Archive for January 2009
bibaknets scholar experience
Posted on: January 21, 2009
Re: [bibaknets] Re: BESF experience
Thank you Philian for sharing Hector’s experience. Indeed it is such a great feeing to hear another successful BESF scholar. Kudos to Lynn Mac for his unwavering support.
It is unfortunate that our experience with a couple of them did not pan out, they quit in the middle of their courses which is too bad and we do not know what happened to them.
Ceasar/Elisa
On 20-Jan-09, at 8:30 AM, Ha Lee wrote:
>
> John and all, so heart-warming indeed to know that scholars that we/bibaknets have supported, do well. For this particular scholar, I would like to personally thank Atty. Lynn Macalingay for responding to my prodding to take on Hector.
>
> LET LOVE REIGN AND RAIN ALWAYS!
> HA LEE, DA KING
> “Don’t pray for an easy life, pray to be a strong person”
> =========
>
>
> From: John
> To: bibaknets@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:29:55 AM
> Subject: Re: [bibaknets] Re: BESF experience
>
>
> Lynn, Philian, Gerry, Lulu,
>
> No additional accolade can even come close to this.
>
> It is a thanks worthy for a lifetime!!
>
> HarryP and HarryB 🙂
>
> John Dyte
> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
>
> On 1/20/2009 at 6:50 AM philian weygan wrote:
>
>
> Thanks Hector,
>
> Thanks for sharing this experience, it is very rare that someone we assist in their education would take the initiative to share part of who they are.. I take the liberty to pass this one to the wider bibaknets and bsbt group.
>
> it is appreciated. .
>
> Ms. philian
>
> “And the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” Matt 24:14
>
> — On Sat, 1/17/09, Hector Patang wrote:
>
> From: Hector Patang
> Subject: experience
> To: “philian weygan”
> Date: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 12:50 PM
>
>
> —–
>
>
> Konichiwa(Hi) ! I’m Hector A. Patang, 17 years old, the last child of Mr. Rodulfo M. Patang of Bocos, Banaue, Ifugao and Mrs. Fe A. Patang of Bokod, Tublay from their six masculine children but we are currently residing at #115 Lower Poblacion, Sablan, Benguet. Moreover, a grateful and a proud BIBAKNET’s scholar under the sponsorship of Mr. Lynn Macalingay.
>
> How did I become a BIBAKNET’s scholar? What and who drove me to pursue my studies? Before I became a scholar I’ve been on great stresses in life that challenged my impetus in pursuing my studies and achieving my goals. The greatest happened on December 09, 2006; in this day was our departure from BSU, L.T.B. because we attended the Provincial Meet. When I arrived home, my relatives told me that my father was rushed to the hospital. My worried mother told me that she needs to follow my father in the hospital but she doesn’t have money. So I gave my savings to her.
>
> On the 11th day of that month, I can’t understand my emotions when I heard the news that my beloved father died due to cerebral hemorrhage. But one thing for sure, I’m in the denial stage of grieving. To cut the story short, the burial day was on December 14, 2006. Thank you so much to all the people who in one way or another supported us in that time of grief. May the good Lord bless and keep you always. In spite of that crippling loss, on March 2007, I Herman my older brother graduated High School. Moreover, I and Herman’s older brother named Hadji who is an NCIP scholar also graduated BSN and a Registered Nurse at present.
