Per my pre-travel outfit plans, I was supposed to wear a tube top underneath the shawl. I imagined how cute the slightly peeking sweetheart-cut of the top will be. But this idea went to the backseat upon realizing that it was brrrrrrreally cold in the foothills of Bukidnon! When I showered the morning after our arrival, I immediately fished for this long-sleeved tan top for apparent reasons. However, I felt incomplete not to don anything red. It was just the eve of the tribe's big day, but I really felt compelled to match the elders' dominantly red clothes.
Out of curiosity, I slipped this shawl and the ethnic necklace on top of the long-sleeved blouse and posed in front of my newfound friends Kat and Lorie for comments. In spite of their nods of approval, I felt the shawl should go with something tight-fitting. But, heck, I decided to go with it.
When the temperature dropped even lower by nighttime, I opted to convert the shawl into a scarf. Believe me, it felt worse than what I had endured in Sagada! I had trouble falling asleep as I felt the chills penetrate my every core. But then again, I was far from prepared (i.e. except for one jacket, everything else is practically beachwear). Lesson learned!
Dinner time! Photo by Gerald Rago
***
We were lucky to have met Nanay Ipa. She treated us to a lengthy recollection of her life and experiences as a baylan and generous explanation to all queries that we have about their culture and tradition. I remember her say biblical passages like "Men can't live on bread alone" and wise reminders like "Sa langit, walang paligsahan" and that we must offer a prayer before taking any of God's creations for our nourishment. I felt my heart broke into pieces when she said angels play with our hair, hence we must not subject these sacred strands into damaging medicines or chemicals. She had this contagious smile that makes us all feel light and loved whenever she flashes a smile. I just sighed after recalling her sweet aura.
Nanay Ipa and her betel nut offerings
Gabfest with Nanay Ipa
We were part of history. Happening before us was the peace pact among tribe leaders in Mindanao who agreed to review the peace treaty with the Bangsamoro. Our brothers and sisters in Mindanao find it difficult to assert their own rights, particularly their territorial rights, as this treaty was made orally and passed likewise from elders to today's generation.
However, there's light at the end of the tunnel. In our conversation with Datu Anilaw, he mentioned of how a certain Cariño (if I remember correctly, movie star Robin Padilla's uncle) fought for his rights in Camp John Hay in Baguio that was sold to the Americans. He inherited such property from his ancestors and had no recollection of selling them to foreigners. He lost his case and appealed to the Supreme Court in the United States and was granted ownership due to its similarity to the case of American Indians.
In a nutshell, this peace talk roots from their burning desire to reverse historical injustice brought about by colonization and fight for authorship of our own development. And this matter concerns us all Filipinos, not just the non-Islamized indigenous people of Mindanao.
Photo by Lakapati.
The tribe leaders in attendance. Photo by Gerald Rago.
However, there's light at the end of the tunnel. In our conversation with Datu Anilaw, he mentioned of how a certain Cariño (if I remember correctly, movie star Robin Padilla's uncle) fought for his rights in Camp John Hay in Baguio that was sold to the Americans. He inherited such property from his ancestors and had no recollection of selling them to foreigners. He lost his case and appealed to the Supreme Court in the United States and was granted ownership due to its similarity to the case of American Indians.
In a nutshell, this peace talk roots from their burning desire to reverse historical injustice brought about by colonization and fight for authorship of our own development. And this matter concerns us all Filipinos, not just the non-Islamized indigenous people of Mindanao.
