Abra, a former  Ilocos town, now among the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR),  has a rich texture of social, political and cultural history.  Abreños are largely Tingguians and Ilocanos.

The centuries-old impaod (backstrap) weaving and its many forms, developed through rituals and dreams, are so much a piece of history of the people (Itnegs) of the Tineg River. Pinaing is the goddess of  the women weavers who were taught to weave at the age of ten.

Norma Agaid with a hand-embroidered ritual tapis.

With pride and flame, nana Norma Gintengan Agaid, an Itneg native (internationally referred to as Tingguian) of Abra, speaks about the traditional craft she inherited from ancestors, “It’s the only thing I can pass down to my children and their children.”

The Tingguian colors are predominantly muted. Natural dyes such as malatayum plant (for indigo) were prominent in the designs of the olden days.

White sinugkitan  is worn to signify mourning.

A lace-edged slip underneath the tapis signifies wealth, according to nana Norma.

Piningitan edging such as tinulbek (tulbek ti biag) symbolizes life.

An Ilocano pagablan (loom).

The Abra abel of today are based on traditional pinilian (sampaga, python, river and horse patterns), dinapat (a special seamless weave), and binakol (op art weave like kosikos). The pastel and livelier  motifs are influenced by the times.

The ethnic handwoven fabric comes in the forms of traditional garments, blankets, scarves, table covers and many more. Special designs can be ordered from the remaining indigenous loom weavers in Abra.

Namarabar Ethnic Crafts and Antiques, Namarabar, Peñarrubia, Abra, Philippines
Maria Librada M. Donato
CP Nos.: 0905 2422069 / 0921 4359173
Zita M. Benabese
CP Nos.: 0905 5036515 / 0920 5437921

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

As the Year of the Snake is about to commence, a traditional lion dance by the Santiago Sports and Athletic Association attracts a crowd along Nolasco St. in downtown Laoag.

The incoming Year of the Horse is expected to be fiery as the horse symbolizes power and passion. A social animal, the horse is generally the animal that best represents travel and fame.

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The father of the Laoag Eco-Adventure Development Movement (LEAD), Reny Tan, presents a sandboard to the Mayor of Laoag City, Hon. Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas. It was in Ilocos Norte’s capital, Laoag City, on its indigenous rolling sand dunes, that the rising culture of sandboarding was born.

The board sport on sand innovated by the LEAD Movement in Barangay La Paz is attracting tourists from all over the country and across the globe. It has since been featured internationally (in shows like NBC’s Today) and was listed in top global travel guide books such as Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and the first edition of Insight Guides.

Ilocos Sand Boarding by the LEAD Movement is turning five on August 2 this year.

Young Ilocano artist MJ Ruiz was commissioned by LEAD Movement to do the artwork.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

A favorite relaxing and pampering place in Laoag, The Nail Lounge, just celebrated its first year. I was sent a yummy almond doughnut in a gold box. Congratulations and warm wishes to the kind owners, Claire and Sheena, and their nice and efficient staff. With thanks.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The first Sun Soaked on the warm sandy beaches of Cabugao and Magsingal brought both jolt and encouragement to the otherwise serene coastal villages at the northern end of Ilocos Sur. Without much fanfare prior to its staging, the festival of sea, sand and sun challenges that included kiteboarding, surfing, beach volleyball, frisbee and dragon boat racing was able to attract droves of beach sports enthusiasts from the National Capital Region and the capital of beach events, where else but Boracay?

I lingered at the Cabugao Beach Resort to cheer for the PDRT Fireblades, one among the country’s leading dragon boat teams that made the 8 slots for the first ever dragon boat race on the shores of Ilocos. The race was held in cooperation with the Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation, headed by Ms. Jonne Go.

As head organizer of Sun Soaked, Congressman Ronald Singson of the 1st District of Ilocos Sur mingled with the participants, and along with brother Gov. Ryan Singson, they hosted an after beach party and concert following the awarding ceremonies.

Cong. Ronald said when asked if Sun Soaked is the start of more sports activities to come in Ilocos Sur, “Yes, this is going to be a yearly thing. With our many beautiful beaches, we see the potentials of fun events in Ilocos Sur.”

Looking back, Ilocos Sur has successfully organized individual sports competitions, particularly motocross and enduro dirt bike challenges.

I crossed paths with the Sports Unlimited team covering the events. Hahah, first, it was Gene, the executive producer. Only until Marc Nelson holds the mic before the camera, he is incognito as always. I was happy the super friendly host remembers me and my family. The last time we hosted him and Dyan Castellejo in Norte was almost a decade ago.