>
> After our graduation, my mother told me that she can no longer send me to college because of financial constraint and I replied to her with confident “if you can no longer send me to school, I will help myself, I will pursue my studies and finish a course no matter what happens.” In the next morning, my mother joyfully told me to enroll in a vocational school. Then, we went to BSBT to ask for necessary queries. My mother asked queries to an employee assigned in the registrars office and was informed about the scholarship program of the BIBAKNETS, with surprise and interest she asked on how to apply and the employee interviewed my mother why I need a scholarship. As a parent she knows her responsibility, she then narrated the great loss of my father who supported us financially, physically and emotionally in the pursuance of our studies. A responsible father who always guides us in the right way to enjoy life. Even though he was an elementary undergraduate, a farmer and a proud carver I could proudly say that he is wise because he wanted and taught us to learn from others experience before it comes to us. Furthermore, when my mother was narrating she noticed the employee was nearly to cry so to bring back the environment conducive for conversation she then put a good sense of humor in their conversation. With that employee’s golden heart she then asked me to submit my form 138 card complete all the requirements for the scholarship and I enrolled the course HRS. In the first semester, my scholarship was not still approved so I paid the my full tuition fee. When ma’am Philian knew about it she recommended me to Mr. Lynn Macalingay and he joyfully accept me. In the second semester, he started paying my tuition fees until now that I’m a candidate for graduation , thanks to you Mr. Lynn Macalingay.
>
> With regards to the processing of my tuition fee payments I’ve experience a little delays. One great experience happened during the payment of my tuition this semester Mrs. Malus Fangasan (1st treasurer of BIBAKNET’S org.) working at BSU officer in charge of the signing of papers of my tuition fee settlement was out of the country. I thought I could not pay my tuition on time but thanks to Mr. Jerome Gawidan (2ndtreasurer of BIBAKNET’s org.) who voluntarily lend me some of his money to settle my tuition on time. Then, I and Mr. Jerome withdraw the exact amount in my sponsor’s bank account to replenish Mr. Jerome’s money.
>
> To all the people I’ve met, to the people I will meet, thank you so much to your unending love, concern, encouragements, moral and financial support especially to ma’am Philian, my sponsor Mr. Lynn Macalingay and my beloved mother. I will always treasure the priceless goodness of your hearts. In return, I will be a person you always prayed and want me to be.
>
> Finally, to Almighty God who shared us the beauties of this world and who engraved faith hope and love in our hearts for us to share these beauties to everyone.
| http://www.sagada.com |
LIST OF SCHOLARS 2005-2008
Bibaknets Educational Subsidy Fund
LIST OF SPONSORS FROM 2005 to 2008
Matching Vocational Subsidy & Orphan Fund
|
Name of Sponsor |
Name of Ward |
Course |
Status |
|
SY 2005-2006 |
|
8 grantees |
|
|
Atty. Harrison Paltongan, Makati, Philippines |
Satur Ayyawan |
1 year Automotive Technician |
Graduated 2006 |
|
Lito Villanueva Philippines & Saudi Arabia |
Andrey Buyagan |
2 years Electronics Tech. |
Graduated now in Marine Eng’g |
|
Rev. Tony Gomowad, Guam |
Ziegler Chil-ang |
1 year Automotive Technician |
Graduated 2006 |
|
Joy Lumbag, Europe |
Melchecedec dela Cruz |
1 year Automotive Technician |
Graduated 2006 |
|
Edwin & Mia Abeya, Maryland, USA |
Mark Supanga |
2 years Electronics Technician |
Graduated -May 2007 |
|
BIBAK L.A. |
Denver Labador |
1 year Automotive Technician |
Graduated 2006 |
|
Harry Basingat, Los Angeles, Calif |
Mariedel Rosales |
6 mos Sec’l Office Procedures |
Discontinued |
|
Ceasar & Elisa Castro, Vancouver, Canada |
Raymond Tanglod |
2 years Electronics Technician |
Finished one year |
|
|
|
|
|
SY 2006-2007 |
|
21 grantees |
|
|
Isabel Wolfe, San Diego Calif |
Babylyn Ogues |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services- |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Ceasar & Elisa Castro, Vancouver, Canada |
