Rizal Remembered Through Ilocano Rendition of Masterpiece

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

Rizal's life is one of the most documented among 19th century Asian treasures due to the vast and extensive records written by and about him. With all the literary wealth that he has produced, , there is this one literary piece that has truly stood the test of time. Everytime it is read and recited, it does not fail to evoke deep emotions - which is the very intent of Dr. Jose Rizal. This is the “Mi Ultimo Adios,” or “My Last Farewell.”

As the 109th anniversary of his martyrdom is remembered this month, a number of institutions and organizations ingenuously came up with the idea of further popularizing the masterpiece using the true vernacular of the North - the Ilocano dialect.

Initiated by the 501st IB, 21st IB, and LGU-Kalinga – with strong participative support from the the Provincial Toruism office, the Kalinga Media Organization, the KASC Alumni Federation, and the Kalinga Mountaineering Society – a poetic rendition of Rizal's piece “Maudi a Pakada” was held at the Tabuk Gymnasium on December 17.

Participated in by high school students who were officially selected to represent their respective municipalities, the activity, in the welcome remarks of Tabuk Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr., “would hopefully widen the reach of Rizal's appeal in inspiring the youth.”

Kalinga Governor Floydelia Diasen was also on-hand to encourage the young contestants and mostly high school audience. In her message, she stresses the importance of “Rizal's long-lasting dream of a nation whose transformation depends on the leadership roles that the youth of today choose to undertake.”

Emerging as victors were Jasper Garobo (1st place), Warlie Alagao (2nd place), and Gretchen Dawaton (3rd place). Consolation prizes were given to Cherry Mae Crystal Bautista, Glen Mike Sobrepeňa, Reuben Dale Soriano, and Windy Mosing.

Cash prizes and expensive tinted fiber-glass plaques were handed out to the winners – made possible through the funds contributed by Hon. Allen Jesse Mangaoang (Balbalan), Hon. James Alunday (Lubuagan), Hon. James Edduba (Pasil), Hon. Chris Maek dela Cruz (Rizal), Hon. Johnny Maymaya (Tininglayan) and Hon. Camilo Lammawin Jr. (Tabuk). Aside from Mayor Lammawin, Hon. Alunday was the only other Mayor who graced the affair.

Selecting the winners were Dr. Carmelita Ayang-ang (VP of KASC), Dr. Marylinda Santos (of Dep-Ed Kalinga), Dr. Romulo Gaerlan (of KPHO), Sir Oliver Gacuya (of the City Information Office), and BGen. Johnny Corcha (of the 5^th ID, PA).

Overseeing the whole activity, from the planning stage up to its culmination, were Dr. Amelia Miranda (who came up with the idea), Lt. Col. Francis Lardizabal, CO of the 21st IB, Col. Roberto Morales CO of the 501st Brigade, and Ms. Grace Kidang, Provincial Tourism Officer and KASC Alumni Federation President.

Grace Kidang Crowned Ms. AMH '07

Crowning Glory. Ms. Grace Kidang proudly wears the crown as the Ms Alumni Mega Homecoming ’07 – one of the highlights of the CICM celebration of their contribution to the history and development of the province in the light of Christianity, education, health and socio-cultural values.

KASC Accepted Into ASPAP

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

KASC, with its curricular offering AB in Public Administration (in the baccalaureate level) and Master of Public Administration (in the graduate school), has formally become part of the Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines (ASPAP).

The membership of KASC entitles its Public Ad instructors and professors to take advantage of training that the association gives to members. In fact, Mr. Jeremias Ammakiw attended the international conference, entitled “Public Administration and Governance at the Forefront of Change: Dimensions, Dynamics, Dysfunctions and Solutions,” last December 5-7.

The affair, which was jointly organized with the UP- National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) and the Network of Asia-Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG), provided a venue for discussion and sharing of knowledge and experiences in dealing with the dimensions, dynamics and dysfunctions of development challenges and concerns.

