Why Wildlife Preservation and Conservation are Important

Nature and the ecosystem have a way of maintaining balance so that each flora and fauna would support and balance life.

Mother earth heals herself but people have to help her do it. One way that a community can aid mother earth to do this is by helping to preserve and conserve wildlife.

Wildlife has a role to play in the ecosystem. Just like lizards who feed on mosquitoes to balance the multiplication of these harmful insects, wildlife also helps in the balance of the ecosystem.

Here are other reasons why humanity should do this.

Wildlife is part of the balance of nature and the ecosystem. They interact with the environment and with this interaction other creatures survive and others are controlled.

Scientists may not have discovered all the wonderful benefits that we could derive in the preservation of wildlife.

It is a fact though that Mother Earth has a way of obtaining balance and this process could affect man’s existence in Mother Earth’s soil.

Wildlife can also add to a country’s economy through the exciting creatures and plants, and plant products it could provide.

There is also a scientific value of wildlife. It is only by studying wildlife that early processes and occurrences are discovered and created.

When people maintain wildlife, the circle of life is maintained and hence man’s survival as well. The role of the conservation and preservation of wildlife is crucial because it also helps to maintain the natural balances of the ecosystem.

The IUCN releases now and then a list of the threatened species to make the world aware of these wildlife threatened species.

Lions, seabirds, and some species of lions and tigers are among the list. Even amphibians are declining in population, like the golden toads.

Scientists also noticed a decline in primates, such as monkeys, gorillas, and apes. Some wildlife creatures feed on other creatures, which prevents the proliferation of another species.

This acts as a food chain which balances the creatures existing in the ecosystem. If all of these wildlife creatures are eliminated, then this might create a redirection of the food chain, which could be dangerous for human beings.

Humans should stop hunting and selling these wildlife creatures but instead men should preserve and conserve wildlife with its plants and animals.

This is so that the balance of the ecosystem is not disturbed. Any imbalance would affect the existence of man and could be detrimental to man’s health, economy and safety.

Learn Common Taloctoc Sentences

If you’re traveling to the boondocks of Taloctoc, Kalinga, you will certainly need to know some of the common sentences, so you can at least communicate using the dialect. 

What’s your name? – Umma ngadan no?  (Letter “d” is pronounced like a cross between the “t” and “d” sounds)

Where are you going? - Umma ayam?

What’s your viand? – Umma sida yo?

Let’s go to the river.  – Intako adte dawang.

Where are you? – Umma igom?

Let’s eat – Mangantako.

Let’s go – Intakkon.

I’m fine – Ambaloak. (Letter ‘l” is pronounced as  a rolled “y” )

I love you – Laydok sika.

I don’t know – Ikpon agammo.

Yes – On

No – Na-i

Kalinga Native Fish Dishes

Kalinga native dishes are simple dishes meant to bring out the natural flavor of the food. One of the most delicious foods I have ever tasted in Taloctoc is the fish dish.

Image credit: ayrshire.ac.uk

This is usually cooked during swimming picnics along riverbanks.

The fish is caught using our bare hands, and yes you can catch them this way. It’s a skill I came to learn and it was fun.

Steps


1. Wash the fish thoroughly

2. Add salt to taste and mix. Some preferred not to add salt.

3. Wrap them in banana leaves.

4. Place them in bamboo containers. These are small bamboo trunks/tubes that are freshly cut to expose the hollow cavity inside. The bamboo is cut in such a way that the “node” covers the other end of the bamboo.

5. Place the wrapped fish in banana leaves inside the bamboo container

6. Cook in low fire.

7. Serve hot.

This type of cooking brings out the natural taste of the fish, and I tell you, I have never tasted such delicious flavor in my life.

You have to experience it to believe.

Go ahead, and try it at home. But you have to buy fresh fish (still alive), and some banana leaves and charcoal.

Good luck with your Kalinga dish.

Here's an additional pointer from an Aunt who had lived in Taloctoc but now resides in America.

Fe Potter  says:

"The bamboo tube should also be a fresh cut so it will not burn right out over the charcoal. This method of cooking is excellent in any kind of fish dish."

