The Igorot Journal

Kibungan Apes?

2012-02-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

This coming Monday (February 13), GMA's I-Witness will feature a documentary about what they referred to as the "elusive Kibungan apes". The show will be hosted by Jay Taruc. Joining Taruc on his quest to "unravel the mystery of the missing apes" is mountaineer Romeo Lee.

I'm not from Kibungan and this is the first time that I've heard about these so-called "Kibungan apes". If you ask me, this documentary is a waste of time. Taruc, no matter haw far he treks into the mountains of Kibungan, will find nothing. If there are apes out there, we would have known already. But I'm sure it'll make for good TV so I'll see if I can watch the episode. I can already imagine what the documentary will look like. Shots of the wide and beautiful mountains of Kibungan. Shots of Taruc with his heavy backpack trudging up a mountain slope. Interviews with Kibungan locals telling stories about the "Kibungan apes". Interviews with monkey experts from some prestigious university. Etc. Etc.

Catch I-Witness on GMA this coming Monday. It airs right after Saksi.

Good Job Ifugao

2012-02-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

Ifugao provincial officials have approved an ordinance that aims to regulate the posting of advertisements on trees in the province.

The ordinance stated “This is a way of protecting the environment and to preserve the heritage, thus there is a need to regulate the posting of commercial advertisements.”

Let's just hope the ordinance will be strictly implemented.

I don't know if the city of Baguio and other Cordillera provinces have similar ordinances. If they don't, they should learn a lesson from Ifugao.

The Tabuk Matagoan Festival

2012-02-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

The Tabuk Matagoan Festival is an annual event held every June 24 in Tabuk City, the capital of Kalinga province. The date coincides with the city's Foundation Day. The festival was first celebrated in June of 2002.

Highlights of the festival include the following:
1. Nataguan di Tago (street dancing)
2. Matagoan Run (a 7 kilometer marathon)
3. treks to Matambong and Bangabanga Falls in Amlao
4. water rafting on the Chico River
5. Patawid Agro-industrial Fair (a fair showcasing local agricultural and industrial products)

Source:Philippine Information Agency

The Irony

2012-02-07T22:12:00.000-08:00

1. So the Police Regional Office-Cordillera suspended the Permit-to-Carry Firearm Outside Residence (PTCFOR) in this summer capital the whole month of February. Last Saturday, a waiter was shot and killed after trying to do his job and collect what's due to him from his customers. Guess who shot and killed him? It's a cop.
2. So the town of Sagada received the "Seal of Good Housekeeping" which is reportedly a reward "for the municipality’s good governance during the 2nd Etag Festival."
3. So the La Trinidad Strawberry Festival is pushing through this March.
4. Sagada Adventure:

Earthballed The Movie

2012-02-06T22:25:00.001-08:00

Spot the Difference

2012-02-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Are You Serious?

2012-02-02T23:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I was reading this news article on the Sun Star Baguio website about the taxi rape case that happened a few days ago.

Here's a quote from the article:

"However, Baguio City Police Office Information Officer Charissma Sta. Juana said in a text message to Sun.Star Baguio that police still have not contacted the victim as well as her family, making it difficult for authorities to piece together the real happenings of the case."

Really? Why? Why have they not contacted the the victim and her family yet? The older this case goes, the colder it gets and the harder it will be to get to the scums responsible for the crime.

No wonder justice in this country is served atop a molasses-moving snail. (That is if justice gets to be served at all.) Tsk tsk tsk.

Mines View Park (Photo)

2012-02-01T22:28:00.000-08:00

image:jacekb70

"Igorot Gang"? (This is Embarrassing)

2012-02-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

Now our ethnic race is attached to a gang of robbers and thieves. Yes, a lot of these tunnel-digging robbers are Igorots and that's a real shame. But to call them the "Igorot Gang" is unfair, don't you think? People don't go around calling Ilocano or Tagalog robbers as the "Ilocano Gang" or the "Tagalog Gang", do they? Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Anyway, to our Igorot brothers out there digging tunnels under pawnshops, banks or whatever, what you are doing is wrong and it's doing our people wrong.

People Who Do These Things Don't Deserve To Live

2012-02-01T01:31:00.000-08:00

#Baguio City and La Trinidad police, we're hoping you're doing everything to get these demons behind bars where they should rot for the rest of their lives.

Teen Kidnapped, Raped - Source:Sun Star Baguio

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A 17-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and raped somewhere in Baguio City on Monday while on her way to school.

High school senior Sherry (not her real name) is a resident of La Trinidad studying in Baguio recounted her ordeal while she was waiting for a cab in front of a grocery along Bokawkan Road.

Police reports revealed Sherry took a cab between 7 a.m. Monday and was seen next seen along the streets of Balili 3 p.m.

Police annotated statements from Sherry Monday evening, saying when she hailed the cab, the driver after asking her destination, immediately pointed a gun at her and punched her causing her to faint.

