Bayanihan

As today is November 30 and we commemorate the birth of Andres Bonifacio who is counted as one of the national hero in the Philippines, the day shows a picture of seemingly still stuggling Filipinos.

Bayanihan ika nga, ngunit tila ang mithiin ng pagsariwa ng kanilang ipinaglalaban ay nauwi na lamang sa parating labanan. Wala atang dapat idakila kung ang laban magpahanggang sa ngayon ay laban pa ring pinaiiral ng mga nagmamartsahan at nag huhulihan.

Sana naman, ay ilagay na nila sa tamang lugar at proseso ang layunin nila at ng manahimik na ang lahat.

SA pagbabalik tanaw ko, may benteseis anyos na pala ang nakalipas ng maganap ang intl workshop sa patriotism and sainthood na pinaiiral ng UM Phil noon. Na ang pagmamahal daw ng bayan ay di lamang nasyonalismo kundi patriotismo na isang baitang lamang para makamit ang sainthood na isa ring pagmamahal sa sangkatauhan.

Kaya ko ba yon? Ikaw, kaya mo? Salamat sa UM hq at may naiwan pa kaming pektyur noon. Antigo na rin eto, kaya pang museyom na talaga.

Sanchez ng buhay ko

Binansagan syang Peace Ambassador ng UPF; sa akin syang kaibigang tunay sa letrang F.

Kapit-bisig ang dikit ng taong publiko sa kanya; sa akin sya's sa puso ko lamang sobrang lagkit.

Magkakapit-baryo man ang layo ng aming bahay, iisa lamang ang aming tunay na tahanan.

Ang mga-asawang Felix at Augie ay di iba sa aking damdamin. Matalas na paningin para sa kinabukasan, magkaparehas ang aming baybayin.

Kuya man ang tawag nya sa akin, sya't ang kanyang asawa'y di iba sa aking pakikipagkapatiran, usapan at talasan. Kulang lamang sa amin, ang pag-isahin ang pangalan namin.

Inumpisahan nyang mag lakad-lakad bitbit ang bag puno ng Philips. Pakikipagsapalaran, mabuhay sa ilalim ng araw at init makabenta ba lamang kahit kunting philips.

Nang siya'y sumangguni, di gaanong iba ang plano nya't sa akin. Pinag-isang layunin, tawag ay Vision na babalikatin. Ginawang larawan, mithiin ni Felix, ng Filipino at naging Fil Vision ang landasin.

Sa unang taon, may ginawang goal na aabutin. Pangalawang taon, ito'y kanyang tatalakayin. Pangatlong taon, may landas na sya'ng kanyang tutunguhin.

Nobyembre bente-siyete, nalaman kung ama nya'y sa aksidente wakas na di alintana'y dumating. Tribo't mundo nya'y biglang napasindak sa di inaasahang pangitain.

Ano ba ang atin sa buhay na daladala natin? Dyaket ko'y pulot basurahan ng galing. Pantalong suot ko'y regalo ng kaibigang may damdamin. Sapatos ko'y bigay ng dati kong kamag-aral din.

Katawan na eto'y galing sa binhi ng magulang natin. Ang akin lamang sa eto, kaluluwang sa pagwakas ko lamang sasarilihin.

Wakas ng buhay sa mundong ibabaw, di katapusan ng sino man sa atin. Paghihiwalay ng katawan, kaluluwa'y kailangang bumalik, sa nagbigay ng buhay natin.

Wag na nating bawiin, ang matagal nang inaantay ng Diyos na pagbabalik ng isa man sa atin. Pipigilin mo pa ba, kung ang sasalubong sa kanya'y Diyos na nagmamahal at sabik na sabik sa pagbabalik natin?

Sanchez ng buhay ko, iisa ang layunin at landas natin! Ingiti mo na lamang paalam kay tatay na maagang napalisan. Andyan pa ba naman, mga responsibilidad na di dapat maiwanan.

Kaya mo yan kaibigan. Dito lang naman kami sa iyong kinatatayuan.

Paalam mahal naming tatang! Kitakits pa rin tayo sa iyong patutunguhan!

The Mass Tomb of WW II Japanese Soldiers in Mayoyao

(An ethnic costume of an Ifugao wearing a g-string known as bahag to them.)

(The frontal look of the mass grave of the Japanese

soldiers during WW II in Mayoyao)

Although it was a personal dream, not after I saw in one evening about 2 or 3 months ago on how Japan in its NHK TV program happily appreciates the Rice Terraces in the Philippines that I planned to fulfill that dream. Ifugao in the Philippines is a mountainous province and a home to a thriving ancient culture and host to the famous rice terraces carved from the base of the mountainsides to the top, which appear to be massive green stairways reaching the sky.

Knowing that my former student and friend Leon Magangat Jr. is from Ifugao, I plan and calendar within the Bon Holiday on August 5 to 8, 2007 our mountain-climbing to view and reflect with the nature and see how man and nature could harmoniously be united peacefully and exist eternally. To reach the top, view the nearest angle before the Creator and see the big responsibility below; whisper some words to Him and document the art of man’s traditional but majestic dealing with nature were all set as goals.

