Help Us Win This Domain Contest

UPDATE: Thanks to all of you who have voted for this blog. We hope you continue to vote in these last two days. My apologies for not updating this blog recently. I am presently in the boondocks where I don't have regular internet access. I hope to do some updates once I get back to Quezon City. Cheers nga kuna ni Trublue.

NOTE & UPDATE: As suggested by Lovelyn, we are making this a sticky post. It will remain at the top of the page until the contest ends. Newer posts will be found below. Thanks to all of you who have voted for us. We hope you will continue voting again and again until October 31.

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Tina a.k.a KK, our kailiyan from Baguio (now based somewhere near Washington DC) who is blogging at MyGoodFinds is running a contest which we are are joining. Because we've never won a contest before, we will try our damnedest best to win this one.

How can you help us win? Simple lang. Just visit Tina's site by clicking here. Make sure you go to her site from this blog because that is how she can track where her visitors are coming from.

What's the prize in this contest? Tina is giving away a free domain registration with hosting for 5 years. We don't exactly know what free domain registration with hosting means but we will never know until we win it, right? He he.

A girl named Rachel is presently leading the contest so we have some catching up to do. The contest runs until October 31, 2007 12:00 midnight (US Eastern time). That means we only have ten days left to beat that Rachel gal.

So visit My Good Finds again and again and again to help us win. Let's keep the prize in the "ili" shall we? Hehehe.

Anyways, what's in it for you if we win? Well, if we win, we will buy you a genuine brewed coffee (worth P10 but way way much better than Starbucks) and a piece of cinnamon bread at the "ka-market" in Bontoc where we will talk about our favorite Cordillera Representatives. This assumes, of course, that we will somehow meet in Bontoc at some point in our lives.

If we lose, we will forever be haunted by a girl named Rachel (if she wins) and we will electronically stalk her forever and ever for depriving us of our domain.

Do we sound desperate enough? Arrgh the things we do to win a contest!

Note: Even if you're not interested in this contest, My Good Finds is still a very interesting site to visit especially for non techie people who like to learn about tech stuff :-)

The Way it Used to Be

Wagering the Land is a book on the town of Buguias, Benguet written by Martin Lewis. You can read an online version of the book here.

It is an interesting read on the history of the town and its people, traditional land management practices, the rise of the town's vegetable industy, and many others.

The excerpt below is taken from the section on religion/spirituality. If we still have the fear of the timungao maybe we will have better governance in the Cordillera, no?

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Spirits: Dangeous, Neutral, and Helpful
Buguias residents had to be wary of a variety of dangerous spirits. Imbag Bagisan, the underworld god of the hunt, provoked great fear. Accompanied by gruesome dogs, he prowled the earth, sating his hunger with human souls. Except on those occasions when his wife intervened on the victim's behalf, he could only be appeased with two chickens, a pig, or a dog.

A variety of usually malicious spirits, generally called anitos, were capable of causing similar harm. The mante-es-bilig, denizens of thickets, caused lingering sickness, curable only through the sacrifice of a female chicken.

The sky-dwelling mante-ed-tongdo wielded potent curses that might require the offer of a water buffalo. The bet-tattew, visible as flickering evening lights, could carry away unwary human souls. More dangerous still were the te-tets, ghostly vampires that sucked life directly from the heart; little could be done to save their victims.

More commonly encountered were timungao , beings who could be either benign or vicious, depending on their individual temperaments. Timungao generally dwelled near boulders in clear-running streams, and as a rule they distanced themselves from raucous human activities.

Their society closely paralleled that of humans; they were born, grew up, married, bore children, aged, and accumulated property. Usually invisible to human beings, they commonly appeared only in dreams. Occasionally a female timungao would deign to wed a man during such an encounter. The bewitched groom might then abandon the human world, unless he were divorced, at some expense, from his nocturnal companion.

But for the most part, timungao were disgusted by human dirt, noise, and dietary habits. People disturbed them by trespassing in their clear streams, by fighting among themselves, and particularly by killing and eating their pet frogs (distinguishable by their unusual number of toes).

As the timungao's revenge could be deadly, one had to be careful to eat only frogs with the normal configuration of digits. Timungao were also known to harm disrespectful trespassers, although most would tolerate a person who called out and apologized beforehand. Sometimes a timungao would intervene in strictly human affairs, dispensing swift punishment on those guilty of deceiving others.

Illness usually befell the delinquent party, although a mischievous timungao might be satisfied simply by urinating on the miserable offender. A good-natured sprite could even bring fortune to a deserving human, but in general these ubiquitous beings required continual appeasing since humans could not help but disturb them.

More influential than either gods or nature spirits were the souls of the dead. They usually helped the living, but they too required continual homage. By the late American period, ancestor worship formed the core of local religion, although it is not at all clear whether this was true in earlier times.

The souls of individuals who died horrible or premature deaths could become malicious in their unhappiness. The spirits of the drowned (nagalnad) tried to assuage their loneliness by drowning others. More dangerous were the awil, souls of those who had died particularly violent deaths. The awil of nineteenth-century Spanish soldiers killed in the vicinity caused untold harm in their never-ending quest for revenge.

To avert trouble, a person had to be on constant watch for signs from the spirits. Negative travel omens, such as the crossing of one's path by an unliked or rare animal, delayed many journeys.

Even an impropitiously timed sneeze or an oddly behaving dog could ruin a business transaction. Neither did nightmares bode well, as all dreams were considered serious messages from the other realm. On waking, one would hope that by cleansing in clear water the vision could be washed away. If truly impressed, however, the dreamer would seek expert counsel, hoping that what seemed a fright was actually an encoded charm.

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Again, you can read the book here.


INFO SOURCE: Wagering the Land.

Jocelyn Dulnuan, 2007

From Louise Rosella/Mississauga News:

Following a five-day wake in her home province of Ifugao in the Philippines in which close to 1,000 people attended the family home to pay their final respects to the slain 27-year-old woman, a funeral was held this afternoon and Dulnuan was buried.

