The workshop seeks not only to honor J. Elizalde Navarro, one of the Philippines 14 National Artists for the Visual Arts, but also to serve as one of the long line of activities in the run-up to the UST’s 400th year anniversary in 2011.

The 10 fellows who made it to the workshop are Aidel Paul Belamide (UPLB), Mary Jessel B. Duque (UPD), Anne Ensomo (AdMU), Luigi Eraneta (AdMU), Alona U. Guevarra (ADMU), Alvin Ringgo C. Reyes (STC), Frank Lloyd B. Tiongson (UPD), Jaymee Siao (UST), Karren Sena (UST), Joanna Parungao (UST), Scott Saboy (UPB),  and Grace Subido (UPB).  Their works, including those of the 1st JEN workshop, are expected to be slated for publication next year.

The following professors/writers serve as panelists to the second workshop: Ferdinand M. Lopez (UST), Oscar Campomanes (ADMU), Gary Devilles (ADMU), Ralph Galan (UST), John Jack Wigley (UST), Nerisa del Carmen Guevarra (UST), and Lito Zulueta (UST).

Part of the week-long learning event is a tour at the famous BenCab Museum and an “interaction” with another National Artist for the Visual Arts, Benedicto R. Cabrera.   The fellows will also be privileged to drink  from the wisdom  of Cordillera Studies Center (CSC) director, UPB professor, and  noted cultural/literary critic Delfin L. Tolentino,Jr.

♣ Juan M. Duyan

♣ Camilo Lammawin, Sr.

Here’s the official notice from CCP’s Literary Division director (URL):

Sapay koma ta babaen iti baro nga gobyerno local iti Kalinga, masemento met aminen dagiti main roads tau, maiyurnos ti Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) ti probinsiya, ken maaddaanen ti napigsa nga cyber-signal kadagiti sulsulinek ti ili tayo!

Whether its “Noy-Bi” or “Noy-Mar,” I guess we can still unite in congratulating the new government (at least hindi “Erap-Nay”) as we share a great hope for better, new things to come for Da Pelepens.  And, for all we know, a Jejo-Mar partnership under the Noynoy Aquino administration is going to do wonders! Basta ba lahat ng gagawin nila ay maka Noy-Pi.

Equally frustrating for me, though not really surprising, is seeing actors Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada topping the senatorial race, and Lito Lapid likely making it to the “Magic 12.”  There are other candidates better suited for the Philippine Senate.

Sure, actors or ex-actors could be great politicians as (now) Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has proven. But I’d rather have real legislators take the places of Estrada, Lapid and Revilla who I still think are better fitted for the  PambansangTakilya than for the Batasang Pambansa.

Despite my misgivings about the national polls, I would have to join the nation in giving the thumbs up to the success of our first automated elections, made possible through the concerted efforts of various stakeholders/interest groups in the country.  In the next polls, we can expect a swifter casting and transmission of votes.

The media as a whole has done a superb job keeping the public well-informed (oh yes, at times, misinformed by black propaganda on television, radio and the newspapers) and for proving that that our country is still home to volunteerism and vigilance.  Along with the automated voting system, the media’s holographic and “virtual presence” effects have also thrilled the nation.

The military and police forces have certainly gained credibility for doing their best to help keep the polls generally peaceful.  It was a joy seeing our armed forces augmented by a great army of volunteers from different churches and other institutions.

And who would forget our thousands of teachers who have unfailingly helped secure the sanctity of the ballot.  TGFT! (Thank God For Teachers!)  I hope they get their long overdue salary increases and additional benefits!

May 10, 2010 is one great, shining day for the Philippines.  Our continuing task is to sustain our participation in governance as we help our new leaders make Da Pelepens a better place to live in.

President: Noynoy AQUINO

Vice President: Mar ROXAS

Senators: Nereus ACOSTA, Ana BARAQUEL, Silvestre BELLO III, Rufino BIAZON, Pia CAYETANO, Franklin DRILON, Rey LANGIT, Liza MAZA, Zosimo PAREDES, Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO, Adel TAMANO, Francisco TATAD

Noynoy Aquino is my choice for President not because he is the best among all the presidentiables.  You might agree with me if I say that Gordon, Villanueva and Villar have exemplified outstanding managerial skills more than he has, and Gibo is better–looking and looks smarter than he.

