TABUK CITY… I INSIST

TABUK CITY… I INSIST
It had been a rough week. Not only for us Tabukeňos but also for the populace of the other 15 towns whose cityhood laws were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last Nov. 18. Amidst the flurry created by the news, there had been a steady media coverage on the issue.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer simply said SC reverts 16 Cities to Town status. In the article written by Dona Pazzibugan, it was stressed that the Supreme Court upheld the petition of the League of Cities of the Philippines, which argued that the "wholesale conversion" of municipalities into cities would reduce the share of existing cities in the Internal Revenue Allotment, since more cities would share the same amount of internal revenue set aside for all cities.
Manila Bulletin plastered in its pages Supreme Court declares 16 cities Unconstitutional, while Manila Standard Today announced High Court voids 16 Cityhood laws.
Marieton Pacheco wrote in the online news bulletin of ABS-CBN: Supreme Court strikes down Cityhood of 16 Towns, while GMA’s online version said Supreme Court declares cityhood laws unconstitutional.
Two days after the decision, People’s Journal shouted out SC lauded on Cityhood ruling, where it emphasized Sen.Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.’s view that “the Supreme Court decision voiding the cityhood status of 16 cities will bring back order and sanity to the practice of elevating local government units to higher levels.”
Amita Legaspi of the GMA News Online concurred with it via her story titled Pimentel Lauds SC ruling Voiding cityhood Status of 16 Cities. Pimentel, it is noted, was the principal author of the Local Government Code.
The Visayas Bureau of the Philippine Daily Inquirer cried out Visayan cities lament SC Downgrade. The article mentioned that mayors of six cities in the Visayas lamented the Supreme Court ruling that effectively revoked their cityhood, saying it would be a big setback to their development programs.
With the coverage that the issue has been receiving – not to mention its hour-after-hour broadcast through both the radio and TV, plus the heated discussions that are presently going on in various chat rooms and in the online forum of different websites – I can only sit down, and feel deprived of my chance to be called a city dweller.
Unfair, isn’t it?
But all is not lost. A day after the ruling, the Philippine Daily Inquirer printed an entry from its Northern Luzon Bureau titled Luzon towns to pursue cityhood Fight. In the article, our very own City Mayor, Camilo Lammawin Jr., said they would file a motion for reconsideration on the Supreme Court decision. It went on to say that two mayors in Isabela – Amelita Navarro of Santiago City and Caesar Dy of Cauayan City – are optimistic that the tribunal would eventually uphold the cityhood of the 16 with their rightful share of the internal revenue allotment. Also, Batac Mayor Jeffrey Nalupta blamed the League of Cities of the Philippines for the ruling, saying that the league’s opposition against their cityhood had to do with greed.
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Every weekend, I travel from Tabuk City to Batac City in Ilocos Norte to attend masters’ classes at the Mariano Marcos State University there. I have always felt like I travel from one city to another.
But now what?
My, my… I, of course, would not want to reprint my call card and remove the word City in it. The word stays. Let us be optimistic.

LAKAYEN… NGEM AWAN IN-LAKAYAN NA

In every crate of tomatoes from the farm, a piece may be rotten. The probability is qualified by the condition that the tomatoes were packed by human hands – thus, not immune to error.

Having been raised in a farming community, I know that as a piece joins a crate, there is just a split-second for one to decide whether the piece should be included in the pickings or should it be discarded. And since one can only base his appraisal on what one sees, a tomato (or any fruit, for that matter) which looks healthy – but which may be infested with worms inside – joins the fray. And slowly contribute to the damage of the whole pack.

Which is not at all different in an organization. Since both objectivity and subjectivity are the order of the day when applicants undergo the selection process, there is always the chance that an excellently packaged contender sooner or later turns out to be one hell of a mistake. Like the illustration below:

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Who is this employee at a certain agency here in Tabuk who claims to have high morals but who cannot really live up to what he (yes, HE) preaches? He professes a strong faith in God – so strong that he fails to appreciate the fact that those surrounding him are as Christian as he is. He is one of those who truly believe that they – and only they – find favor in God’s sight, as if everyone else pales in comparison.

He acts the part perfectly. However, it is really an act. For as you turn your back and go your own way after finishing a little chat with him, he begins talking about you – even using the words you have previously uttered in front of him as his basis in concocting a tale about you.

Kalalakeng tao, tsismoso. Di la agkintayeg nu rumuar jay bibig na ti “Praise the Lord.”

I imagine him in the following scenario (let’s name him Man of Strong Faith):

CO-EMPLOYEE: Have you heard about the daughter of Mrs. Someone?

MAN OF STRONG FAITH: The pretty girl who used to come here at the office? Why? What happened to her?

CO-EMPLOYEE: She’s currently the problem of Mrs. Someone. She got pregnant.

MAN OF STRONG FAITH: Praise the Lord!

THE GOVERNOR’S HOUR, ISANGGUNI, AND THAT MURDEROUS INCIDENT LAST SEPT 2007

The provincial government has recently latched on to the realization that, in order to be truly “visible and heard of,” the media – in all forms – must be taken advantage of. In one of my classes in KASC where I teach Development Communication, I keep stressing the power of media to popularize and endear leaders to constituents.

Of course, we expect media practitioners to go out of their way to rein in the news and bring them right to the doorstep of their audiences (by way of the newspaper, the radio, or the internet). But with the growing bulk of information to be generated, processed and finally packaged, our local media practitioners just might overlook one area while zeroing-in on another. In other words, a news gatherer may possibly prioritize one source of information over another (translated: one reporter may ignore one personality and instead focus on another).

The city government has its City Updates over RN-FM every Monday, anchored by City Information Officers Oliver Gacuya and Estanislao Albano Jr. – a proof that Mayor Camilo Lammawin does recognize the power of being heard. Also, the City Hall can always be read about in the pages of this paper. And it has a regularly updated official website.

The provincial government, however, has only recently added the broadcast medium in its all-out IEC campaigns. We can now listen to The Governor’s Hour every Monday, and Isangguni (of the vice Governor’s Office) over DZRK every Tuesday. Both run from 6 to 7 in the early evening. And, according to Engr. Domingo Bakilan, the Kalinga Advocate (the official paper of the provincial government) shall resume printing this October.

Now, these are positive developments with regards to the creation of a favorable image for those who are holding key positions at present. Take the number of actual news gatherers in Tabuk and set that against the loads of information that they have to cover, then it is easy to imagine that there is always the tendency to miss a lot of important messages. Not because the media practitioners chose to ignore some offices, but because they simply cannot encompass all areas.
So, to avoid such occurrence and ensure being read about and heard of, our local leaders must really go out of their way and establish a sure-fire tactic of being in the news.