A monk blesses the dragon boats on Pug-os Beach.

With Duch Gamboa-Co and Pinky Co, supportive mom to PDRT Fireblades paddlers Duch and Phil.

Moody winds threatened the races. La Salle’s boat overturned at one point, but made it back to the race.

Manila Wave beat Boracay All Stars at the 300m dragon boat race. PYROS came in close third while Manila Dragons made the 4th top spot.

Being an adventure junkie myself, looking forward to experience more action-packed events in the years to come.

Happy Kannawidan, Ilocos Sur!

Phil Co, an Ilocano paddler.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Parabanne Mendoza and Arjuna Saulo, the best coaches in the country’s MTB scene, will be in Laoag on February 8, 2014, to conduct a bike clinic to help you reach your race goals and riding skills. The one-day course will take place on the lofty trails of Lagui-Sail.

Registration fee is P500. For inquiries, contact the Batibols Bikers (Jackie de la Cruz or Edzel Bargas) here.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

At 8 AM in the Laoag City Hall, the auditorium was getting filled with more and more boys. I didn’t see any girls except for the guest speaker who was seated right next to me.  What was I doing in a DotA tournament? No one at home plays DotA, so I went to see why the online battle is getting to be the archenemy of a lot of parents and girlfriends.

In  her message, 22 year-old Mikee Fariñas (the President of the Association of Barangay Councils and the youngest member the city council has ever had) said that DotA is “not intended for pastime only, but a test of the agility of the mind.”

I went around the hall. I asked one gamer, what is it about DotA that he likes? “It is a game of strategy and teamwork.”

I asked 13 year-old Alvin Daquioag if his parents knew he was a challenger in the Laoag City Cyber League. “Yes,” he said. But he also said, he plays on his laptop only after school for about two hours as a break before making his homework assignment.”

Ronel Razon, an Information Technology student spends more time on the net than Alvin, four hours of DotA in the morning before going to school. “It’s basically a good balance of both,” he said.

I went back to the hall four times within a span of 13 hours and no two teams yet were in the final defense.

The Potchie Gaming team.

The first ever live DotA tournament in these parts, the Laoag City Cyber League DotA 2 Season One, was hosted by the Laoag City Hall IT division, headed by Mr. Franz Felipe.

Marc Nicolas, head of  the  organizing committee shared that the coveted shield was made by tattoo artist Janer Santos and Alfredo Ronquillo of San Nicolas.

At city level (for the fiesta), it was quite an exhausting battle of battles. The brownout was causing some delays. By 9 PM, the room was half-filled. I didn’t get to see who among the 44 participating teams was handed the Aegis shield.

If there is something I earned at the DotA challenge, it is the first-hand view into DotA — that it is a better way of spending time on the net than, say, stalking, bullying other netizens or simply slacking. But just like any other thing in life, too much of it is trouble.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2013

There’s only one sandboarding competition in the Philippines and it happened again for the second time at the Laoag “La Paz” Sand Dunes. And as the young President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), Mikee Fariñas, has mentioned in her inspirational talk, it has become  the sandboarding capital of Southeast Asia.

Though this year’s competition was not as epic in terms of preparations and size, just the same the spirit rose above the sea of sand.

We still get the goosebumps. Five years ago, who would have thought the humble DIY sandboard made of plywood could launch a new culture of extreme sand shredding in these parts?

Judging the intimidating, almost-head-splitting Free Style Category were Ilocos’s premier tattoo artist Janer Santos (chairman), eco-adventure enthusiast from Adams Paul Acupan and pro skater Kriss Castro. The best time was central in the Time Trial Category. A total of eleven city boys and three La Paz homeboys braved the burning sun, the launcher (like how Fairon and Klein want to call it), the ramp and a wipeout. The top five placers in both categories were awarded a trophy and cash prize each.

The get-together was made possible by the City Government of Laoag, through the leadership of Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, and the Laoag Eco-Adventure Development Movement (LEAD), with the unequivocal support of the Barangay Talingan leaders and the Laoag Solid 8 Corp.

Let the spirit of fiesta and bayanihan live on!

Two-time champion in the Free Style Category, Ema Manuel

Congratulations to the winners of the 2nd Laoag La Paz Sand Boarding Competition!

