Clearing the Road between Talakag and CDO after Sendong

It  has been 3 months since Sendong struck Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Bukidnon and left devastation along its path. Our very own Talakag got cut-off from CDO due to several landslides. I counted 8 landslides in total between this stretch of road.  Lorries carrying agricultural products got stuck.  Jeepneys and vans carrying passengers couldn't get through.  People, who found it necessary to travel, had to walk in knee-deep mud for half a kilometer in some areas just to get over the other side.    It took 10 days to make the roads barely passable again for vehicles.

As I passed the road from Talakag to CDO today, the clearing operation of the landslides is still ongoing.  See photos below:

Heavy Machines at Work

Landslides between Ugiaban Bridge and Tigahon Areas

 Landslides between San Isidro and Balaon Areas

Yet last week, another landslide occurred in roughly the same areas.  It wasn’t even raining!  I didn’t realise that if the soil is too dry, the ground breaks and can result in landslides too.  What’s happening here is that the clearing operation only concentrated on scraping and pushing the mud aside.  What’s left of the eroded area (or the drop) is still unattended.  Unless these areas are planted with grass, shrubs and trees immediately, the threat of more landslides will always be there.  I hope this will be addressed very soon before the rainy season comes, otherwise there will be no roots to hold the soil together.

The big question is “whose responsibility is it to replant the eroded areas?”  The owners (if it's a private property)?  Any government agency (as its their duty to implement preventative measures)?  Or any volunteer eco-warriors (just because they care)?

Kaamulan Rodeo 2012

Jim and I, together with our friends Andy and Cynthia, went to the Kaamulan 2012.  However, instead of watching the famous Ethnic Street Dancing on March 3, we decided to go a day later and watch the Rodeo Show for a change. 



The last time I watched a Rodeo Show in Malaybalay was way back in the 70s.  The Grand Stand (the venue) was made of timber then and much of the surrounding area was grassland. So it’s no surprise that I couldn’t quite remember how to get to the Grand Stand this time that we have to stop and ask for directions.  We asked the very first person we saw along the main road who was dressed as a cowboy.  This cowboy turned out to be Mr Tony Guillermo who happened to be one of the Rodeo Judges.  It was a lucky coincidence as we then got invited to watch the show from the Judges’ Box.

It was interesting to see what the Rodeo’s like today.  The Grand Stand is now a concrete structure and the area surrounded by many houses.  The Competitors and Judges were dressed to impress in their finest cowboy attire.  Even some of the Organisers and Spectators made an effort to dress the part.  Del Monte was the Rodeo Sponsor for the Day and free-flowing pineapple juice was offered to the public the whole day from their kiosk.

The Rodeo Show took place in a fenced and dirt (or mud) surfaced arena.  Whilst there were other Rodeo events on the program, we only watched the Team-Roping event in particular.  Mr Guillermo explained to us that this is a timed-event with two cowboys on their horses chasing the calf.  The first cowboy ropes the head while the second cowboy ropes the legs.  A third cowboy then runs to the calf and flanks it on its side.  Today’s winning team did this in just under 23 seconds - I’m impressed!

Judges, Organisers & Marshals Gathered for Last Minute Instructions

I’ll definitely go back next year, complete with my cowboy hat and boots (or wellies), to watch more Rodeo events.


The Cowboy & Me

Cattle, Boots & Denim

Beware! Mad Cows About

Kaamulan 2012 - Grand Opening

Kaamulan Festival is the annual gathering of the Seven (7) Hill Tribes of Bukidnon

(the Bukidnon, Manobo, Matigsalug, Talaandig,

Higaonon, Umayamnon, and Tiguahanon)

in the capital Malaybalay City.

The Kaamulan 2012 held  its Grand Opening Ceremony today.  Check out the Schedule below to see which activities will interest you.  I've been to see the Ethnic Street Dancing in 2009 and 2010 so this time, for a change, I would like to watch the Rodeo.  See you there!

