Narda's Native Products and Baguio

Dresses made of handwoven material are unique and colorful. Here's an example. This one of the products by Narda's, one of the most popular native stores in Baguio.

By the way, this is not a paid post. I just felt that Narda's products are worth the shout out because they're truly good.

Dismayed at Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City, Philippines

Beautiful and colorful woven native material.


The beautiful flowers of the Panagbenga festival in the Pines City had made me happy after the terrible experience I had at the Panagbenga parade festival. There was insufficient organization of the activity. The visitors and tourists were not given proper orientation, or even arrows or announcements or signs that could help. There were no signs to say that a street is one way, not until you have entered it. And at the oval, the entrance and exit portals are the same. What if a stampede happens? Even the loudspeaker was concentrated only on people who were on stage. What about the thousands seated all around the oval? There are still many dismaying things I've noticed and I'll write about them later.

The Kalinga Costume- "Ginamat" and "Bongol"

The colorful beads or "bongol" is a part of the native costume. It is always worn during fiestas , weddings and important occasions.



Woven "ginamat" , a beautiful, native costume from Kalinga.

Taloctoc, Kalinga: My Village

Taloctoc is the Village where I grew up since age 5. I stayed in the city and then went home to Taloctoc. It was my small Paradise, an ideal haven for those who would like to escape the hurly-burly of city life. Taloctoc then was has fresh, cool air, clear, sparkling waters, verdant, rich mountains and a flora and fauna that were incomparable. I still have not gone back. I hope in time I can and would still see a remnant of the Taloctoc I knew as a child.


Drawing: by Eugene Supermedtech

Amabalo e Algao Yo

"Ambalo e algao yo" is a Kalinga sentence meaning , Good morning to all of you.

"Intakkon not," means let's go. This is used in informal conversation and among peers. If used in a formal conversation, you add the title of the person you're talking to like, "Apo Palicas, intakkon not."

When they give you water, take it even if you're not thirsty. It is an affront if you don't. Accepting the water indicates that you accept the offer of friendship.

These are some Kalinga practices still observed by many up to this day.

Kalinga, A Place of Beauty

How I wish I could go back home and capture the beauty and serenity of my small village. It has been eons ago that I have not visited. When I do, I'll splash all the pictures here. For now, you'll have to bear with my rants.

But here is a wonderful site that talks about Kalinga.

The Banawe Rice Terraces

The Banawe Rice Terraces are much the same way as the rice fields in Kalinga. Man's intrepid and enterprising spirit is displayed in this man made structure. These are great pictures taken by fallacious truth

An Invitation to a Book Tour: A Puppy, Not a Guppy on December 15, 2009

There will be a virtual tour of the book : A Puppy, Not a Guppy by Holly Jahangiri which is scheduled in my other blog Jena Isle’s Random Thoughts on December 15. It's a collector's item, and you'll learn why on December 15.

To make it more exciting, a contest would be held; the detailed mechanics will be posted on December 14, 2009.

There would be four (4) winners of the contest:

1. Two (2) winners of the Contest proper, to be awarded by the book author – Holly Jahangiri.

2. One winner of a $10 prize (thru paypal) to whoever would be asking the book author the most interesting question. I will be sponsoring and selecting this winner. A link back to my blog, ( if you have a blog) would be the only requirement.

3. One free Inspirational Book (Anthology of Bloggers all Over the World) would be awarded to whoever has the most interesting comment on the blog post about the book tour.

More detailed information about the book would be posted at Jena Isle’s Random Thoughts http://www.jenaisleonline.com on the date scheduled.

Holly Jahangiri would be answering all your questions.

I look forward to your participation!