By Anthony A. Araos
Besides the world-famous Batad Rice Terraces and enchanting Tappiyah Falls, the scenic town of Banaue offers many other fascinating weekend destinations still unexplored by travelers for quite some time. There, along a winding and uphill street not too far from the municipal tourism information office, the Banaue Museum serves as a pleasant surprise to adventurous local and foreign visitors.
It makes a lot of difference for the tourists- whether from Makati City or Naga City, or Barcelona, Spain or Detroit, Michigan, to get a good glimpse of the past through a museum visit.
This is surely an opportunity to know better the culture of the people in far-away places of the country. Tourists feel optimistic and positive about life- on their comforts being enjoyed in contemporary times. Conveniences nowhere around nearly hundreds of years back.
A visit to a museum is usually pleasant, and it is best to bring along a notebook to write important details at the said place. There you can see a lot of collection of valuable historical information.
A visit to a museum is always a moment rich of clarity. It reinforces the belief that the past is an integral segment in studying or analyzing how to thread into the future.
It is not difficult to recommend to anthropology and history students the Banaue Museum as a must-visit place.
Banaue Museum is situated just beside Banaue View Inn. It contains books written by noted anthropologist Otley Beyer and artifacts collected by his son William. Also on display are jewelry, weaponry, traditional dress and headgear. Among the other outstanding works on display here are collectors-item photos of Banaue in the early 20th century.
If an eco-tour in Banaue is incomplete when the tourist skips Batad Rice Terraces, then a historical tour is not complete without including the Banaue Museum in the itinerary.
Would you not consider then Banaue Museum as a haven for great learning in an hour or two?
Undoubtedly, Banaue Museum helps visitors enjoy, understand and use the various visual learning forms in appreciating a rare study-it-yourself activity.
Whether it is a package tour or shared tour, make sure that Banaue Museum is in the list of places to see. This is also true with private tours. All told, Banaue Museum is always a point of interest in this scenic town.
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There are only a few museums in Ifugao. Sadly, only a few individuals are even visiting these museums.
This is precisely the reason why it is so important that efforts should be pursued to increase the level of awareness of the people, most especially the young, on the significance of museums.
In order to increase the number of tourist arrivals in Ifugao, greater awareness of the museums- be it in Banaue or Kiangan, be highlighted in promotional campaign by the incoming provincial government officials in 2019.
A privately-operated museum is a major contribution of a creative and intelligent member of society. Kind-hearted and generous Filipinos should not hesitate to extend their resources for the improvement and maintenance of a museum.
By doing so, they ensure the preservation of the Philippine culture through the arts, music and dances. By upgrading the museum’s facilities, the tourism industry gets a big lift and assures to reach as wide an audience as possible.
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Incoming mayors of Banaue and Kiangan (with Mayor Jerry Dalipog and Mayor Joselito Guyguyon, respectively, on their third and last terms) should incorporate the strong participation of the museum curators in their fiestas. After all, there is an interconnection between the museum and the festivity’s thrust to highlight history, culture and traditions.
I am advancing this idea with the single-minded idea of boosting the tourism industries of Banaue and Kiangan.
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Despite the lapses and blunders made by not a few congressmen and some senators, Congress is still a major institution in the Philippines. It remains to be the seat as well as the symbol of representative government. It is, in fact, the bulwark of democratic government.
This is exactly the reason why it is important for Ifugao voters to be very careful and discerning when they troop to the polls next year and choose the successor of Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., who is on his third and last term. They should know by now that the stakes are quite high.
Despite the rosy pronouncements of some provincial government officials, high poverty levels as well as unemployment and underemployment continue to hound the Ifugao economy. What is the stand of the reported aspirants for Ifugao congressman on this matter? Are they well-prepared for the job of creating more and better jobs for Ifugao folks, reduce poverty and achieve inclusive growth in far-flung, underserved villages?
I met a month ago an education graduate of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) who is working as an attendant of a gasoline station in one of the province’s 11 towns. This is again a proof that something is wrong somewhere. To the congressional hopefuls: What are you going to do as a way of solving this problem?
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In possibly seeking a higher position in next year’s polls, Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw is inevitably paving the way for the collision course of two titans of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP). Two board members who are both serving their third and last terms. One is from the province’s first district and the other is from the second district.
It is prayed that whoever succeeds the hardworking Vice Governor Gullitiw, governance standards at the SP will not be lowered so as to ensure the promotion of quality legislation.
