Guimaras is a part of the Iloilo Province until May 22, 1992 when it proclaimed its autonomy by virtue of R.A. 7160.


Its original name was Himal-us after the folktale of the lovers named Princess Guima and the slave Aras, who defied tradition for their romance. This island is full of splendid white sand beaches and island coves and touted as the "Next Boracay". (Bubble thought: I know Bora is famous world wide for its fine white sand beaches but due to no proper planning,unregulated massive construction of business establishments in the area, the place is threatened of siltation, loss of white sands and drainage problem. So I hope Guimaras will NOT BE THE NEXT BORACAY. IT SHOULD LEARN FROM ITS EXPERIENCE noh?)

It is a 20-minute boat ride from Fort San Pedro, Iloilo. The fort was built by the Spaniards in 1616 to defend Iloilo from the Dutch, English and pirates of Mindanao.


Guimaras Island, is known for its “sweetest mangoes” and it has around 8,000 hectares of mango orchards. The National Mango Research Institute is located in Jordan. According to the guide, the mango variety here was even certified as pest-free by the US Department of Agriculture.


To protect their mangoes, they even prohibited the entry (and maybe going out?) of their mango varieties. Oro Verde Mango Plantation in Jordan and Nueva Valencia has around 18,000 hectares.


Guimaras prides itself with unspoilt beaches. The beaches along Sitio Alubihod, Nueva Valencia is a popular destination. The white sand and clean water is ideal for the beach bums like me! You can also enjoy island/islets hopping for P400 (good for 6 persons) and P150 for extra hour thereof. You can visit Isla Naburot, Sta Maria and other islets.



Never miss the oldest existing Roman Catholic Church in Navalas, Buenavista. It was built in 1880-1885. According to legends, there was a bell, more than four feet feet but it was said to be carted away and dumped into the sea by raiders from Mindanao.



To feel rich, powerful and an overseer of the island, go to Roca Encantada. The summer house owned by the Lopezes was built on 1910 on a huge rock. It was declared as a Heritage House by the National Historical Institute on 2002. It was captivating yet gives you an eerie feeling. Never forget to ask permission from the spirits of the Lopez ancestors! hehe


Guimaras beaches are secluded and solemn, can really rest the weary soul. Take the plunge in one of its beaches. To tour and know more more of the island, you can visit http://exploreguimaras.blogspot.com/.

Guimaras brings out the Summer Goddess in me! haha (parang plug lang sa commercial eh. :))


till the next trip. :))

“Ang kwarta sa Iloilo ginapiko ginapala!”

This is the usual jocular way of describing Ilonggos. Ilonggos has dominated some areas here in Mindanao due to the National Settlement program during former President Carlos P. Garcia's administration. Among those who came in droves were my maternal grandparents. My Lola Luz came from Sta. Barbara while my Lolo Ciano hails from Barotac Nuevo.

I grew up with my Lola (Lolo passed away a year before I was born). I grew up with her stories of aswang, tikbalang, Tinyente Gimo and the richness of the place. I wanted to explore that part of our identity; the proud and feisty Ilonggo blood running on our veins. Although I studied Grade I there, I could no longer remember what the place has been like. It has been 14 long years.


As early as February, I already booked my flight (Thank you Lance Gokongwei!). Iloilo is formerly known as Irong-irong (because of its nose-shaped perhaps?).According to the Maragtas legend, one of the datu, Datu Paiuburong was given the Irong-irong territory. This is land with a proud colonial past and it is one of the oldest cities in the country. A place full of historical landmarks. When I saw the pictures of old churches taken by fellow Ilonggo Kuya Kitoy Bacongco, I was seized with nostalgia. I envy the sweet slowness of ancient cultures. For instance, Egyptian and that of Greek culture lasted with several thousand years. Life it seems first imitates slowness then gradually accelerates more and more. And we are now quite taking so much for this swiftness of changes and losing also much. (Preservation of artifacts came too late. Most have been destroyed).



