Youthspeak: Igorotak met ah
Written By: editors on April 12, 2010 No Comment
By OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net
I am an Igorot. I eat pinikpikan and etag but I don’t eat dog meat. There’s one time they tricked me into eating it though, telling me that it was a goat meat .
I do not own an “Igorotak” t-shirt, and I don’t intend to buy one. But I sure am proud that my fellow Igorots thought of printing that, way before other groups decided that it was a cool way of being proud of your culture.
I am an Igorot. I don’t have a tail , but I do have tales to tell you, tales of how my fellow highlanders were discriminated and made fun of. One time, my cousin had a conversation with one of her acquaintances who just came from Bicol. Not knowing my cousin’s cultural identity, she proceeded to describe what an Igorot is based on her perception. She says Igorots are small, dark-skinned, curly-haired and “diaper”-wearing people who live far away in the mountains where they chase animals with their bow and arrows. She was then surprised to know that the person she is talking to is an Igorot, and to her shame, far from her descriptions. My cousin then pinpointed other Igorots around them, having fair skin, rosy cheeks, and wearing “normal” clothes.
Another encounter was from my other cousin, a ship stewardess. While they were having a meal, one of her colleagues, upon seeing her use spoon and fork, remarked:
“ Oy hindi ko alam na marunong palang gumamit ang mga Igorot ng ganyan ah!” (I didn’t know that Igorots know how to use that), while laughing .
A teacher of mine also told me his own experience, while walking in Minesview (where he lives) a group of tourists approached him and asked:
“Saan po kami makakakita ng Igorot?”
He replied:
“You are talking with one right now.”
And of course, who would forget the infamous “punchline” of Candy Pangilinan?
“Hindi po ako Igorot, tao po ako.”
Yeah right. Now tell me if that is funny at all.
I feel disheartened to the point of being sickened upon hearing similar stories like this. It is an outright discrimination and disrespect to one’s culture, this shameful ignorance of who we really are as Igorots. What happened to history and sociology teachers? Aren’t they supposed to be teaching their students the different cultures of our country? For several years the Igorot tribes were victims of mockery and ridicule just because many people lack “cultural education”. But could that be an excuse for simply mocking one’s identity? Just because you didn’t know who they are as a tribe, you have the right to ridicule them? That simply means lack of breeding and proper orientation of who your countrymen are. I hope you keep in mind that we are separated by islands that’s why we have different cultures and different ways of doing things, a different sense of pride. But I do hope you keep in mind that the islands we live in comprise one small dot of an island in the east side of the map, an island where we thrive and call ourselves Filipinos.
But despite all the negative things hounding my thoughts is the positive fact that many of those not from here, who came and settled here, have in them a sense of respect and awe to the Igorot culture. Painters, musicians, photographers, writers and many more have professed their love of the highlands, proof of this is that they have come and settled down here.
They have been partners of the Igorot tribes in attesting to the whole nation and to the whole world that these tribes have a rich and beautiful culture that have the capability to inspire and touch people’s lives in a subtle yet lasting way. A culture untouched by historic oppressors that is why it continues to linger on through generations.
A culture with a wondrous past and a bright future.
We Igorots will remain and will forever remain, Igorots.
So I guess, I’ll buy myself an “Igorotak” t-shirt after all. # nordis.net
Friday, April 16, 2010
BCBC supports Women’s Month
BCBC supports Women’s Month
Written By: editors on April 12, 2010 No Comment
By DENIA FAYANGCAO and OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net
Baguio City – The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) this year, in observance of the women’s month has honored four women in the annual tradition of choosing the city’s Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV).
The all female group as criterion for the lucky summer visitors was set in line with the celebration of women’s month. On its 53rd year of empowering tourism in the City, BCBC has set the criteria of Lucky Summer Visitor as: first timer in Baguio, single, female and young professionals.
Ms. Allah Sungduan, chair of the Selection Committee implemented the BCBC criteria for an all female and young professional Lucky Summer Visitors in line with the celebration of Women’s Month this year.
The lucky young women visitors this year are Donah Tan of Zambales, Delsa de Guzman of Antique, Lorie Joy CaHares of Masbate and Retchie Paredes of Bohol.
Delsa, Lorie and Retchie worked at Doosol Language School while Donah worked at Singsing Orange Company. All are working as ESL teachers in Manila.
