Showing posts with label Luzon. Show all posts

The Filipino Language and its Conversational

and Scholarly Characteristics

By Apolinario Villalobos

The Filipino as a language is injected with many influences from the different traders who frequented the archipelago during the pre-colonial days. The Spanish and American colonizers who stayed for a long time, practically, impregnated the Filipino culture with their own, that made the latter richer, especially, the language. The result is what today, are being spoken and used in writing by the Filipinos – the language that underwent several stages of transformations.

The unique Filipino language is originally what the Tagalogs of southern Luzon exclusively spoke as their dialect. Aside from Tagalog, other major dialects in the country are Hiligaynon and Karay-a in the provinces of Panay island, the Cebuano in the island of Cebu and other islands of the region as far down south in Davao, Bikol in the Bicol Peninsula,  Ilocano and Pangasinense in the north. The Moroland in Mindanao has its Maguindanaoan, Iranon, Tausug, and Maranao.

To unite the Filipinos, Manuel L. Quezon declared Tagalog as the “common” language, but to give it a bonding character and to remove the exclusive reference to the Tagalogs, it was called “Pilipino”, and still later, “Filipino” which is what it is called until today.

There are Filipino words that are better written than spoken, and vice versa. As a scholarly language, there are also words that are better read in “tula” (poetry), and heard in songs, as well as, part of a formal dissertation. Still, there are words that have better use in speeches, as well as, in swearing. That is what confronts the current generation of Filipinos. Most find difficulty in comprehending some Filipino words that is why, the sympathizing writer has to enclose the English equivalent in parenthesis right after them. Some words that are immoral are translated into English before they can be spoken, too.

The Filipino language further evolved into what is called “Taglish” (Tagalog/English) and is proved to have manifold benefits. The natives of the Cordillera Region who are more exposed to the English language of the missionaries use it, as well as those of the Visayas , who sound awkward when speaking in straight Tagalog, due to their regional accent.

The fast metamorphosis of the Filipino as a language is a manifestation of its steady growth. An outgrowth that many Filipinos did not notice, however, is the “gay lingo” that has become acceptable among the youth. Even the international Aldub TV series employ the “gay lingo” to the delight of its followers. One word worth mentioning is “bey” which is the corrupted form of “baby” and which means “dear”, “love”, “friend”, “sweetheart”, or just anything that connotes closeness. The “pambansang bey” is dearly tagged to Alden Richard, and it means “national love, heartthrob, heart, sweetheart, etc.”

Bloggers are doing their best in spreading the appreciation for the highly- alive Filipino language by using regional words or gay words, at times. The blogs that come in different forms such as free-versed “tula” and free-style essays are in the forms which are not found in any corrupted textbooks used in school. The viewers are then, incited to freely ask for verifications as to what they stand for or what they mean.

Mineral Resources of the Philippines

by Apolinario Villalobos

During the pre-colonial days of the Philippines, only gold was mined by the natives. The precious metal was among the reasons why the archipelago was coveted by colonizers. Different mineral deposits are practically distributed among the islands and islets that compose the archipelago.

Gold can be found in the Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Camarines  Norte, Camarines Sur, and Mindanao; chromite in Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Masbate, Palawan, Surigao, Agusan, Davao, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, and Mountain Province; copper in Ilocos Norte, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Catanduanes, Antique, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Cebu and Tawi-tawi; iron in Ilocos Norte, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Bulacan, Bataan, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Surigao,Davao and Palawan; natural asphalt in Leyte. Nonoc island is known for its nickel.

Manganese can be found in  Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Coron Island in the Calamian group, Siquijor, Bohol, Bukidnon, and Leyte; coal in Polilio island, Laguna, Quezon, Mindoro, Capiz, Negros, Cebu, Samar, Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur; oil in Cebu, Cotabato, and Quezon; gypsum in Batangas; sulfur in  Camiguin Island; pyrite in Camarines Sur, Palawan and Surigao; soda feldspar in Cebu, Biiran Island, and Sarangani; phosphate in Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Palawan, Iloilo, Samar and Bohol; quartz sand in Ilocos Norte; magnesite in Davao; granulite and quicksilver in Palawan. Today, the coastline of Ilocos Norte is gashed with non-stop mining of quartz sand by shiploads.