When the plane touched my grandparent’s homeland, my stomach was already grumbling. The memories of La Paz batchoy made me drool. My aunt brought me to Deco’s Original Lapaz Batchoy (Iloilo’s oldest since 1938). Batchoy is a soup slivers of pork, innards, miki (egg noodles) and sprinkled with chicharon (crushed crisp pork rind) on top. It’s best partnered with pandesal de pa-a. Never miss Pancit Molo a dumpling soup that originated in Molo (the Chinese district in the city’s early history). For uga (dried fish), pinakas (split dried fish) and pusit (dried squid), Estancia is the place to be.Guinamos (shrimp paste) is also a popular condiment mixed with kalamansi and/or sinamak (vinegar with garlic, ginger, siling labuyo/ local chili). It is good sauce for eating sinugba (grilled) fish. Nomnomnomnom! Tambo (bamboo shoots) with coconut milk and spinach is also an Ilngoo delicacy. Add it up with crabs and you're up for a gastronomic experience! My aunt also cooked santol scraped, dried and cooked with coconut milk, hipon and chili. Tasty appetizer. (With these foods, it's no wonder why I gained another 2kilos! Hahahaha!)

Always ensure your stomach is full before starting your adventure!

First stop is the Provincial tourism office (they will give you a map, list of travel agencies, tips on going around the city).

Just beside it is the repository of rich history of the place, the Museo Iloilo. Entrace fee for students is P15, while working adults fee is P25.00.

Then walk around CALLE REAL, the city center. Old buildings with Art Deco design abound- Buildings converted to shops and commercial center. According to the local Tourism office, shops along J.M. Basa and Iznart Streets where Dr. Jose Rizal bought a hat in 1896 on his way to Manila coming from his exile in Dapitan.
Maybe that was the hat he used during his execution. Hhmm..Maybe I should ask historian Dr. Ambeth Ocampo on this. :)

Take the local jeepney for full adventure. I love hearing them talking in Hiligaynon. gabawod-bawod gid ya! Pleasant to the ears and there are many words I haven’t heard for so long.


Honey, my cousin and playmate before asked me.
“Ti sin-o imao mo? ” I didn’t understand her. She has to asked again. “Sin-o upod mo ba?” (We usually use Upod instead of imao which means company).
Ido instead of ayam (which means dog); utod instead of bugto (which means siblings). The evolution of language is quite interesting. (Which makes me miss my Language teacher, Ma'am Mau Saclot!)



As advised by the Tourism office, first stop would be the Sta. Isabel Ungria Cathedral, better known as Jaro Cathedral. It was completed in 1874.

The santos (sculpted figurines of Catholic saints) that line up its massive columns are all males. Historical tidbit: The propagandist Graciano Lopez-Jaena was baptized here. And a park in front of the cathedral is also named on his honor. In front is the big statue of Nuestra Senora are big candles with prayer lists. I prayed for my cousin Angel in all of the churches for her nursing exam. She wanted to be the topnotcher. haha!

Moi and my one day date/suitor. Late summer fling?! haha!


Heritage mansions are also around the area. Some are already abandoned, others are converted into antique shops or were left with the caretakers.



Then I went to the so called “Athens of the Philippines”. Known for its Neo-Gothic style, the Sta. Ana Church, aka Molo Church stands tall in grandeur in front of the town’s plaza. It was built in 1831 and served as evacuation center during World War II.



While the santos in Jaro Cathedral are all males, here all you see is female saints lining the columns. Oh, before leaving the church, never forget to try also the hot freshly-cooked bibingka at the plaza! :)

I haven’t able to stop at Miag-ao Church(one of the UNESCO’s Heritage Site) and other churches (San Jose, Church at Leganes, among others) but one of the things you’ll observe is the lavishness of the structures and the design inside! This is perhaps, one of the ways how Catholic Ilonggos “brag”- bragging their spirituality and finding solitude in the lavish church interiors and preserving the landmark that witnessed its growth.


