STORYBOOK FOR A CAUSE: Artwork & Life Stories

FINDING PEACE IN THE CABBAGE GARDEN: Why I Trust Blogger for My Life Stories

2025-06-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

CULTURAL FUSION OF DISTINCT CORDILLERA COSTUMES & DANCES

2025-06-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Storybook-For-A-Cause/195989247081204?sk=wall#!/media/set/?set=a.222258957787566.72104.195989247081204&type=1

Way back in 2005, I started collecting sets of the different tribal costumes of the Cordilleras. I found them so diverse, hence I learned to take note of the different symbols in the designs to differentiate the distinct culture of each tribal group. Many times, I committed error in matching them as it was admittedly confusing... which one was Itneg or Isneg, Itawes or Balangao... those are just a few.

The ethnic groups are named generally after each Province: Benguet, Mt Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao. But the tribal groups in each province are many and diverse. Take Apayao for example, the geographical territory is inhabited not only by the Isnegs/Isnags, but also the Itawes, Aetas, and the Aggays. In Benguet, there are the Kankanaeys and Ibalois, also the Karaos, and the Kalanguya. Mountain Province, on the other hand has an array of tribes with their distinct costumes like the Gaddangs, Bontocs, Applais, and other groups, with differences on how many "canyaos" a family performed, animals hunted, etc. The status has its own apparel and accessories. The "buaya"necklace for example is worn by those men in the "ato" who hunted and took home the "sawing" of the wild boar.

The Cordillera region is peopled with different ethnolinguistic groups and they are proud of their identities in their own tribal affiliations. These are marked with their own spiritualities, stories, language, and community rituals which are seen in their costumes, storytelling, music, and dance. Often, these groups are mistakenly lumped together. Their costumes, dances, and rituals are mismatched and misrepresented, and doing these are not right. Artistic interpretations are trendy but sensitivity to culture must be considered. If a group has to use the costumes and perform the dances for festivals, then they must do them the correct way.

Born in the Cordilleras, I was taught the proper use of my own Applai costume. At a young age, my mother gave me my own "tapis". I was taught to wrap it around my waist as a skirt - to my right then over to my left, with the hem just below the knee and the outer end made lower. A belt was worn called "bakget" to hold the skirt.

According to the stories I heard, in the olden days, when the tribes guarded their territories with their lives, it was necessary thaty they don their costumes to be recognized by their own people and the spirits around them. So each tribe were clothed with the same color scheme and design. As a community, they co-existed as one people similar in form and adapted themselves with their own environment for survival and protection, so their way of life totally complemented their surroundings. They simulated the nature of where they lived, guided by the dictates of their animistic beliefs. This unity and harmony with nature effectively blessed their existence in a wild and harsh environment. No wonder, for hundreds of years, they were able to fight subjugation attempts of the colonizers.

With these thoughts, the strength of our cultural heritage is harnessed if we recognize and understand the distinct way of life of specific tribal groups to be able to integrate and practice the good values of their existence as contained in their costumes and traditions.

I uploaded the pictures and I randomly write this to prepare for the Seminar Workshop on STRENGTHENING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE TRANSMISSION, sponsored by the Lin-awa Center for Culture and Arts. I was invited by Ms. Lucy Ruiz, the Program Director to talk on "The Indigenous Attires/Accessories and Dances of the Cordillera provinces and Guidelines on Appropriate Use/Proper Dance Movements." I am to present about the APAYAOs.

It happened that Ms Lucy and I are both members of the Cordillera Global Network (CGN). I used the Apayao costume in one of our events entitled "Tribute to the Cordillera Heroes". From that, I was called to present about the tribe;) In fairness, doing my storybooks, I have done my earlier researches on this. But that was not enough.

Admittedly, I am not from Apayao. My father is from Sagada and my mother is from Besao, both from Mountain Province. I grew up in Mankayan, Benguet. I am from the Applai tribe and belong to the ethno-linguistic group of the Kankanaeys. I trace my memory of the Apayaos from an old man who worked with my father in our bakery business before. He was coy and amiable in his normal state. After work, however, he would drink San Miguel, then brag about being "iyapayaw", which meant a man from Apayao. He would talk about crossing the turbulent Apayao River. He said that they were called the river people or "Los Mandayas". According to him, these people were never afraid to fight their enemies. He said he walked the lush green virgin forests down to Ilocos where no one would dare trek because of the fear of getting beheaded unawares. I saw him dance like the bird "turayan" and he would seem to flow and melt with the wind. He said however that he does not have the skill of other iyapayaw who could dance perfectly with the briskness of their feet. It was interesting for me to learn that the name "iyapayaw" came from their act of yelling while their fingers tap their lips like the native American Indians do.

To carry on with this assignment to talk about the Apayaos made me really think. It is easier to talk about my roots as echoing what I observed and what elders told me would just make me summon those childhood memories to flow. Now, trying to figure out what the man Iyapayaw had been talking about made me piece together the information I gathered from some books and the internet, and people I managed to interview.

My best insight is to immerse myself in the tribal group's own context to be able to understand their symbols and designs. In the Cordilleras, even how diverse the cultural practices are, there are basic similarities which make integration easy.

I am then sharing these pictures from Bontoc, Apayao, and Kalinga. I took these photos from my own collection, and thanks much from Linda Cawed (Bontoc collection), Graal Cawed of Topskill, Lucy Ruiz of Lin-awa, the book "Form and Splendor", and the website of Apayao Province. These are valuable materials to be used as references as we educate ourselves with our own culture from before, now, and for the future.

Hopefully, a book about CULTURAL FUSION OF DISTINCT CORDILLERA COSTUMES & DANCES would soon materialize as one of our cultural resources. Working on it. Contributions are appreciated. ;)

Pureza Gomeyac - Egmalis

SANCTUARY IN HEAVEN'S GARDEN

2024-01-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

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2019-11-23T01:21:00.001-08:00

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Gaia's House Sagada

2018-04-12T19:44:00.003-07:00

BAGUIO ART: Merging with Art Images and Quotations

2012-10-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

There has to come a time in your life

when you make peace with something

that you will never be able to explain or understand.

When you feel the broken pieces inside you

come together.

Not in the same form as before it was broken.

But a new form.

A new piece to your soul

that you carry on with.

~ J.V. Manning

The aim

of every

artist is

to arrest

motion,

which is

life, by

artificial

means

and hold

it fixed

so that a

hundred

years

later,

when a

stranger

looks at it,

it moves

again

since

it is life.

~William

Faulkner

It has been said that art is a tryst,

for in the joy of it maker

and beholder meet.

~Kojiro Tomita

Art is

when

you

hear a

knocking

from

your

soul

and

you

answer.

~Terri

Guillemets

Art

is the

only

way to

run

away

without leaving

home.

~Twyla

Tharp

What art offers is space -
a certain breathing room
for the spirit.
~John Updike

Let

ask

you

something, what

is not

art?

~Author

Unknown

Painting is just another way

of keeping a diary.

~Pablo Picasso

An artist

is someone

who

produces things

that people

don't need

to have

but that

he -

for some

reason -

thinks it

would be

a good idea

to give

them.

~Andy

Warhol

Art, as far as it is able, follows nature,

as a pupil imitates his master;

thus your art must be, as it were,

God's grandchild.

~Dante Alighieri, Inferno

For

me,

painting

is a

way to

forget

life.

It is a

cry in

the night,

a strangled

laugh.

