Saan Daw Nakatira ang Igorot

 Are you also wondering where an Igorot lives?

I know. I know. Many people still believe that an Igorot is a primitive, ignoramus human being. And surprisingly, some are still asking where an Igorot lives. 

Read these statements and be the judge:

Ms./Mr. X: Tagasaan ka?

Me:        Taga-Mountain Province. Sa Cordillers.

Ms,/Mr. X: Saan yon?

Me:        Lampas ng Baguio.

Ms/Mr. X: Di Ilocano ka?

Me:       Hindi. Igorot.

Ms?Mr. X: Ano yon? Di ba Ilocano ang taga-Baguio?

Me:      Yong iba lang pero karamihan ay mga Igorot.

Ms./Mr. X: Wala nang sagot. Nakatitig na lang sa mukha.

I really don't understand why of all people in the Philippines, Igorots seemed to be the most misunderstood.

This is why I made this Youtube video.

Click the link to watch the video in Youtube.

Saan Daw Nakatira ang Igorot?

 

Igorots Amidst COVID-19 (YouTube Video)

Please watch this on YouTube
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WyjR8NICbk

A Glimpse of the Igorot Way of Life

Click on the link to watch the video in YouTube.

Kagagasing ay Ilin di Tadian

"Kasiyana sa", Igorot Word of Reassurance Amidst Uncertainty and Hopelessness in COVID-19

Igorots are simple people.

Let’s have a breather to deviate and ease our COVID-19 saturated minds from this mayhem.

What do Igorots have in store for this chaotic situation we are in?

It is the reassurance that everything will be all right, and this perplexing situation will get better for all of us tomorrow. "Kasiyana sa."

I find it hard how to express myself while thinking of how many of us also feel about the havoc this pandemic has brought to this world. But let me tell you, "Kasiyana sa", this too shall pass just like what everybody is wishing and things will soon be back to normal. This is no easy feat but I'm sure with resilience and discipline inherent amongst us, we will pull through and get over this difficult situation.

To the Igorots, if there is “Inayan sa,” to forbid misconducts and wrongdoings to avoid bad karma; in times of uncertainties like what we are all experiencing today - the COVID_19, there are also reassuring words to uplift the spirit of those who despair and are losing hope.

I’m sure the Igorots are saying, “Kasiyana sa.” and "Laton sa."

Yes, me too. I want to remain adamant and be positive about what will happen because I strongly believe that all these will soon pass and tomorrow will be a better day for all of us. “Kasiyana sa.”

“Kasiyana sa,” is a Kankanaey word that gives assurance in times of uncertainty and hopelessness. It was what our ancestors have passed to the next generations. That in times like this pandemic, people should keep calm and be strong because “Kabunian”, the Igorot God, is always there to stand by them no matter what difficulties they are going through.

I remember my parents a long time ago, they always eased our bad feelings with the short sentence, “Kasiyana sa.” In difficult times; like when we were sick, when there was a problem, when we were almost losing hope, and when someone is having a hard time with something else, their word of reassurance kept our spirits up.

My father used to tell us how they had survived World War II without experiencing extreme hunger. Some thought it was already the end of the world, and those who thought of the end of the world were the same people who stopped working on the fields because they thought they were only wasting their time toiling the land if the world would end, anyway. When the war finally ended, it was those who continued working amidst the war who didn’t go hungry. Those who stopped working on the fields to plant crops for sustenance experienced extreme hunger after the war.

It's the same reason our father always advised us to keep going, no matter the situation. Because everything, no matter how difficult and hopeless it may seem, will have an end.

My father would often tell us, “Kasiyana sa.” Everything will be fine. Things will soon get better. And it provided us with the hope and comfort we needed, which gave us the strength to face the difficulties.

There’s another uplifting word of the Igorots. They say, “Laton sa,” to mean the positive result of something.

They say, “Laton sa,” to mean everything is fine and good.

During this time when COVID-19 is creating stress, depression, difficulties, and doubts in our minds,  we say “Kasiyana sa.” or “Laton sa.”

Let’s think of the positive things this pandemic has done to us. It wasn’t all that negative; we learned how to be more prepared for this kind of problem.