Romblon is known for its world-class marble which can also be mined in the Mountain Province, Guimaras Island, and Bulacan; guano deposit abounds in Pangasinan, Zambales, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Iloilo and Palawan; silica sand can be found in Lubang Island near Palawan, Dinagat island near Surigao, and in Palawan;  limestone abounds in Cagayan, Isabela, Bulacan, Quezon, Samar, Panay island, Cotabato provinces, Cebu, and Palawan.

It is no wonder that “modern colonizers” salivate at the prospect of economically enslaving the Philippines, on account of her abundant mineral deposits which could be considered as “collaterals” for never-ending renewal of debts. This is also the reason why, the Americans immediately demanded the inclusion of the “Parity Rights” in the Philippine Constitution before total self-governance was finally granted.

The West Philippine Sea being disputed with China and other neighboring SEAsian countries, and the Ligwasan Marsh in Cotabato are reputed to be rich in natural gas and deuterium. With the predicted exhaustion of oil deposit in the Middle East, industrialized countries are looking for alternative sources of fuel, and the Philippines is among them.

How can the Filipino, then, not fight for his rights, and protect what are his, such as those that have been mentioned?

Marinduque – home of the Moriones Festival

…world-renown Holy Week Festival of the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

Marinduque used to be a Malayan settlement in southern Luzon and in 1590 was made a sub-corregimiento of Mindoro. It was also a former sub-province of Batangas, then of Quezon, finally, becoming an independent province in February 21, 1920.

The 95, 258 hectares total land area of the province provides a solid, though not so fertile ground for the good-natured Marinduqueῆos who earn their living by planting coconut trees and by fishing around the islands. The heart-shaped island is considered as the center of the Philippine archipelago. With Boac as its capital, the province is located between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south, southwest of Quezon, east of Mindoro and north of Romblon. Mompong Pass separates the province from the Bondoc Peninsula of mainland Luzon.

Smaller islands such as Polo, Maniwaya, Mompong, Tres Reyes, and Elephant also form parts of the province. At 3,796 feet above sea level, Mt. Malindig, formerly called Mt. Marlanga at the southern tip of the main island, is considered as the highest point of the province. Completing the curious and stunning endowments of the province is a cave system comprised by the Talao cave with its 12 chambers lording over the western part, San Isidro with its subterranean river, and the imposing Bathala cave. Marcopper, a mining giant has become synonymous with the province, especially, with the disaster that occurred.

The province is composed of six towns, such as Boac, the capital, Buenavista where Bellaroca Resort and Spa is located, Gasan, the central point of cultural activities of the province, Mogpog where the Moriones Festival originated, Sta. Cruz the largest town in area, and Torrijos where the Poctoy White Beach is located. The name of the province is the combined names of two legendary lovers, Mariin and Gatduke, which as always happens in the love-centered folklores, the father of the woman did not approve of the relationship. The two eloped and sailed out into the sea and drowned themselves. Days later, an island surfaced which the natives called “Marinduque”.

Archaeological diggings yielded Chinese urns, gold ornaments and vases that proved a flourishing trade and commercial relationship with the Chinese who came from the mainland China. An ancient wooden idol was also discovered, indicating that the early Marinduqueῆos had their own kind of worship. The artifacts can be found in a museum in France, the Musee de la Homme, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. USA, and Marinduque Museum in Boac.

The Marinduqueῆos speak Tagalog but spoken in a unique way due to its strong accent, which is said to be the way how it was done before the arrival of the Spaniards. Noticeable though, are sprinkling of Bicol and Visayan influence. Very hospitable, they have their own way of welcoming visitors to their home, especially, during fiestas. The ceremony is called “putong” or “tubong”, in which the guests crowned with garlands of flowers are seated in front of the welcoming crowd. Special songs intended for such occasion are sung while petals of flowers and coins are thrown at them.

The tourism industry of the province is highlighted by the Moriones Festival celebrated during the Holy Week. It centers on the story of Longhinus, a Roman centurion who had a prominent role during the crucifixion of Jesus. Morion refers to the mask carved from a soft wood called “dapdap” and painted to resemble a classic face of the Roman centurion, complete with beards, moustache, and penetrating stare of the glaring eyes. The mask is made complete by a papier mache helmet. In time, the “morion” has been referred to the participant who is also fancifully garbed in a Roman soldier attire. Part of the ceremony is the striking of two pieces of woods called “kalutang” by the “moriones” to produce syncopated sound.