“It was during the conference when I submitted to ASPAP our proposal for The First Forum on Good Governance for the City of Tabuk” Mr. Ammakiw said. “which was accepted and approved with enthusiasm. Atty. Daniel Fariňas, Vice-Mayor of Baguio and the Dean of the College of law of UB, even expressed his desire to be invited to the forum.”

Tentatively scheduled on March 2008, the forum might even open doors for a series of similar activity in the region which ASPAP-Cordillera is currently considering. The project is the result of the collaborative efforts among College President Eduardo Bagtang, Extension Director Maximo Garming, Graduate School Dean Marymina Odiem, Institute of Arts and Sciences Dean Joy Grace Doctor, and IAS Extension Coordinator Jeremias Ammakiw.

Membership in ASPAP is open to any school - public or private - offering public administration/management education programs. Currently, the association has 120 member schools covering the country's regions from Northern to Southern Philippines.

Kalinga’s Ullalim Wins Innovative Choreography Prize

The yearly staging of the Grand Parade of Cordilleran Festivals, more commonly known as Cordillera’s Best, was held from November 28 to December 2 at Baguio City. Spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, the activity is a rendezvous of Cordilleran festivities unique from each province, along with products, artworks, crafts and tourism destinations.

Only in its third year, Cordillera’s Best has easily found a strong following from home-based as well as foreign tourists. The participating provinces, through their Provincial Tourism Officers, have consistently sent their contingent to compete in the various contested activities.

Grace Kidang, chief tourism officer of Kalinga, chose to field the Tanglag Cultural Group, made up of Baguio-based Kalinga cultural performers, for the Theatrical Performance Competition and the Indigenous Choral Competition held at the Center for Culture and the Arts at Saint Louis University.

For the Street Dancing, the group’s performance of the “Ullalim” Festival was adjudged as having the Most Innovative Choreography, for which they were awarded with P15,000.00. The “Lang-ay” Festival of Mountain province garnered the first place, with P45,000.00 as prize money.

The "Adivay" presentation from Benguet won for The Best Indigenous Communication Practices, with P15,000 cash prize. "Gotad ad Ifugao" from Ifugao won for The Most Colorful Festival, with P15,000.

As it has been a practice in the past, non-traditional performances were also staged. Baguio City National High School’s “Ragragsakan” was cited as the Best in New Concept" with P20,000 cash prize; the Cordillera "Paet" performed by the Saint Louis University was judged as the "Best in Audience Impact" with P15, 000; and the Cordillera Gardening Festival performed by the Baguio City National High School Quezon Hill annex was also given citation, with P10, 000 cash prize.

“Aside from the cultural performances, we also participated in the showcasing of our products, events and tourism attractions via an exhibit at the SM City-Baguio,” Ms. Kidang said. “I would like to stress that the provincial government is actively encouraging the different local government units, the Municipal Tourism Councils, and other organizations to promote their distinct cultural dances, songs, products and tourist destinations,” Kidang said.

Prior to the cultural performances and the provincial exhibits, the Regional Toruism Conference was held on November 29, which was attended – alongside with Ms. Kidang – by Mrs. Natividad Sugguiyao of NCIP, Mayor Johnny Maymaya of Tinglayan, Noel Macaiba and Clemente Basing-at (of Tinglayan’s Municipal Tourism Action Office), Tanudan Vice Mayor Eddie Pugao, SB Samuel Bongabong, PPDO Alice Busiley, Balabalan’s MTAO Sonia Duggoy.

Hon. Fernando Abay was the sole elected Kalinga provincial official who attended this actual gathering of all that is best in the Cordillera during the Cultural Parade on the November 30.

National Month of the Community Press

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared December, through Proclamation No. 1187 dated Dec. 7, 2006, as "National Press Congress Month and the Month of Community Press in the Service of the Nation" to be observed under the auspices of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI).
The proclamation is an unequivocal recognition by the President and this government of the potent and unifying role of the community press in building bridges of understanding with the people.