For the Baptists, do not fret. In fact, the Jaro Evangelical Church is the 1st Baptist Church in the Philippines! (It's just near Jaro Cathderal).




My trip would not be complete without meeting the relatives. Nanay Vergel and Tatay Pardo were my foster parents when I stayed for more than a year here, when I was still 6 years old.
“Buhay run! (All grown-up!) Kag gwapa!(and beautiful)" they both remarked. Abaw! paryente ta gid kamo. hahaha

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

Guinacas, Potatan. This is the place where I learned how to read the time (I was blackmailed that I can't watch Cinderella if I won't learn reading minutes and hours.That was a good motivation, I think. hehe); how to cook leche flan (I remembered Manang Anna Lissa telling me to get Lola Maring’s Alpine milk), and most of all, how to love reading! Manang Anna Lisa’s pocketbook collection and Archie Comics, I'd like to think improved my reading habits. I first learned how to read Helen Merez love stories than the usual yellow abakada. hehe. I remembered the Yellow Sweet Corn and kikay hair clips and ponytail pasalubongs of Ate Paypay. These are the elder sisters I have grew up with who influenced me in more ways than I can enumerate here. THANK YOU SO MUCH for making me a part of your family, making me feel the bunso! :))



And the most hilarious memory? I am a truant. I skipped school in the afternoon because I am afraid of the big mango tree on our way to the school! No.I fear the pink pig with high heels holding an umbrella living in the mango tree! Children in the neighborhood said if you're alone, this pink pig abducts children! (hahahahaaha!) So I end up lying (faking illnesses sometimes) or being TOO late since I have to wait for someone to come along. I laughed at this memory. Creative childish imagination weaved out of proportion from superstition of elemental beings I used to hear as bedtime (or brown-out nights) stories.


One thing with Ilonggos is, they act as if everybody knows everyone. You will usually hear from the elders:

“Kilala mo si Toto? Tong nanay niya si Inday Buka nga bata ni Nay Atro tong halin bala sa Leganes nga may mga anak na diri sa Pavia. Nga iyang mga bugto sila Ita, Nene Dalia”..and the list goes on, connecting someone with his/her siblings, parents' name, place of origin, where they are now located all in one sentence! That’s the way of remembering a person and introducing him/her. This puts importance to the family background of a person. And Ilonggos usually call the children Nene or Toto! :))

“Maayo nang mahibal-an kay basin malahian buang! (Better to know the background and we might be mixed with crazy genes) ” my Lola Luz once remarked when I asked her why Ilonggos insist in interrogating a guy’s background immediately when wooing a girl.


Aside from the strong memory of familial ties, women are also lovers of color textiles. The place is known for its Patadyong and hablon. One should go to Oton and Miag-ao but since it was raining heavily a day before my flight to Davao, we (my aunt and I just look around at the textile shops around Calle Real.

For the pasalubongs, you can buy biscocho (butter toast with sugar) from variety of choices- Wewin’s, Old Biscocho House and Merci’s. But I recommend Merci’s since they give 10% discount to travelers. Just present your ticket and ID.

Traveling to Iloilo is not complete also without going to its sister province- Guimaras. (Next on my blog.)

Memories are fragile. But when you start to take the path where you used to trudge, memories are like winds blowing endlessly; time carrying the names and deeds of yesterdays.

I am glad I came back. I am glad to renew the family ties.