Enter The Governor’s Hour and Isangguni. Both are hosted by Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Kidang – in addition to her anchoring the Inter-Agency Segment of The Soldier’s Hour at 5-6 every Saturday (this means being on-the-air three times a week for Ms. Kidang – something she must truly enjoy, since broadcast was her first true love… what with her degree on MassCom from the University of the East).

The Governor’s Hour, Isangguni, and City Updates all cut into our TV viewing time for the newscasts. Still, I strongly recommend tuning-in to the radio for the simple reason that each bit of information dispensed on-the-air by the anchorpersons and their guests has a direct bearing on our daily lives.

Besides, Mel Tiangco or Mike Enriquez of the 24 Oras Newscast cannot respond to our gripes and complaints. The anchorpersons at DZRK and RN-FM, however, can. They give out their numbers at the start of the programs. So start tuning-in and, with zest, begin texting-in you queries, observations, criticisms and praises. Only then will our leaders know that you do care.
(As for Mel Tiangco or Mike Enriquez or those at ABS-CBN, you can catch the remaining part of their newscasts – or, catch the rerun of the day’s events in the later part of the evening).

THAT INCIDENT…

One year ago, I figured in an incident that could have ended tragically. A friend asked why I am not writing a sort of an anniversary article about it. Well, one month after the incident last year, I had a two-issue article about it. My feelings were, I believe, accurately encapsulated in that outpouring – thus I see no point in re-visiting that dark segment of my 2007.

The world is full of ill feelings as it is. I refuse to be embittered by such a sad episode. I still believe in the human potential to truly love and be at peace with one another. Our forefathers have long ago perished proving that. We, on the other hand, are here to sustain that quest – and, at the rate things are going, we may not find it in our lifetime. But we shall go on anyway, because as we watch the last fading light of the day, we somehow know that there shall be another ray of light tomorrow.

See? The tendency to be dramatic – this is one of my reasons for not looking back at September 2007.

To think that it was not a dramatic event which I figured in – but action-packed. I still have that bruise in my left palm… the one I raised to ward off the knife that was descending to butcher me.

But I no longer shudder whenever I reconstruct that scene. My wounds have healed. Why shouldn’t the rest of me?

WHEN A BEAUTY CONTEST RESULT IS QUESTIONED – Oh no, not again!

Ms. Rosabelle Atabay, the deserving winner of the title Ms. Institute of Health Sciences '08 (KASC)

Criteria are put in place to govern competitions. They are created to ensure that the highest set of standards will serve as the yardstick in the selection process of any form of competition – to isolate the “excellent” from the “mediocre,” to come up with a ranking from the best to the worst.

This hurts, but then that’s how competitions go – otherwise we shall never come up with an “ideal” that everyone has to aspire for. Whether the competition is in the area of sports, academics, or the performing arts, there shall always be a standard that has to be met. There shall always be score cards. And there shall always be someone who has to put down some numbers on the score cards.

When “experts” are called to render judgment, we have to assume that the judge was selected because the field in which he/she is judging is well within his/her scope of knowledge.
Where is this line of thinking driving at?

Well, a certain department in a tertiary school recently held its beauty pageant. One contender won hands down (she got the unanimous nod from the judges), and this columnist has no doubts as to her ability to figure prominently in future competitions, even outside the school.

The judges, after the judging duty, soon forgot all about the contest. Until word reached them that a faculty supporter for one losing candidate raised questions regarding the judgment rendered. One would normally treat things like this with a simple shrug, but when eyebrows are raised on one’s ability to choose “the best” – well, a line is crossed, and a territory is breached.

The faculty member questioned why her candidate who was wearing the full attire for motorcycle riding failed to get the award for Best in Sportswear – as opposed to the winning candidate who wore badminton attire.

The contested attire is sportswear. Between a fully covered candidate and a candidate who was showing her healthy skin, muscle tone, and impressive proportions – which one should win? Sportswear brings to mind someone who is athletic and yet manage to look sexy.

That’s why the faculty member’s questions irritated this columnist. Motorbike riding is not even officially recognized as an athletic event – it’s just a dangerous hobby. I reminded the organizer of the contest that in big beauty pageants, there is only ONE sportswear that is competed for: SWIMWEAR. The swimwear is perfect in showing off the natural endowments of the candidates – proportions, muscle tones, glowing skin and all. Well, during the search, the sexy badminton attire was the closest thing that we had to a swimwear. Throw in the candidate’s ability to show off the wear and project herself convincingly, and we have a winner. No questions should be asked.

But the faculty member later announced that her candidate should have won that particular award. Which is bad. It contributes to the development of a lower self esteem on the part of the candidate. Of course, when the teacher told her “sika kuma ti nangabak,” the candidate would only feel sorry for herself – instead of accepting defeat and being encouraged to do better in the future. And to treat the whole experience as a lesson on sportsmanship. As it was, I am sure that the losing candidate would even feel contempt for the judges whenever she sees them.

Judges are invited to give appropriate scores, according to the criteria – otherwise, judges should not even be invited in the first place.

I advise the faculty member to simply print a sash with the words “Best in Sportswear” and pin it on her candidate.

GANTIMPALA AGAD AWARD, DEP-ED PASSERS, AND THE TNHS FUND-RAISER

Kalinga-Apayao State College was one of the sponsoring agencies for this month’s first-Monday flag ceremony last September 1 at the Provincial Capitol. When our Director for Administration and Finane Rosalina Gunaban, and Board Sec Perfelia Buen called up to inform me of the MC task, I said yes (as if I had a choice, heheh) – knowing I would be able to gather juicy bits of info at the Capitol.

Civil Service Commission Director Nerissa Canguilan, a woman with a graceful aura around her, bestowed on District Engineer Leo Mustard the CSC Gantimpala Agad Award.

The Gantimpala Agad Award is a component of the Mamamayan Muna Program of CSC. Its primary goal is to give instant recognition and reward to government officials and employees who have rendered prompt, courteous, efficient and honest service, as well as heroic acts in the course of duty.

September, by the way is also the Civil Service month – and this month marks the 108^th year of the Commission.

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Congratulations to Mrs. Pansy Aquino and Mrs. Natividad Bayubay for having passed the Dep-Ed exams for superintendency. That’s two, out of the many who tried their luck. Schools Division Superintendent Norma Brillantes made the announcement.