~Georges

Rouault

The artist gazes upon a reality and

creates his own impression.

The viewer gazes upon the impression

and creates his own reality.

~Robert Brault

I found

I could

say things

with color

and shapes

that I

couldn't

say any

other way -

things I

had no

words for.

~Georgia

O'Keeffe

“There is no must in art because art is free”
Wassily Kandinsky

As far

as I am

concerned,

a painting

speaks for

itself.

What is

the use

of giving

explanations,

when all

is said

and done?

A painter

has only

one

language.

~Pablo

Picasso

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein

I want

to reach

that

condensation

of sensations

that

constitutes

a picture.

~Henri

Matisse,

Notes d'un

peintre,

1908

All the other colors are just colors, but purple seems to have a soul. Purple is not just a noun and an adjective but also a verb - when you look at it, it's looking back at you. ~Uniek Swain

Art

the

colors

and

textures

of your

imagination.

~Meghan,

Los Cerros

Middle

School,

1999

“Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.”
Pablo Picasso

Art is

your

personal

diary

where

you may

color your

thoughts

and

emotions

on a page.

~Sara,

Los Cerros

Middle School,

1999

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
~ Leonardo da Vinci

Art is

a shadow

of what a

person is

thinking...

a small

glimpse

of what

they hold

inside.

Little

secrets,

regrets,

joys...

every line

has its own

meaning.

~Sarah,

Los Cerros

Middle School,

1999

“Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us.”
~Roy Adzak

Art is

your

emotions

flowing

in a

river of

imagination.

~Devin,

Los Cerros

Middle School,

1999

“Life is an art,

and you are the artist.”

Art is

adventure

that

never

seems

end.

~Jason,

Los Cerros

Middle School,

1999

“The secret of life is in art.”
~Oscar Wild

Art is

a picture straight

from

the

heart.

~Ben,

Los

Cerros

Middle School,

1999

“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul”
~ George Bernard Shaw

One

of the

best

things

about paintings

is their

silence -

which

prompts

reflection

and

random

reverie.

~Mark Stevens

“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.”
~ Oscar Wilde

God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things. ~Pablo Picasso

Acknowledgements:

Photos of artwork were taken at the Arts Festival in

Tam-awan Village, Baguio City

Thank you very much♥

Quotations from:

http://www.quotegarden.com/art.html

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/like/life-is-an-art-and-you-are-the/397520/

MEDITATIVE ESCAPADE IN PURPLE AT WRIGHT PARK BAGUIO

2012-08-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;

her clothing is silk and purple.”

~Bible quotes

The magical power of purple had transcended aesthetics, weaving a thread of connection to something greater – a harmony that reached beyond the visible spectrum of colors.

A MOMENT WITH THE
LONELY HORSES OF WRIGHT PARK

I have this love for horses that one day,
I went to visit them in Wright Park.

"I have often been asked why do I like horses so much. Look into one's eyes. There you will see generations of horses who have served the humans for thousands of years faithfully for nothing in return. Beaten horses, starved hoses, horses who no longer possess a spirit. They deserve to be loved and respected as much as humanly possible. Let them run free again. Let them no longer be a faithful beasts, but embrace them as you would a dear friend, for that is what they are."

I tried communicating to each horse,
and only one made contact.
This horse tilted his head my way
and you can see that look in his eyes.

This horse looked at me with his soul in his eyes.
Awesome. It made my day♥

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire."
~Sharon Ralls Lemon

"To me, horses and freedom are synonymous."
~Veryl Goodnight

"Horses are creatures who worship the earth
as they gallop on feet of ivory.
Constrained by the wonder of dying and birth,
the horses still run, they are free."
~John Denver and Joe Henry, "Eagles and Horses"

My wish:

"I have seen things so beautiful, that they have brought tears to my eyes.
Yet, none of them can match the gracefulness and
beauty of a horse running
free."

MEDITATIVE ESCAPADE
is making my "mind like a blank canvas,
to be painted on by the experiences of every day."

I embellish my life with simplicity and ease..

enjoying the simple things..

discovering anything new.

Every moment is

an experience of a rich event.

It is great to be

a dweller of the moment..

There's always some kind of magic -

like putting a lighted candle

in a glass of water

☺

Being happy with the mundane..

driving away boredom and the agony of waiting

by making every moment

a journey with creativity and joy!

There's a time for self-indulgence.

It is "having fun consciously creating your reality:

contemplate, pray, perceive, introspect or reflect.

Breathe.

Indulge in self-awareness at any time and in any place.

It is an attitude, a state of mind and a way of being."

"Imagination becomes a tropical adventure island

to be explored and revisited.

Be willing to go on an adventure and

to learn from yourself and your world.

The imperfections of this world are created
to be perfected in one's mind.

Contemplating on the positives
gives way to desired changes.

You are what you think!

"What you choose to think about and dwell on in this life
will make or break you as to what type of person
you will end up becoming in this life."

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
~Proverbs 23:7

Acknowledgements:

☼Adapted thoughts from Adventure-Learning-Initiatives

☼Quotes from Bible-Knowledge.Com

☼WikiAnswers

☼Photos taken at Wright Park, Baguio City

by Richard D. Egmalis

BRENT BAGUIO ART: THOUGHTS, VALUES, AND QUOTES

2012-08-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

"There are no little events in life;

those we think of no consequence may be full of fate,

and it is at our own risk if we neglect the acquaintances

and opportunities that seem to be casually offered,

and of small importance."

~Amelia Barr

There are lessons

that ought to be

learned much

earlier in life.

The

earlier

that we

learn

those,

the

better.

The colors of life

that swirl around our being,

be it purple, yellow, red, lavender,

or blue would all integrate like

whirl pool at our

core.

Responding

to situations

which happen

and people who

come into our lives

no matter how

tattered or broken

- are very important.

Each person

and situation

must be treated

with dignity

and respect.

Life is like the moon which goes through many phases.

It is the whole of any puzzle which is made up of small, seemingly insignificant pieces. But let us keep in mind that the minor occurrences in our day to day activities do a lot to developing our character.

All pieces fit together no matter how odd their shapes to form a pattern. Each lead to a common track which may either give us a scenario of lightness or gloom.

The itsy-bitsy pieces of ourselves would depend on how we pick up which attitude to show.

We create our own circle of life.

The way we respond to our daily happenings

demonstrate

what we

have learned

and what

we still

need

to learn.

Life is

endowed

with the

richness

of the air,

land,

and

water.

could

target

live

alone.

But

no man

an island.

all live

under

the

samesun.

man

stands

alone!

Life has birth pains.

It is spiced

with

suffering.

With that

we learn

to be patient

to be able to carry on with the

difficulties.

become

aware of the

things seem

unimportant.
We

look at

all sides,

not just

one.

We cry

in agony

of our

pains and

we accept

help, as we

in turn help

those

in need.

Awareness

of the

things

that seem

unimportant

can be

one of the

helpful

part of

our growing

and learning

processes.

It's a small world, after all.

It's a small, small world!

We treat

other

people

better

when

they are

important

to us.

They

are there

to help

us; and

we help

them in

their

lives,

too.

We all

co-exist

in one

Mother

Earth.

The best

way for

us is

not

to be

judgemental.

We think

of any

situation

and

anyone

as great

and

significant.

That way,

do not

lose

sight

of the lessons

we ought

to learn.