But why Noynoy then?  First, I believe in the ideals of the Liberal Party (LP) which he now leads. Second, my original choice for president was Mar Roxas so when he bowed out of the presidential race and became Ninoy’s running mate,  I naturally went for Ninoy.  For I think it would do the country good if the top two political posts in the land be held by those who share the same political ideals.  Second, the legacy of Noynoy’s parents still powerfully tugs at the heartstrings of most Filipinos and this could be exploited to unite the country.  Third, I think that among all presidentiables Noynoy has the greatest burden to prove he could help turn the ship of state around toward better shores because of his initial reluctance to run for president, his lack of charisma and unremarkable public service record.

Not much of a set of arguments, you might say but at least I am trying to make sense of my choice for these elective positions.

This doesn’t mean, however, that I agree with the fallacy in Noynoy’s political ad in which he seems to be saying that he represents the one, true, matuwid (straight) road to peace and prosperity and his rivals the baluktot (crooked) way.  I believe  that even though not all of the presidentiables are fit to lead the country, still they all have great things about them which they could still put to good use for the nation even after the electoral season.

I picked out the senatoriables above not because only they in the list should be given the chance to prove their worth in the Senate.  Had there been more slots, I would have gladly added some more names in my list.  Nevertheless, these 12 represent a wide variety of interest groups from moralists and legalists to feminists and environmentalists. I do have reservations regarding their positions on different issues (I am uncomfortable with Tatad’s conservatism, for instance), but hey I don’t have to agree with all that they have to say or like the political parties they belong to to vote for them.  What’s more important is that they can articulate voices from both the margins and the center (center of the center, left of center, or right of center).

But then again, not all the senatoriables are fit for the position.  For some are more competent as movie stars than national legislators.  That’s why I will not go for Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla (the INC’s recommendation notwithstanding).  But if we unfortunately find them making monkeys out of themselves in the Senate weeks from now, mei banfa, ala tayong magagawa, but to say balabadde na tolay, alalakkay vo’amen!

Just the same, I am not under the illusion that were these politicos elected, our country’s woes would be over in a jiffy.  For the best thing they could do is to help set the country to the right direction which those who will later fill in their ranks will hopefully push through.

Nor am I entertaining the idea that most of these people could truly empathize with the plight of the rest of us the common tao who wonder how they could splurge barrelsful of money for their campaign ads and gas guzzlers while we continue to scrape the bottom of our tiny, and grimy barrels.  Funny, all of them talk about eradicating poverty while they spend billions of pesos for this electoral exercise  seemingly oblivious of the fact that such a hefty sum could have helped many kababayan to put up a sarisari store or a small kubo they could truly call their own.

But well, we can’t do anything much about that, can we?  As they say, anvils bear while hammers strike.

Apollo Quibolloy talked to his Father in Heaven and was told to root for Gibo; Eduardo Manalo, et al., consulted with God and were given the idea to go for Noynoy; certain Bible believers prayed for discernment and got divided over whether they were advised to vote for Bro. Ed Villanueva, Gibo or Nic Perlas; wielders of the Holy Rosary got different revelations and so distributed their blessings to the various presidentiables;  and, of course, some devotees of Bacchus and Hermes received orders from their haloed patrons  that they should back Erap Estrada.

Herds in different corrals won’t question their own shepherds’ political choices, for after all these decisions are sanctioned by heaven.  It doesn’t matter that they have made God speak with forked tongues.  It doesn’t matter that they have virtually made the Omniscient, All-Benevolent One myopic and capricious.  All that matters is that their respective pasturelands solely bear imprints of God’s grace and that while men will and do sabotage God’s will, their version of truth will eventually prevail over the forces of deception.

When the saints go marching into the polling places during this fateful day of political judgement, I wonder what or if God actually whispered to their blessed ears.

But the best thing for these religious folks to do would be to follow Mike Velarde’s advice to his flock: “Vote according to your conscience.”

