Going Beyond Kalinga to The South

I have not posted any topics outside of the Kalinga culture, but with this article , I'll make an exception.

This is because I find this original pictures so awesome, I just can't help but blog about it.

These are some of the most visited tourists spots in the country.

Just like the Banaue Rice Terraces, they have a splendor of their own, untouched by time and technology.

These pictures were taken by Sir Paul - a very adventurous and well travelled academician from Central Luzon.

Due to his scientific presentations he is able to visit various places all over the country.

He was able to tour around the Crystal Cove of Boracay of Panay, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Tagaytay, Baguio, Palawan, Davao and several more beautiful tourist spots.

Sir Paul is also a food enthusiast; he relishes tasting new and scrumptious delicacies wherever he goes.

Being a scientist and an academician, he not only basked in Mother Nature's biota but also finds time to "study" and learn from the flora and fauna of the places he visited.

Relaxing by the refreshing beach of
Puerto Galera.

The view is awesome - worthy of a

Van Gogh!

Sir Paul, you should come and visit us in Kalinga.

You'll find several things there that would spark your interminable quest for new discoveries.

Welcome to Entrecard - Bill of "From The Boondocks"

A warm welcome for Bill Billig of "From The Boondocks".

This blog had fascinated me since I first visited it in the early days of March, because of its multifarious features and posts that truly speak of Kalinga culture and tradition. Aside from featuring these it also updates the reader on current events in Kalinga.

Bill Billig, the author of the blog is a seasoned writer who can graphically and fluently discuss not only Kalinga culture and practices but also any challenging topic under the sun.

Even before he decided to become an entrecarder I've been a constant visitor to his site.

Now that he is a member of our entrecard communtiy, I'm sure he will be having more interested visitors and readers.

I'm glad that he finally opted to be a part of our entrecard community.

Welcome Bill and enjoy your stay here!

Thanks for an Arte Y Pico Award from Jenn

I was awarded the ARTE Y PICO AWARD from Jenn of Jenn was here.

Jenn is gracious enough to award me this. I want to give her the award in return. She deserves it.

Together with Maiylah's Snippets , Gattogiallo's Shots, Jennifer Robin of Robin's Woods , and Strider of Life's Quest

I consider them as my favorite Photo blogs.

For works of art that are not photos, I am a fan of Francis Scudellari's drawings in Caught in the Stream,



These blogs are worth a visit because their unique eye for visual arts is amazing. Their photos speak of the dynamic, ever changing world around us.

BE A PART OF THIS NOBLE ENDEAVOUR

Photo by FreeWine

Books are treasure troves.

Almost all successful and famous persons I know have been "wide readers".

I have always wanted to share inspiring stories with readers.

It is a dream I know I have to fulfill in this lifetime, or I'll never rest in peace in the other realm.

This book project I will be embarking on would be entitled : "Inspirational Thoughts and Stories from Bloggers All Over the World."

The projected time of completion and publication of the book would be 1 year.

If you have an inspiring article, story or poem that you know could brighten up someone's day or that could enlighten and give hope to people, send them and earn 5,000 ENTRECARD CREDITS.

These are the criteria:

1. The contributor must be an Entrecarder.

2. It must be original and never been published.

3. The length of the article or story should not be less than 1,000 words.

4. If it is a poem, it should not be less than 15 lines.

5. If contribution is accepted, one (1 ) complimentary copy of the book where your article will be featured, will be sent to you (free of any charge ) as soon as publication is completed.

6. As the blog's owner, I will screen and select entries for inclusion in the book. You will be notified through your EC dashboard if your contribution has been accepted or not.

7. You can send up to three entries in any of the categories.



6. For any question, feel free to send a message throught my EC widget/dashboard.
( Gewgaw Writings) or leave a comment in this post.

SEND YOUR ARTICLE NOW, AND BE A PART OF THIS NOBLE ENDEAVOUR TO INSPIRE THE WORLD WITH YOUR WORDS!!!

THE KALINGA RICE

Photos by: Jenn Was Here

The Kalinga rice is a complete meal in itself. I would never forget the wonderful, tasty aroma of this.