Peel Regional Police have yet to make an arrest in the murder. Dulnuan, a live-in maid, was found dead in her living quarters in the basement of a mansion on Doulton Place in Mississauga, back on Oct. 1.

Police say the family that lived there, which includes a family doctor, a financial executive and three adult children, has been cooperating.

Dulnuan's body was repatriated back to her native Philippines last week, thanks to some financial help from Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General and tireless fundraising efforts by family and friends in the GTA.

Read the whole article here.

For previous blog posts on Jocelyn, click here.

Badjao Roots: Kalinga Dreadlock Rastaman

So it's common knowledge that we people from the boondocks can sing country music. We can also yodel, rock the house, do fun songs, and pay a music tribute to our heroes. But can we sing reggae?

Of course, check out the above video by Badjao Roots, a group composed of singers from Cordi. They did a really good job mixing reggae with sallidummay. Way to go Badjao Roots! (Pero hindi kaya magagalit ang mga kapatid nating Badjao for your appropriation of their name? Just asking. Hehe.)

VIDEO CREDIT: swap92. Hat tip: Kalinga Tambayan.

Nice Video. Dirty City?

Will this video convince the people of Baguio to segregate their garbage? For their sakes, we hope it will.

Visit Padma's blog to read her take on this garbage issue, her "piso mind" to the mayor, and a picture of the city's newest attraction, the hanging garbage of Baguio. (Panlaban nila sa hanging gardens of Babylon at hanging coffins of Sagada ).

By the way, have you voted for us yet? Hehehe :-)

RELATED POST: News Roundup. VIDEO CREDIT: Open Space/Baguio City Government. Hat tip: Padma.

Halsema: Questions, Questions, and a Suggestion

PATALASTAS MUNA: Have you voted for our blog yet? No? Then vote for us by simply clicking here. You've already voted? Thank you very much, please vote again. (Sumusobra na yata itong Bill Bilig na ito ah, masyadong demanding hehe.)

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Now that that shameless, shameless plug from the Evil Bill Bilig is over and done with, let's go back to one of one of our favorite blog topics, the Halsema Road. Because I've already yacked a lot about this much lamented (but nonetheless scenic) highway, I am stealing the ideas of our blogger friends (with their permission of course) and putting them here:

The Northern Philippine Times has an editorial entitled: "Why are the big fishes in the Mt. Data-Bontoc road anomalies not being relieved?" And the editorial goes thus:

When will these exposes on alleged irregularities and anomalies on implementation of road projects along the Halsema Highway (particularly the Mt. Data-Bontoc road) end? And why are regional and Mountain Province Dept. of Public Works and Highways officials suspected of complicity in the projects not being relieved as part of government standard operating procedures pending investigation on the alleged anomalies so they won’t influence outcome of the probe? Read the whole article here.

Gina Dizon also opines that the suspended engineers are not the only ones who should be made accountable for the defective Halsema project:

This lame attempt of Dept. of Public Works and Highways regional director Mariano Alquiza to suspend seven engineers from their post for six months was an incredibly desperate act for the DPWH head to do at the light of the Halsema SONA project’s irregularities.

Having turned the blame to DPWH materials and project engineers of the Halsema SONA projects, his action just showed how power play works in one of the most corrupt government agencies of the country. Read it all here.

Meanwhile, Pagano reports that the Open Letter to All i-Mountain Province was aired at the Radyo ng Bayan in Bontoc (Yay!) and explains why he decided not to sign said letter in his blog here. He also has a very interesting suggestion/challenge to Igorot OFWs particularly the BIBAK folks:

So while waiting for a Jesse, how about if we tap on the organization whose membership covers the whole Cordillera? I’m talking about BIBAK. Can’t we harness this organization from a group which is culture–centered into a body that engages in business? Or even politics? And whose area of operation/influence will be the whole of Igorotlandia? Can’t the BIBAK members abroad create a corporation to compete with those greedy contractors? Most of these people (BIBAK OFWs) should have the resources to start the ball rolling.

To understand what he means by "waiting for a Jesse", read the entire post here. That's it for now. We're signing off for the night to dream about that web domain which we hope to win with your help. Oops, that's Evil Bill Bilig at work again.

UPDATE: More discussions on the Halsema Road, the Halsema improvement project, and the petition letter can be found at the mountainprovince yahoogroup.

RELATED POSTS ON HALSEMA: Click here. INFO SOURCE: Northern Philippine Times (here) and (here) and Pagano's Gadit.

And Now the Search for Justice

Toronto Updates:
Our thanks to Tan Canchela for forwarding us the link to the Philippine Reporter, a Filipino community newspaper in Toronto which covered this tragedy.

Hermie Garcia: The groundswell of community support generated by the Oct. 1 murder of 27-year old live-in caregiver Jocelyn Dulnuan is very encouraging. The struggle for justice in the Jeffrey Reodica fatal shooting by a police officer is still fresh in the minds of Filipino Canadians in Toronto . Yet here comes another campaign for justice for the community to take on. Read the full article here.

Jonathan Canchela: Indeed, if you are Filipino, you cannot help but grieve for what happened to Jocelyn, who was found dead in a basement of her employer's multi-million-dollar mansion in Mississauga last October 1. Indeed, if you are Filipino, you cannot help but grieve more over the action (or inaction) of the Philippine Consulate - which, just to remind you, represents the Philippine government - in handling situations like this. While we seek justice for Jocelyn, we also ask questions about the actions of the government in this particular case. Read the whole article here.

Statement from the Consulate: From the time it learned of the untimely demise of Jocelyn Dulnuan, the Consulate General has been in touch with Police authorities concerning the case, including coordination for the repatriation of her remains to the Philippines. Read it here.


The Philippine Reporter Team: The still unsolved murder of live-in-caregiver Jocelyn Dulnuan inside a Mississauga mansion has profoundly touched the Filipino community in Toronto , and elsewhere, that a “justice for Jocelyn” movement has emerged in its wake. More here.