Our deeds are the windows of our own souls.

Others

look

at us

with

what

they see

in the

outside.

But some

could see

our

souls

through

the works

we have

done -

not only

for

ourselves but

also for others.

could not

trivialize

what

each one

has

accomplished.

If we do,

we risk

not seeing

and

learning

the lessons

that we

truly need

to see

and

learn.

Our lessons

would

become

pure talk,

mere

words.

Let us be like the lotus flower

that bloom pure above the murky waters.

There is

always good in each one.

But no one is

perfect.

Let us not

overanalyze

all that

we go through to come up with specific answers about just what everything means. Each individual goes through their own ebbs and flows in life.

There are times that we get isolated in our own sea. We are left to grapple with the tides, which expectedly are not always smooth. We swim, no matter how rough. This may leave us bruised, so we keep to ourselves and in time, we heal.

We do not know what each one had to go through, hence it would be helpful if we were to treat things and people with the respect they deserve.

"Remember it is the little things
the work is done through."
~W. Q. Judge

♥

Acknowledgements:

☼Photos of artwork taken during the Brent IB Art Exhibit 2012
by Robert Joaquin, Areumi Chae, Chang Hyun An, Ja Hyeon Jeon, Jaime Benito Prieto, Jin Hyeok Choi, Sehee Yang

☼Brent School-Baguio and its PTA

☼Adaptations from Living Life Fully http://www.livinglifefully.com/

☼Inspirational quotations by KHALIL GIBRAN below

Photos & thoughts by ~Lepan♥

with Russia Lei G. Egmalis and Richard D. Egmalis;

with great appreciation of the works ofart by the

Brent IB students of 2012 and their mentor

Robert Joaquin

“Your children are not your children.

They are sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you.

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

for they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows

from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the make upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might that

His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand

be for gladness.

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He also loves the bow that is stable.”

“You may forget with whom you laughed,

but you will never forget with whom you wept. ”

"All that spirits desire, spirits attain."

“We choose our joys and sorrows

long before we experience them.”

“Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.

But you are the eternity and you are the mirror.”

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

"The appearance of things change according to the emotions,

and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic

and beauty are really in ourselves."

"Generosity is not giving me that which I need more than you do,

but it is giving me that which you need more than I do."

"Progress lies not in enhancing what is,
but in advancing toward what will be."

In these photos: Russia Lei G. Egmalis, Pureza gomeyac-Egmalis, Karl Torento, Almae Caluya, Rowena Joaquin, Tess Abenojar, Richard D. Egmalis, Robert Joaquin, Red Kairos G. Egmalis, Jenny Bautista,

CULTURAL VIGNETTE : A tale on the Traditional Costume of the Isneg Tribe of Apayao Province in the Philippines

2012-08-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

"Most people think

Time is like a river

that flows swift

and sure in

one direction.

They are wrong.

Sit down and

I will tell you

a tale

like none that

you have ever

heard."

~Yuri Lowenthal

Long ago, in the northernly end of the Cordillera central mountains, lies a province named Apayao.

Here, a mighty river, savagely rough and deep, courses through steep mountain gorges down to the valleys and plains, straight to the Philippine Sea. This river, so blue in the mid-morning sun, is the life force for a tribe in Apayao called ISNEG.

The Isnegs lived isolated in these expansive mountains with stunning scenery, adorned with small hills and steep cliffs along both sides of the river. A labyrinth of valleys and foothills, embraced by tropical forests and Savanna grass, led them to their paradise. To reach this haven, they navigated for hours on personalized bamboo rafts or small boats, then traversed long trails to their homes.

The people cherished their land, coexisting with nature spirits known as "anito," who either aided or wrought mischief upon them. Deep within the dark forest, they sought the rare herb "tagarut," an amulet protecting them from ailments caused by malevolent "anitos." Entrusted as stewards of the forests, mountains, rivers, and all living things, they guarded their home with unwavering dedication. In times long past, they took heads to defend their territory.

The landscapes of their rivers and mountains became woven into the fabric of their lives, fostering an innate sense of beauty that they meticulously embroidered into their traditional costumes and ornaments.

Blue, drawn from the river's reflection of the skyworld where their great "anitos" resided or the distant mountains' receding blueness, adorned their garments. Red, derived from the fierce glare of the sun, symbolized energy and the power to conquer their enemies.

They embroidered the river's ripples as it flowed to the sea and the peaks of mountains rippling down to hills and valleys. In these garments, they encapsulated the beauty of nature, creating a lasting connection to their cherished land. These visual narratives depicted their belief that, after their earthly existence, their spirits would ascend a ladder to the spirit world, a realm beyond mortal reach.

Their traditional costumes, a testament to the majesty of creation, crowned them as the royalty of their territory, unconquered by the Spaniards for an extended period.

Such was the life of the Isneg tribe, as adorned in their embellished costumes, narrating their story. They were the river people, akin to their great river – "gentle, quiet, and peaceful."

As many lived along the river, few became it.

The Isnegs, from then to now, in their costumes, perpetuate their rituals. Forever dancing with swift feet, soaring like swallows or the mighty bird "Turayan," they live happily ever after.

And so ends a segment of an unending story.

The Isnegs, from then and now, in their costumes will continue doing their rituals. They will forever be dancing with their swift feet and flying like swallows or the mighty bird "Turayan", living happily ever after.

And that ends the segment of an unending story.

♥

Acknowledgements:

☼Owners of photos #s 2,3, and 11 which were downloaded from the internet.

☼Graal Cawed, owner of Topskill shop in Porta Vaga, Baguio City

who supplied some of the Isneg costumes in the photos.

☼Descriptive quotes from the book: Form and Splendor by Roberto Maramba.

☼ Information about the Religious Beliefs of the Isnegs by Arlene Sapanza

☼ Lin-awa Center for Culture and Arts who sponsored the Seminar workshop on Strengthening Indigenous Knowledge Transmission

☼The IGOROT GLOBAL ORGANIZATION IIC9 for the planned production and publishing of a booklet on CULTURAL VIGNETTES during the Cultural Day but did not push through.

☼The boy with a flute who is a student of the School of Living Tradition in La Trinidad, Benguet Province.

Photos and vignette by ~Lepan♥

Note:

The story above was adapted from the presentation I made on the TRADITIONAL COSTUMES AND DANCES OF THE ISNEGS OF APAYAO to inculcate cultural awareness and sensitivity. This was sponsored by the Lin-awa Center for Culture and Arts. The invitation was through Ms. Lucy Ruiz, the Executive Director.

This was a series of seminar-workshops attended by school teachers. There were, however a few children from the Schools of Living Traditions. Hence I came up with a storytelling style of introduction which explains the symbols in the costumes. This makes them distinct with other tribes.

The plan to compile the CORDILLERA CULTURAL VIGNETTES with the title as suggested by Mrs. Ursula Bangaan Daoey was conceptualized for the Cultural Day of the 9^th Igorot International Consultation (IIC9) in Asin, Tuba, Benguet. The production may still push through once the writings are completed.