About time, community press practitioners might sigh. But, in a global environment, where exactly does the community press stand?

Cebuano historian Resil Mojares seems to have the perfect answer when he said that “the community press lives a very peripheral existence.”

It is understood to mean that, aside from being physically far from the nation’s capital, community or regional newspapers are generally less well-off than the national publications, they have limited resources and, in many cases, they are less able to cope with attacks on their ability to perform their work.

Yet, community newspapers have the wide-scope task of reporting information of great significance to a number of people. This is information not normally carried by the metropolitan newspapers.

In Tabuk alone, there are loads of news that people, including the reading public, are not aware of. Their preference for the national papers are quite understandable – one which has grown out of habit. But the national papers cannot address information needs specifically packaged for the local populace.

The book “Connecting with Communities: Public Journalism Experiments in the Philippines” lays down the painful truth on the community press’ uphill climb for recognition. It is a pioneering publication on how initial experiments on public journalism in the Philippines have challenged the community press to evolve new thinking about the craft. These experiments promote the idea that information provided by media and journalists should encourage citizens to find solutions facing local communities.

These are concerns that this paper has committed itself to address.

This month, as community papers across the nation are recognized for their contribution to rural development, GURU re-strengthens its role in Tabuk’s overall development process – and, therefore, we refuse to be seen as part of the periphery.

KASC’S Student Writers Win in Region

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

Earthline, the official student publication of the Kalinga-Apayao State College, participated in the 8^th Annual Press Conference for Tertiary School Papers in the Cordillera Administrative Region on December 7-9 at the Baguio-Benguet Community Credit Cooperative, Inc. (BBCCCI) training hall in Baguio City.

Formally opened by Dr. Freddie Bernal, OIC-Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education, the three-day activity was participated in by tertiary institutions in CAR – both private and state-run.

When prodded why the affair was again held at BBCCCI, overall organizer Dr. Mariano Marchan said, “the reason why we are again utilizing the facilities of BBCCCI is due to the difficulty in taking the commitment of tertiary schools to stage the whole activity. Besides, it is easier for schools in the province to converge here in the City than for us all to travel to a school in, say, Abra.”

Earthline writers from KASC that managed to be included in the Top 5 of their contested activities were Ser Antoni Ramos (2^nd place – Editorial Writing in Filipino, 4^th place – Opinion Writing in Filipino), Ren Geramis Bais (2^nd place – Editorial Cartooning, 4^th place – Comic Strip, 5^th place – Literary Graphics), and Janice Catalig (Newswriting in Filipino). Campus journalists who landed in the Top 5 will be joining the Cordilleran Team for the Luzon-Wide Press Conference in Tuguegarao City on February 6-8, 2008.

The White and Blue paper of Saint Louis University ran away as the Overall Champion with the most number of awards, including the Best Tabloid Award. The Alternative (University of the Cordilleras) placed 2^nd, The Mountain Collegian (Benguet State University) placed third, while Earthline (KASC) ranked as the 4^th Best Tabloid.

FITS-KASC Database Management Undergoes Upgrading

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

The Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of KASC joined the band of other FITS Centers in the country whose websites are being maintained by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) for a three-day training on web content management at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad from December 5-7.

Representing Kalinga-Apayao State College is Marciano Paroy Jr., being the Information Services Specialist of the KASC FITS Center.

The training is targeted at building-up the FITS Information System – a web-enabled system, which allows simultaneous updating of data by various FITS centers nationwide. In this manner, collection of important data and information in the Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (AFNR) sectors are fast and easy. In this way, the evaluation and monitoring functions of PCARRD are made easier.

FITS Information System aims generally to serve as a viable tool to facilitate faster access of information to fast track the delivery of services to AFNR clients. Moreover, it also intents to organize data available on technologies, whether from local, regional and other sources; to provide an up-to-date inventory of agriculture-related publications and other communication materials that are available in the FITS/Techno Pinoy Center; and to make ICT-based services available to FITS clients.