Philippine Updates:
Bulatlat.com has the report on Jocelyn's homecoming:
In white and black clothes, family members and relatives have waited for Jocelyn’s remains at the PAIR-PAGS Center of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The first ones to arrive included husband Sandy Kinnud, followed by mother Godeliva Dulnuan and other relatives. Read the whole story here.

As a result of this tragedy, the province of Ifugao is now coming up with a database of Ifugao OFWs.

Inquirer: Ifugao officials have launched a survey to determine where their villagers currently work overseas, in the aftermath of the murder of 27-year-old Jocelyn Dulnuan, a licensed criminologist who was found dead in her employer's house in Canada where she worked as a maid.

Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat said he needs to keep track of overseas Filipino workers who come from his province "to be able to assist them in emergencies so we can avoid future controversies." More here.

Northern Dispatch reports on a prayer vigil for Jocelyn in Baguio: In a vigil-prayer which Migrante led, one of her kailian said, “Maysa manen nga ina ken anak ti natay. Napan agbiruk ti pangbiag na ti pamilya na. Nu adda kuma ti desente ken usto a suporta iti gobyerno, haan a maaramid daytoy,” (One more mother and daughter has died. She searched for a livelihood for her family. If there was a decent and just support from the government, this wouldn’t have happened) as she called for justice for Jocelyn. Read the whole story here.

Northern Philippine Times reports on the OWWA Administrator's remark regarding OFW fees. Read it here.

For our previous coverage on Jocelyn Dulnuan, click here.

PHOTO CREDITS: Philippine Reporter and Bulatlat.com.

October 07 CPA Board Exam Results: SLU's Richard Serrano Tops Exam

Congratulations to Richard Mulato Serrano of St. Louis University for topping the October 2007 CPA Licensure Exam with a 94.57% rating.

For a list of CPA board passers, click here. If that doesn't work, the Inquirer has a PDF file of board passers here.

As usual, let's take a look at the passing rates of Cordillera schools:

Divine Word College of Bangued: 56% (5 out of 9)
Kalinga Apayao State College: 50% (1 out of 2)
St. Louis University: 45% (127 out of 284; 17 conditional)
University of Baguio: 30% (3 out of 10; 2 conditional)
University of the Cordilleras: 25% (14 out of 55; 1 conditional)
Cordillera Career Dev't College: 9% (1 out of 11)
Mt. Province State Polytechnic College: 6% (1 out of 17; 1 conditional)
Baguio Central University: zero (out of one examinee)
Ama Computer College-Baguio: zero (out of one examinee)

The national passing rate is 37%. Congrats to Divine Word College of Bangued for topping this regional list with a 56% rating.

RELATED: Geodetic Engineering Results; Nursing Exam Results. INFO SOURCE: Inquirer/PDF File.

Congress Watch: Apayao Rep. Elias Bulut Heads Committee on Agrarian Reform

Wow. Are Cordillera congressional representatives on a roll or what?

We don't usually agree with their politics but we must admit that we are impressed that four of them are heading four committees in Congress.

First, Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan gets to head the congressional component of the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal which we reported here.

Then, Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa assumed the chairmanship of the Committee on National Cultural Communities which we also mentioned here.

We also reported that Mt. Province Rep. Victor Dominguez now heads the Committee on Games and Amusement, a post he once held during the Ramos administration.

The latest one to head a committee is the youngest (he's on his 30s), Rep. Elias Bulut Jr. of Apayao Province. He is now the chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Reform.

Are we impressed? Of course, that's four out of seven Cordillera representatives heading congressional committees. We've never seen anything like this before. Usually, Cordillera reps only get to chair the Committee on National Cultural Communities which is kind of the token post for indigenous peoples. Aligning yourself with the "party" in power does have its benefits, no?

So should we bring out the tapuey and the gangsas to celebrate? Nah! We will only do that if our Representatives use their more weighty position to pass meaningful legislation. You know, a law that we can all be proud of. Something where we can say, "Hey, our Congressman/Congresswoman authored that law."

Of the three Cordi Reps who don't have a chairmanship post, two are neophytes: Abra Rep. Cecilia Luna and Kalinga Rep. Manuel Agyao. Neophytes really don't get to head committees so this is not surprising.

Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, the Cordi Congressman we most admire, used to head the National Cultural Committee in the previous Congress so maybe he doesn't mind that he's not heading a committee this time around. Incidentally, he was the busiest Congressman (he filed the most bills) in the previous Congress.

RELATED POST: Hey Look, Your Congressman is Working. PHOTO CREDIT: Congress.gov.ph

The Bontoc Museum, Privacy Issues, and a Boon Award

Here's an interesting video that you should watch. The first part contains footages taken at the Bontoc Museum and its artifacts of the past. The second part contains some footages of present-day Bontoc with its tricycles and all. It makes an interesting comparison between "then" and "now". [UPDATE: Oops, as two of you pointed out, this really is not present-day Bontoc since the video must have been taken 20 to 25 years ago. Thanks for the correction Anonymouses :-) Our mistake, we should have known better. Cheers.]

Although we like the video, we hope that the footage of the old woman is removed because she clearly didn't want to be videoed. Unless you are a public figure or are participating in a public event where video and photo shoots are expected, it IS invasion of privacy when someone takes your photo/video without your consent.

This is becoming a critical issue for us as a people because of the ease with which one can now secretly take videos/photos, the ease these can be published in blogs or web sites, and the proprietary attitude (i.e., this photo is exclusively mine, mine, mine) of some people who takes videos/photos of our people.

We can be rightfully accused of being hypocritical about this because we are using the above video anyway (and have previously used photos which we suspect were taken without the subject's consent) but, in our defense, we uploaded it to start a discussion on the issue. Some questions:

1. What do you think of the video footage above where the old woman (our alapo) was covering her face? If it was up to you, would you still have included it in this video?

2. What do you think of the photos and videos of our people (particularly of old people and young children) that we see on the web? Do you think these were taken with the subject's informed consent (meaning that they know that these will be uploaded for public viewing)?

3. What do you think about the way these photos/videos are presented? Are we being presented in the way that all people should be presented (i.e., with respect) or are we being presented more as objects of curiosity?

