Fretting Over the New Tourism Slogan

What would come to the mind of someone foreign to our language when you say "Pilipinas Kay Ganda"? What would you think if someone told you "Decorus Italy?" Nothing would come to your mind but confusion. But if you say "Wow Philippines" it automatically create something of beauty in the mind.

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim cited “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” as reflective of the optimism being represented by the new administration. “The new Philippine brand will be the centerpiece of our tourism promotional programs and advertising campaigns in the years to come. It is in keeping up with the President’s philosophy of public-private partnership” and "it is reflective of the optimism being represented by the new administration," said Lim.

He said that "although the brand had elicited mixed reactions because of its radical departure from what is currently done by neighboring countries; it is relevant, distinctive, and believable." But did he ponder why the neighboring countries used beautiful brand such as Malaysia. Truly Asia, Incredible India, Amazing Thailand, Uniquely Singapore? They were products of research that should attract the mind of a foreigner to automatically create hunger of what the place has to offer.

Lim is hopeful that by using the vernacular language for the tagline, every domestic and foreign tourist will tend to mouth the phrase in same way Hawaii has successfully popularized the expression “Aloha” in a global scale. He said that “the real challenge is how to make the Philippines attain a competitive identity that differentiates it from what our neighbors are claiming to be. We need to be more daring in expressing our brand, if we are to rise above the clutter."

So what is Lim trying to popularize there? "Kay Ganda?" The Philippine Airlines is already ahead of Lim with their in-flight magazine "Mabuhay".

I believe the neighboring countries are way ahead of us in their tourism promotion. With our new slogan, I believe the only people we can attract to come home are our "kababayan."

If we want to create craving in the minds of foreign people, we should use the universal language that is understood by the very people we want to attract. And of course should rhyme with the name of our country.

I would prefer "Pristine Philippines" because it will not only create a craving for a beautiful and quite place, it will also contest the notion planted in the foreigners' minds that Philippines is not a safe place for tourists.

Or we can just retain Wow Philippines, or perhaps we should change our Tourism secretary.

Automated Election, Not Automatic

Technicians who don't know what they are doing, limited modems, modems that can't transmit, insufficient thermal paper, irregularities in transporting the machines. These things actually happened in so-called Summer Capital of the Philippines during the May 10, 2010 election.

I thought it was only one technician who doesn't know what he's doing.Reports are coming in that a lot of the IT technicians are not really prepared for worst case scenarios. The technician I saw spent most of his time reading the manual to correct a problem of jamming. In the end, the only solution was to transmit the results first before they can continue to print the turn outs. However there is only one modem in each cluster of precinct so they will have to wait for the others to finish transmitting.

So we waited.... and waited.... and waited... coz the other machine just experienced the same problem and they will have to finish transmitting first before the modem can be taken to the other side. So the lone technician went back to reading the manual instead of going to the other side to help them out finish the transmission and get the modem when it's done. They were done already for like 30 minutes or so. But the technician is not coming to get the modem. I asked one of the teachers if she is allowed to bring it over. It is and she brought it over to the other side.

After about an hour or so, the technician went back to our side and asked us if we can open the machine and put the cf card there coz the other machine can't transmit. Everyone of the watchers refused so he went back again to the other side. It turned out, it was the simm that can't transmit coz it was successful when he changed it into a different network.

While these are happening, the thermal papers run out and they have to order more from comelec. It made me wonder that if COMELEC was really prepared, should they have been able to compute the amount of papers needed to print the 30 sets of election returns? Some precincts were still working until 3 in the morning because of similar problems. The automation is not really automatic.

When the counting is done, the CF cards should have been transported separately with the machine and should have been accompanied by the watchers. Some of the machines were transported with the CF cards intact in a car-for-rent of a politician and no watchers were allowed to go with it. Transportation provided by COMELEC is not even enough. It seems they are not as prepared as they claimed.

So why did they insist for Automated election when it's obvious that they were not prepared? But maybe this ought to happen so that we will learn to change. Perhaps today is not the change we are looking for but just a preparation so that we can be ready when the real change comes.

The Calling of the Pen

Carl Cariño Taawan

Their pens are proven mightier than any sword. They helped bring down a system and forge a new government. The economy have risen and fallen with their words.

They are the voices when the masses wanted to be heard, and they are tools for the leaders to inform the masses. They are the instruments that bridge the gap between the peoples of the country.

The people demanded for their words on unforeseen occurrences. When revolutions happen they sacrificed so much to keep their voices heard.

When calamities struck, provisions were sent because their words had struck the good hearted people.

The merchants have supported them and they too have brought their end of the bargain by making their supporters wealthier.

The entertainment industry that made the people smile or cry after a hard day’s work has come to dramatic growth because of them.

The very politicians, for obvious reasons, have entreated for their assistance and many have risen to power with them behind.

The armed forces have sought them to cover their works as well as in defending their rights and these things too were granted countless of times.

Yet in a slight suspicion or for their own conveniences, those who asked for their help will not think twice to condemn them to hell. It came to be so that one of the least paid jobs in the country is also one of the most dangerous.

Many tears have fallen and their bloods have tainted the earth, their bodies have piled up to the roof of the heavens. The scream of their plea for justice has plagued the land yet their pleas have been forgotten.

