Iraya Mangyans of Puerto Galera

When one major project ended in April this year, immediately the following day I found myself in Puerto Galera together with a deployment buddy whom I mapped Pangasinan with. On April 30 we stayed up late until midnight working on deliverables and the next day both of us are just happy to have delivered more than the minimum requirement so off we joined a 3D2N arnis training workshop in Puerto Galera, Mindoro. For the second time, I brought the four seasons tent with me on a trip.

It was my third time in Mindoro and my second visit this year, but after that I am sure I will go back there again since I have established friendship with many people from select towns in the island and am looking forward to meeting more friends there.

our tent

We set up our tents in Talipanan Beach in Puerto Galera. It takes at least 20 minutes of walking to get there from the main touristy beach by foot. That afternoon, my buddy and I just relaxed inside the treehouse while talking about the project, our hopes for it, and how our ideals led us to be heritage volunteers.

pretending to be a Watcher while looking far out in the sea for possible pirate attacks

The following day was the main highlight. We trekked to a falls and did some meditation there. The cool waters seemed like a cure to the summer heat. While waiting for food to be cooked, some of us slept inside s small cave near the falls. The awesome boodle fight lunch that followed was very much appreciated and I was happy that they accommodated my request for grilled squid. YUM!

Then we visited the Iraya Mangyan Community Village, a beneficiary of the Ayala Foundation. The Iraya Mangyans are excellent basket weavers and their works are being entered in the market by the Ayalas. The primary material used is dried nito grass. [In August I attended a weaving demonstration in National Museum and how I loved the smell of the lowly nito!]

nito baskets of various shapes and sizes and other crafts

That afternoon we finally engaged in the arnis training. We did some exercises and then the hands on practice fights which I love doing. The whole thing awakened the warrior in me whereas the the nighttime spent wading through the waters on a full moon reminded me of my role as priestess. At that point, as I was pondering on which road to take, I eventually decided to be a warrior-priestess. [Since I love watching wuxia and samurai films, I find fighting monks to be very cool because of their dual role as protector-defender and spiritual guide so I'd like to follow in their footsteps. :D]

 

Talipanan Beach at night

 On the third day, buddy and I had fun doing a continuation of our photoshoots from the previous days as we took advantage of the sunrise and early morning light which she calls magic light. By the time I got home, I already added another purpose in my life, to help protect our cultural heritage and to help support the local indigenous peoples.

A few weeks later, news of how the NCIP are betraying the indigenous peoples in various parts of the country are in the papers. It's a shame to learn that a government agency tasked to protect the IP's are instead making it easier for mining companies and other greedy corporations to take over the ancestral lands. Apparently this has been going on for many years now but lately the military has stepped in and based on the news articles I read, they even kill tribal leaders who oppose the landgrabbing activities.

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As the world faces climate change and other environmental issues which impact food production and cause sustainability problems, I believe that there is a need to go back to traditional knowledge and reestablish our ancient way of relating to Mother Nature. Western methods may seem superior on the surface but these will ultimately prove to be useless in the long run. I am hoping for a new consciousness to envelop the world, to make people realize their roots and to enable them to listen and uncover the hidden messages of Mother Nature.

Also, please buy local and help support the livelihood of the indigenous peoples, that their traditions and crafts and skills may live on.

Lingayen: Pangasinan Mapping Part 1

Last March, I was set to go to Laguna to map on my own because my buddy was too busy to accompany me and I was already worried I might not be able to meet the requirements and May was fast approaching. But during a meeting, a fellow volunteer whom I hardly talk to and who also had problems setting schedules with her buddy asked me if we could go map together instead. Since I also wanted to map Pangasinan mainly because it's a big province with many towns which means many churches, I happily said yes!

We had misadventures while in the bus terminal, being uninformed of the schedules. So we had to try the inconvenient way (i.e. lots of commutes instead of just one comfy bus ride). It doesn't help that the bus we took had very uncomfortable seats, you wouldn't be able to sleep a wink! So when we arrived at Lingayen, the first thing we did was check in at President Hotel then set out to map while it wasn't that hot yet.

Epiphany of Our Lord Parish Church, Lingayen

In the middle of mapping we stopped by for halo-halo break and because the small kiosk was strategically located under a comfy shade, both of us almost slept right then and there. When we couldn't take it anymore, we decided to go back to President Hotel for early lunch and it was funny how both of us fell asleep while in the dining room and the waiter had to call us and strike the porcelain bowls like gongs many times just to wake us up. Of course I was already in a bad mood then because I hate not getting much shut-eye.

We ate in silence and after that, headed to our room. I took my much-needed afternoon nap while my partner recharged her phones and was busy contacting the tourism officer assigned to help us out. At least I got some 30 minutes nap before we set out to map again. :)

The mapping activity bore fruits so I quickly forgot about the heat and how tired I am. We saw two Gabaldon buildings inside Pangasinan National High School!!! And how I love the arches!

One of the two Gabaldon buildings inside Pangasinan National High School

 Aside from heritage houses, we also found the ruins of an old colegio for girls. It is now enclosed in a private property but we were allowed to go check the ruins. Only the structural framework was left since the Dominican sisters ripped out materials from the edifice to construct a new school somewhere in San Manuel town.

ruins of the Colegio del Santissimo Rosario

Other heritage structures of note are of course the Municipal Hall which is the most beautiful of all that I've ever laid eyes on. Bonus is that people can go inside and be awed at how elegant the interiors are. Another good thing about Lingayen City is that you rarely see people smoke and the area is very clean. It doesn't feel like one is in the Philippines LOL! I wish all towns and cities will follow Lingayen's example.

interiors of the Municipal Hall

 We were also surprised to find an auditorium which is dubbed as "CCP of the North". I hope eventually they cultivate classical music or better yet, folk or local music. I would love to attend performances here one day.

Sison Auditorium

It was also my first time to go inside a prison house. It was an old structure and we were able to glimpse the life of prisoners there. At least they are being productive by engaging in craft-making activities which are sold as souvenirs. Bonus is that the main materials used are used plastic bottles.

At night, my buddy and I spent considerable time at the beach lying on the sands and just talking about different things. It's our getting-to-know-each-other moment and I was happy to find an old soul. I hope we get to be real friends for life. Except our bonding moment was ruined because mosquitoes were suddenly flocking towards us and at the end of the night I got a LOT of bites. Ugh!

beautiful sunrise at Lingayen beach

 The following day we rose up early to catch the sunrise at the beach. It was beautiful. Lingayen Beach is one of those underrated beaches.

sweets at Pasalubong Center

 Before we left Lingayen for another town, we stopped by the Pasalubong Center. I bought 3 bottled bangus and all of these were wonderfully made. They can even rival foreign brands!

bottled bangus

 Also it was a delight to see that Pangasinan boasts of many other crafts as well:

bamboo speakers

swords

bags

cleaning materials

 Let's buy LOCAL!

Next: Binmaley: Pangasinan Mapping Part 1