I miss the "gaddiw" (fish), the "isna" (rice)and the "kamote" (sweet potato) which has never tasted as delicious as those that I have eaten in Kalinga.

ALL PICTURES COURTESY OF JENN OF JENN WAS HERE. These pictures were photographed by Jenn of Jenn Was Here
who so generously allowed me to use them in this blog. Again Jenn, thanks a lot.

THE COCONUT TREES OF TALOCTOC

Photo by: Maiylah of Maiylah's Snippets

One of the most peculiar things about the barrio of Taloctoc that had remained in my memory after all these years - were the coconut trees that dotted the backyards of every nipa hut in that small village.

One can see a few avocado or santol trees but -always- there would always be a coconut tree in each backyard.

The children were used to scaling the tree like it was just a guava tree.

We had even "Coconut Climbing" as one of the games played during fiestas and celebrations.

Coconut oil is also found in every home. It is a part of the "First Aid Kit" of every household. It is made used of as a balm for burns, stomachaches, headaches, arthritis, muscle aches and so many more medicinal purposes.

It is with coconut oil that medicinal herbs were soaked and preserved and were eventually used by native healers.

It also adds delicious flavor to food like in vegetable dishes. Native cakes or sweets were mixed with coconut oil to enhance their flavor. The clear tasty, liquid that comes from fresh coconuts are excellent beverages.

What's definitely amazing is that every inch of this tree proved to be extremely useful for the villagers.

The bark had been used to built "bridges" (yes coconut bridges-they're sturdy-mind you!)

The leaves when fresh, could be turned into household decors and when they had dried, could be made into stick brooms.

The outer part of the fruit are trimmed into husks.

The inner hard part of the husks are polished and made used of as bowls. (You should see one of them -unbreakable bowls -very durable whether with hot or cold dishes..and water tasted different when using one of these containers.)

Well, for the roots - (no they're not useless!), they are planted again for propagation.

Indeed, whenever I see a coconut tree . I remember Taloctoc - my small paradise!


ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER:



Maiylah has her own wonderful blog entitled : " MAIYLAH'S SNIPPETS.

She is a good writer and photographer rolled into one.

She takes her own photos for her blog and has a beautiful collection of them.

Visit her blog and immerse yourself in her brand of vivid photography and good posts.

Read The Adventures of the Kalinga Man...(Fiction)

CHAPTER 1- UMMA AYAM SINSANA (WHERE ARE YOU NOW?)

The mournful chant reverberated through the small four walls of the hut…” Aieeeee”.
Guinnaban - 9 at that time - was cowering in the eerie shadows. He was staring at the wrinkled woman wailing for the gaunt, pale corpse laid on the long table. The head of the corpse was at a grotesque angle, nearly severed totally from his body.

“ Uma nangwa kansika anna?”” ( Who have done this to you?) the woman wailed even louder.

“Aiieeeeee”….. everyone joined in and the hut became a cacophony of mournful cries.

The barrio captain motioned to the elders for a conference and they filed outside, their faces grim and murderous. When they were outside, a heated and frenzied debate took place.

Finally the barrio captain raised his arm and said, “ Intakkon no, umma uwayon yo, ittod tako kanida de kingwada.”( Then what are we waiting for? Let’s avenge his death.)

And so a full blown “tribal war” had began.

READ MORE OF THIS...

CHAPTER 2 - UMMA AYAM SINSANA (WHERE ARE YOU NOW)

As soon as they arrived in Lubuagan, Guinnaban was baptized to Christianity by Fr. Belucci and named Benedict, after St. Benedict. To Guinnaban, the name symbolizes hope and courage - and he liked the sound of it!

The abrupt change of environment though had made him and his family uncomfortable. There were sad moments that they thought of going back to the simple life in the barrio as it was difficult to adjust to the ways of the progressively booming town. The good priest however, insisted that they stay on as he knew Benny had the intellect to pursue a much needed education.

The following school year, Fr. Belucci enrolled him at the Parish secondary school.
On the very first day, Benny was already taunted by his classmates. “Hey, what’s your name?”

“Benedict” he would reply.

“Benedict? that's a fancy name, huh? Far from your ugly, Kalinga name.” then the group roared with laughter.

READ MORE OF THIS...