Many will keep on trying to stop them, but atrocity will only fuel their burning desires to fulfill their duty.

This is not just a job that they must do. This is their passion. A calling like a burning fire inside that they cannot endure and have to let out.

Their desire to keep the people informed no matter what is their way of life.

The Tenth Ray

By Carl Cariño Taawan

The senate agreed to include a ninth ray on the Philippine flag's sun to symbolize the courage, bravery and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation's independence. Shouldn't the senate also include the mountain people who sacrificed so many lives to fight oppression?

Under the leadership of Bonifacio, the Filipino people started fighting the Spaniards in the late 1800's. But the Igorot people had been fighting these invaders for the 333 years they colonized the Philippines. The conquerors were not able to fully establish a foothold in the Igorot territories.

The biggest battle recorded by the Spaniards was in 1760s in Tonglo, part of the modern Tuba. In this particular battle, most of the Ibaloi warriors were united to battle the Spanish-led armada of lowland soldiers. It was during this battle that many of the brave Ibaloi warriors were killed and the town of Tonglo, one of the biggest communities of Igorots in Benguet was erased on the map.

It was only in 1846 after so many battles and so many sacrificed lives that Colonel Guilermo de Galvey was able to establish a rancheria in Benguet and named the capital La Trinidad after his wife.

In the Spanish records, when their historians first arrived in La Trinidad, there were more than 100 houses in the valley. However, in the later remarks, there were only about 30 huts. The continues battle has decimated the population of Igorots in the territories closest to the enemies.

Colonel Galvey also attacked deeper in the Cordilleras into the Mountain Provinces and Ifugao but he wasn't able to establish a permanent stronghold. Until the time the Americans bought the Philippines from the Spaniards, most of the Igorot territories are free from the foreign invaders. Practically speaking, they were not conquered by the Spaniards.

When the Americans came, the Igorots also were the last to be conquered after many bloody battles. Most of these battles were of course not recorded or in a term used by their historian William Henry Scott, these records were whitewashed by the Americans. There was a story of American soldiers who eradicated a whole community of Igorots in Ifugao. After so many battles and many more lives were sacrificed did the Americans started sending teachers to educate remnants of these brave Igorot warriors.

Of course the Americans won't be that interested to these so-called wild men of the Philippines if they will not benefit from their lands. Like the Spaniards, they were after one thing. Resources. The Igorot land was rich with gold and timber. After their conquest, they started harvesting the lumbers and mining the gold. Thankfully, even after robbing them of their riches, the Americans were able to educate these wild men and up to the present, they were among the well educated people in the Country. Another good thing about the Americans is they know how to replant the felled trees and many of those seen in Baguio today were planted by them.

So the Americans taught the Igorots a more peaceful way to live and the humbled fierce warriors abandoned their shields and spears. They now relied to the American government for protection.

After 40 years of the American invasion came another oppressors, The Japanese imperial army. After fighting so many battles with the Spaniards and Americans, and after being abandoned by the people who promised them protection if they lay down their arms, the Igorot people were easily humbled by these new invaders. However, after witnessing so much cruelty, the Igorots once again rose to fight and they created a legend that the Japanese army came to fear and the Americans came to respect, the 66th infantry battalion.

When the Americans came back to fulfill their promise, the Igorot battalion fought hand in hand with them. They were able to drive the Japanese army out of Baguio and the enemy's number dwindled after they were chased away deeper into the Cordillera Mountains. Until finally with the 66th infantry on their tail their foremost General Yamashita, the conqueror of Malaya surrendered in Kiangan, Ifugao. The Japanese armies were fearful of the 66h infantry to the end that they have chosen to surrender to the Americans.

After the war, the Americans granted the Philippines freedom and the Igorot people were free to govern themselves. The Igorots has now adjusted to modern living and they have migrated to different part of the globe providing services of their respective skills. Visiting the Cordilleras now, one would notice the American educated communities where English is understood and spoken.


The plight of the Igorot people is unknown to many Filipinos. Their name is used as a derogatory term by some. But they were people who valued their freedom like the rest of the Filipinos. They fought for it like the Filipino heroes written in history books. Is their sacrificed thousands of lives fighting for independence and exploited resources not enough to be part also of the Country's symbol?

He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother

Mr. Aaron Tudlong, a former NLRC sherif and a father of two was only 27 years old when he was diagnosed with Kidney Failure in 2006. Replacement of the kidney was the best option, however, efforts to find a donor was next to impossible. As his condition worsens, he had to give up his job. After 3 years of battling with the disease, resources of his family and friends have been depleted and became hardly enough to cover the thrice-a-week dialysis, additional medications, not to mention other family needs and the education of his children.

Hence, this appeal to generous individuals to help him with his expenses and to sustain his family's needs. Hopefully, enough funds will be raised to set up a small family business that will further help sustain his and his family's needs.

Pine Trees of the World Park
February 22, 2009 at 6 to 10 pm

Enjoy the night with bonfire under Baguio's Benguet Pine trees with round-the-clock music from Jun Utleg, Daluyon and other bands. Fight the cold night with free flowing beer and pulutan! You may even get lucky and win prizes from our sponsors!

He ain't Heavy. he's my brother Part one is a project of the Beta Sigma, Baguio Forumers Club, The Molmolites, Mid Rock Quary Brgy. in cooperation with the City of Baguio