In the end, we will have something to thank COVID-19 because we learned a lot of lessons we have missed in normal situations.

I'll end this with, "Kasiyana sa."

Copyright 2020 

Igorots Coping Amidst COVID-19

Please give proper credit to the author.
Do not copy-paste.
by: Felisa Daskeo

I've been thinking a lot about the Igorots in this time of pandemic and crisis whilst they are in a dire situation yet they are coping amidst the COVID-19 and they are surviving the situation with or without the help of the government.

Remember Mayor Gabino Ganggangan of Sadanga, Mountain Province, who refused the food packs from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for his constituents? In his statement and I quote, "Let the national Government feed those more needy urban poor in the cities and those less fortunate in other areas who can't sustain themselves, while we sustain ourselves while we can."

His statement is very true of the Igorots. It is not a boastful act but an inherent attitude of the Igorots who can sustain themselves even in the direst of situations. As Igorots, they were taught to live within their means. Igorots don't practice extravagant life, even if they have the means to do so. Luxury is not part of their simple life and to top it all they want to gain money honestly because they abide by their ancestors' words, "Inayan sa."

“Inayan sa." It's a short sentence full of sense and meaning. To the Igorots they say, "Inayan sa", to all acts against human rights and moral values. They say, "Inayan sa", to someone who violates laws. In short, it is what makes an Igorot the way he is.

Here are some Inherent Characteristics of Igorots why they can survive during Crisis.

1. Resilience - Igorots are perhaps one of the most resilient people. They have strong personalities that help them recover easily during times of crisis. They have the ability to adapt to any situation.

2. They live within their means. - Igorots don't practice extravagant life. They live a simple lifestyle like their ancestors and content themselves with what they have. They are not fond of jewelry and other luxuries that are only embellishments and unnecessary in their daily life. Just because Juan has a new television means Pedro will also buy one. It is not what they were taught. If you don't have extra money to buy "luho”, then be content with what you have.

3. They always think of others. - Igorots always think of others and are not selfish. They always think of the word, "Inayan sa." Greed of power and money is frowned upon by many Igorots.

4. They always save for a rainy day. - Igorots aren't one day millionaires. They always think of the future. Their "agamang" rice granary is always full. So the rice supply could sustain them for a year or more. Farmers plant rice in the rice terraces only once a year. So, they make sure they have enough rice supply before harvest season comes again. Igorots are heavy rice eaters because they work very hard to sustain themselves. They aren't used to charities from other people unless needed. In times of crisis such as this COVID-19 pandemic, rice and salt is almost a luxury.

5. They practice bayanihan religiously. Igorots practice bayanihan especially in times of calamities. The death of someone means every family in the community must share something to help the bereaved family. So the bereaved family will not be indebted, but they will have an extra budget for the pa-siyam and 40 days celebrations. They accomplish community projects in gratis, and you don't hear complaints. They do their duties and responsibilities for their community without complaining.

6. They respect the authorities and abide by the laws. Although Igorots don't have po and opo in their words, they are very respectful people. They don't practice the "Mano po" but they show their respect through their humble words and actions. They don't always say, ma'am and sir. But in respecting authorities and laws, they need not be told what to do. They abide by the laws and follow orders from authorities. This COVID-19 pandemic alerted the Igorots to practice the "Tee" or "Tengaw" which is the Igorot version of "Stay-at-Home. Te-e or Tengaw is an old tradition and practice where everyone must stay at home during a certain event. The Igorots observe Te-e or Tengaw 100%. They always listen to the old men.

7. They are very practical. This part will surely surprise you. In the Cordillera Region, you cannot tell who is rich and who is not because even the rich aren't so showy about what they have. They wear simple clothes, but they have a mansion and a handsome car. Igorots will buy a nice car which is necessary but not an LV bag worth Php100,000. He will build a mansion but do not expect him to buy that Rolex watch that is worth half a million pesos. In short, they are very practical and they buy only what is necessary. So when you see an Igorot that resembles that beggar in Luneta Park, do not smirk and say, "kadiri". For all you know that Igorot is a millionaire who is just killing time while waiting for his daughter who is a doctor in one of the hospital’s around and mind you, he is driving a Land Rover.

