Rice Paddy with a Twist
View while toploading from Batad
I was enjoying the sceneries while toploading on a jeep from Batad to Poblacion, Banaue I saw this unique rice paddy.
Banaue, Ifugao
Earthworms of Banaue
During our walk back to our lodging in Batad from Patte (the highest rice terrace of Batad) we came across two children that were throwing spoonful water at the ground and carefully observing the vicinity where the water fell.
The children told us that they were catching earthworms. By mixing the water with soap and throwing the solution to the ground the earthworms gets irritated and surfaces, that is when they would catch the worms and dip them in the solution.
Why do they do this to earthworms?
Earthworms are considered as pests in Banaue. They grow very large that they have been called
Aban
Every time I see the topographical features of the barangays in the Cordillera, I always wonder how do they carry their babies?
Batad Rice Terraces, Ifugao
Obviously, strollers are not an option here. Mother’s in the Cordillera carry their child by tying both ends of a cloth together and wrapping it around their body and placing the child in the cloth. The mother then does her everyday work/chores carrying the child. They call this style of
Changing Experience in Banaue Viewpoint
At one of the viewpoints of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, an old man suddenly asked donations for the children who swept the floor every morning. “O sige po, basta papicture tayo.” I was planning to get his picture and report him to the tourism office.
(Left) Kuya Kevin, our tricycle driver; (Center) Man asking donations; (Right) Me
Pointing to the metal plate
Since I got a picture and will be “donating” some of my hard earned money I might as well get some information. I asked his name, he answered “Aguian (Agi – an)” and pointed to one of the metal plates.
(Left) Metal Plate; (Right) List of names on the plate
THERE’S NO AGUIAN ON THE LIST! Does he really think he can fool me to get some of my hard earned money?
Hunt for the Ifugao Weaved Coin Purse
Last April 2008 I bought a weaved coin purse in Banaue Rice Terraces Viewpoint for 10 Pesos (Affordable!). I just needed a coin purse to organize my noisy coins and did not consider the quality nor how good it looked. I only knew that by buying this small piece of weaving I am able to support the local businesses of the Ifugao people. Besides, if it gets damaged or destroyed by carrying a lot of my coins it will not bother me since it only cost 10 Pesos.
Other than a few notices from my friends that I had a cool looking coin purse, I never gave much attention to it. When it started deteriorating last December 2010, I looked back and realized that