Bound to Ifugao
After a dinner in Baguio City (5-hour bus-ride from Manila) last August 5, Leon and I proceeded to Ifugao via Santiago , Isabela. We transit in Santiago at around 6 am the following day and reached Mayoyao almost 12 noon of August 6 where the nature is so fresh to welcome us. Leon’s mom Mrs. Magangat and his brother Randy welcome us in their house and offered us a lunch and accommodation.

My first outdoor in Mayoyao, Ifugao started at around 1:00pm in August 6, 2007. Although it was a bit showering, I told Leon that our itinerary should go on rain-or-shine. The first mountain we climbed was that hill where the WW II Japanese beheaded-soldiers were entombed.　It was very timely to be attuned to the 62nd anniversary of the end of WWII in August 1945. The place which was a cave-shaped and is known as Mass Tomb of WWII Japanese soldiers in Mayoyao, Ifugao. My friend Leon briefed me on the history that at the last stage of combat years between the Japanese and the Allied forces during the WWII, the Japanese forces who were occupying the Mountain Province and Ifugao (which was still part of the Mt. Province that time) were grounded by the American and Allied Forces. Ifugao became one of the centers of warfare during the last stages of World War II in the Philippines . It was in Ifugao, particularly in Mt. Napulawan , where General Yamashita, the known “Tiger of Malaya,” decided to put his last stand against the Filipinos and American forces. The Japanese have no choice but to climb the peaks of the mountains rather than be captured by the Allied Forces who were at the lower grounds. The peaks of Ifugao including Mt. Napulawan and Mayoyao became their dead-end when the Allied Forces caught them. Those Japanese soldiers who were killed and were beheaded were entombed in one the hills in Mayoyao, Ifugao. Some Japanese relatives came after the war and most of the remains of the entombed soldiers were claimed back. Others remained and the mass tomb was preserved.

It was said that along the way evading from the Allied forces during the war, General Yamashita hid his treasures to strategic spots in the mountain range of Ifugao and Mt. Province while escaping from the Allied Forces. He informally surrendered to Captain Grisham of the 6th US Army in the Philippines , based in Kiangan, Mt. Province and Ifugao, before he was flown to Camp John Hay where he formally surrendered.

I offered my prayers in front of the mass tomb and pray for the eternal repose of the souls of the Japanese soldiers. Leon as a guide served as my photographer. There was a rocky hill nearby which is partly torn obviously by man. Some pieces of rocks from there may have been used to build the tomb for the soldiers. The hill is overlooking the valley of Mayoyao Municipality where inhabitants are growing peacefully and customarily.

The opposite mountain where a cell site was already built was taller that the first one. My guide helped me conquer it as it was challenging to reach it where you can see the terraces of rice field gold at harvest time. Noticeably, there are few houses already in the midst of the rice terraces. Layer of the rice terraces are wider and its slope is not as steep as Batad or Banaue. Some big stones are natively arranged as a sitting-bench on a hillside where one can enjoy the freshness of air, the terrace of nature and the majesty of nature as art full of beauty, harmony and purity.

Noticeably, there are rare plants along the trail, ferns on those mountains. One flower that shapely looks very similar to a man’s sexual body part has some juice in it. Leon told me to taste it as it has a mineral water. He said, when they were young boys playing after school time, it was their fun to drink it to help them go on in their youthful games. Giant ferns are so beautiful and asparagus plants as well are present. Wild flowers and birds sing in rhythm to be with you in that trail.

(At Mt. Batad, Ifugao where the missing Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell was found dead.)
The 2nd day was set to a far bit mountain infamous as the site where the missing Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell was found dead. Mt Batad although part of Banaue is a mountain trail where going up will give you a far overview of the rice terraces is needed. To go down again, a trail is needed in order to have frontal view of the nicely crafted rice terraces. It was on this down-trail where Ms Campbell was found dead. Eventually, it was starting on this up-trail that I challenged myself to feel and be like a full-blooded Igorot to wear the g-string gift to me by my guide Leon . It was a route with a prayer and meditation to engage myself with the nature and the culture of the inhabitants therein. Leon and I prayed for Julia Campbell and the Filipino forefathers who made the great architectural treasure manifesting the ownership-responsibility of dominating properly the creations. Julia, the Peace Corps was a free-lance journalist before she came to Philippines . In her blog, she said: “At the age of 38, I decided to step out of the rat race of New York , join the Peace Corps and board a plane for Manila .” She lived in a nipa hut in Donsol, Sorsogon, without running water, and delighted in the care and attention of the townsfolk. Apart from her teaching, she had another project, a Marine Ecology Learning Center called Bahay Kalikasan that would teach “environmental science for children, solid waste management seminars for adults and … create livelihood programs for the local fishermen.” She was later reassigned to the big city, Legazpi, still a whole day’s drive south of Manila , where she taught English and organized English-language training seminars. She went missing in April this year in Banaue, some 10 hours north of Manila and famous for the rice terraces carved on the mountainside. At the time of her death, she was one of 167 Peace Corps volunteers assigned to the Philippines .