These and more are some inherent characteristics of Igorots worth emulating that make them sustain themselves in times of calamities.

Their resilience and discipline make them survive a crisis.

At the moment while writing this, 4 provinces in the Cordillera Region have no reported cases of COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 Felisa Daskeo. All rights reserved.

Igorots Coping Amidst COVID-19

Please give proper credit to the author.
Do not copy-paste.
by: Felisa Daskeo

I've been thinking a lot about the Igorots in this time of pandemic and crisis whilst they are in a dire situation yet they are coping amidst the COVID-19 and they are surviving the situation with or without the help of the government.

Remember how the late Mayor Gabino Ganggangan of Sadanga, Mountain Province, who refused the food packs from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for his constituents? In his statement and I quote, "Let the national Government feed those more needy urban poor in the cities and those less fortunate in other areas who can't sustain themselves, while we sustain ourselves while we can."

His statement is very true of the Igorots. It is not a boastful act but an inherent attitude of the Igorots who can sustain themselves even in the direst of situations. As Igorots, they were taught to live within their means. Igorots don't practice extravagant life, even if they have the means to do so. Luxury is not part of their simple life and to top it all they want to gain money honestly because they abide by their ancestors' words, "Inayan sa."

“Inayan sa." It's a short sentence full of sense and meaning. To the Igorots they say, "Inayan sa", to all acts against human rights and moral values. They say, "Inayan sa", to someone who violates laws. In short, it is what makes an Igorot the way he is.

Here are some Inherent Characteristics of Igorots why they can survive during Crisis.

1. Resilience - Igorots are perhaps one of the most resilient people. They have strong personalities that help them recover easily during times of crisis. They have the ability to adapt to any situation.

2. They live within their means. - Igorots don't practice extravagant life. They live a simple lifestyle like their ancestors and content themselves with what they have. They are not fond of jewelry and other luxuries that are only embellishments and unnecessary in their daily life. Just because Juan has a new television means Pedro will also buy one. It is not what they were taught. If you don't have extra money to buy "luho”, then be content with what you have.

3. They always think of others. - Igorots always think of others and are not selfish. They always think of the word, "Inayan sa." Greed of power and money is frowned upon by many Igorots.

4. They always save for a rainy day. - Igorots aren't one day millionaires. They always think of the future. Their "agamang" rice granary is always full. So the rice supply could sustain them for a year or more. Farmers plant rice in the rice terraces only once a year. So, they make sure they have enough rice supply before harvest season comes again. Igorots are heavy rice eaters because they work very hard to sustain themselves. They aren't used to charities from other people unless needed. In times of crisis such as this COVID-19 pandemic, rice and salt is almost a luxury.

5. They practice bayanihan religiously. Igorots practice bayanihan especially in times of calamities. The death of someone means every family in the community must share something to help the bereaved family. So the bereaved family will not be indebted, but they will have an extra budget for the pa-siyam and 40 days celebrations. They accomplish community projects in gratis, and you don't hear complaints. They do their duties and responsibilities for their community without complaining.

6. They respect the authorities and abide by the laws. Although Igorots don't have po and opo in their words, they are very respectful people. They don't practice the "Mano po" but they show their respect through their humble words and actions. They don't always say, ma'am and sir. But in respecting authorities and laws, they need not be told what to do. They abide by the laws and follow orders from authorities. This COVID-19 pandemic alerted the Igorots to practice the "Tee" or "Tengaw" which is the Igorot version of "Stay-at-Home. Te-e or Tengaw is an old tradition and practice where everyone must stay at home during a certain event. The Igorots observe Te-e or Tengaw 100%. They always listen to the old men.

7. They are very practical. This part will surely surprise you. In the Cordillera Region, you cannot tell who is rich and who is not because even the rich aren't so showy about what they have. They wear simple clothes, but they have a mansion and a handsome car. Igorots will buy a nice car which is necessary but not an LV bag worth Php100,000. He will build a mansion but do not expect him to buy that Rolex watch that is worth half a million pesos. In short, they are very practical and they buy only what is necessary. So when you see an Igorot that resembles that beggar in Luneta Park, do not smirk and say, "kadiri". For all you know that Igorot is a millionaire who is just killing time while waiting for his daughter who is a doctor in one of the hospital’s around and mind you, he is driving a Land Rover.

