There are only three rules in order to be contented in life: to live (and exist), to love, and to laugh. Live. Love. Laugh.
Cordillera Day 2011
We went to Buneg, Lacub, Abra, to witness the celebration of Cordillera Day, a day to remember the courage of Macliing Dulag and to affirm the unity of the people of Cordillera in their struggle for the recognition of their rights.
The travel from Manila to Abra is long and tiring. We left Manila at exactly 11PM. We rode a bus to Bangued, Abra, and arrived at about 8:30 in the morning. We waited for the jeepneys that would bring us to Lacub. The travel to Lacub is about four hours; we waited for the jeep for almost three hours. We left Bangued at almost 12 noon. On our way to Lacub, it rained so we were asked to hike on the steepest part of the mountain. We arrived in Buneg at about 3:30 in the afternoon.
And we are closer to the skies! (c) Z. Aeson Dantis
Being in another place – a place where one is not used to, brings excitement to a person. This is healthy, but when the excitement takes over, making one forget the true reason to be going in that place, then the purpose is defeated. That is why I tried my best to overcome my excitement and to keep in mind the reason to be in that place, which is to learn about the plight the indigenous peoples of Cordillera are experiencing and to experience first-hand their way of living.
The journey was hard but when the natives smiled at us, we forgot about our tired body and remembered the reason why we were there. The thirteen hours of travel no longer mattered; the fact that we arrived safely matters more than that, but the question on whether we will fulfil our goal of understanding their way of life and present situation or not, matters more than anything else.
Live!
First phrase that came to my mind upon arrival: bare necessities. It seemed to me, that time, that the place only caters for the bare necessities, and somehow it is true. We eat, not to enjoy the food, but to be free from hunger. We bathe in the river, not to enjoy the waters, but to clean ourselves. And upon realizing that, I know that this is already different.
The medium used to facilitate public communication is Ilocano. We needed a translator to understand what they are saying – language barrier indeed, especially since most key speeches are also in Ilocano. Listening pays a lot when exercised in situations like this. Connecting is also important. That is why we also participated in the presentations and we tried to learn their language.
Love!
Loving entails caring and understanding. To understand the indigenous peoples of Cordillera, we asked them about their history and their current situation. We talked about the problems that they face: poverty, being labelled as second class, marginalization, and militarization and exploitation.
All types of emotions take place within one’s self upon hearing their situation: sadness, pity, anger, and fear. Then, you’d just realize that by hearing their story, you’re one step closer to loving them.
Laugh!
But the Cordillera Day isn’t this depressing. We, the delegates and other participants, had fun too. We got to dance the Tanek and some even danced the courtship dance. Having a joker around made the trip fun and enjoyable!
Soon, we had to leave and go back to our usual lives. We have to leave after breakfast. We rode a jeep to Bangued, and a bus to Manila. We arrived at past 1 am in Manila. And, voila! – I was locked out of my dorm. So, I just stayed in Chowking for two hours and in Cafe France for another two hours – everytime I remember this, I just laugh.
Nowhere to Go: I stayed at Chowking and Cafe France 'til sunrise. (c) Z. Aeson Dantis
After a few days of living with the indigenous peoples of Cordillera, eating the food they eat, and living like them (somehow), we needed to leave and return to the city life we were used to. We may have left them physically but all the things we’ve learned from there will forever be embedded in our memories, and will now influence the decisions that we are going to make in the future.
Live. Love. Laugh. You can learn to be contented in life if you live, love, and laugh.
Saying live life to its fullest!
Thanks Emman. Wish you could someday join one of my trips.