Still Here!

Just back from our travels abroad, that’s why it has been quiet in here for a couple of months.   

Anyway, here I am - ready to start blogging again.  As it's been awhile and I'm rusty, I will aim for at least one post a month.  We’ll see …..

Talakagnons Remember The Dead

It’s All Soul’s Day and Talakagnons have flocked the cemetery to visit the graves of departed family members and friends.  It’s celebrated big time here.  Graves were cleaned and given a fresh coat of paint.  Candles were lit, flowers offered and prayers said.  It goes to show how much we love our family and friends - even when they’re dead!

Here’s a few random photos taken today.

People arriving the cemetery.

This lady lights a candle at the foot of a Central Cross.  It's in memory of someone who's buried somewhere, perhaps in another town, city or province.

Flowers are big business during this time.  They're everywhere for people to buy and take to graves.

Refreshment area.

Rescue Team on standby in case of emergencies.

Police presence to keep the peace and order.

The Official List of Talakag Candidates for May 2016 Elections

The deadline for filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) was last Friday, October 16 at 5pm.  Now here’s the official list of candidates for the May 2016 Elections as released by the COMELEC Office of Talakag:

MAYOR

BIGCAS, Lynard Allan Saliring – IND

ELIGAN, Andres, Jr. Almaden – IND

FACTURA, Vergito Ociones – BPP

TINOY, Rodnie Lupiahan – IND

YAMBA, Patrick Caseres – UNA

VICE MAYOR

NOBLE, Amado, Jr. Zayas – BPP

PERMA, Camilo Hagtos – IND

SULATAN, Renato, Sr. Roa – UNA

COUNCILOR

ALMADEN, Danielo Lato – IND

ALMINE, Brylle John Mainit – IND

AMATIAGA, Aileen Balones – BPP

BACUNGAN, Rommel Runas – IND

BORRETA, Eugenio Bernabe Aquino – UNA

CATA-O, Romeo Pabayos – IND

CEDENO, Ninos Vince Guzman – UNA

GAYONAN, Susan Bustillo – UNA

GOLINSAO, James Lagunday – UNA

LAGARE, Angelito Amora – IND

LAGUYAN, Engracio Salona – IND

LLADAS, Raul Naveses – IND

MACAPAYAG, Ryan Noble – BPP

MANTE, Geralyn Ombod – IND

MONJE, Angelo Obod – BPP

NERI, Samuel Maandig – BPP

PACUNO, Abdon Villanueva – BPP

SABANG, Yolanda Sotelo – UNA

SANSANAN, Rosenio Samontao – UNA

SENO, Wilfredo Deveza – UNA

SINGCAHON, Nicasio Ondayan – BPP

SULATAN, Renato, Jr. Salientes – UNA

TAQUEBAN, Carlos de Castro – BPP

TIANZON, Romeo Blanco - BPP

Bukidnon Paglaum Party (BPP)
United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)
Independent (IND)

Please go to BukidnonOnline for the Provincial List of Candidates for Bukidnon.
 

Kaamulan 2015 Map of Activities

Thank you BukidnonOnline for sharing this valuable information.  It's very helpful.

If like me you're heading to Malaybalay for the Kaamulan 2015 Festival, it is very important to know when and where to go for the particular activities that you're interested in.  I am a regular Kaamulan visitor and I know my way about.  However, I must admit the change of some venues for the major events this year are worth noting!

Check out BukidnonOnline's prep photos HERE.

Dressed for Work The Bukidnon Way

These ladies are on their way to work.  A pretty sight you must agree!

Today for the very first time in Bukidnon history, LGU employees came to work dressed in tribal Bukidnon attire (which is normally reserved only for special occasions like the Kaamulan, tribal weddings and formal affairs).  This is in compliance to Governor Zubiri’s memorandum that they dress accordingly for assembly every 1^st Monday of the month.

Here they are again inside their respective offices.

Today the streets of Talakag burst with bold colours of red, white, black and some yellows, purples and greens.  What a wonderful way of showcasing and promoting the Bukidnon culture!

I couldn't help but admire this anklet worn by one of the ladies.

Note her necklace made with old silver coins.

If you want to know more about Bukidnon Women's Ethnic Attire, follow this LINK.

Talakag’s 5th Farmers Day Celebration

It’s the day when Talakag farmers come together in the Plaza, learn from seminars and exchange farming technologies/ideas with their fellow farmers.  Today, the topic was about organic farming.

Anything interesting for the public?  Oh yes, that is if you’re interested in buying fresh fruits, vegetables, garden plants and herbs at very reasonable prices.  Displays in various booths are a delightful sight, especially that there is competition for the “Best Booth”.

Unusual finds include:

Here’s what I bought:

Passion Fruit on the left will be made into juice.

A Purse made from recycled material bought from the Bighoop stall.

Notably absent from this year's show are the booths by Del Monte and Dole.  I'm very disappointed to miss their fresh vegetables (especially the red cabbages, beef tomatoes and bell peppers) and their canned pineapples, pears, peaches and fruit cocktails.  Mr Tupas and his rabbits have been missed too.  Hope to see them back at the Farmers Day next year.

Kaamulan Festival 2015 Schedule

The Kaamulan Festival celebrating the annual gathering of Bukidnon’s 7 hill tribes will be held from October 1-31 this year.  The main events are listed below:

October 1

• Grand Opening
• Pamuhat (Opening Ritual) followed by a parade

October 3 – Kaamulan Fun Run

October 4 – 1st Kaamulan Phil. Circuit Mountain Festival (Mt Kalatungan, Mt Kitangland, Mt Dulang)

October 9 – 1st Kaamulan Dart Tournament

October 10 – Opening of Kaamulan Horsemanship Competition

October 17 – Opening of Kaamulan Rodeo

October 18 – Rodeo Night

October 19 – National Day of IPs

October 20

• Tribal Wedding
• Kaamulan Ethno Cultural Festival

October 21 – Ethnic Sports

October 23

• Tribal Convention
• Piniliyapan Hu Bukidnon

October 24

• Pamuhat Ritual
• Street Dancing Competition

October 27 – Laga Ta Bukidnon Talent Night

October 29 – Laga Ta Bukidnon Coronation Night

October 30 – Opening of Kaamulan Motocross

All throughout October, there will be Food Fest, Agri Fair, Indigenous Bazaar, Garden Show, Livestock And Poultry Show.  For a complete Kaamulan Festival 2015 Schedule, please visit BukidnonOnline.

Whilst Talakag was last year’s Centennial Major Winners of the Street Dancing and Float Competitions, it will be not be competing for these categories this year.  However, watch out for our own Laga Ta Talakag, Miss Artango, who will be competing at the Kaamulan’s Laga Ta Bukidnon 2015.