In a complex, mobile society like ours, life's tapestry gets shredded. The continuity of our lives is ripped by transience and fragmentation. Community is fragile, torn, scattered. Our need to examine and to share our stories is vital--for our own mental health, for our relationships and our cohesiveness in community, and for the good of a future that can learn from our past."
Dolly Berthelot www.mineyourmemories.com

Bugal ko nga ako Ilonggo. Wala na ya tikal! "_"


---

♫ ♪Ika’y paru-parong nangahas lumipad
Sa dilim ng gabi pilit na umalpas
Pagkat hanap mo’y ningning at laya ng bukas
Sa aking mundo’y napadpad♫ ♪

Ilang beses na kitang nakita. Sa daan, sa rally, at ilang eskinita. Nakita kitang nakataas ang iyong kamao, nagsasalita sa megaphone.Humihimok sa mga mangagawang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan.
Nagkasama na rin tayo sa pagkilos na nawagan sa isang klaro at maayos na pamamahala (transparent governance), para sa pagsasabatas nang mabilis na pagbibigay ng dokumento sa publiko.

Ngunit hindi pa kita lubusang kilala. Akala ko isa ka lamang sa kabataaang nasa hanay.

♫ ♪Katulad ng iba ay nagmamahal din
Kahit malayo ay liliparin
Upang pag-ibig mo’y iparating
Sa rosas ng iyong paningin♫ ♪

Tatahakin mo sana ang landas tungo kabanalan. Ngunit mas pinili mo ang "mas malawak na pakikipagtunggali at pakikibaka ng masang sawi". Ayaw mong tawaging Father. 'Mas komportable ako sa pag-oorganisa. Sa pagpapaintindi nang nakakarami." Kung magsalita ka parang antanda mo na. Akala ko isa ka sa estudyante. Natawa na lang ako nang malamang magkaedad lang pala tayo.

Mas nakilala kita nung nagkasabay sa isang pagsasanay.Ibang klase rin ang istilo mo ng 'pagkilala sa isang dalaga'. :) At nag-umpisa ang di matapus-tapos na pagpapalitan ng mensahe. Na aasundan ng lingo-linggong pagtambay.

"Gusto kita." sabi mo minsang isang gabing maliwanag ang buwan. "Hindi ko pa ito naramdaman kahit kanino. Pasensiya ka na hindi ako marunong manligaw. Kahit nga sa pagtetext hindi pa akon kasanay."

Isang halik. Pagdadampi ng labing imbes na magpapatibay ng nararamdaman ay naging sanhi ng pagkalito.

Magkasundo naman tayo sa iba’t ibang panlipunang usapin. Klaro ka kung mag-isip. Ngunit ng ika’y tanungin “Gusto mo ako. Ano ngayon ang gusto mong mangyari?”

Ikaw ay nasamid. Mas mahirap pala tahakin ang landas ng pag-ibig. Mas madaling sumigaw para sa pagbabago sa lipunan. Samantalang sa usaping pag-ibig eh walang blueprint na pwedeng sundan.

Hindi kasal ang aking hiniling. Hiling ko lamang ay isang pangakong kailangan mong tupdin. Hiling ko naman ay isang pagpapaklaro ngunit hindi mo kayang gawin.

Parang ang sarap gayahin ang linya ni Claudine sa Milan. "Mahal mo ba ako dahil kailangan mo ako? O Kailangan mo ako dahil mahal mo ako?"

Nakakatawa. Hindi naman ito isang pelikula. Kaya mas ninais na sa iyo sana magmula.


"hindi ko alam." Umiiling ka habang ito ay tinuturan. "Marami pa akong problemang kinahakaharap."


“Mas maraming pagsubok ang masa. Kahit ako din ay may mga problema."


masa. masa. masa. paulit-ulit mong sinasambit.


Mas matimbang ang masang gusto mong paglingkuran. Iyan ay aking naiintindihan. Hindi ako nakikipagkompetensiya. Sa sinabi ko pa. Hindi mo kayang ibigay ang bagay na wala ka.

At hindi mo maibibigay ang buong pagmamahal sa iba kung sarili mo ay hinahanap mo pa.