Moriones Festival, locally called “Moryonan” is an interesting and colorful cornucopia of religious activities for the duration of the Holy Week. At the onset of the Holy Week, the “morions” go around the town and play pranks among the townsfolk, especially, the children. “Nobisyas” garbed in long skirts and white bandanas also take to the street as their own way of sacrifice. The Good Friday is dominated by self-flagellants or “antipos” who use several five-inch long bamboo sticks tied together that they use in flagging themselves while walking barefoot around the town. The self-flagging is proceeded by the cutting of the flagellants’ skin to induce bleeding on their back and thigh. At Boac, the wounding ritual is confined in the Catholic cemetery atop the hill overlooking the town.

The dawn of Easter Sunday is for the traditional “salubong” or the meeting of the Virgin Mary and Jesus that highlights the procession. A little later, the colorful spectacle that centers on Longhinus makes the town more alive, as Longhinus is “chased” around, so timed until the sun begins its descent, for the “pugutan” or his beheading on a makeshift stage which indicates the end of the festival.

To date, some Marinduqueῆos are nurturing butterflies, some of which find their way to international patrons in Europe and the United States, although a significant portion of the live export commodity are in demand for local use during special occasions.

The province is part of the roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) national ferry route system making it accessible by buses from Manila that take the ferries departing from Lucena. In the province, the ports are located at Balanacan and Cawit. It is also served by interisland airlines served by the airport located at Barangay Masiga between Boac and Gasan.  Those who would like to attend the Moriones Festival are advised to make early flight and hotel bookings with travel agents. And those who would like to make it on their own, airline tickets should be purchased at the earliest possible time.

Across Mindoro Island On Foot And A Raft

By Apolinario Villalobos

The plan to traverse the island of Mindoro from Calapan to Mamburao, was concocted at the house of Dr. Gus Guerrero of the Mountaineering Association of the Philippines (MAP). The invitation to join their small group was extended just after I, together with the PAL Mountaineers, concluded a cross-country trek of the Leyte Mountain Trail. At the house of Dr. Guerrero slides presentation was made to show the terrain of the Mindoro with all its rivers, tributaries and waterfalls. The plan was to start the trek from Villa Cervesa at Calapan, then trek up the forested side, and the Eagle Pass, to look for the source of Amnay River, then, using a rubber raft, drift down to the China Sea. Gus was confident that everything would be alright as he has explored the area during his stint with the PANAMIN, a government agency that worked for the uplift of the indigenous tribes during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos. There were four of us that evening, huddled over several bottles of beer while discussing the trek – Gus Guerero, Vincent Christian, Bobby Sison and I. The plan was to extend the invitation to a limited number of friends due to the “nature” of the expedition.

Finally, Gus was able to get confirmations to join from Bobby Sison, Dul Gemora, Fred Jamili and I. The inflatable life raft which Vincent and I picked up from the Philippine Navy Headquarters at Sangley in Cavite was through the courtesy of the then, Rear Admiral Simeon Alejandro.

Our journey started at a bus terminal in Pasay City on September 18, 1982 for a ride to Batangas City from where a ferry was to be taken for Calapan, Mindoro. There was a threatening storm on that day, so that our sailing from Batangas City to Calapan was not smooth. On board the ferry, Gus, a doctor by profession, briefed us on the use of an instrument for reviving a drowned person.

Dul Gemora who went ahead to Calapan days before to look for Mangyan porters was at the Calapan wharf upon our arrival. Everything was well coordinated as we disembarked from the ferry up to the time we left for Villa Cerveza, a sitio of Victoria, and a last-minute shopping for additional provisions.

At Barangay Cerveza, Dul introduced us to our Mangyan porters, whom he got from Baco, a nearby district. Barangay Chairman, Isabelo M. Malamanis of Villa Cerveza, accommodated us for the night. Casually, he asked us for our “mission”. He could not seem to comprehend that what we were doing was just for fun. We told him that, as gambling is for gamblers, liquor is for drunkards, so is mountaineering for us – nature lovers. He accommodated us for the night and introduced us to his two trusted men who would guide us up to the mouth of Amnay River.

Before we retired for the night, he did not stop from discouraging us by confiding that the river could have swelled due to incessant rains, and there was yet, the raging typhoon, and worse, the population of the leeches must have tripled due to the rainy season! All we told him was, we leave everything to the Lord!

At dawn, Fred Jamili had a nightmare. I had to nudge him awake to stop him from waking the neighborhood up with his shouts of “where?...where?”. When asked about it over breakfast, he told us that he could not recall anything. We just presumed that perhaps, he was dreaming that we got lost and in despair, he shouted.