FITS IS utilizes the following databases, described as follows:

The Farmers Database contains the farmers’ socio-economic profile which includes personal information, total farm size and characteristics, commodities and other agriculture-related activities, and annual income and its sources. It also documents farmers’ information and technology service needs, thereby serving as a dynamic feedback mechanism to ensure the relevance of service being provided by the FITS Center.

The Experts Database provides an inventory of agriculture and natural resources researchers that can be tapped for technical and consultancy services by the FITS clients in the area. The FITS center staff refers to this database in such case where a client needs to avail of the expert’s services such as pests and diseases management, latest production technologies, etc. The experts’ profile is not limited to experts within the locality but also includes researchers/scientists from other regions.

The Contact Firms Database contains the firms/establishments, which the FITS Center may refer to clients for business partnership.

The Publications Database provides an inventory of publications and other print materials that are available in the FITS Center. The Videos Database provides an inventory of technology/information materials in video packages.

The Technologies Database captures data on agriculture and natural resources technologies generated by the R & D institutions in the area. These technologies are considered mature and are ready for dissemination to clients within the locality of the FITS center and nearby communities. Likewise, this database serves as source of technologies that are being subjected to validation and assessment as to their potential for becoming an enterprise. Indigenous or rural people’s knowledge is also being considered for documentation but with some provisions for validation by both the knowledge generator and the concerned R & D institutions prior to dissemination.

The Clients Database is a compilation of clients seeking professional advice or services from the FITS Center. It stores the data on the clients and their inquiry made upon visiting the FITS Center.

The Mass wedding at Ab-abaan

By Regie Wacas

Joining an IEC (Information Education Campaign) caravan of the local government unit of Balbalan with Mayor Sonny Mangaoang, brought me to Barangay Ab-abaan, a landlocked Barangay just adjacent to the municipality of Pinukpuk. The nearest jump off point in going there is via Limos in Pinukpuk. There are other routes but ascending from Limos is gradual compared to the more steep routes on the other side. But some locals have encourage me to try the more challenging routes because according to them, the path is dotted with beautiful waterfalls which I found to be abound in Balbalan. Certainly that’s a good hint for an upcoming documentation project on the town’s beautiful spots, people, culture, and worth emulating local governance practices which the LGU is venturing into. I bode the suggestion will surely bring me back to that sky land Barangay via the suggested route. Taking the Limos route in the company of the mayor, the Municipal Social Welfare and development officer- which I’ve found out to be a native air wizard, the Municipal Planning and development coordinator and some LGU employees took as almost three hours wading through the mud on the trail. Someone suggested me to use a rubber boots which I readily followed and it did solve my worry slipping on the trail- of course I’ve been used to such trail conditions because Tanudan has a lot more of it but I just couldn’t fret on doing some comical gymnastic balance on wet clay with quite an overweight figure, so the advise has served me well. Some of the LGU’s “men of action” (that’s how DILG Provincial Director Francisco Gamatero describes them) went ahead of us which includes the municipal agriculturist and the ever youthful local civil registrar. Every office is represented in the IEC caravan and that practically validates Director Gamatero’s adjective on the Balbalan LGU employees. What with the hands on leadership the mayor is exhibiting, which is inspiringly towing the personnel into whatever activity the LGU is undertaking. Of course the primary reason why the mayor is obliging his presence getting imbedded into the IEC caravan is that, he owes the people every bit of explanation and presentation on the different programs the LGU is undertaking to uplift their status.