Tungngatong (bamboo tube stamper). Ballingbing (split-bamboo buzzer). Patatag (half-bamboo xylophone blade). Tupayya & pattong (gong playing).  Tungali (mouth flute).

These are among the Kalinga musical instruments which participants to the “1st YKPO/Lin-awa Workshop on Kalinga Performance Arts” will be introduced to.   The workshop will be held on 13-15 May 2010 at the Baguio Convention Center, with the “Kiddie Session” scheduled from 9-12 am and the “Jutander Session” from 2-5 pm.

Only 12 slots are open for children aged 7-14, and another 12 for adults.

Originally conceived as part of a “re-rooting” program for Kalingas residing in Baguio City and Benguet, the program is now offered to all interested individuals regardless of ethnic origin.

For reservation and/or inquiries, send emails to Lucy or Len or Popoy (lucyrafting@yahoo.com; linawacenter@gmail.com; smsaboy@gmail.com) .

Nope, RH does not stand for “Rhesus,” “Red Horse,”  “Rabbit Hole,”  “Robin Hood,” or “Rural Health” (this one’s close enough, though).  It’s “Responsible Humans.”

This is one of the newest groups in the City of Baguio organized by yuppies who wish to make a positive difference in the community.  It is presently comprised of 23 registered nurses most of whom are graduates of the University of the Cordilleras (UC).

Formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) early this year, it actually started work in April 2007 with its first medical mission in Kamog, Sablan, Benguet followed by another in Beleng–Belis, Kapangan last March.   They intend to go back to Kapangan for a dental mission sometime this year.

In a recent meeting with some officers of the Young yKalinga Professionals Organization, “Tropang RH” will be helping to conduct a medical mission in Tabuk City toward the last quarter of this year.

The group is also setting its sights on doing other projects and activities aside from medical/dental missions.  Its upcoming calendar of activities will be bared after its general assembly this June.

Tropang RH is headed by Humprey  Alejandro (BS Bio, UP Baguio; BSN, UC).

Mabuhay kayo mga kapatid! J

The course includes pronunciation/phonetics, numbers, meeting people, general information, and simple sentence construction. This time, Putonghua laoshi (teachers) Atty. Cristeta Leung and Mrs. Erlinda Lam Loma-ang will be assisted by some of the survivors of the first two batches.  

The new assistant teachers are mostly Igorots some of whom took part in this year’s Chinese New Year celebration and are gearing up for a special presentation during the Moon Festival this September.  They have, in the past few months, been honing their linguistic skills during Saturday afternoon sessions in the same venue.  Their advanced course in conversational Chinese cover more than 20 lessons on directions, time, mailing, travel, shopping, food and drink, medical care, among others.

For enrollment and inquiries, text or call Atty. Leung at 09175902809 or send emails to liang1027@yahoo.com.

Spearheaded by YKPO auditor and Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital  medical technologist Reyneth Yag–ao Alsiyao, the project will offer the following services to the target community:

♥ Circumcision

♥ Blood Typing

♥ Deworming

♥ Blood Pressure Checking

♥ Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG) Testing

♥ Practical Health Tips on Scabies treatment and other hygiene–related awareness topics

Interested to join or support the mission? Email us at youngkapa@gmail.com or text/call us through these mobile phone numbers: 09198549767, 09293439019, 09398000789.

Baguio Midland Courier, 04 April 2010

URL: http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/kalinga.asp?mode=archives/2010/april/4-4-2010/kal1.txt

“Discovery Channel and Lars Krutak have done great disservice both to journalism and scholarship by grossly sensationalizing an aspect of Kalinga culture. The ‘staged authenticity’ so evident in ‘Tattoo Hunter: Philippines’ was calculated to titillate a global audience hungry for the exotic in places claimed to be ‘far out from civilization’.”

This was part of the statement issued by a Baguio-based Kalinga group, Young y-Kalinga Professionals Organization (YKPO) in protest to the popular reality show which featured Whang-ud, a tattoo artist in Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

“Staged authenticity” refers to what may be popularly be described as a “scripted” presentation of traditional culture which can often lead to stereotyping an ethnic group. According to YKPO president Scott Magkachi Saboy, the statement followed a lecture-forum this month at the University of the Philippines Baguio in which anthropologist Analyn “Ikin” Salvador, a PhD candidate at the University of Oxford and an expert on Kalinga tattooing, critiqued the documentary in question.