Raymond Tanglod |
2 years Electronics Technician |
discontinued |
|
Edwin & Mia Abeya, Maryland, USA |
Mark Supanga |
2 years Electronics Technician |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Jocelyn Noe, Florida, USA |
Sherry D. Cacay |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
BIBAK L.A. |
William Libao |
6 mos. Automotive Mechanic |
Graduated |
|
Harry Basingat LA, Calif, USA |
Shayne Batokil |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Isabel Wolfe San Diego, Calif ,USA |
Stonie Ocbos |
6 mos. Automotive Mechanic |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Ed & Minda Saidro San Diego, Calif, USA |
Maribel P. Warren |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
BIBAK Switzerland |
Eliezer Kevin Singit |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Rosalynda Callagan Indiana, USA |
Hazel S. Dumangan |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
George Freese Guam |
Joygie Binmogas |
BSBA – Management |
Finished one year -transfered |
|
George Frees, Guam |
Jovylyn Alos |
BSBA – Management |
Finished one year-transfered |
|
Octavio Balangcod San Diego, Calif, USA |
Annie Marcos |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services (HRS) |
Finished one year |
|
General Orphan BESF |
Jean March Dumawa |
Elementary at Easter College |
On-going |
|
General Orphan Fund |
Keiffer Dumawa |
Elementary at Easter College |
On-going |
|
BIBAK Switzerland |
Marjorie Donaal |
Agricultural Engineering – KASC |
graduated |
|
Orphan Grant |
Harold Awe |
MPSPC |
On-going |
|
General orphan Fund |
Jimwell Fuyag |
BS Criminology – MPSPC |
On going |
|
Bart Alatan Vancouver, Canada |
Orlando Bacasion |
6 mos. Automotive Mechanic |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Bart Alatan Vancouver, Canada |
Vilma Pablo |
2 years Computer Secretarial |
Graduated May 2007 |
|
Bart Alatan Vancouver, Canada |
Janice Wallace |
2 years Computer-Secretarial |
Completed one year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SY 2007-2008 |
7 grantees |
|
|
Octavio Balangcod, San Diego, Calif, USA |
Annie Marcos |
2 years Hotel & Rest. Services-BSBT |
Graduated May 2008 |
|
Bart Alatan Vancouver, Canada |
Janice Wallace |
2 years Computer Secretarial- BSBT |
Graduated May, 2008 |
|
General Orphan Fund |
Jean March Dumawa |
Elementary at Easter College |
On-going |
|
General Orphan Fund |
Keiffer Dumawa |
Elementary at Easter College |
On-going |
|
Orphan Grant |
Jimwel Fuyag |
MPSPC |
On-going |
|
Bibak Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada |
Ramilyn Widwidan |
2 years Com Sec-BSBT College |
Completed 1st year |
|
Lynn Macalingay Boston,MA, USA |
Hector Patang |
2 years HRS |
Completed 1st year |
No sponsor |
Rhuby Lynne Caiso |
2 years HRS |
Completed 1st year |
|
|
SY 2008-2009 |
|
|
|
General Orphan Fund |
Jean March Dumawa |
Elementary at Easter College |
On-going |
|
General Orphan Fund |
Keiffer Dumawa |
Elementary at Easter College |
On-going |
|
Bibak Vancouver Vancouver, Canada |
Ramilyn Widwidan |
2 years Com Sec-BSBT College |
2nd year |
|
Lynn Macalingay |
Hector Patang |
2 years HRS |
2nd year |
Submitted by
Philian Weygan
August 3, 2008
Growing up in Baguio- Circa 60s
Posted on: January 20, 2009
(Published in Sangal di Kultura – Cordillera Today August 24,2008 issue)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/09/01/oped/philian.weygan.html
Karitoon http://karitoon.com/xoops/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=20
http://pilyan.multiply.com/journal/item/87
Growing up in Baguio – Circa ‘60s
My work demand travels but wherever I go, I come back home to Baguio where memories of my growing up remain one of my fondest thoughts of home.
My mom told me “nan puseg mo naikali isna sirok nan ba-ey” meaning my birth bag was buried under the old house in Magsaysay. I was born with my umbilical cord wrapped around my neck but Dr. Calogne and mom delivered me without accident, which my parents say it is a blessing. My sister has letters of mom and dad that related that as a baby I was brought to Besao when my dad went to briefly work and study in Manila. He sent me baby shoes during my birthday, send us eggs when he was in Baguio.