Talakag has a Booth at the Agri-Fair. If you get the chance, please drop in for some refreshing Carrot Juice.

KAAMULAN 2012 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES


February 24 (Friday) GRAND OPENING
Opening Ritual (Kaamulan ha Pangampu)
Kaamulan Grounds @ 6:00 a.m.
Motorcade(Sponsors)
School Band Parade
HTB Mountain Bike Parade
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Ribbon Cutting / ROTARY PARK Capitol Stage @ 10:00 a.m.
School Band Competition Capitol Stage @ 10:30 a.m.
Off Road Registration Impasug-ong @ 9:00 a.m.
Kaamulan Jam Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m. 

February 25 (Saturday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Bukidnon Seven Ethnic Groups convention
(Bunsuda daw Bigula hu kag Dapita)
Tulugan, Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
HTB Mountain Bike Competition Malaybalay City @ 8:00 a.m.
Opening 2nd Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Moto Trail Challenge
Kaamulan Ground @ 8:00 a.m.
Off Road Challenge Impasug-ong @ 9:00 a.m.
Kaamulan Jam Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.



February 26 (Sunday)
2nd Kaamulan Kitanglad International Rugged Mountain Race
Mt. Kitanglad Natural Park @ 6:00 a.m.
Bukidnon Seven Ethnic Groups convention
(Bunsuda daw Bigula hu kag Dapita)
Tulugan, Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
HTB Mountain Bike Competition Malaybalay City @ 8:00 a.m.
Off Road Challenge Impasug-ong @ 8:00 a.m.
Kaamulan Jam Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.



February 27 (Monday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Flowerhorn Fish Show Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
Provincial Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day
Kaamulan Open Theater @ 8:00 a.m.
HTB Mountain Bike Competition Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Kaamulan Jam (San Miguel Beer) Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.



February 28 (Tuesday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Flowerhorn Fish Show Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
Tribal Wedding Tulugan, Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
HTB Mountain Bike Competition Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Kaamulan Jam (San Miguel Beer) Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.



February 29 (Wednesday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Flowerhorn Fish Show Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
Tribal Olympics of the Seven Ethnic Groups
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
2nd Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Moto Trail Challenge
Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
A Night of Bukidnon Music with Bukidnon Artist
Capitol Stage @ 6:00 p.m.



March 1 (Thursday)
Tree Planting & Climb (BUMOC, Inc.)
Mt. Ki-amo, Brgy. Kibalabag, @ 6:00 a.m.
Bukidnon Native Cooking Contest
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Flowerhorn Fish Show Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
Tribal Olympics of the Seven Ethnic Groups
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
2nd Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Moto Trail Challenge
Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.



March 2 (Friday)
Tree Planting & Climb (BUMOC, Inc.)
Mt. Ki-amo, Brgy. Kibalabag, @ 6:00 a.m.
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Flowerhorn Fish Show Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
Tribal Olympics of the Seven Ethnic Groups
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
2nd Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Moto Trail Challenge
Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Piniliyapan hu Bukidnon Kaamulan Open Theater @7:00 pm



March 3 (Saturday) ETHNIC STREET DANCING

Pamuhat Capitol Grounds &  Pinehills Hotel@4:00 a.m.
Ethnic Street Dancing Fortich St. to Capitol Grounds @7:00 a.m
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Flowerhorn Fish Show Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m
Opening Kaamulan Rodeo Grand Stand @ 8:00 a.m.
Manila Band / Artist Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m
FIREWORKS Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 p.m.



March 4 (Sunday)
4th Kaamulan Adventure Race Kaamulan Grounds @ 6:00 a.m
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Kaamulan Rodeo Grand Stand @ 8:00 a.m
Rodeo Night Grand Stand @ 7:00 p.m.
Sponsors Night Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.



March 5 (Monday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Chess Tournament
Bukidnon State University 8:00 a.m.
Sponsors Night Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.



