Part 1: Shenandoah National Park

The mountains are always calling. They said that you can take the girl from the mountains, but you can never take the mountains from the girl. Does that make sense? Being born and bred in the Cordilleras has instilled in me great respect and utmost love for nature and culture. My heritage of mix Sagada, Bontoc, and Ilocos, Sagada being the dominant one, makes me proud and blessed that I grew up with a strong belief of who I am.

My recent visit to Shenandoah National Park reminded me of the Cordillera mountains. Although geographically speaking the terrain looks different, the mountain feel is unquestionably the same. The air up in the mountains felt cooler, fresher and cleaner, and when you gaze at the neighboring mountains and further, the view is beyond beautiful and breathtaking. As I closed my eyes and breathe in the mountain air, every breath and every beat of my heart  took me back to the places near and dear to my heart - the Mt. Provinces.

To be continued...

Ms. Pangilinan Declared An "Unwelcome Visitor"

I wasn't expecting this. In fact, I was ready to move on and forgive, but I was surprised to read this at the ABS-CBN News website. The city of Baguio declared Ms. Pangilinan as an "unwelcome visitor." Living outside the Philippines, this is the first publicized incident, that I know of, about a Filipino comedian delivering an offensive joke about Igorots. I mean, there are good and bad jokes. Ms. Pangilinan's joke was offensive and a really bad one. I have spoken to some friends back home, and apparently, some comedians have been making similar jokes for a long time, they just haven't been caught.

I honestly feel bad for her. On the other side of the coin, I feel empowered that the Igorots, as a community, and Baguio, as a city, have the power to convey a powerful message - putting down someone's ethnicity is not acceptable and is not tolerated. For the Igorot community has come a long way fighting and correcting the stereotypes and misnomer attached to their name. As a public figure, Ms. Pangilinan is responsible for her actions, which she has openly admitted and recognized. She is indeed commendable for admitting her mistake and apologizing publicly for her offense. I do hope that she will find peace within and find a way to bridge the gap with the people she hurt. As for me, I wish her well and I think the lesson has been learned.

Below is a reprint of the news article.

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Despite her numerous apologies, Candy Pangilinan was declared an "unwelcome vis[i]tor" in Baguio City after she cracked a joke that implied that Igorots are not people.

In a special session held by the Baguio City council on Friday, Pangilinan was declared "persona non grata" by a majority vote. Councilor Tomas Balisong, currently the acting vice mayor, said that the declaration was in reaction to Pangilinan's "ethnic slur."

Pangilinan's joke, which was heard during her stand-up comedy act held in SM Baguio last Saturday, was: "Tao po ako, hindi po ako Igorot."

This drew strong criticisms from the Igorot community. "It is a slur, an insult to us Igorots," said Atty. Jose Molintas, a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Almost all the Baguio Councilors approved the motion passed by Councilor Greg Bagbagen declaring the comedienne an unwanted visitor to the summer capital. This also banned Pangilinan's movies from being shown in the city's theaters. Only Councilor Galo Weygan, also an Igorot, abstained from voting.

Many Baguio locals supported the move, saying they were deeply insulted by Pangilinan's comment. "Dapat maramdaman niya ang maging isang Igorot para alam niya ang sinasabi niya," said Annie Domiguay, a Baguio resident.

The full article is here.

Pangilinan's Apology

I was browsing the Dap-ay Forums at Baguio City Online when I came across "Tao po ako, hindi po ako Igorot" (I am a person/human, not an Igorot) as one of the forum topics. Apparently, these words were uttered by Candy Pangilinan during a pre-Mother's Day show at SM Baguio as a joke. According to Jemz, a forum member, Ms. Pangilinan blurted her comments twice, and although she did apologize at the end of the show, the damage has been done. Clearly, her comments have offended some members of the Igorot community, including me. (To read comments on the forum, click here.) In her blog, Ms. Pangilinan issued an apology and explained that what she actually meant was "Igorot statue" but failed to say the word "statue."

As a proud Igorot, I have to admit that some people refer or label us in so many "uncalled for" terms. I am glad that the Igorot community is fighting back and is fully aware that we need to uphold and defend the Igorot identity. If we dont' do it, who will. I am glad Ms. Pangilinan issued an apology. It was very careless and insensitive of her to say such words in a city known for its Igorot origins.
Here is a reprint of Ms. Pangilinan's apology, and click here to read her full blog entry.

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MY APOLOGIES:

Last Saturday, May 9, the day after my birthday, I finished my taping at 8:00 a.m. and left Manila to fulfill a commitment in Baguio at 2:00 p.m.

I am truly sorry because I uttered an insensitive statement during the event. I did not mean to hurt anyone, especially, our Igorot brothers and sisters. It was a careless remark and for that, I am truly sorry. The harm was done and regardless of my explanation and whatever my intention was when I uttered such words, any defense would not matter at this point. It was wrong.

