All Set for Linggo Ng Talakag 2012

It’s that time of the year again and the Linggo Ng Talakag preparations are all set.  The usual funfare are in place and the motocross race tracks have been graded.

If you’re thinking of a good time to visit Talakag, then make it this week.  You can check out the Schedule of Activities below.  However, you’ll find that the top crowd-drawers, the Beauty Pageant and the Cultural Show, will be missing in this year’s activities.

The Colourful Buntings and Festival Banners are up.  The Exhibitor's Stalls are in position.  The Food Stalls are open for business.  The Ukay-ukay Stalls are in place.  Popcorn and Cotton Candy Carts are dotted all around the Plaza and so with the Angry Bird Balloons.

 Have Fun Everyone!

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