The Gimata: A Traditional Transport Equipment by Igorots of the Cordillera Region

The "gimata" (Kankana-ey) is a traditional transport equipment in the Cordillera region. It's a wooden shoulder yoke with two large baskets attached on both ends. It's mostly used for transporting agricultural produce like rice, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. It's also often used in transporting meat during community events and rituals.

The wooden yoke is called an "assiw" or "aksiw". 

The "gimata" is still used today. Some farmers have become creative and made "gimatas" with end-baskets constructed from steel wires. These steel-wire "gimatas" can carry more load than the old "gimatas" made from wood, rattan, and bamboo. 

It takes a lot of practice to be able to carry a heavy load using the "gimata". Learning to balance the load is key. You also need to learn how to effectively transfer the yoke from one shoulder to another.

The Kankana-ey Word for Yero or Corrugated Iron

"Sisim" is the Kankana-ey word for corrugated iron. Yero in Filipino. I wonder where the word "sisim" originated (or how). This is a modern term, a newly-coined word because corrugated iron was introduced to the Philippines by the Spaniards. We didn't have a word for it pre-colonialism.

Nostalgia for Mt. Ugo in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet

Mt. Ugo in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. This grassy clearing serves as the campsite for overnight hikers. Hikers would pitch tents and spend the night here. They'd rise very early in the morning and wait for the sunrise.

However, not many hikers these days camp overnight in Mt. Ugo because the original trail has been significantly changed. 

Back in the day, we would often start the hike to Mt. Ugo in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. The long walk can take half a day or more to get to Domolpos, the sitio just below Mt. Ugo. Today, because of the new road, a vehicle can ferry hikers all the way to sitio Domolpos. From there, it will take about just an hour to get to the summit of Mt. Ugo. 

The descent from the Mt. Ugo summit to Tinongdan has also changed. Years ago, there was no road going up to sitio Lusod. Now, there's a wide road there. So the hike can be greatly shortened by having a vehicle pick up hikers in Lusod instead of the hikers walking all the way down the mountain. 

I am among the lucky ones who hiked Mt. Ugo at a time when it had pure trails going up and going down.

I DNFed M.L. Stedman's "The Light Between Oceans"

For every reader, there's always a particular genre that he never finds satisfaction in reading. In fact, he hates that genre. For me, that genre would be romance novels. I've tried countless times in the past to read romance novels. I never finish any of them. 

I tried again with this book by M.L. Stedman called "The Light Between Oceans". I've seen it being recommended by a lot of people. So I gave it a chance. 

Again, it's a DNF for me. I didn't even make it halfway through.

This genre is really not for me. 

*Oh wait, there's one book in this genre that I actually finished and liked in some way. "The Bridges of Madison County" by Robert James Waller. I liked this book. One reason is that it's probably because it's a thin book. You can read it in a single seating.

Modern Tinguian Woman Wearing a "Tinali"

The girl on the far left is wearing on her right arm a "tinali". This is a traditional arm ornament among women of the Itnegs/Tinguians in Abra. The "tinali" is composed of strings of colorful beads tied together to form a sleeve. 

I thought the "tinali" was only worn on the lower arm. But as the photo shows, it's also worn on the upper arm. I checked historical photos of Itneg/Tinguian people to verify and yes, the women indeed wore the "tinali" on the biceps as well.

📷 Photo by Elmer Tadeo

Traditional Backpack of the Igorots: Sangi, Pasiking

The traditional backpack of the north. There are various terms for it, the most common of which are "sangi" and "pasiking". Although it's woven using 100% plant materials (bamboo, rattan), this pack is very sturdy and can last for decades. Because of the pack's longevity, it can be passed on for multiple generations. 

Back in the day, it's the pack of choice for Igorot hunters and traders. It can withstand the elements such as rain and intense heat. Whether hunting for deer in the Cordillera mountains or travelling to the Ilocos lowlands to trade, the Igorots would often use these packs to carry their belongings and supplies.

Weaving a pasiking requires skill and patience. It can take days or even weeks to weave just one pack. Miniature versions of these packs are commonly sold as tourist souvenirs.

Comelec Should Also Be Held Accountable for the Anomalous Flood Control Projects

Comelec should also be held accountable for the corruption issues plaguing the country. Many of the congressmen tagged in the corruption issues are from party-lists. The party-list system was devised to supposedly represent "marginalized sectors". 

Ang nangyari, kung anu-anong party-list ang nagsulpotan. And the Comelec failed the nation when it comes to screening these party-lists.

Many party-lists seem to have been created solely to benefit their representatives and the businessmen who backed and financed their candidacy and campaigns.

The party-list system is a great idea on theory. And there are party-lists out there that are really doing great work for the Filipino people. 

Unfortunately, marami din umaabuso sa party-list system. They are using it to amass power and wealth.