SAGADA HYMN

Posting here the hymn of my beloved hometown

Beyond those travelled hills of the North

Lies my home all laden with pines

Amidst the soft and silken touch

Of morning mist I lay my prayers before thy shrine
My thanks to Thee my love dressed in green
My paradise unforseen
My thanks to Thee who spawned my life
Sagada, Sagada you'll always be mine

With you I believe
In my life I can live
With you I will share
What I have without care

Isnan ad-adawi ay bilbilig
Isdi nan i-itaw tet-ewa
Kaneg isnan kankanaenda ay Shangrila
Menlowalowak ken sik-a
Madaydayaw ka'y Ili, natalna
Umeyak ay m'id egyat na
Salamat 'snan Diyos ay nanapo
'Snan Sagada, Sagada kokowak enggana

Ken sik-a mamatiyak
Isnan biag matagowak
Ken sik-a makibingayak
M'id balina isnan kowak
(Repeat first stanza)

My Shangrila

Everytime I go home to my hometown, I always feel sorry both for myself and for my very own dear Shangrila. Considering the other side of the coin though I am not against social and economic development because this is what every society direly seek for. I cannot only help but fear for the consequences of this rapid effect of keeping abreast with advanced technologies correlated to the social and economic status of the town.

I was born from a poor family so I never tasted how it was to sleep in a very cozy bedroom all by myself in a big, big house. I used used to sleep on the wooden floor with my siblings on a mat. The family also used to eat meals squatting on the floor sometimes with spoons and forks but most of the time only with bare hands.

During my school years, I went through several struggles just so I can meet both ends and earn a degree. I am not the only one who had a life like this especially in the region where I came from. What I want to emphasize is, this is how poor my hometown used to be 20-25 years ago.

My hometown had been a tourist spot for so long and only occasionally visited by foreign adventurers. I can still barely remember when I was in grade 1 back in 1978 when I used to meet on my way to school, although occasionally, foreign tourists. As kids we called these tourists, "puraw" or "pulaw" in the local dialect which means white. We always wondered where these kinds of people with unusual sizes of noses and with blonde hair come from and why do they come to Sagada, my birthplace. We were once told that they were Americans but we learned later that not all of those white people were such but people from everywhere around the globe.

Most of those foreign tourists who until now frequent the Shangrilaism of Sagada are the Kibbutz - Israelites, Canadians, Irish, Swiss, Germans, Australians, Italians and of course the Americans.

It was only around 10 years ago that local tourists (Filipinos) started filling the inns and cafes of the town particularly on Lenten seasons. To this date, whenever I visit home I see several new faces roam the town who are not from the locality. They are Filipinos of course - local tourists who frequent every scenic spot of the town. This situation alarms me most, because I know, Filipinos have no discipline when it comes to proper disposal of trash. Every place they visit, they leave sorts of trash!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I accompanied some acquaintances to Sumaguing Cave, the most frequented place in the town these days. I felt ashamed of myself when I saw how the cave looks these days.

I first entered the cave when I was in Grade four and I can still remember some spots that were so intact and so clear. The map of the cave itself found just after the entrance which is used to guide visitors inside was so clear; the pigpen was half-full of crystal clear water; the rice granary looked like one amidst the flowing clear water; the entrance was knee-full of guano, bats' dirt, and it smelled awful; the thick black bats that were once so noisy above the walls of the cave with their eyes glittering against searchlights; the king and queen's curtains that really looked like curtains while clear water flowed over them and the intact stalagmites and stalactites.

The second time I visited this cave again was after 10 years. It seemed it had no great difference since the time I first entered it except the bats that seemed to have been 50% gone so that their guano was just around ankle-deep. During the following years of visit around 2-3 years interval, when local tourists started pouring in into the town, I saw the effects of exploitation particularly on nature.