We took a trail going down. A steep trail was more challenging when wet slippery rocks could pull you down like what it did to me. That consumed our whole morning time for Batad.

After Batad, we proceeded to the famous Banaue Rice Terraces using a bus ride.Although the mountain side of the road is almost fully occupied by commercial stalls displaying souvenir items. The majesty of the rice terraces prevail as a world-class wonder. Being one of the "Eight Wonders of the World," the Banaue Rice Terraces start from the base of the mountain range and reach up to several thousand feet high. It is said that their length, put end to end, would encircle half of the globe. From left to right and beyond 180 degrees, the ranges of mountains were fully dominated by the native skills of these Filipinos called Ifugao with their agricultural dream of having a plain land to plant their rice on the midst of high altitudinal mountain ranges and hills.

Made 2,000 years ago, these rice terraces manifest the engineering skill and ingenuity of the sturdy Ifugao. Streams and springs found in the mountains were tapped and channeled into irrigation canals that run downhill through the rice terraces. Several viewers are even attracted to go down the stream to enjoy the water bathing them.



In Banaue, the famous terraces had been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1995 as “a continuing cultural landscape” and likewise considered by the U.S. Association of Civil Engineers as an engineering marvel built by unschooled and free men not of slave labor. A UNESCO marker proudly stands in one of the view-alleys there.It was a credit to the inherent wisdom of the Ifugao forefathers that a forest and watershed management system was instituted to help sustain the terraces that serve as the basic food source of the sturdy Ifugaos.The Ifugao native huts could probably be among the world’s first prefabricated houses that do not use a single nail or metal to fasten their parts.

During my time to enjoy the architectural harmony of the rice terraces, several tourists at my side appreciate and enjoy too the harmony expressed by the terraces. One of them I heard was saying, “Sugoy! Kawai desu ni”. And I confirmed that he and his companions were Nihon-jin together with a few of his friends taking their Obon holiday to the famous Rice Terraces in the Philippines . According to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Amb. Ryuchiro Yamazaki, who will soon be replaced by Amb. Makoto Katsura, “there are 400,000 Japanese tourists who come to Philippines every year to deepen their mutual understanding and enjoy the beauty of the Philippines .” Aside from them, other Asian tourists were notably present. Another team of US tourists who, after enjoying Banaue, went to Mayoyao Rice Terraces but left all their admiration to the hand-made architectural treasure of the native Filipinos.

My three nights and three days including the travel from Manila to Ifugao were all worth beyond my exhaustion and expenses. The purity, freshness, love, and beauty of the place together with the historical inputs of the place manifest and give you peace, harmony and man-made product of vision-based architectural prowess.

4th birthday of Princess Jean Julie

My youngest so far is Princess Jean Julie. She is now 4 years old after leaving Philippines when she was just 5 months old.

Julie as shortly called is the only one among the five kids who is kayumanggi and has a Filipino complexion. She is now in her nursery education.

Her kindergarten teacher gave her the traditional tanjobi greetings and her picture card as she was crowned in their tanjobi-kai party.

She now loves drawing some figures and cutting some forms and make her posters.

Healthy years, nice education and friendly environment for her is our wish for her.

For Julie, banzai!!!!

GPF Grand Peace Festival on Dec 12, 2007 in Manila

Here we are! The final poster of the GPF is approved. And the program is almost if not at all final as it is.

We are grateful to the sacrifices and frontline efforts of USec Dominguez and Dr. Salvador who give their best representations in the coordination in making the behind the stage production, legal and PR works in this great event.

The almost every night evaluatation meeting of the leaders til early morning, the daily mobilization of the frontliners and various committee members are keep in the hearts of your family and friends.

Not to mention, the belt-tightening of the donors and resources are not seen my all but are felt by every member of the family in their lessen meals, reduced if not no-more-allowances, the walking instead of taking a ride, the never-mind medicines and others to just make sure that they can give and offer their share and donations to finance the great event.

This teamwork is a nice thing to learn from. There are those in main players, there are those on their bench, the water boys, the first aids, the game staff, there are those cheerers, there are mere on-lookers too. Wherever we are, let us give our best to the team.

Mabuhay ka Pilipinas!!!

pugad ng hapon: danchi

Kapag apartment tawag nilay apato. Kapag goverment housing, tawag nila ay danchi.

Dito kami namumugad sa gusali na ginawa ng Nagano prepektyur para sa mga manlalaro noong 1998 Winter Olympics na ginanap sa Nagano, Japan noon. Wais din ang gobyerno nilang, ginawa na rin etong government housing na pinaparentahan nila sa mga hapong walang tahanang matirhan sa Nagano.

Salamat sa Nagano prepertyur na binigyan nila ng pansin ang aplikesyon ni misis ng magkaroon ng magandang tahanan ang limang lang namang hapong made in Pinas. Kahit medyo mas mataas ng konti ang renta keysa sa dati naming tinitirhang apato, medyo mas maganda na rin ang lawak at pasilidad nila dito sa Yanagimachi danchi.

