Friday, April 29, 2016

Report: Region 10 Northern Mindanao

REGION X. NORTHERN MINDANAO


Northern Mindanao (Filipino: Hilagang Kamindanawan, Cebuano: Amihang Mindanao) is an administrative region in the Philippines, designated as Region X. It comprises five provinces: Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao Del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental and two cities classified as highly urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao Island, and the island-province of Camiguin. The regional center is Cagayan de Oro. Lanao Del Norte was transferred to Northern Mindanao from Region XII (then called Central Mindanao) by virtue of Executive Order No. 36 in September 2001. 





Component Provinces
Bukidnon

  • Malaybalay 
  • Valencia

Camuguin

Lanao Del Norte

Misamis Oriental
   • El Salvador
   • Gingoog

Misamis Occidental
   • Oroqueta
   • Ozamiz
   • Tangub


Products
Palay production, root crops, banana, pineapple, lanzones, hogs, poultry,marine agriculture and their special product is Pinakurat, an old style of coconut vinegar with spices.







Native Delicacies

Kiping- Kiping is a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice dough and vividly dyed with food coloring. Kiping wafers are entirely edible and are usually deep fried in small pieces or cooked whole over charcoal



Pastel bun de Camuguin-   is a Filipino sweet filled bun originating in the province of Camiguin. The filling may consist of yemapurple yam,mochaleche flan,or makapuno, among others.





Places of Interest

Ma. Christina Falls




Tinago Falls





Musuan Peak



Mt. Kitanglad



Mt. Dulang dulang




Mt. Hibok-hibok



Mt. Malindang



Mt. Sumagaya




Mt. Balatukan




Camuguin Island





Literary Forms and Languages

Languages:
Cebuano; Tagalog; Ilonggo; Manobo; Maranao


Literary Forms
Riddles and Proverbs (Talinghaga)
Tab-uk (Women)
Ulaging
Kaliga
Manobo
Folk Songs

Myths, Legends, and Folktales in Region 10: Northern Mindanao

Region 10: Northern Mindanao  
Myths, Legends, and Folktales

Legends

The Legend of Tinago Falls

Legend has it that there once lived an influential and powerful Sultan Agok and his wife. They were appointed by their people as their king and queen. But they became too proud of themselves and became selfish rulers of their kingdom. When the sultan's wife was pregnant, an enchantress, disguised as a beggar, begged for their help but instead they exiled and rejected her. Because of this, the enchantress cursed the couple that the child will become ugly but they did not take it seriously and permanently banished the enchantress.

The child did become ugly. The couple was sad and disappointed, expecting the baby to be as lovely as her mother. They hid the child in a cave to avoid embarrassment and named the baby Tin-ag, which means "hidden face". They visited and took care of the baby in the cave.


When the child grew up, she came out of the cave and became amazed at what she saw. The enchantress, who cursed her parents, saw her and made an offer to transform her into something of great beauty and splendor. She accepted the offer and became the Tinago Falls.


The Battle at Tagoloan

It was a chilly night but Regino was sweating in his foxhole in the beach of Tagoloan, a town in northern Mindanao. It would be his first encounter against the formidable Japanese imperial army. He prayed the prayers that his grandfather taught him, as he pondered what would happen to his family if he dies or is captured. His unit was part of the Filipino-American forces, thinly stretched over a long coastline, tasked to defend northern Mindanao against the Japanese forces.

Weeks earlier, the American intelligence warned of an impending Japanese invasion of northern Mindanao. Anticipating a naval-led attack, the American army commander in Mindanao ordered the erection of barriers, during low tides, along a long coastline as far as possible seaward. Materials and time limited, they could only come up with a makeshift structure- barbwires stringed to wooden poles planted into the seabed. The commander just wanted to put up a good fight. He knew that their defense preparations could not stop a determined attack by the better-armed Japanese. 
Past midnight, the tide was peak high when Regino observed silhouettes of scores of warships, the invasion fleet. Then artillery bombardment started coming from the ships. Mercifully, they were off the mark though some landed just behind his foxhole. He tightened his grip around his machine gun, slid his finger into the trigger and waited. They have limited ammunition and were ordered not to fire back until the lead boats reach the barriers.