Time Trial Category
1st – Maco Custodio
2nd -Eugene Tan
3rd -Carlo Domingo
4th -Ema Manuel
5th -Jay Clavel

Free Style Category
1st -Ema Manuel
2nd -Adriano Aceret
3rd -Eugene Tan
4th -Carlo Domingo
5th -Maco Custodio

*On behalf of the LEAD Movement, thanking the participants, judges, Laoag Solid 8 Corp., Marc Nicolas  (the race director), Clyde (the emcee), Toto, Sean, Rommel, Allan, Jao, Darwin, Nick, Jake, Brgy. Talinngaan, ABC President Mikee Fariñas, the Laoag City paramedics, the City Government of Laoag and everyone who in one way or another helped make the event meaningful.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The underrated Filipino sweet potato has gained a lot of hype in the sphere of health and wellness lately. Known here as camote, the high in nutrients, zero-cholesterol and zero-fat root crop lowers bad cholesterol and blood sugar according to studies.

I won’t forget the story of my Ilocano-American uncle who brought with him his kamotig-digging skill to America as a soldier. Literally, it was his roots that helped him survive war savaged Vietnam. He is the fittest SC I know!

In a world where fried potatoes rule, there’s this bag of chips that caught my foodie family’s attention. The garlic camote chips of Namnama’s Food Products stand out among those that we sampled. You won’t stop, promise!

We also loved the honey-glazed version which they ran out of. Thinner and tastier than banana chips. I suggest you head straight to their headquarters in Paoay for guaranteed freshness and, of course, it’s a lot cheaper if you buy in bulk.

Til our next food discovery. Have a nice new week, everyone!

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Pasuquin’s Josie Barbeque was part of an old post in the blog (here). It’s the yummy peppery sauce that’s made this budget barbeque popular with locals passing by the northern town. Good news, guys ands gals, it’s now grilling at the Shop & Go – Bacarra Rd! One stick costs 2 pesos more than Pasuquin’s, but at 8 pesos, pleasingly still cheaper than most barbeques around. It’s the ketchup-free taste though that counts. You’d find Josie’s son, Jonathan, doing his routine at the stand, from 4 to 10 PM.

Also Grilling… where on earth did the aging John Travolta get Adele Dazeem?  I got Brian Edbrards here.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Feed me hotdog and I’ll ask for mustard. Give me hotdog with mustard and I’ll bring it home. The more unusual the add-ons, the better. But I found a hotdog stand, in fact the only hotdog stand in Ilocos. Eulodogs is a bright structure standing infront of the Pastor Residence near the corner of Panganiban Street and F.R. Castro Avenue.

A not your ordinary hotdog is a real treat. Brandon’s first Eulodog was a Mexican Eulo. According to him, a hotdog spiced up with hot beef. Today, he tried the Eulodog Experience (only 88 pesos) which overflows with olives, bell pepper, chips, mustard, cheese, ketchup and mayo.

Mine was an Ilocos Eulo (only P45). Predictable, huh? With the addition of tostado garlicky Laoag longaniza bits and onions, the effect is sort of a rustic taco, if there’s such a thing. The chili cheese fries I shared with Bran were gone so fast. I’m now a fan, but I still have to make usyuso the other 6 dogs, and the spicy wings, and the bacon fries.

Eulodogs was created by food lover KD, (or Ulo, his name when he was growing up) Pastor. It’s a two-week old baby.  “Why not make something out of my love for food?”

Eulodogs is open from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Photos by Brandon and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Isabel Suites in downtown Laoag has a new annex. I was just passing by, so I don’t have pics of the rooms.  It has the look of a roadside inn with a modernistico vibe. Standards rooms are between 850-1550, 1950 for triple sharing and 2450 for suites equipped with minibar and bathtub. All rooms with cable TV are fully air-conditioned.

Isabel Suites Gen. Segundo Ave. (Bacarra Road) Tel No.: 0776708579 CP No.: 09178430067  email: isabelsuiteseast.laoag@gmail.com.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Not only Pinoy showbiz fans will be entertained at the newly-opened flavored fried chicken house, Rated SPJ, in Mojon, Malolos, Bulacan, only several minutes drive from the metro. Hahaha, star na star!

SPJ, derived from the surnames of its owners, Registered Nurse Raymond San Pedro and TV Producer Jaypril Jaring, is a spoof for Philippine Movie and Television’s viewership classification “Rated SPG” or Strong Parental Guidance.

Rated SPJ prides itself for six homemade fried chicken flavors. An all star casting of Buffalo Action Star, Sweet and Spicy Bold Star, Honey Teen Star, Garlic Matinee Idol, Barbecue Star for All Seasons, and Super Mega Grandslam Spicy Star.

In supporting roles are burgers and wraps.