Lina kayo! pasyal kayo dito!

Seasonal factor in changes

Nature proves that changes is part of life. Development is what other calls it from stage to stage. The physical development in size, form, outer look, weight and other matters like colors, skin quality and the like is sensually observed in nature.

One thing I tried to observe is the time and season on why it occur at that time.

For instance, at the outgoing and incoming seasons of autumn and winter respectively, people struggle to changes of temperature and most if not all got sick with cough, cold, and sometimes flu. But it is also the season when apple, kaki, and other rich in vitamins C fruits came for a harvest. On mid of November, Japanese believes that the best time to harvest their Fuji apples is on November 16 or at least the 3rd week of November. This is also the time for usually the first fall of winter snow in Japan like in Nagano ken.

Mercury usually falls t o state the temperature is down to 3 or even to negative degree Celsius.

When man also change there could also be logic on why it change on that particular time and stage. There are coordination on those changes. Seasonal change, development or growth and progress.

More internally man's inner personality develops too. Individually a person can notice why he changed his attitude and style. There are reasons and several factors affect to its cause. Even a word or statement of his close friend or family sibling can cause a major change to one's personality. And to look on the positive change depends on the educational foundation and maturity of the person. His philosophy, faith and belief make it lead his life to that decision of changing on that season of time.

The falling of leaves during autumn season, makes the tree bald and skeletal but stand. Once the winter drops its heavy snow, branches are not broken by the stocked of snow that fell on it. No leaves catch the heavy stock to make the branches broken and fell.

The sprouting small leaves grow and become great green towards summer. And it offers the fruits to the harvest time. These are seasonal changes. Developments from stage to stage.

Green, yellow, maroon, brown and other colors are changes but are all part of the nature and its life.

Man's changes should also be natural.

Kapamilya

Ang buong pamilyang eto ay bahagi ng akong buhay. Ang bata ay si Young Mike Allen. Ang mag-asawa naman ay si Froilan Jr at si Heidi na nakabase sa Quiapo Manila sa ngayon.

I met Froilan 15 years ago. Like Leon, he too was one of my College Algebra students. He finished his course in Maritime and Education course in DMMMSU. He became an instructor too in his college before. He now is a volunteer coordinator of an NGO in Manila.

Heidi is an accounting graduate in TIP and is presently working in Manila. The two married in La Union and started their family in Manila. Young is their first fruit. Ewan kung may susunod pa ba?

This family although they have their lifestyle is just a precious one in my life. God owns them. May your tribe increase Froi and Heidi.

Family time at Zenkoji Nov 23, 2007

Japan's Labor day

Today is Japan's Labour day. It gives us a time for a family to have a brigade-march to Zenkoji Temple as some activities are set in there.

But the main temple is under maintenance renovation as if, although it is open for thousands of tourists and faithfuls today. It becomes our family picture-taking this time. Joseph and I alternated in taking the shots. The smaller castle type temples are also so good to look and they have variteis of looks and activities inside. It looks that every smaller temple has its god or goddess. I guess.

But the winter coldness that drops to 7 degrees today slammed my rhinitis since this morning. I have to endure.

The man-made hill slide was the major fun of the kids aside from the stage plays in the place.

Mine was the cultural and landscape beauty of the place. The cultured potted-flower-plants are so good in its form and shape, colors and looks. Monks are great in it.

I hope to have more litreature of the Zenkoji and the fate of it.

Ken rou kan sha as they call it, its holiday and the time gives the family a little time to bond for more.

Di lang anak, kaibigang may 2 anak

Siya'y una kung nakita noong ako'y unang nagtuturo sa kolehiyo noong 1992. Tagal na! 15 years ago na rin pala yon. College Algebra ang subject nya at yon naman ang favorite kung tinuturo noon.

Fifteen years after our first encounteer, this man came and meet me last August on my request to guide me to Ifugao! Ifugao was his birthplace. He lived in Mayoyao and have his entrepreneur in there.

Would you believe that he spent a lot to host me in my desire to reach Ifugao and venture the historical place of Banaue, Battad and Mayoyao? I spent 2 days and nights in their beautiful place.

The man has a family now. His wife is Ciel from Malolos, Bulacan. They have 2-boy children now, Bench and Matthew.

The man is a great friend named Leon Magangat Jr. He gave my ethnic Ifugao-name Mabikas.

Kelan ulit tayo sa Mayoyao, igan?

Archery in Iizuna

A town in northwest of Nagano ken is Iizuna. It is noted for the nice lake in there sorrounded by the mountains and trees.

But an outdoor archery sports is being maintained in that place. You can have an hour of practicing archery where distance is your choice.

It was the time when Romel Padilla who was based in Yokohama, Japan visited me and Ronie once again trailed us to that place. I miss the days with Ronie and his hospitality.

But I guess, it was only my second time to hold and paly archery at that time. Kung gubat na nga yong pinuntahan nyo, larong taong-gubat din ang andoon na magtitirahan kayo ng palaso. Di naman valentines para mag ala kupido ako noon.