Day 1

It was a pleasant day when we left the barrio to start our trek, despite the forecast the day before, about a typhoon that would whip Mindoro. We left just before the sun was up. In no time, we reached Aglubang River whose rushing water reached up to our waist at the deepest, and spans about twenty meters at its widest.

After Aglubang, we made it to Ibulo River in less than an hour, and which was swollen a little bit according to our guides. After crossing it, we rubbed our bodies, clothes, socks and shoes with laundry soap to deter the leeches which abound in the area.

After about an hour of trek, the leading guide pointed to the mountain ahead of us, indicating that it was Mt. Balagayon. It was yet a little farther, but which we had to cross before reaching the Eagle Pass. At the foot of the mountain lived Nganga, a Bicolano who had been in this part of the island for a long time, and came to be called such name because of his habit of chewing betel nuts that made his mouth, eternally blood red. He was supposed to join the guides up to the mouth of Amnay River because of his thorough knowledge of the area. Unfortunately, he was sick, so we had no other choice but be satisfied with the two from Villa Cervesa.

From Nganga’s house, it was an upward trek following a Mangyan trail that wound through the thick forests of Mt. Balagayaon. True to Mr. Malamanis’ words, leeches were at their thickest at this time of the year, and they feasted on us! We had to stop from time to time to check each other for the leeches that needed to be removed from our face, ear and eyes. Some clung firmly. Practically, the soap was no match against them. One after another, the Mangyan porters groaned under the weight of the 62 kilos life raft which each of them carried at an interval of fifteen minutes.

There was an intermittent drizzle before we reached Balisong which we targeted at noontime, but failed to do, so that we were forced to take our lunch by the river while taking a break for twenty minutes. The drizzle became a downpour. Along the way, I learned from one of the guides that the name of the place, Balisong, referred to a small waterfall that gently cascades down boulders covered with creepers and ferns.

Our going was slow because of the stops for the regular check we made to each other for leeches, aside from the slippery trail that we were following. While negotiating one of the ridges, Bobby unfortunately slipped on a flat rock. He was thankful to a bush which stopped his fall, though he sprained his left knee as a result. His fall caused a commotion among the Mangyan porters because they thought, he encountered a snake.

We reached Ugos River late in the afternoon under a heavy rain. Instead of tents, we decided to use three ponchos as shelter that we pitched on an elevated area. It barely accommodated the thirteen of us, including the guides and the Mangyan porters.

Day 2

The following day, we broke camp after a light breakfast and moved on despite the heavy rain. It was a tough start for us, while aiming for the Eagle Pass. The thick primary forest this time yielded one more kind of leech, a green one with yellow stripe, in addition to the black ones that abound on the ground.

From behind the thick foliage, we could hear the distant gurgling of a river which we were told was still Ugos. We were following a Mangyan trail leading towards the west as we moved on, and the forest becoming thicker. At about noontime, the leading guide told us that we had to follow another trail because the old one which they were using before was gone. Everybody became impatient, especially, Gus who told us earlier that we were supposed to come out of the forest into a vast cogonal area at about noontime. The group decided then, to blaze another trail leading towards the river below. Reluctantly, the leading guide consented while the other one was sent to find out the extent of the trail that we were following.

We went down the ridge, practically wading through thick clumps of cogon grass while Fred was left halfway to give signal to the rest if it was alright for them to follow us. Meanwhile, Dul took charge of the equipment. In half an hour, we were able to blaze a new trail. Unfortunately, it was not Amnay River that we found. One of the guides refused to join us further up, for fear perhaps of the several waterfalls that we had to negotiate. With just a mumbled instruction for us to wait for him, he went up again. We were left shivering in the rain for about an hour and a half. After almost an eternity, the guide returned with Tony, a Mangyan whom he found working in a “kaingin” on the slope of the nearby mountain. After a brief introduction, we were on our way again with Tony leading us. Halfway up, Gus stopped to bandage his left knee which was giving up.

After almost an hour, we came out of the forest into a sea of cogon grass! On our right, we could distinctly hear the sound of a river which Tony confirmed as Amnay. As if for a climax, the Eagle Pass made us gingerly trudge on its two-foot wide ridge with a length of about 400 meters. And, this we had to do without looking at both sides – practically cliffs covered with grass. Bobby got another scare of his life when he slipped again! Our effort was compensated with the fantastic view of the ribbon-like and foaming Amnay way below!