Two house specials are named after its owners. The Variety Show line has two dishes – JAPSILOG that has generous servings of tapa, longganisa, tocino, embutido and Hungarian sausage, plus egg and fried rice, all in at P99. And GOURMOND consisting of kwek-kwek, chicken balls, squid balls, kikiam, chicken skin and the Malolos-famous street food “provent”,  everything and surely clean at P69.

And then, of course, the film festival of drinks and desserts.

Hot drinks are grouped in an FPJ movie, “Walang Matigas na Tinapay sa Mainit na Kape. The cold ones are altogether in a 1982 film, “Pusong Uhaw”. Frappes and desserts might be deliciously deadly, for they’re tagged ”Coffee, Shakes, Rattle and Roll” and “Patayin sa Tamis si Barbara” respectively.

Rated SPJ is fully air-conditioned. Check out the “Now Showing”, “Coming Soon” and “Promos” boards for updates and the “Wall of Fans” board. where you can post your reviews.

Pang box-office hit, don’t you think?

RATED SPJ FLAVORED FRIED CHICKEN CAFÉ 121 A. Mabini St., Mojon, City of Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines, 3000 (From NLEX, take Tabang Exit, Go straight to Malolos. Turn right at Malolos crossing, right under the flyover. Drive straight to Brgy. Mojon, watch out for 7-11 Menzyland Subdivision, Rated SPJ comes before that. Jaypril Jaring 0917 388 7242 Raymond San Pedro 0906 791 2986

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

I still have to win the lottery to be able to afford my own SUV, but for those of you are considering buying a nice sporty ride like the Pajero or Montero Sport, or perhaps a Strada truck, the Northpoint Alliance Motors Corp. (NAMCo) has recently opened in Laoag. Also for Mitsubishi owners who want only the best for their babies.

Visit the huge showroom and service center along Airport Ave., Buttong, Laoag, or call Sean (CP No.: 09175977704) for inquiries.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Where do governments or even ordinary citizens fail? As opposed to long-term, we tend to plan short-term. To be able to see what lies ahead and sketch a system to reach our preferred future was the focus of “Resilient Cities, Brighter Futures”, the first ever futures forum-workshop in the Philippines, organized by UNESCO in collaboration with Northwestern University and the City Government of Laoag, held at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium last week.

World-renowned futurist Dr. Sohail Inayatullah engaged participants, which included representatives from local government units, the private business sector, non-government groups and the academe, both from here and abroad.

“Back to the future — we are past our prime, we need to return to simpler times,” Dr. Sohail Inayatullah says of the need for transformation.

Prior to the workshop proper, futurists from the Tamkang University, the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies, Chung Ang University and Laoag’s Northwestern University shed light on futurology as a tool for recognizing issues.

Project NOAH Executive Director Mahar Lagmay, globally-recognized architect/urban planner Felino “Jun Palafox Jr, Dean Mario de los Reyes of the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning, WWF Moncini Hinay of WWF-Philippines, Makati City Urban Development Officer Merlina Panganiban, Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office Statistician John Eugene Vincent Escobar presented more or less climate change status and disaster management in some parts of the country.

Looking back at the outputs, we arrived at a future of a participatory governed, forward-rallying society. Hereafter, the future is something You and I build.

With fellow local participant.

Photographed by Alex and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

I remember vividly. At the school auditorium while in college, I was tasked to represent my department in an extemporaneous speaking contest. The topic was activism taken to the streets. I went to the stage, greeted the audience, and then left the podium. Nothing would come out of my head. Here in Ilocos, peace was ordinary. Here in Ilocos, we were unspeaking. Here in Ilocos, a distinct, strong culture pervaded.

Gone are those days. Seeing firsthand the effects of man-made disasters allowed by people in power has put a point on the voice.

I remember a visit to the beach in Masintoc, Paoay, in 2006. Back then, I didn’t know that black sand mining was what I was witnessing. It looked like a huge construction site in the middle of paradise.

Today, I joined social and environmental activists representing the various sectors in the province. A calm unanimous protest against black sand mining in the province was lobbied at the Sanggunian Session Hall of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol.

A couple of SP members were present to tackle the issue and only two or three also voiced out their support for the environment.

In the course of deliberations, it was reported that sons of a government community development officer were given permits for large-scale mining explo in the towns of Dingras and Marcos. The very same government official vested the authority to serve and protect is supporting mining.

Along with the effort to protect the province from another Haiyan, let it be the start for public officials to “think of land as a community and not a commodity.”

I enjoin you, dear provincemates, to be vigilant.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

This is my 1,250th post on WordPress. I won’t be shy on this.

