Category Archives: Culture and Tradition

Baguio, History

Chi Balmaceda Gutierrez on the Uglification of Baguio

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Chi Balmaceda Gutierrez gives us some background on the “uglification” of Baguio. Chi has a blog here and a photo site here. Thanks Chi for sharing your thoughts on this issue.
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Chi Balmaceda Gutierrez:
When Steve Hamada coined the word ‘uglification’ for the Skylandnews — (which was popularized later by his cousin Jack Cariño, Skylandnews publisher, for the 2007 elections) — the term didn’t at all pertain to the congestion of Baguio per se.

What was being alluded to, first and foremost, was the proliferation of kitsch (objects/realities/ manifestations borne out of taste worse than “baduy.” Bad-uy, take note of the etymology. Ha-ha).

Precisely, both of them meant it as “the over-commercialization of every single square meter of land in the city.” (Go figure the implications, greed, even corruption…).

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Government, History, Ifugao, Politics

Outgoing Ifugao Governor Glenn Prudenciano Quotes Santayana

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Here’s a very interesting speech by outgoing Ifugao Governor Glenn Prudenciano sent to us by a tipster. It is a bit long but we hope you will still read it. In case you don’t have the time to read the whole speech, make sure you read the most interesting part [7th paragraph onwards or the part preceded by “arrows”], where the governor talks about Ifugao’s version of blood politics.

It’s not deadly like Abra’s version but it can be just as dangerous. We’re with the governor on this one. In this day and age, why is pure bloodedness an issue? [We’re sure though that this became an issue not only in Ifugao but in other provinces of the country as well with politicians claiming that they are the only true son of such and such a place.]

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Culture and Tradition

Obla: Margie Lumawan, Bible Translator (Part 3)

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Here’s the third and last part of our interview with Margie Lumawan (who goes home to Nansiakan in the above picture) about her work as a Bible translator. In case you haven’t read the earlier parts, you can read the first part here and the second part here. Thanks again Margie for this wonderful and enlightening interview.

Considering that you are also rooted in your indigenous culture, how does your work affect you as a Christian of indigenous background? Does it make you appreciate both your indigenousness and your faith? Or does it make you feel conflicted about some aspects of either your culture or your faith?
God and His Word is Supraculture. Christianity to me is not a religion (which is a system of beliefs, rituals and ideas designed to produce harmony with the divine in an effort to meet needs and gain favor) but a true Father and child, Boss and servant, Savior and saved, Friends-relationship with my Creator while culture is a means of survival.

For me, this puts everything in perspective — that I was created to give glory to my Creator. Therefore, every other thing in my culture that does not work towards this end is not worth keeping. As for my culture and indigenousness (as you call it), I can use them to worship this one true God by whose grace I have been counted worthy enough to die for, not of my own merit but of the act that His Son has accomplished for me. In more practical terms, now that my faith is in the finished work of Christ, I can now take what has been used ( e.g chants) to appease and manipulate the spirit world and turn it into a song in worship of my Creator/Savior, not to get Him to do my wishes and desires but to bring glory and thanksgiving to Him.

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Banaue, Culture and Tradition, Government, Ifugao

From the Rice Terraces to Policy Advocacy

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By Gina Dizon
KIANGAN, IFUGAO – Governor-elect Teddy Baguilat Jr lives and breathes home. Home is the rice producing province of Ifugao which boasts of its stairway terraces to the skies, the famous 8th wonder of the world. (Ed’s note: Officially, there’s no such thing as an 8th wonder of the world, see our earlier post here.)

Rice being the top product of the province, the young governor sees rice culture as a vital source of livelihood and a potential source of income to be developed too.

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Culture and Tradition

Obla Series: Margie Lumawan, Bible Translator (Part 2)

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Here’s Part 2 of our enlightening interview with Margie Abella Lumawan. You can read the first part of this interview here. [Above photo: Mother tongue translators during a workshop.]

Can you tell us about the organization/company that you are working for?
The Northern Philippine Mother Tongue Translators’ Association (NPMTTA) was incorported in April 2001. It’s goal is to produce quality Bible translation in all the languages that its members are translating into. It has 11 language team members: Kalanguya, Ibaloi, Central Ifugao (Amganad), Ayangan Ifugao, Bontoc, Barlig, Balangao, Paranan, Palanan Agta, Tuwali, and Keley-i. It partners with the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), Translators Association of the Phils (TAP), and Philippine Bible Society (PBS) to get the training that its members need to pursue excellence in Bible Translation and literacy.

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