Growing up with my siblings, I remember my mom would plant watercress in the crystal clear Balili River. She would put John and me on top of a stone and we watch while she works. Later, John was able to learn to swim just being around my mother working. My older brother and sister frequent Parapad in Ambiong for swimming. I contend myself with a shower from a spring that comes out from the edge of our property.
At a young age, love of work, discipline and goal setting were values that were made known to us.
In our land we have home vegetable garden together with bananas, avocado, guavas. But later on sayote took over a greater part of the property. Quirino Hill was a forest and after the rains we would go and pick mushrooms. At that time mom, my aunt and some cousins cleared portions as “uma” were they planted camote, corn and other root crops. During harvest, we the kids were allowed to go and help but most of the time they build us a fire and we would cook camote and corn buried in the coals. Those were etched in my memory. Then we would help carry the produce down the mountains, but it was more like rolling them down as my older brother taught us. My mom would say we will break the camote by doing that and maybe we did, but as kids we never cared.
When we had extra bananas or corn, mom would allow us to peddle them in the neighborhood and so we had extra money. Our parents would give us piggy banks and also envelops where to put our monies. Sometimes she saves it for something to buy for us like clothes, toys and books. At that time there were only few houses, cars and a lot of spaces in out neighborhood which spans from Sayote island, Ambiong, Happy Homes, Quirino Hill and Camdas. Resurrection Church was still part of our neighborhood and we hear the church peal every morning, noon and at Angelus.
We went to a neighborhood school Lucban Elementary School and we loved it. In Kindergarten, whenever I get back from being absent I would only go if my dad would accompany me and speak to my teacher. By fourth grade I was sometimes allowed to bring my lunch and sometimes we would go to the house of Benilda Zaragoza. Her mom would serve us soup too. My playground widened as I was allowed to play after school. I remember being in the house of the Udasco home, the Caoili’s, the Alipio’s, the Penera’s, Jocson’s, Idio’s, and Villalba’s. It was a happy childhood spent with classmates and siblings. Part of it was spent in house chores like scrubbing the floor, sweeping the yard, watering plant, feeding the chickens, the rabbits, harvesting sayote. It was when we were older that more responsibilities were given like washing clothes and cooking.
My wonderful stay in Lucban ended when I had a boxing match with the bully of my sister. It was a fad for pupils to have fistfights in the foot of Quirino Hill (we call it carabao mountain then) and I was not spared. I challenged the bully of my sister and landed her a black eye and before she could hit me I fell into a ravine. The next morning we were in the principal’s office. That time I told my parents I do not want to go to school anymore. They consoled me that we will transfer the next year so we just had to finish the school term. So by the Grade six we were transferred to Easter School, I was already the eldest as both my older sister and brother were already in High School.
That widened our playground to Guisad, Bokawkan, Dizon and Pinsao. Dad would bring us to school in his Ford and in the afternoon we would ride a service jeep with the Mendozas, the Balaos of Pico. Sometimes we were late for the jeepney service after we have to clean the classrooms and we tarry by the brook side of Guisad catching jojo and bayek. We would be home near dusk because we took time playing along the least traveled roads, catching butterflies and crickets, picking flowers and weeds and simply taking time to enjoy nature as daylight catches up with nigh time.
Sundays were the days we wake up the earliest, finish our chores, take a bath, breakfast and church service. Sometimes we go to Burnham Park for a picnic and run till we drop. It was so clean, so wide and so beautiful with all the flowers and butterflies of many colors. Sometimes Dad would have church meeting and so we end up eating cookies baked by the family of Fr. Alejandrino Rulite while we climb up and down the trees of the church compound.