Looks like there’s going to be a change in the occupant at the most coveted office at the Dep-Ed Division Office of Kalinga soon.

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My eye caught DTI’s Grace Baluyan in the flag ceremony gathering, wearing a barong in a lovely shade of green. On the other hand, I saw another female head of office who badly needs a hair treatment.

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The TNHS chorale, under Rizaldy Grindulo and Maribel Bravo, gave an excellent performance of the National Anthem and the Provincial Hymn.

Ruby Belgica, also of TNHS, brought along her dancers for a two-set ballroom presentation.

KASC’s cultural dance troupe, under choreographer Cyrila bawer, held the audience in awe with their “Segseg” performance.

Good thing we have teachers who efficiently train students, otherwise programs would be plainly boring – and remember that programs always rely on schools for additional color.

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Madam Remely Battikin of the Provincial Engineering Office (she prepared the program) still exudes that calm and confidence that I used to observe when she was still with us in KASC.

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Atty. Gelacio Bongngat, Provincial Administrator – when it was his turn to speak in behalf of the Governor – surprised me with his commanding presence – and he is young, take note.

Guru Press, through Gary Damian and Elizabeth Busacay, had a time with him later in the day – the output from which shall be featured next issue.

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Let’s go to TNHS. One parent commented on the canvassing process done for the fubd-raising activity in that school. After the simultaneous counting, each year level was called one after the other to announce the cash on hand. The first-year adviser then announced the total amount they had, followed by the second-year adviser, up to the fourth-year.

The parent’s issue was that to prevent the raising of doubts, the organizers could have simply asked all year levels to simultaneously post the respective amount counted.

The parent said, “If you’re going to call one year level after another, a smart-ass could simply add a little amount to top the previous announcement.”

TNHS people have to admit that, indeed, it is a legitimate argument.

Of course, nothing of the sort may have happened, in fairness to the organizers, but as we Tabukenos are fond of saying: “Tapnu koma awan ti agdiskumpliyado (so that no one may entertain doubts).”

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Bannawag, the premier Ilocano magazine, featured in its Sept. 8 issue the Sipag at Tiyaga awardees of sen. Manny Villar. The article shed spotlight on the 9 awardees from the north (Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras) – that’s 9 out of 16 winners nationwide.

Of course, Marie Saclag and Regina Madio were there in the article.

ALMORA,, MADIO, SACLAG AND BAYLE-NG: Do they deserve their awards?

Awards. Everybody loves them. And almost everyone would do everything it would take to get one – even if it means trampling on other people’s shoulders, just so they could be pushed down, while ensuring that the person being held aloft would be noticed and eventually bag the title eyed for.

Indeed, there are awards garnered that way.

However, what if the award was truly deserved? What if the recipient did not only work hard for the honor, but also was not aware that in so doing, he or she has been satisfying the criteria of some award-giving body whose existence the awardee was not even aware of in the first place.

Mother Teresa did not begin doing her charity work just so she could win the Nobel Peace Prize in the 1990’s. Lualhati Bautista did not put his creative energies into paper just so he could win various literary awards.

Awards, for those who are truly detached from the trophy, plaque, or medal, are affirmation of the awardee’s commitment to high standards. Most awardees would say “I did not expect this; I just keep doing what I think is good.”

And, as a result of setting and sticking to these standards, other people notice. And bestow the mark of distinction to the deserving recipients.

Dr. Jaime Almora was recognized for his contribution to the promotion of agricultural technologies, in his capacity as the Magsasaka Siyentista of the Kalinga-Apayao State College; Ms. Regina Madio and Ms. Marie Saclag reaped their rewards for their dedication to high quality craftsmanship via the Sipag at Tiyaga award; and Ms. Thelma Bayle – Ng got the nod of her fellow business people for her remarkable and inspiring success in the field of business.

Dr. Almora was awarded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development of the DOST; Ms. Madio and Ms. Saclag’s distinction was bestowed on them by Sen. Manuel Villar; and Ms. Ng was recognized by the Phil. Center for Entrepreneurship-Go Negosyo.

Oh yes, the awards came from the national and regional levels – assuring us that their being recognized underwent some stringent scrutiny and evaluation. Add to that the fact that Dr. Almora, Ms. Madio and Ms. Saclag and Ms. Ng are practically unknown to those involved in the awards.

Yes, we all love awards. And without doubt, these distinctions would push the recipients to even go further than what they have achieved – to improve on perfection, so to speak.

But the awards would become more meaningful when they truly inspire other people to exert similar efforts. Otherwise, these accolades would simply end up in display shelves to be ogled at by visitors who wait by the living room.

Congratulations, again, to Dr. Almora, Ms. Madio, Ms. Saclag and Ms. Bayle-Ng! As your profits increase, so shall the number of people you inspire!

DZRK, RADYO NATIN AND THE REST

“Mayat gayam ti pagkakadwa-an ti grupo yo.”

Those were the exact words of former Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Diego Ambatali during the press conference held at the TAMPCO training hall. The affair was scheduled for the purpose of informing local media practitioners about the latest developments attained by DENR in the region.

Hazel of DZRK replied “Wen met ah.”

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Local media practitioners in Tabuk comprise a very small band. You can count us, or for those who DO read and listen, you can name us.

There are only three pen-pushers at the Philippine Information Agency – Peter, Larry and Gigi – and week after week, we read their output, not only on paper but also the electronic versions of their news releases via the websites of PIA, Sun Star, PBS and some other sites that publish (online) their syndicated postings.

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Household names in the realm of broadcast are Hazel, Fred, Helen, Renzy, Keno, Estrell, and Basil – all with the title “Kasamang” attached before their names. With their partners in “The Other Room” – Rudy, Rene, Nardz, Willy, Boy, Jun, Lando, Marlon. Through the years, they have ridden the airwaves with messages that they have earnestly packaged to whet our thirst for news, entertainment and commentary.

And their Serbisyo Publiko!

My… how many wallets have they returned? How many feuds have they bridged? How many family issues have they resolved (Agawid ka kanun kuna ni Mamam ta…etc., etc.)?

We rarely pay attention to Serbisyo Publiko because they do not concern us – but think of the people whose lives depend on the very words spewed out by, say, Hazel (Umay ka kanu ditoy Tabuk ta kasapulan ni manong mu ti dara…).

Serbisyo Publiko works. Even with the advent of mobile communications, Serbisyo Publiko is a system that has made an impact (and continues to do so) on the lives of the people of this province.

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The folksy strains accompanying the poems of Keno, and the reverberating rhythm of the gongs played on air by Fred – some may not be touched by these efforts, but these are impressive contributions to the preservation and promotion of culture and the arts.