Below are photos of events where the Apayao costume was highlighted:

◙9th Igorot International Consultation (IIC9),

Baguio Country Club, Baguio City April 2012

◙ Strengthening Indigenous Knowledge Transmission,

A Seminar-Workshop on Traditional Bamboo Instruments and

Cultural Awareness & Sensitivity Sponsoby Lin-awa Center for Culture and Arts May 20

◙Opening of ALAMAT, a show on myths, at VOCAS

(La Azotea bldg, 108 Session Road, Baguio City) May 2011

◙A Tribute to the Cordilleran Heroes Celebration by the

Cordillera Global Network (CGN) June 2010

◙Learning the Apayao dance mentored by Bart Alatan of Vancouver, Canada

Guisad Barangay Hall, Guisad, Baguio City

"The river has no shape, but it takes on the boundaries which it carves out for itself, so is the mind boundless, until it creates a prison for its own thoughts."

~ Samurai Warrior Wisdom

RAINY BAGUIO

2012-07-30T07:33:00.002-07:00

Miracles are a retelling in small letters
of the very same story which is written across
the whole world in letters too large
for some of us to see.

~ C.S. Lewis

Once upon a moment in rainy Baguio,
I walked down a garden patch
and the petite anthurium flowers
delightfully beamed at me.
A lovely freshness filled morning that was!
☺

I wandered in an old bathroom and I found this

old tree tapestry hanging by its window.

Maybe looking forlorn, wet and moldy

from the constant drizzles by the window sill

but its earth colors and the image

of an old growth pine tree is worth the snapshot

and memory about Baguio's hand woven Arts and Craft.

In a public utility jeep,

I was shivering wet and cold from the rain.

I felt miserable of the sudden heavy downpour as

I am without an umbrella.

At the corner sat a little boy singing his heart out, unmindful of the rain.

He caught me in his own world and I started to melt and warm up.

His voice was a soothing lullaby.

Simple miracles happen – such as our own rainy moments

warmed up by the innocence of a song.

Rainy Baguio with its buildings, busy sidewalks,

and its ruins are shelters for people's busy shuffling,

their coming and going – as their lives go on,

rain or shine.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying about the rain.

In Baguio, it rains anyway.

Cover your head, then go.

Live
a life of
serenity:
welcome
the
drizzles,
dance
in the
rain.

"No
person
has the
right to
rain on
your
dreams."

~Marian
Wright
Edelman

From the car, I saw two school girls who were dripping wet.

They took cover in a waiting shed to wait for the rain to stop.

They removed their shoes and some of their soggy belongings.

Then they started to play. They were on their own.

The car moved on and I can't help to worry. Unaccompanied,

anything could happen to little girtls in an isolated place like that.

What else could a concerned mother do... but pray.

Rain, rain go away.. come again another day.

The sayote vines love the rain and the banana plants do, too.
It is available anytime of the year.

No one goes hungry in Rainy Baguio.

The rain washes away the dirty smears

from smog emissions and trash.

It is nature’s way to bathe the city,

but no matter how strong the rain,

it is not enough to clean the place

of its litter and graffiti.

"Like a welcome summer rain,

humor may suddenly cleanse and cool

the earth, the air and you."

~Langston Hughes

"Into each life some rain must fall."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Clouds come floating into my life,

no longer to carry rain or usher storm,

but to add color to my sunset sky.

~Rabindranath Tagore

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."

~Langston Hughes

"I have played in rain before.

I have played in wind before.

I have played in cold before, but not all put together.

They were the hardest conditions I ever played in."

~Michelle Wie

THE BEST FOOD TO EAT IN A RAINY DAY:

☻

Photos were taken in Baguio City, Philippines

By ~LEPAN♥ July 2012

BAGUIO ART: Wood Sculpture, Fabric Art, Painting on Canvas, Photography

2012-07-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

"Create to
heal the
earth!
Art
is power.
Art
is prayer.
When you
recycle.
When you
choose to
show love,
to fight for
justice,
to bring
healing,
to bring out
what is
good
in others."

Excerpts from
Dee smith

"Do Art:

When you

avoid cruelty

and dishonesty

and waste.

When ym
ou

are outraged.

When you

speak out.

When you give.

When you

consider

the generations

to come.

When you

protest to

the oppressors

and encourage

those who

feel

the cutting

edge

injustice.

There is

a tree

that all

the

prophets

see, and

whenever

you let

your love show

through art,

you make the

flowers grow."

"Art is

a prayer,

and our

sculptures

and our

paintings

give

life.

Is the

place

they

had

been

exhibited

not at

all

maintained?

It should be.

But never

mind,

as long

as it is

not

a bad

place,

and

there

are

people

who

appreciate

art!"

"Make
your
own art,
and make
your
creation
a prayer.
A prayer
for the
end of
exploitation,
a prayer
for the
end
of lies,
a prayer
for healing,
for justice,
for life."

"Have you
seen
anything?

Expose it!

Express it
through art
so that all
can see
what
you
see!

Take
a wood
and
carve it
with
your
dreams."

" Is
there
anything
you'd
like
to tell
the
world?

Take your
chisel
and
mark
it with
your
wood!

"This is the
way it has
been done,
so you can
do it too.

"Use any
color,
and
you
will
probably
find that
its own
natural
color
would
come
out
best
without
artificial
tinting."

SCULPTURE

Artist of above art pieces:

BERGANO

Exhibited at the Baguio Convention Center

Photos taken on July 2012

PAINTINGS
ON
CANVAS
exhibited
at the
Baguio
Convention
Center.

"Beauty is
before me,
And beauty
is behind me.
Above and below me hovers the beautiful.
I am
surrounded by it.
I am immersed in it.

In my youth I am aware of it,
And in old age I shall walk quietly
The beautiful trail."

Navajo Prayer

Today
is
your
day,
your
mountain
is
waiting,
so get
on
your
way.
~Dr. Seuss

FABRIC ART PIECES

below:

Displayed at the Baguio convention Center

Photos taken on July 2012

"God put a rainbow

in the sky,

to let us

know that

Spirit

never

forgets.

Now is the time for us to put a rainbow

across the earth,

to let

God know

that we, too, remember.

Create to

heal

the earth.

Live the

art.

In all you do,

express

yourself

to heal

the earth.

"Let your

art be a

life-giving

symbol

for all

peoples, regardless

of race

or national boundary, regardless of whether we are human or whether we are the trees,

the air,

the flowers,

the birds,

the bees...

Let your art

give life.

PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

LIBRARY, BAGUIO CITY

Artist: Tenzing Paljor

Below:

Photos taken on July 2012

Photo reflections...

We are all one.

WE ALL ARE CONNECTED!

"There are four questions of value in life...
What is sacred?
Of what is spirit made?
What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for?
The answer to each is the same.
Only Love."
~ Johnny Depp

Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.
~Hermann Hesse

Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.
In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
~Oscar Wilde

If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away.
~Henry David Thoreau

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,

we borrow it from our children.
~ Navajo Proverb
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To the artists, thank you very much.

Photos were taken at the Baguio Convention Center and

the University of the Philippines, Baguio City

By ~Lepan ♥ July 2012

With Richard D. Egmalis

POSTCRIPT:

The Baguio Convention Center (BCC) was once a showcase for Baguio City. The art pieces at its lobby were good. At the time I took these photos, however, it was embarrassing to note that the surroundings of BCC were utterly filthy. An ad for a 24-hour comfort room was in big letters at the entrance as if the BBC is the whole toilet. The hallway where the art pieces are exhibited has a big sign for the comfort room but I could not find enough information about the exhibit, except for an old flyer. Who is in charge? I could volunteer to clean up if the city do not have the eyes to see. Who do we talk to?