They were chosen by the selection committee and welcome party at around 10:10 in the morning in Rosario La Union last April 1 on board a Victory :Liner bus.
They were first welcomed at Barangay Twin Peaks Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet with a short program where they joined the children of the area in the Bendian dance. Municipala administrator Roberto Pidazo presented each of them a souvenir item from barangayTadiangan, Tuba.
Donah, said they were surprised and that they were very glad to have been chosen. When their bus was stopped, she thought some company was distributing some freebies when someone entered and talked to the passengers.
In Baguio they were also welcomed by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista. He congratulated them and also told them they were City’s the Lucky Centennial visitors.
And as the lucky summer of Baguio and Benguet they will be treated to a red carpet, all expense paid four days stay and tour around Baguio and Benguet.
The four lucky summer visitor stayed at Supreme hotel for three nights and visited tourist spots in Baguio like Baguio Cathedral, SM Baguio, Burnham Park, Bencab Museum, Wright Park, Tam-Awan Village, Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Balatoc Mines and also the Strawberry farm at La Trinidad Benguet where they went strawberry picking.
“Have a nice time and when you go out of this place, help us promote our City” said Mayor Bautista. He talked to them about the city and presented a gift from City Mayor’s office.
The BCBC Lucky Summer Visitor project was done in coordination with Rosario La Union Local Government Unit, Rosario PNP with the participation of Twin Peaks LGU, City Government of Baguio, Trinidad LGU and other non-government agencies.
The visitors were passengers of Victory Liner Bus number 1911. #D nordis.net
Written By: editors on April 12, 2010 No Comment
By DENIA FAYANGCAO and OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net
Baguio City – The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) this year, in observance of the women’s month has honored four women in the annual tradition of choosing the city’s Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV).
The all female group as criterion for the lucky summer visitors was set in line with the celebration of women’s month. On its 53rd year of empowering tourism in the City, BCBC has set the criteria of Lucky Summer Visitor as: first timer in Baguio, single, female and young professionals.
Ms. Allah Sungduan, chair of the Selection Committee implemented the BCBC criteria for an all female and young professional Lucky Summer Visitors in line with the celebration of Women’s Month this year.
The lucky young women visitors this year are Donah Tan of Zambales, Delsa de Guzman of Antique, Lorie Joy CaHares of Masbate and Retchie Paredes of Bohol.
Delsa, Lorie and Retchie worked at Doosol Language School while Donah worked at Singsing Orange Company. All are working as ESL teachers in Manila.
They were chosen by the selection committee and welcome party at around 10:10 in the morning in Rosario La Union last April 1 on board a Victory :Liner bus.
They were first welcomed at Barangay Twin Peaks Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet with a short program where they joined the children of the area in the Bendian dance. Municipala administrator Roberto Pidazo presented each of them a souvenir item from barangayTadiangan, Tuba.
Donah, said they were surprised and that they were very glad to have been chosen. When their bus was stopped, she thought some company was distributing some freebies when someone entered and talked to the passengers.
In Baguio they were also welcomed by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista. He congratulated them and also told them they were City’s the Lucky Centennial visitors.
And as the lucky summer of Baguio and Benguet they will be treated to a red carpet, all expense paid four days stay and tour around Baguio and Benguet.
The four lucky summer visitor stayed at Supreme hotel for three nights and visited tourist spots in Baguio like Baguio Cathedral, SM Baguio, Burnham Park, Bencab Museum, Wright Park, Tam-Awan Village, Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Balatoc Mines and also the Strawberry farm at La Trinidad Benguet where they went strawberry picking.
“Have a nice time and when you go out of this place, help us promote our City” said Mayor Bautista. He talked to them about the city and presented a gift from City Mayor’s office.
The BCBC Lucky Summer Visitor project was done in coordination with Rosario La Union Local Government Unit, Rosario PNP with the participation of Twin Peaks LGU, City Government of Baguio, Trinidad LGU and other non-government agencies.
The visitors were passengers of Victory Liner Bus number 1911. #D nordis.net
Urban Poor’s criteria for choosing Baguio officials
Urban Poor’s criteria for choosing Baguio officials
Written By: editors on April 12, 2010 No Comment
By OFELIA EMPIAN and ESTELA SAYAN
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — The urban poor laid down its criteria for local candidates this May elections.