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Crossing modulations, we have the enterprising spirit of Carousel who established the first FM station in Tabuk – Radyo Natin, which introduced listeners to the voices of Carousel (of course), Wally, Hazel, Daniel/Cool J, Dalen, Jose, Kenny G., Gary, Venus, Karla, Garry, Gani. Plus Ely B.

Some of them may have long ago ceased to be heard, but RN effectively fills the vacuum in Tabuk’s FM band. Coming from the private sector, RN treats info-dissemination a step further than DZRK – via Dalen’s fearless views. Well, her approach may receive criticism from time to time, but we have to admit that the technique does its share of causing enlightenment for people who are lazy when it comes to the formulation of their own opinions.

Dalen may be tactless at times, but how else would you jostle people who are, in her own words, Natangken ti ulo da?

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I have to scurry back and forth between DZRK and Radyo Natin every 7 AM for the simultaneous news cast anchored by Hazel and Dalen, respectively. It’s a good thing that Dalen has a string of sponsors to name before her actual newscast; so that by the time she does begin to give out her news for the day, Hazel shall already be halfway.

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Hazel has a more comprehensive take on issues – given her agency’s resources, plus her connections (every time I have to identify a certain official or head of office, I simply have to text her for the name, complete with rank and family background that one may want to know). On the other hand, what Dalen lacks in details, she makes up for her sudden infusion of nerve-racking remarks (at least for those who are natamaan at nagalit).

Textbook journalism dictates that such technique should be frowned upon when delivering straight news… but then air time is expensive, and everyone is highly mobile. So the order of the day is to lump into one hour as many life-changing messages as possible.

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And then we have online publication. We have one website which is up-to-date in posting news about Kalinga in its pages: kalingatambayan.com. The electronic medium may not have a strong following yet in Kalinga – but it is a medium nevertheless, and kalingatambayan is constantly being accessed by online readers around the globe – thanks to its administrator/owner Nathaniel Dalanao.

Nathaniel may not exactly fall into the traditionally held idea of a media man – but he is one all right. He has info for transmission, he has a medium, he has readers, and he has lots and lots of feedbacks – some are hostile, if you care to read the postings in his forum (a website’s version of a newspaper’s Letters to the Editor).

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Lastly, we have the only newspaper in the city – this paper (I have already devoted the whole month of July talking about the GURU writers. This is actually an afterthought… for fellow media people stationed in other outfits).

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So there. We are a small group. We may not have frequent bonding activities, but we all communicate (thanks to mobile phones and the internet). We “borrow” files (dawat actually), we cross-check details, we exchange juicy info, we filter one another, we edit one another, and believe it or not, we also criticize one another.

You ma not see us talking amiably by the side of the stage as we document a certain program: Gigi with her camera (I wonder what happened to her SLR camera?); Renzy or Hazel or Fred or Keno with their tape recorders (or is that ONE recorder?); Estrell with her pen and paper, transcribing; Ely with her camera; and Jun (Albano) with his pen, paper, tape recorder and camera (he still carries with him his SLR).

Yes, we do not chat by the side stage, but we nod at one another, and utter a brief “see you around” as the day’s occasion is wrapped up and we all hurry back to our computers to do the write up (Hazel sometimes still uses the typewriter at DZRK to type her news for broadcast).

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We also have what we call CROSSOVER. Gary is identified with Radyo Natin but he also writes for GURU. The photos taken by Ely B. and Carousel are printed here. Jun – first and foremost a writer – can be heard at Radyo Natin every Monday at 6 PM for updates from the City Government of Tabuk, along with head of the City Information Office (CIO), Oliver Gacuya. I also speak on the air, via DZRK – for the KASC/DevCom Hour every Saturday at 8 AM (the program has been turned over to the practicum students since June).

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And we are all gathered under the umbrella of Kalinga Media Organization (KAMO), the group established in August 2006 by its current president Regie Wacas (who is also with the Information Office of LGU-Balbalan).

Obviously, I have written this entry into my column as my own way of observing the birth of the two-year old KAMO.

Long live KAMO!

3 Female entreps shortlisted for Villar’s Sipag at Tiyaga award

by Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

In celebration of Nacionalista Party’s 100 years of nation building, current party president Sen. Manny Villar came up with the idea of awarding P100, 000.00 to micro and small enterprises that exemplify Sipag at Tiyaga in their business undertaking.

This is to raise public awareness to success stories of ordinary people that were driven by the virtues of perseverance and hard work and went into small business in order to free themselves from poverty. The awardees shall hopefully be role models for others to follow and the cash award shall in a way provide support for the development of their enterprise.

From the city of Tabuk, three female entrepreneurs made the final cut for the regional search: Ms. Nancy Busacay of Baguio entrepreneurial legion is the Bago-Ilokano-Tagalog-Igorot-Cagayano-Kalinga (BITICK) Women’s Organization, Mrs. Marie Chaclag of Ayatu’s Ethnic Crafts , and Mrs. Regina Madio of EY Care and Praj’s Gift Shop.

Last April 10, a validation team arrived to put under scrutiny the three finalists. According to Mr. Jess Battung, representative from the Office of Sen. Villar, “It is quite impressive to note that Tabuk City has a healthy business environment. Tuguegarao City has only one contender for the search, yet your city has three – all women at that.”

Mr. Bonifacio Magalong, the other representative from Sen. Villar’s office, said “For the Tabuk pre-assessment activity, we have pre-identified two prominent figures to help us in the conduct of the face-to-face interview of the three finalists.”

Selected as their partners in the evaluation process were Dr. Maximo Garming, Extension Director of KASC, representing the academe, and Pastor Batac, representing the religious sector.

During the briefing, Mr. Battung instructed their two local partners that “We will interview at least two clients of the entrepreneur, two representatives from the LGU, and finally the entrepreneurs themselves.”

The criteria set composed of the following areas: Employment generation (15%); Sales turnover (10%); Growth in profits (10%); Re-investment of profits (10%); Savings generated (10%); Sipag at Tiyaga record (25%); Impact to community such as enhancement of the quality of life of the citizens/promotion of sustainable development (20%).

Nancy Busacay

Mrs. Nancy Busacay, President of the Bago-Ilokano-Tagalog-Igorot-Cagayano-Kalinga (BITICK) Women’s Organization, is backed by her business organization that was established in 2002. This is a group of women who, according to the BaguioCity.com website, “recognized the need to unite for a mutual aid benefit fund that can assist each other during times of death or sickness. Comprising mostly the population of barangay Dagupan Weste in Tabuk, Kalinga, they were able to accumulate a small amount for loan to its members and eventually a road of opportunity for better income sources. In 2003, they registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and started implementing their livelihood or income-generating projects.”