ANCIENT HUTS OF COMPASSION: One Named Sagada and the other, Ifugao

2012-07-18T08:33:00.014-07:00

“In separateness lies the world's great misery,

in compassion lays the world's true strength."

~Buddha

Once upon a time, there were two huts that were built in separate villages.

They were

mountain

ranges

apart,

too

far away

from

each other.

Neither knew

each one,

until one day

when they were

boarded
plank by plank

and reconstructed

side by side each other

on a cool
and exquisite place
they called

Brent Cordillera Hill.

One was called Sagada,

and the other Ifugao.

Each one regarded

the other as a stranger.

They resented

each other’s

encroachment

in what

they thought

was each owns
territorial space.

They did not talk.

They lived

in silence.

Years went by, and both felt no contentment and happiness in their hearts.

Both Sagada and Ifugao knew that their

posts would soon

give way,

and their roofs

would soon

crumble

and

fall.

They expected

that they

get inhabited

so that their hearths

get fired and

the smoke could

warm their

walls.

The

warmth

of the

fire and

the pine

smoke

would

make

them

sturdy.

But

one

came

walk

their

floors.

The passing

storms

got them

withered

and

left

them

in misery.

They

had

one,

but

each

other.

They

felt

each

other’s

loss.

That feeling

of compassion strengthened

them not just

to exist

where they were reconstructed,

but to

live again.

So, they made

their peace pact.

They became the

best of friends.

Their world

became

bright and

beautiful.

Sagada and Ifugao

realized that as

they moved through their physical life,

the encounter with

another hut different

from how they

were built

is inevitable.

In time,

they

came

appreciate

each

other’s

differences.

They exuded

joy.

They

welcomed

all creatures

great and small

to take

shelter

in their roofs.

They

made

those

weary

from

their

long

journey

happy.

Birds

made

their nests

in their

roofs.

They deposited

seeds

as they fed

their young.

The limping ants

carrying spores

stopped by

to rest,

leaving some

of their load

as they

trudged

along.

Butterflies

and bees

came

to rest

scattering

pollens

stuck

in their

feet.

Too

many

bugs

and

all kinds

of insects

partied

on their

roofs.

They

all

respected

the peace pact

made by

the two

huts.

The

warring

insects

ceased

their

fights.

The roofs of Sagada and Ifugao became their neutral grounds.

The peaceful

interaction they experienced

brought

them

good

energy.

They

thanked

the two huts

for planting

the

seeds of kindness

which

they were able

to emulate.

All the friends

of Sagada and Ifugao
celebrated.

Enchantingly,

the

roofs

Sagada

and

Ifugao

got inhabited.

All

the seeds

their friends

brought

in their

roofs

grew

abundantly.

They
brimmed

with
joy.

The dramatic

cultivation

of friendship

bore gardens

of paradise.

From then on, the friends of Sagada and Ifugao fondly called them

THE HUTS OF COMPASSION.

And the huts lived happily ever after.

The end.

☻

Photos were taken at the

Cordillera Hill, Brent International School, Baguio City, Philippines

Creative Picture Story by

~Lepan ♥ July 2012

with Richard D. Egmalis

Postscript:

Walking the Magic Mountain

The two traditional houses were once home to ancestors from Sagada and Ifugao. These are two different tribes, geographically distant from each other. Their cultural ways also differ. Hence, their houses vary. During the ancient times, these two houses could not be built near each other. People from the different tribes then were territorial and they led an exclusive community life. Hence, the apathy towards each other was made apparent in the story. However, with the changes in time, the practices were neutralized. The animated lives of the two huts in the story are metaphors of the tribes as they slowly assimilated with the other peoples in the world. And that happened with COMPASSION.

Houses are valued in the Cordilleras. Rituals were done when they were put up, and the rites continued to be practiced inside and outside the dwellings. So much so that these traditional houses are believed to be habitations of ancient spirits. Believe it or not☺

"The two traditional houses

were donated in 1984

by Mr. Wilson Capuyan (MANCOM member)

and lawyer Zosimo Paredes (Brent parent) to commemorate the Jubilee year of Brent School, Baguio. The houses in their original form were transported plank by plank straight from Sagada, Mountain Province and from Ifugao. They were reassembled at the Cordillera Hill under the scrutiny of Sagada and Ifugao elders.These huts are currently used by the students for studies in Art, Music, Social, Studies, Math, and Philippine Cultural Studies."

Posted at the traditional houses, Cordillera Hill, Brent School, Baguio

THE RED CATTERPILLAR'S HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS

2012-07-16T23:05:00.003-07:00

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—
the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look,
a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery,
and the countless other infinitessimals
of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.

~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge"

“Hang on”, said the flowers.

The caterpillar was scared.

He blushed from fear.

And he became all red.

The red caterpillar trembled.

He felt that he was too heavy for the stem.

“You can do it,” cheered the flowers.

The caterpillar was thinking if he could just be content

and munch on the leaves.

But he was hoping for the flowers.

The fuchsia petals looked pretty and he felt that ache to nibble on them -

just like what he did to this.

He wanted to remember their colors and file those in his dreams.

The flowers knew that the caterpillar would put them to tatters. But they were willing to sacrifice. Soon the fuzzy squirmy thing would become a butterfly. And they hoped that he would come back to pollinate them.

The red caterpillar was dizzy and tired.

But he inched his way, with all hope for the flowers.

A few nibbles more and he would get into his cocoon.

His nibbled flowers would soon grow into fuchsia butterfly wings!

The photos were taken along Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City, Philippines.

Photo Story:
The Red Catterpillar's Hope for the Flowers
by Pureza Gomeyac-Egmalis July 2012

RECREATING HAPPY MOMENTS AT THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN

2012-07-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

"Take a moment

out of your timeline to think..

Create clearly.

Slow down.

Use thought wisely.

It is your paintbrush...

in creating your own tapestry."

"To see a world in a grain of sand,

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour."

~William Blake

I came back to walk this path.

There were still gladiola wildflowers on the wayside.

The others have already wilted.

I thought, "Life is short!"

So, I took time to have photo ops with the flowers ☺

I always find joy in God's creation

and all things great and small.

Everyday that I passed them by,

they have looked ordinary.

But they do, in some other way,

always take my breath away.

It is in one's power

to create the happy moments.

Like a mushroom popping out overnight

in a different form and color,

life's bliss are summoned even in the most unexpected places.

Do not be caught in the web of time,

and get tied up with the intricacies of life.

"Forget about the questions and answers of Life.
If life is a book,

it is meant for you to write your experiences in it.
The beautifully you experience,

the exquisite and long lasting their effects on the readers."
Vikas Gill

Be happy.

You can only recreate the happy moments

if you make every moment happy ♥

The elusive wild "pinit" berry

gave my childhood the excitement of finding them along the way.

I still feel that rush of happiness

of discovering them.

"Love the moment,

and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries."
~ Corita Kent

Spotting a giant fern gets me thrilled. It makes me smile☻
"Smile will be complete when it begins with your heart, reflects in your eyes and ends with a glow on your face."

"The healthiest response to life is joy."
~ Deepak Chopra

A spray of wild flowers make me come alive!
There are a thousand reasons in this world to make me smile
☺

Paradise is where I am.

~Voltaire

And thanks to those who sustain the happy times which make those moments worth recreating.