I clearly remember that I did apologize for the careless statement I said during the show. Comedians have the tendency to go overboard and deliver lines, which they deem as witty and hilarious punchlines. But, sometimes, they can get reckless.

Truly, I am sorry for my mistake. I have learned a precious lesson, and I am sorry that I had hurt people in the process.

I delivered the lines incorrectly. I had no sleep that day and was very tired. In all of my shows, I try to make it a point that my audience would feel that I am a part of the entire group and that I am one with them, but I made a mistake this time.

If you were there and had finished the show, you would have heard me acknowledge my blunder. I apologized and explained myself. I even went on, uplifting the Benguet/Igorot Community.

I am very proud of their contribution to the society. I, as a person and a Filipino, would never intentionally discriminate nor disrespect my roots, my ancestors, and my fellow Filipinos. In summary, I pray that people would realize that I do not look down on anyone regardless of the race, heritage, or religion.

Again, I am deeply sorry.

I hope that you will find in your hearts to forgive me though I know it may be difficult to understand the context of why I said it. It was one major error, and may the Lord Jesus Christ forgive me, and give all of peace.

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Let me post this quote again: "I am an Igorot. Let me be treated as I deserve—with respect if I am good, with contempt if I am no good, irrespective of the name I carry. Let the term, Igorot, remain, and the world will use it with the correct meaning attached to it." ( Jose Dulnuan)

Grand Canao 2008

On the eve of July 26th, the BIBAK Northeast women donned their colorful gateng/tapis (skirts) and the men tightly worn their wanes (g-strings). The night was humid and the heat intensified as we gathered around the fire just as our ancestors did a long time ago. The men sounded the gongs to a synchronized steady beat, just like the heartbeat of every brave Igorot, and the beautiful women raised their hands, as if giving thanks to the heavens or imitating a free bird in flight. As the gongs got louder and the fire burned brightly, I was instantly transported to a different world. I was no longer in Virginia; I was home. This was the second time I've attended the BIBAK NE Grand Canao, and it was a grand opportunity to meet so many people. It was such a relief that I can call anyone auntie and uncle. Although my Kankanaey is rusty, Mom patiently translated the conversations and songs for me.

The celebration persisted through the night as different ethnic dances (Balangbang, Tadok, Banga etc.) and songs took the stage. There was a group who wore cowboy hats/boots and performed a country dance, and another group integrated a Broadway like show in their full gateng/tapis regalia. I'd actually prefer to watch more authentic Igorot dances rather than a country line dance. I see such dances all the time, and for me, seeing Igorot dances is such a rare and wonderful treat; that's just my opinion. As you can see, the photos are a bit dark because some performances took place on an open ground with just a campfire for lighting. It was tough to take photos without tripping on something. I tripped and laughed at myself a couple of times, but it was too dark for anyone to notice.


To those unfamiliar with the different colors that the tapis/gateng represent, each color combination woven through the tapis belong to a group or tribe. (For those who are more familiar with this topic, I do need your help about the color combinations.) Grand Canao 2008 was truly a festival of colors. That night, tribal identity or divisions no longer existed, as the different colors danced unified to one rhythm - the beating of the gongs.



PS: Aside from the usual Filipino dishes, there was a huge pot of Pinikpikan (if you want to know what a Pinikpikan is let me know) on the side. I got a full bowl and ate it with gusto. After finishing my plate, I wondered where was the Etag (cured meat or I prefer to call ham) because I couldn't find one in my bowl. The aunties and uncles laughed.

Road Trips and the Grand Canao

This is going to be a short work week. This Thursday, the office decided to close at 1 p.m., courteousy of the boss, and with the Fourth of July holiday this coming Friday, I am blissfully looking forward to a long, lazy and relaxing weekend. However, I am not going on any trips, as I have decided to stay at home and spend some quality time with my cable and DVD collection. I prefer not to deal with the crowded airports and slow road traffic. In addition, a number of airlines have increased airfares and are now charging for check-in luggages, drinks (except tap water), and food. With gas prices at $4.10 a gallon, I think staying at home would be the ideal way to save money and avoid the headaches of flight delays and hair-pulling road traffic. Mom knows that I need some anger management when I'm on the road. No worries, I'm currently working on it.

Speaking of future road trips, I am looking forward to attending the Grand Canao on July 25 – 27 (Williamsburg, VA). This is the second year I’m attending. It will be a two-hour drive, but I am looking forward to meeting all the attending BIBAK (Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, and Kalinga) members. I am so excited about the cultural night, where every group will perform tribal dances and wear colorful costumes such as the tapis. I am forever proud and appreciative of my Igorot heritage, but part of me feels guilty that I never took the initiative to learn any of the Igorot dances. It may look easy to some people, but my shyness has always taken the best of me.