While we are on the subject of Igorots in Candon, here’s a story about the three Igorot chieftains who once ruled the village. Incidentally, Candon is named after the kandong tree which once stood in the village’s center. (I can’t find a picture of a kandong tree but the one at right is a quandong tree which may or may not belong to the same family of trees as this legendary kandong tree.)
This village, so the legend runs, was ruled by the three local chieftains: Abay-a, Madalang, and Kalinio. Madalang chose as his abode the shade of this gargantuan tree together with his only daughter, the beautiful Ineng.
Bucay is the first capital town of Abra. It was chosen by Spanish authorities as the capital because of its then strategic location. The map above was drawn by Abra’s first governor, Don Ramón Tajonera. This was what the town was supposed to look like. But then the best laid schemes of mice and men often go astray. So Bucay never developed into what Tajonera wanted it to become.
This is the second installment of Michael Tan’s article. The first part is here.
* * * * * Natives (Part 2): Fortunately, there’s hope for bridging the divide between lowlanders and natives, with a new series of children’s books called “Batang Katutubo” (Indigenous Children). The series comes from Aklat Adarna, that great producer of children’s books headed by Virgilio and Emelina Almario. (Virgilio Almario is also known by his pen name Rio Alma and was recently designated a National Artist.)
Today is a Sunday so it’s time to get religious. Well, okay, we should be “religious” every day but…. Anyways, here’s a video (shortened version) on the legacy of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) in the Philippines. As stated in the video, the CICM focused its mission in Northern Luzon particularly the Cordilleras where it has done a lot of good work.
You can find more information about the CICM in the Philippines here.
VIDEO CREDIT: CICM Philippine Province and St. Louis University.
A news and information blog on the Igorots/iCordilleras