Regino saw the attack barges emerging in front of the ships. Artillery bombardment continued as the barges raced toward the beach. The Japanese invasion commander was probably surprised that there was no return fire from the American side; then was puzzled why the barges were stalled. The barriers held and the barges stopped moving forward. The defenders took advantage and rained fire on them, aiming at the unarmored sides. Regino fired his machine gun at will and was exhilarated at being able to fight an army known for its courage and many victories. The attackers must have suffered huge casualties as the barges turned back to the warships.

The defenders’ seeming triumph was short-lived. A second wave of barges returned. Regino saw divers latch chained hooks to the barbwires. Then the barges tugged them away, dismantling the impediment across his sector. Other units in the long defense line did not face an attack. The invaders concentrated on particular stretches intending to punch holes across the defense line. Regino’s section was one of those they selected to break through.
The barges speeded towards the beach and the defenders were fast running out of ammunition. Regino, had to regulate his machine gun fire in short bursts to conserve his remaining bullets. Four hours after the attack begun, the defenders ran out of ammunition.

As previously instructed, Regino removed the pin from his machine gun, abandoned his foxhole and proceeded to the rendezvous point. The attackers quickly established a beachhead. Some even shouted the Japanese war chant as they chased the retreating adversaries.
At the rendezvous point, the American commander advised the surviving combatants that they can choose to join the surrender to the Japanese forces or revert to civilian status and later join the guerilla movement. Regino and most of the Filipino soldiers opted for the later.


Regino changed to civilian clothes and visited the scene of battle the following day. He was promptly captured, made to help bury the dead, Japanese, American and Filipino, in a mass grave and was released by a dignified looking Japanese officer.

Myths

Evil Aswang

The myth of the inherently evil aswang, a ghoul characterized as a kind of vampire that hunts for young children, unborn fetuses or dying persons, is well known throughout the country,

September 2004, a 16-year-old boy in Tantangan, South Cotabato witnessed that his 14 year old brother was attacked by an aswang, which was disguised as a big black dog with red eyes. The two boys were sleeping in a small shack, guarding their farm ducks; all of a sudden they heard a squeaking sound outside the makeshift hut. The teenager said that a big black canine, about three feet-high, was about to bite the neck of his younger brother when the creature set its glowering eyes on him. The youngster grabbed his father's rifle and shot the beast, which fled in the darkest part of the rice field. The younger brother was accidentally hit in his right leg and brought to the local hospital. The description given by the bloke fits the physical appearance of a human flesh eating aswang, a supernatural being who has the ability to transform itself into different forms while devouring a prey.

Lambana or Diwata

Just short after reciting a prayer during a flag-raising ceremony in February 2009, about sixty students of a the Lun Padido National High School in Malapatan town in Sarangani province were believed to be bedeviled by an evil spirit, ordiwata, that guarded the trees in the compound. A diwata or lambana can bring fortune to those who look after its domain and will harm those who destroy it. After praying, the mostly female, students collapsed instantly. The principal of the school announced that the students went berserk; exclaiming hardly understandable words and about a dozen pupils were acting unnaturalPriests, teachers, pastors and parents prayed together for the recovery of the scholars. It is speculated that the students became haunted by vicious phantoms that were seemingly angered after cutting of bamboo and tamarind trees inside the school compound.