Just asking, folks :-) We do have other questions related to this issue but we'll do it in another post before we totally become like a 1990s grim and determined activist hehehe.

Now, about the Bontoc Museum, we should give kudos to the Catholic Church for putting it up. And because we don't think they get enough money from the entrance fees to keep the museum going, we should again give them kudos for subsidizing the museum's continuing operation.

Hmm, now that we think of it, maybe we should give our friends in the Catholic Church a Boon Award which, if you remember, is our award for our kailiyans who are doing good things for our "ili". I think we will all agree that collecting and preserving things of the past for the future is a good thing. [Exception siyempre yung ninakaw na mummies sa Egypt or sa Benguet, at dinala sa US.]

So we are giving a Boon "thank you for building a museum for our people" Award to the people behind the Bontoc Museum. Now, those of you who have not visited the museum should visit it when you are in Bontoc.

For more Boondock awardees, both the good ones and the bad ones, click here.


VIDEO CREDIT: waltwide.

His Side of the Story

We sort of bashed him and called him names (i.e., Damomo) but he is certainly entitled to share his side of the story. For those who missed Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan's explanation of his P200,000 allowance a.k.a bribery ak.a. gift a.k.a. suhol, here it is:

Inquirer:
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -- Baguio City Representative Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday said all members of the House of Representatives received P200,000 in checks last week as part of their annual representation and transportation allowances.

Domogan, who called a press conference to explain the amount received by some congressmen last week, said all representatives were entitled to these allowances that are routinely issued during congressional breaks.

He said he signed for the amount at the House of Representatives shortly after the conclusion of a meeting in Malacañang.

Read the whole thing here. Note that according to him all Representatives were given an "allowance". So he is not the only Damomo.

RELATED POSTS: That mention Rep. Mauricio Domogan.

Imie's Reflection

Those of us who have been following Jocelyn Dulnuan's story will know that Imie Belanger is one of those who worked hard to organize public support for our kailiyan who was killed in Toronto. This is a reflection she wrote on one of the most trying times of her life:

Reflection
by Imie Belanger

As the storm of our life settles down, we catch a moment to sit and reflect. This is definitely one of the most trying moments of my life. Second to the times when I lost my parents way way back. My over charged adrenalin took two days to settle, and then my body took another two days to recover. I am sure all of us who worked closely on this feels the same.

The support we have received from friends and the community not only within the Greater Toronto Area but all over the world in response to our plea for help has been so overwhelming. It is very comforting to know that so many people cares. And so I have no doubt in my mind that we - the Filipino community will work together cohesively with the Peel Police and the Philippine Consulate to give Jocelyn the justice she deserves, and to ensure that any similar tragedy in the future will be handled appropriately and efficiently so no family of any victim will go through what we went through.

Now that Jocelyn is home, let the family spend this time with her peacefully.

Let us also give this time to the authorities to do what they have to do on this case. We have to trust them to do give Jocelyn justice. But we will keep an eye on it as a group.

As a group, we will also work towards a resolution whereby future tragedies will be handled appropriately and efficiently by those in charge.

I hope you will all work with us to make this happen.

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Thanks a lot, Imie. We have a lot of respect for how you and the rest of our kailiyans/kababayans responded to this tragedy.

As we stated in our comment here, it is always a challenge to discern how to respond appropriately to situations like this. Imie and our fellow Filipinos in Toronto responded quite effectively; they organized themselves, got the media support, pressured officials, etc.

Imie was actually our unnamed source for our post on Jocelyn and Julia. We didn't identify her because we didn't want to get her in trouble with consulate officials. But media reports have since quoted her so we guess there's no harm now in identifying Imie as our source.

Thanks again, Imie. We will continue to be with you in the search for Justice for Jocelyn.

RELATED POSTS: Jocelyn Dulnuan Updates.

Filipinos United

The other side to the Toronto tragedy is that it has proven once again that Filipinos do care. It has exhibited our capacity as a people to look after each other. It has proven that we can work together for a common cause despite our tendency to have disparate/diverse/dispersed communities.

The death of Jocelyn Dulnuan, we believe, has been a catalyst for greater collaboration and greater solidarity among Filipinos in the Greater Toronto Area. May they continue to be united. And may the example that our kailiyans/kababayans in Toronto showed us be replicated in other parts of the world where there are Filipinos and, more importantly, in our Inang Bayan.

PHOTO CREDITS: Canoe.ca/topmost. Alex Felipe/Middle and bottom photos.

She's Home

19 October Update
From Vincent Cabreza:

The remains of slain domestic helper Jocelyn Dulnuan arrived in Manila as a militant migrant workers’ organization appealed to the Arroyo administration to ensure that her killing was solved.
...
There were no hysterics from her family but the tears flowed. The Dulnuans have a four-year-old daughter, Migrante said.

The crate bearing Dulnuan’s casket was loaded to a jeepney, and would be brought to Hingyon, Ifugao, her home province.

Read the full report here.

18 October Update
From Mississauga News:
Arrangements are being made to send the body of the slain Mississauga housekeeper back to her hometown in the Phillipines, where the 27-year-old will be buried by family members following a funeral.

"It's been a long process to repatriate Jocelyn and it will happen either today or tomorrow," said Imie Belanger, a friend of the Dulnuan family and the dead woman's former neighbour in the Phillipines.

Dulnuan's mother, Godeliva, added, "This is not the homecoming we expected, but it is a homecoming nevertheless."

Members of the massive Filipino community in the GTA have come together to raise money to send Dulnuan's body back home. Groups such as the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan and Toronto's Philippine Independence Day Council, have organized fundraising events that have produced close to $10,000, while the Philippines consulate in Toronto has contributed an additional $5000.

Belanger said any money left over from the cost of repatriating Dulnuan will go to the victim's family, which includes a husband and four-year-old daughter back home. Read more.

London Free Press: Cops say that the investigation will take time: "It is a long time but it is a big house. The size makes it problematic and we have to be thorough because this is a homicide crime," said Peel Police Const. J.P. Valade.

