By Anthony A. Araos
Around one hour and a half from Banaue (or three hours from Lagawe) is the picturesque town of Mayoyao in Ifugao province. The town is relatively enclosed by rugged mountains. The soils here are productive and the town is known for its intensive terraced farming. The upland town is also known for its waterfalls. One of the country’s most scenic waterfalls is found in Mayoyao. I’m referring, of course, to Mahencha Falls in barangay Chumang.
Most of the time, Mahencha Falls only plays a sort of supporting role to the more popular Tenogtog Falls in barangay Inwaloy. It is time for Mahencha Falls to take the center stage.
In a recent conversation in Makati City with two tourists from Belguim and another one from Mexico who all went to Banaue, I told these ladies to visit Mahencha Falls in Mayoyao after their Banaue trip. They replied in the affirmative.
Of course, I told them more of this wonderful place. I said this is the place for them to experience authentic adventure of the spectacular landscape of Mayoyao. Since they brought with them their cameras, I also stressed that Mahencha Falls easily provide a unique and exquisite backdrop for photographic productions.
Mahencha Falls surely is the next destination of Ifugao. Small wonder, it is not difficult to tell them at the end of the lively conversation the following message: “Come and enjoy the beauty that Mahencha Falls behold!”
Then they asked me why I came up with such a picture perfect description of the said waterfalls. “The sight of the waterfalls is simply spellbinding,” I told them. My feelings for this site and Mayoyao are very strong and positive. As I have said in the past, I am always pleased to invite local and foreign tourists to Mayoyao. Their visit is auspicious now that the municipal government (headed by Mayor Ronie Lumayna and Vice Mayor Jimmy Padchanan Jr.) is implementing action plans to attract visitors.
There are a thousand and one reasons to do so for the town’s waterfalls also complement other nature activities such as trekking. But, at the end of the day, the tourists are likely to conclude that Mayoyao indeed is a land of breathtaking waterfalls.
By many indications, there is a great sense of life upon seeing the Mahencha Falls. Is this all but a metaphor? It is like there is a feeling of wanting to stop the water. It is certainly like life itself when a person has to go through the daily rigors or obstacles of surviving.
By all indications, Mahencha Falls shall be a top destination of the province, being a scenic spot for local and foreign travelers, aside from being an ideal place for film and video productions.
But a glaring aspect has been skipped by tourism industry stakeholders in the province- that of the fact there is little information about Mahencha Falls. There is also the question it is among in the list of top priorities of the provincial government.
Although Mahencha Falls attract a good number of tourists in recent times, its attractiveness to visitors fall perhaps only a distant second to Tenogtog Falls.
By design, a trip to waterfalls is meant to supplement and enhance the learning experience of tourists. The trip gives them an opportunity to learn more of the environment. The environment is so precious, so tourists should be conscientious in safeguarding every inch of the environment at all times. Everyone should realize that no one owns a right or title to alter it. It is us who ruin the environment.
It is high time to heed the call to rev up environmental protection measures at these waterfalls and other natural wonders in Mayoyao by reminding local folks (as well as local tourists) not to throw their garbage in such places not only during the Lenong Festival and town fiesta but throughout the year.
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Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile tried to deliberately manipulate and distort the narrative of how the martial law regime of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos destroyed the foundations of democracy during his one-man rule. Enrile, who served as the late strongman’s defense secretary during the darkest chapter of Philippine history, is insurmountably ignorant of the excesses of their notorious heydays in power.
Filipinos should be on the lookout and vigilant on the continuing attempts of certain quarters to inject revisionist thoughts of martial law era in state-issued history textbooks.
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For the second time, former Bayan Partylist Rep. Neri Colemenares is running for Senator in next year’s midterm elections. He is again being fielded by the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives. Atty. Colmenares is from the Visayas and authored a number of landmark measures at the lower chamber of Congress. Notably, he fought for the increased pension plan of the Social Security System (SSS). Atty. Colmenares is a tried and tested nationalist. His track record as a public servant is impressive. He is also known for advancing the cause of laborers, farmers, youth and women. Save a spot for him in the “Magic 12” of senators and you’ll be glad you’ve done a good job in voting wisely!
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At a recent Reproductive Health Provincial Implementation Program activity in Lagawe, I witnessed a “shocker” of my life when a speaker said “our accomplishment revolves around the distribution of free condoms in bars in our town.” “And if supplies run out, we immediately provide them more,” she added. In fairness, I’m not disclosing the town where these girlie bars are situated. But most Ifugao folks are no longer clueless about it.
