Kalinga Native Products

Assorted "Bongol" Necklace


gewgaw native products


Colorful Bags and purses

Scentsy and Its Wonderful Fragrances

I have always been a scent-oriented person. I love scents, especially natural scents like the smell of new-mown hay, the smell of early morning breeze atop the kaingins in Taloctoc and the fresh, unadulterated natural odor of the mountain breeze. And would you believe this natural freshness comes in a tried and tested product.

Scentsy has come up with fabulous products that exude natural, fresh and exotic odors that you and your family can enjoy. There are Scentsy Wickless candles, Scentsy Warmers, Scentsy Bars, and Scentsy Travel Tins that would make your world a wonderful place of scents and fragrances.

You can get these Scentsy products at discounted rates by hosting a Scentsy Party. All you have to do is to invite friends and share the delightful world of Scentsy products. You can also convert these products into excellent gift items for your friends and family. Buying any of these products would be a smart move to ensure a great, smelling fresh natural fragrance in your office, at home and in your car.

For me scents and fragrances should be nothing but natural and fresh. Scentsy products offer both and you'll not regret trying one of their refreshing fragrances.

Kalinga Banga Dance - Pot Dance

The Kalinga Dance has been one of the unique cultures of the people of Kalinga. This is a Banga Dance with the ladies carrying more than 5 pots atop their heads while they sway with the beat of the gongs.

Here is a video uploaded by Igorotna. Thanks to igorotna for allowing me to use the video. Mabuhay ka! Intakkon ot Kalinga!

Supermoon; Memories of Full Moons in Taloctoc

When I was a kid, nights with the full moon were memorable nights of playing hide and seek. We would play in the shadows of the celestial wonder for several hours, seeking each other in the shadows of the trees and huts in our little village.

At times, we stared at the moon- after being exhausted from playing- and asked ourselves what would we do if we would ever reach the moon one day.

During those days, it was unimaginable that anyone could reach the moon. But as we have learned later, in 1969- when Miss Gloria Diaz became the first Miss Universe of the Philippines - American astronauts landed on the moon.

Now, whenever I look at the moon, just like the previous Supermoon phenomenon, I remember those care-free nights in Taloctoc, the giggles and the wanton insouciant games, the first stirrings of emotions, and the seemingly impossible dreams that we and my friends once had.


ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

The photo is a genuine picture of the Supermoon this month of March 2011. It was photographed by Dr. Lorenzo Bernardino. Doc Z, as called by his online friends, is a doctor in internal medicine working at the Majuro Hospital, Marshall Islands.

He is a poet and a writer, read his amazing 140 Flash Fiction, and his poems in his blog Zorlone. Now he is into photography as well. Thanks Doc, for allowing me to use your picture.

He says about himself:

Zorlone, an anagram of my name. A title fitting to this blog of mine. Words are created every time such as blogs created online. This site will showcase thoughts translated into words. Dream. Create. Inspire. Follow me in Twitter @Zorlone or visit me too at 140 Flash Fiction.

Travelling in Taloctoc and Superb Hotel Deals

It has been ages since l last went home to Taloctoc. Oh how I missed those days where life was simple and unadulterated. We used to trek the 4 hour-journey from town. There were no means of transportation except our own two feet. No jeepneys, no buses, no trains, no planes and no bikes whatsoever. We carried our meager clothing in a backpack and trekked home through a narrow dilapidated trail that passed by cliffs, rivers and waterfalls. But the enjoyment of the trip is beyond compare. We would satiate our hunger pangs with the wild guavas and berries sprinkled across the mountain tops. Oftentimes, we also picked exotic orchids along the way. We basked in the crystal clear waters before finally heading to the village.

There were times; we had to stay for the night in the mountains because of the raging river current which we cannot cross. There were no hotels to sleep in, but the stillness and blackness of the night was an incredible wonder we would savor. These are moments I would treasure forever.

Just recently, my daughter advised me to travel and visit them abroad. I had a dream of visiting Europe; perhaps Austria, or Switzerland. In terms of their significant values, these are awesome places that I find similar to my village -Taloctoc. I was going over hotel deals that would be cheap and that would offer comfort and elegance simultaneously.

There are some of them that were to my preference. One is the Boston hotel deals which I find to my liking. I love deals that would allow me to save instead of spending.

Like Taloctoc, a wonderful vacation need not be expensive.

Panagbenga Festival: I Can't Help but Post These Last Year's Beautiful Pictures

Singer-Actress Karylle, daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The Dancing policewomen

AMA's AMAZING float.

Above is the young actor in First Love

SM's Float was one of the best last year, 2010

Kalinga Women with Tattoos: The Pride of Kalinga Culture

Kalinga Women Tattoos, the pride of Kalinga culture, courtesy of Naty Sugguiyao, thanks Naty.

Kalinga Dishes - Fish Dishes

Fish Dishes

· Kalinga dishes could comprise of fish wrapped in banana leaves, placed in bamboo poles and cooked over direct flame. This brings out the succulent natural flavor of the fish.

· Fish mixed with lettuce or string beans and tomatoes, cooked with a generous amount of water. You should try this without salt. If both products are freshly collected, you would never forget the exquisite taste this will grant your palate.

· Fish could also be roasted directly over low flame.

All of these Kalinga dishes are without any condiment. You can do this at home, but make sure your raw foods are fresh from the fish pond or garden. You would be surprised at how scrumptious a fish or vegetable could taste even without salt or condimentse. They taste incredibly delicious.