Baguio was a perfect place to spent childhood. Then the ‘70s came and it was high school. It would be another story to tell. When I remember Mom whose death Anniversary is September 19, I remember my wonderful childhood – Baguio circa ‘60s. (August 21, 2008)
of lack and plenty
Posted on: January 18, 2009
Of lack and plenty
The threat of a global depression gives us enough reason to reflect on poverty and wealth. Last October 17, 2008 TESDA organized the event highlighting the national week stand against extreme poverty. The occasion was an opportunity were representatives of Baguio and Benguet schools converged in CCDC, La Trinidad to be oriented of the various programs of line agencies including TESDA, DOLE, DTI and other government agencies in mitigating poverty.
The local government representatives included Atty Bolislis representing the Benguet Provincial office and at least two mayors. Unfortunately, NGO, Church or PO were not represented to give an opportunity to present their programs in combating poverty.
As Don Johnson, a missionary, said “Government must discipline itself to serve and support moral and economic development…crime must not prosper.” Further he said that unjust oppression, a person’s bad habits and character, greed are causes of poverty. And so government must be fashioned by men to serve humankind.
Everyone has a share in eliminating extreme poverty. Billionaires like Warren Buffet and corporations are now into social responsibility programs. Programs of giving to the poor trainings, education and entrepreneurial opportunities. As the poor rise up they are likewise encouraged to help others. All this is towards the creation of wealth. As the Holy Bible says that “he who works his lands will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”
Since Genesis, when the land was cursed, people eat by the sweat of their brow. They till the land, the Cordillera is no exception. Tabuk is the rice granary of the region but in all communities farms and fields remain a great part of the life system. To most upland communities like Chananaw/Dananao of Tinglayan, Kalinga they are still in subsistence economy. Rice is the staple food and camote the substitute. The rice fields are terraced along the contours of the mountains. The people remain to be protective of their endemic species. During my last visit in the area in 2003, they still have the large-grain rice varieties called the unoy, chumalling, umangan and ifuwan. Smaller grain varieties include oyac which is sub classified as otan (red or white varieties) ingtan, and finuod. The community has a distinct agricultural cycle which revolves along natural phenomena. The first month is called ijang after a bird that comes in December.
When asked about poverty, the I-chananaw does not seem to equate their lack as poverty. It is only when people go outside of the community that they are compelled to acquire other material goods and soon they start comparing their lack of the plenty that others possess. They say that half of the village folks are now settled in Tabuk. I was privileged to visit the place a couple of times since 1992 for several community projects. Those interventions with partners have brought various trainings, infrastructure and spiritual transformations. A cooperative was formed, a community clinic, reforestation, a multi-purpose clinic, a scholarship program and other interventions have greatly changed the community. People there say it is for the better as opportunities were opened to them. Our close work was made possible through the invitation of the families of Manuel Onalan, Daniel Aga-id and the other folks. One child was named Philian Gloria a few days before my 2003 visit. I had a chance to hold the child, a grand daughter of one of the Onalans, who was a student in UDI School of Indigenous People’s Advocate (SIPA).
So what we see is a transformation of a community because of lack, and they do not call it poverty but the outside world calls them in extreme poverty because of the absence of facilities and material wealth present in others and benchmarking on definitions of poverty thresholds.
I asked Ama, the oldest of the Onalan family and he says they used to be very rich in the fruits of the land, cultural practices, family and community cohesion, respect and care for elders, land and forest protection and use, a sense of equity and equality, a deep sense of spirituality. Ama says they are losing these riches as people leave the village and embrace the ways of other men and women who are not I-chananaw. They have lost their faith in the God who provides to all like the birds and the animals.
Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in his book “Daring to live on the Edge” emphasizes the teaching of Jesus “look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” It is a book which talks on faith and finances. He relates experiences of how the needs of those who have faith in God are provided from groceries, an airfare, an English Farm, a German Castle and the list just goes on and on.