Wag nyo na lang tanungin kung nakailang hit ako sa target ko. Si Romel kaya, nakailan din kaya sya noon? Iba na ata ang iniisip nyang i kupido sa ngayon.

I miss you Iizuna!!!!

At Suzaka Nagano ken

It was spring time last 2005 when Ronie and his family included me and my 2 kids one Saturday to tour an adjacent town named Suzaka of Nagano ken. The place was rich with natural beauty. But what makes it different from other polace in Nagano is the nice spring and water falls though it has low altitude. But the flowing spring water is so temptous that if it was not just still cold, I may have given my adamic look and to spare the nautral beauty of it.

I tried going down to the water flaw and tasted the nature's spring. The water is nice and clean and sweety. Nomimasu!

The rocky hillside are obvious to show us that the place was really preserved with its natural beauty. Though there was a foot-bridge, civilization could penetrate and inhabit the place. But we dont see a number of peole or resident in that area. Trees adn the watershed are preserved and naturally maintained and appreciated by the people. It was a place where you can really admire the subjectivity of the creations over technology and relative objectives of man.

May it passed to more generations of man.

Hakuba and bobsleighing

Kung kelan ka ba lampas na ng kuwarenta anyos at tsaka ka pa lang makakapaglambitin sa outdoor fun tulad ng mag bobsleigh! Whewww!!! It was really fun. Thanks to the old friends who now are busying themselves on their family life and career. I don't forget their hospitality treating me to Hakuba in 2005.

It was in Hakuba, Nagano ken, Japan that the 1998 Winter Olypics was held. And the facilities used during that world competition are just so great to experience still. The sky-jumping stadium, the sky-lift, the skiing hills and others like the bobsleighing rail.

I haven't experienced doing bobsliegh before (saan ka ba mag gaganyan sa Pians?) But it was just so easy to ride on a board either sitting or lying on your chest with your face and feet a bit up and avoid not to touch the rail. You will slide down but the rail and will just be following the rail as design. But the excitement is the speed and curve when you are to keep your balance and direction with the rail.

One thing good is the landscape where you are in. In Hakuba, it was spring-summer that time and the flowers around in its landscape are ecstatic and glamorous not to mention the mountainous beauty of the place. Wheewwwww! It was a great place.

And it is just a town away from my in-laws place in Ogawa. How I wish to visit there again. I have heard that Hakuba is now almost book for the entire winter season and all the hotels and inns nearby in there. Tokyo people and others from Japan are crazy to stay in that winter tourist attraction.

Tara na! Ikimasu!

Sa Zenkoji Temple ng Nagano

Kung may mga katedral na matatayog at klasik nga ba ang simbahang Kristiyano, ang mga Buddhists naman sa Japan, lalo na sa Nagano ay may malaki at luma pero matibay na templo. Eto ay ang kanilang Zenkoji Temple.

Minsan, kahit na nga malamig, niyaya kami ni misis na maglakad at pumunta sa Zenkoji. Mga 2 kilometro din ata ang nilakad ng buong pamilyang kadilak lamang ang kaya. Aloiti desu!

May daan-daang taon na rin daw ang Zenkoji temple. Mga 400 na daang taon na rin daw eto tapos mareper ng eto ay masunog noon. Ngunit ang isang bagay na gusto nila ay ang pigura ni Buddha na gawa sa kahoy na di man lang nasunog noon. Magpahanggang ngayon, eto ay andoon pa rin at dinadalaw ng maraming tao.

May nasa loob at nakatagong imahen at susi sa ilalim ng templo. Bihira man lang daw etong mabuksan pero pag nadalaw at nakita at nahipo mo ang imahen at susi, yon na rin daw ang susi mong mapunta sa langit.

Malaki ang templo. Iba nga lang ang pananampalataya nila pero, nakakapagbigay liwanag din upang maintindihan ang kanilang pananampalataya kung etoy iyong pag aralan at tingnan.

Sa Biyernes, araw ng manggagawa dito sa Japan. Ang Zenkoji ay may nakaprogramang mini-pestibal para sa mga kabataan. Nawa'y di malakas ang ulan o isnow bukas para madala ko ulit ang mga bata at pamilya doon.

Abangan ang aming pagbabalik sa Zenkoji!!!!

Lapis ni Ka Dano

Di ko mahuli-huli sa pagbabalik-isipan ko kung kelan ako natutong gumamit ng lapis. Bago ata ako nag greyd wan e, hawak ko na rin ang lapis noon. Sa titser ba naman si papang at mamang na laging pukpok ang mga anak na mag-aral noon. Siguro, mga apat na taong gulang siguro ako noon ng inumpisahan kong humawak, maglaro at magsulat na rin. Hmmmmm......

Ngunit sa kolehiyo, pinag-aralin ko pa ring humawak at gumamit ng lapis noon e. Dwaring pencil nga lang na ang lead na gamit mo at talagang super fine din naman. Andoon ang free-hand strokes na ang hirap ba namang i kontrol ang kamay mong mag drawing ng vertical at horizontal strokes. Enhinyering kors kasi ang una kung sinubukan.