March 6 (Tuesday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Chess Tournament
Bukidnon State University 8:00 a.m.
Opening Motocross Grandstand @ 8:00 a.m.
Binibining Bukidnon 2012 (Talent Night)
Kaamulan Open Theater @7:00 pm



March 7 (Wednesday) 
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Chess Tournament
Bukidnon State University @ 8:00 a.m.
Motocross Championship Grandstand @ 8:00 a.m.
RC Off Road Show Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m



March 8 (Thursday)
Womens Day Kaamulan Open Theater @ 6:00 a.m.
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Chess Tournament
Bukidnon State University @ 8:00 a.m.
RC OffRoad Show Kaamulan Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Binibining Bukidnon 2012 (Coronation Night)
Kaamulan Open Theater @7:00 pm


March 9 (Friday)
Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Chess Tournament
Bukidnon State University @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Kaamulan Fun Run
Kaamulan Grounds@5:00 a.m.
SPONSORS NIGHT (San Miguel Beer) Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.

March 10 (Saturday) 95th FOUNDATION DAY

Garden Show, Food Fest, Agri-Fair,
Kaamulan Bazaar, Livestock & Poultry Show
Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
Photo Exhibit/Contest Capitol Grounds @ 8:00 a.m.
1st Gov. Alex P. Calingasan Chess Tournament
Bukidnon State University @ 8:00 a.m.
95th Foundation Day (Parade/Program)
Capitol Grounds @ 7:00 a.m.
SPONSORS NIGHT (SMART) Capitol Stage @ 7:00 p.m.

(Source: Bukidnon News courtesy of the Provincial Tourism Office)

Cops Hunt Bigcas After Alleged Slay Try

I just saw this news on TV a couple of hours ago.  You can read about it from ABS-CBN News.

Road Concreting Project: Market Road to Kabalangasan Bridge

Last September, work started on concreting the road from the top of the Market towards the Kabalangasan Bridge.  This project has been financed by Congressman Jess Paras.  I’m pleased to report that this is now finished.


Hmmmmm not quite but almost anyway!  Please see photo below and you’ll see what I mean.

A bridge too far - The concrete road ends right here!
The road on the left goes towards the bridge (where the jeepney is) 
and on the right is the back road to the market.

Like me you’re bound to ask, ”What happened?  Did they run out of money?”  Well, it’s not quite like that.  My source told me that Congressman Paras gave a set amount for this project and said, “Here, see how far it goes.”  At least he’s realistic – it’s better than nothing.  Anyway, I still consider it progress and we should be grateful for small mercies.

The people who live nearby and those who travel between the Poblacion and San Antonio may be relieved that the disruption caused by the roadwork is now over but I bet they’re hoping that Congressman Paras will pass this way often enough to notice the (still bumpy) shortfall and, perhaps, finish what he started.

It’s Been Awhile .....

..... since the last post I made here in November of last year! Anyway, I’ve just returned from my travels and I can’t believe it’s taken a few months – how time flies!

And while I was away:

1. Typhoon Sendong (International Name: Washi) hit Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Iligan on the night of December 16. I wasn’t around (Thank God!) to witness it’s wrath (except as seen on international TV and the internet) and the effects it had to the Talakagnons.

2. St Joseph High School celebrated its 2nd Grand Alumni Homecoming last December 28-29 and I have missed a very rare opportunity of a reunion with my batchmates and former schoolmates.

So what will this Blog bring you this year? Well, you’ll just have to watch this space to find out. If you’re a regular follower of Talbuks Cafe, I’d like to welcome you back. Please drop by again soon for more stories and updates on what’s on in Talakag.

RIP: Jocelyn Achas Villegas

It is with deep sadness that I write about the loss of a very dear friend on this blog. Joy, as she is fondly known by fellow Talakagnons, passed away earlier this week. The funeral will be held this Saturday in Talakag.

Joy served the LGU of Talakag, Bukidnon as Budget Officer since the late 1970s until early this year when she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

She will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with the family she left behind at this very difficult time.