In Full Colors: Dinagyang 2015

Dinagyang is celebrated every third week of January in Iloilo City.  This is the time of the year when the streets are full with merry makers and the festive mood affects the locality.  Different participating tribes perform their choreographed moves and are dressed in array of wonderful colors. 

I will be back to blogging this year. Stay tuned.

 For the meantime, here are some of the pictures I have taken. 

A first of it this year...the Bilaan tribe from Mindanao grace Dinagyang.

In an array of colors.

Beads...lots of it.

This young women are truly beautiful.

One happy face.

Red is such a powerful color.

Young men from the Bilaan tribe.

Combination of colors.

Green, yellow, red and what have you.

The Sto. Nino decked in flowers.

This necklace is always seen during Dinagyang.

UPV Center for West Visayan Studies Call For Papers

   FOR MORE DETAILS:   Pls. call CWVS at 338-18-94.

Center for West Visayan Studies Welcomes Visitors to Its Open House

The Center for West Visayan Studies was created in 1975 as an answer to the concerted effort of preserving the rich historico-cultural legacy of Western Visayas. Back then, it was known as Visayan Studies program.  Through the years, it continues to engage in activities such as seminar-workshops, forums, trainings, exhibits and researches.  As a repository and propeller of knowledge in the region, CWVS remains to be one of the notable cultural institution in Region VI.

Last Feb. 13, 2014, the Center opened its doors to the public during its Open House. This is in celebration of the University of the Philippines College of Arts and Sciences Week. Let us take a look at the center.  Come and join me!

Panay Bukidnon indigenous people's traditional dress.

Hablon or Textile Museum

A doll featuring the panubok embroidery of the Panay Bukidnon.

Native baskets, turusan and kudkuran.

Takopis

Moving exhibit at CWVS.

Humay or Traditional Farming Museum

Panubok, traditional embroidery of Panay Bukidnons in Western Visayas.

Indigenous Peoples: The Tubungan Bukidnon Project

Accompanied by the tribal chieftain of another IP barangay, I set out at 6 a.m. As we walked the rugged terrain, I wonder as to how the people manage to face the difficulty of traversing mountains on foot for hours. We arrived at the community at 9:30 a.m. The area is very prone to landslide.They wake up at 12 to 2a.m. and walked at the  mountains if they want to catch the jeepney bound for town at 5 a.m. on the next barangay. 

As we were traveling a group of young IP kids passed by and when we asked them as to where they've come from, we were told that they were traveling home from school. One has to walked the path carved on the side of the mountains. One can ride a motorbike but it is very expensive and yes, very dangerous. Some areas couldn't be passed by two persons. It becomes more dangerous on rainy days as children walk their way to school.

They have a school in the community. I was later told by the head teacher that they are processing their papers so as to officially become an elementary school. Currently, they are in need of school supplies and books for children as reading materials. I am currently accepting donations of school supplies (bags, papers,erasers,crayons and notebooks) as well as slippers (for school age children 5-13 yrs.old). Donations of children's books are greatly appreciated. (Authored by Filipino authors if possible.)

These donations will be coursed through the local government of Tubungan to the tribal elder and head teacher in the community. It will be distributed to the IP area of Igpaho. At the end of the month, these donations will be distributed to the IP students).

I asked them if we're near enough.  "Not yet".  

As of this time, we've managed to secure enough donations for school supplies for the whole level from kindergarten to grade six.  The next leg would be to secure donations of slippers for the kids. I am very happy with the support for this project.   Thank you to the donors and to those who help in this endeavor.

Next in line, to organize an IP youth organization.

A Wedding

I'm on fieldwork on the mountains of Tubungan for a month now. Still on ethnographic and historical writing. The deadline for my manuscript is fast approaching.  This explains the "not being able to post in my blog" mode.   I'm writing like tomorrow is the end of the world. And I bet, maybe when the world ends I'm still on my table trying to figure out how to end the last chapter.  Last night,however, was a respite from my busy month.