Pero may ibang lapis na rin ako ngayon. Ang pagsusulat ko ng mga krieyteb na sulatin at sanaysay ang naging lapis-lapisan ko ngayon. Nakakatuwa rin naman. Dito ko na lang isulat ang mga bagay-bagay na di ko na maipamahagi sa klasrum tulad noon. SAyang din kasi ang mga magandang pananaw na naging katas ng pinag-aralan mo e.

Salamat at may bagong blog na rin ako dito. Nawa'y, tuloy-tuloy din ang araw-araw kung pagsusulat dito. Napapakinabangan ko na rin ang teknolohiya sa paglalapis ko ngayon. Salamt sa mga nag-imbento at nagdebelop nito.

Midnight change

Nagano, Japan- Although the TV announced yesterday morning that the day will be cloudy and snowing, but yesterday was quite fine although it has scattered and little rain shower and changing cloudy skies. The mountains around are still seen with their colorful leaves of green to yellow to maroon and brown. Some leaves continously are falling still. When I walked back home yesterday evening, it was so cold and the cloudy skies were changing.

This morning, the TV again announced that it will be a cloudy and snowy day.

When I walked out this morning, I noticed immediately that the mountains are now fullt covered with snow although not so thick yet. The green mountains and hills are now grayish with the snow toppings. I looked at the streets. It's all wet although I cant see rainfalls. I checked the roofs and the cars around. I cant see a snow nor flakes.

As I continue walking along the streets, I noticed that some running cars are also top-covered by snow. Hence, I made it clear to my mind that there was a midnight snow in those high altitude places and not much in the lower places wehre the thin snow got melted easily on the streets.

Iba ang bagyohan ng Pinas at ang snow falls ng Nagano talaga! Flashfloods ika nga at lubog ka na sa Pinas. Sa Nagano naman, habang tulog at balot ka ng makakapal na futon at kumot, may midnight changes naman sa paggising mo. Wala na ang kagandahan ng mga berdeng bulubunduking paligid. Napalitan ang berdeng tanawin na ng tila na predyeder na berdeng gulay na balot ng mapuputing isnow!

What a midnight change!

Nov. 22, 2007

Mabikas ng Ifugao

Ifugao- Kapag marinig mo ang pangalan ng lugar na Ifugao, iiisang bagay agad ang titimbre sa utak mo. Ito ay ang rice terraces doon.

Dating parte rin pala ng Mountain Province ang Ifugao ngunit nahati na rin eto. Ang Lagawe, Mayoyao, Banaue na kung saan andoon ang sentro ng turismo at ang naging sensesyonal na bundok ng Battad na sakop pa rin ng Banaue. Di ko na matandaan pa ang ibang lugar na binanggit ni Leon sa akin na sakop ng Ifugao.

Kung pagbabalik-tanaw din lang ang layunin, magandang puntahan ang lugar, at damhin mo ang kultura nila sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagkaisa sa kanila tulad ng pagsuot ng kanilang damit, pagkain ng kanilang kinakain, pakikisawsaw sa kanilang kultura at kung ano pang mga gawain.

Kung ang amerikanang peace corps volunteer ba ay nanilbihan doon at pumunta nang nag-isa sa Battad noon, ang tanong ay bakit kailangan nyang pumuntang nag-iiisa doon? At bakit sya pa na isang dayuhan sa lugar na yon?

Ikaw na tagadoon, kakayanin mo bang pumunta sa lugar na di mo kabisado nang nag-iisa? Lugar na tila puno ng tamis ng kalikasan, kulturang di napapantayan at sakop na ng kasaysayan at lugar na kilala na rin ng halos lahat ng mamamayan sa bansang iyon?

Tila nakakahiya rin kung ikaw na taga-Pilipinas ang di nakakaalam sa mga lugar ng iyong bansang sinilangan. Pero sa sitwasyon ng karamihan, di rin nila makayanang puntahan ang mga lugar na eto. Pero marami rin namang paraan na makilala at matunghayan ng bawat isa ang mga magagandang kasaysayan ng ibat-ibang lugar ng ating bansang Pilipinas.

Sa Mayoyao ako unang lumapag at umikot sa Probinsyang Ifugao. Andoon ang mass grave ng mga hapon. Ang pamilyang Magangat ang una kung nakilala doon. Ang bundok ng Battad ay sakop din ng Banaue ngunit medyo may kalayuan din sa sentro ng sikat na Banaue. Ang mga rice terraces nila sa ibat-ibang parte ng Ifugao ay tila naging paraan ng kanilang pagsasaka para sa kanilang ikabubuhay libo-libong taon na ang nakalipas. Ngunit kung iisipin mo ang kanilang pagkultura sa mga bundok upang maging palayan na hugis hagda-hagdan, parang di mo mabilang ang mga araw, buwan at taon para patapos ang isang bundok na gawing rice terraces. Ang pag akyat-baba na lang sa isang bundok ay nakakahika sa isang edad kuwarenta-singkong tulad ko. Ang teamwork ng mga Ifugao ay nakakamangha kung tutuusin. Ang kanilang kreatibiti at inobesyon para maisip na gawing palayan ang mga nakahilirang bulubundukin ay pag-iisip ng di basta-bastang tao lamang. Gawain eto ng gifted na tao o tribu.