BITICK started coordinating with the local government unit of Tabuk, Rural Bank of Tabuk and national line agencies for various forms of assistance. Today, they are engaged in food processing, popularizing Tabuk Wine such as rice wine or ‘tapey’ and fruit wine or the ‘bugnay’ wine among local residents and visitors. Berry supplies for the wine are from the Ryan’s Farm in Ipil, Tabuk, owned by Mrs. Corazon Ryan.

Marie Chaclag

Ayatu’s Craft, under the able hands of proprietress Marie Chaclag, has been steadily growing as a force to reckon with in the realm of ethnic products. As a constant fixture in trade fairs, not only within the Cordillera, but outside the region as well (most recently in Metro Manila and in Pampanga), Mrs. Chaclag’s business acumen can be proven by the sustained arrival of orders that underwent stringent quality control by the proprietress herself.

“I have a hands-on involvement in every aspect of production,” Mrs. Chaclag stressed. “And I do generate employment. Think of the women who benefit from the orders of Kalinga native fabrics that we place.”

Mrs. Chaclag is likewise involved in community matters that affect her business directly. She sits as the current secretary of the Kalinga Provincial Tourism Council.

Regina Madio

Mrs. Regina Madio, owner of EY Care and Praj’s Gift Shop, is listed in the online database of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). This is an export promotions agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. Its thrust is to promote the Philippines as a reliable source of high-quality products and services through trade fairs, special exhibits, in-store promotions, trade missions, and other promotional activities here and abroad.

As a manager of her own business, Mrs. Madio, during the interview, said “I have always believed in the ability of the Filipino people to rise up and overcome obstacles that would normally hinder us from attaining our dreams.”

When asked by Mr. Battung about her fair business practices, she simply said “I always give what is due to other people, because it is dangerous to take advantage of others.”

The evaluating group also interviewed clients and barangay leaders, whose words were used to substantiate the statements of the business-owners. The group convened at the office of Dr. Maximo Garming in KASC last April 11 to collate their findings.

The three Tabuk finalists will compete in the regional search. Three qualifiers from CAR shall vie for the top award all the way to the national level.

KASC Builds-up its Research Database This Year

by Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

With the current upsurge in the success of research undertakings as proven in their performance in various fora last year, KASC is poised to build-up its wealth of knowledge and technologies generated through research.

Management Information System Specialist Perfelia Buen – concurrent to her role as the Secretary to the Board of Trustees – predicts that 2008 will indeed be very fruitful for KASC.

“The school is looking into the viability of many researchable areas – like sericulture,” Mrs. Buen said.

“Benguet is, at present, the leader in the region when it comes to sericulture or the production of silk,” KASC Research Director Jovita Saguibo added. “If everything goes well, KASC might establish the first silk development center in the province.”

For the past year, KASC did well as to the number of completed researches, as well as the conduct of extension activities. As summed up in Mrs. Buen’s report to the Highland Agricultural Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC), the following are enumerated:

On Engineering: (1) Kalinga-Apayao State College Affiliated Non-Conventional Energy Center KASC-ANEC Program; (2) KASC-ANEC Computer Based Information System; (3) Participatory Rural Appraisal Assessment of the Candidate Sites of the Upland Dwellers – A JICA-Assisted Project in Kalinga; (4) Geographic Information System(GIS) Program of KASC – with three components: a) Development of Kalinga Chico River Watershed Topographic Maps and Slope and Watershed Maps using DEM data from NASA; b) Development of a model in digital survey, mapping and subdividing land areas; c) GIS-Based Farmers Information system for CBFM projects; and lastly, the (5) Biogas Research.

On Food Processing: (1) The Utililization of Taro Flour in the Preparation of By-Products; (2) Product Development Using Yam Flour and Its Utilization; (3) Acceptability of Taro Flour in the Preparation of Byproducts; (4) Comparative Study of Three Kinds of Legumes in the Preparation of Tokwa.

On Agroforestry, Environment and Natural Resources: (1) The Nutritive Value of Basidiomycetes (Kurat, Kudit and Laplapayag) in the Province of Kalinga; (2)Patch Farming Practice in Barangay Magao-gao; (3)The effects of with trellis and without trellis on the growth and yield of UBI cultivars; (4) Integrated Farming-Technology Commercialization Using KASC Agricultural Waste; (5)Mud Cake: A Study on Silt as an Alternative Source of Organic Fertilizer; (6)Weeds Management: Preventive Control Approach in Corn Production; (7) Mulches Effect on the Yield of Yam; (8) Betel Nut- An Alternative Oil.

On Crops: (1) Growth and Yield Performance of Pleurotus ostreatus as affected by different Saccharides (2) Adoption of Hybrid Rice; (3) Yield Performance of Lowland Rice Cultivars as Affected by the Ages of Seedlings on Transplanting; (4) Advantages of Plastic Bag as Handling Material to Reduce Rice Seedling Stress During Transplantating – An Initial Comparative Study with Traditional Bundling Method

On Social Research: (1) Rural Communication Channels as Tools for the Promotion of Hybrid Rice Farming in Tabuk, Kalinga.

BAR PASSERS FROM KALINGA

The results of the 2007 Bar Examinations were released last March 29, Saturday, and as soon as the word got out, the supreme Court webpage got clogged with browsers who were downloading the list of the successful examinees. According to the official press release, 1289 examinees passed the exams – out of 5,626 examinees. That gives 22.91% national passing rate.

The first and third placers are from Ateneo de Manila University, while the second placer is from the University of the Philippines-Diliman – which has two other passers (# 7 and 10) in the Top 10. No school from the Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and the Ilocos Region figured in the Top 10. The topnotcher is a female - Mercedita L. Ona. There are only two males in the Top 10 (# 5 and 8).

From the province of Kalinga, a number of examinees made it to the list of passers: Marian Kristine Ambatali, Maria Florinia Binalay, Julio D. Barcellano Jr., Ceferino Calsiyao Jr., Jinky Fianza, Venus Torbela, Ford Tuazon, Mediatrix Tumbali and Ananias Christian G. Vargas.