The YKPO claims that Krutak misrepresented the Kalinga with the historical inaccuracies, mistranslations, and played up images in the film.

The group said, “What the Kalinga and other indigenous peoples need are not academics who are ready to sell out genuine scholarship for juicy media productions, but researchers who are solidly committed to a balanced and respectful presentation thereof; not tourism ventures that prioritize profit over cultural integrity, but programs that can aggressively showcase cultural treasures without bastardizing cultural heritage and jettisoning traditional value systems that still prove useful for indigenous peoples to navigate the waters of a global economy.”

The statement which was signed by all YKPO officers and the board of directors called for the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Kalinga officials to investigate the issue and to ensure that “appropriate measures be strengthened or put in place to guard [the Kalinga] from exploitation by both locals and foreigners.”

The Philippine episode of the Tattoo Hunter series saw its premier showing early this year and continues to be featured in the Discovery Channel and Living Asia Channel. [YKPO Release]

* Full Text of YoungKaPA/YKPO Statement HERE.

The concert, appropriately titled Y–Jaton Ji Umili (roughly, “a community offering”),  was held on March 06, 2010 at the new site of Le Fondue along Legarda Road. Starting at 7pm and lasting until  the wee hours of the next day, it saw the outpouring of support by over 300 individuals and groups composed of students, folk, rock and country singers, SWAT police officers, local officials, among others.

We the YoungKaPA officers and board of directors wish to thank the following for ensuring the success of the fund–raising activity:

Sponsors

[Note: VIP tickets were sold at PhP 1,000.00 each]

1. Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong (PhP 5,000.00 for printing of tickets, posters & tarps)

2. Le Fondue Legarda under Ms. Grace Mangune (venue, sound system)

3. BENECO Board of Directors (PhP 12,000.00)

3.1 Dir. Ferdy Bay–asen (PhP 3k)

3.2 Dir. Rocky Aliping (PhP 3k)

3.3 Dir. Benny Bomogao (PhP 1k)

3.4 Dir. Peter Busaing (PhP 1k)

3.5 Dir. Antero Buswilan, Jr. (PhP 1k)

3.6 Dir. Ed Dogui–is (PhP 1k)

3.7 Dir. Gaspar Leung (PhP 1k)

3.8 Dir. Joey Marrero (PhP 1k)

4.Engr. Gilbert Mangliwan (VIP TN 001)

5. Atty. Jose Molintas (VIP TN 002)

6. Dr. Joseph Delson (VIP TN 003)

7. Dr. Cheryl Taclawan (VIP TN 005)

8. Atty. George Dumawing, Jr. (VIP TN (007)

9. Engr. Junebert Gunaden (VIP TN 008)

10. Mr. Philip Guanzo (VIP TN 009)

11. Major Florante Camuyot (VIP TN 010)

12. Atty. Faustino Olowan (VIP TN 015)

13. Mayor Camilo Lammawin (VIP TN 020)

14. Congressman Mauricio Domogan (VIP TN 021,022)

16. Councilor Nicasio Aliping, Jr. (VIP TN 023)

17. Mr. Dwight Bello (VIP TN 024)

18. Atty. Macario Duguiang (VIP TN 026)

19. Vice Mayor Rainier Sarol (VIP TN 027)

20. Professor Ikin Salvador (VIP TN 028)

21. Mrs. Sonia Dao–as (VIP TN 029)

22. Atty. Arthur Herman (VIP TN 035)

23. Engr. Marty Manayos (VIP TN o36)

24. Atty. Richard Kilaan (VIP TN 0)

25. Board Member Eddie Amuasen (20 GA tickets, 1k)

Volunteer Performers/Singers/Bands

♥ Lin-awa Center for Culture and the Arts headed by Mrs. Lucia Ruiz

♥ Seldom Seen

♥ SPO1 Francis Pawe

♥PO 3 Lester Abag

♥PO 3 Juliet Basacoy

♥PO 3 Marissa Dirige

♥PO 3 Alvaro Perez

♥PO 1 Terencia Sofronio

♥ And to all others who bought tickets, prepared the venue, offered their cars for “public service,” did the leg work, etc. SALASALAMAT!!!