I went out of my cave to attend the wedding of Dianne and Nonoy.  Both of them works for the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region VI and VII  where I also worked as a consultant historian. I haven't been to the office for some weeks now.  It was nice to see happy and familiar faces.  Here's some pictures of the days event.

Tita Josephine and I.....before the wedding rites.

A lovely afternoon, indeed.  

Atty. Cess and her better half. 

Here comes the bride.

Nonoy and Diane.

NCIP Director and his lovely wife. (Love that smile sir!)

Tita Josephine and her son.

Of Dating, Black Men and Asian Women

My ex-boyfriend is African. I’m Asian.

Since time immemorial, I’ve been known not to subscribe to things which I deemed harmful to my cultural sensitivity. I stand by my own convictions. I will argue and fight for it. There's virtue in traditions but there's also danger in zealousness.


I grew up in a society where being fair-skinned is generally cherished. Just take a look at the number of whitening soap advertisements on Philippine TV and newspapers. From skin bleach, facial wash, to whitening lotion and what have you. It gives you an idea.

One ad shows a young girl being compared to her fair-skinned sister. She was left to feel much less attractive because she’s darker. Just what type of values do we teach our children with this? Things get nasty when dark-skinned girls are being taunted for being dark. Too many times, I’ve seen some kids taunt their classmates because of one’s color.

Have we forgotten that some of our ancestors were not generally as fair-skinned like some of us these days?

I can vividly remember when someone told me at the university that if I married my ex, my kids would be ugly because they would be black. It's not even the features of one's face but the color that determines whether the person is ugly or beautiful?  This comes from someone who supposedly teaches at the university where the best and the most open-minded professors in the country liberally teach their students about cultural diversity and tolerance. I have to summon all angels to prevent myself from digging the person a lovely place six feet below the ground.

I’m beginning to think she’s a member of the Ku Klux Clan.

I was told that it was meant to be a joke but I was not laughing. I felt it to be discriminating.  I am wondering whether this is one of the sad legacies of our history of colonization. One of the effects of the so-called marriage of Maria Clara and Uncle Sam, all subsumed under the Philippine history of three centuries in a Spanish convent and fifty years in Hollywood.

Sure, I’ve heard bad stories and bad vibes about black men. I've experienced some not-so-good memories with one. But I’ve also heard the same stories on Filipino men, Korean men, Europeans, Americans, and what have you. If I were to make a generalization, fact is, there are good men and bad men, regardless of race and religion.

Men are such interesting creatures albeit complicated sometimes.If you want fair skin, well and good. If you love black, fine with me. If you like neon, I’m good at it, too. You like polka dots? Be my guest.  Beauty comes in different sizes, religion, nationality and color.

Thing is, whatever floats your boat.

I teach and love African history.  I love the African landscapes. I marvel at their struggles and triumphs.They mirror our own history of colonization. Their history is equally interesting and at times, heartbreaking. No need to be poetic but that’s the way I see it.

Black or white, or brown for that matter. Throw in some yellow if you want to.

Was it just a by-product of man’s curiosity? Anything that seems to be out of the ordinary or traditional is considered weird therefore it is a subject of curiosity and at times, prejudice?

Or is it?

I cannot count the stares I’ve received during those days when I was still out dating with my ex-boyfriend. We probably looked like milk and coffee. There should have been no issue on that. But I don’t think some people agree with me judging by the way they looked at us. Interracial dating and marriage is quite complicated for some. But there shouldn't be an issue to it.  It is something personal. (And I can hear some would say, what is personal is political and vice-versa.) 

Years later, I started going out again, not in a relationship but as friends. This time with a Sudanese guy.  We have the same level of interest when it comes to issues in the society and things that make us laugh.  He's educated, good-looking and very smart.But this time, I’ve heard a different type of question from people other than the usual one. "Why him? He's black.  You’re a Christian. He’s a Muslim."

Okay.

If my brain likes him and my heart loves and agrees to it, the die is cast.  After all, I believe that love knows no color, nor creed nor religion.   I have no qualms going out with someone who tickles the recesses of my brain as well as the left and right ventricles of my heart.   However, it only gets quite complicated when people begin to ask you questions. Why not American? Why not European? Why not Filipino? Why African?