KASC Sends Entries to Internat’l Conference

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

Three researchers from the Kalinga-Apayao State College were sent by College President Eduardo Bagtang to Ilo-ilo City for a three-day conference from February 27-29. Simply dubbed as The International Research Conference, the activity highlighted the response of higher education and research institutions to the challenges of globalization through research. Hosted by the Western Visayas State University, it gathered research papers from different higher education institutions, both private and government-run, both from the Philippines and other countries. The activity reviewed the state of the art of researches in seven areas: Science, Math and Technology; Medicine and Health; Agriculture and Allied Fields; Media and Communication; Information Technology and Engineering; Teacher Education; and Humanities and Social Sciences.

KASC submitted a number of research papers and three of them were admitted for oral presentation: “Project Development Through GIS and Developing Based Maps Using DEM Satellite Image, “GIS-Based Agroforestry system of Kalinga” by Forester Emerson Barcellano (admitted under the Agriculture and Allied Fields Cluster), and Rural Communication channels Utilized for the Promotion of Agricultural Technologies in Tabuk” by Marciano Paroy Jr. (under the Media and Communication Cluster).

The KASC team, along with other presenters from Cordillera, was able to give other big universities a feeler of the research atmosphere in this region.

As additional highlight of the activity, plenary sessions were interspersed into the simultaneous oral presentations in the different clusters. Dr. Thao Le, Director of Linguistics University of Tasmania in Australia, discussed the power of language in shaping culture; Dr. Amin Sarkar, Professor of Economics from the Alabama A & M University in USA discussed the changing patterns in world economics; Dr. Jaime Z. Galvez Tan, from University of the Philippines, discussed medicine and health trends; Dr. Mina Ramirez, President of the Asian Social Institute, looked into emerging social problems encountered in the world today; Dr. Roland Buresh, from the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, dissected problems on food scarcity and the role of rice; Dr. Florangel Braid, from the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, ended the sessions with the potent role of communication in advancing development.

The Laga Gala: A Review

THE LAGA GALA: A Review

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

First things first: Laga 2008 was a hit.

But then, it should be. With our very Filipino nature of allowing ourselves to be automatically gripped by any display of spectacle and pageantry, there is no need to find explanation behind the people’s coming in big droves.

As a run-through, Laga was first held in 1995, when Mrs. Natividad Sugguiyao played with the idea of holding a fashion show of clothes with the Kalinga woven fabric as the main material. It was paired off with the search for Ms Kalinga. And since then, the two shows went on to be staged year after year.

Except this year for Ms Kalinga.

Laga outdid Ms. Kalinga as to the continuity of both shows. Ms. Kalinga was shelved, and Laga may have even suffered the same fate had it not been for the enterprising spirit of DTI-Kalinga, which then decided to take on the responsibility of producing the show. DTI Director Grace Baluyan was right in saying during her opening remarks that the province should look into establishing a solid market for the Kalinga native fabric – not only here in the Philippines but in other parts of the globe as well.

Compared to previous versions of the show, Laga 2008 was made highly competitive. Whereas in previous Laga shows, the models were simply required to show off clothes made either entirely or at least displaying some percentage of the Kalinga fabric, this year has a title at stake – complete with a question and answer portion where the participants suddenly transformed from models into contenders in a beauty pageant.

And that is where the Laga Fashion Show went wrong.

A fashion show is an event put on to showcase a line of clothing. A beauty pageant is an event where participants vie for a title. A beauty pageant is a fashion show in itself because the contestants get to wear different attires – but a fashion show should not be touched by elements of a beauty pageant.

When the word “Laga” comes to mind, we immediately think of the dresses that would be paraded before the audience by models. As originally conceptualized by Mrs. Sugguiyao, the clothes (i.e., the Kalinga native fabrics) are supposed to be the real treat during the show, reminding us how the designers went through all the whole process of design, fabric selection, color consideration, cutting, sewing, beading, accessorizing, fitting, and last-minute enhancements.

Models are secondary to the clothes. They are used to show off the merits and good points of the dresses. Otherwise the show should have easily been packaged as a model search. The Laga Show did right in giving out awards such as Best in Casual Wear up to the Best in Formal Attire (Evening gown for ladies and tuxedo for males). The organizers could have then summed up the scores and determined the models who got the most number of awards and bestow on them the titles Ms. Laga and Mr. Laga – which would mean that they were the models who most effectively showed off the given clothes. Had that been the case, we would have left the venue reflecting on how beautiful the clothes were, and how efficiently did the models convey the proper situation in which the apparels should be worn.

But the show took a turn and subjected the models to a Q and A round – with one question running this way: Do you know any Kalinga pattern?

Again: the Laga Show was supposed to have been a showcase of clothes touched by the Kalinga native fabric, with models parading them down the ramp – not the usual search for title-bearers. But as it turned out, the title-bearers became the focal points, and – as is always experienced after a search – uproar of bitterness from the losing camps amplify its way back to the organizers.

Which is not fair. Okay, the show may have turned out differently than what it should have been, but inasmuch as the organizers have decided to bestow titles upon the models, we have to live with it. The question, therefore, is: were the judges right in their choices for Ms. Laga and Mr. Laga 2008?

Answer: Ms. Lorraine Earl and Mr. Dexter Batalao deserve to wear the titles. Ms. Earl managed to win three of the minor awards (School band uniform, bridal gown, and evening gown), while Mr. Batalao consistently performed well on the ramp (he was, in fact, one of the few male models who exuded a confident aura).

So it has become a sort of wonderment why there are people in the community who had the gall to question why – let us be specific here – Ms. Earl was even permitted to participate in the first place.

In the world of fashion, skin color has never been one of the criteria. That is why fashion activities the world over are filled with young men and ladies who hail from diverse backgrounds. Some are imported from as far as the African continent – like Waris Diri, Alek Kwek; the Southeast Asia – like our very own Ana Bayle. The 1990’s saw the very white Cindy Crawford sashaying down the ramp side by side with the very black Naomi Campbell. Models are chosen on the basis of their built and their ability to display the clothes.

The participation of Ms. Earl, who is of Filipino and Australian descent, and her winning performance while garbed in the Kalinga native fabrics, are proofs of the quality of the fabric as a wearable material, regardless of one’s ethnicity. She herself pointed that out in the Q and A round when she talked about the viability of the fabrics in the global market.

The forum and open-chat sections of the Kalinga Tambayan website of Nathaniel Dalanao were filled with differing views on the above-mentioned subject. One chatter said “Kunak man nu pang Kalinga lang ti laga. Apay ngay nga adda simmali nga puraw.” The individual, who was not brave enough to identify himself/herself, may learn a lot by visiting the DTI office and look into the guidelines that the organizers have formulated for the contest. The standing rule was “open entry” – single or married, Kalinga or non-Kalinga, professional model or not.