Read our previous coverage on Jocelyn Dulnuan here.

Photo of the Day

The Ambongdolan Cave in Tublay, Benguet. Photo courtesy of Art Tibaldo via Baguiocity.com

UPDATE: Our blogger friend, Jhie who comes from Tublay has more information and more photos on these caves. Visit Ivadoy Country for more. Thanks Jhie!

Si Morris et Damomo

Si Morris et damomo
Sotsoten da i-idyana
Sot sot ak ak sot.

If I am not mistaken (and I may very well be wrong), this used to be the jeer/chant that Sagada boys use to taunt their fellow boys who are old enough to go to sleep in the dap-ay but who continue to sleep at home with their parents.

We are dedicating the song to our favorite Cordillera Congressman because he apparently continues to receive allowance from his Mama.

Congressman, I used to admire you. A lot. I admire your achievements as a person. You are a self-made man. And I have a lot of respect for self-made men. Like most Igorots, I was proud when you were elected as the mayor of Baguio. I believe that you were a good mayor, that you carried yourself with class, with dignity, and with humor. I believe that you were a mayor who got things done. You helped Baguio get up from the rubble of the 1991 earthquake. You should be credited for that.

I started losing my respect for you when you became Congressman, when you hobnobbed with GMA and her ilk, when you were silent when our kailiyan was killed in Tabuk, when you became GMA's drill sergeant in the Cordilleras, when you introduced patronage politics in Baguio via the health cards you distributed to election inspectors.

And now this? This P200,000 allowance? You belittle yourself in the public eye by receiving this allowance and by justifying it.

Much as we don't like to taunt people, you do deserve to be taunted. So we'd like to dedicate the Damomo song to you again.

Si Morris et damomo
Sotsoten da i-idyana
Sot sot ak ak sot.

Our previous posts on Congressman Domogan.

The Nashman has a related post here.

Sponsored Buzz: Gustafson Orthopaedics

Just in case you are having some joint pains, you might want to check out Gustafson Orthopaedics in California. The center established by Dr. Allen Gustafson, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, offers the following services:

* Thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis of joint pain
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* Expert surgical intervention, if needed
* A complete recovery program

Know more about Dr. Gustafson, a Loma Linda orthopedic surgeon, and his work in this website. A helpful FAQ section, which has some information on joint replacement, arthritis, etc, can be accessed here.

Gina Dizon on Regional Autonomy: Once More With Feelings

What do Cordillera people think about autonomy? Attempts by officials to make the region autonomous was voted down in a plebiscite in Jan. 30, 1990 when the provinces of Kalinga-Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province and the City of Baguio voted no with only Ifugao saying yes. The second attempt was also foiled with only Apayao voting yes on March 7, 1998.

What is autonomy? The people must have been right in their decision at the very first and second take. What chances do the third take give? Have the people become wiser, more informed, or they are already wise and informed in the very first place?

This politically hankered state of autonomy, I understand, refers to that state of being a free and independent region governing its economic, political and social life. If the Cordillera would become autonomous, would it be free from oppressive national policies?

Government laws give us a framework on how to exercise this seemingly lofty state of regional autonomy following the peace accord entered into between the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army led by Fr. Conrado Balweg in Sept. 13, 1987 and then Philippine President Corazon Aquino giving birth to Executive Order 220 which sets up a regional administrative body while preparing for a Cordillera regional autonomy.

This, following Section 15, Article 10 of the Constitution which provides an autonomous region in the Cordillera with “common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of the Constitution and the national sovereignty".

With moves for an information drive on Cordillera regional autonomy purportedly being done, I am curious to see what attractive features an autonomous animal the Cordillera would be, otherwise, the P15 million info drive is just another futile attempt gone to kingdom never come.

I consider autonomously palatable the position of the late Fr.Balweg who pushed for a federal state of autonomy for the Cordillera. In a federal set up, the Cordillera people shall make their own laws, Constitution and policies yet still be a part of the national state.

What degree of autonomy will the Cordillera enjoy if it becomes autonomous according to what EO 220 will prepare? Will it be just the same setup where people will exercise their political, cultural and social affairs the way things are under the present laws and political structure? Or will there be a strikingly distinct set up where people can say they are autonomous?

Just what structure and laws will be created in order to make autonomy realized somehow? If there be a collective decision for example among Cordillera leaders, just how strong will this be as an autonomous policy? What measures are in place to make this so?

Where policies are concerned, can the envisioned autonomous region provide policies where it can go against a national law or policy? The Mining Act of 1995 for example was given judicial mandate by the Supreme Court when the application for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement of a foreign mining firm in Mindanao legally upheld its constitutionality despite opposition from tribal B’laan communities.

Can the envisioned regional autonomy say no to a Supreme Court decision? Can it come up with its own judicial laws? What policies can the envisioned autonomy come up with and not being considered contrary but rather supplementary to national policies? On the other hand, national policies and practices are already in place for a semi-autonomous state. The Local Government Code already provides a system of devolution where LGUs could exercise some relatively autonomous control on generating taxes for one. Congressmen are in place to represent their respective provinces and people in Congress. Structures are already in place where LGU representatives can lobby for their share in income derived from the natural resources located in their own territories for one. Although it is another story when representatives and government officials cannot deliver.

Where the people in the region with more or less similar cultural and distinct culture could come up with their own policies about their own economic and political existence without the sword of Damocles hanging over their head, would be considered autonomous. Meanwhile, Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan and other political leaders are reportedly pressing the implementation of a permanent Cordillera administrative setup. This move may make some people push the Cordillera Regional Assembly and the Cordillera Executive Board as overseers of Cordillera affairs in the regional level. Just what happened to the former CRA and the CEB are things of the past which cannot be forgotten with a yearly P5 million budget cost of a lesson to draw from.

Creating a bloated policy-making structure “to articulate and harmonize the interests and aspirations of the people of the Cordilleras” was the supposed role of the Cordillera Regional Assembly composed of not more than 250 appointed from each municipality of the Cordillera, 10 from Baguio City, 18 representatives from NGOs and a tribal representative each is also a question.