♫ ♪Ako’y nangangarap na ika’y makasama
Taglay ang pangakong iingatan kita
Ang ganda mong nahubog sa piling ng masa
Hinding hindi kukupas, di malalanta ♫ ♪

Tayo man ay nagkahiwalay sa bagay na tila walang saysay. Maliit na bagay ngunit hindi mo maisagot nang deterso. Marahil mas maayos ang ganito.

Sa wika mo pa, Patuloy ang kontradiksyon ng buhay. Patuloy ang pakikibaka



…..para sa iyong sarili, sa masa at sa sistema.



Ang pagkamit nito ay marahil matatagalan pa.

♫ ♪ Gaya ng pag-ibig na alay ko sinta ♫ ♪

♫ ♪ Kahit ngayon
Ngayon lang nagkakillala
Ay alam kong matagal na tayong magkasama ♫ ♪

Sa ilalim nang maliwanag na buwan, kinanta mo ang mga kundiman, mga kanta ng pakikibaka- musikang paborito ng mga aktibista. Tinawanan kita. Hindi mo ako madadala sa ganyang istilo, ulol!

Napahinto ka sa pagtapik ng iyong mahigit isang dekada ng gitara. Natawa din. At iyong ibinahagi ang pagkakataong ginamit mo ang kanta sa panliligaw. Walang kamuwang-muwang na kolehiyala, kinilig sa ideyang ginawan siya ng isang kanta, hindi naisip na ito ay komposisyon noong panahon ng Martial Law pa. Magandang dalaga, dagdag mo pa. Pero madaling utuin, isip ko.

Kaya iniisip mo mas madaling ligawan ang babaeng walang muwang sa pakikibaka?

Hindi naman. Pero mas madaling basahin ang utak nila.

Kilay ko ay napataas. At kelan ba nagkaroon ng ganung basehan?

♫ ♪Kahit sa’nman may tunggalian at paglaban
Nagtatagpo lakas natin at paninindigan
Sa bisig na nagpapanday
Sa bisig na nagbubungkal
Ng isang bagong kaisipan
Ng isang malayang lipunan♫ ♪

At tayo'y patuloy na nagdiskusyon sa walang katapusang debate ng hiwalayan ng kaliwang bloke, ng peace talks na hindi matapus-tapos at kung bakit nahuhumaling ang mga babae sa magkapatid na Younghusband.

Nakakatawa ang kanilang apelyido. Turan mong nakaismid pa.

Gwapo sila at napakatalentado. Passionate. We want our man to be passionate. At tsaka, Youngwife ako forever! With emphasis sa Young talaga.

Kalebel din ng pagpapantasya niyo sa napakalamig na bampirang si Edward Cullen? Yan ang hirap sa inyong mga babae, you fantasize and want that qualities of a man. Sobrang taas na ng standards ninyo.

Napahagalpak ako ng tawa. As if hindi naman kayo ngapapantasya. Marahil hindi sa isang fictional character like Edward but some 'it' girls like Anne Curits or Solenn Heussaff.


At nauwi na naman ang usapan sa gender equality; ng mga sinasabi mong feministang may 'misplaced ideology”. Gusto ng equality pero gusto rin ng gentleman who would sweep them off their feet daw. Mga lalakeng tatayo at ibigay ang upuan, yung tipong magiging sunud-sunuran.

“Teka malayo naman ata yan! Equality. Pagkakapantay-pantay. Sa haba nang panahon naiwan ang babae kaya kailangan mo siyang iangat pero hindi ibig sabihin aawayin mo ang lalake. Kailangan ding mapaintindi ang lalake. Wala na ang feministang Amazona.May pagkakamali sa naunang pagkilos sa pag-angat ng kababaihan. Kailngang isipin na magkaagapay sa kaunlaran ang kababaihan at kalalakihan.

Oh teka, mukha ka namang nasa rally eh.


Tawa. Kanta. Inom. Ganito tayo parati. Hindi matapus-tapos na kuro-kuro. Nagdedebate sa mga walang kwentang bagay. Parating nagbabangayan pero hindi kumpleto ang araw kung wala ka.


Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang posible sanang mangyari. Naduwag ka ata. O mas ninais mong tahakin ang mas simpleng paraan- ang paglisan.

♫ ♪At kung sakaling magkalayo man sa gawain
Bawat oras ito ay lagi kong kapiling
Sa piling ng bawat pantig
Singtamis mong ngumiti
Sa bawat pagpupunyagi
Kasama sa layang mithi♫ ♪

I love birthdays. Your natal day is something to look forward to. A day when your mother was busy puffing air to get you out of this world, and as you celebrate another year, you commemorate that maternal sacrifice. And you could not help but think of a better way to celebrate life. Partying, eating, and praying. That's one of the best ways to celebrate your day.

Haruki Murakami, one of my favorite authors edited one novel entitled Birthday Stories chronicling strange birthday experiences. As James Urquhart wrote, "Birthdays are the one day when one might expect to be made a bit of a fuss of, and the best stories catch the awkward tension that surrounds wanting to be noticed."

Well, I do want to be noticed, to be surprised and to chronicle my life this year. My birthday is something not to be noticed, falling on Friday the 13th- one of the day some people avoid. 13th being an unlucky number. But no. I don't believe in it. Nothing bizarre happened on that day. For one, I am sure one lucky lady- celebrating THE day not just for 24 hours but for a week! Can you get any luckier than that? :D

To show you how lucky and blessed I am, let this be a visual treat for my year.

YOU ARE LUCKY ....

....when your kasiopao's mom tells you look young and beautiful on your dress.
Her exact words, "Hala day, mura lagi kag bata ug gwapa kaayo sa imohang suot."
and thinks you are thin (!) and famished. She still has good eyes, mind you. :))




...when your colleagues call you Bunsoy, pamper you and feed you yearly with the traditional pancit and bihon for long life. :D




...when your girlfriends decided to have a band, Happy Freaks and have your first semi- public concert.☺
♫ ♪ We are family, I got all my sisters with me, We are family
Get up everybody and sing ♫ ♪



...when your girl friends are the epitome of craziness.



...when your group decided to reenact The Beatles' Abbey Road walk at midnight and the taxi drivers just stopped.



...when the hands of the person taking the pictures are shaking yet your smiles are like sunshine emanating.



...when you go home and your sister makes you a nanny.
Hey I'm not complaining. I love these chikitings! :))



...when your birthday becomes a children's party!



...when your birthday becomes a reunion of sort. The iGATs, elementary and highschool buddies reunited.


...when you are with your loved ones.



...when you meet new friends with the same passion.
Trekking to Hubo and Sandig Falls at Brgy. Linan, Tupi, South Cotabato for Walk for Earth 2, a post-Earth Day celebration



....when being one of the boys inspires you to be more physically healthy! :)





...when you are one with Nature and mesmerized by God's handiwork.



...when you have someone who understands and supports your fanaticism to football.
Got my darling Ronaldo Cristiano (from my brother-in-law) and Andrei Arshavin (from a common friend. whoooohoo!) jerseys, Arsenal banner (from my hunk brotha Hernan) and Manchester United's banner (upcoming promised gift from my poging tito Amor).




...when your ULTIMATE CRUSHES made your day extra special.
Jimbolicious (will be proposing next time. haha!) and Surfer Dude hottie Luke Skywater surprising me (i'm the only person he tweeted that day! paimportanmte ako eh. CHOS!) :D
and your super friends' efforts to surprise you is really heartwarming! To Manins and Ate Fetus, labsyooou both to pieces! You made me so giddy, feeling like a high school swooning teenager. haha!




...when you live life as if you just turned 18!



yeeehaaa! La vita e bella. Life is beautiful.
THANK YOU LORD FOR THESE BLESSINGS! :D

------

"Count your life by smiles, not tears,
Count your age by friends, not years."

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." - Lucille Ball