My fear before became worse when upon my recent visit, I saw cigarette butts and used match sticks all over the entrance of the cave including candy wrappers, tissue paper and some sorts were somehow irresponsibly scattered around. The bats and guano were gone. Only few bats greeted us when we entered their haven. Names and other signs were written on the walls, some with charcoal. The water inside became dull when it used to be crystal clear. The most shocking sight was when a shop intended for business was built just opposite the steps going down the entrance. It offered washrooms and other basic needs after getting tired. My heart broke when I realized how greedy and opportunistic human beings become given a chance. The cave that Mother Nature gave to enjoy became a means of livelihood. I don't want though to entertain arguments that it's only the owner's way of having a livelihood! ---- My! I know the status of the name in town who owns the lot.

For six years past I had no chances to roam the stretch of the town whenever I went home for short visits, not until this recent one. I was stunned to see several souvenir shops mostly selling woven materials all over the town. I knew only of one weaving center in Sagada that monopolized the business for long, long years before I was born. I myself guarantee that their woven materials are of high quality prompting the owner to stick to a price that is not easily availed.

Today, several woven designs are all throughout the town. I bought one small item from one shop. It's cheaper than the usual price of the original weaving center. I can compare the difference. Next I bought another small woven item from the original weaving center. The material they are using now is not as durable as what they used years before.

To name some that I saw in these shops were: home made wine from: mulberry, mountain blue berry, bignay and rice wine; artificially made-antique old man's cane, arrow and shield ("kalasag") that our forefathers used during tribal wars; war axes; woven rattan tribal caps; postcards with several sceneries including postcards of pinetrees; T-shirts with imprinted SAGADA or any figure depicting the cultures of the townspeople.

Sagada is now busy stripping herself and busy selling all her limbs.

I know of one foreign tourist who got attracted to the town and opted to stay in the place for the rest of his life. He stripped the town of it's clothing and sold it in dollars abroad. How did he do it? He made video CD's by capturing all corners of the town that he found attractive; he was a painter, so he made several beautiful paintings; he was a potter, so he made several items made of Sagada clay --- all of these fetched him a good man's gain! I doubt if all the Sagadians know about this and if it's proper in their culture --- where is Shangrilaism?

Development and keeping abreast with the current trends in life is not bad. Certain aspects though need not to be sacrificed!

As we walked through the town, I was awed by the big and newly built western-styled houses and commercial buildings! Everytime I see new one, I asked myself if how and where did the owner acquire sums of money to build a mansion-like house. I know that to build a fully furnished big 3 to 4 storey commercial building would cost about a million or more of Philippine currency.

Since almost all the tourists who visit Sagada are foreigners, they always demand for internet cafes and it is so! All the inns and resthouses have internet connections. The resthouse where I checked in my friends had two units fully operating a 24 hour internet connection! Wow! Nothing is hidden now a days...!

I am also a romanticist as compared to a classicist. How I wished that the rice terraces and the once dense pine trees along the road to my home would stay as is. It's just a wish however because, mansion-type houses rapidly pop-up along the way in exchange of what I dreamed of to be. My companions always reiterated that people in my hometown are not classified as poor as what I had introduced to them. Well, I can't argue anymore because I myself cannot personally also assess how did these fine buildings were built in just a span of around 5 years.

I would just wish and keep on wishing TO REALITY that the sacredness of my dear Shangrila will remain even if life goes high tech as they say....!!!!!!

To Say Goodbye

How many times in your life did you ever say 'goodbye' to special people and special places? How many times did you feel bad by the effect of this word? And have you ever wondered why do we have to say goodbye to our dear ones when time commands us to?

One Sunday morning in church, I pondered on the preaching regarding comfort zones in life. We need these zones of course in our daily well being. Besides it's always what we aim in life to be comfortable with people including our loved ones and the environment where we stay. The preacher said, "But we must always be on guard because these comfort zones where our lives revolve may either improve us or downgrade our images."

Leaving a comfort zone is depressing, yes, but one should not allow himself to wallow down into it. This is a lesson I've learned through the years. There are reasons why we should also say goodbye to such situations.

