Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Nikko's

Visiting Sagada again after thirteen years was a very different experience.

The infrastructures and tourist around were easily forgotten when you get into the icon in all parts of the Sagada, I find Sagada still very mystic. Cold weather, forested trail, long trek, added with the nice and knowledgeable guides who continuously provide education. I undauntedly made it, it was an adventure that I admired to experience in my mid-40s. Thank you to Eric who organized the trip with a good purpose – sending self-help books to the public schools in Sagada
(Nikko V. Zapata, 5 January 2010).

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

13 Sagada Book Donors

Next sked is March 31-April 1 to 3, 2010, 1st BEST TIME Sagada Travel During Holy Week for only 3,200 inclusive of 2 breakfast meals, transportation, accommodation w/ blankets, major & minor tour packages w/ lamp, guide tips, van, museum fee, scholarship fund and surprises! See http://www.sagadalibrarian.backpackers.blogspot.com for other details & stories or text @ 09187318010.

Manang Julia, consultant and beloved, said in her text message: Hi Eric, thanks for this very nice book-WHY WORRY? When I started reading it I can’t stop until I have finished cover to cover. I will let my children read it. It’s a very gud buk. Thanks and regards.

Why Worry: How to Live Without Fear & Worry copies were distributed to 12 participantes of Sagada Librarian-backpackers, 9 municipality high schools and to few Sagadans met in the poblacion prior to a 4-hour Mt. Bomod-ok Falls Walk Over Rice Paddies, also known as little Banaue Rice Terraces in Fidelisan (northern barangay) last December 30 (Wednesday). See below a list for other book donations provided by the group to Bomabanga National High School with Mrs. Genevieve Gewan Daoas as coordinator for sent donations .

An hour-ride to Bontoc is its pride, the one must-see Bontoc Museum. Young tourists namely Geraldine (O.B. Montessori) who wishes to become a Mountain Province barrio teacher and Cecil (Girl Scout of the Philippines) whose one suitor is an Igorot, served as main recipients of exciting highland activities in this municipality on top of caves, known as Sagada.

Mt. Ampacao trekking attempt started with a long walk to Demang community, an old village with traditional rituals held @ ‘dap-ays,’ western barangay of Sagada Municipality. A single photo with the mountain’s Smart communication tower as backdrop is enough proof to try and trek Mt. Polis or Mt. Pulag. Other than high mountains, berry fields, and hush-hush trails, tagged Pork Chop duo, Lana (St. John C) and Bernadette (PNU), entertained the group while aiming for Lake Danum. Their batch mates, Kareen (ADMU) and Joel (TNL), cheered and jeered also. Past noon, they listened to Sigrid in the used-to-be-barracks now a pottery shop for a paid demo and were thrilled. After Alapo’s Sinigang warmed each, two did not join a walk to Echo Valley, where the group shoutout was made, to Hanging Coffins, where a sacred burial area with many old coffins was disovered, to Lemon Pie House, ordered for brewed coffee and lemon tea, to mushrooming shops for souvenir and gift items. The 2nd night ended with a light meal in the Masferre’s Restaurant surprising diners with piano pieces and Kundiman songs played on by expert Ms. Vernie of Sta. Isabel College-Manila. CCP’s Niko and Dr. Karen (former FEU Tamaraw) were so silent, enthralled, and obviously, had the evening’s music.

The trekking to Mt. Ampacao was second to the very popular Sumag-ing “Big” Cave (1st day, Dec. 28). Photos of group spelunking and rapelling will excite surely anyone. Dr. Karen, also a participante, discouraged those who have hypertension, heart ailments, diabetes and epileptic tendencies to perform any of the backpackers’ exhaustive activities. The good doctor also suggested everyone to moisturize. Males will have to moisturize, she added.

Pasta and yoghurt-tasting were part of the itinerary. Annie (Manila Science HS) and 15-year old named Rof had a nice mother and son bonding time with a newfound friend Froi (CCT) and Ms. Vernie at Sagada’s only Yoghurt House.

READING MATERIALS SENT TO BOMABANGA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL thru Mrs. Genevieve Gewan Daoas:

Pabula at parabula- Kareen Banal (Ateneo de Manila)

The World almanac for kids-Lana Cayabyab(St. John’s College-Novaliches)

Gabay para sa kasanayan ng barangay tanod-thru Arturo Morales (DILG-Local Government Academy), 4 copies

PALS feet: foundation for effective and efficient transition-thru Arturo Morales (DILG-Local Government Academy), 4 copies

LGU Academy annual report 2008-thru Arturo Morales (DILG-Local Government Academy), 5 copies

Feminine voices: toward a new millennium-thru Ms. Flordeliz Siochi(NCCA)

Our daily bread-Froilan Parado (CCT Group of Ministries)

Webster’s thesaurus-Froilan Parado (CCT Group of Ministries)

Wealth within your reach-Consuelo Zapata (CCP)

Quick & easy devotions for youth groups-Consuelo Zapata (CCP)

Sociology-Consuelo Zapata (CCP)

The Fires of Merlin-Cecil Velasco (Girl Scout of the Philippines)

The Seven songs of Merlin Cecil Velasco (Girl Scout of the Philippines)

The Prince and the pauper-Geraldine Sarmiento (O.B. Montessori)

The One-minute manager -Geraldine Sarmiento (O.B. Montessori)

Why worry: how to live without fear & worry, 50 copies (thru Wilma Bitmal)