Sa lamig ng simoy sa lugar doon, at suot nilay bahag nga ba lamang, makikita mo rin ang angking kalusugan at linis ng lugar upang makayanan ng mga taga-Ifugao ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay doon lalo na ang pag sasaka at paglikha ng hagda-hagdang sakahan.

Mabikas! Matibay! Malakas! Eto ang isang angking kagandahan ng mga Ifugao!

Salamat Leon sa di malilimutang bahagi na ng buhay ko, ang pagdala mo sa akin sa Ifugao, at sa pangalang iyong inihandog, Mabikas!

Mabuhay ang Ifugao!

Adamic look

Although it was three months ago when I visited Ifugao, the natural beauty of the ranges of mountains and hills is far to forget nor erase from my memory. It was first in this high range that I feel so natural to expose even my adamic look second to the sumo wrestlers's way from Nagoya, Japan.

Ifugao and Togakuchi in Nagano are quite similar. Their rich in natural beauty are high. Tugakuchi is more of high cedar trees planted by the monks of the Shinto. Some trees have an age of 900 years accordingly. The rice terraces meanwhile in Ifugao are also mounted by the forefathers of the 3rd floor about 2,000 years ago..

But the maintenance of both differs.

It is now obvious that the rice terraces are degrading because of the inhabitants and the less if no-budget offered by the government to preserve the ecstacy of the rice terraces.

Togakuchi has the monks. It was not the government but the faithful monks where their temple is located in the peak of the mountain in the place, who keep the maintenance of the supreme beauty of the nature.

Maybe, it is here where Filipinos should learn. To recognize a historical place is to recognize the responsibility manifested to preserve it as we appreciate the look and magnificence of the place. The government may have other priorities in their mind aside from their personal interests.

Kelan kaya dadami ang mga taga 3rd floor na handang magpustahan ng buhay upang maipamahagi sa susunod na henerasyon ang angking ganda ng kanyang rice terraces na eto?

Anibersaryo tapos ang 15 taon

Tila baga napakabilis ng taon! Nobyembre 16 sa Binalonan, Pangasinan noon nang si babes at ako ay nagpakasal sa huwes.

Biruin mong, tatlong kilong lansones lamang ang tanging handa, isang kilo sa kay judge, isa kay vice mayor na tumayong ninong, at isa para sa bagong kasal! Napaka simpleng kasalan, pirmahan, bayaran ng P30.00 registration, pasalamatan at balik na sa romantikong paglilibot-libot ni haponesang di pa naikot ang buong kapaligiran ng Pangasinan. That was 15 years ago.

Last Friday, it was our 15th year wedding anniversary. The day passed without our celebration as it was not remembered nor noted in the calendar. Or it may be true that the wedding has not remained valued in our hearts after 15 years of ups and downs in their conjugal and family live. Hmmmmm..... di naman siguro!

This early morning, I wake up early but too early and cold to get up. I just tried meditating. It was at that time that I remember that November 16 has passed and it was our 15th wedding anniversary. Napaka ulyanin ko na rin ata. Ang mga hapon din naman, di na nga nagseselebreyt ng bertdey, di pa kinakalendaryo ang mga historikal na pangyayari sa buhay nila. Naks naman mrs ka! Tanda mo lang ata ang mga tamis at romansang di mo kayang itakwil sa iyong isipan!!!

Fifteen years ago, my wife and I were in Pinas until we visited Japan in 2004 with our only 5 kids . I went back to Philippines together with the 3 boys (my wife and the 2 girls remained) after a month of stay in Japan and came back in 2005. But that became a year of shift in our life as my wife was so strong to her desire to stay in Japan for good and not to go back to Pinas. Since that time, our married life stayed in Japan to this 15th year of our conjugal life.

Ganito pala, 12 taong pagsasamahan sa mainit na Pinas at 3 taon na ring samahan sa malamig na Japan. Pero naka 5 na kami sa Pinas noon pa. Bat dito sa malamig na Japan zero pa rin? Di ata epekteb ang romansahan sa lamig!! Oo nga naman. Maalala ko noong mga unang gabi ko dito sa malamig na Japan. Tinalo ng lamig ang init ng katawan ko noon. At umiiyak si manoy na di man lang makatayo upang lumusob sa kweba ng kadiliman. Hosmeng pakikipagbakbakan talaga noong mga unang araw, gabi at linggo noon. Kahit na rin ngayon, tila yata, agrabyado pa rin di manoy!!!! Oh my gulay!!! Zero ang Japan, 5 ang Pinas!!!!

Sige na nga! Labinlimang taong kasal! Limang anak! Isang asawa! At baket? Ilan ang gusto mo???

May my tribe increase!!