Granting that these envisioned representatives have articulated and harmonized the aspirations of the Cordillera people, where shall these articulations be forwarded to? To the President? Congress? What sizable vote will these collective articulation bring to Congress or the Office of the President? How strong are these articulations in influencing national policy or when these challenge national policies? Is this the kind of self-rule that original proponents to Cordillera autonomy envisioned that EO 220 prepared for? How will Cordillera regional autonomous policy be in consonance to national policy-making? We maybe creating one bloated, overlapping body which is far out from original intentions of what self and autonomous rule means.

Another EO mandated body is the Cordillera Executive Board which is the implementing arm of the CAR is composed of 29 regular members of the board to name the Baguio city mayor, 5 governors, 6 from the Cordillera Bodong Administration, 12 from the different ethno-linguistic groups in the Cordillera, and 5 representatives from NGOs.

Under EO 220, the CEB is headed by an executive director appointed by the President. Aside from questions of criteria to membership, what difference will this implementing arm make from departments and offices currently doing envisioned functions. Where it is a matter of codifying laws for example, or “promotion of indigenous institutions and processes for conflict resolution and dispute settlement, preservation and enhancement of indigenous customs, traditions, languages and culture? Isn’t this the job of the National Commission on Indigenous People where it has its provincial branches? Where it is a matter of looking at agricultural development, there is also the Department of Agriculture who takes care of this, as well as health and tourism.

Seemingly, this bloated CAR body and its supposed functions are a repetition and overlapping of what the regular departmental offices are doing. Unless, this CAR body will do something distinctly independent to further policy for indigenous peoples rights will it become relevant. As talks go on about this third attempt for Cordillera autonomy, responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Regional Development Council to come up with real good, authentic, representative and people-based information of how and what true and genuine regional autonomy really means.

The people have become wise, I guess, and know if they are being taken for a ride or not and the third attempt may just become kaput. This P15 million budget might as well be de-programmed or re- aligned for livelihood support activities for the farming and struggling folks of the Cordillera .

Note: This was originally published at the Northern Philippine Times blog. Visit the blog for more news on the Cordilleras and the rest of Northern Philippines.

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An Open Letter to All i-Mountain Province

Update: Those who are not from Mt. Province but who are concerned about the project might also want to include their names. We will identify you as "Friends of Halsema/Mt. Province". Thanks.

***
Now, here's the open letter:

We are outraged at how the Halsema Highway Improvement Project in Mt. Province has been implemented. It has turned out to be another project in which hundreds of millions of taxpayers' money were wasted. Worse, because of its sloppy implementation, a young father died in an accident.

The death of Mr. Winston S. Pawid diminishes us all. It indicates the loss of our moral and cultural values. Over the decades, many lives have been lost and resources wasted because of the worse conditions of roads. And yet millions of pesos have been spent for the improvement and maintenance of these roads. That we do not talk about these, either because we are afraid or simply because we are not directly concerned, forebodes that the bells will toll for our demise as an Igorot community.

It is with heavy hearts thus that we call the attention of our elected leaders, DPWH officials and engineers, and the concerned contractors who are supposed to be accountable in this project.

We ask:
Is this the legacy that you want to leave behind?

We take this initiative to speak and make a stand:
NO more substandard roads and projects!

We owe it to our children and grandchildren, whose future depends much on what our present generation chooses, or chooses not, to bequeath them.

A brighter future for all i-Mountain Province is all that we dream. Sapay koma!

Very truly yours,
Concerned i-Mountain Province

Edwin and Mia Abeya
Rockville, Maryland, USA
Sagada and Bontoc, Mt. Province

Raleigh Agdaca
Melbourne, Australia

Bart Alatan
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Shimea C. Aniwasal
Florida, USA
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Connie Baluyan - Alfrido
Woodbridge, VA
Formerly from Balbalan, Kalinga

Charlton & Esther Aligmayo
Belleveu, New Jersey USA
Baguio City

Rose "Saydab" Alkemade
Melbourne, Australia
Sagada, Mt. Province

Chester Lee B. Alipit
La Trinidad, Benguet

John D. Allan
Chula Vista, CA, USA
Alab, Bontoc, Mt. Province

Joseph Apacway
Canberra, Australia

Paz Aptimes
Melbourne, Australia
Masla, Tadian and Sagada, Mt. Province

Willie Austria
Baguio Fil-Am
Norfolk, Virginia

Albert S. Bacdayan
46 Sterling Hill Road
Lyme, CT 06371

Byrne Bacwaden
Millersville, MD, USA
Besao, Mt. Province

Ray Baguilat, Jr.
Bolingbrook, IL USA

Gaye Balanay
Jeddah, KSA
Alab, Bontoc, Mt. Prov

Pangco Baniaga
Sagada, Mt. Province

Samson & Rebecca Baon
Jersey City, New Jersey USA
Baguio City/Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Edwin and Tina Basilio
Wellington, Florida

Georgina Basilio
West Palm Beach, Florida

Jaime Basilio
West Palm Beach, Florida

Harry P. Basingat
California, USA
Sagada, Mt. Province

Michael Batala
Salinas, California, USA

Gloria S. Batalao
Manteca, CA USA

Gilbert G. Batnag
Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
U.A.E.

Hilaria B. Batnag
Baguio City
Bauko & Besao, Mt. Prov.

Jonathan Bayogan
Davao City, Philippines
Tadian, Mt. Province

Janet Bawaan
Glendale, CA
USA

Benilda Comafay Bennet
Germantown, MD, USA
(Formerly from Bontoc, Mtn Province)

Jun and Lily Anne Beswilan
West Palm Beach, Florida

Bill Bilig
Sagada, Mt. Province

Daisy A. Bobeck
Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Rufino B. Bomasang
Paranaque, Metro Manila
Besao, Mountain Province

Patrick & Cristabel Bounggick
Vienna, Austria Europe
Bugang, Sagada
Mt. Province

Cecily (Cadaweng) Bourchier
La Trinidad, Benguet
Michael Bourchier
Melbourne, Australia

Leonardo R. Bugtong
Las Vegas, NV USA

Raymund & Marie Buking
Englewood, New Jersey USA
Bontoc/Sagada Mt. Prov.

