Inspection and Mud Surpise

Field visit and local immersion are a must when one is involved in community development, as staying in the office doing the paperwork is not sufficient. This is to ensure that the blueprint and the actual work coincide as planned. In addition, making sure that everyone who is part of the development process is helping hand in hand and aware of the project as it progresses.    

The mountainous province of Kalinga is the one of the select areas among the Cordillera region that highly benefits to the development projects implemented by the national government and partnership with some international NGO.  The area where I'm working as a CF (Community Facilitator) is surrounded by rich flora and fauna. The locals were able to utilize the natural resources that they had to to their advantage.  Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main source of livelihood in communities. In relation to that, projects in irrigation system and improvement of farm to market road were the focal point of the development work.

My colleagues and I went to visit one of the irrigation site we were handling to see if the project plan was properly executed. A long trek was needed to reach the site passing one mountain to another, jumping and hopping riverbank to the next, and painstakingly crossing narrow dirt and muddy pathway. Always an adventure for everyone. Work and play were never this thrilling. 

While we were descending the place after the inspection visit, the heaven was about to cry that I decided to walk fast downhill, my colleagues were not able to catch up on me and, eventually, I got off the track. The trek was getting too wet and muddy that I was caught off guard and slid while making my way down. My pants and shirt splashed with chocolate-colored mud and unfortunately suffered some bruise which left a mile-long scar on my arms.  Nevertheless, the experience that I had with my job would never be replaced as it molded and expanded my horizon in the field of community development and natural resources rehabilitation.  

   

a good view of the community with the rainbow

 beaming across the mountain mist 

Nice backdrop for photo ops

found shelter to rest and to breathe in this little hut

bundles of rice stalks ready for milling or manual pounding 

with the use of large wood-made mortar and pestle

trekking in between greens

passing through almost covered pathway 

the walking continues...

a quick stop for a pose 

...and again.

picture taking even if it's hot

got mud?

I had a lot!

In the end, it's not the destination which highly plays in your journey, but the challenges you were able to conquer. On how you play despite the difficulties and still displays the smile after.

Development Work and Culture in the Rural

Doing development work in the Philippines is a humbling experience since it gives us the opportunity to help our fellow countrymen. I'm a physical therapist by profession, but there was something in me that finds development work a daunting and fulfilling experience. I was able to serve and do volunteer work in the local and in abroad in which both left remarkable and special place in my heart. After my volunteer journey in Tajikistan, somewhere located in central Asia, I decided to involve myself again in the same field back home. Along with the national government and other private partnership, it also serves as an avenue for ourselves to immerse to the way of life of those who live in the far flung areas; places that are unfamiliar, yet with so much promising things to offer.

                                  Having fun and breathing the fresh mountain air with a colleague.

 

Occasional rain does not stop us to keep us moving

I was designated as a Community Facilitator in Tinglayan, Kalinga, a 4th class municipality situated in a mountainous area in the northern part of the Philippines. It takes almost a 9-hour rough ride on a top loader  type of jeepney from Baguio city which where I lived. When I started my job as a CF, the local government and the community were already in the last phase of the development project so most of the task was already in the documentation and monitoring stage. 

Putting up concrete-footpath along the sides of the rice terraces was one of the local project that I was monitoring together with local counterpart officials of the community. This pathways would be of great help in transferring and transporting the agricultural products efficiently from one place to another in the community and to the main road.  

Reaching the other areas of the community would need rigorous amount of walking...

...passing narrow steel bridges in Palang-Ah Falls.

...but with the help of the concrete footpath walking would be a breeze.

Aside from the usual community meeting with the local counterparts, I also got the chance to experience some of the practices they had. Almost 8 months of staying and living with them gave me a good grasp on their way of life.

Animal husbandry and agriculture are the main means of their livelihood. The surrounding mountain terrains were carve with rice terraces and irrigation system was built to keep the flow of water from the natural water resources such as falls and rivers. 

During harvest season, the locals gather in the paddy to collect the rice plants; a joyous event that almost similar to other festivities in the country. Adults and children alike help hand in hand in gathering the bountiful blessing from the heavens. Rituals are also held to thank the higher being and to ask blessing for the next harvest season.

                                                         Younger folks doing the play.

Although modernization abounds the agriculture field, the people of Tingalayan still prefer the traditional way.

They use wooden-made mortar and pestle to separate the grain from the husk. I have tried doing it myself and I must say it needs a lot of strength just to pound a few.

The tapuy or rice wine is also one of their products that are marketed in the nearby provinces which could be given as gift and souvenir. Its taste and alcohol content are almost similar to the commercial-made wines but less cheaper.

My stay here in Tingalayan does not only added to my experience as a development worker but what was  far more important was the once in a lifetime experience to live the life in the rural and to be able to cherish and to treasure every moment that would last forever.