A day after my comprehensive examination ( a requirement before qualifying for a degree in a Graduate Study in most state universities in the Philippines), I slowly arranged my books and other things, packed some and cleaned my room. I suddenly realized that I was leaving the residence hall where I lived for two and a half years. Those five semesters in the University of the Philippines Los Baños that my agency allowed me to spend was finally over. And I spent it only in finishing my academics exclusive of the time I will soon spend for thesis! I had no other option but to write a letter requesting the chair of the Faculty and Staff Development Program of my University to grant me another one semester extension of my study leave and start my thesis. I was however elated after I learned that my request was approved after several board meetings and signatures although specified on Official Time. I was so thankful of this privilege.

The date that I set to leave the residence hall came. It was a Fiday evening. I took a deep breath, glanced over once more at that moment the unlighted reading room where I spent almost my last four semesters grueling with my subjects even until the wee hours. I sat on the benches in front of the hall and quietly watched some of my co-residents come in and out of the main door with some either leaving their smiles or bidding me goodbye.

I was somewhat happy and at the same time pathetic ---- a feeling I can't understand ----- a feeling of bidding goodbye!

Nevertheless, I found myself back in my agency five days after that evening. And the very first day, I visited my 'might-be' new supervisor and had a short chat. She offered me a room where I can use for the laboratory part of my thesis. Immediately, I started working my way because I needed to keep abreast with time. I found out that I am in the real world again of being a government employee collecting all whatever available resources so I can proceed with my work. My Institute is not a 'well-fed' agency thus requests for supplies are mostly nil!

As I began my work that day, my mind became so restless in between several minutes so that I was frequently fetched back infront of people/friends I talked, laughed and exchanged jokes with.

I was both physically and mentally so active during the past two weeks so that my mind have gotten used to it thereby affecting my transition pace including the fact that part of my being has not yet fully accepted to get back to my workplace affecting my behaviour.

I'm deeply longing to stay at UPLB where my comfort zones were again recently established. This is a pre-depression stage but I must face reality and not allow myself into such emotional instability. Instead I thank my God for caring for me and my family and for all His provisions all through those years I stayed in the said university. I thank Him also for giving me such wonderful people who had been my other source of encouragements and inspirations to hang on to life. I will treasure them in my heart forever. PTL forever......

The Power of Encouragement - Part II

Ate Lilia (5/29/2007: 05:26:23 AM): “The power of God within you, is greater than the pressures around u.” Good a.m., God bless your compre. Enjoy it with His presence.

Ate Lilia (5/29/2007: 05:31:06 AM): I will be praying for you. Itext mo c Mam Tess ng maaga kasi minsan nakakalimutan niya and sked, kwentuhan mo ako after ha?

Kathy (5/29/2007: 07:00:57 AM): Good luck and God bless on your compre

Kathy (5/29/2007: 07:02:27 AM): That’s normal. Pray ka lang. I know u can do it.

Ma'm Tess (5/29/2007: 08:10:11 AM): Good luck and God bless!

Kyin-kyin Win (5/29/2007: 07:28:27 AM): Good luck for your compre exam

Kyin-kyin Win (5/29/2007: 08:34:05 AM):Don’t worry u will pass. I pray 4 u.

Ate Mabel (5/29/2007: 09:48:57 AM): Good luck and God bless sa compre mo

Chari (5/29/2007:09:38:29 AM): Ate, I prayed for ur compre today! God bless po!

My comprehensive exam started at exactly 9:00 a.m. and ended at 11:15 a.m. I was really roasted as I expected it to be. I knew very well that many were praying for me during those hours.

Then I felt my legs strained and guessed if it was already 12 noon.

Finally, my adviser requested me, as the usual ritual of an oral exam, to leave the panel for awhile for the final decision. Immediately I went to the Reading room of the Agronomy Dept. in search of a wall clock. The clock told me it was 11:15 a.m. That was how long I stood in front of my panelists!!! I was called back in after around 3 minutes and was announced that I passed the exam. Handshakes and congratulations followed after for which I realized the exam was a reality and not just a dream. This feeling was the worst that I've gone through in all my academic examinations.