From earlier accounts of the LGU employees who have been into the early itineraries of this activity it’s quite physically tormenting going up to the barangays but the ordeals usually are mended with the festive atmosphere that is being brought by the conduct of the civil mass weddings. Even I have more interest on the mass wedding after I was informed a priest will also be there to validate for the church. Balbalan people by history are always in high spirits in social celebrations and in the Ab-abaan mass wedding, it was indeed a typical show on how they really put their heart into such occasions. But in my observation, it might even be gauged as more than the usual considering the attendance of nursing mothers who have stayed with us till morning the following day and maybe trying to deduce the meaning of their beloved barangay’s name with their babies lugged on their backs.

It was getting dark when we arrived at Ab-abaan but our worn out energies were recharged with the warm reception we received from the villagers. We came upon a mass about to be started by Father JB Mubeke, A missionary from Zaire, Congo who is into his second year as parish priest in Allagiya, Pinukpuk. Being notified of our arrival Father JB told us that he’ll just go on with the introductory part of the Eucharistic celebration and whenever the mayor is ready, he’ll just give way for the mayor’s solemnization after which he shall validate it in the church rites. There were eighth couples ready to tie the knot that evening. Without letting father JB wait for so long Mayor Mangaoang just washed his shoes camouflaged by the mud and joined the priest at the altar vividly in sweat soaked polo. The solemnization went on upon the arrangement of the good priest and after the mass the native action peaked.

While on the sidelines watching the celebration going on and snapping a few shots from my camera, I ask Fr. JB if he could recall one occasion in his priestly life having been a party to weddings solemnized simultaneously in the civil and church rites. His answer was none. I raise the same curiosity with the mayor and still the answer was in the negative. Even my memory can’t recall of the same occasion to have happened at least in Kalinga. The rarity of Ab-abaan mass weddings being done in civil and church ceremonies put historical ingredient on its occurrence and that’s now were the point of interest lies in writing about it despite the many other issues that could be tackled on this column.

Much has been said about “only in Kalinga” stories”. The potteries of Dalupa, the loom weaving of Lubuagan, sleeping beauty of Tinglayan, the pinikpikan festival of Rizal. Now, like its neighbor barangay of Poswoy made known for its sweet “Poswoy Olen” Barangay Ab-abaan will now put in the map and be added to the long list as host to that historic mass wedding. And what about another rare show of sportsmanship during the last Barangay Elections where the losers carried on their backs the victors of that election and made a round of the school plaza. If that’s not historic then it’s still a proud of the “InabAba-abaan”.

PRC Scrutinizes Agri-Eng’g Program of KASC

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

A team from the Board of Examiners for Agricultural Engineers of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) visited the Kalinga-Apayao State College last November 22 to look into the present developments of the Agricultural Engineering Program of the school.

Headed by Examiner Domingo Tabbal, the team also included Engr. Eduardo Tadeja and Engr. Abraham Os-osas. The visit was in consonance with the mandate of the Board to assess schools offering Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering.

The Board of Examiners for Agricultural Engineers was created to regulate the practice of agricultural engineering in the country. Realizing the need to promote and upgrade the practice of agricultural engineering in the Philippines, the Congress enacted on February 26, 1998 Republic Act No. 8559 or “The New Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998.” The law which took effect on March 23, 1998 expanded the practice of the profession to reflect current developments in agricultural engineering and resulted to better agricultural engineering career prospects.

It also hastened the delivery of basic and technical agricultural services in the countryside. Today, 4,752 agricultural engineers registered with the PRC ensure food security for Filipinos.

During the post conference with the faculty of the Institute of Mathematics, Engineering and Applied Technology, headed by Dean Amado Imper, the team gave positive feedback as to the direction being taken by the school.

PDEA-CAR Team Visits Kalinga Schools

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

Following its mandate as the main implementer of the anti-drug law (RA 9165 – Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – CAR visited some schools in the community, with the leadership of Regional Director P. Supt. Oliver Enmodias, from November 21-22 to hold symposia with students.

St. William’s Academy, St. Louis College of Bulanao held the symposium on the 21^st while the Kalinga-Apayao State College had its turn with the Regional Director on the 22^nd.

