Entering the Land of Headhunters

As am encoding this article, I am reminiscing our Development Communication (DevCom our major subject) way back college days.

Our Professor grouped us into two (The Aurora Province and Kalinga group). We were about  to tackle development in such remote areas and mingle with indigenous people.

We were seven in the group. I have a classmate (became my close friend)whose hometown is Tabuk, Kalinga. It would be easier for us to reach there with the help of my friend. We voted her as our leader, because she's familiar in that place. 

From Baguio to Tabuk took about 12hours. It's a long trip via land based riding passenger bus. In Philippine history Kalinga and Apayao is considered as one province. I am not elaborating how these two provinces gained independence. You might be confused regarding Kalinga Apayao. 

As we reached the hometown of one of my group mates, we rest for a day. Brainstorming how and what shall we do the following day. The day after, we packed our things going to Pinukpuk, Kalinga

http://wikimapia.org/3796305/Pinukpuk-Kalinga

It's full of hassle and at the same time I enjoyed our trip. It's a rocky long winding road. Drivers were so careful passing through that road because one mistake only your life will be in danger to  that steep ravine.

As we were traveling, we can see that this place needs improvement. No hospitals (unless you'll going to travel for how many hours to reach the main highway), less electrical post, few school buildings, and one church.

As we arrived in Pinukpuk, they welcomed us with open arms and wide smiles. We introduced ourselves as graduating students for handling this kind of assignment.

It took as five days exploring and interviewing people around. We also mingled with some of the indigenous people of Kalinga. 

We found out that Kalinga derived from Ibanag and Gaddang word means "highland/ headhunter". This indicates how people are wild and how they embrace cannibalism.

The elder whom we interviewed said, that it was long time ago since headhunting was stopped. For Igorots (people living in CAR Region such as in Kalinga) being a warrior, headhunting connotes bravery and heroic act. 

While all ears are listening, my eyes keep on moving and glancing to my group mates. Yes, at first we were scared. How would you be brave enough if you are entering a province of headhunters?

After that conversation, as we go home to rest, I and my group mates still discussing about headhunting. After that encounter, we visited near places and interact once again with the people living there.

Before our last day in Pinukpuk, the resident treat us a very decent meal. They cooked for us and really it's delicious. They prepared "Pinikpikan", another recipe aside from "TINOLA, ADOBO, etc. 

Pinikpikan, is prepared by beating a live chicken with stick prior to cooking.  The usual butchering of chicken is,  we're going to cut the neck and let the chicken bleed.

But in preparing "Pinikpikan" the beating bruises the chicken bringing blood to its surface which is said to improve flavor and palatability after cooking.

I am so amazed how they do that. And the taste is real good enough beyond satisfaction.

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 Some photos attached from the page of Baguio City and Kalinga province.

Upon downloading these photos, I wasn't able to share our own photos during our DevComm days in Kalinga.

It was seven years ago since we stepped in the province of Kalinga. It was memorable interaction among the  Igorots residing there. 

Maybe the Town and "Barangay" we visited way back seven years, was now an improved and developed place to dwell for the next generation.

Miracle after road mishap

I was on board in this passenger bus going to Ilocos Sur when all the passengers and bus drivers experienced an ill-fated journey. From the engine, Aircon Outlet, and the  unfortunate fall of one of the bus driver from top of the bus  (while fixing the Aircon System).

Flashback come rushing to my mind as I saw the driver accidentally fell from the ground.

When I was in my High School days, one fortune teller said, I was going to lose my life in an accident particularly road mishap. She never gave me an idea when and what shall I do to prevent this mishap to occur.

The first experienced was on 1999, San Vicente Naval Base. I was too grateful I was qualified to take the examination.

This financial assistance was granted to all Philippine Navy's sons/daughters who are entering College.

Fortunately, with my parent's support and God guidance I passed the qualifying test

The Philippine Navy Chief,  two other officers and the wife offered a free ride going home and they will just drop by in Cordon.  My parents were hesitant to the offer. Their reason was, we still have to buy some fresh seafoods. Still they insist and wanted to buy too. That's why six of us, a board a white van going home ( four of them going back to Manila).

