Kaamulan 2010 Update: Third Time Unlucky for Talakag

Last January, I wrote about Talakag’s preparations for the Kaamulan Festival 2010. As you may already know, Talakag has already placed 2nd twice in previous Kaamulan Ethnic Street Dancing competitions. Well last Saturday, we were in Malaybalay to watch them compete again. Sadly they’ve been unlucky in their third attempt. The competition was really tough and no matter how hard the Talakagnons tried, their best was just not enough (this time) from the judges’ perspective anyway.

However, let us not lose sight of what Kaamulan really stands for; the opportunity to “gather (and feast) with the seven hill tribes of Bukidnon”. After all, it’s the participation that counts and winning is just a bonus. Kaamulan 2010 has come and gone. So Talakagnons, don't despair. “Live to fight another day” and better luck next time.

I have posted some photos here to document all the preparations and VERY HARD WORK that the people behind the scenes and participants alike have gone through just to make it right on the Big Day.


Costume making with Mrs Flora dela Torre

Jewelry making and baskets

Making the spears and shields

Decorating the totem poles and float

Testing the drums and bamboo musical instruments

Rehearsals

Street Dancing

Dancing at the Capitol Grounds

Mayor Nestor Macapayag receives a plaque of appreciation

Dole’s Cabarosak Park

Talakag has now got a Park, thanks to Dole who built it for its workers and opened it to the public as well. Cabarosak Park is located on top of a hill, in the midst of the Dole Banana Plantation in the Malinao area of San Isidro, not too far away from the Dole Packing Station. If it’s going to be your first visit, take someone who’s actually been there before to guide you as the Park is not well signposted. Beware as you could easily get lost amongst the vast hectares of banana trees. Have a look at the photos I’ve posted here and you’ll see what I mean.

Cabarosak Park is built on 3 levels. On the first level, you’ll find the parking area, the entrance, the picnic huts, a barbecue area, toilet facilities, the hanging bridge crossing over a creek, a water fountain, a fish pond and botanic garden. On the second level is the Dining Hall which is screened from mosquitoes and flies. It has bamboo seats, tables and even washing facilities. On the third level, you’ll find a play area with swings, see-saw and monkey bar for the children to enjoy. There’s also a 4-storey view deck that provides a spectacular 360-degree views around Talakag, including the sky, mountains, farms and banana trees as far as your eyes can see.

For a while Cabarosak Park was our best kept secret as we wanted to keep the place to ourselves. It’s a nice and quiet place to enjoy a picnic, read a book, or even a short siesta. Jim and I love going up there during the week (weekends can be crowded nowadays). In as much as I love showing my friends and visitors around Talakag, I have only just recently started to share Cabarosak Park with them. After this post, I doubt whether it’s going to be our best kept secret for long.

Talakag Prepares for Kaamulan Festival 2010

At the Plaza this week, the drums are out and, after rigorous screening and elimination process, over a hundred selected participants have been dancing to the Talaandig beat. This grueling preparation will continue for the next 6 weeks under the keen eye of the Val Lozada who has choreographed Talakag to 2nd Place, twice in a row (2004 and 2007). 3rd time lucky? Let’s keep our fingers crossed for 1st Place this year when Talakag will again be a contingent for the Kaamulan Festival Ethnic Street Dancing Competition to be held on the 6th of March.

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. For a complete Kaamulan Festival 2010 schedule of activities visit Bukidnon Online.

Come on let’s go to the Kaamulan Festival 2010 and give moral support to our fellow Talakagnons. If you’re looking for accommodation, contact Haus Malibu Guest House located at Bonifacio Drive, Malaybalay City, Telefax: (088) 221-2714 / 221-3318.

(Yours truly have taken this opportunity to join in the dance practice voluntarily for a very personal reason. When I was living in the UK, I’ve always been very proud to show off my traditional Bukidnon dress during Filipino Festivals (read about it here). So learning a traditional Bukidnon dance to go with the dress should complete the package.)

Happy New Year Talakag!

Hello Talakagnons and friends - Wishing you a wonderful 2010!















Thank you for following Talbuks Café. Come and visit again soon.

Lanterns Galore

The Talakag Municipal Hall is currently showcasing Lanterns made from local native materials. What a refreshing change!

Made from Corn Husks.
Made from Rice Husks.
Made from Banana Leaves.
Made from Corn Cobs 1.
Made from Corn Cobs 2.

Made from Ipil-ipil Pods.

To those of you who can't make it to Talakag this Christmas, hope you'll enjoy the display here. Merry Christmas Talakag!

Christmas Spirit in Talakag

The Christmas lights are now on display at the Plaza and the Municipal Hall in Talakag every night. Very soon all the trees around the Plaza will be decorated and lit as each Barangay and some Business Establishments join the Annual Christmas Tree Decoration Contest. It’s nice to see so many people going out and strolling around the Plaza in the evenings and meeting up with friends amidst the bright and colourful display. A far cry from the old Talakag since it wasn't until the early 1970s that the town started to have electricity.

If you are thinking about visiting or coming home to Talakag, plan to be here around the 22nd of December when the Municipal Carol Singing and Lantern Contests will be held. However, I have yet to get confirmation whether there will be similar contests at Barangay level.

May 2010 Election: List of Candidates for the Municipality of Talakag

Today, I visited the COMELEC Office of Talakag to obtain the names of candidates seeking election come May 2010:

Lakas-Kampi-CMD
Macapayag, Nestor - Mayor
Sulatan, Renato - Vice Mayor
Gayonan, Susan - SB
Pacuno, Abdon - SB
Lladas, Raul - SB
Sansanan, Rosenio - SB
Samontao, Morillo - SB
Seno, Wilfredo - SB
Factura, Vergito - SB
Monje, Angelo - SB

Nacionalista
Noble, Amado Sr - Vice Mayor
Noble, Amado Jr - SB
Haguingan, Fidel - SB
Janao, Pedro Jr - SB
Ciervo, Daniel Fabian - SB
Borreta, Eugenio - SB
Ngaso, Felizardo - SB
Sabang, Yolanda - SB
Mapano, Rey - SB

Liberal
Santiago, Timoteo - SB
Bigcas, Alberto - SB
Madrigal, Lito - SB

Independent
Romulo, Rodrigo - Mayor
Tinoy, Rodney - Mayor
Lanado, Emeterio Jr - SB
Taqueban, Carlos - SB
Gozo,Eleazar - SB
Tianzon, Romeo - SB
Mapano, Freniel - SB
Palangga, Thomas - SB

For a list of candidates for various Bukidnon provincial seats, please go to Bukidnon Online.