It is hoped that the next Vice Governor has the indefatigable vision of investing in agriculture, education, health, youth and creating better job opportunities for a brighter future.
Of course, I have an idea on who is the rightful heir to the Office of the Vice Governor. Just won’t tell you now! This candidate for vice governor can really do something for this impoverished province.
Voters should avoid the pitfalls of “pa-cute,” “pa-bebe” appearances and grandstanding of politicians between now and October of this year when they file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) and subsequently by May of 2019 when the polls are conducted.
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This newspaper long associated with the famed, long, winding and dizzying Kennon Road has zoomed up its reach in the CAR and around the world..
I was elated to know that there were already 256,629 viewers of zigzag weekly.net when I browsed upon some information on my laptop. Who is happier than Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Atty. Tony Pekas and the men and women of this publication? Immediately, I attributed it to several factors. A good grip of the developments outside Baguio City is important in earning a mileage for regional newspapers as this one. Local news is frequently handled poorly by most publications in the CAR. Journalism-trained and educated men and women can bring their abilities and knowledge immediately to bear on this area of local news gathering; these professionals can produce results in local coverage. Sad to say, many of those in government publications and information offices as well as privately-owned publications don’t even know how to write a correct sentence. Sustained efforts to improve their writing skills will hopefully unlock huge amounts of human potentials in the region for the years to come. Investing in workshops and seminars is a key factor in eradicating mediocrity in this part of the nation. For this reason, the ZigZag Weekly should initiate one. Beyond its surging viewership count and readership index, ZigZag Weekly is capable of greatness in many other ways.
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An incredibly stupid story has been swirling around Ifugao that the recent nighttime hold-up in Kiangan actually revolved around the plot that the Php 2.7 million was “entrusted” (boltan, an Ifugao term for entrusting something) to the robbers by the LMDC personnel who were bringing the money for 4Ps beneficiaries of the DSWD. Moreover, no force was used according to the story teller. Yet, the robbers pointed guns on the victims.
Believe it or not: during the Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) meeting where this matter was discussed, the police officer even asked the DSWD if they interviewed the three LMDC personnel. Haven’t it crossed his mind that it is the job of the PNP to do so?
Seriously, it left a black mark on the province’s peace and order situation. There cannot be economic development if peace and order problems persist. Investors are afraid to come in so are the tourists. Intriguingly, provincial government officials are eerily silent on this matter. If it occurred in another province, the governor, would have ordered immediately a thorough investigation. Likewise, a reward for the apprehension of the culprits would be offered. A resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that calls for an inquiry would have been filed. Between you and me, it is merely wishful thinking in this part of the country. In the meantime, Ifugao folks need to make sure that they had enough of this incredibly stupid story. Or they end up as the laughings tock of the world. Even if this is a joke. It is a sick and cruel joke exacted at the expense of the poor!
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Do you really want to get rid of vote-buying schemes at the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation elections for the province? Here’s one practical and doable mode. Gather the 11 municipal SK presidents in a room and give them an aptitude exam. The examination is to be administered by the University of the Philippines. The topnotcher becomes the SK provincial president. This method will definitely help us develop more talented officials that could hopefully give us better board members. This also prevents corruption of the youth. Don’t you know the Philippines is the most corrupt country in Asia? How embarrassing indeed!
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A tip for success: Show sensitivity to the feelings and sentiments of the poor, needy and sick in the community by taking consideration of their predicament in difficult economic times.
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For our food delights corner: it is time for daing na bangus (milkfish), corned beef, red eggs and fried rice for breakfast.
For appetizers and dessert: bring out the best of papaya, yema cake and chilled mango juice. You may also opt for hot chocolate.
Make it always a big and special breakfast for your family and loved ones. Don’t ever say you don’t have time to prepare one. Breakfast expresses a profound reality. Start the day right with a full meal. We must also be thankful to the heavenly Father for all the blessings at the table. What is the meaning of this assertion? After a delicious breakfast, there is a bright, blazing ray of the sun ahead of us.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Transforming the Philippines into a federal republic would do more harm than good. The federal system would mean additional bureaucracy, taxes and red tape.” Senator Ralph Recto
“Let us not wait for things to go badly. I don’t regret voting against the measure.” Senator Panfilo Lacson on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law
“Do not envy the man of violence or follow his example.” Prov 3:27-34 **