Carrying the empty paper bag to which I earlier brought with me the drinks of my panelists, I walked out of the Agronomy Building feeling happy but so exhausted. I wanted to scream because another heavy load in pursuing my degree was relieved. As soon as I reached my quarters, I composed a long thank you message and sent it to all who had been so caring to me. After which I again harvested many, many congratulation messages. At mid-afternoon I called some long distance friends to thank them for their concerns and thoughtfulness.

To God be all the glory and praises!

Until now, I am still receiving greetings of congratulations. I do treasure all these encouragements…. To all of you: Thank you very much!

The Power of Encouragement - Part I

It's now exactly 12 hours before my general comprehensive examination tomorrow, May 29th,will start. This exam will determine if I will qualify further for the degree in MS Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna.

Earlier this day, I received 'good luck and God bless' messages either as greetings or text messages from my dorm mates and friends then gave them the usual 'thank you' welcome answers. It was later this evening when I realized the sincerity of friends who really cared to send me messages of blessings. It was also the time when I realized that the power of encouragement was really pouring over me. When I received a missed call and a message early this evening from someone close to my life, I was expecting it to be a message of blessing. But it was a message of Discouragement, the tool that Satan uses to harvest victims into his fold. The message was just one word but it meant a lot. It immediately devastated my flow of thinking that very minute I received it. I was stunned and got so quiet for a moment but then the Lord calmly reminded me to stay cool and just meditate upon His promises which instantly brought back peace and understanding in my spirit. Then after a minute or two, I received again a text message but it was from an unexpected person who had been a source of encouragement since the time I entered UPLB. The messages gradually neutralized my feelings that moment afterwhich I gave back sincere thank you's after her pieces of advice that came one from another.

From my room I went in front of the residence hall where I lived and met the coolness of the evening after the late afternoon rain. It smelled of fresh earth and greens that was preparing the birth of this year's month of June. The evening surrounding helped me overcome the ruined mood that I earlier had because of that wrecking message.

It was also this time that I recalled how golden were the seconds, minutes and even hours that concerned dear friends had spent to tell me how they really cared for me through their words of encouragements that they either verbally told me along the way wherever I met them or through their yahoo messengers or through text messages. Some even were so thoughtful to call from long distances just to say 'keep going'; 'God bless you'; 'just relax' and 'you can do it!'

I slowed down for a moment and recalled since yesterday all those precious people who sent me encouragements particularly for my exam tomorrow. Ate Bing, my former dorm mate, treated me for a 'halo-halo' break at Chowking-Vega around 2:00 this afternoon as well as prayed for me and my exam. It was unusual for her to give me favors like this but I still thanked her for her sincerity and kindness.

I tried to recall all those whom I met during the last 36 hours who gave me handshakes, smiles and greetings of blessings. The following are some of the encouraging messages that I was able to archive from my YM and mobile inbox:

Vijay (5/27/2007 2:29:40 PM): good luck Yoli

Vijay (5/27/2007 2:32:04 PM): nothing will happen.... they will try to prove that u don't know anything but u must be firm with ur answers..

Vijay (5/27/2007 2:35:53 PM): what is the time of compre?

Vijay (5/27/2007 3:36:19 PM): .. and just relax on ur exam

Vijay (5/27/2007 3:36:24 PM): GOD BLESS U

Ate Bing (5/28/2007 10:00:00 AM): God bless sa compre mo tomorrow

Ate Angie (5/28/2007 19:10:29 PM): God bless and good luck sa compre

Ate Angie (5/28/2007 19:12:51 PM): Pag ninerbyos meaning prepared! Just give your best kick!

Ate Angie (5/28/2007 19:16:20 PM): That's true! Tulog ka na. Hwag ka na magreview para relaxed mind mo. Sleep and meditate ka tomorrow early morning.