Folktales 

THE FLOOD STORY

Once upon a time, when the world was flat and there were no mountains, there lived two brothers, sons of Lumawig, the Great Spirit. The brothers were fond of hunting, and since no mountains had formed there was no good place to catch wild pig and deer, and the older brother said:
"Let us cause water to flow over all the world and cover it, and then mountains will rise up."  97
So they caused water to flow over all the earth, and when it was covered they took the head-basket  98 of the town and set it for a trap. The brothers were very much pleased when they went to look at their trap, for they had caught not only many wild pigs and deer but also many people.
Now Lumawig looked down from his place in the sky and saw that his sons had flooded the earth and that in all the world there was just one spot which was not covered. And he saw that all the people in the world had been drowned except one brother and sister who lived in Pokis.
Then Lumawig descended, and he called to the boy and girl, saying:
"Oh, you are still alive."
"Yes," answered the boy, "we are still alive, but we are very cold."
So Lumawig commanded his dog and deer to get fire  99 for the boy and girl. The dog and the deer swam quickly away, but though Lumawig waited a long time they did not return, and all the time the boy and girl were growing colder.
Finally Lumawig himself went after the dog and the deer, and when he reached them he said:
"Why are you so long in bringing the fire to Pokis? Get ready and come quickly while I watch you, for the boy and girl are very cold."
Then the dog and the deer took the fire and started to swim through the flood, but when they had gone only a little way the fire was put out.
Lumawig commanded them to get more fire and they did so, but they swam only a little way again when that of the deer went out, and that of the dog would have been extinguished also had not Lumawig gone quickly to him and taken it.
As soon as Lumawig reached Pokis he built a big fire which warmed the brother and sister; and the water evaporated so that the world was as it was before, except that now there were mountains. The brother and sister married and had children, and thus there came to be many people on the earth.


ILIN, The Rice Bird

One day when a mother was pounding out rice to cook for supper, her little girl ran up to her and cried:
"Oh, Mother, give me some of the raw rice to eat."
"No," said the mother, "it is not good for you to eat until it is cooked. Wait for supper."
But the little girl persisted until the mother, out of patience, cried:
"Be still. It is not good for you to talk so much!"
When she had finished pounding the rice, the woman poured it into a rice winnower and tossed it many times into the air. As soon as the chaff was removed she emptied the rice into her basket and covered it with the winnower. Then she took the jar upon her head, and started for the spring to get water.
Now the little girl was fond of going to the spring with her mother, for she loved to play in the cool water while her mother filled the jars. But this time she did not go, and as soon as the woman was out of sight, she ran to the basket of rice. She reached down to take a handful of the grain. The cover slipped so that she fell, and was covered up in the basket.
When the mother returned to the house, she heard a bird crying, "King, king, nik! nik! nik!" She listened carefully, and as the sound seemed to come from the basket, she removed the cover. To her surprise, out hopped a little brown rice bird, and as it flew away it kept calling back:
"Goodbye, Mother; goodbye, Mother. You would not give me any rice to eat."















Hi good evening ma'am. Okay na diay sya ma'am. Na retrieve na ma'am earlier this afternoon lang.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Family Traditions

My Aunt's, especially my Lola, were the kind of people who sets many traditions in our whole wide family. She always complains about how today's generation abducted such traditions. My Aunts's also are tradition keepers, they are the ones who followed our grandmother.

Family Traditions

1.) Fiestas
 Every April 4 and 5 of the year, our grandmother loved to cook for  our "handa". For her, fiestas should always be celebrated to pay respect for our patron. Our patron is Sr. San Vicente Ferrer at Piapi Beach, Dumagute City.

2.) Aguinaldo Mass
  The most awaited tradition in our family when December is approaching. Nothing is more-worth waking up at 3 am in the morning and experience straight 9 days of Aguinaldo Mass. Many have said that if you completed the 9 mornings, your one wish will be granted.

3.) Christmas 
Christmas is the best time for the whole family. It is truly the time to be jolly. As for our family, we believed that we should stay at home before 12 midnight so that our Christmas would be as merry as it is. We would eat together and do the annual Christmas party and exchanging gifts.