On the banks of the river were Mangyan huts that constitute Barrio Ugos. Barangay Chairman Garong allowed us to use one of the communal huts which could normally accommodate five families. Tony, the Mangyan guide who led us down refused to accept the money that we offered as remuneration for his effort. Instead, he asked for some amount of salt which we readily gave. The suppressed joy on the face of Tony upon receiving the bag of salt gave me a tingling sensation down my spine.

That afternoon, we tried the rapids of the river using the modular type life raft that the Philippine Navy lent to us. They had five separate air modules which we thought would be very advantageous considering all the threatening rocks and boulders. But during the test run, we found out that we were helpless against the current. Also, in our group, only Fred and Bobby were familiar with paddling. On the aspect of running this kind of river, everybody was zero in experience. So there was no disagreement on leaving everything to fate. We were already one day behind the planned itinerary.

Day 3

We woke up early to prepare ourselves for the start of our “critical” journey. There was no solid food taken, except for a bite of chocolate downed with coffee and milk. This, according to Gus would prevent choking when somebody gets drowned! That early morning, too, the guides and porters from Villa Cervesa left us.

Just when everybody was raring to go, we found the front half of the raft’s main chamber deflated! There was a hole, obviously, that we fortunately discovered after an almost thirty minutes of search. It got patched up eventually. Since the start of our journey that morning, we got stuck eight times and got caught in a whirlpool! We managed to run only about seven kilometers of the river when we finally stopped before a fast bend strewn with protruding rocks. The bend was where the Ugos also flowed, so that one can just imagine the current as a result of the merging.

We were trying to reach a consensus whether to avoid the bend by carrying the raft and our packs to the other side or go on when Pidyo Mondejar spotted us – from the other side. We introduced ourselves by hollering to him. We threw the life rope to him to support us while crossing the river to his side. He was such a helpful fellow and we found out that he was working at a nearby ranch owned by a certain Dr. Tolentino and Judge Abeleda.

He was told by a Mangyan about the presence of strangers – us, so he came to investigate. He warned us about the gorge and a waterfall that are dangerous down which we were targeting. An investigation was made, and it was confirmed, so that we decided to avoid the bend. We carried the raft on the other side then, and went on with the run with Pidyo who enjoyed the bumps and his occasional fall. We managed to cover about two kilometers until darkness caught up with us. Pidyo suggested that we spend the night at the ranch, and leave the raft by the bank.

The ranch was supposedly just “behind the hill” ahead of us. But the muddy trail made our progress sickeningly slow. Until finally, pitch darkness enveloped us. Pidyo admitted that he was sort of confused as he was losing the trail, despite the help of two flashlights. After about three hours of walking like zombies, we finally reached the ranch. Each one of us just tried to find a cozy corner for the night…without giving attention to the pang of hunger.

Day 4

The following day, Pidyo and Gus inspected the river for calculations. When they came back, they reportedly failed to see the gorge. In other words, there was indeed, a waterfall that drops to several meters!

After breakfast, we discussed our strategy. The plan decided on was to ride the raft until it reached the bend where it would be allowed to fall down the waterfall and go with the current up to the bend at the ranch where I would be waiting. Those who rode the raft, would retrace their way back to the ranch. At the last minute, however, they decided to ride on the raft and take chance in falling with it down the waterfall which they enjoyed, even the bumps on the boulders. Pidyo even fell down but before anybody could react, he was back to his place in the raft, as if pulled by a rubber band!

At the ranch, over lunch, Pidyo was excitedly giving hint that he would like to experience the run all the way to the China Sea in Mamburao. It would be impossible, except if one of us should give up his space. I decided to do it – give my place to Pidyo and trek my way to Mamburao over mountain trails with three Mangyan boys as guides.

Day 5

The following morning, the three Mangyan boys and I started out just before sunup. The boys were Nito, Lito and Canoy. They warned me of several mountains that we had to traverse and several rivers that we had to cross. I thought it to be just okey, considering my experience in the just concluded mountaineering and river trekking along the Leyte Mountain Trail.

First we followed Amnay River until we reached Labongan River which we crossed. It was waist deep but the current was strong. Ikbo river was next, and then, Amnay again where I was almost carried far downstream by the strong current, had I not taken hold of a boulder. From Amnay, we trekked up Mt. Kabalagonan where monkeys greeted us with their shrieks. We continued on to Tingo mountain without resting a bit until we reached Sipuyo River which we had to cross again, after which we went up Mt. Palasa and onward to Mt. Hibaltang where we met two Mangyans. This time, rain fell. We doubled out time to reach a Mangyan village at the foot of another mountain where we planned to have lunch. At about noontime, we found a Mangyan hut where we rested and took our lunch of rice, mushrooms found along the way, and shrimp caught in the river.