When Sherry regained consciousness, she found herself blindfolded with her school uniform missing, stripped of her shorts and inner shirt. She remembered being ordered to dance which she obeyed out of fear.

Click here to read full article.

URCC Baguio 4: Battleground

2012-01-30T00:19:00.000-08:00

URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championship) is coming back in the City of Pines to stage another MMA event on February 18 at the Baguio Convention Center. This is the fourth time that URCC will stage an event here.

Dubbed URCC Baguio 4: Battleground, the show will be headlined by a bout between Baguio's Roy “The Punisher” Docyogen (9-0-0) and Cebu's Rodel “Kid” Orais (2-0-0). For the co-main event, Melchor Cases (1-0-0) faces off with Christian Gazmin. Gazmin will be making his professional debut.

Here's the full fight card:
Superfight: Roy “The Punisher” Docyogen vs. Rodel "Kid" Orais
Co-Main Event: Christian Gazmin vs. Melchor Cases
Featherweight Championship: Arnold Agapito vs. Ricardo Sapno
Egly Diaz vs. Miguel Alo
Jerson Estoro vs. Onyok Transmonte (TBC)
Will “The Kill” Chope vs. Red Romero
Keiif Mangusan vs. Roldan Cartajena
Guzman Piayas vs. Charles De Tomas
Kevin Yongaan vs. Nicolo Espadero
Lito Adiwang vs. Bioyondi Divandangan
Ranel Tangguiyac vs. MJ Abrillo

I noticed a few things about the event that I think aren't right. First off, why is the fight between Ricardo Sapno and Arnold Agapito a championship fight? Agapito only has one fight in his resume and he's getting a shot at the title? And in the article at the official URCC website announcing the fight card, they did not mention if the main event between Docyogen and Orais is a title bout. Docyogen is the pinweight champion. So why isn't his belt on the line.

And one last thing, they misspelled Roy Docyogen's name in the official fight poster. It says Rey instead of Roy. Talk about sloppy. The URCC just misspelled the name of a fighter headlining their event.

A Different Perspective

2012-01-28T00:15:00.000-08:00

A fellow Baguio-based blogger posted an article on her blog today wherein she voiced out her opinions about the whole "SM vs trees vs the people of Baguio" debacle. She raised several points that I'm sure will send environmentalist Michael A. Bengwayan into angry fits.

The blogger's name is Ane. She says she was born and raised in Baguio City. And she loves Baguio City just like all of us. In terms of "love for the City of Pines", we are all in the same page with Ane.

However, if you are against SM Baguio's planned expansion project, Ane doesn't share your views. For she approves of the project.

"But inasmuch as I love Baguio City, I know that change is inevitable." says Ane. "I am all for the old Baguio, but I am not against progress." she adds. She has a point. Whoever doesn't want progress is both pathetic and selfish. The question is would you approve of progress if it means the cutting down of over a hundred trees?

"168 trees. That is a lot of tress indeed. Don’t judge SM Baguio just yet, because for every tree they cut down or transfer, as in the case of an Earth-balling method, 30 saplings will be planted in its place. Not seedlings, saplings, baby trees which have more chances of surviving than seedlings. " says Ane.

You can read Ane's full piece here.

Ang Nobya Kong Igorota (Komiks)

2012-01-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Igorota (Mountain Maiden) - 1968 Film

2012-01-27T19:01:00.000-08:00

A Mountain Warrior

2012-01-26T22:20:00.000-08:00

Hackers Taking Down SM Websites in Support of "Occupy SM Baguio"

2012-01-26T00:17:00.000-08:00

As I write this (January 26, 4:03 PM), the following websites by SM are down and cannot be accessed:

http://www.smmallofasia.com/
http://www.smsupermalls.com/

An article from Interaksyon attributed the attack to "a local supporter of hacktivist group Anonymous."

A Twitter user with the handle @cyb3rk4m0t3 through a series of tweets is implying that he/she and company are behind the attacks.

The user's last tweet is the following:

It can be recalled that last January 20, Baguio people held a protest rally against SM Baguio condemning the mall's plans of expanding SM Baguio. For the expansion, over a hundred trees will be either cut or earth balled. The protest rally was dubbed "Occupy SM Baguio".

Baguio sa Pinoy Henyo - Eat Bulaga

2012-01-24T00:30:00.001-08:00

Burglary Attempt in Cebu City Being Tied to Ex-Miners from Benguet

2012-01-23T23:19:00.000-08:00

Two news reports form Sun Star Cebu and The Philippine Daily Inquirer speak of an attempted robbery of a German pawnshop in Cebu City. According to the reports, two ex-miners from Benguet (Kenneth Coplanga and Madrig Batnag) are being tagged as the ones responsible for the botched burglary.