For the KASC affair, Hon. Alma Sandra Uyam, City Council Chairperson on Environment and Health, briefed the students on the city government’s plans and accomplishments with regards to the city’s problem on drug abuse and drug-pushing.

“You, the youth, are our immediate concern when we speak of drug abuse because you may be easily influenced to try these things,” the Councilor said in her message. “That is why the City Government of Tabuk is seriously taking steps to save you from such self-destruction.”

During P. Supt. Enmodias’ turn, he gave a visual presentation on the effects of drug abuse. Also, he discussed why people turn to drugs, emphasizing peer pressure and the adventurous spirit of the youth to try new things.

The Regional Director also enlightened the youth on the history of PDEA. He said that the enactment of RA 9165 reorganized the Philippine drug law enforcement system.

“While the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) remains as the policy-making body, RA 9165 created the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency(PDEA) under the Office of the President. The new law also abolished the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center, Philippine National Police Narcotics Group (PNP Nargrp), National Bureau of Investigation Narcotics Unit (NBI NU), and the Customs Narcotics Interdiction Office (CNIO). Personnel of these abolished agencies continue to perform their tasks on detail service with the PDEA subject to a rigid screening process,” P. Supt. Enmodias explained.

The Regional Director ended his talk by enjoining young men to join PDEA as employees in the third level positions which the agency has opened recently. Successful applicants would be detailed to the Legal and Prosecution Service and in the Internal
Affairs Service.

The KASC symposium was made possible through the efforts of the Office of

Student Services under Dr. Adoracion T. Taguba, with able support from Student Coordinators Placido Alsiyang Jr. and Tulles Banwa.

KASC Papers to Compete in Malaysia

by Marciano Paroy Jr.

Researchers from KASC continue to put the name of the state college in various research forums, not only in the regional and national levels, but in the international level as well.

Two papers – Geographic Information System (GIS) Utilization in Project Development (by Manuel Bilagot Jr.), Patch Cultivation Among Tribe-Based Communities in Kalinga (by Jovita Saguibo and Ernesto Miguel) – will be competing in the conference of the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS) in Malaysia on December 12-14.

Earlier, these papers were brought to the national conference of ISSAAS- Philippines in University of the Philippines-Los Baňos last October 26, with the theme “Impact of Climate Change and Bio-Fuels on Agriculture.” In UPLB, Dr. Bilagot’s GIS paper was awarded as the Best Paper in the Oral Category, while that of Dr. Saguibo and Dr. Miguel placed first in the Poster Presentation.

Having won in their respective categories, the researchers shall present their studies in the international forum in Malaysia where their undertakings would be put under more stringent scrutiny by other scientists and technical experts from the Southeast Asian region.

The GIS Program

This study was conducted to develop a GIS program to support Project Development efforts in the province of Kalinga, like the Barangay Electrification Program (BEP). BEP is a program of the government to support the number 6 item among the ten-point agenda of President Arroyo’s Administration. This is the provision of electricity to the un-energized places in the country.

The DOE entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Kalinga-Apayao State College (KASC) as the implementing arm of the Department in the province through the KASC-ANEC program. This program is mandated to support the implementation of the renewable energy in the province. It has been identified that there is a high number of renewable energy sources in the province – specifically micro hydro. Anchored on its desire to support this program of the government in planning, implementing and monitoring and evaluation of these installed micro hydro sources and to support a faster implementation of the energization of Kalinga, this GIS program was developed.

The Patch Cultivation Paper

This study was conducted to assess the factors associated with Swidden Farming or Patch cultivation in Barangay Magao-gao, Pinukpuk – zeroing-in on the factors why the rural dwellers there are so much dependent on the environmentally harmful practice. It focused mainly on the factors of Socioeconomic, Cultural and Political aspects in the community.

Results of the investigation showed that the factor of culture and tradition is the main reason for patch cultivation in Magao-gao. The socio economic factors on labor, capital and knowledge also showed strong factors.