Immediately after our lunch, we started for Pentin, the last river that we had to cross. It was tough treading on the knee-deep, soft sandy and muddy banks of the river until we reached a safe portion which we crossed. I was wrong to assume that everything would be fine after all the river crossings. The typhoon that hit the island of Mindoro two days before, inundated many rice fields and caused the overflowing of two lakes. Mud was knee deep but we went on traversing the one last hill before finally reaching barangay Pinagtorilan.

Looking back from atop the hill, I consoled myself for having reach this far, alive after the trek over several mountains and twenty-six crossings of the major rivers and their branching outflows due to the flood. Pinagtorilan still showed some signs of the inundation which it suffered resulting from the onslaught of typhoon Ruping. Barangay councilman Jose Iῆigo told us that the water rose to about seven feet. The kind barrio official accommodated us for the night.

Day 6

We left Pinagtorilan early the following morning for Sta. Cruz. Earlier, I decided that we hike all the way to the said town but changed my mind when I saw Canoy limping. We therefore, just hiked for about sixteen kilometers over partly -flooded roads, then we turned left at a junction for Puyo where an outrigger canoe could be taken for Sta. Cruz which was another sixteen kilometers away, yet. The outrigger fetched us at about noontime and I was glad that we need not transfer to another canoe if we just follow the shallow part of the sea and negotiate a river all the way up to Sta. Cruz. While on our way to the open sea, we encountered four big waves that soaked my backpack including the camera which I failed to put inside a plastic bag.

Upon reaching Sta. Cruz, my Mangyan guides stayed behind for their trek back to their village, while I took a jeepney all the way to Mamburao  airport where I found the rest of the group – Fred Jamili, Dul Gemora, Dr. Gus Guerrero and Bobby Sison, relaxing. Also, on hand to meet me was the PAL station manager who remarked that we accomplished something never done before, and during a typhoon, yet. I found out that those who took the river were able to make it to China Sea as planned despite difficulties, although faster compared to my trek and river crossing, as they reached Mamburao ahead of me by about four hours.

That day, there was no scheduled PAL flight so we had the whole airport terminal for our tired bodies. We consoled ourselves with the thought that despite our inexperience in canoeing, we were able to make it  - traverse Mindoro Island, from Calapan to Mamburao, on foot and a raft in six days!

Baguio…paradise on the sierras

By Apolinario Villalobos

Without the initiative of Judge William Howard Taft, Baguio would not have been what it is now. It would have just been left to bask in the sun as an ordinary mountain-top village. But Baguio is fated to become the summer capital of the Philippines, despite its almost impossible-to-reach location…a good 5,000 feet above sea level and approximately 250 kilometers from Manila on a land transport.

In July of 1900, two members of Judge Taft’s Commission blazed a trail to this mountain village directed only by bits of information from Spanish account “of a pleasing and temperate climate offering opportunity for delightful condition of life”. The two members of the Commission, Luke E. Wright and Dean C. Worcester, set out on a boat to San Fernando, La Union, then took to the road by horseback via Naguilian Trail. It took them two solid days to reach a place of rolling hills and a little valley where the climate was ideal.

Because of the long and tedious travel over Naguilian, a shorter route was proposed and an engineer was engaged to lay out a plan. The first and the second proposals were rejected. A third proposal by Col. L. W. V. Kennon finally earned the approval. Ten thousand men and a budget that went beyond one million dollars finally opened a new route to the future city. The road, named after Kennon reached its earmarked site in January, 1905.

Landscape architect Daniel H. Burnham and his assistant Pierce Anderson visited Baguio in December 1904 to prepare an extensive plan for its development. What was envisioned during the visit was a city that would hold a population of fifty to one hundred thousand people and an allowance was made for an estimated growth of twenty five thousand more. Burnham’s plan included business and commercial centers, residential districts, army posts, a hospital, government center and a country club. The plan was followed to its minutest details, and churches, convents, playgrounds, parks, driveways, shrubberies and bridle paths were also appropriated spaces. For his effort the city’s premier park, was named after him, the Burnham Park.