Sisaphaithong Thongkoun (5/28/2007 20:07:11 PM): Hey..I know u can do it tomorrow. Good luck and don't be too serious.

The words of these caring people helped me brace myself and put on more confidence to face my panelists tomorrow.

I can't give back any other things to them only my sincere thanks and prayers for them.

I thank the Lord for giving me these caring people as well as those who constantly downgrade my image - they strengthen my faith in my Lord God and Creator!

I also give thanks to all those who are praying for me.... Praise the Lord!

The Philippines opts for biodiesel

by Imelda V. Abaño, 10 May 2007, Source: SciDev.Net

The Philippine government has implemented laws requiring the use of coconut-blended biodiesel this week (6 May).

The Philippine biofuels act mandates all oil firms to blend one per cent coco-methyl ester in their diesel products. The act also requires the addition of at least five per cent ethanol in other gasoline products by 2008, increasing to ten per cent by 2010.

Raphael Lotilla, the Philippine's Energy Secretary, said that the government hopes to decrease the amount of fossil fuels imported into the Philippines.

The biofuel law will offset 70 million litres of diesel — out of the seven billion litres used every year — and will save the country at least US$167 million annually in foreign exchange, he said.

The move by the Philippines came just days before the publication of a report by UN Energy (9 May), which states that adopting biofuels could impact negatively on people's livelihoods and the environment, especially on the biodiversity of plants and animals.

Professor Sandy Gauntlet, Asia program coordinator of the forest-protection organisation Global Forest Coalition (GFC), said that increased biofuel production will ultimately destroy the few remaining forests of the world by converting them into plantations.

She said biofuel farming was becoming the main cause of deforestation in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil.

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) plan to develop 740,000 acres of land to meet the demand for coco diesel.

PCA Administrator Oscar Garin said the Philippines would need at least 70 million litres of coco biodiesel to comply with the biofuels act.

Armando Galvez, one of the estimated 3.5 million coconut farmers in the Philippines, is worried about the massive destruction of forests that could occur when farmers rush to meet the biofuel demand.

"Farmers will now be competing with each other because of the government's demand on us to produce more coconut for biodiesel," Armando told SciDev.Net

Galvez also fears the local population will suffer from a scarcity of food in the future.

"There will be more coconut farmers now. Others might stop producing food crops for the local population and as a result, prices of basic commodities and food staples could soar. That would be devastating," he said.

Election 2007 Trailers and Thrillers

During the Campaign: Itanim si Pichay sa Senado!

After the Elections: Summer kasi eh kaya nalanta na siya; Hindi kasi nadiligan eh kaya ayun, nalanta tuloy!; Ang ginawa naman kasi ng mga taga-Baguio sa kanya ay ibinitin sa mga kahoy-kahoy hehehehe kaya siyempre malalanta 'yan!; Paano ba tutubo ang Pichay sa Senado eh puro semento kaya dyan!

During the Campaign: Pacquiao tayo!

After the Elections: Gusto kasing i-pakyaw lahat ng kagalingan eh, bumulagta tuloy! Mabuti nga at sa GenSan siya bumulagta hindi sa ring!
During the Campaign: Angara ng buhay!

After the Elections: Well, Edgardo Angara won.

After the Elections:

• 153 dead - Peaceful Elections?

• What does the Trillanes-Honasan vote mean?

• Alfredo Lim wins a landslide vote as Manila City mayor over his opponent son of the incumbent mayor Atienza!

• Maguindanao releases a 12-0 election result in the senatorial race with Chavit Singson leading - a big question mark! Did election in the province really happened?

• Jejomar Binay wins as Makati City mayor, son wins as congressman, daughter wins as city councilor!

• Two teachers died after an elementary school in Batangas was burned during the canvassing!

• 8-2-2 still leads in polls - What does this mean?

• Kulang pala sa arte sina Cesar Montano at Richard Gomez!

• Malamang magkakaroon ng coup de etat sa Malacañang! (Huwag naman sana!).