And as always, my answer is simple.

Why not?

Kasadyahan 2013

Scenes around downtown last January 26, 2013. Without further much ado, allow me to post pictures. Just pictures.
 

Grilled pantat (catfish) and pork inasal.

Dried squid and grilled fish.

Japanese sweet corn.  

Colorful bags sold at Iznart Street.

Colorful masks for sale.

Love this.

Street foods.  Fish balls and kwek-kwek.

Sparkling trinkets for sale.

Henna tattoo, anyone?

I love this.

Contest for decorating slippers.

Chicken gizzards. Street food for adventurous eaters.

Old part of IloiloCity...

Happy faces.

Making use of indigenous materials.

Would want to buy them all and give them freedom.

I love to look at these sparkling bracelets and all.

Tubungan

Spent Christmas at the hospital again. I miss writing! I miss my magnifying glass and gloves. And yes, I miss research work. But I'm back. With a vengeance, in fact. I'm back to Tubungan. They wanted a coffee table book but I told them it is much better if they start first with the research and writing of their town's history.

After that, a coffee table book is a breeze.

During the meeting with Mayor Gargaritano Jr. and the town's historical committee, I suggested to them that we should provide and include a research and documentation on the presence of indigenous communities in Tubungan. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. The IPs can make use of the documentations if they intend to file their ancestral domain claim someday. This is relevant as I am also trying to take a grasp on the cultural governance of IPs in Panay. Took some pics for the day.

The first time I set my eyes on this, I knew I'm going to love the place.

I love old churches.

I hired a Research Assistant plus two documentors for field work and research. The town covers forty eight barangays and I want to at least get a feel of the communities. I love their town. The people are nice plus there are a lot falls in the area, mountains to climb and wonderful sights to experience. I love getting close to nature. I believe that there is something about the wilderness that attracts me.

.

According to the locals, this Calachuchi is 100 years old. (Will verify)

Ascending

I was particularly excited when I read some of the historical accounts during the Japanese occupation. Tubungan figured well in the local history of Iloilo particularly during the Spanish period and Japanese occupation. However,it's the same problem I encounter whenever local history is concerned. There is a need for proper documentation and research. And there is a wealth of information out there.

..................THE HISTORIC CHURCH OF TUBUNGAN.....

During the Spanish occupation, babaylans (shamans) coming from different places would gather in one of the mountains of Tubungan. This event occurs only once in seven years when they would come together for a communal offering where they are joined by more than a thousand people. This meeting of babaylans coincides with the Holy Week. On the first week of Feb., I'm off to the mountains to do some documentation of the place. I have interviewed some indigenous people (Bukidnon) living in the area and I found out some interesting things. Along with Nanay Agnes from NCIP, we met two Bukidnon tribal leaders last week and I'm all set to go to the IP communities this Feb. I may need to talk with Dr. Magos and Sir Catolin for some clarifications on the case of IPs in Tubungan.

.......IT'S PEACEFUL AROUND HERE.... ( To which I was always told and have read that one of the municipality's problem is insurgency...)

It's good I don't need to go through so much with professional photography anymore because they have available photographs taken for tourism purposes. I can make use of them I was told. So that settles it.I now reckon I also need to seriously invest in a good camera and take photography lessons and be a professional at it. I have my camera but it's only for documentation purposes. I'm more into research and writing than photography. I realized I can save a lot of money and energy if I do the writing and photography myself. But for now, it's just a thought. Haha. Though, I still think I need to hire a professional to take some of the pictures I needed for the research. Will look into that again maybe by Feb.

Tibud (It's quite hard to find this nowadays. It's being used to ferment vinegar the traditional way.)

I am excited as each day brings more heartwarming discoveries for me. It's an honor to bring light to a town's history and make the people proud of their heritage and culture.

The first food I ate on my first day of historical research @Tubungan.

Dinner after a long day at the field. (I'm not complaining though. I love this work.)