Of lack and plenty, it is not a question who has the definition or the response, it is a global phenomena where all must take an active role, daring to live on the edge by standing up against poverty. (October 17,2008-philian weygan)
- In: igorot | maeng | Uncategorized
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Lily of the valleys: Tingguian Maeng Marriage
December became a marry month more than June and I just wished statistics were available to show. Some supposed it is so as it leads on to the New Year, an appropriate time to start life together as couple. Being ninang to two marriages at the end of the year gives me enough motivation to write on this topic and explore my Tinguian Maeng roots.
Not long ago relatives have been going to Abra for weddings and wakes of our relatives on my father side. Very proximate relatives include the Macalingay and Depidip families of Tubo. But recently Darrow Odsey, a cousin from my mother and his mother side, mentioned that we belong to the Gibanay clan. I had occasion to meet some of members of the clan like the Belinos.
When I was heading the Caritas Australia Project in 2000 to 2003 we frequently cross the Abra river up to Luba and Tubo. I have witnessed Singlip of a Peden/Bodong and the Pamalubos during the wake of the dead, aside from the wedding and other festivities. History reveals that the Maengs came from Besao where Tubo shares a boundary, however my Maeng friend Fr. Emil Pati,SVD jokingly say that it is the people of Besao who came from Abra. We may even be related because his mother is a Sagmayao and my dad’s mom is a Sagmayao. My upcoming trip to Abra is through the invitation of Annie Baltar, it may not bring me deep enough into the Maeng land.
Discovering my Tinguian roots I found the following Maengs traditional courtship and marriage practices. Kalon or child betrothal has been practiced for a long time. Practices and societies have changed, however there are still some who continue to practice kalon even in these changing times. When a boy is about six to eight years old he is matched to a girl and his parents or and intermediary visits the parents of the girl. This is with the giving of tree beads as a sign of affection. If the offer is accepted the beads are tied around the waist of the girl as a sign of engagement.
Singlip is a ritual for grown up man and woman. The man’s family visits the woman’s family and a pig is butchered to feed those coming to plan for the marriage. The agreements will include the sabong and the pamauso which is the gift to the bride’s family for the years they took care of the woman. Tadek is the appropriate dance during this occasion.
Pakalon/wolwac is a ritual during the engagement when dowry is settled and a pig is butchered.
Some practices are particular to the Maengs like the three ways of getting married. The first is the Tinipuy/kinaiw where the parents of the bride and groom negotiate and arrange for the wedding. The woman then brings cooked rice to the man’s home, the next day the woman’s parents and some elders go to the man’s house. The mother of the man then cooks food for the visitors and the older men of the village to join the tinipuy. The wedding is then followed with a meal and the dancing of the balliwes and the tadek. The next day the man goes to cut wood and serve the family of the woman. This is reciprocated the next day when the woman goes to the man’s family and serves them. Completing this signifies that they can now live as husband and wife.
The second manner is the eyapdo and is celebrated where two pigs are butchered and the celebration cost is shared by both parties. After the meal, balliwes and tadek are danced by all. The bile and the liver are studied for signs of good fortune for the couple. Should the readings seem unsatisfactory, the wedding continues and another butchering date is scheduled hoping for a favorable reading of the signs.
The costliest of the three avenues is the danon. This is when the woman’s family demand gifts in form of land, money, house, animals, fruit trees and others. At times bargaining commences. The agreed dowry is written in burador signed by the parents of the couple and witnesses from both parties. It is understood that the dowry collected is for the couples to start their married life together. The burador is brought out at the wedding to check on its compliance.
Danon is scheduled on an auspicious day where they expect the whole community and other people come to join the celebration. The one day wedding feast is with eating, dancing and chanting of the oggayam and singing of the Salidumay. Many animals are butchered, young men and women act as servers and usually the kilawen, dinardaraan and lauya are served.
Supon (giving monetary support to the new couples) is practiced. Two or three people are assigned to manage the listing of givers during the festivities. This seemingly is similar to the practice of the Kankana-eys of Mountain Province albeit a smaller scale.