Winter 2007 first snow drops

Winter 2007 first snow drops

Weekend and it was Nov 17 in Nagano. It was a sunny day though so cold with the temperature stating that mercury was at 3.

Walang pasok since it was Saturday. So, I started making some chores. The "futon" needs air and sunny exposure to make sure the moist are not stocked inside. Or else, bacteria will just destroy the breathing system of the sleeping kids and all. Hang it sa veranda! Kung magsampay ka ba ng mga labadang tig 5 kilos lang, isang baldeng dali lang gawin. But to bring out the japanese beddings "futon" is large, wide and heavy. Isa-isahin mo pa. Kulang ang barandelya ng hapon! Sige na nga!

Aba, clear ang rooms! But you can notice several dusts, hair kasama na ang mga "kulot" doon and other "bara-bara" papers and sheets and tissues all around. Got to vaccum those unnecessary litters. But poor vaccum cleaner. Seemed that it cant do its job fully. Got to use a manual way. Binasang lumang purruntong ni Pol at pinangkuskus ng floor carpet. Hmmm! Mas powerful nga although, kamayan nga lang. Tiis! tiyaga! Linis and make a nice day!

Pero, tila ata marami pa ring naiwang laundry kahit Friday evening eh nag washing machine na si dok allan d canadian. maglaba cana-dian! mag linis cana-dian, etc.!!! Sige na nga! Washing machine ulit! enewey, alang shigoto at yasumi ang Sabado doyobi ko! Kukulangin ang mga klips and hangers ko. Ay!!!! oo nga, Sabado---- 3rd Saturday! Garbagge day ng mga recyclabe material things!!!! Naksssss... baka may mapulot na naman si allan d garbagge man.....

Ano to?? Hmmm old small cabinet na may 3 closets! Not bad! Sa kabila kaya?

Oppps!!! old hangers nga!!!! basag lang ang foldable center nya!! Fracture-repair skills. hmmmm kaya! Ano kaya yon? parang tv stand?!?! Di ata. Oowww may 2 small closets sa giliran nya. Not bad!

Last 2 favorite garbagge sheds: Oww big cabinet with 4, 5 closet-drawer! Makaya ko kaya tong bitbitin? Hmmmm, teka. Si Dyosep nga. Tong mga drawers muna ang uunahin ko....

"Lika barok, tulungan mo si papa. Buhatin natin yong malaking cabinet. Maganda yon!"

"Seno!" Up and we took the cabinet with our dual forces!

Aba! naka 3 cabinets ako nitong sabadong eto ah!!!! Naka ng grasya nga naman! Di naman sira although luma na, binabalibag na lang ng hapon!!! Porke may bago na naman siguro sila and to save space na rin sa danchi rooms nila! Tenk yu mga japs. Pag tiisan na lang namin tong mga pinag lumaan nyo! Mey yor god bless you more para may ibabasura na naman kayong maganda por as dito!

Balik sa danchi! Tuloy ang linis de-sabado! Pag-pag sa mga futon para maalis ang alikabok, bakterya at kung anong mga kulaning sumanib na sa higaang hapon! Baligtadan! pag-pag ulit!!! Hmmmm.... parang kalaban ni saynosaytes etong mga arikabok na eto a!!!! Pwe!!!!

Alas dos ng hapon! Medyo tapos na ang linisan! Hmmm mga anak, di ba pley taym nyo ngayon? Magdyaket lang at medyo iba na ang klima!!!! Malamig na at parang tatagaktak na ang snow!!!! (Ano ba tong medyo sumisipa kasi sa in-between ko at parang gusto ng palayasin agad ang mga makukulit kong mga 5 anak only!!!) Go ahead, get your gloves and softballs! Wag lang ilayo sina bunso at si bebe girl ha!??!?!? Endyoy yor pley!!!!

Hmmm! Mamang, pls prepare my ofuro pls!!!! I will take back the futons and lay it back to d rooms!! ( Nakangpusa, bilisan mo ng makadami kayo!!!!)

Hmmm, balik ang futon, may bagong labang futon cover, pillow cases, at hmmmmm..... pwede na!

Sige, I go na muna sa ofuro ng medyo di naman amoy baboy ang aararo kay nanay!

Nasa umpisang pakikipagbanatan si cana-dian!!! Ng biglang nag doorbell ba naman! Naku!!!! sino ka bang damonyo ka????

"Donata deska?" "Papang Rika desu!" Naku bumalik si bebe girl.

"Baket?" " Samutai! Dyamba kudasai!!!!! Papang yuki desu!!!!" "Ano??? Nag snow na?" "Hai!!!" "Snow desu!!!! Patingin nga!"

Selep!!! OO nga!! unang labas!!!! unang patak!!! Puti! (kala mo anong lumabas? Di po!!! na abort na nga!!!) Snow nga!

Ano ba tong unang patak ng snow!!! Kung saan gusotng mag araro at mag tanim ni tatay, saka naman paparada na ang snow!!!! Walang araro! It's snow time!!!!!!!

Dis was may Sabado! D pers snow pol dis wentir!