With Richard D. Egmalis

Life is made up of small pleasures.
Happiness is made up of those tiny successes.
The big ones come too infrequently.
And if you don’t collect all these tiny successes,
the big ones don’t really mean anything.
~ Norman Lear

THE DANCE OF THE ANT AND THE BUTTERFLY

2012-07-11T04:51:00.001-07:00

The butterfly

and the ant

crossed path.

Like a ballerina,

the butterfly twirled.

The broad

pandan leaf

her stage.

The ant,

confused,

moved

back and forth,

in hip hop

motion.

The broad

pandan leaf

her highway.

To each
her own.

The butterfly

wanted

to show off

her wings

so she catwalked

around

the length of

her ramp.

The ant, however

needed to finish

her business

of finding food

so she teetered

around her path

to get off

the way

of the butterfly.

And so

they danced.

Each one did

her own step.

The butterfly

did the motions

with leisure.

She just emerged

from her chrysalis.

She is in the apex

of her life!

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." - Rabindranath Tagore

The ant moved
in a tactical formation

to search for food

and must hurry.

There is no time to play. She followed
her pattern as she did yesterday.

The ant and the butterfly: They do what they have to do!
What about you? What dance do you do?

The ant's or the butterfly's?

"We are closer to the ants than to the butterflies.

Very few people can endure much leisure."- Gerald Brenan

"It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants.
The question is: What are we busy about?" ~ Henry David Thoreau

Brent School-Baguio, Philippines.
By LEPAN July 2012Photos were taken at the front garden of the Heck Hall

MUSHROOM WALK ON A MOODY TRAIL

2012-07-09T08:02:00.002-07:00

“An old man's story

is written

in the lines

on his face;

an old trail's story

is written

in the lines

on the face of the earth.”

This is an old trail -
a well trodden path.
Each one
who walked here
has their own
story to tell.

It was
a sunny
afternoon,
but it was also
drizzling.
The earth
was damp
with the
intermittent
showers
of rain.

The bamboo stands
glistened with the drops
of rain reflecting
the sunshine.
Their leaves were dripping.
A blast of chilly air
hit me.
The weather
became downcast.

The ongoing romance
of the sunshine
and the rain
made the ambiance
of the trail moody –
a refreshing drama
for my mushroom walk.

When I was a little girl,
I believed
that I once lived
in enchanted
mushrooms.

Hence, I do the trails
for my mushroom walks.
My finding
each one
is a moment
of a happy
coming
home!

I search
for them,
anywhere,
everywhere.

I find them
in nooks
or crevice.

Whatever form
delights me;)

They beam
with pride,
I know..
as I seek
them out
under the cover
of pine needles
or rotten leaves.

They come
in various forms
of exquisiteness.

It was good
to touch them
and get them
close.

They give out
that scent
of the
underworld.

They break
from the earth
in mystical
forms.

Admittedly,

I do not know

which one

is edible

or which is toxic.

I do not intend

to gather them,

anyway.

I just wanted

to look.

They look like UFOs -
Some kind of
flying saucers.
These mushrooms
still intrigue me
as before.
I connect them
with the many stories
I have read
and the storyline
recreated
in my head.

I appreciate

the journey.

And I am

extremely

grateful.

I am aware

of how

the simple things

impact my life.

It defines

existence.

It connects

to the early stages

of wonderment!

Not all paths

are easy.

This one

may be

well trodden

but some parts

are slippery.

Focusing
on each step
however,
misses those
hangings
above.
And they too,
are beautiful!

The ferns

and mosses

in the woods

give out

a soulful

energy.

Looking closely,

the intersections

of the veins

of ferns

are like

the crossing paths

of life.

Confusion

of which

direction

to follow

may lead

to disillusionment.

It is important

to mature,

so that

in spite

of errors,

we may

still

the way.

I appreciate the path

of this moody trail.

Each moment

of the mushroom walk

offers a choice

that has an ability

to lead to wonderment

and harmony,

even if the clouds

started to spill

the rain.

And I had

to seek cover.

Keeping calm.

Taking a rest.

Catching a breath.

Taking time.

Pursuing goals

while appreciating

is productive.

Little things

mean a lot.

Simple things

matter.

Every decision,

Every thought,

Every error,

Has bearings

In life!

Mushrooms come
in different forms,
sizes, and colors.

Here is what
they may symbolize:

I am
stuck
on
you.

I
will
keep
holding
on.

I came
into this
world
pure.

With love
burning
at my core.

Keep
your feet
on the
ground
and you
won't be
carried
away.

No amount
of dirt
affects me.
I broke
the ground
shielded by
my shining
armor.

I came
in this world
worthy
of who I am,
a humble
mushroom
in my
true
form!

A heart
that is..
for
love,
love,
love;)

There are adversaries to challenge my existence, but I would win them over when I stand straight with my own feet.

Destruction

may come.

Decide to

look at it

as positive.

“God didn't promise
days
without pain,
laughter
without sorrow,
sun
without rain,
but He did promise
strength
for the day,
comfort
for the tears,
and light for the way.”

God is
out there
when you
fall
and
break
to pieces.

"You
are my
fortress,
my refuge
in times
of trouble"
Psalm 59:16

A burst
of color
at the
end of
my
mushroom
walk
on this
moody
trail!

On
my
way
home.

Rain
poured
again.

So here's
about
the
rain:

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.
Langston Hughes

After the rain,

Comes the sunshine

After
all the
walk,
rain is
refreshingly
delicious;)

Thank you,
God.

Qoute on The Old Trails West by Moody, Ralph
Photos were taken at the Brent School Trails, Baguio City, Philippines
With Richard D. Egmalis and Zabi, the Siberian Husky
By Lepan July 2012

ASTER

2012-07-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
aster

With their wildflower beauty and lush texture, asters have long been considered an enchanted flower. In ancient times, it was thought that the perfume from their burning leaves could drive away evil serpents. Today, they’re known as a talisman of love and a symbol of patience. Also known as starworts, Michaelmas daisies or Frost flowers, the name aster is derived from the Greek word for “star.” /teleflora

The photos of Aster flowers were taken at the Gillies' vegetable garden in Palasaan, Mankayan, Benguet province.

2012

WALK WITH FLOWERS IN BAGUIO: General Luna Road to Brent Road

2012-06-19T10:17:00.149-07:00

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Walking is a spiritual journey.

Along the way, flowers and plants tell their story.

Be in touch with nature.

Take time to smell the flowers!

We know nothing about tomorrow; our business is to be good and happy today.

Sydney Smith

The stretch of General Luna Road starts either from Magsaysay Avenue or Session Road. The two entry roads intersect near the University of Baguio. From that point, going towards St Louis Lab School, we crossed over Bonifacio Street. There I saw the three-foot spray of White Orchids. This was showcased at the entrance of Rex Hotel. It was exceptionally beautiful. The flowers evoked so much elegance, purity, and grace. I had to go and touch them.

They were real, sensual, and rare!

After paying my respects, we went down the road where Happy Glenn Loop is situated. We continued going up. Near the barangay hall is an HERB GARDEN. Rosemarie, Lemon Grass, Horsetail, Kutsay and other herbs grew on that patch.

There was a swarm of Blue-Bottle flies. Their blue and green metallic markings glinted with the rain drops atop the flowers and blades of grass. The transparent purple streaks in their wings zipped as they feasted on the decaying dirt strewn alongside the plants.

....