The two suspects were arrested way back in 2010 but were able to post bail. They are now being hunted down by the police for this new crime that they committed. They reportedly leased a space in a commercial building. They then dug a 15-meter underground tunnel that was supposed to lead to the pawnshop. However, they miscalculated and ended up in a tailoring shop adjacent to the pawnshop. They then dug a hole through the pawnshop's walls but they didn't anticipate a double vault, one they can't possibly crack. Making matters worse, the alarm in the pawnshop went off prompting the suspects to flee the area.

Beyond Performance: A Discussion on Igorot Arts and Culture

2012-01-23T22:32:00.000-08:00

Igorots are the peoples of Northern Luzon, Philippines, known amongst most Pilipinos forging the famed Banaue Rice Terraces, for historical acts of headhunting, intricate backstrap weaving, bead and jewelry making, pottery, metalwork, and centuries old methods of rice farming.

BIBAK is an international organization of Igorot people dedicated to educating and preserving the culture of its five tribes – Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, and Kalinga.

Beyond Performance will highlight:

* who and what is BIBAK
* the significance of Igorot dances and rituals
* how the Pilipino Culture Night, intended to showcase the diverse cultures of the Philippines, has played a role in the understanding of Igorots
* the methods by which Igorot -American youth learn about their culture
* philosophies on teaching cultural dance in and outside of the Igorots culture

Saturday, January 28, 2012 – 11:30am – 2:00pm
Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center, Multipurpose Room
5148 Market Street
San Diego, CA

Our hopes are:

* attendees will gain a greater understanding of the Igorot experience
* to begin a dialogue between Igorots and other Pilipino people about teaching diverse Pilipino cultures

*This is a FREE event

Speakers:

Mike Wandag– Council of Elders, Igorot Global Organization; Director, Institute of Native Arts; Director, BIBAK Dance Ensemble

Mark Leo–Council of Elders, Igorot Global Organization; Public Relations Officer, BIBAK San Diego

Facilitator: Kirin Amiling Macapugay, Vice President, BIBAK San Diego; Director of Youth Affairs, Kalingas- North America Network

11:30 Registration and Welcome

11:45 Who and what is BIBAK?

11:50 Igorot Dance and Rituals, video and photo examples

12:40 The Pilipino Culture Night and its impact on the Igorot identity, teaching Igorot culture to Igorots and non-Igorots, history of Igorot in Pilipino society

1:20 Questions, Discussion

2:00 Conclusion

Please RSVP by Wednesday, 1/25/12 on this event page or to Kirin Amiling Macapugay, kirin568@gmail.com, 619.917.8412

**This will not be a dance workshop, but an educational forum and place for discourse. For us, as it is for many of you, dance is just part of how we celebrate our culture. It is just as important to know the culture, and all of its back story, as the dance moves themselves, hence “beyond performance.”

Like us on facebook: BIBAK Youth San Diego

Please note; parents are responsible for young children. The library does have a children section located away from the main room. There is ample free parking in the library parking lot and along Market Street. Thank you all ahead of time for your interest in learning about Igorots, from Igorots.

Source:filamnation

Occupy SM Baguio (Photos)

2012-01-21T22:21:00.000-08:00

All photos are courtesy of the following:
May Ling Rosito
Gideon Omero
Kar A. Calderon
Boyet Torres
Kidlat de Guia

Backpacking: Sagada and Banaue

2012-01-18T22:52:00.001-08:00

Backpacking Sagada and Banaue from leah marie moral on Vimeo.

From Sagada With Love

2012-01-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

image: saggas

Eduard Folayang Defeats Wadson Teixeira

2012-01-14T02:33:00.000-08:00

Eduard Folayang showed once again why he's among the best Filipino mixed martial artists today when he defeated Wadson Teixeira via submission in the main event of Colt 45 URCC Cebu 7: Dominate. With Folayang raining down nasty elbows on him, Teixeira had no choice but tap out. The fight was over in 56 seconds of the first round.

The win didn't come easily for the Igorot warrior though. He got dropped during the early going with a left hook from Teixeira. Folayang however regained guard and started to work with his trademark ground and pound. That's when the Brazilian decided to tap out.

Here's the promo video for the fight:

The Traditional Igorot Bag

2012-01-12T22:10:00.000-08:00

image:meryl loves life

Pinikpikan: a Documentary by Angelo Caparros

2012-01-11T22:30:00.000-08:00

I just came across this video trailer on Vimeo. It's the teaser for a documentary by Angelo Caparros about pinikpikan which is without a doubt the most well-known Igorot dish.

The trailer's description stated the following:

A documentary about Pinikpikan, a dish prided by the Cordillera Region. We go behind the making of this scrumptious dish to take into account the detailed and often times gruesome preparation of beating a live chicken with a stick before cooking.

This documentary sheds light on animal rights and the interesting culture they have that may or may not be favored by everyone.

Watch the trailer below.

Sagada's Pinikpikan Trailer from Angelo Caparros on Vimeo.

For more information about the filmmaker, visit his Vimeo page here.