4.) Mananita or Birthday Serenade
Whenever someone at home is celebrating his/her birthday, we make it a point to stay up. We would woke up at 3 am in the morning and will cook "puto" and "tsokolate".  We would also add up a bouquet of flowers so that the celebrant would feel more special. 


5.) San Jose
This name may always represent a town or a place, but we call this as our tradtion. Also in March or April, aside from fiesta, we also celebrate our San Jose every year. This is an enactment of the Holy Family, baby Jesus, Mama Mary and Papa Joseph. Most likely with fiesta, we also cook and prepare dishes. The only difference is there is the so called, "Manalabtan", the ones who would sang a Latin and dialect songs about God. 

6.) Christening and Confirmation
Christening and confirmation is also a must tradition in our family, since we are pure Catholics  We always believe that babies are blessings so they should receive a "basbas" from our priests. When we grow up, we are intended to have a confirmation. It is still like baptizing but this time, priests are putting a cross sign on our forehead. I was confirmed last 2010.

7.) Marriage
We Catholics honors marriage. We believed that it should still be practiced nowadays, because couples now are used in "LIVE IN". We should at least be blessed by our church. We believed that if two couples lived in the same roof without marriage is useless. 

8.) Kamayan
We always love eat together with the whole family that's why recently, we discovered "Boodle Fight" and it became our family tradition every 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month.


These are all the traditions we have in our family. Our other members in the family maybe far from us, (went to abroad or seek for greener pasture anywhere in the country) but that doesn't mean we would forget all the traditions we had. Our traditions reminds us of our ancestors and where we come from.








Tuesday, April 26, 2016

I'm sorry ma'am if my post was late. My blog seems to hang all the time whenever I open it via cellphone,  and I was unable to edit inmediately.. So I went out looking for internet cafĂ© ma'am. Thank you.

Things to do and see in my Hometown- Kanlaon City

There are many things you can do in Kanlaon City. First, the rural scent of fresh air you will never get in urban areas. Kanlaon is one of the perfect place to unwind and free your mind from troublesome situations like stress. You will enjoy trekking into higher areas like, judt like our barangay, Mananawin, Masulog, located at the feet part of the mountain. Trekking more higher areas would need expert trekkers though. I, myself experienced planting grains and vegetables. The best asset in Kanlaon City is their vegetables which are indeed fresh and natural. They do not recommend using commercial fertilizers in their farm. Another thing is, you will experience to see fog or haze in your own bare eyes especially early in the morning. This place is like mini-Baguio City for its temperature  average is 25 degrees and it's truly awesome to experience it.

Here are some places that must be visited in Kanlaon City:
1. Whistka Tree- dubbed as the "Wonder Tree" bg the locals, this balete tree is the oldest recorded tree i ib ghe province and  possibly even in the country. It is believed that the tree is 1,238 years old. So old that that the tree was already standing long before the Philippines was discovered by Magellan.


We went here three years ago.

2. Sudlon Falls
Sudlon Waterfalls No. 1 - Located at the Northeastern portion of Mt. Kanlaon at Sitio Gaboc, Brgy.  Malaiba, approximately 6 km. from the city proper.  The cascading waterfall is 10 meters high; a fascinating nature's beauty characterized by the cool climate, healthful clear water, and lush vegetation of natural flowering plants abound. 

Nature lovers and the adventurous may be challenged to get in along the hills that keep this waterfalls inside in a serene but enchanting view to take refreshing dip just after a kilometer walk across winding footpath of hardwood trees and sounds of birds and insects.

Sudlon Falls
Sudlon Waterfalls No. 2 - Located at the Northeastern portion of Mt. Kanlaon at Sitio Gaboc, Brgy.  Malaiba, approximately 6 km. from the city proper, for hikers on 20 minutes walk from the nearest Brgy.  Road at Sitio Gaboc.  Blessed with the coolness of water cascading over solid rocks and falling 25 meters down the large pond ideal for swimming.  The area is filled with enchantment and tranquility alongside Sudlon Waterfalls No. 1 approximately 120 meters downstream, is challenging as it is kept inside two (2) verdant hills. 