Donald / Florence Cabay
Derwood , Maryland USA
Tadian / Bontoc Mtn Province

Fitzbert Cadiogan
Besao, Mt. Province

Antonio & Rosing Calado
Belleveu, New Jersey USA
Baguio City

William and Rosalynda Teckney Callagan
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
Sabangan and Sagada, Mt. Province

Emily Capuyan
Niagara Falls, Canada
i-Demang,Sagada

Catherine L. Carlin
Cleveland, OH
Sagada Mountain Province

Ceasar/Elisa Castro
Vancouver, Canada
Tadian/Sabangan, Mtn. Province

Tom and Mary Jane Cayad
Melbourne, Australia

Norma Panglao Chaudhari
Mclean, Virginia, USA

Melchora Calang-ad Chin
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sagada, Mt. Province

Regie Chumacog
Riyadh, K.S.A
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Forrest & Mylene Comafay,
(Loc-ong Lords Lane,Bontoc)
Poway,Ca.U.S of A.

Nicolle Bangloy Comafay
Kyoto, Japan
Bauko/Bontoc, Mt. Province

Neil D. Culallad
Tsukuba, Japan
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Cornelia S.Cunningham
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Joseph & Christina T. Dagan
Garden Grove, California, USA

Nestor Damian
Calgary, Alberta Canada

Carmen Falancy Domondon
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ifontok

Kenneth Daoey
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Jerry B. Dizon
Toronto, Canada

Pete Dominguez
Bauko, Mt. Province

Estifania Esparza
N. Las Vegas, NV USA

Joel Fagsao
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Daphne Marie Falag-ey
Bontoc, Mt. Province
Singapore

Deliuz M. Fermin Jr.
Hong Kong, SAR
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Brenda D. Fiagoy
Maryland, USA
Baguio City, Philippines

Geraldine L. Fiagoy
Baguio City, Philippines

Caridad B. Fiar-od
Besao, Mt. Province, Philippines

Douglas Fillag
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Isamoki, Bontoc

Mary Gayomba Flores
Port Hueneme, California
Alab, Bontoc

Francis Floresca
Baguio City,
Bontoc, Mountain Province

Angel Ullocan & Elizabeth Galas
Ewa Beach HI.
Ato,Sagada Mt Prov.

Elizabeth Gayumba
Penasco, New Mexico
Alab, Bontoc Mt. Prov.

George G. Gewan
Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines
& Sagada, Mountain Province
Philippines

Imelda Manganip Giles
Georgetown, KY,USA
Besao, Mt. Province

Benie Jaime Girmond
Frankfurt, Germany

Gloria Golocan
Renton, WA

Ezra and Diga Gomez
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Tony Gomowad
Sagada, Mt. Province

Briccio Gulian
Sagada/TN

Lynette Gomez Habawel
New Jersey, USA
Bontoc, Mt. Prov.

Edward Haight
Fujimenoshi, Saitama-Ken, Japan
Sagada, Mt. Province

Gina Jaime Heß
Karslruhe, Germany

Eva Bauding Hubner
Frankfurt, Germany

Arlene Inga-an
Ramstein, Germany

Virginia Panglao Jester
Silver Spring, Md., USA

Gracia Kibad
St. Columban's
Navan, County Meath
Ireland

Gaston P. Kibiten
Baguio City, Philippines
Bila, Bauko, Mt. Province

Clifford & Rachel Killip
Englewood, New Jersey USA
Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Ernest & Errub Killip
Glen Burnie, MD USA
Sagada/Bontoc Mt. Province

Erwin Killip
Engelwood, New Jersey USA
Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Teofilo Jr. and Teresita Killip
Bristol UK

Rosita Kubulan
Texas U. S. A.

Alredo Labfayong
Zuerich Switzerland

Cyprienne Mabanay Lacaden
Morristown, New Jersey USA
Baguio City

Nick Lamsis
Cranford, New Jersey USA
Bauko, Mt. Prov.

Theodore M. Lardizabal, Sr.
Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Sagada, Mt. Province

Rose Puyao-Lingbawan
Tyson Puyao Lingbawan
Okusawa, setagaya-Ku, Tokyo
From Balbalan, Kalinga

Lydia Lingcayo
Toronto, Canada

Liezel Longboan
Cardiff, Wales

Malabong Longid
Sagada, Mt. Province

Lynn B. Macalingay
Wilmington, MA, USA
Besao, Mt. Province

Vicky Malinias
London,UK

Grayle Mangangey
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ifontok

Ryan Mangangey
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ifontok

Joan Mangusan
Kilong, Sagada

Roel & Annabelle Marcadesh
New York, New York USA
Manila/Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Esther Lacbawan Marshall
Jackson, New Jersey USA
Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Jaime and Sarah Masferre
Roseland, New Jersey. USA
Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Vemileen Baluloan-Maslan and
Jackstone Maslan
Tabuk City, Kalinga
Bauko/Sabangan, Mt. Province

Letty B. Masuda
Kawagoe City, Saitama, Japan
Sagada, Mt. Province

Annie Matsumura
Saitama-Ken, Japan
Sagada, Mt. Province

Emma Mitrovic
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Sagada, Mt. Province

Henry Molintas
Olney, Maryland, USA

Joan Moguet
Silver spring, Maryland, USA
Poblacion, Sabangan, Mt Prov

Mellane Moguet
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Sao,Sabangan, Mt Prov

Tess Oloan Nahlen and Hommer Baybay Nahlen
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Isamoki, Bontoc ya Ibesao

Jocelyn Noe
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Besao, Mt. Province

Raymund Oloan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Isamoki, Bontoc

Maryknoll Padalla
Vienna, Austria

Jessie Padchonga
Pennsylvania, USA
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Lloyd B. Palangeo
I-Kin-iway, Besao