Shame on you, Erick Padilla, for stealing my words and photos and for “graciously” allowing the blog, Kain Na Po, to feature you and “your story” and the two photos lifted from my blog post! I’ve never ever met you, not even on Facebook.

It is so dumb to attach the ALL RIGHTS RESERVED at the bottom of every post, but I do like to play dumb for those who don’t realize the sanctity of intellectual and creative property.

Screenshots of the post that contains stolen material

My post, published on August 23, 2010

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Sports icon Dyan Castillejo and prominent TV host Marc Nelson were in Ilocos recently to shoot for Sports Unlimited’s upcoming episodes. At the end of a via ferrata adventure in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Sports Unlimited proceeded to the capital of Ilocos Norte, Laoag City, where they were led to the capital of sandboarding in the Philippines for the uniquely Ilocos thrills, with no less than the pioneers of sandboarding in the country, the Laoag Eco-Adventure Development Movement, simply known as LEAD.

Dyan and Marc are not new to La Paz. Sports Unlimited was the first sports and adventure show that featured the iconic Laoag La Paz Sand Dunes more than a decade ago. A couple of LEADers were among a group that hosted Sports Unlimited for that first ever local sand duning adventure on Philippine television, which later evolved to a creative palangana, yes, a batya adventure, if you will recall. And then came the trending sandboarding culture introduced by LEAD Movement.

Very pro to the core, the duo tried every imaginable trick on a board. The younger members of LEAD were so amazed.

Catch Sports Unlimited every Saturday evening on ABC-CBN with replays on the ANC Channel.

With special thanks to Sports Unlimited, Dyan and Marc, Gene and the rest of the crew.

Contact LEAD Movement:  Reny Tan 0919-873-5516 /0917-841-5155 or Nicole Arce 0917-523-0331 Like Ilocos Sand Boarding on facebook.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The second album launch and concert of the internationally awarded children’s choir, the Samiweng Singers of the Ilocon Norte National High School, was unexpectedly held in a church. Two or three people outside the Laoag Cathedral were a little confused. In my head, there is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is, like American minister and hymn writer William P. Merrill once said.

And imagining the SSAA choir’s sweet, cherubic voices, the church of my childhood beckoned.

The singing coincided with the visit of the Sr. Sto. Niño de Cebu.

I am a big fan of the Samiweng Singers. They are a breath of fresh air to local cultural events. They make the Ilocanos proud with every accolade they receive. I get goosebumps watching videos of their winning moments at the World Choir Games, referred to as The Olympics of Choral Music, held in held in Cincinnati USA.

The highlights of the choir’s stellar singing journey — the top prize at the 29th National Music Competition for Young Artists in 2002, Overall Winner (children’s, youth choirs, and sacred music categories) at the 1st Vietnam International Choir Festival and Competition in 2011, a gold and 2 silvers at the 7th World Choir Games in 2012 and a nomination for Best Choral Group at the 25th Aliw Awards. The list is too long to mention.

As parent to two former students of the school, I am also a big fan of the Ilocos Norte National High School and their programs which effectively enhance the innate talents of its students.

Retired teacher Robert Caluya founded and mentored the choir. He was succeeded by teacher Sherberk Cabrales (in photo above) as choir conductor. Along with fellow teachers Sherween Cabrales and Egdonna Legaspi, Sherberk trains the choir members, with ages ranging from 12-17.

Fresh from their Hawaii performance, the Samiweng Singers regaled the audience with a repertoire of Ilocano songs and sacred music. They were joined by alumna Michelle Pascual, currently a University of the Philippines student, and INNHS Special Program in the Arts student Hannah Mae Uganiza, who will be remembered for her audition song Lipad na Pangarap for The Voice Kids Philippines.

Samiweng is an Ilocano portmanteau of sam-it and aweng, which translates to sweet echo.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

As of late, anti-mining protesters in Ilocos Norte can heave a sigh of relief with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s junking of a resolution that will favor black sand mining in Ilocos Norte. Citing environmental implications at a joint committee hearing in June, eco-warriors hailing from the different sectors in the province protested against the said resolution, rationalizing the position of the government of Ilocos Norte on black sand mining, passed by Board Member Joel Garcia.

The total ban on black sand mining stays.

I have to agree with Defend Ilocos that the collective courage displayed by the people of Ilocos Norte is very commendable and a model for mining-affected communities to follow.

Environment watchdogs in Ilocos Norte vow to fight all forms of mining and environment degradation.

Update: From Board Member Joel Garcia — the resolution rationalizing the position of the government of Ilocos Norte on black sand mining has been withdrawn.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014