A chance for the couples to dance is given and people are encouraged to pin money on their garments. Competition among the relatives of the man and woman sometimes become a practice to see who receives the greater amount. A designated manager counts all the funds received and announces to the public. Then the duayya follows by an old man and an old woman to bless the couple and prophesy to the couple and their future children. The day closes with the couples thanking everyone.
The lily of the valleys say “My lover is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills.”
philian weygan Jan 10, 2009
Something happened more than 2000 years ago
I read an anecdote that one of the pioneers of America traveled the new continents including the Grand Canyon. He looked at the canyon 1 mile deep, 18 miles wide and reaches as far as the eyes can see and paused, said “something must have happened here.”
In this commercialized Christmas season we pause and say “something must have happened here” for it signifies that more than 2000 years ago, God the Son came in human form and dwelt among us. That birth is the reason for the season, a birth signified by gift giving because salvation is a gift, one that needs acceptance.
In the present, we celebrate this season in many different ways. The tiring visits to the mall and market to buy gifts for the numerous exchange gifts as well as for family and friends. The simbang gabi, advent retreats, the Christmas eve and morning service and other church services for the devoted. The cooking in the kitchens, food from the restaurants, the bakery and catering services for several picnics and parties. The weddings, the birthdays, the dawak and the binyag. Yes the weddings, like that of my niece Monalie and Rey held in Brent and celebrated in Country Club last Sunday. The upcoming marriage of Meryl Toyoken and Roland Kingat this 29th in Holy Innocents Church and all other weddings if listed would be enough to complete an article. Likewise, upcoming dawak of Pooten and Masfere in Asin on the 28th and other celebrations in the provinces.
In the Cordillera provinces, likewise the frenzy of activities with people visiting families and friends “bakbakasyon” according to some tribes. The time to cook those long favored native delicacies and share them with everyone, if not Christmas then during the New Year.
And so just like the pioneer, we pause and say “something must have happened here” to behold the majestic incarnated Christ and the irony of a King born in a manger. And so this season, by faith we pause and try to comprehend that something must have happened more than 2000 years ago to change the world. And thirty three years after his birth, Emmanuel becomes a reality of salvation. As Christ, his death on the cross to washed the sins of this world and paid the price of eternal life with the Creator.
Christian Faith, in contrast to some world religions, is based on historical facts. Other religions are based on myths, legends, prophecies and other man-made proclamations.
Historical records establish that Bethlehem is where Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the great. The city of Jerusalem, where Bethlehem is located, was then enclosed with a wall in AD 37 to 44 during the reign of King Agrippa. In 328 to 330 AD, the Church of the Nativity was built by Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, over the traditional site where Christ was born, believed before and now. In the 6th century Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church. Though dilapidated, the church still exists in Bethlehem.
I quote from the archaeological supplement of the NIV Thompson Bible. In 1943 Mr. William Harvey carried on limited excavations, and about eighteen inches under the floor of the present church, he discovered portions of the mosaic floor of the original church built by Helena and Constantine. Diggings show mosaics of flowers, fruits and birds, and geometric designs. No religious scenes were used in these decorations, since they were walked on. “Under the choir area, at the east end of the church is a flight of steps leading down to the grotto of the Nativity, twenty feet below the floor level. This cave like chapel measures 12 by 40 feet. At the eastern side of the chapel is a small crypt, the marble floor of which is inlaid with a vermillion silver star, lighted by 16 silver lamps and surrounded by a simple inscription in Latin announcing the most stupendous event in all history: “HERE JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY” Nearby is a manger which completes the setting for that profound statement: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7).
Surely, something must have happened, recorded in history and etched in the hearts of every believer.
