of growth and progress.
To my esteemed friend, Mayor Dalipog: I wish your continuing success in serving the people this year and beyond!
To local and foreign tourists: Warmest congratulations for choosing Banaue as your travel destination. Keep on coming back to Banaue!
These exhortations fall within the purview of this columnist’s responsibility and obligation to establish the widest magnetic pull of tourists to a town uniquely and richly endowed with so many God-given wonders. Banaue is still one of top destinations of the Philippines.
I am sending soon a communication to Tourism Secretary, with the following information: “I am looking forward with so much hope and anticipation the numerous wonderful things in store for the tourism industry on Banaue and that the best is yet to come!” This early, I am waging a bet of Php100.
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A multi-town tour package should be promoted by incoming provincial government officials to really promote Ifugao’s tourism industry. It is surely one of the best ways of saving the province’s ailing tourism industry. Otherwise, the repercussions are unthinkable.
I am looking at a package involving Banaue, Aguinaldo, Asipulo, Hungduan, Kiangan and Mayoyao. This is just an initial list. This should further strengthen the six towns’ economies by linking them with strategic foreign traveler markets in Asia, Europe and North America.
The package should cover accommodations, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks in the mornings and afternoons. It also includes kits, handouts, souvenir items and guided tours.
I am now talking to tours and trvel agencies in Quezon City, Baguio City and Cebu City on this matter. I hope this development paves the way for folks in the abovementioned towns to start spreading wonderful stories with their local officials and inspire them to work harder towards the goal of better lives. I am happy to make that goal a reality for the people of said towns, most of them are poor. It’s time to make a difference in their lives.
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Tips for success: Start the day with a glass of water and a heartfelt prayer. Drinking water is good for one’s health. A friend of mine in Alfonso Lista town in Ifugao followed my advice. She is in good health. Mother Mary blessed her and she got everything she asked for. It is clearly a result of strong faith in God, perseverance and hard work. Her prayers were answered.
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Believe it or not: there are 11 Jollibee food stores in Vietnam. Well, Vietnamese are more fortunate than Ifugao folks. They have much, much time at any given time to eat a yum burger, spaghetti or chicken joy. Yet, ifugao folks have to go to Solano, Nueva Vizcaya for their favorite Jollibee meals.
There are a number of wealthy contractors, big-time businessmen and moneyed politicians in Ifugao who are in a position to put up a Jollibee food store in the province. Instead, they prefer to deprive their people of the joys of partaking the well-known “treats” of this fast food chain to the mindset of modernizing. It’s high time for Ifugao folks, in general, to get out of their comfort zones. It’s high, high time for them to go national first, at least, and global next, before it’s too late. How long are you waiting to have your first Jollibee store? 100 years from now?
Now here’s a true story worth telling. When North Korean athletes went to McDonalds food store in Seoul, South Korea during the summer Olympic games it hosted several years back, they spent so much time in the said place eating for the first time a meal of hamburger, fried chicken, French fries, spaghetti and soft drinks. They forgot they had a game to play. So they lost by forfeiture. See what happens when people are deprived of such niceties?
Well, the North Koreans and Ifugao folks have one thing in common; they don’t have fast food chain stores like Jollibee or McDonalds. This is a wake-up call for incoming officials.
There are so many ways of putting up one or more Jollibee or McDonalds in Ifugao, I am willing to share a few ideas for the people’s betterment.
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The bright boys and girls of the provincial government are rejoicing over the results of the last CARAA meet in Bangued, Abra. It is true that the Ifugao contingent brought home 36 gold medals, but at what cost? The province spent a staggering amount of Php 7.7 million for the delegation. Each gold medal costs Php 236,000 of tax payers’ money. Indeed, a very expensive gold medal. In Ifugao, many are poor. Many are having a hard time stretching their budget just to buy food. The sick cannot even buy their medicines. There were 134 officials who went with the athletes. Many of them were not needed there in the first place. In short, it’s a junket. Oddly enough, President Duterte fired a number of high ranking officials for the same reasons.
A poor province like Ifugao need not engage in wanton spending and extravagance and instead use public funds judiciously. Pity the poor Ifugao taxpayers!
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The 7th Heaven Café and Lodging is a must-visit for anyone who happens to be in Banaue. Located not too far from the municipal hall, this establishment welcomes visitors for an overnight or two stay. It offers a comprehensive list of services. It is owned by Louie Batton- Ocden.
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For our food delights corner: bring out the excitement of having creamy ginataang (coconut milk) sitaw (sting beans) and kalabasa (squash). Great with fried bangus (milkfish), meat balls in sweet and sour sauce and rice.
For appetizers: vanilla cake, bananas and chilled pineapple juice.
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Here are some thoughts for our readers: “Freedom of expression contributes to the maintenance and development of a free society in many ways.” George Mott
“If a man becomes conscious of his rights, he must become equally aware of his duties.” Pacem in Terris 44 **
