By Anthony A. Araos
It is a good thing to plan ahead now for a wonderful and memorable staycation next year. The choice is indeed in Banaue. Consider attending the “Imbayah” festivity. To my mind, it has the touch of everything.
The “Imbayah” has made a reputation as a festival worth witnessing for a thousand and one reasons. It mirrors the lives of Banaue folks.
Visiting Banaue at festivity time is like a well-loved tourist, where after taking part in various activities, one may resort to reading a book or newspaper in a lodging inn. It makes one feel like walking through the rich history of a town known worldwide for its majestic rice terraces.
I recommended to my two friends from Athens, Greece, who are coming back in 2019 to Banaue, to witness the “bultong” (wrestling) and the race of hand –carved wooden scouters from the Rice Terraces View Point to the town plaza in barangay Poblacion. I told them: the Imbayah Festival has got it all for you!
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Who is behind the Federalism campaign, not why Filipinos don’t want federalism?
After spending perhaps hundreds of millions of pesos initially for the federalism drive to convince the people to support the planned shift of the form of government to a federal type from the present unitary or presidential form, the results of independent pollster Pulse Asia survey showed 66% of Filipinos are not in favor of changing the form of government. I am glad that even pro-administration officials accepted the results of the said survey.
On the other hand, in my humble opinion, the relevant query that merits for raising is: Who is behind the on-going federalism campaign?
Clearly, politicians are the ones who are pushing for Charter change. They simply want to perpetuate themselves in power.
Litmus test for them: Have them sign a document outlining a pledge not to run in the first elections after the approval of the shift to a federal form of government. I’m betting Php 100 that they are not going to sign it!
I can just imagine the strong frustrations of rabid supporters of the federalism plan. Little did they know that a vast majority are opposed to it. They must have quickly discussed it with their like-minded friends. Something is telling me that they too have their own excuses and alibis.
At this point, let me share the results of my own survey (of 30 respondents each in four Ifugao towns) on the question: Do you approve of the plan to shift to a federal form of government in the Philippines?
Here are the results:
Municipality Yes No Undecided
Banaue 4 19 7
Kiangan 4 17 9
Lagawe 3 16 11
Lamut 7 15 8
My point is: Without the active participation of the private sector, President Duterte may not be able to realize his dream of shifting to a federal form of government.
It is impossible to push the federalism drive in the hands of the public sector. A rejection figure of 66% is a manifestation that the men and women in the government tasked to advance the federalism cause are obviously bungling on their jobs. It should be made clear that they are richly being pampered out of the people’s hard-earned taxes thus, a judgement shall be passed on their performances. They failed. In an examination, they are not passers. Not today, not ever.
Informing the people on the merits of the federalism plan is a tough job. I have an explanation for the present-day blunders of the officialdom. The report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on its April 30, 2018 issue says it all: “Mr. Duterte appeared to have been surprised when Philippine News Agency (PNA) Davao bureau chief Lilian Mellojar introduced herself and her news outfit.
“What’s your? What’s your entity? The President asked Mellojor. Philippine News Agency, sir,” Mellojor replied. Is there such a thing [as PNA]?” Duterte asked.
Another instance: A major national government agency in the Cordilleras sponsored a federalism forum in Ifugao. In attendance were barangay council officials and government employees. Shortly after lunch was served, only a handful of individuals were around.
For those in charge of raising the people’s awareness and consciousness on the federalism plan, the failure to get the nod of the citizenry is beyond redemption, they must be axed. The job of doing so should not be assigned to amateurs.
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The removal of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno through the quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court is a convenient bit of move by her detractors. This plot is but a symptom of the crudity of thinking now pervading in certain circles of the public sector.
Her critics are making what they think would be a last-ditch effort to oust her instead of the impeachment trial at the Senate. This is a very risky move.