May each have a blessed Christmas with new expectations of 2009 despite the predictions of financial crisis. May we draw provisions from God’s basket of plenty, our Jehovah Jireh! (Dec 23,2008)
Abra river: a living water
Posted on: January 18, 2009
- In: abra | Igorot culture | igorots | maeng | philian weygan | Tingguian
- 6 Comments
Abra River: A living water
My visit to do consultancy work in Abra this week was through the invitation of Annie Baltar, the present manager of Manabo Development Foundation Inc.(MDFI). Our working relationship with Annie dates back during the Caritas Australia project, Northern Luzon advocacy for Indigenous People’s human rights advocacy and Anti-Mining Act. MDFI is rather different from those days of engagements, as I find her managing a foundation of an irrigation system serving 713 members in the 11 barangays. Rev. Roderick Ardaneil is the president of MDFI and the parish priest in the area. I had the pleasure of meeting two of the members of the Board including Mr Balisong, who happened to be a relative on my mother side. Manabo is reached from Bangued by one and a half hour travel through good cemented roads and one raft ride (balsa) over the Abra River. Through the years the municipality changed with more concrete houses, increased population, more sari sari stores, repair shops and roads. Those balsa rides are what makes traveling Abra rather a unique experience. Motor vehicles, people and animals ride a motorized or manually rowed raft to cross the river. The balsa leaves a dock and goes downstream a few meters than goes back upstream to the landing docks on the other side. Many years ago when we conducted research, conferences and starting community health programs, we would arrive in Bangued and together with our Tingguian team cross those rivers a couple of times, drive through the rough river beds, up dusty roads to the communities. But arriving in the communities those rides seem not a difficult one because of the warm welcome, the fresh air, the organic food and simply the goodness that one shares in community life. Abra rivers still teem with life as most of the time we would have dalit, lames, crabs, shrimps for food. Swimming or simply bathing at the river side would be very refreshing. And I remembered one visit to Luswak, a natural public swimming pool coming from a spring. Irrigation programs have improved their life as more fields were irrigated. MDFI is more that thirty years and is now due for a major repair in the main tributary because of siltation. In the upper villages of the Maengs, bamboo pipes have been used to bring water to the villages whether is its spring water for homes or water for the fields. At one time that we were in Tiempo, Tubo while crossing the bridge I noticed a PVC pipe in the bridge where drinking water is transported to the other side. There was a small spring water project assisted by Upland Development Institute in Luba. This was to repair a their water system including the tank as it was uncovered and falling leaves land in the tank which is the main source of drinking water for the village in Lipting. St John describes the LORD as the living water. Talking with the Samaritan by the well the LORD said “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him the spring of water welling up to eternal life.” And he furthers share to the woman of the kind of worship that the Father seeks; Worshipers in spirit and in truth. At the end of time, we will no longer be holding the positions, titles, addresses, the professions we seem to value so much. At the end of time, we will all end up as worshippers and towards that is to drink the living water that leads to eternal life. Not only living water but the water of life. The holy Eucharist or Holy Communion is a church tradition that is to remind believers to drink from that Living Water. This is simplistic thought but in it’s simplicity the life changing significance of the blood of Jesus is salvation. Salvation that does not only mean the forgiveness of sins, but also of healing power, life transforming process, breaking of curses and the release of blessings. Water does have a cleansing quality, quenching the thirst, and eliminating toxins of the body. Water brings life and when water projects like irrigation gets into the communities it transform lives and communities. But a lot of times, the spirituality of life changing aspects of water remains unexplored. One project BSBT Foundation, Inc implemented in Burgos, Ilocos Norte was a life changing experience for us and the community who drew the water from the spring of the mountain and bring it down more than 20 kilometers to fields and homes of the four barangays of the Municipality. There were no lives sacrificed but time, money and expertise were poured to the project to bring out community transforming results. There are more stories to tell of the Abra River romance like the misplaced bridge, the bamboo bridge, the longest bridge which I hope to tell my kakaanakan and apos in the years to come. And praying that water will remain to be free but the facility to deliver is what we have to pay. When turbulent times come, the still quiet water becomes a strength unsurpassed. (Jan 16,2009)
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