Katribu chairperson for Baguio-Benguet, Geraldine Cacho said that there are three criteria that they look for in a local political candidate. These are the candidate’s track record, platform and their support for the urban poor before and after elections, whether they win or lose.
“Nu incumbent official isuna, ania dagiti naaramidan na iti pagdur-asan iti umili partikular ti urban poor iti Baguio,” (If he is an incumbent official, what are his accomplishments to uplift the condition of the people particularly the urban poor) Ms. Cacho said.
She added that if the candidate is a first-time candidate, they would rely on his family background and his work in the past. Moreover, they are not particular with the candidate’s educational attainment.
“Iti platporma, basically nu iti panagsango mi kadagiti kandidato, kitaen mi nu sino ti mangsurot iti legislative agenda mi”, (As to platform, when we talk with the candidates, we choose those who will support our legislative agenda ) she said.
Their agenda tackles improper demolition of houses, waste management, privatization of government operated social services, unemployment, discrimination of indigenous peoples and many others. These are the priorities that they expect from the political candidate according to Ms. Cacho.
She further stated that “Kanayon a ti ibagbagak iti panawen ti eleksyon, daytoy ti panawen a panangipakita ti tao ti bileg da, datayo ti aremen ti pulitiko. Kanayon a kuna da a sulbaren da ti problema ngem nu agtugaw da makitan tu nu maresolba. Daytoy a panawen nga agpapada ti tao, baknang ka man wennu pobre, saggaysa amin ti butos tayo. Make the best of your vote, apan tayo amin agbutos. Ti ibutos tayo ket dagiti maikari, saantayon a palubusan nga agtugaw manen ti trapo a mangilako iti Baguio.” (I always say during elections, this is the time where we show our power, the politicians will be the ones to come to us. They always say that they will solve our problems and when they are in power, that’s the time we will see the result. This is the time where we are all equal, rich or poor, our votes are one. Make the best of your vote, let’s all go and vote for those who are deserving. Let us not vote for the traditional politicians, those who will sell Baguio). # nordis.net
Written By: editors on April 12, 2010 No Comment
By OFELIA EMPIAN and ESTELA SAYAN
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — The urban poor laid down its criteria for local candidates this May elections.
Katribu chairperson for Baguio-Benguet, Geraldine Cacho said that there are three criteria that they look for in a local political candidate. These are the candidate’s track record, platform and their support for the urban poor before and after elections, whether they win or lose.
“Nu incumbent official isuna, ania dagiti naaramidan na iti pagdur-asan iti umili partikular ti urban poor iti Baguio,” (If he is an incumbent official, what are his accomplishments to uplift the condition of the people particularly the urban poor) Ms. Cacho said.
She added that if the candidate is a first-time candidate, they would rely on his family background and his work in the past. Moreover, they are not particular with the candidate’s educational attainment.
“Iti platporma, basically nu iti panagsango mi kadagiti kandidato, kitaen mi nu sino ti mangsurot iti legislative agenda mi”, (As to platform, when we talk with the candidates, we choose those who will support our legislative agenda ) she said.
Their agenda tackles improper demolition of houses, waste management, privatization of government operated social services, unemployment, discrimination of indigenous peoples and many others. These are the priorities that they expect from the political candidate according to Ms. Cacho.
She further stated that “Kanayon a ti ibagbagak iti panawen ti eleksyon, daytoy ti panawen a panangipakita ti tao ti bileg da, datayo ti aremen ti pulitiko. Kanayon a kuna da a sulbaren da ti problema ngem nu agtugaw da makitan tu nu maresolba. Daytoy a panawen nga agpapada ti tao, baknang ka man wennu pobre, saggaysa amin ti butos tayo. Make the best of your vote, apan tayo amin agbutos. Ti ibutos tayo ket dagiti maikari, saantayon a palubusan nga agtugaw manen ti trapo a mangilako iti Baguio.” (I always say during elections, this is the time where we show our power, the politicians will be the ones to come to us. They always say that they will solve our problems and when they are in power, that’s the time we will see the result. This is the time where we are all equal, rich or poor, our votes are one. Make the best of your vote, let’s all go and vote for those who are deserving. Let us not vote for the traditional politicians, those who will sell Baguio). # nordis.net
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