I’m an i-Kalinga (Igorot) and I’m Proud of It

Just because you’re one of the cultural minorities (an Igorot) does not mean that you’re a second class citizen. It’s this perception that causes some Igorots to deny their ethnicity.

It’s a misconception that only uneducated and misinformed individuals have.

For those who don't know it; Igorots come from the Mountain Province, which is composed of 5 major provinces namely; Kalinga, Apayao, Benguet, Bontoc and Ifugao.

If you’re well-informed, learned and have traveled a lot, you’ll be aware that Igorots are one of the most honest, sincere and intelligent Filipinos.

I have lived in Taloctoc, Kalinga during my childhood and I have never seen such honest people; you can leave your house unlocked and nothing will ever be stolen.

You can trust them because they honor their words and consider them unbreakable. There’s no need for legal pieces of paper, because their words are good enough to serve as binding contracts.

During college, and even now, there are still ignorant and misinformed people who look down upon Igorots. But, I just think that they’re ignoramuses and are insecure individuals.

Whenever someone asked where I came from, I readily stated that I was an Igorot, an i-Kalinga, to be more specific. Sometimes, some were surprised, because perhaps, they didn’t expect that I could be standing - dignified - among them, and, in addition, I was proud of my origins.

I can go on to list factual names of Igorots who have made it successfully in the local and international arena in various fields, but this page would not be enough.

Do I have a tail? I don’t. I’m as normal as you are.

To all Igorots out there, be proud of your heritage because you come from a noble tribe that is composed of honest, intelligent, sincere and hardworking people.

Umali kayo losan atna Kalinga! Matago-tago tako losan.

Memoir: My Funniest Gardening Experience in Taloctoc, Kalinga

I grew up amidst the splendor of Mother Nature in the hinterlands of Taloctoc. I’m sure many of you don’t know where Taloctoc is.

Taloctoc is a small ethnic village located in the heart of Kalinga, north of Manila. Previously it was inaccessible to vehicles, but at present, a narrow, rugged road was constructed that made traveling easier.

This story happened several years ago when I was in grade school. The significant lessons learned though are timeless, and these are what I want to share with you.

In the village, gardening was a way of life. It was unusual for a villager not to have a garden somewhere, because a garden was a crucial part of the village’s subsistence.

Our garden was a few steps away from the teacher’s quarters where we were staying temporarily, as we had just come from town.

My mother, Asuncion, was a grade school teacher, and as expected, she had to be a role model for the folk in every aspect - including gardening.

“Do you think you could help me with this?” Mother asked me, one sunny Saturday when she brought me to an area below our house.

I looked around and noticed verdant, robust weeds growing abundantly in the area.

“What would we do here, Ma?” I asked curious.

“We’ll make a camote (sweet potato) garden,” she piped enthusiastically.

I was not enthusiastic about it because I hated gardening, but I followed her instructions, anyhow, weeding and digging the area to make the soil soft and ready to form into plots.

We made small garden plots, creating small canals for water drainage. The soil was rich and soft and we had no difficulty planting the ‘camote’ tubes. I was instructed to plant them about 3 inches away from each other.

“The roots would grow more rapidly, and there would be more tubes,” mother said.

Afterwards, I was tasked to accompany mother in tending to the garden. Every morning I went with her down that small patch of land.

I began to appreciate my quiet moments with mother. It was also fun weeding and adding more soil, so that the tubers would grow bigger and more delicious.

Within more than a month’s time we began reaping the fruit of our labor from our small ‘camote’ garden.

One time there was a contest in school to bring a simple food that was nutritious, and that had many health benefits. I had thought instantly about my ‘camote’ garden.

Excitedly, I harvested the shoots and the tubers and cooked the shoots with anchovy and tomatoes, then I prepared vegetable salad from the shoots too. I had cooked also the tuberous roots into barbecues and prepared sweet jam.

Yes, I won the contest, because the shoots were rich sources of vitamins, minerals and iron. The roots were sources of carbohydrates and fibers too. They ate voraciously the delectable food I prepared for them.