Noon time after lunch, we bid goodbye to the rest of the Philippine Navy officers and to my dearest Father.

The officer asked where was the easiest route to take.  We took the exit way going to Mallig Region. It was a creepy road because you will see few built houses, surrounded by mountains, and rough roads. As we hit the main highway, still far distance houses and few vehicles passing by. It was nearly 5:30pm we were on our way to Enrile, Cagayan.

The van is inclining, the officer put up some speed. We were following another vehicle ahead of us. He never honked. He overtook the vehicle in front of us. Unknowingly, as we were on our speed, there was an owner typed- jeepney inclining too.

At that point the officer divert our way and cut  to the other side. Unluckily, due to the speed  and immediate breaks the white van tumble down followed by us.

We were just rolling inside the van, the white van keep on tumbling down the road. We were shocked and our bones trembling to the incident. The position of the white van was in reverse. The wheels on top.

Fortunately, I, my mother, and the wife suffered slight scratches and tolerable bump on my head. While  the officers in front of us suffered slight bruised on their elbows and knees, and bump on their shoulders.

Thanks God we were alive!  The officers immediately relay the incident to their co-officers in San Vicente, Naval Base

When we successfully get out from the van, the officer talked to the driver of the owner typed-jeepney. Both of them settled the incident. (nothing happened to owner typed-jeepney)

We couldn't believe the distance where the accident happened and where the tumbled white van was.  Due to adrenaline rush and no other vehicles passing through that road to help us;  we helped each other to put the white van in a right  position it should be.

The officer said, luckily all the fresh seafoods inside the containers never dropped on us. The containers were sealed properly.

Secondly, no oil leaked.

Third, the head lights are still working. The one side-view mirror, though broken, still there's one  mirror left.

Fourth, the doors can still be close and open. Not the behind door where our stuffs were packed.

It was already dark as we drove away that accident prone road in Enrile, Cagayan.

As we entered the first town of Mallig Region, we sought help to those residence there. They were all alarmed what happened to us. One of the elders said, it was really an accident prone in that inclined road.

He said, "Sir, may kumukuha talaga doon, sana bumusina kayo." (Sir, there's really someone behind that road. You should honked your horn."

We asked for a string to put on the behind door so that it can be closed slightly. So that all our stuff behind will not be dropping down as we hit the road.

We were thankful and bid goodbye again to the residence there (I forgot the town already).

I was behind looking on our stuff and hoping it won't drop as I was checking the condition of the string attached to it.

We were so tired and starving and yet our hometown is still a long way to go. One of the officer suggested if we can dropped by to his cousin's hometown. We took another road going there to have some cup of coffee and light meal.

As we arrived there, the relatives of this officer flabbergasted in our sudden visit. After one hour of  chatting we hit the road again.

It was early dawn, we finally arrived in our hometown. My brothers and grandmother woke up to open the gate. They, too as well, couldn't believe that we survived in that accident.

The three officers and wife settled to sleep overnight at home after some cup of coffee and short conversation.

The following day, my father took an emergency leave to what happened to us.

As this press time, I'm still alive. Thanks God for giving us another chance to live.

MyMemoirs: Ill-fated journey to Ilocos Sur

MyMemoirs: Ill-fated journey to Ilocos Sur: I have this feeling of deja vu as we travel from Manila to Ilocos Region. October 30 @7:00pm- At the Florida bus terminal. I was the fir...

Ill-fated journey to Ilocos Sur

I have this feeling of deja vu as we travel from Manila to Ilocos Region.

October 30
@7:00pm- At the Florida bus terminal. I was the first who arrived in our meeting place.

@9:00pm- My friend with her Fiance, and Fiance's parents finally arrived. I told them the bus will leave soon.
I ask my friend if we can take the 9:30 trip. She asked me, if there are still available seats. I replied with a "Yes".