The incredible plan of the Americans, carved a city out of the pine-covered range of the Cordilleras. But their vision’s span was not stretched beyond fifty years. Baguio today is bursting to the seams with escapees from the lowland cities’ dust, monotony, heat and din. The allocated area for expansion is not even enough to accommodate the surge of lowlanders who grab every opportunity to have permanent residency or just a couple of week’s transiency.

A good rising time in this city is when the sun has thrown ample amount of its warm rays to dispel some of the fogs that normally envelops it. A big cup of locally grown coffee could help perk one up. Once the tummy is warmed, the next best thing to do while still at the breakfast table is gobble a bowl of “chopsuey” made up of fresh vegetables, finally, downed with a glass of fresh strawberry juice.

The road to the Mines View Park should not be forgotten which is just about ten minutes on a jeepney from downtown. From here, a commanding view of the valley and pine-covered mountains can be had. The park is practically covered with stalls selling colorful handmade products from woodcarvings to cloths. From here, one may go down to the Wright Park in front of the Mansion House, the President’s summer retreat. It is known for year-long bloomers, an array of temperate flowers that literally brightens up the surroundings even during damp days. There’s a man-made lagoon surrounded with pine trees, and horses are available for ride at a minimal fee.

A jeepney may be taken from Wright Park back to downtown for leg stretching while strolling around the Burnham Park. It is neatly laid out and greened by fragrant pine trees, regularly trimmed shrubs and made colorful by clusters of daisies and begonias in almost every corner. It has a lagoon for boating at a minimal fee. Burnham Park has always maintained its image as the city’s twin in popularity. Just as the rice terraces are to Banaue, the Burnham Park is to Baguio.

On the northwest of the park is the City Hall, majestically built on a slightly elevated area flanked by evergreens. For a breathtaking view of the city, it is best to go to Mirador Hill, with its 225 steps that lead to the Lourdes Grotto. Another significant landmark of the city is the Bell Church, brilliantly ornate temple which stands for the universality of god. The church is named after the bells on top of the ornamental gates and consists of pavilions that hug the hillsides with pathways flanked by dragons.

For silverworks, it is a must to visit the St. Louis University Silver Shop. Responsible for the spread of the craft in the city are the Belgian nuns who combined patience and perseverance with artistic touch in teaching any local interested in the trade. The pioneers used tweezers, but today, modern equipment are used to produce intricately designed jewelries.

Asin road, a southerly deviation of Naguilian Road, on the city’s western edge is where hunters for cheap woodcarvings should go. The road is lined with shops of carvings that take shape in a matter of a couple of hours in the deft hands of the natives.

As in any city, the best stop for discoveries in Baguio is its market which is filled to the rafters with fruits in season, antiques, baskets, brooms, wood carvings, silver filigrees and jewelries, fresh vegetables, handwoven blankets, even pre-owned apparel. In the market, one can discover a stall that sells “tapoy”, sweetish, though, potent rice wine. The most authentic “dinardaran”, a dish based in pig’s blood, and “pinikpikan”, chicken cooked with its curdled blood due to continues “soft” beating until it gasps for its last breath can also be had in the market.

The lucky visitor may stumble upon the small antique stalls in the market, items such as old Spanish silver pesos, WWII relics such as Japanese watches and gold-rimmed eye glasses, and centuries old Chinese porcelain wares.

Due to its strategic location, Baguio has become a jump-off point to other interesting places in the Cordilleras, such as  the Mt. Pulag (9,623 feet above sea level) and rice terraces of Benguet, and Kabayan for its centuries-old mummies, as well as, the nearby La Trinidad Valley for its garden fresh vegetables and strawberries.

The highlight of the city’s attraction is the yearly, month-long celebrated Panagbenga Festival, held during the month of February, during which the flowers are at their fullest blooming season. The festival showcases the traditions of the different indigenous communities and their products at the Burnham Park where visitors who failed to get hotel rooms are also allowed to pitch tents for the duration of the activities. The celebration includes exhibits, games, shows and the famous parade of floats fully-decked with flowers.

The Philippines’ Shangri-La is believed to have been known among those from Benguet as “bah-giw”, meaning “moss”, and among the Ibaloi, as “bagyu” which connotes as submerged aquatic plant. Whatsoever its name in the past was, Baguio may well be called an eternal city where one could stroll in bliss unmindful of the passing time. It will always be the last mountaintop resort for everybody…and, a special one, too.