Along that garden patch, there were Crowns of Thorns or Euphorbias. These thorny cacti, originally from Madagascar, have pliant stems, which could be intertwined into a circle. It was interesting to know that this was the crown of thorns that they put on Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. The yellow-orange hybrids look nice as a go between for the usual creamy whites and the muted reds.

These Bromeliads screamed with their fiery colors. The flowers captured the flames of a live blowtorch.

The Kutsarita
hedges lined up
on top
of the
stone walls
were
red
like
wild fire.

Interspersed,
were the
green
and
yellow
Kutsaritas
like
live
embers.

........

The
Dandelions
poked out
from the
carpet of weeds
like
little sprays
of sunshine.

........

These variegated air-filtering Snake Plants lined the road. There should be more of these. They do not only absorb carbon dioxide like all plants do, but they also clean the air by absorbing other toxins. They are also called Mother-in-law's tongue, Sword of Saint George, Espada de santa barbara, or Tiger's tail.

The
lowly Pising
or
Gabi/Taro plants
stood their ground.
You can't miss
to see
a cluster
of these
versatile plants.

........

The ornamental
blood-colored leaves complemented
the background
of greens.

........

Mosses
crept
on the
stone walls
carpeting
the crevices.

........

Litter
and
graffiti
were
parts
of
the
story.

........

Also,
restaurants
and bars
line
this
strip.

We followed the route. Before hitting Leonard Wood Road, we turned left to Brent Road.

........

The island in the intersection of Gen Luna, Leonard Wood, and Brent Roads were overgrown with weeds and Yellow Candle flowers. Also, the popularly known Golden Bush, which is an herb. The fruit however is toxic and deaths were reported with its ingestion. The bush is also known as Golden Dew Drop.

Two things
you cannot
avoid seeing
while
walking in Baguio:

Sayote
and
trash!

........

Pinky Leaves. They are prettily speckled weeds, but I prefer to call them wildflowers.

........

Red-white Salvia blooms lined the fence of a residence in Brent Road. These flowers belong to the sage family, but more ornamental than herbal.

........

Over
the
fence
are
popular
lilac
Million flowers.

In between the reds, blues, and lilacs was this hybrid of

Million flowers with the color of violence: blood splattered, beaten blue, and dead white. It was so sad a story.

........

Brent Road.

........

These were some kind of Arthrostemma flowers. They are endemic in the mountains of the Cordilleras. The seeds form into bells that could be used as decors.

.......

Market
market!

Pink
Sisters
Convent

The silent Lantana flowers.

..........

For
whom the
bell
tolls?

Prayer
requests

Peace lilies

The Passion vine stretched out its tendrils.

........

The Passion Fruit, which is the ovary of the plant, happily started to develop.

For that, the flower had to slowly die.

......

Yellow flowers kept the sunshine in.

The stories continue in another walk with flowers.

Hasta la vista!

........

Photos by

Lepan June 2012

BATAD RICE TERRACES, Banaue, Ifugao

2012-06-12T01:28:00.116-07:00

Batad is one of the barangays of Banaue, Ifugao. We reached it through a hired jeep from Banaue Hotel, and by foot through a mountain Trail from Saddle.

The 3-kilometer trek was a downhill leisure. We took our time with a number of photo ops on the way. I did macro shots on the pretty wildflowers along the hillsides.

All the while, what I was thinking was the walk back to Saddle in the afternoon. And that would be uphill. I had to look back to assess. The terrain seemed to have been scooped out. I had to rev myself up with the prospect of a steep arduous climb on the way back.

Yes, my tree;) During this walk, I chose it to be mine.

And the spirit of the tree said, "Yes, I am yours!"

We came upon this man single handedly building this Ifugao house. He had no other visible tools, except the saw. He measured with a rope. We watched him as he busily fixed this and that.

I asked him, "Whose house?"

He answered that he is getting married. So he had to rush finishing this house.

It sounded as a Kiangan joke to me;)

We reached the Viewpoint of Batad. It was drizzling.

From the top, you could only see the mountains. The view was obscured by houses and stores. There was a tourist registration area where it also served as the viewdeck. I was thinking,

"Where is the majesty of those rice terraces?"

A stone throw away from the view deck was a mother and her child. Their seeming comfort just sitting there together despite the light drizzle and their sense of contentment were captivating. They were oblivious of tourists who were coming and going. Like a magnet, I was drawn to the direction of their intent gaze.

The sky was overcast, but over the mountains, the sun shone brightly.

Overlooking the Viewpoint, the rice terraces looked like tiers of seats or steps descending on a central area illuminated by the mid daylight. It streamed and casted dramatic shadows on the rice fields.

The gash on the mountain eroding some parts of the rice terraces was visible.
The destruction was brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pedring. Financial support was given to restore the damages.

The landslide made its mark. Still, the view was awesome.

The rice terraces of Batad are beautiful.
It is an ingeniously designed amphitheatre.

Like an open air coliseum, the stage where the houses are was spotlighted by the sun. I viewed with pleasure as Mother Nature highlighted for me its awesome beauty.

The serenity of the mountains stood as avante garde for the village providing sources of water to irrigate the fields and for use in the community.

The idyllic community of farmers is no longer what they seemed to be. There were radical changes in the social, economic, political, spiritual, and ecological lives of the people. These dynamics affected the traditional system in maintaining the rice terraces.
Not all of them, specially their children opted to tend their rice terraces. They have other alternatives.

Batad is now teeming with tourists where people of different races trekked up and down their communal steps. Some residents catered to their commercial demands. The traditional huts and GI hamlets were developed into inns and restaurants.

The traditional hut is a living museum. The artifacts are used to educate guests on cultural traditions.

The Homestay offered a close up view of the rice fields. Maybe thousands of photographs of the terraces were shared and circulated all over the world. The images I took were stamped with my own soul print. I would cherish them in my mind's scrapbook.

The photographs had their own stories to tell. Each one who came here to personally shoot their own pictures had their own intents. It was exhilarating to capture the images from my own lens - no matter how blurry.

Life in Batad was rustic but comfortable, simple yet satisfying. The homestay's resto was the same with their own dining place. The food was good. Pork, chicken, and seafood dishes were available. They served red rice. They also offered cheese pizza and fruit salad. Good coffee and pancakes, too. And yes, also beer;)

The bonanza of the visit may be the opportunity to don the traditional costumes in that living cultural landscape.

Rice produce and its implements were offered as actual props.

Dogs too were part of the actual setting.

Our short stay gave me an opportunity to closely observe an ongoing community meeting. It showed the cooperative system of the villagers. They went about their business as tourists went back and forth near the community centre.

A young boy sulked under a post unmindful of passers by. He may have gotten used to seeing strangers in their village.

I was wondering how a young boy's life gets affected with his exposure to tourists and other people who visit their village for other purposes. These influences on the younger generation would determine the future of the rice terraces.

These young school girls ate their packed lunch on a hanging veranda overlooking the rice fields.
Quaint and peaceful.

Their school is within the cluster of residential houses. The space is limited. No room for expansion. There may come a time that the higher grades would have to move out to another school building, especially when the population of the lower grades increases.

The children of Batad co-existed with their domestic animals alongside. It was an important mix in their habitat. Simple biodiversity.

The children were not that timid to speak out their minds as we used their pathways.

The girl asked for coins so that we could pass. Her younger brother seconded her motion. She was told that it was not good for us to be giving her money. She gave out reasons why we should.

It was time to leave.

Going back, the scent of Sampaguita flowers wafted.