Obviously, there are still seats available. I asked the driver and conductor if we can take the available slots. They keep on saying "Aguray bassit" (wait for awhile).

I was so irritated, we were there, waiting but they never entertained us properly.

Nearly 9:30pm- A passenger newly arrived and asked for available slot. The driver suddenly said, "Wen, adda pay" (Yes, there are). Then the driver assisted the passenger where she would be seated.

I looked back to my friend. I immediately go up and check if there are still slots for us. I was so hot-tempered with the actuation of the driver and the conductor. Right there and then, I burst out my anger. 

I told them "Kuya kanina pa kami dito nghihintay. Di mo kami pinapancin? Sabi mo "Aguray". Tagal namin naghintay." 

"Tapos dumating lang 'yung bagong pasahero, in-entertain mo, at sinabing my available pa?" 

(Kuya, we've been waiting here for so long, you never pay attention? You said wait. You keep us wait too long. Then a newly arrived passenger without reservation you entertained and gave her one available seat?)

The driver suddenly replied,  "Mano kayo, Pagbabaan yo?" (How many are you? Where you're going to)

I and my friend in unison answered, "Five"

My friend said,  "Sta Maria"

I looked at the facial expression of the driver. He grimaced.

I stared at my friend with a raised eye-brow. She just winced.

Right there and then, the conductor assisted us with the slots remaining.

I asked my friend if she saw the expression of the driver. We shared opinions about his actuation.

What we concluded was, the bus is bound to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte whereas, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.

All of their passengers bound to Ilocos Norte. So the fare is higher than ours. Why would he react that way?  

If he will not permit us, he will miss five times Php485. Compare to the one passenger bound to Ilocos Norte.  Much higher than the one passenger only.

It was settled already. So we comfortably sit and lay our back at the backrest.

Problems encountered this time

@10:00pm- the bus stopped waiting for something and someone. (One of the passenger with a child with her reacted. She said, "We took so long in the terminal, why this matter suddenly came out?")

@11:00pm- while at the expressway, distance after the toll-gate, the bus stopped again. I and my friend came down from a passenger bus. What we heard was, engine problem. 

MMDA and tollgate officers assisted the bus to park properly on the road. It took us more than thirty-minutes waiting as they check the engine behind.

@12midnight- we're passing along the town of Pampang when a problem rose again. Condensed water leaking from the aircon outlet.

It didn't stop the dripping there . Suddenly, cold water poured over the center aisle. The passengers near the  center outlet were affected.  Shoes and socks were wet. Their clothes were slightly wet.

Around 1am- we finally arrived at the bus stop over. The other bus driver climb at the top of the bus to fix the aircon and the hose connecting into it.
The conductor and the other driver check the hose below the compartment. They noticed it was twisted, that's why the condensed water didn't flow freely onto the ground.

The passengers wondering why problems rose this time. The conductor answered, it was newly bought and arrived that day. The passenger bus didn't undergo road test. We were the first passengers of this new bus!

I, my friend and the other passenger were in the mid of our conversation when the other driver tried to descend after fixing the aircon leak. The three of us, looked upon him as he tried to position himself going down.

Unfortunately, he fell down. First, his back was hurt, followed by his buttocks and arms. The three of us were immobilized. The other driver and conductor fixing the hose in the compartment.

Come to think of it, we were just few distance away from him. If the guy between I and my friend, whom we were talking with, helped the driver, no accident occurred. Maybe, it was bound to happened. 

Immediately the guy  assisted the injured driver to stand-up. After the incident all of us panic already. 

The other driver without enough sleep will take over. The injured driver's arms starting to swell. He could hardly move his upper body. 

We stop over near the hospital in Villasis, Pangasinan to give immediate medication and treatment to the injured driver.

Ocober 31 at seven in the morning, we finally arrived in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur safe and intact.

We do believe in this belief. Everything which is new like cars, trucks and other vehicles without road tests and blessings, a mishap or misfortunes occurred.