The administrator of the website, Nathaniel, had to text us to ask for rescue in answering the barrage of messages littering the chat room of Kalinga Tambayan website. This writer logged in and, after answering a few of the negatively tinged messages that border on ethnic discrimination, he logged off and sadly shook his head for the propensity of some people to be closed minded.

This writer, however, maintains that the Laga Fashion Show should have been bare of beauty contest ingredients, particularly the interview portion. If the organizers were really that hell-bent in finding out who among the models would turn out to be the brightest mentally, then they should have proceeded with the search for Ms. Kalinga - but requiring the contested attires to be made of Kalinga native fabrics.

Still, congratulations to DTI Kalinga. We all get better from initial ventures – as they themselves know that in the entrepreneurial training activities that they conduct. Given some lapses in the preparatory stages of the show (like the announcement that sponsors await the prospective models; some early contenders had to withdraw participation upon finding that no sponsors await them), Ms. Benita Mangadap still needs to be lauded for her passion to push through with the show. Along with choreographers Marlon Carbonel and Aquino Gonayon.

Congratulations to the winners again: Lorraine Earl and Dexter Batalao (Ms. And Mr. laga 2008); Mariz Lao-ang and John Paul Balbin (1^st runners-up); Magnolia Duyan and Ryan Gabriel Reyes (2^nd runners-up); Loraville Diocares and Romel Ciano (3^rd runners-up); Clarisse Aowat and Almani Dimmang (4^th runners-up).

Lastly, congratulations to the winning creations of Joon Ascaño who ran away with the Best Designer award for his School band uniform, bridal and evening gown creations for Ms. Earl. Joon received formal training in fashion design at the Cora Doloroso Career Center – the first one to attend that school, and soon followed by Ariston “Chit” Reyes, Marlon Carbonel, and this writer (who did the winning office and casual wears for Ms. Diocares).

Laga, we hope, would learn from the important details that the organizers have overlooked, so that by next year, we will not have chatters quarreling again at the Kalinga Tambayan website - a bad thing for a province itching to join the global community.

SILK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

1. Rationale

Sericulture is a booming industry. It is the major supplier of good quality cocoons. In fact, the Cordilleran region has long been engaged in silk production, with its favorable agro-climatic condition and labor endowment. Sericulture has good potential for raising living standards, among the rural poor, particularly women, through household-based production.

It is because of this vision that this project has been designed as a

pilot operation to facilitate the introduction of improved technology on sericulture. It is anticipated that the project will help to establish Kalinga sericulture into a technically up-to-date, economically and financially viable sector.

It is also envisioned that silk research, training and extension would slowly be handled by autonomous entity controlled by the stakeholders when the project is ready to be packaged and transferred to recipient barangays. The profits from sericulture activities will help to transform the lives of many poor rural families.

Fiber Development Authority (FIDA) reported that 70 percent of the 1,500 kilos of cocoons produced in Regions 1 and Cordillera last year came from Benguet. If a sericulture industry would be established in Kalinga, there is no doubt that the province can duplicate, if not surpass, that of Benguet.

This is the vision towards which the initial project is aimed.

2. Objectives
1. To establish a sericulture research and development in KASC, targeted to be a resource center, while utilizing vermin-compost as major ingredient in the growing of mulberry trees;
2. To package and disseminate the technology to cooperating recipients in the community;
3. To establish an income-generating-project for KASC

3. Expected Output

1. A Kalinga sericulture center located within and maintained by KASC;
2. Technology transfer by way of campaigns to popularize the technology – in the form of training activities and IEC undertakings;
3. A financially viable project for KASC

4. Potential Impact

The industry will have far-reaching impact on KASC as it will establish itself as a sericulture center. Research and development activities related to sericulture help in the build-up of knowledge pertaining to the technology.

As the project will directly open up a new industry for the province, farmer-rearers shall benefit a great deal in economic terms as well as infuse in them the use of organic inputs like vermi-compost.

5. Milestones

Under this proposal, KASC will prepare the plans and programs of the silk processing center and send for training a number of technicians on mulberry propagation and silkworm rearing.

Laborers will be trained to undertake cocoon processing into raw silk, coordinate the distribution of silkworms to farmer-rearers in cooperation with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and other institutions undertaking silkworm rearing and egg production, and also push for marketing the raw silk.

Development of KASC Farming Technologies for Poverty Alleviation

Ernesto T. Miguel
Jovita E. Saguibo
Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

Given the rain-fed agricultural situation in the province of Kalinga, farmers have a tendency to resort to means by which they can address their immediate needs – with little regard to environmental issues.

Clearly, there is a need to solve the pressing subsistence needs of the farmers while taking into consideration the practices that would pose no harm to the environment.

This study focuses on the optimized management of natural resources in the dry areas, resulting to sustained productivity while preventing soil degradation. It is targeted to pre-selected agro-ecologies and socio-economic environment in three municipalities in the province of Kalinga – namely, Rizal, Tanudan, and Pinukpuk.

It introduces a rational use of land-based technologies derived from the farming systems conducted at the Kalinga-Apayao State College, with the involvement of farmers.

Prior to the piloting of cropping systems and improved production techniques developed in KASC is a four-way methodology:

(1) Collection, assembly and analysis of data on soil, climate, crops and inputs;

(2) Assessment of major production constraints to sustainable crop production;

(3) The development of a farm model; and

(4) Dissemination of the technologies generated.

This research undertaking was able:

(a) To increase the knowledge of farmers;

(b) To put in place better land preparation methods; and

(c) To transfer to the farmers’ level the better farming methods resulting to higher income.

This study further establishes the willingness of farmers to take risks when they are fully convinced with the viability of technologies – regardless of their simplicity or complexity.

Development of KASC Farming Technologies for Poverty Alleviation

Ernesto T. Miguel

Jovita E. Saguibo
Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

Given the rain-fed agricultural situation in the province of Kalinga, farmers have a tendency to resort to means by which they can address their immediate needs – with little regard to environmental issues.

Clearly, there is a need to solve the pressing subsistence needs of the farmers while taking into consideration the practices that would pose no harm to the environment.

This study focuses on the optimized management of natural resources in the dry areas, resulting to sustained productivity while preventing soil degradation. It is targeted to pre-selected agro-ecologies and socio-economic environment in three municipalities in the province of Kalinga – namely, Rizal, Tanudan, and Pinukpuk.