These and more are some inherent characteristics of Igorots worth emulating that make them sustain themselves in times of calamities.

Their resilience and discipline make them survive a crisis.

At the moment while writing this, 4 provinces in the Cordillera Region have no reported cases of COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 Felisa Daskeo. All rights reserved.

How Tadian Came to be

Please give due credit to the author. Do not copy-paste.
by: Felisa Daskeo

The first settlers of Tadian, Mt. Province came from a place called Dallikan, a place in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, a province in the northern part of the Philippines. 

The story goes that Pagawad, Dallikan’s powerful leader, became abusive as a leader which led to his death.  The incident happened when a tribal war ensued and his own people abandoned him to be killed by their tribal enemies.

Pagawad’s death led most of the settlers to abandon the place, leaving behind only a few families.  The story goes on with a legendary story of people who followed the roots of a tree called “Batikang”, believed to have uprooted itself from Dallikan to protest the inhuman leadership of Pagawad.  People scattered in many places and settled in different places where they built villages of their own.  These places were soon named as;  Aganayang, Layogan. Alliboo and Baliw-ang.  The people soon moved and settled in different places now named as Sumadel, Lubon, Kayan and others.

Those with more food provisions were able to go further; this included the family of Kaldoongan ; believed to be the first family to settle in Tadian.

The story goes that Kaldoongan and a neighbor set out one day to fetch a pig in Baliw-ang.  This could only be accomplished in those early days by trekking mountains for days.   After two days of trekking slowly with the pig in tow, aggravated by the pig's condition being pregnant and about to give birth;  they decided to stop in Paliwak where they tied the pig to rest while they headed home to Tabiyo to get some food provisions. 

The next day when they returned to the place, the pig was nowhere to be seen but it left some traces that gave them a lead to follow.  They soon arrived in a spot where they found some freshly cut grasses scattered around with footprints that concluded that the pig has rested there for a night; although they spotted no pig around and they had to go on with the search.  The place was soon named “Igan” from the Igorot word “nao-igan” meaning cut grasses scattered around.

Kaldoongan and his company continued the search for the pig and soon reached a place where they found some freshly cut grasses gathered and piled together that indicated the presence of the pig in that spot.  The place was soon named “Logpop”. From the Igorot word “natotopopan”, meaning grasses gathered together.  The men were dismayed because the pig was nowhere to be seen. 

It was getting late in the afternoon and without food provision; the men decided to stop the search and go home then return the next day with additional men to continue the search.  In those early days, animals were very important to the native settlers, so it was not a surprise if they kept going back in search of just one pig.  What worried them more was that the pig could have given birth by now.

The men returned the next day in search of the lost pig and found a spot where they believed the pig settled in for the night because of a mound of freshly cut grasses and some footprints around it.  Because of the mound of grasses which they termed, “Napapatog-o”, meaning a mound, the place was soon named Patog-o.

The search was getting better.  The men knew that the pig was somewhere around and not too far from them.  They however found no pig nearby so the search went on as they followed the lead provided by the pig.

At last, they arrived at a place where water was gushing.  From the base of a big tree, water was freely flowing.  This could be the only possible place where the pig could stop if it was trying to find something for survival. The pig is wise because it looked for the right place to go and give birth.

Water from the roots of the Balite tree is still gushing up to now in DANUM.

The base of the Balite tree where the water is coming out.

The men found the pig huddled with its piglets.  It was the perfect place to build a village in that there was good supply of water.  The family of Kaldoongan soon settled in the same spot where the lost pig led them. And so goes the story of Tadian.

The place was named “Danum” meaning water.  Up to now, even during summer, Danum has water where people fetch water when water is scarce.

What is interesting is that, the settlers of Tadian, Mt. Province started with the search of a lost pig.  It was the pig that led the family of Kaldoongan to the perfect place to build a home and settle down.

Written by: Felisa Daskeo