Discovery Channel has recently featured Kalinga in its “Tattoo Hunter” series hosted by American anthropologist Lars Krutak.  Having watched the television episode and interacted with UP Baguio anthropologist and Oxford scholar Analyn “Ikin” Salvador who critiqued the said television program, we hereby issue this statement.

Discovery Channel and Lars Krutak have done great disservice both to journalism and scholarship by grossly sensationalizing an aspect of Kalinga culture.  The “staged authenticity” so evident in “Tattoo Hunter: Philippines” was calculated to titillate a global audience hungry for the exotic in villages pictured as “far out from civilization.”

While Mr. Krutak’s efforts at understanding traditional culture is commendable, we do not believe that a foreigner who spends a few weeks in the Philippines “researching” for a reality show could truly and fully understand the intricacies of an indigenous society as the Kalinga.

What the Kalinga and other indigenous peoples need are not academics who are ready to sell out genuine scholarship for juicy media productions, but researchers who are solidly committed to professional ethics; not a sensationalized depiction of indigenous practices, but a balanced and respectful presentation thereof; not tourism ventures that prioritize profit over cultural integrity, but programs that can aggressively showcase cultural treasures without bastardizing cultural heritage and jettisoning traditional value systems that still prove useful for indigenous peoples to navigate the waters of a global economy.

While we deplore the sloppy scholarship in Lars Krutak’s “Tattoo Hunter: Philippines,” we also recognize the Kalinga people’s complicity in the skewing of our own image – from the local guides, (mis)translators and photographers to the rest of us who have had to wait for an adopted daughter of the Butbut people to critique Krutak’s production before becoming incensed at the exocitized presentation of Kalinga  culture.

We commend Analyn “Ikin” Salvador, a scholar who has done ethno-anthropological work in Kalinga for over a decade now, for refusing to be cajoled into participating in this kind of  multimedia production and for challenging Kalinga academics to re-turn their scholarly pursuits toward their  own indigenous roots.

We urge the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Kalinga Provincial Government to probe into the issue.  We hope that appropriate measures be strengthened or put in place to guard our people – especially our cultural masters – and our cultural heritage from exploitation by both locals and foreigners.

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Scott Magkachi Saboy                                   Bernadette Balway

President                                                        Vice President

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Poleen Carla Rosito                                      Roger Sa-ao

Secretary                                                        Treasurer

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Mae Rosito                                                     Reyneth Yag-ao Alsiyao

Business Manager                                         Auditor

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Jessie Maguiya                                               Atty. Christopher Donaal

Press Relations Officer                                 Legal Adviser

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Melchor Balawas                                           Marissa Dirige

Member, BoD                                                Member, BoD

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Anabelle Laron                                              Johnny Maymaya

Member, BoD                                                Member, BoD

(SGD)                                                              (SGD)

Annielyn Pucking                                          Lucia Ruiz

Member, BoD                                                 Member, BoD

The activity is part of the CAC’s annual “Summer Arts Extension Program.”  This  year’s workshops are scheduled on April 5 to 10 and include the following:

♦ For KIDDIES (7 to 11 years old)

♥ AM: Basic Drawing & Illustration, Crafts Workshop

♥ PM: Water–Based Painting, Basic Tie–Dye Painting

♦ For TEENS & ADULTS (12 up)

♥ AM: Basic Drawing & Illustration, Basic Sculpture

♥ PM: Basic Print–Making, Basic Oil Painting

♦ FILMS & SPEECH TRAINING

♥ AM: Scriptwriting for Film

♥ PM: Voice & Diction

WORKSHOP FEES: PhP 1,500.00 (on–site registration); 20% discount for UP Students, faculty, staff & Dependents; 20% discount for early registration (b4 start of scheduled workshop)…

UMALI KAYO!!!