Pamela Palantis
Melbourne,Australia
Agawa,Besao, Mt. Province

Sylvia and Douglas Palmer
Seattle Washington
Sagada, Mt. Province/Peace Corp Volunteer

Jose Pampanico
Tokyo, Japan
Bauko/Sagada

Venus Peckley
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Isamoki, Bontoc

Daniel Peckley Jr,
Silahis Ocampo-Peckley
Kita-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Lilian Peleo-May
Kaitaia , New Zealand
IOmfeg ,Bontoc

Raymond Peleo
Csherry Jimenez Peleo
San Jose California
Ilocos/Omfeg,Bontoc

Jean Pengosro
Tokyo, Japan
La Trinidad, Benguet

Henry & Nellie Pit-og, Jr.
Centreville, Virginia, USA.
I-chak-chakan, Ifontok
I-Sagada

Lydia Pongtan
Toronto, Canada

Reginald & Donna Reyna
Long Island, New York USA
Baguio City/Bauko, Mt. Prov.

Cherry Ann Sad-ang
Toronto, Canada

Mr. & Mrs. Lambert Sagalla
New Jersey, USA
Besao and Bontoc, Mt. Province

Joseph & Beng Sagandoy
Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Samuel Saldaen
Buguias, Benguet

Joseph and Inez Saley
New Jersey, USA
I-Kapangan ya I-Sagada

Roy & Valentina Salvador
Parsipanny, New Jersey USA
Baguio City/Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Loreta Bosaing-Shibasaki
Tokorozawa City, Saitam, Japan
Sagada, Mt. Province

Gloria and Donald Simon
Glenview, IL
USA
Joyce Aniwasal Sola
Florida, USA
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Ray Solomon
[Email address redacted to prevent spam]

Romie Soria
Long Island, New York USA
Bontoc, Mt. Prov.

Sarah Baguiwet Souffrant
Harlingen, Texas
USA

Nelia Jaime Starke
Dietzenbach, Germany

Antonio & Linda Sucdad
Bergenfield, New Jersey USA
La Trinidad/Sagada, Mt. Prov.

Andrew A. Tauli
Payeo, Besao, Mountain Province

Herman and Lourdes Toyokan
Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Tony/Ching Trinidad
Queens, NY, USA
Bontoc, Mt. Province

Nancy Basilio Vargas
Las Vegas, Nevada

Nover/Betty Velasco
Benguet/Kayan
Hesperia, Calif. 92345

Fely Jaime Waltenberger
Spielberg, Germany

Jessica Jaime Waltenberger
Munich, Germany

Philian Weygan
Baguio City, Philippines
Besao, Mt. Province

Nestor A. Yodong
Sagada, Mt. Province

Note: Thanks to Dan Peckley for forwarding us this letter. If you are from Mt. Province and support this initiative, please include your name and address in the comments. Thank you.

RELATED POSTS: Safety First; Complaining Does Produce Results; GMA Urged to Probe Expired Halsema Contracts, Slippages; Halsema: One of the Worst Highways in the World; Gloria: My Father Built the Halsema Highway.

More Updates on Jocelyn

15 October Updates:
citynews.ca: CityNews has a report and a video on the vigil/prayer rally held for Jocelyn Dulnuan. An excerpt:

Wiping away tears, dozens of people filed into the solemn service, where Dulnuan was remembered for being a loving mother who came to Canada to build a better life for her daughter.

"As a parent she wants to provide her daughter with a better education, a better future," recalled relative Fay Hangdan to those on hand. "As a sister she wants to help her siblings back home."

Read the full report and watch the video here.

London Free Press: The London Free Press quotes an informant who is quoting a television report which was reportedly told by Jocelyn's husband that she told him that someone threatened her two weeks before she died. An excerpt:

"There was a TV station back home saying that the husband received a call from Jocelyn saying there had been some threats in her life -- someone scaring her or being jealous about her," Tobias Enverga of the Philippine Independence Day Council said yesterday.

Read the full story here.

Sunstar Baguio: Ramon Dacawi reports that Jocelyn will arrive home this week, anytime between Thursday to Saturday. Read the full report here. (Thanks to Ramon for the shout out, by the way).

14 October Updates:
thestar.com: Police eyeing two suspects. Peel homicide inspector Norm English: "We have an idea what happened and robbery is one of the real motives we're looking at. More than one person is also being looked at." English also said the homeowners have been co-operating. More here.

Toronto Sun: Godeliva Dulnuan on her daughter Jocelyn: "Jocelyn is a quiet and athletic girl. She liked to play basketball and volleyball. And she went to church every Sunday."

"I just want to know what happened to Jocelyn. I beg anyone who has information about Jocelyn to come forward and speak with the police."

Godeliva on the last time spoke to Jocelyn: "She called me twice. In the morning and in the afternoon. We talked about family and her friends and her daughter and her husband. And she talked to her sisters, who were here in Hong Kong. She talked about going shopping after church with some friends." More here.

More news reports from: mississauga.com, ctv.ca,

In the home front, OWWA Administrator Marianito Roque uses this tragedy to call for OFWs to pay their dues and adds the following godawful remark: "To be honest, it is unfortunate that Dulnuan was no longer a member of OWWA. She was remiss to pay the fee. Kung tutuusin, napakaliit ng $25 sa Canada kaya it’s sad to say na walang mai-extend na tulong ang OWWA sa kanya." More from GMANews.tv.

What's up with our officials always blaming the victim? Remember Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales who blamed Julia Campbell for going to Banaue? You can read Gonzales' remark here (Update 5). This blame the victim mentality among our officials is beyond shocking.

Rightfully, a migrant workers group in Hongkong castigated Roque. Quote by Dolores Balladares, chair of the United Filipinos-Hong Kong: "Instead of showing concern for Jocelyn Dulnuan, murdered on Oct 1, Roque used the victim’s death to castigate OFWs who failed to pay their dues to OWWA. Roque even wrongly depicted Dulnuan as undocumented worker for her failure to pay her dues to OWWA even if she has a legal employment contract in Canada." More here.

Our coverage on Jocelyn Dulnuan here.