Sudlon is a Visayan term that means to get inside.  The green lush vegetation abounding the surrounding rocks adds excitement to photographers of the eye-catching vistas of the falls as viewed from the two sides of the mountain where sunshine rays through woods.

3. Quipot Falls
Located just 5 kilometres from the Canlaon City proper, Quipot Falls is one of the tourist attractions in the city that has brought in many enthusiasts travelling from all parts of the country and the world. The waterfall is enveloped with tropical plants and trees that also provide a habitat for wildlife.




4.Mt. Kanlaon
 also spelled as Kanla-on or Canlaon, is an active volcano on Negros island in central Philippines. Thestratovolcano straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, approximately 30 km (19 mi) southeast ofBacolod, the capital and most populous city of Negros Occidental.
The volcano is a favorite spot for mountain climbers and is the centerpiece of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, a national park originally established on August 8, 1934.[1][2] It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines and part of the Pacific ring of fire.





Mt. Kanlaon Crater

6. Inland Resort
Inland Resort is the newest spot added to Kanlaon City's asset. It is located at 


7. Padudusan Natural Slide
The Natural Water Slide of Padudusan Falls in Brgy. Masulog, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Philippines


This first two photos were taken by me. The woman in the pic is my cousin Phelline. She was lucky enough to have a remembrance at padudusan falls.









And this is my hometown, Kanlaon City! 















References:
http://canlaoncity.gov.ph/listindex.asp?newsid=19&category=tourism&wfunc=viewarticle&rightpanel=yes&titlecap=Sudlon%20Falls
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=quipot+falls+canlaon+city&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVw5zW26zMAhWBLKYKHftsALkQ_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=624#imgrc=MPG4J3qV5xMUUM%3A

Monday, April 25, 2016

Legend of My Hometown- Kanlaon City



Moon Princess animation by Verbeley


There lived once upon a time, goes the first legend, Princess Laon whose rare beauty was admired and adored by princes and men of note far and wide. Kang, a handsome prince whose physical prowess gained respect of all natives came along. Now sooner, they met, and then love captivated both their hearts. Their love flourishes as Kang unveil his desire to marry Laon, her father steadfastly rejects Kang’s proposal.




    


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Kang knew that his and Laon’s father were bitter enemies. The two lovers elope but were captured and condemned to die in the wilderness. Years passed, the mound beneath in which Kang and Laon were buried together rose up into a mighty mountain belching forth smoke and fire as if in defiance. People then called this volcano Kanglaon or Kanlaon for euphony in memory of the two unfortunate lovers.




Legend of Mt. Kanlaon
 

 

In the days of yore, runs another legend, King Mamagtal the supreme ruler of Buglas (Negros) established his kingdom in Buglasan (Budlasan) not far from this place. He and his mighty hands worshipped a deity whose beauty and wisdom no mortal could equal. She had power over life and death. They called her Laon and the mountain they believed to be her abode was also called Kan-Laon or Kanlaon in her honor. Ka is the oldest visayan word for Kay, which means "for". Hence, Kanlaon or Kay Laon means "For Laon."

For now, Kanlaon City has been one of the most developed city in Negros Island Region. Recently, the Mt. Kanlaon had been active for few weeks but the residents are safe. They also have a new spotted resort now, aside from the Mt. Kanlaon itself and the Whistka Tree. 





References:
https://orwhatyouwill.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/blog-animated-romeo-and-juliet.jpg
http://www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/and-he-reigned-in-jerusalem-13795612
http://canlaoncity.gov.ph/listindex.aspnewsid=9&category=about&wfunc=viewarticle&rightpanel=yes&titlecap=Legend%20of%20Mt.%20Kanlaon
https://www.facebook.com/Canlaon-City-Negros-Oriental-Philippines-978622872149252/info?tab=page_info