There was an underside though; some people gave off unwanted gas that made people scamper away. This turned the event to a comedy scene.

This is not the significant story though; the most important thing that I have learned while tending the garden with my mother were the precious lessons in life that she had taught me.

I could still remember mother patiently digging small canals so that water would not accumulate on the plant’s roots.

“What would happen if the water would amass?” she asked me.

“Well, the plant would die?” I replied, unsure.

“Of course dear, so remember any good thing could become bad if it’s in excess.”

“Even love?”

“Even love. Genuine love is tough love. We love you, but we reprimand you when you get out of hand.” She said sotto voce.

“If we don’t nurture and tend to our plants, do you think it would still live?” Mother queried again.

“Some of it would die,” I stated, sure of my answer.

“Smart child and the few that manage to live could be unhealthy and lost.”

“Love is like a plant that should be properly watered and exposed to sunlight to survive. Having too much of either would be damaging to the plant. So, when it’s time for you to love, think about love as a plant that needs nurturing and proper care.”

These are only a few among the many lessons that I have learned from her.

Now, that I am a professional, I would always remember the lessons gleaned from these gardening moments with my mother. I hope you have learned something as well.

Nipa Huts, Refreshing Abodes

Nipa huts are superb places to stay in especially during the summer season, when the weather is too humid. For the older people of Kalinga, the nipa hut is where home is. Made of bamboo slats and cogon, it's sturdy and comfortable to stay in. When you go to Kalinga, try staying in one of these nipa huts. Nipa Hut image courtesy of Roselle, thanks.

Incredible video of the Mountain Provinces featuring a Picture from this Blog

Watch this incredible video of the Mountain Provinces posted by Wilson Anaban Sy on Facebook. One picture featured my brother which was featured in this blog. The lyrics of the song talks about the honesty, sincerity and hospitality of the mountain folks. I remember the houses in Taloctoc when I was a kid; they were never locked but nothing was ever lost. Agreements were all done orally - nothing on paper - but that agreement is followed perfectly. I hope this can be applicable in the urban areas, as well. Watch the video below:

Post by Wilson Anaban Sy.

The Taloctoc Experience

I call Taloctoc a paradise because nature abounds and it had provided solace and comfort when I was a child. 

I will never forget the following:

·        The 'dawang' (Chico river) where I and my playmates swam, dived in, almost got killed in. I will always remember its shimmering, crystal clear waters during summer where we caught fish using our bare hands. Its raging, murky water during the rainy season that had drowned a number of people - almost, including me.

 

Image credit: Nats Dalanao

·        The Chico river’s bank where we had picked juicy guavas to fill our stomachs with; Its clean, white sand, where we sunbathed and frolicked; its shiny smooth stones where we slept after stuffing ourselves with all the guavas and wild strawberries that we were able to consume.

·        The majestic mountains we had climbed every time we went back to high school. I remember looking down from the mountain top and imagining I was in heaven viewing earth; smelling the fresh scent of  dew drops on the verdant grass, and watching the clouds drifting by, just  inches from my fingers.

·        The green rice fields I had toiled in when I was not in school; 

     the nifty air coming from new-mown hay; 

     the fresh veggies we had cooked that had been freshly plucked from the vegetable garden. It had provided scrumptious viands for our hungry stomach after our arduous work in the fields.

·         The oil lamp flickering on our wooden table, or bonfires, casting shadows, as we narrated ghost stories that made every one scared but laughing.

·         The big bonfires in the elementary school plaza where festivities were held with taddoks and gangsas.

·        The kaingin season, when every day was hard work. I was usually tasked to fetch water with a bamboo pole from the foot of the mountain to the top, and waking up in the wee hours of dawn to pick freshly grown mushrooms from tree stumps.

Every morning was fresh and invigorating. 

Did I really do all of these things? 

I did, and I’m happy I was able to experience them because they have given me the chance to appreciate nature now that I live in a metropolitan area. 

Thank God, I’m an i-Kalinga!