It introduces a rational use of land-based technologies derived from the farming systems conducted at the Kalinga-Apayao State College, with the involvement of farmers.

Prior to the piloting of cropping systems and improved production techniques developed in KASC is a four-way methodology:

(1) Collection, assembly and analysis of data on soil, climate, crops and inputs;

(2) Assessment of major production constraints to sustainable crop production;

(3) The development of a farm model; and

(4) Dissemination of the technologies generated.

This research undertaking was able:

(a) To increase the knowledge of farmers;

(b) To put in place better land preparation methods; and

(c) To transfer to the farmers’ level the better farming methods resulting to higher income.

This study further establishes the willingness of farmers to take risks when they are fully convinced with the viability of technologies – regardless of their simplicity or complexity.

KASC Boosts its Research Priorities

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

Being the prime research institution in the province of Kalinga, the Kalinga-Apayao State College sets new targets to be accomplished this year. Having made impressive developments in agricultural and Science-and-Technology (S&T) research, the agency has identified a number of priorities to delve on.

“One of the upcoming projects is the Tissue Culture Lab to be established in the Bulanao Campus,” Dr. Jovita Saguibo, Research Director, said. “Of course, the school has an existing tissue culture lab, but it only shares space with the Research and Extension building. For us to really prosper in the field of tissue culture, we really need a separate station devoted solely for the purpose.”

The school’s endeavor on tissue culture has yet to gain its big leap. Currently, the tissue culture undertaking of the school is in the hands of Dr. Hazel Buslig who, along with Ms. Cyrila Bawer, has been trained for the laborious task. Ms. Buslig’s first venture was into the culturing of lacatan.

The lacatan tissue culture apparently gained the attention of Congressman Manuel Agyao, who proposed the construction of a tissue culture laboratory for the province of Kalinga.

“It is with pleasure that we acknowledge the interest of the Congressman to construct his proposed tissue culture lab inside KASC,” College President Eduardo Bagtang said. “Not only will it create income opportunities for the school, but will also establish KASC and the province of Kalinga as one of the tissue culture leaders in the region.”

The Bureau of Plant Industry–CAR then visited KASC last Februray 5-6. According to Jesus Aspuria, Center Chief, “The purpose of our visit is to verify and look into the viability of possible construction of a Tissue Culture for mushroom in the area and eventually for recommendation to the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture.”

The Cultural Component of the Ullalim Festival

Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

Culture. The very fabric that weaves every aspect in the life of a community. Songs, dances, livelihood practices, belief systems, values, creative forces expressed in crafts. Yet these things are but a manifestation of the identity of a people fighting hard to maintain their identity. Culture is a way of life – if not life itself.

Time and time again, the province of Kalinga has emphasized the beauty and uniqueness of its unblemished culture through the annually celebrated Ullalim Festival. Began in 1995, the festival has matured into a celebration looked forward to by the populace, and visited by a growing number of tourists – Filipinos and foreigners alike.

This year, as it was in previous festivities, the Ullalim Cultural Festival will have the following elements: the cultural and float parade; the cultural presentations; the indigenous games and cook fest; the street dancing; and the indigenous choral competition.

The festivities will become a rendezvous of the distinct festivals celebrated in the different municipalities, including the city of Tabuk: Unoy Festival for Tinglayan; Pinikpikan Festival for Rizal; Manchachatong Festival for Balbalan; Salip festival for Pasil; Amung Chi Bochong for Lubuagan; and the Matagoan Festival for Tabuk.

Local Government Units, headed by their mayors, are expected to participate – what with the “No Mayor, No Award Policy” in place. Garbed in their native attires, the participants must showcase, through their floats, the priority commodities that their towns are promoting. The business sector, as well as other government offices and organized tribes are enjoined to join the parade.

Winners would be judged as to the adherence of their float’s theme to the One-Town-One-Product scheme, the number of participants, attire, and the sounds generated by their accompanying band using indigenous instruments.

The parade will be made livelier by the street dancing that would ensue – open only to colleges and secondary schools, with one entry per school. As in the LGU representation, the “No Head of School, No Incentive” Policy applies. Limited between 30 to 50 participants, the street dancers may choose for their performance any ethnic grouping found in the Philippines, and they are restricted to using indigenous musical instruments.

Considerations for the street dancing competition shall depend on the costumes; number of delegation; orderliness; significance of the performance; choreography and performance; time; sounds; ethnicity.

As for showcasing the musicality of the Kalinga people, an indigenous choral competition shall be conducted – a first time for the festival. Open to chorales from colleges and secondary schools with 10 to 15 members, the competition shall only welcome Salidummay songs.

The message of the song, the melody, ethynicity, stage presentation, originality and audience impact are the main considerations for the judging.

But the Kalinga culture is not steeped in song and dance alone. For the Kalingas, the performing arts are as important as the culinary arts – hence the holding of a cookfest. Participants, who must attend orientations and prior to the contest, will be given 30-40 minutes for both preparation and cooking. As the cookfest must capture the indigenous way of meal preparation, banga, paok and binarsig must be used, along with genuinely Kalinga ingredients and recipes.

Palatability/taste; healthy nutrients; presentation; and ethnicity will comprise the criteria for the cookfest.

And finally, to display the playful spirit of the Kalinga people, the indigenous games shall be played: Tuk-tukkuy (individual pot-balancing, for women only); Whut-hut-ut (tug of war, 6 players/set); A-mack (wrestling); Sanggor (arm wrestling); Torse (middle finger wrestling); Lappi-it (hand wrestling); Bitbit-nag (thigh slapping. men only); Pakuy (longest shout) ; Binungur eating; Kadang-kadang; Botbo-tak ni banga; Dinne-ot (firewood cutting); Todtoddak (fun run); and Bayu.

These activities further lend legitimacy to the Kalinga culture which has somehow managed to escape the harsh influence that it could have evolved into, courtesy of hundreds of years this country’s being under foreign rulers. Whether onstage, or on the dining table, or in the playing field – the Kalinga culture remains intact, unique, un-tarnished.

Ullalim Cultural Festival

2008 Ullalim Festival

Celebrating the 13th Kalinga Foundation Day

February 13-15, 2008

Tabuk, Kalinga

• Ullalim Agro-Industrial Fair
• Cultural Fair
• Laga Fashion Show
• Skills Competition
• Street Dancing
• Ullalim Musical Play
• “Love the Chico” Rafting Challenge
• The Grand Civic Parade

February 13, 2008
Ullalim Agro-Trade Fair and Cultural Affair

February 14, 2008
Anniversary Day

February 15, 2008
Schools' Day