I picked some and crashed the petals on my wrists. That would be a nostalgic remembrance to boost my energy for a strenuous journey to the top of the mountains.

As we walked, rose petals were scattered along the pathways by the wind. The stretched thorny bush laden with roses in full blooms shook and more petals dramatically covered the steps.

The pomelo branches heavy with fruits swayed with the breeze...
They were bidding us goodbye.
'Til we meet again;)

All in a day.

This was my last shot of the aesthetically mundane, and all that were exceptionally interesting.

Batad is a beautiful experience!

Haggiyo!

My heartfelt gratitude to:

Zen Lopez

Max Haberstrough

The Nalulas

Butterfly Wishes

2012-06-09T00:11:00.006-07:00

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." Hans Christian Andersen

"If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted."

Papago Tribe Legend

The photos of 2 species of a number of identical moths/ butterflies on lemon lime flowers were taken at the Greenhouse,
Brent International School, Baguio City.

Zabi, the Siberian Husky

2012-06-08T02:08:00.016-07:00

"Siberian Huskies embody that spirit of the natural world which reminds us that everything in life is interconnected." ~author unknown

I am the queen of this household. I told my subjects that dogs were no longer allowed in this historic porch, where in the distant past, - Trinity, Bruno, Kiel, Cloud, Shiara, Haiti romped here. One after the other, we have to bid them goodbye. It broke my heart everytime.

One past twilight, I came home with a fuzzy fog colored pup curled on the floor. I was met by a pair of almond eyes. They were transparent light blue - like a liquid moonbeam from a blue moon.

Beautiful. Gentle.

But he looked through me.

I reminded my son of the rules, and he promised that he would keep him in my queendom for at least three days. He said that it was given to him by a friend. I know at the back of my mind, that three days could be infinity.

Day in and day out, thereafter, this dog stayed here, too reserved and dignified. I would greet him and he would look up at me. Then he would look away.

He rarely barked or complained. But he would give that long, lonely howl that scares the lighthearted. You would think of wolves and ghosts lurking in the shadows. He must be calling all the siberian huskies out there for company.

One summer day, before the rains came in, I sat down with him for a heart to heart talk. I told him to socialize more and stop the howling. But, he was not eager at all. I told him sweetly, I was the mom. And the dogs before him had to behave and love me. Or else.

He ignored me.

I stumped my foot, and I said, "Okey fine!"

My subjects undertood that gesture.. and they better pay attention. But this siberian husky named Zabi, stepped away.

He did not care.

In exasperation, I sat down to give him a lecture about good manners and right conduct. Bruno would have given me the saddest eyes and would try very hard to please me. Haiti would have circled around me to cuddle and start peeing in her excitement. Kiel would have given me that mischievous smile and nudge me with his nose for some goodies. Cloud would have sat there on command and wait for me to finish talking.

But Zabi...? He scratched his nose and acted as if I was not there;(

Now, he is giving out those good looks because the shots were rendered by his owner, Czar.

Comes a time, he would have to find another place, as the rules spelled. Hopefully, a home with a mate, or other dogs to play with.

Dogs have their own spirit. Zabi, would soon find his and settle... just like these angels:

Sunday morning, we cannot leave Zabi alone in the house because he would get so depressed. By himself, he would let out those long, sonorous howls. That would not be good for the neighbourhood. So, we took him with us to Asin.

Happy!

Zinnia

2012-06-07T21:53:00.002-07:00

The flower heads bobbed up and down with the rhythm of the falling rain.

The droplets carefully sluiced through the petal folds.

They breathed with the rain that brought freshness in their system.

The colors lost some of their luster as their papery texture got soggy.

But they stayed calm and beautiful.

I watched the flowers got drenched.

They weathered the storm.

And so do we.

Zinnia flowers along Ogilby.

Brent School-Baguio

Cherry Tomatoes

2012-05-27T23:22:00.004-07:00

"Kiss of the sun for pardon.
Song of the birds for mirth.
You're closer to God's heart in a garden
Than any place else on earth."

Dorothy Frances Gurney

I wandered through a garden and came upon a vine of red cherry tomatoes! The berries hang fresh and succulent.

Tomatoes are good for the heart. The red pigment called lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. They are enriched with vitamins A and C, and the antioxidant, anthocyanin.

Tomato is the ovary part of the plant, hence it is a fruit. It is acidic and not that sweet.

Hearty organic temptation!

Kiss and bite;)

Asin Road, Baguio City
Philippines

ASHLEY The Little Girl's Choice

2012-05-08T08:27:00.002-07:00

Take a sprinkling of fairy dust,
An angel's single feather,
Also a dash of love and care,
Then mix them both together.
Add a sentiment or two,
A thoughtful wish or line,
A touch of stardust, a sunshine ray...
Its a recipe, for Princess Ashley truly fine.

~Author Unknown

"With moonbeams in hand, and stardust in eyes, this girl of heaven came drifting down from the sky"... to ask if she could sit on someone's lap.

I told her my lap was prettier.. and she went bleh, blah, phew, phooo!

Oh my charm, where art thou?

She didn't like me!
Could I just sprinkle her some pixie dust?

Come,

my princess.

Have a picture with me..

She closed her eyes, and wagged her tongue... no no no bleh blah!

Special gifts come in pink packages..

and when you open them,

ooh em geee,

they have favorites!

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice and everything nice;)

Photos of Ashley Uyami, Richard D. Egmalis, and Pureza Gomeyac-Egmalis

Taken during theCapuyans of Soquib Family Reunion in Loacan, Baguio City, Philippines.

By Lepan May 2012.

I Am Who I Am & No Other

2012-05-08T02:48:00.001-07:00

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you."

~ Oprah Winfrey"

STORYBOOK FOR A CAUSE: Artwork & Life Stories

FINDING PEACE IN THE CABBAGE GARDEN: Why I Trust Blogger for My Life Stories

CULTURAL FUSION OF DISTINCT CORDILLERA COSTUMES & DANCES

SANCTUARY IN HEAVEN'S GARDEN

Hydroponic Plants

Gaia's House Sagada

BAGUIO ART: Merging with Art Images and Quotations

MEDITATIVE ESCAPADE IN PURPLE AT WRIGHT PARK BAGUIO

BRENT BAGUIO ART: THOUGHTS, VALUES, AND QUOTES

CULTURAL VIGNETTE : A tale on the Traditional Costume of the Isneg Tribe of Apayao Province in the Philippines

RAINY BAGUIO

BAGUIO ART: Wood Sculpture, Fabric Art, Painting on Canvas, Photography

ANCIENT HUTS OF COMPASSION: One Named Sagada and the other, Ifugao

“In separateness lies the world's great misery,

in compassion lays the world's true strength."

THE RED CATTERPILLAR'S HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions— the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling. ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge"

RECREATING HAPPY MOMENTS AT THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN

THE DANCE OF THE ANT AND THE BUTTERFLY

MUSHROOM WALK ON A MOODY TRAIL

ASTER

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF aster

WALK WITH FLOWERS IN BAGUIO: General Luna Road to Brent Road

BATAD RICE TERRACES, Banaue, Ifugao

Butterfly Wishes

Zabi, the Siberian Husky

Zinnia

Cherry Tomatoes

ASHLEY The Little Girl's Choice

I Am Who I Am & No Other

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—
the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look,
a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery,
and the countless other infinitessimals
of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.

~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge"

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
aster