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A decade or so had passed since I saw a similar sight. Two days into the campaign period of the synchronized barangay and SK polls, I saw Punong Barangay Alfonso Dominong and Kagawad Arnel Sumeg-ang , both seeking the position of Barangay Captain in Poblacion East of Lagawe, campaigning together. Yes, they jointly conducted house-to-house sorties at the village. They brought no campaign materials. They just went to a household, introduced themselves to the voters and said “Thank you!” They should be emulated by the others.
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However, the increase in entertainment buzz and shocking overspending of many candidates confirm that they have been influenced already by their counterparts in the municipal, provincial and national government.
Playing loudly campaign jingles in the early hours of the morning is a terrible thing to do. There is nothing informative about these jingles, except remind voters of a popular song in recent past. The government has a clear duty to educate the electorate. Voters may appropriately seek means to get valuable information about a candidate. These jingles, however, are misleading and annoying.
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According to a 2015 report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cordillera Administrative Region’s land area is 1,829,368 hectares with 275, 769 hectares of Alienable and Disposable Land and 1,553,599 hectares of total forest land.
Each day, several trees are being cut for no reason at all other than “kaingin.” My heart bleeds each time I witness how Ifugao folks wantonly engage in this much-despised practice. I don’t want to see a fruit-bearing tree (like papaya, jackfruit or avocado) being cut just to be used for cooking. Trees are important in preventing soil erosion. Alarmingly, the forest cover of Ifugao is fast dwindling. As a result, landslides are rampant in the province. It is the kind of implication you wanted to impress upon hard-headed folks here and yet you didn’t want to hear their silly and ridiculous arguments. Would you want denuded forests in a not-so-distant time? Let us avoid such situation. If the strict implementation of the law would bring about a long-lasting solution to the problem, why not go after those who are into “kaingin” practice?
It is hoped that the incoming barangay council officials do something swiftly and decisively on this problem. They should immediately gather information on financial resources and budgetary allocations applicable to their respective jurisdictions to guide them in their planning actions.
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The recent summit meeting of South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a great learning lesson to all Ifugao folks. Why? For one, they spoke in one Korean language. They understood each other.
How come Ifugao folks speak in Ayangan and Tuwali? That is precisely the reason why they don’t understand each other. On the other hand, folks in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte provinces speak only in Ilocano. While in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte provinces, folks speak only in Bicolano. Like the Koreans, they understood each other.
Folks in then West Germany and East Germany speak in German. Likewise, folks in then South Vietnam and North Vietnam speak in Vietnamese. They understood each other. Yet, there is no such thing as South Ifugao and North Ifugao.
If incoming and well-meaning officials of Ifugao are to strive for progress, it is high time for them to ask their constituents to finally speak only one dialect. Speaking two dialects doesn’t make any sense. Speaking two dialects is just alright is an illusion. It runs counter to the goal of unifying a people. It only promotes distrust among them. It only creates division.
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Kalinga folks now have the option to treat their kids of Jolly spaghetti. A Kalinga family is also presently enjoying Jollibee chickenjoy super meals. Poor Ifugao family doesn’t enjoy this privilege. There is a Jollibee restaurant in Tabuk City. None in Ifugao.
What then is the difference between the Kalinga and Ifugao kid? While at a Jollibee playpen, you’ll see their playfulness. Kalinga children are growing up in an environment conducive to bonding with others especially on weekends. This can’t be said to the Ifugao children for obvious reasons. This speaks of the sense for Ifugao to do a lot of catching with the rest of the universe!
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Blooper in Ifugao: In a far flung town, the following item appeared in a tarpaulin “Formulation/Updating of a Spot Mop” (should be Map)
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A tip for success: One must not keep on repeating his or her mistakes.
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For our food delights corner: its perfect time for crispy pata, sinigang na bangus (milkfish), tortang talong (eggplant omelet) and rice. For dessert and appetizers: bring out the best of turon with langka (jackfruit), mocha chocolate and chilled pineapple juice.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.” Ps 42-2**