Anyhow, the act of supplying these girlie bars “unli” condoms only promotes the conduct of promiscuous sexual activities. No doubt, these joints merely serve as prostitution fronts. The solution to the problem is not providing free condoms. Closure of these girlie bars is the right thing to do and it makes a lot of sense. In a nutshell, this mindset of giving free condoms in girlie bars is a microcosm of the state of ignorance and neglect of public welfare in this part of the country.
By the way, I also served at one time a consultant of Baguio Center for Young Adults (BCYA) and a national reproductive health organization based in Manila. But I never advocated the free distribution of condoms or the likes. Despite my objections on this concern, I have gone ahead and taken on the challenge of giving the people the right information.
Can the people be guided to properly conduct responsible parenthood and reproductive health concerns without “liberalizing” the use and distribution of condoms? My experience in these two prestigious NGOs has shown that, contrary to popular belief, they can and for good reasons.
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The political season has practically started with the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) by aspirants for various positions in the 2019 midterm polls.
Already, I can see myself on the right track to making a fearless prediction on the cast of candidates who are trooping to Comelec (Commission on Elections) offices from October 11 to 17. Obviously, they belong to the three Cs. Meaning the Clowns, Crooks and Competent ones are throwing their hats in the political arena. Good news, bad news, who knows? Take your pick, just the same. Or it’s all a matter of choosing the less evil, so to speak. In other words, it’s all a matter of getting used to it.
In Ifugao, when you ask a voter’s preference among, for instance, three candidates for Mayor, he or she is likely to say “secret.” Or the reply is “relative.” This has reference to the fact that the three mayoralty bets are his or her relatives. Watch out for candidates “secret” and “relative,” only in Ifugao. Choices like that are clearly spoken out of sheer ignorance. I have learned that such mindset still persists. I do my best to understand that everything is far less normal out here. I don’t want to get used to it. Ifugao folks can’t stop trusting even their own. And so they say “it’s secret.” Too bad, it disrupts social interaction.
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I met three hardworking and dedicated public school teachers during the just-concluded Teachers Day celebration in Lagawe. They are Jonna Dulnuan of Bangtiwon Elementary School, Zenia Marie Humiding of Humalophop Elementary School, both in Hingyon town, and Helen Lunag of Ponghal Elementary School in Lagawe. Congratulations for being outstanding mentors!
Just like many others, however, they are underpaid. That’s the meat of the problem. And it is one hell of a problem at that.
Candidates for the Senate and the House of Representatives should prioritize education reform laws in the country. They should consider giving them higher salaries to cope up with the high cost of living. It should be the first order of business of the next Congressman of Ifugao on how to improve the conditions of teachers.
I am calling on Ifugao voters to support candidates espousing a pro-teacher and pro-education platform. I emphasized the need for the electorate to pick candidates who genuinely care for the welfare of teachers. Ifugao is in dire need of men and women in public service who will stand for and defend the well-being of teachers. Voters should rally behind them and make them win.
There are about six or seven candidates for Congressman (or Representative) in Ifugao. Only three of them are the serious ones. You’ll have their names soon. It means that the educated Ifugao voter should aside personal interest (out of blood ties) but cater to the interests of the general population- most especially those in the education sector.
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A blooper in Ifugao: I saw the following sign at a house in a town in the province’s first district: “Room for rent. Good for 2 person.” It should be 2 persons.
One of the most ambitious programs of the Chinese government has been the establishment of universal public education . China has invested a lot in the evolution of quality education. Dating back even to the Sung Dynasty, education flourished in China. Language improvement was well-proniunced. Another golden age of the Chinese culture occurred during the Han Dynasty. So Chinese youngsters were taught to say: “Good for 2 persons” not “Good for 2 person.” Today, excellence is equated to cultural maturity in China. With a bustling industrial front, China is the world’s second largest economy. Errors in grammar and even spelling in Chinese schools are immediately corrected by teachers. Inside a classroom, there is no room for mistakes or errors.
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A tip for success: Value time. Whatever your work or profession is, it is so important to make use of each second of the day. As this accounts, to a large extent, of the productivity of an individual in a workplace for no one is idle.
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For our food delights corner: it is a perfect time to have adobong pusit (squid), breaded pork chop, mixed vegetables and steamed rice for dinner.
For appetizers and dessert: try bringing out the best of strawberry ice cream, sliced papaya and chilled pineapple juice.
Of course, don’t forget to pray for the blessings at the table.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “I can give you a run for your money.” President Rodrigo Duterte in challenging reporters to a drinking session and on his state of health.
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May I commend Poblacion West kagawad Luzviminda Nayao of Lamut, Ifugao for her invaluable contributions to the barangay council. Her dedication to work is hard to dispute. She is indeed an asset to the barangay government. Congratulations, God bless and Mabuhay!**
