Mt. Napulauan in Hungduan, Ifugao

This is Mt. Napulauan (also spelled Napulawan) in Hungduan, Ifugao. With an elevation of at least 2,600 meters above sea level, it's one of the highest mountain peaks in the country. There are a number of trails that lead to the summit but most climbers start at the jump-off point in barangay Poblacion and exit in Hapao the next day (for overnight hikers).

Known for its steep and leech-infested trails, reaching the summit can be a challenge. It's double the challenge during a downpour.

Leeches and challenging trails aside, the mountain rewards climbers with mossy forests, beautiful trails, and a sea of clouds (if you're lucky). 

#hungduan #ifugao #cordillera 

📸 Jordan Mendoza

An Ifugao Mother and Child in the Pages of the National Geographic Magazine in 1917

This photo of an unidentified Ifugao mother and her child appeared in the pages of the National Geographic magazine in June, 1917. The photo was taken by the American explorer, writer, and photographer Harriet Chalmers Adams in 1913 during her travels in Asia.

The photo was part of a photo-essay titled "Madonnas of Many Lands" which featured matriarchal figures from around the world. 

The photo of the Ifugao mother and child was accompanied by the following caption: 

[𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.]

MOTHERHOOD IN THE PHILIPPINES

He doesn't know that, after his mother, Uncle Sam is his best friend. Had he belonged to an earlier generation his childhood would have been spent at work in the fields until he was old enough to join father in head-hunting. Under American direction, the future probably holds for him an education and a respectable career as a farmer or as a member of the native police. At present he is just a healthy little Ifugao; mother's back is a warm and comfortable reality—and “Who is Uncle Sam, anyway?”

[𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.]

This woman and her child would be among the first Ifugaos/Igorots to appear im the pages of the esteemed magazine. 

Note 1: The photo in this Facebook post is not from the 1917 issue of the National Geographic where it originally appeared. It's from a compilation book celebrating the magazine's 125-year history.

Note 2: Small coin placed to cover a sensitive part of the woman on the book to avoid flagging or deletion of this post by Facebook. As much as I want to show Igorot history as is, we have to play by the rules of the platform we use in these instances.

Itogonians Opposing Large-Scale Mining Expansion in Dalicno, Itogon

Itogonians opposing the expansion of large-scale mining in Dalicno participated in the protest/program in Baguio City on Bonifacio Day, November 30. Here are some of them on stage presenting their cause during the program proper. 

The DASSMA on the sign is an acronym for Dalicno Small-Scale Mining Association. 

The smaller sign behind the group says "No to APSA 103". They are calling for the rejection of the Application for Production Sharing Agreement (APSA) 103. This is an agreement between the government and the mining firm Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI). 

Those opposing the agreement claim that the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process wasn't properly conducted and that the expansion of large-scale mining in the area will affect water sources and ancestral lands.

#dalicno #virac #itogon #benguet

Madi Mi Ti Minas, Period!

This placard was held by a woman at the protest in Baguio City on Bonifacio Day, November 30. Among those who joined the protest were people from Itogon who are against large-scale mining in the town. 

"𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘪 𝘮𝘪 𝘵𝘪 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘴! 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥!" says the sign. These were also the words of Satur Anton, the barangay captain of Bulalacao in Mankayan, when interviewed about mining companies entering their agricultural lands. People in Bulalacao and Guinaoang who are against mining have been maintaining a barricade there  to prevent the entry of a mining company.

Artists Fight Back!

"Artists and scientists are activists. They look at the world as changeable and they look upon themselves as instruments for change. They understand that the slice of world they occupy is only a fragment but that the fragment is intrinsically connected to the whole. They know that action matters."

- Anne Bogart; 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺: 𝘌𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘵, 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼: A protester at an anti-corruption program in Baguio City on Bonifacio Day, November 30. Bandanna says "𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬!"

Anti-Corruption Protest in Baguio City on Bonifacio Day

In commemoration of Bonifacio Day and in solidarity with mass protests happening nationwide, an anti-corruption protest was held today, November 30, in Baguio City.

Groups, organizations, and concerned citizens marched from the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center to the Juan Luna Drive in Burnham Park where a program was held. Speakers from various sectors took to the stage to speak out against the social ills plaguing the country.

It was a peaceful march/program participated in by students, artists, activists, writers, community leaders, market vendors, jeepney drivers, teachers, religious leaders, and anti-corruption advocates. 

This event is the latest in a series of protests held in Baguio City and Benguet within the last three months.

Kalinga Culture-Bearer Alonzo Saclag Sr. Passes Away

This is Alonzo Saclag Sr., a culture-bearer from Kalinga. He passed away today as confirmed by family members and reports from the Lubuagan LGU and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). 

Saclag dedicated much of his life to learning, preserving, and teaching the music and dances of Kalinga not only to younger generations of Kalingas but to non-Kalingas as well. He was the founder of the Kalinga Budong Dance Troupe.

For his work, Saclag was conferred the Manlilikha ng Bayan in 2000. He's one of only three Cordillerans who were given the award.