Roxas of Palawan

And Tabon birds of Stanlake Island

By Apolinario Villalobos

When one mentions Roxas, what comes to mind is the Roxas City of Capiz on the island of Panay. Palawan has its own Roxas,too, but not known as is, unlike Tabon cave and its exotic species of bird, the tabon bird.

When I visited Roxas, I did not expect the arduous travel that involved different modes. The curious in me, however, prevailed so that I took the risk of being bitten by the dreaded mosquitoes that were infected with malaria virus (today, this has been checked by the local government) and went ahead with my unplanned trip to Palawan. It happened during the summer of 1980…

Puerto Princesa was just a fledgling city during that time but took phenomenal metamorphosis to become what it is now, practically, declared cleanest city in the whole of Philippines several times, and virtually bloomed with structures- signs of fast development.

My trip to the town of Roxas from Puerto Princesa City was made on a bus, early the following morning after the day I arrived. The sights along the way were splendid, as we passed by white sandy beaches fringed with swaying coconut trees and tropical fruit trees. We negotiated winding roads until we reached Langogan River where we were ferried across it. But we got off the bus first, although, the ferrying was made at the same time.

Upon reaching the other side of the river, we went on with our journey over winding roads that cut through verdant hills and forests. The panoramic view from the mountainside road overlooking the North China Sea was just fantastic. The expanse of water was dotted with green canopied islets ringed with white beaches.

Finally, we reached Roxas, a coastal town of abundant coconut groves and white sandy beaches. It covers 608 nautical miles or 142 kilometers of distance northeast of Puerto Princesa City. It is bounded on the northeast by the Ilian River, north to northwest by the Pagdanan Range and in the south by Langoyan. Its total land area is 122,030 hectares.

The evolution of the town into what it is now is interesting. The town was once noted for its small-scale  shipbuilding industry of a community of Cagayanos. The cutting of amorawin tree however, the wood of which was used and abounds in Araceli, was strictly regulated. As most of the time, such wood was not available, they left the place but later returned and settled at Retac which they found not to their liking later on. They found another site marked with a boton tree on which they tried to settle….this, they named Sanboton. With the influx of other settlers, the simple settlement became a barrio that later on became known as del Pilar, in honor of the Filipino hero, Gregorio del Pilar. Finally, it became the municipality of Roxas, after the late President Roxas, by virtue of Republic Act No. 615 signed in September 30, 1951.

Roxas is endowed with minerals such as silica and quartz. San Miguel Corporation discovered high-grade silica in the area and established the Palawan Silica company which was later renamed Nin Bay Mining Corporation. The company developed the town by building roads and an airport, as well as, housing units for its employees. During my visit, the town was practically booming industrially with four companies operating for its mineral deposit. These were the Nin Bay Mining Corporation, Republic Glass Corporation, Roxas Silica Company, and Vulcan Industrial and Mineral Exploration Corporation.

Wild honey, a cottage industry also adds revenue to the coffer of the town. But the most famous of its backyard industry, though, strictly regulated is the gathering of tabon bird’s eggs. Tabon, means “to cover”, which is the habit of the birds to protect their eggs, that they bury in the beach, covered with sand. The scientific name of the bird is Palawan Magapode and found on Stanlake Island.

An adult Tabon bird has gray feathers tainted with green, with the male slightly bigger than the female. For a clearer comparison, the male bird is bigger than an ordinary chicken. Its bead is stout and pointed, with claws that consist of three toes that are blunt, two in front and one at the back. Interestingly, the bird’s call resembles that of a dog’ howl.

The birds bury their eggs in holes with depths of four to six feet, after which, they cover them with sands. The digging usually takes two to three hours and done during rainy days. The egg is twice the size of a chicken’s, oval-shaped and with color that ranges from white to pink and light red, with the shell so fragile that it breaks easily. Hatching takes from 16 to 18 days, during which the chicks struggle their way out of the hole. The chick reaches it maturity in eight to ten months, during which it takes it turn to mate and lay eggs.

Other interesting touristic areas of Roxas, aside from Stanlake Island which has been declared as a bird sanctuary, are those around the Barbacan and Matalangao rivers where birdwatching can be rewarding. Less than a kilometer away is the Matalangao Waterfalls that drops to 80 feet. Practically, the beaches that fringe the coastal town are haven for those who long for a peaceful recluse.

Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan is accessible via flights from Manila. Typical tourists need more than a week to enjoy their visit of the province, as aside from Roxas, they may find the call of  El Nido, the Underground River, and white sandy islets just too strong to ignore.